Through the deal, MIG will integrate its social payments and voting platform into the Zeebox app. This will give broadcasters the chance to let viewers use the app to vote for contestants on TV shows, with payments taken through a variery of supported services, such as Facebook, iTunes and various mobile operators.

The partnership is the latest update to Zeebox. It recently launched click-to-buy ads, which let users click through sites like Amazon to allow them to buy selected goods as they are advertised on TV.

“In May 2011, MIG was selected by Facebook as a ‘preferred developer consultant’ and this new partnership with Zeebox gives us access to a growing user base on what we believe is one of the world’s most exciting second screen products,’ said MIG general manager Barry Houlihan.

In December, MIG partnered with UK broadcaster Channel 5 to launch a mobile and social voting solution through MIG’s own Engage platform.

Through the deal, MIG launched iPhone, Android and Facebook apps, monetising the latter by making users pay to vote using Facebook credits. Earlier this year, UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB took a 10% stake in Zeebox.

http://www.c21media.net/archives/78660

It has struck a partnership with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) to integrate its social payments voting platform Engage into the Zeebox app, which currently enables TV viewers to interact and chat via Facebook and Twitter, access TV programme information, and buy what they see on screen.

Users will be able to make payments using the technology to cast votes on reality TV shows. No deals have yet been struck with any broadcasters to use the voting system .

The technology behind the voting platform is similar to that used by MIG to create a Facebook voting app, which was used last year by Channel 5′s ‘Big Brother’.

Zeebox launched in the UK last year. In January this year, Sky signed a deal reportedly worth $15m (£9.8m) that included the pay-TV company taking a 10% stake in Zeebox, taking on ad sales via Sky Media, and giving Sky the rights to incorporate Zeebox’s IP into its own apps.

http://mediaweek.co.uk/news/1123256/Zeebox-introduce-voting-payments-feature/

MIG has partnered with social TV specialist Zeebox, with a view to integrate its Engage payment and voting solution into the Zeebox app. Zeebox is a second screen app which enables TV viewers to socially interact with each other, access TV programme information and buy what they see on the screen.

“Zeebox have an innovative approach that is revolutionising the way viewers consume content related to television,” says Barry Houlihan, MIG’s general manager. “The integration with Engage adds new potential, creating social engagement revenue streams on platforms such as Facebook, iTunes and global MNO’s (Mobile Network Operators), for both themselves and their broadcast partners, whilst further enhancing the viewer’s immersive experience from the virtual couch.”

Zeebox is currently available for iOS in the UK, with a reported Android and global release to follow.

http://m.mobilemarketingmagazine.com/mobilemarketing/i/article/mig-puts-voting-and-payment-zeebox

The partnership with Zeebox will enable MIG to be the first to integrate an interactive social payments and voting solution, with its Engage solution, into the free-to-consumer Zeebox app. This free app already enables TV viewers to socially interact and chat via Facebook and Twitter, access TV programme information, buy what they see on screen, and will now enable them to vote for a contestant in their favourite participation TV show.

The combination of Zeebox’s integrated social media experience, along with MIG’s Engage platform and knowledge of the media and entertainment industry, offers audiences the capability to extend and significantly enhance their second screen experience. This real-time experience supports established interactive solutions whilst offering an additional monetisation stream for broadcasters.

http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/03/20/mig-partners-zeebox-for-interactive/

Nearly a quarter of the brands, agencies and technology providers surveyed (23%) identified m-commerce and mobile marketing as the most important areas of growth for the next year.

MIG spoke to more than 500 clients across multiple sectors including automotive, retail, FMCG, handset manufacturers and mobile network operators.

The third most popular trend was a growing interest in mobile and social media, in particular how mobile enhances the social experience.

11% of those surveyed indicated this would be a key driver for the next 12 months, with the use of Facebook – and how sharing affects retail, plus TV viewing – highlighted specifically.

62% of retailers identified m-commerce as key to their business this year. This group also said that mobile payments and NFC (30%), plus mobile marketing techniques such as mobile CRM, augmented reality and loyalty schemes (30%), are central to their 2012 mobile strategies.

While these responses are far from surprising, it’s interesting to see retailers identify m-commerce as being important, since there is evidence to suggest they aren’t working hard enough capitalise on the opportunity.

A recent eChannel Retail Benchmark report found that even among the world’s top e-tailers, checkout process is still relatively poor when accessing via a mobile when compared to desktop sites.

The checkout process on mobile sites can’t simply mirror the desktop site – it needs to be much more simple, with the amount of data entry kept to a minimum.

However many are yet to take this on board.

A separate report by dotCommerce published last November assessed 12 top UK retailers and found that the average usability score for the checkout process was just 27%.

The researchers were in fact unable or unwilling to complete a transaction on any of the sites using an Android device.

So while MIG’s report shows that retailers recognise the importance of m-commerce, there is still a lot of work to do to make sure they are offering customers the best user experience in this area.

http://econsultancy.com/uk/blog/9304-mig-identifies-m-commerce-and-mobile-marketing-as-top-trends-for-2012

23 per cent said they saw mCommerce as the primary mobile trend – and 62 per cent of retailers said it was a strategic priority for their business in the next 12 months. This is supported by the 25 per cent who reckon mPayments will really take off in 2012, driven by NFC and mobile wallets. 23 per cent also named mobile marketing as a significant focus for their businesses going forward in 2012, and 11 per cent think mobile social media will be a key trend.

“The findings from our initial customer survey backs up our thinking, and we’re not surprised to see mCommerce and payments, mobile marketing and mobile social media top of the agenda for 2012, “ says MIG’s GM, Barry Houlihan. “To have our thoughts on this validated by some of the world’s leading brands demonstrates our understanding of the market place and where the industry is heading.”

http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/content/mig-survey-predicts-2012-trends

Mobile Interactive Group, now part of Velti, quizzed over 500 of its customers representing brands, agencies and technology providers in every conceivable vertical.

It asked them:

* What do you think will be the biggest trend in mobile in 2012?

23 per cent cited m-commerce as the main trend, with 62 per cent of retailers seeing it as a strategic priority in the next 12 months. Meanwhile 25 per cent of all respondents believe NFC and mobile wallets will be the drivers of this area of the industry.

The same percentage believe mobile marketing will be a big trend, with a growing interest in mobile and social media, in particular how mobile enhances the social experience. 11 per cent of all respondents cited Facebook sharing and voting.

Barry Houlihan, GM of Mobile Interactive Group, said: “The findings from our initial customer survey backs up our thinking and we’re not surprised to see m-commerce and payments, mobile marketing and mobile social media top of the agenda for 2012.”

“To have our thoughts on this validated by some of the world’s leading brands demonstrates our understanding of the market place and where the industry is heading.”

MIG now plans to extend the study across the industry and is offering an iPad3 for one lucky participant.

Previously, consumers who have dialled 0800 numbers from a mobile device have been subject to significant surcharges (often in excess of 50 pence per minute). Currently all network operators in the UK are on board, however, Everything Everywhere and Virgin Mobile – and MVNO that uses T-Mobile’s network – are yet to go live. This is expected around the end of Q1, from when MIG, Orca and many other aggregators will start offering these services.

The launch of zero rated ‘five digit’, cross network voice shortcodes presents a huge opportunity to brands, call centres and large communications providers, plus also hugely benefits the end consumer, eliminating any mobile call charges, for example:

• Retailers – Shoppers will have the ability to check the status of their order, to check the delivery status of a product, to contact customer services and make product enquiries

• Financial Services – Consumers will have the ability to make a balance enquiry, monitor activity in their personal account, make direct debit payments and all functions currently available via a landline service

• Utility Services – Customers will be able to text or call in their meter readings, call to settle their bill or request a brochure (or other marketing collateral), plus talk with customer services

• Call Centres – Offers communications providers, who have historically only offered landline services, the ability to offer the end consumer a free route of entry via mobile

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) says: “In 2010 UK consumers spent £1.9 billion calling non-geographic numbers such as 08 numbers, with the vast majority of calls coming from mobile phone users who are being hit with significant call charges in comparison to dialling similar numbers from a fixed landline. We’ve been working closely with the mobile network operators on our Voice Shortcode strategy and the capability to now offer a free to consumer voice shortcode opens up a plethora of opportunities – enabling brands to build a more transparent and trusted relationship with their consumers via a free mobile service, whilst also keeping the consumers’ needs and experience front of mind. Customers can contact the brands they wish to purchase from and communicate with, safe in the knowledge they’re not being charged.”

Steve George, Business Development Director at Orca Digital, adds: “We’re extremely excited by the potential for freephone voice short-codes – for the first time ever in the UK companies, brands and marketers can now offer mobile callers a freephone service. Whether it be sales, customer service or information lines – the overall experience improves when customers know they don’t pay for the privilege of getting in touch with you.”

http://www.telemedia-news.com/newsitem.aspx?id=3850

MIG says the launch of zero-rated, five-digit, cross-network voice shortcodes presents a huge opportunity to brands, call centres and large communications providers, while also benefitting the consumer.

Retailers will be able to offer shoppers the ability to check the status of their order or the delivery status of a product, and to contact customer services and make product enquiries. In the financial services arena, consumers will be able to check their balance, monitor activity on their personal account, make direct debit payments, and do everything else they can currently do via a landline. Utility services customers will be able to text or call in their meter readings, call to settle their bill, request a brochure or other marketing collateral, and talk with customer services. And anyone that operates a call centre, and has historically only offered landline services, will be able to offer the consumer a free route of entry via mobile.

Noting that in 2010, UK consumers spent £1.9bn calling non-geographic numbers such as 08 numbers, with the vast majority of calls coming from mobile phone users who are charged a premium, MIG commercial director Rob Weisz says: “We’ve been working closely with the mobile network operators on our Voice Shortcode strategy and the capability to now offer a free-to-consumer voice shortcode opens up a plethora of opportunities, enabling brands to build a more transparent and trusted relationship with their consumers via a free mobile service, whilst also keeping the consumers’ needs and experience front of mind. Customers can contact the brands they wish to purchase from and communicate with, safe in the knowledge they’re not being charged.”

