GeoCities and Mindscape's PF.Magic Sign Unprecedented Partnership
Deal to Provide Direct Link From Petz 3 Software to New GeoCities
"Petsburgh" Neighborhood
Business Wire - September 25, 1998 17:44
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1998--GeoCities (www.geocities.com), the largest community of
personal Web sites on the Internet, and The Learning Company Inc.'s (NYSE:TLC) Mindscape division today announced an
innovative venture to include free personal Web pages as part of PF.Magic's new Petz 3 entertainment titles.
The agreement, the first of its kind for both GeoCities and Mindscape's PF.Magic, provides Dogz 3 and Catz 3 owners who
have Internet access with a simple way to design and post sites about their favorite computer Petz. Dogz and Catz are
adorable, life-like virtual pets that live on PC desktops. Sales of this popular product line currently exceed two million copies
worldwide. Dogz 3 and Catz 3 will each ship later this month.
Official Petz Neighborhood
As part of the upcoming Dogz 3 and Catz 3 programs, a step-by-step wizard will guide users through a simple site design and
posting process that links directly to GeoCities' Petsburgh neighborhood. In this new community, Petz owners can gather to
participate in chat sessions, enter their Dogz and Catz in best- of-breed contests, and even find good Petz sitters.
Kevin O'Leary, president of The Learning Company Inc., commented on the progression of the Petz product line from the
desktop to the Internet. "This venture captures the true spirit of the Internet by allowing millions of proud Petz owners around
the world to join together and establish an interactive community where they can showcase their favorite Dogz and Catz," he
said.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with GeoCities to bring Petz owners the perfect synergy of content and accessibility."
"PF.Magic chose to direct their users to set up home pages on GeoCities because we are the Internet's largest and most
dynamic community for people who are passionate about their interests, in this case their virtual Petz," said Thomas R. Evans,
president and CEO of GeoCities. "We are delighted to host the magnet community for Petz lovers."
Featuring breakthrough life-like experiences, Petz families that play in highly interactive environments and customizable
accessories and clothing, Dogz 3 and Catz 3 truly represent the next generation of the Petz product line. Dogz 3 and Catz 3
will be available worldwide Sept. 28 for Windows 95/98, with an anticipated street prices of less than $30. Additional product
information is available on the Official Petz Web site located at www.petz.com.
Based in Santa Monica, Calif., with advertising sales offices in New York and San Francisco, GeoCities (www.geocities.com)
is the world's largest and one of the fastest growing communities of personal Web sites on the Internet. In April 1998 the
GeoCities Web site received more than 850 million pages views according to Nielson I/PRO, and attracted more than 14
million unique visitors, according to Relevant Knowledge.
GeoCities was the fourth most trafficked Web site on the Internet among home users in April 1998, according to Media
Metrics. GeoCities' investors include CMG@Ventures, the venture arm of CMG Information Services (Nasdaq:CMGI),
SOFTBANK Holdings Inc., Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO), Intel Corporation, Chase Capital Partners, InnoCal and Flatiron
Partners.
Mindscape, a division of The Learning Company, develops and markets educational, personal productivity, and entertainment
software for the entire family. Mindscape's owned and licensed brands include National Geographic, Mavis Beacon,
PrintMaster, American Greetings, Chessmaster, Compton's, and SSI.
The Learning Company Inc. (NYSE:TLC) develops, publishes, and markets a family of consumer software brands that
educate across every age, from young children to adults. The company's products are sold in more than 23,000 retail stores in
North America and through multiple distribution channels including school sales, online, direct marketing and OEM.
The company also develops, publishes and distributes products internationally through subsidiaries in France, Germany, the
United Kingdom, Holland, and Japan, and with distributors throughout Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim. The
company's headquarters are located at One Athenaeum Street, Cambridge, Mass. 02142. The corporate Web site is located
at www.learningco.com.
Note to Editors: Beta copies are available upon request and review copies of Dogz 3 and Catz 3 will be available after the ship
date. Color slides and electronic images of both titles are currently available upon request. For more information, please
contact Kristen Agin at PF.Magic at 415/495-0400 or kristena@pfmagic.com; or Lesli Arbuthnot of Arbuthnot
Communications at 415/495-0100, or lesli@arbuthnot.com.
Petz is a trademark, and Catz, Dogz, and PF.Magic are registered trademarks of Mindscape, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders.
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