Silver Spring, MD; March 19, 2007 – Acorn Media Group, a leading independent global media company, announces Miguel Penella as the new Chief Executive Officer effective April 1. Penella takes over management of the privately owned company during a time of rapid growth. In 2007, Acorn Media projects global sales of $80 million, expansion of the Acacia brand into the U.K., and the launch of DVD distribution operations in Australia/New Zealand.

For the past three years, Penella has been President of Acorn Direct, the very successful direct-to-consumer division offering DVDs and other high quality products through catalogs and on-line marketing vehicles. The Acorn catalog (www.acornonline.com) focuses on British television, specialty programming and other distinctive merchandise, while the Acacia catalog (www.acaciacatalog.com), launched in 2006, merchandises products for the body, mind and home including a line of original health & wellness programming on the Acacia DVD label. Under Penella’s leadership, Acorn Direct distributed more than 17 million catalogs in 2006, an increase of 80% since 2004.

Prior to joining Acorn Media, Penella, a native of Valencia, Spain, was vice president of customer marketing at Time-Life. Previously, he worked in catalog management for National Direct Marketing and the National Wildlife Federation.

Acorn Media’s founder, Chairman and former CEO, Peter Edwards, said, “Miguel’s new role reflects his skilled management of Acorn Direct, which has grown phenomenally under his leadership.” Edwards added, “I’m excited for Miguel to take over the day-to-day management of the company and use his superior managerial skills and global perspective to continue to foster its vigorous growth.” Edwards will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Penella noted “Under Peter’s leadership, Acorn Media has experienced more than ten consecutive years of double-digit growth, and I look forward to continuing that incredible momentum with our expansion into Australia, the launch of Acacia in the U.K., and beyond.”

Based in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media has grown from a one-man basement documentary production and distribution operation in the mid-1980s into a boutique DVD and consumer products marketing company operating on three continents. In addition to Acorn Direct, the Acorn Media Group consists of two other divisions, Acorn Media U.S., a leading distributor of British television programming on DVD to consumers in North America, and Acorn Media U.K., which distributes a comparable line of DVD titles to consumers in the U.K. Acorn Media U.S. will release a record 71 titles in 2007 including the latest from Poirot, Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders, Rosemary & Thyme, Robin of Sherwood and Slings & Arrows.

In addition, the Acacia DVD label, a new line of mind, body, spirit programming, reached its one year anniversary last month after a successful U.S. launch. Early releases include original programs with world renowned yoga teacher Shiva Rea, pain relief expert Elaine Petrone, Yogic Arts™ creator Duncan Wong, and others. Licensed programs featured bestselling author Dr. Andrew Weil and mythologist Joseph Campbell. Acorn Media U.K. launches Acacia in April 2007 with the release of Kundalini Yoga with Maya Fiennes.

In summer 2007, Acorn Media will release its first titles in Australia and New Zealand. Penella said, “Acorn Media Australia will release approximately 15 titles by the end of 2007 which will successfully continue our global expansion efforts to the entire English-speaking world and pave the way into other territories.”

###
Corporate Website: www.acornmedia.com

Press Contact:
Chad Campbell, (301) 608.2115 ext. 138, ccampbell@acornmedia.com