Backbone Media announced a series of new
hires to expand its services and to meet growing demand for PR in the
outdoor, fitness and lifestyle markets. Julie Oldham, formerly the Associate
Publisher at Climbing Magazine, has joined the team to lead the Media Buying
Division for Backbone Media, and Ben Fibbe, formerly the Assistant Director
of Communications for USA Basketball, joins Backbone as an account
executive.

³We are thrilled by the skill sets both Ben and Julie bring to Backbone,²
states partner, Nate Simmons, who continues ³ We are fortunate to have them
join us and know their experience, professionalism and contacts will
contribute to the ongoing growth and success of Backbone Media.²

Ben Fibbe, who traveled to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney with USA
Basketball, also has working experience in the Development Office at
Colorado College. Fibbe recently relocated from Colorado Springs to
Carbondale and is an avid cyclist and telemark skier.

Julie Oldham comes to Backbone after six years as the Advertising Director
and Associate Publisher at Climbing Magazine and will start in mid December.
Oldham will handle media buying for Malden Mills/Polartec® and Cloudveil®
and will focus her efforts on growing this component of Backbone¹s business.

Carol Valianti, Director of Communications for Polartec® comments, ³ We are
excited to have Julie join Backbone to help us strategically place our media
for 2004. Having worked with Julie for many years while at Climbing
Magazine, she possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, integrity, and an
intimate knowledge of the publishing landscape. We¹re thrilled to continue
working with her in this new capacity.²

Simmons continues, ³Media buying has proven to be a very complimentary
service to our core business of public relations. With Julie on board, we
have tremendous potential in this category.²