October 29, 2006
Music to our ears: Ringtones define who we are
If you had to read one article only, summarizing what the business of ringtones is all about. This is it. By Rebecca Schoonmaker, for The Eagle Tribune.
Excerpts:
... Ringtones really started to catch on in the United States in late 2004, following the lead of European countries like Germany, where Jamster is based.
Who is buying ringtones? The age range downloading the most 'tones 16 to 30, says Willner.
What are they buying? Hip hop is the favorite genre.
How much are they spending? Ringtones range from free to $3 per selection. For the mobile content companies, which also sell games, wallpaper, and screensavers for cells, ringtones are their top source of revenue, Willner said.
Why are they spending it? "That's the most amazing thing in the world," Goldsmith said. "You can buy a song off iTunes - a full three-minute (song) - for 99 cents, yet people are more than willing to spend $3 on a little clip. People have no resistance because it makes a statement. It's an extension of who and what you are."
Berger DeLeon says"there's a fundamental difference in how people view and use the Internet. Wen we go online, almost everything is free; we don't to have to pay for music. But with mobile matters, we're used to paying for every service - call time, text messaging, and ringtones."
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