Set to broadcast on Channel 4 in the summer 08
Vodafone UK announces the return for the third year running of the successful Vodafone TBA gigs showcasing the best bands to music fans across the country for free. Performing at the first TBA in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh on 1st June will be the Sugababes, The Feeling and US hip hop duo Gnarls Barkley.
For 2008 the TBA format has evolved; rather than small secret- venue gigs with just one artist, TBA 2008 will reveal the location and line up for the multi artist mini “festival”.
Vodafone customers will have the opportunity to win tickets for themselves and two friends by texting 61500. This will be promoted through bill inserts, an ATL campaign and the Vodafone.co.uk website.
2008 will see Sony Ericsson join with Vodafone as the official handset partner for the second year running, and provide a platform for the manufacturer to celebrate live music, promoting the Espresso Black W890i from its popular range of Walkman® handsets, available exclusively to Vodafone on Pay Monthly and Vodafone Pay As You Talk.
Vodafone has also once again joined forces with Initial, one of the leading entertainment content creators and producers in the UK, to produce both the Vodafone TBAs and later in the year the Vodafone Live Music Awards. The gigs will be broadcast as six half-hour shows on Channel 4. Part ‘rockumenatry’, part concert, they will feature exclusive live performances and offer a chance for viewers to see just what really motivates some of the world’s coolest bands.
Vodafone will also be premiering a whole host of new exclusive content applications through Bluetooth teams who will be on site to greet guests. Available content will include the latest videos from all the performing artists and a java application gig guide carrying show times, band biographies and images. Guests will also receive free professional quality event images sent in real time to their handsets, as a memento of their Vodafone TBA experience.
“2008 is another great year for customers to experience Vodafone’s Live Music programme which has seen some of the greatest artists from around the world perform to music fans across the UK.” said Daragh Persse, Head of Sponsorship at Vodafone. We are poised to deliver superior music experience to our customers this year with a tremendous line up of artists and musicians as well as unique services and content for customers and fans.”
“It’s great to be back working with Vodafone on the TBA gigs’, says David Hilton, Head of Marketing at Sony Ericsson UK, ‘last year’s gigs showcased some of the most exciting and talented acts in the industry and Sony Ericsson is particularly happy for our Walkman® phones to be involved in such a great partnership.”
Phil Mount, Head of Music at Initial, says; “Vodafone TBA music events are always a highlight of the summer’s music calendar. This year promises to be more exciting than ever, as three A-list bands will be performing at two landmark locations, providing music fans with the perfect mix of an exciting one-off live performance in a spectacular setting, which is central to Initial’s commitment to producing music and event programming.”
Neil McCallum, Head of Music added; “Both Vodafone TBA and Vodafone Live Music Awards were high points of our music schedule last year and we're thrilled that they will be returning this year. They will undoubtedly be exciting events that will allow us to strengthen the 4Music brand and offer music fans the chance to see some of the industry's hottest bands”.
The second Vodafone TBA is planned for August and will lead up to the Vodafone Live Music Awards in September. Now firmly established in the music industry’s calendar the Vodafone Live Music Awards celebrate all that is good and great about the UK’s booming live music scene. Fans will soon have the chance to vote for the favourite bands at www.vodafone.co.uk/music to be put forward to the judging panel in May. Previous winners have included Iggy Pop, Take That, Razorlight, Amy Winehouse and Mika.
Sony Ericsson will be supporting the best live acts at the Awards with a dedicated sponsorship category – the ‘Sony Ericsson Tour of the Year Award’, the winners of which will be chosen by public vote.
For further information on Vodafone Music please contact Shine Communications 020 7100 7100
Roxy.kalha@shinecom.com/ Lauren@shinecom.com
For further information on Sony Ericsson please contact Brando
Jo Wheeler: Jo.wheeler@brando-world.com 020 7419 6954
Ranj George: Ranj@brando-world.com 020 7419 6972
For further information on Endemol please contact UK press office
Katie Nicholls, Endemol UK, 020 8222 4994/ Katie.nicholls@endemoluk.com
Rae Langford, 020 8222 4176/ rae.langford@endemoluk.com
Notes To Editors
Sony Ericsson is the official handset partner of the Vodafone TBA series of gigs and Vodafone Live Music Awards. Under the sponsorship, Sony Ericsson will have a branded presence at both TBA events and the Awards, including an area in the artists retreat backstage at the Awards. Both areas will be utilised by Sony Ericsson to demo key Walkman® handsets for maximum customer engagement. The Vodafone Live Music Website will also have a Sony Ericsson presence, including a permanent banner with direct click through to their online retail shop. Sony Ericsson will in addition be pushing the partnership through a range of competitions across media, alongside trips for relevant press.
The ultra light W890i Walkman phone is as slim as a CD case, yet houses some impressive technology in its stainless steel body. There’s one click access to your music player, storage for up to 1,800 songs with the 2GB Memory Stick Micro (M2™) supplied and you’ll never miss a moment with its 3.2 megapixel camera. The W890i is available now exclusively to Vodafone customers in Espresso Black.
About Vodafone UK
Vodafone UK has 18.4 million customers and is part of the world’s largest mobile community offering a wide range of voice and data communications. The company is committed to providing mobile solutions that allow both consumer and business customers to make the most of now. Vodafone customers can now use Internet on your Mobile to view and navigate web pages and their favourite sites such as YouTube, eBay and the BBC. In addition, Vodafone connects customers across the globe with roaming agreements worldwide. It provides 3G roaming in 29 countries and offers great roaming value with Vodafone Passport.
Vodafone UK is in the top 20 Best Big Companies to Work For in the Sunday Times Best Companies List, March 2008. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.co.uk.
For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com
About Sony Ericsson: Having sold over 100 million phones in 2007, Sony Ericsson is currently one of the five largest mobile phone manufacturers in the world. An important industry player operating in over 80 countries, our phones, accessories and PC cards are synonymous with innovation and style. With R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China, India and North America, diversity is one of the core strengths of the company. Sony Ericsson was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London. For more information about Sony Ericsson please visit www.sonyericsson.com
About INITIAL: Initial is one of the leading entertainment content creators and producers in the UK. The company specialises in prime time entertainment, music, sports and factual, children's and teens, events and arts shows. INITIAL is also the market leader in the UK in Advertiser Funded / Branded Content programming. Forthcoming and recent credits include THE ONE AND ONLY... (BBC ONE); VODAFONE’S SUMMER SERIES (ITV1); THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (BBC ONE); UPSTAGED (BBC THREE); UK MUSIC HALL OF FAME (C4); COLEEN'S REAL WOMEN (ITV2); ORANGE PLAYLIST (ITV1); LIVING WITH KIMBERLY STEWART (LIVING TV); and SOCCER AID (ITV1; ITV2).
Vodafone programming:
Vodafone TBA – 6 x 30mins
Vodafone Live Music Awards – 1 x 90mins