May 2010 Round up

Dear Members and Colleagues,

Wow – what a month May was, a hearty mixture of consultations, progressing our strategic regulatory agenda, networking at two AIME events, two research projects getting under way and we welcome new members Horizon Finance. Oh, and this year’s British entrant to Eurovision got justly trounced, but at least there were no voting problems!

On the back of a useful Payforit members meeting, involving all mobile network operators and APIs, it has been agreed to undertake industry research into Payforit, a project that will run throughout the summer with an end goal of improving the success rate of this form of mobile payment. The AIME research project will be led by Board member Rory Maguire and a programme of research has already been put in place with APIs and content providers. We will also shortly issue an M-Commerce market survey with AIME partners, the IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) and the IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group). This is the first collaborative research study into the burgeoning UK m-commerce market place and because of the partners involved our reach out to a large base of users and potential users should provide a comprehensive view of the market.

Thank you to all those who turned up to the Simmons & Simmons drinks evening with us and all sponsors, speakers and attendees at the AIME K&N Charity Seminar. With 125 attendees at the seminar and a stellar line up of speakers it was a real success. Importantly for industry, was the agreed output to form an AIME special interest group to unify different representatives of industry to tackle issues around use of interactive services and provide leadership to grow the market. Encouraging greater use of interactive platforms, marketing and premium billing together with the charity sector will continue not only to grow the market but encourage greater trust in premium services.

A short heads up on the next networking opportunities. We are organising a bbq and drinks afternoon for 23rd June to network, and most importantly cheer on England. If you’d like to come along please let Bianca@aimelink.org know. Then we have our members GM on the 30th June and our AIME Industry Golf/Spa Day on the 7th July.

And lastly – back to the pile of consultations and regulatory meetings that help create the framework we are looking for, where business can be innovative and grow. Hopefully you are in touch with us about Ofcom’s NTS consultation, Pp+ Multiparty Chat, Registration and 12th Code. The main meeting for members to run through different parts of the Code and construct the response is on 16th June at Simmons & Simmons. Hopefully we will see you all there to work with us on this, as this is a transformative stage for UK PRS regulation (contact Bianca@aimelink.org for details).

Best wishes,

Toby Padgham
AIME General Secretary

Chairman's Brief

Dear Members and Friends,

The new board met for the first time on May 18th and I am very pleased with the composition and also the objectives we have set ourselves to keep our momentum going.

I am delighted to confirm the re-appointment of vice-chair Jeremy Flynn. Jeremy's experience and willingness to represent AIME across a whole load of issues is a massive boost to AIME and I look forward to working with him over the coming months.

All of my board colleagues have signed up to the 3-year plan, also to doing all they can to increase membership and importantly have stepped up to the challenge of leading on one or more of the many initiatives we are progressing. These include:

1) Discussions with PhonepayPlus on the regulatory process and steps to improve the process on both sides. We are not yet in a position to share any details in this area but will be reporting to members in due course.
2) Progressing with the Interactive Broadcast Forum to continue pushing in areas such as text voting, voice short codes and Irish voting.
3) Continuing to doing all we can to make sure Payforit grows, including research undertaken
4) Organising events which are relevant to members. The recent interactive technology in charities event was a success and was attended by over 120 delegates. Charities is clearly an area of growth
5) 12th Code and Registration Scheme

For full details on any of AIME's working groups please contact zoe@aimelink.org∙

Finally I am pleased to report that in the last published set of data we saw an upturn in industry revenues (Q3 2009) and this is for the first time in a long time. Let's hope this continues and that we also keep complaints down to the levels they are at present. It's also interesting to note that consumer trust is no longer the biggest barrier to premium rate consumption, rather it has become quality and relevance of services demonstrating the need to invest in services. It's a challenging cycle in that industry cannot invest without confidence in the market and regulatory flexibility. We will be presenting the latest stats at the next General Meeting which is scheduled for June 30th. I hope that as many as possible can attend.

Please do contact me with any issues you have, I am contactable via the AIME secretariat.

Edward Boddington
AIME Chair

Showcase

Mobility Meets Compassion; New AIME Event Empowers Charities & Non-Profits to Leverage Mobile

We all have our excuses for not donating to disaster relief funds or to our favourite charities: We're broke, the donation process is too complicated or we lack the time to write and send a cheque or dial a call centre. Mobile donating--giving money to an organization via text message--makes giving a lot easier and has a significant impact on the charity’s bottom line.

These issues and more were discussed and explored during the AIME K&N full day seminar last week in London: Empowering the Charitable Sector with Interactive Technology. The event’s success has led to the formation of a Charity and Interactive Tech Special Interest Group, spearheaded by AIME, to help drive further improvements in the value chain and encourage more charitable organisations to tap into this rich seam of revenue and communications.

