Hello Kitty Stars in FunMail Wireless Animated Messages

TOKYO, Aug. 13, 2001--FunMail announced a licensing agreement with Sanrio, owner of Hello Kitty, Japan's no. 1 character. Under the agreement, Hello Kitty content will be integrated into the FunMail wireless messaging system and available as a "premium" option for FunMail users on desktop and NTT DoCoMo i-mode phones. A sample Hello Kitty FunMail can be viewed at http://corp.funmail.com/hellokitty

"We are thrilled with our relationship with Sanrio," said FunMail CEO Adam Lavine. "Hello Kitty is a major cultural icon in Japan and worldwide, and is a character perfectly tuned to Japanese tastes with appeal that bridges generations. Hello Kitty is a wonderful addition to the FunMail system."

Hello Kitty is currently available as a premium option to i-mode and desktop users of the Japanese FunMail system in Japan. When a user types in a message, the FunMail system will generate the most appropriate Hello Kitty animation. Users have the option of characters, backgrounds, props and music that are all in Hello Kitty style.

FunMail anticipates it will integrate Hello Kitty into other FunMail wireless messaging services, including WAP, picture messaging, EMS services and MMS.

Hello Kitty is the second major character agreement announced by FunMail, the first being the South Park family of characters in a deal with Comedy Central. "This deal further underscores our commitment to integrate the world's most popular characters into FunMail," said Lavine. "Relationships such as Sanrio and Comedy Central are very important to our global success."

In Japan, the basic FunMail service costs 200 yen per month. Hello Kitty costs an additional 50 yen per month, which will be billed to a FunMail user's ISP or I-mode account.

The Japanese FunMail system is available at http://www.funmail.co.jp

About FunMail Inc.

FunMail is the world's first text-to-animation messaging system that "translates" everyday text messages into short, engaging animation. The service, aimed at wireless and internet devices, enables users to communicate their news, information or their emotional state in a visual, compelling way. FunMail brings together a world-class engineering team that already has two patents pending for their breakthrough technology with talented animators from major animations studios such as Disney, Hanna Barbera, Universal and Warner Brothers.

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