Mintmark, which specializes in wireless brands and ringtones, has obtained an exclusive franchise to market the latest fad in Israel “The Annoying Thing”, popularly known worldwide as the “Crazy Frog” ringtone. Crazy Frog was launched in October 2003 as an underground enterprise before the wireless world discovered it. It quickly broke ringtone download records, with millions of fans adoring the image and its annoying ding-dong ring.
Crazy Frog is the first wireless media brand, and is the fastest growing brand worldwide. Whereas a song often turns into a ringtone, in the case of Crazy Frog, the ringtone has become a song (sampled from the “Beverly Hills Cop” theme song), conquering the European and Israeli hit parades. Since the consumer launch of the brand, over 500,000 items of clothing, 100,000 posters, and 600,000 singles of the music have been sold in the UK alone.
Mintmark CEO Noam Wolf said, “It’s very hard to surprise and innovate in the world of youth brands. Crazy Frog attracts youths because it has the right attitude. They love the character’s cynicism and humor. Our commercial rights include textiles, toys, and accessories, areas in which Crazy Frog is especially suited.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 18, 2005