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At first I thought he was joking ar0und when he asked me, “what is mobile marketing”?   I wanted to snap back with a quick one-liner but couldn’t get my head around anything humorous to say.  Instead, I quipped back, “it’s taking brands to where life happens”.  It’s really that simple.

I was actually in Haiti filming the relief effort a few weeks ago when I was asked this question. What was so real to me was that everywhere we went while in Haiti, people had cell phone in hand.  Remember, this is one of the poorest nations on the earth reeling from a devastating earthquake and everywhere I looked people clasped their mobile device.  Although still without power or running water, street vendors quickly set up portable generators, and for a small fee will charge your cell phone.

One of the first tasks of the outside military relief efforts was to set up portable cell towers and get communications back up and running.  And I had great cell service everywhere we went.  I actually used several iPhone apps for translating and GPS updates of the earthquake area.  It really was spectacular.  While interviewing one Haitian I asked him about his cell phone, he told me “people will go without food to ensure they have cell service”.  I wouldn’t have believed it had I not been there and seen it for myself.

Maybe mobile devices could play a crucial role in helping to rebuild Haiti.   It’s certainly the best way to reach those in Haiti where life is happening.

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