In Conversation with BLU: The Blue Label Telecoms story

A fascinating discussion between the two covered everything Blue Label, from the company’s inception, interest from Microsoft at BLU’s listing in 2007, their recent acquisition of RMCU and how it truly has opened the world up to the company – not to mention the importance of the ‘grey hair’ factor and where the lads’ prospects lie in the future.

Blue Label: Edging closer to tipping point. Ask Allan Gray.

Blue Label Telecoms listed its shares on the JSE at the peak of the 2007 boom. Despite a business that’s grown well beyond even the wildest expectations of founders and  joint CEOs Mark and Brett Levy, the shares still trade lower than the first day’s close. A cautionary tale for those sucked into bubbles. But … Read more

Blue Label beds down its biggest acquisition yet, promises great results

The Blue Label deal with Retail Mobile Credit Specialists is interesting on many levels, but for me, the most interesting aspect of the deal is CEO Brett Levy’s excitement about the access to a huge database of information about Edcon customers that the deal gives Blue Label. Data is the most important resource in the … Read more

Blue Telecom: Losses grow in India, Mexico; but flourishing in SA as Cell C grows at MTN’s expense

Blue Label Telecom reported some interesting results. While profits and headline earnings were up, revenues were down and the group reported significant losses in its Mexican and Indian operations. According to joint group CEOs Mark and Brett Levy, however,  the fall in revenues and ongoing losses in the international operations are not cause for great … Read more

Blue Label shares take hit on results – sanity will prevail; it’s one of JSE’s most exciting prospects

I first met the brothers Levy of Blue Label Telecoms in late 2007. They floated their business during the JSE’s most recent new listings boom with backing from some of Johannesburg’s shrewdest financiers, including board chairman Larry Nestadt (whose shares at listing were worth R56m); the late Sidney Ellerine (R118m) and Neil Lazarus (52m). From … Read more