ZOMBA CHOOSES LIQUID

Using Liquid's secure music distribution system and global online network, Zomba plans to make singles and albums by artists such as Britney Spears, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, R. Kelly, Too Short, Survivor, Weird Al Yankovic and Flock Of Seagulls, among others, available for sale as downloads through a network of more than 1,000 Web sites. Liquid will provide Zomba with a variety of digital distribution services in the non-exclusive arrangement, including encoding, hosting, DRM and clearinghouse functions. The downloads will be distributed in both Liquid Audio and Windows Media formats.

"We are delighted to have them as part of our digital music initiative," said Zomba VP Seth A. Schachner, whose official title with the label was frankly too long to type here, but it had "New Media" and "Strategic" worked into it somehow. "We are confident that we will benefit from this association in such an important new market."

"Our selection by Zomba, the world's leading independent record group, will add an important selection of music, with some of the music world's leading artists, to the music catalog we distribute to our global network of online Web sites," said Liquid CEO Gerry Kearby. "And, on a personal note, it brings me just one step closer to that date with Britney."

Zomba's labels include Jive Records, Jive Electro, Silvertone, Verity, Brentwood, Benson, Reunion and Volcano.