London, 8 August 2008: Vodafone, the world’s largest mobile community and MTV, the premier multimedia music and entertainment brand, today announced the launch of a new multi-platform programme, Vodafone Soundbites.
Vodafone Soundbites explores every aspect of the global music scene. Featuring international artists’ interviews at gigs and festivals, bands’ fantasy group line-ups, pre-show rituals and performers describing their first time on stage, Vodafone Soundbites brings an authentic behind the scenes insight into the world of music.
Vodafone Soundbites will be available on TV, via a website (www.mtv-vodafonesoundbites.com) and on mobile (wap.mtv-vodafonesoundbites.com) as a series of twenty one, three minute shows from early August. The website and mobile service will carry additional footage, as well as editorial and news elements.
Vodafone Soundbites will be available in seven languages on MTV in Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the UK and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and on the MTV European feed, covering sixteen countries. Vodafone Soundbites is supported by an MTV created promotional spot, driving viewers to the premiere of each show. Each show will air four times in each territory on TV.
Vodafone and MTV recently joined forces by launching an online global interactive profile hosted by Myspace, ‘Vodafone Music Reporter’, offering music fans in some countries a chance to become an MTV reporter in an online and mobile Vodafone Soundbites episode.
”Through our partnership with MTV, Vodafone is successfully building on its long-lasting music heritage and continues to bring music to its customers whenever they want it, wherever they are. Vodafone Soundbites is a pioneering multiplatform communications show, will be delivered in 29 countries and will allow millions of fans to experience music on mobile through Vodafone and its partners’ high speed, reliable networks, online and TV.” commented David Wheldon, Global Brand Director, Vodafone.
Kevin Razvi, EVP of MTV Networks International and VBSI said, “We are delighted to once again partner with Vodafone on this new and deeper initiative. We always strive to offer our partners bespoke, creative opportunities. Leveraging on both our global reaches and MTV’s multi platform offering, Vodafone Soundbites will engage music lovers everywhere at anytime through their preferred means. Music and especially live performance is something that everyone can enjoy and this new series reflects the truly global nature of both MTV and our partner, Vodafone.”
For further information please contact:
Vodafone Group Media Relations
+44 (0) 1635 664444
MTV Networks International
Seema Alibhai +44 (0) 207 478 6531 seema.alibhai@mtvne.com
Amanda Willard +44 (0) 207 478 6507 amanda.willard@mtvne.com
Notes to Editors:
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with approximately 269 million proportionate customers as of 30 June 2008. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 26 countries across five continents and over 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com
About Vodafone Music Unlimited
Vodafone Music Unlimited is the overarching idea to deliver creative consistency across all Vodafone music activity via multi-media platforms and channels including the announced partnership with MySpace, Music Unlimited festivals across Europe and Online activities. The Vodafone Music Unlimited brand identity was first piloted globally, for the Vodafone’s mobile exclusive release of Madonna’s latest album, Hard Candy and has to date been activated in 11 Vodafone markets. For further information please visit www.vodafone.com/music
About Viacom Brand Solutions International:
Viacom Brand Solutions International (VBSI), is Viacom’s international in-house brand solutions sales business.
VBSI represents all the TV, digital and mobile channels of MTV Networks International – Music Television, VH1, Nickelodeon, TMF (The Music Factory), VIVA, Flux, Paramount Comedy, Comedy Central, Game One, Neopets, GameTrailers, Shockwave, Addicting Games, Atom Films and Xfire. MTV Networks' brands are seen globally in 560 million households in 162 countries and 33 languages via more than 150 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 350 digital media properties.
VBSI delivers advertisers creative cross platform solutions that engage consumers by investing in significant insight and by utilising the strengths of our youth and entertainment brands across multiple markets. These solutions are founded upon definitive creativity and innovative solutions constructed around branded content, sponsorship, promotions, events, new media and licensing opportunities.
For more information, please visit www.vbs-media.com
