13 Innovative Mobile Marketing Examples and Why They Worked

Using mobile devices to market is kind of a big deal, and we’ll show you why with these mobile marketing examples.

Consumers of all ages spend a lot of time on their phones and it’s only increasing. In fact, one study found that Gen Z spends over six hours per day on their phones on average. So, if you want to meet your customers where they are, stay relevant, and set yourself apart from competitors, developing an effective mobile marketing strategy is crucial. 

From social media marketing to augmented reality experiences, mobile marketing offers unique benefits that set it apart from other channels — such as real-time engagement, hyper-targeted campaigns, and seamless integration with mobile apps and social media. In this guide, we’ll explore various mobile marketing examples, why they work, and how they are enhancing the customer experience.

What Is Mobile Marketing?

Mobile marketing is a digital marketing strategy that capitalizes on the increasing use of mobile devices to reach consumers via their smartphones and tablets. It involves promoting products or services via various mobile channels, including:

• SMS and MMS marketing: Sending text messages to customers with promotional offers.
• Mobile apps: Companies create their own apps or use in-app advertising to engage users.
• Push notifications: Sending reminders directly to users’ mobile screens via apps they’ve installed.
• QR codes: Scannable codes that direct users to a mobile landing page or app.
• Location-based marketing: Using geo-targeting to send personalized offers based on a user’s location.
• Social media marketing: Advertising through mobile-friendly social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

13 Innovative Mobile Marketing Examples

Here are some successful mobile marketing examples – and why they worked – to inspire you.

1. Text and SMS marketing

Text and SMS marketing involves sending short, personalized messages directly to customers’ mobile phones. SMS allows for immediate, two-way communication with smartphone users and enables them to reply, ask questions, or provide feedback, fostering an interactive and dynamic customer relationship.

Businesses can deliver targeted offers, promotions, or important updates that are tailored to the recipient’s preferences, purchase history, or demographics. Carefully timing these messages allows brands to boost open rates and conversions. 

✏️ Example: Fashion retailer Express provides customers with offers via SMS with special, personalized promotions, events, or reminders to cash in rewards.

⭐ Why it works: Express provides customers with valuable, personalized information directly on their mobile devices, with links that drive them to the mobile app.

2. Multimedia marketing

MMS marketing enhances traditional SMS for business communication by using multimedia content to make messages more engaging.

Some examples include:

• Images
• Videos
• Links
• Audio files

This approach is ideal for capturing attention and delivering rich, memorable experiences that go beyond simple text. Brands can use MMS to showcase products in action, tell stories, or create compelling visual promotions that drive conversions. Limited-time offers, when combined with compelling multimedia content, can create a sense of urgency that encourages quick decision-making, making MMS a powerful tool in mobile marketing campaigns.

✏️ Example: Video game retailer GameStop used push notifications, in-app message center content, and mobile wallet features to create a personalized mobile marketing experience. The app allowed users to customize their notification preferences, ensuring messages were relevant to their interests. 

⭐ Why it works: Personalizing messages and combining push notifications with message center content helped GameStop increase engagement. The convenience of mobile wallet integration made it easy for customers to access and use loyalty rewards and coupons, driving success across their campaigns.

3. Mobile app marketing

Mobile app marketing focuses on promoting and growing a mobile app’s user base through tactics like app store optimization, customer acquisition campaigns, and in-app promotions. App store optimization (ASO) helps improve the app’s visibility by optimizing titles, descriptions, keywords, and visuals to attract more users. Within the app itself, businesses can promote products and services through in-app marketing strategies, encouraging users to stay engaged. 

✏️ Example: Starbucks is known for its mobile app that creates a seamless and personalized customer experience. Its user-friendly interface allows customers to easily navigate, customize orders, and participate in the Starbucks Rewards program. The app incentivizes repeat purchases through a loyalty program that offers rewards for every dollar spent, while also encouraging the use of digital Starbucks cards for higher rewards.

