MAJOR
AND INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS UNVEIL DUALDISC TO RETAILERS
EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group,
Warner Music Group and 5.1 Entertainment Group/Silverline Records
Unveil New Music Product That Combines CD and DVD Content on
One Disc
NARM, SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 24, 2004 - A consortium of record
labels, including EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal
Music Group, Warner Music Group and 5.1 Entertainment Group/Silverline
Records, today announced plans to introduce DualDisc, a new
music product. DualDisc is a
two-sided disc made up of a CD on one side and a DVD on the
other. In addition to a full album on the CD side, the DVD side
provides the full album in enhanced sound (such as Surround
Sound and/or DVD-Audio or LPCM stereo), and also includes a
wide range of special features such as music videos, interviews,
photo galleries, web links, concert footage and lyrics.
"DualDisc represents a dramatic expansion of the music
entertainment experience," commented Andrew Lack, CEO,
Sony BMG Music Entertainment. "By combining video, surround
sound and web connectivity in a single disc, we are presenting
our artists with a broader palette to express their creative
vision, while at the same time giving consumers what they told
us they want - greater value driven by unique content that brings
them closer to the artist. We're confident that this ground-breaking
new initiative will help
to re-energize traditional music retail."
"We are delighted to be offering the first in a series
of DualDisc titles," stated Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO
of Universal Music Group. "By combining music, video, interactivity
and portability in a single disc, DualDisc will add an exciting
new dimension to the consumer's musical experience."
"DualDisc is an exciting new product that's limited only
by the artist's imagination. We're confident that the ubiquity
of CDs combined with the multimedia experience of DVDs on a
single disc provides consumers an entirely new level of musical
enjoyment," said Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Chairman and CEO,
Warner Music Group.
Although DualDisc creates a new music experience, it does not
require new equipment. DualDisc is compatible with nearly any
device that can currently play a CD or a DVD-whether a home
stereo system, portable disc player, car stereo, game console
or PC.
DualDisc has already received an impressive response from consumers
in test markets conducted earlier this year. Those who purchased
the DualDisc said it is a compelling new product which met or
exceeded their expectations. In addition, 90 percent of consumers
said they would recommend DualDisc to a friend and 82 percent
said they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with
DualDisc.
"DualDisc is a compelling new product; a proposition that
we believe will help drive sales," said Don Van Cleave,
President of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores.
Artists are also singing the praises of DualDisc because it
allows them to create in exciting new ways. Five For Fighting
Lead Singer John Ondrasik said, "For those who are interested
in the thoughts behind the music and its making, the DualDisc
is a unique window into 'The Battle For Everything' and allows
me to be able to present my album musically and visually, all
on one disc." Five for Fighting's "The Battle for
Everything," currently available on CD, will be one of
the albums released on DualDisc.
"Dual Disc opens a new, exciting creative dimension for
artists to express themselves and connect with fans. It's an
entertainment-packed product and is a big step in our effort
to give fans music whenever, however and wherever they want
it," said David Munns, Chairman and CEO EMI Music North
America.
DualDiscs will be available beginning in October 2004. All of
the
participating record labels plan to offer an increasing number
of DualDisc products, including a range of frontline and catalog
releases. The labels made today's announcement to retailers
at the annual convention for the National Association of Recording
Merchandisers (NARM) taking place in San Diego.
Additional Comments About DualDisc
"Our labels, artists and their management are extremely
excited about the introduction of DualDisc. The video component
allows us to include unique, intimate making-of and behind-the-scenes
video footage, expanding the relationships between fans and
artists," commented Don Ienner, President, Sony Music U.S.
"This is a great move for artists, fans and retailers alike,
and we look forward to rolling out new and innovative releases
that take
full advantage of DualDisc's expanded capabilities." "DualDisc
is an exciting product for independent labels. It provides a
window into new and up and coming artists for whom getting close
to their fans is a critical success factor. DualDisc also provides
a means to invigorate classic titles with fresh and compelling
content," said John Trickett, Chairman and CEO, 5.1 Entertainment
Group/Silverline Records
"DualDisc is an exciting new product and may be the perfect
solution for the music business as we seek to add value to our
product and become more
competitive with the other segments of home entertainment,"
said Randy Miller, Executive Vice President, Virgin Records
America, Inc.About EMI Music EMI Music is the world's largest
independent record company, operating in 50 countries around
the world. Its record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue
Note, Capitol, EMI, EMI Classics, Manhattan, Mute, Parlophone
and
Virgin.
About 5.1 Entertainment Group/Silverline Records
The 5.1 Entertainment Group owns the immergent, Silverline and
Myutopia record labels, 5.1 Production Services and 5.1 Music
Publishing. The company is a recognized leader in the audio/visual
production, release and marketing of music in the DVD format.
In addition to having released the largest catalog of DVD music
worldwide, 5.1 Entertainment Group has mixed and produced projects
for Norah Jones, Usher, Britney Spears, Eminem, R. Kelly, Janet
Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Sting, Eminem, Herbie Hancock, Dishwalla,
Alice Cooper, Everclear, Hanson, Robbie Williams, Queen, Yanni
and Aaron Neville to name a few.
About Sony BMG Music Entertaiment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment is a global recorded music joint
venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad
array of both local artists and international superstars, as
well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important
recordings in history. Sony BMG Music Entertainment is 50% owned
by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.
About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group, with its broad roster of new stars and legendary
artists, is the world's largest privately held independent music
company. The company is home to a collection of the best-known
record labels in the music industry including Atlantic, Elektra,
Lava, Maverick, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Sire, Warner Bros.
and Word. Warner Music International, a leading company in national
and international repertoire operates through 37 affiliates
and numerous licensees in more than 50 countries. Warner Music
Group also includes Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's
leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million
copyrights worldwide. For more information about Warner Music
Group, visit our corporate website at http://www.wmg.com.
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world's largest music company with
wholly owned record operations or licensees in 71 countries.
Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group,
one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations.
Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Record
Company, Deutsche Grammophon, DreamWorks Records, Interscope
Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway
Records, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records,
Philips, Polydor, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Records
Group, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record
labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries
around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive
catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through
two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the
U.S.) and Strategic Marketing & Commercial Affairs (outside
the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new
media and technologies division.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi Universal, a global
media and communications company.
|
|
|
|
