FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Corporate Communications 214/854-3190   BLOCKBUSTER® NAMES LARRY GAINES PRESIDENT OF BLOCKBUSTER MUSIC OPERATIONS DALLAS, January 14, 1998 -- Blockbuster Chairman and CEO John Antioco announced that Larry C. Gaines has been appointed senior vice president, Blockbuster Entertainment, and president, Blockbuster Music Operations. "Larry comes to us with a lengthy music-retailing career and we're excited to have him on board," Antioco said. "Under his direction, we will find further ways to enhance our key Blockbuster Music attributes -- service, selection, location, and value for our customers." Most recently, Gaines worked with the Musicland Group for 15 years, serving as president of the company's Media Play division, and, prior to that, was senior vice president, development, and senior vice president, stores. Additionally, he was vice president for Musicland's Sam Goody and Discount Record divisions. And in 1996, Multimedia Merchandising magazine recognized Gaines as one of the "Power 50" in the industry. In October, Blockbuster announced a plan to separate the management of their music and video operations so they could focus on their core video business, and, at the same time, support the successful operation of their music stores. Blockbuster operates nearly 6,000 video and music neighborhood entertainment stores in 28 countries and may be accessed internationally at www.blockbuster.com. Blockbuster is a unit of Viacom, Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and publishing companies and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media marketplace. Photos of Larry Gaines available upon request. ### |  Current Releases   |  Archives   | BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. © 1998 Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.