3 UK PARTNERS WITH THE ORCHARD TO POWER INDEPENDENT MUSIC OFFERING

POPKOMM, BERLIN – SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2007, The Orchard,
a global leader in digital music, video and new media services, and 3,
the UK’s leading mobile media company, announced today the completion
of a comprehensive agreement to license music, video, and mastertone
content from The Orchard for delivery across the 3UK network.

The
deal will allow 3’s customers access to a significant and diverse music
offering, spanning international multi-platinum acts, cutting-edge
breaking bands, and iconic and historically significant regional music.

3
has the largest 3G network in the U.K. and has led the industry by
driving innovations including premiering music singles over mobile
devices and broadcasting concerts directly to handsets.  3
were also the first to offer dual delivery, where a customer who
downloads a track can access it either on a mobile device or PC for the
same price.

 

”3
knows that independent music is a crucial part of providing customers
with music discovery and catalogue depth," said Greg Scholl, president
and chief executive of The Orchard.  "As
the only independent music distributor 3 has licensed directly, we
appreciate 3’s commitment to work with us and bring important
non-mainstream music to UK customers.”

3 UK Marketing Director, John Penberthy-Smith says, "We love music at 3.  We are strong believers in delivering the widest possible range of content to our customers. Our partnership with The Orchard means we have expanded our music service even more.  With this we will continue to have the most comprehensive mobile music service on the market.”

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About 3

3 is a mobile media company delivering a convergence of communications, entertainment and information to customers on the move.

The three areas which form the core of its business are:

Communications
– including all forms of personal communications, voice and video
calling; text, picture and video messaging; and mobile blogging

Entertainment – including television, music audio and video, computer games, and media publishing

Information services – including wireless web, access to the best of the internet and a range of news services

3
UK is a member of the HWL group of 3G companies, which include 3G
operations in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel,
Italy, Sweden and soon Norway.

 

Three facts about 3:

3, a mobile media company, launched the UK's first 3G network

3 has over 3.9 million customers in the UK and over 14.7 million worldwide (March 2007 figures)

The 3 network offers national coverage for calls and texts, and over 90% population coverage for 3G services.

For further information, please visit:  www.three.co.uk.

About The Orchard

The Orchard
is a leading supplier and marketer of digital music and video to
digital retailers and mobile operators throughout the world. The Orchard
controls an unparalleled catalogue of music from thousands of artists
and labels, encompassing all genres, eras, and regions. With localized
marketing in 27 countries serving all major music territories, The Orchard
designs global sales programs that are executed by local experts, who
are knowledgeable about and sensitive to each country’s unique market
dynamic. The Orchard
functions as a true business partner with its clients by providing
retail sales and marketing support, an extensive suite of online
promotional programs, song placement, global royalty collection, global
publishing administration, and in select cases, co-production
investment capital. The Orchard
also provides strategic media services to an impressive roster of
digital retailers and leading consumer brands, ranging from publishing
research, licensing and administration through comprehensive online and
offline branding programs. The Orchard
was founded in 1997 to provide independent artists and labels with
broad and fair access to distribution. For more information, please
visit us at www.theorchard.com