OTT messaging app Line has reported revenues of ¥5.8bn (£37.8m) for Q1, 2013 – a rise of 92 per cent from ¥3bn in the previous quarter.
The free app, which offers users VoIP calls as well as messaging capabilities, is particularly popular in Japan – so much so, in fact, that Japan accounted for 80 per cent of its revenues in Q1.
Line takes a novel approach to monetisation. It sells stickers, which can be affixed to messages, as in-app purchases, which made up around 30 per cent of its revenues, and it also offers a whole host of games featuring its mascots. In-app purchases from these games made up the largest chunk of its revenues – around 50 per cent, according to the results. Where the other 20 per cent comes from isnt clear in the results. 
