EMBIZIMPACT AND TRIBE FORM FIRST STOP 'SUPERCONSULTANCY FOR LAUNCHING AND EXPANDING CONVERGING BUSINESSES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Special Consulting Emphasis on Merger & Acquisitions, Growth Engineering Management/Survival For New and Established Entertainment, Media, Technology & Manufacturing Businesses

LOS ANGELES -- September 12, 2000 -- Driven by the accelerating consolidation of 'new economy businesses worldwide, established companies primed for expansion, as well as brand new ventures requiring highly specialized expertise, EMbizImpact, a business development and expansion consultancy, and Tribe, a highly respected, comprehensive strategic planning and advisory group have jointly formed First Stop Consulting, a separate business management, survival and growth engineering company. First Stops client roster will include a cross-section of next-generation, converging entertainment, media, technology and manufacturing companies.

The formation of First Stop springs out of the partners deep experience in working with small, medium and large companies in developing their businesses at all points of evolution in a very strategic manner. and spurring the development and maturation of new media categories. EMbizImpact and Tribes introduction of First Stop creates a 'superconsultancy that aims to be the most focused organization of its kind worldwide with a team of top-tier specialized consultants.

The company initially taps into a significant combined base of over 100 specialized consultants who will comprise teams working with each client. Each team of experts will be co-led by First Stop principals, EMbizImpacts Lee Helper, who also continues as president of the marketing communications firm, Bender/Helper Impact, and Paul Leighton, chief consultant and CEO of Tribe.

"We believe that almost 80 percent of the 'new economy businesses launched in the two years prior to 2000 will consolidate or, more than likely, disappear over the next year. With a broad yet targeted approach to business consulting, we plan to play an integral role in identifying key combinations of struggling and established businesses that can mutually benefit from mergers and/or acquisitions that will accelerate as industry consolidation and business failures inevitably accelerate," states Helper. "We are committed to playing a large role in assisting in the creation of the wave of 'next generation new Internet businesses that will ultimately define its success."

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"We have developed some very key proprietary processes that we believe will make a significant difference in contributing to the success of a company in achieving its desired goals, including new sources and approaches to funding. Our team of consulting professionals will provide high quality, focused services that favorably rival any existing general practice consulting company in the world," adds Leighton.

First Stops diversified range of specialized capabilities is all- encompassing and includes competitive positioning and market mapping, international and media content creation, economic modeling, business management, research, marketing planning, brand development, time horizon planning, decision making facilitation processes, crisis planning, mission formulation, client networking, media relationship development, communications and event creation. The firm will also provide key support relating to merger & acquisition identification, real estate development, supporting fund raising activities, tax planning, compensation evaluations and other key corporate accounting expertise.

Tribe and EmbizImpact continue to operate independently as individually owned companies with separate client relationships.

EMbizImpact specializes in engineering business success and growth for new, established and intersecting entertainment and media, Internet and digital communications companies and institutions. The recently formed company also partners in creating content and programming vehicles for a variety of clients via all media delivery platforms. The firms initial clients include University of California Digital Media Innovation Program and its upcoming Global DIGIVATIONS Conference, The MMS Institute/Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott, Spongelab, Shelter Ventures, Humanicom, RNet Health Inc, Liberty International Entertainment Inc., The Spivey Universe Institute, and The LOCC Fund.

Tribe was formed in 1988 as a gathering place for like-minded individuals to share resources, skills and relationships to better serve its overall base of clients. This "colony" of artists, technologists and businessists share a common focus on five key and strategically dependent sectors that include entertainment, media, technology, consumer brands and real estate. With both skills and relationships in each of these areas, the Tribe team is able to deliver a rich network of services and opportunities to its clients.

CONTACT:
Les Luchter
Bender/Helper Impact
212-689-6360
Les_Luchter@bhimnpact.com