NEW YORK-Sony Music Entertainment acquired wireless entertainment company Run Tones, and will use the acquisition to create a new Mobile Products Group within Sony’s Music Digital Services division.
Sony’s move underscores the rapidly growing importance of the ring tone business and the wireless industry in general. Indeed, an executive from the movie studio branch of Sony was a keynote speaker during the CTIA Wireless IT show in Las Vegas last month, as well as an executive from EMI Recorded Music. As the wireless data business continues to grow, more and more big media companies are investing in wireless technology.
Through Sony’s Run Tones acquisition, the company will get Run Tones’ ring tone service, personal photo service and its private label wireless portal service. Run Tones’ customers and partners include Adobe, AT&T Wireless, Ericsson, Nokia, Openwave, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, and the Warner Music Group. Sony’s digital services division currently offers wireless ring tones and album previews.
Run Tones executives J.J. Rosen and Tim Nilson will lead Sony’s new Mobile Products Group.
“Wireless services are an important area of expansion for Sony Music Entertainment, and Run Tones’ solid technology and experience in this area will add key elements to our efforts,” said Thomas Gewecke, senior vice president of Sony’s digital services. “J.J. Rosen and Tim Nilson have proven track records and an eye for innovation, and we are pleased that they and their staff will be leading our new Mobile Products Group.”
