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ARABIAN MARKETER: What will it take to challenge Google and Facebook?

In July 2016, Verizon announced it’s purchase of Yahoo! while we were on holiday in Normandy. I received an email asking if I have an opinion. Sure I have an opinion. Below are the answers to the questions that Sana Mahmoud, Group Editor, The Arabian Marketer, put to me. At the bottom is a link to the final article quoting some far more erudite people than me!

yahoo-verizon-third-force-0011. US based telco, Verizon, has followed up its AOL buyout earlier in the year with now Yahoo, reiterating its focus on content platforms. Much has been deliberated on the significance of owning content platforms – do you see this agreed buyout augments Verizon’s content play globally?

Telcos used to be about pipes and cables. Now they are quickly becoming recognised as important media owners. Verizon – the USA’s largest mobile operator – is collecting some interesting media brands: Huffington Post, AOL, Yahoo. The next six months, as the deal is closed between Yahoo and Verizon a lot will come to light.
Continue reading “ARABIAN MARKETER: What will it take to challenge Google and Facebook?” →

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Alibaba and the Forty Thieves – at an IPO that would raise almost $22 billion

Tomorrow, the next big IPO in techland is taking place; so, what do you know about Alibaba?Ali_Baba_and_the_Forty_Thieves_VideoCover

Surely, Ali Baba is a poor woodcutter who discovers the secret of a thieves’ den, entered with the phrase “Open Sesame“. The thieves learn this, and try to kill Ali Baba. But Ali Baba’s faithful slave-girl foils their plots; Ali Baba gives his son to her in marriage and keeps the secret of the treasure.

Well, let me tell you what the other Alibaba does, EVERYTHING!

In wikipedia-speak, it’s “a family of highly successful Internet-based businesses.” Jack Ma Continue reading “Alibaba and the Forty Thieves – at an IPO that would raise almost $22 billion” →

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The ‘Droids are Coming. iPhone Scared? It Should Be.

Apple’s iPhone is sitting pretty. It can afford to but only for a short while.

Apple can afford to sit pretty, but only for a short while. (Hat tip to David Kainer at Viva La Mobile)

I read today that Apple will now do for newspapers what it has already done for music. It’ll revitalise the industry’s slumping sales. (see mediahunter ) That’s impressive. But, for iPhone, that’s a red herring.

What’s more, the iPhone is going from strength to strength. 30 million pockets across the globe relish an iPhone. In a couple of years, it may be 50 million. That’s impressive. But, for market share, that’s a red herring.

A red herring only because the ‘droids are coming.

First, the ‘droids won’t leave any space for under-performing phone brands: Blackberry and Nokia and friends better do something big and cool… and very functional. Second, the ‘droids will make iPhone run hard.

Blade Runner: Nexus Six

For those of you not engrossed by Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, here’s a quick overview of its relevance. In the 1982 screen adaptation of Philip K Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” (1968), the replicants (the androids) came back, rebellious, having learned how to learn. They were the Nexus version six. In short, Nexus Six. Well, Google just launched its first phone, the Nexus One, using the Android operating system.

It’s only a matter of time before Nexus Six is here.

Google Android: Nexus One

What this means is: Continue reading “The ‘Droids are Coming. iPhone Scared? It Should Be.” →

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