Universal Music Enterprises Premieres 'Playlist Your Way':

Universal Music Enterprises Premieres 'Playlist Your Way': New Greatest Hits Packages From Classic Artists Combine Digital Downloads With Physical Product

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) updates the "greatest hits album" concept for the digital age with "Playlist Your Way," a first-of-its-kind physical/digital hybrid for the music industry. Each eco-friendly package in the series features a new greatest hits CD from a classic Universal Music Group artist plus a digital download card offering access to a free biographical "podcast" about that artist and a special music download offer.

"'Playlist Your Way' satisfies both the recommendation and customization demands of consumers," said Mike Davis, General Manager and Executive VP, UMe. "You get an amazing greatest hits album and uniquely presented information about the artist and then you're introduced to other repertoire from that artist--and all at a great value."

Spanning genres from pop, rock, and soul to blues and country, as well as several labels, including Motown, MCA Nashville, Geffen, Mercury, and Polydor, "Playlist Your Way" debuts with the release of 15 titles. Issued are newly compiled, full-length compilations (12-14 tracks) from the Allman Brothers Band, B.B. King, Diana Ross, Etta James, James Brown, Jodeci, K-Ci & Jojo, KISS, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marvin Gaye, Patsy Cline, Stevie Wonder, Sublime, The Temptations, and Johnny Cash.

The biographical download brings alive the artist's history, including archival interviews and commentary from journalists, friends and family members. Each audio documentary runs approximately 15 minutes. "CD booklets are too one-dimensional for the Internet age where fans have endless amounts of information at their fingertips," noted Davis. "A free podcast included as part of each purchase is just one of the ways we see the CD booklet of old evolving." Even the packaging for "Playlist Your Way" has been designed to be digital friendly, with more color and new impactful designs.

The download card also features two digital music offers related to that artist: Consumers may choose six additional tracks and/or a full-length original studio album. With "Playlist Your Way," fans can complete their own "greatest hits album" or their music collection for that artist with physical product and/or digital downloads.

Said Steve Wengert, VP, Sales, for UMe: "'Playlist Your Way' encourages the CD customer to step into the digital world and shows them the advantages in selection and price with our downloadable music. No other music offering package out there delivers a sort of digital test drive like 'Playlist Your Way.'"

Other artists and packages in the "Playlist Your Way" series will be announced in the near future.

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Source: Universal Music Enterprises


CONTACT: Sujata Murthy of Universal Music Enterprises, +1-310-865-7812,
sujata.murthy@umusic.com

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