VZones Press Releases

This page contains press releases that were issued by Inworlds.com and Avaterra.com, Inc when they did business as VZones. Press released related to the company will also be found here.

1999

July

22nd

AVATERRA.COM LAUNCHES SCI-FI VIRTUAL ZONE

 AVATERRA.COM LAUNCHES SCI-FI VIRTUAL ZONE

First Element Launches Today in Cooperation with TriWay Promotions

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 22, 1999 -- The success of television shows like the X-Files points to our insatiable appetite for information about UFOs. Capitalizing on this interest, Avaterra.com, Inc. (AVAR-OTC/BB), a provider of avatar-based technologies and services for the next generation of Internet communities, launched today its latest VirtualZone called VZscifi -- an online community of UFO experts and enthusiasts at www.avaterra.com/VZscifi. The Zone will kick off with a virtual area called UFOchat, produced in cooperation with TriWay Promotions of Los Angeles, which opens today at 6:00 p.m. PST. 

VZscifi will feature a range of Sci-Fi, UFO and fantasy content, with UFOchat focused on top UFO researchers, renowned authors, military personnel and lecturers coming together to conduct online lectures, workshops, seminars and interactive sharing of research and knowledge in real time. All of these activities are happening within Avaterra.com's graphically rich VirtualZones, where visitors are represented on-screen as avatars -- or customized graphical representations of themselves -- and can see, talk and interact with other visitors. 

"This launch marks another milestone in our strategy to build commercially sponsored, targeted Internet communities based on our VirtualZone concept," said David Andrews, president and CEO of Avaterra.com. "UFOs and the paranormal are popular topics on the Internet, so we expect to generate tremendous traffic to our new VZscifi zone." 

Marcia Pellitteri, CEO of TriWay Promotions, is credited with booking the leading UFO experts who will be conducting daily chats and events. Participants include Jim Hickman of SkyWatch International, Derrel Sims, CM.Ht., R.H.A., former intelligence staff for the C.I.A., popular author Dr. Roger Leir, retired Air Force Major George Filer, John Carpenter, Joyce Murphy and many others. 

"We're providing a place where people from all over the world can access the latest research information about UFOs," explained Pellitteri. "And by hosting this community inside Avaterra.com's avatar-inhabited environment on the Internet, we're able to have people interact in real time with knowledgeable speakers and participate in interactive workshops with leading researchers and celebrities in the UFO field."

About Avaterra.com, Inc. 

Avaterra.com was formed in May 1999, when it acquired core technologies from Fujitsu's WorldsAway Products and Services Group, in order to develop its VirtualZone business model. The company builds VirtualZone communities on the Internet where consumers interact, play, shop, educate and socialize within a graphical environment where they and other visitors are represented as avatars (customized graphical representations of themselves). VirtualZones are built around specific topics to attracted targeted audiences, and they are commercially sponsored by brand advertisers. Avaterra.com's two showcase VirtualZones have been online for more than three years and include members from around the world, meeting 24 hours a day.

Avaterra.com provides superior community-building technology with features like customizable graphics, high subscriber involvement, a working economy based on tokens, several patent-pending tools for social order and management, and one of the highest "stickiness" factors on the web (with an average session length of 3.5 hours). The company derives revenue from its unique advertising venues, fee-based membership, custom virtual community development and software co-licensing. 

Avaterra.com is publicly traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under ticker symbol AVAR. For more investor information, please call 1-888-845-5853 or e-mail ir@avaterra.com, or visit the company web site at avaterra.com.

In keeping with U.S. law, Avaterra.com, Inc. notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are not limited to, the risk that new technologies are inherently subject to development, timing and consumer acceptance risks. 

All trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks, or registered trade names are property of their respective holders.

October

5th

Avaterra at the Discovery Expo in NY

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1999--No matter the market gyrations today, there will come a time when investors will wish they'd bought some new hot stock of the new millennium back in '99. Brokers, analysts, fund managers and sophisticated investors who hope to ride that new wave of successful shares right up onto the beach can review 60 serious hopefuls at the 10th Discovery Expo from noon to eight p.m. October 7 in the Rhinelander Gallery at the New York Hilton and Towers at Sixth Ave. and 53rd St.

Exhibitors at this Expo, being held so close to the moment of the Millennium, are additional examples of what a wired world we have entered as the century turns. Although food, medicine and even plastics are among the products being showcased at the October Expo, the majority of companies attending the event have something to do with the Internet. One firm offers online retailers a multi-currency processing of credit card and debt card transactions while another is an entertainment portal for GenX and GenY consumers. One of the software companies at the Expo has a software product which allows for multipoint video conferencing on the net. A leader in image processing computer systems, a real estate trust and several banks fill out the diverse exhibitor ranks.

Attendees, who are admitted free if they surrender their business card, will have opportunities to talk and question the chief executive officers and other executives of these growth firms.

