readMedia Selected as Semi-Finalist in $100,000 Business Plan Competition

Innovative Press Release Distribution System One of Top 10 Contenders

ALBANY, NY (04/04/2007)(readMedia)-- readMedia, a localized press release distribution and content syndication technology company, has been named a semi-finalist in the $100,000 Business Plan Competition that will take place at the Summit in Tech Valley VII on May 14, 2007. The competition showcases the most innovative technology-oriented companies in the 19-county Tech Valley region and awards the winner with $100,000 and a suite of consulting and advisory services from the region's top legal, accounting, and banking firms to help ensure the winner's success.

readMedia provides state and local government agencies, elected officials, political parties and candidates, chambers of commerce, associations, non-profit organizations, schools and local businesses a specialized web-based press release distribution tool that combines a robust database of media contacts, an established, high-quality "wire" service, and built-in Search Engine Optimization features to ensure on-line visibility for their news.

"It's an honor to be recognized in such a competitive field," said Colin Mathews, President and CEO of readMedia. "But it also validates the large and exciting opportunity readMedia is addressing with our new technology."

Major sponsorship for the Summit in Tech Valley VII comes from Berkshire Bank, through its Greater Berkshire Foundation. Nixon Peabody, LLC is the Lead Sponsor of the $100,000 Business Plan Competition; major sponsors are Albany Molecular Research, Inc., MapInfo, the New York Business Development Corporation, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

About readMedia

readMedia, formerly Empire Information Services, is a leading provider of press release distribution technology and services to organizations that need to reach specific geographic targets. readMedia has worked with some of the nation's largest state agencies, public authorities, associations and not-for-profits since 1986.