Actually, I think the most interesting aspect of this isn't what Clear Channel is doing with it today, but what the implications of text-to-machine possibilities are for the future. Here's a clip from a post that I've written for my blog that will appear on Friday (June 1) that specifically addresses this issue:
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This service has the capacity to get quite sophisticated. Of course, the potential for targeted advertising is huge... once you've sent in a request for a song the station knows what type of music you like so there's the possibility of sending coupons for downloads, CDs (wow - how quaint would it be to actually walk into a record store and buy a CD?? I honestly can't remember the last time I did that), movies and more. If you request a traffic report for an area at a certain time maybe tomorrow you'll get a coupon or an ad for a restaurant that's right along the way - a free dessert with dinner or an invitation to happy hour. Once you send information into the system they'll start extrapolating it into some kind of revenue-producing service.
Let's look at some things that could be done with text messaging in the near future in your everyday life:
* Waiting on line at a restaurant for a table? Why carry one of those silly coaster-like pagers that only work within a 30-foot radius of the restaurant? Shouldn't it be easier, less expensive and more user-friendly for the restaurant to send a quick text message alerting you when your table is available?
* Why does my doctor or dentist call me to confirm an appointment? Yes, they could send me an email, but I'm not always at my computer (I gave up my Blackberry years before they even started becoming popular with the masses - after sending/receiving 200+ emails/day). I do, however, always have my phone with me... so why not send me a text reminder with an option to confirm/change/please-call-me reply back to the doctor's office?
* How many times have you called the pharmacy, or actually gone to the pick-up window, only to find out that the prescription you requested isn't ready yet? Wouldn't it be easier for you - and them - if their system automatically sent you a text message when the prescription was filled? Their systems already require a prescription to be "closed out" when it's completed so that the insurance claim for reimbursement is filed - this should be an easy add-on.
* One service that I'll talk about in more detail in a later post takes real estate into the texting realm... yard signs have a special code on them for prospective buyers to request information that's sent directly to their cell phones - including photos - while they're sitting right in front of the house. ------- There's more, if you're interested, here:
As I said, the truly interesting part here isn't being able to request a song, but what this process may be indicating as the leading edge for the future.
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Actually, I think the most interesting aspect of this isn't what Clear Channel is doing with it today, but what the implications of text-to-machine possibilities are for the future. Here's a clip from a post that I've written for my blog that will appear on Friday (June 1) that specifically addresses this issue:
----------
This service has the capacity to get quite sophisticated. Of course, the potential for targeted advertising is huge... once you've sent in a request for a song the station knows what type of music you like so there's the possibility of sending coupons for downloads, CDs (wow - how quaint would it be to actually walk into a record store and buy a CD?? I honestly can't remember the last time I did that), movies and more. If you request a traffic report for an area at a certain time maybe tomorrow you'll get a coupon or an ad for a restaurant that's right along the way - a free dessert with dinner or an invitation to happy hour. Once you send information into the system they'll start extrapolating it into some kind of revenue-producing service.
Let's look at some things that could be done with text messaging in the near future in your everyday life:
* Waiting on line at a restaurant for a table? Why carry one of those silly coaster-like pagers that only work within a 30-foot radius of the restaurant? Shouldn't it be easier, less expensive and more user-friendly for the restaurant to send a quick text message alerting you when your table is available?
* Why does my doctor or dentist call me to confirm an appointment? Yes, they could send me an email, but I'm not always at my computer (I gave up my Blackberry years before they even started becoming popular with the masses - after sending/receiving 200+ emails/day). I do, however, always have my phone with me... so why not send me a text reminder with an option to confirm/change/please-call-me reply back to the doctor's office?
* How many times have you called the pharmacy, or actually gone to the pick-up window, only to find out that the prescription you requested isn't ready yet? Wouldn't it be easier for you - and them - if their system automatically sent you a text message when the prescription was filled? Their systems already require a prescription to be "closed out" when it's completed so that the insurance claim for reimbursement is filed - this should be an easy add-on.
* One service that I'll talk about in more detail in a later post takes real estate into the texting realm... yard signs have a special code on them for prospective buyers to request information that's sent directly to their cell phones - including photos - while they're sitting right in front of the house.
-------
There's more, if you're interested, here:
http://www.TheWirelessWizard.com/tips
As I said, the truly interesting part here isn't being able to request a song, but what this process may be indicating as the leading edge for the future.
Just my 2 cents.
Very insightful.