'Back To Old Skool' Black History Month Promotion From Circuit City and VIBE Magazine Features Digital Sampler Created by Universal Music Enterprises and Mini-Magazine From VIBE

'Back To Old Skool' Black History Month Promotion From Circuit City and VIBE Magazine Features Digital Sampler Created by Universal Music Enterprises and Mini-Magazine From VIBE

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- For Black History Month (February), Circuit City, VIBE Magazine, and Universal Music Enterprises have partnered to celebrate "Old Skool" soul from both classic artists and current stars. Customers who purchase one of the 20 featured UMe/Verve titles at Circuit City will receive a free eight-song digital sampler (accessible via a code and instructions on a download card) and a 24-page mini-issue of VIBE housed in an eye-catching CD package with the classic Pee-Chee folder/cover. All 676 Circuit City locations nationwide will participate in the "Back To Old Skool" promotion that will run from February 1 to March 6.

The tracks on the digital sampler are taken from eight of the promotion's 20 recently released albums: "Alright" from Ledisi's LOST & FOUND, "On & On" from the Special Edition of Erykah Badu's BADUIZM, "Video" from the Special Edition of India.Arie's ACOUSTIC SOUL, the "Dear Mama" remix featuring Anthony Hamilton from THE BEST OF 2PAC -- PT. 1: THUG, "When I Get Free" from THE BEST OF 2PAC -- PT. 2: LIFE, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" from STEVIE WONDER -- NUMBER 1'S, "Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up" from The Temptations' BACK TO FRONT, and "Poetry Man" from Queen Latifah's TRAV'LIN' LIGHT.

The other albums included are new 20TH CENTURY MASTERS "best of" collections for Brian McKnight, Kelly Price, and Salt-n-Pepa, along with compilations from The Dells, Boyz II Men, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Janet Jackson, Jodeci, K-Ci & Jo-Jo, Barry White, and the Jackson 5.

"Whether music, sports or politics, Black History Month is about appreciating what came before and understanding where we are now," said Gary R. Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer, VIBE. "This 'Back To Old Skool' campaign brings together the music of yesterday with the music of today, and VIBE, as an important voice of African-American culture, wants to celebrate that connection." In addition, inside VIBE's mini-magazine will be a free trial offer and a special discounted subscription rate.

Added Mike Davis, Executive Vice President & General Manager, UMe: "'Back To Old Skool' shows how a content provider, marketing, and retail can work as a team to offer the public a promotion they want at a time they want it. Circuit City and VIBE were terrific partners."

The "Back To Old Skool" promotion will be fueled by ads in VIBE, USA Today, Circuit City in-store merchandisers, circulars with a circulation of 80,000,000, and e-mail blasts that will reach more than 20,000,000 of the company's customers.

"Black History Month gives Circuit City an opportunity to connect with our customers in a different way," said Irynne MacKay, Circuit City Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager, Entertainment. "The 'Back To Old Skool' promotion offers something that is not only unique and of added value, but also fits in perfectly with our ongoing efforts to have our customers come back to us again and again to purchase great music."

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Universal Music Enterprises

CONTACT: Sujata Murthy of Universal Music Enterprises, +1-310-865-7812,
sujata.murthy@umusic.com; or Gena Gatewood, Communications Manager - Project
2050 of Vibe Media Group, cell, +1-917-689-3884, ggatewood@p2050.com; or
Jackie Foreman of Circuit City, +1-804-418-8298

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