Shazam Launches Innovative ‘Listening Screen Takeover’ Advertising Service in the US with FOX Campaign

London, UK – December 2, 2010 – Shazam, the world’s leading mobile discovery provider, today announced the U.S. launch of an innovative,  in-app advertising campaign service called the ‘Shazam Listening Screen Takeover’ which allows advertisers and marketing partners to own the iconic Shazam listening screen while a song is being identified by Shazam users on iPhones and iPod touches.

Fox Broadcasting Company is the first client in the U.S. to take advantage of this innovation when, on December 6, it launches its campaign on Shazam for the American Country Awards, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.  The Listening Screen creative will encourage Shazam users to watch the broadcast and to visit theacas.com.

When Shazamers tag a chosen song, instead of the distinctive blue Shazam listening screen that appears as the song is being identified, iPhone and iPod touch users who have downloaded the free, ad-supported version of Shazam, will instead see FOX’s high-impact American Country Awards advertisement across three quarters of the screen.

“Shazam is driving innovation around mobile discovery, finding creative ways that allow brand advertisers, music labels and talent to interact with our fan base of millions in an engaging and exclusive environment,” said Evan Krauss, Executive Vice President, Advertising Sales, Shazam.

“Launching in North America with FOX is an exciting start for our Listening Screen Takeover initiative and we think it has huge potential for marketers around the world,” continued Krauss.

Hosted by country music star Trace Adkins, AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is the only country music awards show that gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring.  The ACA encompasses the entire spectrum of country music and bestows honors that no other awards show has. The star-studded event will also feature performers including Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, Steel Magnolia, Josh Turner and Uncle Kracker, as well as participants Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Bret Michaels, Ty Murray, Jeff Dunham and Michael Waltrip.

As marketers seek more powerful ways to engage their customers, The Listening Screen Takeover gives them an opportunity to connect and deliver their brand message at the ‘moment of magic’ when Shazam is recognizing the song.

When the Tag result is displayed on the next screen, the advertisement becomes an expandable, interactive banner. The Shazamer can tap on the banner to find out more information, or can simply allow the advertisement to retract to the top of the screen.

Shazamers can tap to buy the single or album on iTunes, watch the video, view lyrics  or share their discovery through their social networks as normal.

The Listening Screen Takeover does not elongate the tagging process nor disrupt the Shazam experience for the user and delivers on marketers’ increasing desire to reach people via their mobile devices.

Marketers can purchase exclusive full-day sponsorships of the Listening Screen Takeover, so their campaigns are seen across the whole of Shazam’s ad-supported iPhone and iPod touch network.  Campaigns and promotions can also be tailored and delivered to specific advertising regions.