BMW launches world-first: personalized mobile video advertising campaign in China | MMA Global

BMW launches world-first: personalized mobile video advertising campaign in China

February 9, 2010
Submitted by Clip In Touch

BMW has selected China for a world-first in advertising - personalized video messages delivered directly to cell phones. The targeted messages, distributed Dec 21-24 in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, address individual customers with a holiday greeting that is uniquely tailored to a specific individual.

For BMW, being first in advertising innovation is second nature. The company that brought the world BMW Films and the eight part branded entertainment series “The Hire”, is now partnering with mobile technology provider Clip in Touch to engage their audience in a new way. The technology for this type of precise targeting and personalization technology is provided by Clip in Touch. Initial response to the campaign has been very positive, generating more test drives in a three day period than at any time this year.

BMW is growing quickly in China. Sales are up this year more than 40% to 90,000 units. For the launch of its new X1 series, the German luxury automaker recognized it needed to reach a younger demographic in the most relevant medium- mobile. Unlike Europe or North America, in China the mobile device is the primary internet access tool. There are roughly 165 million high-speed, 3G mobile broadband subscribers in China and these are extremely active mobile internet users. In fact, 58% of Chinese mobile web users post Web 2.0 content via their handsets, compared with 41% of those in the US (Phone Valley Media Scene, 2009). According to Yi Han, BMW China Ltd.’s Head of eCRM “BMW empowers people to express their individuality and personality. We wanted our X1 marketing message to do the same. Clip in Touch has enabled a targeted campaign with sight, sound and motion that our audience can personalize and make their very own”.

Technology for the campaign was provided by Clip in Touch. The company provides a platform for sending advertising campaigns via MMS. The uniqueness comes in allowing users to personalize, edit and add their own voice, video and text to any advertising campaign. CEO Rami Reshef emphasizes the importance of engagement in advertising, rather than impressions. “I tip my hat to BMW for taking this risk. Chinese mobile owners have told us loud and clear—advertising that is personalized and engaging is not only welcome but something they will pass along to their friends”.

Adds Johannes Vizethum, General Manager of Clip in Touch China, “Innovative brands recognize what we all know from the internet- consumers like video and they want a message that has been tailored for them. The success of this campaign makes a strong case for brands to create one-to-one campaigns using mobile video.

About Clip in Touch Ltd.
Clip in Touch, Ltd. develops and markets personalized content solutions for web and mobile messaging. With a unique mix of technological, business and creative expertise, Clip in Touch stands apart among personalized content solutions providers in giving partners and users worldwide innovative, and easy to use messaging solutions. Clip in Touch Ltd. was officially launched in 2006 by a team of entrepreneurs recognized for their international experience in multimedia content production, as well as in web and cell phone technology. For more information, please visit our website: www.clipintouch.com.