PHOENIX, Feb. 2, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Viastar Holdings Inc. (OTCBB:VISH) announced today that the Company has expanded its sales force for Viastar Distribution Group (VDG) with its new Los Angeles-based representative, David Miller. Mr. Miller, a nine-year veteran of Navarre Distribution, joins the Viastar sales team, who sell both audio and video product to major and independent retail accounts throughout North America and abroad.
Southern California, a key territory for media sales, requires a seasoned industry professional like Mr. Miller to manage accounts such as Wherehouse, Virgin, Tower Records, and several important independent retailers including Amoeba Records, Arons Records and Rhino Westwood. Mr. Miller joins the Viastar's West Coast sales team which also includes Gary Davis, a 30-year music industry veteran, formerly with Handleman who manages the Company's Tower Records (Corporate), Bayside, Fred Meyers and several smaller national chains.
Currently, Viastar's Midwest territory is serviced by Rich Girod in Chicago. Mr. Girod is a 25-year industry veteran with a strong successful background of independent music sales and manages the Minneapolis-based accounts of Sam Goody, Musicland and Best Buy.
Scott Taylor, based in Dallas Texas is VDG's South/Southeast territory sales representative. Mr. Taylor comes to Viastar with over 20 years music industry experience, having come on board from MS Distributing. Taylor's accounts include Anderson Merchandising/Wal-Mart, Hastings and Alliance Entertainment.
Laura Dion, who comes to Viastar with a background in sales from Burnside Distribution, and Big Daddy Distributors is based in Rhode Island and will be responsible for the management of several independent retail accounts, among them, Newberry comics, Bull Moose records, and Norwalk one-stop distributors.
Dom Silvi, based in Walpole, Mass., is responsible for Viastar Distribution Group's Transworld Music account which includes Transworld's 996 retail locations. Mr. Silvi has in excess of 25 years of strong music industry sales experience.
Rounding out the Viastar Sales Team is James R. Walsh, based in Hawaii. Mr. Walsh is responsible for selling Viastar's products to the 50th State, including three Tower locations, and all independent retail accounts.
The Company anticipates significant growth with the addition of new label's such as Acclaim Records (see Jan. 26 press release) and new artist signings to its own Viastar Records. This is expected to result in the addition of at least four in-house customer service reps and the creation of East Coast and West Coast national sales directors. A restructuring of some territories will likely be announced as new reps join the team and two regional sales directors are brought on, in late 2004.
"We couldn't be happier to have attracted such seasoned industry professionals to be a part in building the next major player in the independent media distribution space," stated Courtney Proffitt Senior VP, Viastar Distribution Group. "If the activity of the last quarter is any indication of the growth we will experience in 2004 and beyond, the addition of these high powered veterans will play a significant role Viastar's success."
For more information visit Viastar's web site at http://www.viastarcorp.com/
About Viastar:
Viastar Holdings, Inc. is engaged in development, production and distribution of entertainment related media for film, television, music and publishing interests. The Company's portfolio currently includes ownership of Viastar Distribution Group, A.V.O. Studios, Moving Pictures International, Viastar Records, Quadra Records, Light of the Spirit Records, and Viastar Classical.
Except historical matter contained herein, matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, which may affect the Company's business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.