EMI CMG Offers New Tools To Online Member Retailers

By Justin Camacho, Christian Post Correspondent Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Premier Christian record label EMI CMG has announced a series of new options available to Christian retailers who do business at www.emicmg.com. Responding to an astounding 700 percent increase in online sales last year, EMI CMG is now offering their complete catalog for online order-entry, special online pricing, real-time stock checking and easier returns.

“More and more retailers are recognizing the conveniences and efficiencies of ordering through the EMI CMG website,” said Rich Peluso. President of EMI CMG Distribution. “Our online services provide the same excellent customer service retailers have come to expect from EMI CMG Distribution sales and telesales reps, but put the control of the buying process in the hands of the retailers. Due to the significant increase in online sales, we are now offering more options and services at our website that will give retailers even more reasons to do their buying online.”

Designed by the retailers themselves, the new tools were added to the already valued product search and order tracking which have been offered since the website launced two years ago. Next month, EMI CMG Distribution will begin offering an order template for customers more comfortable with e-mailing their order instead of completing the transaction over the Internet.

“These new options are part of the ongoing enhancements to our website and are just one reason retailers should consider making emicmg.com part of their regular business activity,” said Kathy Maynard, director of Distribution Services. “We can now add another reason to visit the website – our fully stocked media vault, an invaluable resource for retailers.

The Media Vault offers promotional and sales tools made exclusively available to retailers who are members of emicmg.com. Approved album/CD cover art, artist publicity images and ad copy for local advertising may be downloaded directly from the Media Vault.

Retailer membership to www.emicmg.com is free to any owner, buyer, accountant and/or clerk working for a retail store that has an account with EMI CMG Distribution. Two levels of membership are available. Partner Membership provides access to Order Tracking, the Products page, which includes the product search and view only access to sales deals, the Retailer Tools page, which includes the new Media Vault and the bi-weekly E-BUZZ with the latest product information and industry articles. Partner Plus Membership provides all the benefits of Partner Membership plus 24/7 access to the My Account area, which includes account detail and online ordering.

About EMI CMG Distribution:
Billboard Magazine's annual Top Christian Music Distributor since 1995, EMI CMG Distribution was founded in 1994 to serve as the main distribution outlet for EMI CMG's owned and distributed labels to the US Christian and general retail marketplace, and the international Christian marketplace. In addition to distributing EMI CMG labels (CMG Label Group, EMI Gospel and Worship Together) EMI CMG Distribution has exclusive distribution agreements with Tooth & Nail/BEC, Gaither Music Group, Gotee, Ardent, Big Idea, Dexterity Sounds, Flicker, Hal Leonard, Inpop, Pathways Press/Lifeline Studios, Troubadour for the Lord, Vineyard Music Group, Universal Music Group, Wacky World Studios, Cartoon Pizza, Guardian Studios/Bananas and Digital Praise. Awards given to EMI CMG Distribution include CBA Supplier of the Year 1998, 1999 & 2002, CBA Customer Service & Distribution Award 1998-2002 and CBA Impact Award 1998 & 1999. EMI CMG Distribution is a division of EMI CMG, which is a unit of EMI Music, the third largest recorded music company in the world.