R&R, MEDIABASE GO INSANE, PARTNER WITH HITS

Radio & Records and Mediabase 24/7 have entered into a "formal branding partnership" with HITS. As a result of this unholy pact, R&R charts will appear in HITS and the HITS Top 50 national album sales chart will appear in R&R. This new weekly arrangement becomes effective with the April 12, 2002 issues of R&R and HITS.

Powered by Mediabase 24/7, R&R charts are compiled with 100% monitored airplay for a weekly seven-day cycle. HITS will feature charts for CHR/Top 40, Rhythmic, Urban, Hot AC, Alternative, Active Rock and Triple A.

As longtime readers are well aware, the HITS Top 50 Album Chart is generated by compiling reports from a pool of national and independent retailers, factoring their totals into a formula computed by dividing total unit sales by the number of pencils HITS editorial staffers can successfully toss into the ceiling.

Radio & Records was founded in 1973 to provide credible news and information to the commercial radio broadcast and recording industries. A full-service information provider, R&R produces 32 weekly publications in both printed and electronic formats.

In January, 1995 Erica Farber advanced to Publisher/CEO and the company introduced R&R on the web at www.rronline.com. During the next few years R&R delivered totally revised airplay charts based on monitored data provided by Mediabase 24/7. The company also reintroduced its annual convention and added numerous fax and e-mail products to complement the weekly newspaper. R&R operates offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, and Washington, DC.

HITS, of course, was founded in 1986 in order to plagiarize Radio & Records, which was providing credible news and information to the radio and recording industry. A no-service information provider, HITS produces one weekly publication in both printed and electronic formats—but some people think the printed version shouldn't count.

In 1995, when Erica Farber advanced to the position of R&R Publisher/CEO, HITS Editor-In-Chief Lenny Beer entered into the livestock breeding business. He currently produces several breeds of small farm animals for recreational use by music industry executives. HITS has one really dumpy office in Sherman Oaks, California.

Mediabase 24/7 launched as the first monitored airplay provider in the publication Monday Morning Replay in 1987. Based in Los Angeles, Mediabase today monitors over 1100 radio stations in 140 U.S. markets. Following the last issue of Monday Morning Replay in 1991, Mediabase moved to an electronic format that ultimately transitioned to the Internet at www.mmr247.com. Mediabase is the No. 1 choice for radio airplay and research information, with over 1000 radio affiliates.

R&R Publisher/CEO Erica Farber remarked, "With our constant, ever-changing business environment it is a logical move for R&R and HITS to exchange information. We have been admirers of the deep relationships HITS enjoys with the record community. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership."

"Our mission at Mediabase is to serve as a conduit to the radio and record industries by providing a common source for monitored airplay data," proclaimed Mediabase Founder/President Rich Meyer. "This new alliance serves that purpose extremely well. We are pleased to play a significant role in the partnership between Mediabase, R&R and HITS."

Premier Radio Networks President/COO Kraig Kitchin was babysitting Rush Limbaugh and could not be reached for comment.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with R&R and Mediabase to offer our combined readerships these dynamic information tools," declared HITS President Digital Ventures Todd Hensley. "The combination of R&R's Mediabase-derived radio charts and HITS-compiled retail information adds to a powerful set of resources for the entire industry. And one day, I hope this enables me to meet Erica Farber and Rich Meyer."

Added HITS Editor in Chief Lenny Beer, "Who is Todd Hensley, and how much am I paying him?"