Jana Mobile receives $15 million investment from Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe is making a $15 million investment in Jana Mobile, the global company that rewards consumer action in emerging markets such as Brazil, India, Indonesia and Nigeria. This is the first direct investment Publicis Groupe has made in a mobile technology startup, and as part of the $15 million investment, Publicis Groupe Charmain and CEO Maurice Lvy will join Jana's Board of Directors. Rishad Tobaccowala, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of VivaKi, will join Jana's Board of Advisors.

[caption id="attachment_956699" align="alignleft" width="380"] Maurice Levy[/caption]

Maurice Lvy, CEO, Publicis Groupe, said, "I have been personally attracted and convinced to invest directly in this platform as I see it as the next big thing in the communication industry. Consumers in these dynamic markets are spending 10 per cent of their daily income on mobile airtime, while global advertisers are spending more than $150 billion to reach them through traditional advertising channels, with its platform, Jana is changing the face of advertising by enabling us to invest in targeted, mobile-based campaigns that put advertising dollars directly into the pockets of the 'next billion' consumers our clients are most eager to reach. As a result, brands become more valuable to people, and people become more economically empowered. I am confident that Jana will help consumers in those markets to have a better life".

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Nathan Eagle, co-founder and CEO, Jana, said,"Our self-serve product, launching today, enables anyone to send airtime in over 70 currencies to billions of emerging market consumers. Our partnership with Publicis Groupe brings value that goes far beyond a financial investment. Their vision, advertising expertise and client relationships will undoubtedly create even more opportunities for our members to earn airtime through our platform."

Tobaccowala, who is assuming an advisory role with Jana, leads the Ventures practice that will orchestrate the introduction of Jana across all Publicis Groupe agencies to drive adoption and scale. "The Jana relationship will help us disrupt traditional ad models and connect our clients to the world's fastest growing populations where mobile adoption is far outpacing other technologies", he said.