My Photo

Ordering Information

Tomi on Twitter is @tomiahonen

  • Follow Tomi on Twitter as @tomiahonen
    Follow Tomi's Twitterfloods on all matters mobile, tech and media. Tomi has over 8,000 followers and was rated by Forbes as the most influential writer on mobile related topics

Book Tomi T Ahonen to Speak at Your Event

  • Contact Tomi T Ahonen for Speaking and Consulting Events
    Please write email to tomi (at) tomiahonen (dot) com and indicate "Speaking Event" or "Consulting Work" or "Expert Witness" or whatever type of work you would like to offer. Tomi works regularly on all continents

Tomi on Video including his TED Talk

Categories

Categories

Subscribe


Subscribe to this blog's feed

Archives

Blog powered by Typepad

« Want Your Kids to Learn More? Use m-Learning Tools. My Art Space with UK Museums | Main | Magical Money Making Machine, I must say: Funbook in Indonesia on XL Axiata »

November 16, 2010

TV learning to use mobile: US teen show Pretty Little Liars sends 'secrets' to fans

I've been telling the broadcast industry to learn about the power of mobile, not to try to squeeze TV shows onto the tiny screen, but rather, to do 'TV related' services. And I am delighted to see that ABC in the USA is doing that with its new hit teen show for girls, 'Pretty Little Liars'.

The concept is quite simple. Viewers are asked to sign up to receive a free 'Secret' every week. The secret is sent by a mysterious character called 'M'. And with every secret, the TV show also sends a preview of the next episode, using MMS, so it works on virtually all modern mobile phones in the USA (excepting some early iPhones haha). Obviously being MMS, you don't need to own a smartphone and you don't have to have an internet service data package. The service was developed by Mogreet. Best of all, the 'Secret' service is free, being sponsored by Microsoft.

How is it doing? Pretty Little Liars is now the most watched TV show in its time slot. How is 'Secret'? Consider this: It has been adopted by 12% of the core teen audience of the TV show! Awesome. Yes, don't just try to put your TV show on the mobile screen, do something cool that goes beyond your TV show, and use mobile to engage with the audience. Secrets for teens, clever idea...

Posted by at 02:09 AM in 7th Mass Media, Advertising, Statistics, Television |

Comments

Carlo Longino

Hi Tomi,

Also from ABC, on its Family network, it did a pretty interesting iPad app for its show "My Generation" -- it used some new tech from Nielsen called MediaSync that uses audio watermarks to call up content in the app at specific times during the show. I thought it was a cool acknowledgment that a lot of people (especially younger ones) are watching/using other screens while they're watching TV. More details:
http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/09/17/5129495-abc-my-generation-ipad-app-syncs-in-real-time-with-tv-

Posted by: Carlo Longino | November 16, 2010 at 03:37 PM

James Grimm

It would be interesting to see someone come up with a TV/Cable series where each show would end in a decision. Viewers then SMS the choice they wish to see happen and the option that gets the most votes gets aired the following week.

Of course the producers would need to develop a multi-path storyline, but if that worked.. You could technically have a completely different show per region/country. And you would have lots of stuff to sell on CD after the series ends.

I can think of lots of ways to tie this up into online services and movies...

Posted by: James Grimm | November 17, 2010 at 03:36 AM

cheap handbags

Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!I'm still waiting for some interesting thoughts from your side in your next post thanks.

Posted by: cheap handbags | November 25, 2010 at 01:20 AM

Red Bull Hats

Thanks for your sharing, let I have learned a lot. Thank you again for

Posted by: Red Bull Hats | December 01, 2010 at 04:00 AM

New Era Hats

These are wonderful! Thank you for sharingNew Era Hats

Posted by: New Era Hats | December 02, 2010 at 03:10 AM

dollar store

Hi,
I have been reading this blog for some time now but never bothered to comment until today. Wanted to let you know that I am a fan and enjoy your work.
Thanks.

Posted by: dollar store | December 10, 2010 at 03:54 AM

new era hat

I think developers would be wise to go where the action is. Most people avoid app downloads for fear of screwing up their mobile; NOT on an iPhone.

And that, my friends, is why the iPhone will dominate.

Posted by: new era hat | December 13, 2010 at 02:40 AM

white iphone 4

Oh mon Dieu, vous êtes une personne génie et un bon photographe i comme votre grace images.

