Qittle SMS Message Solutions

Go the extra mile and you’ll create a loyal customer base who’ll help you thrive plus drive more business.

Newspapers total circulation for all daily newspapers worldwide is about 480 milllion.

There are about 800 million cars on the planet.

Cable and satellite TV subscriptions? About 850 million.

Personal computers including desktops, laptops and netbooks, about 1 billion.

Fixed landline telephone connections, about 1.2 billion.

eMail users about 1.3 billion.

Internet users about 1.4 billion.

Television sets about 1.5 billion.

And credit cards? About 1.7 billion people carry at least one credit card in their wallet.

But there are 4 billion mobile phone subscriptions as of January 2009. More than twice the number of credit card owners, 2.5 times the number of TV sets or internet uses, approx 3 times the number of email users of total landline phones and yes, four times the number of personal computers.

Of the established base of phones, over 99% can receive basic SMS text messages, or their equivalents, depending on country and technology.

As to its reach, simple and short text-based content such as breaking news, a joke-of-the-day or a religious message can be sent via basic SMS text message, and reach pockets of over 3.9 billion subscribers. Yes, that is three times the total reach of email!

If the brand wants to “engage” with that audience, as SMS is used actively by 76% of all subscribers or 3.1 billion of the subscribers (TomiAhonen Consulting 2009), that is the potential response for any media campaign. In 2008 Jupiter Research reported that 1.5 billion people would receive at least one advertising message on their phones, which is more than all television sets that receive advertising on the planet and obviously more than all PCs or internet users worldwide.

4 billion mobile phone subscriptions on the planet, covering 60% of the population. 3.4 billion actual phones in use and connected. 3 billion unique phone owners. 3 billion active users of SMS text messaging.

Mobile is now!

Mobile is here and you had better get your website ready for all those mobile web users who visit your website. Qittle can take your existing website and make it load correctly for mobile devices.

Wireless Application Protocol (commonly referred to as WAP) is an open international standard for application layer network communications in a wireless communication environment. Its main use is to enable access to the Internet from a mobile phone or PDA.

A WAP browser provides all of the basic services of a computer based web browser but simplified to operate within the restrictions of a mobile phone, such as its smaller view screen. WAP sites are websites written in, or dynamically converted to, WML (Wireless Markup Language) and accessed via the WAP browser.

Feb 11, 2009
Mobile connections surpass 4 billion mark worldwide
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The number of connections on mobile phone networks has crossed the 4 billion mark worldwide, industry association GSMA said on Wednesday, forecasting further growth to 6 billion by 2013.

The number of connections does not translate directly into the number of users, however, because in many mature markets, one user may have two mobile phones, or a phone and a mobile data device, which would both count as two connections. In Western Europe, about a fifth of connections are estimated to be due to one user having more than one device, a figure that probably applies to many developed markets, a GSMA spokesman said.

In developing countries, by contrast, phones are often shared. In the run-up to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona — the wireless industry’s biggest trade show which starts next Monday — the GSMA said some 100 million connections were “mobile broadband” connections. This refers to mobile data connections using the high-speed HSPA standard. The figure reflects the popularity of “dongles” which connect laptops to the Internet via mobile phone networks, as well as phones with high-speed data connections made by Nokia or HTC or the latest version of Apple’s iPhone. (Reporting by Niclas Mika; Editing by David Holmes)
Jan 9, 2009
725 million WCDMA handsets to ship in 2009
The global mobile handset market went into a tailspin in October and November 2008, which will result in a nearly 5% YTY decline in unit shipments in Q4 2008. While 2009 is likely to see more stormy economic weather, there are a few rays of sunshine. WCDMA handset shipments are projected to grow from 258 million in 2008 to 725 million in 2009.

By 2013, more than 67% of all handsets shipped will be 3G/3G+ capable. Smartphones captured 14% of the 2008 market and are expected to grow throughout the challenging period of 2009 and comprise 31% of the market by 2013. Cellular modems will also be a high growth sector in 2009, driven largely by USB modems which will account for 80% of the shipment volume. Market volume is expected to increase by more than 55% in the coming year as Asian vendors push forward with low-priced modems, ABI Research says.

