Check out this month’s Digital Arts magazine for a fantastic 5 page profile piece on the Mobstar team responsible for Cell. You can also read the article on the Digital Arts website if you want to read it in your browser.

We had great feedback on Cell at Barcelona - nothing better than this from phonegadget.com - Mobstar and Robert Redford in the same article! Bring it on!

“At this year’s Mobile World Congress Robert Redford spoke on Sun Dance and its involvement in and experimentation with short films and challenging Hollywood’s model for film distribution. Robert Redford and Sun Dance have a keen interest in exploring the distribution of short films on mobile platforms. One group Robert Redford should be speaking with is Mobstar Media. Jamie Goldblatt, Mobstar’s Chairman gave me a sneak screening of the first ever feature short film for mobile phones, aptly called “Cell”. The quality and story line are fantastic and the entire film was shot on green screen, the only thing real are the actors. Check out the preview for the world’s first made-for-mobile blockbuster called Cell here.”

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/29622/Mobstar-descends-on-TV

Nice piece in NMA this week courtesy of Alex Farber on our work with JWT for Rimmel.

“Rimmel is to extend its use of mobile advertising following the success of ts first integrated campaign with Mobstar Media.

Its Rimmel London lipstick has been promoted across TV, online and mobile since September.

UK marketing manager Natalie Moon said mobile was a vital way for the company to reach its 16-24-year-old female target audience.

“Mobile will be something we’ll repeat,” she said. “It will be reviewed as an element to a campaign or as a supporting element.”

This year, ITV’s award winning “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” reality show has a new presenter.

Named Wayne and standing around 3 inches tall, the wind breaking, belching, foul-mouthed witchetty grub is the 3D animated creation of Mobstar Media and will host ITV Mobile’s coverage of the award winning reality show. Wayne will also feature within the main ITV 1 programme during break bumpers and during the closing credits.

Wayne is the straight talking Aussie ‘Grub on the Ground’ with all the best and most salacious celebrity gossip from the camp. Wayne will also front a full slate of ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here!’ mobile content, including clips, screen savers, wallpapers and ring tones, created by Mobstar Media for ITV Mobile.

Head of ITV Mobile, Melissa Goodwin said:

” We’re very happy to be working with the team at Mobstar Media on an integrated project that introduces new quality standards to mobile animation. Wayne’s role in the show is time sensitive and will comment on recent action - means that during the production, the writers and especially the animators at Mobstar Media will be working ’round the clock’. ”

Mobstar Media MD, Jamie Goldblatt, said:

“It’s been great fun working on Wayne. This is just another example of how Mobstar Media can add value to mobile. As far as we know, Wayne is first ever presenter to cross over between mobile and terrestrial TV and we’re proud to be working with ITV Mobile to push back the boundaries of mobile entertainment.”

The new series of “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” runs on ITV 1 until November 30th.

Mobstar Media today announced the creation of DOGMOB.co.uk for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

DOGMOB allows customers to download images, screensavers, wallpapers, ringtones and ‘thank you’ messages featuring Battersea Dogs currently looking for homes. Uniquely, the concept creates the link between the charity and payments for desirable dog related content.

How does it work?

Supporters visit www.DOGMOB.co.uk, select the Battersea Dog they’d like to adopt and then text the dog’s name to 80022. (There’s a choice of four dogs on the site at any time – updated regularly as they find homes – together with information about them and how they came to Battersea.)

Customers are then sent a link to a Mobstar wapsite where they can download four pieces of content – an animated screensaver, wallpaper certificate, a ‘thank you’ video and barking ringtone.

Customers can also register for free news updates about their adopted dog.

How much does it cost?

Using www.DOGMOB.co.uk it costs just £3.00 to adopt each dog (customers get four pieces of content for that one payment). It is NOT a subscription service and all profits will go straight to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Fiona Healey-Hutchinson, Director of Fundraising at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said;

“Many dog lovers can’t own a dog and wonder how they can support our work. DOGMOB.co.uk is a wonderful new way for them to ‘adopt’ a real animal, to help pay for its upkeep and to have wonderful, colourful and cute content on their mobile phone.”

DOGMOB is the first charity service of this kind in the world. The concept was created for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home by Mobstar Media.

Jamie Goldblatt, Mobstar Media’s MD, said:

“Mobstar provides top selling mobile phone content for networks and brands across the world. DOGMOB is our chance to make our content work for a good cause. We’re delighted to be involved with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and we hope DOGMOB is a huge success for them!”

There are reckoned to be over 6 million dog owning households in the UK.

Mobstar Media is preparing to launch further innovative charity related mobile concepts and…

Never fear. CATMOB.co.uk coming soon! Packed full of the cutest Battersea Cats ever, it’ll be cat lovers chance support Battersea.

ENDEMOL, IN ASSOCIATION WITH MOBSTAR, CREATE O2 MOBILE DRAMA – October 07

Mobstar Media, is working with Endemol UK to create a made-for-mobile blockbuster thriller for O2.

Cell, will premier on O2’s mobile network before distribution online and with other mobile operators in the UK and around the world.

Pasa Mustafa, Digital Content Producer at Endemol UK commented: “What makes Cell a first is that we’re applying production values normally associated with TV or film to a made-for-mobile series. We’re also delighted to be continuing our partnership with O2”.

Cell tells two parallel stories about the same man. It is the story of a man who finds himself locked in a lawless prison, with no notion of how he got there, who is holding him or why, and with no hope of escape. All he has is a cell phone and the voice of a mysterious caller. It is the story of the same man, living a life of wealth and power in the Columbian capital of Bogota. It’s the story of the woman he loves, the friend who betrays him, and a choice he makes that will change his life forever.

