Company Takes Top Market Share and Sweeps Blank Optical Media Categories

Memorex retains its position as the number one provider of digital media, outperforming all other brands of CD and DVD media in 2004. For the fifth consecutive year in the CD category and third consecutive year in DVDs, Memorex led its competitors in all blank digital media, in both volume and sales, in a highly competitive industry, according to The NPD Group, a leader in market intelligence. NPD, an independent market analysis firm, tracks point-of-sale information by volume and dollar sales to determine how well products are selling in the nation?s top 25 retailers.

Data from NPD clearly demonstrates Memorex?s position as the industry leader of all formats of recordable CD and DVD discs in the United States. Memorex secured a 27 percent share of the CD market based on dollar sales - about twice that of the number two brand; and a 30 percent share of the DVD market, based on dollar sales - nearly three times that of the number two brand.

?At Memorex, we understand that it?s not just about ?saving data? to an optical disc,? said Allen H. Gharapetian, vice president of marketing and product development. ?Memorex CDs and DVDs are the brand more consumers use to capture, save and share their favorite music, photos, movies and work files - all the things that they?re passionate about preserving.?

Memorex kept pace with technology in 2004, introducing media products that complemented trends and innovations in recording devices like direct-to-DVD camcorders and double-layer DVD drives. The company introduced Mini DVD-R and Mini DVD-RW for use with products such as the Sony Handycam?, allowing camcorder users to record up to 60 minutes of video in extended play mode directly to an 8 centimeter DVD. Memorex also introduced Double Layer DVD+R, a new type of DVD capable of recording up to 8.5 GB of movies or other digital material, featuring 80 percent more capacity than a standard DVD.

?Once again, Memorex?s leading market share numbers indicate that we are responsive to technological advancements in our category, as well as the demands of consumers and the needs of our channel partners,? said Brad Yeager, director of product marketing, optical media and accessories. ?Looking ahead for 2005, Memorex plans to introduce new optical media products and updated packaging that will reflect a new level of innovation.?

Memorex offers CD and DVD media in a variety of pack sizes, speeds and formats. Memorex recordable media is sold in 21 of the nation?s top 25 retailers, including Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Kmart, Office Depot, OfficeMax, RadioShack, Staples, Walgreens and Wal-Mart.