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Thursday, May 29, 2008

A8 Digital Music Announces Main Board Listing Details

A8 Digital Music Announces Main Board Listing Details

                      Share Offer of 91 Million Shares                   At Between HK$1.66 and HK$2.38 Per Share                  Raise up to Approximately HK$216.6 Million    Investment Highlights    -- Leading digital music provider in China    -- Fully integrated model, from sourcing of content to innovative      promotional strategies and to monetizing the songs on handsets    -- One of the largest interactive User Generated Content (''UGC'')      platforms ( http://www.a8.com/ ) for collection of songs from original      independent artists in the PRC    -- Integrated sales and promotional channel including the proprietary      A8Box download software on handset    -- Extensive sales network covering more than 30 provinces, autonomous      regions and administrative municipalities in the PRC    -- Strategic alliances with over 1,000 websites for songs promotion    -- Exponential growth in mobile phone market and digital music download      trend in China   

HONG KONG, May 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A8 Digital Music Holdings Limited (''A8 Digital Music'' or the ''Group''), an integrated digital music company in China, today announced the details of its proposed listing on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

A8 Digital Music proposes to offer 91,000,000 shares at between HK$1.66 and HK$2.38 per share (the ''Share Offer''). Of the Share Offer, 81,900,000 shares will be offered under placing (the ''Placing'') and the remaining 9,100,000 shares will be offered for subscription by the Hong Kong public. For the Placing, 70,900,000 shares are new shares and 11,000,000 shares are sale shares. Assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised and the offer price is fixed at HK$2.02 per share (being the mid-point of the proposed price range), the net proceeds from the Share Offer are estimated at approximately HK$132.6 million after deducting underwriting commission and other estimated listing expenses.

The proceeds will be used mainly for acquiring potential music content providers, enhancing the music download software A8Box, integrating business with the latest 3G mobile technology, upgrading and promoting UGC platform, and the remaining as additional working capital.

The public offer will begin on 28 May 2008 (Wednesday) and close at noon on 2 June 2008 (Monday). The final offer price is expected to be determined on 4 June 2008 (Wednesday). The allotment result will be announced on 10 June 2008 (Tuesday). Trading of the shares of A8 Digital Music will begin on 12 June 2008 (Thursday) in board lots of 2,000 shares under the stock code of 00800.HK.

SBI E2-Capital (HK) Limited is the Sponsor and SBI E2-Capital Securities Limited is the Sole Bookrunner and Lead Manager.

Mr. Liu Xiaosong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A8 Digital Music, said, ''We are very pleased to see A8 Digital Music has reached a very important milestone since its inception in year 2000. We have built a solid foundation and established a firm foothold in digital music in China. As a first mover in digital music, we have been collecting over 50,000 songs from our User Generated Content (''UGC'') platform at http://www.a8.com/ . More importantly, we are able to monetize our content (our own songs with copyrights) through handsets. We provide songs uploaded by original independent artists and supported by a revolutionary integrated marketing and sales model that boasts high operational efficiency and enhanced sales opportunities. It is our hope to ride on our unique business model to realize our mission of 'My music everywhere!' as I believe digital music is the future of music industry!''

Unlike the traditional music industry, the Group adopted a revolutionary and scalable songs collection model from its UGC platform -- http://www.a8.com/ . It is one of the largest collection platforms for original and independent artists in China. It is a self-service facility enjoying growing popularity among song writers and consumers craving new experiences and speedy and quality services. Currently, the platform holds a collection of over 50,000 music content and songs from more than 10,000 artists. The Group also actively promotes the development of original music content through activities such as song competitions and campaigns, for example, the annual Yuansheng Feiyang Top Ten Gold Songs to boost its collection. The platform is in strategic alliance with more than 1,000 other internet websites to promote its music.

A8 Digital Music owns a repertoire of more than 50,000 original works of music, one of the largest in China, including popular songs like ''Buxiangrangniku'' and ''Wobuku'' etc. There were approximately 7.8 million wireless downloads and approximately RMB16.1 million revenue recorded for the song ''Buxiangrangniku'', while that for ''Wobuku'' was 5.9 million wireless downloads and about RMB11.1 million revenue for the year of 2007. The success of the original independently produced songs proves the Group's influences in China's music market and its ability to identify and promotes music content with potential for popularity. Likewise, the Group's music catalogue also contains other music content types from local and foreign record companies.

The Group has strong sales and marketing efforts through a nation-wide network of 21 sales offices, covering more than 30 provinces and municipalities in China. It has close relationship with major telecom operators at national and regional levels. Local presence has also allowed the Group to fully grasp local music preferences and access resources of local operators.

The Group's proprietary A8Box download software works like a ''jukebox'' that supports access and download of music directly via the mobile phone. It is compatible with most of the popular mobile platforms including MTK (a software platform created by MediaTek Inc.), Windows Mobile and SmartNX (a smartphone platform created by Chipnuts Technology Inc.) platforms and it also supports Microsoft Windows. The introduction of A8Box has facilitated the offer of personalized service by the Group, helping to boost direct sales as well as the A8 Digital Music brand. The recent soft launch of 3G mobile services in China represents enormous business opportunities for the Group as the new technology supports faster and direct sales to mobile phone subscribers via the 3G compatible A8Box.

Apart from using the most advanced technology to grow its business, the Group also employs proven traditional promotion means including music companies and the media. It advertises via the printed and broadcast media as well as through participating in music events, putting its name in the company of famous brands and artists for added exposure.

