Moderati and Koch Entertainment Partner to Bring Unk, Jim Jones and DJ Khaled to a Ringtone Near You
-- The Hottest Independent Music Label and the Leader in Ringtones Sign Exclusive Deal to Bring Top-Notch Tunes Directly to Cell Phones --
LOS ANGELES, July 10, 2007 – Some of today's biggest recording artists, including Unk, Jim Jones, DJ Khaled and more, are coming to cell phones around the nation this summer. KOCH Entertainment, the fastest growing independent music label, and mobile industry leader Moderati Inc. have joined forces in an exclusive deal to bring music lovers the most sought-after ringtones of KOCH artists to all major carriers in the United States. The exclusive deal further solidifies Moderati's position as the top provider of wireless content to the decks of the largest U.S. carriers.
For the sixth year in a row, KOCH Entertainment has secured more charted titles than any other independent label. Recently, KOCH had four songs on Billboard's Top 100 Digital songs chart, and five ringtones in Nielsen Ringscan's Top 100 realtones chart. Jim Jones' "We Fly High" was the first realtone from an independent label to reach Number One on Billboard's Hot Ringmasters chart.
The agreement will also bring Moderati access to hit mobile content from KOCH Entertainment's industry-leading roster of independent distributed labels-including Midas Records act Emerson Drive, whose hit single "Moments" recently debuted at number one on the Billboard country charts.
Jonas Gerber, senior vice president of business development for Moderati states, "KOCH Entertainment is a hip-hop powerhouse, recently earning platinum ringtone awards for UNK and Jim Jones, resulting in a cumulative 7.5 percent share of Nielsen Top 200 Mastertone sales since the chart debuted last December. Moderati is proud to have been chosen as the exclusive representative to the major carriers of this outstanding catalog."
"Over the past year, Moderati's aggressive efforts on behalf of our artists has been crucial to KOCH's breakaway success in mobile music," said Bill Crowley, KOCH vice president of special markets. "Most recently, Moderati has orchestrated the major wireless carrier campaigns that last week took UNK's second single, "2 Step" past the Gold Mastertone mark. KOCH is pleased to broaden our close relationship with Moderati, and we view this exclusive mobile deal as a key element in our drive to build the smartest and best 21st century music company."
Since the beginning of 2007, UNK's "Walk it Out" and Jim Jones' "We Fly High" have both achieved Platinum status as both Realtones and Digital Downloads for sales of over 1 million each. Over the coming months, KOCH will deliver new music from Keith Murray, Kafani, Montana, The Diplomats' Hell Rell, separate solo releases from D-Block's Sheek Louch, Styles P and J-Hood, as well as Dead Prez, The Alchemist, and several planned Wu Tang Clan projects.
About KOCH Entertainment
KOCH Entertainment, founded in 1987 and now in its twentieth year, is the leading and fastest-growing independent music company in the U.S. KOCH's operations encompass record and video labels as well as distribution companies in the U.S. and Canada. KOCH Entertainment is the market leader among independent labels and distributors in both the U.S. and Canada and its record label KOCH Records had the largest number of Billboard charting albums among independents for six years in a row (2001 - 2006). KOCH Entertainment is owned by Entertainment One Ltd. which has been recently listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market (ticker symbol "ETO").
Moderati is one of the top mobile media companies in North America, with unparalleled distribution through the decks of 14 U.S. carriers. The company delivers content under carrier brands and partner brands, as well as under its own brands, which include Modtones (ringtones and wallpaper) and Mobile Faker, an entertainment product that turns mobile phones into social weapons. Founded in 2001, Moderati was acquired by Bellrock Media in 2007. Bellrock Media creates original platform-conscious content that features organic integrations of branding and marketing messages. The company's investors include Yoshimoto Kogyo, Intel Corporation and Faith Inc. The firm is uniquely positioned to address strategic opportunities in both the U.S. and Japan, focusing on the mobile and broadband markets. Bellrock Media, founded in 2005, is headquartered in Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Moderati, Mobile Faker, Faux Calls and Faux Numbers are trademarks of Moderati Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Contact:
Craig Sinel / Stephanie Schopp
fortyseven communications
(323) 658-1200
craig@fortyseven.com / stephanie@fortyseven.com
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