N2K's Music Boulevard Signs Exclusive Partnership with Fresh Picks for
Supermarket Sales of Music
(PR Newswire; 02/04/98)
NEW YORK, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ Leveraging the shifting buying habits of
American music purchasers, N2K Inc. (Nasdaq: NTKI) today entered into an
exclusive five-year relationship with Fresh Picks, Inc., a premier distributor
of music through the supermarket channel, to bring the Music Boulevard online
shopping experience to interactive touch-screen kiosks being installed in
supermarkets nationwide.
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Fresh Picks builds and maintains free-
standing music departments in supermarkets, offering up to 800 music titles at
each location for immediate purchase. To complement and expand the catalog
offered in these stores, N2K will develop a customized version of its 200,000-
title music store, Music Boulevard ( http://www.musicblvd.com ), to be
integrated into interactive touch screen music kiosks found at these locations.
The kiosks will allow shoppers to browse through a comprehensive catalog of
music titles and related merchandise and purchase products in a secure
environment through the kiosk.
"We see a tremendous potential in bringing the music buying experience into
high-traffic traditional retail environments such as supermarkets," said Jim
Coane, President and Chief Operating Officer, N2K Inc. "Through this
partnership with Fresh Picks, we can offer shoppers the convenience of browsing
the entire Music Boulevard catalog quickly and easily, enhancing the shopping
experience for a wider audience of music consumers, some of whom may not yet be
connected to the Internet."
Research shows that consumers over 25, the largest record-buying
demographic, visit traditional record stores less frequently but continue to
visit supermarkets regularly. In addition, data shows that this age group is
the fastest growing segment and accounts for 60 percent of all music purchases.
Coupled with this is research that shows supermarket customers visit the store
an average of 2.2 times each week. These trends indicate the benefit of
offering consumers the opportunity to purchase music in a convenient and
comfortable environment.
"N2K's Music Boulevard is a perfect addition to our turn-key operation
which enables a supermarket chain to become a leading player in the music
business," said Michael Rigby, President and Chief Operating Officer, Fresh
Picks. "This partnership enables Fresh Picks to offer the best music retailing
experience, marrying on-site availability of top selling albums with the most
comprehensive virtual inventory in an easy to use kiosk. Both Fresh Picks and
N2K are winners in this relationship."
The Music Boulevard/Fresh Picks music kiosks also include a video screen
that will play relevant advertising for special Music Boulevard promotions
during times in which the kiosk is not being used by a customer for a purchase.
Music Boulevard is currently in discussions with record labels to utilize this
unique interactive display area to feature current and special catalogues and
titles.
N2K Inc. is a leading online music entertainment company among whose
premier music partners include America Online, Netscape, Excite, MTV/VH-1,
WebTV, Home, AT&T WorldNet and PointCast. By combining an effective online
music transaction system with a comprehensive network of online music channels,
N2K has created the Internet's most complete music entertainment solution. N2K
offers a choice of more than 200,000 music titles on its Music Boulevard online
superstore and creates original music programming and content available through
its award-winning music channels, which include Rocktropolis.com,
JazzCentralStation.com, ClassicalInsites.com, DavidBowie.com, StonesWorld.com,
LeonardBernstein.com and allstarmag.com. The company pioneered e_mod, the
first secure and commercially viable digital online music delivery system. N2K
also maintains an independent record company, N2K Encoded Music. Traded on
Nasdaq under the symbol "NTKI", N2K Inc. is based in New York at 55 Broad
Street, New York, NY 10004, Internet address: http://www.n2k.com. Telephone:
212-378-5555.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, but
are
not limited to the impact from competition for Internet content and
merchandise
and recorded music; dependence on strategic alliance partners, suppliers and
distributors; market acceptance of the Internet for commerce and as a medium
for advertising; technological changes and difficulties; and other risks
detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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