Recording Academy and America Online Launch Official 'Behind-the-Scenes' Music Sites for 45th...

Entertainment Editors

SANTA MONICA, Calif./DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2003

America Online (NYSE:AOL):

-- Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Web Cams and AOL Broadband Sweepstakes Provide Insider's Experience of Music's Premier Awards Show for AOL Members

-- Online




				

				
				 
				


 Music Fans Can Find Detailed Artist and Event Information, View Up-to-the-Minute Coverage, Buy GRAMMY Merchandise and Much More

Today the Recording Academy(R) and America Online, Inc. -- the world's leading interactive services company -- announced the launch of the Official Website of the 45th Annual GRAMMY(R) Awards, the most extensive, behind-the-scenes experience available to date for the upcoming event. AOL Music and GRAMMY.com are the online host destinations for the GRAMMY Awards, bringing the behind-the-scenes excitement and glamour of the world's premier music awards show to more than 35 million AOL members and the vast Internet audience.

Today's announcement builds upon the multi-year alliance between AOL and the Recording Academy which was announced last year. The alliance allows AOL members and Internet music fans to enjoy unprecedented online access to the GRAMMY Awards show, including exclusive coverage of rehearsals, backstage coverage and live coverage from the event.

Available now at www.grammy.com, AOL Keyword: GRAMMY and on the Web at www.aolmusic.com/grammy, music fans have access to exclusive merchandise and content preceding, during and after the GRAMMY Awards on February 23, creating a dynamic "all-access pass" to GRAMMY activities and events. AOL members will also have special access to exclusive behind-the-scenes Web cams at the Awards.

As part of this access, AOL members can register for the AOL Broadband 2003 GRAMMY Sweepstakes for a chance to win a 5-day, 4-night trip to the GRAMMY Awards in New York City, as well as attend the 2003 MusiCares Person Of The Year event honoring international rock legend Bono (of U2). The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. (ET) on February 8. Sweepstakes Official Rules can be found at AOL Keyword: GRAMMY Sweeps. AOL Broadband also offers members a special Radio@AOL GRAMMY station with CD quality songs from current nominees and past winners as well as an exclusive Sessions@AOL: GRAMMY with nominee interviews and performances.

"Our continuing relationship with AOL Music ensures that the excitement of the GRAMMY Awards will reach millions of online visitors with a greater impact than ever before," said Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy. "This partnership provides opportunities that make AOL Keyword: GRAMMY and GRAMMY.com must-visit entertainment and information destinations on the Web."

"Our GRAMMYs' programming was a huge hit with our members last year, and we are thrilled to continue our association with the Recording Academy and provide online music fans an even better experience this year," said Kevin Conroy, SVP and General Manager of AOL Entertainment. "Through unique content and exclusive offerings, AOL Music has established itself as the leading online music destination, and our alliance with the Recording Academy is a perfect example of how we are able to provide the best online experience for music fans."

With the GRAMMYs' presence on both AOL and the World Wide Web, visitors will enjoy a one-of-a-kind glimpse of the backstage excitement through this GRAMMY Web destination, including:

-- Backstage coverage of GRAMMY rehearsals as the performers and

crew prepare for the event.

-- Only at AOL Keyword: GRAMMY, AOL members can monitor

exclusive, behind-the-scenes Web cams offering an insider's

view of the red carpet and backstage activities.

-- A Nominee Area where members can listen to GRAMMY-nominated

songs from the top categories, plus see the complete list of

104 categories.

-- Additional programming includes the GRAMMY Fashion Photo

Galleries; on-demand exclusive interviews and performances by

nominees featured on Sessions@AOL; past winner database;

complete list of GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees; a complete

list of the nominees, and much more.

Due to the high demand for GRAMMY memorabilia last year, the Academy expanded its merchandising efforts, now offering official GRAMMY apparel on AOL in addition to eBay, Macy's Herald Square, W.H. Smith stores around greater NYC, Virgin MegaStore Times Square, and hotels hosting GRAMMY events, as well as GRAMMY.com. For a second year, the Academy partnered with Anschutz Entertainment Group to offer this merchandise commemorating the awards show. The apparel available this year, which reflects New York's urban fashion sense, includes items from top designer Nicole Miller and Official GRAMMY Artist Peter Max as well as telecast t-shirts, hats, and jackets, among other items.

The 45th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Sunday, February 23 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and broadcast in High Definition TV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television network at 8 p.m. (EST/PST).

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as the Recording Academy, is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural conditions for music and its makers. An organization of 18,000 musicians, producers and other recording professionals, the Recording Academy is internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach, professional development, cultural enrichment, education and human services programs. For more information, please visit www.grammy.com.

AOL Music reaches the largest audience of online music fans in the world through a rich array of programming, products and services that make it easy to discover, experience, listen to and buy music on the Web. AOL Music's leading offerings include the number one Internet music destination, AOL's Music Channel; premier online radio products Radio@AOL and Spinner; and the most popular audio jukebox player, Winamp. AOL Music also provides music programming, products and services throughout the AOL Service, AOL High Speed Broadband, and AOL's family of Web brands, including Netscape, CompuServe, AIM and ICQ.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: AOL). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.