So the next time you see a menacing group of youths mingling around a shopping mall, railway terminal or street corner, check for the mass laughter first, as they manage to announce at full volume various expletives on the handsets of innocent shoppers and commuters. Mobi-jacking is rapidly becoming a favourite after-school past-time and local authorities are at a loss as to how to stop the craze as the MobiJack device works within 100m of any cell. Always quick to jump on a trend, the leading mobile advertising agencies in Japan are now recruiting mobi-jackers to spot trend setters and opinion formers at major destinations and to activate brand messages on their phones. A commuter dressed in fashionable labels could suddenly hear their phone belt out 'I love OnaToko' to all those within earshot. Is this a future media channel for UK advertisers?
I put this question to futurologist Mike Casey from MEIT, who clearly pointed out that disruptive technologies such as MobiJack appeal to the highly influential youth market and therefore have a clear chance of acceptance among the early majority and should not be ignored by marketers, however, he was equally cautious as technology now develops at such a fast pace, this just may be a one-day wonder.
Kieran Bourke
Member since: 03 Jun 2008
Last login: 27 Jun 2008
Total Posts: 8
