Today I’m posting the first of several guest posts by bloggers and individuals who took my challenge and pitched me an idea a couple weeks ago. First up? Jessica Malnik, who’s actually guest posted on this blog before. Let’s hear what she has to say about the mobile world and PR.

Every week, it seems like there is another new “game-changing” tool or site. It can be very easy for PR pros and marketers to dismiss certain sites as a one-time phenomenon. However, one thing that all PR pros and marketers shouldn’t dismiss is mobile. Here’s 12 reasons why we are living in the beginning of the golden age of mobile.

1. 100 million smartphones and growing

According to ComScore, there are now more than 100 million smartphone users in the US alone, with the top two operating systems being Android and iOS.

2. Tablet usage has exploded. 

In two years, there are already 40 million tablets in use in the US alone. For comparison, it took smartphones seven years to achieve that same level of adoption, according to MarketingProfs.  The bulk of the tablet market share is the Apple iPad.

3. It’s not just for making calls anymore. 

Smartphones and tablets are true media consumption devices. In fact, the average smartphone user spends more time surfing the Web, browsing their social media accounts, listening to music and playing games on their phone than you know actually making phone calls and sending text messages. The average phone call length is now under 90 seconds.

4. Social media on the go 

Social media usage is the second most popular activity for smartphone and tablet users. In fact, 64 million smartphone users in the US accessed social networking or blog destinations via mobile device as of December 2011 Think about that?  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and location based apps. These can be a gold mine to reach your target consumers.

5. Mobile ads on Facebook

There’s now another way to reach your target audience. Last month, Facebook opened up its ad platform for mobile.

6. Real time info on the go. 

With the average consumer spending more time multitasking and on the move, it’s becoming clear that their mobile devices are playing a bigger and bigger role in finding what they want and where they need to go. 3 out of 4 smartphone users use their device to get real-time location based info. 

7. It goes beyond check-ins. 

It’s not just about “checking in.” Only a tiny fraction of users actively check into sites like Foursquare and Facebook Places. A lot larger percentage use Google Maps, Yelp, Urbanspoon, etc. to find out what’s nearby. That’s a goldmine for restaurant and shop owners. The amount of possibilities to reach new and returning consumers just amplified tenfold.

8. Mobile devices are the new shopping aid. 

This brings me to my next point. Almost a quarter of smartphone users have used their phone to help them while they were shopping. That ranges from taking product pictures and sending them to friends and family for immediate advice to couponing.

9. Couponing goes mobile. 

According to PEW Internet study, 40% of smartphone users redeem coupons on their mobile devices. Nuff’ said.

10. App-nation

There’s an app for that. The average smartphone user now has 41 apps on their phone, up from 32 in 2011. 

11. Instagram becomes the first widespread mobile social network. 

With more than 30 million users, there’s a good chance you have heard of Instagram. It’s a great way to share and comment on photos with friends. The ease of use, custom filters and built-in shareability with Facebook, Twitter, among other sites can make it borderline addicting.

12. The shift to an image powered Web 

While the 11 points mentioned above are all important indicators, I think the biggest shift is how mobile is changing the way we consume information. People are on the go and multitasking more than ever. We don’t always have time to read lengthy text articles and descriptions. Hence, the rise in popularity of visually compelling social bookmarking and social media sites, such as Pinterest, Instagram and Reddit. While these sites may come and go, the shift towards visually compelling images is here to stay.

Jessica Malnik is a PR/marketing coordinator, social media specialist, videographer and an avid blogger. Visit her Blog (www.blog.jessicamalnik.com) for social media, technology, public relations and marketing ramblings.