In addition to a fresh, image-driven look, quick loading, and simple navigation, the site is much more user-friendly and informative covering all facets of the Billabong surf, skate, snow, and wake culture. The site also features a global news section, international team profiles, information on Billabong's global events and direct links to all official Billabong websites, including BillabongGirls.com, BillabongOdyssey.com, BillabongXXL.com and BillabongPro.com.

Other new additions to the site include a redesigned dealer locator, which will enable consumers to find the closest Billabong retailers in their area. The dealer locator can be found in the all-new men's Product button, which features lifestyle shots of our athletes in the latest gear and individual product shots of some of the season's hottest fashion trends. Consumers will also be able to shop for Billabong online through our online affiliate specialty retailers that are known for their extensive inventories and knowledge of Billabong products.

We are pleased with the initial reaction from our consumers and retailers following our soft launch in December and look forward to adding Billabong Juniors, Billabong wetsuits and Billabong Snow to the mix in the upcoming seasons, said Royce Cansler, Director of Specialty Retailer Relations for Billabong USA. "It will be exciting for everyone to be able to see fresh product on the site every 90 days as the Billabong lifestyle continues to evolve and move forward. The world's leading big wave website, www.billabongxxl.com, also has a new look for the 2004 big wave season to include coverage of all major XXL swells globally, general information and surfer profiles. In addition, the previous XXL sites are archived for reference. Users can also click on the new Billabong Media Room, a dedicated media resource designed exclusively for press as a resource tool to allow media the ability to access information and images.

The Billabong Media Room features the Billabong media kit to include surf/culture through Billabong's company history, corporate facts, executive bio, etc., a press release page and Newsletter page featuring the Bong Chronicles where users can access and download current and archived press releases and newsletters.

Other useful components within the site include an athlete page and photo gallery page designed for users to learn more about Billabong's world-renowned surfers, skateboarders, snowboarders and wakeboarders through athlete bios, stats and images. The photo gallery allows users to access athlete images, both lifestyle and action. Coming soon as an added feature to the site will be a dedicated movie clip menu showcasing highlights of all movies Billabong has done since the inception of the brand.

Additionally the Billabong media room has a product placement page and advertising page to showcase Billabong's presence and publicity in regional and national publications as well as Billabong's current and archived national mainstream/endemic and nonendemic advertising campaign.

To check out the Billabong Media Room visit visit http://mediaroom.billabong-usa.com and click on register as a new user.

Convergence, LLC was instrumental in creating the new product page and solely responsible for designing the Billabong Media Room. Convergence, LLC is an interactive agency providing eMarketing services for customer acquisition, eCommerce, and customer retention applications. For more information visit www.convergence.net.

For info contact: Jeff Huggins