Disney to partner with Vodafone

Walt Disney group has moved into mobile multimedia services via a partnership with Vodafone. Disney studios will supply Vodafone with content from its films and cartoons. Mobile services incorporating Disney content will include ringtones, logos, movie trailers, and themed multimedia messages.

Disney is hoping to repeat in Europe the success of its Japanese internet subsidiary, which has signed up 3.4 million mobile internet subscribers over the past two years. As well as Vodafone the company has already closed content deals with Orange and T-Mobile and is also thought to be on the verge of a partnership with Spain’s Telefonica Moviles.

The company has existing mobile distribution deals in 18 countries, but Vodafone is the largest mobile operator to work with the US media group.