Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD) Partners With Echospin

Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD) Partners With Echospin

Leading Technology Company to Power Direct-to-Fan Solutions For UMG's Roster of Chart-Topping Artists

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering its mandate to provide unique digital solutions that empower record labels and artists to easily sell and promote content directly to fans, Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), the award-winning sales, distribution and marketing division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, has entered into an agreement with Echospin, a leading technology company. The announcement was made today by Jim Urie, President & CEO of UMGD, and Jon Lowy and Damian Manning, Co-Founders of Echospin.

As part of this agreement, UMGD's family of labels and chart-topping artists will utilize Echospin's innovative technologies to integrate direct-to-fan sales and promotions into their websites, allowing, for the first time, a major music company and its artists, across all genres, to sell digital, physical and mobile goods all in one location.

"Echospin has created a market leading commerce and media delivery platform that facilitates the sale and promotion of digital, physical and mobile products all in one shot," stated Mr. Urie. "It will provide our artists with unmatched opportunity and reach in the marketplace. As UMGD continues to expand and lead the industry in direct-to-fan initiatives, this agreement with Echospin will provide our artists and labels with more flexibility on how they distribute their music, while providing fans much easier access to a broad variety of content from the artists they are passionate about."

"UMGD is committed to building closer relationships between artists and their fans. We're thrilled they chose Echospin to be their partner in this unique opportunity," commented Mr. Lowy.

"It's exciting to see the world's leading artists using our solutions to provide fans with the effortless and rewarding experiences they deserve," added Mr. Manning.

An example of the diversity of product that this new platform enables is the 3 Doors Down "Ultimate Fan Pack," an Echospin-powered exclusive offer, which includes re-mastered CDs, a re-mastered vinyl LP, a poster, a special autographed "early entry pass," T-shirt and an instant download of the re-mastered "Kryptonite" MP3 single. Also upcoming are online stores and offers from Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, Hollywood Undead, Mary J Blige, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, Julianne Hough and the Verve Music Group, which will include music and products from Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum, Queen Latifah, Katherine McPhee and Herbie Hancock, among others.

About Universal Music Group Distribution

Universal Music Group Distribution has been the industry market share leader for the past twelve years and consists of four major divisions: Universal Music Distribution (UMD), Fontana, Vivendi Entertainment (VE), and UMGD Digital. UMD handles the distribution and sales for such labels as Universal Motown Republic Group, Island Def Jam Music Group, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, A&M/Octone Records, MCA Nashville, Universal Records South, Lost Highway, Mercury Nashville, Verve Music Group, Decca Label Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Music Enterprises, Hip-O, Disa, Machete Music, ABKCO, Concord Music Group, Hollywood, Emusica, Lyric Street, RMM, Thump, Rounder, Fonovisa, Varese Sarabande, Walt Disney, Big Machine, Show Dog Records, VI Music, Sybersound, Hidden Beach, Palm Pictures, and Universal Music Christian Group, among many others. Fontana is the company's independent sales, marketing and distribution arm, VE is its theatrical and home entertainment division, and UMGD Digital manages and distributes all of Universal Music Group's digital assets, including mobile.

About Echospin

Founded in 2003, Echospin is a technology company whose pioneering solutions enable entertainment companies to sell and promote digital, physical and mobile goods directly to fans. Echospin's partners include Universal Music Group, Atlantic Records, Epic Records, Razor & Tie Entertainment, National Geographic, Roadrunner Records, Ultra Records, Rocket Science, and McSweeney's, among many others. Please visit echospin.com for more information.

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Source: Universal Music Group

CONTACT: Peter Lofrumento, or Maria Ho-Burge, maria.ho-burge@umusic.com,
both of Universal Music Group, +1-212-331-2569

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Profile: International Entertainment