ITV and FremantleMedia today announced two brand new ways to vote using mobile devices during this years Britain’s Got Talent live shows.

Kicking off this weekend for the first time ever viewers will be able to vote via their iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch directly from the Britain’s Got Talent app, which has already received over 500,000 downloads across the series and seen peak traffic of up to 130k users per episode interacting via the ‘buzzer’.

Working in partnership with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a Velti company and, app developer, Tellybug, the in-app voting solution allows audiences to vote for their favourite contestant directly from their Apple device. When the voting period opens in the live shows the app will display a voting button at the bottom right of the app replacing the buzzer which audiences have already been interacting with. Users will then be able to purchase a bundle of three votes for £1.49, keeping the cost per vote to no more than 50p in line with traditional vote mechanics. The new release of the BGT app will also include the chance for viewers to purchase access to live streaming from four exclusive backstage cameras which have been placed around the Britain’s Got Talent studio. Users can purchase a series pass starting from £1.99 at the beginning of the live phase.

Also new for this series is the introduction of Mobile Short Dial Codes, which allow UK mobile users to dial a short seven digit number to vote from their mobiles for a guaranteed fixed price of 50p per vote, regardless of mobile network provider. Previously, when calling premium rate ‘09’ numbers from mobiles, calls cost considerably more than if calling from a BT landline with costs varying significantly from mobile network to network. The introduction of Mobile Short Dial Codes means that viewers who vote from their UK mobile by this method will know what they are paying before they vote and will not have to wait until they receive their mobile bill. This solution was delivered in partnership with BT Agilemedia.

As for the other voting platforms on Britain’s Got Talent, 15p from each vote via the app or via Mobile Short Dial Codes will go to the Royal Variety Charity, The Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.

Ann Cook, Director of Interactive ITV & Managing Director of ITL said, “We know that today’s viewers like engaging and interacting with our biggest shows via new platforms and on many devices. Therefore it makes sense for us to explore introducing voting to the places where large numbers of viewers are already engaged. We’re really looking forward to seeing how audiences respond to both these two new voting platforms, alongside the existing landline platform, as Britain’s Got Talent moves into its exciting live final phase this weekend.”

Peter Cassidy, Head of FremantleMedia UK Interactive commented, “The apps around our shows are becoming more and more integrated with live broadcast so including in-app voting and live backstage cameras for the first time is a huge step towards delivering a truly second screen experience to fans of BGT. We’re delighted to be working with ITV, MIG and Tellybug to make this happen.”

Rob Weisz, VP of Sales, Mobile Interactive Group said, “MIG has worked with ITV over the past seven years offering strategic advice across a range of interactive mobile and digital services. The iPhone voting initiative represents ITV’s forward-thinking approach and awareness of how the industry is moving on from traditional SMS and Telephony. In addition, this is also a model that Fremantle could replicate internationally as MIG’s IP platform scales internationally and across multiple digital platforms.”

Jeremy Hallsworth, CEO of BT Agilemedia commented, “We’re delighted to be working with ITV to deliver a truly mass market solution that allows mobile users to vote on Britain’s Got Talent with a clear view of what they will be charged. With none of the latency sometimes associated with SMS voting and with the reassurance that callers will not be charged if they mistakenly call outside the voting window, Mobile Short Dial Codes represent a major step forward for both broadcasters and consumers in programme interaction from mobile phones.”

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Premier League Celebrates Twenty Seasons of Top Flight Football Action with New App for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

The Premier League is commemorating its 20th anniversary with the launch of the Premier League 20 Seasons App for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, featuring 100 of the top moments from the past two decades of top flight English football.

The app provides football fans around the world with a great new way to watch some of the most memorable moments from the Premier League’s history. Each of the 100 one-minute clips features a memorable highlight, including the first ever goal in the top flight, scored by Sheffield United’s Brian Deane playing against Manchester United at the start of the 1992/93 season, and Wayne Rooney’s acrobatic overhead kick against Manchester City in the 2010/11 season. Other highlights include David Beckham’s audacious goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996/97, Alan Shearer being recognised as the Premier League’s Player of the Decade in 2002, footage of Arsenal’s team of Invincibles in 2003/04 and Xabi Alonso’s long-range goal for Liverpool from his own half against Newcastle United in 2006/07.

The app features at least five clips from every Premier League season. Each of the clips are also accompanied by a quiz question via an interactive ‘q’ button, as well as an opportunity to win Premier League prizes via competitions within the app. The launch of the app precedes the Premier League’s 20 Season Awards, the shortlist of which will be announced in mid-April, with an award ceremony at the end of the Premier League season in May.

The Premier League 20 Seasons App was produced by the Premier League’s production partner IMG Media, part of IMG Worldwide and developed by Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a Velti Company, a global mobile and technology solutions company.

The Premier League 20 Seasons App is available for £1.99 / $2.99 from the App Store on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a Velti (NASDAQ: VELT) Company, today announced a global partnership with zeebox, a pioneering company that is revolutionising the way viewers interact with TV on the second screen.

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, which 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 (P-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.

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

“In May 2011 MIG was selected by Facebook as a ‘Preferred Developer Consultant’ and the 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.”

Anthony Rose, zeebox co-founder and CTO commented, “Broadcasters and programme makers are embracing second screen apps to bring social media and interactivity to their programmes. But spending time and money creating an app for each programme, and for viewers having to find and download an app each time they change channel, isn’t sustainable or scalable. zeebox changes that, providing a plug-in architecture that allows broadcasters and programme makers to provide enhanced experiences, delivered within zeebox, easily and at low cost. We’re delighted to be working with MIG to integrate their Engage platform with zeebox, providing broadcasters with new audiences and revenue streams.”

MIG has an unrivalled understanding of the media, broadcast and entertainment industry having spent several years building strategic partnerships with ITV, Endemol, FremantleMedia and FIVE. This experience enables MIG to better advise their clients on how consumer habits are changing to adapt to emerging technology.

The zeebox TV companion app is currently available on iPhone, iPad and on the web at zeebox.com and will launch on Android in 2012. zeebox is initially available in the UK and will soon launch across the world.

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a Velti Company, today announced the results of its customer survey.

Over 500 of MIG’s customers participated in the survey, representing brands, agencies and technology providers across multiple sectors including automotive, aviation, charity, retail, energy, oil and gas, FMCG, gambling, government, handset manufacturers, industry associations, insurance, media, broadcast and entertainment, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), property and publishers.

Just two questions were asked:
Question 1 – What do you think will be the biggest trend in mobile in 2012?
Question 2 – If you could ask the mobile industry one question, what would it be?

The results in more detail:

mCommerce and payments
23% of the total responses see mCommerce as the main mobile trend going forward in 2012. There is also consensus from retailers with 62 % of this group seeing mCommerce as a strategic priority for their business in the next 12 months.

Moreover, beyond applications and HTML5, retailers cite mobile payments in general and NFC (30%) and mobile marketing techniques such as mobile CRM, Augmented Reality and Loyalty schemes (30%) as central to their 2012 mobile strategies.

This is supported by 25% of all respondents indicating that mobile payments will really take off, citing NFC and mobile wallets as the driver of this area of the industry.

Mobile marketing
Mobile marketing is also expected to be an industry hot button throughout 2012 with 23% of all survey respondents indicating that this will be a significant focus for their businesses going forward. This 23% breaks down as follows:

Mobile and social
The third main trend will be a growing interest in mobile and social media, in particular how mobile enhances the social experience. 11% of all respondents indicated that mobile social media, in particular Facebook and how people will use it with retail for sharing and recommending and with TV for things like voting (Facebook credits) and consuming related content would be a key driver going forward.

This echoes major MIG research findings from 2011, which investigated the deep connections between mobile, TV and social media, in particular how consumers multi-task whilst watching TV and over which payment channels they prefer to purchase participation services such as voting and competitions. This research concluded that interactive events via Facebook are expected to generate $51.7 million (£32.04 million) in the UK in 2012 and $2.9 billion globally by 2016.

Barry Houlihan, GM, Mobile Interactive Group said: “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. Many participants in our survey want to know what the mobile industry will look like in 3-5 years time. 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.”

“We’re in the process of analysing some in-depth brand and consumer research which covers multiple sectors including retail, finance, FMCG, MNO’s, gaming, automotive, travel and sports and leisure; plus multiple territories – We’ll share the resulting white papers and key findings with the industry later this spring.”

Win an iPad3
Following the initial customer survey of over 500 clients MIG recognised the topic needs to be explored further and have extended the survey more broadly across the industry. You can participate in the survey here – it will only take a few minutes of your time. Plus you have the chance to win and iPad3 and findings will be shared with all participants.

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) announces it will soon be launching a FREE TO CONSUMER ‘five digit’ cross network voice shortcodes for mobile users.  The service, which will be powered by MIG’s Voice Gateway, will enable brands to offer their consumers a free to call, simple and transparent experience for inbound calls from mobile phones.

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 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.”

Mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces the launch of the My O2 for Android App. Built by MIG, the new version of the free App, which launched on Friday 2nd December, allows O2 customers on Pay & Go and Pay Monthly to securely view their account information and offers the same innovative interface as the iOS version, delivering a spectacular user experience.

The App includes the same new user interface as the iPhone version and also features a simplified ‘Help’ section and a new ‘Extras’ section which gives users information on customer loyalty programmes such as O2 Priority and other O2 related content. In addition to this it also allows O2 customers to natively monitor their own data consumption, as well as manage their data bolt ons.

The My O2 iPhone App was launched in late 2009 and has achieved almost two million downloads. With the newly launched Android version O2 has brought the App up to date and increased its reach to reflect the growth in Android OS based devices.

Niki Fearns, Senior Self Service Experience Manager, O2 said: “Customer Centred Design is at the heart of our approach to Self Service and the My O2 App. Our customers have been asking for native data consumption for a long time and not only can we now fulfil this but we can also provide the App on another software platform, Android. MIG has followed the success of the first My O2 App for iPhone and created an Android App which combines a great user experience, plus all of the features a customer needs to manage their account via their device.”

David Balko, Client Services Director, MIG said: “O2 really understands the value of its customers which is why we placed a lot of emphasis on listening to feedback and getting the user journeys absolutely right. Beyond the user experience it was a natural progression to increase functionality and extend the App to Android devices. This maximises the opportunity to reach as many smartphone users as possible, whilst also simultaneously giving customers the tools they need to manage their O2 accounts efficiently and access great promotional offers.”

Designed, built and powered by Mobile Interactive Group

Favourite high street shoe retailer Clarks today announces the launch of their mobile commerce site, which was designed and built by Mobile Interactive Group (MIG). Clarks first ever mobile site is fully transactional and has been built using MIG’s award winning mobile commerce platform.

Clarks new mobile commerce site boasts the full product range, enabling shoppers to shop directly from their mobile or locate their nearest store. The site delivers 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

MIG offered Clarks an innovative solution that required minimal systems integration, meaning Clarks have launched a fully transactional mobile website in a relatively short space of time, with minimal disruption to their day to day trading environment. MIG’s highly scalable mobile commerce platform allows Clarks to leverage their initial investment and introduce further mobile services down the line, such as native applications to compliment the mobile site.

Richard Houlton, Director of Channels, Clarks commented “Multi-channel retailing is a major focus for Clarks and it’s essential to give our customers choice. Our customers are more technology savvy than ever before. The launch of our transactional mobile commerce site marks Clarks first move into mobile and we partnered with MIG because of their strong leadership in this area and technical capabilities in the mobile retail space. They understood our requirements, ensured the design of our mobile site was sympathetic to the brand and that it delivers a seamless user experience.”

Matt Cockett, Commercial Director, MIG said “Over the past few months MIG has developed a strong collaborative relationship with Clarks, sharing industry insight to inform key decision making and to ensure we’re building a mobile proposition that’s right for the Clarks customer. In recent months, the IMRG recently reported that 50% of UK smartphone owners shop via their mobile device, up 30% from June 2010, demonstrating the continued growth and the potential of mobile commerce. 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) whilst out and about or sat at home on their sofa.”

Because of its size and experience MIG is able to provide a unique offering to retailers that are looking for a 360 degree mobile partner, to work with them from the early strategy and concept stage, through to service deployment across mobile web and applications. Plus crucially, after a service goes live, to drive customers to the service using innovative mobile marketing techniques.

Notes to Editor:
MIG offers retailers an end to end mobile service that starts with a proven mobile commerce platform. The service also includes native applications, mobile marketing, mobile advertising and integrated CRM.

• Provision to build and design mobile websites with minimal systems integration using a web adapter approach or through integrated APIs
• Web adapter functionality builds virtual API’s that can be integrated into MIG’s mobile commerce platform and other 3rd party platforms – The API’s originate and are created from the client’s website, without the need for client IT resources
• Enables MIG clients to go mobile within a twelve week timeframe (incorporating user experience, design and build)
• Integrates with the leading analytics providers, affiliate tagging partners and is designed with SEO in mind throughout
• Integrates directly with ad serving technologies and platforms

www.moneysupermarket.com

MoneySupermarket.com, the UK’s leading comparison site has appointed integrated mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) as its mobile technology partner. The deal spans mobile communication, mobile internet and apps.

Appointed at the beginning of 2011, MIG were tasked with consulting on MoneySupermarket’s mobile strategy and analysing ways that the company could further develop interactions and communications with their customers through mobile platforms.

The consultation was distilled into three phases:
• Mobile Communications – Optimising existing email communications for mobile
• Mobile Internet – Building an optimised mobile internet experience
• Mobile Internet and App Experience – Delivering an integrated and dynamic mobile web and iPhone application experience

MoneySupermarket recognised that people are increasingly using their mobiles for accessing their email. Therefore phase one, the ‘Mobile Communications’ piece, focused on optimising existing email communications for mobile, which included device recognition to ensure consumers received a communication that rendered on their personal device. Adopting a simple three step customer process, opted-in customers receive an email or SMS, are presented with their results page (detailing their quote) and are prompted to ‘click to call’ the provider. This service went live 1 September 2011.

The ‘Mobile Internet’ phase, which went live on 27 October, serves customers with an optimised mobile page that integrates a new feature called the ‘Concierge Service’. The ‘Concierge Service’, which sits logically between the initial communication (email or SMS) and the results page, asks a customer if their details have changed (for example ‘Have you moved house? Has your address changed?), and prompts them to update them via a ‘Simple Edit’ which allows up to two amends. MIG’s mobile technology platform mVoy Communicate was utilised to build the mobile optimised page.

Phase three, ‘Mobile Internet and App Experience’ went live on 18 November and introduces the ‘Complex Edit’ feature to the ‘Concierge Service’, plus an application built specifically for iPhone and iPod Touch owners. The ‘Complex Edit’ feature allows people to make multiple amends and automatically detects the customers’ device, rendering and presenting the right mobile site for consumers adopting the mobile internet route.

To ensure a great user experience, the MoneySupermarket mobile internet site and the app automatically remembers and stores the customers’ details. The application, which was designed and built by MIG, enables both new customers and existing customers, who would be looking to renew their policy, to obtain a full quote across MoneySupermarket products via mobile.

Julie Fisher, Head of Home Insurance and Home Services at MoneySupermarket commented “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.”

The launch of MoneySupermarket car insurance is a real leap forward for the industry. We hope that by having a great car insurance buying experience over mobile for our customers, the industry will soon follow our lead and continue to optimise their sites to support those who want to buy their car cover on the move.”

David Balko, Client Services Director, Mobile Interactive Group commented, “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.

“We’ve really enjoyed working closely with the in-house teams to deliver a range of innovative mobile solutions and look forward to working jointly on other new and exciting projects over the coming months.”

MoneySupermarket has opted to combine a technology license with a managed service option of MIG’s mobile technology platform mVoy Publish (previously known as Kilrush), to power their mobile internet.

With more than $100 million in gross billings, more than $20 million in net revenues in 2010, and more than 160 employees MIG has established itself as a leading mobile marketing player. The company’s global partnership with Skype, its Facebook Preferred Developer Consultant status and the launch of its mobile / broadcast interactive platform have won MIG accolades as a pioneer in bridging social media, mobile marketing and commerce transactions. Earlier this year, Deloitte named MIG the fastest growing privately owned technology firm in Europe.

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 New Look. MIG’s mobile interactive technology is used by broadcasters in Europe and Asia Pacific for real-time social media interactions through the mobile platform.

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

MIG has deployed innovative technology in high growth areas such as real-time mobile and social interactions, mobile / TV interaction, using smartphones but also supporting feature phones. Those solutions can now leverage the best in class Velti infrastructure.

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

Summary of Acquisition Terms and Financial Impact

Velti will pay in a minimum consideration of $25 million, including $20 million of cash at closing. Depending on MIG’s performance, Velti will pay up to an additional $34 million over time by 2013, using a 7.5 times adjusted EBITDA multiple, measuring 2011 and 2012 performance. MIG’s management will join Velti’s global management team and will continue to operate the business.

Velti anticipates to keep in excess of $20 million of annualized US GAAP revenue from the acquisition, the majority of which is derived from recurring platform licensing, SaaS usage and performance fees. The transaction will be EBITDA accretive in the first full quarter after closing, by the first quarter of 2012. MIG is a free cash flow positive business.

About Velti

Velti is the leading global provider of mobile marketing and advertising solutions for brands, advertising agencies, mobile operators and media. Velti’s technology platform enables targeted promotions, analysis, and ongoing customer relationship management via mobile devices. Velti trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol VELT. For more information, visit www.velti.com.

About MIG

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) is the UK’s leading mobile marketing business. Founded in 2004, MIG has experienced rapid growth with no external funding. As a result, a technology rich, cash generative core business model has evolved that boasts proprietary technical capability across the mobile value chain. MIG was named the No. 1 ‘Fastest Growing Privately Owned Technology Business’ in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 UK and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA (2010).

NOTE ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
“Safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the expected benefits of the acquisition of MIG, the synergies brought by such acquisition, the expected growth in mobile advertising and marketing and the opportunities for further growth, globally, both for Velti and in connection with the acquisition, that involve risks and uncertainties concerning Velti’s acquisition of MIG, anticipated product information, estimates of future results of operations and general business outlook. When used in this press release, the words “anticipates”, “estimates”, “may”, “can”, “will”, “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “intends”, “likely”, similar expressions and any other statements that are not historical facts are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking
statements. Any such statement may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Velti or MIG, that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected, described, expressed or implied in this press release due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include – but are not limited to – risks associated with our ability to achieve the benefits and realize the synergies of the acquisition and to expand our customer base as a result, to maintain the employees, customers, suppliers and other strategic relationships of the acquired company, keep pace with technological and market developments and remain competitive against potential new entrants into our markets. Further information on these and other factors that could affect the company’s results is included in our annual report on Form 20-F and in our registration statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other filings we may make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Velti assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contacts for Press and Analysts:
Velti plc
Wilson W. Cheung
Chief Financial Officer
wcheung@velti.com

Paul W. Clausing
Vice President, Finance
pclausing@velti.com

08 November 2011.

Integrated mobile and digital technology business, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announced that it has won a prestigious Mobile Marketing Magazine EMMA Award in the Most Effective mCommerce Solution category for its design, build and delivery of New Look’s mCommerce mobile site.

This year’s EMMAs attracted 154 entries from in 17 categories across the mobile marketing value-chain and the nominees in the mCommerce category were particularly strong with MIG / New Look beating 2ergo / Pizza Express and Usabelnet / JD Sports.

New Look’s fully transactional fashion site, launched in April 2011, has seen some impressive results to date, far exceeding initial key performance indicators with conversions competing with, and at times outstripping, internet transactions.

Results from the first three months include:

- A year on year increase in mobile sales of over 500%, plus an increase in site visits by over 800%.
- An increase in orders of over 60%
- An increase in revenue of over 45%

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.

Matt Cockett, commercial director at Mobile Interactive Group said: “Nobody can doubt that browsing and purchasing using mobile is now second nature to consumers and mobile commerce has become an essential strand to any major retail strategy.

“We are incredibly proud to have won this award with New Look. It really marks the great work that the team at MIG is capable of and New Look’s commitment to the mobile channel.”

In October MIG also launched an iPhone and iPod Touch application for New Look that offers users fashion and lifestyle content, special offers and style advice.  Designed to enhance the in-store experience, the app also allows users to check stock availability for size and colour of an item and connects customers to the optimised mobile site furthering the mCommerce opportunity.

- ENDS -

For more information and photography please contact:

Emma Potter

Head of Communications, MIG

+44 (0)7739 902 473

About Mobile Interactive Group

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) is a global integrated mobile and digital communications business and is the fastest growing privately owned technology company in the UK and EMEA (Deloitte).

Comprising a unique combination of services, MIG specialist disciplines include mobile technology and services provision; mobile billing, messaging and mCommerce; mobile advertising and marketing; multi-channel digital solutions; the design, build and publishing of mobile internet sites and applications, and user experience design.

All platforms, products and applications are developed in–house and are MIG’s proprietary technology.  Our global platform mVoy enables brands from all over world to interact, engage and communicate with consumers via mobile.

• mVoy Publish: Create, build, host & manage mobile commerce, mobile websites & apps
• mVoy Communicate: Build & manage interactive messaging & multi-step marketing campaigns
• mVoy Engage: Power social interactivity & voting via mobile sites, apps, Facebook and Google +
• mVoy Connect: Enable & deliver high volume mobile messaging campaigns & payments

MIG currently serves multiple sectors including Technology Providers, Retail, Mobile Network Operators (MNO), Media, Broadcaster & Entertainment, Financial Services, Public Sector and Government Agencies, FMCG, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).  Additionally we have over 300 clients including New Look, M&S, O2, Vodafone, ITV, Sky, MoneySupermarket, Sony PlayStation, COI, Walkers, Tropicana, Nokia, Samsung and in May 2011 MIG announced its ‘Preferred Developer Consultant’ status as selected by Facebook.

Viewers will be able to vote by text for their favourite contestant by sending the contestant name to the short code when the vote opens on each Saturday’s live show until noon on each Sunday.  The telephone and red button vote will continue to be available until lines close on Sunday’s live results show.  All text votes will be charged at 35 pence.

The return to text voting on The X Factor, for the first time since 2007, has been enabled by a longer voting window between Saturday and Sunday’s live shows, which allows for an earlier closing time for text votes.  The move comes after extensive work by the mobile technology and services provider Mobile Interactive Group and the service provider, Harvest Media Group, ITV, talkbackTHAMES digital and Syco, to develop a new text voting platform – the plan for which has been assessed by PhonepayPlus, the UK’s regulator of premium rate services.

Ann Cook, Director of ITV Interactive said: “Texting is a hugely popular way of interacting for ITV’s viewers therefore I am delighted that we are reintroducing text voting into The X Factor this weekend alongside phone and red button voting.

“ITV and all the partners involved in the show have worked alongside the mobile network operators over the last twelve months to ensure that we have full confidence in returning this platform which will enable more consumers to vote on the UK’s most popular entertainment show.  We are enabling the audience to engage with us in a way we know they want to.”

Robert Marsh, Head of talkbackTHAMES digital said: “The reintroduction of text voting to The X Factor will increase the viewer’s interactivity with the show. We have worked closely with all partners and are fully confident that the returning service will prove popular with audiences  as they choose the UK’s next big music sensation.”

The X Factor is one of the most-watched entertainment programmes in the UK. Broadcast on ITV1, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, The X Factor was created by Simon Cowell and is owned and co-produced by Syco TV (a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment) and talkbackTHAMES (a FremantleMedia company). The official X Factor website, www.itv.com/xfactor, is produced by talkbackTHAMES digital with ITV and is the online home for The X Factor 2011. TalkTalk is the broadcast sponsor of The X Factor and lead sponsor of the live finals at Wembley Arena.

-ENDS-

 Notes to Editors:

• Mobile users can vote by text by sending the promoted contestant name to the short code.
• Voting opens on Saturday. Text voting closes Sunday at noon. The reason for an early close time for text voting is to allow for any possible delays on the mobile networks. Viewers wishing to vote after 12pm on Sunday can do so by phone or red button as these platforms close as announced in the Sunday results show.
• Text voting costs 35p per vote.  The text message sent by the viewer to vote will be charged at 35p and will be deducted from the credit on the phone or will appear on the monthly bill depending on mobile contract. The vote confirmation message is sent free of charge.
• Viewers who try to vote by text outside of the vote window will still be charged 35p as this is how the mobile billing system is set up. All profits from votes received outside of the vote open period will be donated to charity.
• Full terms and conditions and details of phone and red button voting are available at www.itv.com/terms

High-street fashion retailer New Look, well-loved for accessible, on-trend dresses and seasonal products, launches a new iPhone and iPod Touch application, offering vibrant fashion and lifestyle content, special offers and style advice, while providing a seamless bridge to the New Look mobile commerce site.

Developed by mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), the application combines the strengths of an optimised mobile site with the impact of an application, providing New Look iPhone users with an enhanced customer experience.

The application offers users a magazine-style experience, featuring fashion advice and information from ‘New Look Daily’ (a daily fashion alert) plus exclusive offers, which users can share via Facebook and Twitter. The store-locater feature helps customers find their nearest shop, while announcing developing stories in New Look stores across the country.

Once in-store, the application’s barcode scanner can be used to access more information about products, from New Look’s plus size clothing to the latestcoats for Autumn Winter 2011. Users can check whether items are available in a specific size or colour by connecting to the New Look mobile commerce site, which opens within the application.

Dom McBrien, Multi-Channel Director at New Look comments:  “For New Look, mobile is not simply a bridge between our online and offline properties, but a channel through which we can actually enhance the customer experience whether online or in-store.

“We are excited about the launch of the New Look iPhone app, and feel that it complements our mobile commerce site excellently. The ability to combine the latest trend information with 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.”

Matt Cockett, commercial director, MIG, added:  “New Look really understands the capabilities of mobile for fostering in-store interactivity, which has enabled us to develop a strategy that delivers both reach and revenue.

“This combined strategy which leverages the strengths of app and a mobile commerce site together enables a much greater percentage of customers to purchase goods using their smartphone device, which in turn delivers greater revenue.”

Global mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces the acquisition of one of the UK’s leading digital technology agencies, Digital Jigsaw.

Digital Jigsaw, which was founded in March 2007 by Dominic Murray, Steve King and Simon Smith, and has an impressive client roster including Vodafone, PlayStation and PepsiCo, will be integrated into the parent and main operating company to support the increasing demand for strategic digital, social and application development work globally. Going forwards MIG will be adopting the Jigsaw methodology to customer development, blending their innovative ideas with MIG’s existing proprietary technology and business model.

Prior to the merger MIG owned a 56% stake in the agency and a collaborative decision was made to acquire the minority stake and merge the businesses to lead its innovative solutions division globally. This division will facilitate all creative strategy, technical project management, digital application development, social media product strategy and strategic client services, in which MIG’s global mobile technology platform mVoy will be offered in parallel.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, MIG commented, “Our acquisition of the remaining interests in Digital Jigsaw reflects our commitment to supporting the needs of our clients: We are seeing an increased demand from customers for digital, social and application development to support our core global mobile technology platform mVoy, and we strongly believe that aligning our technology capabilities with our creativity and innovation gives us the flexibility to better serve our clients growing complex strategic requirements.”

Dominic Murray, MD and Founder, Digital Jigsaw commented, “We’ve always been an ambitious businesses, focusing solely on digital and loyalty at launch – Our work now embraces multiple digital touch points including web, loyalty, social media, online and mobile, and we utilise a unique mix of people and technology to create, build and deliver amazing campaigns for some of the world’s most loved brands. We have always worked closely with our parent company so the integration into MIG will be a smooth transition, for both the teams internally and for our clients.”

Global integrated mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has been listed in the annual Sunday Times Tech Track 100. Now in its eleventh year, The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100, compiled by Oxford-based research and networking events company Fast Track, recognises the UK’s fastest growing private technology companies.

MIG secured the number one position in the Tech Track 100 in 2008 and has since experienced continued strong growth particularly from its new overseas ventures. In the past 12 months MIG has seen the acquisition of Dutch based mobile technology, services and marketing company Golden Bytes International B.V. (February 2011) and most recently the acquisition of micropayments business Zaypay (August 2011). With headquarters in London and international offices in USA, Holland and Australia MIG employs over 200 people.

Some of the world’s most loved brands currently served by MIG, spanning multiple sectors, include New Look, M&S and B&Q in retail; ITV, FIVE, Sky, BBC, MTV, PlayStation and National Magazine Company in the broadcast, media and entertainment industry; Vodafone, O2, Three and Virgin Media in the mobile network operator space; Skype in global telecoms arena and Pepsi Co. in FMCG.

Barry Houlihan, CEO & Founder, MIG said: “To be listed in the Sunday Times Tech Track for the fourth year in a row is a tremendous accolade for or staff and our approach. Demand from customers remains strong around the world with mobile really coming of age now. The future looks very exciting for MIG and we expect to maintain the same levels of growth for the year ahead.”

High street fashion retailer, New Look, today released Q1 results of its m-commerce site, designed and built by digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG).

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.

Results to date include:
• Year on year there has been an increase in mobile sales of over 500%, plus an increase in site visits by over 800%
• Since the mobile site launch (April to July), statistics reveal there has been an:
- increase in orders of over 60%
- increase in revenue of over 45%

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 commented: “The past twelve months have seen mCommerce 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 swiping, 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.

Global mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces the acquisition of global micropayments business Zaypay – ‘Big in small payments’.

Based in the Netherlands, Zaypay is a profitable mobile micropayments business that launched in 2006. To date the business has provided secure micropayment solutions to several hundred global customers through one secure easy to use platform.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, MIG commented “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.  We understand that developers are driving our industry now and Zaypay is a platform that has been built by developers, for developers – Our aim is to build stronger relationships specifically with the developer community, to provide developers with a frictionless payment system that’s tailored to their platforms and to further understand and support their requirements around monetisation on an international scale.”

“The industry press recently reported that users are increasingly choosing simple SMS mobile payments for micro-transactions whilst on social networks and gaming sites.  Market insights and industry stats also indicate that the worldwide market for mobile payments will grow to $633.4 billion and that mobile payment users will grow 600 percent, to 490 million by 2014 (Source:  Generator).

Bastiaan Peters, CTO, Zaypay said “We’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved over the past five years; we’ve built a profitable micropayments technology business and now, with the acquisition from MIG, the Zaypay business can be taken to the next level.  MIG is a well-respected business that has a strong reputation for developing robust global technology platforms.  It will be exciting to work with a group of such forward thinking, innovative individuals who understand where the industry is going and who have a clear vision for the future.”

MIG will continue to operate Zaypay as a standalone business.

In June 2010, MIG acquired mobile marketing and CRM provider Piri Limited and in February 2011 announced the acquisition of mobile technology, services and marketing company Golden Bytes International B.V. (GB):  This M&A activity has enabled MIG to broaden its technology and services offering across the mobile services value chain and to fast track the reach of its products across the globe.

Zaypay was acquired for an all cash undisclosed sum.

To find out more visit www.zaypay.com

Mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announced that it is working with broadcaster, Channel 5 and Endemol to deliver voting via Facebook for the next Big Brother season. 

The broadcaster has developed a specially created Facebook application that will run alongside the current series which it bought the rights to from Endemol earlier this year. 

The application will allow viewers to vote for contestants using Facebook Credits through MIG’s mVoy Engage platform casting votes in real time through to the live show alongside traditional interactive voting methods. The platform is also integrated into the Official Big Brother UK iPhone and Android Applications offer a true multi-channel voting experience.

Rebecca Whitlock, Commercial Dev Controller, Channel 5 commented, “Trends in the broadcast and entertainment industry are constantly evolving, yet providing the best and most innovative interactive services for our viewer’s remains a core focus for us. We’ve worked with MIG for several years, and their knowledge and insight into the broadcast industry ensures our viewers receive the best and most engaging multi-channel experience possible.”    

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Group said: “This is a major development in the broadcast interactive space. It is widely acknowledged that viewers are moving to multi-channel experiences when watching traditional shows and we are delighted to announce this partnership with Channel 5 and Endemol. This technology has been developed specifically to create an exciting and engaging interactive experience regardless of whether you interact with a TV show via Facebook, iTunes, Android, traditional web and mobile web.

“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. This is a watershed announcement for this industry.”

Additionally, MIG’s ‘Mobile, Facebook and Interactive TV’ white paper recently revealed that ‘40% of mobile users are most likely to be multi-tasking using their phone while watching TV’ and that ‘Social participation TV (S P-TV) will drive interactive behaviour to generate $2.9bn globally by 2016’.  The white paper can be accessed here – http://info.migcan.com/MIGwhitepaper

In May 2011 MIG achieved Facebook Preferred Developer status, marking them as one of the only UK mobile, transactional and interactive businesses in the Facebook developer network.

Powering Skype’s mobile website globally with MIG’s mobile platform  mVoy Publish

www.migcan.com

Mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has today announced a partnership with Skype. The partnership will see MIG run the new Skype global mobile website which launched in May this year utilising MIG’s mobile platform, mVoy Publish.

As Skype on mobile becomes an increasingly important part of Skype’s portfolio, the new mobile site will be an important tool for Skype’s mobile customers:

• Delivering 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

• Providing a seamless path for customers to download the Skype application for their mobile, enabling access to content, product information and support if required

• Supporting Skype’s global customer base in local languages

• Providing an integrated, easy to use, rich mobile web user experience to Skype’s 170M 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 said “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) commented “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.

*average monthly connected users for the three months ended 30 June 2011.

www.migcan.com
www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk

Mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announced that it has been named as a finalist in the National Business Awards.

Over 150 of Britain’s most innovative and successful public and private sector businesses have been selected as part of the prestigious awards in partnership with Orange. Organisations shortlisted this year range from the well-known Debenhams, JD Wetherspoon, moneysupermarket.com, Harvey Nash and Stannah – through to the rising stars of Ovo Energy, Door-Stop, ShortList Media and HeartSine Technologies.

Having faced an extensive selection process which took in to account many different indicators of company growth, expertise and best management practice, MIG has been selected, along with 10 other UK businesses to join the role call of the UK’s ‘most successful’ in the 3i Private Business of the Year category.

All finalists will now have to complete a video interview with the eventual winner being announced on 8th November at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Judges for this final stage include:

• David Whileman, 3i Partner, UK Private Equity
• David Kilburn, CEO, MKM Building Supplies
• David Richards, CEO, SLR Consulting
• Tim Scott, Chairman/Founder, ENER-G
• Mike Tobin, CEO, TelecityGroup

The announcement follows recent company power moves which have seen MIG acquire Golden Bytes, a Dutch mobile technology, marketing and services company, open a wholly owned office in the US and achieve ‘Facebook Developer Consultant’ status.

Barry Houlihan, CEO of Mobile Interactive Group said: “The last few years have been challenging for UK businesses and so achieving ‘finalist status’ in the National Business Awards really means a lot to us. It exemplifies what is at the heart of our company – a unique blend of the very best people, cutting edge technology and a commitment to exceptional service delivery.”

http://info.migcan.com/MIGwhitepaper

Mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today released a major research white paper on the trends and opportunities in participation TV (P-TV) services in particular social channels across global markets.                             

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

It also interrogates mash-ups between established social media channels, in particular Twitter and Facebook, with TV and interactivity concluding that there is an emerging and potent P-TV model based on interactivity driven through social media – Social Participation TV, a new term identified by MIG.  

Key research findings include:

1. Mobile will become the main vehicle for interaction between viewer and broadcaster

40% of mobile users are most likely to be multi-tasking using their phone while watching the TV

2. Smartphone and tablet adoption will drive TV and mobile multi-tasking in UK and US, creating a more engaged audience, and significantly increasing programme interaction

The majority of multi-tasking occurs during the evenings and weekends during peak TV times when online browsing declines and mobile browsing grows 

3. Facebook will drive a shift in interactive audience behaviour away from phone calls and text with these channels becoming peripheral in the long term

Facebook mobile now accounts for 50 % of its 700 million users globally.  67% of all respondents indicated that the internet is the ideal way to interact with TV shows with 50% of those indicating that Facebook would be their preferred channel to purchase and use participation TV services such as voting.

4. 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.

MIG’s global research into the Social Participation TV sector, incorporated qualitative and quantitative insights from The IAB and PhonePay Plus and Adfonic, and also drew conclusions from interviews conducted with 3,000 consumers in the UK.

Barry Houlihan, CEO, Mobile Interactive Group said: “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.

For broadcasters, the direct consumer interaction can be the ideal opportunity to capture data, while Facebook presents an ideal viral opportunity. But it also highlights the need for every programme strategy to adopt a multi device and platform approach, to ensure maximum viewer reach and engagement.

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 technology platform ‘mVoy’ enables broadcasters, media and production companies from all over the world to interact, engage and communicate with viewers via any mobile device (incorporating the internet and Facebook).  mVoy Engage also provides a definitive toolset to power social interactive formats including voting, polls and competitions, as well as credit based mobile payment solutions.

www.migcan.com/mobile-technology

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a mobile and digital technology business today announces the consolidation; upgrade and rebranding of its proprietary technology to one global platform ‘mVoy’.  

To enable brands from all over the world to interact, engage and communicate with consumers via mobile, MIG’s mVoy platform incorporates multiple tools, products and technologies:

mVoy Publish provides retailers, brands, publishers and marketing agencies with a flexible product to design, build, manage and host mobile websites and apps, including fully transactional mCommerce services. It is the most powerful and intuitive product in the marketplace and is available to licence globally and also as a fully managed service.  mVoy Publish integrates mobile into other communications channels such as SMS and social media. 

mVoy Communicate provides brands, publishers and corporate enterprises with a flexible, web based product to build and manage, both inbound and outbound mobile marketing campaigns, such as sales promotions and content alerts, via SMS, email and various social media channels including Facebook and Twitter.  mVoy Communicate integrates into your existing CRM system through full API connections, is available to license globally and also as a fully managed service. 

mVoy Engage provides media, broadcast and entertainment companies with a definitive toolset to power social interactive formats and services to viewers:  Formats and services range from high capacity, real-time SMS voting and competitions with participation TV shows through multiple platforms and devices, including iPhone, Android, RIM, Facebook, traditional web and mobile internet.  Additionally mVoy Engage can run power both ‘free-to-consumer’ and ‘paid-for’ interactions via Premium SMS (PSMS), iTunes and Facebook Credits.  Offered globally as a fully managed service, mVoy Engage is fully accessible via app, mobile internet, online and social networks.

mVoy Connect provides broadcasters, mobile network operators (MNO’s), social networks and others with mobile messaging, billing and payment solutions.  It is the fastest SMS gateway in the industry, provides direct to MNO billing and is simple to use and integrates into other 3^rd party platforms. The mVoy Connect technology is capable of processing in excess of 12,000 messages per second and is available as a fully managed service. 

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, Mobile Interactive Group commented “In today’s complex mobile value chain, we wanted to simplify MIG’s offering and make it easier for our clients, partners and the industry at large, to understand how MIG’s technology enables global businesses to interact and engage via mobile with one trusted partner.”

“MIG’s mVoy technology platform is available globally, giving us the flexibility required to respond to our clients ever changing requirements and locations.  The individual products, Publish, Communicate, Engage and Connect provide our clients with a fully integrated toolset to utilise the mobile channel to raise brand awareness, drive customer acquisition and retention, manage and deliver complex mCRM campaigns, manage mobile payments and increase ROI.”

Notes:

• mVoy Publish – Previously MIG’s mobile internet and app publishing platform Kilrush
• mVoy Communicate – Previously MIG’s mobile marketing platform Enterprise (Piri)
• mVoy Engage – Previously MIG’s Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP)
• mVoy Connect – Previously MIG’s messaging platform, Gateway 

To book a meeting and or ask questions please email mVoy@migcan.com

MobileActive Limited (ASX: MBA), Australia’s leading independent mobile phone content, interactive services and technology company, today launched an SMS gateway directly connected with major Australian telecommunications carriers Telstra, Optus and VHA.

Prior to this the company’s carrier connections were via a third party.

“As more and more people deliver made-for-mobile web sites and applications, messaging will have an increasing role to play in terms of communicating with customers and driving traffic,” said MobileActive Limited CEO Chris Thorpe.

An SMS gateway is a device or service for delivering SMS messages to mobile networks from other media, or vice versa, allowing transmission or receipt of SMS messages to and from the telecommunications carrier networks with or without the use of a mobile phone.

The establishment of the gateway enables MobileActive’s business-to-business division, Mobile Embrace, to deliver its products and services directly through the major carrier networks and to be an aggregator for third parties to deliver products and services directly through the networks, supporting business growth.

“The gateway agreement allows us to wrap our market leading technology platform with our unrivalled mobile communication services to deliver the best outcome for media, digital, mobile service providers and market operators,” said Chris Thorpe.

The SMS gateway can comfortably handle 12,000 messages per second, which MobileActive believes will establish the fastest throughput gateway in AsiaPac, making it ideal for high volume interactivity to handle the largest throughput client services.

In addition, the gateway will enable the company’s Mobile Entertainment Retail Division to improve gross SMS revenue margin and will be utilised by MobileActive’s majority-owned mobile advertising joint venture, 4th Screen Advertising Australia.

The SMS aggregation unit will sit in MobileActive’s business-to-business division, Mobile Embrace.  Becoming an aggregator for third parties enables Mobile Embrace to deliver products and services directly through the carrier networks, firmly supporting business growth.

The SMS gateway complements the existing full mobile services infrastructure Mobile Embrace offers to clients, including mobile web and applications publishing, multichannel digital marketing solutions, M-commerce and billing, messaging solutions, interactive mobile platforms, branded mobile content and applications production, hosting and delivery, loyalty and reward solutions and mobile membership services.

MobileActive Ltd entered an exclusive technology commercial partnership with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) for the Australian and New Zealand markets in May 2010.

MIG technology platforms complement the existing MobileActive infrastructure Mobile Embrace offers to clients and supports a number of specialist disciplines including mobile internet and applications publishing, multichannel digital solutions,M-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms.

http://meffys.com

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced that they have been shorted for ‘Best Brand on Mobile’ at the 2011 MEFFY Awards, highlighting the growing importance of mobile as a key engagement channel.

Last year MIG were approached by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe to design and build their PlayStation Official App and the first version was released for iPhone and Android devices in January 2011. 

The app allows fans to access a variety of PlayStation content, such as read the latest news and information on hardware, view video trailers and screenshots on new games being released, discover a full list of games for PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Portable, and PlayStation®2, as well as accessing their PlayStation®Network (PSN).  Avid users have the option to share content through email and on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. 

Emmanuel Orssaud, Portal Manager, PlayStation commented “Our objective for launching the free branded app, which was designed and built by MIG, was to provide an engaging customer experience that enable users to stay connected to the PlayStation brand wherever they are.  Since launch the app has been re-released to incorporate an additional 20 countries and is delivering results over and above expectations, reaching No.1 in the app store in the ‘Entertainment’ category in multiple countries.  We look forward to attending the MEFFY’S in July and hearing the final result.”

The eight annual MEFFY Awards, which highlight the most innovative and successful apps, services, content, business models and technology from across the globe, take place on 7^th July at a special gala dinner at the Grand Connaught Rooms, London.  The event will be hosted by international TV personality, comedienne and author Ruby Wax.

To find out more and to discuss how we can work together please get in touch – mobile@migcan.com

Mobile operator Three (www.three.co.uk) has selected premium mobile advertising network 4th Screen Advertising as the exclusive sales partner for advertising on its customer mobile portal.  4th Screen replaces Yahoo! as the company’s portal advertising sales partner from early June.
 
Three’s portal is one of the largest mobile internet portals of all the UK operators, reflecting the company’s mobile data leadership. It generates 50m+ page impression per month on the homepage and hosts a range of content and services including My3, Three Music Store, Three Games Store, video content and social networking content and applications. 
 
Three offers a range of advertising opportunities on the site in the form of standard banners, full screen takeovers and sponsorship opportunities within the content of the portal itself. Advertisers can target Three’s customers by time of day, placement on the portal, age, gender and handset type.
 
As part of the re-launch, 4th Screen and Three will be greatly extending the advertising potential of the portal by offering advertisers deeper targeting tools. These will be announced later in the year.
 
In addition, Three will be working with 4th Screen to develop bespoke rich media ad-formats as well as drawing on 4th Screen’s existing toolkit of engaging advertising tools such as video, carousels and ‘tap–to-expand’ formats.
 
Three has also recently launched a dedicated mobile portal for its customers on Android handsets which now generates more than 10 million page impressions per month, presenting a further profiled targeting opportunity for advertisers.
 
Neil Andrews, head of media sales and content services at Three, said: “The user numbers on our portal are growing all the time and that, combined with continuing innovations in our targeting capabilities, makes the Three mobile portal a compelling advertising proposition.
 
“Bringing 4th Screen on board will help us to capitalise on this success – as a mobile ad specialist they really understand the dynamics of this marketplace and what makes mobile inventory a valuable channel for advertisers.”
 
Mark Slade, MD at 4th Screen, said: “Three has worked hard to become one of the UK’s most trafficked mobile customer portals and, as such, it is leading the market in a whole range of ways, not least in its ability to offer a large and well-segmented audience to advertisers.  Inventory on the Three portal is truly premium space and it offers a great opportunity to reach out to new and existing mobile advertisers with a whole range of exciting new opportunities.”

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces its ‘Preferred Developer Consultant‘ status as selected by Facebook.

Facebook’s ‘Preferred Developer Consultant Programme’ provides brands, celebrities, companies and organisations with a premium directory of expert suppliers when looking to build with Facebook products and technologies.

Marcus Kern, CTO, Mobile Interactive Group said “The accreditation from Facebook as a ‘Preferred Developer Consultant’ is a tremendous endorsement for MIG – It underpins our technical capabilities and supports MIG’s reach as a provider of technology solutions to businesses on a global scale.  As announced earlier this year, strategic discussions with international broadcasters and other businesses are progressing and we expect to make some further announcements shortly.”

In April this year MIG integrated its Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP) with Facebook launching real-time voting on Facebook and new production formats on a global scale; enabling participants of some of the world’s most popular TV shows to cast free or paid-for votes using Facebook Credits and providing broadcasters with access to more than 500 million Facebook users worldwide.

IBP has been designed to integrate into existing Facebook Apps through a simple SDK.  This integration enables a real-time feed of voting statistics into the broadcasters’ production environment, allowing broadcasters to count the votes for the show, ensuring all votes are fully auditable, secure, and compliant and collected within the voting window.

During spring of this year MIG’s IBP platform proved to be hugely successful for Sky’s ‘Got to Dance’ and ITV’s ‘Dancing on Ice’, enabling viewers to participate and vote via mobile internet and apps. In addition to Facebook apps, our Interactive Broadcast Platform now provides APIs and SDKs to extend paid-for TV interaction to iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and mobile internet devices internationally.

To find out more and to discuss how we can work together please get in touch –
mobile@migcan.com

Mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announced that it has provided the text donation platform and mobile payments gateway to support Vodafone UK and JustGiving’s new text donation service, JustTextGiving by Vodafone. 

For the first time ever, the new service will enable any charity or individual on any mobile network to raise money using text messages as a donation mechanic. 

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 to £5 and £10. 

All donations will be 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 well-established pedigree of working with charities to provide mobile donation mechanics including Sport Relief (2010) and Comic Relief (2009 and 2011) which recently saw MIG enable the public to donate a record £15.1M for Red Nose Day with its platform processing more than 4.3M transactions.

Barry Houlihan, CEO, Mobile Interactive Group said: “This year Comic Relief raised an incredible £74.3M, of which £15,168,331 (just over 20%) was donated via text donations, clearly demonstrating a huge appetite for the public to be able to donate via their mobile device. 

 “The launch of JustTextGiving by Vodafone marks a massive step forward for the third sector.  MIGs 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.”

Comic Relief 2011 has raised an astounding £15,168,331 through £1, £5 and £10 text donations, making a significant contribution to the overall £74.3 million raised so far.  In line with previous years, every penny donated goes to Comic Relief thanks to the mobile operators waiving their usual fees and the Treasury confirming no VAT will be charged.

2011 marks the third year in a row Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has been involved with providing the text mobile donation mechanic (Red Nose Day 2009, Sport Relief 2010, Red Nose Day 2011), enabling the public to donate £1, £5 and £10 to Comic Relief via mobile.  This year a partnership was formed between MIG and Harvest Media Group to facilitate this project.  There has been a host of fundraising activity encompassing multiple channels to raise awareness including Mobile, TV, radio, social media, online, nationwide events and more. 

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

Radha Chakraborty, Operations Director, Comic Relief said: “SMS donations provide a valuable channel for us and appeal to a wide audience. 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.  All the money donated will be spent by Comic Relief to transform lives, both in the UK and across Africa.” 

