
Canada
: Velocity International Corp. announced that its Velocity Global
Entertainment and Velocity Global Talent divisions are entering
the distribution industry with Exclusive Video Content to Third-Generation
(3G) Mobile Phones. Both divisions operate under the Velocity International
Corp. -- VITJ -- banner in conjunction with the launch of VelocityModels.com
and VelocityTalent.com. VITJ believes that it will be distributing
new faces, products and services in the first and second quarter
of 2005 through these divisions.
Velocity
Global Entertainment and Velocity Global Talent are divisions of
VITJ focused on the aggregation and wholesale exploitation of digital
rights, are exploring the signing of a non-exclusive agreement to
distribute exclusive content through companies like Foreal, Inc.
via video ringtones to third-generation (3G) mobile phones, initially
throughout Japan and Southeast Asia. Companies like Foreal have
the ability to service VITJ's exclusive programming with turnkey
sales, marketing and distribution services to official mobile phone
content providers, via branded premium prepaid cards ("Chaku
Purika") and by direct-to-consumer downloads on the Foreal
website.
According to
Mobile Media Japan, the conversion to 3G mobile phones capable of
utilizing video ringtones is well under way. As of January 2005,
approximately 25 million of the 84 million registered mobile phones
were 3G. The majority of the mobile phone subscriber base in Japan
is expected to convert to 3G technology by the end of 2005. In the
event that Velocity utilizes Foreal, it will be well positioned
to take advantage of this growth as the demand for video content
via ringtones increases.
VITJ's exclusive
video content may be featured within Foreal's promotional and marketing
efforts, initially with the "Chaku Purika" program, which
loosely translates as "Delivered Prepaid Card" and facilitates
consumer downloading of video ringtones through the Internet. This
type of premium program is estimated to reach more than 12 million
consumers through 20,000 retail outlets by the end of 2005. These
premium cards will be co-branded with corporate sponsors and used
as a consumer marketing tool promoting products or services.
The opportunities
in Japan and Southeast Asia are exciting for VITJ. The explosive
growth of 3G phones and the strong demand for video ringtone content
in Japan present a great opportunity. As 3G mobile phones become
the standard in other parts of Southeast Asia, VITJ will expand
the distribution of exclusive video content accordingly. Meanwhile,
VITJ will aggressively pursue content appropriate for these territories
and channels of distribution. Additionally, VITJ is exploring similar
opportunities in North America and Europe as 3G mobile phone technology
and consumer support gain similar footholds.
About
Foreal
Foreal, Inc.
is a provider and aggregator of master content for RealTONES and
VideoTONES, the mobile communication industry's newest and fastest
growing service in ring (back) tones utilizing the original performances
by artists. Utilizing its expertise, Foreal has implemented a robust
sales and marketing program by which to distribute content to virtually
all official content providers and to the largest mobile carriers
in Japan and Asia. Foreal also boasts a unique promotional program
that will direct a high volume of mobile traffic to its various
content sites. Coupled with this unique premium opportunity, Foreal
is encouraged by the positive, high level response as well as the
potential for growth in this burgeoning industry.