Turkka Oksanen, Head of Operations, at Blyk, explained that:

“Aito brings accuracy and speed to our analytics and insight creation. This provides us with conclusive data that is accessible to our different teams through an intuitive and easy to use interface.”

Read the full press release here: Aito customer experience analysis tools provide Blyk with insight into consumer behaviour.

Get the insight on how to get your message across from Antti Öhrling’s guest column in MSearchGroove.

“Shots” is powerful mobile advertising service that enables brands to engage and interact directly with targetted segments of Orange UK customer base. Launching with full service commercial offers from 1st of February, “Orange Shots” will initially be available to brands who want to interact with an audience of 100,000 customers from part of Orange’s Pay As You Go “Monkey” customer base. New profiles and customer segments will quickly follow, matching Orange’s ambition to significantly grow this audience.

Blyk has a wealth of media and technological capabilities, which will enable Orange to offer:
• Real time conversation with customers happy to hear from them
• A highly targeted audience base with no wastage
• An opportunity to build an engaging and enduring relationship with customers as they get to know more about their profiles and interests
• High response rates, strong returns on investment and great viral potential

I agree with Marc Overton from Orange UK, that this service will transform mobile advertising as we know it. Everybody wins working with Blyk; consumers, advertisers and operators alike. At Blyk, we have always known the value of relevance, interaction and reach in creating winning mobile media campaigns.

Antti Ohrling
Co-founder, Blyk

The topic for Blyk’s presentation is Mobile Advertising. The speaker is Antti Öhrling, co-founder and UK CEO of Blyk. Antti’s keynote topics include:

- The changing consumer behaviour and stiff competition that is dramatically altering telecoms and media landscapes
- New business models that are vital for future profitable growth and strong market leadership
- How MNOs will play an important role in developing Mobile as a mass media
- How Blyk partnership with operators provide companies with the media capability to open additional revenue streams
- How Blyk provides operators with more market share and increase customer loyalty

Media enquiries: Irene Nyberg press@blyk.com

Helsinki, London and Amsterdam, 23 July 2009 – Blyk, the mobile engagement media, today announces Vodafone as its exclusive partner in the Netherlands.

The partnership between Blyk and Vodafone builds upon a relationship between the two companies, which started in 2008, with a view to expanding the Blyk brand. The partnership will bring the Blyk brand and media model to the Netherlands and it is aligned to both companies’ strategies for growth and leadership in mobile advertising.

“We’re extremely pleased to be extending our relationship with Vodafone. For Blyk, the partnership is part of a global strategy to bring scale and speed to our operations, while continuing to provide an innovative and valuable proposition for both consumers and advertisers. Together with Vodafone, we intend to build a game changing engagement media in the Dutch market.” says Blyk co-founder and CEO, Pekka Ala-Pietilä. “Our relationship will include a co-development of the consumer proposition for the Netherlands and audience management. Blyk will have responsibility for the advertising sales and technology.”

Eric Kip, Managing Director Blyk Netherlands, says: “The Netherlands has the third highest advertising spend per capita in Europe and is a hub for many global companies and ad agencies, so it is an obvious territory for Blyk’s expansion. The advertising market, whilst both creative and dynamic, is also cluttered and we believe youth brands will welcome a highly engaging communication channel like Blyk. We are confident that both Dutch advertisers and global advertisers will make use of Blyk’s unique ability to connect them with an important consumer segment.”

ENDS

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS 2009, Barcelona – Velti, a leading mobile marketing
and content services technology provider, and Blyk have partnered to launch the mobile
operator’s new content portal – On Blyk. The new service is built primarily on messaging
and is now available to all Blyk users in the UK.

Currently most mobile content services are built on the assumption that users will find
what they want by browsing to it. On Blyk is based on the insight that messaging is the
simple dominant mobile behaviour for 16-24 year olds and that messaging can drive the
discovery of relevant content.

The new portal acts as a conduit for Blyk members interested in content from relevant
brands or lifestyle choices; which moves away from the traditional mobile portal
business model.

On Blyk enables content providers to host their content and then align pricing and
promotional activities in line with their objectives. Content spanning areas such as video,
chat, wallpapers, games and ringtones are delivered through On Blyk, from established
providers including Player X, Saffron Digital and Jumbuck, amongst others.
“We liked the proposition On Blyk offered us and joined the service when we realised the
flexibility of the Blyk network. We can control price points, promotional activities and the
discovery of our content, in a more efficient way than other operator offerings,” said
Tony Pearce, Player X CEO.

On Blyk was developed in partnership with Velti, using elements of its Mobile Marketing
Platform (MMP) to deliver highly targeted content to the network’s 16-24 year old
members.

“On Blyk is a great illustration of how Velti’s technology can ensure the relevance of
mobile communications, based on lifestyle or brand choices made by individuals. As Blyk
members use the portal we will be able to use this behavioural insight to deliver the
most compelling, relevant and timely content to them,” said Velti CEO, Alex Moukas. “On
Blyk’s use of our personalisation technology is a key element in determining what
content members will be receptive to and delivering a valued experience.”

