The Change Mariner

From KFOG to iPod in Less Than 48 Hours

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a record company, radio station, recording group and online music store teamed up to achieve a new level of speed to market in the digital realm.

The exclusive digital EP "From KFOG to iPod" by critically-acclaimed Virgin Recording Group "The Thrills" was released early this morning on Apple's iTunes Music Store, less than 48 hours after the band recorded the tracks at a KFOG-FM Emerging Artist Concert in San Francisco on Sunday, January 25. Five songs from the show, including the single "One Horse Town" are available for purchase, allowing consumers to download the live recording from iTunes to their Macs or Windows-based PCs and iPods. The entire EP can be downloaded for $4.95 or single tracks are available until February 24th for 99 cents each.

Apple's iTunes Music Store (iTunes) and KFOG 104.5\97.7 FM, which is heard throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and streamed worldwide on www.kfog.com, will promote "The Thrills" release with on-air and special website mentions.

"Pairing the promotional power of radio with the instant gratification of digital distribution is the logical next step in the music revolution," said Rob Schoeben Apple's Vice President of Applications Marketing. "We're excited to offer this exclusive live collection from 'The Thrills' on the iTunes Music Store."

The promotion furthers KFOG's reputation as a station on the cutting edge, with an upscale, technically savvy audience.

"KFOG is dedicated to connecting our listeners to the best World Class Rock we can find," said KFOG Program Director Dave Benson. "We see making a KFOG Emerging Artist Concert available via iTunes as a vital move into the digital future."

The Thrills' current tour, in support of their debut, So Much For the City has left a wake of admiring reviews, a string of national TV appearances, and increasing sales. So Much For the City was named The New York Times #2 record of 2003 and was one of the Los Angeles Times' 2003 Top 10.

"Digital distribution is allowing us to get live shows out into the market quickly and respond to emerging events," according to Lars Murray, Virgin Records Director of New Media Marketing. "'From KFOG to iPod' captures the sound of an extraordinary point in the band's development, and we're pleased to be working with forward-thinking partners like KFOG and Apple."

From KFOG to iPod" will be available exclusively through iTunes for only four weeks beginning on the January 27 release date.