In 2014, Bangladesh is poised for significant growth in digital media, driven by its large, young population and increasing internet penetration. Experts predict that digital media will empower young entrepreneurs, facilitate targeted marketing, and transform content creation for businesses. The rise of mobile banking and e-commerce, coupled with the evolution of social media strategies, signals a vibrant future for the digital landscape in Bangladesh.

1. Digital Revolution in Bangladesh
23 Expert Predictions for 2014

2. ‘‘
Use of digital media has been on the rise in
Bangladesh, with its large and young population is WebAble predicts
Bangladesh as of late. In 2014, set to reap demographic
dividends. I believe that in 2014,to fundamentally disrupt the
web platforms digital media will empower young
entrepreneurs to start small and reach niche customer groups with unique
marketing of ideas, brands and businesses. But to
products at a much lower cost than mainstream media.
what extent and how? We reached out to 23
experts to find out.
’’
**Quotes have been presented alphabetically

3. Asif Khan
Founder, The Asif Khan Blog
‘‘
Bangladesh, with its large and young population is set to reap demographic
dividends. I believe that in 2014, digital media will empower young
entrepreneurs to start small and reach niche customer groups with unique
products at a much lower cost than mainstream media.
’’

4. Bickey Russell
Head of Agency Development, Channel Sales, Google
‘‘
Internet consumption continues to explode in Bangladesh and online
behavior is evolving rapidly. As in other emerging markets, the next 12
months will see a dramatic shift in businesses looking to reach the connected
consumers, with a much greater focus on effective campaign measurement
and targeting.
’’

5. Fayaz Taher
Investor, Magnito Digital
‘‘
160 million connected through internet and phone makes one powerful
network. We see a rising trend on people getting connected as internet and
smart phone usage spreads. Digital marketing will be an important vehicle
for brands to reach that network .
’’

6. Iraj Islam
CTO, NewsCred
‘‘
We have over 20 Million active desktop internet users now, and as a result the
year 2014 will be a year of unprecedented growth in content marketing
among brands in Bangladesh.
’’

7. Kazi Monirul Kabir
Country Consultant, Bangladesh, Google
‘‘
The growth of internet penetration in Bangladesh has the potential to
disrupt the way we have seen internet traditionally. First time internet users
and many of them using mobile devices to access internet, would redefine
how individuals and businesses connect and collaborate online. New ideas
of using internet would drive growth of online solutions for many offline
problems…
’’

8. Korvi Rakshand
President, JAAGO Foundation
‘‘
Social media campaigns, combined with engaging content and structured online
funnels, can be very powerful tools for non-profits to raise money for their
projects, mobilize communities, and develop awareness.
’’

9. M K Aaref
CEO, Center for Public Service and the Arts at EMK Center
‘‘
Lack of connectivity is no longer an excuse. Emergence of digital media has created
a huge opportunity for entrepreneurship. Put your business ideas into action and
start earning instead of waiting for a 'chakri'.
’’

10. M Saifur Rahman
Chief Executive Officer, LightCastle Partners Ltd.
‘‘
In the last few years, the digital world has affected our lives in multiple
dimensions. From business to politics, the digital media has been a major
force in re-shaping our thought process and lifestyle. With a tech-savvy
youth population intricately engaged digitally, the importance of social
media has never been felt more.
’’

11. Mahmudul H Shohag
Chairman & CEO, OnnoRokom Group
‘‘
Internet usage has gained remarkable momentum in Bangladesh and in 2014
it will grow even faster. Armed with a huge amount of psychographic and
demographic information, brands will be able to target specific customer
groups. So it's time to be efficient, it's time to be smart, it's time to go online.
’’

12. Minhaz Anwar
Chief Storyteller, BetterStories Ltd. & StartUp Activist, BizCube
‘‘
In future, the mini-screen will rule! However, telecom operators of today will
turn into fossils unless they keep switching the gear all the time to remain
relevant. It will be the world of Nano where biology, chemistry, engineering
everything will become one integrated idea.
’’

