Mullen’s mediahub has just added to the seemingly insane number of mobile apps with the launch of “Expedition Timberland,” a branded app for the iPhone/iTouch (went live on 9/10) and for the Blackberry Curve, Storm, Bold and Pearl  (goes live on 9/21). We got into the branded mobile app game with eyes wide open. We know that:

• There are more than 100,000 mobile apps currently in circulation
• <1% have long-term usage
• Only approximately 20% of consumers go back to an app after an initial download and usage

Sounds like a lot of trees falling in the forest with no one listening. Well, Timberland is all about sustainability so we tried to give them an app that will last.

While other outdoor brands have dabbled in the app space, we built something that connects casual city-dwelling lifestyles with a passion for the outdoors. “Expedition Timberland” (developed with Ansible) has city guides for hiking, biking, secret spots for relaxing and the best city views. There’s a game called “Timber Trail;” a music component; a gear section; a WAP site with a full product catalog, click-to-call functionality and store locators.

So we built a cool app. That’s not enough. Did I mention there are 66,000 apps out there? Just because you build it, doesn’t mean they will come. Loyalty in mobile is extremely fleeting. If you’re going to do it, you have to build a compelling and engaging experience. You have to give the consumer a voice in shaping the experience. And, most importantly, you have to promote it. To that end, Timberland is putting significant money into mobile media support including ads on Quattro and Jump-Tap, as well as in-store point-of-purchase advertising, dedicated email, direct mail and support on timberland.com.

The customized app is launching in six cities – NYC, LA, Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis and Denver. We’re letting people vote on which cities it rolls into next.

And how will we measure success? Downloads, time spent with the application, unique and repeat users, use over time, measurement of mobile media (CTRs etc), AppStore ratings, and click to call usages (sales). We’ll be using Pinch Media for iPhone analytics.

We’re hoping to crack the code on breakthrough branded apps. Please download it and tell us what you think.

Three Key Steps:

1.     Determine how much of your audience is using mobile beyond voice

• If your audience is using their phone to primarily dial a seven digit number, you don’t need to me to tell you mobile advertising is not right for your brand. A good guide is to adhere to a recent Insight Express study where they divided the mobile population into three groups:
  • Mobile Pioneers (15%): the smart phone power users have three core characteristics: the first sub segment is they tend to be young (18-34) and skew male and the second sub segment is they have high household incomes. As an example, the iPhone has a 200 index with those making more than $100K+. Lastly, they tend to live in major metropolitan markets.
  • Mobile Wannabes (25%): starting to buy smart phones and if the Pioneers provide traction, the Wannabes provide scale.
  • Mobile Traditionalists (65%): 2/3 are over 35

If your brand has confirmed that your target is using mobile beyond voice, now you’re ready to advance to steps two and three…

2.       Determine which device/carrier your audience is using

• The executive is on the Blackberry, moms may be using the Palm Treo and if your target has a high ethnic concentration, look at T-Mobile’s Android. And always consider the iPhone platform as their users have the most voracious appetite of data vis-a-vis all other smart phones.

3.  Interpret the role of your brand in the medium

• The key to mobile is creating a wonderful and delightful experience. Take advantage of the channels inherent strengths and tailor the experience around the mobility of the phone. Starbucks is doing a great job helping their ardent fans find the nearest Starbucks with their own app (Bucksme) and marketing on the Where mobile app. We have recently launched an app for Stanley and are building several others for some of our major clients.

So there you are, if your target are young men or white collar & affluent, get started. The last thing you want to do is let your competitive set beat you to the punch in this emerging and powerful medium.

What do you think? Are there any other important rules to think about before the process begins?