14th Nov 2005 10:45
Vodafone Group Plc14 November 2005 14 November 2005 Vodafone and Universal Music Group International sign strategic partnership LONDON, November 14, 2005 - A strategic alliance between the world's largestmusic company, Universal Music Group (UMG), and the world's largest mobiletelecommunications network company, Vodafone, has been forged to deliverunparalleled content and entertainment innovation to Vodafone live! customers. The agreement, announced today, will see the introduction of a broad range ofproducts and services featuring such market-leading stars as Eminem, U2, BlackEyed Peas, Kaiser Chiefs, 50 Cent, Keane, Rammstein, and Scissor Sisters. Thenew partnership between Vodafone and UMG's Universal Music Group International(UMGI) division represents the world's most extensive offering of music formobile, including: • Realtones and ringback tones • Full-track audio downloads • Full-track video downloads • Video streaming Content from this deal is already available on Vodafone live! today, and it isexpected that over 100,000 full-track audio downloads will be available within amatter of weeks, boosting the overall catalogue to over 600,000 tracks. The products and services associated with the long-term agreement are designedto meet accelerating, global consumer demand for entertainment content onVodafone's networks. The agreement also creates significant growthopportunities for both companies via innovative offerings in music and relatedareas in the future. Lucian Grainge, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group International, commented,"This agreement sets new standards in scale, reach and imagination within ourrespective industries. Both companies are committed as never before to providenew entertainment services for the benefit of consumers, using 3G to harness thepower and potential of new technology. I could not be more excited at theprospect." Guy Laurence, Global Terminal and Consumer Marketing Director at Vodafone, said"Universal Music is the world's largest music company and this strategic unionsignificantly enhances the scope of our mobile music offering. As adoption ofmusic content continues to increase, we know that our consumers are going toenjoy the benefit of being able to tap into such an incredible catalogue." As with all content agreements, Vodafone deploys industry-leading Digital RightsManagement to ensure the full protection of the content and the rights of theartists signed to UMG companies around the world. -ends- For further information: Vodafone Group Plc Universal Music Group InternationalInvestor Relations Adam WhiteTelephone: +44 (0) 1635 664447 Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7747 4217 (office) Telephone: +44 (0) 7808 924 030 (mobile)Media Relations [email protected]: +44 (0) 1635 664444 About Vodafone Vodafone is the world's leading mobile telecommunications group with operationsin 27 countries across 5 continents with over 165 million proportionatecustomers worldwide as at 30 June 2005 as well as 14 partner networks. Forfurther information, please visit www.vodafone.com. (c) Vodafone Group 2005. VODAFONE, the Vodafone logos and Vodafone live! aretrade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentionedherein may be the trade marks of their respective owners. About Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is the world's largest music company with wholly ownedrecord operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also includeUniversal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global musicpublishing operations. Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Music Group, DeutscheGrammophon, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Geffen Records, Island Def Jam MusicGroup, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville,Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Music Latino, UniversalMotown Records Group, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of recordlabels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world.The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in theindustry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal MusicEnterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.).Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technologiesdivision. Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi Universal, a global media andcommunications company. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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