Awarea, a Seattle startup, will launch target marketing via radio frequency identification (RFID) next week. People carrying special keyfobs will trigger broadcasts from six RFID reader stations atop Qwest phone booths in the downtown area. Depending on their unique profiles, passersby will receive personalized messages about special offers from Amex, Columbia Records, Omaha Steaks and Netflix. By pressing a button on the keyfob, users can have information sent to their email account. About 130 Seattle residents, including some with sight loss, have the keyfobs.

(c) 2005 by Andrea Coutu. Vancouver Marketing Consultant. All rights reserved.