ZaOza

Thomas Husson | November 15, 2007, 05:50 AM

VIVENDI announced yesterday the imminent launch of its multimedia portal, named zaoza and developped in the Vivendi Mobile Entertainment subsidiary over the last few months.

Such a platform will ditribute free and premium content to be accesible via PC and mobile devices. The objective is clearly to distribute legal content and compete with the likes of YouTube or DailyMotion. This is obviously a different and renewed approach to the avorted Vizzavi. 2 years ago, I posted a skeptical comment on the conglomerate's "pipe+content" approach. I am still not a big fan of it since I continue to believe users do not care about labels, they care about artists and that media companies have an interest in reaching the largest audience possible. However, it does not prevent companies such as Disney to launch MVNOs (after the US and UK failures, they are now launching in Japan) despite the MVNO paradox !

That being said, the approach here is different since apparently other content producers and majors are supposed to join on board. Also, this does not prevent other Vivendi's content subsidiaries to strike deals with operators all over the world! The service will be available in France first but may launch in neighbouring countries in the coming months.

Here are my key takeaways of Vivendi's 9 months results:

- Universal Music: digital sales now represent 15% of total sales (vs 11% last year). 3 artists (Amy Winehouse, Nelly Furtado and Mika) sold over 3M physical units

- Canal+ now stands at 10.4M subscribers

- Vivendi Games (9.3M subs for World of Warcraft)

- SFR reached 18.1M subscribers (out of which 19% are 3G)

As far Illimythics are concerned, I have no real update except that:

- terms and conditions may be more complicated than initially promoted. There is finally, as often, a 500 Mo monthly cap. Unlimited mails and IM obviously only concern SFR mail and SFR messenger
- price plan will rise by 5-10 euros depending on the plans after the first 24 months of the contract. A strange way to reward loyalty...
- Illimythics works with any 3G / 3G+ devices. The LG phone I mentionned is nothing less but the VIEWTY at 49 euros...

Anyway, I still believe this is a good strategy to counter the iPhone. Will meet Apple this afternoon, so I'll know more about it pretty soon.