RIANZ music gift vouchers to end

1 March, 2006

RIANZ music gift vouchers to end

The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) will wind down its involvement in the music gift vouchers business mid-year.

The move does not affect music gift vouchers offered by individual music retailers such as the CD Store, Marbecks, Real Groovy, Sounds and ECM and The Warehouse.

RIANZ is encouraging people who hold its plastic vouchers to redeem them before the end of the year after the supply to retailers ceases at the end of June 2006.

RIANZ president Adam Holt says there are several reasons for the decision.

"Most key retailers now have their own gift voucher systems in place and they generally prefer to promote their own, while some are also selling online.

"That has reduced the need for RIANZ vouchers. With sales declining and costs increasing we are better to refocus our resources into areas where we can provide additional practical support for the industry.

"There's some fantastic new music out there at the moment and with New Zealand Music Month coming up in May, that's probably a good prompt to dig out your gift vouchers and redeem them for some quality Kiwi tunes," Mr Holt says.

The suggested redemption date of December 31, 2006 applies only to the RIANZ plastic gift vouchers. Vouchers redeemed after December 31 will still be honoured by RIANZ.

About RIANZ: The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand Inc (RIANZ) is a non-profit organisation representing major and independent record producers, distributors and recording artists throughout New Zealand. RIANZ works to protect the rights and promote the interests of creative people involved in the New Zealand recording industry.

ENDS

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