GOING CARBON NEUTRAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRDC

In an effort to bring greater awareness to the serious environmental issues the country and world is facing, EMI Music Canada are trying to do their part at this years Juno Awards in Saskatoon. Not only will the 2007 EMI Post-Juno Party – in association with Amp’d Mobile Canada - be an eco-friendly, green fete, but all Artist and Staff travel (air and ground) will also be “carbon neutral.” Working in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, the steps to do this are not as complicated or expensive as most may think.

“I’m proud to say that we are renowned for throwing great Juno Parties. This year we saw the chance to make a positive statement to others, by making our Party and weekend travel all ‘carbon neutral,’ as well as donating money raised from the party to MusiCan in support of music education in Saskatoon,” states Deane Cameron, EMI Music Canada President. “We are hoping to set an example that celebrations don’t need to be about waste and excess, but can be an opportunity to give something back.”

“Environmentally everyone can make their own difference; it just takes a bit of time and effort. The hope is that by bringing attention to our eco-friendly activities this year, these types of things will become the norm and something that everyone does,” adds Anastasia Saradoc of EMI Music Canada.

“Endangered habitats and global warming are two of the biggest challenges we face. There are tremendous opportunities today for companies to improve their environmental stewardship and performance. We applaud EMI’s efforts to help point the way towards ecologically intelligent business practices,” comments Allen Hershkowitz, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council. “The pulp and paper industry is the third greatest industrial emitter of global heating pollution, and its contribution to that serious problem is projected to double in the next fifteen years. By reducing energy use, increasing its use of post-consumer recycled paper instead of virgin forests, and buying carbon offsets EMI is taking the ecologically intelligent and socially responsible approach to its business that all companies should emulate.”


“Amp’d Mobile Canada is thrilled to be joining EMI Music Canada for this Post Juno party. The fact that this event is making the environment a top priority sets an example for everyone in the industry to follow suit. With our Amp’d Handset Recycling Program, we hope that we can further highlight the need for more eco-friendly initiatives,” says Dave Sypniewski, VP, Marketing and Content for Amp’d Mobile Canada.

EMI Music Canada is thrilled to have many environmentally active and responsible artists on the label, so this is a chance to even better represent them and a cause that they are passionate about. The exciting line-up of EMI nominees, performers and presenters at this year's Juno Awards includes k-os, Nickelback, Stabilo, Hawk Nelson and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

The EMI Music Canada eco-friendly theme of the weekend has also been applied to this year’s EMI Artist Gift Bags. Items included are organic/eco-friendly and/or from companies environmentally oriented, allowing the artists to enjoy these very cool items even more. EMI Artist Gift Bags will also include the Juno Awards 2007 Compilation Album.


EMI 2007 Artist Gift Bag Contributors are:

Converse
Chuck Taylor All Star shoes, popularly known as “Chucks,” have transcended generational cultural and socio-economic boundaries. “Chucks” are worn by artists, musicians, trend setters and pop culture icons. Converse is proud to be part of the global partnership with the (PRODUCT) RED initiative, an economic plan created by Bono and Bobby Shriver designed to deliver a sustainable flow of private sector money to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. www.converse.com

David Suzuki Foundation
David Suzuki recently wrapped up his "If YOU Were Prime Minister" national tour, which involved several well-known Canadian musicians. The goal of the tour was to let our elected leaders know that Canadians want action on the environment, and EMI artists are helping to get the message out. Want to make a difference? Visit www.davidsuzuki.org  and take the Nature Challenge today.


Eco-Handbags.ca
EMI Juno nominees will be making an eco-fashion statement and setting trends this year at the Juno’s with unique eco-friendly handbags and accessories from a one-of-a-kind online retail shop, Eco-Handbags.ca. Eco-Handbags.ca is all about helping the environment, one handbag at a time. It’s about accessorizing with humanity, ingenuity and flair. It’s a vibrant testimony to the possibility of reducing, recycling and re-using the unwanted products of this Earth.
www.eco-handbags.ca 

Fresh Unlimited
Fresh Unlimited introduces Gold-Digger Candles, its new line of 100% pure beeswax candles. Unlike paraffin wax, beeswax is clean burning and does not emit CFCs which contribute to the greenhouse effect. They are also said to emit negative ions which cleans toxins from the air. Fresh Unlimited is a green gifts company. Our belief is that style, beauty, deliciousness and indulgence don’t have to come at a cost to our planet or the social welfare of artisans. www.freshunlimited.com 

Grassroots
Grassroots offers environmentally-friendly products that allow people to make positive choices for themselves, their communities and the planet. We bring sustainable, low impact products to the marketplace, guiding people towards awareness and environmentally-responsible lifestyles. Grassroots operates two stores in Toronto and because our products are very unique, demand grew so much that the next logical step for us was taking our store online! www.grassrootsstore.com

Havaianas
The best rubber sandal in the world! The manufacturing facility in Brasil produces zero product waste. Even the cut offs left over from stamping of the shape are thrown into cutters and reused into the next batch. Havaianas also contributes to IPE, an organization in Brazil committed to the preservation of the rainforest and Havaianas Canada is a proud contributor to the Canadian Breast Cancer foundation. Havaianas are not only fun, fabulous toe pleasers; they come with a conscience and a commitment to a better tomorrow. www.havaianas.com

Kicking Horse Coffee
At Kicking Horse Coffee, our goal is to stimulate the planet with the ultimate wake up call. Our 100% Organic Fair Trade coffee is shade grown using sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring balanced ecosystems. Guaranteed fair prices, regardless of market forces provide opportunity and increased standards of living for farmers. Kicking Horse Coffee; certified organic, certified fair trade, certified delicious. www.kickinghorsecoffee.com


