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Selection of Warner Music artists' recordings to be included in show
1st October 2007, London - Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music International, and Bebo, the UK's leading social networking site, today announced an innovative marketing and content agreement. Atlantic's recent signing, The Days, will be integrated into selected episodes of 'reality-based' online drama, 'KateModern'. Coinciding with the release of the band's E.P., 'Evil Girls', this unique three-month event will be promoted across the Bebo platform and include embedded purchasing opportunities. As part of the agreement, a selection of recordings from Warner Music acts will also be incorporated into future episodes of the show.
Launched in July, 'KateModern' is the world's first and only interactive serial broadcast on a social network, where viewers can influence the story via their own profiles. A spin off from the hugely successful online series Lonelygirl15, the show follows 20-year-old art student Kate and her three closest friends in an adventure that unfolds in real time across the web and throughout the United Kingdom. The Days are a four piece from Devon composed of two brothers, Luke Simpkins (vocals, piano and guitar) and Dan Simpkins (bass, vocals), along with Harry Meads (drums) and Tim Ayers (guitar). Having previously toured with label mate Paolo Nutini, the band is due to embark on a series of headline U.K. gigs from late October. After working with influential producer John Cornfield (Razorlight, Muse, Supergrass) at the legendary Sawmills Studio in Cornwall, the band are set to release their debut album next year.
Weaved into the narrative of 'KateModern', The Days will give impromptu performances and interact with the lead characters on the show as well as with its viewers via Bebo. Their appearances will culminate in a real gig, populated by fans of both 'KateModern' and the band. The Days and their involvement with 'KateModern' will be given exposure throughout the social network and key touch-points with the audience will include the option to buy the group's music, without the need to leave the Bebo environment. The first 'KateModern' episode featuring The Days can be viewed at: www.bebo.com/katemodern.
In addition, tracks selected from across Warner Music UK's recent releases will be broadcast as part of the series, including as incidental music or through incorporation into one of Kate's video collages.
Max Lousada, Managing Director, Atlantic Records UK, said, "We no longer rely on a finite number of physical formats and a limited range of promotional media to connect a band with an audience. There is now a plethora of ways that people can enjoy music and in the digital world retail and marketing opportunities are often intertwined. By using the full spectrum of channels available to build support for bands like The Days, traditional means such as gigging and press interviews work alongside truly groundbreaking, inventive ideas such as this one.
The Days are a very talented group and they appreciated that the 'KateModern' following complemented their existing fan base. They liked the idea of having some creative input into the show and being given the chance to communicate directly with the viewers. There is a history of real bands appearing in TV shows and films, so in many ways this event takes that concept to a whole new, sophisticated and interactive level."
Joanna Shields, President, International, Bebo, said, "Bebo is rapidly becoming the network of choice for artists and brands to connect with the 13-24 demographic in a place where they interact with friends and consume media and entertainment. By including a real band in the storyline of 'KateModern', Bebo demonstrates the potential for new artists to engage with and develop long-term relationships with fans in the social media environment. This partnership enables Bebo users to discover new music within the context of a series they know and love, and to become 'friends' with the members of the band so that they can receive regular updates and communications on upcoming releases and future events.
'KateModern' had nine million episode views in its first seven weeks making it the most viewed web drama on the Internet globally. The characters recently met the actor Jamie Bell from Billy Elliot & Hallam Foe fame and now, for first time, they have befriended a real band blurring fiction and reality in an interesting and interactive experience. Combining a show of such impressive popularity with the most engaging social network has resulted in a dynamic new way for artists to reach audiences. Not only that, but they have a lot of fun working with our accomplished team of writers, producers and directors."
ATLANTIC RECORDS UK AND BEBO ANNOUNCE GROUNDBREAKING CONTENT AND MARKETING AGREEMENT
October 1, 2007
Atlantic Records UK signing 'The Days' becomes first band to appear in internet drama 'KateModern' and interact with its fan baseSelection of Warner Music artists' recordings to be included in show
1st October 2007, London - Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music International, and Bebo, the UK's leading social networking site, today announced an innovative marketing and content agreement. Atlantic's recent signing, The Days, will be integrated into selected episodes of 'reality-based' online drama, 'KateModern'. Coinciding with the release of the band's E.P., 'Evil Girls', this unique three-month event will be promoted across the Bebo platform and include embedded purchasing opportunities. As part of the agreement, a selection of recordings from Warner Music acts will also be incorporated into future episodes of the show.
Launched in July, 'KateModern' is the world's first and only interactive serial broadcast on a social network, where viewers can influence the story via their own profiles. A spin off from the hugely successful online series Lonelygirl15, the show follows 20-year-old art student Kate and her three closest friends in an adventure that unfolds in real time across the web and throughout the United Kingdom. The Days are a four piece from Devon composed of two brothers, Luke Simpkins (vocals, piano and guitar) and Dan Simpkins (bass, vocals), along with Harry Meads (drums) and Tim Ayers (guitar). Having previously toured with label mate Paolo Nutini, the band is due to embark on a series of headline U.K. gigs from late October. After working with influential producer John Cornfield (Razorlight, Muse, Supergrass) at the legendary Sawmills Studio in Cornwall, the band are set to release their debut album next year.
Weaved into the narrative of 'KateModern', The Days will give impromptu performances and interact with the lead characters on the show as well as with its viewers via Bebo. Their appearances will culminate in a real gig, populated by fans of both 'KateModern' and the band. The Days and their involvement with 'KateModern' will be given exposure throughout the social network and key touch-points with the audience will include the option to buy the group's music, without the need to leave the Bebo environment. The first 'KateModern' episode featuring The Days can be viewed at: www.bebo.com/katemodern.
In addition, tracks selected from across Warner Music UK's recent releases will be broadcast as part of the series, including as incidental music or through incorporation into one of Kate's video collages.
Max Lousada, Managing Director, Atlantic Records UK, said, "We no longer rely on a finite number of physical formats and a limited range of promotional media to connect a band with an audience. There is now a plethora of ways that people can enjoy music and in the digital world retail and marketing opportunities are often intertwined. By using the full spectrum of channels available to build support for bands like The Days, traditional means such as gigging and press interviews work alongside truly groundbreaking, inventive ideas such as this one.
The Days are a very talented group and they appreciated that the 'KateModern' following complemented their existing fan base. They liked the idea of having some creative input into the show and being given the chance to communicate directly with the viewers. There is a history of real bands appearing in TV shows and films, so in many ways this event takes that concept to a whole new, sophisticated and interactive level."
Joanna Shields, President, International, Bebo, said, "Bebo is rapidly becoming the network of choice for artists and brands to connect with the 13-24 demographic in a place where they interact with friends and consume media and entertainment. By including a real band in the storyline of 'KateModern', Bebo demonstrates the potential for new artists to engage with and develop long-term relationships with fans in the social media environment. This partnership enables Bebo users to discover new music within the context of a series they know and love, and to become 'friends' with the members of the band so that they can receive regular updates and communications on upcoming releases and future events.
'KateModern' had nine million episode views in its first seven weeks making it the most viewed web drama on the Internet globally. The characters recently met the actor Jamie Bell from Billy Elliot & Hallam Foe fame and now, for first time, they have befriended a real band blurring fiction and reality in an interesting and interactive experience. Combining a show of such impressive popularity with the most engaging social network has resulted in a dynamic new way for artists to reach audiences. Not only that, but they have a lot of fun working with our accomplished team of writers, producers and directors."
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