October 2011 Round up

Knowledge & Networking News

Dear Members and Colleagues,

Text voting returned to the nation’s TV screens with The X Factor this month, following extensive work by ITV and its technology partners. However much of the ground work to create a framework which enables the return of text voting across all broadcast channels, subject to compliance and formats, has been created through the collective input of members in the AIME Broadcast Forum, formed in 2007 – improving transparency, agreeing common best practice, and working with the regulator to amend key regulatory conditions.

The key aspect of such collective member action has wider application for AIME’s members. By taking experiences and learning’s from one sector and applying them to the evolving ‘new media’ environment we can build a more sustainable market for members to grow their business. Where effective self-governance and best practice takes the lead, business can grow without the need for regulatory intervention, which often has the unfortunate effect of impeding market growth. In the meantime, the Interactive Broadcast Forum continues to plough on with a number of initiatives including the rolling out of voice short codes which could have a positive transformative effect for participation if we can make them happen.

Understanding the growth opportunities, issues and challenges a converged new media environment throws up is the focus of AIME’s strategic Forward Look Group (FLG). Initial Group work undertaken includes the creation of a Payments Map, to support members’ understanding of the micropayment environment and the value across converged media platforms. This piece of work has now been issued to members and our thanks to Chris Newell, who remains bewildered after agreeing to undertake the work and FLG chairman Sally Weatherall. Please contact Zoe to become part of the group – your input would be much appreciated.

We have also been busy flying the AIME flag at various conferences and events. At World Telemedia in October AIME highlighted the opportunities in the chat and psychic markets and our work underway to review the £30 call cap. In November AIME will be holding a panel session at access: Mobile Roadshow – 9th Nov; speaking at M-Days Europe 22nd November; and chairing a panel at Apps World – 29th Nov - showcasing the advantages and application of micropayments. We have agreed free entry for members at access: Mobile Roadshow, so please contact Bianca for more information.

We are delighted to welcome Paysafecard as a new Sponsor member. Using the network of PayPoint top-up facilities found in many corner shops, Paysafecard has brought their experience from the largely cash based German market to lead the growth in payment solutions allowing cash to be effectively converted for digital payment.  This is opening a fresh market of consumers who either don’t have a bank card, or prefer the security and anonymity of an account-less system.

If you are looking for advice on entering new markets, obtaining the best advertising opportunities, or buying the latest technical kit at the best rates, then the New AIME Member Preferential Services resource (see section below), should be your first port of call. AIME has pooled together the services and offers of members able to support your business, negotiating members preferential terms on everything from legal services to numbering solutions, with further offers in the pipeline.

We recently thanked David Sheridan, who stepped down from the Board in September, and I will also take this opportunity to introduce new Board members Rob Ellis, Telecom Express MD and Phil Davies, Open Market Commercial Director. I am sure their experience and input will help drive AIME forward.   We have a strong and supportive board and long may this continue.

We will have Christmas Networking Drinks in December (keep an eye open for date and venue) which will be an opportunity to catch up with the AIME Board but more importantly, network with all members old and new. With several new members joining this year, including Cellfish and Text 1-2-1 Chat this month, the Christmas drink will be a vibrant networking opportunity, so do put the date in your diary and full details will follow shortly.

Yours Sincerely,

Edward Boddington
AIME Chariman

This month's discussion topics:

SHOWCASE

REPRESENTATION

INDUSTRY CONSULTATIONS

  • PhonepayPlus: Guidance on app-based payments
  • Ofcom: Review of PRS, an application of the analytical framework
  • DSD NI: Strategic Review of Gambling Policy, Practice & Law

INFORMATION & NETWORKING

AIME MEMBER PREFERENTIAL SERVICES

MEMBER NEWS

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Showcase

AIME Publication: Forward Look Group Micropayment Analysis 2011

AIME’s Forward Look Group (FLG) was established to enhance our understanding of the important issues created by a converged media environment and to prioritise areas that represent opportunities for growth.

Longer term, the FLG aims to support the transition of our PRS membership as they explore new payment environments across multiple media platforms whilst facilitating Industry developments and partnerships.

There are common underlying themes that transcend converged media platforms:

·         Payment mechanisms enabling the monetisation of interactivity and digital media
·         Technology considerations, constraints and opportunities
·         Regulation that underpins the services (including barriers to entry)
 
Our initial research showed that the relevancy of micropayment mechanisms to the environment it uses is perhaps most misunderstood. Work has begun to address this lack of understanding initially by researching and mapping the spectrum of the micropayments market.
 
