Thumbplay News

Chart-Topping Videos Debut Exclusively on Thumbplay

New York — December 2, 2008 — Island Def Jam Music Group, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, and Thumbplay, the one-stop entertainment shop for today’s mobile devices, today announced that, for the first time ever, nine of JAY-Z’s most popular video clips will be available for download on mobile phones exclusively through Thumbplay.com and its mobile site, m.thumbplay.com. The video clips from JAY-Z are available for download immediately, and are made possible through a pre-existing agreement between Thumbplay and UMG. Thumbplay customers can now personalize their mobile phones with a collection of 9 exclusive chart-topping videos from the multiplatinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning artist. These include:

• Blue Magic
• Dirt Off Your Shoulder
• Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)
• Excuse Me Miss
• I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
• I Know
• Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
• Money, Cash, H**s
• Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)

Thumbplay’s extensive and ever-growing entertainment library and award winning, direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 mobile devices among every major carrier in the U.S. Each month, Thumbplay.com gets more than five million unique visitors and its mobile (WAP) site — m.thumbplay.com — receives more than 12 million page views, making it one of the most popular mobile Web sites.

Labels: press-release

NEW YORK – November 20, 2008 – Thumbplay OPEN, which launched in Beta in September 2008, already has thousands of developers and independent artists on board. Today, the company announced the launch of the Thumbplay OPEN online reporting system as well as a “Top 10 Charts” API.

Through the fully-automated Thumbplay OPEN service, anyone – from bloggers, bands and beat makers, to Web developers, marketers and business development executives – can sell digital content to the more than 230 million mobile customers in the U.S. Both independent artists and site publishers/Web developers generate income through OPEN, ranging from $5 - $8 per new Thumbplay subscriber. Artists also receive 50 cents each time their content is downloaded.

Thumbplay OPEN’s new marketing dashboard allows all members to track every click, subscription referral and content download from their Web sites, widgets and social profiles. OPEN developers can now employ Thumbplay’s dynamic landing pages (click HERE for sample landing page), and they can access detailed click-through tracking information, allowing them to test and measure the impact of online marketing campaigns.
In addition to the online reporting system, the service now also offers a “Top 10 Charts” API for developers. This provides an automated way to showcase the “Top 10” music, graphics, videos and games directly from any Web site, mobile site, widget or mobile application.

“It is very gratifying to see the enthusiastic support of our OPEN service by so many developers, business partners and independent artists,” said Are Traasdahl, CEO and Founder of Thumbplay. “I believe the enhancements we launched today make it an even greater service.

In particular, the daily reporting tools provide a great way for all OPEN members to assess their marketing efforts, vital in today’s competitive business climate. And, by being fully-automated, we are able to effortlessly continue to expand our offerings and meet the growing demand for the service.”

HOW THUMBPLAY OPEN WORKS:
ARTISTS – In just minutes, independent music and visual artists can begin selling their content. There is no charge to the artists for the service and artists retain all rights to their content. After uploading music and images, artists can see their unique artist page appear on the Thumbplay Web and mobile sites.

Artists are also given access to a number of promotional tools, such as customized widget creation. They can hand-select content, personal images and even preferred colors and buttons for their widgets, reaching millions of new fans through social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, blogs and Web sites. For offline promotion, artists have the ability to promote their content through the Thumbplay GET program. GET allows fans to text “GET,” plus the artist’ name (e.g., “GET TAY ZONDAY”), to 84862 (THUMB) and download the content directly to their phone. Click HERE to see the artist’s demo video. For more information, send a blank e-mail to: artists@thumbplay.com.

DEVELOPERS AND SITE PUBLISHERS -- Web site developers and publishers are able to add mobile downloads to any site, application or widget. They can access the Thumbplay API for rich Web and mobile integrations, while increasing their page views and return visits. Unique tracking parameters for URLs and API keys can be accessed in less than five minutes and generate additional revenue on a same-day basis. For more information, please send a blank e-mail to devs@thumbplay.com.

Featuring music, videos, games and more, Thumbplay’s extensive and ever-growing entertainment library currently consists of more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content. Their award-winning direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 devices among every major carrier in the U.S.

The company has maintained and grown its leadership position in the industry by providing its consumers with the best possible customer experience, including live, “24/7/365” customer service and a commitment to delivering the largest catalog of entertainment possible. Thumbplay’s “locker” service also allows users to automatically back-up and store purchased items.

Each month, Thumbplay.com gets more than five million unique visitors and its mobile (WAP) site (m.thumbplay.com) receives more than 12 million page views, making it one of the most popular mobile Web sites.

Labels: press-release

Labels: press-release

Thumbplay Becomes First DTC Provider to Support Carrier Portal;
Brings Vast Entertainment Choices Directly to Cellular South Customers

New York — November 11, 2008 — Thumbplay® (www.thumbplay.com), the #1 mobile entertainment service in the U.S.*, today announced that its extensive library will now be featured on-deck with all Cellular South-supported mobile phones. Based in Ridgeland, Mississippi, Cellular South is the nation's largest privately owned wireless carrier. This is the first time a U.S. wireless carrier has engaged a direct-to-consumer content provider to populate its on-deck portal.

Cellular South customers will now be able to browse, buy and download Thumbplay content directly from their handsets or Thumbplay's Web site. Thumbplay offers more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content including music, videos and games that will be available for purchase by Cellular South customers either a la carte or via subscription-based credits.

"Increasingly, our customers are using their mobile phones as full-service, mobile entertainment devices," said Jim Richmond, Director of Corporate Communications at Cellular South. "Thumbplay allows us to offer our customers the broadest and deepest offering available coupled with fast, easy-to-use service and unmatched customer support."

Are Traasdahl, Thumbplay's CEO and founder, added: "Our ongoing investment in building the biggest and the best mobile catalog and in providing customers with a fun, hassle-free experience, continues to pay off. We are extremely proud to become the first direct-to-consumer mobile content provider in the U.S. to support a wireless carrier's portal."

Featuring music, videos, games and more, Thumbplay's award-winning direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 devices among every major carrier in the U.S.

The company has maintained and grown its leadership position in the industry by providing consumers with the best possible customer experience, including live, "24/7/365" customer service and a commitment to delivering the largest catalog of entertainment possible. Thumbplay's "locker" service also allows users to automatically back-up and store purchased items.

Thumbplay features licensed music, video and gaming content from some of the world's largest entertainment companies, including EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Pictures Television, as well as several independent labels and artists and video game companies. Thumbplay's mobile entertainment catalog is integrated into Clear Channel Radio, AOL and MSN Mobile sites, as well as iLike.com, one of the Web's leading social music discovery services. Based on Thumbplay's reputation for exceptional customer care and technological innovation, MTV recently tapped the company to power personalization content for the music giant's mobile content site.

Each month, Thumbplay.com gets more than five million unique visitors and its mobile (WAP) site (m.thumbplay.com) receives more than 12 million page views, making it one of the most popular mobile Web sites.

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Labels: press-release

In 2008, Purchases of Mobile Entertainment Content Provide Unique Insights of
America’s Tech-Savy Electorate

NEW YORK – October 29, 2008 – According to Thumbplay® (www.thumbplay.com), the #1 mobile entertainment destination in the U.S.*, the public is turning out in force to support their candidates through purchases of mobile entertainment content. While electoral votes are still up for grabs, the tech-savvy “e-lectorate” has clearly thrown its support – and its purchasing power – behind Senator Obama. Thumbplay customers are, on average, age 18 – 34, 59 percent of whom are female, and reside predominantly in the Top 20 U.S. markets.

As of 10/28/08, Thumbplay.com confirms that Obama-related content has out-sold McCain-related content by a 9 to 1 margin. The results are based on Obama and McCain related content -- including ringtones, videos and wallpapers – purchased on Thumbplay.com

Following provides a snapshot of top content for each candidate:

Top Obama-related entertainment content sold on Thumbplay.com:
• #1 Real tone -- Tell Yo Mama, Vote Obama
• #1 Video – Candidates-Obama Video
• #1 Wallpaper – Obama, My Homeboy (Election O8)

Top McCain-related entertainment content sold on Thumbplay.com:
• #1 Real tone -- McCain Love Ballad
• #1 Video -- Palin Moose Call
• #1 Wallpaper – McCain Republican Elephant Blue (Election 08)

Visit www.thumplay.com to check out the leading ringtones, wallpaper and video content from both candidates.

