GORP.com Poised for Expansion After Major Infusion of Capital
New York, July 28, 1999 - Jonathan M. Guttenberg, former Vice
President of New Media at Random House, Inc., has been named Chief Executive
Officer of GORP.com, Inc., the organization responsible for GORP.com,
the leading consumer Internet site focused on outdoor activities and
travel. Guttenberg's appointment by GORP's Board of Directors is the
first step in the innovative company's plans for expansion. A recent
multi-million dollar financial investment deal with Capstone Ventures,
FD5, and Peppers and Rogers Group has prepared the cutting edge, award
winning Web site to aggressively increase the site's interactive potential
and further develop its marketing strategies.
"Jon is the perfect helmsman to steer GORP towards its 'next generation'," said Gene Fischer, a partner with Capstone Ventures. "GORP has established a solid reputation for providing the latest and most unique outdoor attractions on its web site and has developed important and long lasting relationships with a high energy, adventure seeking customer base. Now, GORP will be in a position to accelerate its growth to provide even more online content and customer services targeted to outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers."
An active traveler himself, Guttenberg brings to GORP more than thirteen years experience in marketing and new business development, with heavy emphasis in evolving technologies. As Vice President of New Media at Random House, Guttenberg developed and implemented the company's strategy for all electronic media. He was responsible for Random House's Internet initiatives, its various web sites, and the company's expansion into new content delivery systems including on-demand printing and electronic books. Guttenberg also worked closely with a number of groups from Random House's parent company, Bertelsmann A.G., including serving as an advisor to Bertelsmann Ventures, the company's venture capital division.
Previously, Guttenberg spent six years with Viacom International, Inc. where he played leading roles in Corporate Development exploring new business opportunities, acquisitions and internal development for all Viacom's operating groups. Later as Director of Marketing and subsequently as Director of New Business Development and Operations for Viacom New Media, he helped to inaugurate that company's first venture into interactive programming.
GORP (a.k.a. Great Outdoor Recreation Pages) was founded in 1995 by outdoor enthusiasts and world travelers Diane and Bill Greer. Tapping their own experiences, they created a web site (www.GORP.com) that offers the freshest and most unique travel destinations and inspires viewer participation in everything from an afternoon hike to a weeks-long biking adventure. GORP visitors recount their own experiences and share information through a sophisticated menu of online forums, contests, discussions and cross marketing initiatives.
Guttenberg's leadership will enable Bill Greer, who has been acting CEO since the company's inception, and Diane Greer to re-focus their energies on further developing and building GORP as a full-service community for the pursuit of outdoor lifestyles.
GORP will be moving in September into its new offices in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, right in the heart of New York's own "Silicon Alley".

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