MXCP.L Regulatory News (MXCP)

28 Feb 2006 07:01

2 ergo Group plc28 February 2006 Embargoed until 7am 28 February 2006 2ergo Group plc ("2ergo" or "the Group") US Distribution Agreement with Belo Corp Partnership to Market and Distribute Mobile Communication Services Through Newspapers, Television Stations and Web Sites in California and Arizona 2ergo Group, the AIM-listed provider of convergent mobile communicationsolutions, has signed a US distribution partnership with Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC),one of America's largest diversified media companies. Through this agreement,2ergo's unique information services for mobile phone users will be marketed byBelo's television stations, newspapers and websites in California and Arizona. Three areas of the mobile information and content market will be involved: textalerts, themed ringtones and text voting. 2ergo's Multiserve Platform, situatedin the UK, will act as the hub for all data transactions. The Group willparticipate through m-invent Inc, its US subsidiary. Customers of two Belo media companies - KTVK, the top-ranked television stationin Phoenix, Arizona, and The Press-Enterprise, the leading newspaper in inlandSouthern California located in Riverside - will soon be able to subscribe onlineto receive text news and weather alerts on their mobile phones. In a novel move, Belo's WB affiliate in Phoenix, KASW-TV, will promotetelevision-themed ringtones of programmes carried by the station, initiallyoffering "The Simpsons", "Friends", "King of Queens" and "South Park" free ofcharge as the first ringtone. The ringtone will be downloadable by registrationthrough a branded website portal within Zobmob.com, 2ergo's US mobile phonecontent e-commerce website managed by m-invent. Many more ringtones from popularTV programmes, movies and musicians will be available for a nominal fee. Other mobile phone services that will be available through Belo media companiesin the Southwest include a weekly text message poll and voice messages deliveredby popular on-air personalities. These innovative services will allow Belo's television stations, newspapers andwebsites to provide valuable new interactive products and services to theircustomers; build databases of mobile information service subscribers; andcommunicate one-on-one with loyal customers. Neale Graham, joint CEO of 2ergo, commented, "We are constantly looking for newmarkets and innovative areas where our convergent mobile technology can make adifference. We are very excited to be working closely with Belo's mediacompanies and we firmly believe their audiences will receive great enjoyment andbenefit from these services." Skip Cass, executive vice president/Media Operations at Belo who oversees theCompany's Southwest properties, added, "I'm pleased to see our televisionstations, newspapers and websites in the Southwest embrace these new products.We are always looking for new ways to serve our customers and are delighted tointroduce these services in the US with 2ergo, a company with a proven trackrecord and great reputation in the US." - Ends- For further information, please contact: 2ergo Group 01706 221 777Neale Graham, Joint CEO Tavistock Communications 020 7920 3150Christian Taylor-Wilkinson Notes to editors: About 2ergo Group plc2ergo facilitates communication and interaction between companies and theircustomers or staff using Mobile Internet, SMS, MMS, Web and Voice applications.Headquartered in Lancashire, the Group was listed on AIM on 11 March 2004. About Belo Corp.KTVK, KASW-TV and The Press-Enterprise are part of Belo Corp., one of thenation's largest media companies with a diversified group of market-leadingtelevision, newspaper, cable and interactive media assets. A Fortune 1000company with 7,700 employees and $1.5 billion in annual revenues, Belo operatesin some of America's most dynamic markets in Texas, the Northwest, theSouthwest, Rhode Island, and the Mid-Atlantic. Belo owns 19 television stations,six of which are in the 15 largest U.S. broadcast markets. The Company also ownsor operates seven cable news channels and manages one television station througha local marketing agreement. Belo's daily newspapers are The Dallas MorningNews, The Providence Journal, The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA) and theDenton Record-Chronicle (Denton, TX). The Company also publishes specialtypublications targeting young adults and the fast-growing Hispanic market,including Quick and Al Dia in Dallas/Fort Worth, and El D and La Prensa inRiverside. Belo operates more than 30 Web sites associated with its operatingcompanies. Additional information is available at www.belo.com or by contactingCarey Hendrickson, vice president/Investor Relations & Corporate Communications,at 214-977-6626. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange