Japan's Line Aims for No.2 in China's Mobile IM Market
Sohu IT, 5/26/13
Frank Lee, head of the Chinese division of NHN Japan's "Line" mobile messaging application, has announced during an interview with Chinese internet firm Sohu that Line is aiming for the number two spot in the Chinese mobile IM market, ranking behind only Chinese internet and mobile services firm Tencent's (0700.HK) WeChat (Weixin). Line has 10 employees currently focused on Greater China, covering Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Line plans to expand on a large scale in Mainland China starting in the second half of 2013.
According to Lee, Line has already set up a server in China and users in Mainland China downloading the app will automatically download a Mainland Chinese version that filters politically sensitive words.
Lee also stated that Line has partnered with Chinese Internet services and security software provider Qihoo 360 (NYSE: QIHU). As a part of the agreement, Qihoo 360 is responsible for obtaining a business license for Line and will serve in a promotional and advisory capacity. Qihoo 360's mobile assistant platform is currently Line's most important promotional channel. Line has also partnered with mobile app and gaming platform operator 91 Wireless's "91 Assistant" mobile handset assistant and Android app store Wandoujia for app distribution, paying advertisement fees to both companies.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "Update: NHN Allies with Qihoo 360 on China Release of Line" MD 12/12/12 issue and "Rumor: Line Filters Sensitive Keywords in China" MD 5/21/13 issue.
Keywords: Line IM Frank Lee wireless mobile IM app store Qihoo 360 Wandoujia QIHU 91 Assistant 91 Wireless mobile application strategy