National Survey Says: Smartphones to Drive Marketing Efforts in 2012

DALLAS, Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartphone applications and mobile barcodes -- those funny-looking, pixilated squares appearing on everything from bus shelters to price tags -- will spur innovation and sales in the marketing world in 2012, according to a new survey commissioned by AT&T*.

Key Findings:

• 88 percent of respondents expect their mobile marketing program to increase in the next 12 months.
• Mobile marketing strategies companies are interested in deploying in the next 12 months include:
  • Mobile apps rank the highest at 43 percent
  • Mobile barcodes – 41 percent
  • Banner ads – 40 percent
  • Mobile web – 35 percent
  • SMS messages – 34 percent
  • Digital signage – 17 percent
  • All of the above – 17 percent
• 66 percent of respondents agree that mobile barcodes will drive innovation in mobile marketing in the next year.
• Consumer demand, security and cost are the three most important factors when considering mobile barcodes as part of a marketing program.  

AT&T commissioned a survey of 501 marketing or advertising professionals working at U.S.-based companies to better understand the opinions and attitudes of marketing and advertising executives toward mobile marketing, specifically mobile barcodes, and the factors that potentially could accelerate their use in the future.

The majority of executives surveyed said they view mobile barcodes as innovative and rank mobile barcodes the second highest mobile marketing priority for the year ahead. Executives point to security, affordability, and consumer demand as key factors when considering mobile barcodes as part of their marketing programs, which can be easily scanned on smartphones and, in moments, link consumers to additional content via the mobile Internet.

"With the growing popularity of smartphones and the increasing dependence on mobile devices, it's only natural that marketing executives want to turn up the volume on their mobile strategies next year," said Chris Hill, Vice President, Advanced Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions.

To view the full survey results, visit the AT&T Mobile Marketing media kit at http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22006.

AT&T's award-winning portfolio of mobile marketing solutions is designed to heighten the impact of companies' advertising and marketing campaigns. From mobile-optimized websites to comprehensive Mobile Barcode Services, AT&T delivers the tools businesses need to reach customers where it matters – right on their smartphones and tablets.

In addition, AT&T's YP(SM) portfolio of local search and advertising products help local businesses reach potential customers as they search for information on nearby businesses on their mobile devices. Local advertisers have the opportunity for their mobile search and display ads distributed across the rapidly growing YP Local Ad Network, which has extensive distribution across major mobile publishers.

Survey Methodology:

An online survey was conducted in September 2011 with 501 marketing or advertising professionals working at a U.S.-based company with more than 1,000 employees. Respondents held a director or higher title and were personally involved with making or overseeing marketing or advertising program decisions for their company.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.