May 2009
Samsung Mobile UK has announced a strategic partnership with AOL-owned Bebo, launching Samsung’s biggest social networking collaboration ever.
The partnership will include a number of core strands including: the opportunity to provide content for the Bebo music homepage, eight monthly live events, ‘Samsung Bebo Nights Live at the Gibson Guitar Studio’, a Samsung music profile and ground breaking original programming with new music show ‘Beat’, produced by Endemol.
A first for both Samsung and Bebo this collaboration is designed to excite music fans and bring them closer to their favourite artists through the delivery of unique content, talent access and live events, both online and offline. It also marks the start of Samsung’s commitment to music with the launch of the Samsung Beat DJ handset.
Mikah Martin-Cruz, Marketing Director, Samsung UK said, “We are an innovative company that pushes the boundaries of technology to entertain and improve people’s lives. The scale of this partnership is a first for Samsung and is testament to how seriously we take social networking and the need to pioneer new ways of engaging our core audiences. We will work closely with Bebo, the music industry and our network partners to use these platforms to build closer artist fan relationships.”
“By coming together Bebo and Samsung are able to combine great music content with powerful social networking tools, enabling fans to converse and connect around the music and artists that they love in a meaningful way,” added Kate Burns, VP and Managing Director Europe, Bebo.
“Great editorial combined with live events especially for Bebo users, will create a powerful and engaging combination of content and community, enabling us to penetrate the conversation in both the online and offline worlds of our users.”
The partnership will offer Samsung access to more than 10 million monthly Bebo users in the UK and Ireland and will create a music experience that makes it easy for individuals to connect with one another, share content, and explore common passions.
Samsung will manage a dedicated music profile that will feature Samsung’s music activity, both on and offline, and has joined forces with Bebo and global production company Endemol to produce a groundbreaking new online music show and Bebo Original, ‘Beat’. This daily music feast will launch in June, and will provide constantly evolving live content featuring the hottest new bands, exclusive performances, big star interviews, tour blogs, music news, mobile content, competitions, and a whole lot more.
Samsung and Bebo will also come together to launch ‘Samsung Bebo Nights’ which will mark the social network’s first foray into live music events. Samsung Bebo Nights will be a monthly live performance of established and up-and-coming music acts at the famous Gibson Guitar Studio in Central London.
The parties are in discussions to feature the White Lies and The Maccabees as co-headliners for the first Samsung Bebo Nights show, which is planned to take place on June 1. Open to Bebo users this series of intimate live events will extend the reach of Bebo music offline and will feature cutting edge music talent from across the globe.
Samsung views its partnership with Bebo as part of a more extensive and longer-term commitment to music and in particular new music. This announcement follows the launch of Samsung’s iconic music handset portfolio, The Beat Edition, which launches this month with the Samsung BeatDJ handset, aimed at 16 – 25 year old music fans.
Working with the grand masters of sound, Bang & Olufsen, the Samsung Beat DJ has audio powered by Bang & Olufsen ICEpower plus the perfect combination of touch-screen technology and beautiful design.
The overall Music strategy and plan was developed, in collaboration with the Bebo Music department, by leading entertainment consultancy Octagon with social media specialists Jam supporting Octagon on the Bebo plan and negotiation.
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