Landmark study sees mobile device adoption driving online video consumption, multitasking and digital purchases (image: BusinessWire)
LONDON, June 30, 2014 (Korea Bizwire)–IDG Global Solutions (IGS) recently released the 5th annual Global Mobile Survey, the biggest ever study of consumer and business use of mobile devices.
“The ‘mobile evolution’ is having a profound effect on consumers and businesses”
The study highlights:
- Dramatic increase in mobile video consumption: 75% of consumers use a smartphone to watch online videos compared with 61% in 2012.
- Mobile replaces traditional media: 50% of respondents use a tablet to read newspapers, and 40% have replaced either the desktop or laptop with a tablet device.
- Blurring boundaries between business and personal life: 80% of all respondents research products or services for business on a tablet in the evening.
- Lack of mobile-enabled websites and security concerns remain the biggest barriers to the growth of purchases on smartphone.
The survey, conducted among more than 23,500 executives and consumers across 43 countries, focuses on four key areas:
- Mobile Executives: How executives use mobile devices—especially for business
- Mobile Business: How and when audiences research and purchase products on mobile devices
- Mobile Millennials vs. Generation X: Differences in consumer behavior across video, social and commerce
- Mobile Lifestyle: How audiences use multiple screens, socialize and buy on mobile devices
The research also reveals that video consumption has become pervasive on mobile devices, with 75% of respondents using smartphones and 87% tablets to watch online video. Millennials and C-suite executives, meanwhile, are near equal consumers of tablet video with 92% of 18- to 34-year-olds and 91% of senior executives (CEO/COO/Chairman/President) reporting they watch video on their tablet. Both audiences access all kinds of video content—including YouTube, movies, TV shows and training guides—although, senior executives are nearly twice as likely as Millennials to watch promotional videos.
“The ‘mobile evolution’ is having a profound effect on consumers and businesses,” said Christina Carstensen, IDG Global Solutions. “It has kick-started the ‘always-on’ culture, presenting brands with unprecedented opportunities to develop closer relationships with their customers. We have moved beyond media convergence to a convergence of technology and humans, and brands more than ever need to show their human side to communicate in a relevant, engaging and intuitive way.”
Mobile Executives
For senior executives, smartphones are a critical business tool. The majority of senior executives (92%) own a smartphone used for business, with 77% reporting they use their smartphone to research a product or service for their business. While the majority (93%) go on to purchase that product via the Internet using a laptop or desktop, 50% of these executives have purchased IT products for business using their smartphone, with 13% reporting making a purchase between $1,000 to $4,999 (£600–2,999; €700–3,499).
Security concerns (45%) and having a website not mobile enabled (43%) were the most common reasons for this audience not to purchase a product via smartphone. Like mainstream consumers, senior executives want an omni-channel purchase environment to seamlessly move between devices to make IT purchases.
Mobile for Business
Tablet ownership has exploded among survey respondents, rising from 20% in 2011 to 61% in 2014. In Latin America, 41% of respondents said their tablet had replaced their laptop computer, with 59% reporting using their tablet device to purchase IT products for their business, the highest percentage of all regions surveyed. Software and computer accessories were the IT products most frequently purchased for business across all regions, reflecting significant opportunity for IT companies willing to invest in mobile commerce innovations such as shoppable video.
Millennials vs. Generation X
Nearly all respondents aged 18 to 34 owned a smartphone, and 91% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 85% of 25- to 34-year-olds used social networking sites and apps on their smartphone. Only 38% of 18- to 24-year-olds owned a tablet, however. Tablet ownership jumps to 55% among 25- to 34-year-olds, and 65% report using another device or screen, primarily television (83%) at the same time as their tablet.
To reach these audiences, tech marketers are now competing with mainstream brands on Facebook or trying to grab their audience’s attention during television programs. B2B brands investing in quality social content or video with high production values comparable to television are most likely to engage young influencers and stimulate social media shares.
Mobile Tech Lifestyle: Multitasking
The majority of Global Mobile Survey respondents are multitasking: 61% use another device at the same times as their tablet, and 58% use another device at the same time as their smartphone. In both cases the majority of activity on these devices is unrelated.
To download the IDG Global Solutions white paper: “Mobile Evolution: Connecting Content” go to: http://idgknowledgehub.com/mobileidg/idg-mobile-survey/
About International Data Group
International Data Group (IDG™) is the world’s leading technology media, events and research company. Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, IDG products and services reach an audience of more than 280 million technology buyers in 97 countries.
IDG Communications’ global media brands include ChannelWorld®, CIO®, CITEworld, CSO®, Computerworld®, GamePro®, InfoWorld®, ITworld®, Macworld®, Network World®, PCWorld®, TechHive® and Techworld®. IDG’s media network features 460 websites, 200 mobile apps and 180 print titles spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and video games worldwide. The IDG TechNetwork represents more than 570 independent websites in an ad network and exchange complementary to IDG’s media brands.
With expertise in branding, lead generation and social media marketing, IDG marketing services programs are strategically designed and implemented to influence technology vendor prospects worldwide.
A recognized leader in conference and exhibition management, IDG produces more than 700 globally branded technology and entertainment conferences and events in 55 countries.
International Data Corporation (IDC®), a subsidiary of IDG, has more than 1,000 analysts who provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in more than 110 countries.
Additional information about IDG is available at http://www.idg.com.
Source: International Data Group (via BusinessWire)
