I stumbled on a new provider of bluetooth-based mobile advertisements today that, according to their website, is slowly building it’s own network of so-called “bluetooth hotspots” to serve up advertisements in the form of video and music clips, coupons, and other media. BlueBite, like most proximity-marketing systems, works by utilizing a small piece of hardware similar to a WiFi router, but with bluetooth broadcast instead. When someone comes within range of the “hotspot” the system sends a connection request to the mobile user, asking if they’d like to receive content. If they accept, the system connects to the mobile device, and delivers the media.
The company has already partnered with InWindow Outdoor in Los Angeles and New York to transmit a 30 second video clip for the CW’s new series “Life Is Wild.” They utilized storescapes outfitted with their bluetooth technology, to promote the series trailer. The company uses “call to action” posters, billboards, and other mediums to remind people to activate the bluetooth on their mobile devices. As for their network, the website’s vague. All that’s mentioned is the fact that their in the process of expanding their network, and that newly created campaigns can…
……..Use our existing network or your own real estate locations. We can also serve short-term campaigns (events, trade-shows, etc.) by utilizing a battery-powered unit……
The idea of a “Bluetooth-Hotspot” network is interesting. Presumably, they’ll target large areas such as airports and shopping malls to install their hardware. They would then have the network in place to serve advertisements for any business or event in those areas that would want to utilize the new technology as a marketing channel. Â
BlueBite seems to have an innovative service, and should be an interesting company to watch in the near future.Â
