RealNetworks, Warner Music Group and Trans World Entertainment Are Joining Forces to Market and Promote Music From Popular Artists on the Web
Popular Artists Jewel, Edwin McCain and Ol' Dirty Bastard, Among Those Featured in
Series of Promotions Available Exclusively through RealJukebox
And RealJukebox Plus and TWEC.com
SEATTLE, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- RealNetworks(R) (Nasdaq: RNWK), the recognized leader
in media delivery for the Internet, the Warner Music Group (NYSE: TWX) and TWEC.COM, the
e-commerce site of Trans World Entertainment (Nasdaq: TWMC), the leading U.S. music
retailer, announced today that the companies are working together to jointly market and
promote a series of popular artists from Warner Music Group labels including Warner
Brothers, Elektra, Atlantic Records and Maverick. Artists participating in the promotions
include Jewel, Edwin McCain, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Mint Condition, Gerald Levert and rising
star Vitamin C. The promotions, which will begin later this month, are designed to
develop compelling promotional and e-commerce opportunities for consumers of music on the
Web. All of the promotions will be available via secure download at TWEC.com
(http://www.twec.com ) through use of the RealJukebox(TM) Beta 2 version and RealJukebox
Plus(TM), with CD-quality audio, both of which were released today.
"We are pleased with the enhancements RealNetworks has made in the Beta 2 version of
the RealJukebox and the RealJukebox Plus. The enhancements provide a great consumer
experience while supporting the objectives of the Secure Digital Music Initiative," said
Paul Vidich, executive vice president, Warner Music Group. "Working with RealNetworks and
Trans World Entertainment on this series of promotions will provide the Warner Music
Group with valuable experience for effectively driving the market for digitally
distributed music over the Web."
"We are very pleased to be Warner's exclusive retail partner in this new initiative,"
said Robert J. Higgins, chairman and chief executive officer of Trans World
Entertainment. "This continues to strengthen our ongoing relationship with RealNetworks,
as well as to capitalize on our long standing partnership with the Warner Music Group. As
digital distribution of music continues to grow, Trans World is committed to utilizing
our strong relationships with the music community, the e-commerce community and our
customers to bring them the most advanced technology available."
"This initiative with Warner Music and Trans World Entertainment marks a significant
milestone in the development of the digital distribution market. We are thrilled to be
working closely with them to help develop a market that is compelling for consumers and
provides optimal e-commerce opportunities for labels and artists," said Rob Glaser,
chairman and CEO, RealNetworks, Inc. "With its millions of users and one-click access to
songs, RealJukebox provides the ideal system for artists, consumers, music labels and
retailers to interact."
RealJukebox Plus, with CD-quality audio, and the free Beta 2 version of RealJukebox
are the first digital music products to support secure drag and drop integration with
multiple portable devices, including the RCA LYRA, Creative Lab's NOMAD, Diamond Rio and
Philips' newly announced device. Released today, the new beta versions of RealJukebox and
RealJukebox Plus are also the first systems to support the broadest range of popular
downloadable music formats, including RealAudio(R), MP3, AT&T's a2b, IBM's EMMS and
Liquid Audio.
About Real Jukebox
With more than 7 million registered users since its release in May of this year,
RealJukebox is the first complete digital music product that gives consumers everything
they need to acquire, play and manage their personal music collections. RealJukebox turns
an Internet PC into the best way to listen to music by allowing consumers to listen to
their favorite music at their convenience, record CD collections to PC hard drives, find
and download music from the Internet, organize and personalize music collections and take
their music anywhere they wish through the use of portable devices. Both RealJukebox Plus
and RealJukebox now provide consumers with the ability to personalize the appearance of
the interface with a wide variety of skins. RealJukebox and RealJukebox Plus are
available for immediate download at www.realjukebox.com.
About RealJukebox Plus
RealJukebox Plus is the $29.99 enhanced version of RealJukebox and the only complete
digital music system with the ability to record and playback at CD quality -- up to 320
kbps, a 10-band graphic equalizer, and powerful new music management capabilities among
its many features. RealJukebox Plus is immediately available for purchase at
www.realjukebox.com.
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the recognized leader in streaming media
delivery for the Internet. It develops and markets software products and services
designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to
send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. RealNetworks
can be found on the World Wide Web at real.com.
About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group, which includes Atlantic, Elektra, Sire, Rhino, Warner Bros.
Records and Warner Music International as well as WEA Inc. and Warner/Chappell Music
Publishing, is a division of Time Warner Inc.
About The Web's Entertainment Center (twec.com)
TWEC.com is the online hub for Trans World Entertainment's retail stores. With
worldwide distribution spanning 16 countries in addition to the United States, the site
features all of the music CDs and cassettes, video games, DVD and VHS (PAL and NTSC) home
videos that are available at its retail stores, plus much more! TWEC.com is home to
Trans World's "On Stage" series, featuring live concerts, online chats, in-store artist
appearance schedules, in-studio performances and entertainment media that is on-demand.
About Trans World Entertainment Corporation
Trans World Entertainment is the leading music retailer in the United States,
operating 1,000 retail stores in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as
well as an e-commerce site, www.twec.com. Mall locations include Record Town, Camelot
Music, The Wall, Saturday Matinee and F.Y.E. Freestanding locations include Coconuts
Music and Movies, Strawberries Music, Spec's and Planet Music.
NOTE: RealNetworks, RealJukebox, RealJukebox Plus and RealAudio are trademarks or
registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. All other companies or products listed herein
are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
/CONTACT: press only, Jay Wampold of RealNetworks, Inc., 206-674-2295; or Jim Noonan
of Warner Music Group, 818-954-5489/
09:01 EDT |