⭐ Why it works: Starbucks’ app makes ordering, paying, and collecting rewards fun and easy, no matter if the customer is ordering ahead or in a store. This increases customer engagement and offers personalized experiences and rewards that drive loyalty and repeat purchases.

4. Mobile-optimized websites

A mobile-optimized website ensures a seamless user experience on their smartphones or tablets. Some important elements of an effective mobile-optimized website include:

• Responsive design that allows websites to adjust automatically to different screen sizes and orientations for easy navigation. 
• Fast load times enable customers to quickly access information, products, and services. 
• Intuitive navigation menus that help guide customers through the website.

✏️ Example: Booking.com’s mobile website focuses on a user-friendly, conversion-driven design with a clean interface and a prominent search bar for easy navigation. The search functionality offers comprehensive filters, allowing customers to quickly find accommodations that meet their preferences. 

⭐ Why it works: Mobile-optimized content like images, ratings, and pricing is presented in an easy-to-view format, enhancing the user experience. Real-time data such as “others are looking” creates urgency and encourages quicker bookings.

5. Social media marketing

Social media marketing on mobile platforms takes advantage of mobile-first content creation, focusing on visually appealing and easily shareable content that engages users. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and TikTok offer advanced targeting options for ads, enabling brands to reach specific demographics with highly relevant content. In addition to paid ads, organic posts and stories help keep users engaged with the brand through regular interactions. 

Monitoring social media conversations — known as social listening — enables businesses to gain valuable insights into customer preferences and sentiment, allowing for prompt responses and better relationship-building.

✏️ Example: TikTok leverages its highly personalized algorithm to recommend content that aligns with users’ interests, making it easier for brands to reach their target audience. 

This example of mobile marketing demonstrates TikTok’s interactive features like Duets, Stitches, and viral challenges. These features encourage user-generated content while influencer partnerships help brands expand their reach. TikTok also offers a customer-fueled TikTok Shop, targeted in-app advertising, live streaming for real-time interaction, and detailed analytics to track campaign performance.

⭐ Why it works:  TikTok’s short-form, engaging videos and its powerful algorithm keep users hooked, boosting brand awareness, especially among younger demographics. Its focus on authenticity, user-generated content, and viral trends allows brands to connect with their audience organically.

6. Location-based marketing

Location-based marketing uses GPS technology to deliver targeted messages to users based on their real-time location, making it possible to offer hyper-relevant content and deals. Geofencing allows businesses to target ads within specific geographic boundaries, such as near a store or event, driving local foot traffic. 

Beacon technology uses small transmitters to send location-specific messages to users within proximity, offering personalized promotions or information as they pass by. This strategy increases engagement and provides an opportunity to deliver exclusive, location-based offers that encourage in-store visits and purchases.

✏️ Example: Yelp leverages user location data to provide personalized recommendations for nearby businesses such as restaurants and services. By offering real-time, location-specific suggestions, Yelp ensures users receive relevant and timely recommendations based on their immediate needs. This strategy helps Yelp consistently deliver valuable recommendations, regardless of the customer’s location.

⭐ Why it works: Yelp’s location-based marketing enhances user experience by offering relevant and personalized recommendations, leading to higher engagement rates and stronger customer loyalty. The platform’s location targeting helps businesses reach the right audience, while data-driven insights optimize advertising efforts for better results.

7. In-game mobile ads

In-game mobile marketing integrates branded content directly into mobile games, providing a unique way to engage with gamers. Brands can place products or services within the game environment as part of the gameplay, creating a seamless experience for mobile users that doesn’t feel intrusive. 

Sponsored levels or challenges can be custom-designed to reflect the brand, allowing users to interact with the company in a fun and engaging way. Additionally, rewarded ads offer players in-game benefits in exchange for watching advertisements, ensuring that users remain engaged while also interacting with the brand.

