FEED Issue 01

57 START-UP ALLEY Promethean TV

gave it to humankind. Sharpe’s aim, he says, is to “ignite video commerce”. The firm’s beachhead customer is Thai telco True, part of the CP Group, which is about to roll out a new retail-based loyalty platform called True Privilege, built with the support of Thailand’s leading retailers. True customers can earn points by visiting partner retailers such as 7-Eleven, and points can be redeemed on more items or by watching movies on the True network. The platform went live in the middle of January and Reed Anderson, True Digital Media Platform chief technology oƒicer, says that it is “critical” to the telco’s future plans. “It’s about oƒering our customers that next-generation television experience. Our customers won’t always want to passively watch television, they’ll want to actively be involved,” he adds.

According to Sharpe, early feedback on the platform has been positive, with click through rates of up to 56%. The platform’s price structure oƒers a revenue share model for companies seeking to predominantly drive sales, or a licence model for companies aiming to foster engagement first. “We only charge for overlays used, so an individual streamer can garner as much benefit as a massive national broadcaster,” he adds. The CEO says that the company’s roadmap for 2018 involves “finding the right investors and/or strategic partners”. The firm was invited onto cloud delivery giant Akamai’s booth at IBC last year to exhibit as part of the CTO’s Innovation Showcase and, according to Sharpe, this has opened up potential integrations with worldwide partners that the firm is currently exploring.

SETTING THE WORLD ALIGHT Promethean TV’s CEO wants to ignite video commerce with its plan to monetise content via clickable overlays

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