Verizon Wireless First To Bring Downloads From New Beyoncé Album To Fans

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless, a leader in mobile music, is teaming with music icon Beyoncé to bring Verizon Wireless customers exclusive content from her new album “I AM… SASHA FIERCE” days before its Nov. 18 release date.

Beginning this week, fans who want to hear new music from one of the world’s top performers can do so using V CAST Music and VZW Tones on their Verizon Wireless phones. On Friday, Nov. 14, Verizon Wireless customers will be able to download and purchase select full tracks including: “Halo,” “Satellites,” “Broken-Hearted Girl,” “Ave Maria,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Video Phone” and the current single, “If I Were A Boy.” Today, Verizon Wireless customers can download and purchase as ringtones or ringback tones all those songs plus, “Disappear,” “Radio,” “Diva” as well as Beyoncé’s current single, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” all before the album drops next week.

Beyoncé said, “I am happy to have my music available to my fans exclusively on V CAST through Verizon. There are songs here that are so special to me and really tell the story of my life and songs that are just about fun, dancing and celebrating.”

For the first time, Verizon Wireless will have an artist “take over” the V CAST Music handset store. Beyoncé will select her favorite albums, songs, playlists and other material to be featured exclusively on the V CAST Music mobile storefront from Nov. 14 – Nov. 18, giving fans and interested music lovers a chance to see and sample music made by and recommended by one of today’s top performers.

“Music World/Columbia Records is excited to partner with Verizon to help launch a truly amazing album from Beyoncé,” said Glenn Frese, SVP of Digital Marketing and Business Development for Columbia. “This very unique campaign is befitting of an artist of Beyoncé’s stature, giving fans a special opportunity to preview the new album as well as providing her an opportunity to highlight music from additional artists that she has chosen to call out to her fans.”

Verizon will also send a video MMS message with a personalized message from Beyoncé directly to select subscribers, enabling them to be the first to download and purchase ringtones, ringback tones and full songs from her entire album. Fans can also text “BEYONCE” to 8901 to download the exclusive titles directly to their mobile phones.

“V CAST Music has quickly become the place to go for new music, and we’re thrilled to be giving Beyoncé’s fans a chance to hear and download songs from her new album before it is widely-available,” said Ed Ruth, director of music for Verizon. “Making music available on mobile phones lets consumers listen, sample and enjoy music from their favorite artists wherever and whenever they want.”

V CAST Music with Rhapsody
V CAST Music is available exclusively with Verizon Wireless. Through the service, customers can purchase and download music over-the-air directly to their V CAST Music-capable wireless phones and straight to compatible Windows® PCs. Customers can also transfer new and existing digital music from the PC to compatible wireless phones and compatible portable music players.

For more information on mobile music from Verizon Wireless, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com/music.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 70.8 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 71,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Columbia Records
One of the oldest and most respected record labels in the world, Columbia Records traces its origins back to the late 1880s. The Columbia Records roster has boasted such superstars as AC/DC, Marc Anthony, Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Beyoncé, Cypress Hill, Miles Davis, Destiny's Child, Dixie Chicks, Bob Dylan, Duke Ellington, the Fugees, Jagged Edge, John Legend, Ricky Martin, John Mayer, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, System Of A Down, Train, Wyclef Jean, Pete Yorn, and many more.

Columbia Records is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

About Music World Entertainment
Music World Entertainment (MWE) is one of the world's leading entertainment and music conglomerates dedicated to bringing quality entertainment to the world. MWE worldwide business includes record labels, artist and producer management, staff producers, artist development, Master catalog series, investment and property holdings, including offices in Houston, Los Angeles, New York and London. MWE is the brainchild of President and CEO Mathew Knowles, the powerhouse management behind the success of Grammy Award-winners Beyoncé and global phenomenon Destiny's Child, the most successful "girl group" in the history of pop music.

Music World Music is the label division of Music World Entertainment. This division consists of four imprints; Music World Kids, Compadre Records, Spirit Rising, and the digital label Hits Revealed. Music World’s artist roster includes artists signed to major label partners such as Columbia, Geffen Records and Interscope Records.

Music World is one of the most successful labels and management companies in the world with over 200 million records sold to date including releases by Destiny's Child, Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams, Sunshine Anderson, the "Dreamgirls" Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack, "Roll Bounce" Soundtrack and the popular Music World Master Series releases which include Chaka Kahn and The O’Jays.

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