Archive for the ‘Blyk’ Category

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The Highs and Lows of 2008.

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

What an interesting year!
Since I joined the formerly SMS Text News/MIR team in July of this year, a lot has happened. But there has also been so much more too… And here are some of my highlights, or should I say, more notable occurrences!

The iPhone 3G! This was bound to appear somewhere, and so I thought it’s best to get it out of the way sooner, rather than later. Personally, I’m not a fan; and from what I’ve read, seen and heard accounts of, it hasn’t been all too great for Apple too. However, as much as I insist that it’s a pile of rubbish (feel free to beg to differ); it sold once again in its thousands.

Apple has conquered another market, and whether it’s because they found monopolising the MP3 market too easy, they’ve certainly made a statement. And even though the 3G came out way back in June/July the device still makes a regular appearance here on MIR. I do not doubt for a second that Apple have something lurking up their well-tailored sleeves, and if the rumours of an iPhone Nano are anything to go by… Then 2009 will be dominated with more Apples than your doctor can prescribe!

Secondly, Blyk! Hmm, well, me and Ricky between have more than enough to say on Blyk. For me, I was so hopeful that Blyk could be that turning point, especially here in the UK – where we ever so often fall behind in the world of technology and thought – and I was so disheartened with what eventually happened with them, it still annoys me now.

It can’t all be bad, and as much as I say I don’t like them and that their bound to fail… They haven’t yet. In fact, Blyk is over one year old now, and it still seems to be maintaining momentum. I think in 2009 we’ll either start to see how incredibly flawed Blyk’s aims and business model is; or dare I say it, it still surviving and the European expansion working out for the better for the company.

For me also, as I’ve begun to really take note and interest in the world of the Mobile Phone, I’ve seen certainly more usability on the rise, and a better use of SMS and mobile communications from businesses and services.

The “Knife Crime” Crime Stoppers text in service has to be, for me one of the single best things I have come across. It’s been implemented correctly in schools (well, at least in my school), without making itself appear too formal, and scary to use. And it’s using basic innovation, which as I know I have repeated many-a-time over the past few months; is severely lacking.

Slowly though, I’m beginning to see more and more use of mobile communications, for example my local hospital texting me when I have an upcoming appointment so I can’t forget; or my School using a system to ensure parents know if you’re not in school – when say you’re meant to be.

Hopefully over the next twelve months more of this good thinking and logic will be applied to other aspects of our general lives; and maybe with that, we might even get some more innovation out of that… And surely, that can only be a good thing?

Finally, my favourite mobile application… Well this has to go to MusicStation, which is available to Vodafone users. When I was first introduced to it by Ewan, I’ll admit I was majorly sceptical; I’m a music lover in every sense of the word. I don’t like the idea of being sold half-hearted 96kps versions of a song, or only having a minute and pointless library of music to download from; and this is all I expected to get.

I was wrong, and I loved the service. I haven’t yet seen it used by anyone I know on Vodafone, in fact, I’m not even sure if any of my friends are even aware of what they can get on their mobiles for a small fee per month; but if they did, then I do not doubt that it would be highly used by all of them.

Nokia I suppose are heading out in a similar direction, although I can’t comment on how the “Comes with Music” service works; I don’t doubt for a second that music services like the ones Vodafone and Nokia are offering are going to stop or end here.

—

I look forward to the next year, and I look forward to the new technologies developing, and being released, and being pleasantly surprised as I have been this year. I also see that as much optimism that I have, one cannot forget the looming “recession” and what impact will that have? I dare not speculate, but for more than one reason I’m pretty sure next year will be interesting and something to look forward to!

Anyway, I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Samantha.
samantha@mobileindustryreview.com

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Posted in Apple, Applications, Blyk, Devices, MMS, Mobile, Mobile Applications, Mobile Commerce, Mobile Development, Mobile Services, Operators, Opinion, SMS, iPhone | Comments

Blyk to launch a content portal

Friday, November 28th, 2008

As resident BlykWatcher here at Mobile Industry Review, I felt it important to bring you the following update;

from newmediaage

Ad-funded MVNO Blyk is rolling out a portal in January to direct its 16-24-year-old audience to relevant content.

