Facebook finally overtook Google’s social networking service, Orkut, in Brazil (article here). In 2011, Facebook added nearly 24 million new users to reach 36 million monthly uniques, while Orkut grew from 33 million to 34 million. Although Orkut has not seen any drop-off in users, given the wide discrepancy of the two companies’ user growth rates, it looks like Facebook is well on its way to dominating the Brazilian market. One particularly interesting characteristic of Brazil’s social networking usage is that the social networking growth has been outpacing internet growth.

According to the International Telecommunication Union, in 2010, Brazil had around 81.7 million internet users, or 41 percent of the population, making Brazil the 5th largest country by internet users. The World Bank shows internet penetration in Brazil grew 154 percent from 2006 to 2010 and 8 percent from 2009 to 2010. Meanwhile, the United States had 243.5 million internet users, or 79 percent of the population. This goes to show that there is still substantial room for growth in both internet usage and social networking usage in Brazil.

Here is a cool article showing that texting is becoming ubiquitous across both wealthy and developing countries: Global Texting Rampant, Generates Billions In U.S. Revs. Today in the United States, with the rise in the use of social media, texting has begun to feel like an antiquated feature of our mobile phones. It turns out, that although social networking is extremely popular in wealthier nations, people from developing countries still rely heavily on texting. The above article quotes that approximately 75% of cell phone owners text and that texting is the most common in two of the world’s poorest nations: Indonesia and Kenya.

In wealthier markets, texting is beginning to face heated competition against internet-based messaging alternatives. In fact, Juniper Research has forecasted that global revenue from texting will peak in 2011. It seems to me that although texting may begin to decline in usage in more mature markets, there is still such great untapped potential in developing countries that the use of texting still has room to grow.

Mexico’s Labor Ministry has increased the minimum wage for 2012 by 4.2 percent, bringing the minimum wage in Mexico City (and all of zone A) to 62.33 pesos (the equivalent of ~$4.60 per day). This increase is slightly higher than the 2011 minimum wage increase of 4.1 percent, and is higher than the expected rate of inflation—which the Bank of Mexico projects to be between three and four percent.[1]

Although Mexico has done a good job keeping inflation levels low and stabilizing the peso’s exchange rate, it is still struggling to reduce the levels of unemployment. Unemployment in October of 2011 stood at 4.8 percent and underemployment was 9.3 percent.[2] Given Mexico’s dependence on the United States’ economy, current recessionary trends in the US could have a negative impact on unemployment in Mexico. It is critical for Mexico to continue to create jobs in order to elevate the country’s standard of living.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of mobile phones in emerging markets.

Mobile Phone Growth Trends across the World

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out this great short film made by the Praekelt Foundation describing the amazing growth in computer and mobile technology that is allowing our world to get connected. Although the video is focused on Africa, it is clear that decreasing costs and increasing penetration of mobile technology is transforming lives, businesses, and communities across all of the emerging markets. The video states that “in Africa, the mobile phone is the #1 way to get online.” This doesn’t come as big surprise since 66 to 80 percent of internet users in emerging markets don’t have access to a computer at home!

According to the Praekelt Foundation, if the current growth rates persist, every single person living in Africa will own a phone by 2020. This statement is backed up by Ulf Ewaldsson, the head of mobile infrastructure for Ericsson, who says global mobile penetration will reach 100 percent by 2016.[1] And with current growth trends, nearly half of the mobile phones in use will be smartphones.[2] These are some pretty incredible statistics! We are living in an ever-more connected world, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon.

Latin America has the lowest smartphone penetration in the world, currently standing at 17%. Source 6.

Smartphone Penetration in Latin America

As I boarded my flight back to San Francisco, it was impossible not to notice that nearly every passenger already seated was reading on their iPad, typing emails on their Blackberry, or using apps on their iPhone 4S. With a 63 percent smartphone penetration in North America, the prevalence of smartphones and touch pads in the United States has become the norm, making it easy to forget that “It’s Still A Feature Phone World.”[1] As of the end of November 2011, Latin America had sales volume of 139 million feature phones and 28 million smartphones, meaning smartphone penetration in Latin America stands at around 17 percent.[2] As can be seen from the graphic above, Latin America has the lowest smartphone penetration in the world.

Since the launching of 3G networks in late 2007 and early 2008 in Latin America, smartphone penetration has been growing steadily. Increasing affluence across Latin America has driven consumers to become more willing to pay for better phones, coverage, and data services. From the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2011, data service revenues in Latin America grew by 40.3 percent, compared to a 20.3 percent global average.[3] This increase in data service revenues in Latin America was primarily driven by increased smartphone adoption rates. In 2010, smartphones were the fastest-growing handset category across Latin America, with sales of 31 million units and $6 billion in revenue.[4] Given that the primary driver of smartphone penetration is the affordability of the units, as the price of smartphones decreases, the level of penetration will continue to increase.

