Contact: Judy McDonough

Compendia Music Group                                                                                        

615-277-1824

jmcdonough@compendiamusic.com

Compendia Distribution Group to Distribute "Monster's Ball" Soundtrack
Soundtrack For Critically Acclaimed Film Is the First Distribution Deal Announced By Compendia Media Group Distribution, First Release By Lions Gate Records

NASHVILLE, TN - (Jan. 15, 2002) Compendia Distribution Group, the distribution arm of Compendia Media Group, announced today that it has signed a deal with Lions Gate Films to distribute the soundtrack to "Monster’s Ball." The soundtrack, which includes a score from the writing team of Asche & Spencer, an original track from The Jayhawks, "I’m Your Man", and songs from Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Red Meat and Jean Wells, is scheduled for release Jan. 22.

The agreement is the first domestic distribution deal announced by the newly launched Compendia Distribution Group and the soundtrack will be the first release from Lions Gate’s new label, Lions Gate Records.

"Monster’s Ball," one of the most critically lauded films of the year, has shown up on many movie critic’s year-end "Best of" lists, and has yielded award nominations for its stars, Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton.

"Compendia is proud to be associated with such an important film," said Nate Wolk, vice president of sales and distribution for Compendia. "We look forward to working in tandem with Lions Gate on this album. By coordinating our marketing efforts for the soundtrack with Lions Gate’s marketing efforts for the film, both the soundtrack and the film will benefit."

"We are pleased to launch our new label with such an important and critically acclaimed film as "Monster’s Ball" and we are happy to be able to do it with an enthusiastic, aggressive distributor like Compendia," said Joel C. High, director of music and soundtracks for Lions Gate Entertainment. "We look forward to our new relationship with Compendia and to an exciting future for Lions Gate Records."

Compendia Distribution Group serves the distribution needs of the primary labels of the Compendia Music Group, as well as a select group of releases from third party labels, by selling directly to all major users of pre-recorded entertainment software. Compendia Distribution Group is the distribution arm of Compendia Media Group, an integrated entertainment media management organization, with interests in Music, Home Video, Direct Marketing, Music Publishing, Interactive, Television and Film worldwide. For information, visit the Compendia Media Group Web site at www.compendiamedia.com or send an email to info@compendiamedia.com.

Lions Gate creates, produces and distributes a broad range of motion picture, television and other filmed entertainment content through its four operating divisions - - Motion Pictures, Television, Animation and Studio Facilities as well as its majority-owned CinemaNow digital media platform. The distinctive Lions Gate brand is recognized as a symbol of original, cutting edge, quality entertainment around the world.

For information visit the Lions Gate Web site at www.lionsgatefilms.com

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