NEW YORK and RENTON, Wash., Sept. 7, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- CBS and Classmates.com, a leader in online social networking with more than 40 million adult registered members, today jointly announced a first-time exclusive partnership which gives everyone the opportunity to join "The Class" at Classmates.com (www.Classmates.com/TheClass), learn about the show, interact with the characters and win a trip to Hollywood to attend a show taping and meet the cast.
"The Class," created by Emmy(r)-winning writer-producer David Crane ("Friends") and writer-producer Jeffrey Klarik ("Mad About You"), explores the lives of a group of twenty-somethings from the same third-grade class who reconnect after 20 years. Comedy veteran James Burrows ("Cheers" and "Friends") directs a collection of stars-in-the-making who glimpse the different paths their lives have taken and have the opportunity to see themselves all grown up -- whether they want to be or not.
"Introducing over 40 million Classmates.com members to 'The Class' and its colorful characters gives CBS a terrific opportunity to engage consumers with the show," said George Schweitzer, President of the CBS Marketing Group. "Our partnership with Classmates.com is the perfect fit, since the series is all about reconnecting."
Mark R. Goldston, Chairman and CEO of United Online, Inc., owner of Classmates.com, said, "'The Class' reminds us of friends we have known and that it is never too late for a second chance at friendship or love. This is more than an unprecedented opportunity for people to connect and interact with characters of a network TV show. 'The Class' is an inspiration for all of us to reconnect with people we have known to enjoy them again in our lives today and tomorrow."
Classmates.com/TheClass
Everyone can visit Classmates.com (www.Classmates.com/TheClass), register for free, affiliate with Woodman School, interact with characters from "The Class" and search the database of 40 million members for friends and acquaintances. Members can:
-- Win a trip for two to Hollywood to attend a taping of "The Class";
get a behind-the-scenes tour and meet the cast; or win a laptop
computer, digital camera or television
-- Invite characters to join their My Network and accept invitations
from characters to join their Networks
-- Receive announcements from characters about show updates, behind
the scenes scoop, episodes and real life experiences
-- See exclusive character profiles and photos
-- View message boards
-- Watch "The Class" videos from CBS.com
-- Sign character and member guest books to let them know they visited
their profile.
Classmates.com Gold members can also initiate sending emails and voicemails to "The Class" characters and Classmates.com members, view character photo albums, post to message boards, create Private Groups and more.
About Classmates Online, Inc.
Classmates Online, Inc., founded in 1995 and based in Renton, WA, is a leader in online community-based networking. The company operates Classmates.com (www.classmates.com), connecting millions of members throughout the U.S. and Canada with friends and acquaintances from school, work and the military. Its Classmates International subsidiary also operates leading community-based networking sites in Sweden, through Klasstraffen Sweden AB (www.stayfriends.se), and in Germany, through StayFriends GmbH (www.stayfriends.de). Classmates Online is a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD). For more information about United Online and its Internet subscription services, please visit www.untd.com.
The Classmates Online, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1385
About CBS
CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and UPN), cable television (Showtime and CSTV Networks), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Paramount Television and King World), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), digital media (CBS Digital Media Group and CSTV Networks) and consumer products (CBS Consumer Products). In Fall 2006, UPN will cease operations and The CW, a new fifth broadcast television network, will launch as a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment. For more information, log on to www.cbscorporation.com.