Free Mobile Service Network, Blyk Plans to Enter India
Permission Marketing is nothing new for Indian mobile consumers and the latest to join the bandwag
on is Blyk, UK based free mobile service network for 16-24 year olds.
Blyk offers free talk time to users in return for accepting to receive targeted advertising on their phone (there will be a ceiling on free calls/SMSpermitted per subscriber)
Blyk is looking for partners in India and is in talks with Reliance (source).
Why this could work? If you look at mGinger’s target segment, 31% of the total registered users are students trying to earn extra pocket money (read: Permission Marketing and the new Mobile Advertising Mantra in India).
So essentially there is a market validation for the service, and Blyk’s focus on a niche target segment will help advertisers as well.
Having said that, achieving scale has been a challenge (Virgin mobile is a classic example).
What’s your take on Blyk’s offering? Will it fly?
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Related posts:
- Permission Marketing and the new Mobile Advertising Mantra in India
- Permission Marketeer MyScreen Files Patent for Mobile Advertising in India
- Webaroo’s SMSGupshup – sneek peek into their new offerings (free sms/group sms from their website)
- iPhone in India: Nokia Worried? Plans Internet Service in Low Cost Handsets
- Obopay India to launch mobile payment service
About the author - Ashish Sinha is a Startup Mentor/Product Strategy Coach, and the founder/chief editor of pluGGd.in.
He has launched/managed couple of products (consumer as well as enterprise) in US and India, and now consults with startups/small businesses on their product/media strategy. He can be reached at: ashish (at) pluGGd.in [+91 98452 06443]
The problem for advertisers will still continue to be the ’spam’ aspect of it. Mobile SMS is not a great place to do ‘brand building’. Hence the focus needs to be on generating leads / prospects. The new service, while interesting, comes more under the Spam category
U guys got to come to india we need companys like u because now a days each call cost u around 1 ruppes…we dnt have gud cellular companys soo prefer u to come to india …….If u come its ur profit because u gain a much lot money frm INDIA……come on ppl we will be waiting 4 u……………
I have been making all my calls to India absolutely Free for past 2 weeks. Here are the steps:
Use gift code FREE10 while signing up on http://www.dialsimple.com/?joinForm=1
On home page you will see a link “Make All Your Calls FREE!” Click on it and choose any of the options.
Share your findings if you find anything more.