ePublicEye Signs Agreement to Acquire WebwatchDog -

ePublicEye announced today that it has executed an agreement to acquire WebwatchDog, an online e-business rating service started in 1996. WebwatchDog was one of the first online companies launched to help make the web a safer place to shop.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ePublicEye Signs Agreement to Acquire WebwatchDog -- One of the Internet's First Online Consumer Organizations

Los Angeles, CA -- (PRnetwire) -- May 1, 2001 -- ePublicEye announced today that it has executed an agreement to acquire WebwatchDog, an online e-business rating service started in 1996. WebwatchDog was one of the first online companies launched to help make the web a safer place to shop. Under the terms of the deal, ePublicEye will immediately begin providing rating services to WebWatchdog's 5,000 registered online businesses and corporate accounts.

"WebwatchDog helped pioneer the development of trust services on the Internet," said Errol Smith CEO of ePublicEye.com. "The company was around before e-commerce as we know it and developed a system that has been tested by time."

"The acquisition of WebwatchDog strengthens ePublicEye's position in the market and advances our effort the be the leading global consumer confidence solution," said Smith.

WebwatchDog's rating service is very similar to ePublicEye's and will be immediately re-launched as an entry-level service under the ePublicEye brand. The basic application will remain the same but will be bolstered by the addition of many of ePublicEye's proprietary services.

"Here at WebWatchDog, we are confident that this agreement will result in improved service and that most of our merchants will wish to participate in the exciting, new ePubliceye programs that will show off their business to potential online customers, build their confidence and increase sales," said Steven Fine President of WebwatchDog.

About ePublicEye.com

ePublicEye.com is the only global service that allows buyers to rate e-businesses for reliability, privacy and customer satisfaction in 5 languages. With over 17,000 registered merchants, in 90 countries, ePublicEye is the leading provider of trust services to small and medium sized business around the world. Since 1996, ePublicEye.com has maintained a focus on building confidence between consumers and e-businesses in this market segment. Pioneers in the use of consumer feedback to promote safer e-commerce, ePublicEye is trusted internationally by thousands of small and mid-sized merchants to continually survey their customers. ePublicEye is the only company offering e-business ratings in French, German, Spanish, Chinese and English, and is uniquely positioned as an enabler of e-businesses worldwide.

About WebwatchDog

WebwatchDog was established in 1996 to provide a way for consumers to of identifying quality merchants that meet their needs. Webwatchdog emerged as a leading source of complete and unbiased information on merchants doing business on the web. WebwatchDog delivers reports about merchants by letting shoppers continuously rate merchants through a short survey after every purchase. By completing these surveys, consumers help other shoppers identify the best merchants on the web and raise the overall quality of shopping on the Internet.

For more information contact:

Wanda San Juan, ePublicEye,
818-547-0222 PHONE
wms@epubliceye.com

or Christopher Simmons, Neotrope Media
562-435-5702 PHONE
epe@neotrope.com, for ePublicEye.

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