SAN FRANCISCO, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- For Cox Interactive Media (CIM),
the Web is more than just a collection of "cool" pages with spinning logos --
it is a vital communications tool linking communities worldwide.  Just ask the
people of Jarrell, Texas, a small town near Austin, who used their CIM Web
site, Austin 360 (http://www.Austin360.com), to exchange messages with friends,
family, and disaster aid agencies in the aftermath of the devastating tornado
that destroyed their town almost four weeks ago.  CIM is establishing a
similar presence in over 20 cities across the nation this year, including San
Francisco where Michael Mimeles will lead the way.
    A technology veteran, Mimeles worked at Apple Computer prior to joining
CIM, where he was instrumental in maintaining Apple's corporate presence on
the Web and in producing live events online.  Mimeles also has a solid
background in building content for specific audiences.  At Infinity
Entertainment and Galaxy Films, he managed both creative and business
development for a host of entertainment-related projects.
    To meet the growing needs of the San Francisco Internet community, CIM's
San Francisco Studio will build a community-based city site on the World Wide
Web.  As a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, one of nation's largest newspaper,
cable, television and radio companies, CIM will leverage the expertise of its
Cox partners in San Francisco to provide online users with an experience
unique to their community's needs and interests.
    "Since the Bay Area ranks number one in the nation in Internet usage, it
offers real opportunity for Cox Interactive Media," said Peter Winter,
president of Cox Interactive Media, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.  "We will
work in cooperation with KTVU to build a Web site attractive to advertisers
and online users alike.  This partnership along with Michael Mimeles' unique
combination of technology, business and content know-how will be a major
asset. The San Francisco Studio will allow us to provide a 'locals-only'
flavor with dynamic and robust content in a functional format."
    "I'm excited about being a part of the San Francisco Studio," said
Mimeles.  "I believe that what we are doing at CIM will lead the way in
pushing the Internet to a new, more advanced level.  We will be able to draw
on the experience of our Cox partner television station, KTVU, so the content
we produce will be informative, entertaining and engaging -- all from a local
perspective," he said.
    Jeff Block, station manager of KTVU is equally enthused about working with
CIM's San Francisco Studio.  "We at KTVU understand the importance of the
interactive arena and the significant changes it will initiate in our lives,"
he said.  "We look forward to expanding our role as the Bay area's sports and
news leader into this new medium."
    Cox Interactive Media (http://www.cimedia.com), a newly formed subsidiary of Cox
Enterprises, has created local city sites, such as AccessAtlanta
(http://www.accessatlanta.com) and Austin360 (http://www.austin360.com).  These city sites
provide users specific information unique to their communities as well as
opportunities for online interaction with other users through community
bulletin boards and chat rooms.  Specialty sites like FASTBALL.com
(http://www.fastball.com) and Y'all.com (http://www.yall.com) have also been established to
focus on specific topics which have regional or national appeal.  Through the
advent of studios like the one established in San Francisco, CIM will continue
to provide vital interactive links between local, national and worldwide
communities.  In 1997, CIM will launch more than 20 additional studios in
metropolitan areas across the country.
    A leading media company, Cox Enterprises, Inc. includes Cox Newspapers,
Inc. (newspapers, direct mail marketing, book publishing), Cox Broadcasting,
Inc. (TV, spot sales, movie/television production, research, publicly traded
Cox Radio, Inc. (NYSE: CXR)) and publicly traded Cox Communications, Inc.
(NYSE: COX) (cable distribution, programming, broadband communications) in
addition to Cox Interactive Media.  The company is the world's largest
operator of automobile auctions through Manheim Auctions, providing financial
services, government auctions, online services and price guides.

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