David Murphy writes:

Some people get excited about a new smartphone or Tablet, but for us, the launch of free 5-digit voice shortcodes is potentially much more exciting. As mobiles become ubiquitous, and more brands start reaching out to consumers via the mobile channel, voice communications going the other way – from consumer to brand – have been the missing piece of the jigsaw. For while brands can splatter 0800 numbers all over their marketing collateral to zero-rate the cost of a call in to them from a landline, call one from a mobile and you’ll be charged a premium for it. On my current mobile tariff, for example, calls to 0800 numbers cost 20p per minute, no matter how many hundreds of inclusive minutes I have left.

So giving brands the ability to zero-rate calls in to them from a mobile is the logical next step in the not-so-gradual move to a mobile-only world. It’s a significant change, and one that will require some consumer education to reassure people that they won’t be charged for the call. But it’s one that brands should welcome with enthusiasm. CRM and customer service have always been, to my mind, a major part of the mobile marketing game. Today’s announcement from MIG makes mobile CRM a whole lot easier for brands to embrace.

This story has caused something of a rumble in the aggregator community, with some competitors claiming that the cross-network part of the story could not be accurate, since one network, T-Mobile (and by definition, Virgin Mobile, which runs off T-Mobile, does not yet offer the shortcodes. We have spoken to both T-Mobile and MIG about the matter. T-Mobile confirmed that they do not yet offer the shortcodes, but that they are working on them, and hope to have an update soon. For its part, MIG points out that the headline on the release it issued clearly used the phrase ‘to launch’ as indeed it did. The full headline was: “Mobile Interactive Group to launch freephone cross-network voice shortcodes to corporate sector”.

The future tense was less evident in the body of the story, however, which said: “Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces the launch of free-to-consumer, five digit, cross-network voice shortcodes for mobile users’ and in the note accompanying the release which said: ‘MIG is first to market with free to call voice shortcodes (any operator)”.

We have since had a second release, from Orca Digital, announcing exactly the same thing. Having spoken to the company, it too has confirmed that the shortcodes don’t work on T-Mobile but that this is, in their words “imminent”.
So at the end of the day, it looks like a question of semantics. What we can confirm is that the voice shortcodes do not currently work on T-Mobile or Virgin Mobile. When we hear that they do, we’ll let you know.

http://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/content/mig-launches-free-5-digit-voice-shortcodes

Previously, consumers who have dialled 0800 numbers from a mobile device have been subject to significant surcharges (often in excess of 50 pence per minute). The launch of zero rated ‘five digit’, cross network voice shortcodes presents a huge opportunity to brands, call centres and large communications providers, plus also hugely benefits the end consumer, eliminating any mobile call charges, for example: Retailers – Shoppers will have the ability to check the status of their order, to check the delivery status of a product, to contact customer services and make product enquiries; Financial Services – Consumers will have the ability to make a balance enquiry, monitor activity in their personal account, make direct debit payments and all functions currently available via a landline service; Utility Services – Customers will be able to text or call in their meter readings, call to settle their bill or request a brochure (or other marketing collateral), plus talk with customer services; Call Centres – Offers communications providers, who have historically only offered landline services, the ability to offer the end consumer a free route of entry via mobile

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) commented “In 2010 UK consumers spent £1.9 billion calling non-geographic numbers such as 08 numbers, with the vast majority of calls coming from mobile phone users who are being hit with significant call charges in comparison to dialling similar numbers from a fixed landline.

“We’ve been working closely with the mobile network operators on our Voice Shortcode strategy and the capability to now offer a free to consumer voice shortcode opens up a plethora of opportunities – Enabling brands to build a more transparent and trusted relationship with their consumers via a free mobile service, whilst also keeping the consumers’ needs and experience front of mind. Customers can contact the brands they wish to purchase from and communicate with, safe in the knowledge they’re not being charged.”

http://www.mbmagazine.co.uk/Mobile_News.cfm?NewsID=15379

Weisz: “Free-to-consumer voice shortcodes open up a plethora of opportunities”

MIG says the launch of zero-rated, five-digit, cross-network voice shortcodes presents a huge opportunity to brands, call centres and large communications providers, while also benefitting the consumer.

Retailers will be able to offer shoppers the ability to check the status of their order or the delivery status of a product, and to contact customer services and make product enquiries. In the financial services arena, consumers will be able to check their balance, monitor activity on their personal account, make direct debit payments, and do everything else they can currently do via a landline. Utility services customers will be able to text or call in their meter readings, call to settle their bill, request a brochure or other marketing collateral, and talk with customer services. And anyone that operates a call centre, and has historically only offered landline services, will be able to offer the consumer a free route of entry via mobile.

Noting that in 2010, UK consumers spent £1.9bn calling non-geographic numbers such as 08 numbers, with the vast majority of calls coming from mobile phone users who are charged a premium, MIG commercial director Rob Weisz says: “We’ve been working closely with the mobile network operators on our Voice Shortcode strategy and the capability to now offer a free-to-consumer voice shortcode opens up a plethora of opportunities, enabling brands to build a more transparent and trusted relationship with their consumers via a free mobile service, whilst also keeping the consumers’ needs and experience front of mind. Customers can contact the brands they wish to purchase from and communicate with, safe in the knowledge they’re not being charged.”

http://www.onenewspage.com/n/Technology/74r2556qt/MIG-Launches-Free-digit-Voice-Shortcodes.htm

*David Murphy writes: *

Some people get excited about a new smartphone or Tablet, but for us, the launch of free 5-digit voice shortcodes is potentially much more exciting. As mobiles become ubiquitous, and more brands start reaching out to consumers via the mobile channel, voice communications going the other way – from consumer to brand – have been the missing piece of the jigsaw. For while brands can splatter 0800 numbers all over their marketing collateral to zero-rate the cost of a call in to them from a landline, call one from a mobile and you’ll be charged a premium for it. On my current mobile tariff, for example, calls to 0800 numbers cost 20p per minute, no matter how many hundreds of inclusive minutes I have left.

So giving brands the ability to zero-rate calls in to them from a mobile is the logical next step in the not-so-gradual move to a mobile-only world. It’s a significant change, and one that will require some consumer education to reassure people that they won’t be charged for the call. But it’s one that brands should welcome with enthusiasm. CRM and customer service have always been, to my mind, a major part of the mobile marketing game. Today’s announcement from MIG makes mobile CRM a whole lot easier for brands to embrace.

Built by MIG, the site also claims to deliver a seamless check out process, providing both credit and debit card payment options and is open to both new and existing users of Clarks.co.uk.

Richard Houlton, director of channels at Clarks, says that the company’s first move into mobile is a response to the fact that its customers are more technologically savvy than ever before.

“Multi-channel retailing is a major focus for Clarks and is essential to give customers the choice they ask for.”

Interactive Retail in Media Group has recently reported that 50% of UK smartphone owners shop via their mobile device, up 30% from June 2010. While the latest stastics from EPiServer state that a third of smartphone owners have used their device to buy a product online – and that a further 26% had bought something online using an app.

Matt Cockett, commercial director at MIG, said that customers’ shopping habits continue to evolve as new technology hits the streets.

“They expect a user friendly mobile experience that enables them to browse, search and purchase more products (both large and small) while out and about or sat at home on their sofa.”

Clarks is the latest in a run of retailers to launch comprehensive mobile solutions to shoppers; last week Comet launched a new comparison and price-checking app, Jaeger made international ordering possible through a transactional mobile site, Asda created a new iPhone app and eBay announced that it expected to see $5bn of sales through mobile for 2011.

Finally we’re seeing brands responding to changing customer behaviours regarding mobile, and tailoring the buying experience to compensate. There’s been a host of mobile-related launches over the past month or so, but when we start seeing stats and sales figures to match, then we’ll see if these strategies have hit the mark.

It is into this environment that popular U.K. shoe retailer C&J Clark International, known as Clarks, has introduced its first mobile commerce site. The merchant, No. 203 in the Internet Retailer Top 300 Europe, hired m-commerce technology provider Mobile Interactive Group to build the site.

“The launch of our transactional mobile commerce site marks Clarks first move into mobile,” says Richard Houlton, director of channels at Clarks. “Multichannel retailing is a major focus for Clarks and it is essential to give our customers choice. Our customers are more technology-savvy than ever before.”

A shopper accesses the m-commerce site by typing the standard URL, Clarks.co.uk, into her mobile web browser. Clarks automatically redirects the shopper to the mobile site.

Clarks features a store locator and a shopping basket atop the m-commerce site home page. They are followed by a site search box, which most retailers feature prominently as site search is a key to m-commerce because mobile shoppers typically know what they are looking for, mobile experts say. Below the site search box is a large space for promotions, which is followed by a list of shoe types, such as women’s, men’s, kids and sports.

At the bottom of the home page are text links for such options as logging in to a Clarks account, customer support, bookmarking the site and switching to shop the standard e-commerce site.

http://www.internetretailer.com/2011/12/05/uk-shoe-retailer-steps-mobile-commerce

The site, built by Mobile Interactive Group, enables shoppers to browse and purchase Clarks’ entire range of shoes. It also has a store locator feature.

The site can be accessed through mobile browsers. Clarks plans to introduce native apps for operating systems including iOS and Android in the future.

Richard Houlton, director of channels of Clarks, said: “Multi-channel retailing is a major focus for Clarks and it is essential to give our customers choice. Our customers are more technology savvy than ever before.”

Clarks is looking to broaden the appeal of its brand, and in particular target younger men. To this end it recently launched a catwalk-inspired range of mens shoes.

http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/1107608/Clarks-makes-first-foray-m-commerce/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH

MIG began work for MoneySupermarket.com on a consultancy basis in early 2011, and has completed ‘Mobile Communications’, ‘Mobile Internet’, and ‘Mobile Internet and App Experience’ phases.

The final phase went live on 18 November, and saw the launch of a motor insurance quoting app for the iPhone. The app enables customers looking to renew their policy to obtain a full quote across MoneySupermarket.com products.

The mobile web experience also received an upgrade, with a ‘complex edit’ feature that allows customers to make multiple amends to a quote.

