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MediaCorp launches online classifieds website mocca.com in Singapore
Singapore, 26 July 2007 – Buying and selling your property, cars and just about anything under the sun in Singapore will now be faster and easier with the introduction of a new online classifieds website, mocca.com.
"Mocca" stands for MediaCorp Online Communities and Classifieds Advertising. The website, launched today, is the brainchild of MediaCorp, Singapore's leading media group behind such award-winning web initiatives as channelnewsasia.com, kidscentral.com and mediacorpradio.sg.
Over the next few months, MediaCorp will add other content to bring together online communities drawn to the variety of products and services being marketed on mocca.com. One such service is a platform for property buyers and sellers to share their views on property prices and developments. Complementing this will be MediaCorp's exclusive content and useful links to property-related resources such as transacted prices, interest rates, e-valuation and mortgage facilities.
Mr Timothy Goh, Vice President of New Media Business at MediaCorp, hopes to redefine the way in which goods are bought and sold through classifieds. "Why stop at just a black and white picture of the apartment you're trying to sell? Through mocca.com, the seller can upload colour images, and even include a "virtual tour" video of his apartment. It's the next best thing to being there! These online features benefit both the buyer and seller, and create a more exciting marketing experience," says Mr Goh.
Major property players such as Global Real Estate, ERA Singapore and HSR Property Group have confirmed coming on board mocca.com. (Please refer to Annex 2 for quotes)
The website is in beta version and is supported by a versatile and intuitive search engine that goes beyond what is offered by other local online classifieds websites. Users can shortlist their favourite ads and subsequently receive email alerts when a desired type of property is put on sale and even update their ads real-time.
More features will soon be added to mocca.com, which will bring together special-interest groups where netizens can meet, interact and trade.
Placing an online ad is free for a limited time period. For sellers of properties and cars and those who want more than "plain vanilla" listings, a nominal fee is charged. Mr Goh is confident that the website will attract many visitors, given the publicity generated through MediaCorp's television, radio and print platforms. MediaCorp personalities such as newscaster Glenda Chong and radio jocks The Flying Dutchman and Glenn Ong will be selling specially autographed items on the website.
Mr Goh adds, "With a potent combination of classified listings, a growing online community and strong content, we will give advertisers better value for their ad dollars and move the industry towards a stronger online presence."
Says Mr Steve Ting, Frontline's Executive Chairman, "Frontline is delighted to be working with MediaCorp to launch mocca.com, its online classified ads business, which leverages on new media space to further extend its reach to customers. Building on our extensive experience in enterprise solutions, we created a sophisticated and advanced infrastructure that is able to aggregate MediaCorp's content assets into a unified platform."
Mr Lucas Chow, CEO of MediaCorp, says, "With the high penetration of broadband and internet access in Singapore, I believe that the online classifieds will catch on just like elsewhere in the world and will free people from the limitations of static, and very often dull, newspaper ads. We are also exploring the option of taking this website initiative beyond Singapore, and so far, the indications are positive from other parts of Asia that people are ready to move their classifieds online."
He adds, "We want to be Singapore's definitive classifieds marketplace. Through this new online offering, MediaCorp is diversifying further into the new media business and putting ourselves in good stead to become Asia’s top media company."
Issued by Corporate Communications, MediaCorp
For more information, please contact:
Timothy Goh
Vice President
New Media Business/CRM
MediaCorp Enterprises Tel: (65) 6350 3022
Fax: (65) 6259 9677
E-mail: timothygoh@mediacorp.com.sg
Dawn Foo
Senior Manager
Corporate Services
MediaCorp Radio
Tel: (65) 6359 7548
Fax: (65) 6258 1181
Email: dawnfoo@mediacorp.com.sg
About MediaCorp
With 71 years of radio (1936) and 44 years of television (1963) experience, MediaCorp is a pioneer in the development of Singapore’s broadcasting history.
As Singapore's largest broadcaster and one of the region's most renowned broadcasters, MediaCorp offers a complete range of media businesses: TV, Radio, Entertainment Productions, Movie Productions, Newspapers, Magazines, Electronic Media and other broadcasting services. MediaCorp's vision is to become one of Asia's top media companies by delivering valued content to the world.
For more information, please visit www.mediacorp.com.sg
Annex 1
Mocca.com - Classifieds, Simply Better Online
What is mocca.com?
Mocca.com is MediaCorp's platform for classified advertising and online communities in Singapore. ("Mocca" stands for MediaCorp Online Communities and Classifieds Advertising.)
Why is MediaCorp launching mocca.com?
MediaCorp recognizes that the future of classified advertising lies online. The trend is already evident in many cities around the world. Online classifieds advertising offers both seller and buyer many features, such as search functions, that are not possible with other forms of classifieds.
Meanwhile, MediaCorp's wide range of broadcast channels and publications means it serves many different audiences and communities. Mocca.com gives MediaCorp a convenient, consolidated platform for reaching these communities and meeting their information and other needs.
MediaCorp is first launching the classified advertising leg of mocca.com, with the online communities to follow soon after.
What is unique about mocca's classified advertising service?
One distinctive feature of mocca.com is the 7-day expiration of ads. Advertisers can edit or completely change an ad whenever they want during the 7 days. At the end of the 7 days, they can easily renew the listing.
The 7-day time limit for listings has been set to ensure that ads on mocca.com are current. Most other online classified advertising sites have lengthy expiration periods or none at all, which creates the illusion of a high volume of ads.
Another unique feature of mocca.com is MediaCorp's unparalleled marketing reach. With its many broadcast channels and publications, MediaCorp will be able to publicise mocca.com across all of Singapore and draw attention to the ads that have been posted.
Is registration or subscription required for MOCCA?
Access to mocca.com is free. Anyone can visit the site and search and browse ads at no cost at all. Registration is only required when someone wants to post an ad or activate a service such as email alerts to new postings.
All visitors will, however, be encouraged to register so that they can benefit from services available only to registered users. Registration is free and will take no more than a minute or two to complete. During the introductory first month, all who register will win vouchers.
Is there a charge to post an ad on MOCCA?
Posting an ad is free in all categories, except Property and Vehicles. In these two categories, there is a nominal charge of $15 for each 7-day listing. This will let the advertiser upload up to 5 images and a video link with each ad as well as include a description of 800 characters of text. Advertisers in the other categories can also buy this enhancement package if they want.
During the introductory first month, there will be no charge at all to post classified ads on mocca.com. Users will be encouraged to explore the site, and to learn how to use mocca.com to maximum advantage.
What lies ahead for MOCCA?
After the introductory first month, additional features such as advanced search functions will progressively be added to mocca.com. These will be followed by the launch of online communities, with a host of features and services.
Feedback from users will be studied and, wherever possible, suggestions for improvements and additional services will be incorporated in the development of mocca.com.
Annex 2
Testimonials from property players
"Being a vibrant and fully integrated real estate service provider, we believe in innovative solutions for consumers, like mocca.com, another new creative idea from the media industry", says Mr Wilson Lim, CEO, Global Real Estate.
"Buying and selling a home should be easy and fun, not stressful and restrictive. With mocca.com, MediaCorp is using internet technology to make the buying and selling of properties an enjoyable and hassle-free experience, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anytime and anywhere. That's the way to go! ERA is proud to be a major business partner with MediaCorp," says Mr Jack Chua, President, ERA Singapore.
According to Mr Dennis Yong, President, HSR Property Group, "I was impressed with mocca.com and the wide coverage which will meet the needs of the local market - from the sale of handbags, food, cars, pets to properties etc. Customers will have greater trust and confidence to make decisions on purchases since this website is set up by MediaCorp."
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