Launch of Digital Access from Warner Music, Sony BMG and Russian Partnership

A joint venture between Warner Music, Sony BMG and two major Russian industrial groups: Access Industries and music labels Soyuz & Nikitin Records is to launch a new business called Digital Access.

This is the new initiative of a wholesale Internet and mobile music distributor which is to commence in the fall of 2007.

The service will distribute full-track song downloads, ringtones, ringback tones, video clips and images to online and mobile music retailers in both Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Digital Access as a wholesale offering will also facilitate the wholesale distribution of a wide range of local and international music by working with right owners, content providers, mobile operators and online stores.

According to Warner Music International Chairman and CEO Patrick Vien, “This is a strategic investment that we believe will play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of the dynamic Russian music market.”

Digital Access will be continuing working with content providers like record labels, music publishers and mobile phone operators for the exciting growth of digital music services as well as to combat widespread piracy in the country.