BBBB Blackboard (MM)

Agreements Join Others That Will Bring Blackboard's e-Learning and Mass Notification Services to State & System-Wide Communities LAS VEGAS, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBB), a leading provider of enterprise technology, announced today several new agreements with clients that will bring its e-learning solutions and mass notification services to a number of state and system-wide communities. Together, the agreements suggest a new model for states, state systems and other large entities interested in better connecting individual campuses and communities through common service platforms that can be used to fulfill more efficient and integrated e-learning and communication objectives. The new agreements include partnerships with several states and state systems that will use the multi-modal mass notification services offered by Blackboard Connect(TM): -- The State of Florida selected Blackboard for a pilot program allowing the Florida Division of Emergency Management and four Florida counties within the I-4 Corridor, including Brevard County, Orange County, Pasco County, and Polk County, to use the Connect-GOV(R) service for time-sensitive alerts and notifications. Collectively, over 1 million households will be included in the pilot. -- The State of Mississippi has implemented Blackboard's Connect-GOV service to provide the Executive Director of Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Governor of Mississippi the ability to communicate with residents and staff regarding time-sensitive incidents, which may include planned and unforeseen public safety matters. For additional information, please visit http://www.msema.org/ -- The Oregon University System selected Blackboard's Connect-ED service to provide university leaders with the ability to quickly reach students, faculty and staff with time-sensitive information. Under the terms of the agreement, any public or private campus, including community colleges, within the state can acquire the Connect-ED service. The announcements were made in Las Vegas, Nevada, where more than 2,000 members of the global e-learning community convened at BbWorld(R) '08, Blackboard's annual event focused on best practices and innovative breakthroughs in education technology. At BbWorld '08, Blackboard also announced new agreements with the State of New Mexico, which has selected Blackboard as a partner in a landmark initiative to deploy a single, statewide e-learning platform that will be the first of its kind to connect teaching, learning, and training for the state's K-20, adult education, and government communities. In addition, the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College System both selected Blackboard to create a statewide e-learning platform for nearly all of the state's 74 public colleges and universities and roughly 1 million college students. "We are excited to partner with a pioneering group of states and statewide systems that have selected Blackboard as their partner to bring e-learning solutions and mass notification services to their entire communities," said Michael L. Chasen, President and CEO of Blackboard. "In creating statewide platforms, we are working with these states to create a new model for delivering these services; one that can significantly improve engagement and connection between individual campuses and communities." For more information about Blackboard, please visit http://www.blackboard.com/ About Blackboard, Inc. Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBB) is a global leader in enterprise technology and innovative solutions that improve the experience of millions of students and learners around the world every day. Blackboard's solutions allow thousands of higher education, K-12, professional, corporate, and government organizations to extend teaching and learning online, facilitate campus commerce and security, and communicate more effectively with their communities. Founded in 1997, Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Blackboard Educate. Innovate. Everywhere.(TM) Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2008 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of July 16, 2008. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to July 16, 2008. DATASOURCE: Blackboard Inc. CONTACT: Matthew Maurer, Blackboard Inc., +1-202-463-4860, ext. 2637, ; or Amy Storey, Fleishman-Hillard Inc., +1-202-828-8819, , for Blackboard Inc. Web site: http://www.blackboard.com/ http://www.msema.org/

Copyright