TNT Post goes mobile
07 February 2007
TNT Post, the leading challenger to Royal Mail in the UK postal market, has launched a new marketing drive for its postal service using the mobile phone. New marketing materials and advertising mailers to potential customers will display a text number enabling individuals to download further TNT Post information direct to their mobile phone.
TNT Post, with a strong reputation for innovation, is one of the first companies in the UK to use this technology, which speeds up response rates to marketing collateral. No longer will interested parties have to wait to log on to a website to download company information, instead it is sent direct to the mobile phone in an easy-to-read format. The only prerequisite is that the recipient must have a WAP enabled phone.
Following a trial in late 2006, the company intends to roll out the initiative across the company's marketing activities in 2007. Accessing the service is quick and simple - the customer is required to text the words TNT Post to the number 60123 and click through to the TNT Mobile Internet Site.1 Once the home page appears, the customer is able to select from a number of download options including:
- Testimonial videos and written quotes from current clients Sky and Lloyds TSB
- Information on each of TNT Post's services and benefits
- Details of the company's partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme
- TNT Post Jobs and Careers opportunities
The company expects to adapt the technology for use with other initiatives that require immediate information such as recruitment adverts.
Simon Dolph, Head of Marketing & Communications TNT Post, said:
"We are very excited to be one of the first companies to actively use this technology in our marketing activity. It compliments our day to day mail delivery service with the added benefit of speedy response for information. TNT Post has long had a reputation for innovation in our industry and we apply this philosophy to every aspect of our business."
"Text messaging started out as a popular craze but now it has developed into an essential communication tool for all ages so it is a natural extension of our marketing activity. We look forward to developing new ways in which we can use this technology to enhance our communications with current and prospective clients."
With mobile penetration in the UK considerably higher than that of Internet access, TNT Post expects to see a rise in companies opting to use Mobile Internet sites. Research shows that the number of individuals using their phones for downloads and browsing on the mobile internet is increasing with recent figures from the Mobile Data Association (MDA) showing a quarterly increase in the average unique users of WAP per month from 13 million to15 million.2
The new mobile technology initiative will also play an important part in helping to mobilize funds for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian aid agency. Using the same application, TNT Post has set up a text service which enables individuals to donate to the WFP. By texting FOOD GIVE to 60123, approximately £1.04 will go to the WFP.3 TNT Group has been an active partner of the WFP since 2002 and has committed its knowledge, skills and resources to help WFP tackle the greatest logistics challenge of all: fighting world hunger. The texting donation service is the first in a series of initiatives that will be introduced in 2007 to help render aid to the world's hungry.
