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Latest News Rowe International & Firestone Financial Corp. create a spring promotion designed to give operators the option of zero% financing OR six months before the first payment. GRAND RAPIDS, MI and NEWTON, MA – (April 9, 2008) -- Rowe International, the world’s leading digital Internet jukebox company, and Firestone Financial Corp., one of the industry’s leading equipment financing firms, are teaming up to offer special pricing and tiered financing options including ZERO % APR and NO payments for up to 180 days on Rowe’s GrandSTAR™, NiteHAWK™ and Solara™ digital downloading jukeboxes. This exciting program is available to all qualified operators on purchases from participating authorized Rowe Distributors through Firestone Financial Corporation from now until June 30, 2008 "There will never be a better time for operators to upgrade music,” said John Margold, Rowe's Senior VP of Sales/Marketing. “Special pricing on our jukeboxes and music fees, combined with great rates from our friends at Firestone, give operators flexible finance options that will suit just about everyone." A tiered approach to financing allows operators to increase their savings and maximize revenue by purchasing more jukeboxes. Investing in 3 new Rowe jukeboxes qualifies for 7.99% for 24 months, with a first payment due in 120 days, plus 50% off AMI Music fees for the first 3 months. Increasing to 6 jukeboxes entitles the purchaser even better terms – 0% APR for 12 months! There’s also a 5.99% APR for 24 month option- with no payments due for 6 months. Buy 9 or 12 jukeboxes and the incentives continue to grow! “We are very excited to partner with Rowe on this aggressive promotion. Rowe has really stepped up for their customers, and it’s a perfect time for operators to invest in their routes,” explains Jim Hines, Vice President of Sales at Firestone. For product information call Rowe International at 800-393-0201, or visit www.roweinternational.com; for finance information call Firestone 800-851-1001 or visit www.firestonefinancial.com. ABOUT ROWE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION and AMI ENTERTAINMENT Rowe International Corporation is the No. 1 manufacturer of commercial and home coin-op jukeboxes, and the leading maker of CD-to-digital upgrade kits. The Company manufactures the GrandStarTM and SolaraTM (floor format), along with the NiteHAWKTM (wall-mounted) Internet-enabled all-digital jukeboxes. The Company’s Internet-enabled devices can operate over a variety of broadband connections. AMI Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rowe International Corporation, provides digital music content and Web-based management services for Internet-enabled jukeboxes over the AMI Entertainment Network. Jukeboxes powered by AMI Entertainment are designed to maximize revenue with features like Music on Demand, which allows the music patron to search and purchase music by song, artist, album title or genre from a vast music library licensed by AMI Entertainment. Rowe International and AMI Entertainment are headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rowe also maintains a technical support and sales office in London, and has one of the industry’s most extensive sales and support systems with distributors in more than 35 countries. Distributor and product information is available at Rowe’s website, located at www.roweinternational.com, or by calling the Company at (616) 243-3633. ABOUT FIRESTONE FINANCIAL CORP: Firestone Financial Corp. has been financing amusement and vending equipment since 1965. Being in the business for over 40 years has allowed the company to gain a specialized knowledge and understanding of these industries. Firestone prides itself on building long-term relationships with its customers. The proof of their commitment is that over 75% of customers are repeat borrowers. For more information on Firestone Financial, call 1.800.851.1001 or visit www.firestonefinancial.com AMI Entertainment releases new album from Stephen Malkmus & Jicks to its network of digital jukeboxes a week before it hits stores. On February 28, AMI Entertainment gives bar patrons across the United States an early dose of Real Emotional Trash, the new album by Stephen Malkmus & Jicks. AMI Entertainment pushes the album to it’s more than 10,000 internet-connected jukeboxes to fuel the early buzz for the anticipated release. Malkmus is known from pioneering days fronting Pavement; a mucho-loved band from the ‘90s that blurred the boundaries of classic and alternative rock. Pavement played lo-fi and beautiful soundscapes rather seamlessly, and were dear to boatloads of fans for their unpredictability. Since the death of the ‘90s, Malkmus has explored more a band-centric approach for his solo outings. Real Emotional Trash is the fourth “solo” album with the revitalized band Jicks (featuring drum-pulse from ex-Sleater Kinney, Janet Weiss), and is primed to be epic. Early press has given it thumbs pointing skyward, and is easily one of the most anticipated independent releases of 2008. Songs like “Hopscotch Willie” are laced with warm and groovy keyboards – showing a maturing Malkmus looking for a good time, rather than his next art project. Waves and waves of guitars continuously barrage you on Trash, while dark and quirky story lines speak of wine-filled nights and traversing the Mexican