WEA Corp And LRSmedia Create New Alliance to Distribute Branded Music Entertainment Products
WEA Corp And LRSmedia Create New Alliance to Distribute Branded Music Entertainment Products
02/23/06
WEEKLY TV SERIES KICKS OFF RELATIONSHIP
NEW YORK, February 23, 2006 - WEA Corp., Warner Music Group Corp.'s (NYSE: WMG) U.S. sales and retail marketing company, today announced that it will be the exclusive U.S. distributor for LRSmedia, LLC.
Under the agreement, WEA Corp. will provide U.S. distribution services for LRSmedia's DVD, CD, digital and wireless music products. LRSmedia, founded by venture investor, Lee Rosenberg, music industry producer/entrepreneur, Larry Rosen, and legendary multi-Grammy Award winner, Ramsey Lewis, is an independent music entertainment company that creates and produces original branded music programming, which is distributed to audiences via television, radio, the Internet, wireless devices, live touring events, DVDs, CDs, and digital and wireless music products.
The first product to be released under the agreement will be the Legends of Jazz series with host Ramsey Lewis, which will launch in April 2006 on Public Television stations around the country. This will be the first weekly network jazz series on national television in 40 years. Produced in High Definition and 5.1 Surround Sound, the series features performances and conversations with many of the world's greatest jazz and blues artists including Tony Bennett, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Dave Brubeck, David Sanborn, Al Jarreau, Clark Terry, Chris Botti, Eddie Palmieri, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Robert Cray, and many more.
The TV series will be accompanied by the Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis weekly radio show, a multi-city Legends of Jazz touring package, DVD, CD and digital and wireless product releases, and the launch of www.legendsofjazz.net website. Additional branded properties are currently under production for release in 2007 and 2008.
In making the announcement, John Esposito, President and CEO of WEA Corp., said, "We are excited to be working with LRSmedia, whose innovative approach to creating and producing original programming and music products makes them an exciting partner. The track records for Lee, Larry and Ramsey speak for themselves and we look forward to collaborating with them to distribute a wide range of titles, including the first-rate Legends of Jazz series."
Lee Rosenberg, "Rosy", President and CEO of LRSmedia, said, "We are very pleased to begin a relationship with WEA. They bring a fresh and entrepreneurial look to the music industry today, which is critically needed. This partnership represents a new opportunity to reach an adult audience that has been musically underserved because of the industry's increasing lack of interest in their tastes. This audience has little time to evaluate what is out there. Our branded programming and product will make it easier for adults to enjoy and purchase the music they desire. WEA is a great partner to help us deliver the music products. I look forward to working with John and the entire WEA team."
Larry Rosen, Co-Chairman, Executive Producer, and Producer of the Legends of Jazz properties said, "We are thrilled about this relationship because WEA is among the most innovative companies in the music industry today. WEA and LRSmedia are the perfect partners to bring quality jazz music in an innovative way to the savvy adult audience public television serves. Just as they were the first in the business they are today first when it comes to utilizing new technologies and outreach to ensure that consumers have the easiest access to the music they enjoy."
About WEA Corp.
WEA Corp. was the first major music distribution company in the U.S. and has continued to set the standard for sales and marketing in the music industry for more than thirty years. In addition to the Warner Bros., Elektra and Atlantic labels, WEA distributes audio and video releases from Rhino Entertainment, Asylum Records, Word Entertainment, Time-Life Music, Warner Music Latina and Curb Records, as well as several other labels. WEA Corp.'s e-Commerce department works with online and traditional retailers for all commercial, digital and wireless transactions on behalf of WMG's U.S. labels. The department develops and delivers sales and marketing programs to promote WMG's artists to online retailers and other partners.
Headquartered in New York, WEA Corp. has regional offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Minneapolis.
About LRSmedia, LLC
LRSmedia, LLC, founded by music industry veterans Lee Rosenberg, Larry Rosen, Ramsey Lewis, develops adult-oriented music brands and products, created in multi-camera HDTV and Dolby Surround 5.1 audio. LRSmedia markets its product through a 360° experience including television, national print, nationally syndicated radio, CD and DVD products, online entertainment, news and e-commerce, live concert tours and educational and community outreach programs. By creating music brands and leveraging interrelated programming to market artists and music under the brand umbrellas, LRSmedia reaches more consumers in a more compelling manner than traditional music companies. At present, LRSmedia's brands include - "Legends of Jazz," "Musical Stars of the Future," and "Soundstage: The Archives" - with more in development. For more information, visit www.lrsmedia.net and www.legendsofjazz.net.
