Mobile entertainment content company Thumbplay has teamed with record label giant Sony BMG Music Entertainment to offer more than 7,000 of Sony's releases for mobile device use. This new digital distribution agreement will allow Thumbplay to offer ringtones, music videos, wallpaper, voice clips and mobile games based on Sony's vast collection of current artists and back catalog hits. "We had been circling each other for some time but never quite able to come to terms. I think our recent partnerships with AOL, MSN, iLike and other social & music discovery services presented a new and exciting sales channel," says Mitch Rotter, vice president of content acquisitions and merchandising. "I also think over the past six months or so Thumbplay has established ourself as the clear market leader and it made sense for Sony BMG to offer their content to our subscribers and it made sense for Thumbplay to forge ahead to offer that content." Sony BMG is the umbrella corporation for a variety of major labels, including Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records and RCA Records. Sony's current roster includes Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen, and its back roster includes Johnny Cash, AC/DC, Pearl Jam and much more. Thumbplay is a prominent U.S. providers of mobile entertainment, currently boasting more than 80,000 pieces of audio, video and gaming content available. It recently announced plans to integrate its content into websites including AOL, MSN and iLike. "Music has always been about expression and emotional connections," says Rotter. "Ringtones serve as a personal customization opportunity that gives people a chance to wear their affinities proudly." www.thumbplay.com www.sonybmg.com
