Press: Mobile phone novels on CNN

Written by: Michael Keferl on February 28, 2009 at 3:17 am | In DIGITAL LIFE | 1 Comment

Last week we had the pleasure of talking at length with CNN about Japanese mobile phone novels, how the trend manifested itself, and where it’s going from here.

Click below to read all about keitai shousetsu (mobile phone novels) and their unique imprint on the Japanese media landscape in the last couple of years.

We explored the topic previously on-camera with German ZDF.

Tags: Mobile, Mobile Novels, Press coverage
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Manga Marketing: Harnessing character appeal for adults

Written by: Rebecca Milner on January 30, 2009 at 12:21 pm | In LIFESTYLE / FASHION, MARKETING IDEAS | 5 Comments

We’ve mentioned that there are certain characters designed to appeal to adults, like Rilakkuma, whose images are used to promote products or services for the grown-up generation (remember the luxury hotel package?). Perhaps the most successful (and clever) example, however are the Bihada Ichizoku (Beautiful Skin Family) characters.

The tale of this animated family, renown for their beautiful skin, began as keitai shousetsu (mobile phone novel) on Girlswalker.com (naturally) in 2005. Then, a sheet facemask using the characters’ images (made by cosmetics company Love Labo) was offered through Girlswalker for a limited time—and sold a purported 60,000 items in one day. Since 2006 an extended series of Bihada Ichizoku beauty products have been available at drugstores nationwide and two years later the products are still a hit, having sold over 6,000,000 items in total and inspired comic books and an animated TV series.

TREND IMPACT
Characters are used in Japan for much more than this single example, and work across multiple industries. We examine this Macro Trend, connecting the dots across multiple industries within our Trendpool innovation database. To learn more about how this trend and others can inspire your own business and marketing efforts, click HERE to explore more.

Tags: Characters, Marketing, Mobile Novels, Women
Category: LIFESTYLE / FASHION, MARKETING IDEAS
Other categories: DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Japanese Mobile Phone Publishing on ZDF

Written by: Michael Keferl on October 23, 2008 at 11:42 am | In DIGITAL LIFE | 3 Comments

With publishing being forced to enter the digital world, the sudden boom of mobile phone novels in Japan has inspired many in the industry around the globe. We’ve been following this for some time now, and what’s going on shows the power of mobile technology in Japan, but also a culture of creativity that is often overlooked.

German ZDF television recently visited Tokyo to do a piece, and CScout Japan CEO Sven Kilian was asked to give them the rundown on mobile phone publishing from manga to Koizora.

Click below to view online (German only).

Special thanks to Natsuko Kimura, Managing Director of the KDDI DESIGNING STUDIO for letting us shoot the interview in a very suitable location.

Tags: Koizora, Mobile, Mobile Novels, Press, Press coverage, Publishing, ZDF
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS