Acadio Announces Distribution Agreements with Three Top Publishers; New Continuing Education Web Resource Will Offer Learning Products From McGraw-Hill, ComputerPREP and Lightbulb Press.

Business/High Tech Editors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2000

Acadio(TM) Corporation, dedicated to helping people reach their full personal and professional potential through self-directed education, today announced distribution agreements with McGraw-Hill, ComputerPREP and Lightbulb Press.

The content partnerships will bring hundreds of best-of-breed computing, reference, general business and self-improvement books, and electronic media products to Acadio's Web site, www.acadio.com, scheduled to launch in first quarter 2000.

Acadio has already developed relationships with more than 80 continuing education resource providers in its dedicated drive to become the premier online destination for continuing personal and professional education. The company recently announced its publishing partnerships with Berlitz, the American Marketing Association and Pearson PTR.

"The broad and diverse mix of learning content from these leading publishers, combined with our compelling editorial content and product reviews, will provide self-directed learners with everything they are looking for to meet their educational goals," said Steven Sperry, Acadio CEO. "We are pleased to announce these new content partners, each of which will add a distinct range of professional and personal continuing education, new media products, and books to Acadio's growing library of self-study tools."

The alliances include distribution and marketing of valuable learning resources and self-study materials. These products will expand Acadio's offerings in general business and management, accounting and finance, marketing and sales, information technology, and personal development. All products selected by and distributed through Acadio are designed to teach a new task or skill.

McGraw-Hill, a leading electronic and print information services provider, will distribute hundreds of its award-winning continuing education general business and personal development books, reference works, and study guides via Acadio.com. The books will cover many subjects of interest for self-directed learners, including marketing and advertising, business management, finances, computer programming, stress management and personal fitness.

"McGraw-Hill is pleased to have Acadio as one of our distributors," said Mike Rovins, McGraw-Hill Professional Book Group vice president of sales. "We continually seek new ways to expand our customer base and to put our materials in the hands of eager learners. Acadio is an excellent match with McGraw-Hill. We share a similar mission, helping people reach their full potential."

ComputerPREP, a global technology-training solutions provider, will make its self-study CD-ROM based courseware available on Acadio.com. The company provides computer-based training software that allows learners at all levels of experience to learn at their own pace from their own PC. The tutorials are highly interactive self-study programs. They incorporate presentations, illustrations, animated demonstrations, exercises and on-screen audio narration in a unique learning environment specifically designed for the busy individual or for people who need instant pre- or post-class training on any topic within an application.

Lightbulb Press, a popular print and Internet publisher, will distribute its best-selling consumer information guides through Acadio.com. Lightbulb Press specializes in producing straight-talking, eye-catching guides and online content that help consumers and professionals develop the knowledge and confidence to meet their goals -- from devising an investment strategy, to understanding employer plans, to planning for retirement. Among Lightbulb guides to be distributed by Acadio are -- The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Investing, The Wall Street Journal Guide to Planning Your Financial Future, and the newly released Lightbulb Dictionary of Financial Terms.

Acadio will offer consumers more than 20,000 business, computing and lifestyle learning products and courses. Blending professional growth with personal development, Acadio.com will ultimately address all types of lifelong learning needs with the broadest selection of quality continuing education products on the Web.

About McGraw-Hill

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading information services provider meeting worldwide needs in education, business, finance, the professions and government. The corporation employs 16,500 people located in more than 400 offices in 32 countries. Sales in 1999 were $4.0 billion.

About ComputerPREP

ComputerPREP, Inc., a Drake International Company located in Phoenix, Ariz., has been providing award-winning, comprehensive courseware since 1983. It is a leading provider of technology training solutions geared toward end-user desktop applications, advanced technologies, programming languages, certifications and Internet-related products. ComputerPREP prepares fully customized learning solutions as well as train-the-trainer services for organizations to meet their unique training needs. For more information on ComputerPREP's products and services, visit http://www.computerprep.com or call 800/228-1027.

About Lightbulb Press

Lightbulb Press is a popular print and Internet publisher of financial, technical and lifestyle information. Founded in 1990, Lightbulb Press transforms perplexing subjects into straight-talking, eye-catching guides and online content. Lightbulb offers an array of services to corporate and educational organizations -- including branded books for individual sponsors, licensed content for third-party Web sites, and original content on a customized basis. For more information on Lightbulb's products and services for consumers, businesses and educators, visit http://www.lightbulbpress.com or call 917/256-4922.

About Acadio Corporation

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Seattle, Acadio is dedicated to helping people reach their full professional and personal potential through self-directed education. Acadio intends to be the premier online destination for professionals worldwide seeking information, products, and services related to continuing education. Professionals and businesses will be able to quickly and easily find, evaluate, compare, and purchase continuing education products and services from www.acadio.com. The Acadio Web site will provide valuable information and resources to build strengths, sharpen skills, focus direction, and expand life experiences, giving people the edge they need to improve their lives. For more information, call 206/225-5000, or e-mail [e-mail].