Cox Communications and MTV2 Team up to Localize the 360 Degree Music Experience
Cox's Bundled Customers to Get an Integrated Music Experience That Takes Them from TV to Online and Back Again
Business Wire
Atlanta, GA
NYSE:COX

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2004-- Cox Communications Inc. (NYSE:COX) and MTV2, the 24-hour music network, are collaborating to create a unique 360 degree music experience for music fans who view MTV2 and connect to the Web via Cox High Speed Internet service. Cox is one of the first cable operators to deploy this valuable MTV2 co-marketing endeavor across its markets. The initiative promotes the viewing of MTV2 and Cox's bundle of Internet and video services. Cox and MTV2 are teaming up to customize the local MTV2 on-air programming with information connecting viewers to the local Cox.net portal where visitors will find local music Web sites that are rich in broadband content, including full length videos, that are best viewed via a high-speed Internet connection. The initiative helps Cox target the acquisition of new Cox High Speed Internet subscribers among their video customer base.

"We are very excited to launch this effort with MTV2," said Steve Gorman, vice president product management and marketing for Cox High Speed Internet. "This is a real win for both companies and a natural for Cox as we continue to look for new ways to enhance the value of our service bundle while also cross pollinating single service customers to other Cox services. MTV2 will become a richer experience for our customers, as the on-air programming will now be given a 'local accent' with news on regional concert calendars and local artists. Likewise, Cox.net will become a destination URL for MTV2 viewers, and the site will be enriched with content and interactive opportunity."

"Partnering with Cox is a great way for us to give music fans and MTV2 viewers extended content on multiple platforms, getting them closer to the music and artists they love, right on a local level," said David Cohn, GM of MTV2. "Our audience demands a music experience that reaches them on-air and online, and we are excited to be working with Cox to extend our connection with viewers on a local level."

The local, customized version of MTV2 will feature a combination of local video, local crawls and local concert calendars. Online, MTV2 will create and maintain the local Web sites that are accessed through the Cox.net sites at music.cox.net. The co-branded music sites will be packed with streaming video that Cox.net visitors can view, vote on and rank. These sites will also have local music news, artist information, sneak peek video streams and more. Cox's systems can customize a promotion area and update it as often as they want, which will help the company to drive acquisitions. The promotion area includes a link to Cox.com so that visitors can easily sign-up for Cox High Speed Internet or other Cox services online. To create excitement and drive traffic to Cox's online and retail locations, MTV2 will host local VJ searches among other local marketing activities.

"The local music sites will be rich with content best viewed via a broadband connection. In order to enjoy the music videos and other media rich content, fans will want the speeds and always-on connection of Cox High Speed Internet," said Gorman.

MTV2 is launching in 12 Cox markets and the launch is accompanied by an on-air, online and print Cox High Speed Internet acquisition campaign. Viewers who sign up for Cox's Internet service via Cox.com as a result of the new campaign will receive a free wireless mouse. Customers will also be entered in a giveaway contest with the chance to win a trip for two to a $2Bill concert; each Cox system will be selecting two winners.

Acerca de Cox Communications

Cox Communications Inc. (NYSE: COX), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company with approximately 6.6 million total customers, including approximately 6.3 million basic cable subscribers. The nation's third-largest cable television provider, Cox offers both analog cable television under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video service under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox provides an array of other communications and entertainment services, including local and long-distance telephone under the Cox Digital Telephone brand, high-speed Internet access under the Cox High Speed Internet brand, and commercial voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Local cable advertising, promotional opportunities and production services are sold under the Cox Media brand. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com/espanol.

About MTV2

MTV2 recently closed out the most watched year in its history. 2003 also saw the most watched month in MTV2 history among P12-34 (December, 03). Now reaching more than 55 million homes, MTV2 is the 24-hour music network with an emphasis on showcasing new music, breaking artists, and interactivity. MTV2's adventurous programming mix reflects its commitment to providing fans access to the music and artists they love through 24-hours of music videos and a variety of genre music video shows including: hip-hop, rock, and soul.

    CONTACT: Cox Communications
             Bobby Amirshahi, 404-843-7872
             Bobby.Amirshahi@cox.com
             or
             MTV2
             David French, 212-846-6698
             David.French@mtvstaff.com

    SOURCE: Cox Communications Inc. & MTV2

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