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SMS-Mobile Marketing and the Movie Industry Through Short Messaging Service (SMS) The Hulk fans were offered ringtones, games, Hulk graphics and sound effects. Universal Pictures also set up a Web site, www.hulkmobile.com, to coincide with the movie's release. Legally Blonde 2 offered a variety of text-messaging content and services tied to the movie. Elle Woods fans received blonde jokes, trivia, movie information, and entered a sweepstakes by sending the message "LB2" to the short code "BLNDE." Before the launch of the film in the UK, Bridget Jones Diary fans were able to sign up for daily updates on Bridget Jones' neurotic diary and were offered personality tests as well as "ask Bridget" advice by SMS. To win tickets to The Birthday Girl, contestants were asked to send by SMS the most imaginative and sexy text, simulating a response to a personal ad, as in the film. Movie releases such as Ali, ET, and Jurassic Park allowed for inside and backstage information by SMS on the filming of the movie and the actors in it. Verizon Wireless offered Lord of the Rings fans wireless communities where they could chat and brush up on trivia around The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. For the launch of The Bourne Identity, United International Pictures launched a billboard campaign in the UK, suggesting that a mobile user send an SMS to short code 81222 to find out when and at what cinema the film was playing. For The Hole, Universal built the first movie web site to launch SMS marketing as an integrated part of the promotional message. In addition to providing all the traditional film content, fans were also invited to face a series of interactive games. United International Pictures used a SMS sex advice line in a teen targeted promotion for the Australian launch of its film sequel American Pie 2. The audience was invited to ask "Jim's Dad" tricky questions about sex and receive free advice via a text message. Columbia used SMS as part of its campaign to raise awareness of the film Anger Management in Australia. Contestants sent their e-mail address by SMS after which a "Stress Test" and entry form were sent instantly to them by email. Entrants were then asked to explain in 25 words why they deserved to win "the ultimate healing holiday." The Austin Powers Goldmember movie was launched in Australia with an SMS instant win promotion as part of the marketing campaign. More than 20 million packets of Mojo Munchies featured Austin Powers characters and a game tag inside. Consumers sent a code from the game tag via SMS and immediately received an SMS response advising if they've won a prize. Even if they didn't win, they could download a free Austin Powers ring tone or graphic directly to their mobile. The campaign for The Matrix Reloaded encouraged viewers to register via SMS for the chance to win a trip for two to the movie premiere. Participants were asked to respond to three SMS questions, with each of the questions reflecting the urgency and excitement of the movie. Paramount Films India Ltd employed SMS contests to promote How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. SMS contests were interactive and instant and many people who generally do not participate in contests became hooked on to the medium. 20th Century Fox used SMS to promote its new release Phone Booth. Mobile phone users had to send an SMS to 4646 and were then sent a series of questions. The people who answered the questions correctly walked away with prizes. Sony Pictures Mobile announced the launch of the Charlie's Angels®: Full Throttle premium mobile services which included: polyphonic and monophonic ring tones including "Feel Good Time" by Pink; color backgrounds with scenes from the film; MMS animations to forward onto friends; "Charlie's Angels®: Road Cyclone," a Javaä game involving a motorbike chase against the evil Diva Indigo and her gang; as well as SMS trivia quizzes to win prizes or simply to test your caliber as an angel. Channel 5 Movie Bonanza: October-November 2001: Following the success of the first mobile marketing promotion of Channel 5's Movie Bonanza in Spring 2001, Channel 5 executed a similar campaign. Using the database built up in February and March, as well as trailers at the end of the blockbuster movies, subscribers to the Movie Bonanza campaign were incentivized to answer a series of questions about six Movie Bonanza films with prizes of £1,000 being given away every night that a Bonanza Movie was screened. SMS participants were reminded of the next movie on the day of the showing and received the question about the movie by SMS as well. Fame Adlabs in India announced alternatives to the conventional method of ticketing over the Box Office. The concept of Real Time Ticketing Services was introduced in order to make the booking of tickets easier, friendlier and more convenient as opposed to the old system of waiting endlessly in a line for hours before the movie. All one needs to do is, go to the theatre an hour prior to the show and take their tickets in exchange for the unique number or voucher as the case may be. If a person has booked tickets through SMS, he/she will get a reminder SMS half an hour prior to the show which will clearly mention that if that person does not reach there 15 minutes before the show, it will be assumed that the ticket was cancelled. |