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Vast Majority of Marketers Will Utilize Mobile Marketing and Increase Spending on Mobile Platforms in 2011

NEW YORK (Jan. 31, 2011) — The vast majority of client-side marketers — 88 percent — say they will utilize mobile marketing in 2011. Seventy-five percent plan to increase their spending on mobile marketing initiatives by an average of 59 percent versus 2010, according to a new survey from the ANA (Association of National Advertisers) in partnership with the MMA (Mobile Marketing Association).

Survey findings showed that in 2010, 62 percent of marketers used some form of mobile marketing for their brands. An additional 26 percent reported their intention to begin doing so this year, elevating the expected 2011 utilization rate to the near-universal 88 percent level.

Respondents cited two companies as being particularly successful with mobile marketing: Coca-Cola for its mobile advertising and Target for its integration of mobile web, rewards and wish list registry. However, most respondents are less enthusiastic about their own mobile initiatives. Only 25 percent rate their efforts as "extremely" or "very" successful, while the majority (53 percent) says their efforts have been only "somewhat" successful.

Those marketers claiming above average success rates have the following traits in common:

  • Have been using the medium longer
  • Tend to use more of mobile's individual platforms
  • Integrate platforms with each other
  • Measure mobile efforts with a wide array of metrics.

"Mobile is clearly a fast-growing platform for marketers, but it has yet to attain its full potential," said Bob Liodice, President and CEO, ANA. "With the anticipated increase in adoption this year, we expect to see fresh, innovative approaches, increased brand-building success, and better accountability for this exciting channel."

More than a dozen distinct interactive mobile platforms are currently being used by marketers, according to survey findings. The five with the highest adoption levels — at least by one-half of the firms surveyed — are the following:

  • Mobile websites
  • Mobile apps
  • Mobile messaging/SMS
  • Mobile display ads
  • Mobile search

"The results of the ANA-MMA joint survey strongly indicate that we will continue to see increased adoption and spending this year across all mobile marketing platforms," said Greg Stuart, Global CEO, MMA. "The MMA is committed to further establishing critical best practices and guidelines that create efficiencies and eliminate barriers for marketers to make mobile an indispensable part of their marketing mix."

In the survey, respondents noted several specific advantages of mobile marketing, including:

  • Portable web access
  • Ability to deliver content/promotions to on-the-go consumers
  • Convenience for immediate consumer support/sales support/loyalty

Conversely, the research found numerous barriers to the adoption of mobile marketing by client-side marketers, including:

  • Lack of metrics to properly allocate mobile marketing within the overall marketing mix
  • Inability to prove ROI
  • Lack of mobile marketing understanding by key people at the brand/company

To date, most companies — 71 percent — have assigned responsibility for mobile marketing to an existing internal group. Only 19 percent of respondents say their companies have created a new internal group to manage the mobile marketing function.  In most cases this group reports to the digital marketing team.

This survey was conducted online during September-October, 2010. After determining the anticipated 2011 utilization rate, the survey methodology identified 97 respondents — all client-side marketers largely from the ANA's membership — that specifically indicated their intent to utilize mobile marketing in 2011 and asked these marketers a battery of questions about their experience and observations with the medium.

 

About the ANA

The ANA (Association of National Advertisers) accelerates growth for marketing professionals, brands, and the entire industry. With a mission to shape the future of marketing, the ANA sets the agenda for the industry, connecting its members to unparalleled expertise, industry-leading resources, and an influential global network. Representing over 1,600 companies — including 1,000+ client-side marketers, 600 marketing solutions providers, and 20,000 brands — ANA members collectively influence $400 billion in annual marketing spending. By championing the 12-point ANA Growth Agenda and the CMO Growth Council, the ANA drives actionable change, empowers marketers, shapes the marketing ecosystem, and delivers exceptional experiences at every touchpoint. Since 1910, the ANA has been setting the agenda for industry transformation. It enables marketers to advance their ambitions, make better decisions, and create lasting impact for their organizations and the industry.

About the MMA

The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) is the premier global nonprofit trade association representing all players in the mobile marketing value chain. With more than 700 member companies, the MMA is an action-oriented organization with global focus, regional actions and local relevance. The MMA's primary focus is to establish mobile as an indispensable part of the marketing mix. The MMA works to promote, educate, measure, guide and protect the mobile marketing industry worldwide. The MMA's global headquarters are located in the United States and it has regional chapters including North America (NA), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Latin America (LATAM) and Asia Pacific (APAC) branches. For more information, please visit www.mmaglobal.com.

Press Contacts:

Luna Newton
CooperKatz & Co. for the ANA
lnewton@cooperkatz.com
917.595.3061

Valerie Christopherson or Evan Tamura
MMA Press/GRC
mma@globalresultspr.com
949.608.0276