How Do You Rate on the Hook-up Scale? Vibes Media Text Adventure Game for Virgin Mobile Customers Puts Players to the Test; Virgin Mobile Launches 'Back-2-School Hook-Up Text Adventure' Game.

CHICAGO -- Customers Can Try to Connect With Virtual Girl or Guy of Their Dreams

Vibes Media, a leading provider of interactive text message and mobile content marketing programs, and Virgin Mobile USA, the nation's leading youth wireless network, today announced the launch of a new text adventure game that challenges players to try to virtually "hook up" with the girl or guy of their dreams.

The "Back-2-School Hook-Up Text Adventure Game" will be available only to Virgin Mobile customers through October 2, 2006. It is the latest in a series of promotions Virgin Mobile has undertaken with Vibes Media; others have involved text messaging, picture messaging, ringtones and trivia challenges.

The Back-2-School Hook-Up Text Adventure game puts players on a virtual date where they respond to questions and react to situations created by Vibes. Each text message choice brings them one step closer to hooking up (for a chat), or striking out.

Responses are edgy and fun, incorporating text messaging short-hand. For example, if a female player's on the right track, she might get a response like "Rawr. He can't hide how much he's loving this. Shake those HIPS." Or, if she's losing momentum, the response might be "Sorry sweetie - ur too cute, but too shy. C'mon, throw him a bone once in a while - the poor guy can't tell if u like him or NOT."

At the end of the "date" a tracker tallies up the score, gives the player a label ("Too Shy," "Too Bold," or "Playa Playa"), and offers some words of advice ("Ouch. Maybe u should have toned it down a bit" ... or, "Maybe u should have been a lil more forward - boys can be slow.").

The game offers contestants hundreds of unique paths. The average path, which ends in letting the player know their hook-up success (or lack thereof), requires between 25 and 50 messages.

"We were looking for a game that connected with our youthful customer base, and Vibes has struck the right chord," said Dominick Tolli, VP, Mobile Data Services, Virgin Mobile USA. "It's a brand new school year, there are new girls and guys to meet, and everyone's anxious to test whether they've got game!"

Each text adventure game a player plays enters him or her in a sweepstakes for five Virgin Mobile Stash Visa Pre-Paid Cards loaded with a $500 spending allowance.

"Vibes creates programs that promote interaction between consumers and the brand sponsoring the initiative, and partnering with a company like Virgin Mobile that's consistently on the leading edge results in some truly creative and engaging programs," said Doug Rothrock, VP, Marketing and Sales, Vibes Media. "Virgin Mobile's 'Hook-Up' game gives customers the chance to play a lot, have fun and connect with the Virgin Mobile service over a longer period of time, all while checking to see if they have what it takes to be a real 'playa' this school year."

About Vibes Media

Vibes Media, of Chicago, has been creating mobile marketing programs since 1998. The company has developed proprietary interactive software and promotional programs that enable marketers to communicate with, motivate and retain their customers in ways they never could before. Vibes is uniquely positioned in the industry to provide marketing and promotional programs including end-to-end services, strategy development, communications, execution and post-program ROI analysis. Vibes can offer off-the-shelf programs or work with marketers to create a custom program designed for a particular business or marketing situation. The company has launched more than 7,000 text messaging programs and generated more than 100 million messages in the United States, partnering with wireless carriers, entertainment enterprises, musical acts, sports teams and leagues, and a wide variety of consumer brands. Please visit www.vibes.com for more information.

About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC 

Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC is the nation's first wireless network created for and defined by youth. Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint Nextel, which operates one of the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless networks in the United States. The country's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile's four million customers have access to a service portfolio that includes multiple voice pricing options, a full range of handsets and a broad array of messaging, music and mobile content offerings - without long-term contracts. J.D. Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile as America's top prepaid wireless carrier for Customer Satisfaction Excellence and for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" under the Certified Call Center Program.(SM)

Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 25,000 locations nationwide with Top-Up cards available at more than 100,000 locations nationwide. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobileusa.com or by calling 888-322-1122.