Wednesday, November 22, 2000
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Wednesday, November 22, 2000 |
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Motorcycle Site Gains New Strength by Adding the Web's Best Motorcycle Racing Coverage
Bell & Howell Company's Internet business unit MotorcycleWorld.com Inc. (www.motorcycleworld.com), and MotoWorld Networks Inc. (www.motoworld.com), has announced an agreement to combine their Internet properties. MotoWorld.com is produced and marketed by Fayette County-based Seals Communication Corp. (Sealsco), a vertically integrated electronic media marketing and television production company based in Atlanta. Sealsco (www.sealsco.com) is one of the nation's largest independent producers of specialized sports programming for networks such as ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FOX Sports Net, Speedvision, and Outdoor Life, among others. Under the terms of the agreement between MotorcycleWorld.com and MotoWorld.com, Sealsco will continue to provide its production services to the new partnership. The new combined Internet property will combine the dealer network, traffic and commerce capabilities of MotorcycleWorld.com, along with the racing coverage and streaming media capabilities of MotoWorld.com. Under the terms of the agreement, MotoWorld Networks will merge its Internet holdings in exchange for an equity position in MotorcycleWorld.com. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2000. MotoWorld.com will contribute its popular racing news and event coverage to MotorcycleWorld.com, while MotorcycleWorld.com will become the exclusive web arm of MotoWorld.com and its affiliated television property, MotoWorld, which is telecast on ESPN2. The MotoWorld television series is owned and produced by Sealsco, and is entering its 17th year as the first and most popular motorcycle news magazine program in existence. "Having built the largest community of motorcyclists on-line, we have an aggressive initiative to provide the best and leading services that our users deserve and demand," said Anita Campbell, president of MotorcycleWorld.com. "Motorcycle enthusiasts are increasingly turning to the web for entertainment and commerce. With this agreement, all of that is now available in one place: MotorcycleWorld.com." "We are excited about entering into this relationship with MotorcycleWorld.com," commented Lou Seals, chairman and CEO of MotoWorld Networks Inc. "We're pleased to be joining forces with Bell & Howell, and I'm looking forward to playing an active role on the Board of Directors. This arrangement will allow both parties to benefit from the strengths of the other. It's truly a win-win situation." MotorcycleWorld.com, a subsidiary of Bell & Howell, provides comprehensive information and interactive services to connect power sports enthusiasts with power sports dealers. The company offers a comprehensive shopping source for new and used motorcycles 24/7 specifications, prices and used values from the Clymer Powersports Blue Book, and head-to-head comparisons of motorcycle makes and models of the past 25 years with a collection of more than 7,100 models from more than 50 manufacturers instant, on-line access to a nationwide dealer network motorcycle articles, news, product reviews, forums, free club pages, downloadable wallpaper and event listings. Through its business-to-business site, MotorcycleWorld for Dealers (www.mcwdealer.com), MotorcycleWorld.com enables power sports dealers to benefit from the latest business and commerce technologies and reach an ever-growing percentage of the marketplace. Bell & Howell Company, headquartered in Skokie, Ill., is a leading information solutions and services provider to industries worldwide. In each of its businesses, the company transforms information through software and services, helping its customers operate more effectively and efficiently. Information about the company is available on the Internet at www.bellhowell.com. |