SAN FRANCISCO and ATLANTA, Sept. 20, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- NASCAR.com, a division of Turner Sports and Eyetide Media, Inc., developer of the next-generation screensaver network(tm), are teaming up to give NASCAR fans a free screensaver displaying high-quality photos from each Winston Cup series race. The screensaver delivers full-screen action photos and updates automatically after each race.
"We're excited to offer NASCAR fans another way to stay connected to their favorite sport, and by using this screensaver platform, we're enhancing their online experience," said Executive Vice President and General Manager of Turner Sports Interactive, Drew Reifenberger. "Also, Eyetide's auto-updating technology is a perfect fit for the races we cover on NASCAR.com. As we add new photos after each race, fans will receive them automatically."
In addition to full-screen, high-quality photos, the official NASCAR.com screensaver is interactive. Fans can open a mouse-activated toolbar to learn more about each photograph, read racer bios, or browse related articles, information, and merchandise. Fans can also jump directly to NASCAR.com's Website from the toolbar.
"The NASCAR.com sports site is one of the world's best, and we're excited to have NASCAR.com join our network," said co-founder Lars Albright, VP of Business Development. "Our screensaver platform complements NASCAR's online marketing efforts and allows NASCAR.com to maintain a visual desktop presence with their enormous fan-base. In addition, NASCAR.com can leverage the interactive functionality to promote timely events, offers, and information."
As a part of Eyetide's screensaver network, NASCAR joins the NFL, Major League Baseball, and a number of college sports teams. This network also includes entertainment giant Sony Pictures and world-famous photo agency Magnum Photos.
About Turner Sports Interactive
Turner Sports Interactive acquired all of NASCAR's Internet rights in October 2000 and became the exclusive producer of NASCAR.com in January 2001. The site re-launched on Feb. 9. Turner Sports Interactive bases its NASCAR.com staff in Atlanta, with additional personnel in Charlotte, Daytona and at the tracks, giving them the ability to break news stories on-site around the clock. NASCAR.com will also provide users with some of the industry's best information resources through AOL and CNN/Sports Illustrated.
About Eyetide Media, Inc.
Eyetide Media, Inc has created a software platform that revolutionizes the way media assets are distributed and viewed via the Internet. Eyetide's next-generation screensaver network turns the idle computer screen into a new media channel, allowing partners to broadcast rich interactive content directly to user desktops everyday. To date, more than 1.5 million users have downloaded, and 85 million branded images have been viewed. In addition to NASCAR.com, Eyetide's present media partners include Major League Baseball, NFL and NHL teams, Sony Pictures, Magnum Photos, and more. For more information, please visit www.eyetide.com.
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CONTACT: Eyetide Media, Inc.
Anne Roy
(415) 615-9980, x214
anne@eyetide.com
Turner Sports Interactive
Paul Bennett
(404) 827-5759
paul.bennett@turner.com