border. The title track is everything a jam-band masterpiece should be – pushing past ten minutes, and fading out not unlike the ghosts of Zeppelin. It is this later-in-career version of the band that makes the album a tight fit for AMI Entertainment. “Malkmus has turned himself into quite the guitar virtuoso” says Brian Hoekstra, AMI Music Content Manager. “With this release he is giving himself the unique opportunity to be associated with the classic jukebox bands of our time. The guitars on this album sound so nice, and for a platform that loves its classic rock…classic sounds…this album is a no-brainer from a promotional standpoint.” He adds. The album hits physical store shelves March 4 on long-time home Matador Records. Matador has taken other unique promotional avenues in advance of the release – offering the album via Insounds (www.insound.com) “Buy Early Get Now” program. The pre-release is part of a larger plan for AMI to help give it’s independent releases extra promotional push before they hit store shelves. As the network releases thousands of music files each week, AMI is making a conscious effort to highlight buzz-worthy titles, so they don’t get lost in the shuffle. The Malkmus album will be featured on the jukebox promo screens during the months of March and April. This type of on-screen exposure has shown a jump in jukebox plays times 10 for previous campaigns. Here Is The Albums Tracklist:
AMI Helps Bar Patrons Get “Lucky” On January 29, 2008, bar patrons across the country will be able to hear the new album Lucky from critically-acclaimed pop-rockers Nada Surf, via jukeboxes connected to AMI Entertainment a week before it hits stores. The anticipated Lucky, due February 5th on Barsuk Records, is the fifth full-length from Nada Surf. The songs will be available as pay-for-play downloads on the AMI Entertainment network - a network that fuels over 10,000 digital jukeboxes found in bars and nightlife establishments across the United States.
Perhaps unfairly dubbed as the “next Weezer” in 1996 because of the right-time-right-place MTV hit “Popular”, the song was only a snapshot of the growth to come. Since then, Nada Surf has taken the reins, has thrived in the independent circuit, racked up a slew of commercial, TV, and film placements, and garnered modern rock success with the single from their last album “Always Love.” Already in 2008 the band has seen a flurry of early adds at Triple A and Modern Rock radio for “Whose Authority”, the first single from Lucky. The band has had the same line-up for 12 years, featuring Matthew Caws (vocals, guitar), Daniel Lorca (Bass), and Ira Elliot (Drums). This relationship has provided each album with renewed maturity and consistency. Lucky is a confident addition to the Nada Surf catalog. These are songs of restlessness, longing, and the elusiveness of love. These 11 songs are propulsive as they are intimate, and feature the occasional sing-along anthem. Here is the full track list for Lucky:
AMI Entertainment is the digital music network that fuels over 10,000 jukeboxes found in bars and nightlife establishments across the United States. The pre-release is part of a larger plan for the music network to help give independent releases extra promotional push before the albums hit shelves. As the network releases thousands of music files each week, AMI is making a conscious effort to highlight buzz-worthy titles, so they don’t get lost in the shuffle. The pre-release of the Nada Surf album is part of a newly-signed licensing deal with Seattle indie Barsuk Records, which also includes albums from Death Cab For Cutie and Menomena. With cooperation from Roadrunner Records, AMI Entertainment is helping break Australia’s high-flying rock act Airbourne in bars and nightlife establishments a full month before their debut hits shelves. Airbourne, whose album Runnin’ Wild hits U.S. stores January 29th – is receiving an early boost in stateside exposure via on-screen promotion (promo loops) across over 10,000 AMI internet-connected jukeboxes. AMI released the album to the pay-for-play network the last week of 2007. The promos hit locations starting January 4, 2008, serving the dual purpose of creating early buzz for the album, and providing consumers with a snapshot of this new band. The campaign is not unlike the “Hear It Here First” efforts seen across other mediums. It is a concentrated effort to help both operator and consumer find quality content, and is an important way to showcase something fresh amongst a sea of digital music releases. Alongside Roadrunner’s commitment to promote the band across radio, TV and online - featuring the band in juke-joints will help music fans make some really important connections. Customers are learning they can count on AMI-powered boxes to have the newest releases, and that the network cares enough to look for artists that fit their interests. This in turn creates incentive for a label like Roadrunner to offer its titles via AMI, giving their catalog a chance for extra impact. These jukeboxes are, after all, in spaces where music is reviewed in important social circles… hitting very impressionable eyes and ears. Airbourne is molded perfectly for the jukebox customer and the classic jukebox sound. For AMI, its rock genres and artists are always at the top of popularity reports, and this band should fit right in on the roster. It seems Airbourne is running