Nokia launches new mobile content service

by Rich Sutcliffe, mediaweek.co.uk 08-Jan-09, 15:55

LONDON - Nokia has launched a world news, music and celebrity site called Here and Now as the mobile company moves to provide users with content for the first time.

Here and Now, targeted at 18 to 35-year-olds, will sit within the existing Nokia.mobi site, bookmarked on every Nokia device, and provide content syndicated from companies such as Reuters and Rolling Stone. Until now, Nokia.mobi has only offered an introduction to the mobile internet with various links, information and downloads being available.

Tom Henriksson, head of Nokia Interactive Advertising, said: "Here and Now will encourage users to come back more often and spend more time on Nokia.mobi which is great news for the growing number of advertisers that have been using Nokia.mobi."

A spokesman said the company was answering the increasing public demand for mobile content. While exact user figures for Nokia.mobi are not currently available, the company said millions of consumers across the world access the site. Nokia claims a 38% share of the world mobile market and manufactures 1.3 million devices every day.

Nokia.mobi has been used by advertisers including BMW, American Express and Universal Pictures. The company operates the Nokia Media Network and Nokia Interactive Solutions to help brands reach the estimated global audience of 3.3 billion consumers with mobile devices.

A report from Screen Digest last April suggested the global mobile advertising market would be worth $2.8bn by 2012, with the UK market worth £24.9m, up from £7.4m in 2008.