GRCI Receives Highest Software Rating From Tucows [April 23, 2004]

PALM DESERT, Calif., Apr 23, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- GrassRoots Communications, Inc. (GRCI), a subsidiary of Newport International Group, Inc. (NWPO) receives the highest software ratings from Tucows (TCOW) in recent software evaluation tests. Out of a possible "Five-Cows," Tucows awarded GRCI a "Five-Cow" Rating for GRCLive Business Edition 1.5 as well as a "Four-Cow" Rating for GRCLive Lite Plus 1.2. The rankings were recently published on their website, www.tucows.com under the Video Conferencing category.

Every week, Tucows evaluates hundreds of submissions in search of the best applications available. Unlike other download sites, Tucows doesn't accept every submission, nor do they link offsite to the download. Tucows isn't just a software repository but provides users with quality software available for download on over 1,000 local mirrors around the world. According to Jenell Fontes, GRCI's Vice President of Marketing, "we are pleased that Tucows has provided their expert evaluation to our software products and has positively endorsed them. We invite all web-conferencing users to sign up for our free fourteen day trial at www.grclive.com."

Tucows.com provides their independent rating based on a number of factors during the software review in the following categories: Documentation and Help, Customer Support, and Reviewer Experience. By giving GRCI "5-Cows," they believe that GRCI is a superior application which is well-documented and provides the user with a great deal of help. Their reviewers have looked at thousands and thousands of applications and know what it takes to make a program stand out. As such, Tucows' endorsement of GRCI's software is based partly on the fact that the reviewer would recommend it to a friend.

About Tucows (TCOW) : Tucows is an Internet services company that provides wholesale Internet services -- including domain name registrations, digital certificates, managed DNS and email services -- to a distribution channel of more than 6,000 Internet service providers (ISPs), web hosting companies and other service providers worldwide. Tucows is in the business of managing data and simplifying complex business processes for this large and expanding network of resellers, who, in turn, provide e-business products and services to their customers -- an estimated 30-million end-users worldwide. These end-users, primarily small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals, represent one of the fastest growing segments of the Internet economy. The original software download site, Tucows.com earned its name for being the first to provide software on a "freeware" or "shareware" basis. They currently host more than 30,000 software titles (all tested, rated and reviewed by their own editorial staff of software experts) through an international network of more than 1,000 partner sites. These sites provide users with fast, local downloads.

About Newport International Group, Inc. (NWPO) : Newport International Group Inc. www.newport-international-group.com, through its subsidiary, GrassRoots Communications, Inc. (Pink Sheets: GRCI), provides reliable, affordable web conferencing and collaboration technology, previously affordable only to Fortune 500 companies. Offering fast, real-time collaboration, video, and voice, GRCLive saves time and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of business communication. A free two-week trial period -- found at GRCLive.com -- offers the individual and small-business owner the opportunity to become acquainted with GRCLive.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts may be "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. For example, statements that describe GRC's and/or Newport International Group's hopes, plans, objectives, goals, intentions, or expectations are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this news release. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond either company's control, will affect actual results.

SOURCE Newport International Group, Inc.

Jenell Fontes of GrassRoots Communications, Inc.,
+1-760-779-0251 (x205), for Newport International Group, Inc.