Verizon Wireless HopeLine takes center stage SONY BMG Latin Album Release Party Series.

When five Latino musical groups hit the stage in New York City this year to introduce their latest SONY BMG album releases, the benefits will extend far beyond the invited guests enjoying the music. Verizon Wireless, a major sponsor of SONY BMG’s
2007 Latin Album Release Series and a recognized leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence, will donate $5,000 to a New York area domestic violence organization at each of the five album release parties.

The first organization, Manhattan-based Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, will be presented with a $5,000 HopeLine grant tonight (February 28, 2007) when Mexican-based pop rock band La Quinta Estacion presents its third album, El Mundo Se Equivoca. Other artists in the series who will join with Verizon Wireless to present the HopeLine grants are
Calle 13 in April, Alejandra Guzman in May, Jennifer Lopez in June and Alejandro Fernandez in October.

“The SONY BMG album release series presents a perfect opportunity to marry our Latino marketing efforts with our HopeLine community service program,” said Rob Davis, associate director of marketing for the company’s New York Metro region. “It is our hope that high profile events like these will help us remove the shroud of silence surrounding domestic violence, especially as it impacts the young people who follow these artists.”

Guests invited to each of the five release parties will be encouraged to bring old, no-longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories for donation to the company’s HopeLine wireless phone recycling program.