14 DAY TRIAL // Blyk is a pan-European free mobile operator for young people that will be launched in UK in mid-2007 with other markets to follow soon after. So, teenagers in the UK will be getting free calls and text, funded by advertising. How it works is quite simple.
Blyk is an innovative media channel for advertisers, offering them an opportunity to get in touch with a young audience with real-time feedback. The revenue it gets from advertising enables the operator to provide the aforementioned young users with a way to keep in touch with their friends for free, as long as they listen to the adverts.
Among other companies, Blyk claims to have already signed Buena Vista, Coca-Cola, I-play Mobile gaming and L'Oreal Paris and rumor has it that it's also looking to close a network deal with Orange. The audience targeted is made out of 16 to 24 year old users. The company, whose name is pronounced 'blick' was founded by Pekka Ala-Pietil?, president of Nokia from 1999 to 2005, and is backed by private investors and Sofinnova Ventures.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO Pekka Ala-Pietil? said "We have been talking to a number of major brands and agencies about the opportunities to reach and engage with the 16-24 year old market via Blyk. We are going public now to invite all creative marketers and advertisers to join us in shaping this exciting new channel."Co-founder Antti ?hrling continued "Our Blyk business model brings a fresh approach to the entire industry. We've assembled an outstanding and energized team to make this innovation a reality."