Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
Hannah Waddingham is risking it all in Rakuten’s Super Bowl 2022 ad. The Ted Lasso star is the star of an opulent private poker game, and the first-quarter spot highlights the “cha-ching” feeling of earning Cash Back by shopping with Rakuten.
During the game, Hannah is seen raising the stakes up and up against a savvy Rakuten shopper. After going all-in with the right products, the shopper makes a power move and sweetens the pot by betting all the Cash Back she earned with Rakuten, winning the day. “I’m so grateful for the memorable experience of filming my first Super Bowl commercial with Rakuten, especially since it’s their first Super Bowl ad,” Hannah shared in a statement. “Portraying a mischievous character allowed me to take on the kind of role I love to play – one with a bit of sass and a devious laugh.
I also love that this spot shows everyone can feel like a winner when they shop with Rakuten. Who doesn’t love the satisfaction of a good deal?” Watch the ad below!
https://popstar.one/news/...h-waddingham-raises-the-stakes-in/1032184
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W72JJM_gbI
Viber has become one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide in recent times, with over 1 billion registered users in 190 countries and available in over 30 languages.
Messaging apps have become essential in facilitating conversations with customers, especially so since the outbreak of COVID-19. And Viber’s growing user-base reflects this demand. From 2020-2021, there was a spike of 21% in overall usage of Viber business messages. Most notably, the use of transactional messages (I.e., order confirmations, delivery notifications, appointment reminders, etc.), increased by 37%. In addition, many brands made the shift to two-way conversational messaging, seeing it as a way to improve customer engagement and retention.
Viber Business Messaging in 2022
With new rollouts coming this year, Viber Business Messaging can help brands thrive while providing them with the opportunity to upgrade their customer experience.
Brands are empowered to initiate and personalize conversations with customers when they integrate the Viber Business Messages channel with their CRM platform, enabling access to their customer’s history; including name, interests, previous order delivery details, and so on. This makes future purchases easier, as customers can confirm their existing data when placing an order. Personalization can also speed up customer queries. For example, if a loyal customer has a question on an item received then the customer representative will immediately understand which item it is by referencing the model number on file. An opt-in customer base also simplifies and supports conversational messaging, allowing customers to pick up the conversation when it’s convenient for them. Moreover, customers feel heard and are dealt with in real-time, simultaneously building customer confidence and brand trust.
Below you can read about the leading Viber business features for 2022, created to strengthen communication between brands and their customers through improved customer support, after-sales care, timely management of important data, and more:
• A two-way file-sharing option that allows brands to send valuable information and distinct types of files (warranties, invoices, booking confirmations, certificates). Users can exchange files with brands (personal ID, official documents, etc.).
• Users can easily share photos and videos with brands. For example, a customer buying a new lamp in a shop and having an issue with assembly will receive timely aftersales support from the brand directly via Viber by sending a ‘how-to’ video to the chat.
• Viber lets users pin important Business Messages within a thread or pin the full conversation on top of the main chat screen, such as booking confirmations or lab test results from healthcare providers. For example, a person making a room reservation in a hotel can get confirmation directly in a messaging app.
• User replies to specific messages within Viber Business Messages, which makes it easier for conversations to cover specific topics in a straightforward way.
• A new autoreply feature for brands who are unable to instantly reply, that works similarly to an out-of-office feature and will soon be customizable to brand preferences.
https://linkmobility.com/...usiness-messaging-helping-brands-succeed/
• PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP)
• Nike (NYSE:NKE)
• Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG)
• Disney (NYSE:DIS)
• Rakuten (OTCMKTS:RKUNF)
• DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG)
• Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN)
• Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:FB)
• Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY)
• Wallbox (NYSE:WBX)
Super Bowl Stocks: Rakuten (RKUNF)
Rakuten sign atop of Silicon Valley office
Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock
Admittedly an unorthodox idea for Super Bowl stocks, Rakuten is a Japanese e-commerce and online retailing company. I’m not too familiar with it other than to say it’s like the Amazon of Japan. Featuring various businesses such as financial services via fintech solutions, digital content and communications, e-book distribution and mobile-carrier services, Rakuten seemingly does it all.
