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Big Planet, Pharmanex and the Nu Skin Opportunity in Japan
Nu Skin Launches Big Planet-branded Internet Service in Japan
Partnership with NIFTY opens up customized Internet service to Nu Skin Japan distributors and their customers.....
TOKYO - April 3, 2000 - Nu Skin Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS), today announced that it has finalized an agreement with NIFTY Corp. of Tokyo to offer Big Planet-branded Internet ServiceÔ in Japan to Nu Skin Japan's network marketing distributor force and their customers, effective April 3, 2000. The Internet service will be co-branded as "Big Planet powered by @nifty" and will be offered through NIFTY.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nu Skin Japan distributors can market Big Planet-branded Internet Service consisting of NIFTY's standard Internet service at "@nifty" dial-up rates, plus additional customized services. Nu Skin Japan's Internet service subscribers will also receive dedicated, high-quality, customized technical and customer support provided by the newly created Nu Skin Japan Big Planet Internet Support Center. NIFTY will also provide Big Planet Internet Service customers with a Big Planet E-Mail Box, access to a Big Planet Private Forum and customized packaging and materials to support Nu Skin Japan's Big Planet-branded Internet Service offering.
"Partnering with NIFTY enables our Internet offering to enter one of the largest Asian markets with all the tools necessary for success," said Steven J. Lund, president and chief executive officer of Nu Skin Enterprises. "By leveraging NIFTY's name and reputation in the Japanese Internet marketplace, Nu Skin distributors can confidently offer high-quality Internet service and customer support. We are pleased to finalize this agreement with NIFTY and anticipate significant growth in online sales in Japan as Big Planet prepares to introduce additional products and services later this year."
Takashi Bamba, president of Nu Skin Japan, added, "Building on the success of the September 1999 launch of our e-commerce platform - where 40,000 registered users now account for more than 10 percent of overall Nu Skin Japan sales - Nu Skin distributors in Japan can now offer their customers high-quality Big Planet-branded Internet Service. This Internet service offering builds upon our strong e-commerce foundation in preparation for the eventual launch of the Big Planet business opportunity."
"Our relationship with Nu Skin Japan combines the power of Nu Skin's direct selling channel with the technology leadership of NIFTY to bring the Internet to the many Japanese families and individuals who have not taken advantage of the benefits of the Internet," said Makoto Tasaka, board director and deputy general manager of sales and marketing for NIFTY Corp.
Big Planet-branded Internet Service Offering
The Big Planet-branded Internet Service offering available in Japan through Nu Skin distributors includes the following benefits:
optimal Internet access speeds;
a Big Planet Mailbox;
10 MB of web storage space;
a private Internet "Forum" where Internet subscribers can be part of an online community with such services as chat rooms, bulletin boards and a data library;
access to NIFTY's global roaming service for Internet access in countries outside of Japan; and
toll-free customer and technical support provided by Nu Skin Japan's Big Planet Internet Support Center.
Pricing and Availability
Nu Skin Japan's Big Planet-branded Internet Service is available via web sign up and paper application sign up beginning April 3, 2000, and via CD-ROM on May 1, 2000. The Big Planet-branded Internet Service will be sold at standard "@nifty" Internet service dial-up rates.
The Company
Nu Skin Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS), is one of the largest direct selling companies in Japan. With its products sold in 31 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, Nu Skin Enterprises is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS."
Nu Skin Enterprises offers three distinct business opportunities specializing in consumer products and services sold through direct sales. Nu Skin markets premium quality face, body and hair care products. Pharmanex is a science-based developer and marketer of nutritional supplements. Big Planet concentrates on the marketing and distribution of technology-based products and services.
Nu Skin Enterprises news releases are available online at www.nuskinenterprises.com or through the Company News On-Call fax service. For a menu of Nu Skin Enterprises news or to retrieve a specific release, call 800-758-5804, extension 119638.
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