Verizon Honors Super Producer Timbaland as the First Ever 'Mobile Producer in Residence' For V CAST

Verizon today announced plans for its first Mobile Producer in Residence program, with five- time GRAMMY-nominee Timbaland to be its first Mobile Producer. One of today's most influential music producers, Timbaland spans genres in commercial and radio success, and now intends to use Verizon Wireless' V CAST service to launch an entire mobile album during the course of 2008. The plan is for Timbaland's mobile album to be directly and exclusively offered to Verizon Wireless customers through V CAST Music, and video may also be accessible to Verizon customers across additional platforms, including V CAST Video and Verizon Surround.

Timbaland plans to start production of his mobile album at the beginning of March, collaborating with a new guest artist on one track each month and creating the track from the fully-equipped Verizon Mobile Recording Studio Bus. As the bus stops in various cities, fans will get access to recording sessions and get a glimpse into Timbaland's creative process -- in person or through their mobile phones. (EDITORS: Bus tour cities not complete as of press time.)

Verizon will honor Timbaland and launch its Mobile Producer in Residence program in Los Angeles today, Feb. 8, at a private pre-GRAMMY event co-hosted by Verizon with PEOPLE. Tonight, Keri Hilson will join Timbaland on Verizon's Mobile Recording Studio Bus to debut what is hoped to become the first track of this project. Later this evening, he will perform as he celebrates music's biggest weekend with a highly-anticipated performance from rock icon Chris Cornell and other special guests, including One Republic, Paramore, Flo-rida, Natasha Bedingfield, Taylor Swift, and more.

"I am honored to be named Verizon's first Mobile Producer in Residence and have the opportunity to create music from so many places in the country, and deliver it directly to my fans wherever they are through their mobile phones," said Timbaland. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with many different artists aboard the studio on wheels and taking fans into our recording sessions to see how we do it."

"Similar to V CAST, Timbaland's music knows no bounds. Together we hope to redefine the album as we know it by creating and distributing music straight from the studio to fans," said Ed Ruth, director of digital music for Verizon. "As our Mobile Producer in Residence, Timbaland's music would be available to our customers as full-song downloads, ringtones and ringback tones, delivering exclusive music anyway they want it over-the-air. We aim to provide access in person, in the living room or through the phone into Timbaland's creative process as he produces an album, an artistic effort usually masterminded behind closed doors. The Mobile Producer in Residence program is yet one more way we're using the power of our network to bring music fans closer to their favorite music artists."

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).

Source: Verizon Wireless