Hip Digital Media First In Canada To Offer All MP3 Format
Aeroplan Music Store Members Can Now Redeem Miles For Music To Play On Any Device, At Any Time
Vancouver, Canada (June 9th, 2008) - Hip Digital Media and Aeroplan today announced plans to convert all audio tracks at the Aeroplan Music Store into high quality MP3s. For the first time on any commercial music download site in Canada, content from all four major record labels: EMI, SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA), Universal and Warner Music Canada will be available in a DRM-Free (Digital Rights Management) format. The removal of the DRM is a major milestone in the world of downloading because it frees users from access control and licenses placed upon their music. This means that Aeroplan Members will be able to play their favourite songs on any device, at any time.
Launched in September 2007, Hip Digital Media created the Aeroplan Music Store in partnership with Aeroplan as a custom branded site for members to create accounts and download music by redeeming Aeroplan Miles.
"This is a major milestone for Aeroplan, Hip Digital Media and music consumers," said Peter Diemer, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Development, Hip Digital Media. "Through Hip Digital's proprietary music technology, Aeroplan will be leading the way by announcing plans for their entire on-line music store to offer 100 per cent MP3 tracks in the coming weeks."
Since its launch, the Aeroplan Music Store has hosted three exclusive contests for members featuring world re-knowned artists like Michael Bublé, Bryan Adams and the Spice Girls,. Most recently, Bryan Adams worked with Aeroplan to create his own personal play list for Aeroplan Members to download at the Aeroplan Music Store. The Bryan Adams promotion included a contest with a chance to see him live at his upcoming concert in Las Vegas and to meet him backstage.
"We are proud to be leading the industry in an area that our members are showing increasing interest," said Nathalie Belanger, General Manager, Rewards Management, Aeroplan. "Our miles for music offering has been extremely popular with Aeroplan Members, in fact, for many, downloading music from our site was their first foray into one of the many specialty, merchandise, and experiential rewards that we also offer. Now that we are making music even more accessible, we expect more members will give it a try."
As part of Aeroplan's commitment to offer members new content, the music platform will be used to deliver other forms of media in the future, including books and video.
Hip Digital Media and Aeroplan have been recognized by two major industry awards since the store's launch. The Aeroplan Music Store was nominated for a Freddie Award in the Best Reward category. The Aeroplan Music store was also a finalist for Ad:Tech's Best Interactive Campaign, recognizing its excellence in interactive and strategic marketing.
About Hip Digital
Hip Digital Media is the leading consumer experience network. Hip Digital offers innovative customer experiences and digital campaigns for Fortune 500 brands. Hip Digital Media brings together communities, music, brands and consumers through custom built technology, including (PACET), its Content Management System, which allows for turnkey creation of powerful online consumer experiences. For more information please visit: Hip Digital Media
About Aeroplan
Aeroplan Limited Partnership, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aeroplan Income Fund, is dedicated to developing and executing programs designed to engage the loyalty of its prestigious membership. Aeroplan's millions of members earn Aeroplan Miles with its growing network of over 70 world-class partners, representing more than 150 brands in the financial, retail, and travel sectors.
In 2007 alone, approximately 2 million rewards were issued to members - an average of 5,500 per day, or one reward every 16 seconds. Over 1.5 million round-trip flights were issued in 2007. Members can redeem miles for Aeroplan's industry-leading ClassicFlight Rewards, ClassicPlus Flight Rewards, and global Star Alliance Flight Rewards, which offer travel to approximately 965 destinations worldwide. More than 400,000 non-flight rewards were issued in 2007. Members have access to 600 exciting specialty, merchandise, and experiential rewards, as well as hotel and car rental rewards. For more information about Aeroplan please visit Aeroplan
Media Contacts:
Sarah Miller
Axis Marketing & PR
Tel: 310 276-2220
smiller@axismarketingpr.com
JoAnne Hayes
Aeroplan& PR
Tel: (416) 352-370
joanne.hayes@aeroplan.com