Press ReleasesDisney Family.com and Sony Electronics Launch Virtual Classroom for MomsNew Disney Family.com Learning Center's online courses help moms make the most of technology in everyday life Austin, TX — May 16, 2007 — School is in session on Disney Family.com (http://www.family.com/) for busy moms wanting to make the most of technology in their everyday lives. Presented by Sony Electronics, the Disney Family Learning Center is a virtual classroom featuring self-paced courses created specifically for parents on topics ranging from digital photography and digital scrapbooking, to non-tech topics important to moms such as achieving work-life balance and entrepreneurship. The courses, designed by Sony Electronics and developed with guidance from online education provider Powered Inc., can be accessed by going to Disney Family.com's "Education" section or by visiting http://family.go.com/education/. "More moms increasingly rely on the Internet for a wide variety of information as it relates to their families," said Emily Smith, vice president in charge of Disney Family.com for The Walt Disney Internet Group. "The Disney Family Learning Center provides moms with an easy and convenient way to find practical uses for technology in their daily lives ¾ everything from preserving their family's memories through digital photography or videos, to tips for finding balance in their lives. We're pleased to collaborate with Sony Electronics to offer this valuable resource to our Disney Family.com community members." Created to appeal to the more than 32 million moms that are online in the U.S.1, the recently launched beta version of Disney Family.com blends content, search and community elements to provide parents with an easy-to-use, one-stop "best of the Web" resource of family relevant information. As part of the site's "Education" section, the learning center provides short tutorials on parenting-related lifestyle topics that highlight technology. Courses featured on the site include "Hands-On Digital Scrapbooking," "Converting Videotapes to DVD" and "Achieving Work-Life Balance," among others. More courses will be added to the learning center in the coming months. Sony Electronics will also sponsor technology and lifestyle-related editorial content for parents on the site. Initial articles cover parenting and child development ("Capturing School Events on Video"), activities and entertainment ("Contact Management for the Busy Mom or Dad"), and travel ("Traveling Light with Kids and Technology"). "We are taking a very comprehensive, organic approach to our collaboration with The Walt Disney Internet Group on Disney Family.com," said Barbara Miller, director of corporate Web Services at Sony Electronics. "Our team is focused entirely on moms' technology needs and how Sony can add value to them in a relevant way." The Disney Family Learning Center and its related courses were designed, developed and hosted in collaboration with Sony Electronics and online consumer education firm Powered Inc. Lessons are posted at the beginning of each month and remain accessible 24 / 7 until the course end date. Recommendations for relevant products are made for participants throughout the duration of the course. "Studies show that online consumer education is uniquely effective in creating a favorable brand impression and giving participants an experience that they share with their friends," said Dave Ellett, CEO of Powered. "Sony has been an innovator in online consumer education programs, both on sonystyle.com and in partnership with other brands, and we are pleased to extend this innovation to the Disney Family.com site." About The Walt Disney Internet Group About Sony Electronics Sony is the co-developer of Blu-ray, Disc™, CD, DVD and Super Audio CD technologies. The company is noted for a wide range of consumer audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA® HD TV, Cyber-shot® digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, Walkman® personal stereo and Memory Stick® flash media. Also an innovator in IT products, including VAIO® personal computers; and professional products, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD System, HDCAM® 24-P, Digital Betacam® and DVCAM® VTR and camera formats. For the latest news and information, please see our Web site at www.sony.com/news. About Powered Inc. |



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