O2 appoints new Head of Music

Date: 9th January 2008 Ref: 002-2008 O2 appoints new Head of Music Matt Ward joins O2 UK O2 UK today announces that it has appointed Matt Ward as Head of Music for O2 UK. Matt joins O2 from Mobix Interactive, where he was head of the Consumer Proposition team responsible for the creation, development and management of consumer-focused mobile live services and will be responsible for music strategy, music services and the continued successful management of all the music customer propositions for O2 UK. Prior to his time at Mobix, Matt developed 7 years music industry experience rising to Business and Digital Manager for Kickin Music, one of the longest running successful independent labels in the UK. He was responsible for covering all online and mobile deals for Kickin as well as day to day label management. Matt also has experience in record label licensing and compliance, having worked as Music Licensing Consultant for MCPS-PRS. Grahame Riddell, Head of Content, O2 UK comments: “Having successfully established ourselves in the digital music space and with the integration of music services into sponsorship properties such as The O2 and O2 Wireless Festival, Matt’s appointment will further strengthen the delivery of new and engaging content for our customers. Matt joins O2 with a strong and vibrant background in both mobile content development and the wider music industry. We are extremely excited about having Matt on board and are confident he will ensure O2 customers continue to have access to the latest in digital music on the mobile.” Of joining O2 in Matt said: “This move to head up music at O2 presents a diverse and exciting challenge within the ever-evolving digital music space where O2 are already strongly positioned.” -ends- About O2 O2 is a leading provider of mobile services and broadband services to consumers and businesses in the UK. These services include voice, text, media messaging, games, music and video, as well as always on data connections via GPRS, 3G ADSL+ and WLAN. Every month, O2’s 17.9 million customers send well over a billion text messages. O2 UK is part of Telefónica O2 Europe which comprises mobile network operators in the UK, Ireland and Slovakia along with integrated fixed / mobile businesses in Germany and the Czech Republic. Telefónica O2 Europe also owns 50% of the Tesco Mobile and Tchibo Mobilfunk joint venture businesses in the UK and Germany respectively as well as having 100% ownership of Be, a leading UK fixed broadband provider. O2 was ranked as 5th best place to work in the Best Companies to Work for 2007 List and has been awarded a two-star accreditation denoting an ’outstanding’ company. (For b-roll footage of O2, please visit www.thenewshub.co.uk)