Elite Models Gives Away Free On Line Calender

PR Newswire is giving the media a taste of the future in its millennium gift, an interactive computer desktop calendar from Elite Models Inc. The calendar, which can be downloaded for free from http://www.elitecalendar.com rnewswire, enables journalists to organize events and tasks as well as access breaking information from the exclusive PRN Press Room directly from their desktop. An Elite model graces the calendar each day, with the user able to select the gender of the model. The calendar, which contains links to beauty tips and other resources, is active today and available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese.

"We wanted to give journalists something that they could use to make their routine easier," said Ken Dowell, PR Newswire's vice president of media and content development. "This calendar allows them to see what's on their schedule as soon as they turn on their computer and to check on breaking news from the PRN Press Room."

More than 15,500 journalists now use the PRN Press Room, http://www.prnmedia.com, to access news releases, photos, conference calls on the web, video news releases, video and audio events. The fully searchable web site has a three-year archive of releases, hot topics, news releases sorted by beat area and other features to make newsgathering easier for journalists.

Elite created the calendar as part of its new Internet business division, Elite 3K, http://www.elite3k.com, and as a digital version of its famous traditional calendars. Founded in Paris in 1971, the company is the world's largest and most prestigious network of modeling agencies. Elite Group represents about 500 models on five continents including such stars as Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. Elite represents all models created by Illusion2k, http://www.elite-illusion2k.com, the Virtual Models and Actresses Management division of Elite that brings models into the digital realm.

"We are launching a new concept of beauty for the next millennium," said John Casablancas, chairman of the board of Elite Models. "Virtual Top Models created by highly regarded digital representative designers will participate in virtual fashion shows, photo sessions for fashion and varieties magazines, publicity films, TV programs, short and long feature films, electronic games and Internet projects."

The calendar's first model in the year 2000 will be Webbie Tookay, Illusion2k's first virtual model. Tookay was created by Swedish designer Steven Sthlberg and customized for Illusion2k with aesthetic parameters defined by Casablancas. Interactive videos with the model are available on PR Newswire's web site at http:www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/141457.html. A new web site, Webbie Planet, will feature the model in an Internet magazine, entertainment directory, an array of contests and a variety program next year.

PR Newswire is the world leader in the electronic delivery of information directly from companies, institutions and agencies through its cutting-edge wire, fax, satellite, e-mail and Internet network. Forty-five years after founding the industry, it has 35 bureaus worldwide, an exclusive partnership with Canada NewsWire and a vast international affiliate system. PR Newswire provides a broad complement of services for public relations and investor relations professionals to reach the media, financial community and consumers.

For more information, please contact: Renu K. Aldrich, PR Newswire, Public Relations Manager, 212-282-1929, 800-503-2654 (pager), RenuAldrichprnewswire.com; Ricardo Bellino, Elite3k, 212-529-9700, bellinoelite3k.com.

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