Listen.com Signs Music Syndication Deal with Lycos, Inc.'s HotBot; Offers Comprehensive Music Download Directory to Millions of Web Searchers

Business Wire,  August 23, 1999  

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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 1999--

Listen.com, the Internet's comprehensive directory of downloadable music, today signed a syndication deal with Lycos, Inc. to offer users of its top-rated search site HotBot (www.hotbot.com) direct access to its extensive online music directory.

The co-branded version of Listen.com's directory will enable HotBot's millions of Web searchers to conveniently locate and learn about legal downloadable music anywhere on the Web.

Available on HotBot this fall, the Listen.com directory is comprised of a searchable database of music; search categories of nearly 600 music genres; capsule artist reviews; a guide to better-known artists with music on the Web; links to downloadable tracks; and, how-to guides to downloading music.

"HotBot's proven strategy of identifying and integrating new, innovative search technologies has resulted in a satisfying user experience and a slew of industry awards for search excellence," said Mary Murphy, senior vice president of marketing, HotBot.

"With music as one of the more popular search topics among Web searchers today, we're pleased to broaden our search tool offerings to include Listen.com's impressive music directory."

HotBot has been recognized as one of the best search sites on the Web for its comprehensive search features and easy-to-use interface by leading publications, including "SmartMoney," "PC Magazine," "PC Computing," "NewMedia" magazine, "PC World," and CNET. HotBot is part of the Lycos Network.

"HotBot's millions of users will soon be just a click away from finding the Dave Matthews Band, Eminem, Barry White, The Offspring, Louis Armstrong and the hundreds of other big name artists putting music on the Web every month," said Listen.com's founder and CEO, Rob Reid.

"Listen.com is very pleased that companies like Lycos recognize the value of a human-built directory for tracking the exploding amount of legal downloadable music on the Web."

Listen.com recently announced a similar syndication deal with the multi-media entertainment site shockwave.com.

About Listen.com

Listen.com is the Internet's first comprehensive directory of downloadable music. The site includes original reviews and categorization of thousands of artists and links to their legally posted work.

The company was founded in December 1998 by Robert Reid, a former venture capitalist and author of "Architects of the Web." Listen.com is backed by August Capital and Austin Ventures. It was seeded by Altos Ventures and three prominent Founder/CEOs: Chris Anderson, Imagine Media; Halsey Minor, CNET; and, Ted Waitt, Gateway Computers. Music industry visionary and Palm Pictures' Chairman Chris Blackwell is a member of Listen.com's board of directors.

Listen.com is headquartered in San Francisco and can be found on the Internet at www.listen.com. The site opened to the public on June 21.

About Lycos, Inc.

Founded in 1995, Lycos, Inc. (Nasdaq:LCOS), is a leading Web media company and one of the most visited hubs on the Internet, reaching one out of every two Web users. Lycos, Inc., offers a unified set of Web sites that attracts a diverse audience by offering a variety of services, including leading Web navigation resources, homepage building and other Web community services, and a comprehensive shopping center.

Note to Editors: Lycos is a registered trademark of Carnegie Mellon University. All other product or service marks mentioned herein are those of Lycos or their respective owners.

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