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) commented: “It’s great to continue to see Comic Relief utilise mobile and the text donations mechanic as a core channel to secure donations for Red Nose Day.   This year has been an astounding success, raising over £15.1m via mobile alone.”

The ‘BT Red Nose Desert Trek’ saw celebrities such as Dermot O’Leary, Scott Mills, Kara Tointon, Lorraine Kelly and Olly Murs lead a caravan of camels across the Kaisut desert in north Kenya, in temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius, to raise money for Comic Relief.  Throughout the trek the celebrities dialled into Radio One to update Chris Moyles and the other DJ’s on their progress, who in turn prompted listeners 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 on 18^th March 2011 where viewers could text to donate £5.

On 5th March, David Walliams completed the UK’s first 24 hour panel show, with panellists including Neil Tennant, Robert Webb, Alexa Chung, Chris O’Dowd, Matt Edmonson and Nick Grimshaw.  For the duration of the show viewers were invited to donate £5 by texting the keyword ‘FIVER’ to 70005. 

‘Famous, Rich and in the Slums’, which was broadcast on the 3^rd and 10^th March on BBC One and featured Lenny Henry and three other celebrities experiencing life in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum. Viewers were asked to text HELP to 70005 to donate £5 to the charity. These were just a few of the ways the public were invited to donate to Comic Relief via text.

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.

Every year, the New Media Age Marketing Services Guide lists leading specialists in the fields of affiliate marketing, online ad networks, web analytics and email, search marketing and mobile and ranks them according to gross profit.

The financial year to April 2010 saw MIG continue to build mobile marketing and technology services for many major blue chip brands and media companies including ITV, Channel Five, BskyB, Comic Relief, National Magazine Company, Bauer and more. This commercial growth saw MIG’s revenue increase by 15 per cent, staff grow by 30 per cent. The company also significantly increased its investment in technology to a seven figure sum.

Fuelled by the growth in smartphones and mobile internet usage, MIG has also been at the forefront of the uptake in mCommerce, building a significant mobile presence for high street retailers, M&S and New Look as well as strengthening its own technology with the launch of the MIG Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP) and creating innovative new payment solutions by integrating it with the recently launched Facebook Credits.

Elsewhere MIG acquired Dutch mobile technology, marketing and services company Golden Bytes and opened a wholly owned operation in the US, building out the MIG footprint internationally.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, Mobile Interactive Group said: “An incredible effort from all the dedicated staff at MIG has ensured we maintain our position as one of Europe’s leading mobile businesses.  2010 was a very strong trading year and we have achieved similar growth again this year as our business is really now starting to capitalise on the huge demand for mobile services globally.

“Additionally, we have heavily invested in our business this year increasing our cost base by a further £3m year on year as we seek to globalise our business with new operations now in Holland, USA and Australia.  We have also invested heavily in our global technology platform notably with the launches of our mobile (and social) marketing platform, our new m-commerce platform and our recently announced social payments and interactive platform for the broadcast industry.  We achieve all of our success thanks to the dedication of our fantastic staff and the belief of our customers.”

 The National Magazine Company (NatMag) and mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces a partnership which sees the design, development and build of the publisher’s first ever mobile internet sites for Company and Men’s Health, with more brands to follow.

In addition, Natmag’s will be working with MIG’s mobile advertising agency 4^th Screen Advertising to monetise content through the delivery of highly targeted ‘rich media’ mobile advertising.  All mobile advertising will be powered by 4^th Screen Advertising ad serving platform, Mpression.

Driving brand engagement, encouraging interaction and data collection is key to the new mobile internet sites for both Company and Men’s Health.  Users will be able to enter competitions; sign up for newsletters; order subscriptions with ‘click to call’ payment functionality and access content for free on sites optimised for smartphone, feature and traditional mobile handsets. 

The Company mobile internet site launched earlier this month and the site for Men’s Health is expected to launch in early May.  Other brands in NatMag’s extensive portfolio of magazines and websites will follow over the coming months. 

Company is renowned for keeping young women up to date, on trend & in the know across a number of platforms including the recently re-invigorated Company magazine, which has a circulation of more than 200,000, the popular website www.company.co.uk and the biannual fashion essential Company High Street Edit. The website brings readers the best of the high street, beauty tips & tricks as well as the best online advice for young women. It also has great high street competitions, games, behind the scenes at Company HQ and a loyal community.

Men’s Health is the UK’s bestselling title in the men’s market with a monthly circulation of 245,923. Famed for its iconic black and white cover the magazine provides British men with expert advice to help improve their standard of living in today’s contemporary culture. Men’s Health and www.menshealth.co.uk keeps its readers up-to-date with the very latest fitness, health, financial, cultural, style and grooming news to name a few.

Sharon Douglas, Group Circulation and Marketing Director, the National Magazine Company says, “Following a significant increase in traffic numbers to our websites via mobile devices, we identified a  need to develop our internet sites so that they were not only optimised for mobile, but that our customers were getting the best service and experience possible.  We are delighted to be partnering with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) on this project, which is part of NatMag’s overall business plan to develop branded content across multiple platforms.”

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Group commented “Over the past few months we’ve been helping Natmag’s with its mobile strategy, optimising its core offering for mobile, which encompasses the design, development and build of mobile internet sites and apps. It is important that mobile dovetails into and compliments their existing digital strategy.  The new sites for Company and Men’s Health take content feeds directly from Natmag CMS ensuring an up to date, engaging customer experience, specifically designed for mobile.”

Tina Taylor, Commercial Director, 4^th Screen Advertising commented, “It’s great to be working with the teams at Natmag to sell premium mobile advertising across a mix of titles, tailored specifically to cater for both male and female audiences.  The Natmag portfolio offers consumers a broad range of lifestyle sites, all of which have the capability to support targeted, rich media mobile advertising that engages readers, whilst also providing a great environment that encourages new advertisers into the mobile space.”

MobileActive Limited (ASX: MBA), Australia’s leading independent mobile phone content, interactive services and technology company, today announced its Business-to-Business division, Mobile Embrace, has signed an exclusive mobile advertising technology and production agreement with Multi Channel Network (MCN).
MCN represents over 50 premium channels on Subscription TV and over 75 Web sites. This provides advertisers with an effective ’one stop shop’, reaching around 97% of STV viewers on a weekly basis and delivering 75-80% of all the commercial ratings across its 50+ channels.

Mobile Embrace will enhance MCN’s range of truly integrated and multi-platform marketing assets that can deliver creative advertising opportunities not readily available with traditional mediums.
The 4th Screen proprietary mobile ad-serving platform Mpression is the driving force behind Mobile Embrace’s mobile advertising offering. Its features include rich media ad formats and advanced targeting capabilities. At its heart is a sophisticated but user-friendly media planning tool.

This capability will enable MCN advertisers to easily plan and create campaigns, targeting database segments by demographics, handset type, operator, and other significant factors that will greatly benefit customers.
MobileActive Chief Executive Officer Chris Thorpe said it’s been reported that up to 86% of mobile internet users are using their devices whilst watching television.

“Leveraging mobile as a communications channel is fast becoming a necessary core component to any business,” said Mr Thorpe.

The 4th Screen Mpression ad-serving platform offers MCN advertisers access to a host of innovative rich media formats, including application sponsorship, interstitials, real-time dynamic ad insertion, and the exclusive iSlide creative treatment.

The iSlide format is for iPhone applications, Android and mobile websites and can be viewed on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android devices and expands a regular banner to fill almost the whole screen, creating massive impact and huge customer engagement.

Mobile Embrace’s Kilrush Site Builder brings advertisers into the mobile space by providing the tools to enable rapid deployment of mobile internet sites and rendering those to over 8,000 devices worldwide. The platform integrates seamlessly with interactive messaging, mobile ad-serving and M-commerce solutions, as well as talking to existing business systems.

Anthony Fitzgerald, CEO of MCN, said: “MCN is a multi-dimensional communication company with a strong reputation for innovative advertising solutions. Interactive Advertising (iAds), Video on Demand, Online, MOBILE FOXTEL from Telstra, Consumer Promotions, Production and Integrated Sponsorships. These provide the ability for advertisers to target their consumers more effectively as well as utilising numerous integration opportunities to achieve a deeper connection with the viewer.”

“Our aim is to link advertisers’ products, services & brands with powerful channel brands and environments to maximize a campaign’s communication potential. Mobile Embrace’s experience, expertise and world class technology will enable MCN to deliver innovative mobile advertising solutions and even deeper connections for our advertisers with consumers.”

Mobile Embrace’s mobile technology is part of the exclusive technology licence and commercial partnership MobileActive has with the UK’s leading integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and MobileActive’s majority held joint venture in 4th Screen Advertising Australia.

High street fashion retailer New Look today announces the launch of a fully transactional mCommerce site. The site has been designed and built by mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG). It integrates into New Look’s back end systems and utilises the latest developments in mobile technology (Javascript, CSS3 & HTML5) to offer the ultimate mobile shopping experience.

Key features include fast ‘One Click’ checkout for registered users; quicker journey from homepage to products with engaging zoom functionality; easy to browse products in one, two or three column formats; seamless viewing with accordion navigation to reduce page refreshes and single consumer shopping basket between the website and mobile site.

The challenge of most mCommerce sites is to give customers the confidence to purchase via mobile. The focus of the project was to launch the most engaging and seamless transactional service of any high street fashion retailer to date that would encourage New Look’s mobile savvy customers to buy.

Dom McBrien, eCommerce Director, New Look says, “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.  As a result, New Look is launching a market-leading mobile-optimised site. Crisp and zoomable product imagery, social media integration and an easy one-click checkout for registered users are just a few of the cutting-edge features.

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.”

Matt Cockett, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Group commented, “We’ve worked closely with New Look on the design, user experience (UX), the end-to-end build and integration of the site with a suite of API’s, provided by New Looks eCommerce software provider ATG, to deliver a future proofed mCommerce site that is connected to all product and customer account systems.  Like many online retailers, New Look are seeing a daily increase in shoppers viewing their website via a mobile device, now they’re able to give consumers choice of ordering what they want, how they want and wherever they want.”

With a plethora of features, the New Look mCommerce site boasts multiple calls to action and a prominent ‘Search’ bar on the homepage to enable users to get to relevant products quickly and easily. Within the product pages users can refine category searches without leaving the page and define how they want to display their product results page. Users will be notified if that particular product is running low in stock or is out of stock.  The site also offers a seamless user experience across both high end and feature phones, enabled by MIG’s mobile website and application publishing platform.

Registered users benefit from a quick, simple and secure ‘One Click’ purchasing process and users are also able to shop anonymously with no registration required.  To make delivery easy, shoppers have the option to nominate a particular delivery day and time right from their mobile device.

Consumers can also review their account details; track their orders; check out recently viewed items when returning to the site and post up seamlessly to Facebook and Twitter.

Do you want to increase your revenue and drive repeat business through our mCommerce solutions?

Please email mobile@migcan.com or call +44 (0)870 235 4042

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces the integration of its Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP) with social platform Facebook, enabling more than 500 million users* to interact and vote worldwide.

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, enter polls, and competitions (sweep stakes) using their Facebook Credits (Facebooks virtual currency).

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, MIG said, “We launched our Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP) this January and the platform has already proven to be hugely successful for Sky’s ‘Got to Dance’, enabling viewers to participate and vote via mobile internet and apps.  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.

“At present we’re having strategic discussions with a number of key international broadcasters and other businesses and expect to make some significant announcements for prime time shows in the coming months.”

How does it work?

It’s simple – for example, fans of a participation TV show would access the show’s Facebook Page, here they can purchase 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, and compliant and collected within the voting window.

Having worked in the media industry for some years now, MIG has an in depth understanding of broadcast requirements.  IBP’s unique architecture means the platform has been built to facilitate the largest interactive formats in the world.  The platform is available across a range of smartphone apps stores; mobile web and traditional web; can accommodate various price points to suit different broadcaster requirements and is available as a fully managed service or through an SDK.

Additionally MIG announced an exclusive three year partnership with ITV continuing their five year relationship and a two year contract renewal with FIVE in January 2011; has recently published strong financial results for 2010 listing a sustained increase in turnover of 15% from £68m in 2009 to £78m in 2010; and in March announced the acquisition of mobile technology, marketing and services company Golden Bytes International B.V. to fast track the reach of MIG’s services into Europe.

Leading mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces the acquisition of mobile technology; marketing and services company Golden Bytes International B.V (GB) together with GB’s operations in Netherlands and Belgium, fast tracking the reach of MIG services into Europe.

The acquisition will see GB adopt the MIG brand and enable MIG to offer its vast range of services and technology, including the development of mobile internet sites and apps, user experience design, loyalty and digital builds, mobile marketing and advertising, and mCommerce to existing GB clients, as well as new clients in the near future. An investment in strengthening local sales and marketing, technical and operational support has been incorporated into the deal, to enable the smooth integration of MIG’s global technology platforms and services and to allow the business to further expand into other European markets.

GB has traditionally operated a number of significant mobile technology platforms for customers in the Netherlands and Belgium, in the areas of SMS, MMS and IVR.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, Mobile Interactive Group commented “As part of our extensive international expansion plans, MIG specifically targeted Golden Bytes to give the business further reach, extending our global footprint to cover the UK, USA, Australia and now Europe. The combination of knowledge, experience, services and technology will deliver greater value and more engaging experiences to customers utilising our platforms, and will contribute significantly to our margin and revenue growth internationally.

“Golden Bytes launched in 1999 and was one of the first mobile services businesses in Europe. We have a huge amount of respect for their work delivered to date, and although in its infancy the teams have integrated well and the agreement has already opened up some really exciting conversations with new and existing clients. We look forward to working as one over the coming years and increasing our activities in Europe. The deal will help to increase our consolidated revenues to £100M for 2011.”

Jonathan Kenny, CEO, Golden Bytes International B.V commented “The acquisition from Mobile Interactive Group is a tremendous boost for our business, bringing huge benefits to all at Golden Bytes. More importantly, it will also deliver a host of benefits to our customers, enabling us to provide them with the best technology platforms and services available in the market.

“Over the years we have watched in admiration at what MIG has achieved in terms of innovation, technologies, financial performance and reputation. Having worked closely with them over these last few months, it comes as no surprise why MIG are market leaders and held in such high esteem by their customers and within the industry.”

Golden Bytes International B.V was acquired organically through existing funds for an undisclosed sum.

In June 2010, MIG acquired mobile marketing and CRM provider Piri Limited to broaden the group’s technology and services offering across the mobile services value chain. More recently MIG posted strong financial results for 2010 detailing 46% gross profit margin increase, 30% staff growth and a revenue increase of 15%.

MobileActive Limited (ASX:MBA), Australia’s leading independent mobile phone content, interactive services and technology company, said its majority owned 4th Screen Advertising Australia (4th Screen Australia) has added McDonalds to its client roster.

The client roster has grown consistently with delivered mobile advertising campaigns including Qantas, 20th Century Fox, Telstra and Spreets.

Peter Birch, Managing Director of 4th Screen Australia, said: “Agencies are recognising our ad formats are bringing more brand advertisers onto the mobile web. We are ahead of the curve in design and execution.

“Given the nature of our high impact, rich media banners, we are experiencing very high click through performance over our expanding network of publishers. Across the board we are witnessing mobile out-perform traditional online campaigns in terms of ad retention, propensity to purchase and response.”

The 4th Screen proprietary mobile ad-serving platform Mpression is the driving force behind the mobile advertising offering. Its features include advanced targeting capabilities as well as rich media ad formats.

“We also have the combined experience and expertise of ourselves and 4th Screen based in the UK, having run volumes of campaigns to date. We are applying this knowledge and experience to meet the requirements of advertisers in Australia,” said Mr Birch.

MobileActive’s award winning mobile marketing expertise and 4th Screen’s market leading mobile ad-serving technology came together in November 2010 to create 4th Screen Advertising Australia.
The Mpression ad-serving platform offers advertisers access to a host of innovative rich media formats, including application sponsorship, interstitials, real-time dynamic ad insertion, and the exclusive iSlide creative treatment. The iSlide format is for iPhone applications, Android and mobile websites and can be viewed on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android devices and expands a regular banner to fill almost the whole screen, creating massive impact and huge engagement.
The 4th Screen Advertising Australia joint venture sits in MobileActive’s Business-to-Business division, Mobile Embrace, alongside the company’s Mobile Entertainment Retail (MER) and RingRing Studios (mobile content production, licensing and distribution) units.

4th Screen Advertising Australia complements the existing infrastructure Mobile Embrace offers to clients, including mobile internet and applications publishing, multichannel digital marketing solutions, M-commerce and billing, messaging solutions, interactive mobile platforms, branded mobile content and applications development, hosting and delivery, loyalty & reward and mobile membership.

London and Barcelona, 14th February 2011:  Global mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today reveals strong growth for 2010, listing a sustained increase in turnover of 15% from £68M in 2009 to £78M in 2010.

Highlights from MIG’s consolidated accounts include:
• Revenue increase of 15%
• Staff growth of 30%
• Continued to increase our investment in technology development to £5m for the year
• Operating profit trebles for the year
• Further international expansion with new offices in USA

“We are delighted with our financial results and would like to thank our customers for their continued support.  The smartphone revolution continues to have a significant effect on our business and we expect it to continue” said Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, Mobile Interactive Group.

“Looking forwards to 2011, we anticipate a larger contribution to our margin growth to come from overseas customers and we are on track to deliver strong revenue growth through organic expansion and acquisition, with margin growth in line with previous years.  Our continued positive operating cash flow demonstrates that our core business model is highly cash generative and we believe 2011 will be a very big year for MIG and our customers.”

“In 2010 we invested significantly in new mobile infrastructure and technology particularly in the areas of mobile payments, mobile CRM, mobile web and app development and mobile advertising.  We are now starting to see the benefits of this investment as we grow and scale our business into new markets.”

To broaden the group’s technology and services offering across the mobile services value chain, MIG acquired CRM and mobile marketing technology business Piri, in June 2010.  MIG intends to make further acquisitions in 2011 as it seeks to increase its international footprint.

In October 2010 MIG was named No.1 in the ‘Deloitte Technology Fast 50’ and ‘EMEA Fast 500’ recording 26,885% growth over a five year period.  Additionally MIG ranked as the No.1 mobile company in the UK (NMA Marketing Services Guide) for three consecutive years (2008, 2009 and 2010).

Recent contract announcements include an exclusive strategic partnership and extended three year contract renewal with ITV, a two year contract renewal with Channel 5 and a new partnership with Sky – With all three utilising MIG’s Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP) to enable live votes, polls and real-time participation and more via mobile.

MIG is also expecting to make further major customer announcements over the coming weeks.

To find out more and to discuss how we can work together please get in touch –
E mobile@migcan.com

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announces a two year contract renewal with Channel 5 to power all mobile interactive services including continued m-CRM initiatives, mobile messaging and developing interactive revenue generation concepts for flagship shows including The Gadget Show, Fifth Gear, CSI and NCSI.

• Opening new revenue channels
• Implementing m-CRM strategy to encourage viewer interactivity and drive loyalty
• Driving participation in flagship shows utilising MIG’s Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP)
• Extending interactivity beyond SMS and traditional telephone services

The contract, now entering its fourth year between Channel 5 and MIG, really signifies the viewers continued desire to interact with their favourite TV shows via mobile.

Emma Derrick, Commercial Dev Controller, Channel 5 commented, “Interactivity via mobile remains high on the agenda for Channel 5 and working with MIG ensures we are advised of key trends developing in the broadcast and entertainment market, whilst also benefitting from their expertise and technological innovations. MIG have played a pivotal role in implementing m-CRM and driving viewer loyalty. 

“We look forward to developing new initiatives over the coming two years and creating further uplift in real-time viewer participation, whilst ensuring engaging and seamless customer journeys via mobile.”

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Group said, “Having partnered with Channel 5 over the last four years, successfully implementing a range of mobile CRM programmes and initiatives, we’re delighted to continue working together.  We have a collaborative relationship with Channel 5’s interactive teams which has served us well; to open new revenue channels; to implement new formats to drive viewer interactivity; to advise on how consumers are increasingly watching TV whilst using a connected mobile device and highlighting how Channel 5 viewers can engage with show content.”

Additionally, MIG recently announced the launch of its Interactive Broadcast Platform (IBP).  Features within the platform include Live Voting and Polling; multiple options to purchase via Credit Based Payment System; real time credit balance function; Social Media Integration; the ability to Watch Live and View Highlights; Real-time Opening and Closing of all campaigns and it integrates with all third party vote systems.

To find out more and to discuss how we can work together please get in touch –
E mobile@migcan.com

ITV today announced an exclusive three year partnership with global mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG).

Following an extensive pitch process, MIG has been appointed as the exclusive mobile interactive technology provider and strategic partner to ITV. The partnership is a continuation of five years of mobile technology service provision, where ITV have seen substantial increased popularity in mobile interactive services.

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! as well as exploring a range of new mobile interactive services to support the growing consumer interest in innovative mobile offerings.

The first of these, a new Mobile Voting Platform, launched this weekend in the form of a brand new web app for Dancing on Ice 2011. The internet connected voting platform, designed by MIG, is an industry first allowing consumers to purchase credits for votes on shows via their internet connected mobile devices. The Dancing on Ice 2011 voting Web App utilises this bespoke technology allowing viewers to purchase credit which they can then use to vote for their favourite celebrity skaters on the move.

Ann Cook, Director of Interactive & Managing Director of ITL, ITV plc said, “Our aim has always been to increase audience enjoyment of our programmes, to develop closer relationships with our viewers and to understand what drives interactivity and participation; to date MIG has been a trusted and valuable partner, carrying out a significant role in enabling us to do just that.

“Due to the complex nature of our business needs, with the end of the contract approaching, we ran a highly competitive tender process to ensure we had a partner that we could rely upon to deliver compliant services, over the next three years, as well as working with us on technological advancements and innovation in the mobile and digital landscape.”

Barry Houlihan, CEO, MIG commented, “MIG has worked with ITV since 2005, managing their portfolio of mobile interactive services, whilst also delivering a range of innovative new technologies and applications. Over the past five years the role of mobile in driving loyalty, interactivity and audience participation has grown enormously and 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.

“MIG is committed to developing new platforms and innovating with ITV in-line with consumer demand shifting towards Apps, mobile internet and smartphone.”

Integrated mobile and digital communications business, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today unveils its new Interactive Broadcast Platform.

Features within the platform include Live Voting and Polling; multiple options to purchase via Credit Based Payment System; real time credit balance function; Social Media Integration; the ability to Watch Live and View Highlights; Real-time Opening and Closing of all campaigns and it integrates with all third party vote systems.

PhonepayPlus industry research indicates ‘Voting and other participation TV’ in the UK is worth £32m and that 29.4% of the population had participated in some form of interactivity.

The global interactive market for broadcast media is significant and growing rapidly as consumers adopt devices with far greater capability.

Barry Houlihan, CEO, Mobile Interactive Group (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.”

“Our platform is available across a range of smartphone app stores, mobile web and traditional web, putting viewer interactivity via mobile firmly back on the agenda.”

Different broadcasters will run different campaigns and MIG’s IBP can accommodate various price points to suit specific requirements. All communications are delivered via SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encrypted API’s to ensure user security.

MIG offer the platform as a fully managed service or as an SDK.

To find out more about the platform and to discuss how we can work together please get in touch -
E mobile@migcan.com

www.migcan.com

8th December, 2010 – London: Integrated mobile and digital communications business, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announced that it has secured an EMMA industry award for ‘most effective mobile site’ for the user experience and design of Marks & Spencer’s m-commerce mobile website.

Over 200 mobile industry executives representing brands, agencies and mobile operators attended the awards ceremony at Vinopolis in London which recognised companies for their great work in the mobile sector across all aspects of mobile marketing, advertising and m-commerce.

Marks and Spencer’s fully optimised and transactional site launched on 12th May 2010 and includes simple search and navigation giving consumers access to the full online inventory of M&S goods (Women’s, Men’s, Kid’s Clothing, Home and Furniture, Technology and more). In the first three months from launch, the site has delivered some impressive results, outstripping initial KPI’s:

• 1.2m unique visitors since launch with over 10m page views
• £3280 is the single largest value order (for two sofas)

Earlier this week, MIG also released its Christmas Sock Report, analysing details of the UK’s top 57 fashion retailers* and benchmarking them against their mCommerce capabilities. In particular the report tested the retailers against the question: how easy is it to find and purchase the most popular Christmas present – a pair of socks?

