Advertising gets smarter with sound waves

It’s a race against time as companies come up with the most appealing marketing tools.

Recently we looked at the how location-based ad provider JiWire is looking into producing marketing tools that will use geographic patterns of mobile phone users to market more distinct products based on interests and lifestyles.

But it seems like the race is officially on to finally, finally start using the mobile platform for more innovative advertising. Mashable reports that Sonic Notify technology is looking at incorporating sound waves into mobile marketing to offer something completely unique. The idea is that with the Sonic Notify technology installed into apps on your smart phone, companies can actually send you personal marketing messages depending on where you are.

This means that if I walk into a coffee shop, I could immediately be alerted via my smart phone to the specials, deals and discounts occurring in-store. Or if I attend a theatre production, the theatre marketers could thank me personally via my smart phone for attending as well as offer me a list of upcoming productions. No more scouring the website for information every time you decide you like a place. It also means that when I enter a restaurant, instead of having to ask the waiters for recommendations, my smart phone can alert me to them straight away on the menu.

According to Mashable, the co-founders of Sonic Notify technology began working on the concept last year. The website reports, “The sound-triggering technology allows precise delivery of content to mobile devices within apps, Sonic Notify EVP Ross Weinstein tells Mashable. Sonic technology can be integrated into in-store radio broadcasts, TV shows, movies, sporting events or live concerts. The triggering sound, inaudible to human ears, can also play from discreetly played devices.”

It’s a gold mine for companies and brands who want a more effective marketing strategy. And apparently its easy to figure where a Sonic SDK simply needs to be installed into the company’s app. Mashable quotes Weinstein as saying, “Anyone can download our SDK and install it into their app, whether it’s Linkin Park, Madonna, a sports team or an Epicurious. Name the app and they can all put it in there.”

It’s a concept that has already been well-received, where Lady Gaga reportedly already uses Sonic Notify while networking with fans. Lady Gaga followers can use the technology to engage with the diva during concerts, voting for their favourite songs or sharing their opinions. We thought social media was a great way for marketers to engage with their target audiences, but we haven’t seen anything yet!

With the inspiring ideas coming out of the advertising industry at the moment when it comes to using technology to interact and appeal to different sectors, this is the space to watch at the moment. It’s bound to get a lot more interesting.