ARCHIE COMICS ENTERTAINMENT NAMES

ALLAN I. GRAFMAN PRESIDENT

Grafman to Lead Media Exploitation of the Venerable Archie Brands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New York, NY (February 12, 2003) – Archie Comics Entertainment, Inc. (ACEI) has appointed Allan I. Grafman as President to head up the expanding media company’s worldwide operations. 

            A recognized media executive, Grafman joins Archie Comics Entertainment with an extensive career in the senior-level management of leading media companies.  During his term as Executive Vice President for Hallmark Entertainment, Grafman led the company’s successful turnaround and restructuring.  Prior to Hallmark Entertainment, Grafman served as Managing Director with the Tribune Company.  Grafman began his nearly 14-year tenure with Tribune in 1983 as Director of Business Affairs.  He was later promoted to Vice President in 1988 and named Managing Director in 1994.  Grafman previously served with Capital Cities/ABC as Vice President and General Manager of Capital Cities Cable.  Grafman received his Masters of Business Administration from Columbia University, New York and a second Masters degree in International Affairs.  Grafman earned his Bachelors degree from Indiana University.

            As part of his mandate, Grafman will lead ACEI’s activities in the areas of original television programming, theatrical motion pictures, DVD/Home Video, videogames, music, Internet, live events and all areas of retail promotions, product licensing and merchandising.

            At Archie Comics Entertainment, Grafman joins a management team that includes Chairman and CEO Chuck Grimes and Board members Michael Silberkleit
and Richard Goldwater (members of the founding family of the venerable Archie brand) and Greg Battersby.

            In speaking on behalf of the ACEI Board, Silberkleit said: “Allan Grafman is a distinguished entertainment industry executive whose impressive career has generated numerous milestone achievements.  We look forward to benefiting from Allan’s extensive experience and outstanding leadership as he builds the Archie brands in all areas of entertainment.”

The ultimate teenage hero, Archie first appeared in a comic book published in 1941.  More than 60 years later, Archie and his friends remain a staple of entertainment for readers the world over with timeless tales of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of teenagers.  Role models to millions, Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead have come to represent the fads, fashions and attitudes of contemporary youth.  In addition to entertaining their legions of fans, Archie and his friends have also been acclaimed for their tackling of important social issues, including alerting teenagers to the dangers of drugs, alcohol and smoking.

            Established in 2001, Archie Comics Entertainment is the home of world renowned character properties Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and their Riverdale friends, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats and Katy Keene as well as super hero properties Mighty Crusaders including The Web.  With offices in metro New York, Archie Comics Entertainment is involved in the development, production and worldwide distribution of original projects for television, film and home video, music, live events and the Internet as well as represents the licensing and merchandising of its enduring brands across all global markets.  Archie Comics Entertainment is on the Web at www.archiecomics.com.

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