Newly-Formed Harber Brothers Productions, Inc.; Created to Improve the Way We Learn and Play; Company to produce high-tech education, entertainment, and music products for family market

Business Wire, Nov 8, 1995

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 8, 1995--Harber Brothers Productions Inc. today announced plans to enter the worlds of interactive entertainment and educational media. With the mission of improving the way we learn and play, Harber Brothers will combine original creative content, leading-edge digital technologies, and accomplished talent to produce interactive products and online services for families.

"Harber Brothers is developing digital educational products that are as engaging and fun as the best children's television and the most popular video games," said Jonathan D. Harber, founder and president of Harber Brothers Productions. "As the number of home multimedia PCs continues to grow, there is an increasing need for products that will motivate, excite and challenge children. Harber Brothers is drawing from top educators and children's television and music talent to deliver products unlike anything out there today."

Harber Brothers is leveraging its original content, bringing properties to life in multiple media formats -- including CD-ROM, enhanced CD, cassette, video, television, online, film, toys and books. Harber Brothers will produce and market its products through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, KinderActive(TM) and KinderNet(TM), which will launch products in the first quarter of 1996.

"These days, parents are looking for quality programming for their children across interactive platforms, particularly products that are educational and entertaining," said Diana Simeon, editor of Jupiter Communications' Digital Kids Report. "New media offers worlds of opportunity to deliver unique and engaging children's programming over the wires as well as on CD-ROM."

KinderActive(TM)

KinderActive will draw from top children's television and music talent to produce and market interactive musicals for children. KinderActive will launch two labels, KinderActive Musicals and KinderActive Minds.

-- KinderActive Musicals, a new genre of entertainment products for children ages 3 to 8, features original songs, characters and stories on CD-ROM and enhanced CD formats.

-- KinderActive Minds are educational multiple media products that will use KinderActive characters, music, and stories to enhance educational concepts.

KinderNet(TM)

KinderNet is an online network for parents and their kids. Soon to be located on the Internet's World Wide Web (www.kindernet.com), KinderNet is a site for parents to sample children's music and multimedia products, as well as a place for parents and children to spend time together having fun.

Harber Brothers has an impressive board of advisors who bring a wealth of expertise to the company's ventures. The board includes Alfred Hyslop, who was the executive producer and head writer for both Sesame Street and 3-2-1 Contact and producer of Captain Kangaroo; Glorianna Davenport, director of MIT's Interactive Cinema Group at the MIT Media Lab; Hans Peter Brondmo, chief technical officer, co-founder of DiVA and former director of Advanced Interactive Technologies for Avid Technology; and Dr. Carlton E. Wynter Jr., associate in education at the American Museum of Natural History.

Jonathan D. Harber is a Manhattan native and accomplished entrepreneur. He has been an active participant in digital media and educational endeavors for many years. In 1990, after completing a Master's thesis at the MIT Media Lab, Mr. Harber founded DiVA Corporation, a pioneer in the multimedia editing, authoring and CD-ROM development field, and served as the company's president and chief executive officer. DiVA's flagship product, VideoShop, has sold nearly a half million copies and is used by multimedia developers, teachers and students around the world. In 1993, DiVA was acquired by Avid Technology, concurrent with its initial public offering. Mr. Harber was the director of business development at Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) -- the leading supplier of digital video editing and post-production equipment to Hollywood film, TV, and industrial markets. In 1995, he and his brother Steven, an attorney and owner of Concordance Technologies, together founded Harber Brothers Productions.

Founded on February, 14, 1995, and headquartered in Manhattan, Harber Brothers Productions, Inc. is an interactive entertainment and educational media company established to improve the way we learn and play through the use of digital media. Harber Brothers will bring entertaining and educational experiences to life by publishing original, creative content on multiple media formats. -0- All brands, products and services mentioned are trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners.

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