December 19, 2006 - Hard Rock Cafe New York has joined forces with Steven Van Zandt (cast member of HBOs The Sopranos and founding member of Bruce Springsteens E Street Band) to present A Wiseguy New Years Eve In Times Square eBay Giving Works charity listing. The winning bidder will have the chance to party with Van Zandt and a handful of his friends from The Sopranos for an ultra-exclusive, all-inclusive VIP New Years Eve bash. The prize includes complete access to the 800-capacity Hard Rock Cafe New York venue in Times Square for the winning bidder and his/her guests with the winning bidders name and messaging in lights. Wiseguy hosts include Tony Paulie Walnuts Sirico, Frank Phil Leotardo Vincent, Vinnie Big Pussy Pastore, Vince Johnny Sack Curatola, Johnny Artie Bucco Ventimiglia and Maureen Gabriella Dante Van Zandt, among others. Beginning Now and ending December 27, 2006, A Wiseguy New Years Eve In Times Square charity listing will support the effort to ensure access to a quality education that includes instrumental music in our nations public schools, with a portion of the proceeds from all sales related to the listing being donated to VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation.

We are thrilled to be part of this exciting effort, said Sean Dee, Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. From the start, we have always been governed by a guiding philosophy - Love All - Serve All. This is a perfect way for us to show our support of music education in the nations schools, all with the help of televisions greatest wiseguys.

The soiree will include an open bar from 8:30pm to 2am, hors-doevres, a gourmet dinner, champagne toast, a VIP outdoor view of Times Square from Hard Rock's marquee and a continental breakfast upon departure. The winning bidder can further show off to the world through video messaging on the marquee, so people up and down Broadway and all around the planet will know who is throwing the ultimate party on New Years Eve. Other items listed on eBay will include a dinner with select Sopranos cast members, a guest spot on the Wiseguy Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, signed guitars from Steven Van Zandt and others, a VIP NASCAR package, including meet-and-greets with Richard Childress Racing drivers, and a signed pair of Nancy Sinatra boots.

What a way to end the year! We are delighted that 10% of the gross proceeds will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, moving us closer to next years 10th anniversary goal of bringing music education programs to one million public school students, said Paul Cothran, Executive Director, VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Van Zandt adds: This is the unique opportunity to support music education for kids and have a party on the most exciting night of the year, at the most exciting location on the planet.

The opportunity to win A Wiseguy New Years Eve In Times Square bash is open to all private individuals, corporations and organizations around the world. Bidding begins at US$100,000. A portion of the proceeds will benefit VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation. A Wiseguy New Years Eve In Times Square charity is being managed by Auctionwire Online Auction Agency. Bidders may visit www.ebay.com/hardrock for more information.

ABOUT HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL
With 124 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes, seven Hotel & Casinos (excluding those under construction) and one stand-alone Casino in 45 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally-recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by The Rank Group Plc (RNK.L). For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

ABOUT THE ROCK AND ROLL FOREVER FOUNDATION
The Rock and Roll Forever Foundation is a non-profit organization seeking to educate and promote the history and achievements of Rock and Roll music as well as other traditional and modern music forms. This includes providing scholarships, fellowships or grants to young aspiring musicians and donating or providing access to music instruments, training, recording equipment and more to those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to receive them. The Foundation also seeks to save, safeguard, archive, and collect important Rock and Roll and other musical documents, histories, or artifacts. It further seeks to help save or safeguard important Rock and Roll music sites or venues, and to raise public awareness of the historical significance of certain music sites or venues. All to help insure that the tremendous cultural and artistic benefits and achievements of Rock and Roll music are passed down to future generations. For more information, visit www.rockandrollforever.org.

ABOUT VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music programs in Americas public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of each childs complete education. Research shows that children who participate in instrumental music study at an early age develop critical thinking skills, team work, are more engaged in school, and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse. Since the VH1 Save The Music Foundation was created in 1997, it has donated $34 million worth of new musical instruments to 1,400 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 800,000 children. For more information on VH1 Save The Music, visit www.vh1savethemusic.com.

CONTACTS:

For information on Hard Rock, contact Meredith Miesieski at Coyne PR: MMiesieski@coynepr.com, (973) 316-1665

For information on Steven Van Zandt or the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, contact Diana DAngelo at Shore Fire Media: ddangelo@shorefire.com, (718) 522-7171

For information on VH1 Save The Music, contact Maura Wozniak at VH1: maura.wozniak@vh1staff.com, (212) 846-7325.

