Playboy eyes European market for mobile content

December 17, 2007

Playboy’s European mobile product will offer video clips, mobile TV and games

Playboy is looking to make Europe its mobile playground.

The Chicago-based media company has tapped Swiss wireless infrastructure specialist Minick to grow its interactive mobile business in Europe, a market awash with mobile phones sophisticated enough to handle Playboy’s multimedia content.

“Over the coming years, the increased convergence of mobile and online will create significant opportunities for companies like Playboy,” said Tero Turunen, CEO of Minick, in a statement.

Playboy’s European mobile product offerings will include video clips, mobile television and games.

European consumers will also be able to view and participate in Playboy programs and social communities.

Calls to Playboy Enterprises or its service provider were not returned at press time.

A statement from Minick said its goal for goal for Playboy is “to enhance their content offerings and expand their reach, both through traditional portals as well as on a direct-to-consumer basis.”

Minick develops and operates mobile services for network operators such as Vodafone, T-Mobile, Telefonica and Orange. Clients also include media and entertainment firms such as MTV, Endemol, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures and SonyBMG.

The Minick Service Platform includes video encoding and streaming capabilities to run mobile services worldwide. It is available to customers either as a managed or as a packaged solution.

Playboy Enterprises publishes Playboy magazine and operates TV networks and distributes programming globally. The company owns Playboy.com, a male-focused lifestyle and entertainment Web site that is one of the most popular in its genre. Considerable revenue is generated through Playboy trademark licenses, too.