WiggleWireless Pioneers Live Marathon Reporting via Digital Messaging
There's nothing more exciting than a marathon. Families cheering, cameras monitoring the leaders, and runners with grins across their faces abound. It's enough to stop a city and demand attention. The day belongs to the athletes, the fans and the sport.
But it's sometimes a Catch 22 for family members and close friends of runners who are heading off for the big race. Often commitments or costs keep supportive fans from hopping a plane to NYC, Chicago or San Diego to watch a spouse or friend tackle their first marathon or chase a PR that will finally get them to Boston. And while the Internet is a quick remedy allowing you to follow the race and your favorite athletes, it's also a binding commitment to the computer.
San Diego-based WiggleWireless is set out to change all that, which is creating a buzz among consumers and a growing interest among industry-related businesses. The wireless data service provider has created a unique program that relays live race data through digital messages to mobile phones – worldwide.
"Mobile phones are an untapped medium," said WiggleWireless founder Jeff Pokonosky. "There are more than 190 million mobile phones in the United States, compared to just 80 million televisions and 175 million computers. This is exciting news for consumers and businesses alike.”
Last October, WiggleWireless debuted the power of digital messaging at the 2004 Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Subscribers from around the world, as well as on-the-scene spectators, enthusiastically signed up for the service online. They chose from a menu of channels, including the option to receive pre-event news, weather updates and – most popular – the ability to track the progress of specific athletes.
Said Pokonosky, “tracking athletes provided a unique thrill for devoted fans, whether they were onsite or across the globe.”
The company's digital messaging service has also sparked interest among industry-related businesses, such as race and event directors, sponsors, timing and photography companies. They've discovered that digital messaging provides a whole new dimension in advertising and promotional opportunities. With each message that's sent to a supporting fan, sponsors and other vendors can tack on specific, targeted messages to a highly receptive audience.
For Marathon Directors the benefits are far reaching, including brand recognition opportunities for sponsors and other event supporters. Race organizers have the ability to efficiently communicate sudden race-day course changes, autograph signings at a sponsored booth and directions to registration. “Digital messaging offers a whole new way for race organizers to generate advertising dollars that go straight to the bottom line,” added Pokonosky.
So what's next? WiggleWireless has its sights on live, global marathon reporting. Whether in a board meeting in Paris or curbside at the big event, subscribers can now watch loved ones live and in action – all from the convenience of their mobile phone. "It's a natural segue," Pokonosky said. " And we want to be the pioneers to bring it to running fans world over."
More information on this can be found at WiggleWireless.com.
