Marvel Enterprises Aligns With Riot Entertainment to Bring Superhero Content to the Wireless Community

Global Wireless Entertainment Publisher Backed by Nokia Ventures, News Corp. and Softbank UK to Develop Unique Programming for Wireless

Devices Featuring Marvel Favorites Such as X-Men and Spider-Man X-Men: The Wireless Game to be Available This Month to WAP Cell Phones in Europe and Asia

In a strategic move designed to establish a strong presence in the burgeoning wireless entertainment arena, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) has entered into a long-term partnership with Riot Entertainment, one of the world's foremost wireless entertainment publishers.

Through the agreement, Riot Entertainment -- which is funded by Nokia Ventures, News Corp. and Softbank UK among others -- will develop and publish original programming for portable communication devices utilizing the Marvel Universe of more than 4,700 characters including X-Men and Spider-Man. Programming featuring games, icons, music, and community and chat forums will be created for a variety of wireless platforms such as Internet enabled and non-enabled cellular phones and PDAs. The announcement was made jointly today by Marvel Enterprises CEO Peter Cuneo and Riot Entertainment CEO Jan Wellmann.

Wireless communication platforms represent one of the fastest growing and potentially lucrative areas for creative entertainment. According to recent industry forecasts, by 2002 there will be more people using mobile Internet terminals than desktop terminals, and by 2003, one billion people will use cellular phones on a daily basis.

This agreement positions both Marvel Enterprises and Riot Entertainment at the forefront of this wireless entertainment revolution. For Marvel Enterprises, the alliance links them with a major, global wireless entertainment partner who can deliver the technology and creative content needed for Marvel to exploit its characters in this rapidly growing new entertainment medium. Meanwhile, Riot Entertainment, who has previously worked with Twentieth Century Fox on content for mobile phones, gains access to one of the world s richest character libraries to attract wireless users.

"We believe that individuals around the world will ultimately depend on portable devices as a way of life and as a major source of entertainment. To be successful, technology must be paired with content that speaks to the unique interests and personality traits of each individual consumer. Our 4,700 unique characters are unrivaled in their ability to do just that," said Cuneo. With this in mind, Marvel has taken an aggressive approach to capitalize on this new media which will expand the global visibility of our characters. Riot Entertainment is an ideal partner to help us accomplish this mission.

Wellmann added, "We strongly believe that entertainment will be a driving force in the continuing growth of the wireless industry. Currently, the challenge for wireless publishers such as us is that consumers do not fully comprehend how they can utilize their wireless devices as a source of entertainment. To succeed in this arena, it is essential to be able to provide entertainment content featuring recognizable brands that will entice consumers to sample the content. We feel Marvel's character brands have this type of incredible appeal."

Riot Entertainment will utilize Short Message Services (SMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and other emerging technologies to develop and publish the programming. Initially, Riot Entertainment will focus on content featuring X-Men and Spider-Man. The first product, X-Men: The Wireless Game, will be available to WAP enabled cellular phone users throughout Europe and Asia later this month. The company is currently in discussions with several domestic telecommunications operators to have the game available in the United States by the end of this year. In the future, consumers will be able to gather information on all upcoming Marvel content developments as well as sample the programming at Riot Entertainment's Web site (www.riot-e.com).

Marvel Enterprises and Riot Entertainment will aggressively market their wireless content. Riot Entertainment will work with the telephone operators in different territories worldwide to promote the availability of its programming. Marvel Enterprises will include full-page advertisements highlighting the wireless content within its comic books distributed internationally. Additionally, information about the content and its availability will be featured prominently on Marvel.com on an ongoing basis.

With a library of over 4,700 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in five divisions: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, toys (Toy Biz), comic book publishing and Internet/New Media. Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, television, home video and the Internet, based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including video and computer games, apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its comic book division which continues to maintain a leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. For additional information visit the Marvel Web site at http://www.marvel.com.


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