« Amnesty International fights anti-immigrant bias in Europe | Main | Creepy Saatchi ads battle domestic violence »

Is it worth watching ads to get free minutes? Over the last few days, we've been reading about Virgin Mobile USA's plan to give people free cell minutes in exchange for spending an equal amount of time watching ads—subscribers could get up to 75 minutes per month of free calls, as long as they watch the ads served up on their phones and respond to them via SMS. (We're assuming that's to verify they actually watched). Virgin, according to this story, sees potential in the idea from a highly-desirable youth market that will do anything—including watching ads!—to preserve cash, but a Forrester analyst says cell calls are already so cheap anyway, it won't make a bit of difference. So, AdFreak readers, time to tell us what you think. —Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

May 31, 2006 | Permalink

Comments

I say this is a bad idea. No one is going to want to watch ads on their phone. It seems like it would be a big hassle, and I'm sure there would be a way to by-pass the ads anyway.

Posted by: Mimi | May 31, 2006 3:14:28 PM

I would absolutely watch them, but that's only because I only get 400 minutes per money for $40, and my bill is always around $150 as a result.

Posted by: Johanna | May 31, 2006 7:35:30 PM

i think for teens they are more likely to watch it in order to save up the money.

Posted by: gigi | May 31, 2006 10:49:39 PM

As a college student, I would definitely be interested in watching ads for free minutes. But I also want to work in advertising after graduation... so I actually wouldn't mind the ads all that much...

Posted by: lauren | Jun 1, 2006 12:56:00 AM

Hah, I agree with Lauren above!

Posted by: JOSHUA w. | Jun 1, 2006 12:58:59 AM

Why not? Something for free. I like that it sets up a relationship between phone and user - you do something for us, we do something for you. There's something very honest about it.

Posted by: okay. | Jun 1, 2006 6:53:43 AM

Considering Virgin really pushes their pay as you go type plans, this ad thing is perfect for them. If you're paying X amount of money for X amount of minutes each month, why wouldn't you want to get a few more for free? This is for younger people who don't see time as money, so 30 seconds here or a minute there won't be a huge sacrifice for the result. I think it will work.

Posted by: Jess | Jun 1, 2006 2:16:47 PM

I guess were back in the 90's again.

Posted by: John | Jun 2, 2006 3:56:09 PM

Post a comment

Name:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments:

The opinions expressed in comments are those of the individual poster. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Adweek or Nielsen Business Media. Comments of a promotional nature or comments that are otherwise inappropriate may be removed.