Sonic Extends Roxio Market Leadership in 2006
Strong Retail Sales Performance for Flagship Digital Media Applications Easy Media Creator and Toast
Novato, California (February 6, 2007) - Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced its Roxio-branded applications were number one in U.S. retail in 2006. According to NPD Group figures, which track retail sell-through in North America, Roxio applications led the category in terms of both units and revenue with 28% and 42% market share respectively. Sonic’s retail leadership was driven in 2006 through number one category rankings for Roxio-branded applications on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. Roxio Toast led the way as the premier CD and DVD creation suite on the Mac, while Roxio Easy Media Creator was the clear digital media software choice for Windows users.*
"We are extremely pleased with our retail leadership that now spans almost a decade," said Chris Loeper, vice president of Worldwide Retail Sales, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. "Particularly gratifying is our remarkable revenue market share, a full 19% more than our closest competitor, proving that our applications continue to command a premium price point. With Roxio applications featuring prominently in Microsoft's Vista launch activities and robust channel-wide marketing programs, we fully expect to extend our market leadership position through 2007."
Sonic's distribution network now spans over 12,000 store fronts throughout North America and includes key placement in leading retail and e-tail outlets including CompUSA, Best Buy, Costco and Apple retail stores. The company also has retail and online distribution throughout Europe and Asia-Pacific countries.
"We're pleased to offer Roxio's products at our CompUSA stores," said Virginia Hodges, vice president, merchandising for CompUSA. "Roxio has a long history of delivering products with compelling features and that's a key reason why we continue to provide our customers with their high value software."
About Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC; http://www.sonic.com) is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of interoperable, platform-independent software tools and applications for creative professionals, business and home users, and technology partners. Sonic's products range from advanced DVD authoring systems and interactive content delivery technologies used to produce the majority of Hollywood DVD film releases, to the award-winning Roxio®-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup solutions that have become the premier choice for consumers, prosumers and business users worldwide.
Sonic products are globally available from major retailers, online at Sonic.com and Roxio.com, and are bundled with PCs, after-market drives and consumer electronic devices. Sonic's digital media creation engine is the de facto standard and has been licensed by major software and hardware manufacturers, including Adobe, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta, Sony, and many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.
*Market share numbers based on NPD Group 2006 point of sales revenue and unit data for the CD/DVD Utilities category.
Forward Looking Statements
The above paragraphs of this press release may contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations, including views regarding future retail market opportunities and the potential for Roxio applications. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contain a more detailed discussion of the Company's business including risks and uncertainties that may affect future results. The Company does not undertake to update any forward looking statements.