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WorldSpace to Serve as Global Satellite Radio Broadcast Partner for Quincy Jones' 'We Are the Future' All-Star Humanitarian Concert Sunday, May 16 in Rome, Italy ROME, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Music legend Quincy Jones announced today that WorldSpace -- the pioneer of satellite radio for the world -- will serve as the international satellite radio broadcast partner for his all-star "We Are the Future" benefit concert scheduled for Rome, Italy on May 16, 2004. The deal ensures that the concert will be broadcast via WorldSpace global satellite radio throughout all of Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and will have the potential to reach more than 4.2 billion people.Nearly two decades after producing the historic "We Are the World" recording, Quincy Jones will gather many of the world's best-recognized artists for a global concert to benefit children in war-ravaged cities. To date, the "We Are the Future" line-up includes Eve, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Patti Austin, Josh Groban, Juanes, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Zucchero, Youssou N'Dour, the casts of Stomp and Cirque du Soleil, Take 6, Angelique Kidjo, Carmen Consoli, Karina, Kazem Al Sahir, Khaled, Noa, Rifat Salamat Ali Khan, Simon Shaheen, Tarkan and Soundz of South Africa, among others. Celebrity presenters include Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Naomi Campbell, Chris Tucker, Francesco Totti and Serena Williams, among others. WorldSpace Satellite Radio -- Europe, Africa's, and Asia only satellite radio service -- will have an international crew of eight at the concert to deliver comprehensive live coverage of the event. WorldSpace listeners from Johannesburg to Japan will get to hear backstage the entire concert from start to finish, as well as backstage interviews with the participating stars. "Quincy Jones' 'We Are the Future' concert is a perfect match for WorldSpace, which is dedicated to delivering education and entertainment to people across continents, via satellite radio," said Noah Samara, CEO and Chairman of WorldSpace Satellite Radio. "Quincy Jones has done so much to mobilize the entertainment industry to helping children worldwide. WorldSpace is honored to be able to contribute public service and media support to help ensure that the music and messages of 'We Are the Future' will be heard for years beyond this momentous concert," Samara continued. The event is free, but proceeds from the concert's broadcast and related merchandise sales will benefit "We Are the Future" programs, including the creation of child centers in six cities worldwide. At the centers, children will not only receive much-needed humanitarian services and care, but also have access to resources and training in health, nutrition, technology, sports, and the arts. The first center opened this April in Rwanda. Other centers will open later this year in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and on the West Bank. "We Are the Future" is executive produced by Quincy Jones in association with the Rome based production company Zone Attive and directed by award- winning director Julia Knowles. The campaign is the collective dream of Quincy Jones' Listen Up Foundation; The Glocal Forum, the nonprofit organization designing and implementing "We Are the Future" programs and founded by chief Oslo Peace Accords negotiator Uri Savir; the City of Rome, led by Mayor Walter Veltroni; and visionary leader for peace Hani Masri. Together in a strategic partnership with the World Bank and its president James Wolfensohn, the "We Are the Future" co-founders are working to improve the lives of children victimized by conflict. About WorldSpace WorldSpace Corporation is the pioneer of satellite radio delivery for digital audio radio services (DARS). WorldSpace serves Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Through its subscription-based service, WorldSpace broadcasts news, music brand name content partners including NPR, Virgin Radio U.K., BBC, Fox News and educational programming to a global service area that includes more than four billion people and targets its programming to consumers, governments, and other organizations. The company leverages its two geo-stationary satellites, AfriStar and AsiaStar, and its ownership of broad-spectrum licenses to deliver more than 100 digital quality audio channels per satellite as well as multimedia content directly to WorldSpace Satellite Radio receivers. Proprietary and patented WorldSpace technology is used by America's most successful satellite radio service. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. and with offices in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa, WorldSpace is led by a seasoned management team with deep radio, international broadcasting and communications experience. For more information, visit our website at http://www.worldspace.com/. Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040319/WORLDSPACELOGO AP PHOTO ARCHIVE WorldSpace Satellite Radio CONTACT: Peter Himler of Burson-Marsteller, +1-212-614-4082,[email protected], for WorldSpace Satellite Radio; or Ted Kelly ofWorldSpace Satellite Radio, +1-202-969-6478, [email protected] Web site: http://www.worldspace.com/ |