April / May 2011 Round up

Knowledge & Networking News

Dear Members and Colleagues,
 
Spring is the perfect time for new growth and the seeds are planted, with a successful AIME Forward Look Group (FLG) meeting and the inaugural AIME Mobile Betting and Gaming Forum (MBGF) having taken place recently.  I am pleased that the FLG has launched and it is all part of AIME’s objective of looking ahead more and identifying trends and opportunities which can be exploited and also where as an industry we can plan for a self-regulated model to as great a degree as possible.
 
At the MBGF members met with gaming operators such as Ladbrokes and Rank to discuss some of the opportunities they see for growing the mobile betting and gaming market. This included discussions around micropayment mechanisms and outpayments, the need for joined up age verification processes, customer acquisition tools, apps approval processes and developing social media links for real money mobile gaming. While the list of possible initiatives give grounds for progression, it was good to establish that both our members and gaming operators see the need for such a forum to provide focus on issues and I am encouraged that there’s an immediate action to expand the group.
 
AIME’s Forward Look Group (FLG) is currently researching the payment industry to identify potential opportunities for interactive media and entertainment services. This is the first stage of creating a ‘market map’, which will plot industry trends, consumer brand consumption behaviour, track commercial opportunities and assess barriers to market growth. I hope output will provide members with useful information that will help them position their interactive services alongside appropriate payment tools and realise new areas of opportunity. If you would like to become involved in this working group please make Toby or Zoe aware.
 
It’s also good to see other AIME working groups making significant progress, with AIME’s Interactive Broadcast working group developing the case for Voice Short Codes (VSC) in Particpation TV and the AIME Charity Forum having commissioned a survey of UK Charities, to help members better understand technology needs across large, medium and small charities.
 
Finally, with the 12th Code and Guidance now published, incorporating over half of AIME comments and suggested amendments, it is tempting to think the hard work on the regulatory front is over. Though with a September date for 12th Code implementation fast approaching, there is still much to do to ensure those below us in the value chain are registered in good time. Of course don’t forget to register yourself.
 
With so many opportunities to discuss I look forward to seeing many of you at the next AIME GM on June 30th. And in case you’ve not yet booked for the AIME Golf Day, on 6th July, there is only one team space left, so don’t miss out on what is always an excellent day’s networking in a more informal environment. One last item is for me to give a warm welcome to Alphaline as a new member of AIME.

Yours Sincerely,

Edward Boddington
AIME Chair

This month's discussion topics:

SHOWCASE

REPRESENTATION

INDUSTRY CONSULTATIONS

  • Ofcom: Modifying who is subject to the Premium Rate Services Condition

INFORMATION & NETWORKING

AIME CONSULTANT RESOURCE

MEMBER NEWS

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Showcase

AIME Call for Member Views - Comms Act 2015

NEWS

The government has asked for feedback on ideas for new laws to govern the telecommunications, online-media and digital-content industries, as a prelude to introducing a new Communications Act in 2015.

In an open letter to people working in those industries, culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said the government is embarking on a wide-ranging review of UK communications rules "to ensure the regulatory framework in place is fit for the digital age".

The current Communications Act became law in 2003, and the informal consultation initiated recently is the first stage in coming up with a new regime.

"We want to ensure we have the framework in place to enable further success and promote healthy competition and growth in this innovative sector," Hunt wrote with regards to the broadband and radio spectrum aspects of the policy review. "We need to adopt a flexible solution to this challenge. A deregulatory approach that deals with these developments to the benefit of both consumers and citizens, and also industry, is the aim."

While the government is focused on growth in the relevant industries, "the wider public interest will always underpin our approach to how any issues are addressed", Hunt noted. He stressed the government remains "committed to the principle of independent regulation and will ensure that Ofcom has the right powers and duties to work in a way that gives businesses confidence in the regulatory system".

It may seem fairly early in the regulatory process to be considering what shape the future regulatory environment should take. However, AIME has been at the forefront of representing industry to government and the regulator Ofcom since 2000 and in our experience, having chewed through 28 regulatory consultations, each major consultation takes about 2-3 years from start to finish. The enormity of this task set out by Jeremy Hunt is not underestimated and to squeeze the process into 4 years will be some achievement. To this end AIME has already met with Jeremy Hunt’s policy advisor last year to highlight several issues around the current regulatory environment. There’s currently a blank canvass and by representing industry views early we have an opportunity to influence the foundations of a future regulatory framework that is appropriate to industry and consumer needs.

Read more here...

