26 October 2012

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.

19 October 2012

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.

17 October 2012

Register Now for the MEF North America Webinar - Patent Wars




Tuesday, October 23rd 2012
1-2pm ET / 10-11am PT / 6-7 pm GMT

Register Now

Many companies in North America and beyond are facing assertions by patent trolls making claims on their technology. The mobile industry is a clear target for extracting licensing fees. Increased media surrounding the value and use of patents as well as focus on high stake lawsuits and patent abuses means your business needs to ask whether patent protection is required.

The issue is affecting the mobile content and commerce industry today. MEF North America asks, how should businesses respond to threats by so-called patent trolls? What considerations should be made when attempting to obtain patent protection for new ideas? And what impact are the smartphone wars having on the wider mobile ecosystem?

In this webinar, leading patent experts will explore these issues discussing:
  • Considerations for obtaining patent protection
  • High stakes lawsuits and their impact on the industry
  • How to respond to threats by patent trolls
  • The Helferich Patent - what could it mean for your business?
Don't miss out! Head over to the MEF website for more info, or sign up now.

15 October 2012

Register for MEF Americas 2012 with Early Bird discount

Registration is open for the 3rd annual MEF Americas 2012 which returns to Miami on 3rd – 5th December. Register now to take advantage of the special Early Bird discount rate available until October 31st ($499 for members, $699 for non members).

MEF Americas: Mobile Content & Commerce is the essential cross-border event for thought leaders and deal makers from across North & Latin America’s mobile content and commerce ecosystems. The exclusive two-day event focuses on the changing mobile landscape and new opportunities and challenges in both regions and beyond.

OpenMarket is this year’s sponsor of the Welcome Drinks on the 3rd December, kicking off two days of networking in style at the luxurious Fontainbleau Miami Beach.

Founding Sponsors for 2012 include Binbit, Buongiorno, Movile, Naranya, Playphone, Reporo and TIMWE. For more information on other sponsorship opportunities, please contact MEF Events Director Kim Arazi.

MEF Americas 2012 will include keynotes on disruptive topics such as HTML5 and Big Data, as well as breakout sessions on market entry, how to do business in Latin America and other growth markets including China.

MEF Americas 2012 will also host MEF’s first cross-border innovation competition for start-ups. Following the successful inaugural competition at the CEO Summit in London, this is a great opportunity to hear pitches on the latest mobile innovations from both regions.

MEF Americas 2012 is the place to learn, network and build business opportunities in the North & Latin Americas. For more information on MEF Americas 2012 visit the website – check out last year’s speakers and photos to get you in the mood for Miami. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

12 October 2012

MEFTV Meets the 2012 Meffys Winners

MEFTV was waiting in the wings at last month's Meffys award celebrations, ready to speak to the winners as they left the stage. The 9th annual Meffys Gala Dinner was attended by an international audience of top industry executives and media. Widely recognised as being the benchmark for measuring success and rewarding innovation, the awards honour the industry’s most influential global players.

One of the most keenly anticipated awards was the CEO Summit award for Innovation - the winner of which, Bardowl, was voted for by the attending CEOs and executives at MEF's CEO Summit held in City Hall the day before the Meffys. 


Bardowl's Chris Book, aptly named for the head of a company reinventing the audiobook business model, had just two minutes to pitch to the attending crowd and convince them their platform was the most innovative of all of the startups across the four innovation categories; a tough task given the calibre of the other entrants. Congratulations to them, and all of the Meffys Winners!

CEO Summit Award for Innovation: Bardowl




Hit the jump to hear from the rest of the winners, and you can contact us for more info on the Meffys and how you can be a part of next year's celebrations.


11 October 2012

Fast Shopper, Slow Store - Full chapter excerpt


From Best Buy to Borders, retail stores are closing their doors forever: the shop has lost its connection to its shopper. Increasingly consumers are looking to their mobile devices as the primary screen to find best products and the cheapest deals. 

Fast Shopper, Slow Store, the latest book from MEF North America Chairman Gary Schwartz, is about what companies can do to build the mobile tools necessary to re-establish a relationship with their mobile consumer.

In this excerpt, Gary examines how the US political horse race mirrors retail activities in attracting consumers, and how any brand will need to rethink their strategies in the modern digital landscape.

Fast Shopper, Slow Store is available now from all good bookstores for just $0.99!

04 October 2012

MEF partners with Digital Arabia event, 6-7 November, Dubai

Stimulus speakers from Mobily, du, Etisalat, and Qtel join the Digital Arabia debate with Universal Music, Disney, MBC Group, Saatchi & Saatchi and others! To find out more about the event click here, or apply to participate. MEF has a 20% DISCOUNT to all members. Contact us to get your dicsount code to use when you register online.

Produced and facilitated by business innovation firm STL Partners, Digital Arabia will take place at the brand new Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai from 6-7 November. By invitation only for 200 senior executives from across the communications, retail, media, banking and technology sectors.

Part of the New Digital Economics Executive Brainstorm & Innovation Series, it will build on output from recent events in San Francisco, Singapore, London, New York and new market research and analysis and will focus on new business models and growth opportunities in digital commerce, content and the cloud in the Middle East and North Africa.

Confirmed speakers include: EVP, Du; Co-Founder, Anghami; CEO; Saatchi & Saatchi; Group Chief Digital Services Officer, Etisalat; Chief Marketing & Commercial Strategy Officer, Mobily; VP Innovation, Du; Chief Marketing & Commercial Strategy Officer, Mobily; CEO, Aegis Media; GM, Media Distribution, Emerging Markets, Disney (EMEA), Group Strategy Director, MBC Group, Head of Media, Unilever; Head of Marketing Innovation, Chaloub; MD, Universal Music; VP, Capgemini Consulting; Director Mobile Advertising, Etisalat; Group Senior Director, Qtel; CEO, Eyelevel Interactive; CEO, UnboundID. Click here to view the agenda.

Unique Interactive Format: STL’s ‘Mindshare’ interactive format, including cutting-edge new research, case studies, use cases and a showcase of innovators, structured small group discussion on round-tables, panel debates and instant voting using on-site collaborative technology.
To find out more about the event click here, or apply to participate.

Following Digital Arabia the event series will travel to the Asia Pacific region to discover; Shifting Profit Pools and Strategic Growth Opportunities in the Digital Economy 2.0 and New Market Opportunities and Customer Experiences in Digital Entertainment & Commerce 2.0.

Click here to find out how you can participate in Digital Asia.

01 October 2012

Thanks to Guardian Media Network for supporting Meffys 2012 as Platinum Media Partner

Another year, another great Meffy Awards. Teaming up with the Meffy's team as Platinum Media Partner was a perfectly suited collaboration: working to bring together leading media executives from around the world - over 35 countries - and supporting the new categories such as the Social Responsibility & Development Awards, reflects what the Guardian Media Network is all about.

As Platinum Media Partner we hope you had a chance to meet one of our Media Network team and find out more about this rapidly growing platform. In case you didn’t hear, the Guardian Media Network is a unique community designed for media professionals like you. It provides a free stage for you to engage with your peers, keep up to date with and comment on the latest industry developments and gain a first look at tailored jobs.

Membership of the network is totally free and gives you access to a host of exclusive professional benefits, including:
  • Exclusive invites to VIP networking events
  • Up to the minute comment and industry insight straight to your inbox
  • A minimum 20% discount on all associated media and tech events, including the Mobile Business Summit 12
  • 50% discount on a Guardian subscription for 3 months
  • A first look at top end, tailored media jobs
So what are you waiting for? Join a community of switched on innovators driving change in your sector and make substantial savings on our world renowned events at the same time.
 
Register for free here