Verizon debuts Mobile Producer in Residence program

By Giselle Abramovich

February 11, 2008

Timbaland is a five-time Grammy-nominee hip-hop producer

Five-time Grammy-nominee hip-hop producer Timbaland will be Verizon Wireless’ first mobile producer as part of the carrier’s Mobile Producer in Residence Program.

Timbaland intends to use Verizon’s V Cast service to launch an entire mobile album this year.

The mobile album will be offered to Verizon customers through V Cast Music. Video will also be accessible to Verizon customers across additional platforms, including V Cast Video and Verizon Surround.

Timbaland plans to start production of his mobile album at the beginning of March, collaborating with a new guest artist on one track each month.

The artist will create the track from the fully-equipped Verizon Mobile Recording Studio Bus. As the bus stops in various cities, fans will get access to recording sessions and get a glimpse into Timbaland’s creative process, in person or through their mobile phones.

Timbaland has not revealed which artists he will be working with.

Verizon will launch the Mobile Producer in Residence program in Los Angeles Feb. 8 at a private pre-Grammy event co-hosted with Time Inc.’s People.

Each mobile Timbaland track will be out a few days after it is produced. The song will be released at full-length downloads, ringtones and ring-backs. A compilation album will be released at year’s end.