Akoo International Inc. announced recently it has signed a multi-year, non-exclusive licensing agreement with Universal Music Enterprises that makes the Universal Music Group's catalog of top artists available through Akoo's m-Venue, the first place-based media and marketing network fully interactive with consumers' mobile phones and Internet-connected mobile devices.

m-Venue is an out-of-home entertainment and marketing network that allows clients of any participating venue to "activate" audio and video content - including music, music videos, and movie previews - using text messaging (SMS), the mobile Internet, or Wi-Fi. Customer audio and video selections are performed publicly on demand in designated multimedia zones within the venue.

In addition to on-demand digital content, m-Venue offers day-parted ambient audio/video programming; a music ID and discovery feature, whereby users can identify the artist and name of any song playing in participating locations by sending a text message; and ultimately, a digital store where patrons can purchase and download digital content over-the-air to their mobile devices.

Since m-Venue is fully interactive with consumers' mobile phones and mobile devices, restaurants, retailers, and leisure entertainment establishments can also employ more effective mobile marketing campaigns, loyalty & rewards programs, and opt-in targeted marketing initiatives, which are available as value-add components designed to attract, convert, and retain target demographics in more innovative ways.

"m-Venue has already delivered increased sales and competitive advantage to our early test partners," said Niko Drakoulis, Akoo's chief executive officer. "Now, we're extremely pleased to offer music and music videos from Universal Music Group to make m-Venue an even more compelling place-based entertainment and marketing solution that resonates with mobile consumers."