AtomFilms and Verizon Wireless Launch Exclusive V CAST Channel To Bring Best Original Film and Animation Shorts To V CAST Customers

AtomFilms and Verizon Wireless Launch Exclusive V CAST Channel To Bring Best Original Film and Animation Shorts To V CAST Customers

LAS VEGAS and BEDMINSTER, N.J. and SAN FRANCISCO, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Atom Entertainment, Inc., the broadband entertainment leader, and Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's first wireless broadband network, announced today a multi-year exclusive agreement to bring AtomFilms(R) original short- form entertainment to V CAST customers. An AtomFilms mobile video channel will debut in May as part of V CAST's basic entertainment programming.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060406/NYTH003-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060406/NYTH003-b )

This exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless marks the first time AtomFilms' bite-sized entertainment content -- ideally suited for on-demand digital distribution -- will be widely available to consumers on mobile phones. AtomFilms also recently launched AtomFilms To Go(TM), a new section of its award-winning Web site that makes content available on portable devices.

"We have had our eye on mobile phones since our inception, and we are happy to be launching our mobile video channel with Verizon Wireless, the industry leader," said Mika Salmi, chief executive officer of Atom Entertainment, Inc. "The AtomFilms channel on V CAST will be a hugely entertaining service for consumers and a major distribution opportunity for our talented independent filmmakers and animators."

A pioneer and leader in the online video category since 1999, AtomFilms has reviewed hundreds of thousands of short film and animation titles, gaining a deep understanding of industry talent, and the habits and demands of on- demand digital audiences. This rare perspective has enabled AtomFilms to team with the entertainment industry's most innovative and entertaining talent, including JibJab, Aardman, Jason Reitman, Joe Cartoon, and more.

The AtomFilms V CAST channel will be available within the Entertainment category and will be updated daily. The AtomFilms V CAST channel will have the same type of original, high-quality content that has attracted a monthly online audience of over five million unique users to AtomFilms' award-winning Web site.

Content and categories within the AtomFilms channel on V CAST will include:

* AtomFilms Studio Originals - New projects developed by AtomFilms with
its most successful filmmakers
* Tim Burton's Stainboy - A popular series from a legendary filmmaker,
chronicling the exploits of an animated anti-hero
* User Videos - The best viral videos uploaded to AtomFilms' new user-
generated content site, AddictingClips.com
* Comedy - Hilarious online hits, festival award-winners, and more
* Animation - The most entertaining work from Flash, stop-motion,
computer-generated, and traditional animators

John Harrobin, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless, said, "AtomFilms has unique experience at finding the type of digital content that consumers want - quick, instantly gratifying entertainment experiences. We're excited to bring the AtomFilms 'entertainment snacking(TM)' experience exclusively to our V CAST customers."

To get V CAST, Verizon Wireless customers can equip their V CAST-enabled phones with a V CAST VPak subscription for $15.00 monthly access added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan. The subscription includes unlimited basic video - including the forthcoming AtomFilms mobile video channel -- but application download fees apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content.

About AtomFilms(R)

AtomFilms(R) is the world's leading channel for original short-form entertainment. This award-winning Web site (www.atomfilms.com) offers on-demand viewing of a diverse and distinguished catalog of more than 1,000 shorts in every genre, enabling new and innovative artists to reach millions of viewers worldwide. AtomFilms is a service of broadband entertainment leader Atom Entertainment, Inc. (formerly AtomShockwave Corp.) based in San Francisco, CA. For more information, please visit www.atomfilms.com and www.atomentertainment.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Atom Entertainment, AtomFilms, AddictingClips, AtomFilms Studio, entertainment snacking and Atom Films To Go are trademarks of Atom Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060406/NYTH003-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060406/NYTH003-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1-PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Jeffrey Nelson, Verizon Wireless, +1-908-306-4824,
Jeffrey.Nelson@VerizonWireless.com; Jennifer Lauricella, SutherlandGold,
1-866-262-7373 x103, Jennifer@sutherlandgold.com

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.atomfilms.com/
http://www.atomentertainment.com/

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