Code Amber The Web's Amber Alert System Reaches Major Milestone

For Immediate Release: November 5, 2003
Contact: Linda Spagnoli 866.267.1990
CodeAmber.org

CodeAmber Reaches One Million Views A Day
"The Web's Amber Alert System" Reaches Milestone

Mandeville, LA - CodeAmber.org, The Web's Amber Alert System, reached one million viewers on Monday, November 3, 2003. The nationwide system for contacting media and law enforcement during Amber Alert events has been increasing its reach since its start-up in August, 2002.

Code Amber, which broadcasts to over 80,000 web sites with a real time Java Script "ticker," has steadily been widening its scope and now includes Canada as well as all 50 US states. It also has put in place a reciprocal information exchange with all major media networks. News desks are instantly notified when an Amber Alert has been issued nearby.

In partnership with Meteorlogix, CodeAmber delivers an XML feed which is then broadcast to their 22,000 subscribers via satellite. The CodeAmber XML feed is also received by wireless phone companies, media outlets and corporate intranet systems.

Several factors were involved in Monday's milestone event. Bryant Harper, founder of CodeAmber said, " We had been flirting with the million mark for a few days, however on Monday CBS included links to us on their Viacom stations web sites and there was a high profile Amber Alert in New Jersey. That was enough to put us over the top and reach over a million ticker viewers that day."

Indeed with over 30 million views a month, CodeAmber is hoping its partnership with media and law enforcement will prove to be an effective deterrent to anyone thinking about abducting a child. Harper continues, "We view the Amber Alert system as one of the most effective tools police can utilize when faced with a child abduction situation."

CodeAmber's short term plans include presenting its program to Amber Alert administrators from around the country at the US Department of Justice's Technology Conference to be held in Memphis on December 3 -4, 2003. "We hope to leave there with all 50 states signed up and a fully cohesive network in place by the end of THIS year." Harper said.

The Amber Alert system is a legacy to Amber Hagerman who was abducted and murdered in Texas in 1997. President Bush signed legislation to carry the system nationwide in April, 2003. It is a voluntary partnership between broadcasters and law enforcement to instantly distribute information about an abduction.

Code Amber has also partnered with 800CarHelp, a nationwide service offering roadside assistance and traffic reports on the Viacom network. The CodeAmber Foundation, which assists in hosting seminars for media and law enforcement and also helps families who are experiencing a missing child event, was started earlier this year. The foundation is funded by sponsors through the partnership with 800CarHelp and MediaOne network.