Sony Europe And Warner Home Video Announce A Major Marketing Campaign To Expand DVD-Video Sales In Europe

(March 13, 2000 - Burbank, CA and Berlin, Germany) - Sony Europe GmbH and Warner Home Video are joining forces on a joint DVD-Video marketing campaign designed to drive both hardware and software sales in Europe. The campaign, which will run through the year 2000, has been specifically designed to generate greater consumer awareness and interest in the DVD format. It follows a breakthrough year in 1999 for DVD-Video in Europe, where player sales are exceeding one million units. Expectations are that DVD hardware sales will reach four million units and DVD software sales of at least 60 million units will be achieved in Europe this year. The joint marketing campaign is the largest ever in Europe involving both a hardware and a software company. Beginning in April, there will be new TV commercials and print advertising to support the program. The promotion will also be supported by retail activities which will include a special Sony DVD/Home Cinema 4D demonstration display as well as point-of-sales materials. The Sony 4D concept demonstrates to consumers how to add a new dimension to their home cinema experience by connecting Sony’s DVD player, Wega Wide Screen televisions, Smart Engine Stereo video recorders, Digital Cinema Sound receivers and surround speakers. Highlighted in the campaign will be the bundling offer in which three of the latest DVD titles from Warner Home Video will be offered to the purchasers of any Sony DVD player. In addition, consumers who purchase selected Sony Home Cinema products at the same time will receive two bonus DVD discs. Commenting on the new campaign Domingo Jaumandreu, Vice President Sony Home Network Company Europe said, “DVD-Video has become the ‘must-have’ consumer electronic product in Europe. Sony and Warner Home Video will continue to expand the DVD Video market in Europe with high quality products. With this high visibility campaign from Sony and Warner, we expect to accelerate DVD Video’s penetration significantly in all participating European countries.” “The adoption of the DVD format by consumers in Europe is mirroring that which we have seen in the United States,” said Ron Sanders, Senior Vice President and Co-Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Warner Home Video. Gerry Weber also Senior Vice President and Co-Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Warner Home Video added, “Combining the Sony brand with Warner Home Video’s movies is the ideal way to ensure the success of the format continues in Europe.” Sony in Europe, headquartered in Berlin, Germany is responsible for both Sony’s consumer and professional electronics businesses in Europe. The company’s operations include manufacturing, engineering, R&D, product design, customer service, sales and marketing as well as Internet related businesses in both Western and Eastern Europe. In addition Sony’s music, pictures and computer entertainment operations, headquartered in London, U.K. make Sony one of the most comprehensive companies in Europe. Sony in Europe recorded consolidated annual sales of close to $13.9 billion dollars for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999. Sony Europe’s homepage URL: http://www.sony-europe.com. With operations in 78 international territories, Warner Home Video commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Bros. Pictures' film library offers top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros., Turner Entertainment Company and HBO Home Video. # # #