UK To Declare Its Love Of Text On Valentine’s Day

Over 68 million declarations of love will be sent via text this Friday, according to the Department Of Trade and Industry.

Last year 57 million sent text messages across the UK’s four GSM networks on Valentine’s Day and the DTI estimates that over 45 million texts were sent every day in 2002.

Stephen Timms, e-commerce minister, commented: “With the advent of new technology, such as picture messaging and 3G, this time next year we won’t just be expressing ourselves amorously through text. We will be able to send a special song or favourite film to a loved one, and to use our mobiles to find the ideal location for a romantic evening.”

Vodafone is using the run up to Valentines Day to highlight the romantic benefits of live picture messaging, with a TV ad campaign promoting its new Vodafone Live service.

According to Vodafone: “If your too shy to send a Valentine’s card or you have forgotten simply send a text message through Vodafone’s special Valentine’s service.”

Nokia has also launched special Valentine’s services, offering users a ‘mobile message smooch’ and virtual flowers.

Around 15% of consumers respond to SMS text messaging marketing, with this figure rising to around 46% of recipients for the best-performing campaigns, according to research from Mobile Marketing Campaign, Enpocket (see SMS Is Most Effective Direct Marketing Method).

DTI: 020 7215 5000 www.dti.gov.uk

Recent SMS Stories from NewsLine ASA Censures Fox For Offensive Mobile Marketing Campaign 12Snap Promotes Cotton To Director Of Sales Role Emap Combines SMS And TV To Promote 8 Mile

Subscribers can access ten years of NewsLine articles by clicking the Search button to the left