PRIMEDIA's GR8RIDE - The Internet's Premier Site for Auto Enthusiasts - Forms Video Production Studio
9 August 2000
PRIMEDIA's GR8RIDE - The Internet's Premier Site for Auto Enthusiasts - Forms Video Production Studio
ANAHEIM, Calif.--Aug. 9, 2000--- GR8RIDE Productions will Provide Visitors with an Interactive
On-Demand Digital Video Environment
PRIMEDIA's GR8RIDE.com (www.gr8ride.com), the leading online resource for automotive enthusiasts which draws on the rich content from PRIMEDIA's 29 leading automobile magazines, announced today that it has formed GR8RIDE Productions, a digital video production studio for the creation of original on-demand video content.
GR8RIDE Productions will produce streaming video content including informational videos like product reviews and how-to videos as well as entertainment events such as live calendar shoots and coverage of auto enthusiast events. To assist with content development and distribution strategy, GR8RIDE Productions will work with PRIMEDIA Digital Video, the newly created digital video unit charged with developing a strategy to exploit PRIMEDIA's significant video assets and establishing the company as a leading content provider in the emerging broadband environment. GR8RIDE Productions will be the leading producer of auto enthusiast video content for the Internet to appeal to all segments of the site's nearly 1 million unique monthly visitors.
"By forming GR8RIDE Productions and introducing digital video content, GR8RIDE is building a truly unique online experience for the automotive enthusiast audience," said Bruce Gamache, president of PRIMEDIA Digital Video. "We think this is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate PRIMEDIA's ability to enhance written content through digital video and to establish an Internet platform to deliver entertainment events focused on the specific interests of an enthusiast audience."
"We are excited to announce the creation of GR8RIDE Productions and to work closely with PRIMEDIA Digital Video," said George Vrabeck, chief executive officer of GR8RIDE. "GR8RIDE will now be able to truly capitalize on the promise of broadband by bringing our visitors high value video content. This will bring to life our written automotive content through on-demand informational videos and add exciting access to automotive enthusiast entertainment events. This unique combination of written and video content when combined with commerce will create one of the most personal experiences on the Internet. The creation of GR8RIDE Productions is the first in a series of strategic initiatives that will firmly establish our leadership in the automotive enthusiast community."
GR8RIDE Productions has plans to produce 10 How-to video segments by the end of the year and has already developed an initial schedule of online broadband video entertainment events. They include:
| - | The 2000 NOPI Nationals Motorsports Supershow, Atlanta, GA. (September 16-17) |
| - | The National Low Rider Show, Las Vegas NV. (October 8) |
| - | The Truckin' Nationals and Hot Bike Jamboree, Phoenix, AZ. (October 7-8) |
| - | Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, Las Vegas (October 31 - November 3) |
Since launching in April, GR8RIDE.com has quickly become the most trafficked Internet destination for automotive enthusiasts with more than 800,000 unique visitors per month. GR8RIDE offers consumers one-stop aggregated access to everything they need for their automotive projects. Users will have access to partner products and services directly from the GR8RIDE site, tightly integrated with the exceptional expert and user content.
About GR8RIDE
GR8RIDE.com is the one-stop-shop where auto enthusiasts can receive up-to-date product information, how-to advice, consumer product reviews and access to industry-leading products and services from the brands and retailers consumers trust. GR8RIDE demonstrates PRIMEDIA Inc.'s commitment to its new media vision by presenting rich media content backed by the interactivity of the Web. In addition, GR8RIDE has capitalized on the power of PRIMEDIA Inc.'s print brands and market domination to build a successful e-commerce business and better service Internet-ready niche communities.
PRIMEDIA Inc., with 1999 sales of $1.7 billion, is a targeted media company with print, video and Internet businesses focused on consumer and business-to-business audiences. Some key businesses include Seventeen, New York, Chicago, Fly Fisherman, Channel One Network and 16 other specialty satellite television and TV distribution services, Horticulture, Modern Bride, American Baby, IntelliChoice, Telephony, American Demographics and Films for the Humanities & Sciences. The Company owns and operates more than 300 Web sites and other Internet properties.
PRIMEDIA's Automotive publications include:
4-Wheel Drive and Sport Utility, Audio Video Interiors, Auto Sound & Security, Automobile Magazine, Bracket Racing USA, Car Auto and Electronics, Classic Trucks, Custom Rodder, Drag Racing USA, European Car, High Performance Mopar, High Performance Pontiac, High Tech Performance, Hot Bike, Import Tuner, Kit Car Illustrated, Lowrider, Lowrider Euro, Mini Truckin', Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, Mustang Illustrated, Off Road, Popular Hot Rodding, Sport Compact Car, Street Rodder, Super Chevy, Today's SUV, Truckin', Turbo, Vette Magazine, and VW Trends.