I like Bytedance. I think they make great apps. Super engaging. With fantastic user interfaces. They are one of the most innovative mobile app companies on the planet. But they suck at internationalization. Their attempt to become China’s first international digital company has been a slow moving train wreck. Lots of us have been predicting […]
Category Archives: Tiktok / Douyin
What TikTok Can Learn From Huawei About the Role of the State (Tech Strategy – Podcast 39)
In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses how TikTok can learn from Huawei about the role of the state in China. He argues that TikTok needs to build relationships with key government officials and understand the regulatory environment in order to be successful in China. Towson also believes that TikTok can benefit from Huawei’s experience in dealing with foreign governments.
WeChat, TikTok and Capturing the Consumer Mind in a Digital Age (Tech Strategy – Podcast 36)
In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses how companies like WeChat and TikTok are changing the way businesses compete for consumers’ attention in the digital age. He argues that the share of the consumer mind is becoming a more important competitive advantage than ever before. Towson provides examples of how WeChat and TikTok are using digital tools to capture the consumer mind, and he discusses the implications for businesses of all sizes.
TikTok vs. Spotify vs. Tencent China Literature (Tech Strategy)
I like audience builders as platform. They have interesting complexities and variations. They are more interesting than marketplaces and payment platforms. Plus, audience builder platforms are combining with e-commerce quite nicely. Spotify, TikTok, and China Literature are all audience builders I like. But they are really different, even though they all basically connect content creators […]
What Is the Secret of TikTok / Douyin’s Success? (Tech Strategy – Podcast 20)
Jeffrey Towson, a China tech expert, believes that TikTok’s success is due to its addictiveness, ease of use, and highly shareable content. He also credits the app’s ability to tap into China’s growing digital consumer network.
How WeChat, TikTok and Chinese Consumers Are Disrupting and Personalizing Luxury
In my online Asia Tech Class, I talk a lot about digital superpowers, which are digital tools that upend established business. And one of these superpowers a dramatically improved user experience, such that the traditional offering is now unacceptable to users. And this sort of dramatically improved user experience is what is happening in luxury […]
Tencent Will Crush ByteDance’s Online Gaming Ambitions (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)
Cheers from Laos, I’m in the capital Vientiane getting a new visa. And it turns out this is sleepy city is a good place to hide during the coronavirus situation. No crowds. No subways. I rarely pass anyone on the street. I’m literally sitting all alone in a café right now. In terms of Asia […]
TikTok Rocks Facebook, US-China Round One Ends, Luxury Is Going Digital Fast (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Update)
Happy Friday everyone. Three quick reads for the Daily Update. Have a great weekend. – jeff TikTok Is Rocking Facebook TikTok continues to go international fast. Here is a good summary at SCMP, which claims Tiktok was the second most downloaded app globally in 2019 (although take these numbers with a big grain of […]
Is Facebook Behind Tiktok’s CFIUS Review? Alibaba and Mobike Have Digital Superpowers (Daily Update 11.7.19)
Good morning everyone. This is the daily update for Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, with two points. Facebook is increasingly citing China in their lobbying. Are they behind Tiktok’s CFIUS review? Alibaba and Mobike have digital superpowers. Cheers from the Shanghai airport, jeff Is Facebook behind Tiktok’s CFIUS review? In the last week, CFIUS announced that […]