M2M Set to Thrill Fifth Ave. Throngs; NYC Flagship Warner Bros. Studio Store Performance to Mark Pokemon Album Release/Film Opening.

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Oct. 28, 1999--

Atlantic Records is set to celebrate the November 9th release of "Pokemon The First Movie - MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE" with a special in-store event that day at the flagship Warner Bros. Studio Store (6th floor) on Fifth Avenue & 57th Street in New York City. The event - slated to run from 3-5PM - will include a special acoustic performance from Atlantic recording duo M2M, followed by an autograph session.

Throughout the event, M2M - Marit Larsen and Marion Ravn - will be joined by Pikachu (among the most sought-after Pokemon) from Pokemon The First Movie, set to open in theaters across North America on November 10th. The specially equipped, highly visible Pokemon Volkswagen Beetle will also be on-hand for the celebration.

M2M's Warner Bros. Studio Store appearance will be highlighted by their special rendition of "Don't Say You Love Me," the first single from Atlantic's multi-artist soundtrack to the upcoming Warner Bros./Kids' WB! motion picture. The song - which recently debuted as the #1 most-added track at the nation's pop outlets - was co-penned by Larsen and Ravn with producers Jimmy Bralower (Jennifer Paige) and Peter Zizzo (Celine Dion) and mixed by the renowned Tom Lord-Alge.

"Absolutely enchanting in its youthful vocal and meaty series of hooks, 'Don't Say You Love Me' simply aims to get the rules straight on a budding relationship," states the "New & Noteworthy" review in the October 30th issue of Billboard. "If justice prevails, this one will be a shoo-in as one of autumn's first great hits. A royal bounty of good cheer that will fill the hearts and warm the ears."

Slated for commercial release on October 26th, the single (which includes the "Mewtwo Strikes Back Suite" instrumental score B-side) will be available in both CD and cassette formats. The Hyper-CD single will be enhanced with the Pokemon The First Movie trailer. The song's companion video made its world premiere October 24th following the WB's hit series, 7th Heaven. "Don't Say You Love Me" was also heard earlier this month during an episode of the hit WB series, Felicity.

In addition to M2M, "Pokemon The First Movie - MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE" is highlighted by previously unreleased tracks from some of today's biggest pop sensations, including 'N SYNC, Christina Aguilera, Vitamin C, B*Witched, Aaron Carter, Billie, Blessid Union of Souls, Billy Crawford, Mandah, debut Atlantic artist Ashley Ballard (with So Plush), and new Lava/Atlantic artists Angela Via and Midnight Sons. Britney Spears and 98(degree) contribute popular tracks to the album, further highlighted by "Free Up Your Mind," the debut solo track from Emma Bunton p/k/a Baby Spice.

In addition, "Pokemon The First Movie - MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE" will be enhanced with film footage, as well as a hyperlink to the Wizards of the Coast(c) Pokemon Trading Card Game online demonstration at www.wizards.com/Pokemon.

The soundtrack album release is the result of a partnership between Atlantic and 4Kids Entertainment, the exclusive licensing agent for Nintendo's Pokemon.

The Warner Bros. Studio Stores are "Pokemon Headquarters" nationwide in support of Kids' WB! Presents Pokemon The First Movie. A wide assortment of Pokemon merchandise is available, ranging from Atlantic's Pokemon The First Movie soundtrack to back-to-school supplies to children's apparel. Pokemon items are also available through the Warner Bros. Studio Store mail order catalog and its online retail website, wbstore.com.

M2M's Marit and Marion had their fortuitous first meeting back in 1990, when they were both about 5-years-old. Living just a few houses apart in their hometown of L0renskog, just outside Oslo, the girls soon discovered a common love of music.

Before long, what began with impromptu performances for family and friends turned into their shared appearances in professional musical theater

productions. The pair made their official recorded debut with a Norwegian language children's album, released before either had hit their teens. The popular reception to the album, coupled with numerous television appearances, led to a "Best Children's Album" nomination for the Spillemanspriset, the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy Award.

Marit and Marion are currently completing their full length album for Atlantic Records, due early next year. Album contributors include Matt Rowe (Spice Girls), Max Martin (Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears), Rodney Jerkins (Brandy, Jennifer Lopez), Jimmy Bralower, and Rickety Raw (All Saints).

The two recently completed a six-city Northeast mall tour, marking their first ever U.S. performances. Look for Marion and Marit as they make a special guest appearance on NBC's One World this November.

For additional information, please see The Atlantic Group website at www.atlantic-records.com.