Rare Medium Inc. Creates drDrew.com; First Web Site That Talks and Listens to Generation X/Y
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 1999--
MTV's 'Loveline' Host Unveils New Community on Internet
Dr. Drew, the MTV personality that has helped Generation X/Y through his nationally syndicated health and lifestyle show "Loveline," officially unveils his new community on the Web at www.drDrew.com. Created by Rare Medium Inc. (Nasdaq:RRRR), the interactive Web site is the first that provides the hard-to-reach audience with a venue to explore a wide range of physical, mental and emotional health and lifestyle topics.
"Rare Medium took the brand we have in Dr. Drew and not only brought him to life in a new and exciting venue but also expanded his staying power," said Curtis Giesen, chief executive officer of drDrew.com. "Through his television and radio shows, Dr. Drew has established a unique relationship with young adults that is based on 'trusted information' and his nonjudgmental approach. Rare Medium seamlessly translated these attributes and atmosphere to the Web without diluting the importance of providing young people with information on serious issues."
Rare Medium built all aspects of the site including the interface and publishing tools that allow the drDrew.com staff to maintain and update all content. The Web site's interactive elements include:
-- User registration, 24/7 chat rooms and message forums
-- "Question of the Day"
-- Dr. Drew's office with FAQs, recommended books and ability to
search the National Institute of Health database
-- Real-time polling
-- The drDrew.com Show -- a bi-weekly 30-minute Webcast featuring
Dr. Drew and celebrity guests fielding questions from the
audience via telephone and the site
-- Feature articles about current topics, health,
celebrities/personalities, film, music and book reviews provided
by an in-house editorial staff. Each article links to chat and
message boards
According to Dan Roddy, general manager of Rare Medium in Los Angeles, drDrew.com is a perfect example of Rare Medium's expertise in bringing new and established brands to the Web and building sites that create powerful relationships with visitors and vendors.
"Dr. Drew is a brand with 16 years' equity. To protect that and build upon it, we'll also help Dr. Drew build an in-house team to manage the site daily and continue to work with him to add features to the site," said Roddy. "Initially, the site is advertiser- and sponsor-supported. Over time, we will help add E-commerce initiatives such as the providing of 'trusted' products and services to the Internet generation."
"The challenge was to define a starting point for Dr. Drew to begin this new journey to create a cool, interactive environment that the audience would become an active member of and help build. One that would make Dr. Drew accessible and balance serious health issues with contemporary Net culture," said Greg Holland, Rare Medium executive producer. "We're really happy with the result and a little bit in awe of the respect and admiration directed to Dr. Drew from his audience
-- which was pounding at the door while we were building the site. The feedback is pouring in. It's going to be exciting to see drDrew.com evolve as the audience becomes a vibrant community."
The drDrew.com site will officially launch on Thursday evening, October 7 in Hollywood with an entertainment industry event to be held at a well-known venue. The event will be broadcast simultaneously from the Web.
About Rare Medium
Rare Medium Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rare Medium Group Inc., is an Internet solutions firm that helps clients develop E-commerce Internet strategies, improve business processes, develop marketing communications, branding strategies and interactive content using Internet-based technologies and solutions. Rare Medium develops Internet- and Web-based solutions primarily for large and medium-sized corporations, including Microsoft, 'The New York Times,' Epson, Pfizer, Hotel Reservation Network and the Federal Reserve Bank, among other leading companies.
The mission of Rare Medium Group is to incubate paradigm-shifting ideas and build the next wave of blockbuster companies of the future by leveraging its award-winning Internet development arm, Rare Medium Inc. Companies currently in development include: www.liveuniverse.com, a "Micro-Portal Enabler" with over 100,000 Web sites in its network; www.iface.com, a "VOIP" company, "Voice Enabling" the Internet; and www.changemusic.com, a company at the vanguard of the digital music revolution -- using the Internet to find, promote and distribute the best new music first. Rare Medium Group Inc. employs approximately 400 Internet professionals and is headquartered in New York with additional offices throughout the United States and Canada.
Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Rare Medium Group Inc. (Nasdaq:RRRR), and its subsidiaries' business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ are Rare Medium's limited operating history; competition; low barriers to entry; reliance on strategic relationships; rapid technological changes; inability to complete transactions on favorable terms and those risks discussed in the company's filings with the SEC.
CONTACT:
Rare Medium Inc.
George Campbell, 214/742-7273
or
Agency Contact:
Misty Moyse, 214/747-5400
KEYWORD: TEXAS CALIFORNIA NEW YORK
BW0429 OCT 04,1999
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