Optaros Assembles Syndication Application Widget to Increase Revenues for King Digital

Released on: May 12, 2008, 2:47 pm

Press Release Author: Optaros, Inc.

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: King Digital and Optaros Inc. announced the development of
Comics KingdomT, a revenue-generating application widget assembled using open source
tools that can be syndicated anywhere on the Web. The assembly includes
administrative features, analytics and advertising management systems that allow the
customer to maintain and service the widget.

Press Release Body: New York (US) and Boston (US) - May 13, 2008 - King Digital, a
unit of King Features Syndicate, and Optaros Inc., an assembler of Next Generation
Internet applications, today announced the development of Comics KingdomT. Comics
KingdomT is a revenue-generating application widget that can be syndicated anywhere
on the Web. Administrative features, analytics and advertising management systems
allow King Digital to maintain and service Comics KingdomT for its clients.

Optaros worked with King Digital to deliver the solution to TimesUnion.com, the
online news site for The Albany Times Union, in less than eight weeks. The
application embeds over 1,800 comic strips within a news Web site, preserving its
look and feel while seamlessly linking back to the King Digital server where the
application resides. The assembly includes an integrated ad server that allows King
Digital to embed ads within the comics section and the publisher to do the same
within the frame of their Web site.

"Comics KingdomT provides an attractive draw for visitors to our Web site," said
Patti Hart, general manager at TimesUnion.com. "The comics are one of the best-read
sections of the newspaper and this new content area offers our online readers a
colorful, interactive experience that we expect will keep them returning to the site
- a definite plus for any potential advertiser."

King Digital was launched by King Features Syndicate in October 2007 to bring the
company's syndicated content to the Web. King Features Syndicate is a print and
online syndication company owned by Hearst Corporation that distributes comics,
entertainment and lifestyle columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games to more
than 5,000 newspapers around the world.

"Comics KingdomT provides our clients with opportunities to syndicate rich user
experiences that combine traditional content with the community capabilities of Web
2.0," said John Soppe, managing director of King Digital. "Ultimately, the
application widget helps publishers monetize content, engage readers, improve
service and optimize ad inventory. It provides a critical, revenue-driving business
service to Web site publishers with minimal resource requirements."

Readers can rate, comment on, create favorites and share comics. Additionally, they
can learn about each comic's creator and its characters. Users can browse their
favorite comics, navigating through 30 days of archives of more than 60 different
comic strips. Dynamic design features enhance the user experience with visually
stimulating images, including a navigation bar with comic character artwork and the
ability to choose an avatar to represent readers posting online comments.

"Comics KingdomT marries premium content, unique interface design and
revenue-generating tools that allow online publishers to respond to the business
requirements demanded today," said Marc Osofsky, vice president of marketing at
Optaros. "Furthermore, it shifts the power to consumers, allowing them to drive the
comic content that rises to the top. This type of Web 2.0 functionality satisfies
the comic appetite of online users, driving repeated interactions on a daily basis."


# # #

About King Digital
King Digital is a premium content and services provider to online publishers and a
developer of platforms for licensed brands. As a unit of King Features Syndicate,
part of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication Group, King Digital provides content
solutions to publishers that reach over 2.5 M unique visitors per month generating
20 M page views through 140-plus online outlets. From comics to lifestyle advice,
entertainment and political opinion to cartoons, King Digital offers more than 160
branded and packaged content properties to companies that look to retain loyal
users. King Digital enables Web publishers to extend their service and generate ad
revenue with minimal resources. For more information about King Digital, go to
www.kingfeatures.com/sales/kol.htm

About Optaros
Optaros, an international consulting and systems integration firm, designs and
assembles fully supported, Next GenŽeration Internet (NGI) solutions that deliver
superior business performance. The unique Optaros Assembly Methodology (OptAM)
leverages Open Source, Service Oriented Architectures, rich interface design and a
global collaborative delivery model to assemble soluŽtions faster and more flexibly
than traditional build, buy or rent options. Optaros serves over 70 clients
includŽing ABB, Biogen Idec, Gtech, McKesson, Merck/Serono, New York Times, Sony
Pictures, Swisscom, and many others. For more about Optaros, go to www.optaros.com.


Web Site: http://

Contact Details: For more information, please contact:

King Features Syndicate:
Claudia Smith
212-969-7542
cmsmith@hearst.com

Rose Croke
212-969-7594
rmmcallister@hearst.com

Optaros:
Courtney Hurst
Metis Communications
617-236-0500
courtney@metiscomm.com

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