FIFA signs Kobalt Music Group
NewMedia SPARK plc
Investee Update
FIFA SIGNS KOBALT MUSIC GROUP
AS EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE ADMINISTRATOR FOR "THE OFFICIAL MELODY OF
THE 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP ™"
LONDON (11 May 2006) -- Kobalt Music Group (Kobalt), music publisher and online publishing administrator, has been signed up by FIFA (the Fédération Internationale de Football Association) to be the exclusive worldwide licensor and administrator for the Official Melody of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.
Written by Nadir Khayat aka Red One and Bilal Hajji, the 30-second melody, a sample from the Red One song "Bamboo," will also be incorporated into several other songs, including the Official Single of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and other pieces of music to be used extensively throughout the championships including Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie - Bamboo (2006 FIFA World Cup™ mix)". In addition dance, hip-hop, house and "Bamboo" mixes will also be sold as ringtones.
Willard Ahdritz, founder and Chief Executive of Kobalt, commented: "Kobalt is exploiting the content on a global basis through digital distribution partners on five continents. With an audience of more than a billion people and extensive promotion, the potential exposure and consumer base for the Official Melody is extraordinary. We are thrilled to be the administrator for FIFA to market, license and collect for both the publishing and master rights in what could be the biggest digital event ever."
As the world's largest sporting event, the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ kicks off June 9, 2006 in Germany. The Official Melody of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ will receive extensive exposure during all FIFA World Cup™ events, including cross-promotion and in sponsor advertising spots from such advertisers as Adidas, Avaya, Budweiser, Coke, Continental, Deutsch Telekom, Emirates, Fujifilm, Gillette, Hyundai, Mastercard, Mcdonalds, Phillips, Toshiba and Yahoo.
Through the deal, Kobalt is working with FIFA's concept developer Engine AB an MTG company, which is FIFA's exclusive agent for the creation and supervision of the overall music program for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.
FIFA/KOBALT
About Kobalt Music Group
With offices in London, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Berlin and Stockholm, Kobalt Music Group is a global, independent music publisher offering administrative and creative services to writers, publishers and other publishing rights holders. As the fastest growing music publisher in the world and a Top 10 UK publisher, Kobalt has become recognized as the new publishing model, fast attracting major writers and artists and publishing companies. Kobalt's unique and modern, centralized royalty collection infrastructure is based on direct relationships with collection societies and a unique proprietary technology which enables clients to receive faster delivery of revenues and information in a transparent and efficient manner.
Kobalt Music Group's clients include: Gwen Stefani, 8 Mile Style, Max Martin, Desmond Child, Richard Ashcroft, Editors, The Hives, Dr. Luke, Nine Inch Nails, Sanctuary Music Publishing, Ric Wake, EverGreen Copyrights, Donald Fagen, Tony Kanal, UB40, Tears For Fears, Air-Edel Music, Axl Rose, B-Unique Music, Rami, Arnthor Birgisson, Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons), Badly Drawn Boy, Cal IV Music, Integrated Copyright Group, Bill Wyman, Wet Wet Wet, Teddy Riley, Denzil Foster, Dennis Matkosky, Ignition Music, Big Life, James Brown and many others.
London-based venture capital investment group NewMedia SPARK plc (NMS: London Stock Exchange AIM list) was a founding investor of Kobalt in 2001 and is a significant equity stakeholder of Kobalt Music Group Ltd. with board representation.
For further information please contact :
Buchanan Communications
Isabel Podda 00442074665000
Rebekah Alperin, publicist for Kobalt Music Group
ralperin@alperinent.com 001 310 770 1045