PERTH AMBOY, N.J., July 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- U.S. Starcom, Inc. (Pink Sheets:USTA), a leading provider of valued added prepaid telephone services and solutions to the urban market, has executed a Letter of Intent with Public Square Books, the market leader in Spanish language graphic novels, to form a joint venture to promote Spanish language books and other content through selected U.S. Starcom retail outlets.
Under terms of the agreement, U.S. Starcom and Public Square Books will work together to establish small book stores (librerias) in selected stores with relationships with U.S. Starcom. The intention is to grow the program to include similar format stores nationwide. The stores will sell graphic novels, kids' books and a small selection of DVDs featuring leading Latin American artists. The program will be supported by an online bookstore, www.librosestrella.com, which will offer a much more extensive selection of books, music and related products.
"This agreement is one of many we will be announcing over the next several weeks which highlights our strategy of providing the Latino market a variety of products which can be sold through our various distribution channels," said John DiDomenico, President of U.S. Starcom. "This demographic is expected to purchase close to 1 trillion dollars of products and services this year, and we believe books are an un-exploited area in this market segment."
About U.S. Starcom
U.S. Starcom is a leader in providing value-added prepaid services and solutions to enhance communications and entertainment. With a sales distribution network extending to thousands of urban locations, U.S. Starcom continues its rapid expansion into the distribution of alternative communication products and services, including international long distance, prepaid phone cards, wireless dial around applications, stored value services and internet service enhancements. U.S. Starcom is committed to providing affordable access to the latest entertainment offerings from the recording industry through strategic alliances and joint distribution campaigns.
About Public Square Books
Public Square Books is the leading publisher of graphic novels in Spanish for the U.S. Latino market. At over $250 million at retail, graphic novels and their Japanese counterpart, manga, are the fastest growing segment of trade publishing, having more than doubled in size since 2002. Public Square Books offers an extensive line of translated and original Spanish best-sellers, such as the Sin City and Hellboy series and the manga classics, Tokyo Mew Mew and Rave Master. The Company enjoys nationwide distribution through the bookstore, public library and school markets.
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