Tour Operator Brings Paradise to Consumers’ Desktops With Attention-Grabbing Internet Video Magazine

CHARLOTTE, NC -- 12/08/2004 -- According to the Travel Industry Association of America, nearly one third of the entire U.S. adult population used the Internet last year to get travel and destination information with nearly 44.6 million booking at least one travel service or product. Realizing the ever rising potential of the Internet, NEWgame Communications, Inc., and Vacation Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of RCG Companies and one of the largest package tour companies in the U.S., announced today a partnership to bring paradise and tropical destination promotions straight to the desktop. Under the terms of the agreement, Vacation Express will use captivating video magazines to entice their growing customer base to schedule some rest and relaxation.

New Marketing Channel Enhances Online Marketing Efforts

NEWgame produces the Vmag®, an opt-in broadcast platform that delivers video magazines to the desktops of consumers. Using a polite cache-and-play download mechanism, Vacation Express customers receive full-screen, broadcast-quality magazines and a “closest thing to being there” experience -- regardless of Internet connection speed. After seeing full-screen destination video, reading text articles and linking straight to Hot Deals and Last Minute Specials viewers can link directly to Vacation Express’ web site for immediate information on booking requests.

“We have a wide customer base and we wanted to send them something that not only really got their attention, but provided important vacation planning information as well,” said Victoria Simitses, Marketing & Promotions Manager for Vacation Express. “It’s an extremely unique marketing tool that allows us to extend our corporate Web site and provide video and music to really let our audience feel our product -- all in a very easy format delivered right to their desktop and targeted to their specific interests.”

After already sending weekly email marketing campaigns to an opt-in audience of more than 40,000 customers, Vacation Express turned to NEWgame’s e-marketing channel for the extra punch necessary in the crowded online travel industry. Vacation Express sees the Vmag as a distinct competitive advantage over their rivals through the establishment of direct connection to their customers.

According to Kathleen Hessert, CEO of NEWgame, “The Vmag is perfect for Vacation Express because it really provides the ’wow’ factor marketers in the travel industry need to stand out from their competitors. In a cost-effective manner, Vacation Express can leverage co-op partnerships with third-party advertising opportunities and deepen relationships with their dedicated vacationers.”

About NEWgame Communications:

NEWgame is the producer of the Vmag, an opt-in broadcast platform that delivers dynamic video magazines straight to the desktop using a “polite” background delivery method. By integrating text, images, hyperlinks and full-screen, broadcast quality audio and video, Vmag gives brand marketers and advertising agencies a direct connection to consumers by opening a compelling, and very unique, e-marketing channel. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, NEWgame can be found on the Web at www.Vmag.net.

About Vacation Express:

Vacation Express™ was founded in 1989 and is one of the largest tour operators in the United States. The company is based in Atlanta, Ga., and serves more than 150,000 passengers a year. Vacation Express offers both charter and scheduled air programs to the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Mexico and Orlando from eleven U.S. cities. Vacation Express also sells low cost vacation packages with scheduled airline partners AeroMexico, Air Jamaica, and Delta Air Lines. Vacation Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of RCG Companies Incorporated. Find all destinations, prices and more at www.VacationExpress.com.

Contact Information

Kathleen Bagley Formidoni

Media Contact

blast! PR for NEWgame Communications

Contact via E-mail