Ericsson Signs Independent Music Deal

Ericsson and The Orchard have announced a global agreement to distribute full track downloads and master tones from The Orchard's independent labels across Ericsson's global network. The agreement covers all major territories outside the USA. The Orchard is a digital distributor and marketer of independent music, with a catalogue of more than one million tracks representing 73 countries, thousands of labels, and every music genre.

The Orchard's catalog will be included in the content offerings connected to Ericsson's hosted white-label music service. This service makes it possible for operators and content providers to focus on their core business while Ericsson manages the end-to-end platform. Consumers can choose from an entire catalog of tracks and downloads available and pay for the chosen content via their mobile phone bill.

Greg Scholl, chief executive of The Orchard, says, "Increasingly, the leading technology companies and digital retailers worldwide appreciate the critical role independent music plays in the viability of their products, and more broadly, as the lifeblood that feeds the music industry. Our agreement with Ericsson ensures that our artists and labels can reach a global audience throughout Ericsson's extensive mobile network. We look forward to working as a close marketing partner with Ericsson to sell great independent music, and increase the opportunities available to our respective customers worldwide."

Posted to the site on 23rd January 2007