mobileYouth Comes to America

Boston and London (PRWEB) October 9, 2003 -- The leading European market research company, mobileYouth is coming to America as a result of a strategic partnership with Boston based nVend Inc., the latest venture of wireless industry entrepreneur Stephen Randall, a founder and former executive of mobile OS company Symbian.

Until recently, the phenomenal growth of mobile data services in Europe such as SMS had not translated in the USA. This was partly due to the fragmentation of the American mobile industry, but now with over 1 billion text messages per month, there is clear evidence that Americans are embracing mobile applications, much as their European counterparts have done.

With a shift from television and traditional media advertising towards more measurable and direct marketing, mobile phones are beginning to provide the opportunity for retailers to create a dialog with their customers, and in the process, improve their customer retention and acquisition. mobileYouths research is unique in their perspective. Its not so much about the technology, its about the pain and the business solution. mobileYouths reports help our clients understand the proposition in terms of why and who, rather than what" said nVend CEO, Randall

The US market is waking up to the potential of mobile marketing. Campaigns such as American Idols text voting, took many US companies by surprise. nVend is in the front line with retailers and technology companies and they are doing very innovative things. nVend gives the groundbreaking work that mobileYouth does in understanding consumer behavior a voice in America" said Josh Dhaliwal, co-founder of mobileYouth.

nVend will market mobileYouths industry data to American retailers. The company helps retailers create a direct connection to consumers by enabling interactive screens in retail spaces to be controlled by mobile phones. With our global experience in wireless we are often asked to advise our customers on mobile strategy as part of our mobile solutions process. mobileYouths research offers supporting rationale of market opportunities that are valid on both sides of the Atlantic", commented Randall.

Remarking on the retail sectors growing awareness of mobile, John Ivey, CEO of strategic consultancy Global Strategies Group Inc of Boston, said, Im seeing more mobile applications from media, sport and fashion brands, being deployed in retail, arenas and sporting venues. They are starting to invest in mobile solutions because they demonstrably improve customer retention and acquisition. However, phone companies still talk in acronyms which fly over the heads of retailers. mobileYouth helps to position the opportunities in terms that my clients understand", commented Ivey.

Mobile phone penetration in America is currently 52% with over 150 million subscribers. Although the level of penetration lags behind the majority of European and Asia markets, the sheer number of subscribers makes this a very attractive market for those who want to use the cellular as an interactive channel for communication with these consumers.

While many have questioned the American publics penchant for text messaging as a tool for communication, recent figures show that there are now more than 1 billion text messages sent in North America each month and the figure is increasing.
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About mobileYouth

mobileYouth is the leading provider of statistical research, opinion and analysis on the consumer adoption of mobile products and services. Founded in London in 2001, mobileYouth has provided research and consulting services to more than 200 companies across 40 countries worldwide including such market leaders as Vodafone, Nokia, Visa, MTV, Disney and AOL Time Warner. For further information about mobileYouth: visit www.mobileYouth.org

About nVend

nVend Inc. connects companies with mobile consumers. The companys patented ReachPoint platform enables mobile devices to interact with screens in retail and public spaces and utilizes adaptive, closed-loop marketing software to i) launch dynamic, real-time, marketing campaigns; ii) distribute wireless software and information; and iii) enable a new class of location-based services and public messaging. nVend Inc, is a Boston-based company, registered in Delaware. For further information about nVend: visit www.nVend.com