8
a21 ANNOUNCES CHANGES AT SUPERSTOCK
June 15, 2006
Boughn Takes Over Top Content Role
a21, Inc. has announced that Haim Ariav, a21's Chief Creative Officer and the Chief Creative Officer and President of a21's subsidiary SuperStock no longer remains with the Company. Mr. Ariav has also resigned from the Board of Directors of a21.
"I would like to thank Haim for his contributions to the Company's development since 2001 and wish him well in the future," added Albert H. Pleus, Chairman and CEO of a21.
Sources indicate that Mr. Ariav's expertise was important during the launch of a21 into the stock photo business, but now it is felt that a manager with more industry experience is needed to take the company to the next level.
Industry veteran Ellen Boughn, SuperStock's Vice President, Content Strategy, who joined the Company in March 2006, has assumed Mr. Ariav's duties. She will continue to be responsible for driving the overall content strategy and influencing the procurement and production of visual content. Ms. Boughn served as Vice President at UpperCut Images before joining SuperStock. Her industry experience includes work at some of the industry's most influential stock photography agencies including Corbis and Stone, now a part of Getty Images.
"Since joining SuperStock, Ellen has helped to create a sharper focus in the areas of content sourcing and visual portfolio management," noted Thomas V. Butta, CEO of SuperStock and Vice-Chairman and President of a21. "She is an asset to our company and a benefit to our customers."
Mr. Ariav described his role at Superstock and his skill set as, "more of a landscape architect than a grounds keeper." He has a consulting agreement with the company and as a large shareholder has a strong interest in the future growth of a21. He has no immediate plans for the future and given that he has a non-compete agreement he will be unable to work in the stock photo industry. He expects to look for another opportunity to launch another company in some other industry.
No sooner were the above moves announced than President and COO Thomas Butta's employment was terminated on June 19th. Phillip N. Garfinkle, a member of the a21 board of directors since 2003 has been appointed interim President and Chief Operating Officer of SuperStock.
Garfinkle has served as CEO and chairman of Navig8US.com LLC, an executive advisory company, and has been chairman and CEO of LogoVision LLC, a business management company since April of 2004. He has also been a partner in and advisor to Gabriel Venture Partners, an investment company, since July, 2004.
Pleus said, "As a member of a21's board of directors, Phil has played a key role in providing guidance on the strategic direction of the company.
"Since Garfinkle has been appointed to the position on an interim basis it seems likely that a search will be conducted in the near future for a new leader."