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Submitted by Mike Grenville on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:37 |
A MySpace deal with mBlox will expand mobile alerts service to reach more than 90% of users.
MySpace's text message alerts provide users near notification of new messages, friend requests, comments and other key activity within their MySpace profiles.
By adding mBlox
, MySpace's text message alert programme is now available to millions more mobile users in the USA. The additional carriers with access now are: Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Alltel Wireless, U.S. Cellular, and Virgin Mobile USA. More connections though mBlox are expected to be added.
MySpace ventured into offering SMS alerts two years ago in the USA starting with a direct connection to AT&T and then a similar connection with Helio and Sprint.
MySpace users can register for MySpace text message alerts by logging in and then clicking the "Text Alerts" link displayed on the User Homepage.
This announcement comes on the heels of several recent developments in MySpace's growing mobile business, including the official launch of the free, ad-supported MySpace Mobile Website (http://m.myspace.com) and a direct distribution deal with Sprint, both announced last week.
"MySpace users have come to depend on our text message alerts for instant notification when family and friends reach out to them on MySpace," said Brandon Lucas, senior director of mobile business development, MySpace. "This partnership with mBlox brings us a step closer to fulfilling our vision of empowering MySpace users stay connected with their community wherever they are, whenever they like."
SMS Become Core
"In the short span of a year SMS has moved form being ancillary to being a core part of MySpace" said Lucas. "Our users are highly mobile, 80% have mobile phones and they are running around more in the day than they are in front of their computers" he added.
In the USA text alerts are free to users and Lucas said MySapce would like to make it ad supported in every market. However they are very aware of the potential to alienate users with inappropriate advertising. "We are watching services such as USAtoday and trying to ensure relevancy in our ads" said Lucas. "We try to target as much as much as possible" he said.
The SMS alerts include a click through link to the mobile site so users can comment immediately. "Text alerts are now a fundamental part of MySpace" Lucas emphasised.
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