Kiehl’s Since 1851
Kiehl’s Since 1851 is strongly committed to preserving the environment. In addition to using recyclable materials in our packaging and sourcing natural ingredients for our unique formulas, we also spearhead several initiatives like Recycle 3 and our limited-edition organic cotton shopping bag. Together with our customers, Kiehl’s is proud to play a role in helping to nourish the environment. www.kiehls.com

Levi’s®
Thinking green covers all aspects of our lifestyle. And when it comes to fashion, Levi’s® is in on the action. The Levi’s® ECO™ collection is a new line of jeans made from 100 per cent organic cotton. Several jeans in the collection also feature recycled buttons, rivets and natural indigo dyes to minimize the impact on our environment. www.levi.com/Canada

Penguin Canada
Penguin Canada is pleased to be included in this year’s 2007 EMI Music Canada Juno Nominee Artist Gift bag! You’ll find some great fiction, as well as The Thrive Diet – a highlight from our spring list that encourages ‘Green Eating’ and The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience. Penguin Group (Canada) publishes a varied list of award-winning adult and children’s fiction. www.penguin.ca

SOOS Jewelry
SOOS has been creating quite a stir with their organic inspired and edgy accessories collection! From vintage brass, to found objects, SOOS jewels are always one step ahead of the trend. At SOOS we want to make sure that we are doing our part for the environment, and are excited to introduce our Eco Wood Ring collection that is created by using discarded and dead wood remains from Northern Ontario! www.soosrocks.com

Under the Canopy
Since 1996, the company’s mission is to make a positive impact on the planet and demonstrate that modern style can be environmentally/socially responsible. The company’s contemporary collection of clothing and home products are made from sustainable fibers such as organic cotton, soy and bamboo. These fabrications are driving the most important trend of the 21st Century - ECOfashion®, a term coined by founder Marci Zaroff. www.underthecanopy.com


Windsor Arms Hotel and Spa
The Windsor Arms Spa philosophy focuses on restoring energy and healing from within. Our range of signature treatments tap into Eastern and Western spa philosophies using plant based products that are grown organically on Jurlique own herb farms in South Australia. Products are chemical free and are not tested on animals fully biodegradable, packaging is recyclable. www.windsorarmshotel.com/spa



About EMI Music Canada
EMI Music Canada is a unit of EMI Group, the world's largest independent music company. EMI Music Canada was founded in 1949. The current roster features many important local and international artists, including some of the biggest names in the recorded music industry: The Beatles, Dierks Bentley, Beastie Boys, Sarah Brightman, Coldplay, Stompin' Tom Connors, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gorillaz, Iron Maiden, Norah Jones, k-os, Anne Murray, Nickelback, Joss Stone, 30 Seconds To Mars, KT Tunstall, Keith Urban and Robbie Williams. EMI has artists in every leading music genre, including pop, rock, jazz, classical, Latin, Christian, country, rap/urban and dance. EMI Music Canada also boasts a strong Associated Labels division with labels such as: Aquarius Records, Arts & Crafts, Curb Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Marquis, Mute Records, Rykodisc, Sanctuary Records Group, Ultra Records, Upper Class Recordings and Warcon. www.emimusic.ca

About NRDC
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing. The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends. It works to restore the integrity of the elements that sustain life -- air, land and water -- and to defend endangered natural places. Moreover, it seeks to establish sustainability and good stewardship of the Earth as central ethical imperatives of human society. For more information, go to: www.nrdc.org

About Amp’d Mobile Canada
Amp’d Mobile Canada is the first integrated mobile entertainment company for youth, young professionals and early adopters between the ages of 18-35, and the only Third Generation (3G) carrier in Canada specifically targeting that demographic. With the partnership of TELUS Corporation (“TELUS”) and Amp’d Mobile, Inc. (“Amp’d Mobile”), Amp’d Mobile Canada is setting a new bar for mobile entertainment in the Canadian market. Capitalizing on the power of ‘TELUS’ Wireless High Speed network (EVDO), Amp’d subscribers can easily access traditional services such as voice and text, as well as exclusive music tracks and videos, live entertainment, 3D games and mobile communities all within Amp’d Live, a one of a kind user interface designed specifically for 3G technology. Amp’d Live appeals to the mobile generation, on the go and hungry for entertainment that suits its hectic lifestyle. The entertainment service is currently available to nearly 27 million mobile users in the US, Japan and Canada, with more international markets scheduled to launch soon. More information can be found at www.ampd.ca

About MusiCan
Through MusiCan, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is helping keep music alive in schools across Canada. The MusiCan mission is to ensure that every child in Canada has access to a comprehensive music program through his or her school system. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2007, MusiCan includes Band Aid musical instrument grants, the MusiCan Teacher of the Year Award, Scholarships and other music education initiatives. To date, CARAS has donated close to $2 million to music programs, impacting nearly 100,000 young Canadians from coast to coast.
MusiCan is supported by various initiatives such as the platinum selling Juno nominee compilation CD, the Juno Awards 35th Anniversary box set – Oh What A Feeling 3, annual contributions by EMI Music Canada Inc., SONY BMG Music Canada Inc., Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada Ltd., as well as Songwriters’ Circle sponsored by CMPA and SOCAN, Juno Cup, MIAC (Music Industries Association of Canada) and individual and corporate contributions. For more information on MusiCan and to find out how you can lend your support, please visit www.musican.ca


For further information, please contact:
Anastasia Saradoc
Manager, National Media + Artist Relations
Corporate Communications
EMI Music Canada
Tel: 905-364-3252
E-mail: anastasia.saradoc@emimusic.ca
 

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