Contract with Universal Music

31 Oct 2005 07:01

Bango PLC31 October 2005 31 October 2005 BANGO PLC Agreement with Universal Music Bango, the mobile content enabler, and its partner Graphico New Media have todayissued a trade press release in connection with the development of mobile sitesfor Universal Music's roster of artists. Bango is enabling easy access formobile users to 'browse and buy' content and providing billing services forUniversal Music. Universal Music has official websites for over 300 artists and so far GraphicoNew Media has developed WAP sites for 7 artists. These official mobile sitesfeature Bango powered 'browse and buy' technology so users can check out whatthey want to buy, then pay for and download it all in one easy step. The mobile sites feature ringtones, wallpapers, news and tour dates, anddepending on the artist, music videos or other content. Universal Music ismarketing artists' mobile sites directly to consumers from the official websitesand on print media. "We want to ensure anyone with a phone can engage with our artists from theirmobiles. This direct-to-consumer route to market is very important forUniversal," said Francis Keeling, UK Country Manager at Universal Music Mobile. Graham Darracott, Strategic Partner at Graphico, commented: "We are ensuring wemake the sites as relevant as possible to the artist's fans by not onlyproviding paid content to personalise their phones with, but also free news,tour dates, and other relevant tips to make fans come back on a regular basis." Fast, easy access to the site is provided by Bango's Txt Trigger. Customers textto a shortcode and then automatically receive a WAP Push message containing alink to the mobile internet site and a text confirmation. Billing is powered byBango and the user can choose to pay on their phone bill, by PayPal, or bycredit/debit card. Anil Malhotra, VP of Marketing and Alliances at Bango, explained: "Bango enablesmusic labels to deliver more sophisticated content offerings using the power ofthe mobile internet and leverage their consumer marketing budget to reachconsumers across the globe." Bango expects to release further trade press releases over time, as it executesits stated strategy of enabling content providers such as Universal Music andbrands to sell or provide services to consumers via the mobile internet. Copiesof trade press releases will be available via the Company's website given below. About Bango Bango has developed and deployed an open, global, infrastructure platform thatenables content providers to market, sell and deliver their products andservices directly to mobile phone users on all mobile networks using the mobileInternet. This "direct-to-consumer" approach operates alongside the mobileoperator's mobile content portal. Leading mobile operators including Vodafone,Cingular Wireless, Orange, Telefonica and O2 work with Bango to accelerate thegrowth of their "direct-to-consumer" business. Leading content brands are now adopting the Bango Service to engage with all oftheir existing and potential mobile customers directly - irrespective of mobileoperator. For further information, go to www.bango.com. About Graphico Graphico New Media is an award winning digital strategy, design and productionagency that is exceptionally passionate about what it does. Established in 1990,its creativity, innovation and technical expertise delivers success to clients.Clients include: Pepsi, Universal Music, British Gas, BMW, British Sugar, ChivasBrothers Pernod Ricard, Little Chef, Sony BMG and BBC World. Visitwww.graphico.co.uk. For further information, please contact:Sarah KeefeBangoTel: +44 (0)7786 932016sarah@bango.com Peter RennisonPeter Rennison PRTel: +44 (0)1442 245030pr@prpr.co.uk Archie BerensICISTel : +44 7651 8688/+44 7802 442486archie@icisnet.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange