Oju Africa have launched their Afro Emoticons in SA and currently have over 12000 downloads of the free app from Google Play in just 4 days, of which the majority of those downloads have originated from the United States.
Created in 2012 and forms part of the premier Mobile Lifestyle Brand company Mi-Group International Ltd, the company has unveiled a full range of 65 Afro Emoticons. Their intention was launching the Emoticons at the global brand launch, however decided to launch 15 of them early following discussions surrounding #EmojiEthnicityUpdate and subsequent trends on Twitter.
Designed to be used across all Android platforms, the Oju’s will be released shortly on IOS and other platforms.
“Oju is an African innovation, an African character that we have no doubt will become an iconic character across the globe. Africa does not have its own Mickey Mouse or Hello Kitty until now with Oju,” remarked Alpesh Patel, CEO Oju Africa and Group CEO of Mi-Group International Ltd.
“Oju is a licensed African character which will be licensed out via Emoticons in the digital space, and via a traditional character in industries such as FMCG, Entertainment and Fashion. In fact, the launch here this evening will be followed by Oju Africa’s attendance at the prestigious Licensing Expo 2014 held in Las Vegas, USA from June 17-19th 2014. Making us one of the few African manufacturers to be present at the Expo.”
Yet for a continent synonymous with smiling faces, these unique Emoticons are bound to make those wide smiles become wider, as a portion of all licencing fees generated will be donated to the Mi-Oju Children’s Foundation which was officially launched at the event in association with Mi-Fone Board Advisor, and globally celebrated bestselling leadership author – Robin Sharma.