The Mobile Communications phase of MIG’s consultancy was completed in September, and revamped MoneySupermarket.com’s customer communication emails to be optimised for mobile. The Mobile Internet phase added a ‘Concierge Service’ to the MoneySupermarket.com website, inviting upgrades and ensuring quotes are up to date. It was built on MIG’s mVoy Publish mobile technology platform, and went live on 27 October.

Julie Fisher, head of home insurance and home services at MoneySupermarket.com says: “Mobile commerce is becoming increasingly important for every business. Our project with MIG gives our customers the opportunity to create, retrieve and alter motor insurance quotes, plus either phone or link through to insurance providers to complete their payment journey. The three phase approach we’ve adopted incorporates optimising email communications for mobile, launching a mobile internet experience and an app to ensure a fully integrated mobile experience.”

David Balko, client services director at MIG, says: “This has been a really great and collaborative project which has pulled on all of MIG’s strategic, creative and technological expertise. The app utilises all of the Apple functionality, combines great designs and has grouped key customer questions together into groups, to turn what was once a complicated solution into something that is simple, easy and effective for all MoneySupermarket customers to use.”

http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.com/content/mig-powers-moneysupermarketcom-mobile-overhaul

According to reports, the deal is broken down into an initial fee of $25m, plus further installments to be paid over the next two years. The installments could reach $34m, depending on MIG’s performance.

Velti moved for MIG after seeing the company record more than $20m of net revenues in 2010, and achieve gross billings in excess of $100m.

Already established as the world’s leading mobile marketing and advertising technology specialist, Velti hopes to benefit from MIG’s existing partnerships with global leaders such as Skype and Facebook, and its presence in 44 countries.

Alex Moukas, CEO of Velti, said: “The acquisition of MIG combined with the resources of Velti, creates a strong resource for brands, mobile operators and media companies around the world.

“This acquisition also solidifies our leadership in mobile marketing, a $16 billion category that many predict will nearly double to $30 billion in the next few years. We’re definitely well positioned to take a healthy share of this market and bring unique scale and depth to our partners around the world.”

The deal is another major milestone for MIG founder Barry Houlihan, who was named Golden Gun at this year’s Young Guns awards, organised by Growing Business.

“The complementary strategic capabilities, geographic footprint and innovative customer solutions of our two companies creates a global mobile marketing powerhouse,” said Houlihan, CEO and founder of MIG. “Velti will drive significant economies of scale and innovation for our existing customers.”

http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/velti-acquires-mobile-interactive-group-in-59m-deal.html

UK-based MIG offers mobile marketing, mobile commerce and mobile billing services in 44 countries and has operations in the UK, US, Netherlands, Belgium and Australia. It made $20m in revenue in 2010.

The company’s technology platform is used by more than 300 companies including Skype, Vodafone, O2, PepsiCo, ITV, FIVE, Fremantle, BBC, Sony, Barclaycard, Marks & Spencer and NewLook.

It also provides mobile interactive services for several broadcasters in Europe, including ITV, and Asia Pacific.

Velti will pay a minimum consideration of $25m and further payments of a maximum $34m depending on MIG’s performance through to 2013.

MIG’s management will join Velti’s global management teams and will continue to operate the business.

Alex Moukas, chief executive of Velti, said: “This acquisition solidifies our leadership in mobile marketing, a $16 billion category that many predict will nearly double to $30 billion in the next few years.

“We’re definitely well positioned to take a healthy share of this market and bring unique scale and depth to our partners around the world.”

Barry Houlihan, chief executive and founder of MIG, said: “The complementary strategic capabilities, geographic footprint and innovative customer solutions of our two companies creates a global mobile marketing powerhouse.”

MIG’s acquisition comes two months after it bought micro-payments company Zaypay and also bought full control of digital technology agency Digital Jigsaw.

http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1104362/Mobile-Interactive-Group-acquired-Velti-59m/

MIG offers mobile marketing, mobile commerce and mobile billing services in 44 countries and has operations in the UK, US, Netherlands, Belgium and Australia. The company’s technology platform is used by more than 300 enterprise customers including Skype, Vodafone, O2, PepsiCo, ITV, FIVE, Fremantle, BBC, Sony, Barclaycard, Marks & Spencer and NewLook. MIG’s mobile interactive technology is used by broadcasters in Europe and Asia Pacific for real-time social media interactions through the mobile platform.

MIG saw more then $100 million in gross billings and more than $20 million in net revenues in 2010. The company also recently bought mobile payments startup ZayPay.

Velti, which is a public company on the NASDAQ under the symbol VELT, offers a SaaS technology platform that allows agencies and brands to plan, manage, and optimize mobile advertising and marketing campaigns in real time.

The news that Topshop is launching a mobile-optimised website will have many other retailers looking at their mobile strategies. But how important is this channel and how can retailers ensure they get it right?

Matt Cockett, commercial director for mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group, believes many retailers are lagging behind consumer demand when it comes to m-commerce. “Retailers only need to look at their statistics to see consumers are viewing their site on a mobile. If they are not letting them buy, not only are they missing a sales opportunity but they are also in danger of annoying their customer and therefore damaging the brand’s reputation,” he says.

Colin McCaffery, product and technology director at mobile technology and marketing company 2ergo, agrees. He says: “A YouGov survey that 2ergo commissioned recently shows less than a quarter of high street retailers are harnessing the power of mobile, despite consumers being increasingly comfortable with purchasing via their mobile.

“This is quite worrying when you think about the latest ComScore stats that show a 56% growth in smartphone ownership in the UK over the past year and a 163% increase in UK smartphone users accessing online retail sites.”

A report by mobile research company MobileSquared has shown there are 21 million m-commerce users in the UK and this audience is set to grow. Specific marketing for mobile with tools such as QR codes will tell customers that a brand is embracing new technology and give them a multichannel experience.

And innovation is still key. “The mobile platform still offers huge scope for innovation, which can purely be about driving sales or engaging with your audience at a key point – for example, when they are stood in a store looking at a product and deciding whether to buy elsewhere or do comparison checks online for a better price,” says McCaffery.

M-commerce is another channel for retailers to reach customers. Effective planning, taking into consideration who the audience is and how they use their mobile, can drive engagement as well as sales.

Matt Cockett’s top tips

1. Don’t rush it. Before launching a mobile-optimised site, be sure to have a full understanding of your customers, how often they are accessing your site on a mobile and what they are trying to achieve.

2. Take time to build a dedicated mobile journey for the customer. Don’t just replicate the website.

3. Where possible, integrate the mobile channel with all other systems to ensure the customer is seen as one customer across all channels. This will make them feel more secure when shopping with the brand on a mobile.

4. Put in place a one-click-to-buy solution. Customers are much more likely to abandon their shopping journey on a mobile if they have to go through multiple steps to buy.

5. Once an optimised site is launched, consider building apps to complement the site and drive traffic to it.

New Look launched a new app for iPhone and iPod touch that offers fashion and lifestyle content, special offers and bar code scanning. It joins the retailer’s mobile site, which was introduced earlier this year and has produced strong results. The app is available for free download in Apple’s App Store.

“The application is an opportunity to enhance the experience for iPhone users to give additional functionality namely in the form of a bar code scanner to give users more information in-store around stock,” said David Balko, client services director at Mobile Interactive Group, London.

“Overall, this is about a more personal content led experience,” he said.

“Mobile provides additional sales and the ability to create experiences that enhance the overall shopping experience and the ability to give customers a stronger, more powerful bond to brands.”

New Look has 613 stores in Britain and Ireland, a transactional Web site and 305 Mim stores in France. There are also 27 New Look stores in France and Belgium as well as franchise stores in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Daily fashion alert
The New Look app and mobile site were developed by Mobile Interactive Group.

Since its introduction earlier this year, sales through New Look’s mobile site are up 500 percent and site visits are ahead by 800 percent.

The app complements the mobile site by combining the strengths of an optimized mobile site with the impact of an application to enhance the customer experience.

It also provides a bridge to the New Look mobile commerce-enabled site.

Content includes a daily fashion alert called New Look Daily that offers users magazine-style experience featuring fashion advice and information.

The app also features exclusive offers which users can share via Facebook and Twitter.

Users can take advantage of the app’s bar code scanner once they are in a store to access more information about products. Users can check whether items are available in a specific size or color by connecting to the New Look mobile commerce site, which opens within the application.

Additionally, there is a store-locater feature to help customers find the nearest shop.

The application will be promoted in-store, through the App Store and on Web and mobile content.

“We believe the app gives New Look customers a unique ability to browse the entire product ranges, see content from all of the New Look feeds as well as the ability to learn more about products in-store using the bar code scanner,” Mr. Balko said.

http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/2011/10/06/new-look-builds-on-mobile-site-success-with-an-app

New Look has followed the debut of its transactional m-commerce site with the launch of its first iPhone app, which has also been designed for use in-store.

The app is free to download, contains fashion advice and downloads and directs users to New Look’s m-commerce site.

The retailer’s app also uses GPS to direct users towards the nearest New Look store and also has a barcode scanner to point users to more information on the products, such as other items in the range or availability in plus-size clothing.

Dom McBrien, New Look’s multi-channel director, said, “The ability to combine the latest trend information with ability to scan in-store barcodes and order through your mobile takes us another step closer to our vision of providing an exemplary multi-channel customer experience.”

The retailer paired with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) for the app, which it also used to launch its m-commerce site (nma.co.uk 5 April 2011).   

http://www.nma.co.uk/news/new-look-debuts-on-apple-app-store/3030641.article

The three months since launch in April 2011 have seen the fully transactional mobile site, which displays New Look’s full product range, already far exceed key performance indicators with conversions at times outstripping internet transactions.

Dom McBrien, Multi-Channel Director, New Look said: “We’ve seen some incredible results since going live with our mobile internet site in April, totally exceeding initial KPI’s. Plus we have more plans in place over the coming months to ensure we are providing an outstanding multi-channel customer experience.

We’ve utilised the latest technology to create a feature-rich mobile shopping experience that offers our customers an easy and convenient way to shop whenever they choose. Features such as the fast ‘One Click’ purchasing and engaging browse, zoom and view functionality deliver a seamless and rewarding user experience, which since launch has seen the mobile conversion rate double.”