The below documents, whilst not detailing every variable or nuance, are a substantive overview of the micropayments opportunities available today. This information is accessible to all members’ to aid their initial understanding of the payments market and is a useful tool to determining which payment mechanism suits selected environments and offers a comparison as to how traditional PRS stacks up against other micropayment mechanisms.
 
We hope you find this information of use and that it enables you to participate in growing the market that is converged media through your active involvement with AIME and the FLG. Any AIME members wanting to become involved with the FLG please contact Zoe at zoe@aimelink.org
 
We would like to thank Chris Newell of ImpulsePay for his hard work in pulling this information together and Sally Weatherall of Strategic Brief for her valuable guidance as FLG Chair.
 
Micropayment Analysis 2011:

AIME Micropayment Summary Report
AIME Micropayment Full Analysis
AIME Payment Market Map

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Representation

Meetings & Events

    • AIME Training: Foundation PRS - 3rd October
    • World Telemedia - AIME representation on Telemedia Essentials Panel - 14th October
    • PhonepayPlus Consumer Literacy Working Group - 18th October
    • Stakeholder meeting with MDA - 20th October 
    • AIME GM - 20th October

Please find below a brief summary of this months’ activity from AIME's current Forums and Initiatives. 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

  • Presentation of Micropayment Analysis at AIME GM - 20th Oct
  • AIME Members have received Micropayment Analysis table & summary document 
  • Next  forum meeting to be held in December

AIME Forum: Interactive Broadcast

  • Following the work of the AIME Interactive Broadcast Forum SMS Voting returned to the screens in October  
  • Forum work on SMS Voting has included:
    • Common cross industry understanding and basic standards through the AIME Participation TV using mobile technology best practice guide (Issue 1 2008)
    • Collation of Mobile Operator Capabilities on Switching on and off shortcodes, user feedback, refund management, Live event support, latency & capacity management (November 2009)
    • Success in lobbying for changes to PhonepayPlus Participation TV (PTV) Regulations following comprehensive AIME business case stating regulatory barriers (Mar 2010); revised prior permission document issued by PhonepayPlus (August 2010)
    • Broadcaster visit to Mobile Network Operator Centre for better understanding of on the night processes (July 2011)
  • Currently updating AIME's Participation TV using Mobile Technology Best Practice Guide
  • AIME meeting with each Broadcaster to identify forum priorities for 2012
  • Next bi-annual Interactive Broadcast Forum to be held 10th November

AIME Forum: Mobile Betting & Gaming

  • MNO direct-to-bill status report being produced by AIME
  • AIME contacting MNO’s to review Adult Verification policies for content
  • Betting and gaming infographic under construction, to detail sector make-up
  • Next meeting in January to explore Social Media use within Betting and Gaming

AIME Forum: Interactive Services for Charities 

  • AIME Charity Technology Needs survey results analysis ciculated to Industry - download your free copy here
  • AIME working group finalising Gift Aid on Mobile Guide
  • AIME working group developing information website for charities on how to use interactive technologies effectively for income generation, engagement and internal efficiencies
  • Next forum meeting will be held Jan 2012, working group activity ongoing

AIME Forum: Participation TV - Chat & Psychic  

  • AIME has met with PP+ to discuss the £30 call cap for psychic services
  • AIME building a proposal for amendment to the £30 cap rule, which will be submitted to the PP+ Board for consideration
  • AIME proposal / business case, evidenced on:
    • Comparative credit card spend
    • Consumer call-back trends
    • Consumer feedback on service interruptions
  • Discussion to take place with members over opt-in and revised limit

Regulatory Updates

  • PhonepayPlus Consumer Literacy Working Group - 18th Oct
    • Attendance by AIME Board member Rory Maguire
    • Update on the PhonepayPlus Number Checker & discussion on widget function to link with other sites, e.g. Mobile Operator Customer Care databases
    • Update on PhonepayPlus PhoneBrain initiative
  • Ofcom Non Geographic Call Services Review
    • Chris Handley, Competition Policy Manager, Ofcom attended the AIME GM to provide members with an update on the Ofcom Non Geographic Call Services Review - slides circulated to AIME members
  • PhonepayPlus Industry Updates
    • PhonepayPlus appoints Patrick Guthrie as Director of Strategy and Communications - 6th Oct
      • AIME due to meet Patrick in November
    • Save the date: PhonepayPlus' 25th Anniversary Forum and Reception on 22 November 2011 -10th Oct
    • Postal scam chain email 2011 – PhonepayPlus’ statement - 19th Oct
    • PhonepayPlus registrations pass 3,000 mark - 24th Oct

