• In a Landmark Program with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT'S COMMERCIAL MUSIC GROUP and Sponsored by MasterCard, W Hotels Offers Insider Access to Award Winning and Emerging Artists Including Natasha Bedingfield and Paddy Casey Among Many Others
  • Hosted by Grammy Award-Winning Producer Bryan Michael Cox, W WonderLust Live Will be Documented by Legendary Photographer Mick Rock and Live Nation Studios

NEW YORK | W Hotels Worldwide and MasterCard Worldwide join forces with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’S Commercial Music Group to launch a groundbreaking new platform offering W Hotel guests and W Brand loyalists exclusive insider access to a world of musical experiences. Introducing W WonderLust Live, an exclusively curated year-long musical journey featuring live performances by award-winning and emerging artists, starting with Grammy-nominated superstar Natasha Bedingfield and the sensational Irish singer/songwriter Paddy Casey. Other artists will be announced in the near future. These exclusive musical experiences, accessible only within the stylish surroundings of W Hotels, will be hosted by award-winning producer Bryan Michael Cox and documented by legendary photographer, Mick Rock. The first W WonderLust Live musical experience featured Epic Records recording artist Natasha Bedingfield in a private performance at W New York–Union Square on May 19, 2008. The second performance will be held on June 10, 2008 at W Los Angeles-Westwood with Victor recording artist Paddy Casey.

“From our Living Rooms to our guest rooms, music is an integral part of the W guest experience,” said Phil McAveety, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “W Hotels was one of the first hotel brands to create musical CD compilations and now we are taking our passion for music one step further with an entire year dedicated to the music W loyalists appreciate.”

“W WonderLust Live provides MasterCard cardholders with the opportunity to enjoy amazing live musical performances,” said Xavier James, Managing Vice President, Travel, Sports and Entertainment, U.S. Commerce Development, MasterCard Worldwide. “W Hotels knows and appreciates great music and we are pleased to work together to deliver unique and meaningful experiences to our cardholders.”

Throughout the year, W Hotels will host additional performances in select properties across the United States, all featuring both established and emerging artists from SONY BMG. Grammy-Award winning producer Bryan Michael Cox, who has worked with Usher and Mary J. Blige, will host select performances and conduct interviews with artists for W’s new in-room TV channel. During each performance, W Hotel guests and loyalists are invited to visit the Tava Bar, a whimsical pop-up bar serving specialty cocktails created with Tava’s sparkling, fruit flavored beverages.

“We are very excited to be working with W Hotels to provide this unique opportunity for music lovers to connect with great artists in a unique environment,” said John Ingrassia, President of SONY BMG’s Commercial Music Group. “Natasha Bedingfield’s May 19th performance in New York was the perfect way to launch this series – she’s a truly incredible artist, and her album, “Pocketful Of Sunshine,” is one of the most dynamic releases of the year. The follow up performance by Paddy Casey – who is already eleven times platinum in Ireland – promises to be equally spectacular.”

“W is a great brand, and we look forward to further extending our relationship with them as we create additional music experiences,” said JJ Rosen, Executive Vice President, SONY BMG’s Commercial Music Group. “We will be working with all of the SONY BMG labels to announce more performances in the weeks and months ahead.”

“I'm excited about partnering with the swankiest hotel known to the music scene, W Hotels, on this innovative music series and especially with an artist like Natasha Bedingfield who makes great pop music with wonderful melodies and strong hooks that are in line with a strong message,” said Bryan Michael Cox. “Her tone is incredible!”

Long after the curtains close, the performances will live on thanks to Live Nation Studios and renowned rock and roll photographer Mick Rock. Live Nation Studios will record select performances so that jet-setting music lovers can stream them via the Live Nation Concerts channel available at www.livenation.com. Mick Rock, himself a legend in the music industry, will photograph performances in the W WonderLust Live series for an upcoming White Space photo exhibit that will go on tour exclusively at select W Hotels around the world, granting even more music lovers access to the front row.

“I'm buzzed to be shooting the live music series for the W Hotels, especially knowing W is going to select some of these images for their White Space exhibition series,” said Mick Rock.

As part of its year-long musical celebration, W Hotels will debut WONDERLUST THE WORLDWIDE TOUR, the latest volume in W’s ultra popular CD series, produced by SONY BMG. An exclusive compilation of contemporary style and sounds from global talents, the CD highlights music from W’s current and upcoming destinations – from Istanbul to Athens, Santiago to Shanghai, Milan to Marrakech.

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members will be treated to exclusive musical experiences throughout the series with the opportunity to bid “Starpoints” through Moments, the SPG loyalty program’s online auction at www.spg.com/moments. Winners of the WonderLust VIP Moments package will be given two tickets to a performance, an opportunity to meet the featured artist, autographed CD and an exclusive W gift bag.

W WonderLust Live Package:

Both local music fans and those traveling from out of town are invited to book the ultimate concert experience, the W WonderLust Live Package, and to pay using their MasterCard card. Available in limited quantities at all W Hotels hosting the performances, each package includes 2 tickets to the concert, an exclusive W Hotels/SONY BMG All Access VIP Gift Bag, 2 cool cocktails, a 3 PM late checkout, and a Fantastic Suite. For more information, please visit www.whotels.com/wonderlustlive.

About W Hotels Worldwide | W Hotels is a global lifestyle brand with 23 properties in the most vibrant cities around the world. Inspiring and indulging its guests with thoughtful, refreshing and stylish experiences, signature restaurants, bars and destination spas, W has become the fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world. Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design, comfort, and cultural influences from fashion and design to music and art and everything in between. W’s first residential property, W Dallas-Victory, opened in June of 2006, and soon thereafter was named a Forbes Magazine “Top Business Hotel.” In North America and Latin America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Downtown Atlanta, Buckhead Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Hoboken, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Minneapolis, Downtown New York, Santiago, Scottsdale, South Beach, and Washington, D.C. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, Barcelona, Milan and St. Petersburg. In Asia, W has announced properties in Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao-Studio City, Shanghai and Yokohama. In Africa and the Middle East, W has announced properties in Amman, Doha, Dubai-Festival City, Dubai-The Palm and Marrakech. W’s first Retreat & Spa, W Maldives, opened in September of 2006. In 2007, W Maldives received the prestigious Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Resort. W has plans to open Retreat & Spa hotels in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as W’s first ski retreat. For more information, visit .

About MasterCard Worldwide | MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 18 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to .

About SONY BMG | SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit .