BuzzCity: SmartTV, SmartWatches, Multi-Device Access to Drive Content Creation Demands

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, July 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BuzzCity, the leading global mobile advertising network shares findings from its latest quarterly research into the digital consumption habits of mobile users around the world. The report benchmarks findings from those in 2014 to analyse the changing trends and usage habits of today's connected consumers.

One of the key findings shows that, as multi-device surfing grows, mobiles remain central to consumers' internet experience, with well over three quarter's (80%) of Malaysian mobile users preferring to surf with their mobiles. Meanwhile, the growth of SmartTV (9%) has more than doubled in the last year while tablet usage flattened at 17% in Malaysia. The shift also saw PC / Laptop usage halved to 8% from 19% last year. With the rapid coming of the digital age it is expected that smartwatches will join the hike in the coming year. 7% of those surveyed are 'planning to buy a smartwatch' in the next 6 - 12 months.

The Top 5 uses of internet: July 2015

1. Entertainment (65%)
2. Communications (39%)
3. Reading & searching for news and information (29%)
4. Passing time (21%)
5. Work, business or studies (30%)

The research found that PC's and laptops remain significant devices for internet access; nearly one ten (8%) use their laptop's and PC's to access the internet, although there is a significant decline in the demand for these devices (from 19% in 2014 to 8% in 2015) and there may yet be a resurgent usage in the form of "2-in-1" laptop-tablets, particularly where free wifi is easily available. One in ten (9%) also access the Internet with smart TV's, seeing a double in demand for smart TV in the last year (from 4% in 2014 to 9% in 2015). Multi-device access (where users are surfing across 2 or more devices), although still relatively small 8%, has more than doubled since early 2014 (3%), and is expected grow in the coming year due to the proliferation of devices.

The rise of the smartwatch

As smartwatches have impacted the marketplace in 2015 BuzzCity investigated how smartwatch devices, which are typically paired with a smartphone, are most used within its network. Ironically the original function of the watch - to tell the time - is relegated into 5^th place (global results are seen tally with Malaysian usage).

Top 5 uses of Smartwatches: July 2015

1. Control music (22%)
2. Monitor incoming texts, mail and social media (20%)
3. Screen calls (17%)
4. Receive information updates or alerts for lists, schedules, weather and stock updates (16%)
5. Tell the time or set alarms (15%)

Dr KF Lai, founder and CEO of BuzzCity comments, "The increasingly multi device experience that the internet brings will put continued pressure on brand marketers and content developers to acknowledge changing factors, such as browsing habits and how each device is used, and regularly adapt their marketing content to each device. Content marketing strategies will need to take these trends into account."

Lai continues "It is also worth emphasising that strategies will need to be mobile first which generally, scales content creation up, rather than down."

In the first half of 2015, the BuzzCity Ad Network served more than 174 billion paid ads globally, a growth of 5% against the first half of 2014.

The BuzzCity Report can be found at reports.buzzcity.com

The BuzzCity survey was conducted in 23 countries across The Americas, Asia, Africa and Western Europe amongst 4,100 respondents

For further information please contact: Anita Selvamalar at Citrine One: anita@citrineone.com T: +60-010-219-4164

About BuzzCity

BuzzCity is a mobile advertising network that offers brand owners and agencies access to a global display network of publishers. As a leading international player, BuzzCity has developed in-depth knowledge of the mobile consumer and provides marketers with clear opportunities to reach this audience via its advertising and publisher programmes. The network also offers opportunities for publishers, developers and owners of mobile media properties to monetise their traffic through mobile internet advertising.

Additional information can be found at www.buzzcity.com

CONTACT: Jo McConnell or Josh Speersm, CubanEight PR, +44-01869-238089, Email: buzzcity@cubaneight.com