Aspiro Music: Aspiro and Telenor Launch WiMP - Scandinavia's New Music Service - in Sweden

WiMP differentiates itself from other music streaming services through its strong editorial profile, with local editors selecting and recommending songs, albums, artists, and creating fun and relevant playlists. WiMP also collaborates with artists offering special editions and tracks exclusively available for its users. With smart features, WiMP guides users to music, and inspires them to explore both old and new favorites. WiMP makes music fun again!

WiMP is a paid service that costs 99 kronor a month. By being a pure payment service, WiMP contributes financially to artists, record labels and rights holders and helps to create a sustainable music industry. This ensures that WiMP’s music catalogue will always be extensive and deep.

With millions of tracks to choose from, it is essential with a strong editorial profile and smart solutions that helps users find music they don’t yet know they like.

“During 2010, we have just seen the beginning of what will be the way of consuming music in the future. We believe that whoever succeeds in effectively guiding and inspiring people through all these millions of songs, and who also finds the most convenient way to offer added value will win in the long run. WiMP is technically advanced, but that is not important - we focus on the music first and foremost, because that is what our users want”, says Gunnar Sellæg, CEO of Aspiro.

"We are very pleased that WiMP chooses to launch in Sweden. The services has experienced strong growth in our nabouring countries and with its clear profile focusing on editorial content, WiMP will be an interesting complement to the services already available on the market”, says Jacob Herbst at Sony Music.

Behind WiMP is stock listed Aspiro, which also delivers music via white label and licensing models (more info below). These services are available in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, the US and Canada. Aspiro is planning further launches in 2011.

Aspiro cooperates with Telenor as a distribution partner in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The cooperation includes distribution, marketing and pre-installation of WiMP in future phones. Telenor's Swedish customers will also have the opportunity to try the service free for 60 days.

”More and more people want access to services regardless of time and space, and music is an important part of everyday life. With WiMP, we broaden the range of simple and flexible services in line with user needs”, said Georgi Ganev, Business Area Manager Consumer, Telenor Sweden.

Aspiro is present at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, stop by our stand in Hall 2, stand 2A67.

Aspiro in Brief

Aspiro has unique positioning as the world’s only provider of complete TV and music streaming services for partners that want to put their own branding on the service. Aspiro has over ten years’ experience in mobile technology and retail in northern Europe, and delivers services to partners worldwide like Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica O2, Telenor, 3, TeliaSonera, Tele2, the BBC, Aftonbladet, mBlox, TVNorge, Entel and VG. Aspiro is listed on Nasdaq OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. Sales for continuing operations in 2009 were SEK 249m and the company has some 115 employees.

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