Five-time grammy award winning gloabl superstar Usher is currently dominating the charts with “Love In This Club” and is showing no signs of slowing down. He just signed on to be the face of Sony Ericsson in an exclusive brand marketing partnership deal that will see him span over twenty European countries and includes headline sponsorship rights for a full European tour later in the year. Sony Ericsson’s marketing activities will revolve around the W350 Walkman® phone launched in Q2 and the W980 Walkman® phone, with clear audio technology, to be launched later in the year.
“For me, Usher is the ultimate performer” reveals John Bernard, Music Marketing Manager, at Sony Ericsson. “Working with an artist such as Usher is an ideal fit for us. Here we are at the start of an electrifying launch campaign, poised to deliver a totally 360 degree experience for all consumers and Usher fans alike, it’s truly an exciting prospect.”
As an Usher fan, this is amazing news. Sony Ericsson have made a fantastic choice for their brand! Artist manager Benny Medina shares the same sentiments, “We have been working on pulling this together with our label and Sony Ericsson for some time, and are very excited indeed to be working with such a great brand.” They speak our language and share our values, with Sony Ericsson as our partners we are looking forward to a great year ahead and beyond.”
The timing also seems to be working in Usher’s favour because it coincides with his new Sony BMG album “Here I Stand” which officially hits the streets on May 26th. The tour, album and partnership will most certainly propell Usher to the forefront of his genre for the next few months. Kanye West, 50 Cent and Timbaland can finally sit back and have a rest in the back row, while Usher steals the show once more!
“With clear audio technology on Sony Ericsson handsets we have moved to the next level of music on your mobile with the increased quality of the listening experience. Coupled with great design on the 2008 line up of products, the partnership is a great showcase to highlight the Sony Ericsson range” continues Bernard.
Sony Ericsson’s Walkman® phone campaigns fronted by Usher will deliver many unique offerings throughout the year. Alongside the latest Walkman® phones, music fans will have access to exclusive content, unprecedented access to the artist through exclusive competitions including meeting Usher on the set of a video shoot and the chance to win the hottest tickets in town when the tour hits Europe.
Usher took the opportunity to speak openly about this amazing deal, “This is a great partnership for me as an artist. Sony Ericsson are a young vibrant brand and with their Walkman® phones making a lot of noise out there right now its perfect timing for us all, so yeah man.. ‘United We Stand.’”
In celebration of the commencement of the partnership and forthcoming release of ‘Here I Stand’ Usher will perform an exclusive intimate show hosted at London’s Indigo venue docklands on May 22nd. Damn, I wish I lived in London!
