18 February 2010

MEF elects new EMEA board

New & re-elected directors to build on momentum of EMEA regionalisation programme and drive competitive advantage for members.

Barcelona / London, 18 February 2010 – Representatives from Dolby, du, Mobile Interactive Group, 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.

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:
Jiella Esmat – Director Digital Expansion, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Barry Houlihan – CEO & Founder, Mobile Interactive Group
Jonathan Jowitt – Senior Technical Marketing Manager, Dolby
Emma Kaye – Director, Mira Networks
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, Chief Strategy & Investments Officer, du

Chairman Emeritus & Founder: Gerard Grech - Head of Content, Media and Games, Nokia

Editorial contacts
Kirstyn Langford
Public relations for MEF
kirstyn.langford@hotwirepr.com
+44 (0) 20 7608 4628

17 February 2010

MEF’s Annual Business Confidence Index predicts 24% growth for mobile media and entertainment industry

- 5th quarterly result indicates moderate decline suggesting market caution
- Direct consumer purchase forecast revenues rise from 46% to 73%
- Games and apps represent highest new revenue opportunities
- Southern hemisphere lead the way in growth during 2009
- MEF projects $36 billion mobile media industry for 2010

17 February 2010, Barcelona and London – MEF’s Annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), compiled by KPMG and capturing a year’s worth of quarterly industry sentiment, points to a consistent positive growth for the mobile media and entertainment industry, with a cooling in optimism from Q3 2009.

Andrew Bud, the Global Chair of MEF stated: “Since its launch in January 2009, the BCI has underlined the industry’s ability to weather the storm of the recession and leverage the new opportunities presented by the proliferation of smartphones and digital economy business models. With the global economic recovery underway, the first aggregate results of the Annual BCI point to a toughened industry which has readjusted growth predictions from 33% growth in Q2, down to 24%.

“Just as industry was resistant to despair in the height of the recession in the first quarter of 2009, so it has successfully resisted exultant relief during economic recovery as reflected in a more conservative forecast for the size of the mobile media market since last year from $32 to $36 billion.”

Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director added that: “By comparing each set of BCI findings, we have identified clear regional market variations between December 2008 and December 2009. Last year demonstrated significant growth in C&S America (up from a 2% share in December 2008 to 7% in December 2009), Africa & the Middle East (4% to 10%) and APAC (9% to 12%). These findings highlight a growth trend in market share across the Southern Hemisphere, but also a decline for Northern Hemisphere regions, particularly in North America and Western Europe. Looking forward to the next 12 months, general stability is projected across the global market which indicates a degree of market caution.”

Mark Harding, Director of Digital Content at KPMG, who analysed the survey findings, said: “While the industry has had to adapt to the challenges of the global economic downturn, reducing annual growth projections, there is optimism in the rise of applications, which look set to drive the industry forward as it continues towards recovery.

“Respondents now expect the value chain that develops, sells and delivers applications to account for 21% of revenue streams for the next quarter and the majority expect this to be incremental revenue. Considering applications stores only came about 18 months ago, this is a significant development, showing consumers’ willingness to embrace and consume mobile content.”

-ends-
Notes to editors

About the research:
The Mobile Entertainment Forum ‘Business Confidence Index’ (BCI) was launched in January 2009 to analyse revenue and business trends in the $36bn mobile entertainment industry.

The responses to the BCI survey, which was completed by MEF member companies, are analysed by KPMG. MEF members were surveyed from across the mobile entertainment value chain, from operators to content owners, billing aggregators and service providers. MEF members were asked a total of fifteen questions relating to their confidence in the mobile entertainment value chain. Questions relating to revenue, headcount and marketing decisions were asked alongside those about the confidence in different types of mobile content.

The MEF BCI is conducted on a quarterly basis, with a report on the findings of the Business Confidence Index available to MEF members at www.m-e-f.org.

About Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF):
The Mobile Entertainment Forum is the global trade body of the mobile media and entertainment industry.  It represents the leading companies throughout the entire mobile entertainment value chain, and works on behalf of its diverse membership to facilitate industry growth, shape regulation and deliver competitive advantage to its members.

With global headquarters in London and operational chapters in Asia, EMEA, LATAM and North America, MEF is a member network with a global reach, strong local representation and the ability to affect market change.  Established in 2000, MEF provides a consistent and powerful voice for the foremost mobile media businesses and entrepreneurs.  For further information and a full list of members please visit: www.m-e-f.org

About KPMG:
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and operates from 22 offices across the UK with nearly 11,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a turnover of £1.6 billion in the year ended September 2009. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. We operate in 144 countries and have more than 137,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. KPMG International provides no client services.


