destra launches music video clips

Stan Beer
Friday, 30 September 2005 10:00

IT Industry - Listed Tech

Web hosting provider destra Corporation Limited (ASX:DES) has signed a contract with Nasdaq listed ROO Group Incorporated to access ROO's database of video clips for its destramusic.com and MP3.com.au websites.

ROO's video library of over 5,000 video titles includes music video clips from major record labels and Undercover Music interviews with leading artists including Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), The Eagles, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and James Blunt. Video clips will initially be streamed via the internet and shortly via 3G services in Australia.

'Anyone visiting our MPE.com.au site will be able to view the clips and then click on a button to buy the downloads,' said Domenic Carosa, destra's CEO. 'Additionally, when someone wants to buy a Kylie track from one of our destra Music partner websites (JB HI-FI, Harvey Norman, Triple J, etc), a link to the clip will now be available.'

Carosa claims that the DVD quality internet video boosts the online experience, resulting in increased sales for the company's destra Music partners. This latest agreement, forms part of destra's video strategy which is being rolled out over the next 12 months.

ROO CEO, Robert Petty, said,'There can be no more effective way of heightening the enjoyment for those looking to download music today. Our next-generation online video player recreates the TV watching experience in an online environment because of its ability to view DVD quality videos at full screen.'

Petty added that ROO's ability to deliver TV style advertising to be shown before the video clips, provides a revenue opportunity for destra and its affiliate sites.

In mid September, destra announced that its Digital Media Assets (MP3.com.au, Music Point, destra Mobile, destra Music and Ghameleon) were being acquired by Artist & Entertainment Group Limited (ASX:AEM) with destra being the major shareholder at
approximately 50%.

With settlement of these announcements scheduled for the end of November 2005, Carosa maintains that the destra Media arm has now found its natural home in Artist & Entertainment Group whereby destra will be using it as a platform in order to consolidate the internet media and mobile content markets.