Flemington, NJ, July 2, 2007 – Results of a national focus group among 381 Americans revealed that a clear majority (75%) believe that Paris Hilton was treated fairly by the legal system for violating her probation.

The communications research study was conducted by HCD Research, using its mediacurves.com web site, during June 28-29, to obtain Americans’ views on comments made by Paris Hilton during an interview on the Larry King Live show on June 27, the day after she was released from prison.
.
While viewing segments from the interview, participants indicated their levels of believability by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. To view believability curves and detailed results, go to: www.mediacurves.com

The study included a national focus group of male and female participants.

Among the study findings:

• Among all responders, a clear majority of Americans (75%) reported that Paris Hilton was treated fairly by the legal system. Among male and female responders, 74% of male participants indicated that she was treated fairly and 75% of female participants reported that she was treated fairly by the legal system.  

• After viewing segments from the interview, among all responders, an overwhelming majority 92% of Americans reported that they “did not” believe Paris Hilton when she told Larry King that she had never taken illegal drugs. Among male and female responders, 92% of male participants indicated that they “did not” believe her and 92% of female participants reported that they “did not” believe her when she told Larry King that she had never taken illegal drugs.  

The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.
 
HCD Research specializes in conducting communications research for the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, financial and entertainment industries, among others.
Headquartered in Flemington, NJ, the company's services include traditional and web-based communications research.  For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. 

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, managing partner, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).