America Online and Sony Music Team to Provide Online Access On Sony Music CDs

Business Wire, Nov 10, 1997

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1997--America Online and Sony Music announced Monday an agreement for Sony Music to include AOL's online service software on select Sony Music titles in the United States and Canada.

The first Sony Music CDs to include the AOL software will be Michael Bolton's "All That Matters" and Celine Dion's "Let's Talk About Love."

Consumers with CD-ROM drive and modem-equipped computers who are not already members can register with AOL and receive an initial 50 hours of AOL services for free. Through AOL, consumers can access exclusive multimedia content ranging from games to news, sports and chat rooms.

They also have the ability to connect directly to artists' websites via the AOL service which uses Microsoft's Internet Explorer as its default browser. Once on the Internet, they can view a wide array of music-related web sites containing information, photographs, and videos featuring the artist whose CD they have purchased.

"This agreement with Sony Music demonstrates the power of co-branding in the interactive medium," said Bob Pittman, president and CEO of AOL Networks. "When consumers purchase an audio CD the experience ends at their stereo. Sony Music CDs with AOL software will expand the entire experience by providing music consumers with more -- including music videos and information."

"Through this agreement with AOL, Sony Music continues its commitment to including multimedia and Internet access on CDs -- something we started over three years ago," said Fred Ehrlich, senior vice president, general manager, New Technology and Business Development for Sony Music Entertainment.

"We know that many music fans are curious about what online services and the Internet are about, and through this association we can offer music consumers greater value by providing them with an easy way to access and explore the entertainment and information resources available through AOL."

AOL Networks oversees the America Online consumer network, the world's most popular Internet online service with more than 9 million members.

Founded in 1985, AOL offers its subscribers a wide variety of interactive services including electronic mail, Instant Message features, entertainment, reference, financial information, computing support, interactive magazines and newspapers, as well as easy access to all the services of the Internet.

Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (SMEI) is a leading global producer, manufacturer, and marketer of recorded music and video. SMEI encompasses Sony Music (the U.S. recording company); Sony Music International (active in 60 countries); and Sony Classical, the worldwide classical music, film and video division.

CONTACT: America Online

Janine Dunne, 703/265-3283, 703/265-3286

or

Sony Music Entertainment

Lisa Gephardt, 212/833-5047