Mobile Launch - Madonna Album

Vodafone Group Plc 18 March 2008 18 March 2008 VODAFONE, WARNER MUSIC INTERNATIONAL AND MADONNA ANOUNCE GLOBAL MOBILE LAUNCH OF 'HARD CANDY' IN NEW DEAL Mobile premiere of selected album tracks and exclusive, associated content for Vodafone customers Vodafone, the world's largest mobile operator by revenue, and Warner Music International (WMI) have completed an agreement allowing new music and mobile content from Madonna's highly anticipated new 'Hard Candy' album to be distributed and promoted exclusively to Vodafone customers around the world, prior to the April 28th global release of Madonna's 11th studio album for Warner Bros. Records. Starting on April 21st, a total of seven tracks from 'Hard Candy', with songs by the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and video visionary, will be released at a rate of one a day counting down the week before the album is available. Each track will remain live for 24 hours for download before being replaced by the next one. In addition, Vodafone customers in selected markets including Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium will get exclusive mobile access to the newly released single '4 Minutes', effective immediately. As part of this unique music experience, Vodafone customers in all participating territories will have access to Madonna's mini site on Vodafone live! which will include one week of exclusive, associated mobile content, including ringtones, ringback tones and SMS tones. 'As the number one digital music service provider in the mobile telecommunications industry in Europe, Vodafone has revolutionised the way people experience music on their mobiles and the collaboration with Warner Music builds on this heritage,' said Frank Rovekamp, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Group. 'Through our unique insight into what our customers want and how they prefer to listen to music this is yet another example of delivering superior music experience to customers.' John Reid, Vice Chairman WMI and President, Warner Music Europe, said, 'We are delighted to be able to debut such a rich menu of content from 'Hard Candy' through Vodafone live! This is an innovative way to reach millions of Madonna fans around the world, building anticipation and excitement around this landmark release and helping to create a real event for Vodafone customers.' Vodafone is the number one digital music service provider in the mobile telecommunications industry in Europe and number two digital music service provider overall in Europe. Leading the mobile music industry the company uses music to build the Vodafone brand and awareness of products and services across its 250 million+ customer base globally. Madonna, the multi-Grammy-award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, cultural icon, world renowned stage performer, video visionary, children's book author, director and documentary film maker has sold over 200 million albums in the course of her unprecedented two decade plus career and has just been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. - ends - For Further Information Vodafone Group Media Relations +44 1635 664444 About Vodafone Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with over 252 million proportionate customers as at 31st December 2007. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 25 countries across five continents and a further 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com About Warner Music International: Warner Music International (WMI) is Warner Music Group's global (ex-U.S.) recorded music division that markets and distributes WMG's world-class roster of U.S. and international recording artists through a network of affiliates and licensees in more than 50 countries. With a commitment to developing local talent as well as marketing international superstars, WMI leverages its expertise in each region around the world to attract and cultivate a diverse international artist roster. WMG is a pioneer in delivering music content in new and exciting ways, with a track record of 'firsts' in the digital space. Contact for Madonna: Liz Rosenberg, Warner Bros. Records, liz.rosenberg@wbr.com; +1 212-707-3256. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100