Original article here, contents below:

Savannah, Georgia based Urban Planet Mobile (UPM) provides education and information products created specifically for delivery via mobile phone. The company’s initial product line targets the intersection of the 4.1B persons using mobile phones with the 1.3B persons desiring to learn English in addition to their native languages. The initial product is “Urban English,” with over 600 audio English language learning lessons available in ten languages, as well as daily vocabulary word builder programs for TOEFL, SAT, GRE, and specialized terminology such as nursing, medical, and pharmaceutical.  The company believes this content mixture addresses approximately 75% of the worldwide English learning market, which is today estimated at over $25B in total value.

Urban Planet Mobile has secured and developed innovative technology to deliver content directly to over 90% of mobile phones around the world, via SMS text, or SMS with audio (“Mobile Daily Audio Delivery”), and richer media for smart phones.  

Distribution contracts currently in the works with strategic partners, primarily targeting APAC, Middle East and BRIC markets, could generate well over 100 million potential users.  A second channel is governments and associations, with a focus on those sending medical professionals to English-speaking countries.  A third major channel is higher education, including global universities and institutions and companies serving the 650,000 foreign students currently enrolled in the US.  Direct to consumer licenses are also part of the plan.

The revenue model is primarily subscription based through these various channels.

Competition includes content offered by Nokia and Sony Ericsson on certain premium phones, Hutchison’s non-audio SMS product launched in Hong Kong, and potentially English First, Pearson Longman, Live Mocha, and Rosetta Stone.  (Note that Rosetta Stone is one of the rare initial public offerings of late.) 

The management team is headed by Brian OliverSmith, President & CEO, whose expertise is product marketing and distribution.  As EVP, Catherine OliverSmith, JD, leads content creation and marketing communications.  Quran Karriem, Director of Technology, makes the technology work and oversees studio production of the content. Rounding out the executive team is consultant John Chiaro. With 30+ years of corporate experience at companies such as Staples and Sears, John offers experience in working through dramatic growth and expansion while retaining bottom line profitability.  

With their proliferation throughout the developing countries of the world, mobile phones are clearly becoming the platform of choice for applications ranging from UPM’s educational content to entertainment to financial transactions. In addition, governments and very substantial foundations are investing heavily in mobile applications as a means of improving the welfare of their citizens. This company seems to be well positioned to take advantage of these trends.