HipCricket's History
Launched in 2004, HipCricket is a mobile marketing software and services company that creates measurable, real-time, one-to-one relationships between advertisers and their customers and prospects. Developed by industry experts, HipCricket’s unique and innovative technology connects marketers to their target audience via the mobile phone. By making every mobile advertisement and promotion interactive, HipCricket delivers proven and measurable results that are transforming how broadcasters and brands approach interactive marketing.
About the Market
Mobile phones are the most widely-owned device on the planet. Text messaging already has twice the reach of the Internet. In the U.S., there are more texts sent per day than mobile-originated calls placed.
Approximately 95 percent of all cell phones are text-enabled, totaling more than 255 million users in the U.S. alone.
- Mobile phone and application usage is booming
- In 2008, about 2.5 trillion messages were sent from cellphones worldwide, up 32 percent1
- Approximately 3.3 trillion messages will be sent in 20091
- In the past three years, the volume of text messaging in the United States has grown tenfold2
- In Q4 2005, AT&T processed 5.5 billion texts - a number that jumped to 32 billion in Q4 20073
- 14 percent of US mobile subscribers have unlimited data plans, up from 10 percent in Q1 20074
- As of Q2 2008, a typical US mobile subscriber sends or receives 357 text messages per month, compared to placing or receiving 204 phone calls4
- Verizon processed 1.6 billion messages on Dec. 31, 20085
- U.S. mobile ad market $1 billion in 2007, $6.5 billion in 20126
- Global mobile marketing revenue will reach $24 billion by 20137
HipCricket’s Value Proposition
HipCricket drives revenue and increases listenership, viewership and loyalty for clients by tapping into the behaviors and interests of more than 136 million Americans who use text messaging on a regular basis. HipCricket’s measurable mobile campaignsoften deliver up to 40 percent response rates versus 3 percent for direct mail and 1 percent for Internet banner ads.
HipCricket is comprised of broadcasters who know mobile marketing. With more than 100 years of industry experience among the senior team, HipCricket can fully understand a client’s business and needs. The company’s technology provides industry-leading flexibility, simplicity and measurability, and it has implemented thousands of successful, turnkey campaigns with radio and TV stations and brands.
HipCricket does not simply sell its technology; it becomes a partner for growing revenue. HipCricket typically turns creative briefs into executable programs in 48 hours or less, providing the highest levels of customer care, and creating campaigns that drive measurable return on investment.
HipCricket’s Technology
HipCricket’s industry-leading Interaction Planner platform helps marketers engage with receptive audiences by communicating with consumers who opt-in. This new type of interaction changes traditional marketing from a passive observance into a dialogue with consumers. Once customers opt-in to marketing, they receive and respond to additional messages targeted to their interests.
HipCricket’s technology is the vehicle for building interactive, one-to-one marketing relationships. The company’s on-demand Web tools allow marketers to adjust and refine campaigns on the fly and its database helps clients track consumer behaviors and interests. That data is the foundation of HipCricket’s ability to measure results and repeat successes. The power of its opt-in interactive model is clearly visible in campaign response rates, which often run as high as 40 percent.
HipCricket Campaigns
HipCricket campaigns are unique and fully customizable to marketers’ specific needs. To see examples of what HipCricket has done in the past, follow the links below:
HipCricket’s Team
HipCricket’s team of more than 50 is based in Kirkland, Washington, New York and Mexico City. The company’s knowledgeable senior management consists of Ivan Braiker, Chief Operating Officer; Eric Harber, President and Chief Operating Officer; Jeff Hasen, Chief Marketing Officer; Tom Virgin, Chief Financial Officer; Graham Knowles, Director of Business Development and Iain Simms, Chief Technology Officer.
HipCricket’s customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With none of its staff focusing on more than 15 customers at one time, HipCricket is able to ensure the highest quality, most responsive service possible.
HipCricket’s Clients
HipCricket serves more than 300 clients in the U.S. and a number of the world’s best brands, including Clear Channel Radio, Premiere Radio Networks, Cumulus Radio, Sandusky Radio Seattle, South Central Radio Group, Katz Media Group, Beasley Communications, Bonneville International, Cox Radio, Media General, NBC, Coca-Cola, Jameson, JVC, and Hershey’s, just to name a few.
“This is the best tool we could have given to our sellers! The technology is incredibly impressive and you will not find a better team to work with. The service and ideas generated by the HipCricket Team are top notch – they respond almost instantly to questions and are so very helpful. They truly become your partner.”
- Kris Foley, General Sales Manager, KISS Cleveland
Sources: 1 Gartner Group '08; 2 CTIA '08; 3 At&T; 4 Nielsen Mobile 9/08; 5 Verizon '09; 6 eMarketer 4/08; 7 ABI Research 1/08.