Free advertising via SMS   

By The Holland Times Wednesday 05 May 2010, 11:05

A new telecom provider is asking advertisers to utilise mobile loyalty. London-based company Blyk says that young people will accept free SMS messages in exchange for customised ads.

Blyk was made available in the Netherlands Wednesday, adding to the already crowded network of Dutch telecom providers. The company was originally introduced in the country last year, but is now working with Vodafone.

Advertising through mobile phones is still a movement in its infancy, but Blyk says the key to the business's success is focusing on a specific target group. They find people aged 16 to 29-years-old to be their best market.  

Because many young people only carry one SIM card, they must have a mobile that also receives MMS messages, such as those utilised by Blyk. The compnay plans to target nearly 50,000 customers in this group in 2010.

Twenty advertisers have already agreed to participate in Blyk's project, including game company Electronic Arts, fast-food chain McDonald's, and movie studio Universal Pictures.

Customers will receive free monthly SMS messages, but must agree to receive SMS or MMS messages from these adverstisers as well.