Mobile ad network Jumptap has announced that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Dentsu-owned, Cyber Communications (cci) to provide mobile ad network services in Japan. Also according to a press release, “Under the agreement, cci will be the exclusive partner for Jumptap technology in Japan and will make a strategic investment in Jumptap.” Read the release.
Jumptap CEO George Bell discussed the deal and the opportunity ahead in Japan for his company.
AdExchanger.com: How much is the investment? Does Denstu or Cyber Communications get a seat on the board?
GB: cci has made a seven figure investment, which strengthens the relationship between the two companies. We maintain our existing board composition.
You say this a leap forward for Jumptap and its global presence. Can you quantify that leap – even on a percentage basis? The Japanese mobile market is ahead of the U.S. so it would seem like this could drive business quickly, no?
The Japanese mobile advertising market as a whole is the largest globally, currently larger than the US. Mobile content and commerce are significant drivers for this existing advertising activity. In the smartphone category, the iPhone has been the #1 seller in Japan since July 2009, with very promising early sales of new Android devices. Brand advertisers see these smartphones as an opportunity to deliver messages to the right audience on a larger screen with richer format capabilities. This market trend will be a large growth driver for both cci and Jumptap.
Why partner with an advertising holding company? Could this limit you with other holding company agencies?
The Japanese market is very unique. In order to be successful, US companies that enter Japan need strategic partners who have the right ecosystem relationships, domain expertise, operational capabilities, financial resources, and market credibility. cci is the best partner in all of Japan for a mobile advertising company like Jumptap along all these criteria.
By John Ebbert
