The Rise and Fall of Chikka
Chikka almost had it big. Operating as the first-ever SMS-capable messenger system, it had a solid base of almost 90-milliom tetx-crazy Filipinos as its foundation. However, due to the ups and downs of being in the dynamic world of competition, Chikka has lost its first attempt to really make it big. Remember the IPO talks? After all the buzz, what in the world happened, huh? The question is, will there really be a rebound?
Sure, Chikka has still grown. More downloads, more versions, more traffic. (And oh, the Web 2.0 messenger bit is also fun, but I don’t think it’s working. And uhm, iPods galore? I’m not too fond with the ways Chikka execute contests and raffles. Hehehe. ~ updated 06 June 2008) Unfortunately though, competition has become more intense that the single-identifying characteristic about Chikka is now a part of many bigger websites such as Yahoo! Don’t forget local telcos who took a big chunk out of the need to use Chikka with the introduction of Sun Cellualr and its unlimimted texting scheme. Spawning copycats such as Globe’s Unlimitxt (now Unlitxt), people are now less affected with having to spend 1 peso per text just to keep in touch.
Moreover, why would anyone even want to use Chikka now especially when it has 2 of the worst business models ever in the eyes of the consumer?
1. Maximum SMS per day – Like duh? Sun, Globe, and Smart are almost giving SMS for free nowadays (compared to yesteryears) and you guys still think people are gonna stand up to your SMS limits?
2. The Hidden Charges – Yeah, yeah. It’s not the user who actually pays for it but theb sucker who texted right back to the Chikka message bearing the company’s scheming revenue-generating codes. Can you imagine how many people got pissed off when they found out they ran out of load thanks to Chikka? I’ve had my own share and believe me, they really thought of Chikka as evil.
I think right now, Chikka has no choice but to overhaul their business model. Sooner or later, they’re gonna feel the blow. They have to strart reinventing before it is too late. No questions asked, they have to offer SMS for free. Now how do they earn if they have to say goodbye to that generous P2.50 per SMS charge?
I have some nifty ideas, but I won’t squeal. With all the millions Chikka, or should I say Dennis Mendiola (Wow! I never expected this to happen but it seems tides have changed within Chikka as reported last 04 June 2008 by the Philippine Star regarding the removal of Dennis Mendiola as CEO (read as fired!?) ~ updated 06 June 2008), has earned ever since it launched its very unstable version way back in early 2000, I bet they can afford to hire an expert marketing man to come join their force and save the day!
Is it still Chikka country? Fortunately or unfortunately, it is still a yes, for now.
Some good points bud. Though the 2.50 and free credits is just a part of the pretty complicated equation. I’d love to hear your thoughts on marketing (without revealing too much on your nifty ideas).
Comment by Vince Corpus — September 6, 2007 @ 4:05 am
yay, this is nice! well, perhaps soon enough we can talk over coffee. your treat! i’ll email you someday. haha!
Comment by marketingmanila — September 7, 2007 @ 4:48 am
Sure thing buddy, will wait, hopefully sooner than later. Thanks!
Comment by Vince Corpus — September 12, 2007 @ 7:55 am
yung nag-reply is either a chikka employee or kakilala ni Dennis Mendiola hahaha. By the way there are rumors circulating that the head of chikka here in the philippines are doing favors for friends & disclosing IP address of other chikka users. what a shame this is unacceptable & so very unprofessional. if you’re doing this sana bumagsak nga kayo.
Comment by jenny — November 19, 2007 @ 3:08 am
hahaha may umaray sa kapalpakan ng chikka.
Comment by jenny — November 19, 2007 @ 7:26 am
I’m certainly from Chikka, and quite proud to be one. In terms of disclosing IP address, I don’t see the value of this. If what you say is true, this was not done by Chikka but by individuals that might have worked for Chikka. I don’t see what you (jenny) get by mouthing off like that. It’s this Filipino crab mentality that makes the Philippines a second rate nation. It’s sad really.
Comment by Vince Corpus — December 11, 2007 @ 5:55 am
[...] I really loved this counter-offer which not only made me refuse to switch but decrease my use of Chikka as well. That’s why I got really pissed when Globe cut down Unlimitxt and offered the [...]
Pingback by Globe Sucks! « Unlimited Mind — December 15, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
i been using chikka for a long time.And just last week i have encountered a problem in sending SM. it took one day for the recepient to received my SMS.
