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Hong Kong Mobile Industry Survey Press Conference and Asia Smartphone Apps Summit cum Award Ceremony 2013/2014

Hong Kong's First Mobile Apps Industry Survey Sheds Light on Industry Development

Hong Kong Contestant Music App Jamn Snatches Smartphone Apps Contest Regional Grand Award

HONG KONG, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Organized by Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA) with support from Create Hong Kong, Asia Smartphone Apps Summit cum Award Ceremony 2013/2014 takes place in Cyberport today (June 12, 2014). Convening industry elites and experts, the Summit provides an informative platform offering insights into the opportunities and challenges in different Asian markets. Findings of the first local smartphone apps industry survey -- Hong Kong Mobile Industry Survey are announced today in the press conference. The Survey indicates that the mobile app industry in Hong Kong is an up-and-coming industry with room for enhancement on source of funding and global recognition. Winners of the 2nd Asia Smartphone Apps Contest are also announced today. Local companies take the contest by storm with exceptional performance while Jamn -- a mobile app developed by local company Oursky Limited, takes center stage of the Contest as winner of the Grand Award.

As the fastest growing industry worldwide and in Hong Kong, mobile apps industry is a key driver for the new economy. Tasked to provide an all-round understanding of the local industry, so as to help local practitioners better understand the market and plan their businesses ahead, WTIA commissioned Hong Kong Productivity Council to conduct the city's first Hong Kong Mobile Industry Survey. The Survey was conducted with the combination of 2 formats -- focus group and questionnaire. 100 local companies were engaged with survey questions that covered different aspects including business operation, program development, revenues and expenses. Mr. To Cheung, Chairman of Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association shares the findings and his insights into local mobile apps industry in the press conference today.

The survey findings indicate that local mobile apps industry is a relatively young and emerging industry. 90% of the surveyed companies are SMEs with no more than 50 staff. 81% have been in business for less than 10 years, while 55% have been in business for 3 years or less. 87% were established by founders under 40. Some respondents indicated that their company founders were less than 20 when the company started. Led by young entrepreneurs, the local industry is comprised of young, energetic companies with great potential. Nonetheless, there is room for enhancement on source of funding and global recognition of the industry. The recent heated discussion of the establishment of Innovation and Technology Bureau calls for an advancement of local industry by bringing in more resource and support. As the first local industry survey, Hong Kong Mobile Industry Survey offers valuable data and information for the discussion derived from the experience of local industry practitioners. 2 notable local apps developers - Mr. Leo To, Founder of Nuthon IT Solutions who designed "Toilet Rush" and Mr. Ben Cheng, Co-founder of Oursky and winner of Hong Kong ICT Awards 2014: Award of the Year, also attend the press conference today to share their experience in apps development and running their businesses in local market.

Winners of 2nd Asia Smartphone Apps Contest are also announced in the Summit. Asia Smartphone Apps Contest is one of the most representative mobile apps development contests in the region. Over 160 parties from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Israel participated in the contest, competing for awards in 3 categories -- "Advertising & Marketing", "Games & Edutainment" and "Creative Lifestyle". Asia is one of the most sought-after regional markets across the globe. Winner of the Gold Award in the "Advertising & Marketing" category is "Starbucks Hong Kong", developed by Wunderman | AGENDA Hong Kong. Gold Award in "Games & Edutainment" is awarded to "Phonics Adventure1" developed by Korean company CJ Educations. Developed by local company, Oursky Limited, "Jamn - The musician's multi-tool" won the Gold Award in the category of "Creative Lifestyle" as well as the Grand Award of 2nd Asia Smartphone Apps Contest.

Jamn -- The musician's multi-tool is developed by local company Oursky Limited, in collaboration with Australian musician Johnny Quattro and his MiQ Limited. Based on the performing experience of musicians, Jamn is an innovative music mobile app with Jamn Wheel -- a patented feature that showcases the connection between keys, chords and scales in a new way. The popular app among musicians, music teachers and song writers is regarded as a revolutionary tool for assisting end-users to learn and create music. It is not only the favorite of teachers of music academies but also music lovers all over the world. With download rate over 1.5 million, Jamn -- The musician's multi-tool is an app that redefines the way on how to learn music.

(Please refer to the Appendix for the winner list and details about the winning apps)

Sponsored by Create Hong Kong, Asia Smartphone Apps Summit cum Award Ceremony 2013/2014 is an annual industry event, dedicated to the advancement of local creative technology industry by offering a meeting ground for industry elites to share their experiences and insights. A business matching event will also be held on June 13 to connect smartphone apps developers, design talents and corporates to help facilitate collaboration and partnership.

Source: Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA)
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