The report concluded that only 16 retailers had a mobile application with only nine of these being capable of processing a transaction. In addition, only four retailers had an optimised transactional mobile site. In total only 23 percent of all retailers in the fashion sector allowed users to find and purchase a pair of socks via mobile.

Ben Cusack, Group Marketing Director, Mobile Interactive Group said: “mCommerce is really hotting up as a growth area for the mobile industry. With analysts now agreeing that mobile will outstrip fixed line internet access in the next few years it is really important for retailers to catch this wave now, build mobile revenues and give customers more choice in to how and where they transact and interact with their favourite shops.

“We are extremely proud to have received the EMMA for the work we have done with Marks and Spencer, not least because together we’ve demonstrated leadership in how effective mobile is as a retail channel.”

www.migcan.com

6^th December, 2010, London: Integrated mobile and digital communications business, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today unveiled its Christmas Sock Report.  The research evaluated the UK’s top 57 retailers* against their mCommerce capabilities, in particular testing them against the question: how easy is it to find and purchase the most popular Christmas present – a pair of socks?

The report concluded that only 16 retailers had a mobile application with only nine of these being capable of processing a transaction.  In addition, only four retailers had an optimised transactional mobile site.  In total only 23 percent of all retailers in the fashion sector allowed users to find and purchase a pair of socks via mobile.  Clicks to find a pair of socks ranged between two and five and clicks to the checkout (or registration page) ranged between five and eight.

The Sock Report comes on the back of MIG’s recent announcement where it revealed initial results for its design and build of the Marks & Spencer optimised mobile website.  During the first three months since launch the site achieved:

- 1.2m unique visitors with over 10m page views

- Purchases made from TVs to socks – £3280 was the largest order (for two sofas)

With Morgan Stanley, predicting that mobile will overtake fixed line internet access by 2013, the report highlights the need for the fashion retail sector to embrace mCommerce.  Furthermore Tesco Direct last week issued findings of its analysis in to consumer shopping habits indicating that one in 10 Brits will do some of their online Christmas shopping using their mobile phone.

Ben Cusack, Group Marketing Director, Mobile Interactive Group said: “With the continued growth of smartphones and the mobile internet, mCommerce has rapidly grown in to a huge opportunity for the retail sector.  In the UK M&S has played a pivotal role in championing investment in mCommerce by allowing their customers to search, browse and purchase their full product range on mobile, at a time and place that’s convenient for them. 

“The Sock Report clearly demonstrates that the fashion subset of the retail sector is lagging behind somewhat and since we know that consumers’ online behaviour extends right in to the mobile channel, clearly there are huge gains to be made with a transactional mCommerce strategy in 2011.”

Growth in mCommerce is also on the increase in the US, where IDC Retail Insights recently reported ‘smartphones will account for at least $127 billion, or 28 percent, of the $447 billion the National Retail Federation predicts consumers will spend this holiday season’.  Additionally, industry analyst Mary Meeker has predicted that mCommerce will gain market share faster than tradition online retailing.

Top 57 retailers* – Retail Week Top Fashion Retailers

Shazam, the world’s leading mobile discovery provider, today announced the launch of an innovative, in-app advertising campaign service called the ‘Shazam Listening Screen Takeover’ which allows advertisers and marketing partners to own the iconic Shazam listening screen while a song is being identified by Shazam users on iPhones and iPod touches.

Universal Music is the first label in the UK to take advantage of this innovation in a campaign running until 15 January 2011.  The campaign promotes a roster of 28 artists – from Lady Gaga to the Black Eyed Peas – on Shazam using the Listening Screen Takeover.  Universal Music is complementing this creative move with a buyout of 100 per cent of Shazam’s banner inventory in the UK over the campaign period.

The deal was brokered on Shazam’s behalf by Fetch Media and premium mobile sales agency, 4th Screen Advertising with Fetch Media also working on behalf of Universal Music to create 28 different expandable banners, representing each artist in the campaign.

Shazamers will tag a chosen song and instead of the distinctive blue Shazam listening screen that appears as the song is being identified, iPhone and iPod touch users who have downloaded the free, ad-supported version of Shazam, will instead see a high-impact advertisement across three quarters of the screen.

“Shazam is driving innovation around mobile discovery, finding creative ways that allow brand advertisers, music labels and talent to interact with our fan base of millions in an engaging and exclusive environment,” said Evan Krauss, Executive Vice President, Advertising Sales, Shazam.

“Launching with Universal Music is a stellar start for our Listening Screen Takeover initiative and we think it has huge potential for marketers around the world,”  continued Krauss.

The Listening Screen Takeover takes mobile advertising to a new level by enabling marketers to engage the Shazam user with impactful creative – shown at its best on the iPhone or iPod touch screen – as the track they have tagged is being identified.

Once the track is identified and the Tag result is displayed on the next screen, the advertisement becomes an expandable, interactive banner. The Shazamer can tap on the banner to find out more information, or can simply allow the advertisement to retract to the top of the screen.

Shazamers can tap to buy the single or album on iTunes, watch the video, view lyrics or share their discovery through their social networks as normal.

The Listening Screen Takeover does not elongate the tagging process nor disrupt the Shazam experience for the user and delivers on marketers’ increasing desire to reach people via their mobile devices.
Marketers can purchase exclusive full-day sponsorships of the Listening Screen Takeover, so their campaigns are seen across the whole of Shazam’s ad-supported iPhone and iPod touch network.  Campaigns and promotions can also be tailored and delivered to specific advertising regions.

Tim Scoffham, Commercial Group Head, 4th Screen Advertising said, “Big brands and media companies are increasingly realising that mobile advertising has moved well beyond blind network strategies that score well on volume but by no means harness the true potential of the mobile channel.

“Shazam’s ability to deliver this new, rich media format via a highly targeted bespoke campaign is going to deliver great value to Universal Music.”

James Connelly, MD of Fetch Media said: “The ability to serve targeted adverts, based on tagging history and music preferences, is going to generate strong results and to have 100 per cent share of voice over the Christmas period on Shazam is great for the Universal Music artists.”

www.digital-jigsaw.com

Digital agency, Jigsaw, today announced the appointment of Creative Director, Scott Bedford to bolster Jigsaw’s management team.  Scott will bring a rich creative pedigree to the company’s technological expertise in delivering multichannel campaigns that push loyalty, sales and engagement across the web, mobile internet and applications for clients including Walkers, O2, Doritos, Tropicana, News International and Vodafone.  

Prior to joining Jigsaw Scott worked as Digital Creative Director at Carlson Marketing with clients including Müller and Hyundai, developing an agency wide multichannel strategy that combined digital, social media, direct marketing and sales promotion.   At Carlson Scott was instrumental in winning the ‘Coke Football’ digital account and also led the Lurpak account, for which the agency won several DMA awards around the ‘Saturday is breakfast day’ campaign.

Scott has also held the positions of Creative Director at Agency.com (2004 – 2005) and Syzygy (2005 – 2008) leading the digital and creative teams on accounts such as Mercedes-Benz, Citroen, Channel 4, Harvey Nichols and the pan-European Mazda account. 

Dominic Murray, Managing Director at Digital Jigsaw said: “Jigsaw has a proven track record in creating global digital campaigns for some of the biggest brands in the FMCG sector.  We’ve achieved this success by marrying our technological expertise to an evolved understanding of how to engage consumers across all digital channels. 

“Scott brings the highest level of creativity to this mix, making our approach innovative, integrated and robust.  We welcome Scott to the team.   

Scott Bedford, Creative Director at Digital Jigsaw said: “Jigsaw has already completed some impressive work that demonstrates a real demand for its multichannel, results driven ethos.  I’m looking forward to being part of the agency helping to refine its creative approach and contribute to its ongoing success.”   

Digital Jigsaw is part of the Mobile Interactive Group.

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

Deloitte today released the 2010 Technology Fast 500, for EMEA. Now in its 20th year, the annual Deloitte Technology Fast 500 ranks the fastest growing public and private technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies from 24 countries across EMEA.

MIG secured top spot in the ranking producing a five-year fiscal growth rate of 26,885 percent. Based in
London, UK, the firm specialises in integrated mobile and digital communications, servicing globally
renowned blue-chip companies.

David Halstead, Deloitte Partner in Charge of the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 programme said: “MIG
and all the other 2010 Deloitte Technology Fast 500TM winners deserve enormous credit for the
remarkable growth they have achieved in what remains a challenging economic environment.”

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder of MIG said: “We’re in a hot high-growth industry, dealing with rapid
changes in devices, products, platforms and user expectations. You need to have a clear vision, a great
business model and a very strong culture to deal with that.

Turbulent market conditions affect the average growth rate
The average five-year revenue growth rate in this year’s Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA ranking is
14,027 percent for the top five companies and 1,192 percent for the top 500. This was down from the 2009
growth figures of 24,068 percent for the top five and 1,470 percent for the full ranking.

David Halstead adds: “Although the average rates are slightly down on 2009, we have still seen vast
growth in this year’s Fast 500, in spite of the challenging financial market conditions. The mobile
technology and software sectors have been particularly robust.”

Geographic Trends
France has the highest concentration of Technology Fast 500 companies with 94, followed by the UK with
86. However, the UK has three of those companies in the top five. Sweden jumped ahead of Norway and the
Netherlands into third spot having produced 65 ranked companies, 27 more than it had in 2009.

Sector Trends
The software sector comprised 40 percent of the overall list with 202 companies, followed by internet (22
per cent), telecommunications/networking (15 per cent), semiconductors/components /electronics (nine
percent), biotech/pharmaceutical/medical equipment (six percent), greentech (three percent) and
computers / peripherals (three percent). Media / entertainment made up the remaining two per cent.

The software sector was particularly strong, capturing three of the top five spots in the ranking and 21 in the
top 50.

The full list of ranked companies as well as additional detail on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500TM program
can be found at www.deloitte.co.uk/fast500emea.

http://www.deloitte.co.uk/fast500emea/interface/pdfs/press_release_2010.pdf

Mobile Interactive Group’s mobile publishing platform is an end to end solution that enables users to design, build, manage and publish mobile web sites, the mobile platform also offers users a flexible solution to create, build and manage mobile applications. 

The Mobile Entertainment  Awards evening rewards companies doing outstanding things in the mobile content space and it is judged by over 400 industry peers from all sectors of the mobile business.

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

From November, Ministry of Sound will be the first major music brand in the world to enable music lovers to purchase club tickets and provide delivery of club tickets to their mobiles via an App, in partnership with Trinity Mobile. Downloadable for free over the air and online via iTunes and Zune Marketplace, the App will enable fans across the world to regularly keep up to date with the latest club and tour dates, radio shows and album releases at the touch of a button – all at a time and location that is convenient to them and all available to share on Facebook, Twitter and email.

The iPhone App has been created with mobile and digital communications agency Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) and the Windows Phone 7 App with Bitmix, to create a user friendly and accessible product, which is fully integrated to Ministry of Sound’s live feeds and social networks, and Trinity Mobile who provide the amazing mobile ticketing technology. Whether it be the latest interviews from Saturday Sessions artists or free streaming of a DJ mix, the App keeps users posted with the latest content from Ministry of Sound online and brings you up to speed with acts such as Joris Voorn, Mark Knight, Laidback Luke, Sebastian Leger and more on the move.

With events selling out week in, week out the safe and secure booking option allows users to prepay for an unlimited amount of tickets ensuring entry on both Friday and Saturday nights. Friday sees the weekly residency The Gallery, bringing the best in contemporary and classic trance whilst Saturday nights, see the clubs in-house Saturday Sessions present weekly heavyweight guests ranging from the best in house to techno.

Big clubs aren’t everybody’s thing so the Radio section of the App is perfect for intimate listening with guest mixes from some of the biggest artists around. With 45 shows each week, each individually tailored to a wide range of genres, users are able to listen and buy their favourite tracks being played. Users can also browse and buy albums, compilations and singles from the immense collection of music brought out by Ministry of Sound Recordings.

Ministry of Sound as the world’s biggest music brand continues to strive in pioneering the best that the music industry has to offer and with these latest App releases, it honours its duty of providing worldwide entertainment to friends of the brand.

Tom Bulwer, Mobile Marketing Manager, Ministry of Sound said, “To deliver our digital and mobile strategy it’s essential to use the right technology partners and to work collaboratively with the best minds in the market.  Working with MIG and Bitmix gave us the flexibility we needed to create and develop truly innovative Apps.”

Matt Cockett, group commercial director, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) commented: “Mobile is central to how consumers directly access, interact and transact with their favourite brands.  Moreover, the creation of an application delivers a highly focussed and immersive experience that exists on the user’s phone deck as a piece of digital real-estate.  Ministry of sound completely understand these user dynamics and the app that we’ve created with them provides the company with an instant and immediate channel to communicate to its worldwide audience.”

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 Interactive Group (MIG) a global integrated mobile and digital communications business today announces that its mobile internet and app publishing platform, Kilrush, has delivered the new bespoke smartphone application for online property search business, FindaProperty.com.

The build marks an improved smart phone platform for the property sector by using an augmented reality layer within the application that enables house hunters to find a property using their phone camera and compass. Once the application has opened, users simply select the augmented reality function and by looking through their view finder at the built environment that is directly around them, property information is displayed on screen.

Information appears as thumbnails that show price, direction and distance from the user’s location. More information, photos or a direct call to the relevant agent is a simple click away.

The augmented reality layer greatly reduces the clicks involved in the user journey (from viewing a property to calling an agent or requesting more info) from seven clicks down to two to three.

Outside of the augmented reality features, the application also delivers a rich visual experience where users can search based on their location and browse through the properties that are delivered.  Similarly to the website, users can also refine their search based on the number of bedrooms, price range and distance and also view agent’s details and click to call them or request further info.

Chris Boorman, Product Manager, FindaProperty.com said: “We have listened to consumer feedback and worked really hard to make sure that the iPhone experience is as good as it can be. FindaProperty.com is extremely happy with the end result and will continue to offer iPhone users an effective on-the-move solution whilst hunting for their next house or flat.”

Matt Cockett, group commercial director, Mobile Interactive Group said: “Industry advances such as augmented mobile technology are now a mainstream reality for consumers.

“We are particularly proud of the work that we’ve completed for FindaProperty.com because it has been created based on extensive user feedback and also because it does so much more than having a simple companion function. Rather it turns the user experience in to something that is directly relevant to a mobile context and engages house hunters in a way that simplifies their own user journey, simultaneously delivering a benefit to both brand and consumer.”

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.migcan.com
http://bit.ly/MIG-DeloitteFast50

London, 25th October, 2010 – Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today announced that it ranked Number One in the 2010 Deloitte Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over five years. Mobile Interactive Group grew 26885 percent during this period.

Mobile Interactive Groups CEO & Founder, Barry Houlihan, credits continued investment in proprietary technology, platforms and people, and working with great clients with the company’s 26885 percent revenue growth over the past five years. He said, “We’re in a hot high-growth industry and are constantly dealing with rapid changes in devices, products, platforms and user expectations. You need to have a clear vision, a great business model and a very strong culture to deal with that.”

“As a global integrated mobile and digital communications business, MIG’s services span mobile commerce, messaging solutions, interactive platforms and mobile advertising, to digital build and application development for all devices. Next year we’re placing a strong emphasis on completing our investment in globally scaling our technology capabilities as well as growing international revenues. We are currently building sales teams and partnerships in markets like the USA, Africa and Asia Pacific and we’ll be relocating some of our senior management and directors to support that growth.”

David Halstead, Partner leading the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, said: “The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 gives great profile to technology companies and is internationally recognised as being one of the most important business awards in the sector.”

“In spite of the challenging financial market conditions, the 2010 Deloitte Fast 50 shows that tremendous growth rates are still possible, with the mobile technology and software sectors showing particular strength.

“The Technology Fast 50 awards are an opportunity for businesses to gain recognition for their successes and achievements over the previous 12 months. Successful companies have overcome many challenges to grow their businesses, and maintaining their growth will rely on attracting and retaining the most able staff.”

Tech clusters – continued dominance of London and Silicon Fen. ‘Silicon Glen’ struggles
This year’s Deloitte Technology Fast 50 highlights the dominance of London, with five of the top ten coming from London and London companies make up 40% of the ranking. Internet companies were typically based in London with eight in the Fast 50.

Scotland has only 2% of companies in this year’s Fast 50, highlighting the fact that technology companies have failed to thrive so far from London. Scottish companies have had a challenging year and Scottish winner, Bloxx CEO, Eamonn Doyle believes, “Many tech start-ups in Scotland have faltered during the tough economy because they didn’t have enough capital behind them.”

Bloxx is based on the outskirts of Edinburgh, with access to high quality technical graduates, but a more significant challenge is finding good sales staff. “We’re at the wrong end of the country for many clients so we have opened an office in Bracknell and our sales director there has recruited successfully”, Doyle explains.

In contrast, Cambridge continues to fare well with semiconductor and software company, DisplayLink coming in second place with 82,372 growth. Overall companies based in Cambridge made up 14% of the ranking. DisplayLink was actually conceived by an American, Martin King, based in Seattle. However, King quickly realised that his vision to create a company that would develop technology to connect mobile devices to larger visual display units would be most effectively achieved in Cambridge, and so set up his business in the UK.

Craig Ensley, DisplayLink’s president and CEO said: “Martin King founded the business in 2003 because there was specific expertise in Cambridge around real-time networking of visual and graphics information over networks.”

Regional breakdown
Cambridge and East 14%
South West 4%
South East 18%
Scotland 4%
Northern Ireland 2%
North 10%
Midlands 8%
London 40%

Survey of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 companies
The Fast 50 companies cited their biggest operational challenges in managing their rapid growth was hiring and keeping top quality talent (48%). Concerns around systems and process (15%), innovation of new products and services (11%) and increasing customer demand (7%) were the other key issues they had to tackle.

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 Interactive Group (MIG) has today announced the appointment of Mark Bainbridge to their strategic advisory board. His role will be to provide consultancy on digital marketing; brand and customer strategy to enhance MIG’s digital capabilities; to aid positioning in the agency landscape and to ensure continued international growth and scalability of the business.

A specialist in harnessing modern technology and best practise, Mark has an enviable reputation for achieving outstanding results and in his role with MIG will draw on his award winning industry experience.

With 24 years industry experience, Mark has worked in various organisations including his most recent role as head of Employer Branding and Marketing for the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Prior to joining RBS, Mark was the first civilian Marketing and Communications Director to be appointed to work with the British Army, during one of the most complex decades in the organisation’s reputational history.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder commented, “It’s no secret that MIG has always had ambitious plans for growth and international expansion. Mark brings with him a wealth of digital expertise and knowledge on how best to scale our digital capabilities, complementing MIG’s existing integrated approach to mobile and digital.”

Mark has achieved multiple industry accolades including being short-listed for “Digital Marketer of the Year 2007”, being short-listed by the Marketing Society as “Marketer of the Year”, was ranked in the “Marketing Power Top 100 most influential Marketers” and was awarded “Digital Marketer of the Year” in the Revolution Awards – all in 2008. He was also listed in “The Marketing Black Book of Britain’s Most Influential Marketers”, which was launched by Haymarket Publishing in February 2010.

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) is global integrated mobile and digital communications business. Current customers include O2, Vodafone, ITV, FIVE, Pepsico, News International, M&S, Barclaycard and more.

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.m-e-f.org

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) today released details of an upcoming  event focussed on Apps and their impact on the broadcast and media industry. Titled ‘Apptastic’, the event and networking drinks are taking place on Wednesday 17th November from 3pm at the Charlotte Street Hotel, Central London, and will feature speakers including talkback Thames Digital, Flirtomatic, A&N Media and MIG.  The event is being run in partnership with the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF).

‘Appstastic’ will be an insightful and informative event dedicated to understanding new revenue models and the issues affecting the Apps ecosystem.  During the interactive Q&A session attendees will have the opportunity to put their questions to the panel.  Topics to be discussed and speakers include…

• The Apps Ecosystem:  Setting the Scene – Suhail Bhat, Policy & Initiatives Director, MEF
• The Role of Apps in the Broadcast and Media Industry – Robert Marsh, Head of talkback Thames Digital, Fremantle 
• Monetisation and In-App billing - Mark Curtis, CEO, Flirtomatic
• What App should I buy and why? – Neil Johnson, A&N Media
• Market Fragmentation and the Future Role of Apps – David Glennie, Group Product Director, MIG

Integrated mobile and digital communications business MIG has built multiple cross platform Apps for leading brands, publishers and agencies including Walkers, ITV, O2, Bauer and News International.

Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director, commented “MEF works hard with its members to provide expert insight around successful strategies and future business models, for both the mobile ecosystem and industry verticals.  Given MIG’s success developing apps for major broadcast properties such as Britain’s Got Talent and their reputation for hosting outstanding networking events, we are delighted to be partnering with them for this event.  Apptastic will be the first in a series of joint educational events, featuring MEF speakers and case studies, with future sessions focusing on how to expand your mobile media business in new growth markets.”

By leveraging its own mobile internet and App publishing platform Kilrush, MIG allows non-technical designers, as well as developers to rapidly deploy multi-functional iPhone applications, all from one interface. Designed to be efficient and easy to use, Kilrush is flexible and scalable enough to power bespoke applications for large and small organisations worldwide. Android, Blackberry and J2ME functionality are scheduled for release later this year.

To register your interest in attending Apptastic please click here

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

Marks & Spencer, one of the UK’s leading retailers has worked with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) for consultancy on the user experience, design and functionality for the launch of their first ever mobile commerce internet site, in partnership with Usablenet. The purpose of the site is to extend the Marks & Spencer brand onto the mobile channel, to create another direct communications channel with consumers and to enable consumers to access all product lines on the move as mobile is now being treated like the web.

The m-commerce site, which launched on 12th May 2010 has a clear, simple, effective design which presents the user with a quick route to access their desired product. To date the site has delivered some impressive results, outstripping initial KPI’s.

• 1.2m unique visitors since launch
• Over 10m page views
• More than 13,000 orders from site since launch
• The most popular handsets used to access the site are primarily iPhones and secondarily Android devices
• Types of products purchased range from wide screen TV’s to sofas and clothes
• £3280 is the single largest value order (for two sofas)

Consultancy for the development of the m-commerce mobile internet site between M&S and MIG, in conjunction with Usablenet, commenced in early April this year and took a phased approach. Phase one being ‘Discover and Definition’, moving through to ‘Concept look and feel’, ‘Design Refinement and Approval’ to ‘Making sure the site worked on Multiple Handsets’. Throughout all phase’s user experience, design and usability were core to discussions.

Features on the site include a store finder to locate your nearest outlet, the ability to search per product and then to refine these searches to a specific item, to facility register account information, and the site boasts a full product range for Women’s, Men’s, Kids Clothing, Home and Furniture, Technology and more.
Sienne Veit, Social and Mobile Commerce Development Manager, Marks & Spencer said, “We approached MIG because of their success in the Retail space, their capabilities in delivering great mobile campaigns and for their in-depth understanding of the mobile consumer experience.

“For M&S the m-commerce site is all about getting product quickly and easily to consumers via mobile and paying for their product on their mobile device. Our aim is to integrate mobile as a channel to stand alongside web, phone and stops as part of ‘Shop Your Way’, to increase basket size and drive sales. We’ve also incorporated a customer feedback facility to enable customer review’s, we’ve also given consumers a choice of delivery method.”

Tim Dunn, Director of Strategy, Mobile Interactive Group commented “It’s been a pleasure to work with such a forward thinking brand as M&S. They have truly embraced mobile and really understand how their consumers want to be able to access and purchase products. At all times their focus has been on building the perfect mobile user experience and providing the key features to facilitate sales via the mobile – A channel that is becoming an ever more important shop front for high street retailers. We’re already working on phase two and implementing new features to further enhance the user experience.”

Mobile internet is set to outstrip traditional web by 2013, therefore its key for retail brands like Marks and Spencer to realise its true potential and to offer mobile as a core purchasing channel for customers.
The M&S M-commerce site can be accessed via any smartphone and web enabled phone, and the device will know to redirect the user to the mobile commerce site. Or the user can manually type in m.marksandspencer.com

To hear more join MIG’s interactive webinar focussing on how to implement a mobile strategy in Retail. The 60 minute webinar, which takes place on Weds 5th October at 9am, is being run in partnership with the IMRG and will give participants the opportunity to put their questions to Sienne Veit, Social and Mobile Commerce Development Manager, M&S and Tim Dunn, Director of Strategy at MIG.

