SONY BMG MUSIC CANADA LAUNCHES PLATINUM MUSICPASS
Digital Album Cards Deliver High Quality Files That Are Compatible With All MP3 Players
Roll Out in Canada Begins On January 29th With 23 Titles At Launch, Including Current Releases From Superstar Artists
Retailers Participating At Launch To Include
Best Buy, CD Plus, Future Shop, Shoppers Drug Mart and Wal-Mart. HMV To Follow, Spring 2008
MusicPass Debuts In The United States On January 15, 2008
Toronto, ON – January 7, 2008 -- SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC. today announced the launch of Platinum MusicPass, a series of digital album cards that enable consumers to download full-length albums, and in many cases special bonus content, in the form of high-quality MP3 files. The first 23 titles in the series, which represent musical genres ranging from Rock and Pop to R&B and Country, will debut on January 29th, 2008 and by Spring 2008, MusicPass will be available at 1,475 retail outlets across Canada. MusicPass will debut on January 15, 2008 in the United States.
"The introduction of MusicPass is an important part of SONY BMG's ongoing campaign to bring its artists' music to fans in new and innovative ways, and to develop compelling new business models," commented Thomas Hesse, President, Global Digital Business & U.S. Sales, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. "The MP3 files delivered through MusicPass play on computers, as well as on all MP3 players, including iPods. This makes them a simple, easy to use solution that will appeal to fans who already access their music on the Internet, as well as to consumers who are just getting into the digital realm.”
“We believe that the marketplace will support a broad variety of products and configurations, and that the MusicPass model will provide more options for the physical retailer, at the same time, further developing the legitimate digital music market,” commented Neil Foster, Co-President, SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC. “MusicPass is an innovative step in our ongoing commitment to provide the consumer with the music they want, in every accessible form. Through the enthusiastic support of our retail partners, we've been able to extend the U.S. launch of MusicPass to Canada.”
"We've introduced MusicPass into the marketplace with some of our Superstar artists and popular catalogue compilations, encompassing a wide range of genres, to satisfy every music buyer and fan," added Shane Carter, Co-President, SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC. "MusicPass makes an ideal offering for the direct consumer or for purchase as a gift card, providing the music and special bonus material from their favorite artists."
In Canada participating retailers include Best Buy, CD Plus, Future Shop, Shoppers Drug Mart and Wal-Mart. In addition, HMV will launch MusicPass in Canada during the first calendar quarter of 2008.
In the United States, MusicPass cards will be available at Best Buy, Target, and Fred's on January 15, with Trans World stores (Coconuts, FYE, Wherehouse, & Spec's) and Winn-Dixie rolling out the cards by the end of January.
“Future Shop is extremely excited to be working together with SONY BMG to bring music fans new and exciting choices,” commented Bill Rait Merchandise Manager, Music, Future Shop. “The future of music depends on giving music lovers what they want to hear, in a format that works for them.”
Dan Kuczkowski, Vice President of Product and Operations, HMV, commented, “HMV is proud to support SONY BMG in the launch of an exciting new digital format designed for sale at retail. As Canada's leading music retailer, we are committed to meeting the needs of our music loving consumers. As such, we are optimistic that this new format comprised of full length albums plus added material from superstar artists will prove appealing to many of our core HMV music lovers”
SONY BMG is offering Platinum MusicPass cards at leading national retailers through a technology and distribution relationship with InComm, one of the leading International marketing and technology providers for gift and music cards and other prepaid products.
"We are excited to be working with SONY BMG on Platinum MusicPass," commented Brooks Smith, InComm President and CEO, "We believe people want a physical product as part of their music purchase, and these cards speak directly to that desire -- they have great graphics and a quality look and feel that will make them highly collectible. We look forward to working with SONY BMG as we roll out this exciting new product line."
The cards will be priced at a suggested list retail price (slrp) of $12.99 which will include the complete digital album plus bonus material or, in the case of compilations, extensive track listings. To redeem the content from their MusicPass cards consumers scratch the back of their card to unveil their pin number. They then visit MusicPass.com to download their music files and bonus material.
The initial slate of Platinum MusicPass titles is as follows:
Platinum MusicPass Albums with Bonus Material ( slrp $12.99):
| Alicia Keys | As I Am |
| Avril Lavigne | The Best Damn Thing |
| Backstreet Boys | UnBreakable |
| Brad Paisley | 5th Gear |
| Britney Spears | Blackout |
| Bob Dylan | Dylan |
| Bruce Springsteen | Magic |
| Carrie Underwood | Carnival Ride |
| Celine Dion | Taking Chances |
| Chris Brown | Exclusive |
| Daughtry | Daughtry |
| Elvis Presley | ELVIS #1s |
| John Mayer | Continuum |
| P!nk | I'm Not Dead |
| Santana | Ultimate Santana |
| Sean Kingston | Sean Kingston |
| Three Days Grace | One-X |
Platinum MusicPass Compilations (slrp $12.99)
Various, 70's POP HITS
Various, 80's POP HITS
Various, CLASSIC ROCK
Various, COUNTRY GOLD: THE 90'S
Various, Everlasting Love
Various, ROCK OF THE 70's
Contact:
Erica Silver
SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC.
416.589.3050