Back to the Top

Representation

Meetings & Events

  • AIME & PhonepayPlus 'Futures Group' Meeting - 5th April
  • AIME PhonepayPlus Quarterly Meeting - 5th April
  • Broadcaster meeting re Audit Requirements - 6th April
  • AIME quarterly meeting with Ofcom - 6th April
  • ILP Meeting - 19th April
  • Westminster Forum: Future of Gambling - 3rd May
  • AIME PRS Industry Training Course, London - 6th May
  • AIME PRS Industry Training Course, ITV - 10th May, 24th May
  • T360 Leeds - AIME speaking - 11 - 12th May
  • AIME PTV Working Group - 11th May
  • AIME Interactive Broadcast Forum - 13th May
  • AIME Mobile Betting & Gaming Forum - 18th May
  • AIME Board Meeting - 18th May
  • ILP Working Groups (Futures & PRS definitions / 2015 Comms Act) - 25th May

Please find below a brief summary of this months’ activity from AIME's 8 current Forums and other Initiatives we are working on. Any members who have an interest in any of these areas can receive further information (including meeting notes) or details of how to join the working group from zoe@aimelink.org. Or for more information about the benefits of joining AIME and becoming part of the AIME Forums please visit our website or contact our Membership Manager David Ashman, davidashman@aimelink.org

 AIME Forum: Forward Look

  • Working group has been progressing research in to Market Payments in order to create a service map to identify future trends
  • Member feedback being collated for discussion at next group meeting 22nd June

 AIME Forum: Interactive Broadcast

  • The AIME Interactive Broadcast Forum had an encouraging meeting this month with a full table of forum delegates
  • Peter Cowley & Matt Campion from the Social Media Factory joined the meeting to provide an insight into the Evolution of Interactive TV using Social Media
  • PTV Research by Everything Everywhere on Orange pre & post pay customer behaviour was presented
  • The group were also joined by Mark Collins from PhonepayPlus to provide an update on 12th Code implications for Broadcasters
  • Following the work of the AIME Voice Short Code working group to address strategic concerns, there was an announcement at the meeting from one Broadcaster that Voice Short Codes will be trialed in a competition format later in the year subject to final details being agreed
  • Dialogue continues between the value chain on SMS voting, particularly with regards to operational support
    • AIME also facilitating Broadcaster visits to Mobile Network Operations Centres 
  • Next bi-annual Interactive Broadcast Forum to be held in November, working group activity will be ongoing

AIME Forum: Mobile Betting & Gaming 

  • May saw the launch of AIME's Mobile Betting & Gaming Forum - Press Release
  • The inaugural forum meeting happened this month on the 18th May bringing together the Mobile Operators and Technology providers with gaming operators including the likes of Ladbrokes and Rank Interactive
  • The forum objectives are:
    • Develop collective representation
    • Share knowledge & standards
    • Promote the Industry Sector
  • Discussions touched on general concerns or barriers to sector growth including - payment mechanisms and outpayments, social media, network carriage, age verification, application stores, consumer trust and taxation
  • The working group will be expanded to ensure representation from social media, handset manufacturers, direct to consumer gaming brands, app stores, customer care organisations and regulatory representation
  • For more information on the Mobile Betting & Gaming forum please contact davidashman@aimelink.org

AIME Forum: Interactive Services for Charities

  • The AIME Charities forum has been working hard on producing a survey for small/medium UK charities to better understand their technology needs.
    • The survey was distributed 26th May and the analysis will be made available to AIME members
    • The results from the survey will be used by the forum to identify tools needed to increase the use of Interactive Technology by the Charitable sector
  • The next forum meeting will be held on the 8th June with a presentation from CTT
  • Please note, the AIME Charity Event, 'Empowering the Charitable Sector with Interactive Technologies II' has been rescheduled for 15th September at LBi, London

AIME Forum: Participation TV

  • Working Group meeting held 11th May with Chat Sector
  • Draft of PTV Chat Best Practice with members for final comment
  • Framework for handling inter-industry complaints agreed
  • Industry self monitoring of content standards to be investigated
     

AIME Forum: Mobile Commerce: MCJIC

  • AIME is working with partners IAB and IMRG to pool resources to promote m-Commerce. This will include a central website resource for research papers, industry statistics and case study information.
  • AIME is also supporting a move by MCJIC to front an initiative to create an m-Commerce manifesto to stand as a call-to-action for getting m-commerce recognised as an area for massive future growth. The recent Ofcom 4G auction consultation did not actually mention m-commerce at all, and we need to ensure sufficient investment is being made to enable this growth to be properly supported by appropriate infrastructure.

AIME Value Added Services (VAS) - Industry PRS Training

  • AIME has held a further 3 Industry PRS training courses in the last month; 1 in London and 2 bespoke courses for Broadcaster member ITV 
  • Full details of our PRS Foundation training course and attendee feedback can be found on our website or contact bianca@aimelink.org to discuss a bespoke training day for your company
     

Other AIME updates

  • AIME supported PhonepayPlus with Beta testing for new Registration Scheme
  • AIME working with mobile terminating provider members to update AIME Best Practice Guide for new Due Diligence requirements
  • Regulatory Meetings:
    • PhonepayPlus Meeting, 5th April, discussions included:
      • 12th Code Guidance (AIME submission), Member feedback re. CCP & regulatory process, Prior Permissions, Managing & Monitoring Market risks, AIME training, Industry PR, Price Disclaimer, Consumer Literacy Work Programme
    • Ofcom quarterly meeting, 6th April, discussions included: 
      • Ofcom Simplifying Geographic Numbers review, Voice Short Code Price disclaimer for Interacitve Broadcast, Higher Premium Rate PRS (including for charities), fraud and Ofcom number allocations, Participation TV standards & PRS bad debt timescales
    • ILP meeting, 19th April - notes circulated to members 20th April