The mobile operator, which offers free SMS and voice calls, will launch the On Blyk portal with content from providers such as Heat magazine.

Sean Gregory, UK CEO of Blyk, said the move was a response to demand from its 200,000 subscribers.

“We’re launching to provide a unique web experience to put our members directly in touch with the content they want,” he said.

As one of those 200,000 subscribers this will work only on the basis that the portal is free to browse and explore!I look forward to seeing this being rolled out in January!

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Posted in Blyk, BlykWatch | Comments

Apprantly you can get loads of student deals at Phones 4u

Monday, September 29th, 2008

According to Mobile Today, Phones 4u have stepped up the game in the bid to target students and are offering deals such as offering £100 of free music on any price plan.

Which is fantastic except there are not doing a very good job advertising it to us. In fact this year all the networks and retailers have generally been pretty rubbish at trying to get student customers. I attend Salford University which is located within about 8 miles of another 2 universities in Manchester. Manchester has one of the largest student populations in the country. I have seen nothing, well pretty much nothing from anyone. Are these companies stupid? Students around the country are sitting with about £1000 (I know it may not sound that much however for a student it is) in their bank account in the form of their student loan. I am not saying that students should be ripped off at all, but you would of thought the mobile industry would have thought about having a presence at freshers fair across the country?

In the last two years there was one network that got advertising to students during freshers week correct and they were Dot Mobile, OK they are in administration but they worked on wholesale, just reselling Vodafone airtime at a discounted price. I think they survived as long as they did because of being linked with the NUS.

This year I was looking forward to seeing who would be there in Dot’s place linked up with the NUS and heavily marketing their services, I thought 3 (pushing mobile broadband) and Blyk would be there. I was VERY wrong. Orange was there and I ran over to their stand (yes I am that sad), and I asked what offers they had and the free stuff they had. The reply I got was that the tariffs were the same as I could get in the Orange shop and I could enter to win a blow up orange animal.

I stood there shocked, your kidding me right a blow up orange animal?

Nope I am being 100% serious they had one to give away if I gave them my email address. No special discount if you signed up on the day, no sample handsets real or fake to be seen on their stall. Nothing, except their booklet for this month. No hard sell, in fact they did not even ask me if I had a phone at all or If i wanted a new phone. No mention of Orange Wednesday’s nothing.

I can sum this post up in pretty much one word FAIL.

If you are reading this and work for one of the network operators you really need to do much better at reaching your target audience, you need to use tools like facebook and prize giveaways and get freshers stall stands to sell your products. If you act quickly some freshers week are this week and next week but you failed miserably at getting any customers from the 20,000 students Salford has.

Standby for more posts about freshers week from Dan Pullen, who will be telling us what has been happening at his university, hopefully he will have a better expierance then me.

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Posted in Blyk, Operators, Orange | Comments

Blyk appoints a CEO for Belgium

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

I know we said we’re not generally talking much about Blyk anymore here on the site unless there’s news… well, here’s a little bit.

Eric Samson, formerly of advertising agency, Carat Belgium, has accepted the role of CEO of Blyk, Belgium.

Ever since Jonathan MacDonald quit Blyk to work for Ogilvy I’ve had to wonder about the continued success of the MNVO. I think they’ll continue to do ‘ok’ — the ROI for advertisers is still very impressive. The challenge with advertisers/media buyers, however, is that whilst they’re very keen on ROI, they like big numbers.

Rare is it that you’ll find an ad executive happy that he’s managed to talk to 10,000 people and there was a 28% response rate. The executive’s ego takes a big big dive when he’s forced to think, ’shit… only 2,800 people?’

