Developing a Multi-Platform Fan Engagement Systemfor Live Idol Talks
Entertainment - Japan - Cross-Platform App Development - 15 Engineers - 3.5 months
The client wanted to create a dedicated video talk service where idols could host timed live events and fans could join one on one conversations, chat, purchase related products and keep post event memories. Newwave Solutions developed a multi-platform system that brought live video talk, booking, payment, account integration, content management and notifications into one service flow. Within 105 days, the team delivered the full scope for client acceptance, helping the business launch a new fan experience model that connected real-time interaction with commerce.
Client Context
The client wanted to build a dedicated video talk service for scheduled live interaction between idols and fans.
Unlike a standard video communication app, the product needed to support timed talk events where fans could join 1:1 conversations, chat, purchase talk goods and keep digital memories such as two shot photos, signed selfies and recorded videos. The goal was to turn each live session into a holistic fan experience that continued after the conversation ended, rather than a onetime online event.
Service
Domain
Team size
15 engineers
Business Stakes
Without a platform that links live idol fan interaction with commerce and post event engagement, the client would be exposed to several business risks:
Without a dedicated service, live talk sessions, chat, talk goods, signed content and post event memories could remain spread across separate tools. This would make the fan journey harder to control and reduce the client’s ability to create a consistent experience around each event.
Each talk event created a high intent moment where fans were already emotionally engaged. If product purchases, signed content and related merchandise were not connected to that moment, the client could miss chances to turn fan excitement into commercial value.
A live conversation could easily become a one-time interaction if fans had no reason to return after the session. Without recorded content, photos, notifications, or follow up touchpoints, the business would have fewer ways to build loyalty and encourage repeat usage.
As more idols, fans and talk events were added, scattered operations would make scheduling, purchase flows, content delivery and user management harder to scale. This could increase operational effort and make future event expansion less manageable.
Our Approach
Newwave Solutions designed the product as a fan experience system, not a standard video communication app. The approach organized live idol fan interaction, purchase moments and after session content into one service flow. To support this model, the team connected booking, real-time video talk, chat, payment, account integration, CMS operations and notifications across mobile, web and backend layers. This allowed the client to manage the experience from event discovery to post session engagement. To meet the tight timeline, Newwave Solutions coordinated the full-service build and delivered the complete scope within 3 months.
Technical Decisions
Laravel
Supported backend logic, CMS operations and existing ecosystem integration, connecting booking, user management and commerce flows in one service structure.
Flutter
Enabled Android and iOS delivery from one shared codebase, reducing duplicated mobile development effort.
Agora
Provided the real-time video communication layer for one-on-one talk sessions between idols, talents, and fans, which was the core interaction layer of the service.
PHP
Supported server-side logic with Laravel, giving the system a stable base for user actions, event processes, and CMS operations.
Newwave Solutions worked with the client as a 15-member delivery team across analysis, UI/UX design, system design, development, and project management. The scope was broad from the start, covering 4 apps, 1 CMS, and 1 web app within only 105 days. To keep the project under control, NWS worked closely with the client on requirement clarification, priority alignment, and change visibility throughout delivery. Agile delivery, Jira and Git granted both sides a shared view of progress, dependencies and release readiness. As a result, both teams stayed aligned as requirements evolved, giving the client better visibility and control across the delivery process.
Risk Handling
- Keeping key technical integrations stable was the main delivery challenge. The platform needed to connect with the client’s existing account system, support real time video communication through Agora, and integrate GMO payment within a seamless fan experience. Any issue in these integrations could affect critical user actions. It included login, personal live sessions, and payment completion. This issue could lead to poor user experience, lower conversion rates, and reduced trust in the service. In order to address this, Newwave Solutions prioritized integration planning from the early stages of development. The team aligned accounts, communication, and payment workflows, then validated them across the mobile apps, web apps, and CMS. The approach minimized dependency risks and helped maintain a stable service while meeting the tight delivery timeline.
Core Features
The client moved beyond merchandise transactions alone and launched a service where idols and fans could interact through scheduled video talk events. Live interaction, fan experience, and commerce were brought together inside the client’s digital environment.
Newwave Solutions delivered the full multi-platform scope within the committed timeline. This enabled the client to move from concept to acceptance without reducing the planned product scope.
Talk goods, in app payment and merchandise related purchases were connected to high intent fan moments around live talk sessions, creating a clearer path to convert fan interaction into commercial value.
Two shot photos, signed selfies, recorded talk access and notifications extended each session beyond the live conversation. These touchpoints gave fans more reasons to return after each event.
The CMS centralized the management of users, events, content, and operations. This reduced fragmented manual coordination as more idols, fans and sessions were added further.
Business Impact
The project’s biggest business impact was helping the client launch a new business model that combined idol fan interaction with commerce. Instead of treating live talk events as isolated online sessions, the client could turn high intent of fan moments into an owned service flow with stronger revenue, retention and expansion potential.
- Fan interaction became more commercially valuable because live talks, purchase moments, and post session engagement were connected inside the same owned environment.
- The client gained stronger control over the full fan journey, from event participation to payment, content access, and after session engagement.
- The service created more room for future revenue expansion across idols, talents, and merchandise related experiences.
- With the full multi-platform scope delivered, the client had a practical foundation to expand future event formats without rebuilding the model from the beginning.
- 1,000+ downloads on Google Play after launch provided an early adoption signal for continuing the service as a long-term engagement and commerce channel.
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