Scott Blum Announces Advisory Board for New Venture

Business Wire, Nov 11, 2002

Business Editors & Entertainment/High-Tech Writers

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 2002

Scott Blum, whose third successful company Buy.com set the record for fastest growing company in U.S. history, has announced the advisory board for his upcoming direct response network, which includes the television show, BuyTV.

The advisory board includes some of America's most successful entertainment industry and corporate business leaders:

-- Jeffrey Berg, chairman and chief executive officer of International Creative Management Inc. (ICM)

-- Frank Biondi, former chief executive officer of Universal Studios and Viacom Inc.

-- Ariel Emanuel, a founding partner of Endeavor

-- Donald M. Kendall, co-founder of PepsiCo Inc.

-- Jacques Nasser, former president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Co.

-- Ken Ziffren, a founding partner of Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie & Stiffelman LLP

"We are fortunate that some of the most accomplished and creative business executives are lending their expertise to help guide the development of this network, including BuyTV, which is unlike any previous television show," said Blum.

"The board consists of leaders from two of Hollywood's top talent agencies, a veteran from one of the largest movie studios, a top entertainment attorney and former CEOs from two of America's most successful and well-recognized brands. We have the perfect blend of expertise to develop solutions for the expanding globalization of direct-response marketing."

"BuyTV integrates the elements of an entertainment news show, a late-night talk show and a shopping network to create a one-of-a-kind interactive experience with your television," continued Blum.

Details about when and where BuyTV will air will be announced shortly.

About BuyTV

BuyTV is the first program to blend entertainment, information and commerce in one interactive setting. The show will debut in Q1 2003.

Advisory Board Member Biographies

Jeffrey Berg is the chairman and chief executive officer of International Creative Management Inc., a talent and literary agency representing clients in the fields of publishing, motion pictures, television, music, theater, and news and public affairs. ICM, a privately held corporation, is one of the predominant agencies in the United States and Europe, with its principal offices in Los Angeles, New York and London. Berg graduated with honors in English from the University of California at Berkeley and received a master of liberal arts from the University of Southern California. He joined Creative Management Associates, one of ICM's predecessor agencies, in 1969 as a literary and film agent and was named president of the company in 1980. He became chairman in 1985. Berg is one of the leading agents in the entertainment industry. His experience in representing artists and production companies applies to both the American and international marketplace and he has worked extensively with global media, entertainment and telecommunication companies. He was co-chair of the California Information Technology Council and a member of the California Entertainment Commission. He is presently on the board of visitors of the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA and also serves on the board of directors of Oracle Corp. and the American Film Institute. He was awarded the Cavaliere Ufficiale of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy in 1991. Berg has lectured on management and finance in the arts at The London School of Economics. Berg and his wife, Dr. Denise Luria, live in Pacific Palisades, Calif., with their two daughters.

Frank J. Biondi Jr. is senior managing director of WaterView Advisors LLC, a private equity fund specializing in media. He was chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Studios from April 1996 through November 1998 and also served on the board of directors of The Seagram Company Ltd. Biondi previously served as president and chief executive officer of Viacom Inc. from July 1987 through January 1996 and was a member of the Viacom board of directors. Prior to joining Viacom, Biondi was chairman and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Television from November 1986. In addition, he was executive vice president of the Entertainment Business Sector of The Coca-Cola Co. and of its predecessor company, Columbia Pictures Industries Inc. from January 1985 to July 1987. He also served as chairman and chief executive officer of Home Box Office Inc., a subsidiary of Time Inc., in 1984. He was vice president of Time Inc. from 1982 to 1984. Also, he served as CEO of Home Box Office from 1983-84. Prior to his affiliation with Home Box Office, Biondi held positions with Children's Television Workshop, TelePrompTer Corp. and the predecessors of Salomon Smith Barney and Prudential Securities. Biondi currently serves on the boards of directors of The Bank of New York, Amgen Inc., Hasbro Inc., Harrah's Entertainment Inc., Vail Resorts Inc., The Museum of Television and Radio and The International Tennis Hall of Fame. He also serves on the board of fellows of Claremont Graduate University. He is a founding member of the University of Southern California's board of councilors of the School of Cinema-Television and is on the board of advisors for The Annenberg School for Communication at the University. Biondi received a BA from Princeton University in 1966, and in 1968 earned an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.