Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD) Expands Digital Services With INgrooves...

Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD) Expands Digital Services With
INgrooves Strategic Alliance

LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group
Distribution (UMGD), the award winning sales and marketing division of
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has entered
into a strategic alliance with INgrooves, a leading provider of digital
distribution, marketing and promotion services to the independent music
industry. As part of this venture, Universal Music Group has made a strategic
investment in INgrooves. The announcement was made today by Jim Urie,
President & CEO of UMGD, and Robb McDaniels, CEO of INgrooves.
The terms and conditions of the transaction were not disclosed.
This partnership further expands UMG's growing portfolio of strategic
media investments, while expanding the services and opportunities that UMGD,
and Fontana, the company's independent distribution subsidiary, provides their
partner labels. Utilizing INgrooves' proprietary and cutting-edge software
platform, ONE Digital, the UMGD and Fontana family of labels will directly
benefit from superior, seamless digital distribution to all of the major music
services, while capitalizing on INgrooves's comprehensive menu of services
which include digital retail sales and marketing, sales reporting, film and
video distribution, and mobile.
"Universal is committed to exploring new ways to expand the availability
of our artists' music online, while offering our partner labels the widest
array of choices possible in how and where they make their music available,"
stated Mr. Urie. "And after much research, we identified INgrooves as the most
successful and comprehensive second generation digital distribution company in
the market. Through this venture, we will provide our partners with access to
the only flexible digital distribution system that allows for innovative
structures to maximize their freedom, the connection of the artists' music to
fans, and sales."
"We started INgrooves six years ago with a mission to develop the finest
and most comprehensive digital distribution platform. Through the dedicated
efforts of the entire INgrooves team we have achieved that goal," commented
Mr. McDaniels. "Now that the world's leading music company and its executives
have validated the INgrooves brand, its exclusive technology and the
comprehensive services that only we can deliver, we are ready to provide UMG
unparalleled digital distribution support and expand the proliferation of our
platform to an industry in need."
"Fontanahas been at the forefront of offering the most comprehensive
digital music distribution services in the industry to the independent
sector," added Ron Spaulding, Executive Vice President and General Manager of
Fontana. "And we are delighted to partner with Robb and his team as we further
enhance our digital efforts and expand the reach of our partners via
INgrooves' digital platform."
Most recently, INgrooves served as the exclusive digital distributor of
Dolly Parton's 'Backwoods Barbie', her first mainstream release in over 17
years which debuted as the #1 country album on iTunes. INgrooves clients
include leading independent music labels such as ESL Music, VP Records,
Chocolate Industries, A2M Distribution, Stones Throw Records, Hitchhike
Records, bluhammock music, Distinct'ive Records, and artists such as Tracy
Lawrence, Thievery Corporation, Los Tigres del Norte, Tila Tequila, The Cool
Kids, Prodigy, Lady Sovereign, Too $hort, and The Crystal Method, among many
others.
Peter Lofrumento/Maria Ho-Burge
Universal Music Group
212-830-0801
SOURCE Universal Music Group

Peter Lofrumento or Maria Ho-Burge, both of Universal Music Group,
+1-212-830-0801