NEW YORK, NY -- March 19, 2002 -- The Online Publishers Association announced today that it will be sizing the market for paid online content on an ongoing basis, beginning in the second quarter of this year.

The announcement was made in connection with the 9th Annual Jupiter Media Forum being held today in New York.

The market sizing initiative is designed to keep the industry up to date on consumer spending for digital content online and bring additional perspective and analysis to the role that paid content and premium services play in the business of online publishing.

"We look forward to bringing some clarity to online publishers, the press and consumers about the vitality and scope of the market for paid content," said Michael Zimbalist, executive director of the Online Publishers Association. "Sizing the market is an important first step toward understanding how premium paid content offerings are gaining acceptance with consumers and helping online publishers diversify their revenue sources so that they can continue to provide the high-quality content the public has come to expect from online media."

The initiative will segment the market by categories of content as well as by payment models. The first report is expected to be published in the summer of 2002.

About the Online Publishers Association

Founded in June 2001 by some of the Internet's leading content brands, the Online Publishers Association (OPA) is an industry trade organization whose mission is to advance the interests of high-quality online publishers before the advertising community, the press, the government and the public. Members of OPA represent the highest standards in Internet publishing with respect to editorial quality and integrity, credibility and accountability.

Current members of OPA are: Bankrate.com, CBS MarketWatch.com, CNET Networks, CondeNet, Cox Enterprises, ESPN.com, Forbes.com, Knight Ridder Digital, Le Monde Interactif, MSNBC.com, New York Times Digital, Salon Media Group, Slate, SPACE.com, Tribune Interactive, USATODAY.com, Wall Street Journal Online, Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive and weather.com. For more information about the Online Publishers Association, visit www.online-publishers.org.

CONTACT:
Lisa Carparelli
Online Publishers Association
(917) 743-4537
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