Shazum has launched the ‘Shazam Listening Screen Takeover' which is an-app advertising service for those in the US. We see this heading to Europe before long.

Advertising is available to own the iconic Shazam listening screen and then Shazum users see it while a track is being identified. This will be for users with an iPhone or iPod Touch.

The first advertiser is Fox Broadcasting and this will feature the American Country Awards and if iPhone and iPod Touch users respond to The Listening Screen creative they will be encouraged to watch the American Country Awards.

When Shazamers tag a chosen song, instead of the distinctive blue Shazam listening screen that appears as the song is being identified, iPhone and iPod touch users who have downloaded the free, ad-supported version of Shazam, will instead see FOX's high-impact American Country Awards advertisement across three quarters of the screen.

When the Tag result is displayed on the next screen, the advertisement becomes an expandable, interactive banner. The Shazamer can tap on the banner to find out more information, or can simply allow the advertisement to retract to the top of the screen.

Shazamers can tap to buy the single or album on iTunes, watch the video, view lyrics  or share their discovery through their social networks as normal.

The Listening Screen Takeover does not elongate the tagging process nor disrupt the Shazam experience for the user and delivers on marketers' increasing desire to reach people via their mobile devices.

Marketers can purchase exclusive full-day sponsorships of the Listening Screen Takeover, so their campaigns are seen across the whole of Shazam's ad-supported iPhone and iPod touch network. 

Campaigns and promotions can also be tailored and delivered to specific advertising regions.