• Mobile World Congress Conference Session: Mobile Advertising – Moving to the Strategic Level
Thursday, 19 February
Time: 12:30 – 13:20
Location: Auditorium 3, level 0, Hall 5 (Fira, Barcelona)
Panel discussion – Crossing the chasm to strategic spend
Moderator: Paran Johar, CMO, Jumptap
Panelists:
Timo Ahopelto, Head Business Strategy and Advertising Solutions, Blyk

Cenk Serdar, Chief VAS Management Officer, Turkcell
Antonio de la Rosa Breva, Consume & Online Marketing, Microsoft
Valerie Itey, Mobile Marketing Director UM Digital
Michael Smith, Deputy Director of COI Interactive

• Event: Ogilvy Telco Conference
Thursday, 19 February
Time: 16:15 – 17:00
Location: AC Barcelona Hotel
Panel discussion – Discussion about the ways in which Advertisers and Telecoms providers can work more closely with one another to grow industry and user value
Host: Alain Heureux, IAB Europe President and CEO
Panelists:
Leif Fågelstedt, Chief Operating Officer, Blyk

Alistair Hill, Comscore M:Metrics
Dusan Hamlin, Inside Mobile
Andrew Grill, Gigafone

Friday, 20 February
Time: 10:20-11:00
Location: AC Barcelona Hotel
Presentation: Understanding Customers Better by Using Mobile Media
Speaker: Leif Fågelstedt, Chief Operating Officer, Blyk
– How customer insight forge stronger relationships with your subscribers/members and attracts
advertisers
– Why mobile interactive messaging enables a dialogue with customers that’s not possible through
other channels
– How done right advertising is not viewed as advertising at all but it becomes a service to the end
user

Friday, 20 February
Time: 12:00-1:00
Location: AC Barcelona Hotel
Panel discussion – A Look To The Future. Discussion with Brands & Agency leaders about the prospect of mobile and how it fits in future plans
Host: Jonathan MacDonald – Senior Consultant, Mobile Marketing, OgilvyOne EAME
Panelists:
Leif Fågelstedt, Chief Operating Officer, Blyk
Stefano Frigerio, Global Communication Planning Director, Unilever
Andrew Godley, OgilvyOne London BT Team

And while your visiting the site we encourage you to check out the other enhancements including better site navigation; a new audience insight section; twenty-two case studies representing brands in media & entertainment, FMCG, retail, travel, government & charity, and careers & education.

Helsinki, Finland and London, UK, 18 November 2008 – Blyk, the free mobile network for young people funded by advertising today announced an additional €40 million investment to support its ongoing operations and international expansion.

“The advertising industry and operators have expressed a strong interest in bringing Blyk into new countries and €40 million in additional funding demonstrates the commitment by investors to the Blyk media model.” said Pekka Ala-Pietilä, Blyk’s CEO and Co-founder. “However, we like everyone else are feeling the impact of the world’s financial situation. As a result, in parallel to securing the new investment, we’ve taken decisive steps to cut costs and streamline our organization.”

By launching a new media partnership strategy, alongside organizational realignment, Blyk will gain greater flexibility and speed to capitalize on new growth opportunities and global demand for its media model.

Blyk launched in the UK in September 2007 where it has achieved major successes both in member growth and advertiser usage. In its first year, Blyk achieved a milestone of over 200,000 members and has run over 2000 campaigns with an average response rate of over 25%. With 180 brands on board today, Blyk is well on track to hit its goal of 200 brands using the service by year-end.

“We have a winning formula which makes Blyk attractive globally. The Blyk media model, which is based on highly relevant messaging, has proven to be an extremely effective form of advertising to the youth audience.” said Antti Öhrling, Blyk’s Co-founder and Executive Director. “Blyk’s new partnering strategy will make this powerful model available for operators, brands and young people around the world.”

Blyk’s CEO and Co-founder, Pekka Ala-Pietilä said, “There is a great opportunity for Blyk in these markets. Our research shows that young people in Germany, Spain and Belgium are interested in the Blyk proposition because they want to interact with brands they like in exchange for free communication. Our success in the UK, illustrated by robust member adoption, has proven that Blyk is a youth media that works and we hope to replicate this success as we enter new countries. We are also working to attract local talent who share our enthusiasm and can help build Blyk into a significant youth media in other countries.”

To date, Blyk has run over 900 campaigns in the UK for brands such as Coca Cola, STA Travel, Penguin, Buena Vista, L’Oreal and music artists The Kooks and Alphabeat with an average response rate of 29 percent, an extremely high level for any media platform. For example, Penguin’s campaign to promote Nick Hornby’s new novel, saw 7 out of 10 members engage with the publisher in a dialogue.

Blyk will make further announcements related to activities in each of these countries in the near future.

In addition to Blyk’s European expansion plans, the company will continue to strengthen its services in the UK through more members and brands. By the end of the year, Blyk’s aim is to boost the number of brands using Blyk to 200 by the end of 2008. In doing this, Blyk wants to deliver on their driving idea to unite young people and advertisers to free communication.

