POPstick Launches Social Network Marketing Practice; Advertising Giant Steve Dworin Named President of 'POPstick Outburst'

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2004--POPstick, Inc., a digital arts and technology company focused on building creative marketing solutions, today launched POPstick Outburst, a specialized practice focused on delivering Social Network Marketing solutions to brand marketers. Steve Dworin, labeled "The Most Wanted Man in Advertising" by industry trade publication AdWeek, has joined as president of the company's New York-based practice.

Dworin stated he was "lured out of his successful diversified professional services company" by POPstick Outburst because he was enticed by the company's innovative Social Network Marketing technology.

“Millions of consumers are flocking to social networking sites such as Friendster and LinkedIn”

"Millions of consumers are flocking to social networking sites such as Friendster and LinkedIn," said Dworin. "POPstick Outburst has a vision for applying this 'vetted community' concept to vendor brands. I have not seen such a revolutionary approach to brand marketing in my twenty-five year advertising career."

A multimedia demo of POPstick Outburst's vision Social Network Marketing can be viewed here: http://www.popstick.com/outburst/demo/demo.html.

Social Network Marketing is a novel marketing technique that emphasizes interactive communities centered on a company's brand. By fostering peer-to-peer communications and incorporating content provided by individual members, subject matter experts, and the sponsoring vendor, these virtual communities inspire customers to interact with vendors' marketing teams in the same way they would communicate in social networking sites such as Friendster or LinkedIn.

Under Steve Dworin's leadership, POPstick Outburst will build Social Network Marketing communities for large, brand-focused consumer goods companies. The POPstick Outburst team will leverage proprietary Live Audience technology developed by parent company POPstick for interactive marketing campaigns it implemented for companies including Microsoft, Dell and IBM. Live Audience technology enables community members to engage in real-time communications while experiencing an array of rich features including uploading and viewing videos, participating in contests and surveys, and joining topical chats sponsored by the vendor.

"Steve Dworin's unique ability to lead his agencies to new heights of profitability earned him the moniker 'New Business Guru' from Advertising Age magazine," said David Wagner, chief operating officer of POPstick. "POPstick Outburst's aim to fundamentally advance the relationship between vendor and customer makes him the ideal leader for our new venture."

Added Dworin, "I joined POPstick Outburst because it is the only company positioned to leverage customers' innate interests and activities into passionate brand advocacy."

Dworin left an indelible mark on the advertising industry. Before launching his diversified professional services practice, he helped convert EURO RSCG from a fragmented holding company into a single, cohesive worldwide agency with billings exceeding $8B. He was once named the youngest CEO in the history of N.W. Ayer & Partners, the world's oldest advertising agency. Previously, Dworin was a partner at Deutsch/Dworin, now Deutsch, Inc., where his aptitude for new business development helped increase revenues from $30MM to more than $400MM in just three years. His professional pedigree also includes officer-level positions at J. Walter Thompson and Ogilvy & Mather.

POPstick Outburst employs a proven team of design and marketing professionals, including Abel Lenz, who co-founded Boston Web design and development firm New Tilt and serves as the practice's director of innovation and development. Additionally, POPstick Outburst enters the market with a decided advantage gained from the industry veterans of the core POPstick organization that provide the backbone for the practice's software engineering, professional services and creative resources.

About POPstick, Inc.

POPstick is a digital arts and technology company focused on building creative solutions for marketing and communications challenges. The company's interdisciplinary approach breaks down traditional barriers to innovation. In 1998, POPstick's team of developers, designers, animators and marketers pioneered the POPgram, which has become the industry's most far-reaching rich media marketing solution. Driven by a passion for progress, POPstick continues to break new ground with a host of revolutionary solutions for technology, entertainment and Internet companies. The Boston-based company is headquartered in the shadow of Fenway Park, and has points of presence in California, Texas and Washington. To learn more, please visit www.popstick.com and www.popstick.com/outburst.

POPstick, POPstick Outburst, Social Network Marketing Live Audience and POPgram are trademarks of POPstick, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.