The mary-kateandashley Brand and Dualstar Records Sign with Columbia Records For Worldwide Distribution of Children's CD Catalog

Dualstar Records, the recorded audio products division of Dualstar Entertainment Group, the multi-divisional corporate group for teen superstars Mary-Kate and Ashley and the mary-kateandashley brand -- today announced the expansion of the #1 entertainment, fashion and lifestyle line for kids, 'tweens and teens with worldwide distribution of the mary-kateandashley brand ten-title children's CD catalog. The CD catalog comprises material originally recorded by Mary-Kate and Ashley between the ages of 6 and 12 years, including for their multi-platinum-selling companion video series. Nine CDs from the catalog will be re-released in the U.S. and Canada on April 1 on the Dualstar Records label, distributed by Columbia Records. The tenth CD -- a Christmas title -- is scheduled for release fourth quarter 2003.

The catalog will be released internationally in many territories for the first-time ever. The five-year exclusive distribution deal was put in place weeks ago, following a fierce auction among several distributors.

The catalog includes best-selling kids CDs Brother For Sale (A Billboard Heatseekers chart-topper in 1991), I Am The Cute One, Give Us A Mystery, You're Invited To Mary-Kate and Ashley's Sleepover Party, You're Invited To Mary-Kate and Ashley's Birthday Party, You're Invited To Mary-Kate and Ashley's Ballet Party, the Christmas title Cool Yule and Greatest Hits I, II & III. Mary-Kate and Ashley have provided a timeless soundtrack for each new generation of kids. From such fan favorites as Brother For Sale and I Am The Cute One to the sing-along classics Double Up, We Love To Sing and Pool Party, these songs were recorded by kids for kids, with musical variety and good humor to keep parents' toes tapping, too.

Columbia and Dualstar are undertaking an unprecedented marketing and publicity campaign for the catalog, beginning with inserts and cross-trailering in a vast array of Dualstar's multi-million selling DVD/home video, videogame and book products, dedicated floor and counter top displays, in-store signage at retail and a direct marketing television effort, with the marketing centerpiece of a special satellite simulcast event starring Mary-Kate and Ashley in nearly 3,000 Wal*Mart U.S. stores April 5, and at hundreds of retail outlets abroad, too.

The re-issue of the catalog in the U.S. and Canada and its new release abroad marks yet another step in Dualstar's strategy of continuing to make product available for the younger customer, along with product for teens. Other product from the mary-kateandashley brand for younger customers includes fashion dolls and accessories, toys, puzzles, videos, Doodles series, books, party goods, greeting cards, beach towels, hair care products, bedding, etc.

"Mary-Kate and Ashley's singing voices are adorable, and the songwriting is stunning," said Robert Thorne, CEO and co-founder (with Mary-Kate and Ashley) of Dualstar. "Columbia Records' extensive experience in marketing music and their commitment and enthusiasm for this product make Columbia the perfect distribution partner for us."

"Making these CDs were some of the most fun times we ever had," said Mary-Kate. "We are so glad that kids and their parents continue to enjoy them. We are proud to be part of the Columbia Records family and all of the amazing artists they represent," added Ashley.

People magazine covergirls Mary-Kate and Ashley celebrated their Sweet 16 last June and were recently named The Most Powerful Young Women in Hollywood by the world's leading show business trade publication The Hollywood Reporter. Mary-Kate and Ashley were placed on The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 list of the most influential women in show business for the second year in a row, were ranked the most powerful kid stars in the world by Forbes magazine (making the Forbes Hot 100 celebrity list), were the subject of a cover feature story in Fortune magazine, and were included in Vanity Fair's The New Establishment: The Future in the Bullpen, joining nine other entertainment industry heavyweights, all of whom are twenty-five or more years Mary-Kate and Ashley's senior and were featured as PowerWomen in Ladies Home Journal. On January 14, Mary-Kate and Ashley were recognized with the Franchise Performers Award (a lifetime achievement award) at the 2003 DVD Premiere Awards.

The mary-kateandashley brand is the most successful girls brand in America and the most televised brand in America, with the #1 girls video franchise in America, the #1 girls videogame franchise in America, the #1 celebrity fashion doll line in America, the #1 girls book franchise in America, the #1 AOL Kids performer of all time in America and the #1 fastest-growing girls fashion-forward lifestyle line of apparel, accessories and domestics products in America featured at over 2,700 Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. and also featured at 123 Wal-Mart stores in Canada, at 147 ASDA stores (Wal-Mart in Britain) and at 256 Target stores in Australia. Mary-Kate and Ashley's second feature film is scheduled for 2004 theatrical release by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film is produced by Mary-Kate and Ashley, Dualstar CEO Robert Thorne and Denise DiNovi.

SOURCE: Dualstar Records; Columbia Records

CONTACT: Michael Pagnotta of Dualstar Public Relations for Dualstar
Consumer Products, Mary-Kate and Ashley and the mary-kateandashley brand:
+1-917-882-5857, Fax +1-631-874-7182, reachnyc@aol.com; or Maria Malta, Senior
Director, Media, Columbia Records, +1-212-833-7942, Maria_Malta@sonymusic.com

Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/