Legendary Superhero Creator Stan Lee Turns New Career Page With Launch of Stan Lee Media Inc.; Strategic Alliance Set with Organic for First Venture, StanLee.Net

Business Wire, Jan 19, 1999

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 1999--One of this century's most prolific storytellers, Stan Lee, whose classic superhero creations, The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and Silver Surfer have entertained three generations of fans, has formed a new company, Stan Lee Media Inc. to harness the power and global outreach of the Internet to create a new world of superheroes.

The first venture for the newly formed company is StanLee.net (http://www.stanlee.net), which is being constructed to attract and accommodate the largest global assemblage of young comic book enthusiasts engaged in community creation on the Internet with Stan Lee and his new universe of superheroes.

It will become a "virtual clubhouse" for 10-20 year-olds interested in interacting with creative leaders of the genre and each other. The branded, niche, hub will offer free web pages, email, games, the ability to buy, sell and trade comics and digital trading cards and related merchandise, with special access to the Internet's largest online comics distributor, to share stories, new characters and artwork and to participate in Stan's creative process.

Stan Lee Media has partnered with preeminent e-commerce and online marketing specialist, Organic, to develop StanLee.net.

"I am very excited about using the power of the Internet to build a global community of young comic book enthusiasts to take the superhero tradition into the new millennium," said Lee, chairman, Stan Lee Media. "In addition to creating new characters who will derive their powers from the Internet, we will be reaching out to a global community of fans."

"Working with Stan Lee provides us with a tremendous opportunity to fully explore character development and storytelling using the full range of multiple media, including sound, motion and interactivity, to create truly unique content," said Mike Golden, executive vice president, Organic. "We are also excited about building a community that has a very strong business model and tangible revenue opportunities."

"Stan Lee is a legend at Marvel," said Eric Ellenbogen, chairman, Marvel Inc. "We are grateful for his lifelong involvement with our company and look forward to our continuing relationship at Marvel. We are very supportive of Stan's new venture and hope to be working with him in that capacity as well."

Management Team

Lee has assembled an experienced management team with established track records in global marketing, branding and the comic book industry to shepherd his new company. Devendra Mishra, who ran LIVE Entertainment, RCA-Ariola Worldwide Manufacturing and Distribution and Technicolor Worldwide New Media and New Ventures, is CEO.

"After working with some of the largest international branded companies to extend their brands and business operations worldwide, I am especially looking forward to working with Stan Lee, a living legend `brand' to extend his global brand in all media and merchandising," said Mishra.

Dave Devarajan, former vice president of operations for Time Warner and a noted authority on business strategy, who brings strategic and fiscal expertise to the company, is CFO. A recognized marketing and branding professional with experience in new media development, co-founder Peter Paul, president of Panversal Inc., brings expertise in business development with the new media community and oversees publicity and promotional activities.

"Stan Lee is a unique living global brand revered by three generations, millions of fans around the world, as the Walt Disney of the superhero genre of entertainment," said Paul. "I am excited about the unlimited creative opportunities that will evolve from establishing the nexus of Stan's new creative universe on the Internet."

Lee will continue to serve as chairman emeritus of Marvel Media and as a member of the Marvel Comics editorial board, a role enabling him to continue shepherding the universe of superheroes he co-created for Marvel, in all media.

All of Lee's future creative endeavors, along with his brand, name and likeness will be the property of Stan Lee Media Inc.

Stan Lee Media has headquarters in Encino, Calif. The company's corporate and investor relations Web site can be found at http://www.stanleemedia.com.