Please visit the webinar registration page here

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

4th Screen Advertising today announces the launch of TGI Friday’s first ever location based mobile advertising campaign called ‘Make it a premiere night out’ in partnership with Rippll.  The UK based campaign which was conceived, planned and bought by Initiative, utilises the latest location based technology as well as day-part targeting to reach the core TGI Friday’s audience at the right time and place. The campaign will launch on Tuesday 28th September running until Tuesday 30th November 2010.
 
TGI Friday’s first location based mobile advertising campaign will run across 4th Screen Advertising’s premium publisher engagement platform Mpression, and will enable consumers with mobile internet enabled handsets to view the ads and take advantage of the promotional offers.  Being time and week-part targeted the campaign will run from Monday through to Thursdays, during lunch and in the evening and will promote offers in 46 TGI Friday’s restaurants throughout the UK.
 
A range of dynamic mobile advertising creatives and promotional offers will be served throughout the duration of the two month campaign.
 
Alison Dilley, Marketing Manager at TGI Friday’s said “Mobile has become an increasingly popular channel to communicate with consumers.  Our objective with our ‘Make it a premiere night out’ campaign was to engage a broad range of consumers with a rich media location based mobile advertising campaign, to drive footfall into their local TGI Friday’s during the week.”
 
Tim Scoffham, account director, 4th Screen Advertising said, “One of the key advantages of location based advertising is targeting users in a retail vicinity – They are in a more receptive mindset whilst browsing the mobile internet, to be served dynamic mobile advertising banners, promoting offers in local outlets, such as deals for drinks, lunch and dinner at TGI Friday’s restaurants throughout the UK.  It is due to our partnership with Rippll that we are able to deliver the first location based advertising campaign for TGI Friday’s.  Location based advertising delivered in this way ensures maximum reach and minimum waste for TGI Friday’s investment.”
 
Doug Chisholm, managing director, Rippll commented “I’m very pleased to see TGI taking advantage of the powerful location targeting that we deliver and am sure their business analysis will benefit from the in-depth reporting into location based performance metrics.”
 
Sally Lane, Digital Account Director, Initiative said: “This innovative, highly targeted mobile campaign allows us to use location based targeting to not only target consumers when they are near a TGI Friday’s restaurant but also when they are in close proximity to a cinema. This dual capability re-enforces the message that watching a film and enjoying a meal and cocktails at TGI Friday’s are synonymous with one another. This aligns perfectly with Initiative’s strategy of associating TGI Friday’s with a trip to the cinema in order to make it a ‘premiere night out’. Adding yet another layer of targeting, we can serve these ads only on entertainment sites on Mpression, thus ensuring we are capturing the user in a relevant mindset.”

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

Global integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has achieved 64th position in the annual Sunday Times Tech Track 100.  Now in its tenth year, The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100, compiled by Oxford-based research and networking events company Fast Track, recognises the UK’s fastest growing private technology companies.

MIG’s unprecedented expansion, since launch in May 2004, has seen turnover figures leap from £250k in 2005 to £68m in 2009, representing a growth rate of 26,885% over the past five years.  MIG secured the top slot in the Tech Track 100 in 2008.

The business has continued to see strong growth across the group and businesses are now placing greater demand on the mobile channel, in particular in the areas of m-commerce, applications and mobile publishing.

Headquartered in London, in the past 18 months MIG also has grown internationally with operations in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa and invested heavily in its own technology, especially in mobile messaging and payments, application development and mobile enterprise and CRM.  The company has also acquired a mobile marketing business in the North East of the UK, opened a development centre in the South West and doubled the size of its London team to 160 employees.

Companies within MIG Group include mobile advertising firm, 4th Screen Advertising, digital solutions agency, Jigsaw, mobile marketing and startegy agency New Toy, mobile interactive solutions firm MIT, mobile messaging and CRM firm Piri and mobile publishing and applications business, Kilrush.  

Blue chip brands currently served by MIG span all sectors and include retailers (Marks & Spencer, B&Q) broadcasters (ITV, Five, BBC, Channel 4, BSkyB) mobile network operators (Three, O2, Virgin, Vodafone) FMCGs (Tropicana, Walkers crisps) financial services (Barclaycard, Aviva) publishers (Guardian, News International, Bauer) as well as pure play mobile and internet brands such as Shazam, Vouchercloud and  Absolute Radio.  

Barry Houlihan, CEO and founder of MIG said: “Gaining this ranking in the Times Tech Track is a great accolade and reflects the MIG strategy to invest heavily in our own technology and grow the company internationally.  We’ve also achieved this growth despite the economic downturn and some major developments within the mobile industry.  None of this would have been possible without the hard work of all of the MIG staff, from the management team down. I’m really proud of our staff and the culture we have developed within the business.”

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 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

Integrated mobile and digital communications business MIG has worked with leading high street retailers including Marks & Spencer, B&Q and Wallis, implementing their first steps into the mobile space – covering everything from building an m-commerce mobile site or application, to driving footfall using simple text messaging, mobile coupons and vouchers, to in-store interactivity and more.

During the webinar participants will hear about the latest case studies, be presented with industry insights and trends, and have the opportunity to put forward their questions to Sienne Veit, M&S, and Tim Dunn, Director of Strategy, MIG during the interactive Q&A session.  Here are some of the questions we’ll be addressing for Retailers:

• Why should I invest in an m-commerce proposition?
• Mobile Apps vs Mobile Internet?
• What are the pros and cons?
• Building Apps, what platforms?
• How much will it cost?
• What should I consider when designing for mobile?
• How do we integrate mobile into our e-commerce platform?
• How do we go to market?
• How do I drive consumers back to my m-commerce internet site?
• Will it attract new customers or cannibalise my existing ones?

Please visit the webinar registration page here

The agenda for the webinar will go as follows: 09:00 > 09.05: Industry stats and scene setting with Tim Dunn, Director of Strategy, MIG

09.05 > 09.20: Interview with Sienne Veit, Social and Mobile Commerce Development Manager, M&S by Paul Skeldon, Editor, M-Retailing.net, the mobile arm of Internet Retailing magazine

09.20 > 09.45: Interactive Q&A facilitated by Paul Skeldon

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

Prior to joining 4th Screen Tina held the position of digital director at brand partnerships agency Kameleon Worldwide, part of the All3 Media group and at Channel 4 New Media as a commercial manager. At Channel 4 she worked across display, branded content and 4OD offering multiple digital engagement opportunities for advertisers.

Tina’s appointment follows recent high profile announcements for 4th Screen, including the launch of its Engagement Platform which gives publishers access to rich media ad formats, detailed reporting and premium inventory and the company’s expansion in to the US following a partnership with mobile music service, Shazam.

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said: “Opportunities for publishers and advertisers in mobile advertising are growing rapidly and 4th Screen is growing in-step. Our advances in rich media ad-formats and targeting coupled with the growth of our premium ad network mean that we are delivering high yield channel for consumer engagement that takes advertising on mobile to the next level. Tina’s appointment as commercial director reflects our commitment to creating value throughout the mobile advertising value chain.”

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

• MobileActive’s Mobile Embrace Business-to-Business division launches mobile internet and applications publishing platform Kilrush for  Australia and New Zealand
• Kilrush to support strong growth in mobile internet by enabling rapid development of mobile Internet sites and renders them to over 8000 devices
• Kilrush to allow rapid development of iPhone applications  (Android, Blackberry, J2ME and iPad scheduled for release)
• Kilrush to deliver resource efficiencies, speed to market and cost benefits

MobileActive Limited (ASX: MBA), Australia’s leading independent mobile phone entertainment content and services company, today announces the launch of its mobile internet and applications publishing platform Kilrush, via its Mobile Embrace Business-to-Business division.

The launch follows an exclusive technology licence and commercial partnership (May 2010) with the UK’s leading independent integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).

Mobile Internet sites and applications can be developed in a fraction of the time normally attributed, enabling resource efficiencies for Mobile Embrace, as well as speed to market and cost benefits to clients.

Kilrush Site Builder brings businesses including brands, agencies, publishers and more into the mobile space by providing the tools to enable rapid development of mobile internet sites and rendering those to over 8,000 devices worldwide.  The platform integrates seamlessly with interactive messaging, mobile ad-serving and M-commerce solutions, as well as talking to existing business systems.

Kilrush Application Studio is designed to be efficient and easy to use, by non-technical designers as well as developers. It allows rapid building of iPhone applications with social media integration, as well as location based functionality all from the one interface.  Android, Blackberry and J2ME functionality are scheduled for release in mid September, with iPad to follow.

Chris Thorpe, Chief Executive Officer, MobileActive said “It’s been reported that mobile internet will outstrip desktop internet by 2013, meaning more people will access the internet via their mobile device, rather than opting to use a laptop or traditional desktop computer.  The Kilrush mobile internet and publishing platform supports this global trend.

“Leveraging mobile as a communications channel is fast becoming a necessary core component to any business, providing efficiency, effectiveness and reach.  Kilrush enables brands, agencies, publishers and a multitude of cross sector businesses to quickly and easily build a customised, memorable and engaging mobile experience.”

Kilrush is flexible and scalable enough to support and power bespoke applications for large and small businesses worldwide. The platform simplifies the complex mobile environment of multiple operating systems by enabling businesses to build mobile internet sites and applications, and to publish to many devices.

MobileActive’s Business-to-Business division, Mobile Embrace, sits alongside the company’s Mobile Entertainment Retail (MER) and RingRing Studios (in-house mobile content production, licensing and distribution) units.

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

4th Screen Advertising, the leading premium mobile advertising agency today announced that it is launching its business in the US, with Shazam, the world’s leading mobile music discovery provider as its foundation client.  This launch extends the successful partnership that the two companies have enjoyed in Europe and enables 4th Screen to offer US-based clients innovative marketing campaigns around Shazam’s increasingly popular music discovery service.

With a reach of over 75 million Shazam users, the deal will see 4th Screen’s Mpression Engagement platform serve highly targeted mobile adverts based on the music tagging information at the heart of the Shazam service, as well as a host of other campaign parameters such as handset type, time of day, age and gender.  With sales teams on both the East and West coasts of the US, 4th Screen will also be working in tandem with Shazam to sell integrated advertising and sponsorship opportunities around the music tagging service.      

This deal comes on the back of a successful partnership with Shazam across Europe and particularly in the UK, where user preference data is spliced with concert information from The O2 music arena to deliver relevant ticket information, content and priority offers to O2 customers.  

Jonathan Symons, Executive Vice President Business Development of Shazam said: “4th Screen has been a highly effective partner for Shazam across Europe and we’re excited to be their foundation client as they expand into the US market.  They really understand the unique customer engagement that Shazam can deliver to brand marketers and agencies, using people’s love of music as an entry point.   We are looking forward to working closely with 4th Screen to deliver innovative and valuable campaigns in the US as well as Europe.”

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said: “We think that our unique approach will resonate well in the US market, we are excited about the opportunities and are already getting some positive feedback.  I firmly believe one size doesn’t fit all in mobile advertising – it is about developing unique concepts for each of our application owners so the interaction of the brand and consumer is engaging and relevant to the mobile experience.

“The partnership with Shazam underlines our expertise in both creativity and technology, as it has allowed us to really innovate and show our commitment to helping publishers deliver value and relevancy to their advertisers.  This in turn stimulates the value of Shazam’s inventory because it is based upon a much deeper and relevant advertising experience for users.”  

Mpression Engagement Platform

Based on the latest release of 4th Screen’s ad-serving software Mpression the Engagement platform, which serves publishers globally such as Vodafone, Global Radio, The Guardian and Virgin mobile, and gives access to deep engagement tools including advanced mobile ad formats such as iSlide, targeting techniques and engagement tracking. 

Taken together, the suite of new tools gives publishers the opportunity to offer advertisers, media buyers and planners, the ability to create compelling mobile ad campaigns that go well beyond the simple cost-per-click banner advertising model – which mimic online advertising and deliver a very low yield. 

Specifically, 4th Screen’s Engagement Network includes:

- New software developer kits (SDKs) for Android and iPhone (with RIM and OVI to follow) so that advertisers can take full advantage of 4th Screen’s advanced mobile ad formats such as the iSlide, Video, location and Augmented reality.
- A separate innovation hub to develop bespoke formats for individual applications and publishers.
- Advanced data mining powered by Vertiga to offer real-time campaign planning and segmentation, as well as ongoing artificial intelligence to dynamically optimise campaign performance.
- Engagement research and reporting as part of integrated mobile campaigns to show the value of mobile beyond the click.
- A full suite of campaign planning tools so that advertisers and agencies can plan and create highly targeted campaigns based on audience profiles, location and time, for example.
- Access to 4th Screen’s premium global publisher network, which includes an inventory of premium publishers in Europe, North America, South Africa and Asia.
 
4th Screen Advertising is part of Mobile Interactive Group, a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

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.piriltd.com
www.paddypower.com

Mobile Marketing and CRM technology provider Piri, which was recently acquired by Mobile Interactive Group, has secured a technology agreement for UK and Ireland bookmakers, Paddy Power, to licence its online staffing scheduling solution ‘Shopworks’. The deal will enable Paddy Power, which has a huge online and offline retail operation, to centrally manage its staffing rotas making significant time and cost savings of seven per cent a year.

Piri’s Shopworks is the ideal product for global retail businesses with large head counts that need to manage and organise staffing rotas in a timely and cost effective manner. With ‘drag and drop’ functionality the product is easy to use; is accessible internationally via a web interface; is white labelled; integrates seamlessly with payroll systems such as SAGE; is available to licence on a per shop, per week basis and enables any business to quickly and easily organise and communicate with its staff via SMS. Shopworks takes the headache out of managing a large workforce when compiling staffing rotas for both full time, and contracted employees.

At the end of each month an accurate and quick upload of the data into the payroll system ensures swift and accurate payment to all staff, saving time and money in account departments.

Ed Brown, UK Retail Operations Manager, Paddy Power said “We’re really excited about working with the new system. Once you see it in action it makes you wonder why no one built this product before. It’s going to enable us to run much smoother operations – The social responsibility reporting ensures an efficient way of way of complying with the gambling commission where we’re required to collate a report from every shop, every day, as well as market share and manager reporting modules. This kind of in-depth functionally and reporting on the shops progress will create a powerful management tool to help drive our top line.”

Lee Bowden, MD, Piri commented “I know Paddy Power reviewed and trialled a number of products in the market place so we’re delighted they’ve opted to license Shopworks. Businesses and Retailers with large numbers of both full time and temporary staff are constantly looking for ways to streamline their business processes and to make them run more efficiently. We know Shopworks has the capability to reduce staffing costs by up to 7% which amounts to a considerable cost saving over a 12 month period so it’s great to be working with Paddy Power to improve scheduling, approving salary costs against budgets, payroll and staff communications.”

Other Shopworks clients include Better, Jennings and Netplay TV.

Piri is part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

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 advisors will provide strategic thinking on these core areas:

* Peter Parmenter will advise on MIG’s OEM and International Business Development Strategy and Digital Entertainment Trends
* Susie Moore will provide guidance on Brand, Marketing and Communication Strategy for MIG’s agency businesses
* Paul Wright will consult on Global Mobile Advertising Strategy

Peter Parmenter launched his career at EMI Records in 1996 and, after four years took a business development role at Hutchinson 3G Australia. Having joined EA Mobile in 2005 Peter now holds the position of Director Business Development, EA Mobile EMEA where he has been instrumental in driving EA’s business with OEMs and launching games across multiple platforms. Peter was recently named one of the ‘The 50 Most Influential People in the Mobile Industry’ by Mobile magazine. Having worked in the wireless digital entertainment industry for 13 years, Peter is uniquely placed to provide relevant insight and recommendations into MIG’s OEM and International Business Development and Digital Entertainment Strategy.

Susie Moore has 16 years of brand, marketing and sponsorship experience, both agency and client side. She was a key player in the launch of O2 in 2002, and then became Head of Brand and Marketing where she oversaw all marketing communications including advertising, sponsorships, digital, retail, and brand experience. Susie was also instrumental in the partnership with AEG on The O2 as well as the music and customer experience strategy since launch. Susie has set up businesses ‘brandplay’ and ‘BrandRock’ to bring her wealth of experience to international brands, businesses and the music arena.

Paul Wright has been in the media industry for over 20 years working for start-ups, established media companies and digital businesses. His career commenced in 1988 at Sky, where he spent 11 years working as part of the advertising team and helped to deliver cutting edge work in broadcast, sponsorship and digital. He founded Aura Sports, a premium online ad network for sports rights holders which sold to BSkyB in 2006. Following stints at Bauer and AOL/ADTECH he is now a digital media consultant and advises companies in the digital space on their commercial strategy.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, MIG said, “Peter, Susie and Paul are extremely well respected figure heads in the wireless media entertainment industry, brand and marketing, and advertising space. Their unrivalled knowledge will help shape and accelerate MIG’s growth by consulting on our best approach to new markets, providing insights on marketing initiatives and help to further shape our commercial strategy as MIG continues to increase its global footprint. I’m delighted they have agreed to join our advisory team.”

In 2008 industry visionary James Booth, co founder of online and digital marketing solutions provider Tangozebra and now founder of Rockabox Media, and Simon Guild ex MTV Europe joined MIG’s advisory team.

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.4th-screen.com
www.vouchercloud.com

4th Screen Advertising today announced it has been appointed as the exclusive mobile advertising sales agency to vouchercloud.  The partnership will utilise unique targeted ad formats, including interstitials and sponsorship packages to drive engagement throughout the UK, via serving relevant mobile advertising based on the user’s current location.

Reported as one of the hottest utility apps, the free vouchercloud iPhone App enables users to download vouchers for Restaurants, Retailers, Cinemas, Days out and more.  Promotions include two for one meal deals, a third off for cinema tickets for all screenings and buy one get one free and money off coupons, using innovative mobile advertising formats and techniques that use location based look ups to serve relevant ads based on the user’s request, therefore making the most of GPS features on the device.

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said, “We have worked closely with vouchercloud over the past few months to define a unique mobile advertising proposition.  The execution will involve using engaging formats like interstitial and sponsorship packages on the App, and individual sections of the App, rather than serve more traditional static banner ad formats.

“More and more brands are realising the reach and targeting capabilities mobile advertising offers, and understand it needs to be treated completely different to the online environment.  It’s essential to select engaging formats that compliment the device and provide a reason for the consumer to engage.  This is exactly the type of application that we’ve been waiting for as a media industry.”

Greg Le Tocq, co-founder and MD of vouchercloud commented, “We chose to work with 4th Screen because they understood the sensitivities of introducing mobile advertising into the App. Also, because of their industry knowledge and expertise, they implicitly understood our proposition, our business model and strategy, the market we’re appealing to and how the App works.

“The Mobile advertising channel is delivering great results for brands utilising the channel and we already know that money off coupons and promotions increase footfall and sales in retail outlets, cinemas, cafes and such.  For us, it’s all about introducing ad formats that deliver a better user experience and that add value.”

Nearly half a million consumers have downloaded the vouchercloud app since its launch in February and downloads are continuing at a further 100,000 a month. The latest version of the app, uploaded this week, includes new sections offering loyalty schemes and personalised offers. Further announcements on partnerships with blue-chip brands are also expected shortly.

All ads will be served by 4th Screen proprietary ad serving platform Mpression.

4th Screen Advertising is part of global mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group – www.migcan.com

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 discount service Vouchercloud has launched an advertising service that enables brands to buy in-app inventory or sponsor app sections.

Vouchercloud developer Invitation Digital confirmed it will launch the ad model this week and roll it out across further mobile platforms shortly.

Douglas Templeton, co-founder and director of Invitation Digital, said, “We’re refining our strategy, making it easier for consumers to personalise the service, which will enable brands to target consumers more easily.”

Invitation Digital is negotiating with brands that have already issued vouchers via Vouchercloud, including Burger King, Gap and Odeon, to purchase the new ad inventory. However, Templeton didn’t say which companies were considering it.

The ads will be served by mobile sales house 4th Screen advertising. MD Mark Slade said, “This is a good way for brands to reach customers in a specific purchasing mindset and by location using the app’s GPS abilities.”

Invitation Digital will launch an Android version of Vouchercloud in July or August. It’s also planning an SMS service to will let brands access mobile users without smartphones.

Templeton said the Vouchercloud iPhone app has been downloaded 560,000 times since its February launch and generated 250,000 voucher redemptions by May.

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

London, Thursday 24th June 2010: Premium mobile advertising agency 4th Screen Advertising has secured the exclusive mobile advertising contract with Global Radio, the UK’s largest commercial radio group.

4th Screen will be selling its iSlide expandable and carousel advertising banners, as well as pre-roll audio ads and complete sponsorship deals across the entire Global Radio portfolio, which includes the Heart and Galaxy networks, Classic  FM, 95.8 Capital FM and LBC. Initially, advertising will be available on iPhone, with a planned roll out across the iPad, Blackberry, Android and Ovi platform at a later date. Given the distinct demographics of each  radio brand, advertisers are also able to target ads according to region, age and music tastes, connecting listeners to a highly relevant and interactive advertising  experience.

Global Radio currently leads the smartphone radio market, serving over 3 million  listeners in  April, an increase of 500% over the past 6 months. Currently Global  Radio has 5 of its brands in the top 25 ITunes free music app chart.   The deal with Global Radio strengthens 4th Screen’s recently announced Engagement Network, a platform which gives publishers access to deep engagement tools including advanced mobile ad formats, targeting techniques and engagement tracking.

Amy Copeland, Interactive Commercial Director for Global Radio said: “Uniquely,  radio applications  represent a potent channel for brands and advertisers to  reach a  highly segmented and receptive audience.  Global Radio has completed the deal with 4th Screen   Advertising because it showed clear technology leadership and in particular, the team were able to pull together a bespoke solution that covered our specific requirements.”

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said:  “The new currency in mobile advertising is engagement which is all  about developing  unique formats for each of our application owners, so  the interaction between  the brand and consumer is highly relevant and  harnesses the unique properties  of the mobile channel. The deal with Global Radio underlines our expertise in  sales, creativity and  technology as it has allowed us to really innovate and show our commitment to helping publishers deliver value and relevancy to their advertisers.”

4th Screen Advertising is part of Mobile Interactive Group, a global integrated mobile and digital communications business –  www.migcan.com 

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.4th-screen.com

London,21 June 2010: 4th Screen Advertising, the leading premium mobile advertising agency today announced that it has launched its newly created mobile advertising proposition, the Engagement Platform.

Based on the latest release of 4th Screen’s ad-serving software, Mpression, the Engagement Platform which includes publishers globally such as, Vodafone, Shazam, The Guardian and Virgin mobile, delivers deep mobile advertising engagement tools including advanced mobile rich media formats (including bespoke formats for individual publishers), targeting techniques and engagement tracking.

Taken together, the suite of new tools gives publishers the opportunity to offer advertisers, media buyers and planners access to premium inventory and the ability to create compelling rich mobile ad campaigns that go well beyond the standard banner advertising model that mimics online advertising and delivers a very low yield. 

The Engagement Platform is the only independent premium service that can deliver these rich media ad formats to all smartphones and application environments. 

This includes:

• New software developer kits (SDKs) so that advertisers can take full advantage of 4th Screen’s advanced mobile ad formats such as the iSlide, video, intersticials, location, augmented reality and overlays
• A separate innovation hub to develop bespoke formats for individual applications and publishers
• Advanced data mining to offer real time campaign planning and segmentation as well as ongoing artificial intelligence to dynamically optimise campaign performance
• Engagement research and reporting as part of integrated mobile campaigns to show the value of mobile beyond the click
• A full suite of campaign planning tools so that advertisers and agencies can plan and create highly targeted campaigns based on audience profiles, location and time for example
• Access to 4th Screen’s premium global publisher network which includes a global inventory of premium publishers in Europe, North America, South Africa and Asia

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said: “Mobile advertising has evolved in step with the explosion of smartphone users.  4th Screen’s creative vision has always been to push advertising well beyond the banner format.  The Engagement Platform is all about developing unique concepts for each of our customers, be that a brand, publisher, high-end application or mobile service, so the interaction between the advert and consumer is engaging and relevant to the mobile experience.

