Personalized Mobile Music Application Keeps Customers Tuned In To Their
Favorite Artists with News, Reviews, Gossip and Concert Tour Updates From
Their Cell Phones
WARREN, N.J., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuned into its customers' passion
for music and today's top artists, Virgin Mobile USA is the first domestic
wireless carrier to create an interactive mobile music magazine. Just
launched, Headliner gives Virgin Mobile customers on demand access to a
full range of music-related content including up-to-date artist news,
charts, concert dates and interactive search and community features.
This unique and personal downloadable mobile application delivers a
database of thousands of artists and bands from every music genre, upcoming
concert tour dates, music festival coverage, and albums and shows directly
to the mobile phone. Virgin Mobile customers can now download Headliner to
advanced handsets including the Switch_Back, Cyclops, Slice, Slider Sonic
and Snapper. Customers can "test drive" Headliner for a 14-day trial
without paying subscription charges.
"Our mobile music strategy is all about discovery and access for our
customers, who consider music to be an essential part of their lives. We've
designed Headliner to provide an easy, convenient way to get information
about favorite artists and hot new acts," said Howard Handler, chief
marketing officer, Virgin Mobile USA. "And Headliner can be personalized as
the customer inputs those artists and bands of most interest." Once
downloaded, Headliner will provide access to extensive daily content
including Billboard music charts, exclusive artist profiles, biographies,
discographies and breaking news.
"Virgin Mobile's 'Headliner' application is a unique, centralized way
to give fans VIP access to their favorite artist's music-based mobile
content," said Perry Bashkoff, Vice President, Digital Sales and Marketing,
Warner Music Group. "With 'Headliner,' Virgin Mobile is expanding the ways
consumers can discover new artist content, tour information and more in a
single application, personalizing their phones like they do when they
purchase ringtones and screensavers."
Headliner customers can opt in to receive SMS notifications about
concerts and tours coming to their area, or search anytime for concert
information based on a city or artist including times, dates and opening
acts.
Virgin Mobile customers downloaded more than 14.8 million ringtones in
2006 and more than 4.6 million in the first quarter of 2007. The company
recently sold its 50 millionth ringtone. "These numbers illustrate that our
customers have a desire to be connected to music through their cell phone,
an important and intimate vehicle in their lives," Handler added.
Customers can download Headliner to their handsets on the VirginXL Menu
under Music. Following a free 14-day trial, customers can continue to use
Headliner for $2.49/month. Standard messaging rates apply. More information
is available at our website
(http://www.virginmobileusa.com/stuff/music/headliner.do).
About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC
The nation's leading wireless youth network, Virgin Mobile USA provides
more than 4.6 million customers with control, flexibility and choice in
wireless service, rich data content and innovative products without annual
contracts. Voice pricing plans range from monthly options with unlimited
nights and weekends to by-the-minute offers, allowing consumers to adjust
how and what they pay according to their needs. Virgin Mobile's full slate
of smart, stylish and affordable handsets, including the popular
Switch_Back and Slice, are available at top retailers in more than 35,000
locations nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com, with Top-Up
cards available at more than 130,000 locations.
Virgin Mobile USA's service is powered by the nationwide Sprint PCS
network, and the company, which launched in 2002, is a joint venture
between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint Nextel. J.D. Power
and Associates has ranked Virgin Mobile highest in customer satisfaction
among wireless prepaid services, and its own customers report a 94%
satisfaction rate. Virgin Mobile contributes 5% of profits from
downloadable content to The RE*Generation, its pro-social initiative to
help homeless teens, through donations to charitable partners or funding of
programs that support and raise awareness for young people in need; and
provides postage-paid return envelopes in every new package for customers
to recycle old phones.
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