InfoBeat Purchased By Sony Music Entertainment

Posted on January 21, 1999

Sony Music Entertainment has purchased the rights to the InfoBeat brand and InfoBeat's popular line of free, e-mail consumer newsletters. Over four million InfoBeat newsletters are distributed daily to subscribers who have designed individual profiles governing the information they receive. The service will continue to be known as InfoBeat.

With the sale of its consumer operation, InfoBeat's remaining business, InfoBeat Express, will change its name to Exactis.com, Inc. This business will focus on providing e-mail services to businesses. As part of the agreement, Sony Music has formed a long-term strategic partnership with Exactis.com to distribute the InfoBeat newsletters.

"InfoBeat has been the true innovator and leader in customized, personalized e-mail offerings," said Fred Ehrlich, senior vice president and general manager, New Technology and Business Development for Sony Music Entertainment. "We look forward to maintaining the highest level of service that InfoBeat has provided its subscribers, and can't wait to add exciting new service offerings over the next few months." With the addition of Sony Music Entertainment as its newest client, Exactis.com provides marketing and customer communication services to more than 30 category leaders in online retail, publishing and financial services. Using its patented technology and unmatched expertise, Exactis.com is the leader in corporate e-mail communications, delivering over 100 million e-mails per month.

"This agreement with Sony Music is great for both parties," declared Tom Detmer, president and CEO of Exactis.com. "InfoBeat subscribers will enjoy enhanced news and information services thanks to Sony Music's vast resources. And Exactis.com can focus on our core competency--providing a range of high-volume, personalized e-mail services that enable companies to strengthen their online marketing and customer communication programs."