Mobile Wap Website Development

I had the opportunity to experience the 2nd largest traveling Salvador Dali art show here in Aspen the other night. I saw this great quote and thought how appropriate to our growth industry SMS. There are no such things as failure only opportunities for growth and learning.

Mobile is the new Wild Wild West and those that have the foresight, vision, endurance and creativity will create the future. There are no right or wrong answers only the opportunity to get better as a company. We’ve learned a lot here at Qittle but we all know there is much more to learn, many more learning curves and opportunities to be the best. I think that is what makes for a great SMS partner, the willness to experience those moments of growth with our clients.  We hope we can be a part of your companies Mobile journey.

Lisa Howfield, general manager of KVBC, the NBC affiliate here, watched last year as the broadcast-television business began to shrink. She started cutting. She combined departments. She made do with old equipment, and did away with luxuries like yearly sales getaways.

In December and January, she laid off 15 employees, or 6% of her staff. After the weatherman left last month, one of the morning news anchors took on both jobs. “It’s like a bad roller-coaster ride,” says Ms. Howfield. Her station’s full-day viewership is down 7.7% this TV season from the same period last year, according to Nielsen Co., and Ms. Howfield expects her ad revenue in 2009 will be down 30% from 2008.

Local television stations like Ms. Howfield’s dominated the TV business for more than half a century. They inspired the term “network”: a web of Channel 7s and 11s that delivered shows from ABC, CBS, NBC — and later, Fox — plus local news, syndicated reruns and talk shows. Because the stations owned the licenses to the airwaves that broadcast TV signals, big networks couldn’t distribute content without them. In turn, local stations became the vehicles for the greatest mass-market advertising blitz in history.

Click here to read the full article on the WSJ

QITTLE APPOINTS A NEW MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Veteran entrepreneur joins the company’s Board of Directors.

Aspen, CO (February 9th, 2009) - Marcos Rodriguez, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Qittle, the company announced today.

Rodriguez has a vast array of experience in founding and launching new businesses. He has helped many companies with marketing strategy and brand positioning and has been involved in venture capital and equity investment for over 20 years.

“Marcos has years of experience in media and venture capital. At this time his knowledge of creating a start up to be profitable and successful is a huge asset to Qittle. The synergy between his companies and Qittle also make great sense to our growth. We’re excited to have someone of his caliber join our organization as both an investor and a member of our Board of Directors.” CEO of Qittle, Casey McConnell, said.

Rodriguez is the founder of various media outlets, including KUUR Your Radio and TV Aspen. He is also a CEO Club member and is currently studying investments in oil and gas as well as Aspen real estate.

Qittle helps businesses create, customize and manage a mobile marketing initiative. Launched in 2008 on the dawn of a worldwide mobile reign, Qittle brings the message to the customer through the phone-a device most customers don’t leave home without. Qittle is backed by the industry leader in secure mobile information management. The company serves as an SMS OEM to the software and services industry. It has signed up numerous clients including MindBody Software,  Snowmass Village, High Tower Agency and The Aspen Club & Spa.

If you would like more information on Qittle, or to schedule an interview with Casey McConnell, please contact Erin Robinson at 248.515.0955 or erin@qittle.com.

Yesterday I was meeting with one of our investors for lunch at the base of Aspen Mountain at Ajax restaurant and we were discussing what Qittle is up to.  I started to talk about a recent presentation we had given to a magazine and on the cover of this presentation was the magazine featuring Elle MacPherson.

I held up the sheet of paper and was showing the copy when I kid you not I looked directly over the sheet of paper and there stood Elle in person. Of all the luck in the world, I’m talking to our investor about this presentation featuring Elle and there she is!

So we have a great lunch, wrap up our work conversation and start heading out the door of Ajax. I had to take the chance to complete the story.

I walk up to Elle’s table and say I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch but I have to share this story with you. I was meeting with one of our investors and was showing him this presentation (I hand her the presentation with her picture on the magazine)

She replies “Oh yes that’s my feature, and this is your business?”

Yes I reply.

she asks “How did it go?”

I say it went really well.

She hands the presentation back to me and reaches out her hand to shack mine and says “Congratulations”

Just another great moment in the life and times of Qittle!

