London, June 20, 2002 - IBM announced that it is working with Spero Communications and other key companies to launch a unique, free promotional CD of new Oasis music and video content, using innovative IBM digital media technology. This Sunday 1.7 million newspaper readers in the UK will receive the CD enabling them to access previously unreleased tracks from Oasis's new album -- Heathen Chemistry -- on a preview basis, one week ahead of the album's official release date.
The free CD will allow consumers to preview three new album tracks on their PCs, using the embedded Big Time Multimedia player. From the CD, users will be able to register online and obtain a digital key, which unlocks the new tracks. Users will also be able to play these new tracks up to four times or until the end of the launch period. In this way, The BigTime player, conceived by Spero Communications, and based on IBM's Electronic Media Management System (EMMS), enables record companies to reach new audiences while protecting the rights of their artists.
The CD will also contain three other previously unreleased Oasis demo tracks -- as well as the Hindu Times music video and an exclusive 15 minute interview with Noel Gallagher lead guitarist from the band. Three of the tracks will be accessible using conventional CD players.
Having previewed the tracks, PC users will be able to link directly to the HMV website to pre-order the new album online. Using IBM EMMS superdistribution technology, PC users will be able to share the exclusive tracks with other users, who will then be able to register online and preview the new files in the same managed environment.
IBM's EMMS technology includes security features that allow content providers to distribute digital media in a controlled manner, including high-quality AAC audio compression from Dolby Laboratories and Fraunhofer IIS.
About Spero Communications Ltd
Marketing Partnerships through Live Brand Experience, Spero Communications (Spero) is widely recognised as a leading authority on cultural and affinity marketing and the role of private/public sector partnerships in
modern society. Working at the cutting-edge of innovation, Spero has capitalized upon increased consumer interest in leisure, and the responsibility of business in the community, to create a unique through-the-line approach to brand development and corporate communication.
About IBM Global Digital Media
With over 80 years of experience in helping business innovate, IBM leads the industry in developing solutions that help companies create, manage, distribute, transact, and protect their content in a digital form. IBM Digital Media Solutions incorporate an open and standards-based framework, media enabling, the IBM e-business infrastructure, including business partner technologies. Additional information on IBM's strategy for Digital Media can be found at www.ibm.com/industries/digitalmedia.
About EMMS
EMMS is a comprehensive electronic media distribution and digital rights management system designed to support a broad range of media types across multiple industries. EMMS provides the foundation for new business models created by the digital delivery of assets and offers a rich set of security features designed to protect the intellectual property rights of content owners throughout the delivery process. EMMS has an open architecture to allow technology advances in audio compression, encryption, and end-user devices and applications to be integrated. EMMS is part of IBM's digital media solutions portfolio, which offers comprehensive, enterprise-wide solutions for creating, managing, storing and distributing digital assets. Additional information on EMMS can be found at www.ibm.com/software/data/emms.
For more information:
IBM Nederland N.V.
Evelien Vredeveld
020 - 513 5736
evelien_vredeveld@nl.ibm.com
Brodeur Worldwide
Tara van Oyen
020 346 20 00
t.vanoyen@nl.brodeur.com