Text message invites to special advance movie screenings
txtMovieClub may be forced to shutdown August 15th, 2009.
To all members
The team at txtMovieClub has always had the goal of complete transparency with it's members.
So it's with a heavy heart that I disclose our potential shutdown of service.
Late Friday afternoon, we received a "dear john" letter from our mobile sms aggregator. In this brief and shocking letter, GoLive! Mobile, LLC, wrote:
To whom it may concern:
We are writing to inform you that GoLive! Mobile, LLC is changing our business model. Since these changes have occurred, we will not be able to carry your account past 30 days from today. Please take the time to find a company that can continue the services you may need for your campaign(s). Please consider August 15, 2009 as the last day that your campaigne will be active with us.
Thank you for your time and good luck in your future endeavors.
Yes, the typo wasn't lost on us either. This notification came as a complete surprise. To further explain, I will define what an aggregator is.
An aggregator allows our servers (system) to connect with mobile carriers (ie. Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, etc.). That is how we send text message invites. We own our own short code 95201, but the short code alone does not allow us to send & receive text messages. An aggregator provides the vital gateway connection that allows for two-way communication between tMC and the mobile carriers via text message.
Why don't we just find another aggregator?
We have begun the search, but there are only 10 (tier 1) aggregators in the US. We have sent SOS emails to all of them. The problem with transferring our short code from one aggregator to another is that the process is not instant. In fact, our short code would have to go through the approval process again with every carrier. This can take 2-3 months. Also, we had a very special deal with our current aggregator. Our messaging costs were substantially below industry norm.
Possible Solutions:
1. We immediately find an aggregator that will let us use their shared short code. A shared code is similar to our short code, but is "shared" with other services. This is an option we are investigating.
2. We transfer our short code and attempt to pay a premium for expedited transfer. This may be an option, but tMC would have to incur additional costs which make this option unlikely.
3. We attempt to contact our current aggregator and ask for more than 30 days. We are aware that legally what they are doing may be considered liable. Especially since canceling our account in 30 days essentially shuts us down and does not provide enough time to allow a transfer of service.
4. We change the txtMovieClub model. Move to a web based service and join the ranks of the unappealing and change our slogan to irresponsible ticketing. The least appealing option to say the least.
No matter which option becomes the most viable, the reality is that it will come with additional costs. Since 2007, tMC has been privately funded by the founders, Kevin, Chris, and myself. Unfortunately, our recent attempt to monetize tMC has been abruptly affected by this action. This horrible timing has compounded our plight.
All tMC services will remain intact and functioning until August 15th, 2009. We will be working very hard to implement a new solution. During the process, you can check back here for the latest update.
Say a prayer, keep your fingers crossed, or perform a spell. We won't go down without a fight!
Best Regards,
Mark
txtMovieClub
The team at txtMovieClub has always had the goal of complete transparency with it's members.
So it's with a heavy heart that I disclose our potential shutdown of service.
Late Friday afternoon, we received a "dear john" letter from our mobile sms aggregator. In this brief and shocking letter, GoLive! Mobile, LLC, wrote:
To whom it may concern:
We are writing to inform you that GoLive! Mobile, LLC is changing our business model. Since these changes have occurred, we will not be able to carry your account past 30 days from today. Please take the time to find a company that can continue the services you may need for your campaign(s). Please consider August 15, 2009 as the last day that your campaigne will be active with us.
Thank you for your time and good luck in your future endeavors.
Yes, the typo wasn't lost on us either. This notification came as a complete surprise. To further explain, I will define what an aggregator is.
An aggregator allows our servers (system) to connect with mobile carriers (ie. Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, etc.). That is how we send text message invites. We own our own short code 95201, but the short code alone does not allow us to send & receive text messages. An aggregator provides the vital gateway connection that allows for two-way communication between tMC and the mobile carriers via text message.
Why don't we just find another aggregator?
We have begun the search, but there are only 10 (tier 1) aggregators in the US. We have sent SOS emails to all of them. The problem with transferring our short code from one aggregator to another is that the process is not instant. In fact, our short code would have to go through the approval process again with every carrier. This can take 2-3 months. Also, we had a very special deal with our current aggregator. Our messaging costs were substantially below industry norm.
Possible Solutions:
1. We immediately find an aggregator that will let us use their shared short code. A shared code is similar to our short code, but is "shared" with other services. This is an option we are investigating.
2. We transfer our short code and attempt to pay a premium for expedited transfer. This may be an option, but tMC would have to incur additional costs which make this option unlikely.
3. We attempt to contact our current aggregator and ask for more than 30 days. We are aware that legally what they are doing may be considered liable. Especially since canceling our account in 30 days essentially shuts us down and does not provide enough time to allow a transfer of service.
4. We change the txtMovieClub model. Move to a web based service and join the ranks of the unappealing and change our slogan to irresponsible ticketing. The least appealing option to say the least.
No matter which option becomes the most viable, the reality is that it will come with additional costs. Since 2007, tMC has been privately funded by the founders, Kevin, Chris, and myself. Unfortunately, our recent attempt to monetize tMC has been abruptly affected by this action. This horrible timing has compounded our plight.
All tMC services will remain intact and functioning until August 15th, 2009. We will be working very hard to implement a new solution. During the process, you can check back here for the latest update.
Say a prayer, keep your fingers crossed, or perform a spell. We won't go down without a fight!
Best Regards,
Mark
txtMovieClub
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by chickie3737 on -
This is horrible, I'm really sad that this is happening. Please let us know if there is something that we could do!
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on -
Oh my goodness, this breaks my heart! I always come on this site so marry, happy to chat with the members, welcome new ones and sign up for the screenings, and I always leave with such joy in my heart after I come on. But today, when I read this, I can't help but feel sorrowful if tMC, the place we've all come to know and love, would be forced to shutdown completely. I'm so sorry for you guys Mark, Kevin, and Chris, I know you've all worked so hard to make this place fun for everyone. And I'm so sorry for all of us members, especially those who've made it a community here. I hope and pray everything works out and we won't lose the site! If there is anything I can do to help you let me know!
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Nick Harper on -
god you guys are really going to miss me
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Permalink Reply by j24young on -
Mark I guess you have to go pimp out Shari & her @$$-kissing friends to go back to "hitting the streets" to make up the cost increase that is about to come soon...
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Permalink Reply by SKITTLES on -
Mark,Is there a way for members to contact a possible aggregator in hopes that it wouldn't take the normal 2-3mos approval? This is such sad news but we're not going down quietly!
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Permalink Reply by mark on -
UPDATE: Thank you everyone for your support. I received a lot of texts this morning. I'm sorry I don't have the time to respond to all of them.
We have decided that no matter what happens with our short code, will not be shutting down the Web site right away. The only part of tMC (and to some the only part) would be the absence of text message invites. There is still a lot of options when it comes to this unique community.
I received emails from 2 potential aggregators today. Unfortunately, their rates are astronomical compared to what we are paying now. Both companies require a $2500 "setup" fee, plus additional monthly fees much more than we are paying now.
I'm calling our current aggregator tomorrow morning to request a 2-3 month stay.
Let's hope they pick up the phone!
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