The Wyndham hotel chain is running a mobile campaign for its Days Inn Business Place division to compile a database of prospects for remarketing.

In a campaign handled by mobile marketing firm Ping Mobile, travelers are asked to text DAYSINN to short code 74642. Participants are then sent an SMS message asking them to text in to confirm that they want to join the VIP club for future promotional messages.

"We sell mobile marketing as an extension of what brands are already doing in terms of marketing," said Shira Simmonds, president of Ping Mobile, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. "Days Inn is taking the long-term approach, as it wants to have an ongoing communication channel with its prospects and customers."

Targeting business travelers, Days Inn Business Place is part of the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts family that includes Ramada Worldwide, Howard Johnson, Motel 6, Super 8 Motel, Travelodge and Knights Inn.

Consumers who text in for Days Inn promotions are also entered into a mobile sweepstakes for a chance to win a free, all-inclusive vacation.

Days Inn will be publicizing the text-to-win effort via room keycard sleeves in its hotels, email blasts and its Web site at http://www.daysinnbiz.com.

Launched last month, the campaign is generating a 40 percent double opt-in rate, according to Ms. Simmonds.

"For Days Inn the strategy is simple," Ms. Simmonds said.

"Because their clientele are business travelers, they are people who are constantly on the go and not plugged into the Internet all the time," she said. "They do have their phones on them at all times, though. So getting people on their mobile seemed only logical."

Ping Mobile has worked with other hotels on similar promotions.

For example, the Orleans Stadium, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is using Ping Mobile's services for its mobile promotions.

The hotel's stadium hosts several events and shows each year. So, to promote a show by The Steve Miller Band, the hotel asked vacationers to text STEVE to 74642 to get free tickets and a free two-night stay.

"The hotel industry needs immediate results," Ms. Simmonds said. "If they don't book that night, they lose all that revenue."

Ping Mobile does a lot of campaigns through Cox Media.

For example, Cox teamed with direct marketer Omaha Steak for a promotion asking consumers to text STEAK to 269411.

Participants are entered into a sweepstake for the chance to win about $150 worth of meat for just $34.95 for their Fourth of July cook out.

Ping Mobile was responsible for managing the texts in and out and also for randomly selecting winners of the sweepstakes.

"What's unique about our service is what happens after the database is built," Ms. Simmonds said.

"Any company can send texts out for you and store the info on those who text back," she said. "But we analyze and mine the list by segmenting and profiling."