eBay UK today announced a new anti-counterfeit campaign to recruit members of the music industry to work in partnership with the online marketplace to tackle the global challenge of counterfeits online. Counterfeits, particularly CDs and DVDs, are a global problem and their availability damages consumer confidence and impacts the reputation of Rights Owners and legitimate businesses alike. The new anti-counterfeit campaign, ‘Fighting Fakes with eBay’ is part of eBay’s ongoing commitment to drive down the number of fake items sold on the site. The campaign will encourage Rights Owners to join eBay’s Verified Rights Owner programme (VeRO) and use their expertise to ensure that potentially fake items are removed before consumers are able to purchase them. 99% of all items listed on eBay have no suspicion of counterfeit. In 2008, eBay hosted 2.7 billion listings globally, with only 0.15% of them identified as potentially counterfeit. Ongoing dialogue and cooperation with brand owners rather than litigation is the only way to reach 100% authenticity, which is why VeRO is so vital. For a detailed list of the brands participating in VeRO please visit: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/vero/participants.html.

Katy Perry never has casual sex. The ‘I Kissed a Girl’ singer – who reconciled with her boyfriend, Gym Class Heroes rocker Travis McCoy in April after a four-month split - won’t jump into bed with someone unless they have a ‘connection’ and prefers to make lovers wait. She said: ‘I’m not casual at all. I’ve always been into making a connection with someone. That’s what it’s all about for me. Besides, it’s sexier to be mysterious and not give it away. I never hook up.’ The 24-year-old beauty is so vehement with her beliefs she claims she won’t even kiss someone unless they have been on a date. She explained: ‘If I really like a person then I’ll go on a date. But you’ll never catch me just randomly making out with someone.’ In March, Katy was spotted on a series of intimate dates with US singer-songwriter Josh Groban who she had previously named as her ‘most embarrassing crush’. Despite her sexual reservations, Katy admits she falls in love easily and has learnt a lot from her ex-boyfriends. She added to Seventeen magazine: “I fall in love every time. I don’t really fall in love a lot, but when I do, I fall hard. I’ve had about four boyfriends, and I fell in love with all of them – each of them served a purpose.”

On July 11th 2009, a specially equipped off-road vehicle packed full of educational materials and clothing to donate directly to local Mongolian children in need of help, will depart on a ten thousand mile drive from London to Mongolia. Crossing Europe, central Asia and culminating with a dash across the mighty Gobi Desert, the venture is part of a unique fund raising initiative dreamt up by Alastair Sloan and Thomas MacThomas they call the Mongolian Mixtape Marathon. Facing an incredible 800 hours driving, the team is appealing for help from the World’s DJs. In order to keep their spirits lifted and their focus sharp the duo intend listening to dance music non-stop all the way and need the nations DJs from all over the World to get involved, donating a mixtape to this non-stop, intercontinental playlist; the Mongolian Mixtape Marathon. Raising money for Save The Children and in association with The Mongolia Charity Rally, organised by UK registered charity Go Help, each DJ will be asked to pledge a one hour mix of their favourite tunes and also make a small donation (of at least £1)*. Contributing DJs so far include Krafty Kuts, Brodinski, Ben & Lex, NAPT, Jaimie Fanatic, Miles Dyson, Nick Thayer and The Young Punx. plus AC Slater, A1 Bassline, Aquasky, Foamo, Trevor Loveys, and The Rogue Element all courtesy of TFABookings.com, Talking about the inspiration behind the challenge Alastair Sloan said ‘”The groundswell of support we’ve received from DJs already has been awe-inspiring. I’m just hoping our speakers will be up to it!” At the end of this epic journey the vehicle used will be donated to a local farming community and all DJ mixes pledged will be made available to stream or download from www.MongolianMixtapeMarathon.com for at least one year as downloadable podcasts. We are now appealing to the press and online media to help spread the word and help maximise exposure, ensuring the team hits their target. The team also welcome donations without accompanying mixtapes and invites people to follow their mission by visiting www.MongolianMixtapeMarathon.com and checking the ‘road-blog’.