Even more intriguing, it’s coming to America. Apparently, it has a big reveal planned for the big game, drawing intrigue for onlookers.
If Rakuten’s expansion efforts are successful, RKUNF stock is an equity unit that may attract attention, if only for its “cheap” price. At less than $9 per share now, that would sound psychologically appealing for what could be the next big thing in e-commerce.
Better yet, Rakuten may enjoy the highest return on investment regarding its Super Bowl commercial. Every American is familiar with names like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and increasingly Shopify (NYSE:SHOP). But on a psychological basis, these shares are priced into the stratosphere. But Rakuten? As a single-digit trade, onlookers might start getting some meme-ish ideas.
https://investorplace.com/2022/02/...l-stocks-to-buy-or-sell-in-2022/
12.14.2021
Rakuten Rewards plans to "run its first Super Bowl commercial in February" in an effort to "help U.S. consumers understand what it does," according to Megan Graham of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Rakuten Rewards, a U.S. division of Japan-based e-commerce company Rakuten, operates a shopping-rewards platform. Stores pay the company a commission for "sending customers their way, and Rakuten shares part of that commission with the customers as cash back." In the spot, the company plans to "continue the optimistic mood of its other marketing pushes." Some industry executives said that marketers will have "more freedom to have fun" this year following "months of vaccine availability in the U.S. and more than a year since the presidential election" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/10).
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/...onsorship/Rakuten.aspx
8.2.2022, 13:55:34
https://www.tellerreport.com/news/...-of-communication.S11IdJly9.html
„In 2021, CTO Tareq Amin detailed plans to commence a “mass acceleration” of 5G site deployment once its 4G aim was met, though at the time he cited September 2021 as the likely date it would be reached.“
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/...et-eyes-expansion
By Faye Almazan February 10, 2022
In a statement on Wednesday, David Tse, Rakuten Viber senior director for Asia-Pacific, underscored four digital trends, which includes the further rise of conversational commerce.
Tse noted that Viber's Communities feature has seen a 22-percent growth in the country last year, especially those in business-related Viber Communities.
The feature allows brands and businesses to connect with consumers and have one-on-one conversations with members.
Tse also sees the trend for a person-to-person experience to continue this year, which he said online businesses can do by maximizing private chats with their customers.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/02/10/business/...ce-to-rise/1832397
a day ago
Rakuten Mobile has started broadcasting the TV commercial “Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI Challenge Flame Edition” featuring Masahiro Tanaka, pitcher of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, on February 8th.
In “Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI Challenge Flame Edition” released by Rakuten Mobile, pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, who returned to the Japanese baseball world in the 2021 season with QUEEN’s masterpiece “WE WILL ROCK YOU” as the background, said, “Challenge is I will continue for the rest of my life. “
Introducing population coverage rate of 96%, customer satisfaction first place, etc.
In the CM, it is introduced that there is no cancellation fee and it is easy to transfer at any time, the population coverage rate has reached 96% as of February 4, and it was ranked first in the overall ranking in the Oricon customer satisfaction survey.
Rakuten Mobile has been handling iPhones since the spring of 2021, and is also selling the latest model iPhone 13 series.
https://iphonewired.com/news/307118/
Rakuten and JICA collaboration in Africa sees Japan-inspired startup success
7 hours ago
https://rakuten.today/blog/...llaboration-in-africa-sees-success.html
Thoughts about the valuation of Cabify by a compare with Bolt?
