Mixed Tape: More Than 300 Up-And-Coming Musicians Apply Every Month for Mercedes-Benz's Free Music Download

STUTTGART, Germany, September 29 --

- More Than 1.4 Million Downloads After Only the Second Online Album

- Mixed Tape 03: 15 new Songs Available Free From September 28 at www.mercedes-benz.com/mixedtape

- "fourmusic" Artist Opens the Compilation

Just two online compilations were enough for "Mixed Tape", Mercedes-Benz's free music download, to really impress fans of good music. Since the release of the first two "Mixed Tape" albums, more than 1.4 million downloads have been clocked up so far. "We are very excited about the massive acceptance of this project - by both the musicians and users," says Lothar Korn, Director of Global Advertising at Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The Mixed Tape platform has allowed us to address a younger target group and to stimulate their interest in the fascinating brand world of Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, we are also providing the artists with an attractive option for presenting their talents and helping them and their songs to become better established."

The Internet offer that Mercedes-Benz uses to promote musicians from all over the world is now drawing in over 300 applicants per month.

A new selection of the best music titles will be available online from September 28. The songs by 15 different performers will be offered at www.mercedes-benz.com/mixedtape as a free download.

For the premiere of the third online album, the well-known label, "fourmusic" is offering a song by Mocky. The soul/rap ballad "How will I Know You", recorded together with singer Jamie Lidell, opens the current online compilation. In addition to Mocky, who has chosen Berlin as his adopted home, and who also received widespread recognition in both the music scene and the music press in 2003 for his title "Sweet Music", the third Mixed Tape compilation also features artists from all over the world, presenting glamorous lounge sounds, dynamic hip hop tunes and cool downbeats. The fourth online compilation will be available November 23, 2004.

Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape:

Since June 21, 2004, Mercedes-Benz has been offering free Internet music downloads at www.mercedes-benz.com/mixedtape. Every six to eight weeks, a new compilation of 12 to 15 selected songs is available. The songs can be retrieved per data streaming or download and can be burned to CD or imported to an MP3 Player - one by one or as a complete album.

With "Mixed Tape", the automotive manufacturer supports talented musicians on its international brand platform. Up-and-coming musicians submit their songs online to be judged by a panel of music critics. Each musician whose song makes it to the final selection will be profiled online with text and photo. Several additional features, such as cover and title generator, an email newsletter for the respective compilation and an e-card function complete the music download service offering.