Tower Records Selects Liquid Audio to Bring Digital Kiosks to Its Physical Retail Stores in the U.S.
Liquid Kiosk Network Enables Music Fans to Create Custom CDs In-Store
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Liquid Audio, Inc. (Nasdaq: LQID), a leading provider of software and services for the Internet delivery of music, today announced that Tower Records has selected Liquid Audio to supply digital kiosk solutions for its physical retail stores. Through the Liquid(TM) Kiosk Network, Tower Records customers can now preview and purchase music and create custom CDs from digital music kiosks right in the store. Tower Records debuted this new kiosk solution, based on Liquid Audio's technology, today at its flagship store in Berkeley, Calif. Tower Records is the first retailer in the United States to launch the Liquid Kiosk Network, joining International retailers The Music Company in Seoul, Korea, TopShop/TopMan stores in London, UK and Libro stores in Vienna and Graz, Austria already using the solution to create new retail environments for their customers.
(Photo: newscom.com )
"Being a Tower customer has always been a highly-interactive shopping experience, whether it's interacting with our knowledgeable and colorful staff, accessing our listening stations or reading our magazine, Pulse!" said Mike Farrace, senior vice president of Digital Sales and Marketing at Tower Records. "The Liquid Kiosk Network enables customers visiting our Berkeley store to select from a large selection of licensed songs and manufacture their own custom compilations and soon, out of print recordings. It's a great natural extension of our commitment to the world's most awesome record selection."
"This agreement expands our existing relationship with Tower Records, a well-respected leader in the music industry for its unique brand of retailing," said Paul Melnychuck, vice president of Sales and Business Development at Liquid Audio, Inc. "Tower chose Liquid Audio as their digital music technology provider for this launch because they have confidence in our ability to deliver a true click 'n' mortar approach to music retail technology and distribution. We have literally just begun in our quest to provide progressive retailers such as Tower, an integrated and cohesive retail environment."
The Liquid Kiosk Network extends Liquid Audio's music distribution system beyond the Internet and into the retail store, enabling retailers to sell digital music in-store to consumers on recordable CDs. The Liquid Kiosk Network solution includes consumer Kiosk Stations, a Cashier Station, a CD Factory and Liquid Server. The consumer Kiosk Stations include a user-friendly touch screen interface that allows music fans to browse virtual music inventory, listen to previews and make music selections. The Cashier Station -- also with a user-friendly touch screen interface -- enables store-personnel to process orders once payment is received. The CD Factory provides automated recording of CDs and printing of liner notes. The Liquid Server handles all rights reporting and securely stores all music and provides virtual fulfillment of a regularly updated catalog -- currently featuring music from over 1,500 labels and 9,800 artists -- that can be customized for each store location.
International retailers are already utilizing the Liquid Kiosk Network to create new retail environments for their customers. The Music Company in Korea opened in October 1999 and is the first all-kiosk music store in the world. Arcadia Group's TopShop clothing store in London introduced "Chemistry," a special section of the store featuring music kiosks in March 2000. Libro, one of Europe's largest music retailers, selected Liquid Audio to supply digital kiosk solutions for stores in Graz and Vienna.
Liquid Audio, Inc. is a leading provider of software and services for the digital delivery of music over the Internet. The Liquid Audio solution gives musicians, record labels, Web sites and music retailers the ability to publish, syndicate and securely sell recorded music online with copy protection and copyright management. Using the Liquid(TM) Player software, available for free download at www.liquidaudio.com, music fans can preview and purchase downloadable music from the more than 900 affiliate Web sites in the Liquid(TM) Music Network. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol LQID, Liquid Audio is located in Redwood City, California.
NOTE: Liquid, Liquid Audio, Inc., Liquid Audio, the Liquid Audio logo, Liquifier and Liquid Music are trademarks of Liquid Audio, Inc.
For more information about Liquid Audio software and services call 888-liquid-0 or visit liquidaudio.com .
SOURCE Liquid Audio, Inc.
CO: Liquid Audio, Inc.; Tower Records
ST: California
IN: ENT MLM CPR
SU: CON
09/18/2000 08:30 EDT prnewswire.com |
