From the Television and Movie Screens to the Pop Music Scene, Hilary Duff Debuts New Song on AOL Music's First Listen

Business Wire, June 27, 2003

Entertainment Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2003

Duff, Dido and Evanescence Turn to AOL to Premiere New Songs and Video

Versatile teen sensation Hilary Duff has already conquered television and the movies as "Lizzie McGuire." Having already lent her vocal talent to the Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack, the 15 year-old star is now taking aim at the world of pop music with the premiere of a brand-new song, "So Yesterday," exclusively on AOL Music's award-winning First Listen. Available today at AOL Keyword: First Listen, the song is the first single off of Duff's highly anticipated forthcoming debut album Metamorphosis, set for release on August 26.

"Hilary Duff is a rising music talent with an immense fan base. I'm genuinely excited to be a part of her transformation from a television and movie star into a musical phenomenon by offering 'So Yesterday' as a First Listen," stated Evan Harrison, vice president and general manager of AOL Music. "By offering 'So Yesterday' as a First Listen, we are able to offer AOL members the first taste of what we believe will be a major album, while introducing her as a serious artist to people that may only know her as an actress."

Duff made her singing debut with the single "I Can't Wait" on the Lizzie McGuire soundtrack from Walt Disney Records. The song quickly catapulted up the charts on Radio Disney and the album was certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. last December. She followed her successful debut with the release of her own Christmas-themed album, Santa Claus Lane, by Walt Disney Records, featuring duets with R&B/pop recording artist Christina Milian and with hip-hop artist Lil' Romeo. In addition, she was chosen to perform "The Tiki Tiki Room" on the Disneymania album. The Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack entered the Billboard soundtrack charts at #1 and was recently certified Platinum.

This weekend, AOL Music will also premiere new firsts from female-fronted hard rockers Evanescence and British chanteuse Dido. Also today, Evanescence will unveil their latest video for "Going Under" before it is available anywhere else, including TV. The song appears on the band's double-platinum selling album Fallen. The video will be available exclusively for AOL members for four days at AOL KW: First View.

Rounding out a women's weekend, Dido will exclusively premiere her latest song, "White Flag," on First Listen on Sunday, June 29. The song is the first single from Life for Rent, the highly anticipated follow-up to her multi-platinum debut album No Angel, scheduled for release September 30. "White Flag" will be available as an AOL member exclusive for 24 hours at AOL KW: First Listen.

The First Listen program represents the first time in the history of the music business that songs from the most popular artists debut on any media outlet other than radio or TV. In just a year since the program's launch, AOL members have had the first opportunity to hear more than 75 exclusive world premieres from top artists across music genres, including songs from some of the most popular albums of the year and artists like Bruce Springsteen, Nelly, and Christina Aguilera-whose song was streamed nearly 2 million times in one day.

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 offerings are available at the number one Internet music destination, the AOL Music Channel, and throughout the AOL service, AOL Broadband Services and AOL's family of Web brands including Netscape, CompuServe, AIM, ICQ, Spinner, Winamp and SHOUTcast. 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.