INTERNET'S FIRST LIVE STREAMING VIDEO AUCTION
RELATED SYMBOLS: (AIME)(RNWK)(HWP)
To Be Held By Bid.Com And American Interactive Media
Auction Will Utilize Bid.Com's Patented Declining-Price (Dutch)
Auction Format
And Feature ComedyNet Host Lewis Black and RealNetwork Broadcasting
TORONTO and NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Bid.Com
International Inc. (Nasdaq: BIDS, TSE: BII) and American Interactive
Media, Inc., (OTC: AIME) today jointly announced that they will hold
the Internet's first live streaming video and audio auction, broadcast
by RealNetworks' (Nasdaq: RNWK) Real Broadcast Network in RealAudio
and RealVideo. The one-hour webcast will run Tuesday, April 27, 1999
at 10:00 p.m. EST (9:00 Central, 8:00 Mountain and 7:00 Pacific).
Consumers can participate in the live auction by visiting www.bid.com
or linking through AIME's www.comedynet.com.
This auction is the first programming event to spring from the two
companies' joint venture agreement signed in January, 1999. In working
together to create this breakthrough interactive shopping experience,
Bid.Com contributed its proprietary declining-price (Dutch) auction
format and technology and AIME contributed its creative, marketing and
production capabilities.
Bid.Com's patented Dutch auction format increases value and fun for
buyers by reducing prices from a set starting price until the lot of
goods is completely sold out. Viewers will have the opportunity to bid
on a hockey jersey autographed by Wayne Gretzky, baseballs signed by
Roger Clemens, Tag Hauer watches, Hewlett-Packard computer monitors and
other items.
In another Internet first, the auction will be hosted by veteran
comedian Lewis Black, who is regularly seen on AIME's ComedyNet, the
Internet's only 24-hour comedy channel. Mr. Black has headlined top
comedy clubs for 20 years and appeared in Mad About You and Homicide on
television, and in Hannah and Her Sisters and Jacob's Ladder on film.
He has also written and produced dozens of theatrical plays.
Paul Godin, Chairman and CEO of Bid.Com, said, "We are excited to be
able to combine our entertaining auction format and technology with the
humor of Lewis Black and the production and interactive experience of
American Interactive Media to create this Internet auction first. We
look forward to working with our joint venture partner, American
Interactive Media, to develop the next generation of shopping channels,
provide technical improvements to enhance consumer's auction
experience, and explore the potential to create programs for cable,
satellite and broadcast television."
Mark Graff, President and CEO of American Interactive Media, said,
"Bid.Com has e-commerce technology that is truly unique on the Internet
-- the ability to give customers lower and lower prices as the auction
moves forward. The fun and excitement increase by adding the creative
talent and rich video programming skills we bring to all our networks.
We look forward to producing more live video auctions for Bid.Com in
the future."
Ian Freed, general manager of RealNetworks, Inc., said "By providing
live streaming RealVideo and RealAudio as part of the online auction,
consumers will enjoy a greatly enhanced experience. RBN was
specifically designed to provide a high quality viewing and listening
experience to large audiences over the Internet."
Bid.Com, founded in 1995, is one of the Internet's leading on-line
auction sales organizations, with offices in Toronto and Tampa,
Florida. The company offers a compelling, entertaining and
cost-effective method of selling a wide array of goods and services
over electronic distribution channels. Bid.Com is strategically
positioned to leverage its business-to-consumer technological
leadership by offering the pre-eminent on-line auction platform for
co-ventures into business-to-business markets, licensing custom branded
E-commerce solutions and for distribution through broandband/cable
media. The company's shares have traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange
since February 1998 and were recently listed on the Nasdaq National
Market.
American Interactive Media, Inc. headquartered in New York City
(http://www.aime-inc.com), is creating original, branded entertainment
programming that can be distributed over many platforms, including the
Internet, cable and satellite television, and radio.
Bid.Com and American Interactive Media notify readers that this news
release may include comments that do not refer strictly to historical
results or actions and may be deemed to be forward-looking within the
meaning of the Safe Harbor provisions of the U.S. federal securities
laws. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
including successful development and implementation of technology,
acceptance of each company's products and services, competitive
factors, news products and technological changes, and other such risks
as each company may identify and discuss from time to time, including
those risks disclosed in Bid.Com's Amended Form 20-F filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, there is no certainty
that the companies' respective plans will be achieved.
SOURCE Bid.Com International Inc.
-0- 04/22/99 /CONTACT: Paul Godin,
President & CEO, 905-672-7467 x226, or Jeff Lymburner, President,
888-750-7467, both of Bid.Com; or General, Alison Ziegler, Investors,
Elisa Mailman, or Media, Claudine Cornelis, all of the Financial
Relations Board, 212-661-8030, for Bid.Com; or Mark Graff, President &
CEO of American Interactive Media, Inc., 212-539-0700; or Investors,
Lisa LaMagna of LaMagna Communications, Inc., 516-668-4979, or Media,
Wayne Rosso of Richard Lewis Associates, 757-422-4722, both for
American Interactive Media, Inc./
/Website: aime-inc.com /Website: bid.com
(BIDS AIME)
CO: Bid.Com International Inc. ST: New York IN: CPR MLM SU:
(Public Company & Wall Street & Business & High Tech)
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