CEOs From Digital Chocolate, HELIO and Virgin Mobile to Keynote CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment; Mobile Social Networking and Community Are Key Themes at This Year's Fall Conference in Los Angeles.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2006 has announced the keynote speakers for September 14, 2006; a brilliant lineup of executives representing the newest ideas in the mobile community. Day three keynote speakers include Trip Hawkins, chairman and CEO of Digital Chocolate; Sky Dayton, CEO of HELIO; and Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA. E[acute accent]In a panel-style discussion moderated by USA Today Technology Columnist Ed Baig, these three CEOs will discuss the importance of building a community around their customers in the mobile marketplace. These companies have figured out how to tap the potential of this medium and are earning their customers' loyalty as a result. E[acute accent]"The wireless lifestyle is all about staying connected wherever and whenever," said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director for CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment. "Without a community, the industry can't grow, which is why these keynotes are so important. Each of these executives continues to reach his target audience with innovative products and services that grow the business and take full advantage of the mobile medium. We can learn a lot from each of them, and CTIA is delighted to have them as part of our keynote program." E[acute accent]Digital Chocolate is a video game development company that focuses on creating games for handheld devices. In addition to traditional mobile games, Digital Chocolate is spearheading the trend towards community-based games with titles such as "The Hook Up," an avatar-based dating game, and "MLSN Sports Picks," a fantasy-style sports league. These games are utilizing the mobility of the wireless platform to connect players in a social environment. CEO Trip Hawkins founded Digital Chocolate in 2003 after starting a string of businesses, most notably as the founder of video game giant Electronic Arts. E[acute accent]HELIO offers a little bit of everything for the 18-32 year-old demographic on the mobile platform. The MVNO operates on high-speed 3G networks, enabling the best in music, video and game services; as well as a direct connection to MySpace's network of over 70 million users and one-click access to search sites. This is the seventh company for founder and CEO Sky Dayton, who started Internet browser Earthlink in 1995, VC/incubator eCompanies in 1999, WiFi aggregator Boingo Wireless in 2001 and now HELIO, which launched in 2005. E[acute accent]Virgin Mobile pioneered the concept of MVNOs in 2002 and is currently running a number of programs targeted at the youth market and designed to earn teenage customers free air time in exchange for their feedback and commitment. "Sugar Mama" earns customers free air time and access to exclusive content in exchange for taking part in brand surveys or watching online video ads. Under the leadership of CEO Dan Schulman, Virgin Mobile USA just launched the Virgin Mobile Stash Card, a prepaid debit card linked to a Virgin Mobile phone that earns users free airtime. Schulman previously served as CEO of priceline.com, where he established one of the most popular brands on the Internet and drove the company to profitability. Before that, he held an 18-year career at AT&T, serving as the youngest member of its senior executive team.

E[acute accent]About CTIA

E[acute accent]CTIA-The Wireless Association is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers. CTIA is also recognized as the premiere producer of two annual technology events representing the complete wireless, mobile and Internet industries. CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment takes place in Los Angeles September 12-14; CTIA WIRELESS 2007 takes place in Orlando March 27-29. Visit www.ctia.org. E[acute accent]CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment is a one-of-a-kind event that reflects the dual nature of today's wireless data industry--technology that offers both mobile solutions to the enterprise and mobile entertainment to the consumer. This event brings together diverse audience segments to satisfy every mobile data need and respond to the ever-growing market demand for wireless services. Visit www.ctia.org/wirelessit06.