The 20 x 2 minute series is now in production at Mobstar and is due to premier on O2 in December 2007. Endemol UK will also be working closely with O2 to find other distribution partners for Cell both in the UK and worldwide.

Jamie Goldblatt, Managing Director of Mobstar Media, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Endemol on Cell. With excellent production values and manic attention to detail it will be a perfect showcase for the talents of the writers, animators and film makers at Mobstar.”

MOBSTAR TAKES VIRGIN MOBILE TO THE V FESTIVAL – August 07

Mobstar Media Ltd has created a unique Mobile Festival Survival Kit for Virgin Mobile, supporting the company’s headline sponsorship of this year’s V Music Festival.

The innovative suite of mobile content – conceived and created by Mobstar – includes a virtual Mobile Flame for waving during longer and more emotional guitar solos (a handier and safer alternative to matches, lighter and traditional fire making implements), ingenious Mobile Locaters (coloured flashing screensavers which allow festival goers to find one another in the crowds) and Mobile Spot Lights (bright light bulb screen savers which enable revellers to find their way home in the dark).

The Mobstar Virgin Mobile V Festival content is available now from a Virgin Festival Microsite (text ‘VFEST’ to 82330 to receive the Microsite link).

Simon Dornan, Head of PR for Virgin Mobile, said: “We’re delighted with Mobstar’s contribution to our V Festival sponsorship. With a mix of great original ideas and fantastic execution, Mobstar has really added value to our mobile offering, giving festival goers mobile content that is genuinely fun, relevant and practical!”

Jamie Goldblatt, MD of Mobstar Media, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Virgin Mobile for their V Festival Sponsorship. Once again, I think we’ve proven that original thinking coupled with real production talent can deliver truly compelling content.”

MOBSTAR IN DANGER – August 07

Mobstar Media Ltd has announced a deal that sees the Brighton based company deliver bespoke mobile themes to US software and services innovator,Danger, Inc.

In the United States, Europe and Australia, Danger is revolutionizing the experience of the mobile Internet, bringing voice and messaging communications, open Web browsing, and personalized services to a growing number of users.

The Mobstar deal focuses on Danger powered devices, which have achieved iconic status in the United States as popular consumer smart phones. The landscape oriented devices include a full range of integrated features – Web browser, messaging, media player etc – and, with the benefit of Danger’s award winning software, downloading applications, games and content is made easy. In order to enhance the personalization experience, Danger approached Mobstar to create a series of bespoke screen themes that can be previewed and downloaded directly from the device catalog. The premium themes, exclusive to Danger, feature a range of looks inspired by some of Mobstar’s most popular character and graphical content. These themes will initially be available to subscribers in the United States.

Jamie Rosenberg, Vice President Premium Services, Danger, Inc., said: “With the introduction of premium themes, the Danger platform is further evolving its capability to allow users more tools for personalization and self-expression. Danger looks forward to working with Mobstar on this and other advanced personalization initiatives in the future.”

Jamie Goldblatt, MD of Mobstar Media said: “Mobstar has proven that creativity and quality, rather than quantity are the keys to content success. Mobstar content is what consumers want. Gone are the days when substandard content is acceptable.
On operator and aggregator decks throughout the world Mobstar’s content is a top seller. We’re delighted to be working with Danger, with a worldwide choice of producers; it’s a testament to the creativity of our team that they chose Mobstar.”

DEAL OR NO DEAL – July 2007

Mobstar Media Ltd has created a range of high quality screensavers, wallpapers and animated video messages for Endemol for its hit Channel 4 Show, ‘Deal or No Deal’.

The creative, featuring animated iconic images from the show – the famous red boxes, the banker’s phone and the studio, will be distributed by Endemol and Channel 4. Individual elements include certificates for membership of “The Official 1p Club”, messages including, “Fancy a Pint… Deal of No Deal” and an ingenious rolling conveyor belt screen saver.

Jurian van der Meer of Endemol Digital Media said; “We’ve all been very impressed with the quality and creativity of Mobstar’s work and the speed at which they were able to deliver. We look forward to working with them on more projects again soon.” Mobstar is now working with a growing number of high profile brands, national and international TV and film producers to assist with mobile concepts, creative and delivery.

Last year, via distributor, Player X, Mobstar was the first company to produce a series mobi-sodes to accompany a major Hollywood film release – Universal’s Miami Vice.

Jamie Goldblatt, MD of Mobstar Media, said: “We’re obviously delighted to be working with Endemol and on such a great show! Everyone is really happy with the results and the creative looks fantastic. It’s a great example of how, with imagination, top quality animation and creativity, mobile can add real value, even to an established brand.”

MOBSTAR TAKES OLIVE OIL MOBILE – Aug 07

Mobstar Media Ltd has helped take the UK’s biggest Olive Oil brand mobile!

Filippo Berio has been the UK’s most popular Olive Oil brand for over 20 years and is the largest independent Italian food company operating in the UK. It is also a leading brand in the US, Europe and Japan. In the first instance, Filippo Berio is making the music from its current major TV advertising campaign available as a mobile ring tone. The move follows a deluge of requests received via the Filippo Berio website and by phone for the tune – a reworking for the famous Figaro Aria from Rossini’s Opera, “The Barber of Seville.” Diana Anderson, Filippo Berio’s Marketing Manager, explained: “We’re always looking into new opportunities to engage our customers. So, with the amazing popularity of the music to our current ad, this seemed like a good and fun opportunity to use mobile to give our audience what they want!”

Jamie Goldblatt, MD of Mobstar, said: “Using a ringtone was obviously a simple way to deliver a popular music track to Filippo Berio’s customers. At Mobstar we’re now talking to many leading brands about many different creative mobile and cross platform concepts. In many cases, introducing a brand to mobile though something simple like a ringtone is a good way to help them understand the technology and the possibilities.”