Shoppers Clamor for Mobile Virtual Gifts

With everyone clamoring for the hottest new gifts, millions are ditching the mall and instead heading online to pick up this season’s biggest item: virtual goods. Consumers — and their avatar alter egos — will spend over $1 billion this year on virtual goods in the U.S. In response to overwhelming consumer demand, Cellufun (m.cellufun.com), the world’s largest social gaming community on mobile, is rolling out an expansive suite of goods and gifts to entice active holiday shoppers. The company is even encouraging consumers to start early by hosting a Black Friday sale where everything in the Cellufun marketplace is 50% off.

Cellufun fits into the busy schedules of shoppers on the go by making it possible for users to send and receive virtual goods from their mobile phones. Alone in its class, Cellufun makes it possible to send virtual goods to anyone with a mobile phone anywhere in the world, without worrying about which cellular provider or what kind of phone the recipient may have. Cellufun is particularly appealing to those who do not have time to stand in line at the mall or even to log on to their computers to shop for a gift. With Cellufun, users can send a designer necklace to a girlfriend in Reno from the office Christmas party or a sweater to a brother on the other side of the world at a board meeting in New Delhi.

Ensuring no shortage of items for even the finickiest recipient, Cellufun boasts the largest mobile virtual goods marketplace in North America at more than 3500 items. Cellufun’s colossal holiday rollout includes specials and sales in the mobile mall throughout December. From exotic pets to designer clothing and jewelry, “virtually” anything is up for grabs on Cellufun as long as shoppers are willing to spend a little real world cash.

The fast facts on Cellufun virtual gifting for 2009:

• All Cellufun transactions must take place using the virtual currency FunCoins, which can be purchased right over a mobile phone.
• Presents can be given to anyone, not just Cellufun users. Everyone with a cell phone number or e-mail address can send and receive gifts.
• Every item for sale is available to be wrapped and virtually delivered at no charge.
• Cellufun users can be notified via text message when a gift arrives from another player or when their recipient has received an item.
• Virtual gifts appear under a designated Hanukah bush or Christmas tree on a player’s profile page.
• The company is also adding limited time items like Santa hats and seasonal confectionary delights to put everyone in a jolly mood.

Just like in the real world, it’s the thought that counts. According to a recent survey by Q Interactive Services, more than half those polled said that virtual gifting is as meaningful as receiving a real world item.

“This holiday season is all about having the ability to multi-task. Increasingly large numbers of consumers are on their mobile phones, accessing the Internet on any given day,” said Cellufun CEO Neil Edwards. “It just makes sense that people are giving presents over their mobile phones.”

Cellufun had over 2.5 million transactions during their introduction of virtual goods into its mobile marketplace in the third quarter of 2009. With forecasters projecting virtual goods sales in excess of $5.5 billion worldwide, Cellufun representatives believe they are in a position to trounce their third quarter virtual goods earnings.

Tags: Black Friday, Cellufun, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Mobile Phone, Neil Edwards, Text Messaging, United States