SEATTLE, June 1, 1999 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Pixel Company, the first company to offer technology that allows applications to function outside the Windows desktop, announced today that Stuart DePina, 38, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. He assumes his new duties on June 15, 1999.
Mr. DePina joins Pixel from TicketMaster, where he was Chief Financial Officer and played a key role in the TicketMaster and TicketMaster Online-CitySearch (Nasdaq: TMCS) public offerings. While at TicketMaster, DePina was responsible for, and participated in, overseeing the company's merger and acquisition activities; its international expansion and strategic planning, and also administered the treasury, tax, and other financial duties associated with his position. DePina currently serves as a member of the TicketMaster Online-CitySearch board of directors.
"Stuart brings to Pixel invaluable in-depth experience and expertise in planning Internet and e-commerce strategies, and in guiding privately-held entities as they transition to public markets," said Robert Steinberg, Pixel's Chairman and CEO. "These are skills that will be particularly critical as we continue to implement our business plan and fuel our rapid growth."
Mr. DePina stated, "I've been very impressed with Pixel's patent pending technology and the progress they've made in bringing this technology to the marketplace - as evidenced by the recently announced three-year agreement with InfoSpace.com [Nasdaq: INSP] to distribute Pixel's proprietary product xSides. By discovering a way to open an area outside the boundaries of the operating system that's never before been accessible, Pixel's xSides technology creates a new Internet-based class of desktop applications and a new model for Web-oriented commercial opportunities."
Mr. DePina also served as a member of USAi Network Inc.'s electronic commerce strategic planning committee, which is responsible for development and implementation of e-commerce strategy for the USAi Network Inc. assets including TicketMaster-Online CitySearch, the Internet Shopping Network (ISN), The Home Shopping Network (HSN),TicketMaster, and USAi Network, Inc.'s broadcasting assets.
Prior to joining TicketMaster in 1995, Mr. DePina was a partner in the accounting and consulting firm of KPMG LLP. While at KPMG LLP, he was a member of the Information, Communication, and Entertainment Practice and was responsible for the management of numerous initial and secondary public offerings, mergers and acquisitions and related due diligence, consulting projects, financial modeling and reengineering, and the general oversight of various audit engagements. He was employed at KPMG from 1984 through 1995.
About xSides
The xSides control bar is a desktop portal that resides outside of Windows and is always present on the screen, and enables the launching of operating systems and Java applets, the management of applications and hardware, and links to Internet function such as browse, search, instant messaging, news, stock quotes, and auction alert - all without interfering with the desktop, or applications running on the desktop.
About The Pixel Company
The Pixel Company delivers products and technology through previously unused digital "real estate" to give computer users a revolutionary yet simple alternative to the way information is gathered, received and displayed. With xSides, Pixel becomes the first company to offer technology that allows applications to function outside the Windows desktop. For more information, visit The Pixel Company Web site at www.thepixelcompany.com , www.myspaceonline.com and www.xSides.com.
xSides is a trademark of The Pixel Company
Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.