Popularity Of Nokia Falling Among Teens
A survey by networking site Habbo Hotel showed that Nokia’s popularity among teenagers is fading, Reuters reported.
The projection deals a blow to the ambition of the world’s top cell phone maker to become its best-loved brand.
Some 21 percent of teen respondents named Nokia as their favorite cell phone brand, down from 29 percent last year, according to a survey of 112,000 teenagers in 30 countries.
Nokia Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo has repeatedly stated the company’s ambition to win the global popularity contest, despite already selling the most mobile handsets in the world.
However, Kallasvuo wants to contend with such well-known brands as Coca-Cola.
Nokia was the highest-rated non-U.S. brand in the latest annual Interbrand rankings, but stood fifth globally, with its $35.9 billion value just behind General Electric.
Nokia is the market leader in some key emerging markets, including India and China, where The Habbo survey did not cover.
The average age of respondents varied between 13 and 16 years in different countries.
The second most favored mobile phone brand among teens was awarded to Sony Ericsson, which has a stronger position in developed markets. But its support also slipped from last year, to 18 percent from 21 percent.
Dropping from third place last year to sixth was Motorola, which was bypassed by Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Apple.
As consumers rein in spending and handset sellers try to clear out unsold phones, the overall mobile phone market is expected to shrink 10 percent in 2009 and all handset vendors are suffering this year from plunging demand.
Nokia’s global market share fell slightly to 36 percent in the first quarter of 2009, with closest rivals Samsung controlling 19 percent of the market and LG gaining ground at 10 percent.
Sony Ericsson controlled 5 percent of the market and Motorola’s market share saw a 6 percent drop.
—
On the Net: