PayPal And EMI To Sell Music Via Mobiles

PayPal are launching a mobile payments service with EMI which will allow customers to buy music direct using their mobile phones.

The PayPal mobile payments “Text to Buy” service works by customers texting a code to a dedicated mobile payments number which will be printed in adverts. Once the customer verifies their identity through a PIN code system the purchasers details are passed to EMI and the item is dispatched to their address as registered to their PayPal account.

This move follows HMV’s announcement that they are to launch a similar service for customers to buy CDs, DVDs and games directly via their mobile phones (see HMV To Launch Mobile Purchase Ads).

Mike McMahon, senior vice president commercial and digital media at EMI said: “EMI is constantly looking for new and innovative ways of reaching music fans, and enabling them to buy our music quickly and effectively. Mobile payments are especially exciting because they will offer a new method for customers to buy music which matches their lifestyles.

“Customers can now buy direct from our TV, print or outdoor advertising which helps to make our marketing more effective and interactive. We believe that PayPal mobile has the potential to deliver a new and exciting route for customers to buy music using the device that most consumers wouldn’t leave home without – their mobile phone.”

Geoff Iddison, chief executive of PayPal Europe says: “We think mobile payments could revolutionise the way people shop. The service means that a shopper could see a code on a TV ad or on a billboard on their way home, text-to-buy and have the item delivered to their door the next day. The sky really is the limit when it comes to the possibilities for the PayPal mobile payments service.”

EMI: www.emigroup.com PayPal: www.paypal.co.uk