WIN, a specialist in interactive mobile entertainment and information, has announced the acquisition of Pocket Group, a mobile entertainment company and mobile music specialist, providing content and marketing services to more than 50 operators across the world.
The move further strengthens WIN's entertainment portfolio. Pocket Group specialises in mobile music and video, working with leading record labels such as XL and Skint Records to help them implement a mobile music proposition and maximise their revenues from mobile distribution.
As a WIN company, Pocket Group will be a key driver in the company's global growth strategy by developing and distributing cutting edge, made for mobile, music, content, video and marketing services. The acquisition will extend WIN's reach internationally by growing new relationships and build on existing relationships with tier one operators in Europe and Asia such as Orange, O2, Vodafone, Smart and M1. WIN will also leverage Pocket Group's existing ties with handset manufacturers such as Samsung and leading brands like ITN and Carlton.
"WIN is committed to developing an industry leading portfolio of services, offering operators category management, global content solutions. The Pocket Group acquisition is a milestone on the road to realising this vision," said Graham Rivers, CEO of WIN plc. "By developing an exceptional range of services with global reach WIN offers unrivalled flexibility and scalability for mass market content delivery."
He added, "Along with an exciting library of musical content, WIN will benefit from Pocket Group's content merchandising abilities and a highly experienced management team. We also look forward to developing the relationships Pocket Group has established with tier-one mobile operators, handset manufacturers and brands."
Pocket Group is based in London with further operations in Kuala Lumpur and Moscow. It works directly with mobile operators through the provision of managed services. Pocket Group directly targets consumers, offering specialised media and entertainment "bundles", comprising music, wallpapers and videos.
Andrew Hull, Managing Director at Pocket Group said. "We are very excited at becoming a member of the WIN Group. Pocket Group is one of the leading providers of mobile music and entertainment content to network operators and consumers. Combined with WIN's expertise across mobile networks and platforms, we can offer a world beating mobile solution."