WIRED MAGAZINE BRINGS THE FUTURE TO LOS ANGELES WITH NEXTFESTTM 2007

WIRED NextFest to Showcase the People, Ideas and Technologies that will Change Our World

SAN FRANCISCO, May 17, 2007 --- WIRED magazine today announced that Los Angeles has been selected as the host city for the fourth annual WIRED NextFestTM event. WIRED is bringing this unique world’s-fair style event to the city September 13th – 16th, 2007. Hitachi is the presenting sponsor of WIRED NextFest 2007.

“Los Angeles has become a mecca for culture and innovation, with millions of visitors a year seeking out our arts festivals, museums and performances,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “Having WIRED Nextfest in LA this year brings another high- caliber event to the city and a peek into the future for Angelenos and visitors.”

WIRED NextFest 2007 builds on the success of the previous three years, where the festival attracted more than 100,000 attendees combined in New York (2006), Chicago (2005) and San Francisco (2004). The event brings together innovations from inventors and research and development labs from around the world for both children and adults alike. Staged in thematic pavilions covering more than 150,000 square feet in the Los Angeles Convention Center, the exhibition will feature advances in communication, design, entertainment, energy, the environment, exploration, medicine/health, robotics, security and transportation.

“We’re taking the essence of WIRED and bringing the future to life through interactive experiences and dynamic live demonstrations,” said Drew Schutte, Vice President and Publishing Director of WIRED Media. “We’re excited this year’s WIRED NextFest is taking place in Los Angeles – a city at the forefront of the convergence of entertainment and technology – and we’re confident this year’s event will again show attendees a rare glimpse into the future.”

“WIRED NextFest is a natural fit for our vision of where technology is going to take us – essentially to ‘breathe new life into the next era’,” said Tadahiko Ishigaki, Chief Executive for North America for Hitachi, Ltd. and Chairman of Hitachi America, Ltd. “We firmly believe that innovation will inspire the next generation and we’re proud to be associated with WIRED NextFest and show Los Angeles how our technology is an essential part of the future.”

WIRED NextFest 2007 is slated to begin with “Education Day” on Thursday, September 13 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. “Education Day” provides an opportunity for students and teachers in the Los Angeles area to experience this educational and interactive event for free. WIRED NextFest will be open to the general public Friday, September 14 from 12 noon – 9:00 p.m., Saturday September 15 from 9:00am – 6:00pm and Sunday September 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

In addition to presenting sponsor Hitachi, other corporate sponsors of WIRED NextFest include Northrop Grumman and Citi.

To purchase tickets and learn more about WIRED NextFest, please visit www.wirednextfest.com.

About WIRED Since 1993, WIRED magazine has chronicled the people, companies, technologies and ideas that are transforming the world around us. Each month, WIRED delivers a glimpse into the future of business, science, entertainment, education, culture and politics. Under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Chris Anderson, WIRED has been nominated for an unprecedented six consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, winning the industry’s prestigious top prize in 2007 and 2005. WIRED magazine and Wired.com reach nearly 6 million readers per month and is part of WIRED Media, a division of Conde Nast Publications that also includes Wired.com and Reddit.com.

Media Contact:

Alexandra Constantinople WIRED Media Direct: +1 415 276 4962 [email protected]

Bill Danon Bite Communications for WIRED Media Direct: +1 310 395 2140 [email protected]