UMG PARTNERS WITH FREEALLMUSIC.COM

Universal Music Group has partnered with ad -sponsored digital music download service FreeAllMusic.com to offer consumers free, legal downloads.

The announcement was made today by EVP Business Development and Business Affairs for UMG’s eLabs David Ring and FreeAllMusic.com CEO Richard Nalling.

FAM, which is currently in a private beta testing period, will offers users up to 20 free downloads per month, five per week, starting every Tuesday.

The new music service provides consumers with downloadable high-quality iPod-compatible MP3s of popular songs that are advertiser-paid, free, legal and DRM-free. In exchange for watching one brief video commercial per download on the FreeAllMusic.com site, users receive a permanent, high-quality download. There is no software required for the service. Users’ music selections and sponsoring brands are then promoted externally through an opt-in, consumer-informed digital advertising network.

To download a free track, registered users simply select a participating brand they prefer, and watch a brief video from that brand. After each download, FreeAllMusic.com serves additional advertisements for that brand across targeted websites. Visitors to those sites will see ads displaying information about downloads, supporting brands and FreeAllMusic.com. Users can also email information about their download to friends, who can also download it legally for free…if they watch the ad, too. Sharing of download activity can also be posted on popular social networking sites.

Charter brands for the private beta period include Coca-Cola, Warner Bros. TV, Zappos.com, Lionsgate, LG, inconcert3D and Powermat.

Said FAM's Nailling: “For the first time, a legitimate free music download service is making ‘doing the right thing’ easier than piracy. Our site is fast, easy and fun for consumers.”

"Free All Music has created a new advertising model that connects fans, artists and brands,” added Ring. “It provides an opportunity for fans to support the artists that they love, and brands to build loyalty with existing and new consumers. Universal Music is committed to enabling and supporting services that provide engaging alternatives for fans looking to legally download music.”