As promised, today marks the official debut of MobileBehavior TV, our video dissection of (you guessed it) mobile phone behaviors. Each episode will focus on a different behavior, ranging from the silly to the subconscious, with the goal of finding the best ways for brands to use the medium effectively.
The behavior featured in Episode 1 proved equally provocative and polarizing: placing one’s phone on the table in front of them at a bar or restaurant. Suffice it to say, people weren’t shy about defending and, well, denouncing the ritual. Check it out below or here.
Bottom line: bars/restaurants are mobile-friendly zones! As we mentioned in the video, marketers should embrace these venues accordingly. Think: short codes on beer steins, table tent cards, napkins, placemats, etc.
Some other ideas…
Location-Based Services: Regulars could sing up to be recognized upon entry. Vendors could offer SMS coupons, location alerts to friends, etc. Example: “Hey Steve, good to see you back at Spitzers! Show this text to the bartender for a $2.00 Bud Light.” or “Welcome back to Spitzers, Steve! Would you like us to tell your friends you are here? First to join you gets a free appetizer.” Integration with Loopt, Whrrl, Brightkite and Dodgeball would be a natural fit.
WAP Site Promotion: Venues could promote the location of their WAP sites to drive traffic. Sites could be have menues, reservations, patron recommendations, etc.
Branded QR Codes: Like short codes, QR codes could be used to get a list of secret menu items, a free play on the jukebox, and other fun and useful marketing tools.
2 responses so far ↓
1 MBTV Episode 2: Talking on Phone // Jan 26, 2009 at 3:09 pm
[...] doesn’t take a “mobile anthropologist” to realize that phone functionality has evolved in recent years. In this latest installment [...]
2 Forget the Regret: Apps To Deter Drunk Dialing // Mar 31, 2009 at 2:28 pm
[...] in Cantonese, even an LG phone with a built-in breathalyzer. And considering the ubiquity of “phones on tables” at bars, these apps present a great opportunity for liquor brands looking to provide something fun [...]