Honda Signs on to Sponsor AOL Music's Artist Discovery Network; AOL Music Tapped to Promote Honda's Versatile, High-Functioning 2003 Element

    NEW YORK--Jan. 22, 2003--America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today announced that American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has signed on as the sponsor of AOL Music's Artist Discovery Network, AOL Music's hub for fans that are passionate about new music. Honda's sponsorship, currently in effect, targets AOL's vast base of young, tech-savvy consumers as the automotive company promotes its all-new, high-functioning 2003 Element.
    Honda's sponsorship includes the creation of a co-branded Artist Discovery Network hub, available at AOL KW: ADN. Accessible to both narrowband and broadband members, the promotion is featured throughout AOL's Artist Discovery Network as well as areas across Radio@AOL, Radio@Netscape, Spinner and Winamp with links to the Honda Element web site.
    Among the sponsorships integrated features is a specially developed, broadband exclusive Artist Discovery Network area that features videos of artists preceded by a special "Honda presents" lead-in. Honda is also currently offering AOL members a sweepstakes for the chance to win a stereo system and opt in for more info on the Element. In addition, a rich-media Winamp skin featuring the vehicle has been created for the new, totally customizable Winamp3 media player, to help reach an even broader audience of targeted, cutting-edge consumers.
    "The Element is a real departure for Honda. Designed by young engineers, it's a lifestyle vehicle that really speaks to those consumers who have their finger on the pulse of what's fresh and exciting," states Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "It's no secret that avid music fans heavily make up this consumer base. AOL Music's Artist Discovery Network is the perfect outlet for us to showcase the Element."
    "Music fans are regularly coming to the Artist Discovery Network to discover and experience the freshest new sounds; it's an audience that is a natural fit for the lifestyle and a consumer attitude of The Honda Element," states Scott Schiller, senior vice president of Interactive Marketing for Entertainment at America Online.
    AOL Music's Artist Discovery Network offers fans a special area to discover the best new music from major and independent record labels, often before radio and other outlets. Premiere original programming such as interviews and exclusive performances, artist information, the latest videos, local music links by zip code, and "Listening Lounges" are just some of the ways the Artist Discovery Network keeps music fans on the cutting-edge. Available at AOL Keyword: Breakers, the Artist Discovery Network has been instrumental in the early success of artists such as Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton, 50 Cent, Michelle Branch, Tweet and more.

    The 2003 Honda Element

    The Honda Element combines the best features of a pickup truck and an SUV. Innovative offerings include center opening side cargo doors, a flat floor with a dirt and water-resistant urethane coating, and highly versatile seating that can be folded flat, to the sides, or removed entirely. Element will be available in DX and EX trim levels with either front-wheel drive or Real Time 4WD(TM).

    About AOL Music

    AOL Music, a division of America Online, Inc., reaches the largest audience of online music fans in the world through a rich array of programming, products and services that make it easy to discover, experience, listen to and buy music online. AOL Music's offerings are available at the number one Internet music destination, the AOL Music Channel, and throughout the AOL service, AOL Broadband Services and AOL's family of Web brands including Netscape, CompuServe, AIM, ICQ, Spinner, Winamp and SHOUTcast. America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. . Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.