BlingTones Launches First Wireless Record Label

BlingTones Launches First Wireless Record Label Exclusive Ringtones Feature Original Music by Hip-Hop's Hottest Producers & Artists NEW YORK, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- BlingTones, a division of Lagardere Active North America (U.S. branch of Lagardere Active Broadband -- a leading content provider in Europe), announces the world's first wireless record label. As the popularity of ringtones soars, BlingTones represents the next level in the ringtone phenomenon, bringing something to the table that no other company has: exclusive, original content. While other ringtone companies provide snippets of previously existing commercial songs, BlingTones has signed hip-hop producers/artists Q-Tip, Rockwilder (Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, DMX), Denuan Porter (50 Cent, Eminem), Salaam Remi (Nas), Hi-Tek (Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg), and more to create original 30-second "songs" available only through BlingTones. With cellphone carriers Sprint, Cingular/ATTW, Nextel, and Boost Mobile on board, artists are excited by the possibility of reaching fans through BlingTones. The content they create will bring in a new revenue stream: according to leading communications research company In-Stat/MDR, consumers are expected to have spent $150 million on ringtones in 2004. With figures rising for 2005, BlingTones promises increased income for carriers and artists. "Lagardere Media is a major global content group and we are thrilled to present our first wireless music initiative in the U.S.," says Fabrice Sergent, President of Lagardere Active North America. "BlingTones is so creative and ambitious." Julien Mitelberg, CEO of BlingTones explains, "We provide more than traditional "ringtones;" with BlingTones, we've taken it to the next level by providing unique hip-hop music - real music, made by top producers, only for your cellphone. Nobody else is doing this!" In addition to exclusive songs, BlingTones will also provide BlingPix - exclusive screen savers/wallpaper with contemporary urban themes. Plans are in the works to sign comedians to create original content for ringtones and ringbacks. BlingTones is currently advertised on various radio stations and urban and lifestyle magazines. Lagardere Active North America (LANA) is the U.S. division of Lagardere Active Broadband, the new media subsidiary of Lagardere SCA. LANA, which launched operations in January 2004, creates branded content for cellphone subscribers. In collaboration with sister company Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., a leading special interest magazine publisher, LANA has also launched Car and Driver Mobile, ELLE Mobile and American Photo Mobile based on Hachette's successful brands. Source: Lagardere Active North America CONTACT: Simone Smalls of Susan Blond, Inc., +1-212-333-7728 ext. 118, simone@susanblondinc.com, for Lagardere Active North America ------- Profile: International Entertainment