investor relations

NBC News' "Today," Warner Music Group and Habitat for Humanity International Announce Artist Lineup for Hurricane Relief Initiative

09/23/05

Josh Groban and Tracy Chapman Kickoff with LIVE Performances on the Plaza on Monday, September 26

NEW YORK, September 23, 2005 - NBC News' "Today," Habitat for Humanity International and Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG) announced today that Warner Bros. Records recording artist Josh Groban and Elektra/Atlantic recording artist Tracy Chapman will headline concert performances in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, which is being called "Humanity Plaza" throughout next week, on Monday, September 26, 2005.

The special concert performances are in support of "Make a Difference Today," the hurricane relief initiative announced earlier this week from NBC News' "Today," WMG and Habitat for Humanity International. Toyota, sponsor of "Today's" annual concert series, is generously sponsoring this very special line up.

This unprecedented and truly unique hurricane relief effort begins on Monday, September 26th when WMG helps turn Rockefeller Plaza into "Humanity Plaza" for five days as homes are literally built around the clock for families displaced by Gulf Coast hurricanes.

Stevie Nicks will help build homes and perform on "Today" at "Humanity Plaza" on September 28. On September 30, Yolanda Adams and New Orleans natives World Leader Pretend-who were evacuated from the Gulf Coast area and lost everything because of Hurricane Katrina-will perform. Other WMG artists participating in the building effort include T.I., Trey Songz, Twista, Sean Paul and The Crimea.

Additionally, there will be special performances on "Humanity Plaza" at noon everyday next week from the following WMG artists:

Monday, September 26 - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Tuesday, September 27 - John Stevens
Wednesday, September 28 - The Films
Thursday, September 29 - World Leader Pretend
Friday, September 30 - John Butler Trio

As part of Gibson Guitar's on-going company wide Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the company is donating all the equipment and personnel. In addition, the Gibson Guitar world tour bus will be on site for these lunchtime performances on "Humanity Plaza."

The goal of "Make a Difference Today" is to rebuild a minimum of 100 homes in the Gulf Coast that were destroyed during the recent hurricanes. This project will produce the very first Habitat for Humanity homes - dubbed "houses in a box" - that will arrive in the region over the next few months. As part of this initiative, WMG artists and WMG, NBC Universal employees will also pitch in to help build Habitat for Humanity homes in Burbank, CA.

About NBC News' "Today"
NBC News pioneered the morning news program when it launched "Today" over 53 years ago, with Dave Garroway as host. The three-hour live broadcast provides the latest in domestic and international news, weather reports and interviews with newsmakers from the worlds of politics, business, media, entertainment and sports. After more than 48 years of the standard two-hour format, the third hour was launched in October of 2000, making "Today" the only three-hour national morning show broadcast. The program is unparalleled in its ratings dominance in the morning news arena, serving as America's overwhelming favorite for nearly ten consecutive years.

Phil Griffin, Senior Vice President overseeing "Today" is the executive in charge of the "Make a Difference Today" project. Mark Lukasiewicz, Vice President and Executive Producer NBC News Specials and Special Projects is the executive in charge of Humanity Plaza. Jim Bell is the Executive Producer of "Today" (Monday - Friday, 7-10 a.m.).

About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group (WMG) became the only stand-alone music company to be publicly traded in the United States in May 2005. With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Atlantic, Bad Boy, Elektra, Lava, Maverick, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word. Warner Music International, a leading company in national and international repertoire operates through numerous international affiliates and licensees in more than 50 countries. Warner Music Group also includes Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for one million people. www.habitat.org.

About Toyota
Toyota, established in the United States in 1957, now employs more than 30,000 people and sells Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles through more than 1400 dealerships. Toyota's affiliated companies, private distributors, dealers and employees have donated $7 million for Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.