``Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing'' With The Singing Machine Company and Motown Originals

Business Wire, March 21, 2003

Business Editors

COCONUT CREEK, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2003

-- Singing Machine CD+G's Featuring Original Hits Performed by Legendary Motown Artists and Motown-Branded Juke Box Scheduled for Summer Launch

-- Singing Machine is First in Karaoke Industry to Feature Original Artists on Music Software

The Singing Machine Company (AMEX:SMD), a leading manufacturer and distributor of home electronic karaoke equipment, karaoke music and related audio products, announced today that legendary Motown recording artists, including Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Temptations, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and The Jackson 5, will be featured on Singing Machine CD+G's (CD with graphics). A summer launch is planned for the "Motown Originals" software and Motown-branded Karaoke Juke Box as part of the Company's domestic merchandise license agreement with Universal Music Enterprises and Motown Record Company, divisions of Universal Music Group.

"Using original artists and their hit songs on our CD+G's is a first for Singing Machine and the Karaoke industry. Motown clearly is the music industry's most recognizable brand name. Their legendary artists and unforgettable hits, like the classic 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing' sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, open the door to a large, untapped demographic segment with substantial growth potential. The 'Motown Sound' is a one-of-a-kind music experience that is recognized by virtually everyone who grew up on pop music in the '60s and '70s. The driving beat of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas' 'Dancing in the Street,' the delicate harmonies of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' 'Ooh Baby Baby' and the pulsating rhythm of Diana Ross & the Supremes' 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' will never be duplicated. We believe that our new Motown-branded Karaoke Juke Box and 'Motown Originals' CD+G's will be a hit with young and middle-aged adults who remember these hits, as well as many teenagers who may be introduced to these memorable songs that continue to shape the musical landscape," said John Klecha, Chief Operating Officer.

"The electronics merchandise market represents a terrific opportunity for the Motown brand to enter a totally new arena. Motown and The Singing Machine are a perfect fit to bring these legendary recording artists and their original hits to an untapped group of music lovers through this innovative merchandising program," said Kojo Bentil, Senior Vice President, Motown Record Company.

"The addition of the CD+G program using original Motown artists is a natural extension of the underlying Motown Karaoke Juke Box license. The combined jukebox and CD+G programs should make for an unbeatable presence, and we're very happy to be working with the industry leading Singing Machine Company in making this happen," said Andy Richmond, Vice President, Stronghold Group, who orchestrated the overall Motown - Singing Machine license.

The Motown-branded Karaoke Juke Box and "Motown Originals" CD's+Graphics will be distributed through leading mass merchandisers, discount merchandisers, warehouse clubs, specialty stores, department stores, toy stores, e-commerce, catalogs and direct to consumer sales, music stores, outlet malls and video stores.

About The Stronghold Group

Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Stronghold Group is the nation's premier entertainment brand management firm, representing artist, athlete, and entertainment property in the areas of brand management, licensing, merchandising, commercial sponsorships and endorsements, professional representation, event packaging and proprietary product development. Stronghold's services provide artists and entertainment properties with tremendous brand building and brand extension opportunities, in addition to lucrative sources of long-term, ancillary income. The Stronghold Group currently works with music artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Linkin Park, Nelly, Korn, and KISS; entertainment and lifestyle brands such as Motown and Playboy; models and athletes.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly-owned record operations or licensees in 63 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations.

Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Record Company, Deutsche Grammophon, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, MCA Nashville, MCA Records, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Philips, Polydor, Universal Music Latino, Universal Records, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Strategic Marketing and Commercial Affairs (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technology division.