MapInfo Predicts Bo Bice as the Next American Idol; MapInfo Uses GeoDemographic Research to Profile Past Winners to Predict Show's Winner

TROY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2005--Today MapInfo Corporation (NASDAQ: MAPS) used its geodemographic research solutions, including its PSYTE(R) U.S. Advantage neighborhood segmentation solution, to predict Bo Bice as the next American Idol. MapInfo created demographic profiles of the past three winners for a light-hearted attempt to pick the show's new pop music star.

While the past three winners of American Idol come from geographically diverse parts of the nation - Alabama, Texas and North Carolina -each of the neighborhoods share common attributes. Most notably, Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia Barrino all come from mid- and high-density suburban neighborhoods with strong local character and a high potential for economic growth. Here is a quick analysis of the past, present and future American Idols:

“Using demography and geography as the basis of our analysis, MapInfo selected Bo Bice as the finalist having the best chance to win”

Season One's Kelly Clarkson--Clarkson's hometown of Burleson, Texas defines suburban American life. Located 30 miles southwest of Dallas, its two school districts and average household income of $62,000 make this an affluent community focused on children, education and "the good life." Using PSYTE U.S. Advantage, MapInfo defines Clarkson's hometown neighborhood as "Kids, Dogs and Vans." This cluster is common throughout the U.S. and consists of family-oriented towns around major metropolitan areas. Although these neighborhoods are 80 percent white, they are increasingly becoming more ethnically diverse.

Season Two's Ruben Studdard--Studdard's hometown neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama is somewhat different from Clarkson's but shares many similarities. Brimingham's role in the Civil Rights movement, and its cultural and economic renaissance over the past few years, make it a unique city. Studdard's neighborhood, classified by PSYTE as "Life's a Peach," is made up of twenty-something singles and newly-married couples, most dwelling in apartments just outside of urban centers. One third of households have a preschool-aged child. As a group, they are highly educated and average very high for employment in computer-related fields. The average annual household income is $60,000.

Season Three's Fantasia Barrino--Barrino also resided most recently in a suburban, southern community. Her last neighborhood in North Carolina places her in the cluster "Duty Calls," located just outside the campus of High Point University. Within Duty Calls neighborhoods reside a core component of the nation's work force which includes police officers and fire fighters, maintenance workers and administrative support personnel. Although the average household income of these communities ranks lower than Clarkson and Studdard's neighborhoods, the residents live a comfortable, if modest, lifestyle often in their own, single family homes.

And This Year's Winner, Bo Bice--Bice lived most recently in Huntsville, near suburban Birmingham--hometown of Studdard. Bice's neighborhood cluster is "Changing Places"--reflecting the variety of family arrangements common in today's middle class. This is a mostly suburban area, with a high number of family households, but also a high percentage of divorced and non-traditional families. Folks in these neighborhoods are not poor, nor are they rich; they are not "settled in," nor are they migrant. Bice, the nearly 30 rocker, would be a typical neighbor in this cluster.

"Using demography and geography as the basis of our analysis, MapInfo selected Bo Bice as the finalist having the best chance to win," said Jon Winslow, director of strategic products, MapInfo. "While we of course do not know the outcome nor are we insinuating that any part of the competition is fixed, we find it fun to guess the outcome based on a review of the demographic trends in the makeup of the finalists. MapInfo's work providing geodemographic information to businesses to help them understand the lifestyles and preferences of their most important customers provided us the research methods to predict that Bo Bice will be the next American Idol."

About MapInfo Corporation

MapInfo is a global company and the leading provider of Location Intelligence solutions, integrating software, data and services to provide greater value from location-based information and drive more insightful decisions for businesses and government organizations around the world. MapInfo solutions are available in 20 languages through a network of strategic partners and distribution channels in 60 countries. Headquartered in Troy, NY, MapInfo is on the World Wide Web at www.mapinfo.com.

MapInfo and PSYTE are trademarks of MapInfo Corporation and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Of Note

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. Any statement not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, including without limitation statements concerning demand for and benefits of MapInfo products and integration of MapInfo products with existing solutions. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those factors contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Performance." MapInfo takes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements.