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"One of the reasons we came to RED was its incom-parable marketing team. It gives our labels and artists a confident distribution and marketing system, which offers tremendous growth potential they didn't have up to
this point."
——MRI Presient Missi Callazo

MRI SEES RED, INKS DISTRIB DEAL

Arrangement Kicks In May 2, Renews Old Ties
RED Distribution has announced an exclusive distribution deal with MRI, which includes the Megaforce and Transdreamer labels. The deal, which goes into effect May 2, reunites Megaforce and RED, which was known as Important Distributors back in 1983, when Megaforce gained attention by releasing the first album from Metallica.

Initial releases under the new deal will be from The String Cheese Incident, Michelle Shocked, Ben Taylor, Keller Williams, Dressy Bessy, The Black Keys and Burning Spear; all are slated for summer/fall. Also on the MRI roster are Steve Winwood, Fred Hersch, Wellwater Conspiracy and Scotland’s The Delgados. The group is home to such labels as Sci Fidelity, Fat Possum and Chemikal Underground.

Said RED President Ken Antonelli, "We're happy to have Megaforce in the RED family. Robert [John, President of Megaforce and Transdreamer] and Missi [Callazo, President of MRI] have built a music industry institution in Megaforce and have expanded upon that vision to create a cutting-edge and credible label group like MRI. The diversity of talent they have dovetails perfectly with our diverse areas of expertise and we're looking forward to helping them continue to grow their business."

Added John, "When nobody would sign Metallica, Important stepped up to the plate and distributed Kill 'Em All and thus, Megaforce was first born. It is this fearless attitude that is inspiring and continues to this day at RED. Partnering with them will give us the leverage needed to take our labels and artists to a new level. RED's unique marketing-driven approach versus a distribution-driven approach fits us perfectly. We are now at a place where we truly have a chance at breaking records, yet keeping an independent vision. It is very exciting for us."

Commented Callazo, "One of the reasons we came to RED was its incomparable marketing team. It gives our labels and artists a confident distribution and marketing system, which offers tremendous growth potential they didn't have up to this point."

During its 22-year existence, Megaforce has released albums by jam-band stalwart Warren Haynes, Anthrax and The Disco Biscuits, among others, tallying worldwide sales in excess of 30 million units.

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