For bidding and auction management information, contact David Romeo at Auctionwire Online Auction Agency: david@auctionwire.ca, (416) 636-8678.

Orlando, FL – December 6, 2006 – Hard Rock International announced today that it has entered into a management contract with the Nexus Companies for the development of a condominium-hotel project in Palm Springs, California. The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, a luxury property to be located in the heart of downtown, symbolizes continued efforts by community stakeholders to infuse new excitement and energy into downtown Palm Springs and reflects Hard Rock’s strategy to accelerate expansion of the brand into hotels and casinos the U.S. and worldwide.

Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, Hard Rock’s tenth hotel property in operation or development, will offer its owners and guests the ultimate rock star experience: first class style and substance with a unique rock vibe. An “urban resort” destination, the property will consist of 450 spacious luxury residences with a sophisticated style and design inspired by Palm Springs’ profound architecture and scenic mountain backdrop. The property will feature an array of first-class resort amenities, including a 20,000 square-foot Rock Spa revitalization center, signature restaurants and bars -- developed with sophisticated nightlife partners – and a dramatic destination pool presenting the next evolution in the Hard Rock vibe.

“Palm Springs has historically attracted the Hollywood elite who flocked to the community to see and be seen in its nightclubs, country clubs, hotels, pools and restaurants and, now, Hard Rock is excited to anchor a new era in this upscale, sophisticated urban resort,” said Hamish Dodds, president and CEO, Hard Rock International. “The development of Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs advances our expansion of the Hard Rock Hotel brand and we are eager to collaborate with the City and its residents. We have an operating platform that delivers a unique business advantage to real estate investors while simultaneously maintaining our focus on the environment, our employee partners and the wider community.”

In addition to leisure travelers, Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will provide renowned levels of customer service for business and convention travelers through state-of-the-art business facilities and meeting space. With 40,000 square feet of planned meeting facilities, the property will provide attractive new options for corporate travelers and meeting planners who demand the most up-to-date technology set within flexible spaces.

“Our newest property will offer the signature experience of each Hard Rock Hotel: an upscale, contemporary design; signature restaurants; a sophisticated nightlife; superior customer service; luxury spas and, the distinctive thread that combines them all – music,” said Trevor Horwell, Vice President, Hard Rock Hotels. “For more than 10 years, from Chicago to Orlando and Bali to San Diego, Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos have been offering guests the ultimate rock star experience -- luxurious style and substance with a unique rock vibe designed to provide unforgettable experiences.”

Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs reflects a local vision to create a new kind of resort experience. The Palm Springs City Council granted Nexus exclusive rights to negotiate the acquisition of six acres adjacent to the expanded Palm Springs Convention Center for the development of Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs. The hotel will be located at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Calle El Segundo, across the street from the Convention Center in the heart of downtown. Nexus has since entered into contracts for the acquisition of an additional four acres which, with the city’s owned parcel, will amass a 10-acre development tract in the most prized location of downtown Palm Springs. Under the plan, construction of the new hotel could start in early 2008, with an approximate opening date of late 2009.

“We have great confidence in the City and people of Palm Springs and with the development of the Hard Rock Hotel we want to continue our growing personal and business alliance,” said Cory Alder, President of The Nexus Companies. “Hard Rock Hotels provides guests with a mix of luxury and lifestyle delivered in its unparalleled style and culture. Palm Springs, with its rich legacy to Hollywood, world renowned architecture and distinct desert setting has been doing the same for decades. We believe this is a perfect match and good news for all of Palm Springs,” said Rich Meaney, a Principal in the project, with Nexus.

About Hard Rock International
With 124 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes, seven Hotel & Casinos (excluding those under construction) and one stand-alone Casino in 45 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally-recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by The Rank Group Plc (RNK.L). For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

About The Nexus Companies
The Nexus Companies, founded by Curtis R. Olson in 1981, is a full-service commercial real estate development firm with offices in Santa Ana, California and Phoenix, Arizona. Nexus, known for its high level quality and customer service, has developed more than five (5) million square feet of office, retail, industrial, mini-storage and residential projects. Its expertise covers all phases of real estate development, resulting in more than two decades of consistently profitable performance. The Nexus team brings to each project the full spectrum of development capabilities: market research, acquisition, planning and design, finance, construction, sales and marketing and property management. For more information on Nexus, visit www.nexusd.com.