Westin Hotels Partners With eMusic to Develop Engaging and Emotional Signature Music Program; ''eMusicologist'' to Develop Customized Soundtracks for All Westin Hotels Around the World

Today, Westin Hotels & Resorts and eMusic.com Inc., theworld's largest digital retailer of independent music, announced thatthey will work together to bring music to the foreground of the hotelexperience. As part of the partnership eMusic.com will develop aninnovative digital music offering that will be featured acrossWestin's 124 hotels and resorts around the world. Westin's signaturemusic program will be incorporated into various aspects of the guestexperience, including the lobby environment and in-room entertainmentand will be part of Westin's new Sensory Welcome program that willdebut brand-wide later this year.

Focusing on a theme of personal renewal and music discovery,eMusic will provide one of its top editorial staff experts, renownedinternational music columnist Richard Gehr, to help define the "globalvoice" of the Westin brand. As Westin's dedicated "eMusicologist,"Gehr will compile soundtracks to unite Westin properties acrossgeographies, cultures, architectural styles, climates and time of day,and characterizes the soundtracks -- which will aim for an ambient,melodic, rhythmic and energizing feel -- as global contemporary.

"There is no sensory element more engaging on an emotional levelthan music," said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President for Westin Hotels."Through our signature music programming we will create a renewing,relaxing and welcoming atmosphere and a truly memorable experience forour guests."

"Our mission at eMusic is to help people discover some of thegreatest and most diverse music in the world," said David Pakman,eMusic CEO. "Our partnership with Westin is a terrific opportunity forus to share our musical expertise and passion to create a compellingmusic experience for all Westin guests."

Westin eMusicologist Richard Gehr has been eMusic's World/Reggaecolumnist for two years -- and has been writing about internationalmusic for more than two decades. A former editor at the Los AngelesReader, Spin magazine and Sonicnet.com, Gehr has also written for theVillage Voice, Rolling Stone, the New York Times, Musician, Blender,Tracks, AARP: The Magazine and countless other publications. He alsoco-authored The Phish Book with the Vermont quartet.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 124 hotels and resorts in 31countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & ResortsWorldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of theleading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at itsowned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integratedowner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with thefollowing internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The LuxuryCollection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton,W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM). StarwoodHotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premierdevelopers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownershipresorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

About eMusic

eMusic (http://www.emusic.com) is the world's leading digitalretailer of independent music, and the #2 digital music serviceoverall, second only to iTunes in number of downloads sold. Deliveringmore than 4.5 million downloads per month, eMusic features over 1.2million tracks from established and emerging artists in every genrefrom the world's leading 4,000 independent labels. Asubscription-based service that offers 25 free downloads at sign-up,acclaimed editorial content, a vibrant online community and unrivaledmusic discovery tools, eMusic gives consumers an inexpensive, low-riskway to explore great new music they wouldn't find otherwise. Unlikeother download services, eMusic's universally compatible MP3 filesplay on any device including the iPod. Based in New York, eMusic.comInc. is wholly owned by Dimensional Associates, Inc., the privateequity arm of JDS Capital Management, Inc.

NOTE: eMusic is a registered trademark and eMusic.com is atrademark of eMusic.com Inc. All other trademarks are the property oftheir respective owners.