Flom Renews Atlantic Pact as Lava Remains Red-Hot.

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--June 1, 1999--

Long-standing Atlantic Records executive Jason Flom has signed a new, long-term contract with the company, it was announced today by Atlantic Group Co-Chairman/Co-CEO Val Azzoli. Flom will continue as both President of the company's highly successful Lava label, which he founded four years ago, as well as a Senior Vice President of Atlantic Records. This July, Flom will celebrate his 20th Anniversary with Atlantic.

In making the announcement, Val Azzoli commented: "In just four years, Jason has made the Lava label one of the music industry's most impressive stories. From the day nearly twenty years ago when he started putting up AC/DC posters in record stores, Jason's career has been driven by a true fan's passion for music. One of the most naturally gifted A&R executives in the 51-year history of Atlantic, he has been responsible not only for identifying and signing a remarkable string of chart-topping artists, but also for bringing a rich diversity of music to the company. Jason has made enormous contributions to our success, and I am thrilled that he and his terrific Lava team will continue to be part of the Atlantic family for many years to come."

Jason Flom stated: "It is hard to imagine being at a company that is more supportive of artists and their music than Atlantic, and I want to thank Val Azzoli for giving me the opportunity to continue to develop Lava as a home for true artist development. I continue to be inspired every day by Ahmet Ertegun, who turned his sheer love of music into a legendary company. My goal is to continue to build Lava into a brand name which represents quality music from a select roster of great artists. I am grateful not only for the relationships I have with my artists, but for the mutual respect which Lava's artists have for each other. I want to thank the great Atlantic staff for their phenomenal work on behalf of Lava, and I want to thank the artists for making this such a wonderful time in my life."

Jason Flom's music industry career began 20 years ago this July, when he was hired by Atlantic Records as a trainee field merchandiser. Within a year, Flom was awarded his first gold record -- for designing a full-page trade ad for AC/DC with the memorable line, "The Highway to Hell is paved with platinum." In 1981, he began doing sales research, in the course of which he discovered and brought his first act to Atlantic -- Zebra, whose label debut was certified gold.

Joining Atlantic's A&R department in 1983, Flom proceeded to sign a string of multi-million selling rock bands, including Twisted Sister, Skid Row, and White Lion. By the late -'80s, he had begun to expand the musical scope of his signings most notably with the inking of Tori Amos, who became one of the most influential and popular artists of the 90's.

In 1989, Flom was named Atlantic Vice President of A&R. Among his signings in the early 90's was acclaimed Irish group Clannad, who broke through to RIAA gold, Grammy-winning status in the U.S. Flom was also instrumental in bringing Ireland's Celtic Heartbeat label to the Atlantic Group, which led to the release of the hugely successful, Grammy-winning "Riverdance" project.

Under Flom's watch as head of A&R for Atlantic, the label inked multi-platinum rockers Stone Temple Pilots, as well as such pop chart-toppers as All-4-One and Donna Lewis. In January 1994, he was named Senior Vice President of Atlantic. Shortly thereafter, Flom inked another soon-to-be-multi-platinum band, Collective Soul.

In March 1995, Val Azzoli announced the establishment of Flom's own label within Atlantic, Lava Records. Since then, Lava has scored with a remarkable string of new artists who have broken through to gold, platinum, and multi-platinum territory, including matchbox20 (whose debut album, "Yourself Or Someone Like You," has been certified eight-times platinum by the RIAA), Sugar Ray (who have released two consecutive RIAA platinum-plus albums), Edwin McCain (whose second album earned RIAA gold), 143/Lava's The Corrs (the Atlantic Group's biggest-selling act outside the U.S.), and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (also certified RIAA gold).

Lava's latest success story is Kid Rock, whose debut album for the label is leaping towards the top of the Billboard 200 (ranking this week at No. 13 with a bullet) and has hit the platinum mark in U.S. sales. Due on June 15th is the new album from Edwin McCain, entitled "Messenger" -- whose first single, "I Could Not Ask For More," has erupted at radio nationwide in its first week on the air, earning No. 1 most-added status at Hot AC and AC outlets and No. 2 most-added at the CHR/Pop format.

Alongside its diverse artist signings, Lava has released a series of unique projects, including "Tapestry Revisited" (which earned the label its first RIAA gold award), Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours," "Schoolhouse Rock Rocks" -- a tribute to the Emmy-winning children's television series, and the world music phenomenon b-tribe.

Lava's roster includes such critically acclaimed artists as David Garza, Spy, and Jon Brion (whose label debut is slated for August '99). Just released is the Lava premiere of The Atomic Fireballs, with the upcoming release slate including a new album from Beth Hart (on 143/Lava), plus label debuts from Bif Naked and New American Shame.

Outside of his Lava/Atlantic duties, Flom serves on the Board Of Directors of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (F.A.M.M.), whose mission is to oppose mandatory drug sentencing and to fight to free drug offenders from unduly harsh prison terms. On July 12, 1999, Flom and legendary film director Martin Scorsese are to be this year's sole honoreees at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California's Torch Of Liberty Awards event. The award was "created to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by individuals from the arts and entertainment industry and the media whose work affirms the democratic principles that underlie the promise of 'liberty and justice for all.'" Flom is also spearheading a concert event to benefit F.A.M.M., scheduled to take place this fall in New York City.

Flom recently served as Executive Producer of the short film, "Atomic Tabasco." Directed by Spy cohort James Cox, the film earned an Honorable Mention at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

An avid golfer -- and winner of the Kelly-Baruck Pebble Beach Annual Invitational Golf Classic -- Flom has earned acclaim for his stand-up comedy routines at post-tournament festivities.