Representation

Meetings

Stakeholder Meeting with MEF re 12th Code - 4th May
Stakeholder Meeting with IAB, IMRG re m-Commerce research project - 6th May
AIME Working Group Meeting 'PhonepayPlus Registrations Scheme'- 6th May
AIME Executive & Board Strategy Day - 10th May
AIME meeting with Ofcom re Participation TV - Psychic Services - 12th May
AIME Meeting with PhonepayPlus re Regulatory Process - 18th May
Board Meeting - 18th May
AIME Working Group Meeting 'Payforit Research' - 19th May
Stakeholder Meeting with IAB, IMRG re m-Commerce research project - 19th May
AIME Meeting with PhonepayPlus re 12th Code definitions - 25th May
AIME K&N Seminar - Empowering the Charitable Sector with Interactive Technology - 27th May
AIME Working Group Meeting 'Payforit Research' - 28th May

AIME Initiative: Registration Scheme

AIME continue to work closely with PhonepayPlus on Registration Spec and supplied feedback on the invite to tender document
AIME members' working group meeting on 6th May to co-ordinate response to Registration Scheme Interim Paper (see Industry Consultations below)
PhonepayPlus Issued Invitation to Tender for Registration Scheme - closing date 11th June

AIME Initiative: Regulatory Best Practice

Analysis of PhonepayPlus adjudications and process continues to be carried out with regard to working collaboratively towards a forward thinking regulatory framework that supports industry innovation, investment and growth, this has been broken into 4 areas for development:
- Structure & Legality
- Industry Confidence
- Converged Media Services (Future Technology)
- SLAs (Including KPIs)
AIME Chair & Board Member Sally Weatherall met with PhonepayPlus, including Chair of Code Compliance Panel, to discuss the above analysis of the regulatory process and how AIME can support PhonepayPlus to address the issues identified
AIME has since provided PhonepayPlus with more detailed information of the 4 categories, including areas which both the Regulator and Industry need to address to provide a more transparent and professional process
AIME welcomes member feedback on the regulatory process and any member who would like to discuss further can contact zoe@aimelink.org
PhonepayPlus Triage System:
- AIME has had further correspondence with PhonepayPlus to reiterate the reasoning for our proposed Triage system
- AIME believes the system provides PhonepayPlus with a set of criteria that industry considers as a proportionate and objective measure for scoring breaches of the code
- AIME has requested to work further with PhonepayPlus on this matter

AIME Initiative: Interactive Broadcast Forum

PhonepayPlus met with Ofcom 24th May to discuss AIME’s proposal for PTV Regulation change - AIME has had initial feedback that Ofcom are considering how the Pp+ rule change may affect Ofcom broadcast rules governing on-screen advice to viewers

AIME Initiative: PTV Psychic / Tarot

AIME met with Ofcom 12^th May:
- Presented findings from research conducted on the European regulatory environment for PTV :
- Reiterated the key points from AIME’s earlier rebuttal of the BCAP argument for maintaining current
  advertising regulation restrictions for teleshopping
- Following AIME’s submissions Ofcom confirmed that it agrees with AIME’s view that the majority of
  Psychic Services contain no threat, evidence or history of intrinsic consumer harm
- Ofcom agreed that the BCAP use of the dated expression ‘occult’ was not helpful as a regulatory term
- AIME put forward the case that most Psychic services should be free to advertise in
  teleshopping windows on all channels
Ofcom statement on regulation of PTV advertising published today
- Ofcom has responded positively to AIME's suggestions in its Regulatory Statement and we will update members shortly

AIME Initiative: Payforit Research

Payforit Research working group meeting 19th May:
- Agreement that B2C research is main focus of research to raise profile of Payforit
- Discussions on current barriers to using Payforit and what would motivate merchants to use it more
- Second workshop needed to agree scope of usage and drop off analysis
- On analysis of this research further commissioned research will be considered for Customer Experience improvements
Smaller working group met 28th May to agree scope for initial research
- Agreement that end to end analysis of user journey needed from discover, through payment and product delivery to assess drop off ratios
- Analysis to commence end of June

AIME Initiative: PRS in Print Best Practice

Pictorial examples of good advertising practice added to best practice guide

AIME Initiative: Higher Rate Tariffs

AIME Board to revisit demand for Higher Rate Tariffs
AIME suggestion to add Higher Rate Tariffs to Ofcom Non Geographic Call Services Review in the recent Ofcom call for input paper

Industry Research Project

AIME has teamed up with Industry bodies Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) to conduct research m-commerce
The initial survey will be completed by members of AIME, IAB & IMRG with further research to follow

12th Code of Practice

AIME members' working group meeting to formulate response - 16th June. Contact bianca@aimelink.org to register
PhonepayPlus 12th Code workshops:
- Monday, 21st June – Manchester (The Palace Hotel)
- Thursday, 24th June – London (Tower Hotel by Guoman)
- RSVP by 16th June to rsvp@phonepayplus.org.uk

Other

AIME written to Which? requesting a meeting following an article published warning consumers to avoid premium rate numbers

Industry Consultations

Ofcom & ATVOD - Regulatory Fee Structure for Video on Demand 2010/11

AIME response submitted 7th May welcoming appointment of ATVOD

ComReg - Scope of Premium Rate Services Regulation

AIME response submitted 14th May endorsing the Irish Phone Paid Services Association's (IPPSA) response