According to Pyramid Research, it is expected that smartphone unit sales in Latin America will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 30 percent over the next five years. The firm estimates that by 2016, smartphone sales will account for approximately 46 percent of total handset sales in the region, as compared to 3 percent in 2008.[5] In summary, although the current penetration of smartphones in Latin America is currently lower than might be expected, the dramatic increases in smartphone penetration that have been seen and are expected in the coming years will create tremendous market opportunities.

Brazilian economy continues to charge ahead despite dearth of skilled workers

State of the Brazilian Labor Market

As the world looks to emerging markets to find new growth opportunities, Brazil has shone forth as a rising star. Brazil’s GDP stood at approximately $2.1 trillion in 2010. The agriculture, industry, and services sectors contributed 6 percent, 28 percent, and 66 percent of Brazil’s GDP, respectively.[1] From 1996 until 2011, Brazil’s average annual GDP growth has been 3.26 percent, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world.[2] As the economy has continued to grow steadily, there has been a decrease in unemployment across the country. From 2001 until 2010, Brazil’s unemployment rate averaged 9.95 percent; and in September of 2011, the unemployment rate stood at 6.0 percent.[3] One of the major drivers of this decrease in unemployment has been the growth of the Brazilian service sector. For the first ten months of 2011, the government registered net job creation of 2.24 million, slightly below the 2.74 million jobs registered in the same period of 2010.[4] Due to Brazil’s strong recovery from the global financial crisis, Brazil is experiencing job growth and talent shortages in many sectors.

A recent study by the Brazilian Association of Information Technology and Communication (Brasscom) states that Brazil will need 750,000 IT professionals to keep pace with the increasing demand. This increasing demand for skilled workers cannot be filled by the low number of skilled graduates entering the workforce. According to Brasscom, the eight states analyzed by the association—São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Distrito Federal, Paraná, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Sul—will need 78,000 professionals in 2014, and only 33,000 students might graduate by that time.[5] As can be seen from the data, it is critical for Brazil to develop a more efficient and transparent job marketplace in order to effectively allocate its human capital throughout the economy to continue to deliver strong economic growth.

MIAMI, Fla. – July 14, 2011 – PRISA DIGITAL, the new group designed to lead the digital transformation of PRISA, and Assured Labor, the premier recruitment platform for jobs in emerging markets, announced today that they are partnering to connect Mexican workers with local jobs using mobile phones and the Internet.  Assured Labor also announced that it has registered more than 100,000 job seekers in Mexico and over 800 companies have posted jobs through the service.

PRISA brings its growing base of digital assets throughout Latin America including www.elpais.com, www.as.com, www.los40.com, and many more, to promote Assured Labor’s Mexican brand EmpleoListo (www.EmpleoListo.com.mx).  Assured Labor will join PRISA DIGITAL’s portfolio and enable PRISA to engage with hundreds of thousands of Mexicans.

“We’re thrilled to partner with a powerhouse like PRISA DIGITAL to support our continued growth in Latin America,” said Assured Labor’s CEO David Reich. “With a growing base of over 100,000 candidates, this partnership will help us to connect thousands more Mexicans with great jobs in their local communities.”

Founded in 2008 at the MIT Media Lab, Assured Labor enables mid-to-low wage workers in emerging markets to connect with job opportunities using mobile phones and the internet.  Assured Labor launched its job platform, www.EmpleoListo.com.mx, in Mexico in October 2010 in collaboration with the country’s largest wireless carriers.

Alvaro Palacios, VP of Sales & Operations for PRISA DIGITAL Americas, said “Assured Labor’s innovative service has the potential to enable anyone with a cell phone to rapidly connect with job opportunities.  This partnership will enable PRISA DIGITAL to engage with hundreds of thousands of Mexicans while supporting Assured Labor’s growth.”

Assured Labor’s service, EmpleoListo, enables job seekers to register at www.EmpleoListo.com.mx and receive text-messages when companies are interested in contacting them about job opportunities.  Businesses can contact a set number of candidates for free each month or choose larger paid plans.  The service is offered free of charge for job seekers.

