
Lingo Media Corp. (TSX-V: LM; OTC BB: LMDCF) is a diversified online and print-based education products and services company focused on English language learning (ELL) on an international scale through its subsidiaries, Lingo Learning Inc., a print-based publisher of ELL programs in China, Speak2Me Inc. (www.Speak2Me.cn), a free-to-consumer and supported online service, using avatars and speech recognition and Parlo Corporation (www.parlo.com), a fee-based language training and assessment platform.
Lingo Media has formed successful relationships with key government and industry organizations, establishing a strong presence in China’s education market of 300 million students. The Company continues to broaden its presence in China, as well as other major English language learning markets, to provide access to world-class English learning solutions on a global scale.
From 2001 to 2006, Lingo Media focused on co-publishing ELL textbook programs on co-publishing ELL textbook programs for China’s primary school market. Today, Lingo Media and its partner, People’s Education Press, command over a 60% market share in this segment with a library of 348 program titles, generating sales of more than 319 million units. In 2008, 11.7 million students used Lingo Media products in 24 of China’s 31 Provinces.
In 2007, Lingo Media expanded into the digital age through its acquisition of Speak2Me, the world’s first digital English language teacher. Speak2Me has created an online service that combines avatars with advanced speech recognition technology built on a social networking platform. Today, Speak2Me has over 1 million registered users and growing.
Most recently, Lingo Media acquired Parlo.com a fee based online English training solution. Parlo.com allows users to improve listening, speaking and comprehension skills and is available 24/7 and accessible from any location.
The demand for the English language learning is soaring in China and around the world. Worldwide, there are currently 1.6 billion English language learners. Expectations are that this will grow to 2 billion or roughly one-third of the world’s population within the next five years. The English language training market in China has grown from $1.9 billion in 2004 to $2.9 billion in 2008. By 2010, it is projected to be $4.3 billion.
Learning English is a key factor to professional advancement in China. Those with advanced English skills earn salaries 24.3% - 72.5% higher than those without English skills. As this wage gap is better understood, students and young professionals are increasingly seeking out effective English language learning programs and instructions, with a growing demand for spoken English training.
Lingo Media has a talented management team with years of experience both internationally and within the English language space. Michael Kraft, President and Chief Executive Officer, has 10 years hands on experience in China and 20 years experience in sales, marketing and corporate management with a record of success in both private and public companies. Mr. Kraft has been with Lingo Media since its inception in 1996. Gali Bar-Ziv, Chief Operating Officer, has over 10 years of management experience in marketing, business development, strategy and operations. Mr. Bar-Ziv has developed brand strategies achieving sales growth of 700% year over year and successfully turned-around the largest service division of a $300 million financial services company.
For more information please visit www.lingomedia.com.
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