MEF Leads the Way on Mobile Entertainment and Mobile TV Debates

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the MEF team and following on from the recent success of MeM 2009 and the Meffys, we’ve been featured in some high profile publications for the work we’ve been doing on the Mobile Entertainment and Mobile TV debates.

Firstly, Reuters and the International Herald Tribune featured Andrew Bud, Global Chair of the MEF, and the global research that MEF conducted with KPMG into consumer satisfaction with mobile entertainment. In an article called ‘Apps a nail in coffin of broadcast mobile TV’, Andrew talks about the lively debate surrounding mobile TV versus mobile video. Andrew is quoted saying:

“Mobile TV is all about real-time, linear transmission ... where the timing of the programming was set by the broadcaster and the consumer would dip in and dip out.”

"Mobile video is much more about video-on-demand. It gives the consumer much more freedom. It's also a little less stressful on the mobile networks."

The article also notes:

"A survey by KPMG and the MEF found that nearly 40 percent of consumers had at one time watched a piece of mobile video on their handset: 52 percent of them said the experience was satisfying, against 38 percent of a much smaller number of users who said they had tried broadcast mobile TV."

MEF was featured in another article on Reuters this week, entitled ‘Mobile entertainment seeking players and payment' that looked at MEF’s work on the second Business Confidence Index (BCI) compiled by KPMG:

“From social networks to games, images and music; online entertainment has increasingly moved to the mobile handset…

According to the trade association Mobile Entertainment Forum, the global mobile entertainment industry is now worth some $32 billion dollars.

According to a survey released in June by the forum and compiled by KPMG, the industry also remains confident that it can continue to grow strongly despite the current economic challenges, predicting average revenue growth of 28 percent for 2010.”

Both of these pieces highlight that MEF is leading the way on the mobile entertainment and mobile TV debate and is looking out for what’s happening to the industry in our own backyard. For more information about the MEF BCI, compiled in collaboration with KPMG, see http://www.m-e-f.org/news/mef_news/bci2/

Reflections on an industry preparing for the future at MeM ’09 and the Meffys

One week since the MEF official annual conference – the Mobile Entertainment Market – and we have an opportunity to reflect on what a busy and informative few days it was. The global economy may be facing unprecedented challenges, but it would have been difficult to recognise within the conference centre as MeM made a powerful and recession-busting return to London; attendance was up 26% on last year, the exhibition space was completely sold out weeks in advance and the panel discussions were without fail focused on future growth.

The tone for the 2-day event was set during the opening presentation from MEF Board Member and KPMG Director, Mark Harding, who presented the exclusive findings of the second MEF Business Confidence Index (BCI), compiled by KPMG, as well as the Consumers & Convergence study. With the BCI predicting average revenue growth of 28% for the remainder of 2009 and growth areas predicted in Social Networking, Games and Video, the industry is showing its resilience and ability, through robust business models, to protect and sustain the $32bn market.

Throughout many of the panels, two topics continued to be raised – applications and their role in future entertainment enabling services and the impact of the iPhone. The Apple device along with flat rate data plans have clearly had a profound impact on the ecosystem and raised consumers’ expectations; it is acknowledged that this has been primarily through the outstanding user interface, but with only 1.4% of the market (Gartner) this is still a niche, predominantly western, experience. Apps stores are the latest topic de jour and companies across the value chain, from networks to OEMs, are leveraging this new opportunity. However, as James Parton from O2 Litmus commented, the most important thing to consider is the consumer experience – if the market creates further fragmentation whereby we end up with 3 apps stores on a device, this will cause confusion and impede ecosystem growth.
The panels on day 2 which focused on content categories, including music, games and video all highlighted the importance of addressing new business models for delivering enhanced, rich content services to consumers. The MEF Smart Pipe Enablers initiative, discussed during a panel on day 1, will be a vital part of this process as we ensure content owners’ requirements are addressed when developing these new business models. MEF will be announcing in the next few weeks our first webinar on the Enablers Initiative, which will allow both members and non-members the opportunity to understand why this is such an important topic and the significant effect this could have on the value chain. Content owners and content providers are particularly encouraged to register to learn how these new business models, if developed in a coherent and workable manner with your involvement, could have a profound and positive impact on your bottom line.

