FEATURE/'Star Wars' Mania Invades Silicon Valley Start-Ups Onradio.com Treats Employees to 'Phantom Menace' Tickets and Party

Business Wire, May 19, 1999

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--May 19, 1999--

Jonathan Hay, a 24-year-old graphic designer for Internet start-up Onradio.com, is a die-hard "Star Wars" fan.

He's seen the original trilogy more than 30 times and has collected memorabilia since the age of 6. When tickets to "The Phantom Menace" went on sale last week, he was prepared to join the throngs of fans already in line -- until his company beat him to it.

Onradio.com, the largest network of radio station Web sites on the Internet, is among a handful of Silicon Valley companies that are beating the projected "sick out" tomorrow by hosting a company-wide "Wookie Hookie Day" at a local theater.

"Especially here in the Valley, where the job market is particularly tight, smart companies are recognizing and rewarding employees' hard work," said Ricardo Ramirez, president and CEO of Onradio.com. "What better occasion than the biggest movie event of all time?"

But organizing such an event took intergalactic foresight and planning. Seven Onradio.com employees stood in line more than five hours last Wednesday, when tickets first went on sale. The company paid for 80 tickets (50 employees, 30 guests), concession coupons and a post-movie party.

"This is really cool!" Hay said. "Not only do I get to see the movie on opening day, during the middle of the week, but my boss is footing the bill!"

About Onradio.com

Onradio.com, is the largest network of radio station Web sites on the Internet, providing the only complete, scalable and turnkey Internet solution to the radio industry. By integrating radio with the Internet, Onradio.com creates an interactive environment that will establish local stations as entertainment and information portals.

Onradio.com has strategic partnerships with Microsoft, Sony Music Entertainment, Katz Radio Group and leading music and lifestyle magazines Vibe, SPIN and Blaze to help extend the station's relationship with the audience, increase brand loyalty and drive new income through non-traditional revenue streams. More than 575 radio stations currently belong to the Onradio.com network.