Virgin Mobile USA Introduces New 'Studio V'

Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., a top provider of nationwide no-annual-contract wireless phone services, channels its customers' creative energy with the introduction of Studio V, a unique mobile content community enabling the creation and sharing of user-generated graphics and ringtones, and rewarding customers for their creativity. Studio V, at http://studiov.virginmobileusa.com, encourages customers to explore their free-spirited, artistic side through the creation of user-generated ringtones and wallpapers that other Virgin Mobile USA customers can purchase, with a cash reward credited back to the creator of the content for every download.

Virgin Mobile USA customers can upload and edit graphics content - including photographs, designs and other graphics - to make personalized wallpaper; and edit pre-existing audio content to make personalized ringtones. Everything that a Virgin Mobile USA customer uploads to or creates on Studio V to be shared with others in the Virgin Mobile USA community is free of charge. Customers can choose to submit their content to a private gallery which is accessible only to the content creator, or to a public gallery which is accessible to other Virgin Mobile USA customers for download, ratings and comments. As an added feature, content creators will earn ten cents for each item purchased, which will be credited to their Virgin Mobile accounts. All content is screened by 9 Track Mind using technology screening solutions.

"Our customers are some of the most creative and prolific people around, so this Studio V exclusive application is ideal for them to customize mobile content as well as connect with the larger mobile community, along with the added benefit of earning cash towards their Virgin Mobile account," said Dom Tolli, vice president of Mobile Data Services, Virgin Mobile USA. "The ability to upload and share creations is another step in our effort to expand peer-to-peer connections with user-generated content within social networks." Studio V joins Virgin Mobile USA's other rewards-based feature, Sugar Mama, which enables customers to earn free air time in exchange for watching online ads.

"Studio V provides the youth market, already consuming ringtones and wallpapers, with the tools to be able to express themselves and download mobile content that is unique to them," said Josh Barkin, president and CEO of 9 Track Mind. "Virgin Mobile USA is uniquely positioned to provide instant gratification and reward its customers for their creativity as a direct result of its pre-paid model."

Personalized real-music ringtones can also be created through Studio V's web-based ringtone mixer available at the website. Loaded with thousands of original audio files, the mixer allows customers to drag and drop tracks from a sound library, then arrange them to create a tone they can call their own. The original audio files offer a large array of genres from rap and rock to reggae and country and much more, including vocals and sound effects.

Studio V is available only to Virgin Mobile USA customers. It is free to join, all graphics are free to upload, and all content is free to edit. By creating their own mobile wallpaper with images uploaded directly from a PC, Virgin Mobile USA customers can keep the images as is, or add effects, borders and themes. Costs to download one's own or another's works to a handset are $1.99 for each wallpaper and $2.50 for each customized ringtone.

Virgin Mobile's full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets, including the MarbL, Super Slice and Cyclops, are available at top retailers in more than 35,000 locations nationwide and online at www.virginmobileusa.com, with Top-Up cards available at more than 130,000 locations.

SOURCE Virgin Mobile USA, Inc.