SALN (Salon.com) with big news just out! It's moving.
(PR NEWSWIRE) Salon.com Launches Broadband Division and Names Two Executives
Salon.com Launches Broadband Division and Names Two Executives to Develop And
Market Interactive Content
Expands Convergence Efforts to Include Original Audio and Video Programming
And Wireless Partners
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ --Salon.com (Nasdaq: SALN)
(www.salon.com), one of the leading Internet media companies, today announced
the formation of a broadband division to leverage its award-winning network of
11 original content sites against emerging broadband applications.
Capitalizing on strategic partnerships, Salon.com will distribute unique rich
media content on its online network, as well as through wireless devices,
cable modems and interactive television. Salon.com promoted two senior
executives to run the division, Leah Tracy, Vice President of Broadband and
Janelle Brown, Director of Broadband Programming.
Salon.com will use the technology of RealNetworks, a recognized leader in
the delivery of media on the Internet, to support its broadband offerings on
the site. To serve and potentially grow the network's 3.4 million unique
users, Salon.com will work with its partners, including: Virage Inc., for its
political video footage; TheDial, an Internet radio company; EchoStar and
DISH Satellite Networks; and AvantGo, a distributor of content via the
Palm Pilot and other handheld devices. Following up on the content and equity
agreement announced in December 1999 with Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a
subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corp. and NBC, Salon.com's broadband
division will work closely with the Independent Film Channel and Bravo, the
Film and Arts network, to develop potential multimedia applications.
"With this division, we're marshaling our resources to become one of the
leading players in the development and distribution of broadband content."
said Michael O'Donnell, CEO and president of Salon.com. "Over the past six
months, Salon.com has rolled out multiple broadband features, such as
streaming audio and a video database on our new Politics2000 site. These
initiatives, coupled with the ones in development, including streaming
segments of the television show hosted by travel personality Burt Wolf on our
Travel & Food site, will make Salon.com a serious player in the broadband
space."
Commenting on today's announcement, Carlos Montalvo, Vice President of
Marketing for Virage Inc. added, "Salon.com is where news, politics and
entertainment converge on the Internet. Political junkies and average voters
alike want their video coverage of this year's campaign unfiltered -- stump
speeches, debates, conventions and all. That is precisely what our technology
provides for Salon.com users."
In addition to its current initiatives, Salon.com is developing the
following broadband features: original talk and music programming for Salon
Radio, debuting later this year; video content developed in conjunction with
the upcoming television series on Bravo, the Film and Arts network; and the
potential delivery of additional content to the next generation of
Internet-ready mobile phones and other handheld devices.
Leading Salon.com's broadband division will be current Director of
Business Development Leah Tracy and Senior Technology Writer, Janelle Brown.
Tracy, who has been named Vice President of Broadband, joined Salon.com in
1997 and has since brokered some of Salon.com's largest e-commerce,
syndication and broadband initiatives, including music programming powered by
TheDial, as well as the site's comprehensive travel service supported by
Microsoft Expedia.
Janelle Brown has been named Director of Broadband Programming. Brown's
extensive knowledge of Internet trends and culture and engaging writing style
has helped make Salon Technology one of Salon.com's most popular sites since
1997. She has been quoted in numerous magazines and served as an industry
expert on National Public Radio. Brown will use her expertise to develop
innovative broadband content with a distinct Salon.com flavor. "The Web is
finally ready for high-bandwidth content, and I'm excited to extend
Salon.com's unique voice to new forms of broadband media," said Brown. "From
online radio programming to independent film and music to streaming news, the
opportunities are endless."
About Salon.com
Salon.com (http://www.salon.com ; AOL Keyword: Salon) is an Internet media
company that produces a network of 11 original content sites and two
communities -- Table Talk and The WELL. Salon.com was founded by David Talbot,
former editor of the San Francisco Examiner. Premier advertisers and sponsors
of Salon.com include IBM, Lexus, Microsoft, Virgin.com, Intel, DrKoop.com,
barnesandnoble.com and EDS. Salon.com has relationships with over
325 advertising sponsors. In December 1999, Salon.com's network of Web sites
had 3.4 million unique visitors.
Salon.com recently announced an equity and content agreement with Rainbow
Media Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation and NBC,
to develop online content and Salon.com's first television series, targeted to
air on Bravo Networks in Fall 2000.
In January 2000, Salon.com announced a content agreement with Red Hat, a
leading provider of OpenSource and Linux software. Salon.com also distributes
its content to leading online and Internet companies such as America Online
(AOL). Other Internet sites that carry Salon.com content on a regular basis
include Lycos, Go.com, AltaVista, Reuters, CNN.com and CNET. In the wireless
and handheld arenas, Salon.com has signed content distribution agreements with
both AvantGo and Rocket eBooks. Salon.com also syndicates through United
Features Syndicate. Salon.com has an ecommerce ticketing and advertising
sponsorship sales agreement with CultureFinder.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning
advertising and traffic growth that involve risks and uncertainties including,
among others, acceptance and effectiveness of advertising, growth in use of
the Internet, Salon.com's limited operating history, anticipated losses, the
unpredictability of its future revenues, successful development of Salon.com's
television show, competition, risks associated with system development and
operation, management of potential growth and risks of new business areas,
business combinations and strategic alliances. Actual results could differ
materially from those discussed. More information about factors that
potentially could affect Salon.com's financial results is included in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at the
SEC's Web site ( sec.gov ). All forward-looking statements are
based on information available to the company on the date hereof, and the
Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.
NOTE: Salon.com is a registered trademark of Salon.com. All other company
and product names mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Salon.com
-0- 02/08/2000
/CONTACT: Emma Hurley of Salon.com, 415-645-9321, or ehurley@salon.com/
/Web site: salon.com
(SALN)
CO: Salon.com
ST: California
IN: MLM TLS PUB
SU: PER PDT
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