SONY BMG's Columbia Label Group is announcing 'Columbia Connected', a new initiative which will see the label working far more closely with a network of over 50 key indie tastemaker retailer accounts.

The new network will be receiving far more focussed support from Columbia Label Group on a range of artists and will be receiving quarterly new music CDs samplers, upfront promos, dedicated point of sale, press ads, instore appearances and performances, signed merchandise and online ad tagging.

"It's a reflection of how important we feel the indies are and the part they have to play in our future, "says Mike Smith, Managing Director, Columbia Label Group. "This is our way of highlighting the key stores who help us break acts and upping the stakes a little in terms of the commitment we're showing them. At a time of great pressure on the industry it's right we should be re-asserting our support to stores who play a massive role in helping break new acts."

The Columbia Connects network is effective from 17th September 2007.

www.columbia.co.uk