Volkswagen announces the launch of RadioVW...For Bugs Only

24-hour, continuous live stream Internet radio station, RadioVW, on vw.com, will mix music styles with the variety and eclecticism featured in the Volkswagen television campaign, including music by new bands, lesser-known artists with indie-music followings, and obscure tracks by more popular artists. Volkswagen already plays some of the latest independent short films from around the globe on: vw.com/films RadioVW covers a wide spectrum of styles, sometimes dropping exact opposites right next to each other within a set. It takes Drivers on a musical journey. Imagine the perfect mix tape for a drive through varied terrain - RadioVW is it. Intercut with informed commentary about the artists and the music, RadioVW shows its knowledge of and respect for the vast world of music we all enjoy with its own unique mix. Vermont – based Websound, the “online” branded media developer, streamed all RadioVW content. Websound also provides “click to buy” functionality allowing RadioVW listeners to instantly purchase any of the music featured.

“vw.com is meant to be a real community for VW owners and visitors,” said Volkswagen E-Business Leader Tesa Aragones. “A place where Drivers congregate, just as they do offline. To us, Drivers are not just people who drive cars, they also have tastes and attitudes. That’s what we are trying to touch. We never expected the music in our commercials would be recognized as its own discrete aesthetic, but we’re very pleased that it has been. We hope RadioVW and “Street Mix,” the CD, will help us continue to connect with Drivers worldwide. RadioVW is really an example of VW listening to its audience and sharing its unique take on music.”

VW will also be releasing, for sale on vw.com and at selected dealerships, “Street Mix: Volume 1,” its first-ever CD of the music featured in its television campaign. Produced for Volkswagen by Websound’s sister company, Rock River Communications, the twelve track CD includes: Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon,” Trio’s “Da Da Da,” Hooverphonic’s “Renaissance Affair,” and Charles Mingus’ “II BS.”

Websound and Rock River President Billy Straus said, “Websound has completely redefined the concept of web radio, attacking head-on the ubiquitous deluge of poorly programmed, generic offerings clogging the Internet. Volkswagen’s razor-sharp branding combined with customized programming and Websound’s seamless user interface effectively strike through the din of content overload.”

Based in Brattleboro, Vermont with offices in San Francisco, Websound and Rock River deliver a fully customized branded media solution using music under license from Sony, EMI, Universal, Warner, and BMG, as well as hundreds of independent labels. Websound builds branded, online media players while Rock River produces companion CD compilations designed for in-store distribution.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. It markets a full line of Volkswagen vehicles through a network of over 715 dealers in the United States and Canada.

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