DR. DREW OUTLINES PLANS FOR NEW HEALTH & LIFESTYLE WEB SITE AIMED AT THE INTERNET GENERATION
DR. DREW OUTLINES PLANS FOR NEW HEALTH & LIFESTYLE WEB SITE AIMED AT THE INTERNET GENERATION, Internet Wire, 23 Jun 99
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DRDREW.COM SEEKS TO CHANGE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA'S YOUNG
PASADENA AND LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 06/23/99 -- Dr. Drew Pinsky, better known simply as "Dr. Drew", the co-host and creator of the nationally syndicated and ever-popular "Loveline" radio and television shows, today announced plans to launch an extension of his life's work with the debut of a comprehensive and interactive health and lifestyle web site, drdrew.com. The new web site is specifically designed for young people ages 14-34.
Dr. Drew outlined his plans Tuesday during a presentation to the Second Annual Digital Living Room industry conference in Laguna Niguel, CA. Digital Living Room brings together 450 leaders from the Internet, computers, software, consumer electronics, and interactive content industries to discuss digital technology and how it is changing the way we are entertained, how we gather information, and how it will be incorporated into the homes and offices of the future. Digital Living Room is sponsored by David Coursey, the executive producer of Upside Events and Editor-in-Chief of coursey.com.
Over the course of the past 16 years, Dr. Drew Pinsky, M.D., has developed a strong following with "Loveline", a health, relationship and lifestyle-oriented radio show and MTV program. With this new web site, Dr. Drew plans to extend his reach and further his goal to improve healthcare for a very important audience-the Internet Generation-through their medium of choice, the Net. Drdrew.com, launching in September, 1999, will allow users to explore a wide range of physical, mental and emotional health topics as well as interact with other site members. The site aims to provide it's audience, over 30 million online users, with hard to find information in a safe, compassionate and entertaining environment.
"Health issues for young people set the stage for a lifetime. I am grateful to have developed a relationship with this audience and I feel I have a responsibility to them," said Dr. Drew. "They have embraced the web, which provides me with a whole new way to communicate and provide information."
Dr. Drew, a true practicing doctor, has become a trusted source of critical information and advice among millions of young adults. Dr. Drew will serve as the President and Editor-in-Chief of the site, and his hands-on involvement will be the driving force in determining the site's content, events, partners and development.
The site will feature a breadth of relevant health content, including daily question and answer sessions with Dr. Drew, content from health organizations, including the National Institute of Health, searchable databases, access to a network of contributing doctors, support groups and contact information for local health services and professionals. Site members will be encouraged to participate in a lively community, including discussion of timely topics, polls and research, and real-life user stories will be featured daily. Drdrew.com will also offer profiles, interviews and chats with cutting-edge celebrities who will share personal stories, address issues and provide further insight and understanding.
"I have known Dr. Drew for many years and followed the progression of his career with admiration," said Dr.George Lundberg, longtime Editor of the American Journal of Medicine and current Editor-in-Chief of Medscape, a leading health web site. "He provides more accurate and useful clinical information to America's young people than anyone else I know."
"Each generation has its icons and Dr. Drew is an entertainment and medical icon of the Internet generation," said Guy Kawasaki, President of Garage.com. "We leaped at the chance to work with him because he has huge credibility with a much sought after and difficult-to-reach demographic market."
ABOUT DR. DREW AND DRDREW.COM
Dr. Drew received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his M. D. from USC's School of Medicine. Dr. Drew was eventually awarded the position of Chief Resident at a USC facility. Both a Board Certified internist and addictionologist, Dr. Drew is also the Medical Director for the Department of Chemical Dependency Services at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena and the Chief of Service in the Department of Medicine. Prior, Dr. Drew was President of the Pasadena Medical Society and the former Editor of the Los Angeles County Medical Association Magazine. Along with his Loveline co-host, Adam Carolla, Dr. Drew is the author of "The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide to Life and Love".
Drdrew.com was one of the first companies to be funded through Palo-Alto based Garage.com. Among drdrew.com's initial investors is the media company, Freedom Communications, and Dale Fuller, former President of the popular web site, WhoWhere.com.
Serving on the drdrew.com advisory board are Greg Maffei, CFO of Microsoft Corp., Guy Kawasaki, CEO of Garage.com, Arnold Rifkin, President of the William Morris Agency and Clarissa Wittenberg, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Drdrew.com has assembled an exceptional management team. Heading up drdrew.com is CEO Curtis Giesen, who has been involved in the Internet industry since 1995 and helped build the dominant web gaming brand, Happy Puppy. A graduate of Harvard Business School, Curtis previously held VP posts at both Time Warner and Sony, and has considerable experience in building strong entertainment brands on the web for Generations X and Y. Howard Lapides, of Lapides Entertainment, is a Senior Vice President and co-founder, and brings extensive experience and relationships in the entertainment industry. Among other celebrities, Howard recently discovered and launched Tom Green, one of the biggest stars ever to hit MTV. Editorial efforts will be led by Jennifer Maerz, former Managing Editor of the San Francisco based, SOMA Magazine, who will serve as Managing Editor of the site. Dr. Tim Cruz, a 1999 graduate of UCLA Medical School, will be the resident Health Editor. Khanh Nguyen, former webmaster for the Milken Family Foundation, has joined as CTO of drdrew.com.
The Los Angeles office of Rare Medium, an interactive firm, is developing the drdrew.com web site. Krause Taylor Associates in Silicon Valley has been selected to represent the site's Public Relations.
"Rare Medium Inc. is delighted to partner with Dr. Drew to design and develop his health and lifestyle web site," stated Dan Roddy, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Rare Medium's Los Angeles Office. "We share his exciting vision for providing a trusted source of information and advice and are uniquely positioned to create the interactive and entertaining site that his Internet Generation audience will expect."
Beginning today, users can register, submit questions and give imput on the site. Registered users will also receive a weekly drdrew.com newsletter updating them on the site and answering selected questions. For more information, head to the site and check it out. www.drdrew.com.
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