V1 Group introduces various consumer electronic products featuring ‘Transformers’ film series characters

HONG KONG, Dec. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — V1 Group Limited (“V1 Group” or the “Group”; stock code: 00082.HK) today announced that its subsidiary Shenzhen Interactive Space-Time Technology Co., Ltd. (“Dreamroom”) has successfully obtained the license to develop, produce and sell various consumer electronics products featuring characters in the “Transformers” film series, such as Bluetooth speakers, routers and chargers, among others. Dreamroom is dedicated to building China’s largest customization platform for IP products, which helps the Group develop businesses focusing on the “Digital + New Culture and Sports” sphere, and take the initiative to better capitalize on the new wave of growth of the consumer electronics industry in the upcoming 5G era.

Dreamroom has launched various Transformers series IP products, such as a “Transformer” character-themed audio sensor speaker and a bone-conduction sports mask. All these products are R&D achievements of the team in the field of entertainment character licensing and consumer electronics over many years.

As a commercial organization focusing on the development, manufacturing and sales of IP products, Dreamroom has obtained dozens of related patents in the field of consumer electronic products. In the future, it will further build related technology and products, with a view to developing into the largest IP product customization platform in China. Upon the establishment of the Dreamroom business in the media and entertainment industry, the team has always focused on infusing cultural meanings associated with the characters into the products designed and developed, thereby promoting the effective dissemination of the characters’ cultural and branding influence, and maximizing the monetization of the “IP value”. In addition to Transformers, Dreamroom has been negotiating on collaborations with several renowned video and game IP owners worldwide. It is expected that more well-known authorized products will be available soon.

According to the Global Licensing Survey 2018 by the International Licensing Industry Association (LIMA), retail and related revenue generated by the U.S. trademark licensing business in 2017 reached US$149.6 billion, while China’s was only US$8.9 billion; the amount of product consumption per capita in the U.S. was around US$460, while China’s was only US$6. Nevertheless, the development of the fan economy, the upgrade of the middle-class’ consumption ability, and the pan-entertainment trend of “film, game, literature, and sports” being increasingly connected by the mobile internet are currently demonstrating a lot of growth potential in China’s IP product market.

In addition, China’s 5G is expected to be officially commercialized between 2019 and 2020, reaching a 60 percent user penetration rate by the end of 2020, which will substantially drive the sales growth of consumer electronics in the next few years. Dreamroom’s proven strengths in developing IP products, which boosts the appeal of consumer electronics, will enable V1 Group to take the lead in tapping into this market in the upcoming 5G era, effectively activating and exploiting the Group’s considerable resources and capabilities accumulated over the years in China’s TMT industry.

V1 Group indicated, “China’s IP product market is still in its infancy, which implies there is huge potential for growth. We will learn from the well-developed western market and enter the entire value chain of IP products including research, development and sales, targeting characters from films, content series and games. Such products offered by us will create a core fan group that will lead to a sustainable and healthy monetization of the IPs we own or are licensed. The IP product business of Dreamroom will also leverage the sales and distribution capabilities of our Liangzi Gang business.

“We are convinced that as we acquire more well-known video and game IP licenses, by the virtue of the Group’s substantial resources accumulated in China’s telecoms, media and technology sector for many years, the Dreamroom business will help us capitalize on China’s more than RMB two trillionconsumer electronics market in the 5G era. Focusing on the ‘Digital + New Culture and Sports’ sphere vigorously enhances the Group’s performance growth potential, and helps us strive for better returns for our shareholders.”

[Dreamroom’s product photos]

1. Bumblebee Bluetooth Speaker

2. Bumblebee Wi-Fi Extender

3. Optimus Prime Mouse

4. Starscream Router

About Dreamroom

Dreamroom is a commercial organization specializing in the development, manufacturing and sales of entertainment character licensed products, as known as IP products. It is committed to building China’s largest IP products customization platform, covering brand licensing, branding, product design and development, market research, and supply chain management. The Dreamroom team has more than 10 years’ experience in running entertainment character licensing businesses, ranging from R&D, design and sales to supply chain of IP products and 3C products. By redefining an entertainment character’s native personality, redefining product functionality and structures, developing innovative and practical patents, and securing supplies from first-tier factories, Dreamroom transforms each product into a creative art piece with proprietary patented rights.

About V1 Group Limited

V1 Group was established in 2005, and went listed on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2006, as the first listed Chinese company in the internet video industry. In 2015, V1 Group has established itself as one of the largest new media companies in China, later successfully transformed to be an internet conglomerate in 2016, its portfolio consisted with various business lines including media, healthcare, fintech, and cutting-edge information and communications technology. In 2018, V1 Group completed its acquisition of Easy Prime Developments Limited (Crazy Sports), accelerating its development of core business in “digital + new culture and sports”.

V1 Group Limited IR website: http://ir.v1.cn