It’s a lot more ego-friendly when you’re dealing with unknown big numbers. Like television advertising. We all know the viewing figures are absolutely rubbish. But it’s nice to dream that you’re ad was seen by 6.8 million folk. Who might have been in the toilet, making a cup of coffee, switching over to another channel or simply ignoring your message. But you don’t quite know. And you can hire a media surveying agency who can be counted upon to stand in the street a lot interviewing folk and, since you’re paying a lot, deliver you a more-or-less decent answer for your client.

So numbers are a challenge for Blyk. I read recently that 400,000 students are set to descend upon Universities this year in the UK. 400,000. If that stat is anywhere near accurate… actually, let’s make our own stats to be sure. 325 universities in the UK reports UCAS. Assume that they’re taking in 1,000 students each?

325,000 students entering education this year. This year. Blyk UK is on, what, 200,000 sign-ups? (We don’t know the exact regular user figures as these, wisely, aren’t public knowledge).

If we do a ready-reckoner back-of-fag-packet calculation and assume that from this 325,000 figure, there are 200,000 16 year olds in the country, 200,000 17 year olds and so on.. Blyk are targeting 16-24 year olds so that’s 8 (or 9, depending on how you look at it) different age groups.

8 x 200,000 = 1.6 million students ‘in’ or just left education. They’re the easy ones. They’re the ones you can easily target with your university street-teams.

There must be, what, 2, 3 or 4 million 16-24s in the country?

200,000 sign-ups sends you a message that the Blyk concept is sort-of interesting. It’s got the attention of SOME.

But the rest? Well if they’re not signed-up now… Surely most folk are aware of the ‘free but not really’ ad-based mobile service?

How many of them are doing what our old BlykWatch correspondent, Ricky, was doing and just staying with a mainstream operator? Ricky was actually a Blyk ‘customer’ — he used their service, but only up until his paltry 43 minutes (”it’s what our research says our audience use”) and his 200-and-something text messages are used up. But his primary number? T-Mobile. Like the vast majority of the youth.

Blyk wasn’t attractive enough for Ricky to swap to them, to make them his primary service provider. How many other of the register Blyk users are doing the same? And how many have looked at the concept, smiled and continued to pay for their service?

Anyway back to Belgium. It’ll be interesting to see what Eric Samson, the new CEO, makes of Blyk Belgium.

Here’s a little bit more details about Eric:

Eric Samson will oversee Blyk’s official entry into the Belgian market, expected in the first half of 2009, and will be responsible for the overall strategic direction for Blyk in Belgium. In cooperation with Blyk’s Chief Operating Officer Leif Fågelstedt, Samson will also lead Blyk’s day-to-day operations.

Prior to joining Blyk, Eric Samson was Managing Director of leading media agency Carat Belgium. His responsibilities included management of the agency and its more than 50 employees as well as the strategic client counsel.

Commenting on Samson’s appointment, Blyk’s Co-founder and global CEO Pekka Ala-Pietilä said: “Eric Samson has almost 20 years of relevant experience. His know-how within advertising and new media is an important asset and added value for an innovative company like Blyk. We are very delighted to have Eric on board.”

Posted in Blyk, Mobile | Comments

Blyk reaches 200,000 members in the UK

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

200,000 members in one year of going live, Blyk has added 100,000 since April this year.

Impressive figures, but the figure I would be much interested is how many of those users have topped up their account!

Still they are getting good response rates 25 percent of those who receive ads respond to them, costing advertisers 50 pence per response. With the likes of Coca Cola, L’Oreal and Sky on board I am sure the business will continue to grow here in the UK and abroad.

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Posted in Blyk, Mobile, On this Day | Comments

Oh no… Not another Blyk!

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

It has been reported that Comtel, an Australian telecom firm is to launch SMSpup: Mobile, an MNVO offering subsidised tariffs in return for adverts.
Unlike Blyk the service is not completely free, and that they will receive around a 65% discount on pre-paid tariffs.
Similar to Blyk customers who opt-in will receive MMS and SMS messages complete with adverts and offers. An average of around five adverts a day will be sent out, which may also include mini-video clips.

