Today 4INFO launched a smart integration from its SMS ad network to Twitter SMS. Both publishers and advertisers on our SMS ad network will use this new functionality to allow users to sign up for their favorite tweets via SMS directly from 4INFO, without having to text in to a new number. They can just reply to any message from the 40+ shortcodes we manage, and be automatically be transferred over to Twitter. Give it a try by sending a text message to 44636 (4INFO) with the word "TWEET".
This is the highest profile deployment of 4INFO's many different SMS Text-to-Shortcode ad units. Most marketers use these ads to build their mobile marketing databases, such as Cirque du Soleil (Text CDS to 44636) and Butterball (Text BUTTERBALL to 44636), but with many brands turning to Twitter to share their thoughts, another solution was required. Our Text-to-Twitter ad unit is the solution; a simple way for consumers to connect to a Twitter feed directly.
Text messaging is the heart of 4INFO, and it's very important to Twitter. They started as an SMS service, but as their volume exploded, the support costs for the service must have seemed untenable. They took some rough PR over the decision to discontinue SMS support in many countries. But Twitter's SMS service is a large part of what creates value in the service. In much of the world, SMS is the most ready form of communication, and Twitter has recognized this with increased focus on creating accessible mobile alerts. 4INFO has taken the additional step of making Twitter easily accessible to 4INFO users.
I want to thank the Twittermobile team for their work getting this integration up. We expect it to add value to all brands who advertise in mobile. (And brands that don't? You should!)
