Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) and Body By Jake Global Create the World's First Digital Fitness Music Label

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) and Body By Jake Global Create the World's First Digital Fitness Music Label

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), a division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, and Jake Steinfeld, the iconic entrepreneur who has been credited with creating the personal fitness training industry with his Body By Jake Global brand (BBJ), have launched the music and fitness industries' first digital fitness music label, Don't Quit Music, which will create category-specific workout music. The announcement was made today by Bruce Resnikoff, President and CEO of UMe, and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman & CEO of Body By Jake Global.

This multi-year agreement will tap UMe's extensive catalog and UMe's award-winning sales and marketing prowess to create and distribute music collections for a wide variety of fitness workouts, from yoga to Pilates, mountain biking to weight training, and everything in between. The workout mixes are created by music and fitness professionals, designed specifically to maximize the workout experience. The customer can choose custom mixes by purchasing a slotMusic card or via a simple 3 step download process for their MP3 player.

According to research, the number one reason why people quit exercise programs is that the routines, location, and music become boring and repetitive. With the new player, new pre-loaded mixes created by the industry's top DJs and producers will be available on slotMusic cards or digital downloads throughout the year, allowing workouts to be continuously updated. All mixes can be digitally downloaded (dontquitmusic.com). These mixes feature top-selling artists in a non-stop, continuous mix format, designed to provide a seamless music environment for exercise. And for those with specific needs, customers will be able to make custom mixes to compliment their workouts.

Music products will be made available in the major formats, such as on digital downloads, all digital partners, including iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon.com etc., on CDs and on MP3 devices. Digital downloads will be available via an easy to use 3 step process by going to the websites (www.dontquitmusic.com, www.bodybyjake.com, www.exercisetv.tv) step one: choose your own mix; step 2: download mix; step 3: plug in your player and it's ready to play.

In response to today's hectic lifestyle, these new mixes are also available on a new slotMusic card. slotMusic cards (music on microSD cards) enable consumers to instantly and easily enjoy music from their favorite artists without a PC or internet connection. Users simply insert the slotMusic card into their microSD-enabled mobile phone or MP3 player to hear the music. slotMusic cards will be bundled with a tiny USB adapter ensuring seamless interoperability with all computers. Today, hundreds of millions of multimedia-phones, virtually any computer with a USB connector and a growing number of in-car sound systems can play slotMusic cards.

BBJ and UMe will be able to create many cross marketing opportunities to reach music fans as well as fitness fans by offering them a unique product. In addition, Body By Jake customers will be offered the music through all BBJ branded productions across multiple platforms. ExerciseTV, which Steinfeld founded, will also provide additional exposure for the new line. ExerciseTV can be found on-demand in 27 million cable television homes across the country and at http://www.exercisetv.tv/.

"Music is such an integral part of exercise and, to my knowledge, no one has really made music as important as the workout itself. They need to go hand-in-hand, because with good music, you can get through a tough workout -- or any workout. For that matter, with good music you can get through life with a smile on your face," says Mr. Steinfeld. "Fitness has become more and more customized: We have a different shoe for every sport and type of exercise, so why shouldn't people have customized programs of fantastic music that inspire and motivate them through their favorite workouts?"

"This collaboration with Jake, who has established himself as the leading fitness expert and entrepreneur, gives us a great opportunity to maximize our existing catalog, while creating new opportunities for emerging artists," commented Mr. Resnikoff. "People are consuming more music today than ever, and in new ways that fit their lifestyle. Fitness professionals and enthusiasts alike will now be able to work out to the best music content, delivered in an array of new formats."

Jake began his relationship with UMG in 1983 when he released his first exercise video in the marketplace. He then made music history when he released the first original video soundtrack in 1984. The album, entitled Don't Quit, included music by artists such as Bobby Caldwell and Joseph Williams, and was released by MCA Records.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.

Universal Music Group's record labels include Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Records South, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company

About Jake Steinfeld and Body By Jake

Jake Steinfeld is one of the fitness industry's reigning icons. A street-smart entrepreneur responsible for creating the personal fitness training industry, Jake continues to develop successful products, businesses, and brands through Body By Jake Global. In 2006, Jake launched ExerciseTV, the first fitness-on-demand television network, in partnership with Comcast, New Balance and Time Warner; the network is currently available in more than 27 million homes in the United States and online at www.exercisetv.tv. In 2005, he was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve as Chairman of the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, with the mission of establishing California as the nation's first "Fitness State." Jake is also the founder of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the nation's first professional outdoor lacrosse league, MLL is now entering its ninth successful season with ten teams throughout the country. Jake created his Don't Quit! Foundation to support and educate the youth of America about the value of physical fitness by providing state of the art fitness centers in inner city middle and high schools. There are now 30 Don't Quit! Fitness Centers across the country.

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Source: Universal Music Enterprises

CONTACT: Sujata Murthy of Universal Music Enterprises, +1-310-865-7812,
sujata.murthy@umusic.com

Web Site: http://new.umusic.com/
http://www.bodybyjake.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment