29th Sep 2011 07:57
For Immediate Release | 29 September 2011 |
INTERNETQ plc
(InternetQ or "the Group")
InternetQ launches Akazoo 2.0
Service provides a unique opportunity for monetizing social interactions and
digital entertainment content via mobile.
InternetQ, plc (LSE-AIM: INTQ), one of the leading providers of mobile marketing and digital entertainment solutions for mobile network operators and brands, today announced the relaunch of Akazoo, its social entertainment service and platform. This latest version features a new branding and identity, as well as, innovative social and music functionality discovery features designed to help drive monetization of Akazoo's growing user base through mobile commerce. A full roll-out of Akazoo version 2.0, early in 2012, will support multiple monetization models, while targeting diverse demographic profiles.
This new site, designed to enable the discovery of new music through members' social and entertainment profiles, while equally enabling the discovery of new friends through common music tastes will offer customers the following new features:
·; a new user interface redesigned ground up,
·; a new music download store with intelligent search,
·; an upgraded entertainment user profile,
·; real-time messaging, and
·; direct social music sharing to networks similar to Facebook where users will be able to promote their top music picks directly to their Facebook wall.
Apostolos N. Zervos, VP of Business Development, Akazoo, commented:
"We are very excited about what Akazoo has to offer now coupled with the features that will be launched in early 2012. Social interactivity has become the number one activity online, while music and media consumption remain an inherentlysocial activity. Our mission therefore is to drive higher subscriber activity across our user base by delivering media rich content, and enabling relevant social connections. By achieving this we are creating a valuable and highly scalable platform that complements the broader InternetQ revenue base."
In the first half of 2011, Akazoo membership grew to 2 million (+ 59% since the beginning of the year), while Akazoo paying subscribers base grew to 445,000 (+ 62% since the beginning of the year). The predictions for new subscriber growth remains strong, driven by focused plans to enhance the Akazoo offering and roll it out in numerous countries around the world, beyond its current footprint of Greece, Poland, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Spain and Germany. More specifically, Akazoo has just been launched in Croatia and Switzerland, is about to launch in Serbia and Ireland and aims to roll-out the service until the end of the year in Brazil and certain countries of Southeast Asia, through the recent acquisition of i-POP.
Akazoo mobile is due roll-out fully in early 2012 and will enable InternetQ to offer a complete mobile social browsing experience. Premium users will be able to access music content, playlists, and personal recommendations or to see what's trending in their region, anytime and anywhere. Users will be able to follow their artists and musical friends seamlessly across web and mobile. The goal of Akazoo mobile is to offer a mobile experience that is complete, without necessarily obliging users to ever go online.
Konstantinos Korletis, CEO of InternetQ, commented
"Based on our experience of working with mobile operators, brands, and media owners, across the globe, we understand that the demand for mobile social services continues to gather momentum, and that both existing and new customers are looking for a service partner that will give them innovative ways to exploit the market to its full potential.
"As social networking evolves into a crucial part of the marketing mix, Akazoo has continued to build on this incredible growth, empowering subscribers with the ability to connect and bridge social networking and digital media consumption services.
"Akazoo continues to play an exciting part of our growth profile enabling InternetQ to remain at the centre of innovation with operators and media partners but as importantly directly with consumers."
The statistics of mobile social networking remain highly compelling. According to a 2011 study by The Nielsen Company, close to 40% of social media users access social media content from their mobile phone, and of that, close to 49% download/play music. In addition to that, new Nielsen music figures reveal that the digital download market has made huge strides forward in the first half of 2011, where 20.93 additional singles were sold in the first six months of 2011 - increasing the market from 140m to 170m units - compared to the year before in the 30 European territories the company monitors.
About InternetQ
InternetQ is a trusted global leader in mobile marketing and digital entertainment solutions. Through its proprietary technology platforms, InternetQ enables mobile network operators, brands, and media companies to conduct targeted, interactive and measurable mobile communications and pushes the frontiers in digital mobile entertainment. InternetQ is a publicly traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM, under the symbol INTQ.
For more information, please visit www.InternetQ.com.
About Akazoo
The Akazoo platform is comprised of a music download store with an extensive range of music reaching 12 million tracks in some territories and a social "community" environment of entertainment profiles of its 2 million users, spread across 7 countries. The Akazoo music store highlights new and trending releases, releases coming soon, and promotional music offers. Its music selection has a strong local focus and to account for local music trends and cultural relevance, dedicated teams are assigned in each country, to select content catering to local tastes. Akazoo's music selection is comprised of albums and tracks that are offered in partnership with Universal Music Group, EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner, as well as partnerships with leading music aggregators like 7digital and local independent labels.
Unique to Akazoo are some of its monetization features. In select territories, users can purchase tracks and albums using direct mobile payments through the web. While, when members become fans of an artist or share a music item, they get rewarded Akazoo credits that they collect and spend against more music downloads or premium social features.
Akazoo is offered directly to consumers on a free, pay as you go or monthly subscription model that allocates a monthly credit spend through traditional online and mobile billing methods. Based on the user's account status discount rates on downloads are offered. InternetQ also offers the platform to media organizations and mobile operators aiming to monetize their content or user base, as a white-label/turnkey solution. Advertising solutions are also offered to brands but restricted to brands that compliment the Akazoo offering and have a distinct appeal to its demographic.
For further details
InternetQ Konstantinos Korletis, Chief Executive Officer Veronica Nocetti,CFO |
Tel: +30 (211) 101 1101 Tel: +30 (693) 260 0128 Tel: +30 (694) 420 5275 |
Buchanan Jeremy Garcia /Tim Thompson/Gabriella Clinkard | Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000 |
Grant Thornton Corporate Finance Philip Secrett | Tel: +44 (0)20 7383 5100 |
RBC Capital Markets Stephen Foss / Pierre Schreuder / Daniel Conti | Tel: +44 (0)20 7653 4000 |
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