WeddingNetwork.com Adds Steven Portnoy as Vice President of Local Services

Business Wire, Nov 18, 1999

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1999--

Former Modern Bride Connection Publisher Brings Extensive

Industry Expertise

WeddingNetwork.com, the most comprehensive online wedding resource and gift registry, has named Steven Portnoy as Vice President of Local Services. Portnoy, the former publisher of 16 regional Modern Bride Connection magazines, will use his industry experience and established relationships to expand and enhance the local services offerings across the United States for both ModernBride.com and WeddingNetwork.com.

In 1986 Portnoy co-founded Arden Group Publications, Inc. to create highly targeted wedding magazines that catered to specific regions around the country. At that time, the publications included New York Wedding, New Jersey Wedding, Chicago Wedding and Southern California Wedding. After selling the company to Opus Publishing Group, LP in 1992, Portnoy remained as publisher and president, growing the company to include 11 publications. He also founded opuswedding.com (now part of modernbride.com), one of the first regional wedding resource web sites. When the company was sold to PRIMEDIA in 1996, he continued his role of publisher of the Modern Bride Connection magazines.

"There is no one in America who knows more about the local wedding arena than Steve Portnoy," says Doug Fierro, Group Publisher, The Modern Bride Group. "Everyone at The Modern Bride Group, especially our customers, will benefit from the new online programs and offerings we will create with Steve's unique vision, energy and expertise."

"Steven's experience at creating the most successful collection of local resources for engaged couples is incredible," says Stephen Cunningham, president and CEO of WeddingNetwork.com. "As the founder of Modern Bride Connection, he knows what it takes to build a business that meets the needs of couples seeking local information and services, and he is intimately familiar with the value of the Modern Bride brand, the biggest asset in the wedding category. We are excited to have Steven join our team."

WeddingNetwork.com is the most comprehensive online wedding resource, offering creative tools, imaginative ideas and real answers to help engaged couples plan unique wedding celebrations. WeddingNetwork.com partners with a broad network of retailers to provide traditional and unique online gift registry options. The company is the official online registry and content partner for Modern Bride magazine, Modern Bride Connection's 16 regional publications and ModernBride.com. WeddingNetwork.com is owned by Denver-based Internet Gift Registries, founded in 1997.