Fotolog Appoints Industry Veterans to Head World's Largest Photo-Blogging Website

Yossi Langer & Arne Jokela Promoted to Take World's 8th-Most-Active Social Network to Next Level

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Hi-Media Group announced today the appointment of industry veterans Arne Jokela and Yossi Langer as Presidents of Fotolog (www.fotolog.com), the world's largest photo-blogging website and the 8th most-active social network (Alexa). Mssrs. Jokela and Langer previously served, respectively, as Fotolog's Chief Technology Officer and Senior Director of Product Management. Each adds new responsibilities as President while continuing in his previous capacity.

"We know Arne and Yossi can lead Fotolog's development, a major part of our strategy to build a global integrated online media company," said Cyril Zimmermann, CEO of Fotolog's corporate parent Hi-Media Group. "We're casting a vote of confidence by promoting senior managers to take Fotolog to the next level."

"Our mandate is to build revenue, innovative sales programs and our partners' reach among highly desirable audiences," said Jokela. "What's exciting is our ability to integrate Hi-Media's rich advertising, payments and publishing assets."

"We're proving our insight about revenue growth from highly engaged users," said Langer. "We're launching Fotolog Gifts, enabling members to use a currency for digital goods and services called 'flodos' and looking to innovate with the Allopass payments platform and other Hi-Media properties."

Since acquiring Fotolog in 2007, Hi-Media Group has leveraged its assets as an integrated online media company to grow Fotolog by 8 million members, take the site to profitability and add new features such as mobile and micro-payments applications. Mssrs. Langer and Jokela replace former Fotolog General Manager Andrew Cohen. "Andrew led Fotolog at a critical time in its development and set the stage for future growth. We appreciate his contributions and wish him all the best," said Mr. Zimmermann.

As President and Chief Product Officer, Yossi Langer is focusing on revenue, user experience, design and marketing. Before joining Fotolog, Yossi worked in online businesses including America Online, AOL Europe and American Express Publishing (Travel + Leisure magazine editor, online product manager). At Fotolog, Yossi served as director of product management. A native of the Philadelphia area, he is a graduate of Penn State and lives in Brooklyn with his wife.

Arne Jokela joined Fotolog as CTO and oversaw a sweeping upgrade of the site's technology platform and engineering team. Earlier he served as Vice President of Technology at American Express Publishing, managing the online and business application development team and IT. Jokela was previously Senior Product Manager at AOL Local, focusing on business and product requirements of Digital City, Moviefone and Mapquest and product ownership of search, personalization and wireless products. Jokela is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.

About Fotolog, Inc.

Fotolog is the 8th most-trafficked social networking site in the world (Alexa, May 2008) and one of the most active communities on the Internet today. More than 21 million member accounts from 200 countries have shared over 600 million photos since Fotolog's inception in October 2002. Fotolog has grown virally since its founding, with virtually no marketing or member incentives. Fotolog was acquired in 2007 by Hi-Media Group (www.hi-media.com), one of the top 100 media companies worldwide, with advertising, publishing and micro-payments businesses.

    Andrei Bogolubov
    917-849-9300
    Andrei.bogolubov@newprgroup.com