MAF - Global Listening Event

23.05.2007
23 May 2007

Starbucks connects music fans worldwide to McCartney's new album through unprecedented 'Global Listening Event'

Six million people in 29 countries set to experience 'Memory Almost Full' released by Hear Music on June 5

Fans invited to participate in one-of-a-kind McCartney video tribute, SEATTLE, May 17, 2007

On June 5, Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) will make history by hosting an unprecedented Global Listening Event to celebrate the release of Paul McCartney's 'Memory Almost Full' the first album ever released by Hear Music. More than 10,000 Starbucks stores in 29 countries and territories worldwide will participate in the event by playing the album in stores, all day, across all time zones.

Beginning with New Zealand's 47 stores, the Global Listening Event will roll-out in every Company-operated Starbucks in the world allowing an estimated six million people to discover the new album in a single day. "Customers from Taipei to Topeka have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary album all within a span of 24 hours" said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment who oversees the day-to-day operations of Hear Music.

The Global Listening Event is one example of how we are bringing back the sense of event surrounding new releases, allowing fans to discover new music in a very personal way. In addition to the Global Listening Event, McCartney fans are also invited to make history by participating in a unique video tribute honoring McCartney's 65th birthday.

On June 5, Film crews will disperse to 10 key Starbucks locations in cities and territories spanning the globe including London, New York, Berlin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Miami. Fans can deliver a birthday message directly to McCartney at a designated store location in these markets. The video tribute will premiere on June 18, McCartney's birthday, via a host of online outlets. More information, including store locations and recording guidelines, is available online at www.hearmusic.com.

In addition, Starbucks Hear Music XM Channel 75 will offer special McCartney programming to air the week of release. On June 5, XM Radio will dedicate channel 120 exclusively to the music of McCartney and will put 'Memory Almost Full' into heavy rotation.

The album will be available at Starbucks locations and traditional music retail outlets internationally. It will be released in the U.S. and Canada on June 5 and in all other countries and territories the week of June 4. 'Memory Almost Full' reunites McCartney with longtime producer and friend David Kahne and provides a very personal retrospective drawing upon childhood memories from Liverpool, summers long gone, and the times spent writing music with John Lennon.