The need to ensure consumers can access content where and when they wanted was also a focus of the multi-platform discussion and it is clear that mobile will play a fundamental role in this future development. Richard Titus – formerly of the BBC and now CEO of Associated Northcliffe Digital – remarked that the mobile is becoming the “personal remote control” which runs and organises the lives of consumers and acts as an interface for their other digital devices, enabling content to be delivered at a time, place and platform of their choosing. Mobile also presents tremendous opportunities for advertisers and content owners to engage with niche relevancy with consumers in a manner that online could never achieve.

With such a diverse conference, the strength of the MeM event is its ability to address all the key areas that will affect our industry and the opportunities that will deliver future growth; from new content categories and methods of delivery, to the impact of regulation and the importance of growth markets. MEF drive the agenda with kind assistance from our advisory committee, which ensures the key topics are set by the industry, for the industry and this delivers essential learning and business development opportunities for all.

The Meffys

The 6th annual Meffys awards, dubbed the Oscars of the mobile world, are the industry's foremost celebration and global benchmark for recognising success and innovation. This year’s event was massively oversubscribed and saw over 350 of the industry’s most senior–level executives from 25 countries come together to celebrate the nominees and winners. As @JMacdonald tweeted on entering the event “At floridita #meffys - the entire industry is here”! The awards were hosted by the writer, comedian and TV/radio presenter, Hardeep Singh, who entertained the audience with his quick wit and encouraged interaction throughout the night. Twitter was alight with comments and congratulations for, as @princess17 put it “definitely top 10 parties attended in 2009!” and you can read some of the Tweets and chatter here and here.

Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director said: “In these times of economic uncertainty, MEF is proud to celebrate a $32 billion industry whose relevance and focus continues to inspire innovation and growth. The 2009 Meffys are a testament to the industry’s robustness and the role that mobile is playing in engaging and entertaining consumers around the world."

We congratulate all the Meffys winners for 2009. A slideshow of photos from the night is also available on our website for your enjoyment and to help relive the night. Further coverage of the Meffys will be released over the next few weeks, but for now you can sample a flavour of the event through the footage taken by our media partner, bnetTV.

MEF Global AGM

Before the glamour of the Meffys and the illumination of MeM, there was the important task of electing 3 members to join the prestigious MEF Board at our global AGM. Denton Wilde Sapte graciously lent us their impressive 9th floor offices and - after on opportunity to catch up with other members over canapés and drinks - we updated members on our results for the year and provided a forum for input on the future planning for your trade organisation. It was then time for some impassioned speeches from the nominees and a closed election which saw Andrew Bud of mBlox re-elected as Chairman, joined by Billy Wright from Nokia and Pete Wood from Sony Pictures. They in turn join the following, existing board members:

• Jim Beddows, MEF Americas Chair
• Mark Harding, Media & Digital Content Specialist, KPMG
• Gerrit Jan Konijnenberg, MEF EMEA Chair & EVP of Sales, Comfone
• Miguel Lopez-Quesada, General Manager, Zed TV
• Patrick Parodi, CMO, Amobee
• Neeraj Roy, MEF Asia Chair & CEO, Hungama Mobile
• Seth Schachner, VP, Digital Business Latin America, Sony Music Entertainment
• Ingrid Silver, Partner, Denton Wilde Sapte

After 3 days which took in over 80 speakers, 15 panels, 11 ½ hours of passionate, positive and intellectual debate, numerous networking sessions and serious business development – and that’s even before we mention the jubilation and unbridled enthusiasm of the Meffys Awards (!) – it was hard to believe we are in the midst of a recession. The mobile entertainment industry is not immune to global challenges, however it is an industry that has weathered and prospered through hard times as well as good and 2009 is a year in which almost a decade of investments and experience deliver returns. The MEF organised events over the last week proved how proud we should be of this industry and excited by the challenges and opportunities ahead.

