MediaPost’s Online Media Daily featured a piece this morning highlighting the fact that regular mobile phones (those “which do not have operating systems of offer the same range of functionality as smartphones”) are working to keep up with the likes of  the iPhone and BlackBerry. The article notes that while “feature phones” are slowly losing ground to smartphones, they still hold a strong lead in market share – 72%.

So we’d like to use this opportunity as a reminder to those looking to add interactivity to their digital out of home campaign: no smartphones, no custom apps, no true OS? No problem. All you need to interact with the LocaModa platform is a text messaging plan (US only…for now).

I’ll admit that the majority of LocaModa employees have iPhones (with a BlackBerry or two in the mix). But that doesn’t mean we don’t build our platform with universal compatibility in mind. We even have a few feature phones sitting around the office for testing.

Sure, writing a custom app (like Jumbli for the iPhone) to integrate into your DOOH campaign will enhance some interactive experience, perhaps providing revenue opportunities and – of course – plenty of buzz. But when it comes down to it, the good ol’ text or photo message is all you need to extend your interactive media to audiences beyond the web.

Above, LocaModa’s test cell phones. Shown with original iMac puck mouse to illustrate age of technology.

LocaModa has joined forces with leading digital agency Digitas and their client, Buick, to energize the launch of the 2010 Buick Lacrosse.

Check out the new Buick product page, and click on the “It’s Good to be Social” link (seen below) to open the Buick Wiffiti widget.

Buick Wiffiti will also be showcased throughout the summer and early fall at a series of live events, which kicked off with the Buick Open earlier this month.

Thanks to Bill Gerba of the consistently excellent WireSpring blog for pulling together a list of the 15 Digital Signage Blogs, News, Magazine and Forum Sites You Should Be Reading. (And an even bigger thank you for including The Web Outside on the list!)

Bill will be moderating the upcoming Digital Signage Expo panel in Vegas where LocaModa CEO Stephen Randall will be discussing Social Networking and User-Generated Content.

And hey, while I’m in the mode of tossing around resources, check out Part II of Stephen’s Making the Most of Mobile Marketing article in the latest DSE Expo newsletter.

Along with all of the the inauguration Wiffiti hustle and bustle, LocaModa has also been popping up on industry sites today.

Check out Matt’s article on Hello Viking about the New Big Three:

The problem is customer behavior has changed (duh) and the triad of TV, radio and print has not (double duh).

The obvious question: Can we re-master the triad? Can we to give brands a new trilateral paradigm so that dollars can flow confidently again?

I think yes.

Want more? Part one of Stephen’s feature article, “Making the Most of Mobile Marketing,” can be found in the latest Digital Signage Expo newsletter:

During the past 10 years, consumers have evolved from having a passive relationship with traditional media to actively controlling the media around them. The expectations of this new “Connected Class” (often tagged as “Mobile Millenials” or “Digital Natives”) have been set by Google, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook and other popular online destinations. As such, marketers can no longer expect broadcast messages to have the same impact they once had: Interactivity on the Web and mobile devices is driving an impression-based media industry toward expression-based models.

A lot to chew on a Monday; but hey, it’s a holiday…

Hey Bostonians (and those who plan to plug in remotely via the CoverItLive feed), just a reminder that the mobile panel featuring LocaModa’s CEO Stephen Randall will kick-off at 8:15 tomorrow in Metcalf Hall @ Boston University.

Here’s the full scoop:

Make Your Message Mobile

* How teens and college students use mobile devices and communications
* Why mobile will be an essential component in the youth marketing mix
* What goes into an effective mobile marketing campaign
* Where mobile technology and communications are going

Panelists:
Stephen Randall, CEO, LocaModa
Sarig Reichert, Vice President, Flixwagon
Thi Linh Wernau, Senior Mobile Stratgist, Nokia

Moderator: Allison Mooney, Senior Director of Trends & Research, Fleishman-Hillard

Can’t make it? Be sure to check Twitter for attendee tweets using the #ymme hashtag… including Stephen’s!

Hopefully the rain will taper off around here and we can get the campus to look like this tomorrow! (Although I admit that bathing suit weather is a bit of a stretch in November… even considering New England volatility.)