Wallace & Gromit™ and Friends Find a New Home on The

Home , Angry Kid, A Close Shave, Creature Comforts, David Sproxton, Peter Lord, Rex the Runt

Wallace & Gromit™ and friends find a new home on the web Submitted by: Golin-Harris International (London) Monday, 19 November 2001

World leading model animators Aardman turn to Data Return for managed hosting services Oscar-winning model animation company Aardman, the creators of popular characters such as Wallace & Gromit and Ginger & Rocky from Chicken Run, have selected Data Return, the company that provides a higher standard of managed hosting, to run its consumer and trade web sites. Data Return will manage www.aardman.com, fan sites for Wallace & Gromit, Rex the Runt (currently showing on BBC 2), Chicken Run and Angry Kid, as well as Aardman’s extranet and its B2B focussed site http://www.aardman.com/trade . With numerous interactive, high bandwidth features, including downloadable movie clips & animations, and the need to transfer files and data with its business customers, Aardman wanted a partner with a secure, stable infrastructure and in-depth technical knowledge. Data Return’s proven track-record in delivering cost effective, reliable solutions coupled with its expertise on the Microsoft platform, and support for SQL Server, made it the ideal choice. “Outsourcing the management of our portfolio of websites enables us to focus on delivering the imaginative, entertaining content that Aardman is world famous for, while Data Return ensures the smooth running of the sites”, commented Paul Deane, Internet Manager, Aardman. “Data Return impressed us with its range of technical experience, particularly on Microsoft applications and the quality of service and support that it offers.” “This latest win for Data Return’s UK office is further evidence of our position as the leading provider of managed hosting services for Internet applications based on Microsoft technologies. Our customers can rely on Data Return to deliver the level of availability and security they need for even the most complex of applications,” said Gideon Wilkins, Acting Managing Director for Data Return UK. Notes to editors About Aardman The company is known as Aardman and has been nominated for seven Academy Awards and has won three: Creature Comforts, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave. Nick Park joined Aardman in 1986 and is now a director of the company along with co-founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton. Aardman Features is a separate studio dedicated to producing feature films. Chicken Run, the first film produced by this company has grossed over 0m worldwide. For Aardman enquiries please call 44 207 706 1046.

Page 1 About Data Return Recognised by Microsoft as the Windows 2000 Global Hosting Partner of the Year 2000, Data Return specialises in providing high-availability managed hosting services for companies whose applications are based on Microsoft technologies. These services are utilised by many leading enterprises including Microsoft, Compaq Computer Corporation, RadioShack.com, Texas Instruments, H&R Block, The World Bank, and Fossil. Data Return also provides managed infrastructure services for the rapidly growing market of Application Service Providers (ASPs). Data Return strategic investors and Global Alliance Partners include Microsoft, Compaq Computer Corporation and Level 3 Communications. In November 2001, divine inc., an integrated solution provider headquartered in Chicago, announced a definitive agreement to acquire Data Return. For more information, visit http://www.datareturn.com This press release contains forward-looking information. Statements made in this press release that state Data Return's or management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of "future events" are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of risks, including changes in external competitive market factors, changes in or an inability to execute Data Return's business strategy, unanticipated changes in the hosting industry, the economy in general and changes in the use of the Internet. Data Return cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties summarized under the heading "Risk Factors" in Data Return's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2001 and are updated from time to time through the filing of reports and registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of Data Return as of the date of this release, and Data Return disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in Data Return's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based. Data Return is a trademark of Data Return Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. For further information please contact: Nicola Garrett Golin/Harris International Ltd 0207 898 3427 [email protected]

Page 2

Distributed via Press Release Wire (https://pressreleases.responsesource.com/) on behalf of Golin-Harris International (London)