Comments on: Texperts sold to 118118 owners kgb http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html Daily news and opinion for 250,000 industry executives and mobile fanatics Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:16:00 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: I Use Google http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-242171 I Use Google Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:36:44 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-242171 Maybe they cared too much...rather than keeping their keys on the prize...organic growth and sustainable profit. Maybe they cared too much…rather than keeping their keys on the prize…organic growth and sustainable profit.

]]> By: I Use Google http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-242172 I Use Google Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:32:23 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-242172 I'd be shocked if they (the founders) walked away with much cash. The aim of the game was IPO and to take the 'brand' to a global level, and in this current economic climate that was never going to happen. The rebrand, whilst a worthy endeavour, was also high risk and was clearly a costly exercise.<br><br>One wonders whether that 1M GBP of funding diverted to the marketing and advertising effort from August 2007 to where we are now has reaped an adequate return on investment. I think the acquisition (or is that integration?) in to The KGB group (ironic as their BDM was from The Number and returns to the corporate bosom), plus the disappearance of key members of the team in recent times, such as the marketing director, is a telling sign that this may not have had the increase in ARPU and new business and furthermore the second round funding was insufficient to see them through this economic and technology downturn that will continue for at least another 12 to 18 months. Personally it sounds like the operational cash was running out, but one could be wrong...<br><br>The $66,000 question is should Texperts have been the name to bet on from the outset to create a brand value proposition, rather than previous iterations - version 1, RE5ULT or version 2, 82ASK, five years ago. As we've seen with AQA who wisely snagged a good shortcode number for the UK and built up a recognisable brand in the same amount of years, whilst keeping the operational side of things virtual and lean, have the capacity to grow outside the UK. Maybe then the shoe might be on the other foot and Texperts might have been doing the acquiring or licensing of technologies... I'd be shocked if they (the founders) walked away with much cash. The aim of the game was IPO and to take the 'brand' to a global level, and in this current economic climate that was never going to happen. The rebrand, whilst a worthy endeavour, was also high risk and was clearly a costly exercise.

One wonders whether that 1M GBP of funding diverted to the marketing and advertising effort from August 2007 to where we are now has reaped an adequate return on investment. I think the acquisition (or is that integration?) in to The KGB group (ironic as their BDM was from The Number and returns to the corporate bosom), plus the disappearance of key members of the team in recent times, such as the marketing director, is a telling sign that this may not have had the increase in ARPU and new business and furthermore the second round funding was insufficient to see them through this economic and technology downturn that will continue for at least another 12 to 18 months. Personally it sounds like the operational cash was running out, but one could be wrong…

The $66,000 question is should Texperts have been the name to bet on from the outset to create a brand value proposition, rather than previous iterations – version 1, RE5ULT or version 2, 82ASK, five years ago. As we've seen with AQA who wisely snagged a good shortcode number for the UK and built up a recognisable brand in the same amount of years, whilst keeping the operational side of things virtual and lean, have the capacity to grow outside the UK. Maybe then the shoe might be on the other foot and Texperts might have been doing the acquiring or licensing of technologies…

]]> By: I Use Google http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-233009 I Use Google Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:36:44 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-233009 Maybe they cared too much...rather than keeping their keys on the prize...organic growth and sustainable profit. Maybe they cared too much…rather than keeping their keys on the prize…organic growth and sustainable profit.

]]> By: I Use Google http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-233010 I Use Google Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:32:23 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-233010 I'd be shocked if they (the founders) walked away with much cash. The aim of the game was IPO and to take the 'brand' to a global level, and in this current economic climate that was never going to happen. The rebrand, whilst a worthy endeavour, was also high risk and was clearly a costly exercise.<br><br>One wonders whether that 1M GBP of funding diverted to the marketing and advertising effort from August 2007 to where we are now has reaped an adequate return on investment. I think the acquisition (or is that integration?) in to The KGB group (ironic as their BDM was from The Number and returns to the corporate bosom), plus the disappearance of key members of the team in recent times, such as the marketing director, is a telling sign that this may not have had the increase in ARPU and new business and furthermore the second round funding was insufficient to see them through this economic and technology downturn that will continue for at least another 12 to 18 months. Personally it sounds like the operational cash was running out, but one could be wrong...<br><br>The $66,000 question is should Texperts have been the name to bet on from the outset to create a brand value proposition, rather than previous iterations - version 1, RE5ULT or version 2, 82ASK, five years ago. As we've seen with AQA who wisely snagged a good shortcode number for the UK and built up a recognisable brand in the same amount of years, whilst keeping the operational side of things virtual and lean, have the capacity to grow outside the UK. Maybe then the shoe might be on the other foot and Texperts might have been doing the acquiring or licensing of technologies... I'd be shocked if they (the founders) walked away with much cash. The aim of the game was IPO and to take the 'brand' to a global level, and in this current economic climate that was never going to happen. The rebrand, whilst a worthy endeavour, was also high risk and was clearly a costly exercise.

