News on Planet Direct
Jeff Cunningham, Former Forbes Group Publisher,
Appointed President, CEO for CMGI's Planet Direct
Business Wire - February 16, 1999 11:57
ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 1999--David Wetherell, Chairman and CEO of
CMGI (NASDAQ:CMGI), today announced the appointment of Jeffrey M. Cunningham to President
and CEO of Planet Direct. Additionally, Planet Direct's former President and CEO, Hans G. Hawrysz,
has been appointed to the newly created position of President, Strategic Planning for CMGI. CMGI is
a majority shareholder, or owner/operator of more than 30 Internet companies spanning online
community, commerce, content and infrastructure disciplines.
Planet Direct, launched in early 1997, is one of the Web's leading portals with over 1 million registered
members and a unique distribution strategy utilizing both consumer and business-to-business channels.
With a network of more than 600 Internet Service Providers (ISPs), as well as leading corporate and
affinity marketers ranging from national telecom players such as AT&T WorldNet(R) Service, to
consumer marketers such as Discover Card and RE/MAX, Planet Direct enables its partners to build
brand equity, while strengthening and deepening relationships with their customers.
"Jeff has exhibited a remarkable capability to marry the editorial interests of a successful,
content-driven product with the business interests of the advertisers and other strategic partners
needed to grow the larger brand," said Wetherell, Chairman, CMGI. "Jeff's proven leadership abilities,
as well as his extensive network of corporate relationships, will prove a tremendous benefit to Planet
Direct's business model moving forward."
"Planet Direct has just begun to take advantage of its position as a next-generation portal, offering a
superior, highly personalized Web experience and a full range of consumer content and functionality. I
look forward to building on this strong foundation to further develop Planet Direct's content and
e-commerce relationships, and expand on the business-to-business opportunities of our distribution
model," said Cunningham.
"Planet Direct represents an unmatched value proposition for a wide range of audiences. For ISPs, as
well as corporations and affinity marketers, Planet Direct delivers a completely customized Web
experience, both in a co-branded or completely 'private label' environment. Equally important, the
design of the Planet Direct platform, in tandem with the profiling capabilities of Engage Technologies,
our CMGI-sister company, make us an equally compelling choice for advertisers looking to target and
extend their brand online."
Forbes Group Publisher Brings More Than 20 Years' Experience in Media, Advertising Arenas
Mr. Cunningham, a 23-year veteran of the publishing industry, served for more than 18 years with
Forbes, Inc., where he rose to Group Publisher of the Forbes Corporation. In this capacity, Mr.
Cunningham was the senior executive of Forbes Inc.'s media businesses, including its Publications,
Conference, Internet, and International divisions. Under his management, all divisions achieved
industry-leading growth and profitability records, and Forbes became the advertising page leader
among all business and consumer magazines.
Prior to joining Forbes, Mr. Cunningham was a senior executive with McGraw-Hill's Business Week
Magazine and its Trade Magazine division (1976-1980). In addition to his professional duties, Mr.
Cunningham also serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of Countrywide Credit, Data
General, PageNet, Pointcast, and Schindler Holding.
Hawrysz Joins CMGI Executive Team to Bolster Strategic Integration
Hans Hawrysz joined the CMGI organization as Planet Direct's senior executive in late 1996. In his
new role, Mr. Hawrysz will provide strategic counsel and business development support to the
company's Internet Group, as well as its @Ventures portfolio. Mr. Hawrysz will continue to serve as a
member of the Planet Direct Board of Directors.
The CMGI Internet Group includes majority-owned units Planet Direct, NaviSite, NaviNet, Engage
Technologies, ADSmart, Magnitude Network, and ZineZone. @Ventures, which now includes minority
interests in more than 20 companies, has been instrumental in the early funding and development of
Internet leaders such as Lycos (NASDAQ:LCOS), GeoCities (NASDAQ:GCTY), Reel.com,
PlanetAll, Silknet, Chemdex, and ThingWorld.com.
About Planet Direct
Planet Direct, a majority-owned subsidiary of CMGI (http://www.cmgi.com), is a personal Web
service that tailors members' online experience to their interests and local community. By integrating
brand name editorial with enhanced links to popular sites and services, Planet Direct provides
consumers with essential, everyday information such as news, weather, and financial data in a logical
and intuitive manner, ensuring easy access to personal interests in a community atmosphere. Available
free on the Web planetdirect.com, Planet Direct is also provided to, and co-branded by,
more than 600 Internet Service Providers, as well as leading national partners such as AT&T
WorldNet Service(R), up2 technologies inc. (a division of Teleglobe, Inc.), Discover Card, and
RE/MAX.
About CMGI
CMGI (NASDAQ:CMGI) combines operating companies with strategic venture investments to create
a diverse set of businesses delivering Internet solutions. Microsoft, Intel and Sumitomo hold minority
positions in CMGI. The CMGI Internet Group consists of its majority-owned subsidiary companies
ADSmart, Engage Technologies, NaviSite, NaviNet, Planet Direct, Magnitude Network and ZineZone.
The company's CMG@Ventures affiliates have ownership interests in Lycos, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCOS),
blaxxun, GeoCities (NASDAQ:GCTY), Vicinity, ThingWorld.com, KOZ, Silknet, Chemdex, Speech
Machines, Softway Systems, TicketsLive, Critical Path, MotherNature.com, Raging Bull, Universal
Learning Technology, Visto, Virtual Ink, Ancestry.com, ONElist, Furniture.com and Asimba. CMGI
also includes CMG Direct, SalesLink, InSolutions and On-Demand Solutions as majority-owned
subsidiaries in the direct marketing, fulfillment and turn-key arenas. Corporate headquarters is located
at 100 Brickstone Square, Andover, MA 01810. Telephone: 978-684-3600. Fax: 978-684-3814.
Additional information is available on the company's Web site, cmgi.com.
CONTACT: CMGI
Deidre Moore, (978) 684-3655
dmoore@cmgi.com
or
Planet Direct
Patrick Pecorelli, (978) 684-3772
ppecorelli@planetdirect.net
or
Copithorne & Bellows
Laura Beck, (617) 450-4300
laura.beck@cbpr.com
Glenn |
