PMG Appoints New Account Executive; Julie Gropman Joins Palisades Media Group as Senior Account Executive

Business Wire, Jan 7, 2003

Business Editors

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2003

Palisades Media Group (PMG) announced today the appointment of Julie Gropman as Senior Account Executive to their Santa Monica headquarters. Ms. Gropman will primarily be responsible for account management of the company's recently acquired Virgin Mobile USA account. The announcement was made by PMG President Roger Schaffner and is effective immediately.

Ms. Gropman joins the Virgin Mobile USA account team alongside Executive Vice President/Client Services Mercedes Tondre and Senior Vice President/Client Services Paula Mangin. PMG has been working with the Virgin brand since August of 1998 handling planning and buying for Virgin Megastores. Last November, they won the $50 million Virgin Mobile USA media buying account in a review that also included Pro Media in Natick, Massachusetts and Omnicom Group's PHD in New York and San Francisco. Creative and media planning for Virgin Mobile USA are handled by Leagas Delaney/San Francisco.

"Julie's experience and skills will not only be tremendously beneficial on the Virgin Mobile USA account, but to our company as a whole," said Ms. Tondre. "We're excited to have her on board."

Ms. Gropman comes to Palisades Media Group from The Gary Group where, for the past three years, she has served as an Account Executive and Media Planner on accounts such as Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group. She executed broadcast television, cable (local, national and network), radio and print media campaigns for new artists, soundtracks and videos. Prior to that she spent four years at Blair Television as a National Sales Representative specializing in spot sales and direct response. Ms. Gropman began her career in the advertising business working for Katz Television as an Assistant Account Executive. She is a native of Los Angeles and a UCLA graduate.

Virgin Mobile USA, LLC (www.virginmobileusa.com) is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates the largest all-digital, all PCS nationwide wireless network. Established in October 2001, Virgin Mobile USA is the first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the United States and is the first U.S. company to create a step down price plan with no contracts to sign and no fine print.

Under the arrangement with Sprint, Virgin Mobile USA will utilize Sprint's wireless network to deliver service to its customers, while retaining all responsibility for customer service and subscriber maintenance. Virgin Mobile USA service includes long distance, voicemail caller ID, call waiting, text messaging and directory assistance. All customers also have access to VirginXtras -- a host of music entertainment, group messaging and just plain fun features that add flair to the cellular experience.

Palisades Media Group, Inc. is located in Santa Monica, California. PMG is a premier media buying and planning agency with a focus on youth marketing in the entertainment (theatrical, home entertainment and video game) industries and consumer products. Founded in February 1996 by President and CEO, Roger Schaffner, the company houses a staff of over 40 experienced professionals. Since its inception, the agency has enjoyed rapid and steady growth.

For more information about PMG, visit www.palisades-media.com.