Virgin Mobile chooses market leading mobile couponing solution for V Festival promotion. Virgin Mobile today announced that it has chosen Flytxt, the leading mobile technology provider, and ActiveMedia Technology, designers of real time m-voucher authentication technology, to launch a series of innovative m-couponing promotions throughout the rest of the summer, including V Festival taking place on 21st and 22nd of August in Chelmsford and Staffordshire. The initiative aims to reward loyalty amongst Virgin Mobile’s subscriber base and trial Flytxt and ActiveMedia’s market leading mobile couponing solution.

At the festival flyers and posters will encourage Virgin Mobile customers to take part in the promotion.  Those keen to get a free drink will text the word BEER to an SMS shortcode and then receive a unique 8 digit numeric code.  The Virgin Mobile customers will then enter their unique code at one of the two multi-media kiosks at each festival location to collect their FREE BEER coupon.
 
Virgin Mobile’s decision to run a series of m-coupon promotions at V follows several successful ‘Text 4 Beer’ trials run by Flytxt and Active Media on behalf of Virgin Mobile at the Carling Academy, Islington, in June and at the Big Gay out at Finsbury Park on the 3rd of July.
 
The trial promotions have tested several different campaign mechanics. One involved posters advertising a drinks promotion, where Virgin Mobile users could get instant redemption on their m-coupons for free drinks at the bar. The campaign had redemption rates well above 70%. 
 
Other mechanics tested involved promotional cards handed out at the Carling Academy, encouraging participants to text in to receive a free Carling. Another involved a message sent out to a Virgin Mobile subscriber database, asking people to text back to receive their m-coupon. Participants received an m-coupon with two unique codes in, entitling them to two free pints of Carling at the Academy.   

For both the trials that have already taken place and the promotions taking place in August, Flytxt provides the technical delivery of mobile coupons and the mobile marketing initiative to engage Virgin Mobile subscribers. ActiveMedia supplies real-time m-voucher authentication technology (RAPOS™). The RAPOS units that are installed in the bar, enable users to redeem their m-coupon instantly on site.
 
Stephen Rogan, sponsorship manager of Virgin Mobile, said: “Working with Flytxt on couponing promotions has given us the opportunity to both reward our customers and add value to their experiences. It is also very exciting to be using such an innovative system, and puts us at the cutting edge of mobile promotions.”
 
Carsten Boers, CEO of Flytxt commented: “We’re thrilled to be working with Virgin Mobile at V Festival. This mobile coupon mechanic offers the consumer both convenience and a valuable reward, and provides Virgin Mobile with valuable consumer behaviour intelligence and a cost effective way of rewarding their loyal customers.”
 
Ramesh Kumar, Managing Director, ActiveMedia Technology added: “Text promotions are taking off in the UK in a big way. Consumers are coming round to the idea of using their mobile phone as a way of accessing relevant and exciting promotions through m-couponing and companies such as Virgin are taking full advantage.”