While newer technologies like watermarks and augmented reality get a lot of buzz in the interactive print space, older mobile technologies like SMS and social media marketing can also drive revenue opportunities in print.
Magazines such as Lucky and People Style Watch have featured text-to-buy options next to the editorial coverage of fashion spreads. Lucky was one of the magazines to start this trend back in 2006 and in 2012 have sent thousands of text messages a month to readers with URLs to mobile optimized sites ready to purchase. People Style Watch has revived this trend in several 2013 issues as show below.
People Style Watch
The growth of social media has re-surged this with a new hashtag twist. A print play on American Express’ program to use twitter for commerce has companies such as Chirpify allowing users to see a hashtag and drive to commerce. The hashtags can be promoted online or in print and Chirpify will verify, capture and complete the transaction. The user flow is outlined below.
As people begin to socialize and life dual lives online and offline, consumers will expect technology to bridge these when convenient and here are some interesting ways advertising can capitalize.
To read more about text to buy programs from their beginning click here.
To read more about Chirpify click here.
Chripify user flow