Take Home Part of the Magic of ABC Daytime's ``All My Children'' Crystal Ball With Keepsakes Available Exclusively On ABC.com

Business Wire, Dec 20, 2000

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2000

Be a part of the magic and drama surrounding ABC Daytime's Crystal Ball on "All My Children" by clicking on to ABC.com.

For the second consecutive year, ABC.com and ABC Daytime are lighting up the holiday season by offering fans the official "All My Children" Crystal Ball keepsake, a crystal votive and decorative candle with a logo commemorating the fourth annual Crystal Ball.

The keepsakes will be available exclusively on ABC.com beginning Thursday, Dec. 21, through Feb. 2, 2001. ABC.com is part of the Walt Disney Internet Group (NYSE:DIG).

On "All My Children," the Crystal Ball has become an annual holiday event, attended by Pine Valley's most illustrious residents. This year, Edmund Grey's (John Callahan) renowned ball will be hosted by Ryan Lavery (Cameron Mathison) and Gillian Martin (Esta TerBlanche).

Guests of the ball will receive a crystal votive and decorative candle to light as a "symbol of hope" for the safe return of the missing Alexandra Marick (Finola Hughes) and to remember loved ones, including Edmund's late wife, Maria.

The keepsakes will be featured in special episodes of "All My Children," airing Jan. 2-3, 2001. Viewers can purchase the Crystal Ball keepsake via ABC.com for $19.99. The Web site also will offer a candle refill pack for $9.99.

Angela Shapiro, president, ABC Daytime, said: "`All My Children's' rich history is marked by special events with all the characters that live in Pine Valley, and the Crystal Ball has rapidly become a grand holiday tradition. This e-commerce initiative unites our fans with their favorite characters in celebration and joy."

"ABC.com is thrilled to be part of the `All My Children' tradition, while at the same time establishing our own tradition by offering the Crystal Ball keepsakes to the fans of `All My Children' and ABC Daytime," said Brian Bowman, vice president and general manager, ABC.com. "We are always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance the ABC television viewer's experience."

"All My Children" was created by Agnes Nixon. Jean D. Burke is the executive producer. "All My Children" airs Monday-Friday, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET on the ABC Television Network.

ABC.com is part of the Walt Disney Internet Group (NYSE:DIG), which manages some of the Internet's most popular Web sites, including ABCNEWS.com, ABCSports.com, Disney.com, Disneystore.com, DisneyTravel.com, ESPN.com, Family.com, GO.com, Movies.com, Mr. Showbiz, NASCAR Online, NBA.com, NFL.com and Soccernet.

The Internet Group also includes The Walt Disney Company's direct marketing business. Steve Bornstein is chairman of Walt Disney Internet Group, which has headquarters in North Hollywood, Calif., and operations in Sunnyvale, Calif.; Seattle; New York; Bristol, Conn.; and London. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.dig.com.