AmeriCares, Catholic Relief Services and Habitat for Humanity adopt mobile for engaging supporters and fundraising

NEW YORK – March 8, 2010 – In the aftermath of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Chile, nonprofit organizations raced to mobilize aid and plan recovery efforts, while also raising resources and funds to support their humanitarian programs in Chile. Mobile Communications and Mobile Fundraising have become critical components to nonprofit outreach programs.

In response, AmeriCares, Catholic Relief Services and Habitat for Humanity have expanded their use of SMS and mobile marketing beyond just text-to-give to include critical, informational updates on their relief efforts to donors, as well as to bring new supporters into their organizations.

The following organizations are running Chile Earthquake Relief programs, powered by Mobile Commons:

• Text LIVE to 25383 to donate $10 to AmeriCares
• Text QUAKE to 25383 to donate $10 to Catholic Relief Services
• Text CHILE to 25383 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity

To complete your mobile donation, simply reply YES to confirm a one-time donation. Your donation
will appear on your mobile phone bill. All donations are tax-deductible.

“Our ability to have a dialogue with our supporters via mobile messaging allows us to have an ongoing relationship with them, beyond just making a text donation. This is especially important to organizations like Habitat as our supporters really want to be connected to our efforts,” said Tim Daugherty, senior director, Direct Marketing for Habitat for Humanity.

“The recent Haiti Relief efforts were breathtaking. Dozens of organizations were able to immediately launch a response using their mobile programs. For Chile, organizations further advanced their use of mobile SMS messaging to a highly-effective communications medium that also includes immediate fundraising,” added Anthony Risicato, CEO of Mobile Commons. “We’re extremely fortunate to work with non-profits who can have such a direct, positive impact and who continue to innovate – driving the entire industry forward.”

About AmeriCares
AmeriCares is a nonprofit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in crisis around the world. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $9.0 billion in humanitarian aid to 137 countries. For more information, log onto www.AmeriCares.org.

About Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed. For more information, please visit http://www.crs.org or http://www.crsespanol.org.

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.

About Mobile Commons
Mobile Commons pioneers easy-to-use technology for scalable mobile marketing campaign management. The company’s award-winning mobile messaging platform helps non-profits, brands and agencies quickly launch and manage mobile marketing campaigns from one Web-based user interface coupled with powerful analytics and reporting. The platform’s user interface and APIs seamlessly integrate SMS, voice and Web applications with CRMs and databases, as well as Twitter, Facebook applications, flash widgets, and geo-location features.
Mobile Commons’ technology has powered hundreds of successful mobile campaigns in the brand advertising, agency, advocacy, political and charitable giving sectors, including Credo Mobile, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Oxfam International, Andre Agassi Foundation, ASPCA, NYC Department of Public Health, Care USA, National Association of Realtors, National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) Sacramento Kings, DoSomething.org, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and more. Mobile Commons is also an approved provider of Mobile Giving programs, and a member of the Mobile Giving Foundation (http://mobilegiving.org/). For more information, please visit: http://MobileCommons.com or text MCOM to 30644.

Press Contact:
press@mobilecommons.com
+1.212.537.5175

Download a pdf of the full release.

MOBILE COMMONS’ MOBILE MESSAGING PLATFORM PROVIDES ADDITIONAL LINE OF DEFENSE THIS FLU SEASON

Text FLU and your address to 30644 to find the closest H1N1 vaccine in California

Mobile Commons, Inc., a pioneer of easy-to-use technology for mobile messaging, today announced its partnership with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to power a unique, California-based flu vaccination awareness program. Through Mobile Commons’ mobile messaging platform allows users to text in their zip code and receive vital flu related information including alerts when the vaccination is available, the nearest vaccination location and critical messaging regarding treatment and other information. The ubiquity of mobile phones, combined with the high projected demand for vaccinations, makes this an ideal solution to help Californians from all communities obtain vaccinations and receive necessary information on a timely basis.

“We strongly expect this program to result in high levels of participation, given the ease-of-use,” said Edgar Ednacot, Ed D. M.P.H. Health Education Supervisor at the CDPH. “Mobile Commons’ technology provides an extremely efficient system for Californians to learn where to get vaccinated and stay informed during the flu season.”

Californians will learn of the campaign through a variety of media, including out door advertising, broadcast public service announcement, social media and PR. Users will text in the word “FLU” and their zip code to the short code 30644. Once a zip code is received by Mobile Commons’ technology platform, users will receive a text message with the nearest vaccination center or other valuable information about the flu in that area or throughout the state. Additionally, all of the functionality is automatically made available on a Facebook application, Twitter and web widgets which will allow for the program to be easily shared.

“We are thrilled and honored to have been entrusted by the CDPH to help them provide Californians with an easy, cost-effective way to receive such vital information about the flu and vaccinations this year,” said Jed Alpert, Founder of Mobile Commons. “California is truly on the cutting edge of integrating communication technologies to make sure people receive the information they need in a way that is most useful to them.”

For more information about the flu vaccination campaign or Mobile Common’s technology, please visit http://www.MobileCommons.com or http://www.cdph.ca.gov.