Bolt raises $709M at an $8.4B valuation to expand its transportation and food delivery super app | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/10/...s2Vid6GUqY8_c_MzaWQwjr3XYMMdheee
Bolt often touts its operating model as leaner and more cost-efficient compared to Uber’s. The company lost 44.9 million euros in 2020, according to its most recent financial report, down slightly from losses of 85.5 million euros a year earlier. Revenues surged almost 75% to 221.4 million euros.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/11/...-billion-in-new-funding-round.html
February 10, 2022
As announced on May 13, 2021 (“Announcement of Valuation Gains on Securities and Share of Gains of Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”), during the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, Rakuten Group, Inc. (hereinafter the “Company”) made an investment in shares of Seiyu Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Seiyu Holdings”). Associated with this investment, the Company recorded income of ¥20,513 million in share of income of investments in associates and joint ventures, mainly including a gain from the bargain purchase of Seiyu Holdings. The calculation of the gain from the bargain purchase was completed, as follows.
Details
During the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company made investments in shares of Seiyu Holdings, which have been accounted for using the equity method. Because the measurement of fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date was incomplete, and the calculation of the difference with the cost of the investment was unfinished as of the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, the gain from the bargain purchase was a provisional amount based on all information available as of the acquisition date and the calculation of the difference with the cost of the investment was completed in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021. As a result, the Company recorded income of ¥8,307 million in share of income of investments in associates and joint ventures, mainly including a gain from the bargain purchase of Seiyu Holdings, proportional to the share held by the Company, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
* SY Holdings Co., Ltd. was absorbed and merged by Seiyu Holdings on December 31, 2021.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2022/0210_01.html
9 Feb 2022
Japan’s new fourth operator Rakuten Mobile recently announced that the population coverage ratio for its in-deployment 4G LTE network has reached 96%, roughly four years ahead of schedule. The ratio is calculated based on the number of the approximately 500m zones used in the national census which have area coverage of more than 50%. Under its base station deployment plan (1.7GHz) approved in April 2018 by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Rakuten Mobile targeted 96% coverage by the end of March 2026 (FY2025).
In a short press release, the company noted: ‘The efficiency of the base station rollout has been dramatically enhanced by the network architecture of Rakuten Mobile’s world-first fully virtualised, cloud-native mobile network. This has allowed the operator to deploy simple and compact base stations and leverage technologies such as AI to find sites for base stations and drones to carry out base station site and completion inspections.’
https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2022/02/09/...age-ratio-tops-96/
February 10, 2022
Rakuten Mobile (Rakuten UN-LIMIT V) announced the 5.1-inch small original smartphone "Rakuten Hand 5G" equipped with Snapdragon 480G.
Rakuten Hand 5G is a 5.1 inch HD + (1520 x 720) display, CPU is Snapdragon 480 5G SM4350 2.0GHz octacore, RAM4GB, storage capacity is 128GB, main camera is 64 million pixels + 2 million pixels Mid-low class android with dual camera It is a smartphone.
It is also equipped with a convenient original function, and by scanning the barcode of the product with the camera, it is possible to search for the product on "Rakuten Ichiba" with a web browser. In addition, by logging in to the "my Rakuten Mobile" app at the time of initial setting of this product, you can log in to the Rakuten Group service app that is initially installed in "Rakuten Hand 5G" with a single tap.
https://www.gsmslash.com/2022/02/...and-5g-announced-compact-and.html
FEBRUARY 9, 2022 SAM HEGGIE-COLLINS
Viber, one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, developed the bot to strengthen customer care for businesses.
Viber Chatbots are used for two-way chat over Viber and are session-based communication, meaning businesses are always there for customers with round-the-clock availability, streamlined communication, and an intuitive CX. Viber Chatbots offers end-users easy and fast communication with businesses in a more dynamic way using customizable keyboard options and rich media messaging. Verified Chatbots are searchable as channels in the Viber app which is very convenient for end-users.
Using the full power of Viber Chatbots, businesses can provide services that range from banking to retail and media services direct-to-customers. End users can converse in real time with organisations to receive services and support for things like account setup, bank balances, and purchase receipts in a timely and convenient manner on their preferred channel.