NEW YORK, February 23, 2006 - WEA Corp., Warner Music Group Corp.'s (NYSE: WMG) U.S. sales and retail marketing company, today announced that it will be the exclusive U.S. distributor for LRSmedia, LLC.
Under the agreement, WEA Corp. will provide U.S. distribution services for LRSmedia's DVD, CD, digital and wireless music products. LRSmedia, founded by venture investor, Lee Rosenberg, music industry producer/entrepreneur, Larry Rosen, and legendary multi-Grammy Award winner, Ramsey Lewis, is an independent music entertainment company that creates and produces original branded music programming, which is distributed to audiences via television, radio, the Internet, wireless devices, live touring events, DVDs, CDs, and digital and wireless music products.
The first product to be released under the agreement will be the Legends of Jazz series with host Ramsey Lewis, which will launch in April 2006 on Public Television stations around the country. This will be the first weekly network jazz series on national television in 40 years. Produced in High Definition and 5.1 Surround Sound, the series features performances and conversations with many of the world's greatest jazz and blues artists including Tony Bennett, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Dave Brubeck, David Sanborn, Al Jarreau, Clark Terry, Chris Botti, Eddie Palmieri, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Robert Cray, and many more.
The TV series will be accompanied by the Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis weekly radio show, a multi-city Legends of Jazz touring package, DVD, CD and digital and wireless product releases, and the launch of www.legendsofjazz.net website. Additional branded properties are currently under production for release in 2007 and 2008.
In making the announcement, John Esposito, President and CEO of WEA Corp., said, "We are excited to be working with LRSmedia, whose innovative approach to creating and producing original programming and music products makes them an exciting partner. The track records for Lee, Larry and Ramsey speak for themselves and we look forward to collaborating with them to distribute a wide range of titles, including the first-rate Legends of Jazz series."
Lee Rosenberg, "Rosy", President and CEO of LRSmedia, said, "We are very pleased to begin a relationship with WEA. They bring a fresh and entrepreneurial look to the music industry today, which is critically needed. This partnership represents a new opportunity to reach an adult audience that has been musically underserved because of the industry's increasing lack of interest in their tastes. This audience has little time to evaluate what is out there. Our branded programming and product will make it easier for adults to enjoy and purchase the music they desire. WEA is a great partner to help us deliver the music products. I look forward to working with John and the entire WEA team."
Larry Rosen, Co-Chairman, Executive Producer, and Producer of the Legends of Jazz properties said, "We are thrilled about this relationship because WEA is among the most innovative companies in the music industry today. WEA and LRSmedia are the perfect partners to bring quality jazz music in an innovative way to the savvy adult audience public television serves. Just as they were the first in the business they are today first when it comes to utilizing new technologies and outreach to ensure that consumers have the easiest access to the music they enjoy."
About WEA Corp.
WEA Corp. was the first major music distribution company in the U.S. and has continued to set the standard for sales and marketing in the music industry for more than thirty years. In addition to the Warner Bros., Elektra and Atlantic labels, WEA distributes audio and video releases from Rhino Entertainment, Asylum Records, Word Entertainment, Time-Life Music, Warner Music Latina and Curb Records, as well as several other labels. WEA Corp.'s e-Commerce department works with online and traditional retailers for all commercial, digital and wireless transactions on behalf of WMG's U.S. labels. The department develops and delivers sales and marketing programs to promote WMG's artists to online retailers and other partners.
Headquartered in New York, WEA Corp. has regional offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Minneapolis.
About LRSmedia, LLC
LRSmedia, LLC, founded by music industry veterans Lee Rosenberg, Larry Rosen, Ramsey Lewis, develops adult-oriented music brands and products, created in multi-camera HDTV and Dolby Surround 5.1 audio. LRSmedia markets its product through a 360° experience including television, national print, nationally syndicated radio, CD and DVD products, online entertainment, news and e-commerce, live concert tours and educational and community outreach programs. By creating music brands and leveraging interrelated programming to market artists and music under the brand umbrellas, LRSmedia reaches more consumers in a more compelling manner than traditional music companies. At present, LRSmedia's brands include - "Legends of Jazz," "Musical Stars of the Future," and "Soundstage: The Archives" - with more in development. For more information, visit www.lrsmedia.net and www.legendsofjazz.net.