Regulatory Updates

  • PhonepayPlus Notice to Industry  ‘Underage Fantasy Stories’ sexual entertainment services - 9th May
  • PhonepayPlus Registration Scheme Opens - 27th April
  • PhonepayPlus publish Quarterly Report 2010/11 Q4 - 20th April
  • PhonepayPlus Notice to Industry Administrative charges from 1 April 2011 - 1st April

Industry Consultations
 

Open Consultations


Ofcom: Modifying who is subject to the Premium Rate Services Condition

 

Closed Consultations 

 

Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland: Future Regulation of Gambling in Northern Ireland

  • AIME submitted letter of support for proposals - 31st May

Industry consultations & AIME responses can be found on the AIME website
AIME encourages members to also respond individually to consultations 
For further information please contact Zoe@aimelink.org

Back to the Top

Information & Networking

  • AIME welcomes new members Alphaline
  • Supporting Association and attendance at T360 Leeds - 11th May
  • Supporting Association for MVNOs 2011  - 10th-11th May
  • Attendance at ME meet up - 24th May
  • Member Emails Included:
    • Request for feedback on AIME market payment research
    • Meeting Notes - ILP, Forward Look Group, PTV Psychic & Chat, AIME Interactive Broadcast Forum
    • Consultation Update: Future Regulation of Gambling in Northern Ireland - Response
    • Member Discount - T360, Social Media Results, mGaming Summit, Mobile App World

Back to the Top

AIME Consultant Resource

AIME has several member companies and consultants who offer support services to the industry at preferential rates, from regulatory and legal support, verification & auditing services, through to more specialist consultants supporting the interactive broadcast & media sector. If you require business support in these areas please contact the AIME Secretariat who will put you in touch with appropriate members to support your business needs or go online and visit member profiles in the AIME Ecosystem.

Back to the Top

Member News

High street fashion retailer New Look today announces the launch of a fully transactional mCommerce site. The site has been designed and built by mobile and digital communications business Mobile Interactive Group ( MIG ).

OpenMarket, a leading global mobile transaction hub offering a comprehensive set of mobile payment, messaging and emerging services, and Telecom Express, the leading provider of interactive marketing services to the UK media industry, today announced a key strategic partnership. 

Oxygen8 Communications, the global mobile, voice and billing specialist, today announces the appointment of Ray Tierney as CEO of its Irish business.

mBlox, the world's largest mobile transaction network, today announced that it has partnered with SinglePoint, a leading provider of mobile advertising services, to offer SMS advertising solutions in the United States.

The National Magazine Company ( NatMag ) and integrated mobile and digital technology business Mobile Interactive Group ( MIG ) today announces a partnership which sees the design, development and build of the publisher’s first ever mobile internet sites for Company and Men’s Health, with more brands to follow.

Newcastle based interactive media company, Screenreach Interactive, has signed a deal to roll out its Screach App in 800 coffee shops across the USA. 

MIG’s interactive platform delivers more than 4.3m mobile interactions for Comic Relief.

Comic Relief 2011 has raised an astounding £15,168,331 through £1, £5 and £10 text donations, making a significant contribution to the overall £74.3 million raised so far.

mBlox, the world’s largest mobile transaction network, today announced that it has completed its latest round of fund raising. This round was supported by existing blue chip investors including Norwest Venture Partners, Scale Ventures, Novus, Trident and Avanti and saw the first investment in the company by Singapore’s leading global fund, EDBI

Developed with Vodafone UK and Just Giving
Donations processed by MIG’s mobile payment gateway
A first for the third sector 

Mobile Interactive Group ( MIG ) today announces its ‘Preferred Developer Consultant’ status as selected by Facebook. 

Back to the Top

Dates for your Diary!

7-8th June - MobileAppWorld 2011 - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
8th June - AIME Interactive Services for Charities meeting
14th June - Social Media Results - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
15th June - mGaming Summit - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
22nd June - AIME Board meeting - AIME members only
22nd June - AIME Forward Look Group - AIME members only
28-29th June - GameHorizon - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
30th June - AIME General Meeting - AIME members only
4th July - PhonepayPlus Quarterly meeting
6th July - AIME annual VIP Golf Day - contact bianca@aimelink.org to book your team - 1 SPACE LEFT!!!
15th September - AIME Empowering the Charitable Sector with Interactive Technologies II conference
21-22nd September - ad:tech - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
26-28th October - CDN World Summit - AIME Supporting Association, member discount

If you would like further information on any of AIME's activities, initiatives or benefits of membership, please contact me at zoe@aimelink.org

Kind Regards,

Zoe Patterson
General Manager

Back to the Top

Subscribe to receive all future AIME newsletters & information about our K&N events

Sponsors

MIG      bbc       itv     WIN   

  OpenMarket  OXYGEN8     

AIME - Success in Interactive Media


AIME | www.aimelink.org | Tel: 44 (0) 1273 685 328 | 28 Foundry St, Brighton, BN1 4AT