Industry Consultations
 

Open Consultations
 

PhonepayPlus: Guidance on application-based payment in support of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice 

  • AIME currently receiving feedback from members to formulate response, draft to be circulated shortly
  • Deadline for responses 5th Dec 

Closed Consultations  
 

Ofcom: Review of Premium Rate Services, an application of the analytical framework 

  • AIME members' working group held on 1st Sept to formulate AIME response
  • AIME response re-drafted to include further member input - Submitted 14th October 

Northern Ireland Department for Social Development: Strategic Review of Gambling Policy, Practice and Law 

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

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Information & Networking

  • NEW Sponsor Member - paysafecard.com
  • NEW members - Cellfish MediaText121Chat
  • Supported and attended Changing Advertising Summit
  • Supported and presented on Telemedia Essentials Panel at World Telemedia - 14th Oct
  • AIME GM networking - 20th Oct
  • AIME PR:  New AIME Charity Sector Research highlights opportunities around technology led fundraising and engagement 
  • Member Emails Included:
    • AIME Research: M-Commerce Survey Request; Charity Survey Analysis
    • AIME Meetings:  AIME GM Agenda; IBF meeting date; AIME Charity meeting notes, AIME Survey Analysis & Gift Aid Guide; AIME Forward Look meeting notes & draft Micropayment Analysis
    • AIME Consultation Updates: Ofcom Review of PRS - AIME Draft & Final Response; Ofcom NTS Review - invitation to attend presentation of London Economics Study 
    • AIME Training: PRS Foundation Course - Next Date Announced 14th Nov
    • AIME Supporting Association (Member Discounts): Smart TV Europe & Free Smart TV Report; Changing Advertising Summit; Apps World; access:mobileRoadshowEurope

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AIME Member Preferential Services

NEW Member Resource Launched October 2011!!

AIME has several member companies and consultants who offer support services to other AIME members at preferential rates, from regulatory and legal support, verification & auditing services, advertising, technology, through to more specialist consultants supporting Industry sectors, e.g the interactive broadcast & media sector.

Members who require business support in any of  these areas, please visit the AIME website for more details on the latest member money saving offers.

Recruitment: this Resource extends to prime contacts within the Interactive Media Industry who may be available for short term contract work or full time employment. Contact the AIME Executive for information on potential candidates. 

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Member News

High-street fashion retailer New Look, well-loved for accessible, on-trend dresses and seasonal products, launches a new iPhone and iPod Touch application, offering vibrant fashion and lifestyle content, special offers and style advice, while providing a seamless bridge to the New Look mobile commerce site. 

Charities of all types and sizes rely on technology and data to raise awareness, fundraise, sell merchandise and keep fundraisers up to date with the latest activities of the charity and its work.

mBlox has announced its new vision and corporate identity, reflecting its overarching business mission to drive mobile consumer engagement.

Screenreach Interactive and Ocean Outdoor are facilitating insurance provider swiftcover.com’s debut interactive digital campaign with an interactive, motion controlled multiplayer driving game.

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Dates for your Diary!

1-2nd November - Smart TV Europe - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
7th November - APPNation Atlanta - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
8th November - Media Summit - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
9th November - accesss: Mobile Roadshow Europe - AIME Supporting Association, AIME Sponsored Panel - 'Selecting the right payment mechanism to drive conversion' – analysis of payment mechanic value across platforms; FREE registration
10th November - AIME Interactive Broadcast Forum, members only
15-17th November - Media Festival - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
22nd November - National Mobile Days: London - AIME Supporting Association & Speaking
29th November - Social Media Results - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
29th November - APPNation Enterprise Summit 2011 - AIME Supporting Association, AIME Vice Chair Speaking, member discount
29-30th November - Appsworld Europe - AIME Supporting Association & Speaking, member discount
30th November - 1st December - APPNation III - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
25-26th January 2012 - Mobile Games Forum - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
8-9th February 2012 - Multi-Screen TV 2012 - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
27th February - 1st March 2012 - Mobile World Congress - AIME Supporting Association

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

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