Groove Mobile, the world’s leading mobile music service provider, announced today that it has been named Best Music Service Provider by Mobile Entertainment at the second annual ME Awards. The awards recognize the contributions made by companies creating mobile entertainment applications or powering their delivery. Groove Mobile powers 3 UK’s music store, the number one rated mobile music service in the UK with 80 percent market share. In addition, Groove Mobile launched the first over-the-air song-download service in the U.S.
With 35 million transactions completed since launching its service in 2004, Groove Mobile has strengthened its command of the marketplace through recent deals with Vodafone, 3 UK, MTS Allstream, Universal Music Group and Sony BMG. A pioneer in the mobile music industry, Groove Mobile sold 400,000 audio singles in its first year alone and in July of this year enabled nearly three million downloads in a single month. The company recently announced an additional $6 million in funding, bringing its total capital raised to date to $32 million.
“We’re tremendously proud to be recognized by an industry leader like Mobile Entertainment as we reach yet another company milestone,” said Adam Sexton, Chief Marketing Officer of Groove Mobile. “Groove Mobile works with an amazing group of prestigious partners, including the world’s biggest mobile operators and music labels, to provide innovative solutions that will shape the burgeoning mobile music industry.”
As one of the first companies to provide direct-to-consumer music services, Groove Mobile recently announced that it will support off-portal full track music downloads for Universal Music Group, having previously announced a service with Sony BMG. The Sony BMG service launched last month with a high profile campaign involving Elvis Presley. Groove Mobile also recently announced that 3 UK would be joining its direct-to-consumer service, having initially launched the service with Vodafone in the UK. The company expects to announce additional label and carrier participation shortly.
Groove Mobile works with carriers and labels to simplify the payment process and data charges for off-portal content, controlling the costs passed on to consumers and allowing the music labels to reach consumers directly, giving mobile users immediate access to new music via innovative text trigger services.
The ME Awards were designed to recognize the achievements of pioneering companies in imaging, music, games and more and are judged in secret by a jury of 400 carefully selected content business executives. The event attracted nearly 400 representatives from media, technology and entertainment companies around the world.
ABOUT GROOVE MOBILE
Groove Mobile is the world’s leading mobile music service. Groove Mobile’s Complete Music Gateway includes Full Track Mobile Downloads, Peer-to-Peer Sharing and Personalized Music Recommendations, in addition to providing Personalized and Programmed Streaming Radio, Music Subscriptions, and more. Groove Mobile powers 3UK, the UK’s top rated mobile music service and the Sprint Music Store, the first over-the-air song-download service in the U.S. Groove Mobile launched the world’s first secure peer-to-peer distribution in the mobile space, with its pioneering Tell-a-Friend feature. Groove Mobile’s direct download service is available in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, and Australasia and provides access to music from all the major labels and the top independent labels and distributors. www.groovemobile.com.