BARCELONA -- Private Media Group and Twistbox Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mandalay Media, have entered a new agreement that expands their partnership for distribution of Private's content, including images, video and mobile TV channels across mobile operator portals worldwide.
Utilizing Twistbox's global platform for distributing mobile adult lifestyle content and services, Private will be available in 51 countries though 91 mobile operators.
Twistbox Entertainment is one of the world's leading platforms for the distribution of mobile content and services with direct agreements on carriers across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Twistbox manages more than 350 WAP sites, 70 mobile TV channels and 300 games focused on delivering mobile lifestyle and late-night entertainment.
Twistbox's platform includes tools to expand distribution and discovery, including age verification, category specific search and advertising services and an affiliate network that delivers more than 500 million advertising impressions monthly, according to the company.
With Private Media Group as a leading brand, Twistbox has focused on its adult lifestyle portfolio emphasizing relationships with a select group of partners with goals of improved programming, more effective marketing and greater customer conversions.
"We look forward to increasing our mobile revenue through the new penetration levels we will achieve on Twistbox's vast distribution network," said Tim Clausen, vice president of sales at Private Media Group. "Not only will Private attain a greater presence in existing territories but it will also tap new markets where we previously had no content distribution. We are excited to consolidate the relationship with Twistbox and to actively explore new strategic opportunities such as games and social networking, both in on- and off-portal environments."
Twistbox Entertainment CEO Ian Aaron looks forward to the expanding partnership.
"We have been working with Private for several years building distribution in key markets. In a very crowded space, Private content has risen to the top as being by far one of the best-converting brands," Aaron said. "Over the past year we have found that leveraging our strong positioning and carrier class commitment to service with Private's strong brand equity has been a winning formula. We look forward to driving maximum profitability for Private, Twistbox and our operator partners."
Mobile operator portals are the suggested point of entry to the Internet for mobile consumers. Portals such a Vodafone's Live!, Telefónica's Emoción or T-Mobile's T-Zones are specially adapted for viewing on cell phones.
Juniper Research estimates that total revenue from adult mobile content is set to rise from $2.2 billion in 2008 to $4.9 billion by 2013, representing substantial growth in a regulation constrained market. In terms of regional revenues, Western Europe will remain the largest source of revenues throughout the forecast period, although its share will fall from 42 percent in 2008 to 32 percent in 2013, due to strong growth in North America (2 percent of revenues in 2008; 11 percent in 2013), and Africa and the Middle East (1 percent in 2008; 5 percent in 2013). Growth will be accelerated by improved network speeds, better handsets and more sophisticated age verification systems, Private said.
