Two newly-signed deals with CD Baby and INgrooves have secured Pocket Group's status as the world's largest independent label mobile music distributor. The agreements, each representing several tens of thousands of recordings, bring Pocket Group's total number of licensable tracks to 1.5 million.

Crucially, the catalogue consisting of all independent music labels allows operators access to some of the most exciting and disparate repertoire from the US, Europe, Asia and beyond. Complementing existing agreements with Pinnacle, Grooveattack and Finetunes - and direct deals with the likes of Beggars Group, Domino and Bollywood powerhouses Saregama and Mauj - the slew of new deals makes Pocket Group the no. 1 destination for networks looking for the best the sector has to offer.

Pocket Group recognise the power and potential of an independent label music sector, responsible for 80% of the world's new releases and a 30% global market share*. Boasting such names as Jack Peñate, Katie Melua, Dizzee Rascal and Bob Sinclar, the sheer size of Pocket Group's ever-expanding catalogue places them in pole position to deliver the next indie smash hit direct to consumers' mobile phones.

UK networks such as Vodafone and Orange have already expanded their searchable music stores, each of which now comprises one million tracks. Rather than having to scramble to license the latest 'out-of-the-blue' indie success (such as Robyn feat. Kleerup's No.1 'With Every Heartbeat', originally licensed to obscure indie label Konichiwa), Pocket Group's partners will, in all likelihood, already have the track: on demand, on portal and ready to blow up.

With mobile music continuing to grow in popularity, Pocket Group are superbly placed to capitalise on its increasing importance. Juniper Research predict that total annual revenues generated by the global mobile music market will exceed US$14bn by 2011, while GreeeeN's 'Aiuta' recently became the first full-track mobile download anywhere to sell over one million copies (Japan, 3rd Aug 2007).

With fixed data charges clearing the way for mobile downloads to emulate the success of ringtones, the expansion of Pocket Group's enviable catalogue can mean only one thing: more great music for fans the world over.

Says Andrew Hull, Managing Director of Pocket Group, "The agreements with CD Baby and INgrooves have enabled Pocket Group to become the world's number one mobile indie music aggregator and supplier. With the varied and exciting music genres we carry, we can certainly provide efficient, tried-and-tested delivery to the world's foremost mobile networks."

* Independent sector global market share 2005 is 29.0%, source Music & Copyright, Sep 13 2006. 80% of releases stat based on an amalgamation of Nielsen Soundscan figures (2005: 81.65% of total US releases were independent) and BPI figures (2005: 83% of total UK releases were independent).

For further information contact:
Andrew Hull, Managing Director
m: +44 (0) 7957 143 777 ; e: andrew@pocketgroup.co.uk

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