Publicis makes $15m investment into Jana Mobile with Maurice Lévy joining the board
International marketing services company Publicis Groupe has announced a $15m strategic investment in Jana Mobile, which will see the company’s chairman and CEO Maurice Lévy join its board of directors.
The is the first time that a mobile technology start-up has received direct funding from Publicis, with the Boston-based rewards platform integrated into the billing systems of 237 mobile operators across 102 companies.
The platform rewards users by delivering them mobile airtime in return for sales, registrations, app installationss, video views, and social engagement
“I have been personally attracted and convinced to invest directly in this platform as I see it as the next big thing in the communication industry. Consumers in these dynamic markets are spending 10 percent of their daily income on mobile airtime, while global advertisers are spending more than $150 billion to reach them through traditional advertising channels,” said Lévy. “With its platform, Jana is changing the face of advertising by enabling us to invest in targeted, mobile-based campaigns that put advertising dollars directly into the pockets of the ‘next billion’ consumers our clients are most eager to reach. As a result, brands become more valuable to people, and people become more economically empowered. I am confident that Jana will help consumers in those markets to have a better life.”
Rishad Tobaccowala, chief strategy and innovation officer of VivaKi, will join Jana’s Board of Advisors and act in an advisory capacity while introducing Jana across all Publicis agencies.
Jana also offers a platform called mCent, which rewards those who fill out surveys or purchase a product with mobile airtime and has seen over 6m opt-in members register.
More can be heard from Lévy, who recently spoke to The Drum while attending this year's Cannes Festival of Advertising.
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Publicis Groupe is a French multinational advertising and public relations company. One of the oldest and largest marketing and communications companies in the world,...
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