SAMY, First Virtual Mall In The Middle East, Launched In Dubai

SAMY, the award-winning, direct mobile marketing and engagement network, is finally available in the UAE, after a successful launch in Dubai.

According to the UN Broadband Commission report on the state of broadband 2013, the UAE ranks third in the MENA region, after Qatar and Bahrain, with 85% individuals using the Internet. Globally, the UAE comes in the 17th position ahead of the USA and Germany that come in the 24th and 19th positions respectively. This further highlights the importance the UAE government places on Internet based services for their efficiency and convenience, and as the best means for the UAE residents to interact with the government and receive the services they require. Over 70% of UAE residents own a smart phone and with the UAE’s growing affinity towards mobile phones and E-services, new opportunities arise for retailers as well. The SAMY app for smart phones comes at a crucial time for consumers and businesses to meet this rising need for the convenience of m-services, and to manage/save money and time while having an excellent and convenient virtual shopping experience.

“We are delighted to introduce SAMY to the UAE to provide efficiency and ease in connecting merchants with the country’s diverse consumer base. Igniva is bringing wireless connectivity to another level by providing the convenience of mobile marketing, customer engagement and networking all in one platform. We extend our gratitude to the Rulers of UAE for their vision and initiative in laying down the technological foundation for the mobile industry, which makes innovative apps like SAMY possible," said Mr. Yousef Shreim, President, Igniva Technologies.

“The UAE has a fast growing population of smart phone users supported by telecommunication facilities that are cutting edge. Smart phones and mobile apps have become necessities in everyday living from office work to shopping. It is a strategic decision to initially introduce SAMY in the UAE, as we prepare the launch of the app in Turkey and other GCC countries, where there are likewise a promising outlook for mobile marketing and engagement solutions,” Mr. Shreim added.

SAMY is a mobile phone app, which enables merchants and shopping centers to broaden their brand marketing to new and existing customers by extending offers and promotions via their mobile devices. SAMY provides merchants an easy way to quickly integrate all the important retail touch points including point of sale (POS), gift cards, mobile offers, loyalty systems and more into one single, synchronized mobile platform. For consumers, SAMY provides shopping convenience, value for money, discounts, savings and more by simply using their hand held mobile devices.

SAMY is being launched by Igniva Technologies FZCO in the UAE, after signing a multi-year agreement with MobileBits Corp., (OTCQB: MBIT), provider of the SAMY℠ mobile marketing and engagement network, to be the exclusive master reseller of SAMY in Turkey and the Middle East’s Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region, which includes the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon. Igniva Technologies is a leading innovation marketing company based in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, backed by 40 years of experience working in the GCC, the Levant and North Africa.

The launch of SAMY in the UAE follows the successful launch of the mobile app in Canada and Europe, where the app quickly became the number one downloaded shopping app in the iPhone app store in 2 countries. The app allows participating merchants to have a “storefront” inside the downloadable app which virtually acts as a “mobile mall”, while users can subscribe to whichever ones they choose. Businesses own the relationship with customers and can customize the content and frequency of their messaging to maximize the loyalty of their customers. Local merchants now have the ability to effectively engage and generate transactions through the SAMY app.

Merchants and mall partners are collaborating with Igniva in providing the easiest ways to download the SAMY app. Consumers can also access the free app from designated websites and links.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Feb 11, 2014

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