Public can add name to 9/11 “Honor Roll” with option to donate $5 via text message

NEW YORK – September 10, 2009 – Mobile Commons, Inc., a pioneer of easy-to-use technology for mobile marketing campaigns, today announced its partnership with the National September 11th Memorial & Museum and NASCAR in launching the “Text to Remember” program. The program’s goal is to raise funds and awareness for the 9/11 Memorial currently being built to honor the lives lost in the attacks on September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The Mobile Commons platform enables any member of the public to add his or her name to the 9/11 “Honor Roll”, and provides an option to donate $5 via a text message (SMS) from any mobile phone.

The public can support the Memorial in two ways:

• When you text WTC to the number 30644, your name will be displayed on the 9/11 Memorial’s website, www.national911memorial.org, in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks.
• When you text WTC to the number 25383, you will be able to donate $5 directly to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum being built at the World Trade Center site.

This program is being promoted in conjunction with the NASCAR Nationwide Series on September 11, 2009. A custom racecar, designed by the North South Motorsports team, will be unveiled and driven by Benny Gordon. The car was first introduced at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, across from the World Trade Center, by the following:

• Joe Daniels, 9/11 Memorial president
• Jim O’Connell, VP for NASCAR, corporate marketing
• Benny Gordon, North South Motorsports, co-owner and driver
• Anthoula Katsimatides, 9/11 Memorial board member and family member
• Mickey Kross, FDNY lieutenant (Ret.) and 9/11 first responder and survivor

The 9/11 commemorative car is black, blue and white, with patriotic stars and stripes, and it features a new logo for the 9/11 Memorial. The phrase “always remember” is inscribed on the car.

“This car will be a special tribute on 9/11,” said Joe Daniels, 9/11 Memorial president. “We are grateful to have the support of North South Motorsports because this car presents a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness about the national 9/11 Memorial. NASCAR fans are patriotic, and we hope that they will recognize that they can be a part of building history at the World Trade Center. Our hope is to engage thousands of new supporters through the “Text to Remember” program, which we will promote at the race.”

“It is a real honor to race this car in commemoration of 9/11,” said Benny Gordon, North South Motorsports co-owner and driver. “I hope that racing this car will not only be a way to mark the anniversary, but will also help remind others that we have an obligation to remember. An easy way for people to do their part to commemorate 9/11 is by participating in the “Text to Remember” program.”

“It is a privilege to be working with The National September 11th Memorial & Museum, and to be able to offer them our SMS technology to raise awareness and support for the memorial, as well as to connect and engage with those supporters,” said Anthony Risicato, CEO of Mobile Commons. “Giving people the ability to easily use SMS on their phone to support a great cause is a powerful tool for any organization.”

About Mobile Commons
Mobile Commons pioneers easy-to-use technology for scalable mobile marketing campaign management. The company’s award-winning mobile messaging platform helps advertisers and agencies quickly launch and manage mobile marketing campaigns from one Web-based user interface coupled with powerful analytics and reporting. The platform’s user interface and APIs seamlessly integrate SMS, voice and Web applications with CRMs and databases, as well as Twitter, Facebook applications, flash widgets, and geo-location features.

Mobile Commons’ technology has powered hundreds of successful mobile campaigns in the brand advertising, agency, advocacy, political and charitable giving sectors, including Credo Mobile, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Oxfam International, Andre Agassi Foundation, NYC Department of Public Health, Care USA, National Association of Realtors, National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) Sacramento Kings, DoSomething.org, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and more. For more information, please visit: http://www.mobilecommons.com or text MCOM to 30644.

Press Contacts:
Natasha Grach / Shane Turner
press@mobilecommons.com
+1-858.952.7840

SMS CAMPAIGN DELIVERS OVER 300% MORE CONVERSIONS THAN URLS IN TELEVISION ADS

CHALLENGE
In June 2009, the Shedd Aquarium needed to drive significant awareness and visitors to the premiere of a new aquatic show, Fantasea, in the renovated Oceanarium. Campaigns were created across multiple media channels, including a contest to win exclusive VIP tickets to the show. The Shedd team wanted to test the overall effectiveness and consumer preferences of different marketing tactics, specifically the Web versus SMS text messaging.

SOLUTION
Shedd selected the mCommons™ platform from Mobile Commons to manage the SMS text messaging campaign and measure conversion rates.

A TV commercial was created that aired on the four major networks (NBC, ABC, Comcast and FOX).  Each commercial was the same except for the call to action to enter the contest.

• Three stations asked viewers to go to a website to enter the contest.
• The fourth station asked viewers to text the word FOX to 69866.

Once a viewer texted in, they received a message asking them to respond with their email address and zip code to officially enter.

RESULTS
When Shedd compared the entries received at the end of the promotion, they were amazed at the results:

• The TV ad with an SMS call-to-action generated 325% more contest entries than any other call-to-action.
• SMS entries made up 52% of the total contest entries, despite only running in 25% of the ads.
• When Print and Outdoor were added in, SMS entries still made up more than half of all total respondents to the contest.

“Mobile text messaging has been working well for Shedd Aquarium and after results like this, we continue to think strategically about how to use SMS,” said Jay Geneske, Marketing Strategy, Shedd Aquarium. “Mobile Commons makes it extremely easy to setup and run campaigns, and the direct CRM integration allows us to be smart about the data.”

“Shedd’s results reinforce that every TV and Out-of-Home campaign should have an SMS call-to-action. It just works,” said Anthony Risicato, CEO Mobile Commons.

Download the full case study (pdf)