Multimedia Content:

Co-founder
Pekka Ala-Pietilä

Co-founder
Antti Öhrling

“The Future of Advertising”
APA’s conference at BAFTA

Marko Ahtisaari
Head of Brand & Design talks about all things Blyk

Related Links:

Media Site
Blyk in the Media Mix
Case Studies
^6
Blyk Music
Blyk Team

The site highlights such topics as the benefits of adding Blyk to your media mix, the Blyk product offering, tips for getting the most out of Blyk media, as well as our current case studies. You can also contact the Blyk team to book a campaign.

Put simply, young people like Blyk because it makes phone bills and contracts a thing of the past and connects them with relevant brands they like. As a result, advertisers and media buyers are able to directly communicate with 16-24 year olds in an interactive and cost-effective way.

In the six months we’ve been up and running, we have accumulated deep knowledge about our member base. Our high response rates (averaging 29 percent) show that this audience wants to engage with brands and issues that resonate with them. No other youth media channel offers this type of dialogue and relevancy for young people.

On a personal note, the last six months at Blyk have been an incredibly rewarding experience – the people, the momentum and energy create a dynamic environment and I am proud to be a part of this special place.

Press release 24 April 2008

Monday, February 11th

At 2:30pm, Blyk’s CEO and co-founder, Pekka Ala-Pietilä will be delivering a keynote speech at the Mobile Monday Peer Awards Event and Ceremonies held at the Espacio Movistar.

At 4:30pm, you will find Pekka Ala-Pietilä speaking at the CMO Forum, a GSMA event in partnership with OgilvyOne Worldwide. This event will bring together the leaders of the mobile marketing/advertising industry and it focuses on the challenges of increasing the use of the mobile channel for advertising and marketing purposes. The location is Hall 5 of the Fira de Barcelona.
Topics for the event include:

• The role of mobile marketing in the advertising space
• How to make mobile advertising and marketing grow
• Relationship marketing and the mobile space
• Business models and market opportunities

On Tuesday, February 12th

At 4:15pm, Timo Ahopelto, Head of Strategy and Business Development will be presenting ‘Blyk’ at the Mobile Innovation Marketplace. Blyk has been recognised as one of the ‘most innovative’ in the category of Consumer Application or Service.

Finally, I came across an article on Friday related to ‘What’s hot at Mobile World Congress 2008.’ Nice Blyk mention.

I was presenting Blyk in the mobile advertising session on November 14th, followed by a lively panel discussion on operator strategies, consumer perceptions, industry ecosystems and analogies (–or in my opinion, no real analogies) between effective mobile and Internet advertising models and formats. To sum up, for operators mobile advertising is a way to increase ARPU, while there are no other Blyk-like media and operator propositions than Blyk in the market.

Differences between maturing Europe and emerging Asia are obvious. There are a lot of people in Asia without mobile phones, many mobile services still to be introduced, fast-growing GDP and a large young population keen on technology and entertainment, ready to secure the growth in both operator ARPU and subscriber base for the years come. And if Europe is a scattered map of nationalities, so is Asia, where socioeconomic differences within one country are beyond any European imagination, not to even mention differences between countries themselves.

So, against this, I got asked a lot how does this all fit into what Blyk is doing in Europe? The simple answer goes: a Blyk-like media would do very well in Asia.

Why?

First, the need to lower the phone bill is universal among young people. No matter where you go, young people are students or early in their careers, needing to save money for both necessity and fun. They also are most eager to adopt new ideas. This is exactly what Blyk does by being the first to bring the ad-funded media model into mobile, to give free text and voice every month. And why text and voice, not mobile content? Simply because text and voice are what young people use in mobile today (– in addition to alarm clock as our extensive research covering more than 3,000 16-24 year olds across European countries shows), no matter if you are in Europe, Asia or anywhere in the world.

Second, Blyk links young people up with brands they like. Access to brand messages is social capital among young people. This is, in fact, even more so among the larger audiences of the Asian youth compared to Europe, where brands have been accessible to everyone for decades. Blyk is the invite to the network of messages and information from respected brands that want to hear and listen to what you think.

Third, advertising in traditional media is losing its power exactly like in Europe. Street corners are packed with billboards, and television programs are testing the limits of advertising per hour. A mobile media where themes, frequency, timing and pace of advertising are designed to deliver the best impact for brands and user experience for consumers does play very well in this environment.

The next question against this is, of course, that when will we see Blyk in Asia? Well… this really is a global industry!

When we started designing the Blyk brand we took a deliberately “open code” approach. I’ve written a post on what we’re doing and why. This coincides with the launch of Shift6.net the blog of the new Blyk open brand lab. Fellow bloggers include danah boyd, Inma Martinez and Alison Black.

Business week: Free Mobile Services Set to Take Off: Blyk’s British launch of its ad-sponsored cell-phone service targeted at teens and young adults has traditional mobile operators nervous

Reuters/CNBC: Ad-Funded Mobile Operator Opens in Britain

MobiAdNews: Designing Blyk – The First Ad-Funded Mobile Operator