Weibo advertising making money for savvy entrepreneurs
Over the past two years the popular microblogging site Sina Weibo has seen its user numbers shoot up, thanks to a new marketing platform for companies where they could post their own ads or collaborate with existing accounts owned by celebrities. The more followers an account attracts, the more money it charges. Ads on an account boasting 400,000 fans cost 80 yuan (US$12.80) a time. According to a former Weibo marketing professional the actual charges, however, are usually 30%-40% of the reported prices. Businesses that already discovered Wibo’s marketing potential agree that more and more popular Weibo accounts are now involved heavily in advertising.
Source: wantchinatimes.com
Luxury brands embrace DNA technology in fakes-ridden China
It seems that the world's leading luxury brands have resorted to cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technology to combat the rampant proliferation of fakes in the Chinese market: DNA-based technology which includes DNA anti-counterfeiting ink, DNA anti-counterfeiting labels, and a DNA anti-counterfeiting chips. At the same time counterfeit products have improved their tactics with similarly advanced technology, which makes even more difficult to crack down the products. Recently, Chanel introduced a coding method to control the production process for its handbags. The codes are incorporated into a fluorescent card, which accompanies every handbag on the shelf. With China expected to become the world’s largest luxury product market by 2015, DNA anti-counterfeiting technology can have a huge potential in the Chinese market.
Source: wantchinatimes.com
Internet startups in China seek acquisition by major firms
Today the internet startups in China hope to sell their operations to one of the three giants in the industry: Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent, the first two each earmarked 1 billion yuan (US$160 million) for acquiring stakes in other companies. Baidu, China's leading internet search provider, has spent US$350 million to acquire PPS, an online video hosting platform, because of its large number of subscribers. According to Wang Hua, founder and partner of website Chuangxing, a company that survived its first two or three years has more chances to be targeted by one of the three big firms.
Source: wantchinatimes.com
Tesco working to expand the online market to China
Tesco, the UK-based retail, is planning to invest $750m over the year 2013 to develop its online shopping and other digital services, that include China, Thailand and Turkey. Tesco will expand the online market to China in June 2013. Tesco plans to launch its online services in 50 cities of China, which will only be decided after its performance in Shanghai, according to the company’s representatives.
Source: retail-insight-network.com