The School of Rock - Audition Game Offers Free Ring Tones through Get It Now From Verizon Wireless

TUSTIN, CA and BEDMINSTER, NJ — Thumbworks^TM, an emerging innovator in the world of wireless publishing, and Verizon Wireless, the operator of the nation's largest and most reliable wireless network, today announced the release of School of Rock -- Audition, a music game for Verizon Wireless' Get It Now^SM service.

Based on Paramount Pictures' hit movie School of Rock starring Jack Black, School of Rock -- Audition is a musical puzzle game in which players try out for the student band where they must master keyboards, bass guitar, drum and electric guitar in order to become a true rocker. Once all four instruments are mastered, unique free ring tones and wallpapers from the movie are unlocked.

"What makes this application unique is that you actually get a free ring tone and wallpaper when you first download the game," said Craig Holland, President of Thumbworks. "Then you get access to two additional ring tones and wallpapers if you win the game. Combining a game with ring tones in this way really hasn't been done before."

Viacom Consumer Products is excited to be part of this wireless innovation. "Obviously, we're pleased that School of Rock has received a very enthusiastic response from audiences," said Pam Newton, V.P. Licensing of Viacom Consumer Products. "We're confident that fans of the movie will truly enjoy this game as well."

"School of Rock -- Audition helps us offer our customers cool, fresh content, based on today's pop-culture," said Jim Straight, vice president of wireless Internet and multimedia services for Verizon Wireless. "Currently, ring tones and games are the most frequently downloaded Get It Now applications -- and we expect this game to become very popular, as it combines both types of applications into a single download."

Verizon Wireless Get It Now customers can try School of Rock — Audition before they buy, or select to purchase the game for $2.49 per month or $5.69 for unlimited use. Airtime is used during the selection and download process. Get It Now-enabled phones are available in more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, at participating Circuit City and RadioShack stores, or on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 36 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

About Viacom Consumer Products
Viacom Consumer Products, Inc. merchandises properties on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Viacom Productions, and Spelling Television, as well as third-party properties. Viacom Consumer Products, a unit of Viacom Entertainment Group, is a subsidiary of Viacom Inc.

About Thumbworks
Thumbworks Inc. is a leading publisher of marketing-driven applications for mobile phones and other wireless devices for consumers. With headquarters in Tustin, CA, Thumbworks is helping market leaders take advantage of the emerging mobile medium to build their brands and promote their products. In addition to leveraging well known consumer brands in the wireless market, Thumbworks also works with developers all over the world to bring the finest game and entertainment programs to consumers everywhere.

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(C)2003 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

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