Universal Eyes New Earbook Releases

Universal Music is poised to roll out the new "earbook" format.

From Oct. 23, the United Kingdom will be the launch pad for six titles in the new range, which will comprise a
hard-back book with at least four CDs enclosed within the inside front cover.

Titles from Dusty Springfield, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jam, Thin Lizzy and the Police will feature in
the first batch of releases.

A spokesperson says further releases are intended to follow next year.

"I believe that Earbooks have the potential to become another of our leading brands, in much the same way
as our deluxe editions," comments Silvia Montello, Universal Music Catalog marketing director. Montello adds,
"we envisage earbooks becoming established as the ultimate gift for music-lovers."

The Universal Music earbook series are expected to rack in non-traditional outlets such as bookshops and
gift shops, in addition to music outlets.

Earbooks are Universal Music's latest strategic project inject value-added offerings to its physical CD
releases.

In July, the music major unveiled that they would be offering European consumers a new three-tier system
of packaging and pricing for its albums.
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Desperation move just like the DUALDISC. Looks like UMD didn't make their numbers during the first 3 QTR's