Legacy.com Debuts New Web Design, Adds Gannett To Board of Directors

Business Wire, Sept 6, 2000

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EVANSTON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

Legacy.com, the leading provider of Internet memorials, today unveils a new Web site design celebrating both the lives of "real people" and prominent figures in the news. Visitors to www.Legacy.com can now read many exclusive "Legacy Life Story" biographies that reflect the diversity and contributions of a wide range of individuals, from rural farmers to urban factory workers, civic volunteers to corporate executives.

The debut "Legacy Life Story" captures the community spirit of Phyllis Wentworth, 76, a noted arts advocate from Pleasanton, California. Born in Minneapolis, Wentworth's efforts continue to reverberate throughout Pleasanton, from the renovation of the Amador Theater, to the annual Pleasanton Street Fair, an event she founded.

"Legacy Life Story" features are updated on a regular basis; Legacy.com also features daily obituaries from the Associated Press news service.

"In taking this next step in our evolution we have considered a great deal of input from consumers," said Stopher Bartol, Legacy.com president and CEO. "The focus of Legacy.com is uniquely reflective of how people wish to share the life stories of their loved ones. "

Bartol also announced the addition of Gannett Co., Inc., to Legacy.com's board of directors. The move recognizes Gannett's recent $2.6 billion purchase of Phoenix-based Central Newspapers, Inc., an early investor in Legacy.com. "The support of our influential publishing partners, including the Tribune Company, is fundamental to Legacy.com's future growth," Bartol said. "We see considerable potential with Gannett as our newest strategic partner."

Described as "the most ambitious online" memorial site by Editor & Publisher magazine, Legacy.com offers its services directly to consumers, and through nearly 2,000 participating North American funeral homes. The company also is working with newspapers to develop revenue-sharing opportunities and research capabilities using the company's powerful ObitFinderSM search engine. ObitFinder is among the most popular and comprehensive tools for searching online obituaries, with results linking to more than 1,000 U.S. newspapers.

Legacy.com is the fastest-growing resource for online memorials, currently posting information for approximately two percent of all U.S. deaths. Each entry features a Legacy Guest BookSM, where visitors can add a personal remembrance. The Evanston-based company has 50 employees, including a group of professional writers and editors on staff seven days a week.

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