Allegro New Media announces distribution agreement with Merisel; relationship to expand reach of Allegro's software product line to the growing small office/home office, SOHO, market.

FAIRFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 1996--Allegro New Media (NASDAQ: ANMI), a publisher of computer software for the SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) and business market, announced Thursday that it has signed an agreement with Merisel Inc. of El Segundo, Calif. for nationwide distribution of Allegro's software products.

"Merisel's strengths in the consumer and reseller/VAR channels are important factors in our evolving corporate strategy to be a major provider of computer software to entrepreneurs and operators of small businesses," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Allegro New Media.

"With Merisel distributing our products, we will now be able to further enhance the distribution of our product line for the expanding SOHO market."

"We are pleased to offer some of Allegro's hottest selling titles to our resellers nationwide," said Merisel vice president, consumer productions division, Bob Johnson. "In addition, as we focus on enhancing our channel-specific product and service offerings, Allegro's entrepreneurial titles serve as a great complement to our software offering to the SOHO marketplace."

Allegro's recent titles include six Entrepreneur Magazine titles, two Berlitz Language & Travel Guide titles, "Learn To Do Windows 95 With John C. Dvorak," "PC Library Release 2," "Multimedia Business 500," "Cooking With Dom DeLuise" and "Betty Crocker's Cooking With Kids."

Allegro's "Business Tools for the Inter...Active" can be found at retail outlets throughout the United States and Canada or may be ordered directly by calling toll-free 1-888-Allegro. Allegro web site, with additional product information, can be reached at http://www.allegronm.com.

For company information, please contact Barry Cinnamon, Allegro New Media 201/808-1992; e-mail [e-mail]. Media contact for Allegro New Media is Al Abrams, Abrams Creative Services, 818/343-6365, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].

Merisel Inc. (NASDAQ: MSEL) is a worldwide leader in the distribution of computer hardware and software products. The company holds Fortune 500 status, with 1995 sales of $6 billion. Merisel distributes a full line of 25,000 products from the industry's leading manufacturers to more than 55,000 resellers worldwide, including more than 750 ComputerLand franchisees and Datago affiliates.

Merisel operates nine international subsidiaries, 31 sales offices and 19 distribution centers serving the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe. The company offers extensive support services including training, marketing, technical support, configuration, merchandising, telemarketing, information services and third-party financing.

CONTACT: Allegro New Media

Barry Cinnamon, 201/808-1992

[e-mail]

or

Abrams Creative Services

Al Abrams, 818/343-6365, fax: [phone]

[e-mail]