Posted by: Erin Wilson, Marketing Coordinator
Mobile consumption has continued to increase in popularity for both marketers and consumers. In fact, while the amount of time spent on other media channels such as television, video and radio has decreased, mobile phone usage has seen a large increase. In 2009, average daily mobile Internet use rose 36 percent, talking on mobile phones was up 12 percent, and texting increased by 55 percent.
Smartphones continue to grow in popularity; ownership increased from 11 percent to 17 percent of mobile users within the last year. More and more smartphone users are using their devices to access social media. The amount of mobile users who visited social networking sites on their phones grew from 2.9 percent to 18 percent in just one year. 38 percent of smartphone users fall into the 18-24 age range. However, people of all ages seem to be using their phones to perform all sorts of activities, such as watching videos, texting, taking pictures and accessing the Internet.
These mobile usage trends are extremely important to marketers. Approximately 56 percent of companies are now planning to increase their marketing budgets to include mobile. The Mobile Marketing Association predicts that mobile ad spending will increase from $1.7 billion in 2009 to $2.16 billion in 2010. The market is currently valued at $5 billion and is projected to reach $19 billion by 2014, proving that mobile is a space that companies must be in.
Many companies have already optimized their websites and content to be mobile friendly and more companies are jumping on board. The companies that recognize the growing importance of mobile marketing will continue to be successful and reach many consumers that they otherwise would have missed.
Sources:
