MAM
The cell phone user as consumer – an advertising perspective
It is not just the media companies who are eyeing the consumer through the mobile phone, it would seem.
Advertisers have long had their eye on the cell phone owner and found him receptive and willing to messages sent. Intellect, the Research and Technologies Unit of Lintas Media Services in association with Interactions, Lintas Media Services, conducted an extensive research that probes the psyche and the demographics of the SMS marketing 
consumers. The study, conducted in February 2004 covered the SEC A segment of Students and Working Executives/ Businessmen in the top 4 metros – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.
These are their findings –
The aim of the study was to provide the advertiser with a constructive understanding of his consumer’s thought process, experiences, expectations and acceptance of SMS as a medium of brand communication. The study says that a huge potential exists as far as communicating consumers via marketing is concerned and this is evident from the fact that only 14 per cent of the respondents have been exposed to advertising through SMS. An untouched 86 per cent have yet to experience a brand communication on their cell phones. Of the ones that have been exposed to such a communication, about 97 per cent have read the actual message before deleting it, a favourable 36 per cent also acted on the message after reading it. This depicts the readiness of the respondents to be a part of the entire communication process.
Probing their openness to the idea of accepting brand communication on their cell phones, the respondents portrayed a very positive picture. 66 per cent are willing to accept advertising through SMS on their cell phones, the study says.
The willingness is more amongst students and the younger age group i. e 15-24 years than that amongst working executives and those in the higher age group. Males are more willing to receive marketing SMS than females.
Avoidance of SMS (termed as deleting the SMS without reading it carefully) is much lower for this medium compared to the conventional media. 32 per cent are in the habit of reading every SMS that they receive; another 53 per cent hardly ever or only sometimes delete the SMS without reading carefully. In a scenario where television, print, cinema, etc all have high ad-avoidance, this is a very critical media.
One more noteworthy fact stays that apart from e-mail, SMS is the only medium that allows Permission Marketing. While students are open to receiving advertisements through SMS anytime there is a promotion; male working executives/ businessmen between the group 35-44 are open to receiving advertising through SMS but only with prior permission being given.
The timing and frequency of reaching a consumer is very important for any communication planning and the study has explored these areas. About 30 per cent are open to receiving advertisements through SMS anytime there’s a promotion. 34 per cent prefer being asked before they are sent advertisements through SMS while 34 per cent prefer it not very frequently.
While, 17 per cent are open to receiving advertisements through SMS more than three or four times a week, on the whole, 86 per cent are open to the idea of receiving brand marketing SMS once a month and more.
There is no specific pattern to the timing desired by the consumers. Anytime between morning to evening is acceptable. This is so since finally, the choice of opening the actual message lies with the consumer. Over 66 per cent feel that they do not have to see or answer an SMS immediately when it is received.
Also read:
Wireless – the new Smart Money Spinner
Brands
Emami names Dhruv Aggarwal as chief growth officer
Former Bain partner steps in as FMCG firm sharpens growth playbook
MUMBAI: Emami Limited has appointed Dhruv Aggarwal as its chief growth officer, effective 25 March 2026, following the resignation of Giriraj Bagri.
Aggarwal joins the FMCG major from Bain & Company, where he most recently served as partner. With over two decades of experience across consulting and strategy, he brings a global perspective shaped by work across India, the US, the UK and Germany.
During his tenure at Bain, Aggarwal advised consumer, retail and media companies on large-scale transformations, business turnarounds and growth strategies. He was also closely involved with India’s startup ecosystem, guiding early-stage ventures on scaling and digital expansion, while supporting private equity and venture capital firms on investment decisions.
His earlier stints include a brief role at Barclays Capital and operational experience at Jindal Power, giving him a mix of financial and industry exposure.
Academically, Aggarwal holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and has also been associated with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a PhD candidate and teaching assistant.
The appointment comes at a time when Emami Limited is looking to sharpen its growth strategy in a competitive consumer market. With a seasoned strategist now at the helm of growth, the company appears set to double down on transformation and expansion in the months ahead.
