Ericsson and Warner Music International sign content distribution agreement across 28 countries in Europe
Today at the Ericsson Mobile Application Awards in Zurich, Ericsson and Warner Music International announced that they have signed a mobile music distribution agreement for 28 markets throughout Europe. The content will be distributed via Ericsson's mobile music service M-USE.
Under the agreement, Ericsson receives the right to distribute both traditional mobile content types such as polyphonic ringtones as well as newer formats such as mastertones (ringtones based on original recordings), artist logos, artist autographs, ringbacktones, and more.
"Warner Music has a very impressive line-up of artists and together with our customers, we will make Warner's music available to mobile consumers throughout Europe," says Hans Vestberg, Senior Vice President, Business Unit Global Services, Ericsson. "Ericsson experiences very high demand for our mobile music service M-USE, and with the addition of the great content and promotion opportunities Warner brings to the table, we expect the demand to increase even further."
"We see tremendous potential in the mobile sales channel and in Ericsson we have an ideal partner to help us maximize this opportunity internationally," says Jay Durgan, Senior Vice President of strategic partnerships and business development, Warner Music. "Together we assist operators in introducing consumers to a whole new mobile music experience."
Warner Music's content is already part of the M-USE service offered in Austria and Sweden, and will soon be included in the M-USE service offering throughout Europe.
M-USE is part of Ericsson's Managed Services Hosting offering, where Ericsson and operators work as partners to go to market quickly with new services, while controlling capital and operational costs.
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.
About Warner Music International
Warner Music International, a leading company in national and international repertoire, is headquartered in London and operates through 37 affiliates and numerous licensees in over 50 countries.
About Ericsson M-USE
Ericsson's M-USE service is developed by Ericsson in cooperation with the music industry. It is built around consumers' mobile music needs and seeks to take ease of use and fun to new heights. All music content found in M-USE is original music recordings and the music property rights are protected through state-of-the-art digital rights management (DRM). The service delivers a variety of realtones (ring tones playing the original music), polyphonic ring tones, StarMMS (artist pictures and music clips), video content, as well as artist greetings and artist news. M-USE has unique personalization features and search functions, allowing consumers to easily find the music that is right for them and giving them tailor-made recommendations.