✏️ Example: Pokémon Go: This highly interactive app engages players through gamification elements like badges, rewards, and achievements, encouraging ongoing participation. The game uses augmented reality (AR) to create an immersive experience, allowing players to interact with virtual Pokémon in real-world environments. Social features, such as teams and events, foster a sense of community and collaboration among players.

⭐ Why it works: Pokémon Go’s in-game mobile marketing is effective due to its immersive AR gameplay, strong social interaction, and motivating rewards system. The game also taps into nostalgia, further driving player engagement and retention.

8. QR codes

QR codes provide a convenient way for users to access content, offers, or apps by scanning with their smartphones. Businesses can place these barcodes on products, marketing materials, or in-store displays, bridging the gap between offline and online experiences. 

By linking to websites, exclusive content, or apps, QR codes offer businesses a way to drive mobile engagement while keeping interactions seamless for the user. You can also use them creatively, such as incorporating them into scavenger hunts or other gamified activities to make the experience more interactive and engaging.

✏️ Example: Coca-Cola uses QR codes to create interactive campaigns, such as augmented reality experiences, enhancing user engagement and making their promotions more memorable. They also use QR codes to promote specific products like zero-sugar Coke by offering digital vouchers and exclusive content. 

Why it works: Coca-Cola’s QR code strategy boosts user engagement through interactive and personalized experiences while increasing brand visibility in high-traffic areas.

9. Push notifications

Push notifications allow businesses to send timely updates or promotional messages directly to a user’s mobile device, even when the app is not in use. These notifications can be personalized based on user preferences, behavior, or location, ensuring the content is relevant and valuable. 

Sending messages at optimal times enables brands to improve customer engagement and drive more conversions. A/B testing different notification types and timings can help determine the most effective approaches, ensuring that users remain engaged without feeling overwhelmed by excessive notifications.

✏️Example: Netflix uses personalized push notifications to engage customers through user data such as viewing habits, search history, and device usage patterns. Their strategy includes timely and relevant notifications, personalized recommendations, and updates, such as reminders about new seasons or unfinished shows. Netflix also uses push notifications to promote exclusive content and offers, creating a sense of value for subscribers. 

⭐ Why it works: Netflix’s push notifications are successful because they are personalized, timely, and relevant, making them highly engaging for users. By providing value through personalized recommendations and exclusive content, Netflix enhances the user experience, increases viewership, and fosters brand loyalty.

10. AI chatbot marketing

AI chatbot marketing uses artificial intelligence (AI) to interact with customers on messaging platforms, offering immediate assistance and personalized recommendations. These conversational AI chatbots are available 24/7, providing instant support for common customer inquiries or helping guide users through purchasing decisions. 

These bots can also analyze user behavior and preferences, allowing them to offer tailored product suggestions. AI chatbots can capture valuable customer information, qualify leads for sales teams, and improve efficiency in handling customer interactions.

✏️ Example: Shopify integrates AI chatbots into its mobile app and website to enhance customer experience and drive conversions. These chatbots: 

• Provide instant customer support for tasks like order tracking and troubleshooting.
• Offer personalized product recommendations based on customer data.
• Guide users through the purchasing process.
• Engage in proactive outreach with relevant promotions and updates.

⭐ Why it works: Shopify’s AI chatbots improve customer satisfaction (CSAT) by offering instant, personalized support and recommendations, while also increasing conversions and reducing cart abandonment. They enhance engagement through tailored offers and provide cost savings by reducing the need for human agents, while collecting valuable data for future marketing efforts.

11. Augmented reality marketing

Augmented reality (AR) marketing blends the real and digital worlds, offering customers immersive experiences like virtual try-ons, product demonstrations, and gamified interactions. By allowing customers to visualize products in their own environment or virtually try on clothing or accessories, AR enhances engagement and provides a unique shopping experience. 

