Burly Bear Network Taps Brand Architect Howard Handler to Post of Chief Executive Officer

Business Wire, May 30, 2000

Entertainment Editors, Hi-Tech Writers

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 30, 2000

Burly Bear Network, the leading provider of entertainment programming targeting the college market, today announced that Howard Handler will join the company as Chief Executive Officer. For the past eight years, Handler served in senior positions at the NFL and at MTV. Prior to this, Handler served as Vice President of Marketing at Broadway Video Entertainment, which has a significant stake in Burly Bear.

At the NFL, Handler brought contemporary energy to the classic American institution through the award-winning "Feel The Power" campaign and "Thank You, Fans" Super Bowl efforts. Handler shaped the multi-faceted youth football development platform "Play Football." He also launched several business assets including NFL Insider magazine (a monthly with 1 million circulation) and the "NFL Shop" direct/e-commerce business.

At MTV, where he served from 1992-94, Handler launched the channel-wide positioning "MTV Keeps You Plugged In," and breakthrough campaigns for several top MTV franchises, earning the respect of the creative and media communities. He helped develop some of MTV's hottest properties including Beavis & Butt-head, The Jon Stewart Show and The Real World. He also played a central role in the development of the Peabody Award winning Choose or Lose voter awareness campaign and was involved in the introduction of MTV Latino and MTV Asia.

"Howard brings strong creative and managerial skills to the venture and is a visionary in brand development," commented Clifford Friedman, Senior Managing Partner of Constellation Ventures and Burly Bear board member. Constellation Ventures recently led a consortium of investors in a $10 million round of financing for Burly Bear. The capital infusion is earmarked for development of Burly Bear's broadband entertainment site and marketing Burly Bear's on-air, online, and on-campus initiatives.

"I'm thrilled to build the Burly Bear franchise, and to devote my passion to the 18-24 year old college audience," said Handler. "The college years are the most memorable, defining period in so many people's lives. Through the Burly Bear content and our many platforms, we will capture the essence of the college experience. And, we will deliver meaningful access to this coveted audience to a range of partners."

Throughout his career, Handler has earned kudos for his marketing vision. In 1995 while at the NFL, he was named Promotional Marketer of the Year by Ad Age, and was included in the Sportstyle 100 in 1997. While at MTV in 1993, Ad Age recognized Handler as one of America's Top 100 Marketers.

ABOUT BURLY BEAR

Burly Bear is the leading developer of original entertainment programming for the college audience. Burly Bear distributes content via the nation's largest college cable television network, the Internet, live events, and radio. Burly Bear offers a unique outlet for groundbreaking comedy, music, film and lifestyle programming. Burly Bear is an incubator for emerging talent, innovative content and broadband technology.