Press Release Source: The Convex Group, Inc.
Disposable DVD Technology Allows Retailers to Offer Movies at Rental Prices Without Account or Returns
Thursday December 2, 10:05 am ET
7-Eleven, Sbarro and Others Offer NOEL on Flexplay this Holiday Season in over 4,000 Locations
1800CheapSeats Gives its Customers the Gift of NOEL
ATLANTA, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The Convex Group, a media and entertainment holding company including HowStuffWorks, LidRock and Flexplay, today announced that its holiday film NOEL starring Penelope Cruz, Paul Walker, Susan Sarandon and Alan Arkin has added thousands of distribution outlets for NOEL on Flexplay due to growing demand for the product. Multiple distributors nationwide including 7-Eleven, Hannaford Supermarkets, UniversalPost, Sbarro and The Paradies Shops have embraced Flexplay to be able to offer consumers original content on a DVD at a rental price point with the ultimate convenience of no returns.
Flexplay, the 48-Hour, No Return DVD(TM), which is currently available exclusively on Amazon.com, will be available in additional retail outlets including drugstores, convenience stores, grocery stores, airports and shopping malls starting today, providing consumers with a unique holiday gift available in over 4,000 locations. The disposable aspect of the product, which can be recycled and is playable on any standard DVD player, eradicates a store's need to track inventory and consumer late fees, creating a practical alternative to traditional entertainment rentals with multiple consumer benefits. In addition, because the unopened package has a one-year shelf life, Flexplay allows the consumer to "buy anywhere and watch anytime." The additional points of purchase for the product further the company's mission that the product offers consumers choice and availability.
"Not only is the message of NOEL important for everyone during the holidays, it also makes a great gift," remarked Chazz Palminteri, Director of NOEL. "The convenience of Flexplay allows people everywhere in all areas of the country to conveniently purchase a holiday film which I believe can change people's lives."
The star-studded holiday drama marking Chazz Palminteri's directorial debut will now be available in malls through Sbarro locations nationwide, as the ultimate stocking stuffer via drugstore locations nationwide and select UniversalPost and 7-Eleven locations across the country. Recognizing the appeal of the film during the holiday season, 1800CheapSeats will also offer the film as a gift with every airline reservation purchased on its website: www.1800cheapseats.com .
Sbarro the Italian Eatery, a primarily mall-based quick service restaurant, has a long-standing relationship with The Convex Group as a distribution partner for LidRock. Intrigued by this new technology and the convenience it offers consumers, Sbarro is excited to be increasing their entertainment offerings. "We are pleased that our movie meal will offer in-demand entertainment to our consumers without the worries of rental returns or late fees, especially during the rush of the holidays," said Anthony Missano, President of Sbarro.
In addition, UniversalPost, a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Express Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: USXP - News), will be offering the NOEL Flexplay DVD through many of their 8,000 Postal Store Affiliated Member locations. Said Linda Jacobucci, President of UniversalPost, "The benefits to the consumer include economical price point, no returns or late fees and quality playback and, as a distributor of the DVDs, the postal stores will add to their retail offering a product on the edge of technology."
7-Eleven, the convenience store with locations nationwide, will also be offering NOEL on Flexplay.
The Paradies Shops will be distributing NOEL in 100 retail locations in airports nationwide, including LaGuardia, Reagan National and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. "At The Paradies Shops, we are always looking for opportunities to offer new and innovative merchandise to the traveling public, and we are excited to offer Flexplay to our customers in select airport stores across the United States. Travelers enjoy entertainment, whether it's a book, a magazine, or a DVD -- making Flexplay an ideal fit," said Gregg Paradies, President and Chief Executive Officer.
As a generous thank you to its customers, 1-800-Cheapseats will give a free copy of NOEL on Flexplay to its customers booking airline travel online in November and December. Each customer will receive a promotional code redeemable at Amazon.com for the product as well as an allowance for economy shipping.
Amazon.com has been accepting orders for NOEL on Flexplay DVD since early November, while the film played simultaneously in theaters in select markets. Amazon.com is offering the NOEL on Flexplay DVD for $4.99, and the title is eligible for Amazon's Super Saver Shipping option, which is free on qualifying orders over $25.
About The Convex Group, Inc.
The Convex Group, Inc. is a media and entertainment company with an extensive patent portfolio that acquires and integrates unique assets to create new media networks. The company, based in Atlanta, Georgia, owns or controls proprietary distribution and content platforms, including the "HowStuffWorks" franchise, the exclusive rights to "in-lid" CD-ROM distribution, which it operates through the LidRock division, and the Flexplay technology that enables time-limited, on-demand viewing of movies, games and other content delivered on a DVD.
About Universal Express
Universal Express, Inc. owns and operates several subsidiaries including Universal Express Capital Corp., (including its USXP Cash Express division) Universal Express Logistics, Inc. (including Virtual Bellhop, LLC and Luggage Express), and the UniversalPost Network. These subsidiaries and divisions provide the private postal industry and consumers with value-added services and products, logistical services, equipment leasing, and cost-effective delivery of goods worldwide.
About 1800CheapSeats
1800CheapSeats, ( www.1800cheapseats.com ) is a Leisure and Corporate Travel Management Company owned and operated by FareQuest Holdings, Inc. A major air consolidator since 1987, the Company provides comprehensive travel services and infrastructure outsourcing to clients and partners with a "high-tech and high-touch" philosophy. Based in Northridge, CA, 1800CheapSeats.com has bi-coastal call center operations in Las Vegas, NV and Jacksonville, NC with executive offices in Atlanta, GA, inviting customers and partners to click or call for all of their travel needs.
About The Paradies Shops
The Paradies Shops is an Atlanta-based airport concessionaire operating over 350 stores in 61 airports across the United States and Canada. Family owned since 1960, the company has been recognized by World Airport Revenue News, the airport industry's leading publication, as the "Best Airport Retailer" for nine consecutive years. With extensive experience in operating both local and national brands, to include CNBC, PGA TOUR, Brooks Brothers, Brighton Collectables, and Harley Davidson, The Paradies Shops maintains a substantial presence as one of the largest airport retailers in the industry. For more information, please visit www.theparadiesshops.com .
Source: The Convex Group, Inc.