13. Mridul Chowdhury
Founder and CEO, mPower Social Enterprises
‘‘
In two years time, two important things will happen: One, dumb phones will
become more or less obsolete. Two, high-speed Internet will be available
throughout much of the country. This will fundamentally change the way
we communicate, learn and share.
’’

14. Naveed Mahbub
Chief Entertainment Officer, Naveed's Comedy Club
‘‘
The key is content. The delivery mechanisms are social media and web in general.
The audience, while at the moment being limited to the somewhat affluent, will
eventually become the masses now that 3G is in place and with smart phones
eventually becoming affordable.
’’

15. Nash Islam
CEO, Green and Red Technologies
‘‘
2014 will usher in the first era of multi-channel digital media planning in
Bangladesh. In the past, it was enough to have a Facebook page and some ads to
promote it. Now businesses will look to optimize multiple digital touch points
through websites, videos, mobile & more. Multi-channel digital media planning will
bring these together within one strategy.
’’

16. Nazmul Ahmed
CEO & Founder, Ennovision
‘‘
Bangladesh is #3 in the world for taking on jobs from online marketplaces which
accounts for 10% of all their work! Given these trends, with 70 million youths
and increasing internet penetration, it is very promising for us to skip the IT/BPO
all together and establish a very strong culture of entrepreneurship, freelancers
and independent contractors!
’’

17. Pial Islam
Managing Partner, pi Strategy Consulting
‘‘
Although we have about 10 million people using mobile banking today, less
than 5% of them are active wallet users currently. pi Strategy Consulting
forecasts that in 2014 the mobile banking activity rate will experience a 500%
growth. And with that, a vibrant mobile banking market will begin to emerge,
which will in turn facilitate uptake of e-commerce in Bangladesh in a
significant way.
’’

18. Piplu R Khan
Film-maker & Founder, Applebox
‘‘
Digitally enabled thinking is shaping quite interestingly in Bangladesh and
it will influence our storytelling very soon. In 2014, digital media will
become a powerful platform to connect brands with hearts and minds of
users.
’’

19. Prabeer Sarkar
CEO and Founder, Officextracts (Kaspersky Lab),
‘‘
Online activity is gaining momentum. 2014 is a year of hope and stability. It is
poised also to be a year of online growth, business and marketing in
Bangladesh. We should be ready this year for unprecedented growth in content
marketing among the brands in Bangladesh.
’’

20. Quazi M. Ahmed
Lead Consultant/CEO, FutureLeaders
‘‘
With 36 million internet users, 6.4 million Facebook account holders, and 3G
taking off fast in Bangladesh, I expect an unprecedented opportunity for brands
to engage with consumers' hearts and minds through real-time interactions
across multiple digital channels in 2014.
’’

21. Saddam Azad
Founder & CEO, Dugdugi
‘‘
Up until now, the music industry had failed to leverage the internet for
publishing & curating music and reaching its target audiences. This is about
to change in 2014 with exciting new developments in the intersection
between technology and music.
’’

22. Sadequa R. Sejuti
Managing Director, Future Solutions for Business (FSB)
‘‘
In 2014 digital media will truly transform the growth of small businesses
online. I look forward to seeing brands leverage visibility in search engines,
micro level community targeting, and social media marketing to the full
extent.
’’

23. Saif Kamal
Managing Partner, Toru The Idea Tree
‘‘
Brands in Bangladesh need to use social media to listen to their
consumers and integrate it into their user insights and research.
’’

24. Sajid Islam
CEO & Founder, Shetu
‘‘
In addition to all the startup ecosystem development activities, the
adoption of smartphones & 3G rollout will cause massive innovation &
disruptions in 2014.
’’

25. Sarah Ali
Managing Director, Bitopi Advertising Ltd.
‘‘
Faster connectivity will open up richer content experiences for users across
desktop and mobile devices. With the advent of 3G, allowing for bandwidthintensive visually stimulating engagements, expect to see greater use of video,
rich-media applications, and brand experiences that call on real time data and
actionable feedback.
’’

26. Revamp your digital strategy
for 2014 with us
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