DMA launches report into mobile marketing
Marketers must go way beyond the current regulations to win consumer confidence in mobile marketing, according to the findings of a study published today.
The Mobile Marketing White Paper: UK Spam Study polled consumers to identify the unwritten rules of acceptable engagement via mobile. Almost 70 per cent of consumers polled are happy to receive mobile marketing messages, and more than half stated that they would welcome SMS marketing messages from trusted brands with sales promotions and offers that they find of genuine benefit.
However, over half of respondents felt that companies did not make the opt-in process clear enough; two-thirds of respondents wanted to choose the time of day they received mobile marketing messages; and the majority of respondents did not know who had contacted them.
Mark Brill, chair of the DMA Mobile Marketing Council, commented: “Trust and clarity is key to developing an effective mobile marketing strategy. It's therefore important to be explicit about opting in. Customers who have opted in should be quickly contacted with confirmation of their choices and information on how to opt out. Brands may find that their reputation is quickly damaged if mobile marketing messages are too frequent, sent at the wrong time of day, irrelevant or unclear to the user.”
While only one-third of respondents believe that they are increasingly receiving more spam, the report reveals that people are confused about the financial cost of spam. One-third of respondents believe that simply receiving a spam message will result in a charge to their mobile bill, while the same number believe that opening a spam message results in charges.
The report also points to a lack of understanding on dealing with these unwanted messages. 34 per cent would complain to their mobile operator, 39 per cent would not complain at all and 51 per cent would complain directly to the company responsible for the message. With 68 per cent of respondents having received unsolicited messages, the report suggests a need for mobile operators to become involved in dealing with spam.
Brill adds: “Understanding the attitudes of consumers towards SMS marketing is key to creating a successful mobile marketing campaign. Unlike emails, mobile phones are routinely regarded as a private means of communication reserved exclusively for family, friends and colleagues. This study shows that consumers regard crossing this threshold and contacting them via unsolicited SMSs as being a near unforgivable violation of privacy. Brands guilty of such transgressions face dire consequences at the hands of the aggrieved consumer.”
To view a copy of the report, visit: www.dma.org.uk/research