Agency Contact: Singing Machine Contact:
Neil Berkman John Klecha
Berkman Associates COO
(310) 277-5162 (954) 596 - 1000
MTV Contact:
Irene Fu
(212) 258-8762
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Singing Machine Company Signs
License Agreement With MTV
Singing Machine Will Produce Line of MTV-Branded
Karaoke Equipment and Related CDs
Coconut Creek, Florida, January 5, 2001 -- The Singing Machine Company
(OTC:SING), a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic karaoke
equipment and related audio software, announced today that it has signed a
multi-year, domestic merchandise license agreement with MTV to create the first
line of MTV Karaoke Machines and compact disks with graphics (CD+G) featuring
music for MTV's core audience.
"Singing Machine is thrilled to partner with MTV in this exciting new
project. Teaming with a multidimensional youth brand like MTV is a terrific
opportunity for Singing Machine to capture the imagination of music-oriented
consumers and increase awareness of our karaoke hardware and software for home
use. MTV's presence provides an enviable platform for Singing Machine to launch
several very compelling new products in the U.S. marketplace," said John Klecha,
Chief Operating Officer of Singing Machine.
Heidi Eskenazi, Vice President, Licensing and Merchandising, MTV, said,
"We are very pleased to be working with Singing Machine to give our viewers a
piece of MTV right in their own homes. Our on-air show 'Say What Karaoke'
continues to be a hit with our audience, and we believe that the MTV Karaoke
Machine will be a fun and entertaining product for our viewers."
Under the agreement, Singing Machine will produce two MTV-branded
products: a large format karaoke machine with a built in, fully functional
television that enables users to view song lyrics; and a smaller karaoke system
that connects to a television. Singing Machine also will produce exclusive CD+Gs
featuring music catering to MTV's core audience that will be distributed with
the MTV-branded karaoke machines.
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The Singing Machine Company Signs License Agreement With MTV
January 5, 2001
Page Two
Klecha added, "We plan to distribute the MTV-licensed products through
Singing Machine's established distribution channels, including Best Buy, Costco,
Toys R Us, JC Penny, Sears, Mars, Musicland, and Sam's Club. This high-profile
distribution network also may be expanded to include online-only retailers. Our
alliance with MTV is a key to our strategy to bring Singing Machine's exciting
products to large new markets."
MTV will unveil its first extensive electronic music line on January 6
in Las Vegas, Nevada at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show. MTV Karaoke Machines
should be available in stores beginning in Spring 2001.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA,VIA.B),
owns and operates the following television services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION,
MTV2, VH1, NICKELODEON/NICK at NITE, TV LAND, CMT, TNN and the DIGITAL SUITE
FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of nine digital services, all of which are
trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint
ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be
seen worldwide. In addition, MTV Networks operates the MTVi Group and
Nickelodeon Online, a portfolio of leading Internet properties built to address
every interest of today's music fan and Internet-savvy kid.
About The Singing Machine Company
The Singing Machine Company, Inc. () engages in the production and
distribution of a full line of consumer-oriented karaoke machines, including
CD+Graphics machines, as well as CD+G and audio karaoke music.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect
the current views of the company with respect to future events and are subject
to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Although the company believes
that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual future results or events
may vary materially from those described herein.
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