Matt Cockett, commercial director, Mobile Interactive Group, which built the site. adds: “The past 12 months have seen m-commerce move to being a central strategy for all major retailers. We are particularly proud of the design and build for New Look as it perfectly demonstrates how far we can push the possibilities of the mobile internet, transactions, and social media and also work with the native device features, like mapping and location, to deliver an amazing user experience and deep user engagement.”

MIG worked extensively on the usability of the site to reduce the user journey from enquiry to product to check-out, developing a ‘One Click’ purchase option for registered users. Non registered shoppers are also able to browse the site and make one-off purchases.

The company also pushed deep in to the functionality enabled by HTML5 to deliver product zooming and spinning, the ability to browse products in one, two or three column formats, seamless viewing with accordion navigation to reduce page refreshes and a single consumer shopping basket between the website and the mobile site. In addition, the site gives users the option to locate their nearest store and use social networking to share products via Facebook, Twitter and also email.

http://www.internetretailing.net/2011/09/new-look-drives-up-m-commerce-sales-by-more-than-500/

Fashion retailer New Look has revealed surging sales through its m-commerce site.

New Look disclosed that since the relaunch of its mobile site in April sales have climbed by 45% and orders by 60%.

Year-on-year revenues rocketed 500% and site visits were ahead 800%.

New Look multichannel director Dom McBrien said: “We’ve seen some incredible results since going live with our mobile internet site in April, totally exceeding initial KPI’s.  

“Plus we have more plans in place over the coming months to ensure we are providing an outstanding multi-channel customer experience.”

He said that features such as one-click purchasing and a “feature-rich mobile shopping experience” were among contributors to the site’s success.

The site was built by Mobile Interactive Group (MIG). Matt Cockett, MIG commercial director, said: “We are particularly proud of the design and build for New Look as it perfectly demonstrates how far we can push the possibilities of the mobile internet, transactions, and social media and also work with the native device features, like mapping and location, to deliver an amazing user experience and deep user engagement.”

New Look saw orders from mobile users increase by 60% in the three months to July.The results came after the high street fashion retailer paired with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) to launch its first m-commerce site in April (nma.co.uk 5 April 2011).

Since then, revenue generated by mobile users visiting New Look’s web properties increased 45%, with the number of mobile users visiting its site having increased 800% during the year to July.

New Look took the decision in anticipation of smartphone website user overtaking those using a PC this year. Dom McBrien, New Look’s multi-channel director, said the results exceeded initial expectations.

“We have more plans in place over the coming months to ensure we are providing an outstanding multi-channel customer experience,” he added.

Matt Cockett, MIG’s commercial director, said the m-commerce site’s capabilities, such as HTML5 graphics and “one-click purchasing” function, helped drive usage and engagement.

New Look also partnered with Responsys to drive traffic to its m-commerce site by targeting users who open their emails on their smartphones in a campaign that generated a 300% increase in click-through rates (nma.co.uk 26 August 2011).

Earlier this year, the Direct Marketing Association released research indicating that retailers were generally behind consumer demand for m-commerce.

One study, of over 3,900 consumers, indicated that 82% of respondents wanted to buy products via their mobiles. However, a concurrent poll of over 1,600 retailers showed that only 42% had a defined m-commerce strategy in place (nma.co.uk 2 June 2011).

http://www.nma.co.uk/new-looks-mobile-sales-spike-60/3030240.article

Zaypay enables third-party developers to process international micropayments through SMS, phone calls, in-app and other alternative payment methods. ZayPay was founded by Dutch entrepreneur Adriaan Mol (27) in 2006 and is currently operational in 44 countries.

Says Mobile Interactive Group CEO and founder, Barry Houlihan:

“MIG’s vision for Zaypay is to build a one-stop shop for online and mobile monetisation solutions to merchants, online billing providers and developers globally.”

In June 2010, MIG acquired mobile marketing and CRM provider Piri Limited and, in February 2011, they announced the acquisition of mobile technology, services and marketing company Golden Bytes International.

The acquisition of Zaypay closed in August 2011.

Zaypay enables third-party developers to process international micropayments through SMS, phone calls, in-app and other alternative payment methods. ZayPay was founded by Dutch entrepreneur Adriaan Mol (27) in 2006 and is currently operational in 44 countries.

Says Mobile Interactive Group CEO and founder, Barry Houlihan:

“MIG’s vision for Zaypay is to build a one-stop shop for online and mobile monetisation solutions to merchants, online billing providers and developers globally.”

In June 2010, MIG acquired mobile marketing and CRM provider Piri Limited and, in February 2011, they announced the acquisition of mobile technology, services and marketing company Golden Bytes International.

The acquisition of Zaypay closed in August 2011.

—Zaypay (payment): The diversified mobile agency Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) is buying Netherlands-based, developer-focused micropayment facilitator ZayPay, which processes micropayments through SMS, phone calls and in apps, to create “a one-stop shop for online and mobile monetisation solutions”. It will continue operating as a standalone unit.

http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-ma-round-up-zaypay-wallaby-49games-jigocity-get-snapped-up/

Working with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), the channel will be the first broadcaster to use the company’s Facebook voting platform mVoy Engage, which allows viewers to vote using Facebook Credits.

The mVoy Engage platform lets viewers cast votes in real time, alongside traditional interactive voting methods, and is also integrated with the official Big Brother UK iPhone and Android apps.

The Facebook app launches next year to accompany the 2012 Big Brother series.

According to Rob Weisz, commercial director at MIG, the move represents a “major development in the broadcast interactive space” and “a watershed announcement for this industry”.

“It is widely acknowledged that viewers are moving to multi-channel experiences when watching traditional shows,” he says. “We strongly believe this will allow global broadcasters and production companies a seamless way to monetise their audiences, whilst creating a deeply social experience within the show format and on the second screen. It is unlike anything this industry has seen before but defines exactly where interactive television is going.”

The broadcaster has already launched its Facebook page dedicated to the show, which has notched up 68,266 fans but without the voting mechanism.

Earlier this summer Channel 5 revealed its plans to use the social network’s Credits payment system for voting for the reality entertainment show, along with a series of other interactive mobile voting apps.

It has been working with show producer Endemol, Facebook, Mobile Interactive Group, and developer iPlatform to develop the apps.

Although the broadcaster has not confirmed a specific date for the launch, marketing Week sister title new media age understands it is poised to launch the Facebook voting in the next week, in time for the regular series of Big Brother.

The move will mean viewers of the show can vote for the contestants they want to leave the Big Brother house using Facebook’s Credits payment system.

Channel 5 is the first UK broadcaster to use Facebook Credits for a show, although ITV has revealed it is also exploring the potential to use the currency for voting across several of its own show brands.

Meanwhile BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has launched a rental system for shows Doctor Who and Top Gear using the social network’s Credits payment system.

This story first appeared on New Media Age. For more digital stories and analysis’ from NMA click here now

MIG will develop the Skype global mobile website and it will operate across MIG’s mobile platform mVoy Publish. The service will detect a users handset and location in order to provide them with relevant downloads, product information and support services, along with similar content to the online offering, Skype.com.

“For many Skype users, their first experience of Skype will be on their mobile phone, so it was important that we give them a mobile browsing experience that helps them make the download process smooth and easy,” said Skype director for product marketing Linda Summers. “We chose to partner with MIG because of their experience in working with leading brands on delivering high impact mobile experiences.”

Other MIG clients include O2, Vodafone, Sony Playstation, Nokia and Samsung.

Jenni Baker, London

http://www.mandmglobal.com/news/10-08-11/skype-agrees-global-partnership-with-mig.aspx

The new mobile site will be an important tool for Skype’s mobile customers as it gears up to deliver a compelling mass market mobile web experience to Skype’s global customer base that detects the users device to ensure the correct site is served and providing a seamless path for customers to download the Skype application for their mobile, enabling access to content, product information and support if required.

The site will also support Skype’s global customer base in local languages and provides an integrated, easy to use, rich mobile web user experience to Skype’s 170 million connected users worldwide.

Initially the partnership will see MIG develop a full service mobile internet site that will detect the user’s handset and territory and provide them with a tailored user experience with relevant downloads, product information and support services. Users will be able to access similar and relevant content to that available on Skype.com.

Linda Summers, director of product marketing for Skype explains: “For many Skype users, their first experience of Skype will be on their mobile phone, so it was important that we give them a mobile browsing experience that helps them make the download process smooth and easy, and ultimately enhances their overall Skype experience. We choose to partner with MIG because of their experience in working with leading brands on delivering high impact mobile experiences.”

Matt Cockett, commercial director, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) adds: “We understand Skype’s objectives, to grow their mobile base significantly over the next few years and their need to capitalise on the number of consumers wishing to access Skype via their mobile device. As those customers come in it is up to us to ensure they get the best user experience and convert into a new or become a more loyal existing user. In conjunction with MIG’s platform technology, we will be drawing on our vast knowledge in mobile centric user experience (UX) and design to deliver the ultimate mobile experience to Skype’s global customer base.”

Skype is one of the fastest adopted technologies in history, saving time and money in connecting business colleagues, friends and families. Skype is continually partnering with mobile carriers and the world’s leading handset manufacturers around the world to broaden their offering.

http://www.internetretailing.net/2011/08/skype-partners-with-mig-to-create-commerce-ready-mobile-website/

The research includes technological and behavioural insights into the P-TV value chain, from the types of devices that consumers use to interact with TV shows (tablet, internet, mobile, apps, SMS and fixed line); how they multi-task with them while watching TV; and over which payment channels they prefer to take part in participation services, such as voting and competitions.

The report also interrogates mash-ups between established social media channels, in particular Twitter and Facebook, with TV and interactivity, and concludes that there is an emerging and potent P-TV model based on interactivity driven through social media, which MIG dubs ‘Social Participation TV’.

The research reveals that mobile will become the main vehicle for interaction between viewer and broadcaster, saying that 40 per cent of mobile users are most likely to be multi-tasking using their phone while watching the TV.

Smartphone adoption will drive TV and mobile multi-tasking in the UK and US, creating a more engaged audience, and significantly increasing programme interaction. MIG points out that the majority of multi-tasking occurs during the evenings and weekends during peak TV times, when online browsing declines and mobile browsing grows.

