WeMedia News:
( BW)(NY-WEMEDIA) WeMedia Selected by eBay as Premier Sponsor; Agreement Brings Charity Offerings and Promotes Online Trading Marketplace for Disability-related Products
Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 2000--WeMedia Inc., the leading media company dedicated to serving the 54 million people with disabilities, their families and friends, announced today that it has signed an agreement with eBay, the world's largest online trading community. The agreement states that WeMedia has been selected to host monthly charity listings on eBay that will benefit a featured disability-oriented nonprofit organization and as well as the WeMedia Foundation. In addition, WeMedia has been named the premier sponsor of eBay's "Disability Resources" section, a theme page that promotes listings of new, pre-owned and one-of-a-kind merchandise that people with disabilities may find useful.
Bidding for the first WeMedia charity listing - a Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Getaway - launched on September 18 and concluded on September 28. The fantasy getaway included a trip for two to Sydney, Australia to experience the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games first-hand. The winning bidder of this extraordinary package also won the opportunity to sit in the WeMedia sports booth to announce an on-air sports introduction during WeMedia's live Webcast of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. While in Sydney, the winners will have lunch with Paralympic sportscaster and Olympic speed skater Dan Jansen, tour the city and attend the Closing Ceremonies of the Games. All winning bids for the charity listings are tax-deductible with the proceeds from this month's offering benefiting Disabled Sports USA, a nonprofit organization that provides nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent physical disability, and the WeMedia Foundation.
The "Disability Resources" theme page (http://pages.ebay.com/theme/disability.html and accessible at wemedia.com) makes it possible for people with disabilities to browse, place bids on or sell disability-related products on eBay. Through eBay's "Disability Resources," visitors can take advantage of new, pre-owned and one-of-a-kind merchandise. As the premier sponsor of the "Disability Resources" theme page, WeMedia will offer members of the WeMedia community direct access to the section from WeMedia's Website, www.wemedia.com.
"We are thrilled that eBay, the leading online trading community, sees the value in creating this new online marketplace with counsel from WeMedia. This agreement benefits people with disabilities by supporting the nonprofit organizations that serve the community and by increasing the options for obtaining what can often be extremely expensive disability-related products," explained Cary Fields, president and CEO of WeMedia. "Never before has our community had such access to the items they need most. Now you can go to WeMedia and eBay, anytime of the day and get what you need at your price."
WeMedia Inc. launched www.wemedia.com, an online resource for people with disabilities, their families and friends in December 1999. The Website provides the disability community with targeted information, products and services in the areas of news, sports, employment, technology, advocacy, education, finance and real estate, among others. As the official Webcaster of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, WeMedia Sports will provide the first live Webcast of a Paralympic event, in what will be the most ambitious Webcast ever. In addition to print and interactive outlets, WeMedia will distribute content through broadcast and wireless mediums.
About WeMedia Inc.
WeMedia Inc. (www.wemedia.com) is the leading media company revolutionizing access for the millions of people with disabilities who are interested in quality of life without compromise. Two entrepreneurs, Jerome Belson and Cary Fields, who have worked extensively with disability organizations for more than 40 years, launched the company in 1997. Both founders share a common goal of developing strategies to improve the lives of people with disabilities, through a variety of media offerings including print, interactive, broadcast and wireless communications.
The company's first media property was WE magazine, a glossy consumer lifestyle publication. The bimonthly magazine has won accolades for its impressive editorial content and innovative approach to cross-disability issues. With the September/October 2000 issue, the magazine has been re-named WeMedia magazine.
In December 1999, WeMedia launched wemedia.com, a comprehensive online resource for people with disabilities, their families and friends. The new Website provides the disability community with targeted information and resources in the areas of news, sports, technology, advocacy, shopping, employment, education, finance, and real estate, among others. As the Official Webcaster of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, WeMedia Sports will provide the first live Webcast of a Paralympic event, in what will be the most ambitious Webcast ever. As a Partner of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, WeMedia is also the Official Magazine in North America and the Official US Television Rights Holder.
WeMedia is committed to the grassroots community and has established a nonprofit partnership program to share information, marketing and technology. Visitors to wemedia.com can also research nonprofit organizations and discover new opportunities for becoming active in their cause.
--30--JD/ph*
CONTACT: WeMedia Inc.
Caryn Kaufman, Director of Communications
646/769-2837/TTY: 212/375-6235
carynk@staff.wemedia.com
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Witeck Combs Communications
Media contact:
Wesley Combs, 202/887-0500, x14
Wcombs@witeckcombs.com |
