12 Young Adults from across the Country Selected to Join Kanye West, Mark McGrath, Earth, Wind & Fire, and JD Natasha on First-Ever What's the Download Interactive Advisory Board

Business Wire, Feb 1, 2005

LOS ANGELES -- Board Members Convene for First Roundtable Between Music Fans and Music Makers on Feb. 12 During 47th GRAMMY(R) Awards Weekend, Spurring Dialogue on Digital Music and File-Swapping Issues

Designed to give a direct and influential voice to fans of digital music, What's The Download(R) (WTD) announced today the selection of members for the first What's The Download Interactive Advisory Board (WTDIAB). After a rigorous three-phase national selection process, garnering submissions from more than 25 states, the 12 members (young adults between the ages of 18-24) join Kanye West, Mark McGrath, Earth, Wind & Fire, and JD Natasha to serve as ambassadors of their peers and the music industry to generate a dialogue related to digital music and file-swapping issues. Additionally, the WTDIAB will serve as an ongoing industry resource to gather feedback and insight about what young people want from music in today's digital world.

"The Board represents a broad cross section of backgrounds and interests, but at their core, each of these young adults share a common thread: an unbridled passion for music and strong, intelligent opinions on the future of music production, delivery and acquisition in the digital age," said Neil Portnow, President of The Recording Academy(R). "We've learned through message boards on WhatsTheDownload.com that dialogue has been the missing link between music makers and the consumer for quite some time. This Board is designed to serve to address that need, and we look forward to sharing our learnings throughout the year. We are also thrilled that our honorary members -- music makers who are committed to music education and creation -- are taking an active role in this very important initiative."

The Board (members and honorary members) will convene initially during the 47th Annual GRAMMY(R) Awards weekend to participate in an inaugural interactive roundtable on Feb. 12 at Staples Center. Moderated by Daryl Friedman, Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations for The Recording Academy, the Advisory Board members will initiate a dialogue focused on developing a platform to bring solutions to the industry and consumers regarding file-swapping issues. Additionally, these young adults will have further opportunity to be seen and heard as active contributors to www.WhatsTheDownload.com, and "The Download" quarterly e-newsletter, as well as attend other music-related events throughout the year.

The Board:

--Matthew Annerino (22), Chicago, Ill.

--Jill Apelgren (24), Boston, Mass.

--Bahareh Batmanghelidj (22), Los Angeles, Calif.

--Brittany Frey (22), Murfreesboro, Tenn.

--Andy Guerrero (23), Denver, Colo.

--Robbie Halperin (22), Murfreesboro, Tenn.

--Joy Mitchell (19), Los Angeles, Calif.

--Christie Osborne (19), San Diego, Calif.

--Brian Vickers (18), Washington, D.C.

--Spencer Williams (23), Miami, Fla.

--David Wurzburg (23), San Francisco, Calif.

--Katherine Zimmerman (19), Philadelphia, Pa.

Added Portnow, "The response we've seen from What's The Download has been outstanding, and since launching at last year's GRAMMY Awards, we've learned an important lesson: online is good, but real life is better. What's The Download is addressing a need and desire for the digital music community to interact and have their voices heard -- making significant and ongoing contributions to the future of music. Now, we are bringing the online interaction to life, creating bridges between music fans and music makers on the issue of illegal file-swapping."

Media Opportunity:

If you are interested in attending the first Interactive Advisory Board Roundtable on Feb. 12, 2005 at 3 p.m. in Los Angeles, please contact WTD immediately at elisa.wiefel@edelman.com or 323-202-1069. Space is limited.

About the Selection Process for the WTDIAB

Because What's The Download believes this board will prove to be extremely important to the future of music, the application process was rigorous and thorough. After an online application was submitted, judges, including industry insiders, music-makers, and Academy members, selected nearly 70 semifinalists to participate in the video portion of the process. Upon receipt of the video entries, the judges narrowed the search even further by having the last finalists participate in phone interviews. In the end, 12 final applicants have a seat on the Board and two alternates have been selected to fill the role if an original member cannot fulfill his/her obligations. To find out more about the WTD Interactive Advisory Board log onto www.WhatsTheDownload.com.

About What's The Download

What's The Download is a comprehensive, research-based public education campaign designed by The Recording Academy to address the value of paying for music. Designed to empower consumers to make informed decisions regarding how they get their music, the campaign focuses on offering comprehensive and understandable information about downloading. Additionally, the campaign encourages the use of legal options for obtaining entertainment content and ultimately serves as a key source of information for music lovers. The research-based campaign, designed to complement other current industry campaigns, includes an educational Web site, public service announcements, local market activities and more.