MEF Global Consumer Survey 2012 Infographic

 

 

Source: The MEF Global Consumer Survey 2012

MEF launches dedicated African Office in association with Vodacom

 
MEF has today announced the launch of a new dedicated African office in association with Vodacom to help promote African mobile growth and showcase innovation.

Headquartered in Johannesburg, the MEF Africa Office will serve as a hub for the trade association’s growing African membership. A MEF member steering committee from across the African mobile ecosystem has already been constituted to drive the regional agenda.

Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director said: “With such diverse innovation originating in the African continent, it is clear that Africa offers the mobile industry a strategic opportunity to learn and do business. There is already strong MEF membership in the region and as an organisation, MEF brings with it over a decade of heritage as a truly global trade body which has established vibrant local chapters in some of the most diverse and challenging markets in the world.

"By launching MEF Africa, in association with Vodacom, we will provide an essential hub for mobile companies throughout the African mobile ecosystem and beyond. A dedicated Steering Committee will provide a strong platform to drive the regional agenda and ensure that the newest MEF office showcases home grown innovation, undertakes relevant initiatives and connects local businesses to MEF’s global member base.”

Prins Mhlanga, Managing Executive of Vodacom Digital Media, added "MEF has a lot to offer to the telecommunications industry and consumers who stand to benefit from the innovations that will emanate from its initiatives and analytics. Its expertise in commissioning and producing unique reports in the international mobile arena is invaluable and its ability to bring together industry leaders to collectively progress opportunities will benefit the local and African market. We’re pleased to be associated with MEF’s initiative.”

For the full press release with all the details, head over to the MEF website.

Guest Blog - MEF Privacy Update

In this new regular feature, Simon Bates of MEF will discuss the issue of mobile privacy and the work currently being undertaken by MEF’s Privacy in Mobile Apps initiative, which is working with MEF members to build a robust and trusted mobile ecosystem for consumers and developers alike.

“There's an irresistible market for our data but that doesn't necessarily make us the product – it could make us traders.” David Mitchell

There is a lot of talk right now about privacy. The fall-out from the phone hacking scandals in the UK shone a spotlight on the ways tabloid journalists peer into celebrities’ private lives. But it’s not just celebs – we all have to watch what we put in the rubbish...

The 3rd MEF Middle East Survey

Back in August, MEF began conducting the third survey in its regional benchmarking study in association with KPMG and ArabNet about the mobile and content and commerce market in the Middle East. We invited everyone who does business in the Middle East, no matter where they are headquartered, to share their insights into this key market.

The survey will form part of a unique time series on the Middle East's mobile landscape. As the first mobile focused trade body with a dedicated presence in the region, MEF is committed to supporting growth and innovation in this strategic territory.

The survey closed last month - the results will be released in English and Arabic later this month.

For more information, contact Middle East GM, George Daaboul.

MEF Global Webinar Series

With speakers from the UK VAS Regulator PhonepayPlus, MEF members Silverstreet and KPMG, the recent MEF Asia Webinar sought to explore whether pre-emptive positive action by the industry is the best form of defence against reputational harm, and what form such action might take.
The recording and slide deck is available to download now from the MEF website. 

MEF North Americas also hosted a fascinating webinar exploring the phenomenon of Patent Trolls and Patent issues within the Mobile ecosystem. Moderated by MEF North America Chair Gary Schwartz, the North America webinar was led by guest patent experts from SNR Denton Intellectual Property Partner, Eric Sophir and Kevin Jakel the CEO, of United Patents Inc.

The presentation explored in detail how businesses should respond to threats by patent trolls and examined what considerations should be made when attempting to obtain patent protection for your new ideas, all discussed through the lens of the impact of the “smartphone wars” on the wider mobile ecosystem.

The recording and slide deck is available to download now
 

The next instalments in the MEF Global Webinar series will be announced soon, watch for further updates...

 

Middle East Steering Committee

MEF Middle East is calling for members for a Steering Committee, with a specific focus on the increasingly problematic issue of piracy within the mobile ecosystem. The Steering Committee will seek to review and clarify rules for the industry while producing a best practice framework that describes how mobile networks can best handle suspected pirated content.

