"Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" Explores a Whole New World of Multimedia; Medior's Innovative Interaction Gives Bestselling Book Some Dramatic New Twists.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 1995--What happens when a bestselling book on relationships is translated to CD-ROM? A Battle of the Sexes game? Not exactly. Instead "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" has become a uniquely personalized, hands-on interactive multimedia learning experience. And it just may redefine the concept of electronic publishing in the process.

The breakthrough CD-ROM, based on John Gray's hugely successful book, was created by multimedia development company Medior Incorporated and published by Harper-Collins Interactive. Released to market mid-April, 1995, "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" represents the biggest project for Harper-Collins Interactive to date. The publisher had approached Medior looking for ways to expand on the book's success through interaction.

"It was a unique challenge to us," explains Dan Orum, general manager of Medior Interactive Publishing. "Until now, most attempts to take books to multimedia have involved simply putting words on a screen and maybe a few color pictures. They end up serving the same function as a book. The problem is, most people don't want to curl up with a computer."

Medior recognized that the basic concept of men and women in relationships -- dealing with communications problems -- provided fertile new territory for interaction. The company proceeded to design the publication from conception to final production of the CD-ROM. Through extensive use of digital video shot exclusively for the project, "Men Are From Mars...." brings relationship scenarios to life, allowing the user to interact with the actors on screen in a Personal Workshop, access their thoughts, and even get on screen advice directly from author Gray himself.

Users who fill out the personal questionnaire receive personal recommendations from Gray on scenarios to work on. Simple icons and easy navigation also allow them to participate in a "live" John Gray Seminar, call up Success Stories from past participants, pull out a screen notebook to jot down insights, and even review "Relationships in Pop Culture" featuring amusing vintage film and newsreel clips. The entire text of the Harper-Collins book is also included, and can be easily accessed at any time.

According to Medior's Orum, the ground breaking efforts of "Men Are From Mars...." will lead to a new line of interactive self-help workshops on CD-ROM. "These titles will be companions to the books, not an emulation," he promises.

"We're bringing both men and women into the multimedia world," says Orum. "We think this product will open the eyes of the book publishing world as to what multimedia can do. Not just from a technical standpoint, but its ability to create new business."

Medior Incorporated is a privately-held company, recognized as the leading developer of interactive media properties. Covering a broad range of applications -- including business, electronic commerce, education, publishing and entertainment -- Medior has generated a track record of over 150 successful products, dozens of industry awards and a number of proprietary technologies. Many Fortune 500 clients are now realizing the power of multimedia through properties developed for them by Medior. The advanced technical capabilities and creative professionals of Medior's unique "Studio" are integrated into the development, allowing the company to continue pioneering the future of interactive media. Medior's work reaches Macintosh, Windows/MPC, 3DO, on-line and interactive television platforms. Current clients include such major corporations as America Online, Federal Express, Time Inc. Ventures, Northern Telecom, Harper-Collins, Simon and Schuster, Sunset Publishing, and Warner Bros.

Medior's mission is to build interactive properties that are successful today, while architecting a foundation for the future.

CONTACT: Medior Incorporated

Janice Oda, 415/525-4098