with the gods of classic rock on their side. Runnin’ Wild boasts large fist-pumping choruses, guitars, and has a genuine focus on providing for a good time. The band is seen onscreen in video loops jumping off risers, whipping their hair around, and wielding ferocious guitars, all while the bands logo gets recognition. In addition to on-screen, AMI featured the band’s release on operator music-selection websites and sent promo albums and posters to ops who have seen the most success with bands like AC/DC. This partnership with Roadrunner Records is part of new goal for AMI to be recognized as a valid avenue of promotion for major and independent labels alike. Look for more efforts like this throughout 2008. Airbourne will be keeping busy in 08 with their first US headlining tour starting mid-February. AMI Server Migration Is Complete! New Web Features Speed Management Of Music; Operator Input Is Basis Of System’s Design Server migration is complete! All AMI Entertainment accounts were successfully transferred to the music provider’s new Web tool, which enhances and simplifies the remote management of digital jukeboxes. The migration process began on September 10 and came to a smooth finish on November 7. The two-month transfer period allowed AMI’s software engineers to monitor and adjust network operations as the volume of client connections increased. With the updated system in place, AMI reports that operators are experiencing a new level in Web management efficiencies and speed, and accessing features that are saving them time and increasing bottom lines. Unique to the AMI Web tool are several user and data features that were suggested by experienced operators. Among these are: (1) readily-accessible music popularity data that allow operators to make informed and quick decisions about content selections; (2) the posting of new music releases on the AMI homepage to keep jukeboxes up-to-date; and (3) the addition of “shopping cart” software that speeds the music selection and checkout processes. “Operators told us they wanted features that would allow them to take full advantage of AMI’s catalog of 400,000+ songs,” said John Margold, senior vice-president of sales and marketing of Rowe International, a leading manufacturer of digital jukeboxes and AMI’s sister company. “Our engineers listened and we believe we’ve developed the best Web management application for the jukebox market.” The Rowe/AMI technical workforce began soliciting input from operators in the spring of 2006, at the start of AMI’s website redesign project. The advisory group consisted of leading operators and their service personnel, who met with designers at the Rowe jukebox plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Among them was Jack Mascow, technical supervisor for Valu Vending, a Detroit-area operation that is reporting impressive improvements in its jukebox business following the AMI Web update. “AMI was the only company that has ever invited us to participate in a product design process. And they were very receptive. Even more, I was amazed that one of my design suggestions – a method of retrieving and comparing popularity data by jukebox, route and across the whole network – was incorporated into the new Web tool. They were all ears.” Valu Vending, a 17-year-old company founded and operated by industry veteran Dennis Langley, provides a full range of music and coin-operated amusement services, along with merchandise vending equipment. With bars representing a majority of its account base, the company recognized the potential offered by digital downloading jukeboxes and began installing them seven years ago. Today, half of its jukeboxes are online, served by high-speed Internet connections. For Mascow, the availability of nationwide and localized comparative data is an invaluable resource on a jukebox route; and with 25 digital machines in Valu Vending’s stable, the ability to immediately pull popularity information from one machine at a location – and put it side by side with thousands nationally – allows the technical supervisor to make the best choices when programming local music (content stored on a hard drive) for a jukebox. For example, over a one-week period, “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down was played seven times on one of Valu Vending’s jukeboxes, compared with 2,027 times networkwide. With this information, the operator may want to add the group’s “The Better Life” album to the location’s local music menu. Using the previous Web tool, Mascow pointed out, operators were required to write down popularity data because the system was unable to automatically isolate and calculate local and premium download purchases. “It’s important that local music choices match customers’ tastes,” Mascow said. “Bar owners and managers often don’t have the time to make lists, and regular customers will be happier if they can play their music for one credit rather than having to spend two credits to download a single from the server. The use of popularity data helps keep boxes current.” For Valu Vending’s Mascow, the general rule is to load for local play any song that has been downloaded (using AMI’s “Music on Demand”) 10 times or more. Like all AMI operators, Mascow recently had the opportunity to take full advantage of the Web tool’s new “featured” albums application, a design recommendation from another operator. “About 20 Christmas albums were featured weekly during the past holiday season,” Mascow said. “I generally add five Christmas albums to a box. But if a location requests more, it’s easy to do. Additional choices are presented as soon as I log onto the homepage.” In addition to the streamlined content management tools, such as relative popularity statistics applauded by Mascow, operators and their technical personnel are also benefiting from AMI’s enhanced server speed. Server capacity on the AMI Entertainment Network was significantly increased to handle an ever-expanding music library, new jukebox connections and additional applications. “Everything is much faster,” Mascow said. “Reports are quicker to generate and Web pages are easier to navigate.” As a result of the increased server speed and intuitive content management tools, along with the ability to administer and update multiple boxes by grouping them, Mascow said he could remotely service 25 jukeboxes in about 30 minutes. AMI Entertainment, which maintains a software development center in Chicago, is the music content and technology division of jukebox manufacturer Rowe International Corp. AMI powers digital downloading jukeboxes built by Rowe and Merit Entertainment. More information on both Rowe and AMI products is available from the Rowe salesforce at (616) 243-3633 or by visiting or calling an authorized Rowe distributor. Rowe intends to defend against the Complaint allegations On December 20, 2007, TouchTunes filed a Complaint in the Southern District of New York seeking judgment that it does not infringe seven of Rowe’s patents related to the sale of digital jukeboxes. The lawsuit is a reaction to TouchTunes’ longstanding knowledge that Rowe believes TouchTunes is infringing Rowe’s patent rights. Rowe intends to defend against the Complaint allegations and to aggressively protect its proprietary rights, including its patent rights. AMI Welcomes Premium Latin Music Inc. to its Catalog
Aventura commenced in the mid 90s as “The Teenagers” when four Bronx kids came together with the shared dream of creating music. Aventura’s organic sound is deeply rooted in Bachata, a Dominican folk style once dismissed by high society and relegated to impoverished white collar neighborhoods in the Dominican Republic, but which gradually ascended to a position of respect and international acclaim. Because the boys were raised in the U.S. they followed their instincts in fusing sounds they heard on the New York streets: Hip Hop, R & B and rock with Bachata, creating an innovative style that has broken barriers for the group. Under the auspices of Premium Latin Music, Inc., an independent label, the band was able to grow slowly, gradually building its reputation in the North East as a fan-favorite through relentless touring and grass roots promotion. Aventura is totally auto-produced – the boys write and arrange all of their songs. The band’s earthy sound and total artistic control of all aspects of their career cancels out the tendency to stereotype them as the Latin version of Backstreet Boys simply because there are four members – no “studio project” this group! This is the real thing! Aventura’s insistence in writing, producing and performing their own music has paid off, as the group has crossed over into mainstream success in Europe, as well as here in the U.S. Stateside, SONY BMG OBO Premium Latin Music, Inc. distributes the titles “God’s Project” and “K.O.B.:Live” “Love & Hate,” “We Broke The Rules” and “Generation Next.” All have hit number 1 on the Billboard charts for the Tropical Latin genre and have sold more than 1,000,000 units through Sony distribution alone. Aventura has also recently released “Kings of Bachata - SOLD OUT at Madison Square Garden” (Premium Latin/SonyBMG), showing the band at the height of its success, during a sold-out performance in New York City which debuted at #3 in Billboard. This band has truly earned its right to the self-proclaimed “Kings of Bachata” tag that graces their album covers. The success of a now-mainstream act like Aventura has helped Premium Latin build and maintain a roster of diverse Dominican talent, delving further into the genres Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop. Other notables for the label include Big Family, Negros by Wason, Jeffrey, Joaquin, and Ingco Crew. AMI Entertainment, the content division of Rowe International, will begin its release of Premium Latin music December of ‘07. AMI will continue to offer back-catalog and new releases from the label going forward.
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Lucky is the most recent release through Barsuk - Let Go (2003) and The Weight Is A Gift (2005) collected tons of favorable reviews, and kept the band touring non-stop to crowds of faithful across the globe. Critical acclaim has followed the band throughout their career. Most recently, MOJO called The Weight Is a Gift a “21st century pop masterpiece”, and the bands recent moves have been traced by Billboard and Pitchfork, making Lucky one of the most-eagerly anticipated indie-rock releases of 2008. 
AMI gets a highly-anticipated boost to its Tropical Latin music catalog with the recent signing of Premium Latin Music Inc. The independent imprint, with headquarters in both the Dominican Republic and New York, has really been lifted onto a pedestal over the last decade with the rise in success of the group Aventura.