Virgin Mobile 'First Dibs' Locks Exclusive Ringtones from Ashanti's Concrete Rose and Ja Rule's R.U.L.E.

Virgin Mobile 'First Dibs' Locks Exclusive Ringtones from Ashanti's Concrete Rose and Ja Rule's R.U.L.E. Universal Music Group and Virgin Mobile Seal Fourth Exclusive Ringtone Deal in Six Months WARREN, N.J., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Mobile USA customers just love getting "First Dibs!" The wireless provider and Universal Music Group (UMG) today announced a double-whammy mobile music deal to serve up exclusive access to ringtones from Ashanti and Ja Rule -- two of the power players in Def Jam's hip-hop/R&B line up. These latest releases add to the top-shelf suite of multi-genre music content that's already been made available exclusively through Virgin Mobile's "First Dibs" program. In conjunction with The Island Def Jam Music Group and UMG, this latest agreement offers Virgin Mobile customers exclusive access to Superphonic (a.k.a. real music) ringtones from Ashanti's new release Concrete Rose, which is in stores now, as well as Ja Rule's R.U.L.E., fresh off its smash release this November. These albums feature such top tracks as Ashanti's "Only U" and Ja Rule's "Wonderful." Exclusive Virgin Mobile access to Ashanti and Ja Rule ringtones will be available until February 15, 2005, with the exception of "Wonderful," which ends January 15th. "First Dibs has been a great hit for us. Following six months of success to date, we're moving ahead with our partners at Island Def Jam and UMG on another chart-topping offer," said Howard Handler, chief marketing officer of Virgin Mobile USA. "Our customers salivate over new ringtones and can expect us to continue to offer up the best of the best across a range of musical genres and labels." "We've seen proof-positive that Virgin Mobile customers love getting in on the latest and greatest that our top artists have to offer," said Larry Mattera, SVP, New Media and Strategic Marketing, The Island Def Jam Music Group. "So we anticipate a great response to these exclusive offers from Ashanti and Ja Rule." Virgin Mobile Users Get "First Dibs" Virgin Mobile users can already choose from thousands of downloadable ringtones from dozens of different genres. But its ongoing "First Dibs" program -- launched in June of 2004 -- continues to be the first to score exclusive access to fresh new Superphonic ringtones from major recording artists. Superphonic ringtones offer a true audio clip of an original recording, voice or sound just like you'd hear on a radio or digital music player. "First Dibs" on Ashanti and Ja Rule follow three earlier exclusive ringtone deals between Virgin Mobile and UMG. This November, Virgin Mobile subscribers tuned in to exclusive ringtones and voice greetings from SUM 41's newest release CHUCK. In August, users had exclusive access to ringtones from platinum-selling album The Hunger for More from G-Unit's Lloyd Banks, as well as from Young Buck's debut release titled Straight Outta Cashville. June 2004 saw the kick-off of Virgin Mobile's "First Dibs" with exclusive access to ringtones from Detroit's own D12, off 2004's smash summer album D12 World. About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC: Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC has set the pace as the fastest growing wireless carrier in the U.S. while redefining the entire prepaid category. The nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile has attracted two million wireless users to its Pay As You Go service with no contracts and no hidden fees. All Virgin Mobile customers have access to VirginXtras -- a host of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including exclusive content from strategic partner MTV: Music Television. Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. Virgin Mobile phones and Top-Up cards are available direct on the Web at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/; at 888-322-1122; or, at more than 20,000 locations, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Media Play, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Target Stores, Trans World Entertainment, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. Top-Up cards are also available at more than 50,000 locations, including Circle K, CVS and 7- Eleven stores. About Universal Music Group: Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly- owned record operations or licensees in 71 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations. Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Record Company, Deutsche Grammophon, DreamWorks Records, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Records Group, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Strategic Marketing and Commercial Affairs (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technology division. Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company. About The Island Def Jam Music Group: The Island Def Jam Music Group is home to a multi-cultural and diverse family of artists and has fast become one of the most successful labels in the industry. It is comprised of Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and Def Soul, and is in partnerships with Lost Highway Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, The Inc, and Roadrunner Records. The roster boasts an array of talented artists including Mariah Carey, Patti Labelle, Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp, Melissa Etheridge, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Bon Jovi, Ludacris, Ashanti, Kanye West, Ryan Adams, Nickelback, Musiq, Slipknot, Method Man, Hoobastank, Ja Rule, Sum 41, Saliva and DMX. Source: Virgin Mobile USA CONTACT: Sue D'Agostino of Virgin Mobile USA, +1-908-607-4105, sdagostino@virginmobileusa.com; or Karen Wiessen of The Island Def Jam Music Group, +1-212-603-3950, Karen.wiessen@umusic.com Web site: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment