Verizon Wireless is keeping up its aggressive strategy of signing on with artists for exclusive content. In its latest deal, it is offering Eddie Vedder content, including music video, ringtones and ringback tones.
Verizon is offering windows of opportunity to download songs for free, but those windows are limited in recognition of those who work so hard at developing the content, says Ed Ruth, director of digital music at Verizon Wireless. By making it free and tying it to other products like ringtones and ringbacks, “we’re able to promote the content and encourage the sale of other content,” he says.
“Guaranteed” is available for free now through Jan. 25; “Rise” is available free Jan. 25 through Feb. 15; and “Hard Sun” is offered free from Feb. 15 through March 7. Customers with V CAST-enabled phones can buy the music video on V CAST Performances in the What’s New or Featured category on V CAST Music and online in the V CAST Music Store.
The ringtone and ringback tones for each song will be available for purchase at the same time the full-track song is available for free. Those who opt in can get free interactive MMS video messages with details about the video and exclusive music content for each Vedder song.
“Guaranteed” is an acoustic song written and performed by Vedder for the soundtrack of the Paramount Vantage release “Into the Wild,” the Sean Penn-directed motion picture.
It was an interesting project, with “Into the Wild” being a fairly unique film about self-discovery and finding yourself through the wild, and having the iconic, soulful voice of Pearl Jam artist Vedder, Ruth says. The music video was shot with the expectation that it would be formatted for the mobile screen, he says.
Over the past year, Verizon Wireless has done deals with Prince and AC/DC. The carrier likely will double or triple those types of deals this year, Ruth says.