Comment by unknown — January 31, 2008 @ 6:34 am
ngayon ko lang nakita ‘tong post na ‘to kaya ngayon lang ako mag-rereact. Una, lahat naman business, may ups and downs. kahit ang pinaka-tanyag “Sony” naka-ilang palit na rin ng CEO para lang mabuhay. Pangalawa, hidden charges? sinong nag-sabi sayo na “HIDDEN” ‘yun? everytime magtetext ka gamit ang chikka, ang text na matatanggap niya eh ay may note na nagsasabing 2.50 ang reply. “HIDDEN” pa ba ‘yan? Pangatlo, ‘wag kang gumawa ng article laban sa isang produkto kung ‘di mo kilala. Ang chikka messenger, ginawa para magkaroon ng paraan yung mga OCW’s or OFW’s na macontact ang mga relatives nila dito sa pilipinas gamit ang text. OFW kasi si dennis mendiola nuon, kaya nya naisip ito. ang chikka, ‘di yan pang forward ng mga quotes o pangchismis sa kapitbahay lang. Pang-apat, pilipino ba kayo? pilipino ka ba? Kung oo, ba’t di ka maging proud sa produkto ng isang pilipino? Kala ko ba nationalistic ang pilipino? nakakahiya ka naman kung gayon…
Comment by gian carlo val ebao — February 12, 2008 @ 3:23 am
wahahaha… oo nga agree ako kay gian… GALING ng CHIKKA!!! ay… nga pala… may UTAK ka po ba?? paminsan minsan GAMITIN mo sayng lang ee.. c”,)
Comment by lord — February 12, 2008 @ 5:54 am
Jenny!!! careful ka…huwag ganyan…..well, i agree to Gian..MAGALING tlga ang CHIKKA!!!!Salamat nakakapagsend anq ng sms ng libre…c”,)
Comment by Carlle — February 12, 2008 @ 5:58 am
simple lng yan…kung ayaw mo gamitin, di wag..di ka namn pinilit na gamitin ang chikka messenger….mas maganda, tapatan mo ang chikka messenger kung kaya mo, wag ung magsasayang ng oras sa pag blo2g na alm mong ikaw din ang talo…tska kung tlgang may “nifty ideas” ka bat di mo i-share kay Dennis mendiola bka bayaran k pa ng milyones at ng makita mo din ang hirap ng pagtayo ng isang business…..dugo at pawis ang puhunan ndi MAGIC…ndi namn magi2ng malaking kompanya ang chikka kung panay pang-ga2ntso lang ang alm nila, lumaki at nakilala cla dahil maraming naitulong sa mga tao…tsaka ndi lng naman sa 2.50 na charge nabu2hay o ‘nag-e2arn’ ang chikka, ganun ba katanga c D. Mendiola, kung ikaw ba magtatayo k ng kompanya taz ang main source ng profit mo e sa 2.50 lng na charge?o come on, think!
Comment by thaf0926 — February 12, 2008 @ 8:05 am
Ang may ari kasi ng blog na ito walang bayag (Ok kung di nya naintindihan yun, ang bayag ay balls). Magaling magsalita pero wala namang kwenta ang pinagsasabi (Gaya ng http://marketingmanila.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/wrong-example-by-bdo/). Kabobohan. Sheesh man, are you sure you’re really from marketing? Stop the bullshit. If you have anymore “nifty” ideas just keep it to yourself. Believe me the world is going to thank you for that.
Comment by Antonio M. Quitoriano — February 18, 2008 @ 2:00 am
ahh magkano pagnag-reply sa chikka?
Comment by kim — February 28, 2008 @ 5:32 am
chikka to other tel co. -> free but upto 10 sms messages.
other tel co. to chikka -> P2.50
try mo sa chikka.com
Comment by gian carlo val ebao — March 4, 2008 @ 8:25 am
i love your blog. i wish i can learn from your creation. can we exchange links? thank you very much!
Comment by Neil — March 22, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
hi, i’ve read your blog about chikka, and i disagree about it, d nmn cguro ganun..my account ako sa chikka, but it seems to be harmless nmn..kc ung cnsabi mong my “HIDDEN” something ang chikka, cguro it depends nmn sa reciever mu un kung mgre2ply cia.. ska syempre free un,so d nmn lagi pasko dba?? kailangan rn nlang kumita.. dba? an0 bng msa sa 2.50 per reply ng reciver dba?kc i used chiika as my emergency txt, especially when it comes to imprtant matters, dba? cguro b4 u judge, alamin mo muna kng bkt nla gngwa un..\m/rock ‘on…
Comment by iya — May 27, 2008 @ 12:45 am
gud day….
i hope this will make think and act sincerely…. Mr.Antonio M. Quitoriano, with all due respect of you…..i just want to know, if u dont mind, how old are u?