Editorial contacts

Kirstyn Langford / Rebecca Honeyman
Public Relations for MEF
kirstyn.langford@hotwirepr.com / Rebecca.honeyman@hotwirepr.com
+44 (0)7867 786 691 / +44 (0)7766 021 339

Claire Le Masurier
PR Manager, KPMG Corporate Communications
Claire.lemasurier@kpmg.co.uk
+44 (0)20 7694 8639 / +44 (0)7795 074 360

15 February 2010

MEF welcomes the formation of the 'Wholesale Applications Community'

Andrew Bud, Global Chair of MEF responded earlier to announcements of the formation of the Wholesale Applications Community:

"MEF's members are very optimistic about apps, and this will be demonstrated in MEF's soon-to-be-released annual Business Confidence Index that predicts that apps will make up over 20% of total mobile media revenues in 2010. But fragmentation in apps platforms is an important factor limiting growth and competition, so this initiative is welcomed by the mobile media industry. MEF has been working on network enablers, and this new initiative focusing on platforms will address the other aspect of the problem, moving the industry further forward."

MEF and The Qtel Group to Establish Mobile Media Innovation Hub for the MENA Region

The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) and The Qtel Group have announced plans to co-found and establish a local MEF office in Doha sponsored by The Qtel Group. With its 2020 Vision to be among the world’s top 20 telecommunications companies, The Qtel Group aims to work closely with MEF in this joint project to build a sustainable ecosystem and accelerate growth of the mobile media industry in the (MENA) region via dedicated local MEF Connects events and knowledge exchange.

The Qatar MEF office will be responsible for facilitating regional membership, organising local events and supporting knowledge transfer via MEF initiatives. Its intent is to help create a self-sustainable hub for the growing MENA mobile media industry.

MEF has a global membership as well as a proven track record of providing competitive advantage to members; creating business development opportunities; and facilitating knowledge exchange via its events and industry-shaping initiatives. The Qtel Group is recognised as an innovation-led company and joined MEF in February 2009 with the express purpose of driving mobile media innovation in the MENA region. The project will leverage both parties’ strengths and promote co-operation across the mobile media value chain.

Dr. Nasser Marafih, Chief Executive Officer of The Qtel Group, commented: “We are committed to take leadership positions and we want to leverage MEF’s strong network and fuel our drive for innovation to create real momentum in the region. By tapping into the expertise of MEF’s international membership and through regular local networking activities, our aim is to accelerate innovation and grow the local mobile entertainment industry in general.”

Andrew Bud, MEF Chairman, stated: “The Middle East is one of the most exciting markets for the growth of the mobile media industry. We’re very impressed that The Qtel Group has chosen to support innovation in the region by co-founding and sponsoring the new MEF regional office whilst respecting the independence and clear governance for which MEF is known in the industry. The new MEF office sponsored by The Qtel Group will be a tremendous resource for all our members, both local and worldwide, and this new hub for mobile media innovation will accelerate growth and help new ideas flourish in the region.”

Gerrit Jan Konijnenberg, MEF EMEA Chairman, said: “I’d like to thank The Qtel Group for their vision and hard work, without which this project would not have been possible. Through building a local presence, MEF will be able to respond to local needs, create more business development opportunities and stimulate the development of one of the world’s leading mobile media markets.”

02 February 2010

MEF reflects on the Apple iPad


Following last week's launch of Apple's iPad, Andrew Bud comments on the impact it will have on the mobile entertainment industry:

The iPad represents a genuine watershed in the development of mobile entertainment. Like the Kindle, it represents an entirely new class of mobile connected device. Its screen size, and the large visual area it occupies, marks it out as something quite different from a smartphone or a portable player, yet it is evidently there to deliver content. It delivers a visual and tactile experience that is quite new, and will stimulate innovation in mobile entertainment along the lines the Mobile Entertainment Forum has already forecast for 2010 – books, media delivered with micro-payments or subscriptions, video, games.

MEF Executive Questionnaire #2: Joe Barrett, Qualcomm

MEF continues to seek new ways to profile its members and promote the thought-leadership of the senior executives within these companies. We are pleased to launch the MEF Executive Questionnaire to reveal the real people behind the industry in an informal and entertaining manner.

This will be a regular feature of the MEF blog, so make sure you subscribe via email or RSS. If you are a senior executive from one of our member companies and would like to be featured then please contact MEF Marketing Director, Stephen Jenkins.


