Improv Adds Both Cirrus CEO and Former Philips Executive to Board; Board Additions Key to Configurable DSP Player Addressing New Markets

Business Wire, April 16, 2002

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2002

Improv Systems(TM), a pioneer in application-optimized DSPs(TM), has announced the addition of two new board members. David French, president and CEO of Cirrus Logic, and Dr. Uzi Bar-Gadda, president and CEO of UBG Consulting, a former executive of Philips Semiconductor, have joined the Improv board of directors, bringing extensive experience in the semiconductor and digital signal processing (DSP) industries and an in-depth understanding of the technical and business issues Improv faces as an intellectual property (IP) provider.

French joins Improv as the Chairman of the Board, replacing Don Weeden who will remain on the board. Under French's leadership, Cirrus Logic has become recognized as a premier supplier of high-performance analog and DSP chip solutions for the digital entertainment market. He has over 20 years of semiconductor experience. Prior to Cirrus, French held leadership positions at Analog Devices and Texas Instruments.

"Over the years, I have been deeply involved in the rapid expansion of DSP-related opportunities and can understand the important role a company like Improv plays," said French, President and CEO of Cirrus Logic, Inc. "Improv has a very impressive offering that I believe can have an impact on several key market segments, including media processing. I'm looking forward to working closely with the company to chart its continued success as an IP provider and help the company take the IP business model to the next level."

Weeden was a lead investor in Improv and has been the chairman of the board since the company's formation. "Improv's technology is now ready for prime time," said Weeden. "With this new phase of the company's growth, it is time to expand the board and change the chairman. David and Uzi have the vision, leadership and industry knowledge we need to successfully transition from an emerging technology player to a broad-based solution provider."

Bar-Gadda brings additional experience and leadership to the Improv board of directors in the areas of programmable processors and telecommunications. Bar-Gadda was one of the founders of TriMedia Technologies, an early entrant in the programmable IP industry and later served as Vice President of Business Development and Technologies in the Emerging Business Unit of Philips Semiconductors where he helped form the Networking, Broadband and Wireless LAN businesses. Bar-Gadda spent almost 16 years with Philips Semiconductors in various management positions and before that five years at Advanced Micro Devices. Recognized as a visionary for programmable media processing, he is an active member of Improv's advisory board and has held positions on a number of others including MIPs Inc. and Stanford University's Center for Integrated Systems and Telecommunications advisory boards.

"The market for configurable, programmable processors is being driven by new media and communications applications. Improv's solution provides the right amount of flexibility, performance and ease of use to enable designers to meet the constantly evolving standards and rapidly changing market demands characteristic of these application areas," said Bar-Gadda.

"I am proud to have David and Uzi joins us. Their commitment reconfirms our belief that Improv's Jazz technology is causing a revolution in DSP development," said Cary Ussery, president and CEO of Improv Systems, Inc. "The addition of these two seasoned technical and business professionals, along with the continued support of the rest of our board, will help guide Improv as we continue to grow our business and expand into new markets."

About Improv Systems, Inc.

Improv Systems, Inc. develops and licenses the Jazz PSA(TM) platforms featuring the Jazz DSP and application solution kits for Voice-over-IP, Networking and Emerging Media. Improv's Jazz DSP is a configurable DSP that allows designers to create optimized DSP cores targeted to consumer electronics and telecommunications markets. Advanced software development tools, the Jazz PSA Composer DSP design environment, and Rehearsal development boards support Improv's IP offerings. Improv Systems has development centers in Beverly, MA, San Jose, CA, and Rochester, NY, and direct sales offices in Paris and Tokyo. Improv can be reached at (978) 927-0555, info@improvsys.com or at http://www.improvsys.com.

Improv and designer-defined DSPs are registered trademarks or trademarks of Improv Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies