July 13, 2002 Saturday Broward Metro Edition SECTION: LIFESTYLE; Pg. 7D LENGTH: 283 words HEADLINE: JUST LISTEN TO THE LATEST BRITNEY FAD: VOICEMAIL BYLINE: Eric R. Danton Lifestyle Correspondent BODY: You've probably accepted by now that Britney Spears is never going to call, even if she had your number. That doesn't mean, however, that she won't leave you voicemail -- for a price. For $19.99, you can purchase a three-month subscription to Britney's wireless fan club, which entitles you to "surprise" voice and text messages delivered to a mailbox you can access from your mobile phone. It's the latest in the marketing of Brand Britney (didn't she used to be a singer?), this time under the guidance of WFX, a New York wireless network working to marry the latest technology and entertainment fads. Available for the past two months at Best Buy stores, other retailers will soon stock Britney WFX, says Jed Alpert, president and CEO of WFX. Fans who buy the Britney kit get kitschy goodies, including a replica all-access backstage laminate and a static cling decal. They also get a phone card-size piece of plastic with a sultry picture of Britney on the front and an access code on the back that allows them to receive prerecorded voice and text messages from the singer and her retinue. A sample access code provided by WFX yielded a voice message from a woman who identified herself as Sonya, the head of wardrobe for Britney's tour. Sonya talked on the scratchy recording about shopping for new outfits for the performer and her dancers. Not exactly a peek into the wild backstage world of Britney Spears, but better than nothing. Alpert and WFX aren't stopping with Britney. He says the company has plans to create wireless fan clubs for other entertainers and expand into the sports world, too. Eric R. Danton writes for the Hartford Courant, a Tribune Co. newspaper.