MEF will continue to provide competitive advantage for its members, through the sharing of insights and experience at events such as MeM; we will continue to offer member connections and an opportunity to praise at gatherings such as the Meffys awards; we will continue to inject the industry with the appropriate levels of fun and excitement; and through it all we will continue to address the key issues to drive future growth for our members and the industry.

We hope you had a positive and illuminating experience at MeM ’09 and the Meffys and we are looking forward to addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead with our members to shape our future agenda. We are always keen to hear suggestions for how we can improve the event for all the attendees so please contact Stephen, MEF’s Marketing Director, with any comments and suggestions.

Thank you for participating, demonstrating the resilience and positive attitude the industry has to its future and we look forward to welcoming you to the next MEF global conference in 2010.

- The MEF Team

MEF leadership and activities point the way to a robust Mobile Media future

Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) Global held its prestigious board elections and AGM on the eve of its 9th annual conference, MeM09, in London last week. Andrew Bud, Executive Chairman, mBlox, returns for the second consecutive year as the Global Chair, having been a founder and driving force for MEF since its launch in 2000. He is joined by Billy Wright, Global Head of Media and Games Partnerships, Nokia, who has been elected as Vice Chair and Pete Wood, VP International Mobile Business Development, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

They join existing Global Board members:

• Jim Beddows, MEF Americas Chair
• Mark Harding, Media & Digital Content Specialist, KPMG
• Gerrit Jan Konijnenberg, MEF EMEA Chair & EVP of Sales, Comfone
• Miguel Lopez-Quesada, General Manager, Zed TV
• Patrick Parodi, CMO, Amobee
• Neeraj Roy, MEF Asia Chair & CEO, Hungama Mobile
• Seth Schachner, VP, Digital Business Latin America, Sony Music Entertainment
• Ingrid Silver, Partner, Denton Wilde Sapte

Upon his re-election to the Board, MEF Chair Andrew Bud, said “I look forward to working with this exceptionally strong Board to support our $32 billion industry whose mood, as measured by our latest MEF BCI, is impressively optimistic. In this time of change and opportunity, our mission to improve, inform and protect the market for MEF members, both globally and nationally, is more vital than ever. I would also like to thank outgoing MEF Vice Chair Marco Argenti for his invaluable contribution to the board over the last 2 years.”

The new Global Board identified as its key objectives continued support for

• initiatives which accelerate and change the industry such as the recently launched Smart Pipe Enablers initiative;
• regulatory and policy activities which represent the industry and protect revenues and consumers;
• trade development activities across EMEA, Asia and the Americas and greater localization to support the growth of the mobile entertainment industry in these markets, commencing with the launch of an Italian chapter; and
• MEF metrics and intelligence which illuminate the industry and provide competitive advantage to members.

The week commenced with the unveiling of MEF’s 2^nd Quarterly Business Confidence Index (BCI) compiled by KPMG showing that the industry remains confident despite the current economic challenges and predicting average revenue growth of 28% for the coming year. The industry’s confidence was further reflected in two days of celebrations and deal-making at the sold-out Meffys Awards, attended by 350 of the industry’s top executives from over 25 countries and MeM, MEF’s 9^th annual event, which saw a recession-defying comeback to London with a 26% increase in attendees.

Meffys awards shortlist underlines mobile entertainment’s evolution and global reach

We've announced the shortlist for the 2009 Meffys Mobile Entertainment Awards, which were selected after three days of judging involving 43 international press and analysts. Now in their sixth year, the 180+ submissions reflected innovative content, services, applications and handsets deployed across more than 60 countries, intensifying the level of international competition and prestige.

The categories cover virtually every aspect of mobile entertainment and media, and for the first time included the Business Intelligence Award to recognise companies which are helping the mobile media industry better track, quantify and analyse data to support continued investment. For the second year running, the categories also included the Quality of Experience Award, judged by the end-users themselves through we are:London, an innovative user-centred design agency who are experts in multivariate testing and behavioural targeting.

