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Technology and Creative Communities Unite to Form Arts+Labs, a Groundbreaking New Organization

NEW YORK-(Business Wire)-September 24, 2008 - In an effort to encourage enhanced development of innovative and creative Internet content distributed over safe and reliable networks, the technology and creative communities today announced the creation of a new advocacy group, Arts+Labs. Arts+Labs is a collaboration between creators and innovators who regard the Internet as a vibrant town center where all consumers can safely choose from a vast array of digital products, entertainment and services. Because quality content drives the Internet, Arts+Labs and its founding members: AT&T, Viacom, NBC Universal, Cisco, Microsoft and the Songwriters Guild of America, also aims to ensure that artists, creators and innovators can safely share their works through new online distribution channels with confidence that their right to earn fair compensation for their creativity is respected.

A key element of the Arts+Labs mission is to inform and educate consumers about the availability and vast array of legal, safe, affordable and innovative entertainment content on the Internet. The group will also raise awareness of the growing problem of net pollution – which includes viruses, malware, hack attacks, spam, illegal file trafficking and other activity that threatens to degrade consumers’ Internet experience.

Arts+Labs is co-chaired by Mike McCurry, former White House press secretary to President Bill Clinton (1995-1998) and public policy spokesperson and Mark McKinnon, a former songwriter and newspaper editor who is widely regarded as one of the most conscientious and insightful voices on the use of modern media. Rick Carnes, president of the Songwriter’s Guild of America, and Chuck Sims, of the law firm Proskauer Rose also have agreed to join Arts+Labs as the first members of the group’s Advisory Board.

“Arts+Labs believes that quality content drives the Internet and that distribution of easily accessible, affordable content in the Internet age requires new business models,” said Arts+Labs co-chair Mark McKinnon. “We also strongly feel that every effort should be made to ensure that artists benefit from their creativity. Arts+Labs will work to ensure that consumers know where to access safe and legal online content while promoting artists’ and innovators’ ability to easily share their ingenuity through a range of new, online distribution channels with the confidence that their legal rights will be respected.”

Co-chair Mike McCurry emphasized that consumers are the biggest beneficiaries in the Arts+Labs’ vision.

“We want consumers to have exponentially greater opportunities to access creative content in a variety of formats, and with confidence that they are safe from viruses, hackers, malware, illegal file trafficking and other net pollution that puts them at risk,” McCurry said.

Rick Carnes, who has written several number one country western songs, said that artists and consumers share a common interest in protecting artists’ legal rights.

“The Internet provides access to the largest possible audience, which is a real opportunity for songwriters,” Carnes said. “Arts+Labs supports an Internet environment that recognizes the vital role creators play, while offering consumers a digital concert hall of safe, legal and affordable music.”

Beginning today in New York City, the Arts+Labs team is setting out on a three-city media tour to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges that the Internet presents for consumers, artists, and the technology community alike. During stops in New York, Nashville and Los Angeles, a broad-based group of representatives will be on hand to field questions and address key issues about the Internet’s potential to deliver new and innovative content to consumers safely and securely.

Arts+Labs Co-Chairs and Advisory Board Members:

Mike McCurry

Mike McCurry is a veteran political spokesperson with 30-years experience of Washington DC policy experience.

McCurry served in the White House as press secretary to President Bill Clinton from 1995-1998. He also served as spokesman for the Department of State (1993-1995) and director of communications for the Democratic National Committee (1988-1990). McCurry has also held leadership roles in several national campaigns, including national press secretary for the vice presidential campaign of Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen (1988), and spokesman and political strategist in the presidential campaigns of Senator John Glenn (1984), Governor Bruce Babbitt (1988), Senator Bob Kerrey (1992), and Senator John Kerry (2004).

McCurry also serves on boards or advisory councils for Share Our Strength, the Junior Statesmen Foundation, the Wesley Theological Seminary, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He has also been involved in Internet issues as Chairman of Hands Off the Internet.

Mark McKinnon

Mark McKinnon is a media producer and communications strategist who has served as chief media advisor to the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush and John McCain. Early in his career, McKinnon worked for Democratic candidates including Michael Dukakis, Governors Mark White and Ann Richards (Texas), Buddy Roemer (Louisiana) and the infamous Congressman Charlie Wilson.

According to Broadcasting and Cable magazine, McKinnon is one of “a handful of players behind every big decision, consensus or roadblock in Washington...putting a unique, sometimes hidden stamp on the outcome of today’s debates.”

In his first career, McKinnon spent several years in Nashville working as a songwriter with Kris Kristofferson. After winning the Kerrville Texas Folk Festival Songwriter Competition in 1975, McKinnon moved to Austin where he worked for several years as a touring musician before turning his attention to journalism as editor of The Daily Texan then to politics.

McKinnon recently served on the Broadcasting Board of Governors and currently serves on the board of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. He lectures frequently at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Rick Carnes

Rick Carnes has been the president of the Songwriters Guild of America since 2002. An accomplished music professional, he brings to Arts+Labs a well-rounded offering of hands-on songwriting/performing/recording experience as well as in-depth understanding of the issues facing today’s music business and experience in education.

Carnes’ music career is highlighted by two number-one singles, including the highest chart entry single in Billboard history. He is the winner of eight ASCAP awards with 38 platinum and six gold albums totaling over 40 million record sales. In addition, he has to his credit five top-ten singles, seven top-twenty singles and eleven top-forty singles.

He has made significant contributions to legislative victories on behalf of music industry, in general, and songwriters, in particular. He developed strategy for SGA amicus brief in the Ehldred vs. Ashcroft Supreme Court case and lobbied congress for SGA in support of Audio Home Recording Act in 1992, Induce Act in 2004, as well as Perform Act and SIRA. In addition, he has served as witness before U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in SIRA reform bill, 2006 and before the FCC in 2006 Media Consolidation.

Chuck Sims

Chuck Sims has been a lawyer with Proskauer Rose LLP since 1986. Since joining Proskauer, Chuck has concentrated on copyright, First Amendment, defamation law, and complex federal appellate and trial matters. Chambers & Partners’ America’s Leading Business Lawyers calls him “one of the foremost IP media lawyers, particularly for his knowledge of copyright issues,” and described him as “that rare lawyer who has strengths both in theoretical and practical understanding” and as having a “strong talent for oral arguments.”

About Arts+Labs

Arts+Labs, founded in September 2008, is a coalition of the world’s leading organizations founded upon the core belief that quality content drives the Internet; that distribution of easily accessible, affordable content in the Internet age requires new business models; and that creators deserve to benefit from their creativity. Arts+Labs aims to ensure that artists and innovators can easily and effectively share their creativity through new distribution channels online, secure in the confidence that their rights will be respected and their ingenuity rewarded. Our commitment to consumers is that we will work to keep them informed about how and where they can find and safely enjoy the vast array of legal, affordable, and innovative entertainment content on the Internet. Current members include AT&T, Viacom, NBC Universal, Cisco, Microsoft and the Songwriters Guild of America. For more information, go to www.artsandlabs.com.

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