RIDGELAND, Miss.--()--Cellular South, the nation’s largest privately owned wireless communications provider, today announced the launch of its latest, ground-breaking CS Original program designed to give music fans a new way to discover and share original music from some of the best rising artists.
“The Emerge music program is unique as it provides a simple and easy way for fans to discover and share music they may not have heard otherwise while online or on their mobile device. It shines a light on rising artists and celebrates their original music.”
The program, part of Cellular South’s Original programming Fall line up, is called “Emerge: mobilize your music”(www.cellularsouth.com/emerge) and features a state-of-the-art website where promising artists can boost their visibility, promote live performances and develop a broader network of fans by sharing some of the hottest new music available on the market today.
“We want to provide our customers and music fans a differentiated experience through original content that they cannot experience anywhere else or through any other medium,” said Suzy Hays, senior vice president of marketing for Cellular South. “Emerge allows us to bring this compelling content to the handset in a real and relevant way.”
Emerge Features Mobile Website and Customized Music Apps for Android and BlackBerry Smartphones
In addition to the website, the Emerge program also features a state-of-the-art mobile website and soon to be available new, customized music apps for Android and BlackBerry smartphones so music lovers can download the free music directly to their wireless device and share it with their friends on the go from artists who want to increase their exposure.
Unlike many other music-related programs, Cellular South Emerge is free for both artists and music fans. Artists must register to participate in the program, submit at least one song for free download, complete a short biography and provide a promotional picture. Musicians have the option of uploading their show schedule, additional promotional photos and music videos.
“We’re not just another music-centric social networking site,” Hays said. “Our Emerge community is made up of undiscovered artists hungry for exposure and anyone who loves great music who come together to provide an intuitive platform that lets the stars of tomorrow connect directly with fans.”
Music fans also have the ability to sign up and download full songs, ringtones and wallpapers, rate music, follow their favorite band’s schedule, watch music videos and share their favorite music on Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks – all free of charge. “Mobilizing music and making it simple and easy for consumers to discover, listen and share the latest original songs with friends is part of our continuing commitment to help consumers get the most out of their wireless device,” Hays said.
Artists Will Get Chance to Perform Before Thousands of Music Fans at Emerge Sponsored Events, Concerts
In addition to its suite of web and mobile-based services and resources for artists and music fans, Emerge also will use existing Cellular South sponsorships and relationships to provide performance opportunities for participating artists at sporting events, festivals, concerts and other venues with exposure to legions of music fans.
Cellular South also plans to sponsor monthly contests where the artists whose songs are selected can win up to $1,500. The first contest, which starts Sept. 1, will feature 10 songs from Emerge musicians selected by Cellular South music editors based on overall music fan ratings. Music fans will get a voice in ranking content from the rising artists and help ultimately decide whose music gets to the next level.
Cellular South is actively pursuing expansion of its innovative music program through an aggressive allied partnership program, including recruitment of leading record labels, music houses, equipment manufacturers and other music and entertainment businesses and programs.
Hays said recent industry research shows that more consumers than ever are using their mobile devices to download and listen to music. The latest report from comScore MobiLens shows that more than 14.3 percent of the 234 million people age 13 and older in the U.S. used mobile devices to listen to music in the three-month period ending in May 2010.
“Downloading and listening to music is one of the fastest growing and most popular ways that consumers are using their mobile devices,” she said. “The Emerge music program is unique as it provides a simple and easy way for fans to discover and share music they may not have heard otherwise while online or on their mobile device. It shines a light on rising artists and celebrates their original music.”
Along those lines, the Cellular South Original Program “Y’all vs. Us” showcases another part of the fabric of our culture – the drama, passion and community pride surrounding high school football. The award-winning original sports program is coming off a highly successful inaugural season in 2009 and will feature live, primetime telecasts of five high school football rivalry games on FOX Sports South reaching up to 12.9 million households in its second season this fall.
About Cellular South
Cellular South is a privately-owned diversified mobile communications company passionately committed to helping customers get the most out of their wireless devices and services. The nation’s largest privately owned wireless communications provider accomplishes this goal by providing the most reliable and advanced 3G nationwide wireless voice and data network, offering industry-leading family and unlimited flat rate voice, text and mobile web plans, and through its online and in-store Discover Centers, which give customers easy, simple and convenient tools, tips, advice and information on how to get the most out of their mobile phone. For more information about Cellular South and its products and services, visit www.cellularsouth.com.
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