http://www.mongolianmixtapemarathon.com

Following the success of their debut single ‘Neon City’ electro-rockers The Exits are currently recording their highly anticipated second single. Set to be a double A-side, it will feature a previously un-released version of ‘You Gotta Help Me Out’ and also awesome summer anthem ‘Trip’. This news comes as the band has just been added to Groundwaves FM playlist (Virginia USA) with debut single ‘Neon City’ which has also received extensive airplay and rave reviews. Including a recent review from highly acclaimed US blog site The Ripple Effect, who described the single as ‘the first great indie rock rave anthem of the new year, it just begs for the dance floor’. The Exits mix of energetic synth rock, has caught the attention of a sect of hardcore supporters in the South Coast and beyond. On the back of the last single, not only did The Exits sign a deal with MTV to feature the bands new track on the forthcoming series of Dirty Sanchez. In addition, The Exits received front page HMV exposure in recommended releases, 7digital track of the week (No. 2), iTunes frontpage exposure, plus a Bebo video featuring receiving over 100,000 views. Not to mention Q tracks playlisting on Sky TV and support from a number of indie channels including Kicks TV and Channel 28. The band have also hit the air waves and have had excellent reviews and immense radio support, including BBC London, Radio 1 Northern Ireland, Kerrang Radio (ones to watch), plus a music award for ‘Best Song 2008’ presented at an awards ceremony by Express FM in their hometown, Portsmouth. View THE EXITS - ‘NEON CITY’ video now http://www.youtube.com/criminalrecordsuk

Rising Tide presents ‘Inner City Lives’, as part of Young London: Into Music - a new multi venue urban youth festival - created by young people, for young people. ‘Inner City Lives’ takes place at Ocean in Hackney on Friday 26th June and features live sets by multi-award winning artists Ms Dynamite and Akala - in addition to new up and coming talent. ‘Inner City Lives’ is the first event to kick off Young London: Into Music - a collection of five events which are being produced and delivered in the five Olympic and Paralympic Host Boroughs of Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest between 26th June and 2nd August 2009. By tapping into the next generation of east London talent, YL:IM are working with five delivery partners: Biggafish, Continental Drifts, Music Matrix, Urban Development and Rising Tide. The delivery partners will then be working with over 100 young people between 14 and 25 years old who will receive professional mentoring and the chance to work with established artists. Ms Dynamite caused a sensation with her 2002 debut album ‘A Little Deeper’ leading to a clutch of MOBO, Brit and Mercury Music Prize awards. Following a recent stint on ITV’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’, Ms Dynamite hinted at the release of a new album which will be her third following her last release ‘Judgement Day.’ The self confessed black Shakespeare, Akala’s won 2006’s MOBO Award for best hip hop act with his debut album ‘It’s Not A Rumour’, beating Kanye West and Busta Rhymes amongst others. He has rocked live spots on Radio 1 and toured with artists as diverse as Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera and Richard Ashcroft. His latest album ‘Freedom Lasso’ was lauded by the critics across the board. ‘Young London: Into Music’ is a key strand of CREATE09 - the multi-genre, multi-event festival of culture that will be celebrating a wealth of music and art in all its glory in the Olympic and Paralympic Host Boroughs between 22nd June and 2nd August 2009.

Event: Rising Tide presents Inner City Lives
Date: Friday 26th June 2009
Doors: 7pm - 12am
Venue: Ocean, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE
Telephone: 020 8986 2327
Tickets: £6 / Rising Tide Box Office 07940 104 157 / Ticket Mania 020 8555 0044

A unique music event will take place at the Heritage Foundation’s Annual Summer Ball on the evening of June 20th 2009 at the Millennium Hotel in London’s Grosvenor Square, when the charity’s president, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, will play live on stage with rock legend and former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman with his Rhythm Kings. The two friends are coming together to help raise funds to build a memorial to the forgotten heroes of the Second World War - the men of Bomber Command. Of all the branches of the armed forces, they faced the deadliest odds, with 55,573 killed, almost half of all those who flew on operations over occupied Europe. Yet nearly 70 years on, there is no monument in central London to their sacrifice. Better known for its blue plaque tributes to deceased members of the entertainment professions, The Heritage Foundation combines paying tribute to Britain’s wealth of talent who have bought pleasure and joy to millions through their performances or technical skills with raising funds for good causes through The Arts and Entertainment Charitable Trust