Monday, February 2, 2009

Hearst Magazines Digital Media Teams Up With Verizon Wireless to Provide Video Content for the New Verizon Hub

Verizon Hub to Showcase Unique Lifestyle, Food and Dining Content from Hearst's Good Housekeeping

New YORK and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearst Magazines Digital Media, a unit of Hearst Magazines, and Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, announced today that Hearst is providing six new videos a week on the Verizon Hub, starting with content from Good Housekeeping and eventually expanding to include other successful Hearst publications. Now available from Verizon Wireless, the Verizon Hub is an easy-to-use system that puts a communications command center in the home. It bridges wireline and wireless connectivity and runs on any broadband connection -- whether supplied by Verizon (FiOS Internet or DSL) or any other high-speed Internet service provider.

The Verizon Hub gives busy families information at their fingertips from an easy-to-navigate touch screen with on-demand access to an array of services and information. Now Verizon Hub families can access valuable content from Good Housekeeping that will allow them to cook recipes alongside their favorite chefs or follow along as they are provided with makeup application tips.

"Our goal is to reach the female consumer -- wherever she is -- and provide delightful solutions to make her life easier," said Sophia Stuart, executive director, mobile, Hearst Magazines Digital Media. "Hearst provides nine mobile sites to Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web portal, as well as our teen-focused mobile video channels on Verizon Wireless' V CAST service. Emerging technology systems, like the Verizon Hub, allow us to extend this reach, taking Hearst's great content into yet another digital arena."

Hearst's content on the Verizon Hub provides consumers with easy, efficient ways to access pertinent information in an entertaining and engaging fashion.

"Hearst is a terrific partner, providing the best information from beloved brands such as Good Housekeeping on the Verizon Hub," said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "The combination of great content and great technology should make a powerful and undeniable impact in the homes and lives of our consumers."

Pricing and Availability

Customers need a wireless line of service with Verizon Wireless in order to purchase the Verizon Hub since all billing will be consolidated onto customers' Verizon Wireless bills. In addition, customers need a Verizon Digital Voice plan for the Verizon Hub, which is $34.99 a month and offers unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. Territories, including Puerto Rico, as well as unlimited messaging to and from Verizon Wireless phones.

The Verizon Hub is available now in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year agreement; additional cordless handsets, which can be placed throughout the home, are available for $79.99 each. For customers who do not own a wireless router, Verizon Wireless also offers a router to work with the Verizon Hub for $69.99.

For more information on Hearst Magazines Digital Media, visit www.hearst.com. For more information on the Verizon Hub, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hub.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Hearst Magazines Digital Media

Launched in March 2006, Hearst Magazines Digital Media, a unit of Hearst Magazines, is dedicated to creating and implementing the digital strategy for Hearst's magazine brands and other sites which serve the company's consumer audience. The unit has launched, re-launched or acquired 25 Web sites and nine mobile sites for brands such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire and Seventeen, as well as non-magazine brand sites such as Delish.com, a food site in partnership with MSN; TheDailyGreen.com; and teen sites MisQuinceMag.com and MyPromStyle.com. To round out its growing portfolio of interests for teens and women, Hearst Digital has acquired Q&A platform Answerology.com; the eCrush Network (eCRUSH.com, eSPIN.com), a teen social community; social shopping site Kaboodle.com, and RealAge.com, a consumer health site.