Mocca ~ Mocca.com Mediacorp's latest effort

Checked out the mediacorp's latest effort today to exploit IT.


Apparently Mocca.com is an effort to be an online classifieds ads.


This strategy has a few flaws.

1) Yahoo already has a classified ads
2) There is still the paper version


I think the paper version will persist for quite a while as the more reliable and usable one. Remember though we blog and email, much of business still runs along without us, "us" here referring to the online crowd.

So you are likely to get something akin to Yahoo classifieds. Except Yahoo classifieds has been around forever, and is doing only pretty average.

Checking the site I find that it is a simple categoriser with video function. But video is rather trouble some so one wonders what kind of advertisers Mocca is likely to get.

Still I believe there is some glimmer of hope here.


mediacorp has been finding ways to exploit IT. I suspect they have an enterprising individual pushing plans (Yoz! If you are reading this, get in touch, I may have some sound ideas for you ;))

So far it seems, they have tried to advertise the "OG" way.

What happens in OG (yes the fashion apparel shopping centre), is that periodically the management or DJ or whatever you call their AV personnel, will announce some discount for some brand or item, but it must be on the spot. This system kinda rewards people for being in the shopping centre I guess (I really do not know what is the point.. I mean.. how long do you stay in a shoppping centre and even if you do what are the chances that the deal is something I am interested in???? Still I am sure the women and housewifes have something to say... so whatever...)

Except in Mediacorps effort, they show some Advert, and immediately you must log into the website to printout some discount coupon to get a discount for some product. I can see the idea. And that is that it encourages people to go to the website. But the hassle of

1) Starting Up the computer
2) Noting URL
3) Browsing to said URL
4) Finding Discount
5) printing
6) Oh yeah we haven't actually gotten to the stall yet


For God's sake, people are giving out FREE discounts coupons ALL the time. Outside Burger King outlets, in the newspapers etc. Why would anyone go to that trouble to print out some crummy discount coupons????


Not that I think it was a bad idea, it was just flawed.


What was the flaw?

Like any ecommerce undertaking, and as the gal in starwars Princess Leia would say: You assume too much.

Assumption 1)
people are IT savvy.

No, just no. People can get IT savvy, no doubt. But you gotta give them a reason. 4D, pension, games, hobbies, music, porn whatever ;P

But generally, no, people are not as IT savvy as the commercial people like to think they are. If they were, everyone would be using Linux and would poopoo to all the eye candy out there.


Assumption 2)
people are interested.


the trick is to get people interested, so the carrot should be relevant.



Is Mocca making the same assumptions again? unlike the earlier effort, this time Mediacorp is following a tried and tested model, that of classified ads.

however there are (yet!) more problems.

The model is not terribly exciting and is a dead horse that has been beatened forever. Also it requires critical mass.

So can Mocca get people interested?

Well in this case, I think Mediacorp has a shot. Albeit a relatively long one. Part of it is due to Mediacorp's strength in reach.

Mocca has hit MRT stations and probably the bus TVmobile (I am not sure about this, haven't taken a bus in a long time). And just recently Mocca has hit the TV.

So people in Singapore will definitely know the name Mocca. Also Mocca's ad are rather naughty. With pretty women that made my mom comment and well most guys (me included =P) will just ogle at the lucky guy with the car to sell


The video is below:



Whatever it is, love it or hate it, it got your attention!

So thats the strength.


So after all this talk will mocca.com work?

I think it has a shot. It has gotten critical mass, which is what the ads did for it. but where do they go from here? Advertising dollars? Who knows?

But key here, would be marketing as well as the actual business strategy. The technology is old and boring, but repackaged with value add, it might just work. But what is your "value add" Mocca.com? For your sake, I hope it is not just the power of video. If it is then my dear, you are dead in the water I'm afraid.

Oh Mocca.com has pretty good marketing. Sure sex sells, but the latest mocca ad features a pretty gal searching for a cute puppy. Probably to assure my mom, that nono it was just a naughty moment and there is no hanky panky ;)

Btw it is currently free to signup and advertise your products or services.


IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL, NOW IS THE TIME BECAUSE ALL EYEBALLS ARE ON IT NOW. WITH FREE ADVERTISING FROM MEDIACORP.

So you should take advantage of the current situation and make the best of it.

Good luck.

Google has Joined Open Invention Network - The Light Side

An excerpt:


"Patents owned by Open Invention Network are available royalty-free to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. This enables companies to continue to make significant corporate and capital expenditure investments in Linux – helping to fuel economic growth. By developing a web of Linux developers, distributors, sellers, resellers and end-users that license its patent portfolio, Open Invention Network is creating a supportive and shielded ecosystem to ensure the growth and adoption of Linux."


This kinda makes up for the sillyness that Google has been doing.


And here hopin' more companies will join. With all the patent gunslingin' by the big boys, this is your best shot as an upstart to protect yourself!