Ad-supported mobile virtual network operator Blyk has named its co-founder and current executive director Antti Öhrling as CEO of its UK operation, replacing Shaun Gregory, its current UK chief, the company announced today. Gregory, who stepped into the role 14 months ago, is resigning for “personal reasons.” Blyk said that…

When Blyk, the ad-funded, youth targeted MVNO, scored 40 million euros ($50.5 million) in its latest round of funding a few weeks ago, it also announced that it was embarking on a new “partnership strategy”, though no details of what these entailed were given at the time. The company has…

Ad-funded, youth-targeted European mobile virtual network operator Blyk announced yesterday that it had secured a massive $50 million (40 million euros) in funding from its existing backers, which include Goldman Sachs, IFIC and Sofinnova Partners, no mean feat for a company whose business model relies almost entirely on advertising at…

Ad-funded, youth-oriented mobile virtual network operator Blyk has raised a massive $50.4 million (40 million euros) round from its existing investors - one of Europe’s biggest media/tech investments of the year.  The funding is a real boost for the company, both in terms of money as well as belief in…

Ad-supported free mobile network Blyk has appointed Carat Belgium’s MD Eric Samson as its CEO in the country, as it gears up to launch there. The MVNO running on Orange will open there in the first half of 2009; launches in Holland, Spain and Germany are also planned. Blyk targets…

Ad-funded free MVNO Blyk reports that it has 100,000 clients in Britain after being operational for six months—that’s half a year ahead of schedule. Blyk said the ad campaigns “had generated average response rates of 29 percent, compared with the usual response rates in advertising of just a few percentage…

A couple of advertising buyers have ratted on Blyk, telling NMA the UK ad-supported free MVNO has amassed just under 28,000 subscribers since September. One said the concept was “over-hyped”, another said customer numbers needed to be plenty higher; “doing a campaign is more hassle than it’s worth”. UK MD…

Ad-funded free MVNO Blyk has scored an undisclosed investment from Goldman Sachs and Industrial and Financial Investments Company (IFIC), and will make the Netherlands its second territory in the second half of ‘08. Existing investors in the outfit, which gives free calls and texts to customers aged 16 to 24…

Subscribers to UK ad-funded MVNO Blyk are allegedly turning off their phone’s messaging function in order to avoid receiving ads, according to the Inquirer citing a tip from a “disgruntled customer”. But Blyk’s COO Leif Fagelstedt denied this was happening and said it was more likely a misunderstanding over how…