WEISEL & VITTORIA BACK DISSON FURST AND PARTNERS

          Wall Street investment banker Thomas Weisel and
     business exec Joseph Vittoria have partnered with Stephen
     Disson and Allen Furst to form Disson Furst and Partners,
     which will focus on sponsorships, events and hospitality in
     the corporate sector.  The partnership will specialize in
     sports and entertainment marketing, including special
     expertise in action sports, motorsports, the Olympics,
     cycling, figure skating, music, the arts and corporate
     hospitality.  Weisel, who is Chair & CEO of Thomas Weisel
     Partners, will become Chair of the Board at Disson Furst and
     Partners.  Vittoria, Chair & CEO of The Travel Company, will
     serve as a member of the Board.  Disson is President & CEO
     of Disson Furst and Partners and Furst is COO & CFO.  The
     new company will have offices in DC, San Francisco, N.Y.,
     Chicago, Charlotte, Daytona, Orlando and Southern CA (DFP).