NewTek, Inc. Promotes Ralph Messana to Managing Director of Latin America

Messana Tapped to Expand Latin American Distribution Channel for VT[2],
Aura Video Paint and LightWave 3D®

San Antonio, TX, July 24, 2002 NewTek, manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video production products, announced today that it has promoted Ralph Messana to managing director of NewTek’s new Latin American operation.

“Ralph has been a key member of the NewTek sales and marketing organization for over 5 years. His proven track record in the promotion and sales of 3D and video products makes him the perfect candidate to develop this emerging market for NewTek. This promotion acknowledges his contributions to the company and the pivotal role we expect him to play in the future development of our business,” said Jim Plant, president and CEO of NewTek.

In his new position, Messana will establish and manage a NewTek division responsible for sales and marketing throughout Latin America, including building a channel of resellers and distributors and developing regional marketing communication strategies.

“I am committed to NewTek and our philosophy of providing tools that actually improve people’s lives and livelihoods,” said Messana. “In the 10 years that I have been a NewTek customer and employee I have personally seen what a difference our technology has made in the market. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to expand the impact of our products in Latin America.”

Messana joined NewTek in early 1997 as the east coast sales manager where he developed an extremely strong network of resellers and established himself as one of the star presenters in the industry. In early 2001 Messana was promoted to director of sales for the Americas. Under his leadership, NewTek expanded the channel of Authorized Resellers, established an Authorized Reseller training program and grew the company’s sales and support services departments. Prior to joining NewTek, Messana worked at Adwar Video in New York selling and promoting NewTek products at the reseller level. Additionally, Messana spent years as an independent video producer using NewTek products.

About NewTek
With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools including the VT®, LightWave 3D® and Aura. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary VT®. The company's products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film. Recent film and television projects using NewTek software include We Were Soldiers, Panic Room, Hart's War, Driven, A.I., Oscar®-nominated Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Final Fantasy, Blackhawk Down, The Time Machine, Black Knight, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The 6th Day, Jurassic Park III, Behind Enemy Lines, X-Men The Movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Director's Edition DVD, Pitch Black, Dracula 2000, Star Trek: Enterprise, Roughnecks: Starship Troopers, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The X-Files, The Family Guy, Ally McBeal, Dune: The Miniseries, Dawson's Creek and Family Law. Recent game titles include Deus Ex, Serious Sam I and II, Twisted Metal: Black, Civilization III, Unreal, Quake 3 Arena, Moto Racer World Tour, Giants for PS2, Baldur's Gate II, EverQuest, Planescape: Torment, Dead To Rights, and Escape From Monkey Island. Contact NewTek at 5131 Beckwith Blvd, San Antonio, TX, 78249. Phone: 210-370-8000, fax: 210-370-8001, website: http://www.newtek.com.

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• VT® and LightWave 3D®, are registered trademarks of NewTek.