Comments on: Intimate Intruders

By: Cam Beck

Cam Beck — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 01:31:38 +0000

Tammy, I can think of only one reason: If the ads subsidize your use of the phone so that the total cost of ownership decreases.
That doesn’t seem to be the case here, however.

By: Allen Weiss

Allen Weiss — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:40:31 +0000

Hi All,
Thanks for your comments, and I agree with everyone on this important question. I also think that advertisers might get hurt by this as any emotional reaction that consumers have towards this type of intrusion might get shifted to the advertiser. Oh well, only time will tell.

By: David Reich

David Reich — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:52:41 +0000

When it comes to intrusive advertising, let’s face it — we are a nation of sheep. We’ve grown up with ads on TV, we’ve accepted ads in the movie theater–even after paying $10 or more (in NYC anyway) for the privilege. Yes, I bet some people will accept ads as a way to get free cellphone service.
But how much will Verizon be able to make from this approach and for how long… that’s the question. If Verizon’s execs are taking the typical short-range maximize-profits-this-quarter approach, they’ll try it until the majority of the public says “no deal” or someone figures a way to bypass the ads and still get the free service.

By: CK

CK — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:34:39 +0000

Skeptical am I. I have colleagues who run mobile-advertising co’s and are exhuberant over locale-targeted mobile ads (step 20 ft. from a Burger King and get a coupon on your phone for a cheap whopper). I just can’t imagine walking down Broadway here in NYC and getting BOMBARDED with 100 messages every 20 ft. Can you imagine?
Any advertising on a mobile phone…even a free one…just turns me off.
On another Verizon note, they’ve been billing themselves out — on their phone system’s message when you’re on hold — as a broadband and entertainment company. I asked the representative when they became an entertainment co. and she replied, “Good question, I don’t know.” Nothing against Verizon, because I like the company, but they seem, well, disoriented.

By: Tammy Strnatka

Tammy Strnatka — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:46:14 +0000

All I have to say is
Yuck! Why would I want ads on my cell phone?

By: Mario Vellandi

Mario Vellandi — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:01:23 +0000

I agree with Ann….the only way I see ads entering, is through a ‘NetZero’ business model. free phone service sponsored by advertising.
Even if I paid to get mobile TV on my phone, I wouldn’t want to see traditional advertising

By: Cam Beck

Cam Beck — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:03:21 +0000

The Wall Street Journal also recently commented on how consumers want to control the media they consume and how they consume it: “This low-key approach is a major reversal for an industry long keen on marketing messages delivered with a sledge hammer.”
This appears to be a step back.

By: Ann Handley

Ann Handley — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:47:41 +0000

I can’t imagine a scenario in which I’d be thrilled to have ads delivered to my cell phone…unless, of course, the phone was free.
And anyway — didn’t folks at Verizon get the memo…? TIME magazine said YOU (well, WE) are in control now.
Aren’t we?