Kakao said on Monday it will formally run its 'Author of the Year' programme for emoticon creators.

Author of the Year is a programme designed to support the creative activities of Kakao emoticon creators and the growth of intellectual property (IP). Kakao selected 100 emoticon IPs after comprehensively considering last year's sales and sending volume, IP operation status and user response. It will run the programme by selecting the creators of those IPs as Authors of the Year.

Kakao plans to continuously upgrade the system by reflecting the results of the programme each year and to supplement detailed selection criteria in line with changing market conditions.

Selected creators will receive an Author of the Year badge on their creator pages in the Emoticon Store, along with marketing exposure and product consulting to support IP growth. Kakao will also pilot a legal advisory programme to protect creators and IP through the programme, and plans to review expanding it to all creators in the future based on the results.

Kakao will also expand existing programmes to support the growth of new creators. It has been continuously introducing new IP through initiatives such as 'Emoticons free on Mondays' and 'MD-recommended emoticons'. It plans to continue presenting a range of emoticons by using various service areas within the Emoticon Store.

Ji-hyun Kim (김지현), a Kakao Emoticon tribe leader, said, "This programme was created to systematise growth support for creators and emoticon IP." She added, "We will continue to expand an environment where various creators can grow."