MESSAGEbuzz Inc. has spent an uncountable number of hours ensuring the principles of the MMA's (Mobile Marketing Association) Code of Conduct have been integrated throughout our entire business. If you read no further, these two statements clarify our position.
First, we adhere to the Code of Conduct because it is critical to our success and the success of our entire industry. Second, being consumers ourselves we detest any company that disregards privacy, the rights of consumers and promotes unsolicited messages. Finally, if you are as impressed with our company to have read this far, I welcome you to contact me personally to discuss how we at MESSAGEbuzz Inc. have implemented the universal set to principles defined as the Code of Conduct.
Steven Kelley
CEO
Summary
The Code of Conduct is divided into six categories: choice, control, customization, consideration, constraint and confidentiality.
Choice
Consumers must opt-in to all mobile messaging programs. Choice does not carry forward unless the consumer is part of a brand loyalty program whose opt-in registration clearly provides for ongoing communications. Even then, the consumer's desire to participate must be validated at the beginning of a new messaging program. Segmentation-based marketing (by interests, demographics, etc.) and location-based marketing is prohibited unless the consumer clearly opted-in to receive the campaigns by giving personally identifiable information that is verifiable with their identity.
Control
Consumers must also be allowed to easily terminate -- opt-out -- their participation in an ongoing mobile messaging program through channels identical to those through which they can opt-in to a given program. Programs with multiple message strings must provide an opt-out option for each message.
Customization
As mobile messaging campaigns are most effective when appropriately targeted, consumers could be asked to provide demographic, preferences and other information. All "follow--on" communications targeted at an existing opt-in universe should be encouraged to use this data to optimize message volumes, redemption rates, and return-on-investment -- plus restrict communications to those categories specifically requested by the consumer.
Consideration
The consumer must receive and/or be offered something of value to them in return for receiving the communication. Value may be delivered in the form of product and service enhancements, reminders, sweepstakes, contests, information, entertainment, discounts or location-based services
Constraint
MESSAGEbuzz Inc. will provide a global "throttling mechanism" capable of managing the number of messages received by an individual consumer. The purpose of the throttle is to effectively manage and limit mobile messaging programs to a reasonable number of programs, defaulted to a maximum of 2 new campaigns per week (One campaign may have one initial opted-in communication followed by several two-way communications initiated by the consumer as part of that one campaign; i.e. a trivia game). Consumers will have the option to override the throttle through an additional Opt-in available through the standard channels.
Confidentiality
MESSAGEbuzz Inc. will not rent, sell or share personal information about consumers participating in programs delivered through its platform with other people or non-affiliated companies except to provide the products and services requested. We may share aggregated, non-personal, non-individual information with customers or partners for research purposes only. As is clearly stated an accepted by each of MESSAGEbuzz Inc. customers, all our customers are subjected to the terms and conditions of a privacy policy that is directly aligned with our suppliers and the industry.
