Now Virgin Tries Ad-Supported Cell Service
from the there's-always-a-catch dept
We've noted in the past the resurgence of the "free stuff (with ads!)" business model, where users are offered free services like ISP access or long-distance calls in exchange for viewing or listening to some ads. Few of these ventures have worked, but that hasn't stopped interest in the plan from spreading. Now, Virgin Mobile is offering its users a chance to earn up to 75 minutes of free airtime per month if they watch commercials on a computer, or respond to text-message ads. The ads require the user to actually pay attention, trying to solve one shortcoming of previous efforts by forcing them to answer questions about the 30-second ads they watched, or respond to a text message, or answer a questionnaire before they get their free airtime. The thinking is obviously that Virgin's teen-heavy customer base will interested in the opportunity for free talk time, but though they're young, they're not stupid, and will quickly realize that a free minute of talktime, worth 10 cents, isn't worth the time or effort of playing along with the plan. At least Virgin isn't staking its whole business on people accepting the idea, like so many companies that have tried it before -- or Xero Mobile, the MVNO that's risen from the ashes of the spectacularly failed Gizmondo, and says it will give college students free phones and service if they'll watch video ads.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Only way this business model will ever work
[ link to this | view in thread ]
It'll be just like WoW
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Parents
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Only way this business model will ever work...
Great Idea, Businessmen. I hope the more savvy "Teens" or really, whomever, take full advantage of such a ridiculous scheme and figure out a way to auto-answer the dumb questions... Inevitable, eh?
I'd take free pr0n for watching ads
I 2nd that e-Motion, Sir.
--Prof Hib
[ link to this | view in thread ]
acomadation in chennai
Just five minutes walking distance from Elements Hostel, you'll find the cities best restaurants, shopping malls, specialty stores, handicraft markets, banks, currency exchange, bars, night clubs and many other attractions
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Start your dating/social networking site with SkaD
With new age community site software (http://www.skadate.com/demo.php) and pricing starting from $295 setup and $55 monthly SkaDate demonstrates how easy it is to start your own online community business. SkaDate managed solution is especially good for those not willing to deal with technical side of business: software installation, configuration, modifications. Just concentrate on marketing and let our professionals do our work. Invest today, so we help you profit tomorrow.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
www.foreways.net for sell:motorola v3m housing gre
Address: FuXiang road, ChangAn town, DongGuan City, GuangDong Province, China
Tel: 0086-20-34381447 Fax: 0086-20-34386945
Email: sales@foreways.net
MSN: jacky998810@hotmail.com
website: http://www.foreways.net
[ link to this | view in thread ]
www.foreways.net for sell:motorola v3m housing pur
Address: FuXiang road, ChangAn town, DongGuan City, GuangDong Province, China
Tel: 0086-20-34381447 Fax: 0086-20-34386945
Email: sales@foreways.net
MSN: jacky998810@hotmail.com
website: http://www.foreways.net
[ link to this | view in thread ]
www.foreways.net for sell:motorola v3m housing blu
Address: FuXiang road, ChangAn town, DongGuan City, GuangDong Province, China
Tel: 0086-20-34381447 Fax: 0086-20-34386945
Email: sales@foreways.net
MSN: jacky998810@hotmail.com
website: http://www.foreways.net
[ link to this | view in thread ]
www.foreways.net for sell:nokia 5500 housing
Address: FuXiang road, ChangAn town, DongGuan City, GuangDong Province, China
Tel: 0086-20-34381447 Fax: 0086-20-34386945
Email: sales@foreways.net
MSN: jacky998810@hotmail.com
website: http://www.foreways.net
[ link to this | view in thread ]
www.foreways.net for sell:nokia N73 housing
Address: FuXiang road, ChangAn town, DongGuan City, GuangDong Province, China
Tel: 0086-20-34381447 Fax: 0086-20-34386945
Email: sales@foreways.net
MSN: jacky998810@hotmail.com
website: http://www.foreways.net
[ link to this | view in thread ]
www.foreways.net for sell:nokia N80 housing
Address: FuXiang road, ChangAn town, DongGuan City, GuangDong Province, China
Tel: 0086-20-34381447 Fax: 0086-20-34386945
Email: sales@foreways.net
MSN: jacky998810@hotmail.com
website: http://www.foreways.net
[ link to this | view in thread ]