CitySearch Surges Forward with Entry into Austin and Salt Lake City, and Launches Powerful Redesigned New York Service; Momentum Builds as CitySearch Soon to be in Six U.S. Markets.

LA CRESCENTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1996--Just six weeks after announcing its local online information service for San Francisco, CitySearch, the market innovator in producing community-based online information services for the World Wide Web, today announced that management teams have been established in Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah, in preparation for launching local CitySearch services in these cities by the end of the year.

Simultaneously, CitySearch also announced the activation at the end of this month of the next generation of CitySearch/Metrobeat 2.0. The new version of CitySearch/Metrobeat dramatically improves the personalization capabilities of the online guide to New York City events and activities.

"We're accelerating into new markets and establishing our local management teams ahead of schedule," said Charles Conn, president and CEO of CitySearch. "Our model for creating the ultimate community-based online service continues to prove itself market by market, enabling CitySearch to move forward with plans to reach its goal of 30 cities by the end of 1997."

A Community Platform

The CitySearch service creates a platform for the community, spanning government, non-profit and civic organizations; local businesses, including retailers and service providers; and continuously updated listings for arts, entertainment, sports, recreation and other events. CitySearch provides community forums, local chat and a rich communication environment to enhance the physical social community.

CitySearch offers local merchants an easy, cost-effective way to get on the web to reach consumers in their local markets. Essential information on every business in the community is listed, and businesses can choose sophisticated sites for a fraction of what it would cost to build and maintain an independent web site. To date, CitySearch has announced sites in six communities that are already serving hundreds of thousands of users.

Non-profit and civic organizations are provided with extensive information sites on CitySearch at no cost. "By being a part of CitySearch, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of San Francisco and the Peninsula is able to reach the online community, showcase our services and generate support," says Wendy Rosen of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Francisco and the Peninsula. "Having a presence on CitySearch opens up many doors for our agency. We can now reach a new audience of potential volunteers."

Consumers turn to CitySearch because it is the only online source for community information that is truly comprehensive and always up-to-date. Through extensive consumer testing and trial, CitySearch has created an intuitive interface that allows all consumers, including newcomers to the Internet, to browse community information or conduct searches by keyword, time and location.

Progress Market by Market

CitySearch initiated its local online service in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C., in May, followed by a launch in Pasadena, Calif. CitySearch entered the New York City metro area in July through the acquisition of Metrobeat, the leading local online information service in New York. San Francisco was officially announced in August, and CitySearch expects to launch the Austin and Salt Lake City services by the end of this year.

"CitySearch has developed a singularly focused service that works within the community," Conn said. "Because providing local online information is our only business, CitySearch has the dedicated resources to provide comprehensive coverage and become a true community resource, covering everything from community information, forums, arts and entertainment, to developing a multimedia merchant directory."

CitySearch/Metrobeat 2.0 Improves and Extends NY Service

CitySearch/Metrobeat, the award-winning online guide to New York City, will launch an upgraded service on September 23, providing users with its new improved personalized service. CitySearch/Metrobeat 2.0 will enable a user to fill out a personal profile indicating areas of interest. Then, operating as a personal assistant, CitySearch/Metrobeat will sort through more than 8,000 listings assembled by its editorial staff, match them to the user#s profile and then notify the user about an upcoming performance/performer or event via e-mail.

About CitySearch

CitySearch, headquartered in Pasadena, Calif., was recently featured in Fortune as one of "The Top 25 Coolest Companies" and was ranked fourth in NetGuide's listing of the top 100 Internet sites. CitySearch offers a comprehensive resource for local communities delivering visual, searchable information via the Internet. The CitySearch service creates a platform for the community, spanning government, non-profit and civic organizations; local businesses, including retailers and service providers; and continuously updated listings for arts, entertainment, sports, recreation and other events. Through extensive consumer testing and trial, CitySearch has created an intuitive interface that allows all consumers, including newcomers to the Internet, to browse community information or conduct searches by keyword, time and location.

CitySearch leverages the Java programming language and a custom Illustra database. Technology partners include Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics, Informix, Etak, BBN Planet, Borland International and Database America.

CitySearch was founded by Bill Gross, who previously founded Knowledge Adventure; Charles Conn, a former partner with McKinsey and Company; and Jeffrey Brewer, the former online applications manager at Knowledge Adventure. Early investors include seasoned entrepreneurs and managers of multimedia, entertainment and financial companies, including Board Chairman Robert Kavner. Goldman, Sachs and AT&T Ventures have also made substantial equity investments.

For more information on CitySearch or CitySearch/Metrobeat, visit the CitySearch web site at www.citysearch.com.

CONTACT: Alexander Communications, Inc.

Hani Durzy, 415/923-1660

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