Katie Redding
The Aspen Times
Aspen CO, Colorado

ASPEN — Whether you love or hate Aspen’s most powerful politician, now you can date Mayor Mick Ireland — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

On Wednesday at Aspen’s Fly Lounge, Tasha the Love Coach will be auctioning off a date with 19 Aspen singles, including Aspen’s bachelor mayor. Proceeds will benefit Challenge Aspen, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities.

And maybe, said Casey McConnell, who is helping to organize the event, a love match or two will be made.

“Maybe we’ll get the mayor matched up,” he said. “Somebody who watches Channel 11 every night religiously will show up and get her man.”

But Ireland said there’s more to him than City Council meetings.

“I’m a fun person. I don’t have a job that allows a lot of levity. But you know, I like to go skiing, hiking, running, go to movies and stuff,” he said. “In my spare time, I’m a fun person. I don’t think that’s obvious.”

Ireland said McConnell contacted him to join the event through a Facebook request. The mayor joined the popular social networking site recently at the request of his nieces and nephews, he said.

While Wednesday will be the mayor’s first singles auction, Ireland said last year he raised $1,000 for KAJX, Aspen’s public radio station, by auctioning off lunches with himself.

“One of my goals this year has been to give more money to human-services type charities than in the past because I know they’re hurting for donations,” said Ireland. “I don’t have a lot of personal wealth, but I can give time.”

And the mayoral title, said Ireland, sometimes allows him to raise more money than he would otherwise.

“People might do it, just like the KAJX thing with lunch, just to do it,” he said.

Or maybe there’s an Aspenite with a long-standing crush?

“A little less likely on that,” Ireland said.

The Fly Lounge Love Connection auction will be held at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Aspen singles up for bid include: Eliza Mercanti, Erin Robinson, Kassie Inness, Leah Potts, Constance Golder, Julie Mattalo, Andrea Lewkins, Michelle Braun, Melanie Lee, Mayor Mick Ireland, Jesse Wright, Oliver Sharpe, Clint Coerdt, Danny Tamez, Tom Pazdernik, Tanner Rollyson, Erik Lobben, Brian Weaver and Nick McEvoy.

kredding@aspentimes.com

QITTLE APPOINTS NEW COO. Veteran software executive joins the company’s management team.

Aspen, CO (February 9th, 2009) -Gary L. Deines, 57, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Qittle, the company announced today. The new position is effective immediately.

Deines was previously president of NoosMedia, Inc., a Boston based multimedia software company. Before that, he worked at Management Software International, Boutonics, Inc. and Ideal Computer Co. Gary is the creator of the ISOXPERT ™ – ISO 9000 automation software. He is also an international public speaker and specialist in emerging technologies.In his new role of COO, Deines will be responsible for integrating the marketing, software development, and technology service areas of the company.

CEO, Casey McConnell commented on Deines appointment, “Gary has a proven track record of managing profitable companies in his more than 25 years experience in the software industry. His knowledge of SMS text messaging, his leadership qualities, and his experience with technical operations make him the logical choice for this position.”

Deines graduated from Cornell University in 1973 with a degree in economics. “The cell phone has become the new terminal,” said Deines. “Qittle is well positioned to exploit this market growth.”

Qittle helps businesses create, customize and manage a mobile marketing initiative. Launched in 2008 on the dawn of a worldwide mobile reign, Qittle brings the message to the customer through the phone-a device most customers don’t leave home without. Qittle is backed by the industry leader in secure mobile information management. The company serves as an SMS OEM to the software and services industry. It has signed up numerous clients including MindBody Software, Aspen Skiing Company, Snowmass Village, High Tower Agency and The Aspen Club & Spa.

If you would like more information on Qittle, or to schedule an interview with Casey McConnell, please contact Erin Robinson at 248.515.0955 or erin@qittle.com.

As Pittsburgh was “steeling” the game from Arizona last night in a nail-biter of a Superbowl, there was an equal buzz surrounding the comical and creative commercials that are now a reason in their own right to watch the the NFL’s biggest game.  As those Superbowl sponsors have discovered, the captive audience of a large sporting event is an ideal setting in which to deliver your message.  Similarly, team sports organizations of any size can take advantage of such a venue for marketing their own team by utilizing SMS and inviting spectators to text in for all kinds of information or prizes from their favorite team.  For more information and ideas, click here Team Sport Text Marketing.