NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 27, 2005--Marking the switch from traditional lighting to advanced, environmentally responsible solid-state lighting (SSL), Royal Philips Electronic (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), will usher in 2006 by sponsoring a charity auction of the light bulbs used to illuminate the New Year's Eve Ball above Times Square. One-hundred percent of the winning bid on the auction will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The charity auction, part of the company's "Next Year is brought to you by Philips" advertising campaign, will take place from Dec. 30, 2005 to Jan. 6, 2006. Consumers can place bids at www.philips.com/newyears.

"New Years is an ideal opportunity for people to pause for a moment and contemplate the upcoming year," said Paul Zeven, CEO, Philips Electronics North America. "We see this 'pause' as an opportunity to help consumers spread goodwill." Philips and its North American employees have donated more than $1 million (USD) to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in 2005. The Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year.

For the past five years, Philips has been supplying the light bulbs for the Waterford Crystal Ball. Philips Halogena Brilliant Crystal light bulbs, exclusively engineered for the New Year's Eve Ball, illuminate the exterior. The interior of the ball is lit by several colors of Philips bulbs, including clear, red, blue, green and yellow, along with high-intensity strobe lights. All listed bulbs will be authenticated with a production number etched in the bulb and will be shipped to the winning bidders with an accompanying letter of certification.

Beginning in December 2006, Philips will light the New Year's Ball with solid-state or LEDs. LEDs are part of the growing solid-state lighting category, which is set to revolutionize the lighting industry, offering dramatic reductions in both electricity consumption and costs.
Foremost among the many advantages of using LEDs is their positive environmental impact. Because they light without generating extreme heat, a sustainable technology is created which yields significant energy savings. LEDs are already being used in automotive lighting, traffic signaling and signage.

Consumers can also share their New Year's resolutions online through the company's microsite, www.philips.com/newyears. Users can enter their resolution and email it to others or direct others to view it on the "living globe" that will be visible for the week of New Year's and scrollable for all posted resolutions. For those individuals who post resolutions, they also will have the chance to register to win one of the actual bulbs used in Times Square for the New Year's celebration.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,100 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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Copyright Business Wire 2005

Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 125,800 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2006, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, personal care and home appliances, as well as consumer electronics. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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