(Click here to learn more about Unwired Appeal's SMS Sweepstakes services)
November 4, 2004 - SMS Sweepstakes: Keeping
it Legal
- Unwired Appeal Adds IVR and Web Interfaces
to SMS Marketing Platform
Boston MA - November 4, 2004 -- Building on the success
of their SMS marketing platform, Unwired Appeal announced
the launch of new IVR (Interactive Voice Response) and
Web-entry components. These new components allow for
toll-free and internet-based "alternate methods of entry"
for SMS sweepstakes promotions and tie-ins.
The scalable IVR platform and Web-entry services were
developed primarily to assist clients in meeting USA
regulatory requirements for SMS sweepstakes. "We have
worked closely with our clients' legal teams in creating
a number of high-profile
SMS sweepstakes campaigns in
the USA," commented Stephen Nye, Unwired Appeal's director
of business development. "We found that real-time alternate
methods of entry are the best tools for both enhancing
user participation and meeting legal requirements."
Highly popular in Asia and Europe, SMS sweepstakes are
beginning to gain traction in the USA. Yet unlike other
countries with more relaxed legal environments, the
USA has substantial state and federal legislation regarding
how sweepstakes must be conducted. One central concept
in USA sweepstakes regulations is the "alternate method
of entry" requirement, which can present a unique challenge
in SMS-based sweepstakes.
While traditional sweepstakes commonly provide an alternate
method of entry via standard post, the timing of SMS
sweepstakes is often much more immediate, rendering
postal entries a non-option. "Take for example a venue-based
SMS sweepstakes that is run at a concert or sporting
event with winners selected during the event," Nye points
out. "The audience can't send a postcard, so another
method of entry is required such as a toll-free call,"
added Nye. "Our IVR platform fields the calls, processes
the user input, and stores the information in a centralized
database together with SMS and Web-entry data."
In addition to IVR, Unwired Appeal also employs a versatile
Web-entry component. Web-entry is primarily geared toward
SMS sweepstakes broadcast live on television and radio
where entries must be collected within hours. The web
interface can also serve SMS users as a registration
point, opt-in/opt-out center, or portal for launching
integrated SMS services.
In the coming months, SMS-based sweepstakes are poised
to make a major impact in USA marketing. Sizeable revenue
streams are also possible using Premium SMS, thus increasing
potential misuse and consequently legal scrutiny. Keeping
your SMS campaign within the law is critical, and providing
appropriate alternate methods of entry is a key component
in doing so.
About Unwired Appeal
Unwired Appeal is a leading provider of interactive
SMS/MMS marketing services in the USA. From self-provisioning
online tools for creating and launching SMS events to
fully customized solution, Unwired Appeal consistently
delivers the best technology, pricing, and delivery
times in the industry. For more information, visit
www.unwiredappeal.com.
