https://www.digitaltoday.co.kr/en/view/3486/cafe24-ctk-mou-creator-smart-commerce-ecosystem 

Cafe24 joins hands with CTK to build creator-led smart commerce ecosystem

Cafe24 CEO Jae-seok Lee (이재석) (right) and CTK CEO In-yong Jung (정인용) sign an MOU document. [Photo: Cafe24]

Cafe24 said on Feb. 10 it signed a memorandum of understanding with beauty platform company CTK to drive creator-centered innovation in cosmetics manufacturing and distribution.

The company plans to build a smart commerce ecosystem that connects creator-led cosmetics manufacturing with direct-to-consumer (D2C) distribution.

The agreement is part of Cafe24's K-Smart Manufacturing Partner Project. The two companies will jointly 추진 the Beauty Onstage project, a creator-tailored cosmetics brand launch initiative. They plan to build an integrated system that allows creators to handle the entire process, from product development to brand launch and sales, through a one-stop service.

The K-Smart Manufacturing Partner Project supports online commerce innovation by domestic manufacturers and their entry into global markets. It aims to build a fully integrated digital ecosystem combining production and distribution, based on the premium service Cafe24 PRO.

Through the Beauty Onstage project, the partners will support creators so they can develop content-based products and launch brands without the burden of complex manufacturing and distribution structures. They also plan to implement a smart operating structure in which manufacturing, distribution and sales data are connected in a single flow.

Cafe24 will handle creator discovery and partnerships, shopping mall setup, operational support and overall e-commerce consulting. It will provide a smart operating system integrating sales, inventory and demand data. It will also support digital transformation and operational innovation for creators and manufacturers based on Cafe24 PRO.

CTK will develop customised products reflecting creators' content characteristics and intellectual property (IP) through the cosmetics development platform of Ctikclip.com. It will oversee rapid product planning and manufacturing through the platform service, as well as package development, production and overall quality control.

The partners also plan to gradually build a U.S. market entry system so creator brands can more quickly and efficiently connect from local production to inventory operations and channel sales, based on CTK's manufacturing and logistics infrastructure in the United States.

Cafe24 Chief Executive Officer Jae-seok Lee (이재석) said combining Cafe24's advanced information technology and global infrastructure with the thousands of formulation, package and ingredient data held by CTK's Ctikclip.com would be an opportunity to accelerate creator-centered planning, manufacturing and distribution innovation. He said the company would strengthen content commerce and creator competitiveness and actively support manufacturers' operational innovation and entry into global markets.