Kreso Zmak, VP Product at Infobip said: “Integrating this messaging feature into the customer journey allows brands to improve relationships with their customers as well as showcase new products or services. Viber Chatbots in Conversations/Answers aims to help businesses reach and extend the conversation to new and existing customers alike, customize the user keyboard and use rich media to offer a dynamic and immersive messaging experience. Additionally it uses automation to qualify and convert the target audience into paid customers.“
https://directorsclub.news/2022/02/09/...atbots-to-platform-offering/
Acorns Cancels Its $2.2 Billion Plan to Go Public
Harri Weber
11:50 AM | January 19, 2022
Investing app Acorns has pulled the plug on its plan to go public through a $2.2 billion SPAC deal with blank-check company Pioneer Merger Corp.
Noah Kerner, CEO of Irvine-based Acorns, blamed “market conditions” for the canned merger, and said the company would instead pivot to a “private capital raise at a higher pre-money valuation,” per a Reuters report.
https://dot.la/acorns-spac-canceled-2656435266.html
Visa completes the acquisition of Currencycloud
By Joy Dumasia
December 21, 2021
VISA announced its acquisition of Currencycloud, the cross-border payments platform provider. VISA initially announced it would acquire Currencycloud at a valuation of $963m in July of this year. Currencycloud provides banks and FinTechs that enables smoother and quicker cross-border transactions in multiple currencies.
https://ibsintelligence.com/ibsi-news/...cquisition-of-currencycloud/
Carousell reportedly in talks to acquire S’pore-based property marketplace 99 Group for US$150M
Zafirah Salim
Online classifieds company Carousell is in talks to acquire Singapore-based real estate tech firm 99 Group for US$150 million in a cash-and-stock deal.
In Singapore, 99 Group operates 99.co, SRX.com.sg and iProperty.com.sg, while in Indonesia, it operates 99.co/id and Rumah123.com.
A source that’s familiar with the matter told The Business Times that the acquisition is part of Carousell’s monetisation strategy as it doubles down on high-value transactions.
This potential acquisition comes amid Carousell’s plans to list in the United States via a SPAC merger with L Catterton Asia Acqusition Corp.
This transaction could value the combined entity at up to US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion).
According to sources, the SPAC is looking at carrying out due diligence on Carousell and it plans to reach a merger agreement as early as this quarter.
https://vulcanpost.com/777577/...alks-to-acquire-99-group-for-us150m/
1 day ago
Using your smartphone in Japan just got a whole lot easier. Rakuten Mobile just announced it has surpassed a major milestone for its network rollout in Japan: achieving 96% population coverage for its 4G network. And they did it four years ahead of schedule.
Since full-scale launch in 2020, Rakuten Mobile is still considered a newcomer as a mobile network operator (MNO), having served only as a mobile virtual network operator since 2014 and launching full-scale commercial MNO service in April 2020 in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. In the short period that followed, Rakuten Mobile has scaled its network faster than ever before.
How Rakuten Mobile scaled a nationwide network in record time
Not only is Rakuten Mobile new to the MNO arena, its revolutionary technology is new to the telco industry, too. This tech was central to scaling their network to cover nearly the entire population of Japan in record time. Instead of traditional network architecture, which is highly dependent on dedicated hardware, Rakuten Mobile made the bold decision to take an innovative software-centric, cloud-based, open approach, building the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network.
Speaking at an event held at the Rakuten Group headquarters in Tokyo to celebrate the historic moment with employees and partners, Rakuten Mobile President Yoshihisa Yamada took to the stage to express his gratitude to everyone involved.
“Achieving 96% in such a short period of time is an amazing accomplishment,” said Yamada. “It’s really a group-wide effort and I can’t thank enough all the people that were involved. I really felt the power of the Rakuten Group.”
This approach also allowed the operator to deploy simple and compact base stations and leverage technologies not traditionally linked to telecommunications, such as artificial intelligence (AI) to find sites for base stations and drones to carry out base station site and completion inspections. Innovative thinking like this dramatically enhanced the efficiency of its base station rollout.
But it is not all about the tech. Rakuten Mobile also focused on building strong partnerships with the base station construction companies working on the rollout. It also drew on the support of the entire Rakuten Group and its partners in the search to secure optimal sites for base stations, which contributed to the rapid expansion of the network coverage.
