High Wycombe, UK - September 15, 2008 - WIN plc, (AIM:WNN), a leading provider of interactive mobile entertainment and information services, today announces a partnership with Sony Ericsson to support their launch of PlayNow™ arena, a web portal providing access to media rich mobile content. WIN, through its wholly-owned subsidiary PocketGroup, will be responsible for securing locally relevant content and the life-cycle management of the content.
The PlayNow™ arena provides users with access to more than one million DRM-free tracks from major labels including Sony BMG, Warner Music and EMI at launch, plus a number of independent music labels and aggregators. DRM ("Digital Rights Management") is an access control technology used by hardware manufacturers, publishers and copyright holders to limit usage of digital media or devices.
The PlayNow™ arena promotes music without DRM technology and WIN believes the lack of copyright protection will set Sony Ericsson's new offering apart from the competition, as it allows users to download and play their music of choice without restrictions. Music, games, ringtones, wallpapers and themes are all available from the new portal for both mobile devices and the PC. The service was successful launched in the Nordic countries on 25 August.
Graham Rivers, CEO of WIN, commented:
"We are delighted to be partnering with Sony Ericsson, one of the world's most established handset manufacturers. Mobile music downloading is still very much a growth market in its infancy, and it is fascinating to be involved from the antecedent stages, helping to develop the market by creating the industry standard."
For further information, please contact:
WIN plc
Graham Rivers, Chief Executive Officer
Lance Moir, Finance Director
Tel: 01494 750500
Beaumont Cornish
Michael Cornish
Tel: 020 7628 3396
ICIS
Christian Taylor-Wilkinson
Bob Huxford or Fiona Conroy
Tel: 020 7651 8688
Arden Partners plc
Richard Day
Tel: 020 7398 1632
About WIN
WIN is an innovator in interactive mobile entertainment and information distribution with a ten-year track record of developing an unrivalled variety of services for Europe's leading content owners, mobile operators, corporate enterprises, broadcasters and media corporations.
WIN enables companies to use mobile services to improve business efficiency, grow revenues and reduce costs. Companies using WIN's services are able to improve communication with existing customers, attract new customers, increase brand loyalty and enhance customer satisfaction. An impressive and growing client list includes such household names as Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, Sony Ericsson, AOL, Barclays Bank, Centrica and E-On.
Headquartered in Buckinghamshire, UK, the Group has built on its success by extending its reach into new overseas markets including Ireland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Scandinavia, Australia, Africa, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. WIN is structured into three operational units, Managed Services, Enterprise Solutions and New Media.
For more information please visit www.winplc.com
PlayNow™ and PlayNow™ arena
PlayNow™ is Sony Ericsson's popular over-the-air download service, available directly from the menu on most Sony Ericsson phones. It offers the opportunity to preview a variety of media-content and buy it there and then. Besides music, also on offer, are master tones, real tones, wallpapers and games.
New for 2008 is the Sony Ericsson PlayNow™ arena website and in-phone service. PlayNow arena is more than a store; it's a unique multimedia experience. Music tracks, TrackID™ charts, games, themes and graphics are brought together in a fun and inspiring way, accessible via the phone or computer.
For more information please visit www.playnow-arena.com
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