“The deal with Shazam for example, where we serve highly targeted mobile adverts based on the music tagging information at the heart of the Shazam service, underlines our expertise in both creativity and technology as it has allowed us to innovate and show our commitment to helping publishers deliver value and relevancy to their advertisers.  This in turn stimulates the value of Shazam’s inventory because it is based upon a much deeper and relevant advertising experience for users.”

4TH Screen Advertising is part of Mobile Interactive Group, a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

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.thesun.co.uk

www.digitaljigsaw.com

Digital agency Jigsaw, which is part of the Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), has been appointed by News International to build an iPad App for The Sun newspaper. The App launched this week and forms a key part of News International’s digital strategy: To deliver content to its current readers in new interactive formats and to appeal to a wider demographic.

Following the success of ‘The Sun Sweepstake Shaker’ iPhone App that Jigsaw built for the Grand National in April this year, the agency was directly appointed to deliver their first iPad App. The App has been jointly created and built by Jigsaw and News International’s in-house development team, and its purpose is to deliver the paper in electronic format to monthly subscribers and stream live content from thesun.co.uk.

To blend the traditional with the new, Jigsaw built a newspaper reading component into their backend technology to replicate the page-turning experience. Other features include dynamic menu navigation, interactive maps, billing functionality and facilitation of the subscription process. Readers are invited to download the App for £4.99 per month for which they receive 24 copies. News International is handling the live content section.

David Balko, commercial director, Jigsaw commented, “We relish the challenge and were honoured to be asked by The Sun, the largest paper in the country and a national institution, to build their first iPad App. To be building and creating Apps for a product that has only just launched in the UK is a big deal to us and it’s been a great experience to work collaboratively with News Internationals in-house team of developers. The timescales for the project were short and the brief challenging but the results are incredible. Moreover, to enhance the user experience Jigsaw will be adding more interactive functions over the coming months to further engage current and new readers.”

END

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

As competition in the mobile sector intensifies , Vodafone has appointed WPP-owned branding agency The Partners to reassess its global brand guidelines. While the brand’s typeface, logo and palette will remain the same, the project aims to bring greater consistency to the mobile operator’s marketing efforts.
Nuanced position

At a global level, Vodafone’s performance is complex. It has suffered declining revenues in European markets, while growing strongly in the BRIC countries and the Middle East. Despite these nuances, Vodafone’s decision to hire The Partners represents the latest step in its move toward a one-size-fits-all global communications strategy.

The agency will now join Team Vodafone, which co-ordinates work by WPP for the mobile operator on an international basis. According to Ben Cusack, group marketing director at agency Mobile Interactive Group, Vodafone has its work cut out in continuing to deliver a brand identity and marketing strategy that can translate across different cultures, languages and markets.

“If you look at the companies that have the most consistent brand message globally, they are online brands which have started out with a truly global footprint,” he says.

Jim Clark, senior technology analyst at Mintel, warns that Vodafone is going against the grain by implementing a global strategy. “It is an odd move when you consider that other brands are targeting microniche communities of consumers , such as AOL with its hyperlocal news site Patch.”

Clark also points to the German market, where mobile operators have increased revenues using niche-targeted packages aimed at key groups of consumers , such as migrant workers . O2 has already imported this approach to the UK with the rollout of its youth-oriented Giffgaff service.

Vodafone has yet to apply this level of local insight in the UK, where it has more pressing concerns. Insiders say the brand is still suffering the impact of losing out on exclusive rights to Apple’s iPhone. In the fourth quarter of 2009 its UK revenue declined by 4.7% year on year.

Pendulum swing

Vodafone’s attempt to bring greater consistency to its brand assets makes sense, especially following the launch of Everything, Everywhere, the combined Orange and TMobile entity.

Yet, previous experience suggests any move to global marketing will eventually lose momentum and the pendulum will swing back to more local activities.

“The combined force of Orange and T-Mobile will put pressure on rival brands,” says Clark. “Vodafone may focus on big branding campaigns such as the ‘Make the most of now’ , and a globally relevant corporate identity , but a shift to a value-led message could have more resonance in the UK.”

Vodafone clearly faces an intricate set of global marketing challenges, but it will take more than fresh brand guidelines to strike a balance between the competing demands of profithungry shareholders in established markets and the investment needed to build its brand in new territories.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/brand-equity/Vodafones-pursuit-of-a-global-brand-strategy-fraught-with-challenges/articleshow/6052592.cms

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.mit-can.com

www.sky.com

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) has been appointed by Britain’s largest multi channel television provider BSkyB, to power a range of Interactive Services through MIT’s Messaging Platform MIDAS including BSkyB’s SMS Alerts Services and a range of micropayment mechanics.  

BSkyB will benefit from the expertise provided by MIT’s dedicated Interactive Production Team and Operations Team, as well as strategic support on how to best to deliver their mobile and digital interactivity over the coming 24 months.

Rob Weisz, commercial director, MIT said, “We have been providing mobile services to the UK’s Broadcast industry for some years now and we’re delighted to be working with BSkyB on their mobile strategy.  MIDAS has been built to operator grade standards, providing a robust yet flexible platform to operators, media and entertainment companies and broadcasters alike across the UK.  BSkyB is a key partner to MIT’s business and we look forward to working closely with them to deliver cutting edge mobile solutions for their consumers.”

David Gibbs, general manager – Mobile, BSkyB commented, “Within the broadcast industry at large, MIT are widely regarded as the defacto provider of interactive services and messaging solutions.  Their knowledge and expertise has allowed us to be more strategic in our approach to both mobile and digital, and to ensure our customers have the best services at their fingers tips.  Mobile is increasingly becoming the third screen for our subscribers as they look to access content and services on the move.  Licensing MIDAS and working closely with MIT will enable us to help provide that.”

The service went live in February, enabling Sky consumers to be 100% up to date with real-time news and sports, and to actively participate and share their views via SMS and much more.
To access the Sky Mobile TV go to www.sky.com/mobiletvv , enter your mobile number in the required field and a free SMS message will be sent to your mobile phone with a link to sign-up to the service.

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) is part of the global integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group – www.migcan.com

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.migcan.com

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) a global integrated mobile and digital communications business today announces the acquisition of mobile marketing and CRM software provider Piri Limited for an undisclosed sum.

MIG has purchased Piri, which was launched in 2006, because of its versatile technology capabilities and platforms which include integrated cross platform CRM and a self serve web interface mobile marketing platform. To date MIG has traditionally been strong in working with media and entertainment  businesses, mobile network operators, agencies and brands, and has now strengthened its capabilities as it moves into new lucrative vertical customer channels, namely corporate enterprise and self serve markets.

Being based in Manchester, the acquisition also gives MIG a permanent presence in the North of England, which will enable the newly acquired commercial, development and operational teams to better serve MIG’s growing client base.  These new facilities will position MIG as clear market leader in the provision of integrated mobile services.

The acquisition will broaden MIG’s capabilities as the Piri platforms will be incorporated into MIG’s existing technology offering which includes the interactive messaging suite MIDAS; the high speed SMS/MMS Gateway; the mobile web and app publishing platform Kilrush and Mpression, the premium mobile ad serving platform – These new technology capabilities will further accelerate the company’s international growth and expansion.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder Mobile Interactive Group said, “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Piri.  We have worked with Piri for several years, providing mobile billing services to their clients via our m-commerce and interactive solutions business Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT). We intend to take full advantage of the company’s location in Manchester to grow commercial opportunities and this deal underpins MIG’s other platform capabilities as we look to build market leadership in the provision of mobile services to the corporate enterprise market.  The Piri technology is already fully integrated with all MIG platforms and immediately available to our existing customers, as well as international customers and partners.”

Lee Bowden, director, Piri Limited commented “It’s great to join such an innovative and forward thinking group – MIG is a high energy business with big ambitions.  The deal represents a huge opportunity to launch Piri’s technology globally and offers tremendous career opportunities to our staff in an industry that has excelled through a tough economic climate. This is an exciting time and we look forward to working as part of MIG to enter new markets in 2010.”
Current Piri customers include businesses like Netplay, Future Publishing, Paddy Power and Camelot.

The deal is 100% acquisition (undisclosed amount) and is performance related.

10 Things you should know about MIG:

1. Sunday Times Tech Track winner 2008 (ranked no. 1)
2. World’s most integrated mobile value added services business
3. CEO and Founder Barry Houlihan is a former Ernst and Young entrepreneur of the year winner (2006)
4. Ranked ‘No.1 Mobile Agency’ in the NMA (New Media Age) Marketing Services Guide for three consecutive years (2008, 2009 and 2010)
5. Awarded Guinness World Record for Live8 for the largest ever text lottery in history (2005)
6. Won Diamond award for ‘Best Integrated Campaign for Walkers ‘Do us a Flavour, Win a Packet’ Gramia Awards (2009)
7. UK’s largest mobile payments provider (20% market share)
8. Clients currently include ITV, FIVE, O2, Vodafone, Orange, Three, Walkers, Tropicana, COI, Shazam, Bauer, Guardian and more
9. 140 staff with offices now in London, Manchester, New York,  Chicago, Toronto and Sydney
10. Privately owned and all corporate development has been organically funded

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.kilrushdigital.com

www.bauermedia.co.uk

Bauer Media has licensed mobile internet publishing platform Kilrush to power the mobile platforms on heat, FHM and Zoo. The aim is to better align mobile content with each brands’ online presence and provide up-to-the minute content to consumers.

Andrea Kilbourne, Digital Director at Bauer Media said, “Our strategy has been to converge our web and mobile internet offering direct to consumers. The Kilrush platform integrated smoothly with our existing digital publishing processes providing us with a more flexible and efficient system to deliver entertaining and engaging content for our consumers and clients.”

Matt Cockett, Group Commercial Director for Mobile Interactive Group said, “Our mantra with Bauer Media has been about creating content driven communities and in doing so harness the fantastic editorial that is created within their business for mobile.  The Kilrush platform enables businesses like Bauer, to publish their digital content to over 7000 mobile devices worldwide via the mobile internet and apps.”

Bauer Media is an existing partner of 4th Screen Advertising. Kilrush works hand in hand with Mpression, 4th Screen Advertising’s proprietary ad serving platform, to ensure mobile properties can maximise growth and revenue opportunities.

Both Kilrush and 4th Screen Advertising are part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) – www.migcan.com



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

• MobileActive has entered into an exclusive technology licence and commercial partnership with UK’s leading independent mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) for Australia and New Zealand
• MobileActive’s Mobile Embrace will establish and market the award winning technology platforms that underpinned MIG’s  74%  growth and £68 million revenue in FY 2009.
• First deployment will be mobile internet and applications publishing platform Kilrush

MobileActive Limited (ASX: MBA), Australia’s leading independent mobile phone entertainment content and services company, today announced it has entered into an exclusive technology licence and commercial partnership with UK’s leading independent mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).

MIG is one of the fastest growing privately owned technology companies in the UK and is the country’s largest mobile payments provider (over 20% market share). Revenue generated from its technology platforms and associated services grew (74% to £68 million in FY 2009).

The MIG technology licence and commercial partnership will sit in MobileActive’s Business-to-Business division, Mobile Embrace, alongside the company’s Mobile Entertainment Retail (MER) and RingRing Studios (in-house mobile content production, licensing and distribution) units.

The MIG technology platforms, which compliment the existing MobileActive infrastructure Mobile Embrace offers to clients, will support a number of specialist disciplines including mobile internet and applications publishing, multichannel digital solutions, M-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms.

MobileActive Chief Executive Officer Chris Thorpe said this substantially strengthens Mobile Embrace’s market offering that includes branded mobile content development, hosting and delivery, corporate messaging, billing, mobile marketing and mobile membership and loyalty services.
“We are focused on building on the quality and depth of Mobile Embrace’s mobile business-to-business services. MIG’s technology platforms, that have won a number of industry awards for performance, innovation, compliance and reliability, give us a distinct competitive advantage. They are world class with a track record to match. Mobile Embrace will be able to provide Australian businesses outstanding integrated mobile solutions across a number of areas primed for growth,” said Mr Thorpe.

MIG clients utilising the technology platforms include ITV, FIVE, O2, Vodafone, Orange, COI, Shazam, Bauer, Guardian and brands under the global Pepsico umbrella such as Walkers, Tropicana and Lays.

NMA (New Media Age), a leading UK trade publication, ranked MIG No.1 for the third year running in their annual Marketing Services Guide 2010, as the UK’s leading full service mobile agency.

The first platform that Mobile Embrace will deploy in ANZ, during the first quarter of the 2011 financial year, will be mobile internet and applications publishing platform Kilrush.

The technology brings businesses into the mobile space by providing the tools to enable rapid development of mobile websites and applications, and seamlessly integrate them with interactive messaging, mobile ad-serving and billing as well as talking to existing business systems.

Kilrush powers services for big content owners, brands and mobile operators and is flexible enough to support applications, widgets and power bespoke applications for large and small businesses. The platform supports over 7000 devices worldwide including the more complex iPhone and other smartphones ensuring every user experience is catered for. Kilrush simplifies the complex mobile environment of multiple operating systems by enabling clients to build one mobile site or application, and publish to many devices.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder of MIG, said: “A core part of MIG’s strategy has been to grow and internationalise the business and we remain on track to fulfil these goals in 2010.  We have a unique breadth of mobile and digital technology, which has enabled us to create leadership in certain sectors working with brands, media and entertainment companies, broadcasters and with mobile network operators in the European market.
“We recognise MobileActives experience, expertise and market leadership, and the partnership will enable MIG to rapidly deliver innovative technology solutions into the Australian and New Zealand markets.”

MobileActive and MIG will share in revenues generated from the technology platforms in the ANZ market.
The terms of the agreement include the payment of licence fees by MobileActive to MIG and the issue to MIG of 3,000,000 options in MobileActive Limited at a 50% premium to 30 day VWAP (volume weighted average price) prior to the grant date. Vesting occurs in three tranches with one-third vesting after 12, 24 and 36 months respectively after the grant date.

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-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms business Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT), has appointed Liz Hutchison as Head of Interactive Production, where she will take responsibility for all managed Interactive services that MIT deliver on behalf of clients across the messaging, mobile publishing and applications business.

Her responsibilities include spearheading the team that carry out the set-up, management, reporting, monitoring and the support of multiple interactive services such as TV competitions, mobile Internet sites, all SMS and MMS interaction and charity donations.   MIT’s customers include major broadcasters, mobile operators, brands and corporate customers.

Rob Weisz, commercial director, Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) said, “Liz initially joined MIT in November 2009 as MIDAS Product Manager, MIT’s core messaging and campaign management platform.  Her experience, particularly in setting up and building new teams, and knowledge of mobile products, and the need for running compliant services is key to the ongoing success of the business and in better serving MIT’s broad client base.”

Liz Hutchison, Head of Interactive Production commented, “There is an extremely unique group of people at MIT and it’s great to be playing a pivotal role in the smooth running of all interactive services across MIT and Kilrush.  The alignment of processes brings together the production teams under one roof and provides our clients with one point of contact, delivering a more streamlined; efficient  and compliant service.”

Additionally, Liz has been working within the mobile industry for nearly 10 years.  Prior to joining MIT she spent four years working in New York, for leading US based mobile entertainment providers Flycell Inc and Thumbplay Inc,  where she was responsible for maintaining strong relationships with aggregators and customer compliance; and for setting up core messaging, interactive services and the production team respectively.  Preceding her time in the US Liz fulfilled the role of Product Manager at iTouch and Zed based in the UK.

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) is part of global integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) – www.migcan.com

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

Global premium mobile advertising sales agency 4th Screen Advertising today announces the appointment of Tim Scoffham as Account Director.  Tim’s primary objective will be to engage with senior teams within the media buying agencies, develop new business opportunities and maximise revenue, specifically within the UK. 

Prior to joining 4th Screen Advertising Tim spent six years working in the media industry holding senior roles with Virgin Media, Hello! Magazine, Channel 4 and BBC World.  Tim’s most recent post at Virgin Media saw him work within the wholly owned Virgin Media sales agency, ids, across its entire media portfolio including online, TV and mobile.

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said, “Having fulfilled various commercial roles in the media industry Tim has well established relationships with key agencies. Tim brings a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to the team and his role will be instrumental in leading our growth into engagement based formats and campaigns such as iSlide, mobile video, sponsorship and advanced mobile advertising targeting techniques.”

Tim Scoffham, Account Director commented, “With the evolution of mobile handset technology and consumer demand for content across multiple genres within this sector, opportunities in the mobile advertising market  now offer brands a new level of engagement with their audiences.   4th Screen has always been at the forefront of mobile advertising and I’m delighted to have joined the team.”

Tim’s appointment comes on the back of recent 4th Screen growth including last month’s announcement on the global deal with MEC for luxury car manufacturer Maserati which saw the company support the launch of its new model, GranCabrio and used 4th Screen’s innovative collapsible banner format, iSlide.

4th Screen Advertising is part of globally integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) – www.migcan.com

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, Mobile Interactive Group said “MIG recognises the fact that the mobile value chain is still complex and our focus has been on breaking down these complexities into simple solutions by  creating and investing in a marketing business that specialises in each aspect of mobile and digital.  Moreover, this approach has allowed us to connect mobile marketing to the broadcast space, mass participation events, experiential services, digital marketing campaigns and mobile advertising.”

“Mass adoption of smartphones and applications has accelerated the maturity of the mobile channel and contibuted to its success.  2010 will be an enormous year for mobile, particularly for companies that can continue to innovate and create new ways for consumers to engage with their favourite brands.”

Every year, the NMA Marketing Services Guide lists leading specialists in the fields of affiliate marketing, online ad networks, web analytics and email, search marketing and mobile.

www.itv.com/talent

www.migcan.com

The very first iPhone App for ITV1’s Britain’s Got Talent has been an immediate success, jumping to the top of the App charts in a matter of days. Britain’s Got Talent is one of the UK’s most popular TV shows and the App, produced by talkbackThames digital in collaboration with MIG, launched on Thursday 15th April.  Created by Kilrush Application Studio (KAS), it has been built specifically for iPhone and iPod touch users who are avid fans of the show and is available for free via the App store.

• Over 200,000 viewers have download the App since launch (in four days)

The Britain’s Got Talent App enables viewers to watch the latest videos and access exclusive back stage footage; keep up to date with breaking news, gossip and hot stories; browse photo galleries of the acts and judges, and rate and share them with friends and family; and participate directly with ITV2’s Britain’s Got More Talent during live episodes.  Additionally the App has been integrated with social networking sites Facebook and Twitter to allow fans to explore and share content on the move and is accessible 24/7.

Robert Marsh, Head of talkbackTHAMES digital, said, “In 2009, viewing figures for Britain’s Got Talent were huge so we know the show is hugely popular nationwide.  This year the launch of the App allows us to broaden our digital reach and to entertain and engage viewers on the move, as well as maximising value for our sponsors and advertisers.”

Ben Cusack, Group Marketing Director, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) added, “The App marks a UK first for Britain’s Got Talent and the stats to date demonstrates that viewers are really interacting with content, both during the shows as a direct response to a call to action on screen and afterwards.  Plus we know content is being consumed and shared with friends and family through social networks at a time that is convenient for them.   Using a number of techniques to promote the App it’s already become number one for viewers and fans of the show.”

“Built and powered by Kilrush Application Studio (KAS), which allows Non-Developers to build feature rich apps across all mobile platforms, the App performs on multiple levels – it helps promote the show, enables real integration and participation, engages tech savvy fans nationwide and helps them become an integral to the success of the show and delivers greater ROI for in App advertisers.”
The App has been monetised through integrated sponsorship packages, with Domino’s Pizza taking lead sponsorship, enabling viewers to order pizza and have it delivered directly to their door via the App.  All mobile advertising is be powered via 4th Screen Advertising’s ad serving platform Mpression.

The App was launched on Thursday 15th April and can be downloaded for free by fan’s who own an iPhone or iPod Touch, at the App Store – http://bit.ly/BGT_App in time for the first programme which aired on Saturday 17th April at 7pm on ITV1.

Kilrush Application Studios (KAS) allows anyone to build even the most demanding of App for any platform or mobile device.  KAS and 4th Screen Advertising are part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

The event is drawing coverage around the world as superstar footballers step into their boots and fans are rallied to back their national teams.

Major brands have paid ‘big bucks’ to be associated with the event including Sony, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Emirates and Hyundai. But opportunities still exist for other marketers and brands to get involved.

However this needs to be approached in the right way. The organisers will obviously not allow anyone to ride on their coat tails free and FIFA has put in place strict guidelines on copyright laws.

According to marketing manager at law firm Slater Heelis, Carrie Hamer, brands that affiliate themselves unofficially with the event through the use of the South African flag or football-related images, could  still risk falling foul of FIFAs rules.

“Items and wording with connotations to the World Cup have already been trademarked, including South Africa 2010, ZA 2010 and the South African flag when pictured with any football-related images,” she told UTalkMarketing.

“The vuvuzela, a trumpet-like instrument iconic to South African football matches, has also been reserved for FIFA’s use. Some 50,000 intellectual property infringements have been noted in South Africa related to the World Cup so far, and it hasn’t even started yet.”

Hamer added, “Although brands may wish to be creative in order to capitalise on the event, it may be worth noting that attempts at ambush marketing thus far have not been successful.”

For example, South African low-cost airline Kulula was forced to drop its advertising campaign launched in February, which read: “The unofficial national carrier of the ‘you know what’.”

But opportunities still exist for brands who can’t afford the official rights.

“Rather, whilst non associated brands might not have the luxury of placing the coveted logo on their product or mentioning the World Cup they will have far more opportunities to show creativity, imagination and flair than officially associated brands who will be bound by legal stipulations on what can and can’t be said, used and done,” explained Director of Fotorama, Philip Penlington.

So how should marketers best tread this fine line, making sure they are associated enough with the FIFA World Cup to benefit, but not so much as to incur the wrath and a weighty fine from the organisers?

CEO at search and social conversion agency Tamar, Tanya Goodin, said that innovative brands could leverage the opportunities the World Cup presents with some clever timing and good material.

“One of the only channels that FIFA cannot control during the tournament is the content of the Google Search Results. Many more consumers are typing ‘World Cup’ than ‘FIFA World Cup’ into the search engines. That means the search results are full of enterprising affiliates targeting niche search terms relating to the World Cup,” she advised.

“If you have a product that is related to the World Cup, it is easy to make a link, as long as you don’t mention the elements protected by intellectual copyright like ‘FIFA World Cup 2010’ or use the FIFA logo or branding. The media has been granted fair usage rights of these terms.”

Goodin added, “It’s also a good idea to speak about related products. For example, if you are an electronics retailer and sell televisions, you can actively target terms like ‘world cup in 3D’. This will be a hot-ticket news and trend item in the coming months, lasting well after the tournament ends in South Africa on July 11.

“If you are selling 3D TVs, this is a heaven-sent opportunity, as Sony is investing heavily in promotion of their 3D technology, which will enable the World Cup to be watched in 3D for the first time. For example, you should be writing new content for your website and blog that features this term heavily (without over-cooking it!).”

Goodin went on to say that any mentions of the event, on a company website/blog that were relevant and useful were likely to be picked up by search engines, encouraging more click-throughs.

But rather than playing it completely safe, David Balko, Commercial Director at digital agency Jigsaw, (part of the Mobile Interactive Group), said that some of the smarter brands would be looking to get into hot water – to a degree.

“Look at how Nike use traditional methods to outshine the official partners.  Using aggressive and guerrilla tactics will get coverage, and often the creative is much better than the ‘corporate’ communications developed by official partners,” he added.

“Clearly, the web will play a large part.  Brands that use clever creative, aligned to smart social media efforts will generate a good deal of conversations which can be turned into sales.”

In a clear warning, he added, “The key for the non-obvious brands is to make it relevant.  Don’t just do a World Cup promotion for the sake of it.”

There are no shortage of brands for which guerrilla ‘ambush’ marketing might prove appealing. The flipside is with so much clutter how do you make your brand stand out?

“Brands considering ‘ambush’ marketing  must first ask themselves a few hard questions,” said Stuart Wareman, Business Director, MEC Access, the sponsorship division of  media agency network MEC.

“Going back to the marketing basics of objectives, audience and strategy, brands must ask themselves whether football and the World Cup is actually right for the brand; does the brand have a credible right to be playing in the football space?”

He added, “Carlsberg isn’t a FIFA partner but will use its rights and credibility with the FA to ensure its sponsorship of the England team comes to the fore at the right time – during the World Cup.