MIG believes that Facebook will drive a shift in interactive audience behaviour, away from phone calls and text, with these channels becoming peripheral in the long term. The company points out that Facebook mobile now accounts for 50 per cent of its 700m users globally. 67 per cent of all respondents indicated that the internet is the ideal way to interact with TV shows, with 50 per cent of those indicating that Facebook would be their preferred channel to purchase and use participation TV services such as voting. The report notes also that interactive events via Facebook are expected to generate $51.7m (£32m) in the UK by 2012, and $2.9bn globally by 2016.

MIG’s research into the Social Participation TV sector incorporated qualitative and quantitative insights from The IAB, PhonePay Plus and Adfonic, and also drew conclusions from interviews conducted with 3,000 consumers in the UK.
MIG CEO Barry Houlihan says: “Social participation TV is a huge opportunity for MIG and our broadcast partners, with mobile featuring as the key enabler and engagement tool. The mobile device is ingrained in our daily lives, and is rapidly becoming a core component in the ability to create an interaction between the viewer and the TV. As a medium, TV continues to be the biggest and best in terms of attracting a large audience; and mass P-TV shows like Big Brother remain the cornerstone for broadcasters in terms of interaction and entertainment, whilst also opening new revenue channels.”

MIG’s mVoy platform enables brands to interact, engage and communicate with consumers via mobile. mVoy Engage provides media, broadcast entertainment companies with a toolset to power social interactive formats and services to viewers.

http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/content/mig-whitepaper-explores-social-participation-tv

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/mobile-to-drive-participation-tv-market-worldwide-study

A new white paper from Mobile Interactive Group says the process is well under way, with interactive events via Facebook expected to generate $51.7m (£32.04m) in the UK by 2012.

The research analyses the technological and behavioural drivers behind what MIG christens ‘Social Participation TV’ – examining how people are using tablet, internet, mobile, apps, SMS and fixed line to enhance their viewing.

It also looks at which payment channels they prefer to purchase participation services such as voting and competitions.

Key research findings include:
 
* Mobile will become the main vehicle for interaction between viewer and broadcaster
* 40 per cent of mobile users are most likely to be multi-tasking using their phone while watching the TV
* Smartphone adoption will drive TV and mobile multi-tasking in UK and US
* The majority of multi-tasking occurs during the evenings and weekends during peak TV times when online browsing declines and mobile browsing grows
* Facebook will drive a shift in interactive audience behaviour away from phone calls and text with these channels becoming peripheral in the long term
* 67 per cent of respondents said the internet is the ideal way to interact with TV shows, with half of them adding that Facebook would be their preferred channel to purchase and use participation TV services such as voting.

Barry Houlihan, CEO of MIG, said: “Social participation TV is a huge opportunity for MIG and our broadcast partners, with mobile featuring as the key enabler and engagement tool.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/social-participation-tv-to-gross-2-9bn-by-2016/014947

The full service mobile agency, which closed a deal with Endemol and Channel 5 to launch mobile voting for Big Brother earlier this month, expects to seal similar deals by the close of the year.

Barry Houlihan, MIG’s CEO, told new media age the company was in “further talks with broadcasters internationally” and that MIG “expected to announce deals outside of the UK in the next few months.”

However, he was unable to disclose further details as to which production companies or broadcasters he was in negotiations with.  

At the start of the month new media age revealed that MIG and Endemol were working to develop a Facebook app that lets viewers vote on Big Brother using the social network’s Credits payment system (nma.co.uk 5 July 2011). The app means that Big Brother viewers will be able to purchase votes using Facebook Credits to use on either their laptops or smartphones during the upcoming series.

News of the planned roll out comes as MIG released research indicating that 40% of all UK mobile users now use their phones while watching TV, or ‘multi-screening’, particularly for interactive TV shows.

The research of over 3,000 UK consumers also revealed that 67% of all respondents indicated that the internet was their preferred method of interacting with TV shows.

Meanwhile, a third of all participants indicated that Facebook would be their preferred channel to purchase and use participation TV services.

The survey, compiled over the last three months, found that that multi-screening peaks during the weekends and evenings, when online browsing typically dips.

Multi-screening is being driven by the increased shipments in smartphone handsets as well as the emerging tablet sector, driven chiefly by the launch of the iPad, according to Houlihan

http://www.nma.co.uk/mig-moves-to-further-mobile-facebook-voting/3028525.article

In a white paper on the trends and opportunities in participation TV (P-TV) services, MIG believes that it has uncovered key technological and behavioural insights in to the entire P-TV value chain.

These include the finding that mobile will become the main vehicle for interaction between viewer and broadcaster, with 40% of mobile users saying that they are most likely to be multi-tasking using their phone while watching the TV.

MIG adds that smartphone adoption will drive TV and mobile multi-tasking in UK and US, creating a more engaged audience, and significantly increasing programme interaction.

Perhaps rather more significantly, it predicts that Facebook will drive a shift in interactive audience behaviour away from phone calls and text with these channels becoming peripheral in the long term. MIG says that interactive events via Facebook are expected to generate $51.7 million (£32.04 million) in the UK by 2012 and $2.9 billion globally by 2016.

Commented Barry Houlihan, CEO, Mobile Interactive Group: “Social participation TV is a huge opportunity for MIG and our broadcast partners, with mobile featuring as the key enabler and engagement tool. The mobile device is ingrained in our daily lives, and is rapidly becoming a core component in the ability to create an interaction between the viewer and the TV. As a medium, TV continues to be the biggest and best in terms of attracting a large audience; and mass P-TV shows like Big Brother remain the cornerstone for broadcasters in terms of interaction and entertainment, whilst also opening new revenue channels.”

http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2011071913740/social-participation-tv-s-p-tv-to-generate-29-bn-by-2016.html

According to researchers at the Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a growing “Social Participation TV” trend means that 40% of mobile users already “multi-task” - using their phone while watching TV.

Interactive events conducted via Facebook are also predicted by MIG to generate £32 million (€36 million, $52 million) in the UK by 2012.

Already, Facebook mobile accounts for some 350 million users globally. By 2016, this should equate to revenues of £1.8 billion (€2.05 billion, $2.9 billion) worldwide, MIG indicated.

More generally, the white paper suggested that growing smartphone adoption will increase “mobile multi-tasking” in the UK and US, and that mobile behaviour will trend towards interacting with social media rather than calling and texting.

At weekends and in the evenings during peak TV scheduling periods mobile activity tends to increase at the expense of online browsing. 

Barry Houlihan, MIG CEO, said: “The mobile device is ingrained in our daily lives, and is rapidly becoming a core component in the ability to create an interaction between the viewer and the TV.”

http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/TV_becoming_more_social.news?ID=28565

The news was confirmed by digital director James Tatam, who said that Channel 5 and Endemol are instead working with mobile company Mobile Interactive Group on a Facebook application that delivers extra video content, news from the house and the ability to vote housemates off the show online.

Speaking on the move from 24-hour TV to Facebook highlights, Tatam said: ‘It has become clear over the last year that social media sits side by side with watching TV, more so than traditional websites ever have.’

Channel 5 is also hoping to ‘extend the use of the platform beyond video content’ with a Big Brother Twitter feed and mobile and iPad apps making use of its catch-up service Demand 5.

The new online eviction voting system will, according to New Media Age, see viewers use Facebook Credits to vote – which everyone uses… right?

Celebrity Big Brother will air on Channel 5 in August; the original format will follow it in September.

http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/868385-big-brother-24-hour-live-feed-scrapped-in-favour-of-facebook-app

Channel 5 and producer Endemol are instead working closely with mobile agency Mobile Interactive Group on a Facebook app that will have real-time news, extra video content and the ability to vote out housemates online.

Fans will be able to eliminate contestants using Facebook Credits, according to New Media Age.

Tatam apparently confirmed in the interview that plans for a 24-hour live feed have been shelved in place of a stream of video highlights on the Facebook page.

“It has become clear over the last year that social media sits side by side with watching TV, more so than traditional websites ever have,” said Tatam.

Channel 5 is also in talks with YouTube “to extend the use of the platform beyond video content” and has launched a Big Brother Twitter feed. It also hopes to have mobile apps and an iPad app for catch-up player Demand 5 ready for the show’s launch in six weeks’ time.

Channel 4 axed the show’s 24-hour live feed in 2009, but following a drop in ratings and complaints from fans, reinstalled it for the finale series last year.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s149/big-brother/news/a328338/big-brother-live-feed-replaced-with-facebook-app.html

The broadcaster, which picked up the reality format from rival Channel 4 earlier this year, is working with the show’s prodco, Endemol, and mobile agency Mobile Interactive Group on the project.

Viewers will be able to vote off Big Brother contestants using the Facebook on-site currency system, Facebook Credits.

This will be the first time a UK broadcaster has made such an agreement with Facebook and follows a similar deal struck between Endemol and Facebook for the German version of Big Brother earlier this month.

Last month, Fox said it would use the site for its show So You Think You Can Dance, after trialling Facebook voting on the latest season of American Idol, which notched up record voting figures.

C5 has already worked with Facebook on several projects. In 2010, it embedded its VoD player, Demand 5, on the site, bringing its returning series and soaps to the social network.

The broadcaster will also include video footage on its Facebook page when the show returns to UK screens in August, kicking off with a celebrity version.

http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=89&article=61567

The broadcaster is working with show producer Endemol, Facebook and mobile agency Mobile Interactive Group to develop a Facebook app that lets viewers vote for the contestants they want to leave the Big Brother house, using the social network’s Credits payment system.

Viewers can purchase votes using Facebook Credits to use on either their laptops or smartphones. Channel 5, which bought the rights to broadcast Big Brother after ten years at Channel 4, is yet to determine pricing.

Channel 5 digital director James Tatam told new media age that Facebook voting represents only part of the overall social media and digital strategy for the show, which will include video footage on the show’s Facebook page, along with real-time news and video updates.

Previously it had mooted providing live 24-hour streaming via its website, but Tatam said it has shelved this idea in favour of a constant stream of video highlights, which will be available on both the main website and Facebook.

