Winning the National Infocomm Award (NIA) in 2008 was “a great milestone” for mobile social networking company BuzzCity. Capitalising on the innovative and “can-do” spirit that the NIA symbolises, the company has since gone on to expand its mobile advertising network around the globe.

Dr Lai Kok Fung, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, BuzzCity, said the NIA “validated the great work and dedication that our team members have put in over the years, and gave us greater confidence in moving forward”.

BuzzCity’s co-founders celebrate at National Infocomm Awards 2008. From left, Mr Andrew Lim, Dr Lai Kok Fung, Mr Clifford Chew and Mr Lee Cjin Pheow.

BuzzCity won the Most Innovative Infocomm Product/Service award for myGamma, a free mobile social networking service. Since its launch in 2003, myGamma has attracted millions of global members who interact and form online communities in moblogs, discussion groups, chats and games.

Leveraging this burgeoning platform, BuzzCity’s Mobile Internet Advertising Network delivers banner advertisements for mobile content providers, brands and advertising agencies to this network. It also offers opportunities for publishers and owners of mobile media properties to monetise their traffic through mobile Internet advertising.

Today, BuzzCity has grown to be one of the world’s leading mobile media companies in the development and marketing of mobile services and entertainment to a global audience. The BuzzCity Media Network is a series of mobile entertainment and information services in key markets of Southeast Asia, India and South Africa. “This media network supports advertisers and marketers to deliver their message throughout the network or as custom campaigns on premium services,” said Dr Lai.

The company’s business focuses on two distinct audiences: the newly connected emerging middle class in developing markets and the blue collar sector in developed regions. “These ‘unwired’ consumers are accessing the mobile Internet on their phones due to widespread and affordable wireless access," noted Dr Lai.

BuzzCity has eight offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Mumbai, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Paris and Los Angeles, serving several thousand mobile publishers and advertisers in more than 80 countries. “We have been winning customers in the industries of media, entertainment, financial, automotive, airline, education and fast moving consumer goods. These companies are realising the power and potential of mobile Internet as an advertising medium to reach a unique audience,” said Dr Lai.