HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

To celebrate, here are five trends in the Chinese digital industry. So join us, and say 新年快乐 ! 恭喜发财 !

1. WEARABLE TECH

2013 saw Baidu launch the Codoon Wristband

2014 saw the unveiling of the Baidu Eye

CNet estimates by the end of 2014 over 19 million wearable devices will be shipped globally

2. SMARTPHONES GROW AND GROW

Xiaomi (a local smartphone brand) and Apple have made inroads into Samsung’s market share

Xiaomi grew to 12.5% market share (taking over Samsung’s 12.1%)

Apple’s market grew from 7.4% in Q4 2013 to 12.3% in Q4 2014

Approx. 80% of all mobile phone users in China use a smartphone

There was a 70% increase in Apple App Store downloads in Q1-year-on-year from 2013 in China

APPS HAVE BECOME AN IMPORTANT BATTLE GROUND FOR

COMPANIES

3. THE GREAT FIREWALL STANDS STOIC

China’s Golden Shield cracked down on several western search engines

Instagram was added to the list of social media networks that are blocked

Dropbox was blocked in June 2014 and in October so was the BBC website

4. LATE NIGHT USER HABITS

WPP’s China Consumption Trends 2014 highlights that the Chinese Market strongly favours late night activities

Chinese companies have started to actively promote campaigns at night

UK trends are starting to show similar user behaviour

The traditional digital marketing notion that you should target your audience during the day is out-dated

BE FULLY AWARE OF WHEN YOUR AUDIENCE IS MOST ACTIVE

5. QR QRAZY

China has embraced the QR code in a way that the UK and other countries have not

The rise in popularity of QR codes includes a mobile-ready user base and apps and websites that can be used to engage with customers

Western brands with a presence in China have embraced the square to engage in China’s mobile-savvy masses

An added perk is Alipay’s QR campaign which allows people to send money virtually via a QR code to loved ones during Chinese New Year

CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR IN LONDON?

MINTTWIST.COM