The whole show is geared towards making the discovery and research of young energetic companies easier for the financial professional and the investor.

You can check out www.w3otc.com, W3OTC's Discovery financial portal Web site for online small-cap investors, while Standard and Poor's demonstrates their new investor-oriented Web site for the big-caps.

Unique Event

This 10th in a unique series of Discovery Expos was organized by The Investment Reporter, a Newport Beach, Calif.-based financial newspaper to bring together underdiscovered companies with high profile growth fund managers, analysts, stockbrokers and sophisticated investors in a semi-annual one day event.

"The financial world definitely needs to find growing companies whose shares have strong upside potential, and these companies want to be discovered," said John Robbins, publisher of the 10-year-old Investment Reporter and host of the Discovery Expos.

Sponsors of the Expo include; Investor's Business Daily, Business Wire, Standard & Poor's, Equity Resource Options, The Boston Stock Exchange, The Investment Reporter and Emerging Equities.com.

Participating Companies

Among the companies appearing at Expo'99 are: Adatom.com (NASDAQ:HMSI); BioTransplant NASDAQ:BTRN); Columbia Bancorp(NASDAQ:CBBO); Cowlitz Bancorp (NASDAQ:CWLZ); FirstBank (NASDAQ:FMSB); FirstMutual Bank (NASDAQ:FMSB); First Washington Bancorp (NASDAQ:FWWB); High Plains (NASDAQ:HIPC); Host America (NASDAQ:CAFE); Mercury Computer Systems (NASDAQ:MRCY); Nara Bank (NASDAQ:NARA); Northrim Bank (NASDAQ:NRIM); PBOC Holdings (NASDAQ:PBOC); Percon Holdings(NASDAQ:PRCN); Perficient (NASDAQ:PFRT); SafeScience(NASDAQ:SAFS); Six Rivers National Bank (NASDAQ:SIXR); United Security Bancorp. (NASDAQ:USBN); Washington Banking (NASDAQ:WBCO); Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE:WRE); White Pine Software (NASDAQ:WPNE); Wilshire State Bank (NASDAQ:WSBK).

Among those in the OTC Bulletin Board(R) section sponsored by Standard and Poor's are: @pos.com (OTCBB:EPOS); Avaterra.com (OTCBB:AVAR); Axonyx (OTCBB:AXYX); billserv.com (OTCBB:BLLS.E); Botex (VSE: BTX); Cosmoz.com (OTCBB:CMOZ); DynaMotive (OTCBB:DYMTF); eUniverse (OTCBB:EUNI); First Ecom.com (OTCBB:FECC); Gary Player Direct (OTCBB:GPLY); Hanmi Bank (OTCBB:HNBK); IJNT.net (OTCBB:IJNT); Interactive Marketing (OTCBB:IAMK); Lifepoint (OTCBB:LFPT); M&A West (OTCBB:MAWI); Phon-net.com (OTCBB:PNET ); Sonicport.com (OTCBB:ISPS); Sungold Gaming (OTCBB:SGGNF); Superwire.com (OTCBB:SUPW); View Systems (OTCBB:VYST); VirtualSellers.com (OTCBB:VDOT); Virtual Technology (OTCBB:VTCO); W3OTC.com (OTCBB:WOTC).

Nasdaq and OTC Bulletin Board are registered trademarks of the National Association of Securities Dealers.

CONTACT: Pre-Expo Contact: Alan Kenney
949/724-0444
or
At Expo Contact: Peggy Powell

28th

Avaterra.com Turns to Radio Stations for Virtual Events; Joint Venture Opens 'Virtual Z' to Host Virtual Halloween Promotion

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct 28, 1999 Avaterra.com, Inc. (OTCBB:AVAR), a leading provider of Internet-based animated communities, and San Francisco's "Top Hit" radio station Z95.7 FM, have opened Virtual Z, a virtual world zone currently hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest through October 29.

Avaterra.com CEO David Andrews said, "This is the company's first major step in launching a series of virtual events in conjunction with top U.S. radio stations. We have several partners targeted in other U.S. markets, for which we plan to have future events."

Avaterra.com's avatars -- a graphical representation of the user -- are highly customizable, lending themselves to interactive events like the one sponsored by Z95.7. In this promotion, visitors dress up their avatars in wild, creative costumes to win prizes, including an all-expense paid trip to see the Backstreet Boys in concert. Judges provided by both Z95.7 and Avaterra.com will determine the winner beginning at 7 p.m. PST October 29. The contest site is accessible at vzones.com.

"This is also the genesis of an Avaterra.com/Z95.7 relationship, which will run over the next three months," said David Andrews. "Several Z95.7 on-air personalities will appear as avatars in Virtual Z on a regular basis to conduct ongoing promotions and giveaways throughout the 1999 holiday season."

