9 Squared adopts Zed Brand and expands U.S. Mobile
Entertainment Operations
Zed builds upon 9 Squared’s record growth and 19% Ringtone Market
Share to develop new mobile content and services
Denver – April 1, 2008 – Today, 9 Squared unveiled plans to formally combine
operations with Zed Worldwide, the leading mobile entertainment company in terms
of revenue and geographical presence. Zed will utilize the strengths of both
companies to offer solutions that span the entire global mobile media value chain,
including mobile applications, content distribution, technology licensing, social
networking solutions and direct-to-consumer services.
Zed‟s U.S. operations will be led by Brian Casazza, co-founder of 9 Squared, who
led the company to a record-breaking year in 2007 by securing 19 percent of the
U.S. ringtone market, $120 million in revenues and becoming the number six digital
music seller. Zed will leverage 9 Squared‟s success in the mobile content industry,
along with its long-standing partnerships that span all major and independent
music labels, more than 15 wireless carriers and some of the most recognizable
names in the media and content industry.
“Zed is widely respected as a global mobile entertainment leader and we‟re excited
to combine our assets and expand the value we can offer to our partners as they
navigate the complex mobile market in the U.S. and abroad,” said Brian Casazza,
chief executive officer of Zed‟s US operations. “Zed was an early developer of Web
2.0 online and mobile platforms and we look forward to leveraging that expertise as
we introduce new products that offer more integrated Web and mobile
experiences.”
Zed will continue to offer the technologies and products originally developed under
the 9 Squared brand, working closely with its partners to enhance those offerings
and integrate them with other Zed products as appropriate. In addition, this year
Zed will expand its consumer offerings in the U.S. and introduce new community
and entertainment products that offer greater levels of interactivity and
convergence across the PC and mobile phone.
“We‟ve seen significant growth of our interactive online and mobile offerings across
Europe and Asia, and we look forward to replicating that success in the U.S.,” said
Javier Perez Dolset, founder and chief executive officer of Zed Worldwide. „With the
extensive entertainment and carriers partnerships Brian and his team have
established, we have an incredibly strong foundation from which to expand and
grow our U.S. business.”
Zed
Zed in the U.S., formerly 9 Squared, is a mobile entertainment company with
solutions that span the entire mobile media value chain, including mobile
applications, content distribution, technology licensing and direct-to-consumer
services. Equipped with a deep catalog of premium mobile content and extensive
wireless distribution partnerships, Zed is the #1 independent distributor of mobile
content in the United States. Zed‟s U.S. operations are backed by the parent
company Zed Worldwide, the leading mobile entertainment company in terms of
revenue and geographical presence. Zed‟s U.S. headquarters are in Denver,
Colorado.