PhonepayPlus - Registration Scheme for PRS: an interim update

PRS Registration Scheme interim update response submitted 14th May
Agreement for PhonepayPlus to continue with implementation of scheme, but highlighting the following points:
- Lack of transparency of registration specification
- Consideration of a managed service packaged and off the shelf packages to avoid cost escalations
- Need for Cost Benefit analysis if preferred scheme is not the lowest cost option
- In the unlikely event that the 12th Code is rejected, the spec is made available to Industry to revisit the option of a voluntary registration scheme

Ofcom - Review of Non Geographic Call Services

Call for input paper published 30th April to seek initial Industry comments on current market
Strategic regulatory review of non geographic call services within the National Numbering Plan including 03, 070, 08, 09 and 118
AIME response to be submitted early June
Formal consultation will be published in the summer

PhonepayPlus - Multi-party Chat

Responses to be submitted 9th June

PhonepayPlus - New PhonepayPlus Code of Practice

AIME member working group to be held 16th June to co-ordinate Industry response - Members please contact Zoe@aimelink.org to register
AIME will also be in correspondence with other Industry trade bodies to ensure joined up responses to this consultation
Response to be submitted 8th July

Ofcom - Approval of PhonepayPlus Code of Practice (12th edition)

Ofcom consultation published 29th April seeking approval of PhonepayPlus 12th Code
Response to be submitted 8th July

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

Information & Networking

New members: Horizon Finance
Mobile Interactive Group Broadcast Lunch - Sponsored by AIME - 11th May
Simmons & Simmons Technology, Media & Telecommunications Networking Evening - attended by AIME and several AIME members - 19th May
AIME K&N Seminar - Empowering the Charitable Sector with Interactive Technology - 27th May
Member Email alerts sent out including:
- Consultation Updates: PhonepayPlus Registration Scheme Interim Update AIME draft Response, Ofcom Non Geographic Call Services Review
- AIME working group update - Psychic PTV Advertising
- Member discount to K&N Empowering the Charitable Sector with Interactive Technology Seminar
- AIME Member Working Group Invites - PhonepayPlus 12th Code consultation meeting & Webinar

Member News

Mobile Interactive Technology Appoints Liz Hutchison as Head of Interactive Production

M-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms business Mobile Interactive Technology ( MIT ), has appointed Liz Hutchison as Head of Interactive Production, where she will take responsibility for all managed Interactive services that MIT deliver on behalf of clients across the messaging, mobile publishing and applications business.

4TH Screen Advertising Appoints Virgin Media's Tim Scoffham as Account Director

Global premium mobile advertising sales agency 4th Screen Advertising today announces the appointment of Tim Scoffham as Account Director. Tim’s primary objective will be to engage with senior teams within the media buying agencies, develop new business opportunities and maximise revenue, specifically within the UK.

Oxygen8 Launches Low Cost International Calling Service Creating New Revenue Stream for Media Owners

27th May 2010: Global micro-billing, communications and mobile enablement specialist, Oxygen8 Communications www.oxygen8.com has launched a new white label, low cost International Calling service. For any media company, website owner or individual with access to consumers making international calls, Oxygen8 is able to offer the most competitive rates in the industry, helping its customers to generate significant new revenues immediately.

mobile payments specialist paythru and mobile solutions agency mFabrik join forces to offer brands mobile sales channel – from design to payment

Amersham, 26th May 2010: Mobile payment specialist, paythru has joined forces with Fabrik, a full service mobile solutions agency, to offer brands a one stop shop for the creation of a mobile sales channel.

The new service will be of nterest to any organisation - from retailers to charities - that wants to benefit from increasing consumer demand for mobile commerce. This growth in consumer demand is being driven by the explosion in sales of smart phones ( 49 percent increase sales in Q1 2010 according to Gartner ) and ‘all you can eat’ data packages from telecom service providers.

mBlox Completes First Phase of Its Multi-Million Dollar Investment to Deliver Hosted Mobile Transaction Services

Savvis Symphony cloud infrastructure solution positions mBlox for future business expansion

SUNNYVALE, Calif. & LONDON, Jun 02, 2010 ( BUSINESS WIRE ) -- mBlox, the world's largest mobile transaction network, today announced the completion of the first phase of its multi-million dollar investment in delivering hosted mobile transaction services, including payment and billing, for its clients worldwide. Working with Savvis, a global leader in cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions for enterprises, mBlox will deliver its mobile transaction services and related IT infrastructure from Savvis' data center in Weehawken, New Jersey.

Dates for your diary!

9-11th June - World Telemedia - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
22-23rd June - Global Messaging Congress - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
22-23rd June - MeM - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
23rd June - AIME world cup BBQ & Networking - please contact bianca@aimelink.org for details
30th June - AIME GM - members only
7th July - AIME VIP Golf & Spa Day - please contact bianca@aimelink.org for details of team sponsorship packages
21-22nd September - ad:tech - AIME Supporting Association, member discount
17-19th November - The Media Festival - 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

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