Im interested to say the least, because although the idea is very similar to Blyk, the essence of a complete free network is not there. And Im thinking because of this, could SMSpup actually work?

Im hoping that because SMSpup: Mobile is not completely free the service, reliability and customer care is actually a lot better than what is offered by Blyk in the UK. I also hope that they get the infrastructure working properly before opening their virtual doors to mobile consumers.

It also appears that SMSpup: Mobile will be available for everyone (not just 16 to 24 year olds), which means everyone can get in on the money saving action Well as long as youre in Australia.

Ill be following SMSpup: Mobile, Im interested to see how it compares to the (success) Blyk has had over here!

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Posted in Blyk, MMS, Mobile, Mobile Services, News, Operators, SMS | Comments

Blyk - The End is nigh.

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

Blyk and I are now officially no more. I thought that maybe there was a chance of reconciliation, I was severely misled, and quite possibly slightly delirious, but who could blame me for wanting something to work?

I learnt yesterday after a meeting with the Blyk Manager of User Experience that it isnt just poor customer service Ive had, its plain ignorance. Blyk dont want to accept any wrong-doing, even if its as simple as human error.

A simple analogy of Blyk would be they want sheep. They want a member base of lazy students who jump to their every beck and call, and to be perfectly honest; Im not a sheep.

So, I end all coverage of my experience with Blyk right here, and right now. Im joining another network, quite possibly my old one Virgin Mobile, but Ill shop around to compare prices and stability. The best thing though is Im not even sorry its had to go this far; Blyk dont want me as their customer, theyve told me that, and I dont want them.

Thus the end of my Blyk coverage.

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Posted in Annoying, Blyk, Mobile, Operators, Opinion | Comments

Blyk: third time (un)lucky.

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

I haven’t done an update on the loveliness, that isn’t Blyk in a while; and so, I thought, today I would. I mean, what else is better than having a good old moan?*

Well, to be honest it hasn’t been going good. Yesterday I “celebrated” my six week anniversary of Blyk not working; not much cause for celebration really, but milestone nonetheless. So what has been happening?
Well, not a lot. After a lot of phone calls, and complaining, laughing, and mild shouting Blyk have now come to the up-most conclusion that they are not at fault; it must be my phone. Their answer to my astonishment (and fact I dont own a selection of phones to choose from) “buy a phone from the Blyk store.” - Excuse me? They are charging 91 for a Samsung J600 - I can buy that for forty-ish pounds in Woolworths.

They’ve also sent me my third Blyk SIM card - lucky me - and I was told to try it in another phone. A lot easier said than done, when all the phones in my house are locked, broken, or five years old. I want it to work, but then again, if it does work, that means it’s my phone, and in short, I’m buggered. I cannot, and will not use a Motorola L6, and why should I have to buy a new phone, when according to Blyk my Sony W810i is completely compatible?

As for the Membercare Team! Communications came to an end on Tuesday after the team manager decided she would “terminate the call”. I fear that Blyk have absolutely no idea how poor their service is, and the fact that they keep insisting that their service is the “best” that they can offer is truly laughable.

So in all, its not good. I dont know what to do with myself, whilst I want to leave Blyk (I have a PAC code and everything now), I wanted Blyk to work for me. I mean, who wouldnt turn down the chance for free texts and minutes? Its just a horrible shame that such a good idea has been coupled with appalling service, and lack of response.

Well, it all hangs on whether Blyk works on the L6 now if it doesnt its actual proof Blyk are at fault, but it also means, having to phone up Blyk again, and talk to people who obviously havent the faintest idea on how anything works.
Ahh!

* - I promise, I will actually not moan at least once a week, for the rest of my remaining weeks here at Mobile Industry Review.

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Posted in Annoying, Blyk, Mobile | Comments

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