NBC Enterprises further expands its entry into the music business with the signing of NBC Records' premiere artist and Emmy-nominated singer/songwriter Jane French. The announcement was made today by Kim Niemi, Vice President, Business Development.-Music of NBC Enterprises. "Jane's talent as a songwriter and her inviting, honest voice are the perfect match for our new label," said Niemi.

Jerry Petry, Executive Vice President of NBC Enterprises, added "The launch of NBC Records is an important and exciting step in the growth of NBC Enterprises."

French is the dynamic voice of "Breathe," the main title theme to NBC's daytime drama "Passions," which she co-wrote with the show's composer John Henry. "Breathe" was nominated this past May for a Daytime Emmy Award in the Best Original Song category.

French and Henry's collaboration brought the Cincinnati native to the attention of NBC Enterprises during the early formation of NBC Records. From the initial episode of "Passions," fans began writing in to inquire about the identity of the theme song artist and to find out where they could buy her music.

Because of the demand, "Breathe" is scheduled for an online retail single release in early fall. French's music will also be heard online via the "Passions" website beginning late summer (www.nbc.com/passions.) In addition, French will be seen performing her music on "Passions" and her music will be featured in other prominent television shows throughout the coming year.

NBC Records was formed this year when Niemi, an 11-year veteran of the music business, joined NBC Enterprises. She is responsible for growing their music business including developing television soundtracks, identifying new and upcoming music talent, establishing marketing partnerships with music labels and negotiating artist and label deals for future music-based initiatives.

Recent NBC Enterprises music activities include a partnership with DreamWorks Records on two CDs containing never-before-released musical performances from "Saturday Night Live" and marketed in connection with the "Saturday Night Live" 25th Anniversary Special; a venture with Mercury Records to produce and market "The '60s" and "The '70s" soundtrack CDs; the distribution of "The Temptations" soundtrack as a companion piece with the Big Event miniseries home video; a TNBC music partnership with Atlantic Records for artist and music integration; and a cross-promotional effort that merged the resources of NBC On-Air Promotion, Atlantic Records, Snap.com and NBC Interactive for the DR release of the Jewel CD, "Spirit." Upcoming NBC Records' releases include "Today Show Presents: The Best of the Summer Concerts Series, Vol. 1" and an NBC Celebrity Christmas CD in partnership with EMI Special Markets and Metacom Music.

NBC is a global media company with broadly diverse holdings. NBC owns and operates the NBC Television Network and also owns 13 television stations. NBC also owns two 24-hour cable programming services, CNBC and MSNBC, with part ownership in 17 other cable services. NBC is a division of General Electric.

JANE FRENCH
Singer-Songwriter, NBC Records

From singing at an early age on toy company jingles to recently co-writing and performing the Emmy-nominated theme song for NBC's "Passions," music has always played a defining role in singer/songwriter Jane French's life. Her bright, positive vocal and songwriting styles have set her on a course that now includes an exclusive development deal with NBC RecordsMusic and plans for her own solo album.

French is the dynamic voice of "Breathe," the main title theme to NBC's daytime drama "Passions," which she co-wrote with John Henry, who is one of the show's composers as well as her producer/manager. "The title 'Passions' is vivid and evokes multiple images -- anger, surprise, suspense -- all these human emotions are tied into breathing," explains French who translated "the kind of passion that takes your breath away" into the song's heart and soul. That vision paid off this past May when "Breathe" was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the Best Original Song category. "Breathe" is set for release as a retail online single this summer on NBC Records.

French began an active professional career as an 8 year-old in commercials (she was the voice of PlayDoh) and musical theatre. By age 12, she was performing in weekend musical reviews at local nightclubs in her native Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, she also studied ballet, tap and jazz dance as well as piano. She further developed her signature pop style during high school and college when she began writing songs as a member of two midwest bands, Fame of Mind and Avatar. She also studied design and communication at the University of Cincinnati in an effort to continue expanding her understanding of art and its impact on our lives in contemporary culture.

In 1998, French's mother sent a song demo to John Henry who had previously produced French for Kenner Toys and other children's commercials. Already familiar with her captivating voice, the multiple Emmy-winning producer was immediately impressed by French's engaging lyrics and catchy melodies and as a result the two teamed up to collaborate and develop French's career. When Henry was appointed composer on NBC's newest daytime drama, "Passions," Henry suggested she pen some demos for the show's theme song. That collaboration brought French to the attention of NBC Enterprises during the initial formation of NBC Records.

In addition to "Breathe," Jane takes us on a reflective journey of love and life with the infectious "Chant" and innocence of "Cross My Heart." She is currently writing and recording new material for an album release expected early next year. We welcome you to follow this dynamic new talent beginning in Summer 2000.