Cingular Announces Innovative Music Program That Debuts New Singles on Wireless Phones Before They are Heard Anywhere Else

ATLANTA, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless today announced Cingular Sounds (TM), an innovative music program that launches new singles as ringtones on wireless phones either before they are heard anywhere else, or simultaneous with their debut on radio. This will give Cingular customers a whole new way to enjoy music and the entertainment industry a powerful channel to reach tens of millions of potential listeners.

The company will kick off "Cingular Sounds" with an exclusive 30-second ringtone from Coldplay's "Speed of Sound," the lead single from the band's forthcoming album, X&Y, which will be released by Capitol Records on June 7.

Other artists spanning a broad section of musical styles -- alternative/rock, hip-hop/R&B, pop, Latin, country, and more -- will become part of Cingular Sounds in the coming weeks and months. The program will include exclusive ringtone debuts and offer weekly text message updates from a wide range of participating artists.

"Wireless plays such a vital role in our everyday lives. What better place to introduce music that has never been heard before than on our phones that we carry with us every day," said Marc Lefar, Cingular's chief marketing officer. "Cingular Sounds gives Cingular customers -- America's largest calling community -- a great new reason to use and enjoy their wireless phones."

"Just as important, Cingular Sounds gives music companies and artists a powerful and profitable channel to reach tens of millions of potential listeners with their music," Lefar said. "The demand for ringtones and other mobile downloads has been growing exponentially, and we are confident that Cingular Sounds will accelerate that growth. That represents an exciting opportunity for the music industry."

"We are always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver music to fans," said Capitol Records President/CEO Andrew Slater. "Cingular Sounds is a great vehicle for helping fans to make an immediate connection with an artist."

"Music fans are more into technology than ever before," said Coldplay Manager Dave Holmes. "Releasing 'Speed of Sound' as a ringtone helps us build excitement for the release of X&Y."

"New digital channels and changing consumer behaviors mean new opportunities for music labels, artists and wireless carriers alike," said Roger Entner, Vice President, Wireless Telecom, Ovum. "The demand for music ringtones, phone personalization and other mobile downloads has been phenomenal. We expect this trend to continue with music ringtone sales and more than triple in the next 5 years."

Coldplay's "Speed of Sound" and thousands of other music ringtones are available now to current Cingular customers. There are three easy ways to download "Speed of Sound" including: