"elizabeth send me your email and i will send you some for deseret ridge"
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 mark on -
UPDATE: It's been brought to our attention that some members may want to contribute to the tMC survival fund by mailing in a check or money order. We never really thought of that previously, but that's because we spend WAY too much time in front of computers :)
If would like to contribute by mailing in a few dollars, please send to:
c/o txtMovieClub
1753 E. Broadway Road 1-254
Tempe, Arizona 85282
Again, thank you so much for contributing, every little bit helps!
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Permalink Reply by Heather on -
I would have contributed more, but i just got laid off from work. I have contributed 10 to the cause. i will contribute more when i have more money available.
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Permalink Reply by Shari on -
You're all awesome! If we all pitched in .25 cents we'd be fine so you've certainly done your part, Heather, haven't you??
Spread the word, let's keep this site alive!! :)
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on -
Oh my goodness, I've been gone for a little while and all of this happenend! Oh I really want to help tMC! Can I send in cash?
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Permalink Reply by someone on
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awww!!! MARK! i never even read this, im sorry :-(
i love TXT! it allowed me to meet so many people. how is it doing now?
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Permalink Reply by Shari on
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We're doing pretty good, actually. Just the darn bugs to work out yet, but I think this place will be around a long time. Don't forget to click on the ads, tho! It helps A LOT!
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just click? haha im here for free movies, doesnt that tell you something.... jk
i do the groupon stuff when i can. i love txt... i remember when we used to all walk around handing out the business cards.
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Permalink Reply by Shari on
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I'll be passing more out soon... and yes... click on those darn ads every chance you get.
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Permalink Reply by mark on
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UPDATE: First off, we would like to thank all the members that have contributed to the tMC Survival Fund. Your support is greatly appreciated. The money raised will go towards our transfer costs of $2500.
Good News: We have officially began the process of transferring our short code. We expect the entire process to be completed by mid-September.
Bad News: During this transition phase, there are bound to be communication problems that arise. Specifically, lost messages, not being able to text our short code, and other technical issues. Please be patient.
txtMovieClub's future is still somewhat uncertain. The only certainty at this point is that we are working very hard to keep tMC alive. And with your support, and a little luck, hopefully we can survive.
Best Regards,
Mark
tMC
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Permalink Reply by Michael on -
Ok, tMC community, this sounds corny, but necessary with 22 days to go to raise funds for tMC.
Can you spare a dollar for tMC? That's all we're asking of our community. If each member contributes $1, we would easily meet a goal of $2,500.
Please spread the word to all of your friends. Collect the donations at the screenings. Get in touch with Mark to find out how to get this money to tMC.
If Jerry Lewis and the MDA could raise $60 million over the Labor Day Weekend in a slow economy, is $2,500 attainable for tMC?
Thank you,
Michael
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Permalink Reply by mark on
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UPDATE: With just over 2 weeks left until our transfer costs come due, it appears we may fall short of reaching our goal of $2500. With only 34 members contributing generously to the tMC Survival Fund, it does raise questions as to the value of this site to other members.
We understand that times are tough, and that there are members that would donate if they could. With just over 6,500 members, we wonder if there is a failure on our part to spread the word among members that tMC is in great jeopardy of shutting down.
Please help spread the word and join in our quest to raise enough funds to keep free movies alive.
We thank you for your support and hope our next update is more positive :)
Mark
tMC
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