After 21 Days, Philadelphia Entrepreneur Bids Farewell to Dream254: The Verizon Incubator Will Launch Design Firm; Addye Joy Durant to Unveil JOYFANTASTIC Design Nov. 14.

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia resident and entrepreneur Addye Joy Durant will realize her dream of operating her own business when she launches JOYFANTASTIC Design, the graphic-art and product-design firm she fine-tuned during a 21-day stay in a South Street storefront, also known as Dream254: The Verizon Incubator.

JOYFANTASTIC Design will debut at a 1 p.m. news conference Nov. 14 at Dream254: The Verizon Incubator (254 South St.). From 7 p.m.-9 p.m. that evening, the public is invited to the incubator to enjoy food and festivities at a celebration in Durant's honor hosted by Verizon and the South Street Headhouse District. Some of Durant's original designs will be on display and available for sale and orders.

Durant accepted a challenge from Verizon to turn her entrepreneurial dream into a reality while living in the incubator for three weeks under the watch of passers by and via webcam (www.realizephilly.com). During this time, she had to rely solely on Verizon telecommunications services and computer technology to meet her basic needs and acquire the necessary tools to make her entrepreneurial passion a reality. She takes home $10,000 and a Verizon Realize print-advertising contract. She will also receive consulting services with Philadelphia's Enterprise Center, and she will have a new base of customers, supporters and fans.

Dream254: The Verizon Incubator is part of the Verizon "Realize" multicultural advertising and marketing campaign, launched in August in Philadelphia and Washington. The campaign features Verizon broadband customers who tell stories of how the technology helps them pursue their dreams of launching home-based businesses or strengthening their communities.

During her stay in the incubator, Durant faced a number of challenges from a "Realize Taskmaster," also known as Clint Arnold, director of the business partnership channel for Verizon's Retail Markets organization. Durant earned a contract to appear in the Verizon Realize ad campaign after successfully completing her first task, developing a marketing plan. To assist her, a "Realize Oracle" -- Bill Campbell, president of CampbellQuest Ltd., a Chicago-based consulting, coaching and communications firm -- provided ongoing support.

Other Philadelphia-area residents who have appeared in Realize advertising (newspapers, bus shelters, mobile billboards, door hangers, etc.) include Solomon Jones, a local author and writer; Kareem Black, a photographer who took all the photos - including his own - for the ad campaign; Bill Jolly, a music producer, composer and bandleader; and Anton Moore, a broadcast researcher.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 million customers nationwide, and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers in 28 states. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 215,000 and generates annual revenues of more than $71 billion from four business segments: Domestic Telecom, Domestic Wireless, Information Services and International. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.