Image: thedrum.com
VMS Holdings launched the VMS Play mobile app through its Kenyan franchise, and will allow the public, local businesses and government agencies to record and share videos instantly on the platform.
“Mobile advertising has partly failed because of technology. With VMS, companies have the capability to format video ads for mobile users while users still have the freedom to decide whether to view the ads,” George Thugge, VMS local franchise manager, told the Daily Nation newspaper.
Apart from the video ads, companies will also be able to send bulk SMS as another way of advertisement. The app is free for download and is compatible with Android, BlackBerry and iOS, with VMS making money by charging companies a fee to create an ad channel.
VMS also provides market research and online survey services to its corporate clients, with Thugge saying that the platform is far cheaper than the conventional market research processes.
“We have seen the mobile application used effectively by emergency response services across the world and we hope to replicate this in Kenya,” Thugge added.
The Kenya Red Cross has already come on board to carry out a pilot project in which the app will be used in enhancing response to accidents across the country. The app is also being used by Los Angeles police in responding to accidents and crimes by citizens sharing GPS-tagged videos.
Thugge also said the company was in talks with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on how the app can be used in reporting corruption incidences in the country.
