July 10, 1998
Buffalo, New York

Rare Earth Interactive Design Reaches Agreement With Zippo Manufacturing and Welch Foods International

Rare Earth Interactive Design, a newly established Internet design and development company, today announced that it has reached agreements with Zippo Manufacturing Company and the International Division of Welch Foods Inc., to provide website design, development and maintenance services.

According to Craig Chapman, principal of Rare Earth, the opportunity to secure these clients developed out of the acquisition of Sirianno Associates by the Wolf Group, in May of this year. Before founding Rare Earth, Chapman held the Internet Technologist/Graphic Design Manager position at Sirianno Associates.

"Zippo and Welch's International each expressed interest in creative and technical continuity," Chapman said. "That interest presented a unique opportunity.

"I knew that I could seamlessly provide the continuity they sought, independently and on an ongoing basis. In the absence of Sirianno Associates, this was clearly my best available option."

For Chapman, the past two years have presented a series of personal and professional challenges. In 1996, he closed his first business, Craig Chapman & Associates, which was in its 7th year, and entered into full-time employment in the local creative community. He also faced family illness, the birth of a second child, and a 1997 holiday-season house fire.

"I feel like I've gone back to school," Chapman continued. "After the fire, I was certain things would improve. Then Sirianno lost Zippo as its principal client. Suddenly I, along with 17 other talented people, found my professional future thrust into uncertainty. It's been a very challenging time.

"I am very fortunate to have found myself in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. I'm thrilled to be continuing my relationships with Zippo and Welch’s International."

Welch’s, founded in 1869, is the world’s leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products. Owned by more than 1,500 grape growers, the company produces a variety of high-quality fruit-based products, including a wide assortment of jams, jellies and blended juices under both the Welch’s and BAMA brand names. The Welch’s International web site is currently live at www.welchsinternational.com.

Zippo Manufacturing Company makes nearly 70,000 lighters each day and ships them to more than 120 countries. Other Zippo products include pocket knives, key holders, money clips, writing instruments, tape measures, ZipLight(TM) pocket flashlights and the Fixxit pocket tool. Zippo employs nearly 1,000 people. The new, multimedia-rich Zippo web site will go live within 90 days, at www.zippo.com.

Rare Earth Interactive Design, founded in 1998, provides cutting-edge Internet Design, through the use of state-of-the-art technology and delivery systems. Rare Earth specializes in engaging web-based multimedia presentations utilizing Macromedia Flash(TM). Chapman also has developed web sites for Myers Photographs, Inc. and McGard, Inc.