(11 February 2008 4:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Musician-producer-songwriter Dave Stewart is joining forces with the new Nokia Entertainment and Communities business group, to create the Nokia Artists' Advisory Council.

The council is tasked with helping to create an artist-friendly environment inside the company, ensuring that the artists' point of view is represented in creating new content business paradigms.

Nokia Entertainment and Communities business group executive VP Tero Ojanpera says, "Dave is a truly rare figure in the entertainment industry.

"His ability to integrate new thinking and technological innovation into the creative process makes him the perfect person to join our team and help us move our entertainment properties into a new era of interactivity and community collaboration."

Stewart says, "As mobile devices and the world of entertainment have converged, the proposition of working with Nokia is very exciting.

"My first project with Nokia will focus on sharing my experience as a musician, songwriter and producer to help move our industries forward together, as digital entertainment expands its reaches through new technologies."

"This will also be a great forum for the artists participating to explore how technology is being leveraged to help support the causes that many of them care so deeply about."

Over time, the distinguished group of artists, musicians and producers plans to expand.

Through a series of events, the group will also serve as a think tank to explore the convergence of the creative process and social responsibility with the innovations in the world of technology.

Described by fellow musician, friend and collaborator Bob Dylan as a "fearless innovator," Stewart is known in the industry for pushing the boundaries of thinking in music, video, art and community building.

He will advise Nokia on a variety of strategic programmes.