Universal Music Group (UMG) and Bally Total Fitness Partner to Make Workouts Rock With Free MP3 Song Downloads to Members

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, and Bally Total Fitness today announced a two-year agreement whereby Bally will use MP3 downloads to acquire new members, reward member loyalty and incentivize employee sales performance. The collaboration between the world's leading music company and one of the country's most popular health club chains is the first of its kind and underscores the natural relationship between working out and music.

"We are delighted to work with Bally in providing their members with more ways to discover and enjoy great music," stated Amanda Marks, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Universal Music Distribution. "Universal Music is committed to bringing our artists and their fans together wherever music is experienced while creating real value in the process."

"Music plays such an important role in enhancing workouts as music provides the inspiration to keep work outs going strong for so many of our members," added Mike Sheehan, Bally CEO.  "As a leader in health and fitness, our partnership with Universal Music Group provides another unique way we can differentiate our brand and provide our current and prospective members with terrific value for their Bally membership.  We will work with Universal to explore the countless ways we can activate this relationship to strengthen the experience of Bally members."

Bally has committed to purchase 4.5 million downloads from Universal to distribute as premiums to its new members during monthly promotions and to current members at important milestones in their membership.  Beginning in March, most new members will receive 20 music downloads with their Bally membership.  The downloads can be redeemed at a Bally branded site that Universal Music will build and can be accessed through Ballyfitness.com.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly-owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.

About Bally

Bally Total Fitness operates nearly 300 fitness centers across the United States. With more than 3 million active members and over 30 years of experience, Bally is among the most popular health club brands in America. The professionals at Bally Total Fitness help motivate members to improve their physical health and reach their personal fitness goals with many affordable membership choices - including options with no long-term commitment.

SOURCE Universal Music Group