Twinlab Sells Publishing Biz, Loses a Blechman

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--Twinlab Corp. (NASDAQ:TWLB) has sold its publishing business, Advanced Research Press Inc. (ARP), to Steve Blechman for $1 million. Blechman resigned as Twinlab's executive vice president in order to concentrate on ARP, which publishes the monthly fitness magazine Muscular Development and several nutritional books. Blechman, who was also ARP's president and chief executive officer (CEO) for Twinlab, will continue to serve as a member of Twinlab's board of directors.

"The sale of this Twinlab business is a continuation of our efforts to refocus and prioritize the company on our core competencies--the development and sale of quality and innovative nutritional products," stated Ross Blechman, chairman, president and CEO. ARP posted $1.1 million in sales in the most recent quarter, compared to $.9 million in sales for the same period the previous year.

While bidding farewell to Steve Blechman, Twinlab (www.twinlab.com) welcomed David Cohen as its new vice president of marketing. Formerly vice president of global marketing of skin care at Johnson & Johnson and category director at Unilever's Cheeseborough-Ponds division, Cohen will spearhead efforts at market-driven product development for Twinlab in addition to help bring science-based products to market.

"His background with major packaged goods firms will bring additional capabilities to the creation and introduction of new products," said Neil Blechman, executive vice president.