An Open Letter to 20/20 and the Shareholders of Premier Exhibitions, Inc.
ATLANTA, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Premier Exhibitions Inc.
(Nasdaq: PRXI) today posted the following statement on its web site in
response to an expected 20/20 broadcast that is purported to inaccurately
comment on the company's operations with respect to its controversial and
highly successful bodies exhibitions.
Premier Exhibitions, Inc. (Premier) has learned that ABC TV's 20/20 has
chosen to air a segment that sensationalizes "BODIES...The Exhibition", which
provides a unique educational look at human anatomy. While we believe a
competitor contributed to manufacturing these baseless claims to suit his own
agenda, as a corporate policy we always take any unfavorable allegations very
seriously.
Based on the documentary proof compiled by Premier, these sensational
allegations are without any factual merit. Premier has repeatedly asked 20/20
to provide them with all documents in their possession related to this story,
and at this time the program has refused to do so.
Throughout the day, Premier has viewed inaccurate reports and interviews
from 20/20's lead investigative reporter, Brian Ross, that are potentially
damaging to Premier. 20/20 claims in one report that our supplier Dr. Sui and
the Dalian Medical University Plastination Co. Ltd. have no connection to
Dalian Medical University and that the specimens they acquired and leased to
Premier did not come from Dalian Medical University. We want to set the
record straight, Dr. Sui, earned his doctorate degree in neuroscience from
Dalian Medical University and has been on staff there since 1990 where he
currently is the Head of the anatomy department. The specimens at issue were
initially leased from Dalian Medical University Plastination Co. Ltd. At that
time Dalian Medical University owned a seventy percent interest in the Dalian
Medical University Plastination Co. Ltd. and indeed the University has
provided specimens to the plastination company and then onto Premier.
Another report suggests that not all of the specimens died of natural
causes. Premier Exhibitions, Inc. retains and utilizes a team of medical
experts, comprised of an anatomist, a biological anthropologist, and a
forensic pathologist, who as a matter of course, examine the specimens to
ensure that they do not bear any evidence consistent with trauma, serious
bodily injury, execution or torture. All of these specimens died of natural
causes and despite extensive investigation, Premier has found no credible
evidence to suggest otherwise. Independent medical evidence supports the
sworn statements given to Premier by the supplier of the specimens, that all
of the specimens died of natural causes. Sworn affidavits can be found on our
website at www.prxi.com.
As the world's leading educational exhibitor of the human anatomy, we have
a strict ethical policy that guides our decisions, as well as a deep respect
for the handling, care and treatment of all specimens used in our exhibitions.
Every element of "BODIES...The Exhibition" is organized with full and complete
legal compliance. Premier Exhibitions, Inc. is a well respected publicly
traded company that holds itself to the highest standards and diligently
abides by all domestic and international laws.
We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the content of "BODIES... The
Exhibition" is educational, ethical, and legally correct.
Premier Exhibitions, Inc. is a major provider of museum quality touring
exhibitions throughout the world.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements contained in this press release contain forward-
looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such
forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Premier Exhibitions, Inc. has based these
forward-looking statements on its current expectations and projections about
future events, based on the information currently available to it. The
forward-looking statements contained in this press release may also include
statements relating to Premier Exhibitions' anticipated financial performance,
business prospects, new developments, strategies and similar matters. Certain
of the factors described in Premier Exhibitions' filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including the section of its Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended February 28, 2007 entitled "Risk Factors," may affect
Premier Exhibitions' future results and cause those results to differ
materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Premier
Exhibitions disclaims any obligation to update any of its forward-looking
statements, except as may be required by law.
For additional Information:
Investor Relations
North Coast Advisors, Inc.:
Craig T. Stewart (585) 218-7371
cstewart@ncainc.com
Media Inquiries:
Premier Exhibitions, Inc.:
Katherine Morgenstern (404) 842-2600
kmorgenstern@prxi.com
SOURCE Premier Exhibitions, Inc.
Investor Relations, Craig T. Stewart of North Coast Advisors, Inc.,
+1-585-218-7371, cstewart@ncainc.com, for Premier Exhibitions, Inc.; or Media,
Katherine Morgenstern of Premier Exhibitions, Inc., +1-404-842-2600,
kmorgenstern@prxi.com
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