Location-Based Services 2.0 Now Available for Retail Brands Through VMBC Mobile Marketing Technology

    IRVINE, CA, July 16, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- VMBC, a full-service creative enterprise and premier mobile partner of Fortune 100 companies, is pleased to offer Location-Based Services (LBS) 2.0, overcoming the limitations and adoption barriers of the first generation of LBS. VMBC's Location-Based Services 2.0 works on any phone, any carrier, indoors or out, and without the need to run an application. This service is already being implemented for several of VMBC's high profile retail clients.

"Until now, LBS had many limitations which reduced the adoption rate of the technology," said Jesse Crowe, CEO, VMBC. "According to reports by the Mobile Marketing Association, only one in four U.S. adults utilize mobile location-based services. Thanks to the technology and accessibility improvements in VMBC's LBS 2.0, customers will simply need to say 'yes' to receive location-based messages."

With SMS and MMS geo-fencing and geo-location, a customer who travels within a certain distance of a store, or is within a specified distance of a location during an event, may receive an informative and targeted SMS or MMS message related to their proximity. There are many brand uses for this breakthrough technology, from communicating a discount and new product information, to local event reminders and "hotspot" communication. These targeted messages are intended to influence a customer's behavior quickly and conveniently.

Though location-based services have been available for years, the first generation had limitations. In order to opt-in to LBS, customers had to be outdoors, download the application, be connected to the Internet, and have the application open and running at the time the location-based message was sent. In addition, the mobile device had to be enabled with GPS and the brand owner had to have a short code provisioned for the service. Through LBS 2.0, VMBC is delivering a new way for brands to opt-in loyal customers without the traditional hurdles of LBS 1.0.

Crowe added, "For consumers, the benefits of location-based services are endless. From accessing a nearby deal or discount to finding an ATM or the whereabouts of a friend, to receiving the latest traffic or weather reports, location-based services deliver information relevant to each user and his or her geographical location simply by tracking the mobile device position. In a crowded environment of marketing and loyalty communication, brand loyal consumers are looking for companies to cut through the clutter and communicate in a targeted manner. VMBC's location-based services are empowering our clients to do just that through one of the most effective database segmentation strategies that delivers superior ROI."

VMBC is a full-service creative enterprise and the premier partner of the world's largest Fortune 100 companies spanning the retail, telecom and financial industries. VMBC's marketing, messaging and technology solutions create an unparalleled experience of building community, engaging consumers, and converting loyal customers into mobile commerce. For more information about VMBC's mobile marketing strategies, visit http://www.vmbc.com and follow the company on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vmbc and Facebook at http://facebook.com/vmbcmobile. For more information on LBS 2.0 visit http://www.vmbc.com/LBS.pdf.

About VMBC
Founded in 1997, VMBC has spent the past 14 years focusing its efforts exclusively on finding the most compelling and cost-effective ways to drive sales through voice, mobile and electronic channels. VMBC's marketing, messaging and technology solutions create an unparalleled experience of building a fan base, engaging the fan base, and converting the fan base into true mobile commerce. For more information about VMBC, visit http://www.vmbc.com.

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