ABOUT PRISA DIGITAL:
PRISA DIGITAL is the new area designed to lead the digital transformation of PRISA, the leading media company in the production and distribution of news, entertainment and education in the Spanish and Portuguese speaking world. With a focus on multi-channel access, it has over 100 websites, visited by over 24 million users a month across different segments including Print, Radio, TV, Publishing and Online. PRISA is at the forefront of multi-device content distribution with an ambitious launch strategy offering products and services tailored to the consumption habits of users through smartphones, PDAs, game consoles, and other mobile devices.

About Assured Labor, Inc.
Assured Labor revolutionizes hiring in the Emerging Markets. The service leverages the power of mobile phones and the internet to rapidly connect employers with the best mid-to-low wage candidates. Assured Labor’s Latin American brand, EmpleoListo, is currently running in collaboration with the region’s largest wireless carriers. For more information please visit www.AssuredLabor.com and www.EmpleoListo.com.mx .

For PRISA DIGITAL media inquiries, please call (786) 417-4430 or email jmercado@prisadigital.com

For Assured Labor media inquiries, please call (888) 274-2561 or email press@assuredlabor.com.

MEXICO CITY – September, 21 2010 – Assured Labor (www.AssuredLabor.com) announced today the launch of its service, EmpleoListo (www.EmpleoListo.com.mx), to connect Mexicans with local job opportunities via cell phone. The new service enables candidates to register and be found by hundreds of employers who can contact them instantly via text-message. Today EmpleoListo is launching its service with Mexico’s four largest wireless carriers and dozens of prestigious employers.

EmpleoListo’s award winning service enables employers to rapidly identify and contact the best candidates for their positions. EmpleoListo’s advanced search technology enables companies to easily identify and connect with ideal candidates for their operational level positions.

Candidates seeking jobs in Mexico can register at www.empleolisto.com.mx from any internet enabled computer. Once registered, candidates’ resumes will be visible to hundreds of employers across Mexico including:  Tiendas Extra, Principal Financial, Publicis, Finestrella, ValuGlobal, Enova, Insight Media, and more. The secure service keeps candidates’ identities anonymous until the job seekers choose to accept employers’ invitations through text or email.

“We are honored to offer EmpleoListo in Mexico with TelCel, Movistar, Iusacell, Unefone, the country’s top wireless carriers,” said David Reich, CEO of EmpleoListo. “Together we will enable Mexicans to find more jobs while helping employers find great candidates, faster and more easily than ever before.”

To signify the company’s commitment to Mexico, EmpleoListo is offering its service for free to candidates and small businesses. Large companies can try EmpleoListo for free for one month.

Of the 30 million internet users in Mexico only 33 percent have a computer at home while 85 million Mexicans have a cell phone. EmpleoListo’s innovative service will allow companies to reach millions of overlooked candidates quickly and easily.

EmpleoListo’s launch in Mexico follows the company’s successful start in Nicaragua, where the service has become the largest marketplace for jobs in the country in less than one year.

About Assured Labor

Assured Labor is the premier marketplace for jobs in Emerging Markets. The service leverages the power of text message and the Internet to rapidly connect employers with great workers. The venture backed company’s management team consists of human resources, technology and marketing experts with graduate degrees from MIT and Harvard. The company launched its Latin American brand, EmpleoListo, in the Fall of 2009 in partnership with the regions largest wireless carrier. For more information please visit www.AssuredLabor.com.

For media inquiries, please call (888) 274-2561 or email press@assuredlabor.com.

NEW YORK, April 28, 2010 – Assured Labor, Inc., (www.AssuredLabor.com), the first web and mobile marketplace for jobs built exclusively for emerging markets, announced today that it has raised $1 million in seed funding. The funding will enable the company to expand its Latin American offering, EmpleoListo (www.EmpleoListo.com), and to enhance its disruptive recruitment technology.

Assured Labor leverages the power of text messaging and the Internet to connect employers with mid-to-low wage workers. The innovative service is optimized for the way that candidates in emerging markets really find jobs, as 67 percent of Internet users do not have a computer at home. Job seekers who register with Assured Labor can connect with hundreds of employers, and receive interview requests via text message, while companies that suffer from high worker turnover can shorten their recruitment process from weeks to hours. Filling positions sooner enhances companies’ productivity, and grants workers additional opportunities to earn income.

“Through Assured Labor, job seekers around the world will be able to leverage their mobile phones to connect with job opportunities,” said David Reich, CEO and co-founder of Assured Labor. “Traditional job boards have only impacted the tip of the iceberg. Assured Labor’s cost effective platform enables employers in emerging markets to leverage the ubiquity of mobile phones to hire better workers faster than ever before. We’re thrilled to have brought on a group of investors experienced in building digital marketplaces around the world.”

