As a full service marketing agency, it’s difficult not to notice the marketing efforts utilized by the businesses around us. It’s great to see campaigns being launched and creativity being stretched. So we thought it would be interesting to make this a regular feature and see what companies are doing to help grow their business and increase their exposure.

Today’s featured business: North Face

I’m a big fan of North Face gear, so I was intrigued when a colleague sent me an article about a new marketing strategy that North Face is planning on utilizing. I had a feeling that one day businesses would find a way to use text messaging as a quick and efficient marketing campaign. These days everyone has a cell phone in their pocket, and from a marketing standpoint, intentional texts sent out to recipients (who can also opt out), is pure genius.

So how does it work? It’s a solution developed by a San Francisco based technology company, where a virtual perimeter is set up around the various North Face locations, and when someone enters that perimeter, a text is automatically sent to that phone with a promotion or other discounts. Of course, as mentioned earlier the customer can opt out of receiving this, but businesses are banking on the fact that you are even remotely interested in their products, so when you drive by, it’s like passing a highway billboard, except that it comes straight to your phone and offers you a greater incentive to stop in and check out the merchandise.

If every business starts moving into this realm, it could definitely become annoying. Can you imagine every store you drive by sends you a text? I’d probably throw my phone out the window. However, from a business perspective, it could prove to be quite beneficial. Thousands of cars driving by a location every day, someone is sure to stop in with the right discount.

Take Away:

Step out of your comfort zone and try something new with your marketing. You can do what everyone else is doing, or you can be the innovator. You never know how your marketing campaigns will play out unless you try.