Universal Music Group and Buzznet Announce Alliance

UMG's Partnership with Buzznet Powers Social Media Network for Artists & Fans
and Further Expands Its Portfolio of Strategic Media Investments

LOS ANGELES, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group (UMG), the
world's leading music company, has made an equity investment in Buzznet
(http://www.buzznet.com), one of the Web's fastest growing social media
networks. The announcement was made today by Doug Morris, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of UMG, and Tyler Goldman, Chief Executive Officer of
Buzznet. The terms and conditions of the transaction were not disclosed.
This partnership marks one of the first times that a music company will be
directly involved in developing editorial programming for a social media site,
with both companies sharing in the revenue. Music and videos from the world's
most extensive digital catalog of chart-topping artists will be uniquely
interwoven into Buzznet's daily editorial, as well as thousands of blog posts
allowing for users to comment, share and draw on the content to create their
own personal experience.
In addition, artists will lend their voices as guest bloggers on the site
and will deliver exclusive news to their fans that will not be found anywhere
else on the web. Buzznet's unique social media platform currently empowers its
more than 10 million active music fans with the stage to create and program
communities around the artists they love. Users express themselves, connect
with friends and socialize around the topics they are passionate about,
sharing millions of blog posts, photos and videos every day.
"We are always striving to push boundaries and expand the scope of our
digital activities," stated Mr. Morris. "And our partnership with Buzznet fits
perfectly into that strategy. Tyler and his team have built a dynamic and
legitimate social destination that provides fans and sponsors an
all-encompassing musical experience."
"Universal is dedicated to offering music fans the very best in
personalization and our new partnership with Buzznet is a perfect way to
continue these efforts," commented Rio Caraeff, Executive Vice President of
eLabs, UMG. "Buzznet offers an elegant and excellent platform to showcase the
high quality and depth of UMG's extensive musical catalog."
"Buzznet's top priority has always been the fans and making sure we're
creating an unrivaled destination for them," remarked Mr. Goldman. "With our
social media tools we were able to grow an engaged community of music fans to
exciting levels. Now working in collaboration with UMG, we will be able to
integrate audio, video and original content into Buzznet's music communities
to give them the ultimate music experience."
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world's largest music company with wholly
owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its business also
includes Universal Music Publishing Group, the world's leading publishing
company.
Its record labels include Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, 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 Music Latino, Universal Motown Republic Group, 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 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, a new media and technologies division, Bravado, its
merchandising company, and Twenty-First Artists, its full service management
division.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and
communications company.
About Buzznet
Buzznet's unique social media platform empowers millions of music fans
with the stage to create the most in-depth socially programmed music
experiences around the artists they love. Users express themselves, connect
with friends and socialize around the topics they are passionate about,
sharing millions of photos, videos and blog posts every day. The site is also
home for communities created by top bands and social trendsetters, and has
established itself as the premier destination for music and pop culture. For
more information visit http://www.buzznet.com.
For More Information Please Contact:

Peter LoFrumento
Universal Music Group
212-331-2585
peter.lofrumento@umusic.com

Charlene Fitzgibbon
SutherlandGold Group for Buzznet
310-403-5589
charlene@sutherlandgold.com

SOURCE Universal Music Group

Peter LoFrumento of Universal Music Group, +1-212-331-2585,
peter.lofrumento@umusic.com; or Charlene Fitzgibbon of SutherlandGold Group,
+1-310-403-5589, charlene@sutherlandgold.com, for Buzznet