Here we go:
- Bebo has 40M users. This is a big day for Bebo and the development community.
- Video interviewing Bebo users. Why they use Bebo - stay in touch, pick up girls
- In the UK, Bebo is number one.
- Original programming - "Kate Modern" (sponsored by MS, Disney, others). Show broke a band called "The Daze". Atrracted 20M viewers. Hottest show not on TV. More programming - Sophia's Diary.
OpenMedia introduced 1M ago to let brands put their stuff in front of our users.
Today, the same but for developers.
Michael Birch - Co Founder
Key Messages
- Launch tonight
- FB apps can port right over to Bebo - almost 100% portability
- Devs keep 100% of revenue
- Apps ordered by user rating
Started in 2005. Sold another in 2003. We were late. Had to be a real community, word of mouth recommendations between friends.
6 Markets - all english language. Number one in UK, Ireland, NZ. Highest engagement of all networks - 35 to 40 mins per day.
Now we have engagement, the time is to open up.
We didn't want to open up like MySpace, wanted to be more controlled, with biz opportunities for developers.
While we were thinking about how to do it, Facebook launched the platform.
That changed our course. We didn't want to launch something separate - pain in the butt for developers.
Launch is 100% compatible with Facebook - including APIs. Launching with 40 app developers. Many took FB, put it on Bebo, and it worked. Some are new to Bebo. Some small subtle differences, but many apps can just be ported.
Demo.
Has 20 engineers - up from 1 a year ago.
Platform is live on Bebo now, but only a few can see it. Launch is tonight.
People can rate apps. Quality apps to rise to the top. Fresh apps get immediate exposure. Rate every app right from the directory.
Gap Model Maker App (editor's note: this app was made with Widgetbox)
Each APP has a profile page, and they can skin and brand it (unlike FB). Gap skin is Gap look and feel. It's a full profile. Same header as any Bebo member. Modules to see developers, discussion, recent ratings of app, comments.
Over time, other apps will be able to run on an app's profile page. You can build apps for apps - not there yet though.
What makes Bebo different?
- about self expression. Very community focused. Taking a great community and wrapping it around content and media. Opened up to the media companies a month ago, this is stage two. Media companies can keep the revenue.
Skinning Pages. Push for viral spread of apps. What are your friends most popular apps? One click adds of apps and skins from friends.
We have all this great media content. Universe of 7K app developers who can now push their stuff of Bebo.
Before, I'd have a new idea and would build a new site. Now, I just plug that idea into Bebo. SNS are the ultimate portals.
Building a true economy with Bebo. We need to support and enable profitable businesses. Ideas coming for ad monetization strategies next year. We'd like Bebo members to have cash accounts with balances to make micropayments to devs and media companies easy. This is the vision. We have an open mind. Community comes first though.