Brian Samson Joins ARTISTdirect Records as Director, Crossover and Mix Show Promotion.

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2002

Brian Samson has been named Director, Crossover and Mix Show Promotion for ARTISTdirect Records, it was announced today by Marc Benesch, Executive Vice President, Promotion. Samson, who assumes his new post immediately, will work in tandem with the label's VP Urban Promotion Greg Powell, VP Crossover Promotion Michael Whited, and Chace Johnson, Director of Urban Marketing.

"We're so fortunate to have Brian join the staff," commented Benesch. "Due to his extensive background as a DJ and his intense passion for the music, his approach to his job and the way he deals with programmers is unique and valuable."

Samson's music career stretches back some twenty years when he began DJing parties and hosting his own hip-hop college radio show in the Bay Area at the age of fifteen. In 1989, he was named the first Rap Editor at the industry trade publication "Gavin Report," and started the rap/hip-hop panels at the magazine's annual conventions. In 1991, he moved to New York, joining the Mercury Records staff as Director, Rap Marketing and Mix Show Promotion where he stayed for three years. He held the same post for a year at MCA Records, and then opened Blue Print Promotion, his own street marketing/mix show promotion company where he managed and directed street teams and mix show campaigns for clients that included Universal, Motown, and Warner Bros. Records. Samson joined the staff of Virgin Records in 1998 as Director, Crossover Promotion, where he spent three years working projects such as Janet Jackson, D'Angelo, and Lenny Kravitz.

"I'm very excited to join this exceptionally talented, passionate, and experienced group of people, especially Ted Field, Marc Geiger, Michael Whited, Greg Powell, and Marc Benesch," commented Samson. "ARTISTdirect offers me an exciting opportunity to work closely with all departments and really be part of an artist's entire campaign."

About ARTISTdirect Records:

ARTISTdirect Records is a co-venture between ARTISTdirect, Inc. and Ted Field, one of the most successful executives in the entertainment industry. Launched in the summer of 2001, ARTISTdirect Records' talent roster includes a diverse range of hip-hop, rap, alternative, and rock artists such as Custom, NAAM Brigade, The Blood Brothers, Mad at Gravity, Smilez & Northstar, No Good, and Pokafase. ARTISTdirect Records has a distribution agreement in North America with BMG, who also has a license for territories around the globe. ARTISTdirect Records is affiliated with ARTISTdirect, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARTD), a music and media company that combines an online music network with integrated offline assets to provide a single-stop solution for music fans, artists, labels, and advertisers.