Monetizing Never Ending Friending: Hook Mobile

CTIA Innovation Sighting: Hook Mobile

At CTIA I've been examining the Social Networking Services space, sometimes referred to as Social Network media, and came across Hook Mobile, and their CEO Terry Hsiao.

Hook generates additional revenues for social networks and their application developers by offering an  open API that delivers a "low calorie" multimedia experience using MMS. They essentially serve as an enabler by sitting at the center of a pyramid formed by the SNS providers such as Facebook and MySpace, operators such as ATT or Vodafone, the application providers that are riding on the open APIs fostered by the SNS portals and the subscribers.

Hook provides an innovative technical solution heightening "interoperability" between SNS and mobile operators.  Technically they simplify the delivery process of mobile multimedia by universally rendering to the handset, providing the back end billing solution, all enabling the capture of incremental revenue opportunities of the volume of rich media user generated content. The expectation is that much of the content consumption will from big branded content to the application level, or UG (user generated) content. So Hook will be well positioned and prepared for that shift. It already has gotten significant industry attention including being selected by IDC as a Top 10 Mobile Company to Watch in 2008.

Listen to my interview with Hook Mobile CEO Terry Hsiao (13 mins)

The company is founded by veteran entrepreneur Terry Hsiao, who co-founded the immensely successful Inphomatch--which grew to Mobile 365--providing SMS messaging interoperability thus feeding the explosion of text messaging, especially in the US. Mobile 365 was sold for $417 million in September 2006, so Terry is a well tested entrepreneur. He's secured funding for the company through Accel Partners and IDG Ventures, both which closely invest in mobile.

Besides the technical solution provided, unlike many Web 2.0 companies Hook pursues as strategy close to the carriers, so they are well positioned with the American operators, as well as in close trials with Facebook, MySpace and others. It is critical to note that Accel also was early (pre-Microsoft) investor in Facebook. So don't be surprised if Hook is soon to be a solution on Facebook.

Comments

[Efi]

Hi Paul,

How does Hook deal with copy right infringements re UGC, and what about the "gifting" issue?

Efi