“Brands also need to ask what they want to say in the promotion or creative execution? Given there are severe legal restrictions on what brands can say in relation to the World Cup, does the messaging still work or do the restrictions dilute it too much? And finally, the audience; what will their take out be? And does this align with what the brand needs to achieve?”

Wareman went on to say that the key incentive fans crave is tickets and no-one other than official sponsors can use these promotionally.  But beyond that, he added that there were still significant opportunities for brands.

“As the England football team progresses, the nation will go football mad. Brands can tap into this passion and align with football through events, big screenings – particularly in 3D, media sponsorships or simple football themed promotions such as branded football and England flag giveaways,” explained Wareman.

“The facts remain though; credibility in all this is key.  Fans can be very fickle – they can spot a brand ‘riding on the back of football’ a mile away.  For a brand to gain traction with fans, it needs a relevant role to play in the fans’ enjoyment of the World Cup.”

He concluded, “By placing fans at the heart and adding value, they’re more likely to appreciate and value the brand’s support.  It will be interesting for example to see how Pepsi’s recently unveiled ambush campaign works against Coca Cola’s ‘official’ campaign.

“And we shouldn’t judge on ‘awareness levels’ or one-upmanship.  For these global brands, success is all about driving sales and the bottom line.”

http://www.utalkmarketing.com/pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=17437&Title=Why_unofficial_partner_brands_shouldn%E2%80%99t_ignore_World_Cup_opportunities

www.4th-screen.com

www.mecglobal.com

4th Screen Advertising, the UK’s leading premium mobile advertising agency today announced that it has completed a deal with global media agency, MEC, for luxury car manufacturer, Maserati.  The mobile advertising campaign will support the launch of Maserati’s latest model, the GranCabrio.

Using 4th Screen’s rich media advertising format, iSlide, mobile advertising for the new car targets smartphone users across 4th Screen’s premium mobile advertising engagement platform, Mpression, to include high quality inventory in UK from publishers such as, Guardian mobile and ITN.

This is the first time that Maserati has engaged with a mobile advertising campaign targeted specifically at smartphone users with bespoke rich media formats.

The iSlide expandable format is similar to online formats, where users can click on the banner which expands the advert to deliver a full screen rich media display.  Moreover, the iSlide integrates seamlessly with the smartphone features so that a direct connection can be made to a full blown ‘above-the-line’ advert.

For Maserati, the expandable ad-format features a hero shot of the GranCabrio which links through to a dedicated micro site for the new car, which allows consumers to explore the car in much more detail.

The mobile activity forms part of an integrated campaign to raise the profile of GranCabrio as it launches in the UK. Mobile will run alongside online and press, and all media was planned and bought by MEC.

Will Rusack, 4th Screen Account Manager said: “Detailed analysis of TGI and Comscore, which provides information on target demographic groups and Mobile behaviour, showed that Maserati’s customer base correlates highly with smartphone consumers. More than this, new smartphone demographics allow us to execute high-quality campaigns based on an array of campaign parameters and this is essential for Maserati’s brand.

“We are delighted to be working and engaging with such a premium brand and it is a sign of the growing maturity of mobile as an advertising channel. Mobile is the perfect platform to allow Maserati to truly engage with potential customers on a one to one personal basis.”

The UK charity Sport Relief 2010 raised £31.6 million, of which £3.4 million was generated via £1, £5 and £10 mobile donations. All text donations benefitted from 100 per cent payments thanks to mobile network operators waiving their usual fees.

Rob Weisz, commercial director of Mobile Interactive Technology, said: “We’re delighted to have contributed towards the success of Sport Relief 2010.

“There is a huge appetite and growing demand from charities to diversify their donation mechanics and mobile delivers a quick, simple and in a trusted mechanic to enable just that  and at various price points, the £10 mechanic being a first for Comic Relief.”

MIT is part of global integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group.

www.sportrelief.com

www.mit-can.com

Sport Relief 2010 has so far raised a ground breaking £31.6 million, with £3.4 million generated during this year’s campaign via £1, £5 and £10 mobile donations. This year’s Sport Relief campaign is the first time Comic Relief has used a £10 text donation mechanic.  All text donations made by the public have benefitted from 100% out payments thanks to mobile network operators waiving their usual fees.

All the money donated will be spent by Comic Relief to transform lives – both here in the UK and across some of the world’s poorest countries.

• ‘The BT Sport Relief Million Pound Bike Ride’ which saw various celebrities including David Walliams, Miranda Hart and Davina McCall cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just under 82 hours generated £700,000 via £1 and £5 mobile donations
• ‘The Thomson Sport Relief Water Ski Challenge’, which saw Christine Bleakley water ski across the English Channel raised over £900k in £5 text donations from viewers of The One Show
• ‘Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man’ documented Eddie Izzard’s staggering run of 43 marathons in 51 days around the UK. £5 text donations from viewers of the documentary on BBC 3 and a repeat on BBC 1 raised over £1.1m

Caroline Lien, Operations Director, Sport Relief, said “I would like to say a massive thank you to the mobile industry and HM Treasury for their continued support. Mobile has proven to be an extremely popular channel for us as it appeals to a wide audience demographic, and enables an instant donation at various price points.  I’d also like to thank Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) Client Services and Operations teams for their help and dedication throughout the campaign.”

Rob Weisz, commercial director, Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) said, “We’re delighted to have contributed towards the success of Sport Relief 2010. There is a huge appetite and growing demand from charities to diversify their donation mechanics and mobile delivers a quick, simple and in a trusted mechanic to enable just that  and at various price points, the £10 mechanic being a first for Comic Relief.”

Comic Relief will be able to claim at least 25% extra from the Government on top of all of the donations made by text up to 31 July 2010 for all those who texted to donate and signed up to Gift Aid online. For more information visit https://www.sportrelief.com/text

The first of the text donation services opened on 29th January and the £1, £5 and £10 services have been utilised for various fundraising activities for Sport Relief.  All services closed at midnight on Wednesday 31st March.

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) is part of global integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) – www.migcan.com

www.migcan.com

Global integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has opened a new technology centre in Cape Town, South Africa.  The centre has been specifically set up to develop new and innovative products for the mobile interactive industry and to support the rollout of MIG’s technology on a global scale.

In line with its ambitious international expansion plans MIG continues to invest heavily in its own intellectual property.  The opening of the technology centre in South Africa will enable efficiency and speed to market, for a range of products releases across its core global platforms. Moreover, the comprehensive technology product is focused towards MIG’s broad customer base including mobile network operators, service providers, broadcasters and media companies, brands and multinational corporations.

Development and expertise will cover standards-based and emerging technologies such as Erlang, Ruby on Rails, Web 2.0, and mobile interactive solutions.

Marcus Kern, CTO, Mobile Interactive Group commented “Our objective with the Cape Town Technology Centre is to provide our international clients with the same high standard of products and services, as we do for our local clients in the UK.  MIG’s agile development methodology allows us to take new opportunities to market quickly, whilst maintaining an outstanding high level of software maturity and stability.”

“We believe Cape Town shares our strong innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.  Combine this with the appropriate skills and resources from high achieving individuals from Universities in South Africa and the result is a vibrant technology hub in the fastest growing African market.”

In the coming months MIG will be announcing new client and business partnerships in the region.

www.migcan.com

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a global mobile and digital communications business announces expansion into America and Canada, with its digital agency Jigsaw, opening two new offices in Chicago and Toronto.  The move has been 100% driven by growing client demand for the agency’s unique integrated approach to delivering and implementing multi-channel digital campaigns that pull on the Group’s expertise across a broad range of online, mobile, and digital marketing and technology disciplines.

Other companies within the group include: 4th Screen Advertising (mobile advertising), Kilrush (mobile internet publishing), New Toy (experiential and mobile marketing) and Mobile Interactive Technology (M-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms).

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, MIG said “A core part of MIG’s strategy has been to grow and internationalise the business and we’re right on track to fulfil these goals in 2010.  We have a unique breadth of mobile and digital capability which has enabled us to create leadership in certain sectors working with brands, media companies, broadcasters and with mobile network operators in the European market.

“The launch of Jigsaw in the USA and Canada is a result of incredible demand from existing major customers.  We plan to grow all MIG businesses into these markets, and will make further announcements around other MIG companies launching in the very near future.”

Dominic Murray, MD, Jigsaw said “On the back of a very successful 2009 and the delivery of some of the UK’s biggest loyalty campaigns to date, including the FMCG award winning Walkers ‘Do us a Flavour – Win a Packet’ campaign, Jigsaw is working with various brands, such as Lays and Tropicana, in Canada and the USA to deliver ground breaking national digital interactive loyalty campaigns.

“Jigsaw can offer a seamless user experience from the application, to the mobile webpage, to Facebook and back to the traditional website, all while running a CRM programme that allows the brand to better connect with its customers. We’re delighted we have been able to grow Jigsaw into such a vast and exciting new market and are confident we will continue to provide technologically innovative solutions to our current and future clients.”

10 Things you should know about MIG

1. Sunday Times Tech Track winner 2008 (ranked no. 1)
2. World’s most integrated mobile value added services business
3. CEO and Founder Barry Houlihan is a former Ernst and Young entrepreneur of the year winner (2006)
4. Ranked No.1 mobile agency in the NMA (New Media Age) Marketing Services Guide (2008 and 2009)
5. Awarded Guinness World Record for Live8 for the largest ever text lottery in history (2005)
6. Won Diamond award for ‘Best Integrated Campaign for Walkers ‘Do us a Flavour, Win a Packet’ Gramia Awards (2009)
7. UK’s largest mobile payments provider (25% market share)
8. Clients currently include ITV, FIVE, O2, Vodafone, Orange, Three, Walkers, Tropicana, COI, Shazam, Bauer, Guardian and more
9. 125 staff with offices now in London, Dublin, Cape Town, Chicago and Montreal
10. Privately owned and all corporate development has been organically funded

www.migcan.com
www.m-e-f.org/

Barcelona / London, 18 February 2010 – Representatives from Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), Dolby, du, Mira Networks, Sony Pictures and Telefonica were voted onto the MEF EMEA board at the general meeting held during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this week. Dozens of member companies based in more than 15 different countries gathered at the elections to cast their ballot.  The new board subsequently voted to re-elect Gerrit Jan Konijnenberg, Comfone, as Chairman and BBC’s Mark Kortekaas and Qtel’s Colin Yeh as Co-Vice Chairmen.

Prior to the elections, attendees received a sneak preview of MEF’s latest Business Confidence Index, the quarterly membership survey providing a health check on the global $36bn mobile media industry.  According to the results, market share in the Middle East and Africa has grown from 4-10% during 2009, largely at the expense of the Northern Hemisphere.  While most regions are relatively cautious about revenue growth for 2010, the Middle East and Africa regions are predicting higher than previously expected revenue growth rates for the coming year.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder Mobile Interactive Group said, “We have worked very closely with the MEF over the past few years, supporting initiatives, and discussing industry trends and influences.  The MEF EMEA board is a great forum and I’m honoured to have been appointed, I look forward to many debates with my fellow representatives and members and discussing the future of the mobile entertainment industry.”

Gerrit Jan Konijnenberg, MEF EMEA Chairman, said: “I am delighted to welcome the new and re-elected representatives to the EMEA board who bring a wealth of insight from across the EMEA region and the mobile value chain. I look forward to us facilitating the next wave of mobile media innovation and information exchange with a particular focus on the Middle East and South Africa.  I would also like to thank those stepping down from Sony Music, Telecom Italia and Turkcell for their commitment over the last two years in supporting our strategy for regional outreach.”
Andrew Bud, MEF Global Chairman, commented: “MEF EMEA has achieved some significant milestones in creating local value for MEF’s membership and supporting the creation of an open ecosystem of skilled partners.  I have every confidence that MEF EMEA’s skilled board can help accelerate these achievements.”

MEF EMEA Board 2010
Chairman: Gerrit Jan Konijnenberg               EVP Strategic Development, Comfone
Co-Vice Chairman: Mark Kortekaas              FM Controller Audio & Mobile, BBC
Co-Vice Chairman: Colin Yeh                       Head of Group Product Development, Qtel Gp

Board Directors:
Barry Houlihan – CEO & Founder, Mobile Interactive Group
Emma Kaye – Director, Mira Networks
Jiella Esmat – Director Digital Expansion, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Jonathan Jowitt – Senior Technical Marketing Manager, Dolby
Javier Lorente – Global Project Manager, Telefonica
Mark Ollila – Director of Publishing, Games & Services, Nokia
Dominique Rougie – TV/Video Director, Next.com/Orange
Raghu Venkataraman – Executive VP, Corporate Strategy & Strategic Marketing, du
Chairman Emeritus & Founder: Gerard Grech – Head of Content, Media and Games, Nokia

ENDS

www.4th-screen.com

www.telmap.com

Telmap, the original pioneers in mobile location solutions, today announces a partnership with leading independent mobile advertising sales agency 4th Screen Advertising.  The deal will enable real-time geo targeting for brands on a global scale while creating new revenue streams for mobile operators and delivering a more engaging, relevant experience to consumers.

Understanding the benefits of location based advertising, Telmap’s white label solution Telmap5, enables brands to target consumers on the go, in a manner that is both timely and relevant to their current environment; Mobile operators are provided with additional inventory which generates new revenues from ad sales whilst enabling advertisers to increase ROI.

In January this year Telmap announced 46% market share in EMEA, clearly demonstrating its dominance in the mobile navigation space with 2.6 million people using LBS services on a regular basis (Canalys research).

Oren Nissim, CEO, Telmap said, “Telmap5 was designed to fully support advertising through application banners, sponsored search results and sponsored points of interest displayed on maps.  In order to bring the complete end to end solution to both operators and advertisers, Telmap partnered with 4th Screen Advertising, who already holds several exclusive sales agreements with leading mobile operators as their preferred mobile advertising partner.”

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising commented “We look forward to working with Telmap over the coming months as this is truly where mobile advertising is meant to be. With the integration of Telmap5 with 4th Screen’s ad serving platform Mpression, we are offering brands the opportunity to deploy location based campaigns to consumers on the move.”

Telmap5 is the world’s first personalised location companion.  It’s an innovative and unique personal location companion that provides localised and relevant search and a personalised mapping and navigation experience. Telmap5 also empowers mobile operators to offer a true and valuable location experiences to address consumers needs and is regarded as a one-stop-shop for all LBS needs encompassing platform, applications and services.

4th Screen Advertising is part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a global mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

Go to http://blog.mpression.net to find out more about Mpression.

What’s more interesting is the technology and what directions this could spawn for the marketing industry. If the iPhone gave the app market a healthy shot in the arm, where will the iPad take us?

Two related issues could give us the answer. First, the iPhone is almost a victim of its own success. With more than 100,000 apps available on the App Store, it’s very difficult to create ongoing visibility for branded applications. So its continuing high value as a marketing channel could come to an end.

Second, the iPad doesn’t support Flash, the ubiquitous standard for multimedia files such as video and games. One potential reason for this is that HTML5, a new multimedia web standard that allows users to watch video from within the browser, has been gathering momentum. YouTube has started offering video in HTML5, for example, and the iPad Safari browser supports the new standard.

Taken together, the overcrowded App Store and the support for HTML5 give marketers a new area to plunder and the chance of creating richer, web-based apps or experiences.

http://www.nma.co.uk/opinion/letters/apple-ipad-raises-more-questions-than-answers/3009859.article

www.4th-screen.com

www.shazam.com/iPhone

O2 DELIVERS DYNAMIC PRIORITY ADS THROUGH SHAZAM IPHONE APP

O2 today announces an exclusive sponsorship deal with Shazam which will allow it to deliver highly targeted ads for its Priority Tickets service to Shazam users. Customers will be served relevant ads for O2 Priority pre-sales based on the music they have tagged through Shazam’s iPhone application. The dynamic ads will be delivered using 4th Screen Advertising’s ad serving platform, Mpression.

O2 Priority Tickets is a unique offer for O2 customer’s which gives them the ability to purchase tickets for gigs at The O2 and O2 Academy venues up to 48 hours before they go on general sale. O2’s sponsorship of Shazam’s iPhone app means that customers will only see adverts for pre-sales which they might be interested in based on the artists or tracks they have tagged using Shazam. For example, if a Cheryl Cole pop song is identified and she’s performing at The O2 or one of the O2 Academy venues, the ad will promote the gig.

These relevant and contextual ads will be delivered using a variety of formats including standard banners and integrated links. Shazam’s iPhone app is free to download via the App Store.

Shadi Halliwell, Head of UK Brand Communications at O2 said, “We’re always looking at innovative ways in which we can engage customers with Priority Tickets and make sure they hear about pre-sales for their favourite bands. Shazam is one of the most popular apps on the iPhone and a perfect way of reaching potential customers.”

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said, “This is the most integrated and engaging campaign 4th Screen has run as an agency in our four years of trading and it’s great to see forward thinking brands, like O2 and Shazam, leveraging our new rich media formats.  We will be launching a number of innovative new formats in 2010, plus we’ll be looking to replicate this model in other markets.”

Jonathan Symons, EVP of Business Development, Shazam said, “We are delighted to be working with 4th Screen to leverage the potential of Shazam in helping pioneering brands like O2 connect with our users in a relevant and engaging way.  There is a perfect fit between Shazam’s consumer base of music fans and the objectives of the O2 Priority campaign.  The use of rich media and highly targeted campaign messages results in an engaging and rewarding experience for Shazam users. This is a first for us and we will be taking this model and new ad formats to other markets.”

Shazam’s success as the defacto global music discovery service was a natural choice for O2 Priority when looking to engage with a music-loving audience. Shazam has achieved global success with over 50 million users to date, and is the leading music discovery App. This fully integrated service allows the user to purchase the song they have tagged, on itunes, and the integrated ad campaign fully supports this slick music journey experience.

4th Screen Advertising, the UK’s leading independent premium mobile ad-network secured a European wide mobile advertising deal with Shazam, the world’s leading mobile music discovery provider, with over 50 million users, in October 2009.

4th Screen Advertising is part of Mobile Interactive Group, a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

www.mit-can.com

www.five.tv

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) the largest mobile transactions, messaging solutions and interactive platforms provider in the UK, today announces a two year contract with FIVE to power all mobile interactive services.

The contract renewal will see FIVE enter its fourth year of working with MIT.  All mobile interactive services for shows including The Gadget Show, Flash Forward, Fifth Gear and CSI will be powered by MIT’s high throughput messaging platform MIDAS.  MIT will continue to work closely with FIVE to develop mobile interactive concepts to open up new revenue channels creating services aimed at driving customer loyalty and delivering engaging experiences.

Rob Weisz, commercial director, MIT said “We’re delighted to be in a position to continue building on our existing relationship with FIVE.  Over the coming months we will be working closely to open up new revenue streams, implement new services and support all efforts to maximise the mobile reach in to the world of consumer engagement and loyalty.”

Paul Gill, commercial manager, FIVE said “It’s essential for FIVE to review how mobile can deliver greater interaction for our viewers.  The team at MIT are always innovating and coming up with new concepts for FIVE.  It’s great to be working with an interactive business such as MIT, who firstly knows the broadcast, media and entertainment industry inside out and secondly has our viewer’s best interests at heart.”

MIT’s parent company Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) announced a 74 per cent year-on-year revenue growth in the broadcast sector in Oct 09 – a strong indication that confidence has returned to the media and entertainment market for MIT’s interactive services. Moreover the company operates a highly compliant business model that includes a suit of safeguards, such as a highly transparent premium rate refund process, operated via its purpose built self serve platform, Refund Manager.

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) is part of the Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

www.mit-can.com

www.faith.co.uk

Fashion footwear retailer Faith required an interactive platform to power mobile marketing campaigns to enable the brand to communicate to its ever growing database and mobile opt in customers.  The purpose of each SMS campaign was to provide new product information and promotional offers to drive footfall into high street stores and build brand loyalty.

SMS interactivity ran across two consecutive campaigns and delivered impressive return on investment, brand engagement and customer loyalty.

• Contributed to 47% of the uplift in revenue via ‘Friends and Family’ promotion (online and in-store)
• Contributed to 30% of the uplift in revenue via  a fashion magazine promotion (online and in-store)
• Redemption of promotional codes was higher for second campaign
• Over 70,000 SMS messages distributed throughout both campaigns

Faith activity commenced with two campaigns:  Firstly, a ‘Friends and Family’ promotion offering 25% off full price products which ran over a three day period, and secondly a promotion in conjunction with a high circulation fashion magazine offering 20% off full price products which ran over a six day period.

Talin Vartevanian, Head of e-Commerce, Faith commented “SMS marketing has proven to be an extremely successful revenue generation tool for Faith. It is quick to set up and once launched the message is instantly communicated to the customer which is especially beneficial if they are already out shopping. This makes SMS particularly strong at driving footfall in-store but has also proved to be very effective in increasing online traffic.  Licensing Mobile Interactive Technology’s (MIT) MIDAS Communicate platform has enabled Faith to have 100% ownership of all campaign delivery from start to finish, including real-time stats reporting.”

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, MIT said “Faith licensed our MIDAS Communicate platform to enable set up, management and delivery of all free to consumer SMS promotional interactivity in-house.  MIDAS is a simple online messaging solution that enables Faith to manage all campaign elements including list management, message set up and incorporates additional subscribers via an easy to use toolset.”

“All opt in consumers receive a text message containing a promotional code which is redeemed in-store or online to claim their offer and to comply with industry regulation and compliance, MIDAS Communicate offers the facility for consumers to unsubscribe from the service at any time.”

M-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms business Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) is part of Mobile Interactive Group, a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

www.mit-can.com

www.fremantlemedia.com

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) today announces a contract renewal with talkbackTHAMES digital to power mobile interactive services for some of their biggest entertainment brands including The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, The Apprentice and Family Fortunes.

MIT’s MIDAS platform will deliver a variety of interactivity including competitions, feedback services, and mobile billing content services, and 2010 marks the fifth year MIT and talkbackTHAMES digital have been working together.

Robert Marsh, Head of talkbackTHAMES digital said, “The interactive elements of our brands are vital and we’re glad to be working with MIT through 2010. The success of our online initiatives, including the award-winning The X Factor, relies on having great partners like MIT.”

Rob Weisz, commercial director, MIT said “It’s great to be building on our existing relationship with talkbackTHAMES digital and to be in a position to work closely with them over the coming year to investigate new revenue streams and implement new interactive services.”

M-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms company Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT), is part of the Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com. MIT’s sister company 4th Screen Advertising – www.4th-screen.com – delivered mobile video advertising for The X Factor in 2009 in partnership with Mobix Interactive.

talkbackTHAMES digital was launched in October last year and is a centre of excellence for digital media, focusing on opportunities for all talkbackTHAMES’ and third party productions to deepen viewer engagement on multiple platforms, maximising commercial opportunities within the digital space, producing groundbreaking bespoke digital content, and bringing digital media and traditional production closer together for more integrated multi-platform content production. It is part of FremantleMedia Enterprises.

www.digital-jigsaw.com

www.LindeWerdelin.com

Digital agency Jigsaw, which is part of the Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), has been appointed by luxury sports watchmaker Linde Werdelin (LW) to design, build and deliver a Ski Guide iPhone App.  The app is a mobile version of the LW ski guide books personally written by Jorn Werdelin and Morten Linde, offering their hand-picked favourites and “insider knowledge” of a high quality ski holiday experience. The app’s purpose is to provide added-value to users with location-based and real-time services, such as up-to-the-minute weather forecasts, snow alerts, Geolocations, and travel options.  It features the best ski routes, top hotels and dining locations, the all important après skis, and much more for 14 European resorts in France, Italy and Switzerland including Chamonix, Courmayeur and St Moritz.

Launching this week, the app is targeted at people who enjoy a sophisticated urban lifestyle and the freedom of the mountains in the winter. Jigsaw created the app to enhance their engagement with the brand, as many high earners are tech savvy and own an iPhone.  The app’s back-end structure is linked to SQUA.RE (http://squa.re./), a luxury online community site, which supports the addition of new content from Linda Werdelin feeds as the season rolls out.  It is downloadable for £5.99.  A ‘Lite’ version will also available for one complete resort as a free download.

Dominic Murray, Managing Director of Jigsaw commented: “The app is content based and therefore provides a host of location based information for ski fanatics heading to a variety of European resorts.  This is the first time Jigsaw has worked with Linde Werdelin and the association of their brand with skiing is a perfect fit for their consumers – it provides a real value add and shows the luxury sector are utilising modern technology to maximise brand and consumer engagement.”

Jorn Werdelin, Managing Director of Linde Werdelin added: “We came to Jigsaw because of their unparalleled mobile expertise and their appreciation of our brand equity and our audience.  We were looking for an agency that has the technical know-how to provide the quality of delivery that is required, and that understands the brand aspirations of our market. We’re hoping that this smart and sophisticated app will be a guide that our customers can carry with them in their pockets and make good use of throughout the ski season”

Linde Werdelin produces a £9.99 printed ski guide on each of France, Italy and Switzerland, on which the iPhone application was based.

Jigsaw is part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) – www.migcan.com

www.mit-can.com

http://68100.co.uk/

• Flat rate of 35p a minute on all mobile networks except O2 where the rate is 25p a minute
• Ad funded model offering advertisers one-to-one targeted communication with potential customers
• Powered by MIGVoice, Mobile Interactive Technologies voice gateway platform

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) the m-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms business, which is part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), has been selected to host and run voice and SMS services for new low cost Directory Enquiry services provider 68 100 Ltd.  Launched this week, the service – available exclusively from mobile phones – will be available on a dedicated short code 68 100 from all UK mobile devices.

68 100 is hosted on MIT’s Voice Gateway platform at a flat rate fee of 35p per minute on all mobile networks except O2 where calls are charged at 25p per minute.  The 68 100 number is a massive 70 per cent cheaper than the most widely used 118 numbers for a typical directory enquiry call.

How does it work?

1. Customer calls 68100 @ 35p/min
2. Talks to a trained UK-based operator who will search for the requested number
3. Customer listens to a 20 second one-to-one branded advert from a selection of national advertisers
4. Requested number is provided
5. Customer is asked to choose one of the following options: ’1′ to connect to requested number, ’2′ to take up the advertiser’s offer
6. An automated SMS is sent to the caller with the advertiser offer and their requested phone number

Isabel Magan Campbell, Director and Co-Founder of 68 100 Ltd said: “MIT’s Voice Gateway is the right platform for the 68 100 directory enquiries and information service as it has allowed us to present a low cost, no hidden charges model to all our customers. MIT’s high-capacity, high-volume nature makes it ideal for the volume of traffic the service is expected to receive. We believe it’s essential to be transparent with our customers to offer a flat rate fee, irrespective of the caller’s mobile network operator. Consumers get a good deal on price and will also receive some great promotions from the advertisers signed to the service.”

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, Mobile Interactive Technology said, “This is a significant contract for MIT and we are delighted to work with 68 100 Ltd. They have a clear aim which is to provide a flat rate fee model, working with a trusted partner to ensure their customers receive the best service in the market.  We look forward to working with them more strategically on future projects to enhance the customer experience.”

The low cost Directory Enquiries service is attractive to advertisers as it provides them with direct one-to-one communication with their customers as part of their mobile marketing strategies.  In addition, 68 100 offers the caller Directory Enquiry calls that are 70% cheaper than the most widely used 118 numbers.  Launch advertisers on 68 100 include household brands such as LV, Dell, HomeServe, Fitness First and Sky.

www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

www.mit-can.com

BBC Children in Need launched SMS donations on Monday 26th October 2009 and has raised an incredible £1.75m via mobile through £5 donations, marking a first for the charity. The public have donated knowing that every penny has gone directly to BBC Children in Need thanks to mobile network operators waiving their usual fees and the Treasury confirming no VAT charges. Gift Aid has also been available meaning an additional £1.40 for every eligible £5 donation – Meaning a potential extra income of over £500k.

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) powered all SMS donations via MIDAS with digital agency Jigsaw designing, building and hosting the BBC Children in Need Gift Aid website , and mobile internet publishing business Kilrush designing, building and hosting the mobile internet site enabling supporters to add Gift Aid to their donation.

In the four weeks running up to the main BBC Children in Need appeal, viewers of The One Show were invited to text a keyword (based on the presenter’s name) to support the presenter they wanted to participate in the latest challenge.  Each interaction donated £5 with donations capped at seven maximum per day.

The Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall concert was broadcast on Thursday 19th November from 8pm to 10pm, where Take That performed amongst other artists, and invited supporters to text keyword ‘DONATE’ to shortcode 70077 to donate £5.

These services were supported by MIT’s Client services and Operations team, being located both at their offices throughout the campaign and on the appeal night at BT Tower, central London.

Rob Weisz, Commercial Director, MIT said “MIT has a proven track record for enabling donations for large scale broadcast events and ‘BBC Children in Needs’ success really underpins an appetite for viewers to interact and participate via mobile.  With the addition of Gift Aid via the mobile internet, as well as the traditional internet, the channel has really optimised donations.  It’s key for charities to diversify into multiple donations channels for wider reach and appeal.”

Anna Bennett, Director of Operations and Finance, BBC Children in Need said “This is the first time BBC Children in Need has used SMS to interact with our supporters. The donation mechanic has made it easy for our supporters to donate and has helped us to reach a wider audience.”

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT), Jigsaw and Kilrush are part of Mobile Interactive Group, a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com

Figures calculated on Monday 23rd November.  Final figures will be calculated at close of campaign – Monday 30th November 2009.

www.digital-jigsaw.com

Digital agency Jigsaw today announces the appointment of David Balko as commercial director.  The role will see David bolster the current management team and spearhead the growth of Jigsaw’s business development and marketing strategies globally.

For the year prior to joining Jigsaw David independently consulted for a variety of international agencies across traditional, digital, design and integrated disciplines, helping them to develop new business, PR and Marketing strategies.

Dominic Murray, managing director Jigsaw said “David has a well established reputation in the market place and has consulted for some well known brands and agencies in his career to date.  We have ambitious international expansion planned for Jigsaw in 2010 so his insights will be invaluable in guiding our marketing and business development strategies both here in the UK and internationally.”

David Balko, commercial director, Jigsaw said, “It’s great to have joined such a joined up agency and one that works with well known and respected global brands, on both a creative and technical level, to deliver fully integrated cross platform campaigns. I’m looking forward to working with the team and helping to build Jigsaw’s international business development strategy and bringing some truly innovative global brands on board.”

David’s previous roles include New Business Director at Draftfcb London (2008) where, as part of the management team, David played a leading role in driving the agencies business development strategy bringing in new clients such as Sony, General Motors and Busch and Lomb; Business Development Director at Fitch London (2006) where his role focused strongly on growing the business organically, developing new revenue streams and attracting new clients, namely Vodafone, Nokia and P&G; and New Business Director at Publicis London (2003) where David was tasked with developing marketing and prospecting plans and running both local and international pitches.

Jigsaw is part of integrated mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group – www.migcan.com

ENDS

www.newtoylondon.com

Experiential technology agency, New Toy, has been appointed by O2 to deliver ‘SnapBooth’ interactive installations which will enable thousands of fans, attending gigs at the O2 Academy venues located in major cities throughout the UK, to be part of an engaging experience and a unique online community to share their experiences with friends and family post event.

New Toy designed the ‘SnapBooth’ experience for O2 alongside creative agency PD3. It is an interactive installation that spans experiential, digital, mobile and social networking platforms. O2’s aim is to enhance the gig-going experience and deliver a unique personalised brand experience to thousands of avid music fans, whilst preserving the heritage and personality of each venue.

Inside the O2 Academy venues, the ‘SnapBooth’ experience invites fans to take their photo in a bespoke photo booth with touch-screen interface. These snap shots are then sent to photo wall, with a set of digital screens displaying a revolving series of pictures taken at that event.

Every fan who interacts with the ‘SnapBooth’ will also receive their photo directly to their mobile phone and post event the images are uploaded to the venue’s Facebook Group, enabling participants to share and extend their personal experience with a wider group of friends. The experience is free to all O2 and non O2 customers.

Jasmine Skee, Music Sponsorship Manager at O2 UK said, “We have launched ‘Snapbooth’ in to ten of our O2 Academy venues throughout the UK.  Having worked with New Toy on previous experiential projects, we knew their installations delivered engaging experiences for our customers.  O2 is synonymous with music and will continue to adopt innovative technology that allows customers to form online communities and share their experiences.”

Christopher Smith, MD of New Toy said, “It’s great to work with O2 on their exciting live music venture. It’s given us the opportunity to design and deliver a unique, engaging experience for music fans across live, mobile and digital channels.”

New Toy is part of Mobile Interactive Group – www.migcan.com

www.digital-jigsaw.com

www.walkers.co.uk

Walkers and digital agency Jigsaw have won the Diamond award for ‘Best Integrated Campaign’ for the Walkers ‘Do us a Flavour, Win a Packet’ campaign, at the 2009 Gramia Awards, which took place on Thurs 29th Oct at The Landmark Hotel, central London.  The Gramia’s recognise the best creative marketing initiatives in the FMCG industry.

Facts about Walkers ‘Do us a Flavour, Win a Packet’ campaign

• First cross platform mobile and digital interactive initiative for Walkers
• First free SMS vote for consumers, delivered through marketing collaboration between Walkers and O2, irrespective of network
• Cross platform approach (web, MMS, WAP, postal and email) opened up interaction and participation to the whole nation
• Walkers launched a ‘Walkers Racers’ iPhone and iPod Touch app, free to consumers in order to drive engagement with the campaign

      

• Over 1.2 million entries and over 1 million votes

Thomas Barkholt, Marketing Manager, at Walkers said, “The ‘Do us a Flavour, Win a Packet’ multimedia campaign has been an outstanding success for Walkers.  To be recognised by industry specialists for delivering the best integrated marketing initiatives in the FMCG sector is a great accolade, and one we’ll continue to aspire to in the future.”

Dominic Murray, Managing Director, Jigsaw said, “To have won both ‘Online’ and ‘Integrated’ campaign was great news but to go on to win the Diamond award for ‘Best Integrated Campaign’ in its first year, really demonstrates our true capabilities!  Walkers continue to be truly innovative and to embrace new and emerging technology – I’m sure there will be more exciting projects to come.  In the meantime, we’re still recovering from our celebrations…”

Jigsaw is part of Mobile Interactive Group – www.migcan.com

View all finalists here – http://www.gramia.co.uk/page/2009_winners_1.html

The deal will mean Shazam can use its music tagging to enable advertisers to target people by their music tastes, handset type and time of day, across its applications on iPhone, Android and Ovi phones.

The deal comes as 4th Screen Advertising launches new rich-media in-app ad formats that allow advertisers to access GPS, video and call functions of handsets.

Mark Slade, MD of 4th Screen Advertising, said, “This is a truly mobile service so we expect it will be very appealing for brands looking to advertise on mobile. In-app advertising also allows us to offer far more targeted and compelling ad formats. We’ll be able to serve ads based on what music users like and where they are.”

4th Screen Advertising, the UK’s largest independent premium mobile ad-network today announced that it has cut a Europe-wide mobile advertising deal with Shazam, the world’s leading mobile music discovery provider  with over 35 million users.

Shazam has enabled 4th Screen’s  Advertising sales team and ad serving technology platform, Mpression, to serve targeted adverts into its leading European territories namely, the UK, Germany, France and Spain. Mpression will be using the music tagging information to enable advanced targeting for advertisers. As well as the usual mobile targeting parameters such as handset type and time of day, advertisers will be able to target consumers based on their music tastes, for example by artist name or by individual track names.

It is expected that this targeting will appeal to music related brands, as well as brands with an association with music.

The launch comes as 4th Screen Advertising rolls out its new rich media in-application ad formats for iPhone, Android and Ovi applications. These formats will allow advertisers to access the Video, GPS and call functions on the handsets to engage with consumers. The iSlide formats will offer touch to expand, touch to video, touch to call as well as touch to find my nearest.

Rated the fifth most popular application overall in the iPhone App Store  and with over 35 million users globally across all platforms the addition of Shazam will bolster 4th Screen’s premium ad-network which also includes other tier one publishers such as ITN ON and the Guardian.

Jonathan Symons, EVP of Business Development at Shazam Entertainment said “We are delighted to be working with 4th Screen Advertising, to connect users of Shazam to relevant brands and advertisers by making the most of the targeting capabilities of 4th Screens impressive ad serving platform, and embracing its more progressive ad formats. It is our ambition to push the envelope of mobile advertising.”

Mark Slade, MD at 4th Screen Advertising said: “We are extremely excited to be working with one of the leading global mobile applications. This is a truly mobile service so we expect it will be very appealing for brands looking to advertise on mobile.  In application advertising also allows us to run far more targeted and compelling advertising formats. We will be able to serve adverts based on what music users like and where they are located – this is a unique advertising opportunity.”

Three things you need to know about smartphone growth and usage…

• £3.5bn will be spent on globally on mobile marketing by 2014 (Juniper Research)
• 81% of iPhone users browse the web daily (Revolution)
• 36.5 million smartphones sold worldwide (Revolution)

• Revenue increase of 74%
• Gross profit increase of 52%
• Headcount increase of 46%
• Successful launch of new mobile internet publishing company, Kilrush

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), the UK’s leading integrated mobile and digital communications group continues to experience exceptional growth, bucking the trend in today’s tough economic climate. MIG’s consolidated financial accounts reveal a substantial revenue increase of 74%, from £39m to £68m in the year to 30th April 2009.

Barry Houlihan, CEO and Founder, MIG commented “Our unique corporate structure and service offering ensures we continue to see increased demand for our mobile and digital technology, products and services across the group companies. Despite the recession, MIG has significantly grown its customer base, year on year, along with several major new contract wins.”

“In 2009, we expect to see continued growth from our core group businesses and will be making further new customer announcements in the very near future. In addition, we plan to announce the launch of numerous new products and technologies, as well as new businesses that will continue to position MIG at the forefront of mobile and digital technological advancement.”

“MIG has traditionally been seen as a UK based business” continues Houlihan, “but 2009 will see our group companies expanding into new markets globally. We will continue to grow our business, as we always have done, organically, and by working with new and existing customers in these new territories.”

Businesses within Mobile Interactive Group include M-commerce, Messaging Solutions and Interactive Platforms business, Mobile Interactive Technology; Mobile Internet Publishing business, Kilrush; Digital Agency, Jigsaw; Mobile Advertising Agency 4th Screen Advertising and Live Experience Technology agency New Toy.

An example of new MIG customers over the past 12 months includes:

• O2:  O2 contracted with Mobile Interactive Technology  and its MIDAS platform to power O2 Alerts services to their 18million UK customer base
• Orange:  For the bespoke build of an ‘Instant Win’ platform to power Orange UK’s ‘Bright Top Ups’ programme aimed at  the Pay As You Go market
• Vodafone:  For utilising the Kilrush platform to enable customers using Vodafone Live to create a fully personalised and tailored mobile internet experience called Vodafone ‘My Page’
• ITV:  For mobile internet platform Kilrush to provide proprietary publishing technology to enable ITV.com’s production team to update their mobile internet sites on a daily basis
• Walkers:  For delivering cross platform digital solutions encompassing online, SMS, WAP, email, social media such as Facebook, and bespoke app builds, to deliver a fully integrated offering for Walkers Do us a Flavour, Win a Packet campaign by our digital technology agency Jigsaw
• Barclaycard:  For the first financial services brand to utilise 4th Screen Advertising’s  iSlide, an expandable new rich media advertising format built specifically to target the 40 million iPhone and iPod touch consumers globally
• COI:  For creating a ground breaking viral mobile application for The Home Office’s ‘It’s Doesn’t Have to Happen’ anti-knife crime campaign called ‘Pocket Beatz’
• Comic Relief:  To enable the UK population to make £1 and £5 donations directly to the charity via mobile, powered by Mobile Interactive Technology’s MIDAS platform which delivered 4.75 million mobile interactions, generating £7.8million for Comic Relief and setting a new world record

www.migcan.com

www.migcan.com

DRG.ie, an Irish-owned specialist in the rapidly emerging mobile Internet economy, announced plans at its official launch today by Communications Minister Eamon Ryan to create at least 20 high-tech jobs in Dublin as it rolls out a range of services for this rapidly developing market. The company also unveiled a significant investment from integrated mobile and digital communications business, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), the fastest-growing technology company in the UK last year.

DRG.ie will create a number of companies to service the multi-faceted mobile Internet sector. The first of these is Adforce, which provides a single point of contact for advertisers who want to market their products to mobile Internet users. The company is working with such prestigious clients as RTÉ, Bebo and Vodafone.

“We have every intention of being at the forefront of the smart economy and with this will come jobs,” said managing director, Colm Grealy. “Internet usage on mobile devices is growing at a phenomenal rate and this provides new opportunities to commercialise this shift.”

More than two-thirds of the population now regard themselves as Internet users, according to a comprehensive survey conducted for Comreg in July 2009 by MillwardBrown Lansdowne. The survey also found that almost one in five people in Ireland were already using mobile devices to access the Internet. With mobile ownership in Ireland running at more than 100% and all new handsets now Internet-enabled, this figure is likely to increase exponentially over the next few years.

Social networking sites, for example, are seeing a rapid rise in mobile access. In August 2009 alone, Facebook counted 65m visitors accessing the site from mobile phones worldwide – a dramatic increase from last December’s figure of 20m.

“The sites of network operators, information content providers and social media are growing in popularity,” Grealy said. “These mobile pioneers are leading the way that others will surely follow very quickly as they realise the potential gains from mobile.”

The management team’s extensive experience in the areas of Internet, mobile marketing and new media has attracted equity and technology investment from MIG (www.migcan.com). The company topped of the Sunday Times’ Tech Track 100 index in 2008, which ranks Britain’s fastest-growing private tech companies based on sales growth over the previous three years.

Barry Houlihan, MIG’s chief executive and founder, described the investment in DRG.ie as “a massive vote of confidence in the management team and what it will achieve in Ireland”.

“MIG’s significant technology expertise in mobile advertising will ensure that the Adforce business grows quickly into Ireland’s leading mobile advertising business,” he said. “Adforce has had huge success already winning exclusive contracts and its management team will be working closely with our UK market leading mobile advertising agency 4th Screen to develop existing commercial, brand and agency relationships to drive the growth of mobile advertising in the Irish market.”

eBuddy’s mobile IM solution enables over 8 million unique monthly mobile users to chat free of charge in one interface across all major IM networks including AIM, Facebook, Gtalk, ICQ, MSN Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo. eBuddy currently offers four mobile IM versions: eBuddy Mobile Messenger (J2ME), eBuddy Lite Messenger (mobile Web) along with the native applications, eBuddy for iPhone and eBuddy for Android.

According to the IAB, the number of social network users on the mobile Internet has grown 179% year-on-year compared to 10% on the PC Internet. “Young people are constantly communicating while on the go, and mobile phones play a critical role in their social lives,” states eBuddy UK Advertising Director, Lucy Russell. “We anticipate excellent results from our partnership with 4th Screen Advertising, especially considering eBuddy’s year-on-year mobile IM growth rate of 235% and the more than 8 million unique mobile users per month utilizing eBuddy’s mobile IM service.

“Over one third of people under 30 years old are accessing social networking sites via mobile,” adds 4th Screen Advertising Account Director, Miguel Tatay. “Unlimited data plans and 3G penetration have really opened up the flood gates, providing mobile consumers with an ‘all you can eat’ proposition to access social media sites at any time of day.”

Tatay continues, “Our partnership with eBuddy supports 4th Screen Advertising’s ever-expanding reach in the social media arena, and provides the perfect channel for brands to maximise awareness among a notoriously ‘hard to reach’ youth audience via a targeted range of mobile advertising options.”

O2 has today announced My O2 for iPhone, an app designed to help make viewing the amount customers spend on their phones even easier. The app is now available as a free download on the Apple App Store.

The My O2 section of O2′s website gives comprehensive information on every part of a customer’s account and could already be accessed via SMS and online, however the new My O2 app takes this information and makes it available in a way specifically tailored for the iPhone.

Using the My O2 app, both O2 Pay & Go and Pay Monthly iPhone customers will be able to securely see their tariff details, a summary of their inclusive allowance and how much remains, their latest bill and any Bolt Ons on their account.

“Our customers want to stay in control of how much they spend whenever they like. The My O2 iPhone app allows them to do this with the minimum of fuss” said Sally Cowdry, Marketing Director for O2. “We wanted to make this information as easy to view as possible. This is all part of our commitment to a great customer experience and we’ll be looking at rolling this out to other phones in the near future.”

The My iPhone app has been created together with Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), Ben Cusack, Group Creative Director at MIG said, “The My O2 application allows the iPhone customer base to benefit from having details of their account on their handset. To enable ease of integration, MIG designed the app so it can easily be rolled out to other smart phone devices or incorporate additional features in the future.”

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has been announced as one of the ten trailblazers in this year’s Tech Media Invest 2009, which is run in conjunction with Kemp Little, PWC and The Guardian. The programme was launched by Europe Unlimited and showcases the Top 100 companies in the UK, bringing together Europe-wide investors and business partners to create world leading businesses. 

Tech Media Invest 2009 is aimed at the whole spectrum of tech and media companies in the UK – from fresh start ups with the next generation of technologies, through fast growing, investor-backed platforms right through to those riding the big waves in the market right now.

Mobile Interactive Group will shortly be releasing their financial results year end 30th April 2009, demonstrating exceptional year on year growth.

The top 100 companies have been published in The Guardian newspaper supplement today and the top 50 companies will be showcased within the dedicated investment forum on 1st October at the Emirates Stadium, London.

The Top 100 list comprises of the following:

• Top 10 – these are the UK’s top 10 entrepreneurial tech and media companies as ranked and judged by the Advisory Board
• The rest of the Top 100 – the 90 best UK emerging and innovative tech and media companies
• Trailblazers – 10 companies chosen by the Advisory Board because they have all flourished in new tech and media markets

www.4th-screen.com

Mobile advertising agency 4th Screen Advertising, in partnership with On Demand Group’s Mobix Interactive, mobile network operator 3 and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) are providing targeted mobile advertising opportunities, by age and gender, for brands wanting to wrap and associate their advertising around the nation’s favourite TV show, The X Factor. All content and targeted advertising is delivered by Mobix’s Adrenalin platform.

The benefits of 30 second pre-roll mobile video advertising clips are multiple:

• Target exact audience by age and gender
• Companion banner post clip enables extended brand engagement and maximises opportunity for direct response
• Provides avid fans of The X Factor with compelling content on the move
• Highlights all the best bits of The X Factor for the small screen

Consumers on 3 have the opportunity to watch free video content, providing they complete the ‘opt in’ service requirements giving details of their age and gender, in return for accessing video content for free. Therefore, all consumers are aware they’re entering a branded advertising environment. All mobile advertising clips are no longer than 30 seconds long and are pre roll reducing the drop off rate.

Neil Andrews, Head of Portal Advertising at 3, said: “Our customers are able to watch video for free, ranging from music and entertainment to news and sports. All of these are promoted on Planet 3, our dedicated mobile internet portal. With 35 million page impressions on the Planet 3 home page every month and up to 2.6 million unique users accessing the portal, it provides the perfect environment to exclusively promote The X Factor mobile video clips to a hungry audience.”

Mark Slade, MD, 4th Screen Advertising said, “Mobile video advertising is really starting to take off. The partnership with 3 and FME has opened up a fantastic opportunity for brands to target their exact audience demographic. Plus booking companion banners, post clip, enables advertisers to extend brand engagement in a dedicated mobile space, which in turn brings opportunities to drive direct response through interactivity.

“Additionally, mobile enables hundreds of brands, who may or may not have secured advertising on TV, to wrap their advertising around The X Factor, maximising reach to a receptive advertising audience.”

Damian Mulcock, CEO of Mobix Interactive commented, “Great content and great brands create a successful ecosystem and we are delighted to leverage our media and technology strengths to bolster the already successful video advertising service with 3UK. It is a great example of the barriers falling away between TV and mobile and proving mobile is a viable medium for brands and consumers.”

Robert Marsh, VP, Interactive & Telephony, UK Licensing, FremantleMedia Enterprises said, “Our aim is to provide avid fans of The X Factor with engaging and entertaining mobile video content on the move, with 10 mobile video clips per week, showcasing highlights of the show. Partnering with Mobix Interactive, 4th Screen Advertising and 3 provides the wider reach possible for promoting the 10 three-minute video clips per week.”

Brands are only charged if 90% of the advertisement is viewed by the consumer.

4th Screen Advertising is part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) – www.migcan.com who has provided mobile interactive services to The X Factor since 2004, including SMS, MMS, made for mobile video content and more.