WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. and OAKBROOK, Ill., Sept. 1, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD), a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services, and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC(r)), a charity committed to improving the health and well being of children, today announced that United Online's NetZero Internet service has teamed with RMHC for a promotional program that will be promoted in McDonald's(r) restaurants nationwide.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1189
As part of its ongoing commitment to RMHC, NetZero is making a special Internet service offer exclusively for McDonald's customers nationwide. From September 3rd through October 31st, 2004, customers can sign up for NetZero Internet service through a special 800 number or Web address and receive their first month of service free. NetZero will then make a donation to RMHC for each new customer that signs up. For more information about the NetZero program or to sign up, go to www.netzero.com/mcdonalds or call (888) 349-0030. For more information about RMHC, visit www.rmhc.org.
This promotion will be featured on millions of McDonald's bags, trayliners, and posters in approximately 13,000 U.S. restaurants from September 3rd through the 19th, 2004. This offer will also be included in the annual RMHC-themed free standing insert (FSI) program in 60 million newspapers across the country on September 19th, 2004. NetZero has also produced a dedicated television ad, which will be part of the company's popular Candidate Zero national advertising campaign, to support the program.
United Online became the official Internet service provider of RMHC and RMHC became the official charity of United Online in 2003. As part of this relationship, United Online donated new computers and Internet service to Ronald McDonald House(r) programs nationwide, in addition to volunteer activities and other support to local RMHC Chapters by the company and its employees.
"We are very proud to be able to extend our relationship with Ronald McDonald House Charities into McDonald's restaurants nationwide for this promotion," said Brian Woods, EVP and chief marketing officer, United Online, Inc. "We are continually impressed with the commitment of RMHC to improve the lives of children and are pleased that we can help them in their efforts."
"This exciting promotion is the latest extension of an already wonderful relationship with United Online," said Ken Barun, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities. "RMHC could not make such a positive impact in the lives of children without the generous support of socially responsible companies like McDonald's and United Online."
"McDonald's ability to deliver service and value to our customers, and our ongoing support of Ronald McDonald House Charities are two sources of great pride for our company," said Peter Sterling, vice president U.S. marketing, McDonald's Corporation. "Collaborating with NetZero on this promotion not only allows McDonald's customers to obtain high-quality Internet access at a very competitive price, it also will raise significant funds to help Ronald McDonald House Charities continue addressing the needs of children in our communities."
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most - right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of 181 local Chapters in 48 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room(tm) and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(tm). RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $400 million in grants to children's programs around the world. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.
About United Online, Inc.
United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD) is a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services through a number of brands, including NetZero and Juno. The company's pay services include Internet access, accelerated dial-up services, premium email, and personal Web-hosting and domain services. It also offers consumers free Internet access, email and Web hosting. The company's access services are available in more than 8,000 cities across the United States and in Canada. United Online is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, with offices in New York City, San Francisco, CA, Orem, UT, and Hyderabad, India. For more information about United Online or its family of services, please go to www.untd.com.
About McDonald's
McDonald's is the world's leading food service retailer with more than 30,000 local McDonald's restaurants serving 47 million customers each day in more than 100 countries. More than 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The photo is also available at NewsCom, www.newscom.com
