Jupiterís Plug.In Forum To Feature Visionaries From Time Warner, Real Networks, Napster And MP3.com

Artist Mike D From The Beastie Boys Joins Jupiter Analysts To Address Recent Turmoil In Internet Music Space

13-Jul-00

The Internet has served as a catalyst for changing the way that users consume music, which has led to a litany of legal battles, failing players and overall industry unrest. To address these recent shifts, Jupiter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: JPTR) announced an impressive panel of music visionaries for Plug.In: The Jupiter Online Music Forum, including keynote speakers Richard D. Parsons, President, Time Warner Inc., Rob Glaser, Chairman and CEO, Real Networks and Mike D of the Beastie Boys. Top executives from Napster, Sheridan Square Entertainment, MP3.com, BMG Entertainment, and RIAA will join Jupiter's analysts and keynote speakers to address issues such as record label strategies, digital distribution, music-oriented online content and intellectual property that define this evolving market. Now in its fifth year, Plug.In, sponsored by Billboard magazine and Digital Club Network, will take place July 24 and 25 at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in New York City and serves as one of Jupiter's most successful events. Building off the strategic and directive research for the Internet music that Jupiter creates, Plug.In brings the mix of industry leaders, visionaries and detractors to join Jupiter analysts and provide a comprehensive view of where the market is and will be going. ""Jupiter has long been a leader in the Internet music space by continuously helping players to predict the size of the market and providing companies with strategic insight that leverages the direction in which theyíre going,"" said Gene DeRose, CEO of Jupiter Communications. ""It puts us in a perfect spot to address all the recent changes this market has experienced. Jupiter analysts have been at the center of the market helping executives direct their strategy and mold the strategy through the transformation. We think this yearís Plug.In will be a culmination of a year's work of focusing on this industry."" In its rich history of offering information on the Internet music industry, Jupiter's Plug.In Forum has served as the platform for industry luminaries to present, argue, and announce market changes. Past speakers have included Strauss Zelnick, President and CEO, BMG, Tom Freston, CEO, MTV Networks, John Sykes, President, VH1 and Hilary Rosen, President and CEO, RIAA. Plug.In has also attracted leading artists in the digital space, including Chuck D, Thomas Dolby and Laurie Anderson. This yearís agenda features Hank Barry, interim CEO, Napster, Danny Goldberg, President, Sheridan Square Entertainment, Michael Robertson, Chairman and CEO, MP3.com, Steve Marks, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs, RIAA, and Kevin Conroy, Chief Marketing Officer and President, New Technology, BMG Entertainment. A sample of discussions that will take place during Plug.In sessions includes the following: - Determining who will control the digital rights in areas such as downloads, radio, retailing and consumer data, and what strategies are necessary to allow labels, artists, media companies and retailers to capitalize on the Web's invaluable marketing capabilities.- Evaluating new technologies and trends that are revolutionizing the music business and exploring ways to turn file-sharing services into revenue-generating ventures. - Identifying best-of-breed business models for start-ups and established players and discussing whether or not new subscription schemes will make the role of the retailer obsolete.- Uncovering the opportunities and pitfalls that are emerging as the music industry continues to move online and examining means to encourage the industry to embrace a plethora of untapped ways to sell music.""With recent legal actions against Napster and MP3.com, and an increase in the distribution of digital media players, we are confident that the most dramatic changes for the music industry are yet to come,"" said Aram Sinnreich, analyst with Jupiter Communications. Jupiter has led the online music research field with frequent prescriptive direction for more than five years. Some of the recent findings of Jupiter music research include the following: - Driving Music Sales. A recent Jupiter Executive Survey found that the types of programming that drive music sales most effectively are comprehensive album or artist information (72 percent), professional reviews (66 percent) and free promotional downloads (66 percent). A library of song clips, cited by 63 percent of respondents, followed closely. The findings indicate that not only retail functionality, but also the programming essential for music retail is becoming commoditized, leveling the playing field between retailers and media players, and between established brands and newbies ultimately. The findings also reinforce that consumers require online music retailers to offer song clips, downloads, and album and artist information as a bare minimum.- Programming Elements. The recent Jupiter Executive Survey revealed that retail is the most important programming element in building a robust online music property, with 71 percent of respondents listing it as vital or very important. This represents an important shift for music media players. Revenue and strategic issues aside, music retail is a critical site element for consumers' experience - giving consumers the opportunity to purchase music where they listen to it, view it (as music videos), or read about it - and as such, it is becoming a necessity on all online music sites.- Digital Device Market. The digital device music market will grow to roughly 19 million consumers in 2005, representing nearly 15 percent of the online user base. In addition to the protracted warring between rival links in the distribution chain, several factors will inhibit this market's growth, ensuring that writable CD and DVD drives have a higher penetration and impact on the digital music market.Plug.In will feature an expanded trade show floor, with over 100 companies sharing their products and services. Key forum sponsors include MTVi Group, RioPort and NetRadio.com. To receive information on Jupiter's Plug.In event or other Jupiter forums, contact Jupiter at 800 414 6740 ext. 6424 (international callers can dial 917 534 6424) or visit Jupiter online at www.jup.com/events/forums/.Jupiter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: JPTR) is a leading provider of research on Internet commerce. Jupiter's research, which is solely focused on the Internet economy, provides clients with comprehensive views of industry trends, forecasts and best practices. The company's research services are provided primarily through its continuous subscription services. Jupiter also produces a wide range of conferences that offer senior executives the opportunity to hear firsthand the insights of its analysts and the leading decision-makers in the Internet and technology industries. Jupiter Communications is based in New York City, with operations in London, San Francisco, Stockholm, Sydney and Tokyo. For more information on Jupiter Communications visit http://www.jup.com.

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