Interactive One Names Navarrow Wright, Co-Founder of Global Grind as Its Chief Technology Officer

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Interactive One, LLC the digital connection for Black America and the digital division of Radio One, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROIAK and ROIA), the largest African American multimedia company, today announced that former co-founder of GlobalGrind.com, Navarrow Wright, has joined Interactive One as its Chief Technology Officer.  Wright will be responsible for leading the technology, site architecture and IT strategies, to ensure Interactive One provides its consumers with superior product delivery and user experience.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110222/PH51158 )

"We are excited to have Navarrow join the Interactive One team. He brings a unique understanding of our audience and their use of technology that will continue to enhance our consumer's experience across our portfolio of sites, and across mobile, video and other platforms," said Mike Rich, Chief Operating and Product Officer. "Additionally Navarrow's ability to conceptualize and develop progressive technology solutions that address consumer demand will ensure Interactive One sustains a platform that enables our products to remain nimble and deliver dynamic experiences for our audiences."

Wright comes to Interactive One with an extensive background in media and technology combined with unparalleled knowledge of the African American audience. Wright led BET Interactive as CTO and co-founded GlobalGrind.com with Hip Hop Mogul Russell Simmons and served as the SVP of Technology at the Medical Broadcasting Company, a division of Digitas, Inc.

Wright is also committed to giving back to the community by speaking to youth groups on the importance of technology and how it can enable them to achieve their dreams.  He recently received a commendation from the city of Newark for his work with events that have a positive impact on young people.  Wright is a published writer and has been featured on blackweb20.com and the huffingtonpost.com.

"I am thrilled to join the Interactive One team and to further expand the many offerings they have created to serve the diverse needs of the African American community," said Navarrow Wright. "Radio One and Interactive One have built a unique platform that has the ability to connect with the African American audience with multiple forms of media and I plan to work within my role to help facilitate that ability on current and future platforms so we can continue to deliver relevant and timely experiences to our audience." 

ABOUT INTERACTIVE ONE

Interactive One has over 15 million members and reaches 6 million Black Americans each month. With approximately 3 billion annual page views on its suite of sites, the Company has become the definitive social network for Black America through BlackPlanet, as well as a number of leading content sites.  These sites include: NewsOne (www.NewsOne.com), which provides up to the minute, comprehensive coverage of newsworthy events relevant to Black Americans across the country and the world; TheUrbanDaily (www.TheUrbanDaily.com), is the eyes and ears for Black Americans looking for what's hot online, on the airwaves, in theaters, and on the street; HelloBeautiful (www.HelloBeautiful.com), is the definitive lifestyle resource for today's Black woman. Relationship advice, the latest fashions, beauty tips...even inspirations for home decor; and Elev8 (www.Elev8.com) Elevate the mind, body and spirit. Elev8 is dedicated to a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Interactive One was launched by Radio One in 2008 to complement Radio One's existing portfolio of media companies targeting the African American community. Since its launch, Interactive One has quickly become the #1 online platform for the African American community.  Interactive One is powered by the mission to create an online community that engages and positively impacts the lives of African Americans.

ABOUT RADIO ONE

Radio One, Inc. (www.radio-one.com) is a diversified media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers. The Company is one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies, currently owning 53 broadcast stations located in 16 urban markets in the United States. As a part of its core broadcasting business, Radio One operates syndicated programming including the Russ Parr Morning Show, the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, CoCo Brother Live, CoCo Brother's "Spirit" program, Bishop T.D. Jakes' "Empowering Moments", the Reverend Al Sharpton Show, and the Warren Ballentine Show. The Company also owns a controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (www.blackamericaweb.com), owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner. Beyond its core radio broadcasting business, Radio One owns Interactive One (www.interactiveone.com), an online platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment, which operates a number of branded sites, including NewsOne, TheUrbanDaily, HelloBeautiful, and social networks BlackPlanet, MiGente, and AsianAvenue and an interest in TV One, LLC (www.tvoneonline.com), a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans.

SOURCE Interactive One, LLC