April 16, 2007
- GMO Pepabo, Inc.
April 16, 2007
Press Release
paperboy&co. Inc.
Free Blog Service JUGEM Targets Women and Youth with New Features
New Editing Function Lets Users Create Their Own Pictographs
Tokyo – April 16, 2007 -- Paperboy&co. has introduced two new functions to their free blog service JUGEM as part of efforts to improve features that appeal to mobile users, young people and women. The new features being launched today are the pictograph editor, PICTO and a “chaku-uta” ring tone melody search function.
JUGEM is a free blog service packed with mobile functions and featuring a wide range of stylish templates. The service is aimed at teenagers and women in their twenties and thirties. Over half a million blogs have been created since the service was launched in February, 2004.
JUGEM users are largely made up of young women, 74% of all users are women and 72% are in their twenties or younger. A survey of JUGEM users carried out between February 26 and March 5 this year shows that the blog service is increasingly being accessed by mobile phone. We expect demand for mobile phone functions to grow.
JUGEM plans to continue improving features aimed at mobile users, young people and women. The launch of PICTO and the ring tone melody search service is part of that objective. These are functions that make the blog service more enjoyable and more convenient for those users.
PICTO - Create Original Pictographs
PICTO is a function that enables users to create their own pictographs and use them in their blogs. Not only can they create 16x16 pixel sized pictographs, it is also possible to create animations of up to 15 frames. PICTO has been developed as a Flash® interface so there is no need to install any special software, animations can be simply created in your Internet browser.
Click on the PICTO button on the JUGEM administrators screen to open the PICTO screen and start editing your pictographs. Up to 100 original pictographs can be registered. Users select the pictograph they wish to use from a list and click on it to automatically insert the pictograph tag into the blog posting form.
Favorites List Feature for Sharing Pictographs
Pictographs created using PICTO can also be made available to share with other JUGEM users. Users can find pictographs in the Popular Pictograph Rankings or by using the pictograph search function. They can then save them to their Favorites list for use in their own blog. It is also possible to invite readers to the blog of the pictograph’s creator so the new PICTO feature even functions as a tool for expanding communication.
As well as creating their own pictographs, users can also select from 346 official JUGEM pictographs. Now it is even more fun to express yourself using JUGEM blog.
“Chaku-Uta” Ring Tone Melody Search Function
The new ring tone melody search function on the top page of JUGEM Mobile, the mobile phone version of JUGEM makes it possible to search for ring tone melodies by artist or song name across several different sites at the same time.
The function searches major ring tone distribution sites and music label sites simultaneously saving the user from the time-consuming task of visiting each site one at a time. The service only covers the official contents of each mobile phone carrier so all sites are safe and do not violate copyright laws.
JUGEM strives to continue providing functions that suit our user’s lifestyles and create a more pleasant and enjoyable blogging environment. We aim to establish the blog as a tool not only for information transmission but as a tool for communication.
Related Links (All links are to Japanese language sites unless otherwise indicated)
JUGEM User Survey: http://jugem.jp/business/doc/survey200704.pdf
Media Inquiries
paperboy&co. Corporate Planning Office PR
E-mail: [email protected]
GMO Internet Inc. Group PR Team
E-mail: [email protected]
The GMO Internet Group
The GMO Internet Group is a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services in Japan. We provide web hosting, e-commerce tools, domain registration, Internet advertising, online securities trading and a host of other services to over 22 million individual and 550 000 corporate customers. Striving to redefine the industry and foster a vibrant Internet culture, the GMO Internet Group is continuously working to inspire enthusiasm in our customers and put smiles on their faces.
paperboy&co. Inc.
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Company Name
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paperboy&co. Inc. http://www.paperboy.co.jp
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Address
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Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
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CEO
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Kazuma Ieiri
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Business Description
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■Web hosting service
■E-commerce support
■Community business
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Capital
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￥74,450,000
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GMO Internet Inc.
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Company Name
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GMO Internet Inc. http://www.gmo.jp/en
(TSE First Section Code: 9449)
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Address
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Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
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CEO
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Masatoshi Kumagai
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Business Description
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■Internet Use Support (Infrastructure)
■Internet Advertising Support (Media)
■Internet Finance
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Capital
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￥7,148,290,000
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*Chaku-uta is a registered trademark of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
*Flash® is an Adobe Systems Incorporated trademark and/or registered trademark in the US and other countries.