Student Aid has launched Student Aid Mobile, which it says is the first iPhone app tailored to the student market, offering downloadable discounted vouchers, available throughout the UK in September in time for Freshers’ Week. The app will also be rolling out across Blackberry and Android within the first term, and on other smartphone platforms throughout 2011.

The launch will give students over 800 discounted local deals throughout the UK. Student Aid Mobile says it is expecting to increase the discounts available by over 300 per cent in January 2011, by when it aims to have 2,500 retailers on board.
The development of Student Aid Mobile aims to help build stronger relationships with consumer brands and students, complimenting Student Aid’s existing channels into the student market. This includes exclusive brand and product placement directly into one in four freshers’ student bedrooms throughout the UK with the Student Aid Welcome Parcel. Student Aid Mobile is free to download and will enable retailers and students to connect with students through the use of targeted offers on a localised basis.

The application will establish the student’s location and then present them with the offers available close to that area. Once the student finds a voucher of interest, they are directed to the retailer, with directions and a map on their phone. The voucher is then available to download and redeem immediately.

Student Aid Mobile will react instantly to low capacity or overstock from retailers and leisure venue operators, allowing personalised offers to be sent to potential customers within a 2-minute walk.

“Students are the perfect target market for mobile marketing,” says Student Aid,
managing director, Andy Fidler. “They are early adopters, technology savvy and influenced by penetration pricing. Mobile offers are the ideal platform to drive sales from students, whilst building long-term relationships with tomorrow’s high earners.”