RainedOut, a company that provides free event and group communication services, has formed a partnership with SportsPilot, an information services provider specializing in amateur sports information systems, to bring SMS text marketing, e-mail and social media communications to SportsPilot customers.
The company will integrate their FREE+ group messaging directly into SportsPilot's league management service to power a variety of communications services including SMS text marketing services, allowing companies to get out time-sensitive information to all of their members rapidly.
The strategy to integrate RainedOut's SMS text marketing solution was in response to increasing customer demands, as well as fell in line with the company’s goal to improve league registration, scheduling, and communication technology, according to company officials.
The FREE+ feature of RainedOut can be used as a fundraising tool, allowing each league to raise money from local sponsorships in a cost-effective manner.
"SportsPilot is pleased to be partnering with RainedOut in order to integrate their text messaging capability into our league management service," said Wes Hoffman (News - Alert), vice president of SportsPilot, in a statement. "This will provide a much needed and convenient way for players, coaches, officials, and parents to stay informed about important league updates and scheduling changes.”
RainedOut’s solution has helped SportsPilot address the challenges typically associated with volunteer-based organizations. The SMS text marketing and communications services have given SportsPilot the additional functionality required, without putting a strain on their cash flow or development resources, according to Bryan Crum, vice president of marketing for RainedOut.
SMS text marketing is growing in popularity around the world. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Toluna QuickSurvey and the Direct Marketing Association revealed that given a choice, consumers in the U.K. would select to receive promotions via SMS text marketing opposed to the Web.
The study clearly shows that 38 percent of U.K. consumers prefer SMS promotions compared to a mere 15 percent that like mobile Web promotions. The main reason behind their choice is that 46 percent of people in the location own smartphones, allowing them to look at the message on their own time.
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2012, taking place Jan. 31-Feb. 3 2012, in Miami, FL. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO registration click here.
Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO. Follow us on Twitter.
Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by Jamie Epstein