I am excited to announce that this is my first blog. For what seems to be the last twelve or thirteen years (my Google search indicated blogging really took off in the late ‘90s), I have been living under a block…I mean rock. What can I say? I am a late adopter; always have been. I got my first high-def TV two years ago. I got my first iPod in 2006, five years after it was introduced. My first DVR…last year. You get the picture. I’m not sure why I do not embrace technology sooner, but something always seems to be holding me back. I think maybe I like bucking the trend. The weird thing is that after I make the purchase I realize I spent more time and energy trying to buck the trend than just enjoying what technology has to offer.

Being the late adopter, I obviously do not have a Smartphone. However, I have already decided that is going to be my next “big” technology purchase. I am coming around to the idea that, as a consumer, it’s nice to have everything I could possibly need at my fingertips. I can watch a game, play a game, bet on a game, or check scores, all with the touch of a button. As a consumer, that’s an exciting proposition to me.

So let’s think about this from an advertising perspective. I am exposed to hundreds of ads a day that aren’t relevant to me. Mobile messaging offers that relevance, because the messages are from sources that I have opted in to. Instead of spending a lot of time looking at ads in other media vehicles (TV, print, radio), I could have only relevant messages sent to my phone from the companies I choose. Obviously, this means brands are racing to find ways to be relevant and connect with consumers. Some brands are starting to get the hang of it. You can search the Internet and find some great examples of what companies are doing in this arena.

Mobile has to be the first ever ad platform that can satisfy the consumer and the advertiser simultaneously, which is exciting from an advertising standpoint. So my advice to advertisers is to not be like me and be a late adopter. Start figuring out a strategy to build a database of your customers’ cell phone numbers before it’s too late. The next step is tougher, as you must walk the fine line between sending customers the right offers at the right frequency without overwhelming them.

So next time you see me I will probably be checking out the latest issue of Wired at a bookstore I found on my Smartphone and making a list of all the newest technology gadgets I’ll wait a few months to buy.