Txting is So Much Mor Thn , LOL, WTF, TTYL

Posted: Tuesday, February 2, 2010

My mornings are pretty eventful.  I begin the day by eating a nutritious breakfast with a strong cup of coffee, and then I walk over to my computer to check unread emails, the latest news, and obviously, my Facebook.  A few weeks ago, I did something out of my usual routine, I darted straight to my computer.  I logged onto my Facebook with the intentions of stalking my friends, but to my surprise I was logging on to encounter a phenomenal text message campaign: “Text "HAITI" to the number 90999 to donate $10, which will be added to your next cell phone bill.” 

This short, yet vital message appeared on each one of my friends’ updated statuses.  They were no longer commenting on terrible winter weather, how much they hated studying at the library or what a great dinner they just cooked for their loved one.  This particular morning, their updated statuses had transpired power on the world.

The Red Cross Foundation took the initiative to post this on all social-networking websites with the objective to give the public an opportunity to help Haiti, in the shortest amount of time.  Implementing a text-message donation system was the best solution for this technologically savvy generation (which is just about every age).  Within minutes of this message appearing all over Facebook, Twitter, various blogs and television networks, this system allowed the Red Cross Foundation to receive approximately $800,000.  Over the last two weeks, more than $400 million has been donated using this simple system.  Ironically, that amount is $100 million more than what the United State government plans to donate to Haiti. 

There's no doubt that mobile marketing will continue to become more and more powerful.

To donate to the Red Cross Foundation, click here.