24 February 2012

MEF publishes 2nd Content & Commerce Survey defining the mobile value chain in the Middle East

Back in October, MEF invited companies active in the Middle East to share their insights on the region’s market performance in the previous quarter and outline their expectations for the future. Now the results have been published of this, the second dedicated Middle East mobile content and commerce surveys, conducted in partnership with the global firm of auditors & MEF member KPMG. The survey found that the overall level of confidence in the future of the Middle Eastern mobile market remains high, with growth opportunities in particular identified for games, apps and ad-funded mobile entertainment.

The full findings of the 2nd Middle East Content & Commerce Survey are now exclusively available to MEF members in English and Arabic, with an executive summary available for all.

To read more about the survey, hit the link below..

23 February 2012

Attend MEF’s roundtable session on Privacy & Mobile Apps at MWC

In response to the current media focus on privacy and industry concern, MEF will be hosting a roundtable next week at MWC in Barcelona on ‘Privacy & Mobile Apps’ on February 28th.

MEF Chair Andrew Bud said “Trust between mobile consumers and the apps that they use is inevitably sensitive but absolutely vital to the development of the industry. Sustaining consumer trust is a task not just for the app store but for the whole ecosystem. We have essential work to do as an industry to make that practical.”

Open to members and invited VIP guests, the session brings together companies across the value chain to tackle this timely issue.

MEF Roundtable: Privacy & Mobile Apps
Date: Tuesday, 28th February 2012
Time: 3PM – 4PM
Venue: Gild International

The open door session is supported by SNR Denton in association with the Mobile Fringe, and is being held at Barcelona’s exciting new member's club, Gild International.

MEF, as the global community for content and commerce, is holding this session to drive thought leadership and plan next steps on this vital issue. If you are interested in participating or attending the roundtable please contact initiatives@mefmobile.org, but be quick as space is limited! For more information on MEF’s activities in Privacy & Security please contact MEF Deputy Director, Vildan Hasanbegović.

21 February 2012

Member Event: Join Nielsen at MWC for an Uncommon Sense of the Consumer

MEF member Nielsen will be hosting a full day of panel sessions at this year's MWC in Barcelona, and you're invited. With a packed schedule on Tuesday 28th, attendees can expect powerful insights and networking firmly focused on today’s digital consumer and how best to seize the enormous opportunities.

Sign up now to get access to all of the sessions throughout the day.

Nielsen presents: An Uncommon Sense of the Consumer - Tuesday February 28th, FIRA Hall 2, Mezzanine Level, Theatre D

10:00-11:00 - The Mobile Media Revolution
13:00-14:00 - The Mobile Mynd: Nielsen NeuroFocus Live Demonstration Event
15:00-16:00 - When Mobile Meets Retail
17:00-18:00 - Strong Signals: Best Practices for Mobile Operators and Device Manufacturers

To sign up and leave any questions for the panels, hop over to the Nielsen website to log your details - of course you need to be registered for MWC..

17 February 2012

Candidates announced for MEF EMEA Board Elections 2012 at MWC

MEF has announced the first round of candidates for the MEF EMEA Board Elections, to be held at the end of the month at MWC in Barcelona.

Full MEF members are eligible to vote and stand as a candidate, and will be instrumental in creating thought leadership, sharing knowledge and addressing the critical issues facing the mobile commerce and content industry today and in the future.

The current standing is as follows:

• Diane Alphonse, Head of Marketing, Communications & PR, Barwa Bank
• Ben Tatton-Brown, Co-Founder & Regional SVP, EMEA, Amobee
• Emma Kaye, Board Director, Mira Networks
• Volker Hirsch, Head of Business Development, Games, RIM
• Daryn Wobur, Managing Director, Global Business Development, Perform Group
• Daniel Prieskel, Co-Founder, Prieskel & Co.
 
Rimma Perelmuter, executive director MEF, said: “We are delighted to announce such an exciting line-up of candidates for the MEF EMEA board elections which reflects both the diversity of mobile content and commerce as well as MEF’s active regional breadth across Europe, Middle East and Africa.”

Board members for MEF EMEA have a crucial role in defining the mobile agenda for the Europe Africa and the Middle East, and help to shape & define the mobile content and commerce market. Meanwhile, the MEF EMEA AGM presents an opportunity for all members to hear the latest on MEF's activities and initiatives in the region and worldwide, contribute to planning and priority-setting while connecting with other members. 
 
You can check out the candidate biographies in full on the MEF Website

A final list of confirmed candidates will be announced prior to the AGM, and submitted profiles will be posted on the MEF website and distributed at the meeting. There are absentee/proxy ballots available for any full members who cannot attend in person - check the election rules for details.

MEF EMEA AGM and Board Elections: Monday, February 27, 2012 6pm

Museu Picasso
c/ Montcada, 15-23
08003 Barcelona
MAP

To register your attendance at the EMEA AGM & Board Elections - visit the MEF website and fill in a short form, or you can contact MEF Events Coordinator Georgia Aarons for further information on how to run.

10 February 2012

Indonesian VAS Update – Join us in Jakarta, February 16th

MEF has announced a special one-day event co-hosted by Indosat on February 16th in Jakarta as a follow-up to on-going regulatory action to discuss the future of the Indonesian VAS market.

As you may recall, following concerns of widespread consumer harm in October last year all VAS subscription billing services were shut down on the direction of the Indonesian Ministry of Telecoms. As a global regulatory champion and independent intermediary, MEF has been proactively supporting collaboration between the local regulator BRTI and the industry ever since to actively resolve the situation and attempt to rebuild confidence in the VAS market. Indonesia is one of the world’s largest mobile markets with more than 250 million subscribers.

A detailed response to the draft regulations governing the Indonesian VAS market has been prepared with input from MEF members, and will be used to frame a discussion with BRTI on how new regulation might better protect consumers while allowing responsible businesses to thrive.

To this end, MEF is also co-hosting a one-day event in Jakarta with Indosat to clarify the BRTI rules around VAS and to discuss with other affected members best practises in ensuring compliance.


Global Strategies for Content Compliance

Date:     Thursday 16th February, 2012
Time:     9.30am to 4.00pm
Venue:   Indosat Office Building 4th Floor,
              Jl.Medan Merdeka Barat no 21,
              Jakarta, 10110,
              Indonesia

All global members interested in participating in this important forum are invited to join us in Jakarta and take advantage of MEF’s valuable global perspective. It promises to be a significant step in securing the long term future of the VAS market in the SEA region.

You can see the details on the MEF website, to confirm your attendance contact MEF Asia GM Linda Ruck.

07 February 2012

Quick Poll! The most significant advancement for mobile content & commerce in the last 10 years was...?

So this month MEF will be at MWC for our 10th amazing year, and we're asking the question, in that whole time, what was the most significant advancement for mobile content & commerce? It's a mighty long time in the mobile world, so we've boiled our favourites down to five suggestions (we didn't include the iPhone, sorry) - let us know what you think! And if you're coming along to Barcelona this year, be sure to sign up for the party!