BBM Messenger to discuss future plans, innovation in Nigeria

In other to remain relevant by adopting current popular trends, Creative Media Works, operating as BBM Messenger is set to host its first innovation information in Lagos, Nigeria.

The event scheduled for November 10, 2017 at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, according to the company would be packed with innovation-rich content, sharing and networking, and aimed to help participants innovate and extend their mobile business platform.

On 27 June 2016, Creative Media Works, a division of PT Elang Mahkota Teknologi Tbk. (Emtek, IDX:EMTK) – one of Indonesia’s largest media, content and technology businesses – announced a long term strategic alliance with BlackBerry Limited to accelerate consumer BBM’s research and development in offering new and exciting features, services and content to the global consumer market.

As part of this strategy, BBM is making its APIs available to expedite the growth of partners and consumer in music and video streaming, games, sports, news, celebrity blogs, horoscopes and more, shopping, gifting and coupons/vouchers, booking movies, travel, health services, real-estate or job postings, P2P payments, money transfer, mobile phone re-charge, and utilities billing

Speaking on BBM achievements in recent times, Adam Pattison, BBM Messenger, VP Americas explained that BBM has become a secure platform for consumers and brands to exchange messages, photos, files and stickers with each other.”

The firm is likely keen to mimic the success of services like WeChat in China, which not only incorporates money transfer services, but also Uber and Airbnb-style features to let customers pay for goods and services on their smartphone.

WeChat recently opened the P2P transfers to overseas transactions meaning Chinese tourists can now use the messenger app to make purchases and pay bills when abroad. It also recently launched in South Africa, one of BBM’s strongholds.

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Closer to home, the hugely popular messenger services Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp are waiting in the wings. While WhatsApp has made no moves in this space so far, its global reach make it a sleeping giant in the space. Meanwhile, Snapchat’s money-transfer service powered by Square is another player.

Its messenger service remains popular and it makes sense to cash in on the growing popularity of P2P money transfer, but the fragmentation of the market makes it a difficult space to compete in.

Creative Media Works now operates under the BBM banner as a stand-alone consumer focused business with teams operating from Waterloo, Mississauga, Ottawa, Singapore, Jakarta, UAE and South Africa.