“We want a lot of the content to be on Facebook. Putting real-time news and video updates alongside the ability to vote should be really powerful,” he said.

Facebook won’t be the only voting mechanism, according to Tatam, but will be one of several on devices yet to be confirmed. It’s also in talks with YouTube to extend the use of the platform beyond video content for Big Brother. It has also launched its first Big Brother Twitter feed.

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/sectors/media/television/channel-5-pioneers-facebook-voting-for-big-brother/3028107.article

JustTextGiving is a pretty big deal. It will enable any charity or individual on any mobile network to raise money using SMS as a donation mechanic. 

Mobile Interactive Group helped develop the service, which sets up a unique shortcode – the Vodafone Individual Code (VIC) – to allow fundraisers to receive donations of £1 to £5 and £10.

All donations are underpinned by MIG’s payments gateway, which is connected to every UK mobile network and has already powered high profile projects like Comic Relief.

Significantly, all of the money goes to charity; there’s no transaction fee.

This has been made possible by Vodafone’s subsidy of the service – part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

https://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/mig-to-power-vodafone-s-justtextgiving#after-ad

The UK’s struggling charity sector gets a fillip from the launch of the first system allowing the UK’s 50 million mobile phone owners to give money to charity, free of charge, by text message.

The mobile phone operator Vodafone and the online donation service JustGiving have joined forces to unlock the power of the text message for Britain’s 184,000 charities, with 100% of the funds raised going to the charitable cause.

With just a few taps on their mobile phone, donors are able to give up to £10 a time to any of the charities registered with the scheme. The launch of JustTextGiving comes at a critical time for the charitable sector, which faces the double whammy of funding cuts and a squeeze on disposable income.

The thinktank ResPublica estimates that text donations could be worth £96m annually by 2014. However, substantial set-up costs have previously meant only the very largest charities were able to use text fundraising, with 72% of charities saying the cost of setting up the service was a key barrier.

Gifts will automatically be distributed to the chosen charity and the money is either added to the donor’s monthly mobile bill or deducted from their pay-as-you-go balance. The service will work with any network, not just Vodafone. Registered charities can set up their codes from Monday and individual fundraisers from June. There are no set up or running costs for charities, no network charges for people making donations and every penny raised goes to charity.

Vodafone chief executive Guy Laurence said: “JustTextGiving by Vodafone is speedy, simple, and spontaneous. About 50 million people carry a mobile so the potential for charities and individuals to raise additional money is very real and exciting. Whether you’re watching a friend run 5km or you’re at your kid’s school concert, you will now be able to give on the spot.”

Anne-Marie Huby, managing director of JustGiving, said: “Major events like Comic Relief and Children in Need have led the way in demonstrating the potential of text giving and we’re delighted to now open up this income stream to all charities, big and small.”

The Anthony Nolan Trust has already registered its code, which is SPIT10 – based on the need for a saliva test as an initial check on bone marrow compatibility. Text giving is of particular interest to them: young men provide the best bone marrow but are one of the toughest audiences to engage.

Louise Richards, director of policy and campaigns at the Institute of Fundraising, said: “As the UK’s first free text donation service, JustTextGiving has the power to transform fundraising. By making cost free text donations accessible to charities of all sizes, it opens up the potential of this vital donation channel in a way that has never been seen before.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/may/09/vodafone-charities-donations-justgiving

MIG has played an integral part in developing the service, which includes delivering a simple personalised unique identifier and shortcode to anyone that wishes to set up donations via JustTextGiving by Vodafone. Called a Vodafone Individual Code (VIC) the keyword and shortcode system allows fundraisers to receive donations of £1, £5 and £10. 

All donations are underpinned by MIG’s award-winning mobile payments gateway, which is connected to every UK mobile network and capable of processing massive volumes of payment traffic.

MIG has a long track record of working with charities to provide mobile donation mechanics including Sport Relief (2010) and Comic Relief (2009 and 2011), which recently saw the comapny enable the public to donate a record £15.1m for Red Nose Day via  text donations, with MIG’s platform processing more than 4.3m transactions.

“This year, Comic Relief raised an incredible £74.3m, of which £15.2m (just over 20 per cent) was donated via text donations, clearly demonstrating a huge appetite for the public to be able to donate via their mobile device,” notes MIG CEO, Barry Houlihan. “The launch of JustTextGiving by Vodafone marks a massive step forward for the third sector. MIG’s technology will be seamlessly processing all of the mobile payment traffic for the service and making sure that 100 per cent of the money raised goes to the right cause, whether that is an individual fundraiser or established charity.”    

http://mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/content/mig-powers-justtextgiving-vodafone-charity-solution

Mobile giving was faciliated by Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), which has helped Comic Relief with text mobile donations in 2009 for Red Nose Day and in 2010 for Sport Relief.

This year was the first time that individuals could donate £10 by text. Viewers of the live Night of Comic Relief, which aired on BBC One on Friday 18 March, were invited to text YES to 70010.

Radha Chakraborty, Operations Director at Comic Relief said: “Text donations make up nearly 20% of the total raised so far and we extend our heartfelt thanks once again to the British public for their continuing support and generosity.”

Text donations were a feature of many aspects of the Red Nose Day campaign. For example, listeners to Radio One, inspired by the BT Red Nose Desert Trek by presenter Chris Moyles and other celebrities, were invited to donate £1 by texting the keyword ‘DESERT’ to 70011. A documentary about the desert trek was broadcast on BBC One in the run up to Red Nose Day and viewers were invited to text to donate £5.

The UK’s first 24 hour panel show, hosted by David Walliams on 5 March, also included a call to donate £5 by texting the keyword ‘FIVER’ to 70005.

The documentary ‘Famous, Rich and in the Slums’, which was broadcast on 3 and 10 March on BBC One and featured Lenny Henry and three other celebrities experiencing life in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum, had a text to donate element. Viewers were asked to text HELP to 70005 to donate £5 to the charity.

Additionally, Comic Relief created an app, which was free to download, and built a mobile internet site in-house, with MIG providing the text donation mechanic for the £1, £5 and £10 donations.

http://www.fundraising.co.uk/news/2011/05/03/comic-relief-raised-%C2%A3151m-text-donations

Mobile phone users could donate to Comic Relief by pledging £1, £5 or £10 by texting “Yes” to number 70010, organised by Mobile Interactive Group (MIG). Mobile operators waived their usual fees.

Mobile donations accounted for £15.1m of the £74.4m raised so far.

Radha Chakraborty, operations director for Comic Relief, said: “SMS donations provide a valuable channel for us and appeal to a wide audience.”

Earlier that week, those following the trek of a clutch of celebrities across the Kaisut Desert in northern Kenya could donate £1 by texting “DESERT” to 70011, while a third number was set up for viewers to donate £5 for the airing of a documentary about the trek on 18 March.

Further numbers were made available to donate during David Walliams’ 24-hour panel show, and the airing of ‘Famous, Rich and in the Slums’, from Kibera in Kenya, on 3 and 10 March.

MIG and Harvest Media organised mobile, TV, radio, social media and online campaigns to raise awareness of the text numbers.

MIG also developed a Comic Relief mobile app, which had more than 100,000 downloads in the run-up to Red Nose Day, and included the facility to make donations.

http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1067669/Text-messaging-raises-151m-Red-Nose-Day/

2011 marks the third year in a row that Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has been involved with providing the text mobile donation mechanic for Comic and Sport Relief (the events alternate each year). MIG’s platform enables members of the public to donate £1, £5 or £10 to Comic/Sport Relief via mobile.This year, MIG partnered with Harvest Media Group to facilitate the project. Fundraising activity encompassed multiple channels to raise awareness, including mobile, TV, radio, social media, online, and nationwide events. 

To donate £10, viewers of the live Night of Comic Relief, which aired on BBC One on Friday 18 March, were invited to text YES to 70010, marking a first use of the £10 tariff for Red Nose Day.

“SMS donations provide a valuable channel for us and appeal to a wide audience,” says Comic Relief operations director, Radha Chakraborty. “Text donations make up nearly 20 per cent of the total raised so far (we make it 20.4 per cent – Ed) and we extend our heartfelt thanks once again to the British public for their continuing support and generosity. All the money donated will be spent by Comic Relief to transform lives, both in the UK and across Africa.” 

http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/content/text-donations-raise-over-%C2%A315m-red-nose-day

He started with an explanation of Facebook itself, and its focus on ‘real identity‘ – people being themselves rather than anonymous or pseudonyms – and then expanding that into relationships with brands and media.

“Where we came from was a place of identity, and where we’re going is a place where identity travels with you, which is making the web a social place,” said Gallardo, explaining how people can log in to sites with their Facebook identities, complete with data on the TV shows, music and brands that they like (or rather Like).

Facebook currently has 500 million users, but 900 million ‘social objects’ on the platform. “You’ll see a lot of focus from us on building out that open graph database,” he said, before moving on to how people express their passions on the social network.

“When people are watching television they are engaging in passionate experiences. We are being entertained, but we are also getting emotionally involved in that experience,” he said. “So how do you tap into that?”

An example: Glee. “People scream on Facebook every single week around the fact that Glee is coming on, or that they’re watching it, and some crazy stunt happened or song was being sung… People are screaming in unison around Glee, and I can do this for every major TV brand, and it gets repeated.”

The challenge for producers and broadcasters is how to maintain the conversation around shows all through the week, rather than just spikes around individual episodes. Hernandez talked about the BBC’s Top Gear, which is using Facebook heavily as both a marketing and commercial vehicle.

The Facebook page has more than 7.3 million followers worldwide, and is now being used to post video clips of the previous week’s show. “40% of those fans consume a piece of Top Gear content on Facebook every week,” said Hernandez, who added that 30% of the total traffic to the separate Top Gear site comes from Facebook.

Hernandez also talked about Facebook Places – a mobile feature that lets people check in to specific locations in the real world, letting their Facebook friends know where they are. Yesterday, it launched the ability to check in to a “time and place – to an event… think about having a time and place around every single episode of your series,” he said to the MIP attendees.

“You begin to create these hubs where you can take the passionate screaming and bring them together, because you realise that ten of your friends are watching Top Gear at the same time… We’ve talked to broadcasters about putting their whole EPG as events on Facebook, and letting people RSVP to them to get a reminder.”