The Meffys shortlist demonstrates the unprecedented evolution and highlights unique trends in mobile media and entertainment. For instance, emerging markets (in which mobile has overtaken internet penetration) are driving innovation and fuelling growth with a range of simple and practical solutions for overcoming economic, technological and commercial barriers and driving mass adoption.

“From the meteoric rise of apps-inspired vendors and content owners in driving consumer engagement to the remarkable growth achieved in emerging markets and the evolution of transparent, user-friendly business models, the 2009 entries provide a window to all the latest trends and innovations. More than ever, the Meffys reflect the increasing importance of mobile as a key engagement and entertainment channel for consumers.”

Rimma Perelmuter, Executive Director of MEF

This year’s winners will be unveiled on 23rd June at a special gala awards dinner in London to an audience of 300 key industry players. Hosted by leading social commentator, BBC presenter and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli, the gala evening is set to be the most exciting Meffys to date. As every year, the event takes place on the first evening of MEF’s official annual conference, Mobile Entertainment Market.

For a full list of previous Meffys winners, please visit: http://www.m-e-f.org/meffys/meffyspreviouswinners/

The Meffys are supported by an impressive array of media partners covering the mobile, entertainment and advertising industries. These include: Admin, BPI, CDG, contentSutra, FutureMedia, Gomo News, IMA, MobiAdNews, mobilefest Brazil, Mobile K², MobileMonday Italy, London & NY, MSEARCHGroove, mocoNews, Musically, Music Week, NATPE, paidContent:UK, PocketGamer, Politecnico di Milano, STL Partners, TIGA, Wireless 4 Innovation.


Meffys 2009 Shortlist (alphabetical)

Games
• Bolt Creative for ‘Pocket God’
• Gameloft for ‘Real Football 2008’
• Nokia for ‘ONE’
• RealNetworks for ‘Tropical Towers’
• Twistbox Entertainment for ‘Play for Prizes’

Music Service
• 24-7 Entertainment for ‘TDC Play’
• Dada & Dada Entertainment for ‘Dada Music Service’
• Gracenote & Gravity Mobile for ‘MusicID 2’
• IMImobile for the ‘IMImobile Full Track Music Download’
• Shazam Entertainment for ‘Shazam on iPhone’
• Vodafone Group for ‘Vodafone Music’

TV & Video Service
• BBC for ‘BBC iPlayer on mobile’
• MobiTV for ‘MobiTV’
• PacketVideo for ‘Orange World TV for iPhone’
• Rubberduck Media Lab for ‘Sonofon Mobile TV’
• Telegent Systems for ‘TLG1100/1120’

Content
• 2020 London for ‘Thmbnls – Interactive Mobile Drama’
• MOFILM for ‘Talk to the Hand’
• Trixcell for ‘Mobile Magic’
• Xs2TheWorld and OgilvyOne for ‘Kodak Snow Stories’
• Zed for its ‘NBA Mobile Offering’

Technology Innovation
• AdMob for ‘AdMob for iPhone’
• Gracenote and Omnifone for the ‘Gracenote and Omnifone Solution’
• Kyte for the ‘Kyte iPhone Applications Framework’
• Nokia for ‘Nokia Ovi Store’
• Saffron Digital for ‘Rapivo’
• United Fun Traders for ‘JAM4ME’

Social Networking
• Handmade Mobile Entertainment for ‘Flirtomatic’
• MTS for ‘MTS City’
• Nimbuzz for ‘Nimbuzz’
• Vodacom SA/Vodafone for ‘The Grid’
• Zero9 for ‘Club KdVc’

Search & Discovery
• Handmark for ‘Pocket Express’
• MTS for ‘MTS Super Search’
• SurfKitchen for ‘Orange Downloads v1.0R’
• Telecom Italia for ‘Next Open Innovation’
• uLocate for ‘WHERE’

Ad Campaign
• 2020 London for ‘Thmbnls – Interactive Mobile Drama’
• Inside Mobile for ‘Reebok – You Got Rondo’d’
• Ogilvy Advertising London for ‘Fanta Stealth Sound System’
• Pontomobi Interactive for ‘Skol Beats 2008 – It’s Up to You’
• TURKCELL for ‘Tone&Win’

