October 22, 2008 08:01 AM Eastern Time 

Winn-Dixie and SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT Collaborate on New Music

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Shoppers at Winn-Dixie (NASDAQ:WINN) stores throughout the Southeast are now putting music in their shopping carts, along with their other grocery purchases.

Under an agreement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, customers of the Jacksonville-based grocer’s 521 stores can purchase the newest form of pre-recorded music that is downloaded to iPods and other digital music players. The Platinum MusicPass is a credit card-size digital album card that allows consumers to download full-length albums in the form of high-quality MP3 files. Many of the Platinum MusicPass offerings include special bonus content.

“MusicPass is an important part of SONY BMG’s ongoing campaign to bring its artists’ music to fans in new and innovative ways and to develop compelling new business models,” said Thomas Hesse, President of Global Digital Business & U.S. Sales for SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

“Winn-Dixie was one of the first retailers in the U.S. to partner with SONY BMG on this initiative,” said Rich Romano, manager for Winn-Dixie’s prepaid card sales. “SONY BMG has been at the forefront of new entertainment technology and is home to some of the biggest names in the recording industry. Teaming with SONY BMG provides our customers the opportunity to purchase new release albums in an innovative way while they do their grocery shopping.”

The cards themselves are high-quality collectibles featuring artist images and album information. The MP3 files are delivered through MusicPass and can play on computers, as well as on all MP3 players, including iPods. “This makes them a simple, easy-to-use solution that appeals to fans who already access their music on the Internet, as well as to those consumers who are just getting into the digital realm,” said Hesse. “They are also a great choice whether you’re buying for yourself or as a gift for birthdays or other occasions.”

SONY BMG believes its Platinum MusicPass product will have a strong appeal for a broad range of consumers, leading to an expansion of both the digital and physical markets for music.

Platinum MusicPass cards have a suggested retail price of $12.99 and are found near the gift card mall displays in most Winn-Dixie stores. The cards include the complete digital album plus bonus material. In the case of compilations, MusicPass cards include extensive tracks. Purchasers scratch the back of the card to reveal a pin number. They then visit www.musicpass.com to download their music files and any bonus material. There are currently 60+ titles in the series, representing musical genres ranging from Rock and Pop to R & B and Country.

Artists and Platinum MusicPass titles at Winn-Dixie include:

80's Pop Hits; Alabama, The Essential; Alan Jackson, Good Time; Alicia Keys, As I Am; Avril Lavigne, The Best Damn Thing; Billy Joel, The Stranger; Blake Lewis, Audio Day Dream; Bob Dylan, Dylan; Britney Spears, Blackout; Brooks and Dunn, Cowboy Town; Bruce Springsteen, Magic; Calle 13, Residente o Visitante; Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride; Celine Dion, Taking Chances; Chris Brown, Exclusive; Classic Rock; Clay Aiken, On My Way Here; Coheed and Cambria, No World For Tomorrow; Country Gold: The 90's; Daughtry, Daughtry; Dirty Dancing: 20th Anniversary; Disco Nights; Donna Summer, Crayons; Earth Wind & Fire, The Essential; Elvis Presley, Elvis #1's; Everlasting Love; Gavin DeGraw, Gavin DeGraw; Hits of The 90's; Johnny Cash, The Essential; Jordin Sparks, Jordin Sparks; Journey, The Essential Journey; Kenny Chesney, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates; Kirk Franklin, The Fight of My Life; Korn, Greatest Hits; Leona Lewis, Spirit; Lil' Mama, VYP - Voice of the Young People; Lyfe Jennings, Lyfe Change; Mariah Carey, Greatest Hits; Mercy Me, All That Is Within Me; Michael Jackson, Thriller 25th Anniversary; Mullets Rock!; Natasha Bedingfield, Pocketful of Sunshine; Nickelodeon; Omarion/Bow Wow, Face Off; POD, When Angels and Serpents Dance; Raheem DeVaughn, Love Behind The Melody; Ricardo Arjona, Quien Dijo Ayer; Rock of The 70's; Santana, Ultimate Santana; Sara Bareilles, Little Voice; Sensational 60's; Simon and Garfunkel, The Essential; Soft Rock of The 80's; Steve Winwood, Nine Lives; Usher, Here I Stand; Willie Nelson, The Essential; Workout; Wyclef Jean, Carnival Vol. II... Memoirs Of An Immigrant; Yoga.

SONY BMG Platinum MusicPass cards are available from gift card kiosks in all Winn-Dixie stores.

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., (NASDAQ: WINN) is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates 521 retail grocery locations, including more than 400 in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.