The Steering Committee will be of relevance to MEF members from across the mobile ecosystem including content owners, telecom operators, mobile aggregators, law firms, developers and regulators.

Join the likes of MEF members Qtel Group, Mobily, Du, Qanawat, Perform Group, SnR Denton, Anghami, Livewire and Nazara in being a part of this crucial Steering Committee.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Middle East GM, George Daaboul.

Guardian Mobile Business Summit - MEF Members save 20%

The Guardian Mobile Business Summit is the Guardian's platform for leaders in mobile content, commerce and communications.

Join other forward-thinking business leaders, digital marketers, digital publishers, advertising executives and technology suppliers on 19 November, London to debate the challenges and opportunities presented by mobile technologies to the media, technology and wider creative industries.

At this one-day gathering, you will discover intense sharing and networking that will help build a complete understanding as to where to take the next step of your mobile strategy.

Plus MEF members can save 20% on the cost of entry - contact us for your discount code.

Discover the best examples of effective mobile engagement through brands, hear keynote speeches from media and technology heavyweights that will offer deep insight into the macro-level trends that have the power to make your mobile strategy successful in the long-term.

Check out the website for more information

For full speaker details for 2012, continue reading..

MEF @ Apps World Europe

At Apps World Europe in October MEF hosted two expert briefing sessions.

Guest speakers from SNR Denton LLP and Preiskel & Co LLP hosted a master class on how to navigate the complex legislative EMEA mobile landscape.

Email us to receive a free copy of MEF’s EMEA mCommerce Checklist.

On Day two Alistair Hill, CEO of mobile market research specialists On Device Research, gave a briefing on app development for global markets, previewing exclusive mobile content and commerce insights from the upcoming MEF Global Consumer Survey, covering both mature and growth markets.

Also at the show, MEF Executive Director Rimma Perelmuter chaired a panel on Mobile Entertainment, and why content providers should go mobile, with panellists from Channel 5, EMI Group, Paddy Power, Agant and Pitney Bowes.

MEFTV - CEO Summit 2012 - Brendan Eich, Mozilla Interview

In this video from the MEF CEO Summit 2012, held at London City Hall last month, Chris Smith of the Guardian Media Network speaks to Brendan Eich, Co-Founder & CTO of Mozilla for MEF TV. In the interview, Brendan discusses the origins and benefits of the Firefox OS and Mozilla's plans for the future in the mobile space.

MEF members can head over to the MEF website to download Brendan's stimulus presentation made at the CEO Summit, as well as check out more videos from the the other keynote speakers.

The MEF CEO Summit, an annual invite-only, closed door event, has fast established itself as one of the essential occasions of the year for gaining insight, sharing knowledge and networking at the highest level of the mobile content and commerce industry. Find out more.

MEF VIP Executive Dinner - September 18, 2012 - Los Angeles

In September, MEF North America hosted an Executive VIP Dinner in LA supported by MEF Members Impact Mobile, KPMG, OpenMarket, Polar Mobile and Samsung as part of the MultiScreen Summit.

The dinner featured guest speakers from Hollywood including Bernie Laramie, co-producer of several major TV series, Neil Patel - SVP, Content Strategy and Development at The Martin Agency and Doug Stanley, Multiple Emmy-Award Winning Producer of some of US TV’s most popular series, who explored how mobile and cross-platform technologies are changing the way they create and distribute media and technology. 

MEF’s VIP Executive Dinners bring together the best in the industry in an informal setting that allows for insightful discussions on the issues impacting the mobile ecosystem. 

At the Multiscreen Summit itself, MEF curated a session led by MEF North American Chairman Gary Schwartz, CEO of Impact Mobile. MEF members speaking at the Summit included Samsung, Turner Broadcasting, OpenMarket and InComm. Marjorie DeHey, MEF General Manager spoke on the session entitled Monetizing an Engaging Consumer Experience for 2nd Screen Applications.

For more information on how you can host an executive dinner in your city, please contact MEF North America GM Marjorie Daleo Dehey.