He also said that Facebook sees itself as “a complement not a substitute” to traditional TV. Hernandez also talked about UK game show Million Pound Drop and its Facebook playalong game, which has been regularly praised at MIP this week, for getting more than 8% of its TV viewers playing online as the show airs.

“I’d love to see more examples of people building these experiences where you support what you’re doing on air with what you’re doing on PC, so people don’t browse elsewhere.”

American Idol has just launched Facebook voting too, but it is too early to give stats on how it has performed. Hernandez also said that the Facebook Credits currency can tie into this kind of feature. Facebook is working with mobile payments company MIG on a system that lets TV brands charge viewers to vote using Facebook credits – their joint platform was announced on Monday at MIPTV.

“If I’d talked to you last year I would only have talked to you about traffic and engagement, but this year I can talk to you about new monetisation methods too,” he said, before moving on to Hollywood Studio Warner Bros’ recent launch of streaming rental movies on Facebook. Warner Bros worked with US startup Milyoni on the launch.

“They put Dark Knight on Facebook, and to watch the movie you have to buy it with credits. Apparently the test went well, because they have now announced five more movies,” he said, with Facebook now in talks with other movie studios to do similar things. However, Hernandez stressed that the fact Warner Bros went out and found a startup to do this was important – he encouraged content owners to do likewise.

“We’re not going out commissioning content, we’re just providing a platform for distribution,” he said. Another good example: FremantleMedia’s Scoreboard football show, where people can bet on football matches using Facebook Credits. And the TV show itself was launched on Facebook rather than on traditional TV.

“Where we wanna go with television is creating a social experience,” he said. “The thing I’m dying to make social is the EPG… I’m never gonna make it to channel 235, so how do I discover what I want to be entertained with. What if I could log in to a site, or my set-top box or my TV, and tell the system what I wanna be entertained with?” The idea: a system could use someone’s Facebook data to recommend shows to them.

TV Guide has already launched an online TV guide based on Facebook, with shows recommended according to how many friends like them. And this is how Facebook will work on a TV, rather than focusing on its standard social features: “Nobody is going to update their status with a remote control,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez also highlighted Numote, an iPhone app which acts as a remote control for a TV, with an EPG, but tying into Facebook for recommendations and social features. It’s one of several such startups apparently. “That is a social experience for TV,” he said, before moving on to Virgin Media.

The UK telco is letting people log in to Facebook and then look at photos from their friends on the big screen, but Hernandez said this is just the start for social TV.

http://blog.mipworld.com/2011/04/liveblog-facebook-on-engaging-passionate-fans/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/appsblog/2011/apr/06/facebook-places-tv-industry

The site gives registered users a ‘One Click’ purchasing option, but other users can shop anonymously with no registration required.

There’s also a search bar with the option of refined categories, the ability to review account details, track orders, check out recently viewed items and post to Facebook and Twitter.

Dom McBrien, eCommerce director at New Look, said: “At New Look our aim is to offer customers an outstanding multi-channel experience.

“To do this we must offer an easy and convenient shopping experience through a multitude of channels.

“By offering a best-in-class user experience suited to the mobile shopper, we are confident that New Look will be the fashion brand of choice for the shopper, wherever they are.”

New Look has 613 stores in the UK and Eire, a transactional website and 305 stores in France trading under the name Mim. target=”_blank”

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/new-look-builds-html5-into-m-commerce-site

New Look has launched its first mobile site in anticipation of access via smartphones overtaking PCs this year.

The new site is integrated with the retailer’s existing ecommerce platform and lets users purchase items via their mobile phones, with one-click purchase for registered users.

The site, designed and built by mobile specialist agency MIG, uses HTML5, which lets users zoom in and out of items and minimises the number of page refreshes it takes to view different items.

Users can browse items by category and share what items they’re interested in through links to social media pages.

Dom McBrien, New Look’s ecommerce director, said, “Research suggests that in 2012 access to the internet via smartphones will supersede the desktop PC. As a result, we’re launching a market-leading mobile site.”

Matt Cockett, MIG’s commercial director, said, “Like many retailers, New Look is seeing a daily increase in shoppers viewing its website via a mobile device. Now it can give consumers choice of ordering what they want, how they want and wherever they want.”

Earlier in the year, new media age revealed that fashion retailers including Net-a-Porter and ASOS were leading the charge into mobile commerce, with the latter making £1m from its mobile site last December.

James Hart, ASOS ecommerce director, said, “That was our first million-pound month via mobile, which was quite exciting. We’re already building phase two of our mobile site with enhanced functionality.”

http://www.nma.co.uk/news/new-look-rolls-out-mobile-commerce-site/3025147.article

http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/1063817/New-Look-launches-mobile-shopping-site/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH

Site users can zoom in on pictures and view products in one, two or three columns to compare items.

Designed by Mobile Interactive Group, the site is designed to give consumers confidence to buy via mobile.

Dom McBrien, ecommerce director at New Look said: “At New Look our aim is to offer customers an outstanding multi-channel experience. To do this we must offer an easy and convenient shopping experience through a multitude of channels.

“Research suggests that in 2012 access to the internet via smartphone devices will even supersede the desktop PC, so this is a clear opportunity.

“By offering a best-in-class user experience suited to the mobile shopper, we are confident that New Look will be the fashion brand of choice for the shopper, wherever they are.”

New Look has launched an m-commerce site for quick one-touch shopping.

Having worked with Facebook and various broadcasters over recent months, MIG has successfully integrated the IBP with Facebook, giving fans of some of the world’s most popular participation TV shows the ability to place real-time votes, and enter polls and sweepstake competitions using their Facebook Credits virtual currency.

To use the system, fans of a participation TV show access the show’s Facebook Page, where they can buy votes using Facebook Credits, view the show contestants, and vote for their favourite act to stay in the show in real-time. The IBP has been designed to integrate into existing Facebook Pages through a simple SDK. This integration enables a real-time feed of voting statistics into the broadcaster’s production environment, allowing the broadcaster to count the votes for the show, ensuring all votes are fully auditable, secure, compliant, and collected within the voting window.

IBP’s architecture has been designed to facilitate the largest interactive formats in the world. The platform is available across a range of smartphone app stores, plus the mobile and fixed web. It can accommodate various price points to suit different broadcaster requirements and is available as a fully managed service, or through an SDK.

“We launched our Interactive Broadcast Platform this January, and (it) has already proven to be hugely successful for Sky’s Got to Dance, enabling viewers to participate and vote via mobile internet and apps,” explains MIG commercial director, Rob Weisz. “The integration with Facebook Credits provides a fully compliant and secure way for broadcasters and production companies to deliver interactivity into a live environment and to drive viewer engagement via new channels.”

Weisz adds that MIG is holding strategic discussions with a number of key international broadcasters and other businesses, and expects to make significant announcements for prime time shows in the coming months.

http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/content/mig-completes-facebook-credits-integration

Digital agency Mobile Interactive Group has developed a system of allowing viewers to purchase Facebook Credits which will allow them to place votes, enter polls and competitions in shows direct from an app hosted on Facebook.

The service is an extension of MIG’s mobile voting platform, which launched in January and which has subsequently been used by ITV for Dancing On Ice and Sky for Got To Dance.

Ben Cusack, marketing director for MIG said the service would tap into the huge numbers of people who visit social networks at the same time as watching TV.

“Many live shows now have a Facebook app and we were keen to extend that service to give audiences the opportunity to vote,” he said.

He added discussions were underway between Facebook and a number of key international broadcasters with a view to adopting the service.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/multi-platform/facebook-offers-live-tv-voting/5025756.article

http://www.cnbcmagazine.com/story/a-well-connected-man/1354/1/

Those shoppers who whip out their smartphone in Prada’s flagship store in Milan will find they are met with short shrift by the immaculately dressed staff, who prohibit photography in-store. The luxury-fashion brand’s attitude is symptomatic of the gulf that exists between many retailers and the revolution taking place on the high street.

Consumers that have traded up to iPhones or Android-powered devices in their droves have everything they need in their pocket to compare item prices, read reviews, and even get their friends’ opinion about, say, a top they may be thinking of buying, by posting a photo of themselves wearing it on Facebook. What’s more, all of this can happen on the shop floor. Loyalty, it could be argued, has never seemed like a more outdated concept.

To read more click here

MIG must have been doing something right: the deal extends a relationship between the two going back five years.

Thus, MIG will continue to power all mobile interactive services across ITV’s broadcast shows including key brands such as This Morning, Daybreak , Dancing on Ice and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!

It will also introduce fresh mobile interactive services based around a new platform launched this week.

That process will start this weekend in the form of a brand new web app for Dancing on Ice 2011. It lets consumers purchase credits for votes on shows via their internet connected mobile devices.

Barry Houlihan, CEO of MIG said: “The aim of our partnership is to make sure we provide ITV with the tools, the technology, the knowledge, best practice and insight they need to continue to deliver shows that engage and entertain the nation.”

To read more click here

TV voting via mobile is returning, as mobile technology agency MIG reveals its new app platform that includes real time voting functions, with the first show to be Sky’s ‘Got To Dance’.

Marketing revealed in November that TV producers were to reintroduce mobile voting, using mobile apps rather than text messaging.

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has now unveiled a new development platform to create interactive mobile apps specifically for TV shows.

Its Interactive Broadcast Platform will bring mobile voting back to the small screen, following a four-year hiaitus. Voting through smartphones will be secure and reliable, using mobile internet rather than text messaging.

Research by PhonepayPlus suggests participation TV is worth £32m per year, and the reintroduction of mobile voting will allow producers to tap back into these lost revenues. New apps will offer viewers a number of ways to pay, whether for content, voting or other features.

Barry Houlihan, chief executive of MIG, said: “We are revolutionising the participation TV market globally with the launch of our Interactive Broadcast Platform.

“This new platform which enables a host of interactivity transforms the future of participation TV. Consumers now watch TV with a connected device close to hand, making this new experience really relevant, fun and easy to use. Interest and demand from our customers is already huge.”

