DIRECTV Latin America, the Inter-American Development Bank & Microsoft Launch "Piedra, Papel y Tijera" Initiative and TV Special at the 2008 IDB Annual Meeting

Business Wire, April 3, 2008

Latinos United in Action Center Received a Comprehensive Makeover

MIAMI -- DIRECTV Latin America (DIRECTV) (NASDAQ:DTV), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Microsoft launched today Piedra, Papel y Tijera (Rock, Paper & Scissors), an initiative aimed at transforming the physical infrastructure of schools and educational centers throughout Latin America.

"We are excited to launch this initiative with strong partners such as the IDB and Microsoft and feel confident that it will bring a positive impact to the community of Latinos United in Action," said Jacopo Bracco, senior vice president, DIRECTV LATIN AMERICA. "Through the Piedra, Papel, y Tijera initiative, DIRECTV intends to raise awareness of the condition of schools and educational centers in Latin America and bring additional partners that will enable us to develop a television series that not only will be entertaining to viewers but also will support a worthwhile cause."

Piedra, Papel, y Tijera's inaugural activity took place in the U.S. today during the Youth Volunteer Event of the Forty-ninth Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The event featured the transformation of the Latinos United in Action Center, a community based educational center serving low-income Latino and Caribbean youth in the City of Miami.

"I can not think of a more fitting way to kick off the IDB's Annual Meeting," said IDB President, Luis A. Moreno. "This unique initiative represents partnership building at its best all sectors of society coming together to support low-income communities. What could be more important than to equip our schools with adequate infrastructure and strong educational content through the use of technology to advance learning--the essence of a healthy society."

The comprehensive physical transformation of the Latinos United in Action Center involved repairing and improving the physical infrastructure of the educational center (windows, doors, facade, roof, floors, bathrooms, office space and recreational areas) and providing state-of-the art equipment and supplies (DIRECTV service with educational television programming package, computers, Microsoft software and technology training, furniture, boards, etc.). All construction work and furniture was provided by Winmar Construction, a key local partner to the initiative. Youth volunteers actively participated in parts of the construction phase as well as installing computers and performing landscaping, painting and other beautification activities all of which were coordinated through IDB and its local partners such as Hands on Miami. Twenty-five computers, monitors and several printers were donated by CompUSA, Lexmark and Systemax.

Software for use by teachers, students and volunteers will be donated by Microsoft, including Windows Vista, Office 2007 Student Edition, Encarta and Math and Learning Essentials. Microsoft will also train teachers, students and volunteers at the Center on Digital Literacy including access to self-learning courses, E-Learning for Windows Vista and Office 2007, and Help Desk training course.

"One of the best uses of technology is to provide quality education to all regardless of socioeconomic background," said Ralph Young, vice president of Worldwide Public Sector, Microsoft. "We're delighted to take part in this program and offer technological tools and training that will offer these students new opportunities and help them reach their full potential as future leaders of this community.

The Center's makeover has been filmed as a DIRECTV reality special and will be broadcast by DIRECTV's networks in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean in the Summer/Fall 2008. DIRECTV has future plans to produce and broadcast a Piedra, Papel y Tijera documentary series or reality show featuring refurbishment of schools and educational community centers in different countries of Latin America.

"Latinos United has used every dime developing a dedicated staff, an inspired vision and coordinated programs for keeping students in school as parents and students alike improve their lives. But at the end of the day, little to nothing is left over for creating a physical environment that reflects the love we feel for our work and our pride in the achievements of the kids and the parents we serve. Our kids will be most benefited by the makeover in the self-esteem and pride in themselves that our new facility will evoke," said Amada Vargas, executive director of Latinos United in Action Center.

The results of the center's makeover were presented today in an unveiling ceremony with Luis Alberto Moreno, IDB President; Manny Diaz, Mayor of the City of Miami; Jacopo Bracco, Senior Vice President, DIRECTV Latin America; Ralph Young, Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector of Microsoft; Edwin Villegas, President of Winmar Construction; Gilbert Fiorentino, CEO of CompUSA/TigerDirect; Patrick Morris, President of Hands on Miami, Jorge Arrizurrieta, Chair of the IDB Annual Meeting Host Committee, as well as other local government representatives, community leaders and officials from other partner organizations (Hispanics in Philanthropy, Service for Peace, Generation Engage, Genius and Global and National Youth Service Day).