Press Room
Chikka opens new Ad opportunities
May 1, 2009
Chikka Asia, Inc. owners of the popular Internet gateway to texting mobile phones has announced that the company is now offering advertising opportunities and marketing solutions in the Chikka Messenger client and its web-based version, found in Chikka.com.
"It’s time," said Chito Bustamante, Chikka chief executive officer, "our business was founded on a "purely mobile" revenue model. Strong revenue flows from the use of Chikka services via SMS has allowed our company to thrive as a ‘dotcom,’ indeed grow, and diversify. But in the process we built a large online community and it’s difficult to ignore the millions of impressions we are now generating thru millions of log-ins monthly to Chikka today."
Chikka introduced in 2001, a downloadable instant messenger with patented features allowing seamless two-way communication with mobile phones over network operators’ SMS networks. The company’s revenues have erstwhile been derived from mobile transactions. Meanwhile, free text messaging is enjoyed by online buddies, majority of which are based outside the Philippines in countries like the US, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. More than 40% of those online are in the Philippines.
"We’ve built an online community around a reliable and free text messaging service. Today we add about ten million new members every year who would register via PC or mobile. Many of our mobile subscribers find our Internet-based application to be an indispensable extension of their mobile phones," added Bustamante.
The upside in online media is vast. Over the past decade, online advertising has been the fastest growing segment in the global advertising industry. An online ad spend forecast released by ZenithOptimedia in 2008 anticipates online ad spending to surpass radio this year and magazine advertising in 2010.
In Southeast Asia, the online advertising industry is expected to grow more than 60% in 2010. According to the results of a joint study by Yahoo! and research firm Nielsen in December 2008, online display advertising spend in the Philippines is expected to be at least US$15 million in 2010.
According to Bustamante: "While online advertising in the Philippines is relatively new, it is definitely an exciting time to be in the industry, as more and more brand marketers realize opportunities and great potential in online media --- to improve reach and make a greater impact when incorporated in media plans for performance and brand campaigns. Our properties offer not only global eyeballs but measurable results as well."
Chikka owns one of the largest online communities by any Filipino brand around the world. Millions of online subscribers rely on Chikka Text Messenger to connect them with mobile friends. These users generate over 25 million page views each month from use of both the download client and the new web-based Chikka.com.
