Gut Signs Exclusive Global Digital Deal with The Orchard

NEW YORK & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Orchard (NASDAQ: ORCD), a global leader in digital music and entertainment, today announced the signing of an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with dominant UK independent label Gut Records Limited, for the digital distribution and marketing of the Gut Recordings group of labels. The labels, which cover a range of genres from pop through to rock, indie, classical, dance and branded albums, include Gut Recordings (Artists), Tug (Artists), Gusto (Dance), GI (Underground), Institute (Indie) and GTV/Gut Active (TV & Non TV compilation albums).

“Gut’s track record speaks for itself, and we look forward to serving them as a valued client in bringing the next great slate of Gut artists to the world”

The deal covers all Gut repertoire, including selling catalogue albums and singles from artists such as Tears for Fears, Polyphonic Spree, Sparks, Right Said Fred, Hi Tack, David Guetta Vs The Egg, Puretone, Crazy Frog, Space, Aswad, Uniting Nations, The Wildhearts, Jimmy Somerville, James Taylor Quartet, Sarah Cracknell, Chungking and Plantlife. It will also include existing diverse branded compilations including, LazyTown, Fifi & The Flowertots, Kerrang, Galaxy Anthems, Channel U TV and the Pacha Series albums.

The deal will also include all of the Gut Group's forthcoming frontline artists such as Fightstar, Jessie J, and Medallist.

The initial single releases from Gut's dance imprint Gusto will include the underground urban anthem “Snowflake” from Garage Jams featuring Clare Evers, Dougal & Gammer's “When I Close My Eyes”, “Wanna Be Your Girl” from Kush, Co-Written by Luciana, “Shine On Me” from Taito Tikaro and the Canadian signed David Rubato single “Deep Inside”.

Forthcoming compilation album releases (GTV/Gut Active) include a wide variety of genres, from the new wave of Bassline premier DJ’s (T2, Dizzee Rascal, Cameo) to True Hardcore albums, and across the musical spectrum, to classical titles (Mozart, Pachelbel, Rachmaninov, Vivaldi, Ravel, Handel and Debussy) and soon to be announced TV branded Children’s titles.

Commenting on the deal, Gut Managing Director, Steve Tandy said: “In this ever changing, demanding, consumer driven digital age, every record company needs to make sure that they are working with all of the very best world wide digital partners. We are very confident and excited about these new and expanding opportunities that this new multi platform partnership with The Orchard will give to the Gut Group.”

“Gut’s track record speaks for itself, and we look forward to serving them as a valued client in bringing the next great slate of Gut artists to the world,” said Greg Scholl, president and chief executive of The Orchard. “For a label of Gut’s stature to determine it makes more sense to work with The Orchard than to ‘go it alone’ speaks volumes about our offering and capabilities.”

About Gut Recordings

Founded in 1991 by Guy Holmes, as a truly independently thinking and financed record label, with the launch of the worldwide multi million selling Right Said Fred phenomenon, Gut Recordings went on to successfully sign and create many an international artist, from the classic new sound of Aswad, through to the ground breaking Space and the enormous mainstream return of Tom Jones, through his world wide multi million selling album “Reload”.

Over the past few years Gut has expanded into a multi platform group of companies, excelling in many additional areas including: dance, compilations and DVD’s.

Gut achieved the Number 1 UK Independent Record Company award in 2005 for singles market share, and in 2007, achieved Independent Record Company 4^th position, for album market share for Independent UK labels.

About The Orchard^®

The Orchard (NASDAQ: ORCD) controls and globally distributes more than one million songs and over 3,000 hours of video programming through hundreds of digital stores (e.g. iTunes, eMusic, Google, Netflix) and mobile carriers (e.g. Verizon, Vodafone, Bell Canada, Moderati, 3). With operations in 28 countries, The Orchard drives sales for its label, retailer, brand, and agency clients through innovative marketing and promotional campaigns; brand entertainment programs; and film, advertising, gaming and television licensing. A pioneer in digital music and media services, The Orchard fosters creativity and independence. For more information, please visit us at www.theorchard.com.

The Orchard is a registered trademark and The Orchard logo is a service mark of Orchard Enterprises NY, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s expectations regarding future events and operating performance, such as The Orchard's future distribution of certain products and artist recordings. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements as they speak only as of the date hereof, and The Orchard undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances except as may be required by law. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in The Orchard's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its annual and quarterly reports.