Vibes, a mobile marketing and technology company, announced it has beefed up the mobile marketing campaigns for nationally recognized Vienna Beef, maker of Chicago's classic hot dog. The campaign, which began in April 2010, has successfully enabled Vienna Beef restaurant vendors to participate in the Vienna Beef mobile marketing program at no cost to the restaurant, which provides vendor-specific offers to a growing and active mobile database of subscribers. Vibes' mobile marketing platform, Catapult, powers the initiative, delivering targeted promotions and mobile coupons directly into the hands of opted-in customers to drive sales and foot traffic for both Vienna Beef and participating restaurants. To date, Vienna Beef has sent out more than 600,000 coupons on behalf of its vendors.

"We are always looking for new and innovative ways to help our loyal Vienna Beef vendors be successful, and mobile provides a unique opportunity to engage consumers in a way other channels simply cannot. It's more personal," said Carrie Bodman, marketing coordinator of Vienna Beef. "Mobile is the perfect way for us to help our vendors reach out to their customers with exclusive and personalized offers that drive traffic to their establishments. For us, it is a great way to build brand loyalty while we promote Vienna Beef on a broad but highly targeted level."

Promoted via in-store signage, the mobile campaign allows users to text in to a shortcode and receive a discount that's redeemable at a specific restaurant or vendor. Users are also prompted to opt-in to a Vienna Beef mobile database where they can receive exclusive news and updates from Vienna Beef.

"Mobile has proven to be one of the most powerful marketing channels available because it allows marketers to connect brands with customers at just the right time and at just the right place," said Jack Philbin, co-founder and president of Vibes. "What Vienna Beef is doing is unique because they are providing the vendors that sell their products with an innovative marketing channel they may not have otherwise considered or had access to on their own."

Source: Vienna Beef, Vibes