BIGresearch: Mobile Marketing Turns Some People On, Some People Off

Targeting of Users is Key for Marketers

COLUMBUS, OH -- (MARKET WIRE) – 11/11/2009 – Mobile ad spending is poised to grow 27% to $2.1 billion in 2010, according to the Mobile Marketing Association. However, there’s good news and bad news for marketers who are wading into the mobile marketing wars. The good news is the audience for mobile marketing is growing. The bad news is the audience is still relatively small and confined to a limited segment of the market. Marketers who employ mobile marketing to the wrong consumer group risk turning them off, not on, according to an analysis of BIGresearch’s Simultaneous Media Usage Survey (SIMM 14, June 2009) of over 22,000 consumers.

Demographically, consumers who like mobile marketing tend to be young men. They are cell phone-centered and more likely to use social media. On the other hand, those who don’t like mobile marketing tend to be slightly older women who are not as centered around their cell phone or use social media.

Key Characteristics of Mobile Marketing Users and Non-Users

Mobile Marketing        Mobile Marketing
                                          Users                   Non-Users
Men                                       57.9%                   46.2%      
Women                                     42.1%                   53.8%            
Average Age                               39.2                    45.9             
Online search triggered by cell phone     17.4%                   2.4% 
Communicate about search via cell phone   41.3%                   26.3%
Download music/video to cell phone        33.3%                   14.6%
Regularly Use Facebook                    37.9%                   27.8%
Regularly Use MySpace                     23.2%                   9.8%
Regularly Use Twitter                     13.1%                   3.5%

Source: BIGresearch, SIMM 14

The mobile marketing user segment represents a desirable consumer group for specific products such as electronics. They are much more likely to purchase electronics over the next six months than the non-user group: 22.4% plan to buy a computer (v. 13.1%), 20.2% plan to buy a TV (v. 12.6%) and 11.2% plan to buy a digital camera (v. 7.1%).

Since June of 2008, the percentage of people who don’t like mobile marketing has increased. 66.8% don’t like text ads (v. 63.5 in ‘08), 60.2% don’t like voicemail ads (v. 56.8% in ‘08) and 59.6% don’t like video ads (v. 56.1% in ‘08). The percentage of people has also increased for those who say marketers need permission prior to sending an ad (58% v. 55.6% in ‘08) and those who think they are an invasion of privacy (52.1% v. 49.5% in ‘08).

“Marketers are excited about the potential of mobile marketing, but they need to beware,” said Gary Drenik. “Cell phones are perceived by consumers as a very personal form of media and unwanted messaging could be interpreted as an invasion of privacy. There is a risk in the mobile space of turning consumers off and have a negative impact on ROI.”

For complimentary report: http://info.bigresearch.com/

About BIGresearch
BIGresearch is a consumer intelligence firm providing analysis of behavior in areas of products and services, retail, financial services, automotive and media. BIGresearch conducts the monthly Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey (CIA) of 8,000+ respondents and the semi-annual Simultaneous Media Survey (SIMM) of 15,000+ respondents. More information is available at http://www.bigresearch.com

Contact:
Chrissy Wissinger
BIGresearch
(614) 846-0146
chrissy@bigresearch.com