Kakao Corp is the company behind KakaoTalk (its platform and flagship app), and was founded in 2010 by Beom Soo (Brian) Kim, the former CEO of NHN Corporation (founder of Hangame, which merged with Naver.com to create NHN).[6] Kakao Corp. is based in Seoul, South Korea, and Jae-Beom (JB) Lee and Sirgoo Lee are the current Co-CEOs.
In 2013, Kakao Corp. generated revenue of approximately $200M (USD) through gaming, digital content, mobile commerce and its marketing channels for brands and celebrities.[7]
Kakao Corp. was named a "Top Developer" on Google's Android Market. and KakaoTalk was chosen as the No.1 Free SMS App by Cnet.[8]
According to a December 2013 AppAnnie report, Kakao is also the world’s third top publisher by monthly revenue in Google Play. Kakao Corp. is the #1 publisher for iOS and Google Play in South Korea, and KakaoTalk is the #1 app for iOS and Google Play revenue in South Korea.[9] KakaoTalk was nominated for the Most Innovative Mobile App Award at the Global Mobile Awards 2014.[10] Kakao Corp. agreed to buy Daum Communications Corp, to cut costs and save time to jump-start growth and gain a listing in Seoul, South Korea.[11]
Kakao Corp’s full suite of apps include: KakaoTalk, KakaoStory, KakaoMusic, KakaoGroup, KakaoHome, KakaoPlace, KakaoAlbum, KakaoPage, KakaoStyle, KakaoAgit.[12]
In May 26, 2014, Kakao Corp. announced that it has decided to merge with Daum Communications through a stock swap. Once the two firms are combined, a new tech giant is expected to debut, with about 3 trillion won ($2.9 billion) market capitalization, posing an apparent threat to Naver, the nation's biggest portal company.[13]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KakaoTalk |