One wonders whether that 1M GBP of funding diverted to the marketing and advertising effort from August 2007 to where we are now has reaped an adequate return on investment. I think the acquisition (or is that integration?) in to The KGB group (ironic as their BDM was from The Number and returns to the corporate bosom), plus the disappearance of key members of the team in recent times, such as the marketing director, is a telling sign that this may not have had the increase in ARPU and new business and furthermore the second round funding was insufficient to see them through this economic and technology downturn that will continue for at least another 12 to 18 months. Personally it sounds like the operational cash was running out, but one could be wrong…

The $66,000 question is should Texperts have been the name to bet on from the outset to create a brand value proposition, rather than previous iterations – version 1, RE5ULT or version 2, 82ASK, five years ago. As we've seen with AQA who wisely snagged a good shortcode number for the UK and built up a recognisable brand in the same amount of years, whilst keeping the operational side of things virtual and lean, have the capacity to grow outside the UK. Maybe then the shoe might be on the other foot and Texperts might have been doing the acquiring or licensing of technologies…

]]> By: I Use Google http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232791 I Use Google Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:36:44 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232791 Maybe they cared too much...rather than keeping their keys on the prize...organic growth and sustainable profit. Maybe they cared too much…rather than keeping their keys on the prize…organic growth and sustainable profit.

]]> By: I Use Google http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232792 I Use Google Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:32:23 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232792 I'd be shocked if they (the founders) walked away with much cash. The aim of the game was IPO and to take the 'brand' to a global level, and in this current economic climate that was never going to happen. The rebrand, whilst a worthy endeavour, was also high risk and was clearly a costly exercise.<br><br>One wonders whether that 1M GBP of funding diverted to the marketing and advertising effort from August 2007 to where we are now has reaped an adequate return on investment. I think the acquisition (or is that integration?) in to The KGB group (ironic as their BDM was from The Number and returns to the corporate bosom), plus the disappearance of key members of the team in recent times, such as the marketing director, is a telling sign that this may not have had the increase in ARPU and new business and furthermore the second round funding was insufficient to see them through this economic and technology downturn that will continue for at least another 12 to 18 months. Personally it sounds like the operational cash was running out, but one could be wrong...<br><br>The $66,000 question is should Texperts have been the name to bet on from the outset to create a brand value proposition, rather than previous iterations - version 1, RE5ULT or version 2, 82ASK, five years ago. As we've seen with AQA who wisely snagged a good shortcode number for the UK and built up a recognisable brand in the same amount of years, whilst keeping the operational side of things virtual and lean, have the capacity to grow outside the UK. Maybe then the shoe might be on the other foot and Texperts might have been doing the acquiring or licensing of technologies... I'd be shocked if they (the founders) walked away with much cash. The aim of the game was IPO and to take the 'brand' to a global level, and in this current economic climate that was never going to happen. The rebrand, whilst a worthy endeavour, was also high risk and was clearly a costly exercise.

One wonders whether that 1M GBP of funding diverted to the marketing and advertising effort from August 2007 to where we are now has reaped an adequate return on investment. I think the acquisition (or is that integration?) in to The KGB group (ironic as their BDM was from The Number and returns to the corporate bosom), plus the disappearance of key members of the team in recent times, such as the marketing director, is a telling sign that this may not have had the increase in ARPU and new business and furthermore the second round funding was insufficient to see them through this economic and technology downturn that will continue for at least another 12 to 18 months. Personally it sounds like the operational cash was running out, but one could be wrong…

The $66,000 question is should Texperts have been the name to bet on from the outset to create a brand value proposition, rather than previous iterations – version 1, RE5ULT or version 2, 82ASK, five years ago. As we've seen with AQA who wisely snagged a good shortcode number for the UK and built up a recognisable brand in the same amount of years, whilst keeping the operational side of things virtual and lean, have the capacity to grow outside the UK. Maybe then the shoe might be on the other foot and Texperts might have been doing the acquiring or licensing of technologies…

]]> By: SMSblack http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232754 SMSblack Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:21:02 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232754 Any update on that? Any update on that?

