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Forbes Announces Partnership with Digital:Convergence To Digitally
Enhance Magazine
Technology Premiers in Forbes "Best of the Web" Edition Free Digital:Convergence
Technology Being Shipped to Forbes 800,000 Subscribers
New York, NY, July 27, 2000 - This evening, Forbes will unveil plans to
Internet enhance its publications with Digital:Convergence's new technology
that links traditional media directly to specific web content. Starting with the "Best of
the Web" edition this September, Forbes will be the first to include Digital:Convergence's
proprietary "cue" codes in both its editorial content and advertisements. Forbes will
also be mailing Digital:Convergence's technology, which is free to consumers, to its
more than 800,000 subscribers in tandem with the launch issue.
"Digital:Convergence's technology allows us to bring added value to our relationship
with readers and advertisers," says Forbes Magazine President, James Berrien. "Bridging
the gap between old and new media, the technology gives our readers immediate access
to the information they care about. And our advertisers will now have the e-commerce vehicle
they need to draw interested readers to more detailed information about their product or
service." Mr. Berrien also stated that cues will appear in Forbes FYI and Forbes ASAP later
this fall
Digital:Convergence's "cues," which are UPC-like codes that are printed directly into both
editorial content and advertising, are read through the company's :CRQ software and :CueCat
device. Approximately the size of a computer's mouse, :CueCat device reads the cue codes and takes
readers directly to a specific Web page, eliminating the input of lengthy URLs and time intensive
web navigation. Both the :CRQ software and the :CueCat device are free to consumers.
As part of the launch, Forbes will send their more than 800,000 subscribers a free
Digital:Convergence "convergence" kit containing the :CRQ software on CD-Rom and a
:CueCat device. To ensure subscriber excitement and encourage installation, Forbes
will also hold a special subscriber "swipestakes" and is planning to give away hundreds
of prizes, including Jaguars and BMW motorcycles.
"The decision for Forbes to exclusively use our technology is a huge endorsement for
the power of our technology in the publishing world. As early adopters of our technology,
they are among the pioneers in this industry, leading the way to enrich consumers'
relationship with standard media," says J. Jovan Philyaw, CEO and Chairman of
Digital:Convergence.
Philyaw and Berrien will premier the technology and announce the partnership this
evening during a high-tech launch party at Barcode, a 21st century arcade in Times
Square in New York. A San Francisco announcement is expected August 1st at the
Forbes Headquarters in Burlingame, California.
Forbes is the first in a long list of partners, including Wired Magazine, NBC, RadioShack,
Adweek Magazines (including Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek and Markting &
Computers) and Belo Corporation, to enhance their medium and release the technology
to consumers.
About Digital:Convergence
Digital:Convergence Corporation is a privately held Internet technology company headquartered
in Dallas with offices in New York and London. Working in conjunction with industry-leading
partners such as Forbes magazine, Young & Rubicam Inc., Belo Corporation, and RadioShack
Corporation, the company's proprietary technology can link almost all media or products instantly
and easily with the Internet, allowing users to obtain relevant information or conduct e-commerce
activities. The company's management team includes a roster of industry veterans from Time
Warner, AT&T, GE, ING Barings and Disney.
About Forbes
Forbes is the publisher of Forbes, the nation's leading business magazine, and its international
edition, Forbes Global, which together reach a worldwide audience of nearly five million readers.
The company also publishes: Forbes ASAP, the technology supplement for management decision
makers, and Forbes FYI, the irreverent lifestyle supplement. Other company divisions include:
Forbes.com, the company's Internet business; Forbes Management Conference Group; Forbes
Special Interest Publications; and American Heritage, publisher of American Heritage magazine
and two quarterlies, American Legacy and American Heritage of Invention & Technology.
Press Contacts:
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Meredith Groban
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Phone: 212.614.4970
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Monie Begley
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Phone: 212.620.1887
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