FIFA Signs Kobalt Music Group as Exclusive Worldwide Administrator for `The Official Melody of the 2006 FIFA World Cup (TM)'

FIFA Signs Kobalt Music Group as Exclusive Worldwide Administrator for `The Official Melody of the 2006 FIFA World Cup (TM)'

May 11, 2006

    LONDON, May 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Kobalt Music
Group (Kobalt), music publisher and online publishing
administrator, has been signed up by FIFA (the Federation
Internationale de Football Association) to be the exclusive
worldwide licensor and administrator for the Official Melody
of the 2006 FIFA World Cup(TM).

    Written by Nadir Khayat aka Red One and Bilal Hajji,
the 30-second melody, a sample from the Red One song
"Bamboo," will also be incorporated into several
other songs, including the Official Single of the 2006 FIFA
World Cup(TM) and other pieces of music to be used
extensively throughout the championships, including Shakira
feat. Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie - Bamboo (2006 FIFA
World Cup(TM) mix)."  In addition, dance, hip-hop,
house and "Bamboo" mixes will also be sold as
ringtones.   
   
    Willard Ahdritz, founder and Chief Executive of Kobalt,
commented: "Kobalt is exploiting the content on a
global basis through digital distribution partners on five
continents.  With an audience of more than a billion people
and extensive promotion, the potential exposure and consumer
base for the Official Melody is extraordinary.  We are
thrilled to be the administrator for FIFA to market,
license and collect for both the publishing and master
rights in what could be the biggest digital event
ever."      

    As the world's largest sporting event, the 2006 FIFA
World Cup(TM) kicks off June 9, 2006 in Germany.  The
Official Melody of the 2006 FIFA World Cup(TM) will receive
extensive exposure during all FIFA World Cup(TM) events,
including cross-promotion and in sponsor advertising spots
from such advertisers as Adidas, Avaya, Budweiser, Coke,
Continental, Deutsche Telekom, Emirates, Fujifilm,
Gillette, Hyundai, Mastercard,  McDonald's,  Phillips,
Toshiba and Yahoo.   

    Through the deal, Kobalt is working with FIFA's concept
developer, Engine AB an MTG company, which is FIFA's
exclusive agent for the creation and supervision of the
overall music program for the 2006 FIFA World Cup(TM).     
   
    
    Kobalt is a global, independent music publisher
offering administrative and creative services to writers,
publishers and other publishing rights holders.  Kobalt's
unique technology enables clients to receive faster
delivery of revenues and information in a transparent and
efficient manner.      

    London-based venture capital investment group NewMedia
SPARK plc 
(NMS: London Stock Exchange AIM list) was a founding
investor of Kobalt in 2001 and is a significant equity
stakeholder of Kobalt Music Group Ltd. with board
representation.

    For more information, please contact:

     Rebekah Alperin
     PR Los Angeles
     Tel:  [phone]

SOURCE  Kobalt Music Group