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Dear Industry Executive
The
Richard & Judy quiz “you say, we pay” has long been a favourite of
mine, purely for the sheer idiocy of it and the fact that R&J
almost got Tony Blair to take part when they had him on as a guest. But
now the quiz, until today remarkable only for its banality, is at the
centre of a media storm that has huge repercussions for the content and
services industry. Paul Skeldon | |||||||||||
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Consumers like content — but are unaware of D2C and data chargesConsumer
research conducted by mBlox, a mobile transaction network, has revealed
that three out of four consumers are increasingly interested in
downloading rich media to their mobile phones, such as full-track music
and video clips — but the vast majority are still unaware that you can
do this off-portal, and most of these are unaware of data charges.The survey, which questioned consumers in the UK, France and Germany, found that 30 per cent had bought mobile content in the past, of whom 60 per cent had purchased ringtones. However, despite these positive adoption figures, many remain unaware that they can buy content from sources other than their mobile operator’s portal. A surprising 72 per cent of mobile content buyers stated that they didn’t realise that content is available off-portal as well. Although the survey found that most consumers understand that they are being charged for content, 74 per cent said they were unaware of the extra data charges incurred by downloading. Half of the consumers questioned said they would expect the extra data charge to be no more than £1/€1 a time, with one person realising the charge could be as high as £20. These results highlight the risk of angry reactions from consumers when they find out how much more downloads are costing them than they expected. Andrew Bud, executive chairman of mBlox, said: “This survey delivers some strong messages. On the one hand, it shows that the huge scale achieved by the off-portal content industry in Europe over the last three years is just the beginning. With over 70 per cent of the market unaware of off-portal downloads, the direct-to-consumer industry need only reach out to those consumers, who are hungry for richer media content and will respond to the variety, choice and dynamism of its off-portal offering.” Read More: http://www.mblox.com/mblox/news/view.asp?id=62 | |||||||||||
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Networks have to evolve from an ‘us’ philosophy to a ‘you’ philosophy to survive
Telcos need to understand how the
business models required for multi-directional ‘social interaction’
services differ from those for the direct distribution of entertainment
content, if they are to fully monetise new revenue streams in the new
era of social networking and user generated content, according to
industry experts. | |||||||||||
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Live BRITS a triumph for mobile voting and contentThe 2007 Brits saw a return to a live televised broadcast of the British record industry body the BPI oraganised event, hosted by man-of-the-moment Russell Brand. It also saw some innovative mobile content and services at work, care of MIG.The awards featured a live vote, using MIG's award-winning high capacity voting system, VoteWinner, which recorded 120,000 votes on the night, crowning Take That's "Patience" as the winner of the British Single category. MIG's mobile video production team produced an extensive selection of video content for O2 and the BPI, which included exclusive video footage. Working with the BRITs archive, MIG produced a series of themed highlights from the last 20 years. MIG also shot and produced exclusive made for mobile red carpet interviews with the stars including, Oasis, Jamelia and Lily Allen at the live show. On the night MIG also captured the live show, direct off air, then edited, encoded and delivered the numerous mobile highlights to O2 to be offered exclusively to their customers on the night. Peter Jamieson, Chairman, BPI says: “With the current success of British music both at home and overseas, it was especially important to have a live and interactive aspect to this year's BRITs. We always look to innovate and improve the show for those watching at home - the live public vote for Best British Single on the night certainly delivered on that front." Read More: http://www.migcan.com/news.html | |||||||||||
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Marie Claire magazine goes mobileMarie Claire, one of Britain’s leading fashion magazine brands is going mobile. In a deal with content platform provider Picsel Technologies, the first mobile issue of Marie Claire will be made available for free to select UK readers in March 2007, with additional phased roll-outs planned for the rest of the UK throughout the next twelve months.Marie Claire readers can expect extremely rich and interactive content delivered in a mobile magazine service that will feature content targeted specifically at mobile users, including exclusive offers to appeal to the modern, style-conscious female. Mobile advertising will also be included as part of this offering, opening up new ways of bringing content providers in contact with their target audiences. As market penetration of the mobile magazine increases over time, Marie Claire will consider future services such as the creation of a Marie Claire mobile community, social networking capabilities and the exchange of user-generated content. “For nearly 20 years Marie Claire’s blend of fashion, beauty, celebrity and award winning reportage features has captured the hearts and minds of the UK’s thirty-something women. Going forward, as web and mobile technology play a greater role in our readers lives, giving our readers the ability to interact with Marie Claire on a mobile platform is an exciting opportunity both for our readers and advertisers,” says Richard Johnstone, Publishing Director, Marie Claire. Read More: http://www.picsel.com/media_centre/press_archive/?news_id=77 | |||||||||||
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Consumers get access their PC photo, music and film files as well as streaming content24access, a provider of solutions that enable a two way connection between a PC and a mobile device, has launched Mobile Media Center (MMC), a product that for the first time allows consumers to access all the content stored on their PC through their mobile phone. MMC is available immediately for consumers to download for free from 24access.com.MMC has been designed and created to allow consumers the opportunity to access content from any mobile handset through any provider. Now saved content such as photos, music and films can be viewed, listened to and watched using a mobile phone. Streaming content can also be accessed directly through mobile phones by using Mobile Media Center. Consumers can access webcams, live radio and television on their mobile phone via their PC. Not only is personal access of content available, users can also benefit from the unique sharing functionality and share the content with friends and family. "For the first time people have the ability to regain control over when, how and where they enjoy their own content," said Arjan Dost, CEO of 24access. "Consumers no longer have to be content with the walled garden approach to content that is taken by many of the major operators. Files that have been accessed and downloaded using a broadband connection at home are now instantly available to the consumers' mobile phone." Read More: http://www.webitpr.com/release_detail.asp?ReleaseID=5251
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Player X and Fox Television double up on mobile videoFox Television Studios and mobile media company Player X — which last week bagged $10million seed capital to fund expansion — have partnered to take online entertainment news and gossip phenomenon eBaum’s World to global mobile operators and customers. eBaum’s World attracts more than 4.2 million unique visitors, and is one of the Internet’s most popular entertainment sites, renowned for its edgy, fun and outrageous content, including videos, jokes, photos, horoscopes and more._Under the terms of the agreement, Player X will distribute eBaum’s World Mobile to operators outside the US in territories as diverse as the UK, France, Scandinavia and Australasia. eBaum’s World Mobile will feature exclusive video content selected from among the best content submitted by users to eBaum’s World. “eBaum’s World was one of the first websites to embrace the concept of user-generated content and is a pioneer in their field. Taking it to the mobile platform is a natural step and we’re delighted to be associated with it,” said Tony Pearce, CEO, Player X. Read More: http://www.playerx.com/news/38/fox-television-studios-and-player-x-go-global-with | |||||||||||
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Visit: www.bet-markets.com The Next Wave of MVNOs Visit: http://www.jacobfleming.com |
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