The second in the series is from Joe Barrett, Senior Director Strategic Marketing of Qualcomm, the provider of next-generation mobile technologies that accelerate wireless life.
1. Please describe briefly your main company activities and your role within that organisation
Qualcomm is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services. Qualcomm’s main businesses are Mobile System Modems, (Chips for mobile phones), Technology Licensing, Mobile Services and Mobile Platforms.

2. Without necessarily revealing any confidential information, please outline the principal business models your company uses
Qualcomm is a licensing, product and services company providing technology to mobile companies and operators to support the expansion and growth of the industry. We invest heavily in Research and Development to bring leading edge solutions to market and support our partners who are developing new devices and services.

3. What has been your company’s greatest achievement to-date?
The global adoption of CDMA based technologies - and BREW, the leading paid for mobile applications store in the industry

4. What is your company currently working on that is going to move the industry forward?
Advance mobile processors and chips that are supporting the convergence of PC Communications and Mobile Connectivity via new device categories such as Smartbooks, eReaders as well as Smartphones and connected laptops.

What is exciting you most in 2010 (either personally or professionally)?
The convergence of computing and communications into new types of devices that will increase the user experience of all services while mobile

6. What is the most important piece of technology in your life?
HSPA+ mobile broadband

7. What mobile device(s) do you use?
Blackberry and Palm Pre – but I change phones often to gain experiences of new devices, features and technologies.

8. What’s your favourite application?
E-mail

9. What’s your ringtone?
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come on Eileen. Has been for the past 14 years

10. Which mobile industry blogs do you regularly read and why?
Varies based on topics being discussed

11. What is the biggest mobile content issue that is likely to affect the industry within the next 12 months?
Mobile Video going high definition and the impact on network capacity


MEF Executive Questionnaire #1: Vincent Hoogsteder, Distimo

MEF continues to seek new ways to profile its members and promote the thought-leadership of the senior executives within these companies. We are pleased to launch the MEF Executive Questionnaire to reveal the real people behind the industry in an informal and entertaining manner.

This will be a regular feature of the MEF blog, so make sure you subscribe via email or RSS. If you are a senior executive from one of our member companies and would like to be featured then please contact MEF Marketing Director, Stephen Jenkins.

The first in the series is from Vincent Hoogsteder, Co-Founder and CEO of Distimo, the app store analytics company.


1. Please describe briefly your main company activities and your role within that organisation
Distimo provides in-depth reports for companies interested in the mobile application ecosystem, providing valuable insight into important trends happening within application stores. My role within Distimo is co-founder and CEO.

2. Without necessarily revealing any confidential information, please outline the principal business models your company uses
Our clients are handset manufacturers and carriers worldwide, which we deliver custom reports on the app store market on a subscription basis. Additionally we provide application developers a free tool to monitor their own and competing applications in all app stores.

3. What has been your company’s greatest achievement to-date?
Within a short period of time, we were able to gain a solid position for Distimo in the rapidly developing mobile app market, working with leading handset manufacturers and carriers around the globe.

4. What is your company currently working on that is going to move the industry forward?
We are constantly improving our analyses of the mobile app store market, providing increased transparency for handset manufacturers, carriers and developers. The insights that we deliver will help these companies make well-founded decisions in their mobile content strategies.

5. What is exciting you most in 2010 (either personally or professionally)?
We have a tremendously exciting year ahead. The opportunities for mobile content have never been larger. With over 35 mobile application stores already in the market and a growing number of app store enabled devices, the worldwide consumer reach of mobile content is showing a strong growth path. Everything is in place to bring innovative new mobile content services to the market and it will be great experiencing all the new things to come.

6. What is the most important piece of technology in your life?
My mobile phone, by far.

7. What mobile device(s) do you use?
At Distimo, everybody in the team switches from primary mobile device every few months. This helps us understand better how users experience the various platforms and stores. The devices I used the last few months are the Nokia E71, iPhone and the Android G1.

8. What’s your favourite application?
Shazam

9. What’s your ringtone?
None.

10. Which mobile industry blogs do you regularly read and why?
TechCrunch, GigaOM, VentureBeat. They provide great analyses on everything in Internet & mobile.

11. What is the biggest mobile content issue that is likely to affect the industry within the next 12 months?
Fragmentation of platforms, where developers need to tailor their applications to specific platform or handset versions.

12. Which other MEF member organisation do you most admire?
AdMob; the company heavily impacted the industry in a very short time span.