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Pluck Launches Version 1.0 of BlogBurst Blog Syndication Network

Network Grows to 3,000 Bloggers; Expands Audience Reach by Tens of Millions through New Syndication Partners, Including USA TODAY, Rodale, Discovery, IDG UK, and Reuters

AUSTIN, Texas — December 5, 2006 — Pluck™ Corporation, a social media technology pioneer, today announced the immediate availability of version 1.0 of the BlogBurst™ blog syndication network, a service that manages and syndicates content from leading bloggers to top online properties and publisher web sites around the world. In addition to the release of the new 1.0 version, Pluck announced that several new BlogBurst syndication partners, including USA TODAY and Discovery, have joined the network to deliver quality blog content to large and diverse audiences on their respective online properties.

"Blogs can be a valuable complement to traditional news coverage," said Jeff Webber, Senior Vice President and Publisher, USATODAY.com. "By tapping into the BlogBurst network, we can help readers find the best of those independent writers and gain new insights on topics ranging from technology to entertainment, travel, business, and sports."

Since the launch of the beta version of the BlogBurst network in May, the service has grown into the largest syndication network of its kind with over 3,000 blogger members from more than 45 countries.

The new "Lighthouse" syndication partners include:

• Newspapers
  • USA TODAY: The nation's top-selling newspaper
• Broadcasters
  • Discovery: Parent company of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Travel Channel and other major media brands
• Syndicated News Services
  • Reuters: One of the world's largest providers of syndicated news
• Magazines
  • IDG UK: Parent company for UK publications such as MacWorld, Techworld and PC Advisor
  • Rodale: Publisher of popular consumer titles including Runners World, Men's Health and Women's Health

"BlogBurst has definitely driven our blogs Gadgetell (www.gadgetell.com) and The Final Sprint (www.thefinalsprint.com) to the next level," says Doug Berger of the Dabbledoo Network. "Seeing our headlines and branding on media sites, including USA TODAY, has tripled our traffic and expanded our reach beyond belief. We are very excited to see what Pluck has in store for us in the future."

These new BlogBurst customers join previously announced "Lighthouse" clients, including Hearst Newspapers, Austin American-Statesman, The Washington Post and Gannett. Most recently, Reuters, one of the largest providers of syndicated news worldwide, began using BlogBurst blogs on the entertainment, health and technology sections of its web site as part of a larger alliance with Pluck.

To meet the needs of bloggers and publishers alike, the new BlogBurst version 1.0 includes dozens of advanced features designed to help make the flow of blog content to online media properties seamless. Major new features available with BlogBurst 1.0 include:

• BlogBurst BurstWires: To help publishers gain quick access to blog content on timely events, BlogBurst offers new editorially-managed BurstWires, which package together relevant content on breaking news. BurstWires increase opportunities for blog distribution by giving publishers access to the most relevant blogs for particular topic areas, such as sports championships or current events.
• New Widget Design: BlogBurst Widgets offer publishers the ability to plug-in cross-browser and cross-platform web components to more seamlessly incorporate blog headlines and full-post content from the BlogBurst network into their existing online media properties without the need for site redesign, custom APIs or additional HTML software programming.
• Enhanced Reporting: New tracking and analytics capabilities help BlogBurst network members easily access important information, such as when and where blogs have been syndicated, along with audience metrics by online properties and blog topics.

"After successful testing and refinement by blogger members and our publishing partners, the BlogBurst service is moving into commercial availability," said Dave Panos, CEO of Pluck Corp. "Our blogger members have shown publishers that they can produce invaluable content that piques the interest of traditional audiences. By working together, publishers and bloggers are entering the new media age where mainstream firms and innovative new publishers combine to give the everyday reader a richer, more complete perspective on important local news and world events."

Availability

Pluck BlogBurst 1.0 is immediately available. More information is available on http://www.pluck.com/products/blogburst.html

About Pluck Corporation

Pluck Corporation's social media solutions empower publishers, broadcasters and brands to integrate open content, community and social networking into their web properties, driving audience traffic and revenue. Clients include Discovery, Fox News, Gannett, Hearst Corporation, McGraw-Hill, Meredith, Reuters and The Washington Post. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas with funding from Austin Ventures, Mayfield Fund and Reuters. More information on Pluck offerings can be found at www.pluck.com.

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Pluck and BlogBurst are trademarks of Pluck Corp. All other company and product names mentioned are used only for identification and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Media Contact:

Heidi Johnson
512-493-0909
heidi.johnson@virtualprdirector.com