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Disney Mobile Content Launches in Hungary with Pannon GSM NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- April 21, 2004 -- Walt Disney Internet Group and Hungarian mobile operator Pannon GSM have entered into a content distribution arrangement that will bring Disney Mobile branded wireless content to Hungarian consumers.The Disney Mobile service includes a broad range of ring tones, logos, wallpapers, picture messages, MMS and java games. The content is based on Disney's lineup of classic characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck, as well as on characters from modern classics, such as Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Lilo and Stitch, and Disney/Pixar's Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo. The Disney Mobile service can be previewed and accessed at Pannon GSM's website, www.pannongsm.hu or through its popular WAP portal at wap.pannongsm.hu. Consumers can download monophonic ring tones and black & white picture images for 300 Forints each (approximately $1.40 USD), with color images and polyphonic ring tones available for 400 Forints (approximately $1.90 USD). A range of Disney java games will also be available to download to suitable handsets for 700 Forints (approximately $3.30 USD). Pannon GSM's first major campaign to promote their new Disney Mobile service will coincide with the release of Finding Nemo on DVD and VHS in Hungary. Ove Fredheim, CEO, Pannon GSM, said: "Mobile content services are a fast-growing segment in mobile telecommunications, and will play a major role in future developments in the market. We're very excited to provide new services based on content from one of the world's foremost entertainment companies and we're sure that these and forthcoming services will be highly successful with our customers." Attila Gazdag, managing director Europe, Walt Disney Internet Group, said: "We're pleased to be working with Pannon GSM to bring Disney mobile content to their customers in Hungary, whenever and wherever they are. We are continually expanding our mobile content distribution footprint in Europe and a relationship with Pannon GSM in a growing mobile market like Hungary allows us to reach more consumers." About Walt Disney Internet Group Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) provides strategic leadership and operational management for The Walt Disney Company's (NYSE:DIS) Internet properties including category leaders Disney.com, ESPN.com and ABCNEWS.com. A market leader in developing and distributing entertainment and informational content to new platforms, WDIG is committed to creating and delivering products for broadband distribution including: ABC News On Demand, a subscription video news service that offers the Internet's first 24-hour, live Internet-only news channel and top ABC News programs for on demand viewing; Disney Connection; and WDIG Motion, a proprietary video technology for broadband users. Through relationships with some of the world's largest wireless carriers, WDIG distributes content and services to wireless users under the Disney, ESPN and ABC brands. Additionally, WDIG has led the way in developing interactive content for televised programming through its Enhanced TV service. Steve Wadsworth is president of WDIG, which is headquartered in North Hollywood and has operations in Seattle, New York, Orlando, Fla., Tokyo and London. About Pannon GSM Rt. Pannon GSM is Hungary's number two mobile operator, 100 per cent owned by Telenor ASA. At the end of 2003 Pannon GSM had 2.618 million customers and a market share of approximately 36 per cent. The company's revenue in 2003 was NOK 5.370 billion. The number of employees is approximately 1500. Mobile penetration in Hungary is 78.5 per cent (December 2003). |
