We are aware how advertisement companies associate with different brands to target a customer base. Companies pay millions of dollars so that their product gets noticed by potential buyers. What if there was an alternative way to do it? Yes, it's in the title of this story — time is the key.

Let us take an example: if there was some way that these companies knew there was a party at your house, or you needed to travel to the airport to pick someone up, or you needed grocery supplies — or do they actually know? Yes, they do. In this age of social media and apps residing on our phones, there is hardly any event which is not digitally communicated to our friends and family, and here is where data analytics comes in.

The marketing expert would provide a person discounts on a cab when he needs to travel, and pizza & movie coupons on weekends and anniversaries, to convert plans into programmes. In this era, when competitors are burning their cash reserves to gain the slightest edge, this idea becomes interesting. So when I wake up and get a message that the ride to my office is discounted by 20%, I am more likely to take a cab and go to the office.

Similarly, if I have been shopping at malls and there has been no purchase, companies can deliver their offers through their resident apps, and no one is the wiser. At the end of the day we would be trading some privacy for comfort, and the results may be a win-win situation for both the consumer and the promoters.

Time based advertisements, optimized with a person's schedule, are the future of profitability and improved user acceptance. Stay tuned for more insights.