Tareq Amin, Rakuten Mobile CTO, also shared his thoughts on reaching the target. “I have been in this business for 26 years of my life – and I have never seen what has happened at Rakuten Mobile. The determination and spirit of the employees in this group is just unprecedented,” commented Amin. “Not only did we achieve 96%, but the tech didn’t exist before. When everybody said it was impossible, all of you made sure to deliver on this impossible dream. Thank you very much for all your efforts.”
For Rakuten Group CEO Mickey Mikitani, the achievement was also an opportunity to reflect on the reasons behind Rakuten’s entry into the mobile industry.
“We should remind ourselves what the meaning, the objective of this historical project is. It’s not just about the business. We are trying to democratize mobile networks. Before Rakuten Mobile, mobile subscriptions in Japan were very expensive, and were a huge burden for each household,” shared Mikitani. “We decided to take the challenge and shake up the industry. Now we have achieved 96% – but this is still a milestone, and the journey is going to continue. Let’s keep moving forward.”
https://rakuten.today/blog/...ervice-covers-96-japans-population.html
21 hours ago
Rakuten Rewards is headed to the Big Game.
For the first time in the company’s history, the leading shopping platform that offers Cash Back and rewards will be airing an ad during America’s most-watched sports broadcast. The 30-second spot, titled “High Stakes,” will play during Super Bowl LVI, which takes place on February 13 in Los Angeles.
The spot stars Emmy Award-winning actress Hannah Waddingham — known for her standout performances on Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones and Sex Education — as a high-roller in a game of high-stakes poker against a savvy Rakuten shopper. After going all-in with the right products, the shopper makes a power move and sweetens the pot by betting all the Cash Back she has earned with Rakuten, winning the day.
A super-sized debut
The commercial, which debuted in full on Monday, February 7 — coinciding with Rakuten Group’s 25th anniversary — is part of a multi-pronged campaign with the goal of cementing Rakuten as a household name in the U.S. and kicking off the next 25 years of success. And even ahead of the marquee American football matchup this weekend, the ad is already making waves.
On Monday, February 7, viewers watched Waddingham introduce the ad on NBC’s TODAY show, one of the most-watched morning shows in the country. The commercial has also been generating positive buzz across the entertainment and marketing industries, with coverage from USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Ad Week and more.
Years of hard work leading up to the Big Game
Over the past decade, Rakuten has made great strides in building its brand worldwide, with notable partnerships that include the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, Marie Kondo and more. The brand has already established itself as the leading shopping platform that offers Cash Back and rewards, but with the Game Day ad spot, which will air to millions around the country, Rakuten has found the perfect venue and moment to take its brand to the next level.
Rakuten, which literally means “Optimism” in Japanese, employs a unique and rewarding approach to online shopping. Members earn Cash Back, deals and rewards from thousands of stores by shopping through the Rakuten platform. To date, its 15 million members have earned $3.5 billion USD in Cash Back.
A joyful and optimistic shopping experience
“High Stakes,” which was produced entirely in-house by Rakuten, also features entrepreneurs and “The World’s First Podcast” hosts Erin and Sara Foster, whose clothing brand, Favorite Daughter, is available to shop and earn Cash Back on Rakuten. Additionally, the Fosters will star in a cheeky, 15-second spot that will run after the event and highlight beauty and fashion shopping available through Rakuten.com and its mobile app.
“Developing a campaign of this scale and caliber for the Super Bowl is every brand marketer’s dream, and I’m so proud of our in-house creative team for this amazing accomplishment,” said Dana Marineau, CMO of Rakuten Rewards. “Everyone who sees it will identify with the rewarding feeling Rakuten members get when they earn Cash Back when shopping.”
The Big Game represents so much of Rakuten’s own philosophy — from optimism and joy to fun and excitement — with one key difference: In football, only one team can leave the field as the winner. But when you shop with Rakuten, you feel like a winner every time.
https://rakuten.today/blog/rakuten-goes-all-in-big-game-ad.html
1 Nutzer wurde vom Verfasser von der Diskussion ausgeschlossen: Scansoft