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, Mindset Media 310-373-4856 PHONE epe@mindsetmedia.com, for ePublicEye. # # # --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This press release was sent via the PRnetwire(tm) which disseminates current news content for small business, and free PR for non-profit groups, using the Send2Press(tm) service at www.send2press.com. We are members of, and adhere to the standards of, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Journalists: To only receive press releases in a specific category(s), please go to: http://www.send2press.com/distribution/mlm/mlm.cgi Information believed accurate but not guaranteed. This release has only been sent to members of the media, which may find this information of interest for possible coverage. This is not an advertisement or solicitation for services. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------