ALWAYSi Works With Microsoft to Deliver Quality Independent Films to Millions of Consumers Using New Windows Media Player

Business Wire, July 18, 2000

Business and Entertainment Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2000

ALWAYSi Featured In Windows Media Player 7 Launch Promotions Giving

Independent Filmmakers Exposure to Millions of Consumers

ALWAYSi, an online network for independent film lovers, filmmakers, and the industry located at www.alwaysi.com, today announced that Microsoft will promote a selection of independent films from their site to millions of Windows Media users for the launch of the Windows Media Player 7, which was unveiled today. There are 100 million licensed copies of the current Windows Media Player on the market today, and more than one copy of the player is downloaded every second.

The ALWAYSi films can be viewed from the upgrade page and a sweepstakes promotion page on the Windows Media Web site. This relationship builds on ALWAYSi's strategy of expanding online and offline distribution to increase the exposure for the filmmakers on their site. ALWAYSi was selected by Microsoft because they offer premier content that best utilizes the benefits of the new Windows Media Player 7. ALWAYSi has been working with Microsoft since August 1999, and most recently was part of their Broadband JumpStart Initiative.

"ALWAYSi is thrilled to work with Microsoft to give our filmmakers exposure to the millions of consumers who will be downloading the new and improved version of the Media Player over the next week," said Howard Rosenberg, chief executive officer of ALWAYSi. "We're pleased to be part of Microsoft's team as they lead the way towards better entertainment viewing over the Internet."

"ALWAYSi is an innovator in promoting independent entertainment," said Kevin Unangst, group product manager for the Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "By taking advantage of the unmatched audio and video quality of Windows Media, ALWAYSi is helping movie audiences experience the work of undiscovered independent filmmakers."

About ALWAYSi

ALWAYSi is the Web's premiere independent entertainment network for consumers and an indispensable resource for industry professionals. The Company's mission is to serve the creators of independent entertainment by developing new revenue and distribution opportunities and creating a means to connect industry professionals to keep current on industry news and events. ALWAYSi's extensive library of feature-length, short films, animations and TV-like series is available in streaming formats on its Web site. ALWAYSi can be found online at www.alwaysi.com.