Brands can also create interactive games or AR experiences to capture attention and keep users entertained. This combination of entertainment and utility makes AR a standout tool for creating memorable and engaging marketing campaigns.

✏️Example: Warby Parker allows you to try on glasses virtually in the app:  Warby Parker leverages augmented reality with their “Virtual Try-On” feature, allowing customers to try on glasses in real time using iPhone’s Face ID technology. This provides a realistic preview of how different frames would look, making the shopping experience more interactive and convenient.

⭐ Why it works: The Virtual Try-On feature enhances the user experience by offering a personalized and seamless way to shop for glasses from home. It increases conversions by reducing uncertainty, encourages social sharing, and positions Warby Parker as an innovative leader in the eyewear industry.

12. Voice search marketing

Voice search marketing is centered around optimizing content for voice-activated searches. Popular interactive voice assistants (IVAs) include Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Businesses need to incorporate natural language keywords and conversational phrases to ensure their content ranks high in voice search results. Local SEO also plays a crucial role, as many voice searches involve location-based queries.

✏️ Example: Apple integrates voice search across its products, such as iPhone, HomePod, and AirPods, allowing users to perform tasks such as searching for information, controlling smart home devices, and making purchases using voice commands. This voice-driven interaction enhances user convenience and accessibility across Apple’s ecosystem.

⭐ Why it works: Voice search offers hands-free convenience, making it accessible to a broader audience. Apple’s advanced natural language processing and seamless integration across devices create a personalized and efficient user experience, driving product discovery and sales.

13. Email marketing

While email marketing is not exclusively mobile, it plays a crucial role in mobile strategies. Businesses need to ensure their emails are optimized for mobile devices, with responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and quick-loading content. 

Incorporating interactive elements like clickable images, buttons, and swipe gestures can enhance engagement and make the email experience more dynamic. By segmenting audiences based on behavior, interests, or demographics, businesses can deliver more personalized and relevant content, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

✏️ Example: Patagonia’s email marketing strategy includes sending diverse content like blog posts, promotions, and information on social issues. They personalize the timing of emails based on user behavior and preferences, using engaging visuals and a conversational tone to capture attention.

⭐ Why it works: Patagonia’s emails are relevant and valuable to a broad audience, aligning with their brand values and fostering loyalty. Personalized timing and an engaging tone build connections, while clear calls-to-action drive conversions and deeper engagement with their content.

Why Mobile Marketing Campaigns Should Be Included in Your Digital Marketing Strategy

Putting your brand in the palm of your customers’ hands is incredibly valuable. Here are a few reasons why you should incorporate mobile marketing efforts into your marketing strategy: 

• Mobile device usage: Mobile devices have become integral to our daily lives. With the majority of people spending more time on their smartphones and tablets than ever before, businesses need to reach their target audience through mobile-optimized campaigns.
• Faster reach: Mobile marketing offers a faster and more effective way to connect with customers. By leveraging marketing channels like text messaging, mobile apps, and location-based targeting, businesses can deliver personalized messages directly to their audience’s devices. This allows for immediate engagement and increased brand visibility.
• Improved conversion rates: By providing a seamless mobile experience, businesses can encourage customers to take action, such as making purchases or signing up for newsletters. Additionally, mobile-specific campaigns can offer exclusive promotions and discounts that incentivize conversions.

Reach Customers Wherever They Are with Nextiva

These mobile marketing examples highlight how different strategies can uniquely engage consumers during their digital customer journey. When you find that right balance of messaging frequency paired with valuable, interactive content, customers welcome and engage with your outreach.

Nextiva offers a unified customer communications platform that makes it easy to connect with current and potential customers. Nextiva allows you to seamlessly manage interactions via voice, live chat, messaging, social media, video, and more — all in one place. Plus, our real-time dashboard provides you with the right insights to help you make data-driven decisions. Try Nextiva today.

Mobile Marketing Examples FAQs

Still have questions about mobile marketing? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get started while on the go.