January 14, 2005
Ringtones perking up the bottom line
Ringtones have exploded in popularity, generating an estimated $375 million in U.S. revenue last year, according to IDC, an information technology firm (via the Chicago Tribune). The year before: only $18 million. Worldwide sales are far bigger, particularly in Asia and Europe.
"We've gotten away from `Mission: Impossible' and the `Pink Panther' theme," says Adrian McAloon, executive director of content for Ztango, a U.S. wireless-services provider.
Snoop Dogg and Pharrell top the Jan. 1 Billboard ringtone charts, followed by Usher. Third place: Ciara with Missy Elliott.
Ringtones are becoming their own art form too. BlingTones has signed hip-hop artists and producers to create original 30-second "pieces". It calls itself the world's first wireless record label.
A personalized ring "is an identity statement," says Lewis Ward, an analyst with IDC. Many phones allow users to associate different songs with different callers. "It says something about you to yourself and to your peers."
And that's not all: ringbacks, those songs or noises other callers will hear when they're waiting for you to answer your phone, might give way to a similar frenzy.
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