RealNetworks Launches New Advertising Campaign Series for Rhapsody-Optimized Players

RealNetworks Launches New Advertising Campaign Series for Rhapsody-Optimized Players

Acclaimed Music Photographer Danny Clinch Directs Rhapsody Television Spots Promoting Rhapsody and the SanDisk Sansa e200R Rhapsody Player

SEATTLE, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RealNetworks(R) (NASDAQ:RNWK), the global leader in digital media delivery, today announced the beginning of a new televised advertising campaign created in conjunction with the Sedgwick Rd. advertising agency for the SanDisk(R) Sansa e200R Rhapsody MP3 player released this fall. The groundbreaking Sansa e200R, the result of a close partnership between RealNetworks and SanDisk, is the first MP3 player designed for Rhapsody(R). The first spots of this series feature an exclusive interview with rock legend Eric Clapton directed by the renowned music photographer Danny Clinch, produced by Lindha Narvaez and concepted by Sedgwick Rd.

The ads can currently be seen on TBS, FX, Comedy Central, VH1, TNT, MTV, ESPN, E!, G4, MTV2, ESPN2 and VH1 in select markets and may also be viewed at http://www.rhapsody.com/clapton/commercials/1 .

Directed by Danny Clinch, famed popular music photographer and director of music videos for Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Willie Nelson among others, and with David Saltz as executive producer, the stylish commercials are shot in an intimate interview atmosphere. The spots focus on highly regarded artists talking about the aspects of music that matter to them most and naturally resonate with the key features of the Sansa e200R Rhapsody experience including new music discovery.

In an industry first, these Rhapsody-enhanced players automatically update with hours of fresh, highly personalized new music content each time they are plugged in. The players also display album art, artist biographies and allow consumers to save and rate songs from anywhere, further enhancing the music discovery experience.

"The Sansa e200R Rhapsody player makes it effortless to continually discover and enjoy fresh new music," said Dan Sheeran, RealNetworks SVP of music. "By highlighting the vital importance of music discovery to deeply respected artists like Eric Clapton, we are able to convey the essence of the Rhapsody experience."

In addition to the televised campaign, Sedgwick Rd. worked with RealNetworks over the course of six months to develop a comprehensive marketing plan for the Sansa e200R Rhapsody player. The full campaign includes online ads and a series of print ads in a number of publications including Rolling Stone, SPIN Magazine, Blender, Stuff and PC Magazine. These ads will appear throughout the month of December and showcase the unique benefits of the both Rhapsody digital music service and the Sansa e200R player.

SanDisk's Sansa e200R Rhapsody product images can be downloaded from http://www.sandisk.com/corporate/media.asp .

ABOUT REALNETWORKS, INC.

RealNetworks, Inc. is the leading creator of digital media services and software including Rhapsody, RealPlayer(R) 10, and casual PC and mobile games. Broadcasters, network operators, media companies and enterprises use RealNetworks' products and services to create and deliver digital media to PCs, mobile phones and consumer electronics devices. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks' consumer software at http://www.real.com/ . RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located at http://www.realnetworks.com/ .

About Sedgwick Rd.

Sedgwick Rd., a subsidiary of IPG located in Seattle's SoDo district, provides award-winning creative, brand development, digital services, public relations, and media planning and buying services. Sedgwick Rd. serves as the agency of record, a roster shop or a project shop for companies including 21st Century Insurance, Converse, Tower Records, the Seattle Storm, Krispy Kreme/Icon LLC, the Seattle Art Museum, Digeo, Nintendo and Redhook Ale Brewery. Sedgwick Rd. is located at 1741 First Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134, www.sedgwickrd.com.

NOTE: SanDisk, the SanDisk logo and Sansa are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: meggers@real.com

Source: RealNetworks, Inc.

CONTACT: Ronda Scott of RealNetworks, Inc., +1-415-934-2016, or
rscott@real.com; or Ray Vincenzo of Sedgwick Rd, +1-206-971-4278, or
ray.vincenzo@sedgwickrd.com

Web site: http://www.sedgwickrd.com/

Web site: http://www.realnetworks.com/

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