The Orchard Announces Slate of New Distribution Deals, Including Reader's Digest Music

New York, Los Angeles (Billboard Publicity Wire) October 31, 2007 -- The Orchard, a global leader in digital music, video and new media services, today announced several new, exclusive digital distribution deals with both established and up-and-coming independent labels: Reader's Digest Music, MC Records, and Gigantic Music, among others.

Among The Orchard's new partners is Readers Digest Music, an impressive catalogue of well-merchandised music encompassing 17,000 master tracks from artists such as Henry Mancini, Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. Readers Digest Music is renowned for their box sets, having sold more than 225 million box sets in over 33 countries, including 9 multi-platinum releases, 20 platinum titles and 23 gold releases.

"Our move to The Orchard was driven by a desire to reach broader markets through The Orchard's more robust distribution network, and sell more music through the marketing services that The Orchard offers," said Len Handler, Director, Product Development of Readers Digest.

Other recent Orchard signings encompass music from a wide array of genres:

?    American roots music by Odetta, R.L. Burnside and Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, among others, in the MC Records catalogue;

?    Gigantic Music's broad selection of punk and rock music, including The Boggs, Big A Little a, Dragons of Zynth, and Human Television;

?    The Symphony Orchestra of Canada from Backstage Productions International;

?    Emmy-nominated children's series Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works from Rogar Studios;

?    Ernest Jenning's "classic rock from the future" from artists such as O'Death, Takka Takka and The Black Hollies;

?    Electro-pop cult sensation Devo, produced by The Teddy Bears; and

?    Electronica and drum 'n bass from NYC avant garde musician Bill Laswell's label, Ohm Resistance.

"As we continue to expand our library, we are consistently bringing aboard a vast array of different types and categories of music to reflect the demand that currently exists in the marketplace today," said Brad Navin, VP, Global Licensing and Operations. "We attribute the success of our service in part to the wide variety and quality of music we provide that appeals to the ever-expanding digital music consumer base."

"Our artists' eclectic music has always performed strongly at digital retailers and we're looking forward to seeing how high The Orchard's marketing team can grow the digital percentage of our total music sales," said Peter D'Angelo, Label Manager of Ernest Jenning.

The Orchard was recently recognized by Deloitte & Touche as the 5th fastest-growing company in the New York region.

About The Orchard The Orchard is a leading supplier and marketer of digital music and video to digital retailers and mobile operators throughout the world. The Orchard controls an unparalleled catalogue of music from thousands of artists and labels, encompassing all genres, eras, and regions. With localized marketing in 27 countries serving all major music territories, The Orchard designs global sales programs that are executed by local experts, who are knowledgeable about and sensitive to each country's unique market dynamic. The Orchard functions as a true business partner with its clients by providing retail sales and marketing support, an extensive suite of online promotional programs, song placement, global royalty collection, global publishing administration, and in select cases, co-production investment capital. The Orchard also provides strategic media services to an impressive roster of digital retailers and leading consumer brands, ranging from publishing research, licensing and administration through comprehensive online and offline branding programs. The Orchard was founded in 1997 to provide independent artists and labels with broad and fair access to distribution. For more information, please visit us at www.theorchard.com

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