November 8, 2004
Nifty SMS Innovations for Newspapers
A Swedish newspaper group has come up with the "SMS crossword." This is a newspaper crossword contest in which a successful solution produces a code that is sent by the reader via SMS (cell-phone text message) to the newspaper, where the results are then sorted into a database and a winner is selected. [via
E-Media Tidbits].
"Speaking at last week's international digital media conference in Prague, Morris Packer and Josefine Granding Larsson of the Bonnier Group, emphasized that SMS is a brilliant return channel for print, radio, and TV. Both Packer and Larsson expanded on another innovation which involves an SMS code inserted into stories that can't be resolved before print deadline -- for example: court cases that will be held later in the day after going to press. Readers who therefore want to know the outcome can SMS the paper and receive the story update on their phones.
Related articles:
-- Scott Peterson trial verdict to be sent out by SMS - Court TV channel is allowing its Web site users to sign up for free wireless text messages that will announce both when the jury has come back from deliberations and the verdict. The second will simply contain the words "guilty" or "not guilty."
-- LA Times Crossword Puzzle For Cell Phones - For the first time ever, wireless subscribers will be able to complete the same Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle that is in the newspaper, on their mobile phones.
-- Making Money on Interactivity - Swedish metro newspaper Stockholm City having made interactive content an important part of the service it provides readers, nearly all of which are comfortable with text messaging. Readers may participate in a daily quiz, submit crossword puzzles, submit letters to the editor, or vote in polls. On the first day the paper received 5000 SMS messages.
-- Click here for more examples of SMS Services offered by the Press.
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