TORONTO – Corus Entertainment announced plans today to develop a digital music download service in partnership with Vancouver-based Hip Digital Media Inc.
Launching later this month, the service will provide advertising clients with integrated campaigns featuring free music downloads. The venture will also include the rollout of television- and radio-branded online music stores starting in December 2006.
With the launch of this initiative, Corus’ television and radio services, in collaboration with advertising clients, will develop contests and promotional programs that include free music downloads.
The online stores, which will debut with a CMT Canada storefront, will enable audiences to preview, purchase and download music to their PCs and portable MP3 players. The storefronts will also contain exclusive content from Corus’ television services and radio stations.
“Introducing music downloads into the campaign mix is a win-win for both our clients and our audiences,” said John Cassaday, president and CEO, Corus Entertainment, said in a press release.
The storefront sites, powered by Hip Digital Media Inc., will offer access to a vast selection of music, streamed music samples, artist information and music recommendations tailored to each service and its audience.
“We are delighted to be developing a number of unique music platforms for Corus’ multimedia entertainment brands,” said Mark Holden, President and CEO, Hip Digital Media Inc., a business-to-business service provider specializing in the licensing and distribution of digital music. “This new business relationship will connect Corus’ audience to its properties through a dynamic and powerful medium – music.”
