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BERLIN (Reuters) - Sony Corp. next week will launch a marketing blitz in Europe for its new Connect music download store, its latest effort to derail the runaway momentum of Apple Computer's iTunes service.

The Japanese consumer electronics giant said on Thursday it would heavily promote the Connect service in new advertisements for four Walkman products, including the recently launched NW-HD1 hard disc player.

Also, Sony said its second wave of European expansion is still on track for later this year as the battle for Europe's Web-savvy music fans intensifies.

On Wednesday, Apple said it would announce a series of new European markets next month that would enable music fans in most of Western Europe to buy song downloads from iTunes.

The rivals chose to announce their expansion plans at the Popkomm music trade show in the German capital.

The event has expanded focus in recent years from a talent-finding occasion to a more high-tech affair as the industry seeks to find new formats such as downloads, mobile phone ring tones and DVDs to substitute falling CD sales.

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Source: Reuters