Smart phones and mobile devices have become so widely used that they present a great opportunity to brand your organization.  Two economical ways to take advantage of this media are branded games and stock mobile applications.  Each time the recipient opens the application to play the game or to use the application, your logo or message would appear.  Current game applications include 3D Dice, Hangman and Tic-Tac-Toe.  New games such as Fortune Teller are in development, and expected to be available soon.  Stock applications include Alarm Clock, and Medical Minders which remind the recipient when it is time for medications to be taken.

Development time for these games and stock applications is much shorter than for custom applications, and your staff involvement is far less.  Most games and stock applications can be accomplished within three to four weeks.  Development of custom applications can easily require two to three months or longer.  With games and stock applications you would receive a screen shot as a proof much like you receive when imprinting more traditional promotional products.  The only information that would be needed for development would be your full color logo or message.

Some of these games and stock applications can include the ability to collect data from the recipient.  Some can be adapted to multiple mobile platforms, and some can be web-based as well.  Games can be used as lead generators, to drive traffic to your website or Facebook page, to drive traffic to your retail location or your exhibit booth, build email lists, or to educate your audience.

If you are still not convinced that mobile applications offer valuable access to your audience, consider the following statistics:

• 75% of marketers are planning to add mobile to their marketing mix. (Forrester Research)
• After phone usage, gaming is the #1 device activity of smart phone users. (Information Solutions Group) 
• Free applications are downloaded ten times more than fee-based applications. 
• 7 out of 10 consumers are planning to get 4G service within the next 12 months. (Nielsen)
• 69% of US smart phone owners have downloaded a mobile app. (Ask.com)

Product information and marketing statistics were made available by Madeleine Durkin of Central Street Games which is our preferred vendor for these products.

Please contact TheMarketPro when you are considering promotional products and decorated apparel so that we can provide the information you need to make the best possible purchasing decisions.  TheMarketPro can be reached at 800-905-0073 or sales@themarketpro.net .  Additional articles can be found at www.TheMarketPro.net in our “Going Green with Promotional Products” and “Coffee Break Reading” sections.

Author:            Connie King

Published:        December 2011