Business Pioneer Bob Johnson's Our Stories Films Strikes Marketing Alliance with Cricket Communications

Business Pioneer Bob Johnson's Our Stories Films Strikes Marketing Alliance with Cricket Communications

Deal Includes Brand Integration in Our Stories Films and Cross-promotions of Future Movie Releases

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to further enhance branded entertainment strategies, Our Stories Films (OSF), the film studio of BET Founder and Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert L. Johnson, announced today that it has entered into a multi-year marketing partnership with Cricket Communications, the operating subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. [Nasdaq: LEAP], and a leading provider of unlimited wireless services. The breakthrough alliance will leverage each brand's core target audience of urban consumers.

"Our partnership with Cricket will enable OSF to promote new movie releases to millions of moviegoers through their cell phones," said Robert L. Johnson, Chairman and CEO of The RLJ Companies, the parent company of OSF. "As wireless devices continue to become the information and entertainment source of choice for many people, we are excited to create a footprint for OSF with Cricket."

The multi-layered partnership will include the integration of Cricket wireless products into OSF films and events, along with exclusive promotions designed for Cricket customers. Cricket will leverage its growing national retail network to execute in-store OSF promotions. The Cricket and OSF partnership will kick off with the release of the next OSF film, which is scheduled for release in 2008.

"Movies are an important part of the lifestyle of our Cricket customers and our partnership with OSF will allow Cricket to deliver exclusive Hollywood insider access to our customers," said Doug Hutcheson, CEO and President of Leap Wireless International, Inc. "From exclusive film content to Hollywood premiers, the OSF and Cricket alliance will deliver a one-of-a-kind experience to our customers."

In addition to the Cricket partnership OSF announced a major marketing alliance with The Ford Motor Company in July. Both partnerships were negotiated by Maven Strategies, the marketing agency of record for The RLJ Companies.

About Our Stories Films

Our Stories Films, created in 2006 by Robert L. Johnson in partnership with Bob and Harvey Weinstein of The Weinstein Company, is focused on the development and production of comedies for African American and urban audiences. The studio's first release "Who's Your Caddy?" debuted in theaters nationwide on July 27, 2007.

About The RLJ Companies

The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, is a diverse portfolio of companies in the financial services, asset management, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film production, and gaming industries. An innovative business network, The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets; then exercise solid management to achieve results. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with operations in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Florida, New York and Puerto Rico.

About Cricket

Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Designed for customers whose basic and advanced wireless needs have not been met by traditional communications companies, Cricket is the pioneer of unlimited services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required. Cricket offers customers access to a variety of the latest devises and feature-rich mobile applications such as unlimited text, instant and picture messaging, Mobile Web, popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Our Stories Films

CONTACT: Xina Eiland, +1-703-785-4358, xina@mavenstrategies.com, for Our
Stories Films; or Greg Lund of Cricket, +1-858-882-9105,
glund@cricketcommunications.com

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