NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.-Verizon Wireless continues to expand its Get It Now data offerings, adding new content from Walt Disney and MapQuest.
First, Walt Disney’s wireless business announced an expanded deal with Verizon Wireless, with plans to add content from Disney’s extreme sports site, ESPN.com, its Magic Kingdom brands and its ABC News outlet.
“We’ve been doing business with Verizon Wireless and through Get It Now for over a year now,” said Larry Shapiro, executive vice president, business development and operations for The Walt Disney Internet Group, which distributes wireless content for the brands of The Walt Disney Co.
“Verizon Wireless is the natural place to expand our offerings because they bring the necessary scale to make this medium a valuable business.”
Under the deal, Verizon will sell an image gallery from Walt Disney’s ESPN.com site, Disney-themed ring tones and graphics, and news headlines from ABC. The ring tones and wallpapers will sell for between $1.49 and $8.99, and the games start at $2.49 per month.
Walt Disney already offers a range of content through Verizon’s Get It Now service, including games based on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, ESPN’s X Games Skateboarding and X Games Snowboarding games, and a game based on the movie “Finding Nemo.”
Interestingly, the deal also marks an expanded agreement between Walt Disney and wireless technology company UIEvolution, which had previously worked with Disney’s ESPN business. UIEvolution’s technology allows content providers to offer applications over a range of platforms, including Qualcomm Inc.’s BREW service, with little modification.
Separately, Verizon said it will offer a mobile version of the popular Internet-based map program MapQuest through a new deal with MapQuest and wireless technology company Vindigo Studios. MapQuest Mobile Powered by Vindigo will be available on Verizon’s Get It Now service for $4 per month or $2.49 for one-day use.
“MapQuest Mobile is a key addition to our family of getGOING subscription services,” said Paul Palmieri, director of business development and content programming for Verizon. “Presenting maps and directions from a premier source while customers are on the move is possibly one of the most useful tools we offer.”
