November 24, 2004

Music Label Goes Ringtone

Universal Music Group to Provide Master Ringtones to Verizon Wireless Customers

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's
leading wireless service provider, announced today it has entered into an
agreement with Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, to
bring music from many of today's chart-topping artists to Verizon Wireless
customers. The alliance includes the sale of real-music ringtones from
Universal Music Group Artists and opportunities for the two companies to
develop joint marketing programs.
"With more and more of our customers personalizing their wireless service
with ringtones, it's important for us to offer their favorite songs from the
most popular artists," said Paul Palmieri, executive director of business
development for Verizon Wireless. "The diversity of Universal Music Group's
artists especially in the Pop and Hip-Hop genres -- from Ashlee Simpson to
Nelly and Ja Rule -- allow us to expand on our ringtone line-up with the
artists our customers are demanding."
"This agreement creates another opportunity for consumers to enjoy the
great music made by our artists," said David Ring, vice president of business
development and business affairs for Universal Music Group eLabs. "We're
thrilled to partner with Verizon Wireless and give its customers access to the
hottest and best-loved music being made today for their ringtones."
Verizon Wireless products and services are available in more than 1,200
Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, at participating Best Buy, Circuit
City and RadioShack locations and on the Web at
http://www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless
network, serving 42.1 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in
Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications
(NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web
at http://www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage
of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto
http://www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.

About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world's largest music company with wholly
owned record operations or licensees in 71 countries. Its businesses also
include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global
music publishing operations.
Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Record Company,
Deutsche Grammophon, DreamWorks Records, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island
Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville,
Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown
Records Group, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels
owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The
Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the
industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music
Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the
U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technologies
division.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi Universal, a global media and
communications company.


SOURCE Verizon Wireless
Web Site: http://www.verizonwireless.com
http://www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless


Universal Music Group to Provide Master Ringtones to Verizon Wireless Customers

Posted by Craig at November 24, 2004 07:05 PM