Verizon launches text message polling program for moviegoers

By Giselle Abramovich

June 5, 2008

Keep your phone on in the movies

Verizon Wireless has partnered with Screenvision to introduce a text message polling program for moviegoers.

During 3,500 show times across parts of the country, the interactive text message polling program asks moviegoers questions related to their music preferences and gives them an option to text their responses. After audience members submit their text messages, the actual audience results will be displayed on the movie screen in a bar chart.

“This is part of a six-minute marketing effort that showcases Verizon Wireless products and services," said Brenda Raney, spokeswoman at Verizon Wireless, Basking Ridge, NJ. "It also lets customers have some fun during that downtime before a movie starts."

Screenvision specializes in cinema advertising. Its advertising network includes more than 14,000 screens across 2,300 theaters nationwide, reaching 92 percent of the market.
 
The text message polling program will be part of the pre-movie entertainment. It will run in conjunction with two short films produced by Verizon Wireless, which promotes the company's V Cast services.

The first short film, “What's that Song," showcases Verizon Wireless' V Cast Song ID service. The second short, titled "V Cast Street," is an original two-minute content piece directed by Spike Lee and features leading music artists Chris Cornell and Timbaland.

Verizon calls Hollywood

Moviegoers attending select theater locations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, Washington, Houston and Detroit will be able to participate in the text message polling program. All they need is a text-enabled phone.

"We are letting our customers have fun with the things they use everyday, while at the same time reminding them to turn off their cell phones before the movie starts," Ms. Raney said. "It's an interactive effort."