Britney Spears' World Debut of `Boys -Co-Ed Remix-' From Austin Powers in Goldmember Streamed 1.35 Million Times in 24 Hours, Smashing AOL Music's Previous `First Listen' Records

Business Wire, June 13, 2002

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2002

America Online, Inc. the world's leading interactive services company, and Maverick Records today announced that the exclusive premiere of "Boys(Co-Ed Remix)," the new single from Britney Spears featuring Pharell from N.E.R.D., was streamed more than 1.35 million times by AOL members and Web music fans around the world in just one day on AOL Music, setting the new record for an AOL Music "First Listen." The song's original version debuted on Britney's self-titled 2001 album and has been remixed for the highly anticipated motion picture Austin Powers in Goldmember, which also includes a cameo from Britney. The Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack will be in stores Tuesday, July 16 and the film opens nationwide Friday, July 26. The Britney "First Listen'" was available exclusively to AOL members and Web music fans on Monday, June 10, two days prior to the song's public release.

"We are thrilled to continue to offer AOL members and Web music fans access to never-before-heard music from artists like Britney Spears," said Kevin Conroy, SVP and General Manager of AOL Music. "Together with the single, 'Work It Out' from Beyonce Knowles, we have offered fans an advanced look into the music of one of the biggest upcoming films of the summer, Austin Powers in Goldmember. Britney's record-breaking debut on 'First Listen' clearly demonstrates her overwhelming popularity among music fans around the world, as well as the development of the Web as the premiere place for fans to go to hear music first. This hugely successful promotion also serves as further evidence of AOL Music's ability to create tremendous exposure for a wide range of artists."

"AOL Music's 'First Listen' program provides a great way to promote new music and drive excitement for an album's release," said Jeremy Welt, New Media, Maverick Recording Co. "As part of our efforts to build anticipation for the Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack, debuting two of the singles including Britney Spears' 'Boys' remix enabled us to reach a massive audience in a very short period of time. We were blown away by the incredible response to Britney's single!"

"First Listen" is a popular new feature that gives AOL members and Web music fans the chance to hear new singles on demand, in their entirety, before they can be heard anywhere else. Britney's debut follows on the heels of recent "First Listen" successes including Nelly, Jay-Z, David Bowie, P. Diddy, Moby, Alanis Morissette, Brandy, Will Smith and Wyclef Jean. "Boys(Co-Ed Remix)" is available at AOL Keyword: First Listen on AOL and AOL High Speed Broadband services; on AOL's Web Properties including Netscape, AOL(r) Instant Messenger(TM), AIM Today and CompuServe. In addition, "Boys(Co-Ed Remix)" is available across AOL's international services including AOL in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Australia and Canada.

About AOL Music:

AOL Music, a division of America Online, Inc., reaches the largest audience of online music fans in the world through a rich array of programming products and services that make it easy to discover, experience, listen to and buy music online. AOL Music's leading offerings include the number one Internet music destination, AOL's Music Channel; premier online radio products, Radio@AOL and Radio@Netscape powered by Spinner; the most popular audio jukebox player, Winamp, and Webcaster directory, SHOUTcast. AOL Music programming, products and services are available throughout the AOL Service, AOL High Speed Broadband Service, and AOL's family of Web brands, including Netscape, CompuServe, AIM and ICQ. America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: AOL). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.