– Universal Music Group is working with Qualcomm to sell mobile entertainment content directly to music fans via a number of different platforms. Qualcomm’s technology allows UMG to send content like ringtones, video ringtones and artist updates directly to users mobile phones from artist-branded Web sites, mobile Web sites, and through the UMG GetMusic.com portal.
– A recent study from the Mobile Entertainment Forum finds that the market for ad-supported mobile entertainment content in the U.S. will reach $336 million by 2013. Mobile video is expected to rake in the most of that total, at 41%, with music following at 34% and games 24%.
– MTV is taking a cross-platform approach to a new summer programming initiative called “F’N MTV.” The strategy involves a mix of airing new music videos on the TV network with making them available to interaction online. Fans will be invited to submit karaoke versions of the songs posted, mobile text message comments, submit reviews, remix the videos, etc. Other fans will then rate the content submitted, with the most popular re-aired on the TV network.
Sponsoring the effort are Rhapsody and Verizon Wireless, two MTV partners in the Rhapsody America joint venture the companies entered into last year, but to date have yet to unveil any details of their integration plans.
