Bebo signs deal with iTunes

by Andrew McCormick, Media Week 13-Jun-07, 12:15

LONDON - Social network Bebo has extended the catalogue of digital music available to its users, by signing a deal with iTunes.

The partnership means users will be able to buy music directly from artists' profile pages, provided the artist also has an iTunes account.

Bebo has been encouraging musicians to create profile pages. The link up with iTunes will offer more incentive, given that they will now be able to sell their music directly through the social network.

Of the major social networks operating in the UK, MySpace has been the one most associated with music. But Bebo has put music at the forefront of its plans in recent months. In April Bebo hired ex-MTV executive Angel Gambino to lead its music strategy as VP for music. Since then it has hooked up with digital music provider 7 Digital to enable Bebo users to download music through profile pages.