Ready, Set… Text!

By Tamara Grindrod, Account Manager

People do everything fast these days. We walk fast, we eat fast we talk fast. The fastest way to “talk” is through technology: e-mail, instant message and text message. Our ability to do things quickly has become a source of pride because it translates into productivity and skill.

Like anything that requires skill, you have to practice. Now that text messaging has become a completely acceptable form of communication with friends, family and even clients, we are getting more practice than ever. Text messaging has become second nature to most children, teens and young adults. In fact, 42% of teens aged 13-19 can text blindfolded, report trade group CTIA-The Wireless Association and Harris Interactive. Even adults have found that you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks when it means you are satisfying a business need or your kids will actually respond to you.

Now that the whole world has been texting for a few years, the real all-stars are starting to stand out. In 2006, 16-year-old Ang Chuang Yang of Singapore typed a standard text message (SMS – short message service)of 160 characters and 26 words in 41.52 seconds.
Inspired by the need for speed and the desire to find our own Ang Chuang Yang, AMP Agency worked with client, U.S. Cellular®, to develop the 2009 Speed Text Tournament. At participating U.S. Cellular® events, consumers can play the Speed Text game using provided QWERTY handsets and can register their time for the tournament. With 10 rounds of decreasing time limits and time bonuses, participants must text in 26 character phrases without making any mistakes. The 10 fastest times will receive valuable prizes at the end of the tournament, including a $10,000 Grand Prize, just for texting.

By incorporating an everyday skill with U.S. Cellular products and services in an interactive way, the Speed Text Tournament will provide a memorable event experience for all ages. Furthermore, by allowing consumers to enter as many times as they like, it encourages them to attend more U.S. Cellular events, to spend more time on site and to spread the word to their friends in an attempt to win the Grand Prize.

Think you have the fastest fingers? Check our http://www.ursoconnected.com/ to find out more information on U.S. Cellular event locations and Speed Text Tournament details.