Universal Music Group, the world's largest music distributor, announced on Wednesday (9/3) that it has cut the suggested retail price on virtually all of its top-line CDs to $12.98. The suggested price of most of the company's discs previously ranged from $16.98 to $18.98.

UMG, in a press release, said it believes retailers will begin offering the lower-priced CDs to consumers as soon as Oct. 1.

Among the acts on UMG-distributed labels are Eminem, Sheryl Crow, Dr. Dre, Elton John, No Doubt and Mary J. Blige [ tickets ].

Nick and Aaron Carter [ tickets ] will play a free Sept. 6 show at New York City's South Street Seaport to promote the launch of "Twister Moves," a new version of Hasbro's game "Twister."

About 286,000 copies of Mary J. Blige's "Love & Life" sold during the album's first week in stores, enough to place the album at No. 1 on the sales chart, according to industry sources. Teen star Hilary Duff, who rose to fame by playing the lead character in the Disney-TV series "Lizzie McGuire," debuts at No. 2 with her set "Metamorphosis."

McDonald's has signed Justin Timberlake [ tickets ] to a global advertising deal. Under the agreement, Timberlake has recorded a soundtrack for a new McDonald's campaign, and will make several cameo appearances in the ads. McDonald's will also sponsor Timberlake's upcoming European tour.

Timberlake has agreed to support Ronald McDonald House Charities and World Children's Day at McDonald's, as well as McDonald's World Cup and Olympic Games sponsorships.

The ad campaign, with the tagline "I'm lovin' it," is already airing overseas, and will debut in the U.S. on Sept. 29.

Edie Brickell [ tickets ] releases "Volcano," her first album in a decade, on Oct. 13. She is best known for her late '80s hit "What I Am," which she recorded with her group The New Bohemians.