Olivia Newton-John's New Studio Album 'Stronger Than Before' Available Exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores

Olivia Newton-John's New Studio Album 'Stronger Than Before' Available Exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores

Release by Multiple Grammy Award Winner to Benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Hallmark announced today that multiple Grammy Award-winner Olivia Newton-John's new studio album, "Stronger Than Before," will be available only at Hallmark Gold Crown(R) stores from September 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005. The CD, recorded specifically for Hallmark and the cornerstone of Hallmark Gold Crown stores' newly expanded program in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is one of several new items that will be sold to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The announcement was made by Ann Herrick, integrated marketing manager at Hallmark.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050712/CGTU017 )

Olivia Newton-John, a 13-year breast cancer survivor and outspoken advocate for early detection and treatment, was selected by Hallmark for their first ever Breast Cancer Awareness Month CD. "Stronger Than Before" features songs of inspiration, courage and hope. Olivia selected each track because of the messages that relate to the complex emotions cancer patients and their loved ones experience. Working primarily with other women and trusted friends, many of who are cancer survivors, the CD features seven tracks produced by Chong Lim and Olivia Newton-John, two produced by Amy Sky and one produced by Amy Sky and Kim Bullard.

The ten songs include Phenomenal Woman, based on the poem by Maya Angelou, featuring the voices of Patti LaBelle, Diahann Carroll and others; Can I Trust Your Arms, written by Olivia's daughter, Chloe, as a special Christmas gift for her mother; and That's All I Know For Sure, written by Olivia for her daughter. "Stronger Than Before" is priced at $9.95 with two dollars of each CD purchase donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

This year is the seventh anniversary of the Hallmark Gold Crown Cards for the Cure(TM) program, featuring a free, specially designed card that reminds friends and family about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

2005 is also the seventh year that a Keepsake Ornament will be available. Angel of Grace, featuring a design with a pink ribbon, will be offered during the September/October timeframe to coincide with the CD campaign. Sold exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores, two dollars from the sale of each $14.95 ornament will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

In addition, a minimum of ten percent of the retail price of a newly created gift collection will be donated. The collection includes boxed note cards, a memo pad, framed sentiment that features a poem titled "A Toast to Women," pink suede-paper journal, heart-shaped bezel box, pink champagne glasses, and a pink nightshirt.

Olivia Newton-John's signing reflects Hallmark's ongoing commitment to partnering with world-renowned artists in the music industry. Teri Brown, president of T.B.A. Network, Inc., was instrumental in crafting the partnership between Hallmark and Newton-John.

Hallmark is synonymous with quality entertainment, producing and sponsoring the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame television series for more than 50 years. Consumers can visit Hallmark.com or call 1-800-HALLMARK - (800) 425-5627 - to find a Gold Crown store in their area.

About Hallmark:

Kansas City-based Hallmark is known throughout the world for its greeting cards, related personal expression products, and television's most honored and enduring dramatic series, the Hallmark Hall of Fame. The company's Hallmark Entertainment, Inc. subsidiary is the world's leading producer and distributor of movies and miniseries made for television; its Binney & Smith subsidiary, maker of Crayola(R) crayons and markers, is the leading producer of art materials for children and students. Through licensing leadership and joint ventures, Hallmark continues to expand its product formats and distribution avenues. The company publishes products in more than 30 languages and distributes them in more than 100 countries through a multi-national strategy. In 2004, Hallmark reported consolidated net revenues of $4.4 billion.

About Hallmark Gold Crown(R):

The Hallmark Gold Crown(R) network of stores stands for excellence in specialty store retailing and is the premiere channel of distribution for Hallmark-branded products. About 4,200 Hallmark Gold Crown stores can be found nationwide, most of them independently owned and operated. A Hallmark Gold Crown store is the specialty retail environment preferred by consumers who seek a comfortable shopping atmosphere, a higher level of customer service, and an extensive selection of greeting cards, gifts and other personal expression products. For the nearest Hallmark Gold Crown store, call 1-800-HALLMARK or use the store locator on Hallmark.com.

About Hallmark Music:

Hallmark has offered music since the mid-1980s. Last year's holiday selection featured James Taylor and this year's Valentine's Day CD was by Martina McBride. In addition, 32 everyday titles are available in Hallmark stores, including artists such as Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050712/CGTU017 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Hallmark

CONTACT: Ronnie Lippin, Ronnie@lippingroup.com , or Jennifer Price, jprice@lippingroup.com , both of The Lippin Group, +1-323-965-1990

Web site: http://www.hallmark.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Hallmark Press Room -- http://pressroom.hallmark.com

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