CelebrityTextChat connects celebrities and fans through their mobile phones

By Jessica Kinsey

CelebrityTextChat is a new SMS or "text messaging" service from American IDC Corp. and Smart Entertainment that allows celebrities to be in direct contact with their fans through their mobile phones.

The service is very simple to use: Say for example Bon Jovi is playing at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 50,000 people enter the arena, and Bon Jovi asks them to sign in by sending the message BON JOVI to the number 76278. 30% of the arena responds to Bon Jovi's request, and within minutes, Bon Jovi has 15,000 loyal fans who have opted-in to his fan club.

"What better way to be in direct contact with your fans than sending a SMARTSMS directly to their phone?" asks Halldor Sanne, CEO and President of SMART, of Jon Bon Jovi, who is considering using the service. "CelebrityTextChat is a great opportunity for a celebrity like yourself to reach all fans, new and old, to tell them news about your latest release, or when and where you'll be appearing next, or just simply to say 'hello'."