New CD Single Will Be Sold Via Amazon.com's Industry Leading Program for Independent Musicians

SEATTLE, Dec 17, 2003 -- Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN) and Pearl Jam today announced the band's enrollment in Amazon.com's Advantage for Music program. The arrangement enables Pearl Jam to sell their new CD single, "Man of the Hour," directly to Amazon.com's millions of customers worldwide.

Amazon.com's Advantage for Music provides worldwide distribution and order fulfillment to independent musicians and labels of all sizes by enabling them to sell their CDs on Amazon.com's Web site alongside major label releases. Since the pioneering program launched in 1995, tens of thousands of independent artists have enrolled, gaining access to millions of music buyers worldwide.

"Pearl Jam is exploring a number of different ways to get music directly to its fans, following the recent fulfillment of its contract with Epic Records, with whom the band has not yet decided to resign," said Kelly Curtis, Pearl Jam's manager. "We have the opportunity right now to test the waters with a variety of progressive companies that are working to expand options for music fans and artists alike. It's a fun and interesting process, and we look forward to evaluating programs like Amazon.com's Advantage for Music to see how they work for a band like Pearl Jam. We will ultimately use this information to help us determine the band's next steps."

"We are truly excited that a band of Pearl Jam's caliber and talent has enrolled in our Advantage program and selected Amazon.com to be the exclusive retailer of their CD single," said Jeff Peterson, Director of Amazon.com's Advantage program. "As the industry evolves, artists are increasingly eager to explore innovative ways to sell their music directly to fans. By joining Amazon.com's Advantage program, Pearl Jam will help raise awareness of this impactful program among independent musicians everywhere."

"Man of the Hour" is Pearl Jam's first self-released material. The song was written and recorded for Tim Burton's upcoming film "Big Fish." The CD single is available for $5.00 at Amazon.com. To purchase "Man of the Hour," visit www.amazon.com/music and search for "Pearl Jam Man of the Hour."

About Amazon.com's Advantage Program

Amazon.com also operates Advantage programs for independent authors and filmmakers as well as publishers and studios of all sizes. To learn more about Amazon.com's Advantage program, visit: www.amazon.com/advantage.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened its virtual doors on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and sellers list millions of unique new and used items in categories such as apparel and accessories, sporting goods, gourmet food, electronics, computers, kitchenware and housewares, books, music, DVDs, videos, cameras and photo items, toys, baby items and baby registry, software, computer and video games, cell phones and service, tools and hardware, travel services, magazine subscriptions and outdoor living items.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, commercial agreements and strategic alliances, seasonality, potential fluctuations in operating results and rate of growth, foreign exchange rates, management of potential growth, system interruption, international expansion, consumer trends, inventory, fulfillment center optimization, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, fraud, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and all subsequent filings.

SOURCE: Amazon.com

Amazon.com
Emily Glassman or Ling Hong, 206-266-7180
or
Vandenberg Communications
Nicole Vandenberg or Kate Jackson, 206-447-1801

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