Change Technology Partners and MARC USA Announce E-Services Joint Venture.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

eHotHouse to Provide Services to Leverage the New Economy

Change Technology Partners, Inc. (OTCBB: ARCU) and MARC USA today jointly announced an investment commitment in excess of $20 million in cash and stock to launch eHotHouse, Inc., an interdisciplinary professional e-services firm focusing on e-commerce strategy, application systems integration and marketing services.

Concurrent with the launch, Matthew Ryan, 39, founder of Ryan Drossman/ MARC USA, the national advertising agency, will leave his role at the agency to become the CEO of both Change Technology Partners and eHotHouse.

"Matt is a prime example of today's e-services leader," said Michael Gleason, Change Technology Chairman and eHotHouse board member. "He is an expert in complex business modeling and strategy, and can direct the deployment of both technology and professional services. He also has a deep understanding of Change Technology's mission of investing in firms that are building and servicing the New Economy."

According to Matt Ryan, eHotHouse will offer a broad menu of professional services to enable companies to successfully navigate the challenges brought on by the new knowledge-based economy.

"eHotHouse provides clients with an e-services 'tool box,' customized to individual needs and goals," said Ryan. "It's not about web sites and shopping carts. It's about meeting client needs from strategy through execution. With the explosion of the knowledge-based economy, there is a strong need for an interdisciplinary resource to prioritize the multitude of opportunities. eHotHouse will provide these services and truly facilitate our client's transference to the New Economy."

eHotHouse's interdisciplinary approach focuses on four key e-commerce segments:

- Front-end user interface services, including site architecture and
award-winning design

- Back-end technology services such as site construction and system integration


- Human capital services including training, executive placement and tech
support

- On-line marketing services including CRM and robust e-mail programs

According to Ryan, eHotHouse will announce several strategic acquisitions in line with these core competencies within the month. Acquisition candidates come from the application and systems integration, Web site development, and strategic and marketing consulting fields.

Tony Bucci, Chairman and CEO of Pittsburgh-based MARC USA, added that eHotHouse will function as the agency's e-commerce arm and work with MARC clients to develop online programs. MARC USA clients include True Value Hardware, Bear Stearns & Company, Rite Aid Pharmacies, the Chicago Tribune, Ryobi and eSpeed.com, the e-commerce division of Cantor Fitzgerald.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to provide sophisticated e-services and solutions without the costly and time consuming start-up issues associated with an in-house resource," said Bucci. "We know Matt and we have great respect for the people at Change Technology Partners and the way they manage their business. This is a good fit."

eHotHouse is based in New York and will operate client service hubs out of MARC USA's eight domestic offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, Indianapolis, Orlando and Pittsburgh. In addition, eHotHouse is planning three European offices in London, Amsterdam and Prague. The company will employ approximately 100 people by year's end.

eHotHouse management anticipates revenues that will place eHotHouse among the top 20 e-services firms in the country.

In addition to Bucci and Gleason, eHotHouse board members include: William Avery, Principal of FG II Ventures; Rick Kurnit, Partner in Frankfurt, Kurnit & Seltz; Andrew Clark, founder of Clarknet and Executive Vice President of Verio, Inc.; and Robert Nielsen, Group President, Estee Lauder Company.

About Change Technology Partners, Inc.

Change Technology Partners, Inc. is a public company that acquires, integrates and actively manages Internet service and infrastructure companies, building the New Economy through leading edge solutions. Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, Change Technology's major shareholders include partners of FG II Ventures, LLC and The Culmen Group. Please visit the Company's web site at www.changetechnology.com. Business plans can be submitted to [e-mail].

About MARC USA

MARC USA is one of the fastest growing independent advertising agencies in the United States with more than $670 million in billings and over 500 employees. The agency currently ranks 42nd on Adweek magazine's list of America's top advertising agencies.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the agency has offices in New York, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Miami, Indianapolis and Orlando. MARC USA's services include advertising, public relations, direct marketing, interactive and strategic brand consulting. The company also operates free-standing specialty operations in broadcast and print media buying services and sales promotion.

Editors' Note: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Federal securities laws, including statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subjects to substantial risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the actual results will conform to the forward looking statements in this press release.