Warner Music International and T-Mobile Enter into Pan-European Realtones Agreement
WMI Content to be available to T-Mobile users in the UK, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands
Exclusive Availability of Kevin Lyttle's New single 'Last Drop' two weeks prior to radio release
T-Mobile and Warner Music International (WMI) today announce an agreement to deliver over 200 Realtones (ringtones that are extracted from the original recordings of songs) as well as wallpaper images to T-Mobile's customers across the UK, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. WMI artists that now can be downloaded include Linkin Park, Sean Paul, The Corrs, R.E.M, and The Darkness.
In a first for any major record company, this partnership will give customers exclusive access to smash hit R&B artist Kevin Lyttle's latest single, 'Last Drop' two weeks prior to chart release. His debut single, 'Turn me On', which reached number 2 in the UK will also feature as part of the Realtones service.
Today's announcement, in conjunction with previous Realtones and other ringtone agreements between T-Mobile and Warner Music Group in the U.S., provides the basis for worldwide cooperation between the two companies.
"We are delighted to be working with one of the leading mobile communications companies to bring original music to handsets," said Paul-Rene Albertini, Chairman and CEO, Warner Music International. "This partnership reiterates the strategic importance of the mobile music market; benefiting our artists with another format and distribution channel, and providing consumers with a wider choice of ways to listen to their favourite artists."
"As part of our t-zones mobile multimedia services, T-Mobile is committed to providing leading mobile music content our customers will enjoy," said Nikesh Arora, Chief Marketing Officer, T- Mobile International. "Our partnership with Warner Music International reinforces our investment in delivering the best mobile visual and audio experience to the market today, and in the future."
T-Mobile's t-zones has grown extensively since its launch a year ago and has now reached 5.5 million unique active users per month. The number of monthly downloads has more than doubled in the second half of 2003 alone, and ringtones remain the most popular downloadable service, accounting for over half of all downloads each year.
Availability
The new Realtones will initially be available on the Motorola V300, Nokia 3650 and Nokia 7650, with other handsets to follow in the near future.
Warner Music International and T-Mobile plan to further enhance the customer experience over the next 12 months by extending the number of artist Realtones available, by introducing additional services and by increasing market availability of all services to other regions.
About T-Mobile International
T-Mobile International is one of the world's leading mobile communications groups. At the end of 2003, T-Mobile had 61million customers in its owned and controlled operations and around 90million customers including its minority interests and network operations it manages directly owned by Deutsche Telekom. T-Mobile is the leader in usage of multi-media services, an area in which it has consistently been a pioneer. T-zones now have over 5million unique active users a month. T-Mobile is also distinct in deploying one common technology platform based on GSM, the world's most successful digital wireless standard. It is the only mobile communications provider with a seamless transatlantic service.
About Warner Music International
Warner Music International, a division of Warner Music Group, is a leading company in national and international repetoire, headquartered in London with operations through 37 affiliates and numerous licensees in over 50 countries.
Source: Warner Music International