Two Leading Direct Marketing Online Pioneers, Naviant and eDirect.com, Announce Merger Creating Email Marketing Powerhouse With $60 Million in Revenues Projected in 2002 NEW YORK, and BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ In a move launching the world's largest, most profitable precision email marketing company, Naviant, the leading collector of opt-in consumer data through product warranty registrations, announced its merger today with eDirect, the industry leader in permission-based, email marketing. The merger combines the massive independently compiled databases of the two giant email pioneers into a mega-base of unprecedented proportions, comprising more than 60 million consumer profiles. The new entity is to be called Naviant. "The merger between Naviant and eDirect is a cornerstone of the future of Internet marketing with Naviant emerging as an undisputed leader in precision online direct marketing," said Dr. Charles Stryker, Chairman of Naviant. "The merger allows what until now has been rarely achieved in the industry -- the melding of unique offline and online data with precision online marketing, providing customers with an exclusive selling tool and for our millions of opt-in subscribers." Michael Brauser, former President and Founder of eDirect who will take the helm of the new Company, Naviant as CEO and President, said, "This puts us in a league of our own with one of the biggest and most profitable Internet marketing platforms ever created. The depth and richness of this combined database is unrivaled. We have created for precision eMarketing services a major player." Even though more email is sent than conventional mail, the industry still is in its early stages. As more marketers look to email alternatives over traditional methods, Naviant is positioned to be the strongest provider, Brauser said, especially given the fact that consumers are reluctant these days to open traditional mail. Brauser and Stryker see direct marketers accepting the obvious advantages of email marketing, now regarded as a proven advertising method, which is faster, less costly and more precise and flexible than traditional methods. "There is no doubt in our minds that the synergies between the two companies will have a marketing impact that will be felt throughout the industry," Brauser said. The merger consolidates the operations divisions of the two companies into 150 employees, most of who will occupy Naviant's new headquarters at the offices of eDirect at 999 Yamato Rd., in Boca Raton with the remainder working out of Naviant's New York City offices. Major investors in Naviant include Softbank whose investments include Yahoo! and ETrade and TL Ventures Technology (Nasdaq: SFE) part of Safeguard Scientific. "We're miles ahead of the competition along the information highway," Brauser said. "As the largest, most profitable eMarketing organization, we will provide direct marketers the most complete online solution for reaching consumers, comprising the broadest reach and the most precise tools." Contact: Glen Calder 561/750-9800 ext. 16 gcalder@transmediagroup.com