Apps will integrate social media such as Facebook, allow content streaming, competitions, real-time voting and more. Existing TV apps have not allowed voting, but concentrated on content. Houlihan says the new development platform puts: “Viewer interactivity via mobile firmly back on the agenda.”

To read more click here

Read the full article here

Barry Houlihan has had to quit the small business sector. He is going multinational instead.
The 39-year old is co-founder and chief executive of UK mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG).

MIG was last month judged to be the fastest growing technology company in the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Coming top of the Deloitte 2010 Technology Fast 500 EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) rankings, MIG’s revenues are expected to top £100m next year.

That is not bad for a company that was only set up in 2004, and still employs just 160 people. Specialising in a range of technologies, such as developing smartphone applications, mobile phone billing systems, mobile marketing and advertising solutions and more, MIG’s customers include O2, ITV, Marks & Spencer, Walkers, Vodafone and Barclaycard.

While Mr Houlihan freely admits that the company benefits from being in a fast-growing industry, he puts MIG’s market-leading success down to its workforce.”We’ve got a very talented team, the best minds and thinkers in terms of mobile,” he says. “And as a company we have a very clear vision of where we are going.”

‘Unprecedented problems’
Although MIG’s turnover means the company has grown out of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) sector, enabling more of the UK’s SMEs to achieve even a fraction of its growth would give the country’s economy a major boost.

Especially when you remember that there are 4.8 million SMEs in the UK, and that they account for 60% of all private sector jobs.

But after the recession of 2008 and 2009, and muted economic growth of 2010, what can the government and the banking sector do to make things easier in 2011?

And how much of an effect will the government’s spending cuts have?

Russell Lawson, spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), says much more still needs to be done to help small firms.

“Small businesses are still facing unprecedented problems in accessing affordable finance and winning healthy public sector contracts,” he adds.

“The continuing problem is late payments. It is making the situation even worse for the UK’s SMEs.”

To help small firms, the FSB is calling on the government to carry out a number of measures, including forcing the banks in which it had to bail out (RBS and Lloyds) to return to 2007 lending levels, a cut in VAT to 5% in the construction sector, and extending the National Insurance Contributions (NICS) holiday scheme.

Under NICS, newly established small firms outside of London and the South East and East of England do not have to pay national insurance contributions for their first 10 employees in their initial year of business.

The FSB also wants small firms to have additional assistance in bidding for public sector contracts, contracts it fears will be much more scarce as local authorities have to cut their budgets.

Mr Houlihan of MIG thinks the government should reduce the taxes that firms of all sizes have to pay, and help make credit easier to access.

Read full article here

To read more go to http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/content/ms-celebrates-double-awards-triumph

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company.
To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

http://www.internetretailing.net/2010/12/retailers-neglecting-to-support-mobile-shoppers-risk-losing-millions-over-christmas-%E2%80%93-do-you-have-socks-appeal/

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

Tonight was no exception, as the new giants of social media and app stores emerged to swoop the big prizes…

…
Best Mobile Web Publishing Platform
Mobile Interactive Group – Kilrush

FULL ARTICLE
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/39540/ME-Awards-2010-New-generation-triumphs

Most Effective Mobile Site 
Flirtomatic – Flirtomatic
Mobile Interactive Group – m.marksandspencer.com
The Guardian – m.guardian.co.uk

Most Effective mCommerce Solution
Bango – Bango In-app Billing
Ericsson IPX/LINK Mobility – Skåne Transport SMS Bus Tickets
Ericsson IPX/Selecta – MobiVending Vending Machine SMS Purchase
Mobile Interactive Group – m.marksandspencer.com
Portaltech L.K.Bennett Mobile Site
Touchnote – Touchnote Postcards

http://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/content/effective-mobile-marketing-awards-shortlist-announced

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company.
To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.com/content/kilrush-launches-findapropertycom-ar-iphone-app

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

http://www.deloitte.co.uk/Fast50/

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

M&S has worked with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) and Usablenet for consultancy on the user experience, design and functionality for the mobile commerce site. The purpose of the site is to create another direct communications channel with M&S consumers and to let them access all product lines on the go, as mobile is now being treated like the Web.

 http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/marks-spencer-mobile-commerce-site-nets-13000-orders-in-4-months/

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

The campaign launches tomorrow and will run until the end of November. It’s the first time the brand has targeted mobile web users by location.

http://www.nma.co.uk/news/tgi-fridays-debuts-location-based-ads/3018650.article

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

The restaurant chain’s media agency, Initiative, tapped 4th Screen Advertising and Rippll to help power the “Make it a premiere night out” mobile ad campaign across Britain.

http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/advertising/7588.html

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

MIG submitted without success a joint bid with ECI Partners for AIM listed mobile data services WIN Plc earlier this year. The offer, which was eventually refused by WIN shareholders, was going to be made by a newly incorporated company backed by funds managed by ECI, which would be specifically incorporated for the purposes of acquiring WIN and MIG.

MIG is now in discussions with two or three businesses that have the same level of scalability as WIN but are based overseas, Houlihan said. The UK company is targeting companies with up to 100 employees and revenues over USD 20m, Houlihan said. It is in discussions with a company present in Africa and also in a US-based business to enter Canada and South America, the executive noted.

MIG does not use external advisers to identify targets as it has number of in house advisers, who assist in the M&A strategy of the business. MIG hired an unnamed corporate adviser for its takeover approach to WIN but it is planning to pick up a new corporate adviser in Q1 2011 to execute the deal. Houlihan noted that he had some corporate advisory firms in mind for that roll.

MIG could resume talks with ECI Partners to finance the deal but would consider also other financial investors. US-based private equity firms, which wants enter the space, and work close to the board on growing the group will be interesting financial partners, Houlihan said. MIG will pick  a financial advisor once it has a clear business plan to scale the group with this acquisition, Houlihan said . “The company is now working on that and expects to pick up a financial advisor in Q1 2011 to execute the deal,” he added.

MIG aims to become a GBP 100m-GBP 150m in three years and then an IPO or trade sale are both feasible options, Houlihan noted. Potential bidders could be large media companies such but also technology vendors,  Houlihan noted.

MIG was founded in 2004 and has 160 employees. The company has grown 45.69% per year from GBP 22m in 2006 to GBP 68m in 2009. EBITDA increased 196% in the same period, Houlihan said. The chief executive is the largest shareholder in the business (25%) whereas the remainder is held by other founders, staff and minority angel investors.

According to its web site, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) specialist disciplines include mobile advertising, mobile marketing, mobile billing, mobile messaging, mobile technology and services provision, multi channel digital solutions, mobile internet publishing, experiential design and application development.

MIG comprises five companies and each has its own areas of expertise. MIG in June of 2010 bought UK private Piri to add CRM mobile expertise into the group. It did not use advisers as it knew this company well, Houlihan said. “It was a few million pound acquisition,” the executive noted.

By Leandro Molina in London

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

http://www.gomonews.com/mobile-shopping-site-from-ms-gets-1-2m-users/

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

www.internetretailing.net/2010/09/ms-m-site-gets-1-2m-visitors-and-13000-orders-since-launch/

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/content/ms-mobile-site-delivers-goods

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

New at the App Store and free to download, the B&Q App is an indispensable guide for DIY novices and more experienced handymen and women alike, bringing the knowledge of B&Q’s experts right there when and where you need them. From advice on safety while working, what to wear and how to use basic tools and equipment; to more advanced jobs such as fixing a burst pipe, replacing electrical switches, erecting or fixing gates and fences outside; the ‘How To’ guides are easy to follow with step by step instructions to guide users through each job.

Users can also pass the knowledge on to friends through Facebook and Twitter and the App will even create a list of tools needed to complete a task and show the closest B&Q store using GPRS technology. Users will also receive the latest offers and promotions direct to their phone as soon as they are announced as well as weekly DIY and Eco tips.

Dave Elliott, Director of B&Q Direct who developed the APP said; “We want to help our customers get the best results from any job they undertake, wherever they are in store picking up the products or at home about to embark on the project. We all feel more confident with someone to help and advise us, and the App is designed to do just that and offer customers everything they need right in the palm of their hand.”

The App was developed for B&Q by digital agency Five by Five and Jigsaw, part of the Mobile Interactive Group (MIG). The App is a first for the Retail DIY sector and was developed with the needs of the tech savvy, DIY B&Q customer in mind.

Simon Windsor, Group Account Director at Five by Five said, “The iPhone App supports B&Q’s customer centric ethos and will provide genuine value to DIYers.”

David Balko, Commercial Director at Jigsaw said, “We’re delighted to be working with Five by Five and B&Q and to have built and launched the first iPhone app for such a forward thinking brand. B&Q has fully embraced the mobile device to engage consumers and to deliver an enhanced, useful, user experience, thus enhancing the brand offering.”

Key features of the App

How To:
- The Basics & Tools
- Home Systems & Services
- Inside the Home
- Outside the Home
Storefinder
Latest offers
Glossary
Note pad
Shopping List

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

Mobile specialist agency Mobile Interactive Group has made three appointments to bolster its brand management skills and boost its international expansion drive.

It http://www.nma.co.uk/news/mig-boosts-strategic-advisory-team/3015453.article

MIG is a full service mobile marketing and technology company. To learn more about our mobile platforms and services, contact us on: Tel: +44 (0) 870 235 4042 / Email: mobile@migcan.com

The new iPhone application Britain’s Got Talent was only launched four days ago and already it has had an amazing 200,000 downloads from Apple’s App Store, according to an article from nma.co.uk

The extremely popular Saturday evening light hearted talent show seems just as popular for those with iPhones. The app which has been developed by Kilrush Application Studios, part of the Mobile Interactive Group is free to download with Domino’s Pizza as Chief sponsor.

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2010/04/23/new-iphone-app-britains-got-talent-attracts-200000-downloads/

http://www.gomonews.com/oh-god-really-britains-got-talent-mobile-app-hits-no1-on-iphone/

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/36861/Britains-Got-Talent-app-tops-200k-downloads-in-four-days

The Britain’s Got Talent iPhone app has been downloaded more than 200,000 times since it launched four days ago on the Apple App Store.

http://www.nma.co.uk/news/britains-got-talent-app-clocks-up-200000-downloads/3012642.article