]]> By: SMSblack http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232741 SMSblack Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:57:17 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232741 Nice comments by Colly Myers, CEO of AQA here: <a href="http://smsisthenewblack.co.uk/2008/12/19/colly-myers-ceo-of-aqa-on-texperts-acquisition/" rel="nofollow">http://smsisthenewblack.co.uk/2008/12/19/colly-...</a> Nice comments by Colly Myers, CEO of AQA here: http://smsisthenewblack.co.uk/2008/12/19/colly-…

]]> By: heracles http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232688 heracles Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:47:18 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232688 Texperts raised a lot of cash 2007 and seemingly used it all up. In September 2008 they undertook a rights issue which diluted down all the original founders to very small percentages. I would think that most investors will have lost money whilst the founders will only have very small Christmas pressies under the tree. I wonder if they are going to work at 118 ? Texperts raised a lot of cash 2007 and seemingly used it all up. In September 2008 they undertook a rights issue which diluted down all the original founders to very small percentages. I would think that most investors will have lost money whilst the founders will only have very small Christmas pressies under the tree. I wonder if they are going to work at 118 ?

]]> By: heracles http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-253148 heracles Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:33:00 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-253148 Texperts raised a lot of cash 2007 and seemingly used it all up. In August 2008 they undertook a rights issue which diluted down all the original founders to very small percentages. I would think that most investors will have lost money whilst the founders will only have very small Christmas pressies under the tree. I wonder if they are going to work at 118 ? Texperts raised a lot of cash 2007 and seemingly used it all up. In August 2008 they undertook a rights issue which diluted down all the original founders to very small percentages. I would think that most investors will have lost money whilst the founders will only have very small Christmas pressies under the tree. I wonder if they are going to work at 118 ?

]]> By: leander http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-253147 leander Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:19:00 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-253147 Texperts raised a lot of cash 2007 and seemingly used it all up. In August 2008 they undertook a rights issue which diluted down all the original founders to very small percentages. I would think that most investors will have lost money whilst the founders will only have very small Christmas pressies under the tree. I wonder if they are going to work at 118 ? Texperts raised a lot of cash 2007 and seemingly used it all up. In August 2008 they undertook a rights issue which diluted down all the original founders to very small percentages. I would think that most investors will have lost money whilst the founders will only have very small Christmas pressies under the tree. I wonder if they are going to work at 118 ?

]]> By: edcave http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232687 edcave Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:57:03 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232687 Lets hope they dont send Textperts down this route: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/67hl66" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/67hl66</a> Lets hope they dont send Textperts down this route: http://tinyurl.com/67hl66

]]> By: Mark http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-253146 Mark Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:18:00 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-253146 wow, thats probably going to put a few presents under a few trees this year... wow, thats probably going to put a few presents under a few trees this year…

]]> By: Mike42 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232684 Mike42 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:54:24 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232684 Nice. Nice.

]]> By: willmcinnes http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232681 willmcinnes Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:29:46 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232681 On the 'no news on valuations as yet though' I just whacked it into their 'try us now' function on their website - 'How much wonga did you sell for?' - so am due the figure via SMS any minute :) On the 'no news on valuations as yet though' I just whacked it into their 'try us now' function on their website – 'How much wonga did you sell for?' – so am due the figure via SMS any minute :)

]]> By: Paul Cockerton http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232680 Paul Cockerton Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:25:56 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232680 There was an 'interesting' post about 118 here. But then, who am i to comment ;)<br><a href="http://sturgeonslaw.blogspot.com/2008/12/118-118-fail.html" rel="nofollow">http://sturgeonslaw.blogspot.com/2008/12/118-11...</a> There was an 'interesting' post about 118 here. But then, who am i to comment ;)
http://sturgeonslaw.blogspot.com/2008/12/118-11…

]]> By: Ewan @ MIR http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232679 Ewan @ MIR Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:23:48 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232679 I suspect it's an equitable arrangement for both parties. One gets an exit, the other takes one competitor out of the market. I suspect it's an equitable arrangement for both parties. One gets an exit, the other takes one competitor out of the market.

]]> By: Rax Lakhani http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232678 Rax Lakhani Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:22:16 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232678 This is amazing news! Massive congrats go out to Sarah, Thomas and the whole team behind Texperts. Their hard work has paid off and I'm sure we can expect more great things to come from everyone involved. <br><br>I had the great pleasure of working with Texperts back in the day when it was 82ASK. Definitely some the nicest people in mobile industry - with awesome attention to detail. If you're ever looking for an example of a service that cares about the whole consumer experience, look no further. This is amazing news! Massive congrats go out to Sarah, Thomas and the whole team behind Texperts. Their hard work has paid off and I'm sure we can expect more great things to come from everyone involved.

I had the great pleasure of working with Texperts back in the day when it was 82ASK. Definitely some the nicest people in mobile industry – with awesome attention to detail. If you're ever looking for an example of a service that cares about the whole consumer experience, look no further.

]]> By: SMSblack http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/texperts_sold_to_118118_owners_kgb.html/comment-page-1#comment-232676 SMSblack Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:17:43 +0000 http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/?p=12733#comment-232676 So is this a sign that Texperts is great, or that the 118118 service is not that great? So is this a sign that Texperts is great, or that the 118118 service is not that great?

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