AT&T Launches Hong Bao Design Contest in New York to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2010

NEW YORK, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New York's Chinese community hasn't popped firecrackers to wake up the dragon as per Chinese tradition on Lunar New Year, but the city's Chinatown is about to awaken with creative sprits. AT&T* and Better Chinatown Society announced today the launch of the AT&T Hong Bao (Red Envelope) Design Contest in celebration of Lunar New Year 2010.

"Red envelopes, usually with money inside, are traditionally given out to children during the Chinese New Year," said Tom DeVito, vice president and general manager for AT&T in New York and New Jersey. "This is an important part of Chinese culture and we're honored to be a part of this year's celebration as a Presenting Sponsor of the Lunar New Year Festival. We are kicking off the celebrations with our exciting Hong Bao Design Contest."

Beginning at 9 a.m. on January 19, 2010, New York residents may visit AT&T's new Chinatown store located on 260 Canal Street, to pick up the official Hong Bao Design Kit, create their own red envelope design and enter to win a Technology Makeover. The contest runs until 5 p.m. on February 8, 2010. Participants are asked to drop off their submissions in person at the Canal Street AT&T store location. The store is located between Broadway and Lafayette in the heart of Chinatown. The store hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Sun. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

A panel of judges, selected by Better Chinatown Society, will judge each entry based on three criteria – incorporation of AT&T products, creativity and presentation. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $750 Wireless Technology Makeover, which includes some of the latest AT&T wireless products up to $750. The first runner-up will receive a $400 Wireless Technology Makeover. The awards will be presented on Sunday, February 21, 2010 during the Lunar New Year Festival, at the stage in Columbus Park (67 Mulberry St.).  No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Open to legal residents of New York 18 or older as of 1/19/10. Void where prohibited. Sponsor is AT&T Services, Inc. All prizes must be claimed and winners must be present, at the awards ceremony on February 21, 2010 at the main stage of the Lunar New Year Festival celebration at Columbus Park, 67 Mulberry Street, New York, New York. For more information and official contest rules, please visit www.att.com/HongBao.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T | DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.  All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Better Chinatown Society

Founded in 2001, Better Chinatown Society is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the improvement of New York's Chinatown. The society seeks to build community solidarity and generate awareness of Chinatown by organizing special activities and events that bring the people of Chinatown together while also attracting tourists and visitors. In addition to the annual Autumn Moon Festival, the Better Chinatown Society also organizes the Lunar New Year Parade & Firecracker Ceremony, which attracted over 500,000 spectators in the past two years, and the Chinatown Independence Day Parade & Festival as well as numerous sports tournaments, and many special community social events.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.