Harcourt Brace Names New President for NETg; Lopez appointment underscores Company's commitment to technology-based learning

Business Wire, Dec 1, 1997

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 1, 1997 -- Harcourt General, Inc. (NYSE:H) announced today that its Harcourt Brace publishing subsidiary has named Gary W. Lopez President of National Education Training Group (NETg), one of the world's leading providers of multimedia training courseware for information technology (IT) professionals.

Mr. Lopez, 46, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Archipelago, Inc., a leading developer of CD-ROM and online distance learning courses for college and advanced placement high school students. The company was acquired by Harcourt Brace in 1993 and is based in Monterey, Calif. Mr. Lopez will retain his position with Archipelago while assuming leadership of NETg.

"Gary is a fine executive who has spent his career as an educator and a technology entrepreneur," said Brian J. Knez, president of Harcourt Brace. "He is uniquely qualified to exploit the many strategic synergies that exist between NETg and other Harcourt Brace business units, and to build upon the innovation and customer commitment that each company brings to the technology-based learning marketplace. We are very excited about our growing position in these expanding markets and look forward to continued success with Gary's leadership."

NETg, based in Naperville, Ill., is a leader in information technology training for CD-ROMs and corporate intranets and has recently developed InterNETg, a cross-platform, browser-playable approach to Internet/intranet courseware delivery. NETg will deliver 100 InterNETg titles by January 1998, each with the practice-rich Precision Learning design for which NETg's LAN-deliverable courses have been renowned. Both NETg and Archipelago utilize advanced technology to deliver learning products and services to their customers. Harcourt Brace plans to continue making significant investments in these technologies and new products, according to Mr. Knez.

"Harcourt Brace has demonstrated its long-term commitment to technology-based learning platforms through its investments in these companies," said Mr. Lopez. "NETg has created a very strong presence in the IT market, and we intend to aggressively expand that presence by identifying ways that Harcourt Brace, NETg and Archipelago can provide optimal benefit to our customers."

Mr. Lopez succeeds Chuck Moran, who resigned to pursue other opportunities.

NETg provides more than 600 training titles and serves several thousand customers worldwide. Its Skill Builder products are offered in multiple delivery options, including CD-ROMs, local area networks and corporate intranets. NETg has distinguished itself in the fast-growing IT training market through its quality content and by offering Precision Learning, a unique training feature that pretests users to customize a learning path based on their existing topic knowledge.

Harcourt General, Inc. is a leading global multiple-media publisher and service provider to established educational, trade, and professional markets as well as to emerging for-profit educational, career-training and assessment markets. The Company also is a leading specialty retailer through its 53% controlling interest in The Neiman Marcus Group (NYSE:NMG).

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Statements in this release referring to the expected future plans and performance of the Company are forward-looking statements. Actual future results may differ materially from such statements. Factors that could affect future performance in the Company's publishing and educational services businesses include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to develop and market its products and services; the relative success of the products and services offered by competitors; integration of acquired businesses; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the markets for the Company's products and services; changes in economic conditions; changes in public funding for the Company's educational products and services; and changes in purchasing patterns in the Company's markets. Important factors that could affect future performance in the Company's specialty retailing businesses include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or consumer confidence; changes in consumer preferences or fashion trends; delays in anticipated store openings; adverse weather conditions, particularly during peak selling seasons; changes in demographics or retail environments; competitive influences; significant increases in paper, printing and postage costs; and changes in the Company's relationships with designers and other resources. For more information, see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Harcourt General

Peter Farwell, 617/232-8200