PHOENIX, March 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- ViaStar Media Corporation. (OTCBB:VISH) announced today that the company has launched its own artist management division, "ViaStar Artist Management Group". In an effort to directly participate in the day-to-day affairs of its artists and create additional revenue opportunities for the ViaStar shareholders, ViaStar Artist Management will be engaged in all aspects of artist management and development for not only ViaStar contracted artists but will also solicit and engage in the management of artists who are signed to outside labels as well as artists who are signed to labels distributed by ViaStar Distribution Group.
ViaStar Artist Management Group will be headed up by the Company's newest member to its senior management team, Michael Sikkas. A twenty-year music industry veteran, Mr. Sikkas has an extensive track record, which includes senior management positions with Arista Records, Mercury Records and Gold Circle Records in A&R, publishing, songwriting and music supervision capacities. Mike has worked directly with some of the most important and influential executives in the industry including former Arista CEO (and current BMG Recorded Music CEO), Clive Davis as well as CSI producer and movie mogul, Jerry Bruckheimer. Other career highlights include Mike's involvement with hitmakers including, Cindy Lauper, Meredith Brooks, and Kevin Martin, the voice of Alternative Rock's, Candlebox.
ViaStar Artist Management Division's first client is Las Vegas' current Alternative Rock phenomenon "Magna Fi". Currently signed to EMI distributed label Aezra Records, Magna Fi has garnered tremendous momentum at radio, retail, and touring in advance of the summer time release of their debut CD "Burn Out The Stars".
ViaStar Records' Head of Artist Development Shiva Baum stated, "The Company is extremely excited about participating in the business of Artist Management. The potential increase in revenue brought in by this new division is extremely lucrative, as the company will now be participating in all commissionable events brought in from our clients including touring, merchandising and publishing as well as record sales."
ViaStar Records CEO John D. Aquilino stated, "We are thrilled to have such a seasoned veteran like Mike Sikkas join our team and run this important addition to our core business. Mike's history of experience, wealth of contacts, and his ability to attract new business for our entertainment divisions, give ViaStar and its shareholders a strong competitive edge in today's marketplace."
For more information visit ViaStar's web site at http://www.viastarcorp.com/.
About ViaStar
ViaStar Media Corporation is engaged in development, production and distribution of entertainment related media for film, television, music and publishing interests. The Company's portfolio currently includes ownership of ViaStar Distribution Group, A.V.O. Studios, Moving Pictures International, ViaStar Records, Quadra Records, Light of the Spirit Records, and ViaStar Classical and ViaStar Artist Management Group.
Except historical matter contained herein, matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, which may affect the Company's business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.