Ford Models, Inc., the world's leading fashion talent management and innovative media company, appointed veteran talent, marketing and media entrepreneur Jon Diamond as its Chairman to lead the company in the next phase of its growth.

"Building on the innovation that is the hallmark of this iconic company, I am thrilled at the prospect of leading Ford Models with a strategy centered on our talent," Jon Diamond said. "We will take the next steps in our evolution as the world's leading fashion talent management and media company by building a truly global agency focused on talent scouting and development, while strengthening our media platforms and presence, and investing in our people and infrastructure."

    As a member of Ford's Board of Directors and Chairman of Ford Media, a subsidiary of Ford Models, Diamond has worked closely with the company for the last year and a half.

    A New York native, Diamond has worked with leading creative talent in the music, television, film and digital media industries, launching and operating breakthrough companies around emerging media trends for the last 25 years. These include:

    --  GRP Records, a leading independent music label and one of the first to
        release compact discs, later sold to MCA;
    --  N2K, the first music e-commerce company, first on-line music network,
        and the first company to offer digital downloads of music;
    --  CDNow, after its merger with N2K, one of the largest e-commerce
        companies, later sold to Bertelsmann; and
    --  ARTISTdirect, one of the largest online networks dedicated to music,
        film and artists, and the first company to launch advertising and
        marketing programs on peer-to-peer networks
   
"For more than 60 years, Ford Models has revolutionized the modelling industry. Diamond's background in technology and entertainment coupled with his unique experience showcasing talent by identifying innovative media opportunities makes him the ideal leader for Ford Models, its talent and its future," said John Caplan, departing Ford Models CEO.

    "I feel fortunate and privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such an iconic brand and help preserve and grow its legacy. Katie Ford brought me on board to build the business and position the company for a sale. I have achieved both goals, and have been transitioning the company into its next exciting phase under the leadership of Jon Diamond. I look forward to pursuing exciting entrepreneurial opportunities," added Caplan.

    Said Diamond, "Ford Models has been very fortunate to have an executive with John's talent and vision leading the company for the past six years."

    About Ford Models, Inc.

    Ford Models, Inc. is the leading management company for models and hair and make-up artists globally, representing talent worldwide for more than 60 years. Legendary fashion industry pioneers Eileen and Jerry Ford founded the company in 1947. Katie Ford joined the company in 1981 and was the CEO from 1996-2007. The agency's ongoing vision and ability to recognize talent has launched and managed the careers of stars including: Carmen, Candice Bergen, Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Ali MacGraw, Tippi Hedren, Jennifer Connelly, Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst and Mischa Barton as well as successfully managed the careers of many others. Currently Ford's roster includes: Chanel Iman, Brad Kroenig, Flavia de Oliveira, Patricia Velasquez, Nacho Figueras, Crystal Renn and many more. The company's websites can be found at http://www.fordmodels.com and http://www.fordartists.com.

    Ford Media creates and syndicates useful and entertaining content featuring Ford talent that provides an insider's how-to guide to beauty and fashion. Ford Media operates a weekly email newsletter to hundreds of thousands of members of the Ford Models community and has more than 25 distribution partners, representing more than 95 percent of U.S. online traffic. The content can be viewed through numerous distribution partner  including: MySpace, Yahoo!, MSN, YouTube, iVillage, Sony Connect, Verizon V CAST, Helio Mobile, Joost, Men's Health, Vmix, Revver, Mochila, Feedburner, Blip.tv, China Mobile, MTV, and the agency's own http://www.fordmodels.tv. Brand advertisers including Elizabeth Arden, Coca-Cola, Express Stores, Levis, Nexxus, and Precor have all sponsored Ford Media content.

    This year, more than 50 countries will participate in Ford Models'
Supermodel of the World scouting events, supported by an exclusive online
media partnership with MySpace. Aspiring models from around the globe
compete for a $250,000 Ford contract. Behind the scenes activity of the
yearlong contest can be viewed at http://www.myspace.com/fordsupermodel.

    Ford Models, Inc. is headquartered in New York City with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Milwaukee and Toronto with licensees in Paris, Scottsdale, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

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