Hipcricket Powers Mobile Marketing Programs for Ramar Communications’ Radio and Television Stations

Lubbock, Texas-Based Broadcaster Partners with Hipcricket to Increase Audience Engagement and Integrate Mobile into CRM Initiatives

KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hipcricket, the one-stop mobile marketing and advertising company, today announced that Ramar Communications has extended its contract with Hipcricket to provide an expanding number of mobile marketing programs. Ramar Communications, Inc., the parent company of five television and four radio stations in Lubbock, Texas, uses Hipcricket’s HIP 7.0 platform to deliver sponsored news alerts, weather forecasts and other information and offers. Ramar also uses Hipcricket to integrate mobile into its CRM initiatives, engage audiences and deliver opportunities for additional advertising revenue through hyper-local mobile offers.

Ramar Communications has been a Hipcricket client since 2008. The extension of this contract enables the broadcaster to continue to take advantage of Hipcricket’s SaaS-based mobile marketing platform to deliver a wide range of mobile programs to audiences, including:

• Audiences can text the word WEATHER to a short code to receive the day’s weather forecast in their area. This program has averaged 2,000 entries per month, sending out over 29,000 sponsored messages each month.
• During election season, voters can provide their zip code via mobile device to locate their assigned polling location.
• Radio stations KXTQ and KLZK use mobile to increase listenership through contests and messages to club members asking them to tune in to the radio station or visit a destination for a special on-site radio event.
• Texas Tech Red Raider fans can opt in to receive scores, breaking news, and programming alerts for Double T 104 3.
• Additionally, Double T 104 3 uses this tool to communicate with its audience when special guests are on air, alert the audience to special contests and programming, and to communicate with its on air hosts in a unique and interactive way. The text line receives over 8,000 messages each week.
• During every Texas Tech Red Raider football game, Double T 104 3 broadcasts a live pregame show on Fox 34 NewsNow in which viewers can have their messages crawl along the bottom ticker of the screen.
• In addition to engaging audiences, Ramar has had success in increasing revenue from hyper-local ad dollars with advertisers including Soup or Salad, George’s, Tejas Motors, and more.

“Hipcricket’s mobile solutions truly make our experiences with our viewers and listeners interactive,” said Chris Fleming, Chief Revenue Officer and Radio General Manager, Ramar Communications. “We’re looking forward to expanding our relationship with Hipcricket and taking advantage of the wide range of mobile products and services they offer.”

“We live in a mobile world, and Ramar Communications realizes that by engaging on-the-go audiences, its stations will stay top of mind and ensure that they are the primary source for news, information and entertainment,” said Ivan Braiker, Hipcricket CEO.

The HIP platform is capable of fueling all brands’ and agencies’ mobile marketing needs; from messaging (SMS/MMS) to 2D/QR bar codes, and mobile coupons to mobile web applications. The SaaS platform is behind more than 100,000 mobile marketing campaigns for clients including MillerCoors, Macy’s and Nestle, among others.

About Ramar Communications, Inc.

Locally owned and locally operated, RAMAR Communications has deep roots in Lubbock, Texas. RAMAR is the parent company of KJTV-TV, FOX 34. Other RAMAR TV stations include FOX 34 NewsNOW, The FOX AccuWeather Channel, My Lubbock TV and Telemundo Lubbock. RAMAR operates The Lubbock CW. RAMAR radio stations in Lubbock include FOX Talk 950, Magic 93.7, Stars 97-3 and Double T 104-3.

About Hipcricket Inc.

Hipcricket Inc. is the one-stop mobile marketing and advertising company that empowers brands, agencies and media properties to engage customers, drive loyalty and increase sales. Hipcricket’s customers connect with consumers across every mobile channel, including SMS, 2D/QR codes, mobile Web sites, advertising networks, social media and branded apps. Hipcricket’s proven technology, strategic and marketing services and experienced account management teams have provided measurable successes through an industry-leading 100,000 campaigns for clients such as Macy’s, MillerCoors, Nestle, KFC, and Clear Channel. The company has also created the first comprehensive permission-based mobile ad network that taps into the buying power of the mass market with industry-leading capabilities to target customers via location and highly-specific demographic information across SMS, display, rich media and video.

Hipcricket is a privately held corporation based near Seattle, Washington, with operations in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico City. For more mobile marketing and mobile advertising information please visit www.hipcricket.com.

CONTACT:

fama PR
Nicole Cornwell, 617-986-5014
Hipcricket@famapr.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Washington

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Consumer Electronics  Software  Mobile/Wireless  Communications  Advertising  Marketing

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