Thumbplay Launches Beta Version of SMS-based Mobile Entertainment Content Search

Thumbplay Launches Beta Version of SMS-based Mobile Entertainment Content Search

Consumers Can Text Message 'Get' To THUMB (84862) to Quickly and Easily Search Through More Than 80,000 Pieces of Licensed Mobile Entertainment Content

NEW YORK, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Thumbplay(R) (www.thumbplay.com), the #1 mobile entertainment destination in the U.S.*, has launched the beta version of an innovative mobile search service that allows cell phone users in the United States to instantly search for and purchase ringtones, games, videos and wallpapers from their mobile phone or handheld device (like a Blackberry).

Thumbplay's GET is an SMS-based search option that allows consumers to search for mobile entertainment content from wherever they are. All a consumer needs to do is send a text message with the word "Get" plus any artist or song name to THUMB (84862) to find and download content from their favorite artists. For example, to find all mobile content associated with the band Coldplay, a user would simply send an SMS message to THUMB (84862) with the phrase "Get Coldplay" and a link to relevant content (e.g., songs, videos, wallpapers and/or associated games) will be sent back from Thumbplay to their mobile phone within seconds. A user would then follow this link (as long as their phone has Web access to retrieve the links) to a large menu of licensed Coldplay content found in Thumbplay's catalog, which they can browse without commitment and then purchase and download.

"Thumbplay has maintained and grown its leadership position in the industry by providing our consumers with the largest catalog and allowing them to quickly and easily search for, find and download the mobile content they want," said Are Traasdahl, CEO and founder of Thumbplay. "With GET, we've made it simple for consumers to find and purchase their favorite mobile content whenever and wherever they are -- even if they're not near a computer."

GET streamlines the way consumers can search for, browse and download mobile entertainment content from their cell phones, regardless of their location. It enables them to find relevant content by keyword -- such as an artist's name or a song or game title -- within Thumbplay's extensive mobile catalog, which currently includes more than 80,000 pieces of licensed audio, video and gaming content from many of the world's leading music labels, artists and game publishers, as well as media and entertainment companies.

Thumbplay has built a strong consumer following and gained broad recognition as a leader in the direct-to-consumer mobile content space. During the last quarter of 2007, Thumbplay announced deals to integrate its mobile entertainment content catalog into the Web and mobile portals of AOL and MSN Mobile, as well as iLike, one of the Web's leading social music discovery services.

Earlier this year, Thumbplay signed a digital distribution agreement to add content from Sony BMG Music Entertainment's artists to Thumbplay's already diverse mobile entertainment catalog, as well as to roll out mobile content stores on the Web sites for Entertainment Tonight (www.etonline.com) and more than 650 of Clear Channel Radio's local music, news and sports stations throughout the U.S.

About Thumbplay

Thumbplay, Inc. is defining the mobile entertainment experience for U.S. consumers. As the largest and fastest growing mobile entertainment content destination, Thumbplay gives consumers access to the broadest and deepest catalog in the industry, spanning audio, video and gaming content from the leading music labels and artists, game publishers and media companies. Its innovative delivery and marketing platform makes it easy for users to discover, manage, store and share mobile content online and on their wireless devices.

Headquartered in New York City, Thumbplay was founded in September 2004 by Are Traasdahl and Evan Schwartz. It is backed by Bain Capital Ventures, SoftBank Capital, i-Hatch Ventures, Redwood Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Meritech, Brookside Capital Partners and Cross Creek Capital. More information can be found at www.thumbplay.com.

   *Source: Nielsen Mobile's "Mobile Content Storefront Revenue" Report, Q3            and Q4 2007 and Q1 2008(based on non-carrier revenue generation            at the top 4 U.S. carriers)  

Source: Thumbplay

CONTACT: Ryan Wallace of Kaplow, +1-646-747-3599,
rwallace@kaplowpr.com, for Thumbplay

Web site: http://www.thumbplay.com/
http://www.etonline.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment