Paramount Digital Entertainment today announced the availability of Paramount branded mobile content in the region through an exclusive agreement between Paramount Digital Entertainment and Cellempower.

Content will be distributed through i2-Club, a leading mobile value added service provider in the Middle East, North and Western Africa region.

Paramount Digital Entertainment is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom, Inc. Cellempower is part of i2-Group the leading mobile handsets distributor in the region.

The mobile content licensing and distribution agreement with the studio will enable more than 250 million mobile users across Middle East, North and Western Africa to enjoy a wide range of the most popular digital and interactive entertainment. The two companies will also work together in mobile, interactive and SMS based promotions for catalogue titles as well as upcoming Paramount Pictures’ releases, said a statement.

The direct relationship allows Cellempower to distribute mobile content from Paramount for a select catalog of library, current and upcoming films. Mobile phone users and fans of Paramount Pictures properties will soon be able to download premium content such as wallpapers, ringtones, ring back tones, themes, screensavers, MMS greeting cards and mobile games as well as be able to access movie trailers.

Paramount Digital Entertainment will also offer new niche content like video ringtones, clips, client applications and mobile comics. The content is expected to be released in MEN & WA during the first half of 2008.
 

“We are looking forward to providing the opportunity to the regions of MEN & WA, who boast over 250 million GSM subscribers, to access our premier content via mobile handsets,” said Pradeep Mittur, Paramount Digital Entertainment’s vice president for Asia Pacific.

“We are impressed by Cellempower and the i2’s Group understanding of the market dynamics, retail power, their proven commitment to the customers and we are excited to team with them.

“We are happy to be selected by Paramount Pictures. Our relationship with Paramount Digital Entertainment will set new benchmarks in this dynamic region and will allow Cellempower and its mother company to offer the most exiting content, bundles and packages to a very demanding customers,” said Dr Amor Ben Dhia, founder and CEO of Cellempower.

“We are committed to the success of our partnership with Paramount Pictures and this achievement will unleash all the potential of an integrated vision: content, mobile and data in teaming with the most prestigious players in the value chain. Our aim is to satisfy the end users by offering high quality, simple tariff schemes and excellent support,” he remarked.

Commenting on accomplishing the major milestone, Abdul Hameed Al Sunaid, i2-Group CEO said “At i2-Group, as the mother company of Cellempower, we are fully aware of the challenges we are facing in this diverse region and to keep the highest standards in terms of quality and customization. We will implement innovative business models and marketing strategies combined with a full multi-channel distribution infrastructure that will reinforce our position as the undisputed leaders and ensure the success of this strategic relationship with Paramount Digital Entertainment”.

This relationship is one example of Paramount Digital Entertainment’s continued efforts to establish a digital content, localization and distribution network in key markets of Middle East and Africa. - TradeArabia News Service