# Location-based mobile SMS targeted ads underway in UK

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/10/14/locationbased-mobile-sms-targeted-ads-underway-uk/
- Published: 2010-10-14T23:32:12+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

According to Mashable.com, “UK network provider O2 has partnered with location services
platform Placecast to enable brands to automatically deliver targeted SMS and MMS
to more than one million opted-in O2 customers based on their exact whereabouts”.
The first two brands to trial it are Starbucks and L’Oreal.

This means that a million O2 customers will start getting up to one automated alert
each day highlighting the fact that they are near a Starbucks or L’Oreal outlet 
where they can enjoy a discount.

Messages are targeted, based on O2 users’ stated interests. O2 says it will not 
share customers’ details with advertisers, meaning that if the phone user does not
respond to the offer, the advertiser won’t be able to find out who they are.

## Advertisement

So, this isn’t of course an example of a charity using mobile marketing, but as 
with so many mobile developments, the opportunities are clear. I tend to use charity
shops as the easy example – people within walking distance of a charity shop could
be sent an alert letting them know and perhaps offering them an incentive to come
in. It could be particularly useful for temporary or pop-up shops, such as the Cards
for Good Causes shops which appear in the run-up to Christmas in vacant or donated
shops.

But there will be other fundraising opportunities too, around events, on-pack deals
from manufacturers in support of a charity, celebrity supporters’ public appearances,
and no doubt many others. What can you think of?

http://mashable.com/2010/10/14/placecast-o2-partnership

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