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Labels: press-release

Team Recognized For "Business Leadership & Innovation"

NEW YORK – October 29, 2008 – At the sixth annual New York Ten Awards™ Gala held yesterday by the Executive Council of New York, the premier business forum for leaders and innovators, Thumbplay® (www.thumbplay.com) received the award for "Best Executive Team." Are Traasdahl, Founder & CEO of Thumbplay, the #1 mobile entertainment service in the U.S.*, had the honor of receiving the award along with Evan Schwartz, co-founder and CMO; Scott Marshall, COO and CFO; Markus Thorstvedt, CTO; Joe Bilman, chief product officer; and Lasse Hamre, EVP/Technology. The Ten Awards is a selection of ten companies and individuals in the greater New York business community that display extraordinary innovation and leadership in their industries and beyond.

The Executive Council of New York selected the Thumbplay team as "Best Executive Team" from hundreds of entrants. Other finalists for the award included teams from The Blackstone Group and iSeatz. This is the third Ten Award given to Thumbplay by the Executive Council of New York. In 2006, the company received the "Best New Product or Service" award; and in 2007, for his innovation and leadership as CEO of Thumbplay, Traasdahl received the honor of "Best Emerging CEO."

"We have achieved our success by concentrating on three key areas: customer satisfaction, product innovation and building strategic partnerships," said Are Traasdahl, CEO and founder of Thumbplay. "This focus requires a dynamic, committed leadership team, and I could not be more proud of the executives who have brought us to such extraordinary heights. We’re extremely honored to have their daily guidance and thank the Executive Council for its recognition."

The Ten Awards winners were chosen from open nominations submitted to the Executive Council of New York. Hundreds of nominations were screened and evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of prominent journalists from New York-based local and national business media outlets, and evaluated based on the individual’s contributions to his or her organization’s objectives and leadership; the organization’s impact on business innovation, both in New York and nationally; and the individual’s industry leadership beyond his or her organization.

Featuring music, videos, games and more, Thumbplay’s extensive and ever-growing entertainment library currently consists of more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content. Their award-winning direct-to-consumer service is accessible on more than 2,000 devices among every major carrier in the U.S.

The company has maintained and grown its leadership position in the industry by providing its consumers with the best possible customer experience, including live, "24/7/365" customer service and a commitment to delivering the largest catalog of entertainment possible. Thumbplay’s "locker" service also allows users to automatically back-up and store purchased items.

Thumbplay features licensed music, video and gaming content from some of the world’s largest entertainment companies, including EMI, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Pictures Television, as well as several independent labels and artists and video game companies. Thumbplay’s mobile entertainment catalog is integrated into Clear Channel Radio, AOL and MSN Mobile sites, as well as iLike.com, one of the Web’s leading social music discovery services. Moreover, based on Thumbplay’s reputation for exceptional customer care and technological innovation, MTV recently tapped the company to power personalization content for the music giant’s mobile content site.

Each month, Thumbplay.com gets more than five million unique visitors and its mobile (WAP) site (m.thumbplay.com) receives more than 12 million page views, making it one of the most popular mobile Web sites.

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Labels: press-release

By Antony Bruno, Denver

The music industry's bid to sell full-song downloads from ringtones gained an ally today with the unveiling of Thumbplay's new full-song mobile music service.

Hoping to do for full-song music downloads what it did for ringtones, Thumbplay's beta-store lets subscribers of all mobile operators buy and download music to more than 2,000 compatible phones. At launch, it has licensing deals with Universal Music Group and EMI Music Group, as well as independent aggregators The Orchard and INgrooves, totaling about 1.5 million tracks. Other independent labels, as well as majors Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, continue to be courted.

Tracks will be DRM-free, and will cost 99-cents through an eMusic-like subscription model. Thumbplay will charge $9.99 a month for access to the full-song service, for which customers will get 10 credits redeemable for one song each. New subscribers will get 10 free credits as a bonus for signing up.

Read the entire article on Billboard.biz here.

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Labels: press