Right now 4 in 5 people reading this article have a mobile phone in their pocket. The fifth called in sick and wearing their favorite shorts at home. You know the ones without the pockets that have been around since high school? Shorts aside, your phone may live in one of the five pockets of your favorite pair of jeans. I say five as Derek Zoolander may be reading this and he just might store his mini-mobile in the coin pocket. Others may store their digital friend in the comforting pocket of a hoody, or maybe the receiver receives regal treatment secured snugly in a tasteful two-button blazer. Wherever you holster your electronic friend, Miami still has you beat when it comes to mobile.
In a recent study by Neilsen’s NM Incite, Miami’s mobile usage has been buzzing, having the highest mobile phone penetration in the entire United States. Or as Neilsen states it: “Miamians are most likely to have a mobile phone in their pockets.” Not too bad for a city that seldom sports pocket friendly attire.
What does this mean for “The Magic City”? Mainly, Miami will have a direct effect on how social media and mobile marketers approach the medium’s evolution. Miami has been extensively utilized as the testing ground for traditional advertising campaigns; our cultural potpourri lends itself quite well for these scenarios. The discovery of Miami’s connectivity dominance now leverages Miami as a global incubator for the latest in cutting edge mobile application and user experience.
With Social Media Week Miami on the horizon mobile offers just one juicy topic for our panelists to devour during our week-long celebration of all things social. All we ask from you; embrace your inner Miamian and be mobile. Oh, and lose the shorts, high school was years ago.
