Blyk targets to double audience base to 4 mn in India

NEW DELHI, Apr 22: UK-based mobile media company Blyk, which provides a platform to users to interact with telecom operators and third party brands, aims to double its audience base in India to four million by the end of 2012.
Blyk helps consumer brands engage with users, wherein users can receive exclusive offers, deals, free talktime, event updates, etc, while the brands promote themselves and also get customer feedback through both SMS and MMS.
“We are growing at a good pace and are adding about 4,000-5,000 users daily. We aim to have at least four million users in India by the end of this year,” Blyk India Country Manager Shubhodip Pal told.
At present, Blyk has a subscriber base of over 2 million users in the country who have “consciously” opted for Blyk.
The company had entered into India through a tie-up with Aircel in November, 2010. It has so far run campaigns with about 35 brands like Coco-cola, Reckitt Benckiser, Pizza Hut and Toshiba, among others. Blyk would soon be working with Samsung and Honda as well.
“We aim to be talking to minimum of eight brands in a month,” Pal added.
Blyk Global CEO Eric Kip said the company’s revenue from India has increased four times year-on year from January, 2011 to January, 2012.
According to industry estimates, the mobile advertising market in India is just about USD 25-30 million, but is poised to grow to USD 200 million in the next five years.
Pal said the scope for mobile advertising market in India in huge, however, it needs to be targeted advertising rather than spamming users with messages.
“We provide users with content related to sectors they have opted for and try to add value to their usage,” he said.
Asked if the company plans to partner other operators for its services, Kip said, “We are not looking at more tie-ups for the moment. Both Aircel and Blyk have put in substantial efforts and investments.”
He added that the company is working with Aircel to help the operator strengthen their relationship with subscribers.
“We are not just advertising with Aircel. We are working on creating customer stickiness and helping lower the churn,” he said. (PTI)