FMWR establishes new, instant 'know zone' text service

By Julia LeDoux, Pentagram Staff WriterJune 7, 2013

FMWR establishes new, instant 'know zone' text service
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - It's not who you know, it's what you know in the information age, and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation can get you in that "know zone" if you text OKFMWR to 99000.

"We know that the fliers and the posters and the e-mails that we send out sometimes are not reaching our customers the way we'd like them to," said FMWR marketing manager Patricia "Ocie" Jacobs-Pejcic.

"It's kind of static information, they're used to seeing it presented in the same way over and over again, and we were trying to find some creative, contemporary, trendy ways to get in touch with our customers." When you opt into the new text service, Jacobs-Pejcic says you'll receive real time information on the happenings, deals and discounts offered by FMWR.

"Clearly it's not a new thought, but I have not seen another FMWR or another base utilize it [text messaging in marketing], so we thought we would give it a shot just to see.

"With this, you don't have to go to a [web]site to find the information," she continued. "We are sending the information to you."

FMWR kicked off the service during its military spouse appreciation event in May. Approximately 30-40 military spouses opted into the service during the event.

"We had them text in 'proud spouse' and we just took a random name out of those who texted in and awarded them a party platter," said Jacobs-Pejcic, who said more and more people are opting in to receive the text messages every day.

"I think the more we use it, the more we broadcast we have it, the more people are going to get used to it," she predicted.

Subscribers to the text messaging service can expect to receive information about special events FMWR has in the works or special promotions on things like Washington Nationals or Washington Redskins tickets. Jacobs-Pejcic said subscribers should anticipate receiving maybe a text a week from FMWR.

"We refuse to spam people," she said.

You can also opt out of the service at anytime by texting back "stop" to 99000, Jacobs-Pejcic said. You can also keep up with the latest news from FMWR by liking them on Facebook, and following them on Twitter and Pinterest, she added.