SMX Expo: The Future of LoMo - Convergence is Upon Us Panel

This panel was to explore the convergence of local and mobile search (LoMo) and how wireless technologies, GPS, and broadband access allow for more real-time local mobile search.

Ted Morgan, Founder and CEO of Skyhook Wireless, said that local search is a killer app for mobile. Perry Evans, Founder and CEO of Local Matters said that its the one device that you carry into the physical world that is with you, as compared to your PC.

When looking at opportunities for local and mobile search, the panel commented:

“Think of things to buy for local: Restaurants, Cars, Stores, Services, Bars. Those are the ones that people want and need. Those are the present opportunities.”

“Lots of people are not satisfied with search (on their phone), users seem to want a unified control panel and advertisers/marketers want good tools to track leads to drive revenue.”

What Do We Think?

I think it’s still very early and still treading into murky waters at this point. Retrofitting local search and making it mobile is not like upgrading a new set of tires on your car; it’s a serious makeover. Marketeers and Brands need to think harder about the problem of driving focused actions that lead to transactions through mobile.

Related News:

1. SMX Expo: The Local Mobile Search Landscape Panel
2. SMX Expo: Monetizing Local & Mobile Panel
3. SMX Expo: Mobile Advertising Opportunities & Tactics Panel
4. SMX Expo: Blended Search in a Mobile World
5. SMX Expo Local and Mobile Coverage