MEF LATAM M-Commerce Summit is resounding success

On the 22nd of September, MEF hosted its MEF LATAM M-Commerce Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event aimed to explore the topics of micro payments and virtual goods from the perspective of the many varied players in the market including content producers, online games companies, social networks, mobile carriers, billing aggregators, banks and credit card companies and more! Much to our delight, the gathering has already been hailed as a great success, with over 120 attendees from across the MEF membership and beyond giving a resoundingly positive response to the afternoon of panels and discussions, not to mention the fabulous cocktail party at the close of the day. This of course bodes extremely well for the impending MEF event in Miami, MEF Americas 2011:Mobile Content & Commerce.

Click below for a brief roundup of the afternoon, and for more pictures from this great MEF event.

MEF announces the return of MEF Americas 2011 - Mobile content and Commerce



MEF has formally announced the return of its hugely popular MEF Americas 2011- Mobile Content & Commerce conference. This prestigious event is to be held on the 29-30th November 2011 in the fabulous Fontainebleu resort, Miami Beach Florida, the ideal meeting place between North & South America. This annual gathering is set to be the must-attend event of Q4 for mobile professionals from right across the mobile value chain looking to looking to do business in the Americas. Last year’s was cited as the “deal making event of the year”, and all signs point towards a repeat performance for 2011 with confirmed first speakers including Citibank, Coca-Cola and MTV. Registration for this unmissable event is now open, and those who get theirs in before the 30th September can take advantage of the early bird discount to make significant savings on the cost of entry.

MEF announces inaugural LATAM Board

Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF), the global trade body of the mobile media and entertainment industry, announced today the election results for its inaugural LATAM Board.

MEF’s LATAM Chapter was launched in November 2009 to accelerate the growth of mobile media & entertainment across the region by creating dialogue between the industry and regulators, as well as driving initiatives that promote best practice and sustainable business solutions. The newly elected board was elected to a two year term and consists of industry leaders across Latin America with expertise spanning the mobile, media, entertainment and services industries.

Ron Czerny, CEO of Playphone and Chairman of MEF LATAM, said: “I am delighted to be voted Chairman of MEF LATAM and welcome our very experienced board of directors, a group which represent the interests of the entire mobile entertainment value chain. We will be building upon MEF’s expertise in fostering collaboration between the industry and regulators to promote sustainable business models and ensure that regulation is proportional to protect and grow members’ revenues and safeguard consumers.”

Jorge Partidas, CEO of WAU Móvil and MEF LATAM Vice-Chair, added: “I look forward to working with the new Board to drive MEF initiatives which accelerate the uptake of innovative business models across the region whilst tapping into the unique opportunities of these vibrant markets.”

Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director, commented: “LATAM is a key growth area for MEF and its members, with our latest Business Confidence Index indicating that Latin America’s share of the mobile entertainment market grew from 2% in December 2008 to 7% in December 2009. I have every confidence that the LATAM board will further accelerate growth and drive value for MEF LATAM’s members by creating new market entry opportunities, promoting sustainable business models to the market and tackling the challenges facing the industry across the region.”

MEF LATAM was launched with the support of 41 founding member companies: 2ergo, Abril, Acotel, Admin Ltd, Binbit, Blinck, Boltcel, Buongiorno, CFLA, Cleartech, Comfone, ComperaNtime, cVidya, Dada, Flycell, Getjar, Huawei, i-Free Brasil, Impact Mobile, KPMG, Mobile Intelligence, Mobint, NeoMobile, Nokia, Omnifone, PlayPhone, PureBros, RIM, Samsung, Silverstreet, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, SPB Software, Spring Wireless, Telefonica, TIM, TIMw.e., VIVO , Wau, Zed and Zero9 Brazil.

MEF LATAM Board 2010:

• Chairman: Ron Czerny - Founder & CEO, Playphone
• Vice-Chair: Jorge Partidas – Co-Founder & CEO, WAU Móvil

MEF LATAM Board Directors:

• Rafaela Furtado – Mobile Business Manager, Abril Digital
• Ana Paula Lima – Sales Director VAS, Spring Wireless
• Jose Mannis – Founder & General Manager, MOBINT
• Eric Nice – CEO, Arvato
• Paulo Pessoa – General Manager, TIM w.e
• Luca Ruju – General Manager, Zero9 Brazil
• Filippo Satolli – Regional Mobile Director LATAM BU Dada.net, Dada SpA
• Seth Schachner – Vice President, Digital Business, Latin Region, Sony Music Entertainment
• Pieter van Dijk – Partner, Advisory, Performance & Technology, KPMG
• Roberto Vila Nova - Strategy & Business Development, Director, Nokia

Filipe Roup Rosa is MEF LATAM General Manager.