Acacia Research's Soundbreak.com Names Lisa Crane, Former NBC and Universal Studios Internet Executive as Chief Executive Officer.

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1999--

Acacia Research Corporation (NASDAQ/NM:ACRI) announced today that subsidiary Soundbreak.com has named Lisa Crane, former NBC and Universal Studios Internet executive, as its President and Chief Executive Officer.

Crane, who will also serve on Soundbreak.com's Board of Directors, was formerly vice president of NBC Interactive and general manager of NBC.com, the television network's flagship Web site. She was responsible for developing the ongoing strategy for NBC.com, including e-commerce, promotion, and content development as well as managing NBC's Interactive West Coast operations.

Crane was responsible for maximizing NBC's relationships with Snap, iVillage, Talk City, Launch and other partners. She served as an internal expert for online and interactive programs and services for NBC's Entertainment division and helped guide the overall strategy of NBC for the convergence of traditional and new media.

Prior to joining NBC, Crane served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Universal Studios Online where she spearheaded the launch of Universal's e-commerce business as well as its data mining, advertising, and sponsored content initiatives. Her earlier positions with Universal included Vice President of Marketing for their New Media Group and Vice President of Consumer Products Group.

Crane is an active member of Southern California's Internet community, serving as Vice President of the Digital Coast Roundtable. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Webstakes.com and on the Board of Advisors of Pulse Entertainment, eStar, and Virtualis.

Acacia Research CEO Paul Ryan commented, "We are thrilled to have Lisa Crane as Chief Executive Officer of Soundbreak.com. Her understanding of Internet business is exceptional and her experience in leadership positions with NBC's and Universal's Internet businesses will be invaluable."

Soundbreak.com, with facilities in Hollywood, Calif., is preparing for the launch of its "live" Internet site for youth-oriented music. Soundbreak provides an interactive lifestyle site that will combine a 24-hour worldwide Webcast highlighting new music hosted by on-air DJs with rich graphics, a music and merchandise store, and other features.

Acacia Research Corporation is a diversified company with interests in several enterprises - CombiMatrix Corporation (biochips/drug discovery technology), Greenwich Information Technologies LLC (video and audio-on-demand technology), MerkWerks Corporation (software development), Signature-mail.com llc (personalized e-mail service), Soundbreak.com Incorporated (Internet music and e-commerce) Soundview Technologies Incorporated (V-chip technology), and Acacia Capital Management (investment advisory services).

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements address future events and conditions concerning Soundbreak's business plan, capital expenditures, technological developments, development of on-air talent and content, and the markets for products and services. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, such as future economic conditions, changes in consumer demand, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments, and other circumstances affecting anticipated revenues and costs, which may cause actual results to differ materially. The company expressly disclaims any future obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein.