Cells phones are the future,” stated Usher

New York, May 21, 2008 – Sony Ericsson and five time Grammy award winning artist, Usher Raymond, partnered up to launch the walkman music phone. Raymond's latest video Love in this Club showcased the W580i in Black Boulevard in the first thirty seconds. These days Usher switches from black, to velvet red, and now to the jungle green color.  “Cells phones are the future,” stated Usher. “Can’t live life without a cell phone; the right cell is important to do what you need it to do.”

“This is the latest and greatest Sony Ericsson Walkman phone at AT&T,” said Stacy Doster, MarCom Manager

“This is the latest and greatest Sony Ericsson Walkman phone at AT&T,” said Stacy Doster, MarCom Manager. “It has removable memory for more music, a dedicated Walkman button, shake control (with a flick of the wrist you can shuffle the music), FM radio, and a 2mpx camera- to name a few features.  It was the number 1 selling GSM handset in the US in March.” This phone also has a TrackID which a special feature to track songs that one does not know the name or artist too. 

“Our goal is to bring the world’s top musical artists one step closer to their fans”

“It is one device that has your music and phone,” said Karren Morris, Sony Ericsson Vice President of Marketing in North America. “Consumers will be able to get the ultimate mobile music experience, thanks to Sony Ericsson and Usher.” AT&T Fans will have access to exclusive photos, competitions, and VIP status to Usher’s concerts.  “Our goal is to bring the world’s top musical artists one step closer to their fans," said Morris.

“The content of a phone matters all the down to your ring tone,” said Usher

“The content of a phone matters all the down to your ring tone,” said Usher. The Walkman phone has a built in digital camera, games, and an mp3 player. Usher went on to make a comical connection. “In the days of the Jetsons, they only talked about what cells phones can do now. At the rate the industry is going, cells phones will matter more than now," said Usher.

The fans know Usher as the singer, composer, producer, film, television actor, and business man. It is a new transition to see the artist as a married man and now a father.  This impacted Usher’s latest album, Here I Stand. Strategic timing from Sony BMG led to Usher’s album to drop in conjunction with this huge announcement with Sony Ericsson. His last album highlighted infidelity.  According to Usher, Here I Stand was inspired by his wife and child. “It is about finding love and managing a relationship,” said Usher.

Fans that purchase the phone will get a chance to be a part of the Usher experience by voting for musical acts that will participate in his shows

Usher spoke on his fall tour and the upcoming concerts, one of which is at the Apollo on June 6. Usher described this to be a “night to remember” because he will perform songs from Here I Stand and it will be the first time he performs an entire set there. Fans that purchase the phone will get a chance to be a part of the Usher experience by voting for musical acts that will participate in his shows.

“Inhale is passion for life, love, song, dance, inhale the fragrance, smell the success and get closer to the man known as Usher (http://www.usherworld.com/)

 “Inhale his passion for life, love, song, dance, inhale the fragrance, smell the success and get closer to the man known as Usher (http://www.usherworld.com/).”

For more information about Sony Ericsson please visit http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/.