Respondents to Text-Based Survey Cite Economy and War as Most Important
Election Issues; Also Cite Willingness to Vote via Text Message
WARREN, N.J., June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In advance of the final
states taking to the polls this week, more than 20,000 Virgin Mobile USA
customers from across the U.S. let their fingers do the talking about this
year's most important race -- the one that ends at the White House. Tapping
into one of the fastest-growing mediums of mobile communications -- text
messaging -- Virgin Mobile USA today announced results of the first "Virgin
Mobile USA Election Issues Poll," a national SMS-based mobile survey that
asked about the key contenders and issues in the run-up to November. Not
surprisingly, considering Virgin Mobile USA's historical focus on the
youth-oriented market, over half of the respondents were under the age of
25 and female -- and favored Democratic candidates over the lone
Republican.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070613/VIRGINMOBILE )
Obama Clear Favorite
When asked whom they expect to vote for through the national poll,
conducted in late May, a plurality of respondents (40 percent) selected
Barack Obama as their top choice. Fellow Democratic contender Hillary
Rodham Clinton took second place, at 18 percent and John McCain came in a
distant third at 8 percent. Fewer than 5 percent reported themselves to be
undecided.
Running Mate Not Much of a Factor
Mobile voters were lukewarm on how much a candidate's choice of vice
presidential candidate impacts their vote. Over 51 percent said the choice
was "somewhat important" -- with an even split at the extreme ends of the
spectrum (18 percent said the choice of a VP will be "extremely important;"
15 percent said the VP choice is "not important").
Economy & War Top Election Issues
The economy was cited by respondents as the election's most critical
issue (25 percent). The war in Iraq followed closely behind (20 percent).
These two issues registered significantly above others, including:
Health 6% Energy 4%
Abortion 5% Immigration 3%
Crime 5% Race 3%
Education 4% Environment 2%
"As texting continues to grow into a primary form of personal
communication, it's critical to tap into this channel for insights on the
major issues of our day," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer for
Virgin Mobile USA. "The tremendous response we received from over 20,000 of
our customers is a sign that people will make their voices heard when they
are reached, through the right channels, with questions that have substance
and meaning. Our ongoing commitment to give a voice to our customers is
aligned with our overall goal of gaining real-time insights and continuing
to grow our relationship with wireless consumers."
Votes By Text Could Increase Turn Out
Respondents eagerly embraced making technology an even greater part of
the political process. More than half (57 percent) said they would be
willing to vote for the next president by cell phone, while about the same
amount (55 percent) also indicated that being able to cast a vote via text
message would make them more likely to participate in an election.
Approximately 46 percent of respondents said that they would be open to
receiving text messages from their candidate or party of choice -- another
sign of how political outreach must keep up with the changing nature of
personal communication. More than half (54 percent) are registered members
of one of the two major political parties (Democratic or Republican). An
additional 9.5% said that they were registered to vote as independents.
The survey, conducted by Vibes Media on behalf of Virgin Mobile USA,
allowed Virgin Mobile customers to opt-in by texting "PREZ" free of charge
to a mobile short code, and then answering questions via text message.
Participants earned five free minutes of airtime from Virgin Mobile USA for
sharing their opinions.
Full results of election issues poll can be found at
http://virginmobileusa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=23
About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM), through its operating company, Virgin
Mobile USA, L.P., offers more than five million customers control,
flexibility and choice in wireless service, rich data content and
innovative products without annual contracts. Voice pricing plans range
from monthly options with unlimited nights and weekends to by-the-minute
offers, allowing consumers to adjust how and what they pay according to
their needs. Virgin Mobile USA's smart, stylish and affordable handsets,
including the Wild Card, Slash and Flare, are available in more than 40,000
retailers nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com, with
Top-Up cards available at more than 140,000 locations.
J.D. Power and Associates ranked Virgin Mobile USA highest in customer
satisfaction among wireless prepaid services in both 2006 and 2007, and its
customers report a 90% satisfaction rate. Virgin Mobile USA contributes a
portion of profits from downloadable content to The RE*Generation, its
pro-social initiative to help homeless youth; and provides postage-paid
return envelopes in every new phone package for customers to recycle old
phones. Virgin Mobile USA's national coverage is powered by the nationwide
Sprint PCS network.
SOURCE Virgin Mobile USA
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Related links:
http://www.virginmobileusa.com
http://virginmobileusa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=23/
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070613/VIRGINMOBILE
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Corinne Nosal, Virgin Mobile USA,
+1-908-607-4235, Corinne.nosal@virginmobileusa.com; or Alysa
McKenna, CooperKatz & Company, +1-917-595-3048,
amckenna@cooperkatz.com
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