D2C Service
• Binbit for ‘Binbit’
• GetJar for ‘GetJar’
• Thumbplay for ‘Thumbplay ’
• Sony Pictures Television Int’l & Sony Ericsson for the ‘PlayNowTM Kiosk’
• Volantis Systems for ‘Ubik.com’

Application
• CBS Mobile for ‘NCAA® March Madness On Demand®’
• Open Software for ‘Opera Mini 4.2’
• Orange for ‘GlastoNav’
• Pelephone Communications for ‘SuperTV’
• Social Gaming Network for ‘iFun’

Quality of Experience
• Dolby Laboratories for ‘Dolby Mobile’
• Skyfire for ‘Skyfire’
• Telenor Pakistan for ‘Telenor PhotoExpress’
• Thumbplay for ‘Thumbplay OPEN’
• Telefonica for the‘O2 mobile internet portal’

Mobile First Innovation
• Hungama Digital Media for ‘Tata Sky’
• MXit Lifestyle for ‘MXit IM Book’
• Sony Pictures Television Int’l & Sony Ericsson for the ‘PlayNowTM Kiosk’
• Telenor Pakistan for ‘Telenor PhotoExpress’
• Vodacom for ‘The Grid’
• Zain for ‘Zain Create’

Business Intelligence
• Bango for ‘Bango Analytics v3’
• comScore for ‘GSMA Proof of Concept’
• Flurry for ‘Flurry Analytics’
• Informate Mobile Intelligence for their ‘On-device metering technology’
• Openwave Systems for ‘Openwave Mobile Analytics’

Innovative Business Model
• mBlox for ‘Sender-Pays Data’’
• Orange for ‘Dolphin Pay-As-You-Go package’
• Telefonica for the ‘Global Mobile Ad Server’
• The Orchard for ‘Mobile Roadie’
• WDSGlobal for ‘configuremyphone’

Handset
• INQ Mobile for the ‘INQ¹- the world’s first social mobile’
• LG & Dolby for the ‘LG Arena (KM900)’
• Nokia for the ‘Nokia 5800 XPRESSMUSIC’
• Research In Motion for the ‘Blackberry Storm’
• Samsung for the ‘Samsung Tocco Ultra Edition’


Meffys 2009 Judges

A special thank you to all who took part in our judging sessions representing the following organisations:

Analysis Mason, Beep Marketing, Billboard, Bnet, Cnet, CCS Insight, Daily Telegraph, Five Eight, Forrester, Financial Times, Frukt, GoMo News, Guardian, IDC, IMA, Informa, Juniper, KPMG, Media & Marketing, MMA, Mobile Marketing, MobiAdNews, Mobile Choice, Mobile Communications International, Mobile Entertainment, Mobile Game Faqs, Mobile Industry Review, Mobile Insight, Musically, Msearch Groove, NMA, Ogilvy, Ovum, Pocket-lint, PocketGamer, Politecnico di Milano, Really Mobile Project, Recombu, Register, Screen Digest, Strategy Analytics, Stuff, TelecomTV, Trusted Reviews.

Meffys judge Alex Farber looks at opportunities for innovative mobile content providers

Writing on NMA.co.uk this week, Alex Farber argues that there’s a real opportunity for talented UK businesses in the mobile content industry to apply their skills and experience globally.

In an article titled 'Best entries in mobile awards expose others’ weaknesses', Farber looks at how, while helping to judge the sixth annual Meffy Awards, he was struck by how far mobile services have come.

Farber was part of a panel looking at the content and social networking categories for the event, organised by MEF, and gives advice to those operating in the industry:

"The best entries clearly stood out as well considered, thoroughly produced and mobile specific; those that help to fulfil a need in a real-life scenario or that entertain in an integrated way... The bar has been raised by innovative pieces of work. If you’re going to take time to offer a mobile service, do it properly."

You can read the whole article here.

The Meffy Awards ceremony will take place as part of MEF's Mobile Entertainment Market in London on 23 June.