The launch of Virtual Z is not the first time Avaterra.com is integrating web surfers and radio listeners. In 1998, Avaterra.com created the first virtual world specifically for radio broadcasting, New Radio World. The site has since been integrated into vzconnections.com, and to date eight major radio stations nationwide have signed up with the Internet company to reach listeners and web surfers with live broadcast content.

"Partnering with radio stations creates a tremendously successful buzz for our Virtual Zones (VZones)," added David Andrews. "Popular DJs bring huge crowds into our VZones, and once those crowds experience what it is like to be an avatar inside our Internet communities, they never want to leave, and they end up telling their friends about it, too."

About Avaterra.com, Inc.

Avaterra.com builds Internet communities in the form of Virtual Zones ("VZones"). Consumers enter these Zones as avatars (customized graphical representations of themselves) where they can explore graphically rich virtual communities. Avatars can see and talk to other consumers, rent their own apartments, hold events and even buy products at virtual stores. Avaterra.com's showcase zones have been online for more than three years and include members from around the world, meeting 24 hours a day.

Avaterra.com derives revenue from its unique advertising venues, fee-based membership, custom virtual community development and software co-licensing. The company is publicly traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under ticker symbol AVAR. For more investor information, please call 888/845-5853 or e-mail mailto:ir@avaterra.com, or visit the company web site at avaterra.com.

Note: Certain statements made in the press release contain projections or other forward-looking statements. These projections and statements are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates as to prospective events and circumstances which may or may not be in the Company's control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. These projections and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such projections or forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

December

1st

Avaterra.com, Inc. Hires Former Apple Computer Executive as President - New President to Expand Avaterra.com's Capabilities in Delivering Its Services to Consumer and Business Markets

Avaterra.com, Inc. Hires Former Apple Computer Executive as President

New President to Expand Avaterra.com's Capabilities in Delivering Its Services to Consumer and Business Markets

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 1999-- Avaterra.com, Inc. (AVAR-OTC/BB), a leading provider of Internet-based communities, announces that Kenneth R. Zerbe, a former senior executive of Apple Computer, Inc. and Electronic Arts, Inc., has been appointed President. Zerbe will guide strategic and organizational developments that will enable Avaterra.com's rapid growth.

Zerbe was part of the core management team at Apple Computer, Inc. when revenue grew from $50 million to over $1 billion. As Senior Vice President Finance and Administration, and later as VP International, Zerbe oversaw financial management and corporate finance and spearheaded Apple's international business expansion. As Senior Vice President of Finance, Administration and International at Electronic Arts, Inc., he was again integral in helping the company expand into an extensive global operation during a rapid-growth phase. Zerbe has consulted with numerous other startup, growth and turnaround technology businesses.

``I believe Avaterra.com has the potential for dramatic growth in the new millennium,' stated Ken Zerbe. ``As President, my first effort is to complete the expansion of Avaterra.com's senior management team with strong leaders and business managers. This team will drive this corporation toward its vision of avatar-based virtual worlds becoming an everyday interface to the Internet.'

``Ken brings broad experience, proven leadership abilities and a bottom-line focus from both growth and early-stage technology companies,' said David Andrews, CEO of Avaterra.com. ``He will be integral in guiding the strategic focus and organizational development required by Avaterra.com to maintain its leadership role in building 'true' online communities.'

About Avaterra.com, Inc.

Avaterra.com (AVAR-OTC/BB) builds consumer and business-oriented interactive virtual worlds in the form of Virtual Zones(TM) (``VZones(TM)'). Consumers enter themed VZones as unique avatars (customized graphical representations of themselves). Individuals express themselves by personalizing their appearance and communicating with other avatars through words, gestures and facial expressions. They explore places like parks, streetscapes and cafes. Avatars meet strangers and friends, and attend events. They can even rent and furnish apartments.

The VZones technology enables a heightened level of personal expression and identity, interpersonal communication, and community that is unmatched on the Internet - unsurpassed user visit durations are a testament to the appeal of avatars and personal bonds established within these communities. Avaterra.com derives revenue from advertising, member fees, custom virtual community development and software co-licensing. For investor information, please call 1-888-845-5853, e-mail ir@avaterra.com, or visit www.avaterra.com.

Note: Certain statements made in this press release contain projections or other forward-looking statements. These projections and statements are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates as to prospective events and circumstances which may or may not be in the Company's control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. These projections and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such projections or forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

All trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks, or registered trade names are property of their respective holders.

Contact:
Avaterra.com, Inc.
Julie Rottmayer, 408/845-9050 x 344
or
Investor Relations
888-845-5853
ir@avaterra.com

2000

February

9th

Avaterra, M-WEB China in E-Com Avatar Scheme

Avaterra.com is featured in an article in the Asia Internetnews.
asia.internet.com The article can be viewed at
asia.internet.com or read in its entirety below.

