IAC's Online Destination for the Black Community Prepares to Introduce
First Site in the Coming Weeks
NEW YORK, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IAC (Nasdaq: IACI) today
announced the launch of Black Web Enterprises Inc. (BWE), the company's
online destination for the Black community, and its newly appointed
executive management team. The announcement solidifies IAC's previously
publicized commitment to launch an interactive community platform for the
U.S. Black population.
"With a phenomenal management team in place, we are on the cusp of
unveiling the first initiative under the Black Web Enterprises umbrella ...
a site that will revolutionize the internet for the Black Community," said
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO of BWE. "Rather than compete with
existing sites already geared toward the Black community, our goal with the
initiative is to expand this market in order to bring the absolute best and
most relevant web experience to Black people everywhere."
Mr. Taylor will lead BWE. His executive management team includes:
-- Brad Gebert, Vice President, Technology - A proven technology expert,
Mr. Gebert brings outstanding experience as a Technical Development
Manager to BWE to lead application development and ensure that the
business will run on the most advanced technological systems
available. Brad also brings to BWE a keen understanding of IAC's
brands, having spent 7 years prior at IAC's LendingTree and GetSmart.
-- Kevin McFall, Vice President, Products - An accomplished executive of
the media and technology industries, with experience spanning a number
of interactive media companies including Zap2it.com and
BlackVoices.com (Tribune Company), Mr. McFall brings more than a
decade of digital product development experience to guide strategic
planning, as well as product management and execution for BWE.
-- Katrina Witherspoon, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development
- With more than 12 years of product management and marketing
experience with Reach Media Inc.'s BlackAmericaWeb.com and IAC's
Match.com, Ms. Witherspoon will lead BWE's marketing, sales, and
business development strategies.
-- Heather Keets Wright, Managing Editor - A seasoned journalist with 15
years experience in writing and editing for national magazines
(Essence), newspapers, (The Washington Post) and websites
(MarthaStewart.com), Ms. Keets Wright will oversee all editorial
content related to BWE initiatives.
BWE will house a number of yet-to-be-announced online destinations
catering to the distinct needs and interests of the estimated 50 million
Black people living in the U.S., from African Americans to Blacks from
Latin America and the Caribbean. The business is a part of IAC Programming,
established in 2006 under the leadership of Michael Jackson to grow branded
online content properties.
"Johnny and his colleagues have spent the greater part of a year
engulfed in the task of building a site that understands and meets the
needs of the Black community unlike any other that exists today," said Mr.
Jackson. "Beyond our enthusiasm for bringing this venture to the forefront
of IAC Programming, we look forward to building upon the knowledge and
success of this first launch for future endeavors tailored to very specific
audiences."
Today's move comes after IAC's November 2007 announcement of plans to
separate IAC into five publicly traded companies, spinning off HSN,
Ticketmaster, Interval International and LendingTree. Expected to be
completed in the second or third quarter of 2008, the new IAC will include:
-- The businesses currently comprising its Media & Advertising sector:
Ask.com, Bloglines, Citysearch, CursorMania, Evite, Excite, IAC
Advertising Solutions, InsiderPages, iWon, My Fun Cards, My Way,
Popular Screensavers, Smiley Central, Webfetti and Zwinky;
-- Match.com, ServiceMagic, Shoebuy.com, Entertainment Publications and
ReserveAmerica;
-- Emerging Businesses including Pronto and Gifts.com, Green.com, Primal
Ventures, and InstantAction;
-- IAC Programming businesses including Black Web Enterprises,
BustedTees, CollegeHumor, GarageGames, Very Short List, Vimeo and
23/6;
-- IAC's current investments in Active.com, Brightcove, FiLife,
MerchantCircle, OpenTable, Points.com and SHOP Channel.
About IAC
IAC operates leading and diversified businesses in sectors being
transformed by the internet, online and offline... our mission is to
harness the power of interactivity to make daily life easier and more
productive for people all over the world. To view a full list of the
companies of IAC please visit our website at http://iac.com.
Contact Information:
IAC Communications Office IAC Investor Relations
Stacy Simpson / Leslie Cafferty Eoin Ryan
(212) 314-7470 / 7326 (212) 314-7400
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Related links:
http://www.iac.com
CONTACT:
IAC Communications Office, Stacy Simpson,
+1-212-314-7470, or Leslie Cafferty, +1-212-314-7326; or IAC
Investor Relations, Eoin Ryan, +1-212-314-7400
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