Posted by: white iphone 4 | December 20, 2010 at 09:21 AM

nike zoom lebron v

the bigest festival-Christmas day is coming now ,so hurry up to buy the gifts for you love.

Posted by: nike zoom lebron v | December 23, 2010 at 02:10 AM

Henry Peise

Apple's launch of the iPhone 4 white has seen the greatest excitement for a new phone ever, with HD video recording, a super high-res screen and ridiculously slim dimensions, it's not hard to see why its so popular in the world.

Posted by: Henry Peise | December 23, 2010 at 06:26 AM

white iphone 4

With the most fashion designer, White iphone 4 Conversion Kit can be your new autumn/winter fashion piece for your favorite iphone 4. Why not make a little change for your iphone 4.

Posted by: white iphone 4 | December 23, 2010 at 06:50 AM

white iphone 4

Hi, where did you get this information can you please support this with some proof or you may say some good reference as I and others will really appreciate. This information is really good and I will say will always be helpful if we try it risk free. So if you can back it up. That will really help us all. And this might bring some good repute to you.

Posted by: white iphone 4 | December 28, 2010 at 02:11 AM

iphone covers

Merci pour le blog chargé de l'information tant. L'arrêt de votre blog m'a aidé à obtenir ce que je cherchais.

Posted by: iphone covers | January 14, 2011 at 08:27 AM

Mulberry

You could technically have a completely different show per region/country. And you would have lots of stuff to sell on CD after the series ends.

Posted by: Mulberry | March 23, 2011 at 04:34 AM

Cheap Supra Shoes

You're wasting you breath.

Posted by: Cheap Supra Shoes | May 24, 2011 at 07:33 AM

nike shoes

Cheap Nike Shoes are famous globally. and people like the brand very much. Nike Dunk High can protect your heel. Nike Dunk Low will bring your great ground performance.

Posted by: nike shoes | July 25, 2011 at 08:10 AM

Yves Saint Laurent

Thanks a lot, this article is quite interesting, My partner and I anticipate reading through more of your website.

Posted by: Yves Saint Laurent | August 08, 2011 at 03:33 AM

beats by dre store

a new phone ever, with HD video recording, a super high-res screen and ridiculously slim dimensions, it's not hard to see why its so popular in the world.

Posted by: beats by dre store | August 22, 2011 at 09:38 AM

Next »

The comments to this entry are closed.

Available for Consulting and Speakerships

  • Available for Consulting & Speaking
    Tomi Ahonen is a bestselling author whose twelve books on mobile have already been referenced in over 100 books by his peers. Rated the most influential expert in mobile by Forbes in December 2011, Tomi speaks regularly at conferences doing about 20 public speakerships annually. With over 250 public speaking engagements, Tomi been seen by a cumulative audience of over 100,000 people on all six inhabited continents. The former Nokia executive has run a consulting practise on digital convergence, interactive media, engagement marketing, high tech and next generation mobile. Tomi is currently based out of Helsinki but supports Fortune 500 sized companies across the globe. His reference client list includes Axiata, Bank of America, BBC, BNP Paribas, China Mobile, Emap, Ericsson, Google, Hewlett-Packard, HSBC, IBM, Intel, LG, MTS, Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, Ogilvy, Orange, RIM, Sanomamedia, Telenor, TeliaSonera, Three, Tigo, Vodafone, etc. To see his full bio and his books, visit www.tomiahonen.com Tomi Ahonen lectures at Oxford University's short courses on next generation mobile and digital convergence. Follow him on Twitter as @tomiahonen. Tomi also has a Facebook and Linked In page under his own name. He is available for consulting, speaking engagements and as expert witness, please write to tomi (at) tomiahonen (dot) com

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Tomi's eBooks on Mobile Pearls

  • Pearls Vol 1: Mobile Advertising
    Tomi's first eBook is 171 pages with 50 case studies of real cases of mobile advertising and marketing in 19 countries on four continents. See this link for the only place where you can order the eBook for download

Tomi Ahonen Almanac 2009

  • Tomi Ahonen Almanac 2009
    A comprehensive statistical review of the total mobile industry, in 171 pages, has 70 tables and charts, and fits on your smartphone to carry in your pocket every day.

Alan's Third Book: No Straight Lines

Tomi's Fave Twitterati