What are some of the new and innovative ways your business can reach your consumers and target markets through mobile devices and a solid mobile strategy?   Topic experts

Jim Wolfe, Co-founder and CEO, J Street Consulting

Gary Ackerman, President and Co-Founder, M3Mobile

Det Ansinn, Chief Gaming Officer, Mobile Tag Company and 1337.pwn.com

Doug Bellenger, COO, PhindMe

and  Monica Gursky, Interactive Art Director, I-Site

are discussing the current state of mobile technology and what new technologies are on the mobile horizon.

Using examples of how their companies coordinated on a project for one of I-Sites’ clients,  Monica Gursky and Doug Bellenger demonstrated the need for design and technology to mesh to build the best mobile experience.  There is not a one sized fits all approach.  The design and experience have to fit both the user, the product and the many different types of mobile devices.

Mobile Design is more than just making it small.  Appropriate navigation style is key. The user experience has to be easy for the user as well as providing the content needed to integrate with your campaigns and promotions.

As devices become something people use every more and more everyday, it is likely we will begin to see less of the “throwaway” apps and will begin to see more and more brands leveraging the mobile medium to develop one to one relationships with their customers.   We will also begin to see more and more targeted and GPS directed marketing via mobile devices.   Opt in text marketing is a valuable option for a company because it gives them unprecedented access to a customer.  Mobile gift cards or coupons are another strong marketing proposition for both the company and the consumer.  The power to have gift cards available without a physical card is a bonus that could significantly influence customer decision making and loyalty.

What is the relationship between my website and my mobile if a company is just getting started?  The answer to that is what is important to the user at the moment of use?   The important information and experience will be different between scenarios sitting in front of a desktop versus standing in the store trying to get information versus being in your car trying to get directions.  Mobile needs to take the later two scenarios into consideration.

The panelists make good points that if you are looking to move your website, product or information to mobile, you need to carefully vet the possible providers.  You need to find a developers who specialize in working with mobile.  They need to not only know how to develop, but also how to do the appropriate testing.

Location based services and commerce is one of the primary places where mobile headed.  Demographics are becoming somewhat irrelevant in the mobile field because of the tremendous growth in the popularity of texting.

Mobile is giving a consumer a choice.  It is allowing a company to communicate with their customers in the method they want to communicated with.  The low cost plans available through mobile carriers are now allowing people who can not afford PC’s or laptops web and texting access.   If a company is not using mobile, they potentially are missing a market that they not reach via just a website.

It is evident based on the questions from the audience and answers from the panelists that mobile is not only the direction of the moment, but also of the future.