SA's Pondering Panda Purchased

In South Africa, yearling 'microjobbing' platform M4JAM (Money for Jam) has acquired digital survey specialist Pondering Panda for an undisclosed amount.

Pondering Panda claims to have pioneered mobile research in South Africa and completed 7.5 million digital interviews through various digital channels, with expertise in an impressive twenty African countries. The firm partners with online community and panel providers to conduct research over multiple digital channels, across a variety of respondent bases. Following the buy, it will maintain its own brand although the two companies say they are beginning their integration immediately.

New owner M4JAM allows clients to post a number of small tasks, which it then promotes to a base of around 80,000 'jobbers' who complete them using their mobile phones. Founded a year ago and initially self-funded, it is now looking to scale up its operation globally following funding from investment firms Naspers and Tencent. Co-founder and 'Chief Jammer' Andre Hugo says his firm has already 'revolutionised the way that market research data is gathered', with provision of ''in-the-moment' insights from a geographically and demographically diverse community'. The buy strengthens this value proposition, allowing the firm to offer 'enhanced analytics, from real customers, in real-time'.

Pondering Panda CEO Diane Gantz says her firm's new parent is a 'like-minded digital disruptor', and between them the two companies will 'take mobile research beyond simple questionnaires into a whole new world of real-time insights powered by their microjobbing platform'.

Web sites: www.ponderingpanda.com and www.m4jam.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.