SBC To Title Sponsor Festival For Indie-Music Fans

June 30, 2005

SBC Communications Inc., whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising services, today announced its title sponsorship of Lollapalooza 2005, an iconic alternative-rock concert festival that probably should have called it quits in the late ‘90s. (Though, with this year’s “indie”-music lineup, it seems like it may be a worthwhile festival of shows again.)

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As part of the sponsorship, SBC companies will�host an exclusive Webcast of the two-day event (in Chicago, July 23-24), a decision that attempts to “bring the excitement and energy of the Lollapalooza festival to music enthusiasts nationwide.”

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The Webcast will feature some interesting content: before-set footage; backstage interviews; behind-the-scenes commentary; and special vignettes with a range of performers — performers that this year include Death Cab for Cutie; The Pixies; Weezer; The Killers; Widespread Panic; Primus; The Arcade Fire; Spoon; Blonde Redhead; Tegan & Sara; and The Dandy Warhols. All of this content will come through the SBC blue room, an online experience featuring exclusive content, in-studio interviews, live performances and unedited commentary of artists.

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In addition to the Webcast, part of the sponsorship includes the SBC blue room How2 Tour on site. Visitors to the SBC blue room How2 tents will have an opportunity to test-drive SBC products and services and to receive tutorials on product features and product integration.

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The sponsorship is part of a strategic initiative, according to the announcement, to “link the SBC brand to premier communications and entertainment experiences” (i.e., to show that SBC is “hip” to the younger generation), as well as to fuel sales and demonstrate key SBC products and services such as SBC Yahoo! DSL and SBC | DISH Network Satellite TV (i.e., to show the older generation, who are the business decision makers, that SBC is still all about business).

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The Lollapalooza sponsorship expands on recent alliances with major industry players in the movie and music entertainment industries, including the ongoing title sponsorship of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas, (which, this year has a rather incredible lineup, as well).

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See the complete announcement below.

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SBC Communications Announces Sponsorship of Lollapalooza 2005 in the Windy City; SBC blue room live webcasts will bring the Lollapalooza experience to music fans nationwide�
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 2005--SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) today added the title sponsorship of Lollapalooza 2005 to its growing music and entertainment portfolio. SBC companies will help bring the iconic alternative-rock concert festival to Grant Park in Chicago, Ill., July 23 - 24. As part of the sponsorship, SBC companies will also host an exclusive webcast of the two-day event, bringing the excitement and energy of the Lollapalooza festival to music enthusiasts nationwide.�
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The webcast will feature content -- before-set footage, backstage interviews, behind-the-scenes commentary and special vignettes with a range of performers -- through the SBC blue room (http://blueroom.sbc.com), an online experience featuring exclusive musical content, in-studio interviews, live performances and unedited commentary of chart-topping artists.�
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The sponsorship is part of a strategic initiative to link the SBC brand to premier communications and entertainment experiences, as well as to fuel sales and demonstrate how key SBC products and services such as SBC Yahoo! DSL and SBC│DISH Network Satellite TV can meet the increasing consumer demand for value, choice and convenience. The Lollapalooza sponsorship expands on recent alliances with major industry players in the movie and music entertainment industries, including Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival and the ongoing title sponsorship of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas.�
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"Lollapalooza is an authentic and relevant brand in music that speaks to a significant following among young adults, and this sponsorship is a great way to showcase how SBC products and services connect people to their passions," said Scott Helbing, senior vice president-SBC Marketing. "Plus, with our onstage presence and the behind-the-scenes action and performances that we'll stream via the SBC blue room Web site, we'll be able to bring this unique event to music fans nationwide."�
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As part of the sponsorship, and in addition to the webcast, the SBC blue room How2 Tour will be on site. Visitors to the SBC blue room How2 tents will have an opportunity to test-drive SBC products and services and to receive tutorials on product features and product integration.�
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This year, more than 60 cutting-edge artists and innovative classic performers will perform. Among them are the Pixies, Widespread Panic, Weezer, the Killers, Cake, Dashboard Confessional, Death Cab for Cutie, Billy Idol, Liz Phair, Dinosaur Jr., Primus and Digable Planets. Lollapalooza will also incorporate art, fashion, food, activities for kids, cultural elements and sensory surprises that the festival is known for. A full list of acts and additional festival details are available at www.lollapalooza.com.�To experience the SBC blue room, please visit http://blueroom.sbc.com.

Tags: sbc lollapalooza sponsorship
Related Tags: products services, title sponsorship, music entertainment, sponsorship lollapalooza, sponsorship, music

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