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EXPEDIA TAPS NEXT IT FOR VIRTUAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT

Spokane, WA May, 24, 2011 - Expedia.com®, the world's largest online travel company has chosen Next IT, a leading provider of conversational virtual employees for business, to create and implement its new vision for online customer-service launching this fall.

The ActiveAgent™ solution, powered by Next IT Human Emulation Software™, is slated to go live later this year on the Expedia.com website in the form of a virtual agent who will help travelers seeking travel booking information.

Virtual Agent will support and assist travelers
"The virtual agent will be an extension of the Expedia brand by providing an intuitive, conversational tool that will help our millions of travelers plan and book travel," Tim MacDonald, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Expedia® said. "Our goal with this project is to offer our customers a way to get the assistance they need, whenever they need it, without having to wait to speak with a representative."

Travelers will be able to access the virtual agent from multiple places on Expedia's website and ask questions, get assistance with booking travel, check on reservation status and itineraries, and initiate actions using everyday language, just as though they were interacting with a live customer-service representative.

"ActiveAgent's ability to handle complex data is a great fit for Expedia's multifaceted business and the many different types of travelers they serve," said Fred Brown, Next IT Founder and CEO. "Expedia customers will have instant access to the personalized, relevant information they need."

Next IT is a leading provider of conversational online virtual employee solutions for the travel industry.

About Expedia.com
Expedia.com is the world's leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide personalized service, the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com promises to offer to its customers the best rates available online for all types of travel. Expedia.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).

About Next IT
Next IT is the largest U.S.-based provider of Intelligent Virtual Assistants and helps companies deliver the perfect online customer experience. Its Intelligent Virtual Assistants combine the intimacy of 1-to-1 service that customers love, with the speed and accuracy of automated self-service that scales cost-effectively. Some of the world's largest organizations rely on Next IT for conversational customer care that boosts satisfaction, loyalty and revenue including Aetna, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Shaw Communications and the U.S. Army.

Next IT Media Contact
Jacquelyn D’Andrea
NextIT@corporateink.com
(617) 969-9192

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