Lots of mobile music new for you this morning.
Firstly, O2 has entered a deal with Def Jam and AG Interactive which will see hip hop related content from the music company, including ringtones, games, news and wallpaper, made available via the mobile firm's download platform. The deal with the European mobile company follows the launch of Def Jam Mobile in the US, a joint venture between Def Jam and AG Interative.
Confirming the O2 deal, Christian Harris of AG Interactive UK told CMU: "Urban music is the top selling category of mobile content. O2 are absolutely committed to delivering the best services to their consumers. So this is a wonderful opportunity to take Def Jam Mobile to O2's consumers. Through the service we believe we can offer a unique user experience, un-matched in existing, conventional mobile services. Our partnership with O2 will enable us to reach new consumers and offer them the very latest in Hip-hop, R&B and UK Grime music from all the best artists in the US and the UK".
Elsewhere, Warner Music and MTV have entered into a deal which will see the latter using music from the former for original mobile programming. The deal means MTV will be able to use video content from Warner's artists in the new mobile programming ventures it is planning to build around each of its existing brands - ie mini-programmes from MTV which will be streamed or downloaded to viewers' mobile phones.
Announcing the partnership yesterday, MTV Networks chairman Judy McGrath told reporters: "Today's digital age has created a new world in the music industry, one that requires innovative thinking about the way business has to be done to meet the evolving needs and demands of our audiences. I want to thank Warner Music for pioneering change in the industry, and in so doing, providing us both with a way to bring more music to more fans across the globe. This is a great leap forward in the evolution of our mobile video strategy, and we look forward to developing more exciting initiatives in this space over the year to come."
Meanwhile Warner Music boss Edgar Bronfmann Jnr said: "This is a highly unique and exciting relationship, one that helps us realize the full potential of our music video assets while giving Warner Music's emerging and established artists new platforms for reaching more of their fans on a global scale. MTV Networks' fantastic programming expertise, its roster of world famous music and entertainment brands and its important demographics in the wireless space make them an ideal partner for taking the mobile entertainment experience to the next level and helping more of our audiences connect with the music they love."
Finally from the world of music mobile, and Motorola boss Ed Zander has seemingly hit out at media interest in Apple's latest music device - the iPod nano. Launched the same day as his iTunes compatible mobile phone, the Nano has been getting plenty of good press, while the critical reception to the iTunes phone has been mixed. Zander is quoted as telling an audience at a recent leadership seminar: "Screw the nano. What the hell does the nano do? Who listens to 1,000 songs? People are going to want devices that do more than just play music, something that can be seen in many other countries with more advanced mobile phone networks and savvy users". Motorola have subsequently stressed that Zander was joking when he made the anti-nano remarks, but the comments may well show a certain sensitivity in the Motorola camp to the lack in critical acclaim that their iTunes phone has so far received.