about.blyk.com

London, England
17 June 2008

Blyk, the new mobile network for 16-24 year olds funded by advertising, today announced its sponsorship of the D&AD New Blood 2008 Awards and an 18-month relationship with the D&AD 2009 Student Award programme.

Simon Waterfall, President of D&AD said: “D&AD is proud to have Blyk as a main sponsor at this year’s New Blood event. The collaboration embodies our shared value of supporting a new generation of creatives to enhance business performance now and in the future.”

Shaun Gregory, CEO Blyk UK said: “Blyk is committed to educating the industry and ensuring that any brand communications work well when they are executed through mobile. As such, we are delighted to be sponsoring the D&AD New Blood 2008 Awards and the D&AD Student Award programmes 2009.”

If you are attending D&AD New Blood 2008 Awards, Blyk would like to invite you to join the team at the Blyk stand where they will be showcasing the Blyk experience and the unique engagement they have with their members. Visitors will get the opportunity to view Blyk’s creative campaigns, learn more about Blyk’s connection with 16-24 year olds and pick up some goodies in their “chill-out” area.

WHO: Marko Ahtisaari, Blyk Brand and Design
Tom Gutteridge, Blyk UK Head of Creative

WHEN: Monday, 23rd June 2008 from 2 p.m.

WHERE: Earls Court

Blyk’s Marko Ahtisaari will also be participating in a debate entitled “Mobile advertising – A Fad or The Future?” on Tuesday 24th June 2008 at 2 p.m.

30 May 2008
London, England

Blyk, the new mobile network for 16-24 year olds funded by advertising, today launches its new media site as a comprehensive online information domain for advertisers and agencies – constantly updated with insights and case studies.

Go to http://media.blyk.co.uk/ for an explanation of Blyk as a youth media channel that works; insight into Blyk’s 16-24 year old member base; and how to start and maintain a Blyk campaign. Also, view tried and tested campaign results from brands including Penguin, COI, L’Oreal, Boots and Brylcreem.

Briefs can also be sent directly from this site to the Blyk team and a staff member will respond by the following working day.

In line with the media site, Blyk is offering Blyk Breakfasts for advertisers and agencies from 17th June. This will offer attendees a more detailed understanding of the highly targeted campaigns Blyk can deliver and useful insights into the 16-24 year old market.

Quotes:
Shaun Gregory, UK CEO, Blyk, said: “This site tells advertisers and agencies everything they need to know about Blyk as an effective youth media channel. Within the different sections of the site, readers can find out for themselves how to use Blyk as a stand-alone channel or complementary media within the rest of their communications mix.”

About Blyk
Blyk is the new mobile network for 16 – 24s that’s funded by advertising. Blyk links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month. Blyk was co-founded in 2006 by Pekka Ala-Pietilä and Antti Öhrling and has offices in Helsinki, Finland and London, UK. Blyk is now operating in the UK, with other European markets to follow. For more information visit http://media.blyk.co.uk/

Multimedia Content:
Blyk in the Media Mix
Products
Delivering the Best Results
Understanding 16-24 yr olds
Engaging Members
Profiling
Book a Campaign
Case Studies

Related Links:
Blyk Blog
^6
Press
Blyk Team

Recent Coverage:
Blyk hits target as young snap up free mobiles, Telegraph
Blyk appoints Vizeum for UK media, Mad.co.uk
Blyk hires Bennett to lead commercial effort, Brand Republic

For more information or to speak directly to a Blyk spokesperson contact:
Anna Loftin or Caryn Lobley or Suzanne Ellis at GCI: Tel: +44 (0) 207 072 4050 / +44 (0) 207 072 4223 / +44 (0) 207 072 4288 or aloftin@gciuk.com / clobley@gciuk.com / sellis@gciuk.com

GCI and Contra join the extended team to support growth in the UK and abroad

Helsinki, Finland and London, England, 11 April, 2008 – Blyk, the new mobile network for 16-24 year olds funded by advertising, has appointed GCI to build its brand reputation in the UK and internationally. This follows the appointment of Contra as international brand agency after its design of the Blyk brand and support of Blyk’s successful launch in the UK.

