InsideSessions and Universal Music Publishing Group Partner on New Songwriting Program

Business Wire, March 27, 2002

Entertainment Editors & Music Writers

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 27, 2002

InsideSessions and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) have partnered to create a new educational program for aspiring songwriters. The program adds greater depth to InsideSessions' online and home video resources for people who want to get a foot in the door of the music business.

"InsideSessions is committed to breaking down barriers and helping talented and motivated people get a start in the music industry," said Lori Weintraub, president of InsideSessions, a distance learning joint venture between Universal Music Group and Penguin Putnam, Inc. "The program we've created with UMPG gives up-and-coming songwriters access to the wisdom and real-world insights of some of the most influential people in the music business today. Plus, we're offering an unprecedented opportunity to receive feedback from an A&R exec and to possibly get signed to a publishing deal."

InsideSessions' songwriting program includes the hour-long instructional video "Songwriting and Publishing: A Songwriter's Guide to Making it in the Music Business"; written feedback from a Universal Music Group A&R executive on a song submission; and an opportunity to receive a music publishing deal from UMPG. It is available for $49.95 and can be purchased at www.insidesessions.com.

The "Songwriting and Publishing" video features practical advice from 30 world-renowned songwriters, recording artists and music industry executives including Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Will Jennings, Gary Burr and Shep Crawford. It covers topics ranging from how to write a hit song, to what to look for in a music publishing company, to acquiring the necessary copyrights, to the fundamentals of mechanical royalties.

Songwriters who purchase the publishing program can submit one song and lyric sheet to Universal Music Group's A&R department for a written review. Each critique is specific to the submission and will offer constructive feedback on structure, originality and lyrics.

Universal's A&R department will choose the best songs InsideSessions receives before June 30, 2002 and will submit them to UMPG to review. Out of these selections, UMPG will award $1000 publishing deals to the top three songwriters.

"There are many resources available to aspiring songwriters, but only InsideSessions' programs deliver practical advice and actionable feedback straight from the biggest names in the business," added Universal Music Publishing Group worldwide president David Renzer. "We're pleased to be working with InsideSessions to discover and create real opportunities for the next generation of talented songwriters."

About InsideSessions

InsideSessions is a Los Angeles-based joint venture between Universal Music Group and Penguin Putnam, Inc. that combines education and entertainment to provide unique distance learning programs to people who aspire to break into the music or book publishing industries. Grounded in the belief that experience is the best teacher, InsideSessions' programs open industry doors to let aspiring musicians and authors learn from the collective real-world experiences of today's most influential artists and successful industry executives. The programs are available over the Internet and on DVD and home video.

About Universal Music Publishing Group

With 47 offices in 41 countries worldwide, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is part of the Universal Music Group and one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations. Owning or administering more than 850,000 copyrights, UMPG's writers and catalogues include: U2, Shania Twain, Ja Rule, Prince, Godsmack, Ice Cube, Mary J. Blige, The Corrs, Eve, Musiq Soulchild, Chemical Brothers, Jill Scott, Brian McKnight, No Doubt, Glen Ballard, Blink-182, 3 Doors Down, Everclear, The Beastie Boys, Anastacia, Westlife, Fatboy Slim, DMX, Fuel, Alanis Morissette, Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as Holland/Dozier/Holland, Leonard Bernstein and Henry Mancini.