Chico's and Pazo Stores Accessorized with Branded Music From PlayNetwork; Unique In-store Soundtracks Crafted To Enhance The Customer Shopping Experience

Business Wire, Sept 8, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 2003

PlayNetwork Inc.'s branded music programming service and playback technology are enabling Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS) to treat customers to a casual jazz and sophisticated pop music experience that uniquely characterizes the Chico's and Pazo brands, PlayNetwork announced today.

As one of the fastest-growing national retailers of women's fashions, Chico's was searching for a new in-store music solution that could specifically brand its 405 Chico's outlets and 10 Pazo stores. Chico's turned to PlayNetwork for its professional and collaborative approach to creating music mixes, and for technological advantages that allow for targeted, brand-specific music programs.

"Chico's serves fashion-minded women with very sophisticated tastes, and PlayNetwork was the only service provider that offered an efficient way for us to find and feature music that specifically matches their interests," said Stephanie Picone, Director of Visual Presentation for Chico's.

Chico's music consists of a unique combination of adult pop, 60's pop, cool jazz and foreign vocals, developed cooperatively between Chico's marketing team and PlayNetwork's music programming experts. PlayNetwork uses a powerful, proprietary music management engine to sort and select through hundreds of thousands of licensed original songs to create exclusive and unique music mixes for the Chico's and Pazo brands.

"Collaboratively working to develop unique in-store music soundtracks is clearly becoming more of a recognized marketing strategy that resonates with premium brands such as Chico's, and PlayNetwork is pleased to offer the technology and creative resources that facilitate this level of service for businesses of all size," said Stephen Dorsey, PlayNetwork's VP of Marketing and Creative.

About PlayNetwork

Based in Redmond, Washington, PlayNetwork Inc. produces creative entertainment solutions for businesses worldwide including Abercrombie & Fitch, Chipotle, dELiA*s, Houlihan's Restaurants, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Levi Strauss & Co., TGI Friday's, The Finish Line, The Picture People and Starbucks Coffee Company. PlayNetwork collaborates with each business to deliver unique entertainment programs and audio/video systems that entice customers and improve the in-store quality of experience. PlayNetwork partners with major record labels and media production houses to access millions of original artist songs and videos as well as creative talent for the production of original video content or messaging programs. PlayNetwork stands behind its work with a customer-satisfaction guarantee and award-winning A/V quality-assurance standards. More information is available at www.playnetwork.com.