Over the years, A8 Digital Music has gained recognition in the industry. In 2007, A8 Digital Music has been awarded as the ''Top 100 Private Companies of 2007'' by Red Herring and ''Gold Olive Award for the Best Mobile Music Operator'' by Shoujiquan, laying a solid foundation for the Group to become the leading digital music provider.

The Group has been profitable since 2002, two years after it began business, and has grown substantially since then. In 2007, it made turnover of RMB286 million, 6.5% more than that in 2006, and its net profit increased by 38.7% to RMB55.3 million.

According to the data published by the Ministry of Information of the PRC, there were over 574 million mobile subscribers in China as at the end of March 2008 and according to In-Stat, which estimates revenue of the PRC mobile music market will increase from approximately RMB5,046.2 million in 2006 to approximately RMB7,773.0 million in 2011. In China Mobile's 2007 Annual Report, the revenue from one single mobile music product -- RBT, has already reached RMB 11,794 million in 2007. Taking into account its strong track record and the exponential market growth, A8 Digital Music is very optimistic about the prospects of its business.

Mr. Liu concluded, ''Looking forward, we will keep upgrading our UCG platform to make sure customers have the most satisfactory experience using it and, at the same time, strengthen all sales and marketing channels to facilitate capture of the immense opportunities in the thriving wireless music service market in China. A8 Digital Music is one of the earliest and largest E-labels for independently produced original music content in China.''

About A8 Digital Music Holdings Limited

A8 Digital Music is an integrated digital music company that sells original music content sourced from its highly successful interactive UGC platform http://www.a8.com/ , as well as from international and domestic record labels, through the wireless network on mobile phones. Led by a team of experienced top executives with foresight and vision, the Group is able to capitalize on its integrated marketing and sales multi-channel network to acquire insights into consumer preferences in different regions and thus customize its marketing strategies, and to promote its products through new media on Internet and wirelessly.

   Listing Particulars    Number of Offer Shares   91,000,000 Shares   -- Placing               - 81,900,000 Shares (90%)   -- Public Offer          - 9,100,000 Shares (10%)   Offer Price              HK$1.66 - HK$2.38 per share    Use of Proceeds    Assuming the Over-allotment Option is not exercised and the offer price    is HK$2.02 per share, being the mid-point of proposed offer price range,    the net proceeds of the Share Offer (after deduction of underwriting    fees and related expenses, are estimated at about HK$132.6 million and    will be applied as follows:    -- To fund any potential acquisitions             Approx. HK$48.5 million   -- To further develop A8Box                       Approx. HK$27.6 million   -- To integrate business with 3G technology      introduction                                   Approx. HK$20.8 million   -- To upgrade the interactive UGC platform      ( http://www.a8.com/ )                          Approx. HK$12.6 million   -- To promote the UGC platform                    Approx. HK$11.1 million   -- To promote the original independently      produced music content                         Approx. HK$11.1 million   -- General working capital                        Approx. HK$0.9  million     Financial Highlights                                          For the year ended 31 December   RMB('000)                             2005           2006          2007   Turnover                             233,233        268,438       285,964   Gross Profit                         124,960        132,275       128,729   Profit attributable to shareholders   41,842         39,863        55,274   Gross profit margin                   53.58%         49.28%        45.02%   Net profit margin                     17.94%         14.85%        19.33%     Awards and Achievements    Year               Award                         Awarding Organization    2007  China Creative Industry Annual Awards      Organizing Committee         -- Among the Top 100 Enterprises in         for the China Creative            China Creative Industry                  Industry Annual Awards         -- Leading Enterprises Award in China            Creative Industry         Gold Olive Award for the Best Mobile       Shoujiquan          Music Operator         Zero2IPO -- Venture 50                     Zero2IPO         Among the Top 100 Private Companies        Red Herring    2006  Best Mobile Music Operator Award           The First Mobile                                                     Multimedia Applications                                                     Competition         China Wireless Entertainment Music         China Center of          Platform Contribution Award                Information Industry                                                     Development         The Best Music Operator Award              Discovering Value and                                                     The Economic Observer         Among the China High-tech, High-growth     Deloitte          Top 50 Enterprises         Among the Emerging Companies with the      Stars of the Future          Greatest Growth Potential         China 3G Innovative SP Content Award       Analysys International                                                     Making Better Business                                                     Decisions   2005  Comprehensive Music No.1 and China         Internet Society of          Internet Industry Brand 50 Winner          China         Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia          Deloitte          Pacific Winner         Ranked 6th in China High-tech,             Deloitte          High-growth Top 50 Enterprises     For press enquiries, please contact:    Strategic Financial Relations (China) Limited     Ms. Anita Cheung    Tel:   +852-2864-4827    Email: anita.cheung@sprg.com.hk     Ms. Esther lau    Tel:   +852-2864-4845    Email: esther.lau@sprg.com.hk     Mr. Marcus Keung    Tel:   +852-2114-4967    Email: marcus.keung@sprg.com.hk     Ms. Janice Au    Tel:   +852-2864-4874    Email: janice.au@sprg.com.hk     Ms. Annie Choi    Tel:   +852-2864-4837    Email: annie.choi@sprg.com.hk  

Source: A8 Digital Music Holdings Limited

CONTACT: Strategic Financial Relations (China) Limited: Ms. Anita Cheung,
+852-2864-4827, or anita.cheung@sprg.com.hk; or Ms. Esther lau, +852-2864-4845,
or esther.lau@sprg.com.hk; or Mr. Marcus Keung, +852-2114-4967, or
marcus.keung@sprg.com.hk; or Ms. Janice Au, +852-2864-4874, or
janice.au@sprg.com.hk; or Ms. Annie Choi, +852-2864-4837; or
annie.choi@sprg.com.hk

Web Site: http://www.a8.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

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