AOL Members are 'Infatuated' With Christina Aguilera as Her First Listen Scores a Record Breaking 1.98 Million Streams in 24 Hours On AOL Music

Business Wire, Oct 22, 2002

Entertainment Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2002

#1 First Listen Debut Leads Successful Online Campaign For Christina's New Album, Stripped, With Streams From Across AOL Music Totaling Over

8 Million

America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today announced that the exclusive premiere of "Infatuation," an unreleased song from Christina Aguilera's new album, Stripped, was streamed over 1.98 million times in 24 hours on AOL Music. Members weighed in enthusiastically with nearly 90% of those who voted, rating the song awesome or good.

This one day total for a First Listen surpasses the previous record held by Britney Spears for "Boys (Co-ed Remix)," from the Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack, which was streamed 1.35 million times in 24 hours. Starting today, "Infatuation" will be available exclusively for another 48 hours on AOL's other web properties including Netscape, CompuServe and AIM Today in addition to remaining on Keyword: First Listen on AOL Music.

"This was a rewarding and exciting opportunity for us to participate in AOL Music's First Listen -- as this has become such an important tool for marketing new songs. It enabled us to gauge early reactions through AOL's wide audience and to offer something completely fresh to people's ears without a record in the stores," said Jon Salter, Director Online Marketing at RCA. "In the case of 'Infatuation,' we are thrilled by the overwhelming positive response from AOL's members and hope this translates into significant record sales."

Bill Wilson, Vice President and General Manager of AOL Music, said, "Through First Listen, we give our members the opportunity to hear the hottest songs from today's biggest artists before anyone else. And with incredible results like Christina Aguilera's one day total of nearly two million streams, we know members are embracing the Internet as their primary music medium more than ever. We look forward to bringing our members and Web music fans even more opportunities to experience Christina and her music and connect with fans in a totally unique way."

In the last six weeks, Christina's music and videos have been streamed over 8 million times across AOL Music including the "Infatuation" First Listen and audio and video streams of "Dirrty." This programming is part of a comprehensive marketing plan for Christina's new album, Stripped, which will be in stores Tuesday, October 29. The plan also includes an exclusive full album Listening Party on October 28 and a Sessions@AOL interview and performance that will debut in the coming month.

Launched in December 2001, AOL Music's First Listen program has emerged as a premier outlet for music's hottest stars to exclusively debut their new songs. From Bruce Springsteen to Nelly, First Listen lets music fans hear new songs from their favorite artists before they are available anywhere else. First Listen offers artists an opportunity to reach an unmatched global audience through AOL Keyword: First Listen, as well as AOL Music's network of music sites on Netscape (www.music.netscape.com), AOL Instant Messenger's AIM Today, ICQ and CompuServe, as well as AOL's international affiliates in countries around the world.

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 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.