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Trend: Texting Gains Favor with Seniors
A Bloomberg News story pointed to an interesting trend: Seniors (Americans over 50-years old) have taken up "texting" to stay in contact with their grandkids and kids.
According to ComScore, forty-two percent of Americans 50 or older sent at least one text in a given month last quarter, compared with 85 percent of 13- to 34-year-olds.
Wireless service providers, recognizing the untapped potential of this "Grey" market, are increasing their marketing efforts.
>> AT&T has boosted its advertising to include the AARP magazine and the "Dancing With the Stars" series.
>> Sprint is helping Seniors by offering free tutoring on cell-phone basics in its retail stores. The "Ready Now" training programs answer any questions customers have, including how to read and send texts.
>> GreatCall Inc., got its start four years ago with simple calling plans and cellphones under the Jitterbug brand, which is targeted to Seniors. Their CEO, David Inns, said he expects the rate of texting among those 55 and older to hit 80 percent in the two to three years from about 30 percent today.
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