(28 November 2007 9:25 pm)

MUMBAI: Hungama Mobile has signed an agreement with Paramount Digital Entertainment to localize and distribute Paramount branded mobile and interactive content for the Indian market.

The primary intent of the agreement between Paramount Pictures, a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, and Hungama Mobile, one of the producers and distributors of mobile value-added services, is to combine the strengths and experiences of each company to deliver advanced technology-based, interactive and entertaining mobile content.

Services include themed logos, polyphonic ring-tones, animated wallpaper screens, mobile games, video clips, and applications, among others to be based upon Paramount's catalogue. The two companies will work together to execute synergy promotions in the new media space for previous catalogue titles as well as upcoming Paramount releases.

The agreement makes Paramount's wireless and interactive content available to more than 200 million Indian subscribers, stated an official release.

With this crucial relationship, an Indian Mobile VAS player will now localize and provide exclusive content directly from Paramount Pictures.

"With extraordinary growth and more new mobile subscribers than any other country in the world, India presents a great opportunity for our rapidly expanding global business. This is the first time that Hollywood content of such diversity, quality and size will be made available to the Indian consumers. We are looking forward to offering innovative and popular digital entertainment to Indian users," said Paramount Digital Entertainment VP interactive and mobile entertainment, Asia Pacific Pradeep Mittur.

Hungama Mobile will localize and distribute a wide range of mobile and internet based entertainment for a select mix of Paramount's library and upcoming titles.

Hungama Mobile CEO and MD Neeraj Roy said, "Our success stems from the strength of Hungama Mobile's digital distribution network and the numerous new applications and services that we successfully execute with all carriers in India and South Asia. Our agreement with Paramount Digital Entertainment is a significant testament to our best-in-class infrastructure, technology, quality, distribution and innovative marketing skills. Having established ourselves as the undisputed leaders in Bollywood content, we are looking forward to leveraging our niche experience in content development and mobile technologies and aim to be the pioneers of Hollywood content for the Indian market."