It is becoming increasingly difficult to advertise services and offers to potential customers in a way not deemed as damaging to the environment and eco-system. Small and large businesses are constantly looking for a new platform to send out their message to the general public. Have they finally found a solution in Bluetooth technology?
Bluetooth works on radio waves and can enable people/businesses to send out alerts through text, images and videos straight to your handset. But is this form of communication intrusive? Or, the next logical step in advertising?
I'm in two minds about this, I mean, on the one hand I would much prefer to have a discreet offer sent to my mobile phone rather than some guy thrusting a flyer in my face - which I then have to find a bin for. I suppose the beauty of having through to my phone is I can keep it for later use if I want to, or just delete it and forget about it if it's not relevant. However, when this form of communication takes off, does that mean that every step down the high street is going to bombard my phone with discount offers and advertising content? I wonder how long that would take to get annoying.
It's a tricky one. I suppose if the content is relevant to me and offering something that I would find useful then I am going to be more then happy to accept it but if the content sent is mindless drivel offering ring tones and nothing of any consequence, then its probably going to get on my wick after a while.
I know of many successful pub chains that use an intricate blue tooth system that randomly sends out different drinks offers using jpegs between 7pm and 9pm. Its pot luck what offer you get through but the novelty value certainly encourages more punters in.
I would say overall it's a positive thing. Less litter on the streets, easy retention of details and no big impact on our carbon footprint - but those mean advertisers still get their message across. And if you're really opposed to it - you can simply turn your Bluetooth off, presto no more messages!
