SANTA MONICA, CA. (Lionsgate) - Lionsgate, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, today unveiled a new non-exclusive soundtrack distribution deal with RED, marking a significant milestone in the growth of its burgeoning music division. The soundtrack for Lionsgate's upcoming inspirational drama, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, starring Laurence Fishburne,
Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer, became the first release to street under the new banner.
The AKEELAH AND THE BEE soundtrack features classic soul from The Jackson 5, The Spinners, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Al Green, Brothers Johnson and Aretha Franklin. Lead contemporary radio singles are Heather Small's "Proud" for A/C and Hot A/C radio, and AKEELAH AND THE BEE star Keke Palmer's debut single "All My Girlz" for Radio Disney and young urban stations. In addition to traditional retail, the album is being carried at approximately 5,000 Starbucks locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, becoming the first official motion picture soundtrack to be featured in the coffee giant's hugely successful music promotion program.
AKEELAH AND THE BEE follows the recent success of the MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION soundtrack, which reached No 2 on the soundtrack charts and re-teamed Lionsgate with Motown Records and director/actor/playwright Tyler Perry.
"We're excited to be in business with Bob Morelli and RED. I've had great success and great relationships with Bob and many members of his team, particularly Alan Becker, Danny Buch and Lou Tatouli, over the past 15 years. In a rapidly changing record environment, RED is breaking artists through old school, long-term artist development, while embracing the leverage to the indies that digital companies are offering," said Jay Faires, President of Lionsgate Music.
"RED Distribution is very proud to enter into a relationship with Lionsgate," said Morelli, RED Distribution Executive Vice President/General Manager. "I've always admired Jay Faires' artistic and creative approach to breaking artists and developing projects. Everyone at RED is extremely excited to have entered into this distribution arrangement with Lionsgate, and we look forward to a great and lasting partnership."
The recent launch of a revitalized Lionsgate music division under the leadership of Faires reflects an important line extension of the Company's portfolio of businesses, which now encompass motion pictures, television, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and music.
An inspirational drama, AKEELAH AND THE BEE stars Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and talented newcomer Keke Palmer in the story of Akeelah Anderson (Palmer), a precocious eleven-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Akeelah's remarkable courage unites and inspires her community to help her defy incredible odds while her skill and tenacity earn her an unprecedented opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. A Lionsgate, 2929 Productions and Starbucks Entertainment Production, AKEELAH AND THE BEE was written and directed by Doug Atchison. The film's producers are Sid Ganis, Nancy Hult Ganis, Michael Romersa, Danny Llewelyn and Laurence Fishburne; executive producers are Todd Wagner, Mark Cuban, Marc Butan and Helen Sugland. AKEELAH AND THE BEE will open theatrically nationwide on more than 2,000 screens on April 28, 2006.
Lionsgate is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio. Fresh off the number one box office hits MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION, HOSTEL and SAW II and the Best Picture Academy Award -winning Crash, Lionsgate is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Lionsgate has earned 25 Academy Award nominations and seven Oscar wins in the past seven years, more than any other independent studio. Its prestigious and prolific library of more than 5,000 titles is a valuable source of recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe.
RED Distribution is SonyBMG's award-winning independent distributor and the National Association of Recording Merchandisers Independent Distributor of the Year. RED has collaborated with SonyBMG on the multi-platinum artists Los Lonely Boys, Train and Switchfoot, and is the distributor behind the current No 1 rock album in America, Hawthorne Heights "Only for the Lonely."
https://www.lionsgate.com