GCI won a wide ranging brief which includes corporate reputation management, building brand advocacy in the UK and mobilising its international agency network to support Blyk’s expansion plans in Europe. Blyk is launching in the Netherlands in the second half of 2008 followed by other European markets.

Marko Ahtisaari, responsible for brand and design at Blyk said: “Blyk is a unique youth media that combines free communication for young people and cost-effective communications opportunities for brands. We wanted partners that bring the same degree of innovation, excitement and execution to PR and Brand, as we’ve applied to building the Blyk service. The Blyk team is looking forward to working with GCI and Contra in what is going to be a big year.”

GCI will work with Contra to communicate the Blyk story to key trade and youth audiences. The PR programme will support Blyk’s brand advertiser sales, member acquisition and European expansion with a mix of direct communications and digital and off-line media activities.

GCI will commence work with Blyk from April 2008 with the PR being run out of the GCI London office and then expand in to GCI’s European network as Blyk enters new markets. Contra will continue to evolve the Blyk brand expression in the Contra London studio.

Steve Parker, Director, Technology & Digital Media commented: “Blyk is an innovative new media channel that has the potential to transform the communications industry and we are excited to have a stake in its success. We will be communicating the scale of the opportunity to the ad industry and the enormous benefits to members by extending the Blyk experience online and building brand advocacy through a variety of communication channels.”

Simon Parrott, Creative Partner at Contra said: “Contra has had great fun working with Blyk over the past two years here in London, and we’re extremely pleased to continue working together with Blyk both here and internationally. What really excites me is that we’re doing something truly innovative. We’re co-creating a different kind of brand that is genuinely involving young people. And what’s more, this is just the beginning.”

-ENDS-

About GCI
GCI Group was founded in 1984 and is part of the WPP family of communications companies. Its work is focused on high value disciplines ranging from consumer and sports marketing, digital media and technology, healthcare and corporate reputation. For more information visit www.gcigroup.com and www.gciuk.com.

About Contra
Contra is the world’s only global agency that comes from Finland. Our approach to business lies in the Finnish concept of ’sisu’ which roughly translates to ’sustained determination and perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.’ (Spend a winter’s day there and you’ll understand completely).
www.contra.net

London, United Kingdom, March 10, 2008 - Blyk, the new mobile network for 16-24s that’s funded by advertising won the Mobile Marketing Award for ‘Best New Offering from a Mobile Services Provider’ at a ceremony held in London on March 6th 2008. The 4th annual Mobile Marketing Awards recognise excellence in mobile marketing and advertising with a focus on innovation, insight and strategic integration.

In a statement about the Mobile Service Provider category, the judges said: “For mobile service providers the need to continually extend the boundaries of how mobile can be used is a must, as their vision and creativity is a vital component for the future of mobile marketing. Each time they extend the boundaries through new developments, huge opportunities (creative and otherwise) open up for brands and their agencies. This award will recognise the providers who are pushing the boundaries to everyone’s benefit.”

Shaun Gregory, UK CEO said: “Blyk is indeed pushing the boundaries by creating a new and engaging way for brands and agencies across the UK to connect with the youth audience. As a media channel, our response rates have averaged 29% and we continue to lead the market in innovation. We are delighted to see this recognised by some of the most respected figures in the industry”

Judges included Claire Valoti, Business Director - Mindshare, Andrew Walmsley, Founding Partner - i-Level and Roisin Donnelly, Marketing Director - P&G. The Chairman of the Judges was David Wheldon, Global Brand Director - Vodafone

The full list of award winners can be viewed at: http://mobilemarketinguk.com

For the short-listed nominees and case study downloads (including the Blyk case study) visit: http://uk.media.yahoo.com/2007.html

Helsinki, Finland and London, England, 30 January, 2008 – Blyk, the new mobile network for 16-24 year olds funded by advertising, today announced its expansion to the Dutch market. Blyk will use Vodafone Netherlands as its host operator, which means that Blyk members in the Netherlands will be able to use voice, text and data services across the Vodafone network.

