USA Interactive announced an agreement to purchase Entertainment Publications, Inc. The company owns and publishes local shopping and entertainment guides. According to USAI CEO Barry Diller, its is
consistent with USA's strategy of driving the online migration of traditional businesses in areas such as retailing, ticketing and travel. Diller expects to migrate the business online, from providing
travel discounts to Expedia and Hotels.com consumers, to serving dining discounts to the more locally oriented Citysearch user. Entertainment Publications has extensive merchant relationships in more
than 160 markets in the United States.
