PlayPhone secures another mobile music deal

PlayPhone Inc. notched its fourth and final major record label, securing a deal to distribute mastertones from Universal Music Group.
A division of Vivendi, UMG claims nearly 20 subsidiary labels and artists such as 50 Cent, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, The Killers and U2. PlayPhone will offer the ringtones through its own branded Web site as well as the white-label storefronts it operates for partners such as Best Buy, BET and Wal-Mart.
“As mobile consumers continue to make the jump from the last of the polyphonic handsets to more-capable rich media devices, it is important that we round out our catalog to make sure they have access to the best selection available,” said PlayPhone CEO Ron Czerny.