"Classic" tracks to drive ringtone growth

While hip-hop acts may rule today's ringtone charts, yesterday's stars are introducing the format to a broader audience and drive tomorrow's growth.

Only about 10 percent of wireless subscribers buy ringtones today, primarily young adults purchasing hip-hop and R&B-themed content. Record labels and wireless operators are keen to expand their market, particularly as the dominant format shifts from polyphonic ringtones to master recording clips. Exploiting the vast library of catalogue music, they say, is emerging as a key strategy in that effort.

Acts like Devo, the B-52's, the Ramones, the Allman Brothers Band and Jimmy Buffett are generating healthy ringtone sales, and even Pink Floyd has found its way onto the mobile deck. Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" is one of the best-selling catalogue ringtones of all time, with more than 1.2 million units sold, and became the first licensed track to appear in a mobile videogame.

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