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EA AND SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE MUSIC AGREEMENT FOR NFL STREET
First Ever Marketing Partnership Between Top Entertainment Companies Includes Extensive Cross Promotion
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 14, 2004 – Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), the leading video game software publisher and Sony Music Entertainment (SME), a leading global music company, have jointly announced a cross promotional marketing agreement to support the in-game soundtrack of the upcoming EA game, NFL STREET, which promises to be the most significant yet between a video game publisher and a music label to date. NFL STREET will be available January 15, 2004 on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube™, and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft.
“As leaders in the video game industry, EA continues to create unique and powerful music partnerships with those, like Sony Music, who have a shared vision to create unprecedented new opportunities,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music for Electronic Arts.
Under the agreement, the NFL STREET in-game soundtrack will feature an all original score from the X-ecutioners, as well as licensed tracks from other Sony Music artists including Korn featuring NAS, Killer Mike, Baby D featuring Bonecrusher and Dru, Bravehearts featuring Nas & Lil Jon, DJ Kayslay presents Three 6 Mafia featuring Lil Wyte and Frayser Boy, Fuel, Grafh, Jakk Frost, Lil Flip, Lostprophets, Wylde Bunch, X-ecutioners featuring Good Charlotte, and X-ecutioners featuring B-Real. Several of the tracks will be pre-album releases.
Two tracks from the in-game soundtrack will be made into music videos featuring gameplay footage of NFL STREET. These tracks also will be released as singles for radio airplay. Sony Music will service the songs and videos to top radio and video outlets throughout North America.
"This project gives us the perfect opportunity to combine some of the most exciting artists working today with the fast growing -- and highly influential -- world of gaming," commented Don Ienner, President, Sony Music U.S. "I have every confidence that this promotion will enable us to extend the reach of both our artists and NFL STREET."
The two companies also will work together on a variety of cross promotional efforts, with Sony Music artists performing at NFL STREET promotional events such as the NFL STREET AFTER PARTY following the EA SPORTS Madden Bowl at this year’s Super Bowl. TV programming will include unprecedented access to and interviews with Sony artists as part of a “Making of the Game: NFL STREET” program set to air on MTV and MTV2 in early January. In addition, there will be several joint web, grass roots, and retail promotions. For example, when consumers purchase releases from participating Sony Music artists at select retail outlets, they will receive a bonus disc containing a playable demo of NFL STREET.
"This project will bring tremendous value to both EA and Sony Music," commented Michele Anthony, Executive Vice President, Sony Music Entertainment. "The impressive roster of Sony Music artists contributing to the in-game soundtrack will add high levels of excitement and energy to NFL STREET.”
“At the same time our artists will be provided with a unique opportunity to expand their fan base,” Anthony continued. “We look forward to working closely with Electronic Arts as we roll out this groundbreaking cross promotional campaign."
NFL STREET is rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB. For more information on NFL STREET, visit EA’s official site at www.info.ea.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EA GAMESTM and EA SPORTS BIG™. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com.
About Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (SME) is a leading global music company that produces, manufactures, distributes and markets recorded music and entertainment in a wide range of formats, including video, CD, DVD, MD, SACD and via the Internet. The company comprises three divisions: Sony Music (domestic U.S.); Sony Music International (all countries outside of the U.S. and Japan); and Sony Classical (worldwide classical music division).
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Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES and EA SPORTS BIG are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft and Xbox are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. ™, ® and Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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