Moviso And BMG Join Forces to Deliver Retail Entertainment Programs to Mobile Consumers
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK--Aug. 6, 2003--
Moviso Brings Together Leading Music, Wireless, and Retail Companies to Promote BMG Music to Consumers
Moviso(TM) LLC, the leading provider of mobile data products and services in North America, and BMG, the worldwide music division of Bertelsmann AG, have teamed to develop and market top music artists and mobile content to consumers like never before. Together with 7-Eleven and AT&T, Moviso is distributing its popular prepaid ringtone cards featuring BMG artists and promotions that drive CD sales at FYE stores.
With the relationship, Moviso brought together leaders in music, wireless and retail to develop and distribute custom ringtone cards featuring BMG artists. The ringtone cards are compatible with Nokia and Motorola handsets, and are displayed next to the AT&T GoPhone, which is sold at 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Additionally, upon purchasing the ringtone card, consumers can access a code that provides three dollars off any featured artist's CD at any one of 700 FYE stores nationwide.
"BMG recognizes the tremendous marketing and revenue opportunities in prepaid entertainment, and our relationship with Moviso provides us with a compelling platform to get our music in front of consumers while creating visibility for our artists," said Kieve Huffman, Senior Director of Digital Marketing and Licensing for BMG Strategic Marketing. "In addition, we are able to extend our reach into the convenience store environment."
Complete Retail Entertainment Program
The relationship with BMG, AT&T and 7-Eleven is a showcase for the mobile data services Moviso is delivering to the industry. Through the partnership, Moviso is bringing BMG new opportunities to market music through wireless products, drive CD sales, and open up new promotional opportunities for artists. BMG is providing Moviso with access to some of their top-selling artists, adding value to the successful prepaid ringtone card program, with which Moviso has distributed more than one million cards to date.
"The partnership with Moviso enables BMG to get music into new retail outlets, increase awareness of artists through innovative promotions, and take advantage of the lucrative wireless marketplace," said Moviso president Shawn Conahan. "In return, by working with BMG, Moviso has access to the hottest artists in the marketplace to drive sales and consumer and retailer interest around the prepaid ringtone card program."
Easy Access to Ringtones and Discounts
Ringtone cards let consumers personalize their mobile phone to ring with favorite songs and feature artists from four different genres - Hip-Hop, Rock, Rap, and Country, including BMG artists Eve 6, Nick Cannon, 3-11, Bone Crusher, Deana Carter, and Da Brat, among 2,000 other selections.
Like other prepaid products, the card is ready for use immediately after purchase. Each prepaid ringtone card contains simple 1-2-3 instructions and a unique PIN for accessing the content. Consumers dial the 1-800 number or visit the Web site listed on the card, enter the PIN number, select the content they want and the ringtone is immediately sent to the phone. In addition, consumers can bring the prepaid card or PIN number to any FYE store to receive a three-dollar discount on products from the BMG artists listed above.
Pricing, Availability and Phone Requirements
BMG-branded ringtone cards are available for purchase now at any of the 5,800 participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Prepaid cards are $4.99 each, and available on most handsets from Nokia and Motorola.
Moviso continually adds content and distribution partners, including cards featuring graphics and celebrity voicemail greetings. Retailers can order Moviso prepaid ringtone cards from Tony Wootton at Moviso, (310) 481-6941, tonyw@moviso.com.
About BMG
BMG is the global music division of Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's leading media companies. BMG owns more than 200 record labels in 41 countries including Arista Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Records and RCA Label Group - Nashville. In addition, BMG's music publishing operations are the third largest in the world.
About Moviso LLC
Moviso LLC is the leading provider of mobile data products and services in North America. Moviso is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vivendi Universal Net USA - the U.S. arm of VUNet, Vivendi Universal's (NYSE: V) Paris-based Internet and technology unit. The company delivers complete mobile data solutions to wireless carriers, device manufacturers, retailers and entertainment companies worldwide, including American Greetings, AT&T Wireless, Bell Mobility, Cingular Wireless, Rogers/AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, US Cellular, Virgin Mobile USA, Yahoo! Music, AOL, PRIMEDIA, Boost Mobile, 7-Eleven, Best Buy, RadioShack, Wherehouse, Wal-Mart, Nokia USA, Motorola, Yamaha Corp., Match.com, WildSeed, and Vivendi Universal. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information on Moviso, visit http://www.moviso.com.
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