Blyk’s CEO and Co-founder, Pekka Ala-Pietilä said, “For advertisers Blyk is a pan-European youth medium and the Netherlands is among the three highest advertising spend per capita in Europe. It is also a key target market for those brands with international campaigns.”

“From an advertising perspective, the Netherlands is also an incredibly creative and dynamic market. The deal with Vodafone ensures that we can offer the highest quality service in the Netherlands for both our members and our advertisers.”

Anthony Hellegers, Director Strategy, Wholesale, Legal & Regulatory at Vodafone Netherlands said: “Last year we announced that we want to build a sustainable position in the Dutch MVNO market by offering a true partnership model and the best network quality. We are delighted that this has been recognized and that Blyk has chosen Vodafone Netherlands for their expansion into the Netherlands.”

Blyk will launch in the Netherlands in the second half of 2008. Other European markets are under discussions and details will be released later.

In a further statement, Blyk announced new investors Goldman Sachs and Industrial and Financial Investments Company (IFIC), who will join a roster that includes Sofinnova Partners and a number of private investors.

On the investment, Ala-Pietilä commented, “We are pleased to have two new and prominent investors. It reflects great confidence in the Blyk model.”

Blyk Appoints Shaun Gregory as UK Chief Executive

London, 2 October, 2007 - Blyk the pan-European free mobile operator, which went live in the UK 24th September 2007, today announced the appointment of Shaun Gregory as UK CEO.

Shaun will be responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company and lead the day to day running of the UK business.

Prior to joining Blyk, Shaun was the Director of New Media at the Telegraph Media Group, where he was responsible for shaping the new media strategy working with the Executive board.

Commenting on Shaun’s appointment, Blyk’s Co-founder and global CEO Pekka Ala-Pietilä said; “Shaun brings over twenty years experience and a proven track record in securing substantial revenue for a media company working within a new media format, we are delighted Shaun has decided to lead the UK team.”

Shaun Said: “Blyk has one of the most compelling advertising opportunities I have ever seen. It can reach, engage and build relationships with consumers on a very personal level. It’s also focused on the youth market which is notoriously difficult to reach.”

On leaving Telegraph Media Group, Shaun said: “We have achieved an awful lot in the last year at the Telegraph. The commercial side of the business is now completely integrated. This truly multi media offering means that both TMG’s audiences and revenues are growing faster than those of the competition.”

Shaun will take up his new position with Blyk imminently.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Karen Keany or Adam Rutherford at The PRactice on 0207 072 4184/ 07989 429 367 or karen at thepractice dot org dot uk/ adam at thepractice dot org dot uk

Here is the full video of the Blyk launch event on September 24th at the Vinyl Factory in London:

The world’s first advertising funded mobile network for 16-24 year olds launches in the UK

London, 24 September, 2007 - Blyk, the new mobile network for 16 to 24 year olds today announced the launch of its UK service. The announcement was made by the company founders Pekka Ala-Pietilä and Antti Öhrling at a press launch event in London this morning.

Blyk is an invitation-only mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month.

For brands, Blyk is an innovative, new media channel, providing direct access to the 16-24 year old market; enabling them to create awareness, build relationships and drive sales to this hard to reach audience.

Since its conception early last year, Blyk has been undertaking extensive research in the UK with user group studies and live user trials. These have helped to make the offering extremely compelling for young people and advertisers alike.

Pekka Ala-Pietilä said: “We have spent the last year developing a unique, robust advertising content engine and whilst the technology we are using is incredibly advanced, the main premise of Blyk is driven by 3 basic principles – ease of use, interaction and relevance of the communications.”

Blyk understands the importance of relevancy in communication and has built its system to enable this. By means of profile questions at sign-up and ongoing SMS polling during membership Blyk Media enables brands to target messages like no other medium. Response rates have also been exceptionally high, with some testers reportedly missing the service at the end of the trial.

