Fuse and Tower Records Announce – The Thrills – as Winner of "Next Big Thing" Award

Viewers determine winner of November's "Next Big Thing Award"

New York, NY – December 2003 – Fuse, the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced network, and Tower Records, the world's leading entertainment retailer, announced that
The Thrills are the November winner of "Next Big Thing Award," a monthly co-promotion designed to recognize new and emerging artists on the upstart cable music network and at retail outlets nationwide. The Thrills will stop by Fuse's hit show IMX on January 14, 204 to collect their award and give fans a live performance.

"This contest fits perfectly with Fuse's sensibility," said Marc Juris, President of Fuse. "All of our programming on Fuse is driven by what our viewers want. The "Next Big Thing Awards" gives music fans a way to help their favorite, emerging bands like The Thrills, gain exposure."

"The Thrills are the biggest and brightest group that has come out of Dublin since U2!" said Tower Records Vice President of Marketing, Russ Eisenman. "Their southern California sound is completely refreshing and we're happy to present them with the "Next Big Thing Award" to encourage their new audience here in the States to listen-up!"

The Thrills were signed to Virgin Records after the legendary Morrissey personally asked the Dublin band to open for him at London's Royal Albert Hall -the first time The Thrills performed for over 200 people! The Thrills, who count everyone from N.E.R.D to Marvin Gaye as their influences, released their critically acclaimed debut album "So Much for the City," in June 2003. This Irish phenomenon got their name from combining Phil Spector's sixties girl groups and the name of Michael Jackson's greatest album.
The "Next Big Thing Awards" build upon the Tower Records in-store promotion launched in June 2003 designed to introduce customers to the work of fresh, new artists. A selection of "Next Big Thing Awards" artists is selected each month and their CDs are showcased in special end-cap displays at all 92 Tower Records' stores, in their national weekly circulars and on in-store listening stations. To stimulate interest in these new performers, the CDs are on sale for $9.99 or less. In September 2003, Fuse brought the popular project to life on television and its website, www.fuse.tv, with an effort entitled Fuse Presents the Tower Records Next Big Thing Awards.

The Tower Records Next Big Thing Awards is Fuse's new half-hour monthly series dedicated to introducing listeners to the music of these new artists. The show premiered in September and airs eight times each month, followed by a new on-air spot created to familiarize viewers to the newest crop of artists, and to encourage "Next Big Thing Awards" voting at www.fuse.tv and www.tower.com. The artist garnering the most NBT votes throughout each month will be announced on Fuse's live, daily show, IMX-Interactive Music Xchange, including the presentation of a special video segment chronicling their work. So far, music enthusiasts have determined September winners Thrice and October winners Switchfoot with the "Next Big Thing Award" honors!

As part of the partnership, Tower Records features Fuse-branded marketing materials in their retail locations: on end-cap displays, listening stations, posters and in Tower's weekly nationally circulated insert media. Fuse is also working with Tower Records to create a national contest for unsigned artists that is projected for spring 2004.

About Fuse

Fuse, a network of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC., is the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials — all rooted in the music experience. Fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms that are at the center of their communication and entertainment – TV, online, and interactive games – and by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into its on-air and online programming. More information about Fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.

About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC

A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Rainbow Media owns and manages national networks: AMC, Fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment, as well as Mag Rack, a collection of on-demand video magazines. Rainbow Media's other businesses include its regional programming services – MetroChannels, News 12 Networks and Rainbow Sports Networks – in addition to the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. Rainbow Media is also a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net.

About Tower Records

Since 1960, Tower Records has been recognized and respected throughout the world for its unique brand of retailing. Founded in Sacramento CA by Chairman Russ Solomon, the Company's growth over four decades has made Tower Records a household name. Tower Records stores are represented in fourteen countries throughout the world and in 218 different locations as wholly owned operations, licensees and affiliations. The company opened one of the first Internet music stores on America Online in June 1995 and followed a year later with the launch of Tower.com. The site was named among the top 50 retail websites by Internet Retailer magazine. Tower Records' commitment to providing its customers with a superior and specialized shopping experience is key to the organization's retail philosophy. Tower forges ahead with the development of exciting shopping environments, presenting diverse product ranges, artist performance stages, personal electronics departments, and digital centers. Tower Records maintains its commitment to providing the deepest selection of packaged and digital entertainment in the world merchandised in stores that celebrate the unique interests and needs of the local community.

Press Contacts

  • Dan Klores Communications
    Andrea Ferguson / Erica Bates / Caroline Bubnis
    ph. 212-685-4300

  • Cataldi PR
    Sal Cataldi / Sydney Masters
    ph. 212-244-9797

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