VZW inks content deals with Eddie Vedder, Tokyopop

Verizon Wireless announced the release of a new custom mobile video featuring Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder's Grammy-nominated "Guaranteed," the theme from director Sean Penn's acclaimed feature film Into the Wild. The exclusive video was created exclusively for Verizon--according to the operator, it is the first music video ever produced for the mobile platform. In the weeks ahead, Verizon subscribers can download for free three Vedder songs from the Into the Wild soundtrack--"Guaranteed," "Rise" and "Hard Sun"--as well as purchase accompanying ringtones and ringbacks. "It's always interesting for us to explore new ways to get music to music fans," said Pearl Jam manager Kelly Curtis in a prepared statement. "Much like the Internet, the advent of mobile technology has created another medium through which artists can get music directly to fans in an innovative and authentic way."

In other Verizon news, publishing giant Tokyopop announced a new anime-themed video channel available via the operator's V Cast video service. Each week Tokyopop on V Cast will feature more than a dozen four-to-six-minute videos featuring manga movies, anime clips and related Asian entertainment content--titles include Bizenghast, Rave Master and PiNMeN. "Tokyopop is dedicated to delivering the East-meets-West aesthetic of manga and anime via cutting-edge delivery platforms," said Tokyopop CEO Stu Levy in a prepared statement. "Verizon Wireless' V Cast service is the perfect platform to mobilize a globally-minded youth audience with 24/7 on-the-go access to the manga lifestyle."

For more on the Verizon/Vedder deal:
- read this release
For more on the Verizon/Tokypop deal:
- read this release

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