UPDATE: Today is the last day to register and get one of my specially discounted VIP passes.

Here’s a link that will take you straight there: https://www.openmobilesummit.com/lon/register/step1.aspx?dc=MSEARCHVIP

* * *

Now in its second year the Open Mobile Summit (May 26-27, London) covers all the bases to again set the bar. I attended and spoke at this exceptional event last June and was struck by to things: the sold-out crowd and the balanced mix of speakers and authorities from companies and organizations across the entire ecosystem.

Doing business (and making money) in an Open Mobile world will require new thinking and business models. The caliber (and variety) speakers my esteemed colleague, Robin Batt, Open Mobile Media Founder & Executive Producer, has brought together for this purpose will undoubtedly deliver the audience some answers.

This is not just another mobile conference; it’s an industry happening – which is why MSG is extremely proud to be a media sponsor. It’s rare to find such an impressive gathering of thought leaders in such an intimate setting, and I look forward to connecting with this year’s speakers (participants include Spotify, Gowalla, Admob, Ogilvy, AKQA, Yahoo, the BBC, Google, BSkyB, MTV, FT.com, Opera, Vodafone, O2, HTC, Nokia and more – and all at the top executive level.

It’s just four weeks away and there are limited seats remaining, so you should register now.

MSG has 5 guest passes at just GBP850 (retail GBP1395). If you’d like one, register here with VIP code MSEARCHVIP . https://www.openmobilesummit.com/lon/register/ (First come, first served.)

WHY ATTEND

Whether you’re a start-up or a media giant, Internet company or mobile operator, ad agency or software company, mobile and Internet convergence presents a huge opportunity. Over two days the Open Mobile Summit provides participants a clear vision of how the industry will evolve in the next 12-18 months, which – in our fast moving space – is invaluable.

At the Open Mobile Summit you can:

• Understand the business drivers of all the players in this fast converging ecosystem – the key to finding a successful business model for your services
• Explore all the hot topics –mobile advertising, the future of search and discovery on mobile, the role location and social, content monetization models and mobile payments, apps in the cloud vs. the mobile Web and the impact of the iPad, to name a few
• Do business with all the influential people –operators, handset manufacturers, Internet and media giants, agencies, software and application start-ups
• Meet with me (a little humor here, of course)

So, register as soon as possible to ensure your place – if you’re quick, you might get one of my specially discounted VIP passes.

Here’s a link that will take you straight there: https://www.openmobilesummit.com/lon/register/step1.aspx?dc=MSEARCHVIP

Mobile Groove, the monthly podcast that focuses on the news and companies that matter most in mobile — is back with a great line-up of topics and the usual mix of insights and outspoken observations from co-host Inma Martinez, my über-connected and always professional partner in crime. (We missed posting on Friday, but the reason for the delay will be clear when I take the wraps off an all-new MSearchGroove, so watch this space.)

Mobilize, the conference Inma attended in September, left a lasting impression. Her SWOT analysis: a great line-up of startups and a high level of energy and VC activity in the Valley. Where does this leave Europe? Inma (also based in London) connects the dots in some recent investor reports and concludes Europe may see its best and brightest in mobile “defect.” Is the U.S. the place to be if you are a mobile entrepreneur? Listen in and let us know what you think.

Speaking of startups, Inma also outlines the highlights from Seedcamp, a program created to jumpstart the entrepreneurial community in Europe by connecting next generation developers and entrepreneurs with over 400 mentors from a top-tier network of company builders; including seed investors, serial entrepreneurs, product experts, HR and PR specialists, marketers, lawyers, recruiters, journalists and venture capitalists. One company that stood out: VouChaCha, a U.K. startup that delivers vouchers to your mobile phone. Where is the hold up in Europe and why aren’t coupons a de facto part of our daily mobile routines (as they are in the U.S.)? You tell us!

Other success stories Inma shares: Flirtomatic, iScoot and eBuddy.

CONTEXT MATTERS?

Will location-based services excite women? Well, we beg to disagree.

Listen to the lively podcast here [23:54].

What about women who are interested in bargains are willing to drive miles in pursuit of discounted designer clothes, for example. (Think of the success of outlets in the middle of nowhere?!) Will an app that tells women what’s on offer nearby fly or fail? And where are the female-focused apps anyway? Men may have their iPhone app that celebrates flatulence – but where are the apps that target women? Talk about leaving money on the table!

BLYK MEDIA & SOCIAL MEDIA

In a follow up to the last podcast Antti Öhrling, Blyk Co-Founder, joins Inma for lunch and the opportunity to explain Blyk’s real business objectives. It’s not about mobile advertising; it’s about mobile media. Inma tells us it is an ambitious model – but one that could work well for Blyk. Listen in and find out.

And we discuss the buzz around social media, giving Vodafone (and the fast-followers sure to make headlines in the next weeks/months) huge credit for Vodafone 360. Why is social media big in mobile? Inma tells us that part of the reason could be the popularity of Twitter on mobile. (She should know; when it comes to mobile London is the Twitter capital.)

We also revisit Spotify and dissect its mobile ambitions. Is it gearing up for a showdown with Apple? Listen in and let us know what you think.

RAISING OUR GOBLET

This time Inma salutes Mark Curtis, the mastermind behind Flirtomatic, a phenomenally successful freemium flirt and fun service.

Fresh from several mobile advertising events, I raise my goblet of rock to Dagmara Brylack for sharing a milestone mobile advertising case study during Mobile Marketing Forum Europe (which I analyze here). I also recognize Mark “Mr. Mobile” Wächter, for his work to launch MMA Germany. When it comes to mobile advertising, Germany is a potential powerhouse (!)  and future posts here on MSearchGroove will highlight the stats, campaigns and companies that make this market the one to watch.

Until next time – keep it fun!

PERSONAL THANKS

Our thanks to the Grant Butler Coomber team (and Billy Burnett) for their continued advice and support on how to build awareness of this podcast series and other MSearchGroove initiatives.  I fully recommend them as our PR team of choice if you want to build your brand in Europe. In the U.S. I am indebted to Jeff Fishburn (“always-on” at OnPR) and Liz Erk, whose agency, The Jaxson Group, also advises MSearchGroove. Her talent: securing major media placements and speaking engagements for client companies.

But most of all – thanks to you, our listeners. We welcome your ideas, suggestions and elevator pitches. DM us on Twitter (@mobilegroove) or email us at mobilegroove AT msearchgroove DOTcom.

Related posts:

PODCAST: Thought-Provoking Mobile Groove Series With Inma Martinez Debuts Today; Offers Inside Track On Industry Disasters, High-Flyers & What’s Highest On Investor Radars