Automated voice messaging will come under tighter regulation next year, but marketers and consumers are increasingly accepting the medium, forecasts Vontoo Inc., a provider of permission-based, on-demand voice messaging system
Among the predictions: permission-based voice messaging will become a complementary tool to traditional media. Youth marketers will pioneer acceptance of voice messaging because young consumers – heavy users of cell phones — are more receptive to audio/video than text. “Blast” voice calling will be replaced by one-to-one voice messaging because the technology is available to support it.
Federal and state regulations governing phone access to customers will expand; strict enforcement of Do Not Call laws will compel compliance, Vontoo predicts. Permission standards will become more stringent, but will pay off with closer customer relationships. Opt-ins will be receptive to permission-based voice mail.
John Wechsler, president and COO of Vontoo states, “In 2007, smart marketers who comply with regulations will create deeper, more lasting customer relationships by adding the emotion and excitement of voice to their marketing efforts.”
