CAMBRIDGE - August 6, 1998 - General Interactive, Inc., the leading provider of intelligent messaging solutions for relationship marketing, today announced a strategic partnership with the Internet Commerce Expo (ICE), a business unit of IDG, the leading global provider of IT media, research, conferences and expositions. ICE has named GII their E-Mail Agency of Record (EAR^TM) and will be using GII technology to build client relationships.

Under the terms of the agreement, GII will provide ICE with EchoMine^TM , a data-mining solution to develop unique e-mail lists for marketing of ICE conferences and exhibitions. GII will also provide advisory services as to the best use of e-mail technology and interactive marketing methods. In return, GII has been named ICE's E-Mail Agency of Record and will be promoted at all ICE trade shows and exhibits. GII's logo will be predominately placed on ICE brochures and web-sites and a hyperlink will be made to GII's web-site: www.interactive.com.

"Data-mining with EchoMine, a sister product of EchoMail^TM, allows us to reach new audiences. Endless hours spent hunting for e-mail addresses can now be spent on customer service and alternative marketing methods. Our partnership opens new doors and ensures that valued relationships continue after the show, in a virtual sense," explains Ron Milton, president and founder, ICE.

The ICE/GII partnership will be highlighted at ICE/Los Angeles (LA) and ICE/Boston. The Los Angeles show is scheduled September 23-26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Boston show will be held at the World Trade Center, March 22-25, 1998. V.A. Shiva, president and CEO of GII, is scheduled to speak at the ICE/LA show on September 24, 1998 on the topic of E-Mail =E-Business. Shiva will discuss how companies gather and disseminate information to build relationships, brand loyalty and sales through E-mail. He will also share case studies that identify how companies are using e-mail technology to generate revenue and provide better service.

"The high percentage of senior management attendance at ICE shows demonstrates the commitment from leading companies to invest in technology. We are delighted to serve as ICE's E-Mail Agency of Record. We look forward to a long relationship and the opportunity to help ICE build their marketing outreach program. Our E-Mail technology will fully support ICE's customer care, marketing and data-mining needs", says Shiva.

The Internet Commerce Expo is a business unit of IDG. IDG publishes more than 285 computer newspapers and magazines and 500 book titles in 75 countries, and offers on-line users the largest network of technology specific sites around the world through IDG.net (http://www.idg.net), which comprises more than 200 targeted Web sites in 52 countries.

About General Interactive
General Interactive, Inc., fuses art and information technology to create award-winning intelligent messaging and relationship marketing solutions. GII president and founder, V.A. Shiva, known throughout the industry as Dr. E-Mail, pioneered the early development of e-mail technology and intelligent messaging solutions. GII's primary markets include customer-focused enterprises such as electronic commerce, high-technology, financial services, retail and the entertainment industry. Their professional services division is dedicated to creating state-of-the-art interactive designs and thematic concepts. Web-sites, multi-media e-mail campaigns, 2D and 3D animation, banner advertisements and educational programs are standard offerings.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company has additional offices in Washington, D.C and Madras, India. For more information about General Interactive, visit the company's World Wide Web site at http://www.echomail.com or contact EchoMail, Inc., 66 Church Street, Cambridge, MA 02138; phone (617) 354-8585; email: Press@EchoMail.com.