Radio 1 listeners will be able to send picture messages from their mobile phones to Radio 1 for free this Friday (11th December).
Listeners in the United Kingdom will be able to send free picture messages to the BBC Radio 1 messaging number (81199), for a chance to see their images featured on the Radio 1 website. UK participants on both pay as you go & monthly contracts will not be charged as part of the Radio 1s ‘free picture message day’.
It will be interesting to see how much over the air exposure Radio 1 DJs such as Pete Tong & Annie Mac give to this project. The Mobile Data Association (MDA), brought together each of the UK’s major mobile network operators to form a partnership with the BBC which aims to get more young people involved with the station. The MDA has also launched an educational website with the long-term aim of helping people to send picture messages: http://www.getsettings.org .
Ben Chapman, Interactive Editor at BBC Radio 1, said: “Our goal is to mix the listeners’ picture messages with images of our DJs in an innovative way, so they all follow the theme of a well known piece of music. It’s a brilliant opportunity for Radio 1 to produce interactive content while explaining how to get the most out of mobile phones, and it encourages more interaction with our DJs.”
Martin Ballard, Operations Director at the MDA, said: “BBC Radio 1’s Picture Messaging Day should provide a springboard to generate further interest in the medium. Our getsettings website aims to address configuration issues around older handsets in circulation and SIM-only contracts. But the emergence of increasingly sophisticated and affordable devices means users can begin to capitalise on the rich mobile messaging facilities which are now available, as they did with text messaging at the beginning of the decade”.
Sources: The Mobile Data Association newsletter, Radio 1, GetSettings