Comment by yman — June 17, 2008 @ 5:02 am
One nifty idea for you man, put google ads on your page para kumita ka
kung d ka natutuwa sa chikka, wala ring natutuwa sayo… wahahahaha
Comment by ChikkaUser — July 10, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Well… It seems readers here are in for a fight. Peace. Here we go again. Back to that ever-controversial Chikka issue.
In fairness to Unlimited Mind, we shouldn’t take his write-ups against him. Actually, I wouldn’t read his blog if I don’t find it interesting. His opinions, the way he perceives things, and the way he delivers his subjects are good; he makes us think and actually pushes us to be critical on what’s going on around us. Mag-take ka kaya ng Law course, Unlimited Mind? : ) It fits to your thinking. : )
Ok back to Chikka. It doesn’t mean that because the buzz on IPO has died down, the company’s attempt to really make it big had died down, too. Hindi magic ang IPO that once somebody wishes for it, kablam!, IPO na. There are a lot of things needed to be prepared before it can be accomplished. I knew a company that planned for IPO for more than 3 years. In doing an IPO, there are a lot of factors that have to be considered. E.g. how the majority shares would be guarded against intrusion of not-so-welcome investors, among other things… And hindi rin assurance that because of IPO, a company is assured to really make it big. It also sometimes happen that right after the IPO, as against the expectation/estimates and projection, comes dilution of the company’s market value per share. O di ba, sad. Also, malaki din ang gastos in doing an IPO, wherein a lot of regulatory requirements had to be complied on, e.g. it has to come up with laid down policies and procedures etc. Dapat may timing and may resources; which also comes with the question: are the people involved ready to embrace the changes? Currently, very volatile economy natin, where environmental factors also play a major role. In other words, hindi ganun kadaling timplahin ang IPO.
My eldest brother uses Chikka. While I don’t. Why? I don’t having anything against it. But it’s just because aside from na-hack yung account ko (as I earlier said), I find it really hard downloading the messenger. As in after a couple of times trying ‘desperately’, I was not able to complete downloading certain applications. I have the messenger and all on my desktop but it’s not working. So I gave up using it.
As to the ‘hack issue’, since I use a legitimate celphone no., I was able to recover my password. Story behind it? I stopped using that celphone no. [registered to chikka] for I think more than a year, and when I thought to use it, my log-in failed. Madali lang i-recover password because the celphone no. still exists. But when I recovered it, I found out, ang dami kong friends added in my chikka messenger. Pati not-so-friends and not-acquainted-with. Fine, it’s hacked. In other words, my no. was used without my knowledge. Anu-anong info kaya na-collect ng hacker using my celphone no… The objective in hacking? No other than “the magic of stalking”. Pero, I’m still lucky compared to people with account which doesn’t use celphone no. There’s no way for them to recover their password [am I right?]. The remedy for them is that they have to sign-up again for another account. I think this one needs to be addressed.
By the way, i find chikka messenger helpful in searching for the names of unknown text messages which had gotten their way to my celphone inbox. Just encode the no. of the “wrong sent” text, then search. Voila! The name will appear [if the no. is registered].
Chikka as compared to Yahoo. I think Chikka can still be considered as “more established” than Yahoo’s messenger… not just at par with Yahoo. Try using yahoo and benchmark their [chikka and yahoo] cycle times from sending to receiving the message (by the other party). Dare to check which one is more efficient. Moreover, i had some friends working abroad whom their YM’s are hacked along with their email addresses. The sad part is, pati relatives nila here in the Phils. were affected because of the scam.
Re free SMS, there is no more ‘free’ nowadays. Remember, it has not been signed yet? I think you know what I mean.
Re hidden charges, it seems the problem doesn’t lie with the use of chikka. But it’s about the use of prepaid loads. My 9 year old brother normally complains “ate, bakit ubos kagad load ko, di naman ako nag-text?” That when I checked his celphone, I found out, whenever he loads, there are messages related from his previous subscription which would pop in his inbox as advertisements that would debit his load. No chikka charges there at all.
RE “No questions asked, they have to offer SMS for free.” Di ba, [please correct me if I’m wrong. I’m not so adept in using chikka kase] if one texted from the computer, there is no charge? Ang may charge is if the person will reply from the celphone to the chikka account. Kaya I normally receive text message with a phrase “please reply to my celphone no.” when the person who texted me sent texts using chikka account.
Haba na nito ah… : ) Now I’m thinking how about charging Chikka for a fee. This could qualify as advertisement. J/K. : )
Comment by Flik1206 — July 11, 2008 @ 3:35 pm