Picsel Secures Funding, and Contracts

3gsm_logo_9
Picsel Group, the Scotland-based
mobile content platform provider, has revealed that a group led by
Capital International Private Equity Fund IV (CIPEF) has acquired $46.5
million (24 million) of equity share capital in the company. Doll
Capital, NIF, SMBC Ventures Co and SBI Investment Co also participated
in the funding round. In addition, Picsel received an investment from
DoCoMo.com, a subsidiary wholly owned by NTT DoCoMo.
Picsel says
the funding will help it launch its next phase of growth in order to
further its goal to become the global standard for the delivery of
mobile content. It says the majority of the money will be used to help
finance its global expansion, invest in new strategic initiatives and
reduce the balance of financial obligations. This will enable Picsel to
deliver on and extend its commercial agreements globally with leading
OEMs, Network Operators and Content Providers.
Separately, Picsel
has been asked to provide the technology for the launch of a mobile
magazine from Marie Claire. The first mobile issue of Marie Claire will
be made available for free to select UK readers in March 2007, with
additional phased roll-outs planned for the rest of the UK throughout
the next 12 months.
The magazine will feature content targeted
specifically at mobile users, including exclusive offers to appeal to
the modern, style-conscious female. Mobile advertising will also be
included as part of the offering. As penetration of the mobile magazine
increases over time, Marie Claire says it will consider future
services, such as the creation of a Marie Claire mobile community,
social networking capabilities and the exchange of user-generated
content.
Marie Claire will begin publicising its mobile magazine
from the June issue, which will direct readers of the printed magazine
to the Marie Claire website at commercial launch. The mobile Marie
Claire magazine will also be offered by other third-party mobile
content portals.
Picsel is also providing the platform for mobile
edition of  Informas Telecoms.com magazine for the duration of 3GSM
World Congress. The mobile edition can be accessed on handsets  with
the Picsel software installed by texting PICSEL to +447797800800.
Subscription to the service is free, though data charges will apply.
“Informa Telecoms and Media has always embraced the forefront of the mobile
industry and now, thanks to our partnership with Picsel Technologies,
we continue this tradition by delivering a new source of relevant
content in a manner that is truly befitting of the worlds most
influential communications events says Informa Telecoms & Media
Group Publisher, Ed Tranter.
Picsel is exhibiting in Hall 2 stand 2C37.