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ELECTRONICS PRODUCTS TOP EUROPEANS' WISH LISTS THIS CHRISTMAS Brits flock online for artificial trees and Christmas lights, while French and Germans hunt for materials to make their own festive decorations MIVA reveals pan-European seasonal trends based on analysis of billions of web searches Consumers' infatuation with all things 'iPod' is one phenomenon that shows no sign of abating, at least not this side of Christmas. So says Performance Marketing network, MIVA (NASDAQ:MIVA), which today releases details of the top Christmas related web searches from across its European network. MIVA's research reveals that Apple's ubiquitous MP3 player features in the top five most searched for Christmas gifts in all European countries surveyed. The desire for consumer electronics doesn't stop there. In the UK, web users have got their sights set on mobile phones, PDAs and plasma screen TVs, while German, Spanish and Italian web users are looking at mobile phones, games consoles and DVD recorders. Even the French are getting in on the act, shunning fine food and haute couture in favour of GPS systems and navigation software. Chasing the winter sun (and snow…) As with every year, escaping the cold - and perhaps the in-laws - with a trip overseas is a top priority for a large proportion of Europeans, many of whom are still hunting for last minute deals. For the Brits, skiing holidays are topping the agenda this year. Not content with moaning about the cold here, Brits look set to flock to the slopes in their masses to work off the excesses of the Christmas party season. France, Germany and Switzerland are topping their wish list of skiing destinations. Other top spots for the Brits are Prague, Spain and Ibiza. For the rest of Europe, it's an altogether more laid back agenda. For the Germans, beach holidays in Egypt and the Canaries are topping the list, while for the Italians its city breaks in Barcelona, Paris or Amsterdam or winter sun in the Maldives. Deck the halls with home made holly… When it comes to decking out the family home with festive decorations and Christmas lights, few could question the commitment of certain Brits. But as the National Grid braces itself for the surge in demand as homeowners up and down the country try and outdo their neighbours, our European cousins are opting for a considerably more creative approach. For German and French homeowners, homemade Christmas decorations are the order of the day. So while the English are searching online in their masses for Christmas lights and artificial Christmas trees, the Germans and French are hunting for instructions, materials and inspiration for their homemade decorations. In Spain, attention is focused on the traditional nativity scene. The majority of consumers in Spain set up a nativity scene at home every Christmas and this is reflected in web searches as Spanish web users look for additions and replacements to their existing scenes and characters. "Analysing the trends of European web users in the lead up to Christmas throws up some real insights into the intricacies of European culture," comments Seb Bishop, Director and CMO, MIVA. "Regardless of which country you're from, however, the underlying finding is that the web as a research and retail channel is now a key part of the Christmas experience," he continued. MIVA's seasonal trends are revealed following analysis of the one billion monthly web queries from across the company's European network of partner sites. This network includes Europe's leading websites, search engines and directories, as well as hundreds of vertically focused web publishers. The analysis covered the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. According to the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), up to 24 million people in the UK will shop online for Christmas presents this year, spending a predicted £5bn. This represents an increase of £1.5bn on Christmas 2004 figures. NOTES TO EDITOR MIVA is written in upper case. To access the MIVA logo: www.miva.com/uk/content/about/logo.asp About MIVA®, Inc. MIVA is the leading independent Performance Marketing Network, dedicated exclusively to helping businesses grow. MIVA connects millions of buyers with sellers at exactly the right place and time. MIVA delivers qualified leads to advertisers, helps maximise revenue for partners, facilitates commerce for online merchants and provides relevant information to customers. The Company has relationships with more than 100,000 customers, spanning North America, Europe and Asia. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or expressions such as "plan," "intend," "believe" or "expect'" or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. Key risks are described MIVA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K/A for fiscal 2004, and the most recently filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q. MIVA undertakes no obligation to update the information contained herein. ®Registered trademark of MIVA, Inc.
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