Sony 2005 Annual Report Download - page 19

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Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child’s Destiny Fulfilled was released in
November 2004 and went on to sell 5.5 million units
during the fiscal year, achieving double platinum
status in the United States, Canada and Japan,
and platinum and gold status in countries across
Europe, Oceania and Asia.
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 was honored with the Best New Artist
award at the 2005 GRAMMY® Awards. Their de-
but album, Songs about Jane, has spent 104
weeks on the Billboard 200 Chart and sold more
than 8 million albums worldwide.
Usher
Usher’s Confessions, the world’s bestselling album
in 2004, was honored with three awards at the 2005
GRAMMY® Awards.
Ken Hirai
Ken Hirai’s soulful voice has cemented his
position as one of Japan’s most popular male
vocalists. His single “Close Your Eyes”—used as
the theme song for the film Crying Out Love in the
Center of the World in 2004—was one of a string
of hits from his sixth album, SENTIMENTALovers,
which sold 1.8 million units.
ORANGE RANGE
Okinawa’s six-man pop-rock unit ORANGE RANGE
has emerged in recent years as one of Japan’s most
popular bands. The band has released several hit
singles, including “Hana,” used as the theme song
for the film Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu. Their second album,
musiQ, sold 2.8 million units, putting ORANGE
RANGE firmly among the top of the J-Pop scene.
Gretchen Wilson
Gretchen Wilson’s Here for the Party, which was
released in May 2004, was the top-selling debut
album in any genre for the year. The artist won the
2005 GRAMMY® for Best Female Country Vocal
Performance.
Spider-Man 2 – Motion Picture © 2004 Columbia Pictures
Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. Spider-Man Character
® & © 2004 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved.
Spider-Man 2
Columbia Pictures’ critically lauded blockbuster
Spider-Man 2 was the No. 1 live action film of 2004,
generating nearly $800 million in worldwide box
office receipts. Spider-Man 2 opened at No. 1 in
more than 70 territories around the globe.
Hitch
Will Smith’s romantic comedy Hitch was a breakout
success around the world for Columbia Pictures in
2005, earning more than $359 million in ticket sales.
Kung Fu Hustle
Produced by Columbia Pictures Film Production
Asia, Kung Fu Hustle has become one of Asia’s
most successful local films of all time, grossing close
to $70 million. It broke a number of records through-
out Asia, including all-time biggest opening week-
ends in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Jeopardy!
Jeopardy! is a classic TV quiz show with a twist:
the host provides the answers and the contestants
must give the questions. Now in its 21st season,
Jeopardy! remains the highest-rated quiz show on
television, attracting 10 million viewers daily.
50 First Dates
Adam Sandler continues to be one of Columbia
Pictures’ most consistent and bankable stars. His
2004 romantic comedy 50 First Dates was a hit
with audiences in movie theaters worldwide and
was one of the studio’s most successful home
entertainment titles this past year.
Seinfeld
The first four seasons of Seinfeld, considered by
many to be the best TV sitcom ever, were released
on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Seinfeld has become one of the fastest selling TV
titles on DVD ever.
Pictures
Music
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