Burger King Corporation Inks Deal With Backstreet Boys

Burger King Corporation (BKC) today announced an exclusive promotion with Backstreet Boys, which will include an unprecedented CD and video offer this year and exclusive title sponsorship of the group's Fall 2000 tour.

While terms of the contract were not disclosed, BKC marketing executives said the exclusive CD and video tie-in will feature an advance single from the group's upcoming album as well as five previously recorded but never-before released live songs. In addition, a video with new backstage footage and personal interviews with the Backstreet Boys--Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean And Kevin Richardson--will be sold exclusively at BURGER KING(R) restaurants.

The CD and video promotion is scheduled for the August-September 2000 time frame and will only be available at BURGER KING(r). The Backstreet Boys forthcoming Jive album is scheduled for an October 2000 release.

"Burger King Corporation has redefined the fast food segment with the introduction of the BURGER KING BIG KIDS MEAL(tm). Now we are creating a whole new innovative category of promotions geared towards teens and young adults with this cutting-edge CD and video offer," said Richard Taylor, vice president, USA Marketing, "This is the first musical CD promotion ever undertaken by the fast food giant on a national basis."

"We are excited about teaming with Burger King for this promotion," said the Backstreet Boys. "This offers us an opportunity to be associated with the only fast food brand that lets our fans 'have it their way.'"

"We are always looking for exciting, innovative entertainment tie-ins that will delight our customers each and every day. The Backstreet Boys deliver on all fronts," Taylor said. "As the #1 group in the world, we are thrilled to bring the Backstreet Boys music to our customers."

Burger King Corporation and its franchisees operate more than 10,700 restaurants in all 50 states and 55 countries and international territories around the world, with more than 92% of BURGER KING(r) restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees. Since the company's founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING(r) brand has become recognized for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY(r) food customization. In fiscal year 1999, the BURGER KING(r) system has system-wide sales of $10.9 billion. Burger King Corporation is a part of Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the international food and drinks company, that includes such brands as Pillsbury, Häagen Dazs, and Guinness. To learn more about the BURGER KING(r) system, please visit the company's website at http://www.burgerking.com.

The BACKSTREET BOYS' latest album, MILLENNIUM, has sold more than 28 million worldwide and has already spent over 33 weeks on Billboard's "Top 200 albums" (the majority of it in the Top Ten). The Backstreet Boys--presently recognized as the biggest pop group in the world, having received gold and platinum awards in 45 countries--MILLENNIUM album was recently honored with five Grammy nominations: "Album of the Year" and "Best Pop Album" for the ten-times platinum MILLENNIUM album; as well as "Record of the Year," "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal" and "Song of the Year" (a songwriter's award) for "I Want It That Way," the LP's first single.