Further to this Öhrling said: “We found that what is 90% familiar and 10% new leads to the best user experience. So, the Blyk communications formats are based on the most dominant and most familiar pattern among 16-24s: Getting a message and responding to it. Both picture and text.”

Brands will be able to engage Blyk members in question/response type interactions. For members these interactions are free. For advertisers all responses and interactions by members are tracked, giving great accountability to the campaign.

“We found throughout our research that this simple, familiar type of interaction leads to tremendous response rates. “ says Öhrling.

Speaking at the network’s launch in London today, Pekka Ala-Pietilä said:

“Our free offer is 217 texts and 43 minutes every month and this could mean no more phone bills for up to 4.5 million young people in the UK - with no contract. We have the brands that want to speak to them too, with more than 40 already signed up for the launch. This group represents almost every industry sector there is.”

“It’s going to spread because, at the heart of it, it’s got a creative idea. A mobile phone network that’s funded by advertising; that’s something you want to tell people about. Fundamentally it’s the interaction that young people do most on their mobile phone: receiving and responding to a message.” says Antti Öhrling.

About Blyk
Blyk is the new mobile network for 16 – 24s that’s funded by advertising. Blyk links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month. Blyk was co-founded in 2006 by Pekka Ala-Pietilä and Antti Öhrling and has offices in Helsinki, Finland and London, UK. Blyk is now operating in the UK, with other European markets to follow.

For more information, visit about.blyk.com.

ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS

Invitations to join Blyk will be sent out over the next few weeks via channels targeted to reach 16-24 year olds.

For further information, please contact:
UK Trade media:
Karen Keany
The PRactice, telephone +44 (0) 20 7812 0662 mobile +44 (0) 7989 429 367
karen@thepractice.org.uk

UK Consumer media:
Rax Lakhani
Splendid Communications, telephone +44 (0) 20 7324 7200
rax@splendidcomms.com

International media:
Irene Nyberg-Jarventaus
Blyk, +44 (0) 7747 844 854
irene@blyk.com

Blyk, the new mobile network for 16 – 24s, is delighted in the growing interest in its progress to create a service that links young people up with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes, every month.

Jon Fisher, Consumer Marketing Director, said: “Blyk is dedicated to giving its members the best experience possible and in order to do that, we have always planned to launch at a time that delivers the highest level of service for both our members and our advertising partners.”

He added: “We continue the rigorous testing of our technical platforms. We’re also acting on insight from consumer research conducted alongside our launch brands, to ensure we provide the best service at the best time for all. We are confident of delivering this and in light of our recent findings, we feel good about our launch strategy, and are proceeding as we have always planned.”

ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Blyk.
Blyk is a pan-European free mobile operator for young people, funded by advertising. For advertisers, Blyk is an innovative mobile media channel offering direct engagement with a young audience with real time feedback.
Blyk was co-founded in 2006 by Pekka Ala-Pietilä and Antti Öhrling and has offices in Helsinki, Finland and London, UK. Blyk is launching first in the UK market in summer 2007, with other markets to follow.
For more information, visit about.blyk.com

For further press information, contact:
Karen Keany or Adam Rutherford, The PRactice.
Tel: 020 7812 0662 or 07989 429 367

Blyk representatives will be speaking at the following events in June. We hope to see you there.

June 5-6, MEM 2007 in Monte Carlo: Antti Öhrling will be delivering an “Endnote” presentation as a special guest speaker during Day two/Track one. His presentation “The Ultimate Customer Ownership: Launching an MVNO” will begin at 16.00. For details visit: www.mem07.com

June 26-27, NMA and Marketing Week’s “Online Marketing 07″ at the Business Design Centre in London: Pekka Ala-Pietilä will be part of panel discussing “Mobile Myths - How is the user experience of mobile going to change this year? What new challenges are going to emerge for marketers and their agencies?”. The session will take place on the 27th from 2.30-3.15. For details visit: www.onlinemarketingshow.co.uk