Avaterra, M-WEB China in E-Com Avatar Scheme

By Stefan Hammond

Associate Editor, asia.internet.com

[February 9, 2000--HONG KONG] Avaterra.com Inc., a provider of Net-based B2B and B2C communities, and portal M-WEB China announce the signing of a strategic partnership to develop a China-specific e-commerce "virtual world" based on avatars.

The VZone, termed "VZChina", will be offered to M-WEB China subscribers, allowing their avatars to enter this China-specific Vzone.

Avatars are customized graphical representations of subscribers express themselves by personalizing their appearance and communicating with other avatars through words, gestures and facial expressions.

Avaterra says that unsurpassed user visit durations are a testament to the appeal of avatars and the personal bonds established within these communities.

This VZone is expected to generate ongoing revenue through e-commerce transactions using Avaterra.com's virtual world and multi-media interface technology.

M-WEB also plans to devote a sales force to sell virtual storefronts in VZChina to B2C-oriented companies in China, as well as North American and European companies seeking to enter the rapidly expanding Asian e-commerce market.

Avaterra.com CEO David Andrews pointed out that users with access to the Internet in China tripled in 1999 and that total is expected to rise dramatically during the next decade.

"It is an exciting opportunity for Avaterra.com to work with M-WEB and offer a Chinese VZone that will host an interactive e-commerce solution for business owning real-estate in VZChina," added Andrews.

Philip Meyer, COO of M-WEB China said that his firm welcomed the partnership with Avaterra.com.

"With the implementation of this powerful community tool, M-WEB China will be setting new standards and sending a clear message that M-WEB is serious about utilizing innovative new content and technology products to capture as large a portion of the Chinese portal market as possible," declared Meyer.

22nd

Avaterra.com, Inc. and MMI Finance.com, Inc. Announce Agreement to Develop and Market the First Virtual World Targeted At the Investment Community

Avaterra.com, Inc. and MMI Finance.com, Inc. Announce Agreement to Develop and Market the First Virtual World Targeted At the Investment Community
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2000--Today Avaterra.com, Inc. (OTCBB:AVAR - news), and MMI Finance.com announce that they have signed an agreement to develop, market and sell the World's first financial information virtual world community targeted at investors. The new virtual world, or VZone, due to be launched in Q2 2000, will provide an advanced interactive platform for public companies to engage in investor relations activities in real-time, using Avaterra's proprietary and licensed technologies.

The virtual world will offer public companies virtual corporate suites that will consist of several rooms, including corporate presentation and meeting areas. In addition, MMI Finance.com will partner with companies that provide additional investment oriented information, guidance and research resources.

This VZone is viewed by both companies as a major breakthrough for the virtual world industry, as it is among the first communities where investors can visit presentation rooms and attend virtual meetings directly with public company executives and others who appear as avatars (graphical characters that look and behave like human beings). The integration of Avaterra.com's Media Interface will add a powerful information display tool, allowing simultaneous display of web-based applications including corporate presentations, video streaming, or investor information.

''This virtual financial community will allow for real-time interaction with the multitude of other investors online. The individual investor historically has only been able to interact using simple text-chat sites and forums,'' said David Andrews, CEO of Avaterra.com, Inc. ''This is a major breakthrough for the most active topic on the Internet: investment and personal finance. MMI finance.com is a visionary company, and we are delighted to enter into this exciting licensing agreement with them. Visitors to the investment zone will be able to take advantage of Avaterra.com's Media Interface and virtual world technology to provide the most interesting and informative experience on the Internet.''

About Avaterra.com, Inc.

Avaterra.com (OTCBB:AVAR - news) builds consumer and business-oriented interactive virtual worlds in the form of Virtual Zones(TM) (VZones(TM)). Consumers enter themed VZones as avatars (customized graphical representations of themselves) and express themselves by personalizing their appearance and communicating with other avatars through words, gestures and facial expressions.

The VZones technology enables a heightened level of personal expression and identity, interpersonal communication, and community that is unmatched on the Internet. Unsurpassed user visit durations are a testament to the appeal of avatars and the personal bonds established within these communities. Avaterra.com derives revenue from advertising, member fees, custom virtual community development and software co-licensing. For investor information, please call (888) 845-5853, email ir@avaterra.com, or visit www.avaterra.com.

Note: Certain statements made in the press release contain projections or other forward-looking statements. These projections and statements are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates as to prospective events and circumstances which may or may not be in the Company's control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. These projections and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such projections or forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Note to Editors: All trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks, or registered trade names are property of their respective holders.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:

Media Contacts:
Avaterra.com, Inc.
Julie Rottmayer, 408/845-9050 x344
jrottmayer@avaterra.com
Investor Relations, 888/845-5853
ir@avaterra.com
www.avaterra.com