CurtCo Freedom Group Announces Two Benchmark Internet-Based CRM Initiatives.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1999--

CFG Debuts eCRM(TM) Magazine and the First

Internet-focused CRM Event

CurtCo Freedom Group's (CFG) Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Division announced two groundbreaking events that further its commitment to the CRM marketplace: the launch of eCRM, a new publication focusing on e-business CRM solutions, and the first Internet-focused technology CRM trade show and conference in collaboration with Penton Media Inc.

eCRM Magazine

With an initial circulation of 325,000, eCRM magazine is targeted to the executives and key decision- makers charged with integrating the business processes of the front office into the overall corporate vision of e-business. eCRM details how the Internet positively impacts a company's relationship with its customers, suppliers and internal business units by providing a clear understanding of how to integrate new technologies with business strategy. eCRM will be distributed across all CurtCo Freedom CRM Division titles including: Knowledge Management, Sales & Marketing Automation, Field Force Automation and Customer Service Automation.

CurtCo Freedom's Executive Vice President Thomas J. Villani explains "The common thread of all aspects of CRM is rapidly becoming web-based technologies--the utilization of the Internet as a conduit for both internal and external use. A natural extension of CurtCo's CRM Division, eCRM enhances our focus and allows us to cover all facets of customer relationship management from customer identification and acquisition through customer fulfillment and retention."

ECRM 2000 Conference and Exposition

Simultaneously, CurtCo Freedom announces the debut of eCRM 2000 Conference and Exposition to take place April 5-7 in Los Angeles. Co-located with Spring Internet World 2000, this landmark event will be produced in collaboration with Penton Media, Inc. one of today's largest producers of Internet focused events worldwide.

Carl Pugh, Group President of Penton Media's Trade Show Division, states "we believe CurtCo Freedom's CRM family of publications are unrivaled and dominate the market on the print media side. Penton is proud to co-launch this industry's most revolutionary live event in association with a publishing company of CurtCo Freedom's unparalleled reputation and industry presence." CurtCo Freedom's Villani share's this enthusiasm adding, " Penton Media is undoubtedly the leader in technology events with an Internet focus. CFG is thrilled to be co-hosting this groundbreaking event with an organization that has consistently demonstrated unrivaled commitment to the industry. Our alliance with Penton is a realization of our promise to the CRM industry that we will always strive to enhance the communities we serve."

In fact, based on initial news, CRM industry leaders are already taking note. "This is the first event we know of that blends CRM and the Internet together for the benefit of integrating business strategies with technology," states Chris Selland, Vice President of Customer Relationship Management and Internet Computing Strategies for the Yankee Group, one of the industries leading consulting and research firms. "eCRM 2000 will undoubtedly prove quite beneficial as our client base continues to ask for such an event. We applaud CFG and Penton Media for their collaboration on what appears to be an industry benchmark."

CurtCo Freedom Group is an integrated media company dedicated to providing quality forums to targeted communities of business professionals. CFG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Freedom Communications, one of the largest independent media companies in the country. CurtCo Freedom's Small Business and Home Office (SOHO) division titles include Home Office Computing and Small Business Computing & Communications. Visit CurtCo Freedom on the web at www.curtco.com. For further information on eCRM 2000 go on-line at www.ecrmexpo.com.

Note: eCRM is the mark of the CurtCo Freedom Group.