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Ringling.Com Brings Circus Fun Directly to Children of All Ages

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 August 2008, 18:00 CDT

VIENNA, Va., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(R), the 139-year-old family entertainment icon, is getting a virtual facelift through an all-new Web site, http://www.ringling.com/, which launches today. The site serves as a child-friendly and safe internet destination for parents and their children. Moms and Dads can give the kids a sneak preview of Ringling Bros.(R) shows before they attend, look up show schedules, and are only two clicks away from purchasing tickets with a user-friendly tour map and zip code search feature. In addition to thrilling performance videos and photos, fun interactive games and informative historical and educational materials are all presented online in spectacular fashion worthy of any Ringling Bros. circus extravaganza.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/DC29871 )

"We hear so often from parents that their kids want to relive the amazing experience shared at the circus and so they read the program book or watch the souvenir DVD over and over after seeing the shows," said Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO, Feld Entertainment. "Now, those parents have an interactive, exciting and educational destination for their children. Ringling.com allows children to continue to explore the magic of the Circus and reignite their imaginations long after the show has left town and until the all-new edition arrives."

For its Web site re-design, Ringling Bros. tapped into the latest interactive programming to create a fun and memorable online experience for families. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has always been at the forefront of technology. In fact, the Bailey circus was the first to display an electric light in 1879, a year before Thomas Edison patented it. Throughout its history, the circus has incorporated or adapted technology as part of the Circus. In 2005, Ringling Bros. re-imagined the circus by featuring the latest LCD video technology in the production Circus of Dreams, which provided the audience with a close up view of all the action. The Bellobration edition of Ringling Bros. circus incorporates energy efficient LED lighting to provide amazing colorful displays that enhance the circus-goers' experience

In considering the design elements to include on the Web site, Ringling Bros. looked to leverage the many iconic images associated with the Circus including the famous mile-long Ringling Bros. circus train that transports performers, animals and equipment from city to city. A virtual train is the centerpiece of the Web site's navigation system providing a unique experience where users hop onboard and travel to various sections on the site including:

-- Explore The Shows: users can click to learn about each of the three touring circus Units Over The Top, Bellobration(SM), and BOOM A RING , watch video highlights of their favorite acts, read bios to learn more about the amazing background of the spectacular performers and view tour schedules to find out when the next show is coming to you.

-- Fun Zone: children of all ages can play the Clown Cannon game, download a train that travels their desktop, find out what kind of Ringmaster they'd be by taking the Ringmaster Quiz, and visit the CircusWorks education center.

-- Amazing Animals: users can see their favorite Ringling Bros. animals, learn about what goes in to their care, feeding and training, and discover more about the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation(R).

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Web development team is setting aggressive traffic goals with this re-launch. The Ringling.com Web site currently receives over a million unique visitors per year. With all the new content about the shows, interactive games, and educational material, Ringling Bros. seeks to increase the average time spent on the site by each visitor by 30%.

The Ringling.com Web site will continue to evolve with new features keeping the site fresh, informative and entertaining. In October, an addition to the Fun Zone section will allow kids to build their own three-ring circus by training virtual performers and animals and creating their version of The Greatest Show On Earth

About Feld Entertainment, Inc. -- Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create unforgettable memories, with 25 million people in attendance at our shows annually. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in over 55 countries and on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Doodlebops and High School Musical - The Ice Tour.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/DC29871AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Feld Entertainment, Inc.

CONTACT: Emily Crane, +1-202-944-5137, emily.crane@hillandknowlton.com,for Feld Entertainment Inc.

Web Site: http://www.ringling.com/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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