LogicaCMG and Shazam Launch Integrated Mobile Music Solution for Mobile Network Operators

LogicaCMG and Shazam Launch Integrated Mobile Music Solution for Mobile Network Operators

LONDON, July 6/PRNewswire/ --

- Partnership Between Leaders in Mobile Technology Enables Operators to Increase Business Volume Through Mobile Music

- Operators Offered Customisable, Flexible Platform for Maximising Average Revenue per User (ARPU) and Customer Loyalty

- Mobile Music Solution Provides the Ability to Seamlessly Integrate and Cross-Sell Additional Content From Mobile Operator and Third Party Portfolios

Shazam Entertainment today announced a partnership with LogicaCMG, a leading global solutions and IT services provider, to deliver the Music Recognition for Mobile Devices (MRMD) solution. MRMD enables mobile network operators to increase revenues from existing subscribers and engage new target audiences with premium content services, such as ring tone, full music track and video download.

Shazam's audio recognition solution was identified as the 'best fit' technology following stringent testing, carried out by LogicaCMG, to further consolidate Shazam's position as a leading mobile music provider. The partnership combines LogicaCMG's world leading mobile messaging technology with the most innovative technology in mobile music to date within the MRMD solution, creating a dynamic new channel to provide music related products and services to subscribers.

This flexible solution has been jointly developed by LogicaCMG and Shazam, and provides an innovative gateway to an all-encompassing mobile music experience. MRMD enables operators to cross- and up-sell a wide variety of products such as ring tones, full music downloads and wallpaper relating to the music track identified.

The audio identification technology from LogicaCMG and Shazam provides accurate music recognition in a split second using a process based on unique 'fingerprints'. Users can identify any track by simply dialling a short code and holding their mobile handset to the music source. When the track has been 'tagged', the music clip is matched against the unique 'fingerprint' contained within Shazam's vast database of 2.7 million tracks. Once identified the user receives an SMS with the name of the artist and the track, enabling operators to cross-sell content relating to the identified artist or song.

Andrew Fisher, CEO at Shazam Entertainment, commented: "LogicaCMG is a dominant global force in the telecoms market and we look forward to pushing the boundaries of mobile music with them. The due diligence tests carried out by LogicaCMG, demonstrate that Shazam's technology, with a high recognition rate and an immense database, is second to none."

Chris McDermott, CEO at LogicaCMG global telecoms, commented: "Working with 300 of the world's top operators in more than 130 countries, it is clear that the market is tuning in to the wealth of opportunity that exists for music on mobile phones. We are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to enable operators to secure new revenue streams and engage with their customers. This partnership with Shazam enables us to integrate its leading music recognition services with our flexible mobile music solution so that network operators can quickly and easily roll-out new and exciting applications to mobile phone users."

The MRMD solution is available now to operators worldwide. O2 Germany has been the first to deploy the mobile music platform, using this solution as the basis for its 'Musicspy' music recognition.

About Shazam Entertainment

Shazam Entertainment boasts a world's first in music recognition technology. The company's core strength is audio recognition, based on a technology invented and developed exclusively by Shazam. The company has filed a number of patents to protect its intellectual property.

Since the company's UK launch in August 2002, the service allows music fans to use their mobile phone to identify any track using just their handset. More than 3 million people have used the Shazam service to date. Shazam has established a global footprint and has achieved multiple deals with international mobile operators and media companies throughout the US, Europe and Asia.

Shazam's successes have been recognised through several awards, including: Top 100 Red Herring Award 2005, Best Use of Mobile award at the Imperatives, Best New Mobile Service at the Mobile Choice Awards, Best Innovation at the BT Openworld Interactive Music Awards, Web Innovation of the Year at the Future UK Internet Awards, Best start-up at the Revolution Awards, an Ericsson Mobile Application Award, and the Media Week Response Campaign of the year.

Investors in the company include IDG Ventures Europe (which operates a US$100m investment fund within Europe and is part of IDG - the world's Largest IT media company), DN Capital (a leading pan-European venture capital firm with a focus on software and IT companies in the United Kingdom, France, the Nordics and Germany), Lynx New Media (a Virgin & Bear Stearns company), Sir Colin Southgate (former CEO and Chairman of EMI Group), Phil Wiser (CTO Sony Music), and John Preston (former Chairman of BMG UK and BPI).

About LogicaCMG

LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services and wireless telecoms. It provides management and IT consultancy, systems integration and outsourcing services to clients across diverse markets including telecoms, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the public sector. The group holds a 60 per cent controlling interest in Edinfor, S.A. (Edinfor), one of the largest IT service providers in Portugal, with additional operations in Spain and Brazil. LogicaCMG employs around 21,000 staff in offices across 34 countries and has more than 40 years of experience in IT services. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG is listed on both the London and Amsterdam stock exchanges (LSE: LOG; Euronext: LOG). More information is available from www.logicacmg.com

Source: LogicaCMG Plc

Nelson Bostock Communications: Ainslie MacLeod/Sally Welsh, Email: sally.welsh@nelsonbostock.com, PH: +44-207-229-4400. Katy Ludditt/Cathy Owen, Band & Brown Communications, Tel: +44-207-419-7000, Email: katy.ludditt@bbpr.com/cathy.owen@bbpr.com

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