News Release

[Editor’s Note: A downloadable, high-resolution photograph of Rufo is available at http://news.owu.edu/images.html.]

Business Expert to Share Secrets of Text-Message Marketing
Woltemade Center to Host President of Powell-Based nxtConcepts, Ltd.

March 10, 2008

Samantha Rufo

“Mobile marketing allows the recipient to phone the marketer, send a text message, or connect to the company’s Web pages,” said Rufo, who also serves as president of myMarketingGuide.com. “It’s much more interactive and personal than traditional marketing.”

In addition, she said, mobile marketing also tends to be easier and more economical than other marketing methods.

Rufo will discuss this emerging marketing tool when she presents “Can We Talk? Mobile Marketing Success Stories from the Ski Industry” at 3:15 p.m. March 20 in the Bayley Room of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Beeghly Library, 43 Rowland Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Rufo began working in the ski industry in 1996, where she earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of traditional marketing and program development. In 2004, she became president of nxtConcepts, an interactive marketing and media company. During her career, she has successfully managed thousands of marketing campaigns, many of which have resulted in categories of double- and even triple-digit growth.

“Can We Talk?” provides applicable, immediately usable marketing skills, Rufo said. The presentation will cover topics including:

• Texting, Texting … One, Two, Three (getting a handle on what text-message marketing is)
• Making it Personal and Engaging
• Who’s Doing It and How Big of a Thing It Is
• Why This Type of Marketing Will Have a Positive Impact on Business
• Concerns (Time, Content, Feedback, Legal)
• Getting Started
• Resources

Rufo’s discussion is sponsored by Ohio Wesleyan’s Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship. Founded in 1985, the center helps students integrate business theory and practice, and provides lectures and other resources to benefit the business community.

Ohio Wesleyan University is an undergraduate liberal arts college that transforms the lives of its students through a combination of rigorous academics, mentoring relationships, and real-world experiences. Featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” the private university’s 1,850 students come from 40 states and 45 countries. Visit www.owu.edu for more information.