Verizon Wireless Offers Exclusive Content Based on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless service provider and operator of the most reliable wireless network, today announced it has teamed up with New Line Cinema to provide exclusive content and sweepstakes based on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Verizon Wireless customers with Get It Now^SM-enabled phones can take advantage of a number of exciting applications that celebrate the release of the latest movie in the trilogy, and Tolkien enthusiasts can join in the fun by entering The Return of the King TXT2WIN Sweepstakes.

The Return of the King TXT2WIN Sweepstakes offers big rewards simply for being a fan of The Lord of the Rings. The grand prize is a home entertainment system including a 42-inch plasma flat panel TV, 5 disc DVD player and surround sound system worth $10,000. Twenty second place winners will receive the LG VX6000 camera phone. Verizon Wireless customers can enter by sending a TXT message with the word "WIN" to LOTR (5687) by February 1, 2004.

Fans can also take part in the excitement of the movie's release with Get It Now applications, available exclusively through Verizon Wireless. Get It Now is a virtual store with ring tones, games, productivity applications and more all available for download. Users can download applications over the air, without hooking up to a PC or going into a Verizon Wireless Communications Store.

Battle for Middle-earth - Be a part of the Lord of the Rings action with the games and fun in the getGAMES shopping aisle. The newest, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Game, is a multi-branched game that lets players battle their way through the movie's storyline. Customers who download the game can participate in the Battle for Middle-earth Tournament by uploading their top scores to compete for cash prizes. The top scorer each week wins $100, and the grand prize winner with the highest score will win $1000. Second, third and fourth place awards will be given; game ends February 1, 2004. Customers can also download a trivia game, which spans all three movies and tests players' knowledge of the trilogy, or win the Challenge of the Ring with a Lord of the Rings-themed chess game.

Be as Wise as Elrond the Half Elven - Want to become a true The Lord of the Rings expert? Visit the getBROWSING aisle to check out exclusive The Return of the King content and behind-the-scenes information. Become a part of the community by participating in TXT chats, or save money with exclusive discounts on The Lord of the Rings merchandise.

One Ring to Rule Them All - Music lovers can visit the getTONES aisle to download ring tones from the trilogy. Identify incoming callers who are fellow trilogy enthusiasts with tones including The Lord of the Rings theme or music from the battle scenes.

Speak the Language of the High Elves of Valinor - The getTXT shopping aisle allows fans of the trilogy to participate in TXT chat groups or enjoy daily TXT Alerts, Polls and Quizzes. Test your knowledge of the new movie, share favorite sayings from the books or even chat in the Language of the High Elves of Valinor.

View the White City - Verizon Wireless customers with Picture Messaging-accessible phones can view the images from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King through getPIX. Recall favorite scenes from the movie anytime, anywhere on the expansive Verizon Wireless network.

Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime charges apply when browsing, downloading, and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled handset and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store. Get It Now phones are available in more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, at participating RadioShack and Circuit City locations, or on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. For more information about Get It Now, visit www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow.  

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 Get It Now
Get It Now from Verizon Wireless puts a virtual software store inside a wireless phone. Customers with Get It Now-capable phones can download applications over the air and purchase them from their phones. getTXT, getIM and getEMAIL help customers stay in touch and communicate with others. getGAMES keeps customers entertained, while getGOING applications, made for today's mobile lifestyle, offers restaurant location services with maps, directions and more. View and share digital photos with getPIX, check out Web cams with getFLIX or identify incoming callers by assigning a unique ring with getTONES. getALERTS keeps customers informed while getBROWSING lets them access the Web from their wireless phone.

For more information about The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, visit www.lordoftherings.net. To download The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King press releases and photos, visit New Line's website at www.moviepublicity.com.

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