China.com Inc. ("China.com"; Hong Kong Stock Code: 8006),
a Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS), Internet portal, and online game
provider, and an 81%-owned subsidiary of CDC Corporation (NASDAQ:CHINA),
has signed an exclusive partnership with LiverpoolFC.TV, the digital
media arm of Liverpool Football Club, to launch the official Chinese
website and wireless services for the 2005 UEFA champions targeting the
Chinese audience.
According to the partnership's terms, China.com has been
appointed as the exclusive partner and provider of Internet and MVAS
services for Liverpool in the People's Republic of China, and the
exclusive partner and provider of Internet applications and services for
Liverpool in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special
Administrative Region and Taiwan.
The official Chinese website for Liverpool will be operated, hosted
and promoted by China.com and be part of Liverpool's worldwide
online network. The website will provide millions of soccer fans across
Greater China with the latest team news, match scores, statistics and
player profiles, as well as exclusive player interviews and photo
galleries. Interactive sections will include chatrooms, a video clip
library, online games, downloads, an online forum and an e-shopping
platform.
In addition, China.com will also offer the Chinese public access to
live scores, event related news, pictures, audio and video content,
downloads, ringtones and mobile games via its wireless platform through
SMS (short messaging services), WAP (wireless application protocol), MMS
(multimedia messaging services) and IVR (interactive voice response).
Stephen Michael, General Manager of LiverpoolFC.TV said, "We
are excited to team-up with China.com, one of the top wireless and
online services providers in China, to make our official Chinese website
and wireless services a reality and provide our fans with an exciting
and interactive experience in their native language."
The Liverpool-China.com partnership adds to China.com's
portfolio of exclusive online content and MVAS services for a variety of
sports organizations and events, which include the Shanghai Shenhua
football club and The 10th National Games in China.
"This partnership signifies our commitment to providing high
quality sports content on our China.com portal and to our mobile users.
The partnership advances our mission to become the leading online and
wireless sports destination in China," said Rudy Chan, CEO of
China.com Inc. "We are pleased to work with Liverpool as the
reigning 2005 UEFA champions to help grow their leading global sports
brand in Greater China."
Tony Lam, Director of Sports Initiatives said, "Soccer is the
biggest spectator sport in China, and its fan base continues to grow
rapidly. As the exclusive partner of Liverpool, we are proud and
delighted to bring 'Liverpool fever' to China upon the launch
of our services."
About Liverpool Football Club
Liverpool Football Club is the most successful club in English
footballing history, have won 18 league titles and been crowned
champions' of Europe on 5 occasions, including the dramatic victory
of 2005.
The Club has countless fans around the world, including many
millions in the Greater China region.
About LiverpoolFC.TV
LiverpoolFC.TV is a joint venture between Liverpool Football Club
and ITV plc. As the digital media arm of the Club, LiverpoolFC.TV
operates the official club websites and mobile services, as well as
producing television programming and other value-added services.
The official English language website, http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/,
is the most visited football club site in the world, recording 2.8M
unique users and 48M page views in May 2005 (source: Webtrends).
About CDC Corporation
CDC Corporation (NASDAQ:CHINA) is focused on enterprise software,
business services, mobile applications and internet media. The company
has approximately 1,800 employees with operations in 14 countries.
For more information about CDC Corporation, visit the website
http://www.cdccorporation.net.
About China.com Inc
China.com Inc. (stock code: 8006; website:
http://www.inc.china.com/), a leading Mobile Value Added Services
(MVAS), Internet services and online game company operating principally
in China, and an 81%-owned subsidiary of CDC Corporation (former
chinadotcom corporation)
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