BEIJING , China , September 13, 2004 -- Special Olympics announced today that Emma Entertainment and the Backstreet Boys have chosen Special Olympics to be the charity of choice for the band's concert in Beijing on Friday, September 24 at the Beijing Olympic Stadium. Moreover, Emma Entertainment has pledged to partner with Special Olympics Programs when promoting future concerts and sporting events around the world.

The Backstreet Boys have long been one of the most popular groups in China . Credited with bringing the band to China for the first time, Emma Entertainment will offer loyal fans the opportunity to support the Special Olympics by attending this significant concert event in Beijing . The band will also perform in Shanghai at Hongkou Stadium on September 26.

Emma Entertainment and the Backstreet Boys will donate a portion of the Beijing concert ticket sales to Special Olympics International, which will use the funds to support several educational-related initiatives in Beijing . These projects include: Special Olympics Get Into It, a K-12 curriculum which calls on students to dispel the stereotypes that surround people with intellectual disabilities, and establish school-based Special Olympics activities such as Unified Sports? which brings together Special Olympics athletes and individuals without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same team.

The model university project teaches students in physical education universities throughout China how to train and coach Special Olympics athletes and as a result, these college campuses become community hubs for Special Olympics activities.

“Special Olympics is reaching out to youth in new and innovative ways and with Emma Entertainment's support we are sure to reach more of the next generation of supporters,” said Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. “The Backstreet Boys will not only help change destructive attitudes toward our athletes, but they will help youth see that Special Olympics is a cool, fun place for everyone.”

In addition, the Backstreet Boys will take part in pre-concert Special Olympics activities and provide complimentary tickets for Special Olympics athletes, Unified Sports partners, coaches and family members to attend the concert. The Backstreet Boys will join the many world-renound ambassadors for the Special Olympics Movement such as Bono of U2, Jon Bon Jovi, Vanessa Williams, Yao Ming, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger..

The Backstreet Boys and Special Olympics
Jonathan Krane, President of Emma Entertainment said, “We are very aware of the good work Special Olympics is doing in China and around the world. We feel privileged and proud to have the opportunity to do our part and help even more Special Olympics athletes experience the joy of sports and gain further respect and recognition from society.”

George Smith, Managing Director of Special Olympics East Asia added, “The program in China is the fastest growing program in the history of our Movement–with the goal of reaching 500,000 athletes by 2005. The Backstreet Boys will help us change attitudes among young and old, which will ultimately transform communities by inspiring people to open their minds, accept and include individuals with intellectual disabilities, and thereby celebrate similarities between all kinds of people.”

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round athletic training and competition in 26 Olympic-type sports for more than 1.3 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org and www.specialolympicseastasia.org

EMMA ENTERTAINMENT

With offices in New York , Beijing and Hong Kong, Emma Entertainment Holdings, Ltd. (“Emma”) has positioned itself as the dominant entertainment supply chain for live entertainment properties in China . A global entertainment company, Emma provides a reliable entry point and turn-key platform to the Chinese entertainment market in the areas of event promotion, production, ticketing and equipment rental. Emma is partnered with leading Chinese entertainment companies, Chinese government entities and technology companies to execute on all these business lines. Recent and upcoming exclusive events for Emma include the Whitney Houston Concert on July 25th, and the Backstreet Boys China tour September, 2004. Emma also retains the rights for five years as the exclusive ticketing company for the first ever ATP/WTA China Tennis Open , in Beijing , September 10-26. For more information, please visit www.emmaticket.com.cn