press
Media Contacts:
Charles Oliva
VP, Marketing
Vindigo Studios™
212/590-6910
pr@vindigo.com
Paul Nichols
The Lippin Group for WireImage
(323) 965-1990
pnichols@lippingroup.com
Jeffrey Nelson
Verizon Wireless
908-306-4824
Jeffrey.Nelson@verizonwireless.com
VERIZON WIRELESS TEAMS WITH VINDIGO STUDIOS AND WIREIMAGE
TO RELEASE NEW GET IT NOW® APPLICATIONS
CelebrityNow! And ReplaySports Give Verizon Wireless Customers an Insider's
View
BEDMINSTER, NJ and NEW YORK - February 4, 2004 - Verizon Wireless
customers who want an insider's view of their favorite sports team or celebrity
need only go as far as their wireless phones. The nation's largest wireless
service provider and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network
today announced it has teamed up with Vindigo Studios, one of the best-known
publishers and developers of consumer applications for mobile phones to
launch two services: CelebrityNow! and ReplaySports. The applications, which
feature celebrity and sports photos and news, made available by Vindigo
Studios partner, WireImage, a leading digital photographic press agency
and wire service, are available on Verizon Wireless' Get It Now service.
CelebrityNow! reports the latest information from Hollywood, including photos
and news from today's biggest stars. Verizon Wireless consumers can find
images by recent events or easily search for information on their favorite
celebrity. ReplaySports delivers news and photos on national and international
sports events and athletes, allowing customers to search by sporting events,
specific sports or their favorite sports hero. Both CelebrityNow! and ReplaySports
are updated daily and feature high quality photos and highlight stories
in a user-friendly format.
"Vindigo Studios is extremely focused on creating products that are
easy-to-use and adopted quickly by consumers," said Jason Nevader,
CEO of WireImage. "Entertainment and sports enthusiasts will be delighted
at how quickly they can navigate these graphically rich applications, and
how easy they can get the information they want with Verizon Wireless' Get
It Now virtual store."
"WireImage's dedication to high quality photos reflects their commitment
to always getting the best shot," said Jason Devitt, CEO of Vindigo
Studios. "We're excited to publish their images in a new way and help
develop a new revenue stream for the company, and thrilled to bring the
applications to the millions of customers of the nation's leading wireless
service provider."
Both applications are available in the in the getPIX shopping aisle; customers
can get CelebrityNow! for $3.99 monthly access and ReplaySports for $3.49
monthly access. Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime
charges apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications.
Customers need a Get It Now-enabled handset and Verizon Wireless' digital
service to access the Get It Now virtual store. For more information about
Get It Now, visit www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow.
Get It Now phones are available in more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications
Stores, at participating RadioShack and Circuit City locations, or on the
Web at www.verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications.
The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and
37.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless
is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE
and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.
To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations,
log onto www.thenewsmarket.com.
About Get It Now
Get It Now from Verizon Wireless puts a virtual software store inside a
wireless phone. Customers with Get It Now-capable phones can download applications
over the air and purchase them from their phones. getTXT, getIM and getEMAIL
help customers stay in touch and communicate with others. getGAMES keeps
customers entertained, while getGOING applications, made for today's mobile
lifestyle, offers restaurant location services with maps, directions and
more. View and share digital photos with getPIX, check out Web cams with
getFLIX or identify incoming callers by assigning a unique ring with getTONES.
getALERTS keeps customers informed while getBROWSING lets them access the
Web from their wireless phone.
About Vindigo Studios
Vindigo Studios is one of the best-known publishers and developers of consumer
information and entertainment applications for mobile devices. Vindigo Studios'
proprietary technology and network of content partners power compelling
applications on every major wireless carrier in the U.S. More than one million
consumers have downloaded a Vindigo Studios application; Deloitte and Touche
recently recognized the company as a "Rising Star" for its rapid revenue
growth. More information can be found at www.vindigostudios.com.
About WireImage
WireImage is a leading digital photographic press agency and wire service
providing professionally licensed photography and assignment services to
the world's media on a real-time basis. WireImage has extensive experience
covering major entertainment, music, fashion, sports, news and corporate
events. The WireImage photographer base comprises acclaimed professionals
and industry veterans whose work is regularly featured in major domestic
and international magazines, newspapers, Web sites, television programs,
and advertisements.
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Vindigo is a registered trademark
of Vindigo, Inc.
Get It Now is a registered trademark of Verizon Wireless
All names may be the trademarks of their respective companies.
