Creators of a new text messaging program developed by the Marketing Communication Department are looking to make Manifest more maneuverable for students and festival-goers come May 15.

ManiTXT, a program that will continually update users about events and places to find free giveaways in real time during Manifest, will allow users to opt in or out of the service at any time.  Users simply will have to text message the word “Manifest” to a designated number. When a person joins the service, they will receive all of the festival’s updates and information.

“We know students text almost as much as they breathe,” said Margaret Sullivan, chair of the Marketing Communication Department, in a press release. “So knowing it’s the No. 1 communication channel, and at the urging of our students to find more unique ways to tap into it, we took on the challenge. ManiTXT will give Manifest festival-goers what they want-access to real-time information about unique festival experiences and how to find the free stuff.”

There will also be opportunities for prizes, raffles and contests for those who participate on May 15.

Text messaging programs similar to ManiTXT are popular at music festivals and large events to keep attendees informed. Students created the concept and brainstormed plans for Manifest during the Semester in LA program in the fall.

“We have so many students working on the program,” said Craig Sigele, academic manager of the Marketing Communication Department. “It was originally created by students, and now we have a whole other team of students working on writing the texts and planning for the festival. It’s amazing we have so much student

involvement.”

The program is being hosted by ViralMesh, a company that hosts texting campaigns. ViralMesh is using ManiTXT as a case study and is providing services to Columbia free of charge.

The ManiTXT group has worked with the Office of Student Communications to

find out what students are looking for.

“We created an online poll for ManiTXT to see what students wanted out of the program,” said Matt Green, director of Online Student Communications. “We polled a couple hundred students on The Loop and found that music events and bands were the most popular updates people were looking for.”

The program will officially launch on April 27. In the meantime, Sigele said the Marketing Communication Department will focus on advertising for the event.

“Our promotional posters are being finalized now, and we’re gathering students to go around to buildings and classrooms to urge people to opt-in,” Sigele said. “We’re also going to record some viral video; we want to use as many media outlets as possible to get the word out about ManiTXT.”

ManiTXT will host a presentation detailing the text messaging program on May 15 at Manifest. The noon presentation will include lunch and will be free and open to the public in the Hokin Hall at the Wabash Campus Building, 623 S. Wabash Ave.