EQAL, 'CSI' Franchise Creator Join Forces to Launch Cutting-Edge Digital Novel Experience

EQAL, 'CSI' Franchise Creator Join Forces to Launch Cutting-Edge Digital Novel Experience

Anthony E. Zuiker Taps Social Entertainment Pioneers Behind lonelygirl15 to Create Multiplatform Interactive Experience for DARK CHRONICLES Novel

LOS ANGELES, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- EQAL, the social entertainment company behind the Web's two most successful interactive drama series, lonelygirl15 and KateModern, and 'CSI' franchise creator, Anthony E. Zuiker, today announced a partnership to launch a multiplatform 'Digi-novel' series that will expand traditional book reading into a multimedia experience.

DARK CHRONICLES, the first in a series of crime novels published by Dutton, will revolutionize modern storytelling by allowing readers to move seamlessly from books to film to the Web, an unprecedented undertaking in the publishing industry.

Under the terms of the partnership, EQAL will develop a destination Web site for DARK CHRONICLES, www.darkchronicles.com, which will launch in July, featuring a blog and a rich social network. Cyber bridges will be added to the site with the release of the novel on Sept. 8, 2009. Readers will be able to access cyber bridges every five chapters, which will allow them to view videos, audio files and photos by registering and entering a code from the book. All cyber bridges were written, produced and directed by Zuiker.

"EQAL is the ideal partner for the debut of the 'digi-novel'. Our collective passion to tell stories on multiple platforms will honor the authenticity of community while at the same time appeal to the commercial masses," said Anthony E. Zuiker.

EQAL, founded by Miles Beckett and Greg Goodfried, will run the Web site's community and will build and provide the entire technology infrastructure to host the online components. As the world's leading producer of online interactive shows, EQAL has a proven record in building online communities having paved the way with lonelygirl15 and KateModern, which collectively have attracted more than 150 million views and hundreds of thousands of fans around the world.

"We're very excited about our partnership with Anthony," said Miles Beckett, co-founder and CEO, EQAL. "A Web site dedicated to DARK CHRONICLES is a great way to further engage readers by offering additional content and an interactive experience. EQAL is thrilled to be working with Anthony to expand his fan base online."

Blog content will be updated daily with information related to novel, as well as a combination of behind-the-scenes footage and bonus material from DARK CHRONICLES. The Web site's social network will allow Zuiker's fans to set up profile pages, friend other members, send private messages, upload photos and videos, write blogs and chat with each other in a dedicated forum.

DARK CHRONICLES will be available in stores on September 8. The cyber bridges will go live September 8 as well.

About EQAL

EQAL (pronounced "Equal") is a social entertainment company dedicated to changing the way content is consumed. Merging technology with creative development and production expertise, EQAL is a leader in the creation of truly interactive shows. Formerly known as LG15 Studios/Telegraph Ave. Productions, the company produces the two most successful online interactive dramas: lonelygirl15 and KateModern. Through partnerships with independent producers, traditional media companies, and multi-national brands, EQAL is dedicated to building online communities that engage users like never before. EQAL is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in London. For more information: http://www.eqal.com/.

About Anthony E. Zuiker

Anthony E. Zuiker is one of the most creative and multifaceted individuals working in Hollywood today. He is the creator of television's successful CSI franchise, which now includes CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. In 2002, CSI became the most-watched show on television reaching 75 million viewers per week and has accumulated an astounding 28 Emmy Award Nominations, four Emmy Awards and one Screen Actors Guild Award. In addition to expanding on his film and television efforts, Zuiker continues to delve into the worlds of gaming, publishing and cross-platform storytelling. He has created the industry redefining multi-platform media property being coined a 'Digi-Novel.' Published by Dutton, the first 'Digi-Novel' in this crime series is titled 'Dark Chronicles' which will be in stores on September 8, 2009. Zuiker also closed a deal with publisher HarperCollins for his memoir tentatively titled 'Mr. CSI.'

About Dutton

Dutton is a U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Dutton is home to many bestselling crime and thriller authors such as Harlan Coben, Ken Follett, John Lescroart, Stephen White, Raymond Khoury, T. Jefferson Parker, and Marcus Sakey. In 2007, one quarter of the books Dutton published hit the New York Times bestseller list, including books by Eckhart Tolle, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Jenny McCarthy. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Penguin Press, Berkley Books, Penguin, Gotham Books, G.P. Putnam's Sons, Plume, New American Library, Viking, Philomel, and Riverhead Books, among others. The Penguin Group is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.

   Contact:    Amy Gubman/Stacy Schlicht               Rogers & Cowan               310-854-8194/310-854-8226               agubman@rogersandcowan.com/sschlicht@rogersandcowan.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: EQAL

CONTACT: Amy Gubman, +1-310-854-8194, agubman@rogersandcowan.com, or
Stacy Schlicht, +1-310-854-8226, sschlicht@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers
& Cowan, for EQAL

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

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Profile: International Entertainment