Assured Labor’s funding comes from notable investors including: Nexus Venture Partners, Kima Ventures, Michael Van Swaaij (former CEO and Chairman of Skype), and Fabrice Grinda (CEO of OLX.com) among others.

Founded at the MIT MediaLab, Assured Labor has promoted employment through efficient and transparent marketplaces in multiple geographies since 2008. The company launched its pilot in Central America in 2009 in partnership with the region’s largest wireless carrier.

About Assured Labor, Inc.

Assured Labor leverages the power of text messaging and the Internet to connect employers in emerging markets with mid-to-low wage workers. The marketplace for jobs leverages mobility to reach workers who are connected by mobile phones, but not consistently on the Internet. Assured Labor offers companies that suffer from high worker turnover a platform that can shorten their recruitment process from weeks to hours. Filling positions sooner enhances companies’ productivity, and grants workers additional opportunities to earn income. Founded at the MIT MediaLab, the company launched its Latin American marketplace, EmpleoListo, in 2009. More information is available at www.assuredlabor.com.

For media inquiries, please call (888) 274-2561 or email press@assuredlabor.com.  You can download a print ready version here.

Búsqueda de trabajo basada en el uso de teléfonos celulares cambiará la forma del reclutamiento

NEW YORK, Abril 28, 2010 – Assured Labor, Inc., (www.AssuredLabor.com), el primer Mercado web y telefónico para encontrar trabajo creado exclusivamente para mercados emergentes anunció hoy que obtuvo fondos por $1 millón como capital semilla. Dicho capital permitirá a la compañía expandir a Latinoamérica su servicio, llamado EmpleoListo (www.EmpleoListo.com), y para mejorar su disruptiva plataforma tecnológica de reclutamiento.

Assured Labor apalanca el poder de los mensajes de texto celular y del Internet para conectar a los empleadores con los trabajadores de mandos medios y operativos. El innovador servicio está optimizado para la manera en como los candidatos en mercados emergentes realmente encuentran trabajo, dado que el 67 por ciento de los usuarios de Internet no cuentan con una computadora en casa. Las personas que buscan trabajo al registrarse con Assured Labor pueden ponerse en contacto con cientos de empleadores y recibir invitaciones a entrevistas vía mensajes de texto; en tanto, las compañías que enfrentan un alto nivel de rotación de personal pueden acortar su proceso de reclutamiento de semanas a horas. Ocupar las vacantes en menor tiempo mejora la productividad de las empresas, y otorga a los trabajadores oportunidades adiciones de recibir un ingreso.

“A través de Assured Labor, las personas que buscan trabajo alrededor del mundo serán capaces de usar sus teléfonos móviles para conectarse con oportunidades de empleo”, dice David Reich CEO y co-fundador de Assured Labor. “Las bolsas de trabajo tradicionales únicamente han atacada la punta del iceberg. La plataforma de Assured Labor es rentable y permite a los empleadores en mercados emergentes apalancar la penetración de los teléfonos móviles para contratar mejores empleados de una manera más rápida que antes. Estamos emocionados de haber reunido a un grupo de inversionistas con experiencia en la creación de mercados digitales alrededor del mundo”.

El financiamiento de Assured Labor proviene de notables inversionistas como Nexus Venture Partners, Kima Ventures, Michael Van Swaaij (antiguo CEO y Presidente de Skype), y Fabrice Grinda (CEO de OLX.com) entre otros.

Fundado en el MIT MediaLab, Assured Labor ha promovido el empleo a través de mercados eficientes y transparentes en múltiples geografías desde 2008. La compañía lanzó su piloto en Centroamérica en 2009 en sociedad con el mayor operador de telefonía móvil de la región.

Sobre Assured Labor, Inc.

Assured Labor aprovecha el poder de los mensajes de texto y del Internet para conectar a los empleadores en mercados emergentes con trabajadores de mandos medios y operativos. El mercado aprovecha la movilidad para contactar a los trabajadores que están conectados a través de sus teléfonos celulares, pero que no cuentan con acceso constante a Internet. Assured Labor ofrece a las compañías que sufren de alta rotación de personal una plataforma que puede acortar su proceso de reclutamiento de semanas a horas. Ocupar las vacantes en menor tiempo mejora la productividad de las empresas, y otorga a los trabajadores oportunidades adiciones de recibir un ingreso. Fundado en el MIT MediaLab, la compañía lanzó en América Latina su servicio, EmpleoListo, en 2009. Más Información disponible en www.assuredlabor.com

Para consultas mediáticas, por favor llame al +1 (888) 274-2561 o escriba al correo electrónico press@assuredlabor.com.