The Dr. Spock Company and Pocket Books to Publish Three New Parenting Books This Summer.

Business Editors

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2001

Partnership Continues Half-Century Commitment Between Book

Publisher and Renowned Pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock

The Dr. Spock Company, the leading parenting media company, today announced

a content and book marketing partnership with Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, the publishing arm of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA). The partnership continues a 58-year relationship between the prominent book publisher and the world-renowned pediatrician, whose work now resides with The Dr. Spock Company. Three titles will be available in August 2001, and the company will receive revenue from the book sales.

Dr. Spock's The First Two Years and Dr. Spock's The School Years are two new titles compiling articles about children ranging from newborns to older children. Written by Dr. Spock between 1985 and 1997, the articles first appeared in Parenting and Redbook magazine. Dr. Martin T. Stein, one of The Dr. Spock Company's experts, has updated the articles with the latest health and child-care information to create a cohesive manuscript published for the first time in book form.

In addition, Dr. Spock on Parenting will be republished for the first time since 1989. It addresses the new challenges parents face in the 21st century, including raising "superkids," sexuality, and single-parent homes.

The three books, which will all be published in trade paperback, complement existing Web content and television programming produced by The Dr. Spock Company, giving parents another option to access the world's largest collection of parenting information.

"Pocket Books, which supported Dr. Spock's writings from the very beginning of his career, is a fundamental partner in The Dr. Spock Company's print media efforts," said Doug Lee, president and CEO of The Dr. Spock Company. "The three new books are the first ones published by the company, and will help to reintroduce the Dr. Spock brand to new parents around the world."

"For more than fifty years, Dr. Spock has been a key member of the Simon & Schuster family. His book, Baby and Child Care, is the best-selling book after the Bible, having sold more than 50 million copies," said Judith Curr, president and publisher of Pocket Books. "We are proud to be working with The Dr. Spock Company to continue his legacy."

About Pocket Books

Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster, the publishing operation of Viacom Inc. Pocket Books is available on the Internet at http://www.simonsays.com.

About The Dr. Spock Company

The Dr. Spock Company is the trusted source for the latest expert advice, information, and inspiration on raising happy, healthy children. The company blends the timeless philosophies of world-renowned pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock with up-to-date information from leading authorities on parenting and children's health, delivering its expert information via print, broadcast, and online media. The Dr. Spock Company, which is backed by Zesiger Capital Group and CNC Partners, is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif.