PlayNetwork Taps Respected Audio Industry Analyst to Lead Forum on the Importance of Quality Sound in the Retail Industry

Retail and business audio experts (Stiernberg Consulting, PlayNetwork, Finish Line, Tannoy, and Sound Source Electronix) to give panel discussion in Chicago during GlobalShop 2002 on April 19, 2002

REDMOND, Wash. - PlayNetwork announced that it has secured the respected analyst firm Stiernberg Consulting to moderate PlayNetworks exclusive breakfast forum April 19 at GlobalShop 2002 in Chicago to provide practical research and business advice on the importance of quality sound in retail environments.

Titled "Establishing a Standard of Quality Sound for Retail Environments," the panel discussion brings together cutting edge sound system manufacturers, designers, installers and end users to discuss how high quality audio standards raise the in-store customer experience to new heights. The forum is open to trade media, retail brand marketers and store designers by invitation only.

"The forum explores the impact that dynamic sound atmospheres have on store traffic, the in-store experience, sales and customer satisfaction, and - perhaps more importantly for retailers - the operational benefits that standardized quality designs and installation practices can deliver," said John Stiernberg, founder and principal analyst of Stiernberg Consulting. "This is bound to be a spirited exchange of views, since audio quality in a retail environment is pretty abstract and subtle, unlike more tangible aspects of store design. Up until now, theres been a tendency to overlook the huge role audio plays in the retail experience."

Stiernberg is the moderator of a panel of retail business music and sound system experts including Robin Sibucao, Chief Operating Officer of PlayNetwork; Kevin Flynn, Senior Vice President, Marketing of Finish Line, Inc.; Bill Calma, Chief Operating Officer of Tannoy/TGI North America Inc.; and Mark Miosi, President of Sound Source Electronix Inc.

The forum takes place 7:30-9:00 a.m. on April 19 in the Level 2 conference area of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, connected to the GlobalShop exhibition halls at McCormick Place via skybridge. A limited number of passes to media representatives and business guests are available upon request to Ryan Risenmay of PlayNetwork at 425-497-8100, extension 712.

About PlayNetwork

Based in Redmond, Washington, PlayNetwork Inc. creates custom music programs and high-performance sound system solutions for businesses worldwide including Cosi, dELiA*s, Finish Line, Levi Strauss & Co., Restaurants Unlimited, Starbucks Coffee Co. and VoiceStream Wireless. With PlayNetwork, businesses enjoy a truly customized signature sound and easy-to-use sound system that elevates brand identity and the customer experience. Licensed by all major record labels, publishers and performance rights organizations, PlayNetwork has access to millions of original artist tunes that are mixed and delivered monthly through networks and long-play CD-ROMs. Frost & Sullivan awarded PlayNetwork for authoring the first and only installation and performance standards for commercial sound systems. More information is available at www.playnetwork.com or PlayNetworks small business subscription web site at www.playnetworkonline.com.

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