NEW YORK--May 17, 2000--Noted advertising industry professionals Perry Schaffer and Michael Porte are excited to announce the launch of wheresspot.com.

This vital resource of advertising industry information makes its official debut . Schaffer first created WheresSpot, the Internet Community for Prisoners of Advertising, one year ago, as a free e-mail-based information resource. Starting as a grassroots resource for a select group of people who needed information quickly, it has evolved to become a clearinghouse for project postings, searches for new directors, help wanted requests and professional information requests.

"By giving professionals in the advertising, film and commercial production industry an online meeting place, we've solved one of the biggest problems in this business," said Porte. "Our community thrives on information, and we need it quickly. WheresSpot replaces the hundreds of phone calls we all make to our friends to find out 'Who shot the latest Mentos campaign?' 'What agency has the Tidy Bowl account?' 'Does anybody know where to locate Director Alan Smithee?' or 'What is the best AICP bidding software?'"

"Users of WheresSpot include some of the leading professionals in the advertising, film and commercial production industry," added Schaffer. "WheresSpot is used daily by heads of production, reps, directors, editors and producers from ad agencies, production companies, editorial houses, music companies and their clients."

Michael Porte recently joined Schaffer in the effort to build a better community. The next phase of development has just begun.

"We've just put up a new site at www.wheresspot.com and there are other new changes for WheresSpot in the works," added Porte. "Real business is transacting on WheresSpot. We've got new talent being discovered, agencies awarding jobs to directors, writers and producers being hired, and production companies finding new office space all based on information received in their e-mail from WheresSpot."

After an education in law, Schaffer began his career in commercial production where, over the last 20 years, he has virtually done it all. At his production company Slavin/Schaffer, Schaffer was the executive producer and managed the company including all marketing and new business efforts.

In 1997, Schaffer sold his interest in Slavin/Schaffer and founded Schaffer & Co., a firm that independently represents directors and production companies. Schaffer & Co.'s current roster includes such prestigious companies as Schofield Films, Dark Light Pictures and Maysles Shorts.

A noted creative advertising professional and entrepreneur, Porte has a 20-year history of creating successful media and advertising companies.

After beginning his career as an ad agency producer, he co-founded creative editorial company Mad River Post and subsequently co-founded leading DVD production company Crush Digital Video, Commercial Production company Calypso Films, and PR agency Creative Exposure.

His most recent creation was NY editorial company arc-light editorial. Porte is also, a patent holder of the "store-and-forward", VideoFax technology, which enables users to send full motion video over standard telephone lines.

When asked what additional services WheresSpot will provide, Porte smiled and said, "Just keep your e-mail box open!"

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