19 March 2008 6 views No Comment

Social music network launches application enabling users to listen to bands recommended by Bebo’s new web drama heroine

NEW YORK and LONDON, 19th March - Last.fm has teamed up with Bebo to enable fans of the social media network’s new online drama, Sofia’s Diary, to listen to main character Sofia’s favourite music.

Last.fm’s Superbands widget, integrated into the Sofia’s Diary profile page on Bebo (http://www.bebo.com/sofiasdiary), allows fans of the new interactive web drama to listen to Last.fm radio stations based on the eponymous heroine’s favourite music.

It displays images of all the bands Sofia likes, and allows fans to launch a streaming radio station that plays music from those artists and similar artists. Bebo users can place the widget on their own profiles, and it will be updated throughout the series as Sofia reveals more of her music taste to the show’s audience.

Martin Stiksel, Last.fm co-founder, said: “Online shows like Sofia’s Diary are changing the way audiences are consuming drama. Last.fm is changing the way individuals are listening to music so it’s a good match. There is a new ‘pick and mix’ media model emerging where cross-site communities are being formed around entertainment.

“Widgets such as Superbands are enabling these communities to integrate their favourite online apps to create compelling content. We’ve recognised this at Last.fm and want to help users get the most out of the incredible range of music we have on our site, regardless of what they are doing elsewhere on the web.”

Ziv Navoth, Bebo’s VP Marketing and Business Development, said: “Giving Bebo users the ability to listen to the Sofia’s Diary characters’ favourite music is a demonstration of just how dynamic entertainment can be in a social media environment. Both Bebo and Last.fm share the vision of putting online users in charge of the entertainment experience.”

Based on an international format owned by Sony Pictures Television International, Sofia’s Diary is being produced by Ireland’s Campbell Ryan Film Productions for Bebo and shot on location across London. It is also set to become a multiplatform brand, stretching across print, radio, podcasts and more.

Sofia’s Diary follows on from Bebo’s first successful foray into original programming last year. The online drama KateModern attracted 35.6 million episode views across its run, while series two has had over 7 million views to date.

The SuperBands widget on Bebo is available here http://www.bebo.com/lastfm-superbands

Sofia’s Diary is available here http://www.bebo.com/sofiasdiary

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