MINNEAPOLIS-Fans of the TV show “American Idol” can purchase branded “American Idol” mobile phones, replete with messages, pictures and ring tones featuring the show’s contestants and acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell.
“The whole concept behind reality TV is to entertain people with real emotion and offer it to viewers through various applications,” said Cowell, who will promote the phones. “`American Idol’ set that mark inside the music category and has attracted more than 25 million fans. It just makes sense that the next generation of engagement with passionate `Idol’ fans is to deliver the show’s emotion in a mobile environment.”
Added Cowell: “I have to say the official `American Idol’ phone and what it offers fans is bloody brilliant. This is going to be the rudest phone in America.”
The phones are specially designed versions of Nokia Corp.’s 3200 and 3300 with service from “American Idol” promoter AT&T Wireless Services Inc. The phones will sell for between $50 and $70 in select Sam Goody, Media Play and Suncoast stores. Music retailer Musicland Group Inc., rights company Artist Communications and “American Idol” owners and producers Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment teamed to offer the phones, which will be promoted through a nationwide advertising campaign starting in May.
“We look at the marketplace through the eyes of our consumers,” said Eric Weisman, Musicland’s chief executive officer. “The official `American Idol’ phones are a furthering of our strategy to satisfy our customers’ aspiration to express themselves. This agreement is a strategic move to provide the products and services suited for their entertainment-focused lives.”
Mobile-phone makers have long looked to offer specialty phones. For example, Nokia teamed with rapper Jay-Z for a specially designed phone, and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. sold a phone designed for the “Matrix” movies.
