BOSTON, Mass., May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- As "Gen I" - the Internet Generation - prepares for college graduation, eGrad, a new life-stage marketing company, announced today the official launch of eGrad2000.com. This new destination site is a free online service that provides tools and information that college graduates of the Class of 2000 will need to make a smooth transition into the real world. Sophisticated technology allows users to maintain friendships, discuss relationship issues, tackle the logistics of relocating, obtain career advice and even participate in a gift registry, making it easier for families to know exactly what to buy.

"Graduating from college is one of the most significant life changes that happens to a young person. We believe there is a need to provide an Internet destination where they can go to keep in touch with friends and find advice and information to assist them as they transition to the real world," explained Craig Carroll, president and co-founder of eGrad. "Today's college graduates are the most wired demographic in the world, and we are looking to revolutionize the way they access information and communicate with one another. It is also our vision to redefine the way companies reach and interact with graduating students."

By logging on to eGrad2000.com, graduating students can register for gifts and notify their family and friends about their graduation with an electronic announcement. This unique registry includes significant discounts on the most popular products such as RCA MP3 players, Panasonic DVD players, Coach leather products, Samsonite briefcases and hundreds of gift certificates for music, books, restaurants and travel. Many of these special offers are unmatched anywhere else on the Internet. eGrad2000 is even offering to buy one lucky registrant's entire gift list (up to $5000 in value).

eGrad has simultaneously launched a gift site for graduates called gifts4grads.com. Families and friends of graduating students can visit the site to see recommendations of popular gifts, as well as a list of presents to avoid. According to a survey, the top ten gifts for graduating senior include gift certificates, mobile phones, DVD players and hotel/airline tickets. In addition to the gift registry, eGrad will offer a Class of 2000 Network connecting graduates wherever they settle after graduation, allowing them to find roommates, share a mover, keep in touch with classmates or identify new friends in new cities.

For the past few months, eGrad2000 has been working with over 60 college and university newspapers to create the premier "graduation destination" site. The company's executive team developed relationships and partnerships with university newspapers at dozens of colleges across the country. These affiliates include Dartmouth College, Florida State University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Minnesota, Brown University, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, University of Colorado, the University of California at San Diego, the University of Washington and others.

By teaming with college newspapers, eGrad2000 is able to provide relevant and engaging content, as well as graduation information specific to each school. Articles on the new web site tackle topics like dealing with parents on graduation day; taking a summer trip without going broke; making connections with prospective employers; managing that first job after college; changing career paths; and meeting and making new friends after college. The site also provides decision-making tools and hundreds of pertinent, well- researched links.

"Our technical staff helped to create privately-labeled web sites for the school newspapers with the mission to help ease the transition to the real world for graduating students," added John Fees, CEO. "We believe we are offering an unprecedented service which includes online tools and expert information, as well as significant savings on relevant products." Commercial business partners include Excite@Home, AIG, Atlas Moving, SPRINT PCS, Marriott, Dow Jones, American Airlines, and others.

As part of the launch, eGrad2000 is giving away a European vacation for 10, where they will select one winner to take nine of their graduating friends to visit a European destination of choice. In addition to round-trip air fare to a major European city, eGrad2000 will also provide the winner and guests with $2,500 in Marriott Hotel accommodations, thirty-day Eurail passes and $5,000 in American Express(R) Travelers Cheques. The deadline for entry is June 10. To register, visit http://www.egrad2000.com. Participants must be a member of the Class of 2000.


ABOUT eGRAD
eGrad2000 is a life-stage marketing company, dedicated to meeting the needs of college graduates as they make their transition to the real world. Based in Boston, MA, eGrad was founded in 1999 by Craig Carroll, a former management consultant with Bain & Co., and John T. Fees, a collegiate marketing professional. The company also offers gifts4grads.com, where friends and family can find the "perfect" graduation gift. For additional information about the company, visit their web site at http://www.egrad2000.com.

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