Hottest Fashions, Live Music and New R&B/Pop Group LMNT Set the Stage for Back-to-School Fashion Preview Brought to You by the Encarta Challenge 2001 and L'Oreal Open Sponsored by the Disney Channel

NEW YORK, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- TEEN PEOPLE, the award winning pop culture magazine, announces that its 10-city summer fashion and music extravaganza, Rock 'N Shop, is back by popular demand. Teens across the country will have the unique opportunity to preview the latest in trend setting looks and style for the new school year, while enjoying popular live music from the new R&B/pop group LMNT.

Combining teens, fashion and music, TEEN PEOPLE launched the Rock 'N Shop Tour in 1999 as a way to bring back-to-school trends and the latest music to today's teenagers. This year, teens will have the opportunity to preview the latest fall fashions and accessories from around the world. TEEN PEOPLE staff members will be on hand to provide tips and let teens know what trends are big for back-to-school. R&B/pop group LMNT will add more excitement to the event by providing a special live performance at each of the Rock 'N Shop stops across the country.

Rock 'N Shop's music and fashion experience will be further enhanced by an exclusive technology partner, the Microsoft Encarta Challenge 2001. As part of Rock 'N Shop, teens can ``test drive'' the Encarta Challenge and register for their chance to win $50,000, a new car, and other prizes. The first national online contest to promote research skills, the Encarta Challenge pits teens against each other and the clock to discover answers to tough questions in history, science and the arts. The contest kicking off in September culminates with five finalists, who will be flown to New York City to compete for $50,000 in cash for college. In addition, winners of the local Rock 'N Shop stops will get a chance to meet LMNT. In August, teens will be able to register for the Encarta Challenge 2001 at http://www.encartachallenge.com.

``We're excited to be a part of TEEN PEOPLE's Rock 'N Shop,'' said Sally Kotovisch, product manager for Encarta Brands at Microsoft Corp. ``The Encarta Challenge encourages students to learn important research skills for success in today's information-based world, and helps to prepare them for careers in an electronic age.''

``Teens want to be entertained when they shop,'' says publisher Anne Zehren. ``Rock 'N Shop does just that by combining live music performances with unique styling advice in teens' favorite shopping environment -- the mall.''

Additional Rock 'N Shop sponsors include L'Oreal Open and the Disney Channel. Visitors can stop by L'Oreal Open's cyber imaging station and sample new hair colors, or head over to Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire bedroom display for a chance to win a trip to the Lizzie McGuire Show. With DJs spinning the latest music and interactive beauty and fashion areas, TEEN PEOPLE's Rock 'N Shop tour is the complete stop for fashion, beauty and entertainment.

TEEN PEOPLE'S 2001 Rock 'N Shop Fashion Tour, featuring LMNT will visit the following locations:

     Los Angeles           August 2           Northridge Fashion Center
     Seattle               August 4           Alderwood Mall
     Chicago               August 9           Spring Hill Mall
     Detroit               August 11          Summit Place Mall
     Dallas                August 16          Stonebriar Center
     Orlando               August 18          West Oaks Mall
     Atlanta               August 23          Cumberland Mall
     Philadelphia          August 25          Neshaminy Mall
     New York              August 30          Galleria at White Plains
     Boston                September 6        Silver City Galleria

TEEN PEOPLE is the first pop culture magazine for guys and girls that focuses on stars, style and substance. With an editorial mix covering celebrities and entertainment, fashion/beauty and real teens and their accomplishments, TEEN PEOPLE has become one of the fastest growing launches in publishing history. Launched in January 1998 with a guaranteed circulation of 500,000, TEEN PEOPLE increased the guarantee to 1.6 million with its February 2001 issue.

A trusted resource since its debut in 1993, Microsoft Encarta provides all the information families need all in one place by combining leading multimedia reference titles and the best of the Internet to provide a fully integrated, complete reference resource -- Encarta Reference Library 2002 -- for home or school. Featuring Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe, the number one multimedia encyclopedia worldwide, the Library also contains outstanding content from the Encarta Dictionary and Thesaurus, Encarta Interactive World Atlas, and Encarta Africana. In addition, free* access to Encarta Online Deluxe will be available for Encarta Reference Library users through October 31, 2002. Encarta Reference Library is available for an estimated retail price of $74.95.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    * Free Encarta Online Deluxe offer is valid through Dec. 31, 2002, and is
      currently valued at $49.95.  Access to and use of the Internet may
      require payment of a separate fee to an Internet service provider.
      Connect-time charges and long-distance telephone toll charges may apply.
      The offer is valid in the United States, the District of Columbia and
      Canada only.

SOURCE: TEEN PEOPLE