MIDDLETOWN – Is it possible WiFi might prove to be an extraordinary financial blessing to California? CDMM, a small marketing company, thinks it might be one "key" to wonderful opportunities for small businesses to take a proactive role in revitalizing the state's sagging economy.

California is more than just a state. It is the fifth largest economy in the world. And, right now, this economy is in trouble. The California State Budget is $10 billion in the hole. How does a state crawl out of a hole that large? No doubt, very slowly. But, what do you do to crawl out? Do you close down state parks and increase fees on automobile license tags? Do you double or triple the price of a lottery ticket?

All these suggestions could generate some cash for the state. Unfortunately, cash is not all that these suggestions would generate. They would also generate anger and ill will. When people are attempting to crawl out of a bad situation, the last thing you want to do is make them angry.

And, that is why CDMM is asking government and educational institutions to band together and start creating WiFi hot spots in high traffic ares. The WiFi would be FREELY available to the public, but would require the viewing of an advertising splash page. This advertising splash page would be paid for by an enterprising small business. A portion of that advertising money would be funneled to a PayPal account to help pay off the state's debt.

Sounds very simplistic. But, unlike the other options listed, through this WiFi approach you are accomplishing several things all at once:

1) You are promoting a business to a select target audience. That business actually has the opportunity to generate revenue in exchange for the money being spent. Rather than engaging in gambling where the odds of success are designed to be against you, here money is being invested in an advertising promotion to a captured target audience.

2) You are providing FREE Internet access for the general public. People can use a mobile device to check email, surf the Web, make VOIP phone and video calls and have a small business to thank.

3) You are helping to pay off the state debt.

What would a WiFi hot spot splash page look like? Like a "Terms of Service" page on a Web site. However, there woulds also likely be a Youtube-type clickable icon as a video commercial. The splash page would be required viewing in exchange for the FREE Internet access. The advertiser would thus have a "footprint" of every user as marketing data to help determine the effectiveness of his campaign. This really is a win/win/win situation for all who participate - the state, the advertiser and the viewing public.

 

How much would a splash page ad at a WiFi hot spot cost? That depends upon who owns the WiFi hot spot. Obviously, if a local high school owned the hot spot, it would not cost as much to advertise there as say a WiFi hot spot in Governor Schwarzenegger's office. No doubt, both places offer a lot of "people traffic." And remember, wherever people congregate, WiFi is welcome.

For more information, contact Lamar Morgan of CDMM at 707-709-8605.

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