NEW YORK, June 25, 2001 - Twelve of the Internet's leading content brands announced today the establishment of the Online Publishers Association (OPA), a new industry trade organization representing the interests of high-quality online publishers before the advertising community, the press, the government and the public. Founding members of OPA are CBS MarketWatch, CNET Networks, Inc., Condé Net, ESPN.com, The Industry Standard, KnightRidder.com/RealCities, MSNBC.com, New York Times Digital, Salon Media Group, Inc., USATODAY.com, Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive and Wall Street Journal Online. Online Publishers Association will serve as the voice of original, branded content providers, placing consumer trust at the center of its activities. It will offer balance and perspective on Internet publishing issues in the public discourse and act as a voice on First Amendment and intellectual property issues faced by the Internet publishing community. In the advertising arena, OPA will work to differentiate and highlight the value of its member brands and demonstrate that independent editorial environments, coupled with the public trust and audience loyalty they command, provide the natural home for commercial messages. OPA is also committed to working with the advertising community and the IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) to further establish the effectiveness of the Internet as a marketing and brand-building medium. Michael Zimbalist, former executive vice president of ePod, an advertising technology company, will serve as acting executive director of OPA. Prior to joining ePod in 1999, Zimbalist served as general manager of online services for United Media, a division of the E.W. Scripps Company, and as director of production for the new media division of ABC from 1995-1997. "We are pleased to be launching this new industry trade association," said Mr. Zimbalist. "As the Internet matures, high-quality content publishers are seeking a unified voice before the constituencies they serve. OPA will provide that voice and become a strong advocate for its member sites, clearly communicating the benefits they provide to both the advertising community and the public at large." Members of OPA represent the highest standards in Internet publishing with respect to editorial quality and integrity, credibility, and accountability. OPA members deliver, in aggregate, more than 50 million users per month (source: Media Metrix, May 2001). For more information about Online Publishers Association, visit www.online-publishers.org.