17 October 2011

Be a part of MEF’s Second Dedicated Industry Survey focusing on the Middle East

Another survey of import was launched by MEF this week, the second MEF Middle East Content & Commerce Survey. This one focuses squarely on the Middle East and is part of a series of investigations into the state of the Mobile content & commerce market in the region. MEF is inviting all companies with activities in the region to take part, regardless of where they're headquartered, or how long they've been in the mobile space.

The first survey, published in August 2011, showed an overwhelmingly positive outlook of businesses in the value chain, with 35.6% of mobile content and commerce players anticipating better than expected revenues with growth predicted to be 32.9% on average. This confidence extended to all mobile content and commerce categories featured in the survey, with Mobile Social Networking and Applications achieving the highest growth expectations.

The survey is being conducted in association with KPMG, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the results, and is distributed in partnership with GITEX, widely recognised of course as one of the largest and most important ICT events in the Middle East and indeed, the world.

Said Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director: “As the first mobile focused trade body with a dedicated presence in the Middle East, MEF is committed to supporting growth and innovation in this strategic territory. Last week, MEF organised a dynamic showing at GITEX, one of the region’s top annual gatherings and ran a successful MEF Connects networking event with InMobi.  The findings from the second MEF survey will contribute to a vital time-series and provide a comprehensive overview of the Middle East’s mobile content & commerce market and where it is headed.  We invite all active companies investing in the region to take part.”

Companies interested in sharing their thoughts can do so here. The survey closes November 10, check out the MEF website for more details.

11 October 2011

MEF unveils Global Consumer Survey exploring habits of mobile phone users across five continents

The changing role of the mobile phone in everyday life from simple communications device to the indispensable multi-purpose tool we are familiar with today has been well documented. What the mobile device today is actually being used for by real consumers globally however remains less clear, and is explored in minute detail in The MEF Global Consumer Survey released in full today, which provides a fascinating insight into what kind of activities we are using our phones for. 

From trends in accessing the internet via the mobile device to the dissection of mobile shopping and banking, the report explores the consumer habits of over 8000 mobile phone users surveyed from nine countries across five continents, giving unprecedented insight into the behaviour of consumers around mobile engagement across a variety of contrasting markets.

Said Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director; “MEF’s GCS report provides invaluable insights to both mobile specialists and new entrants to the wider ecosystem looking to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving mobile habits of consumers across developed and developing markets.” - read the full press release here.

The Full report and the nine Country Data sets are available for MEF members to download in their entirety for free. For non-MEF members the full report is on sale for £1999. The Executive summary is also available for free for members and non members alike.

Free access to such reports are just one of the benefits of being a MEF member, for more information check out the MEF website, or contact Rupen Patel.

For a brief roundup of some of the key findings from the report - hit the link below..

07 October 2011

MEF Partners with CTIA to take centre stage at CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011


In North America next week from 10-13th, MEF will be in attendance at CTIA Enterprise & Applications in San Diego, and is thrilled to be CTIA’s partner for the mCommerce Pavilion & Showcase, a unique area of the CTIA floor space focusing on the boundless capabilities of mobile commerce and showcasing companies providing the platforms and applications key to mobile commerce.

Programmed by MEF and with significant benefits for MEF members, this is a must attend part of the show for mobile network operators, retailers, financial institutions, media and entertainment companies interested in the digital transfer of money mobile technology.

MEF will also be hosting an M-Commerce Panel at CTIA - Which M-Wallet? - to be held on Wednesday the 12th on the CTIA Exhibit Innovations stage.
MEF’s M-Commerce initiative has focused on bringing together brands, financial institutions, content owners/producers, carriers and retailers to create greater transparency while increasing consumer confidence in mobile transactions. MEF has assembled an expert panel to delve into the complex privacy, security and transactional issues surrounding m-commerce, while providing practical advice to assist brands, financial institutions, and content owners/operators to best utilize new and old forms of payment. Make sure you don't miss this one.

For more information on MEF's involvement at CTIA - contact North America General Manager Marjorie Daleo.

Reminder: Less than 24 hours for Early Bird Registration for MEF Americas 2011


MEF Americas 2011: Mobile Content and Commerce, is the essential gathering for North America and LatAm companies looking to understand cross continental opportunities and drive investment in mobile.

The Early Bird registration deal offers significant savings of over 30% for MEF Members and non members alike, representing a $200 saving on the cost of entry! The deadline for Early Bird registration is midnight PST, October 7th, and will not be subject to further extension, so act quickly to save!

Headline speakers for MEF Americas include Citibank, Coca-Cola, MTV and Turner Broadcasting.

MEF is still accepting submissions for speakers until the deadline - If you or one of your senior executives would like to be considered as a speaker at this landmark event, you can register your interest here.

MEF Connects Dubai - GITEX Tech Week


Busy time for MEF coming up, lots of exciting events across the globe with great benefits for MEF members. Next week in Dubai it's GITEX Technology Week, and the MEF Middle East Office will have a strong showing.

In addition to it's dedicated stand and series of open panel discussions at GITEX itself, MEF ME will be hosting MEF Connects Dubai, an exclusive member invite only networking event, brought to our members in association with inMobi. Held in the Novotel in DWTC, right in the heart of GITEX on Tuesday the 11th October, MEF Connects Dubai will offer the opportunity to mingle with local and international business guests including the leading Middle Eastern companies from the mobile content and commerce value chain. Attendees will be able to leverage MEF's extensive global network in addition to networking with operators, handset manufacturers, content owners, aggregators, retailers, financial institutions and the media.

The event is strictly invite only, open only to MEF members and their guests ensuring the quality of attendees and resultant opportunities for conversation and discussion, for the lowdown on this, and MEF's presence at GITEX contact George Daaboul, General Manager of the MEF Middle East Office.

We're also offering free complimentary passes to GITEX to 20 lucky MEF members, again contact George, but it's strictly first come first served so act fast..