Jim Dixon, Practice Leader in Mobile Marketing at Trellist, recently spoke to students and faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia. Dixon explained how mobile technology is redefining retail marketing. "As smartphones now account for more than 51% of mobile usage, and as multi-device users (called Digital Omnivores) become the rule, marketing professionals need to communicate differently than ever before," said Dixon. "Consumers act and shop differently. For example, data suggest that two thirds of consumers with smartphones today practice show-rooming— where they use their phone in stores to compare prices and consider online purchases."
Dixon also helped the Temple University students better understand their advantage. "Digital natives" are those who have been raised with mobile, social and online technology. They will enter into a workforce full of digital immigrants who must learn to use new technology. "This gives today's students an edge when building the marketing and technology strategies of tomorrow," explained Dixon.