Avaterra.com Turns to Radio Stations for Virtual Events;
Joint Venture Opens 'Virtual Z' to Host Virtual Halloween Promotion
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct 28, 1999 Avaterra.com, Inc. (OTCBB:AVAR), a leading provider of Internet-based animated communities, and San Francisco's "Top Hit" radio station Z95.7 FM, have opened Virtual Z, a virtual world zone currently hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest through October 29.
Avaterra.com CEO David Andrews said, "This is the company's first major step in launching a series of virtual events in conjunction with top U.S. radio stations. We have several partners targeted in other U.S. markets, for which we plan to have future events."
Avaterra.com's avatars -- a graphical representation of the user -- are highly customizable, lending themselves to interactive events like the one sponsored by Z95.7. In this promotion, visitors dress up their avatars in wild, creative costumes to win prizes, including an all-expense paid trip to see the Backstreet Boys in concert. Judges provided by both Z95.7 and Avaterra.com will determine the winner beginning at 7 p.m. PST October 29. The contest site is accessible at vzones.com.
"This is also the genesis of an Avaterra.com/Z95.7 relationship, which will run over the next three months," said David Andrews. "Several Z95.7 on-air personalities will appear as avatars in Virtual Z on a regular basis to conduct ongoing promotions and giveaways throughout the 1999 holiday season."
The launch of Virtual Z is not the first time Avaterra.com is integrating web surfers and radio listeners. In 1998, Avaterra.com created the first virtual world specifically for radio broadcasting, New Radio World. The site has since been integrated into vzconnections.com, and to date eight major radio stations nationwide have signed up with the Internet company to reach listeners and web surfers with live broadcast content.
"Partnering with radio stations creates a tremendously successful buzz for our Virtual Zones (VZones)," added David Andrews. "Popular DJs bring huge crowds into our VZones, and once those crowds experience what it is like to be an avatar inside our Internet communities, they never want to leave, and they end up telling their friends about it, too."
About Avaterra.com, Inc.
Avaterra.com builds Internet communities in the form of Virtual Zones ("VZones"). Consumers enter these Zones as avatars (customized graphical representations of themselves) where they can explore graphically rich virtual communities. Avatars can see and talk to other consumers, rent their own apartments, hold events and even buy products at virtual stores. Avaterra.com's showcase zones have been online for more than three years and include members from around the world, meeting 24 hours a day.
Avaterra.com derives revenue from its unique advertising venues, fee-based membership, custom virtual community development and software co-licensing. The company is publicly traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under ticker symbol AVAR. For more investor information, please call 888/845-5853 or e-mail mailto:ir@avaterra.com, or visit the company web site at avaterra.com.
Note: Certain statements made in the press release contain projections or other forward-looking statements. These projections and statements are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates as to prospective events and circumstances which may or may not be in the Company's control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. These projections and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such projections or forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. |
