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Make Marvel Your Internet Service Provider
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 Coming on the heels of the record-breaking opening of "X-Men: The Movie", Marvel Enterprises announced today that it has entered into a licensing deal with iConnect.com, Inc., a leading developer of branded Internet services, to create an affinity Internet access service, "MarvelOnline." MarvelOnline will offer to subscribers nationwide dial-up Internet access, e-mail addresses branded with their favorite Marvel character (e.g. [email protected] or [email protected]), access to a members-only homepage, valuable collectibles, discounted subscriptions and e-commerce, and other incentives. The service is scheduled to debut this fall. "iConnect.com's branded ISP solution is an excellent value-added service for Marvel fans and a great chance to extend our brand even further on the Internet," commented Bill Jemas, Marvel Enterprises president of publishing and new media. "MarvelOnline is an important enhancement to our web strategy."
"Working with Marvel Enterprises is a great opportunity for iConnect.com," said Michael Salaman, CEO of iConnect.com. "Marvel is clearly evolving beyond comic books and toys into a multimedia entertainment powerhouse. The growth of Marvel's characters in film, on TV and on the web will expose MarvelOnline to millions of potential Internet access subscribers." MarvelOnline will be an extension of Marvel.com, the company's popular web site that provides a host of content and community tools based around Marvel comic book characters. However, subscribers to MarvelOnline will have access to exclusive content and features not available on Marvel.com, including online comics, special e-commerce offers, and behind-the-scenes peeks at Marvel's famed "Bullpen." Although the complete terms of the license have not been disclosed, the agreement includes strategic benefits for both companies. In exchange for granting licensing and co-marketing rights, Marvel has been granted an option of equity participation in iConnect.com, as well as a revenue share in MarvelOnline. Marvel and iConnect.com have agreed to aggressively co-market the service through various direct-to-consumer methods, including comic book bundles, retail distribution, and online marketing to Marvel's fan base. About Marvel Enterprises, Inc. Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies with operations in five divisions: licensing, toys - via its Toy Biz division, comic book and trade publishing, entertainment and the Internet. Through the ownership of over 4,700 proprietary characters, Marvel licenses its characters in a wide range of consumer products, services and media such as feature films, television, the Internet, apparel, video games, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created and developed through the comic book publishing division, which maintains a leadership position in the U.S. and abroad. For additional company information, visit the Company's corporate website at www.marvel.com. About iConnect.com, Inc. iConnect.com, Inc., a privately held company with offices in New York and Philadelphia, develops and markets fully-branded Internet access, customized portals and membership services for vertical market partners that include consumer brands, affinity groups, publishers and membership organizations. iConnect.com's other branded ISPs include the Catholic Families Network, (), launched in partnership with the Vatican Treasury Museum of St. Peter's Basilica, and the Children's Television Workshop Kids Club Online. For additional company information, visit the Company's corporate website at www.iconnect.com. [Posted 7/25/2000]
  
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