Sun Microsystems Runs First 'Intromercial' on CNET News.com

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2003--CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET), the leading global media company informing and connecting the buyers, users, and sellers of technology, today announced the debut of the first "intromercial" advertising unit on the front door of its award-winning CNET News.com Web site. Sun Microsystems is using the new ad unit to reinforce its position as a supplier of uncompromising low cost computing systems to CNET News.com's IT professional and business decision-maker audience. The unit, which launched this morning, will remain on News.com for 24 hours.

The intromercial is a five second rich media ad unit that plays upon site entry before the CNET News.com front door loads. Users can elect to bypass the ad. Marketers that purchase the intromercial have exclusive ownership of the CNET News.com front door for 24 hours, and must use CNET Networks' intromercial to launch new products or services deemed useful to CNET News.com's IT professional and business decision maker audience.

“Sharing in innovative spirit, the intromercial is yet another example of how Sun and CNET continue to work together to pioneer online media.”

"Sun continually focuses on delivering the best information at the right location in the most compelling way," said Scott Anderson, eMarketing director, Sun Microsystems. "Sharing in innovative spirit, the intromercial is yet another example of how Sun and CNET continue to work together to pioneer online media."

Beyond Interactive, Sun's interactive agency, developed the unit in conjunction with CNET Networks, using a combination of Macromedia Flash and the commercial break ad format from the Eyeblaster Rich Media Platform.

"CNET News.com is a critical gathering place for the leaders in technology, who spend countless hours each week on the site, learning and making decisions about companies and products in the technology marketplace. Through this strategic marketing relationship, Sun will drive awareness to this key audience while they are in the critical information gathering and decision making stage," said Greg Mason, executive vice president of sales and marketing, CNET Networks.

Based in San Francisco with offices in Boston, New York, Washington, Asia and Europe, CNET News.com is known for its real-time journalism, as well as its ability to dissect pivotal trends before others have spotted them. The newsgroup has won dozens of national honors, among them recent awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, National Press Club, and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. Its technology stories are syndicated daily to several traditional news organizations, including The New York Times, Business Week, San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe, and Toronto Globe & Mail.

About CNET Networks, Inc.

CNET Networks, Inc. (www.cnetnetworks.com) is the leading global media company informing and connecting the buyers, users and sellers of technology. The company's product portfolio includes top brands CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Builder.com, News.com, GameSpot, Download.com, and mySimon, as well as Computer Shopper magazine, and CNET Channel. With a strong presence in the U.S., Asia and Europe, CNET Networks has operations in 16 countries.

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