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 video search technology; 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, Alta Vista, 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 (http://www.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.
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