NEW YORK.- Christie’s International, the world’s leading art business, announced today the appointment of Michael O’Neal as Vice President and Web Channel Director effective immediately. In this role, Mr. O’Neal will have a direct line responsibility for providing strategic guidance for the client online experience and will manage Christie’s web channel, www.christies.com, from a commercial perspective. Mr. O’Neal is based in New York and will work closely with the Christies.com Editorial team, reporting to Richard Bagnall-Smith, International Strategic Marketing Director.

“Michael’s appointment underscores our tradition of providing our clients with the best customer service across all channels – including the web – and continues our commitment to developing superior online offerings, as seen in our July 2006 launch of Christie’s LIVE™, our innovative real-time, multi-media auction service. His breadth of experience and knowledge will help to further develop our online presence, with a continued eye on the client experience,” said Bagnall-Smith.

Mr. O’Neal joins Christie’s from News America Marketing, a News Corporation company, where he has been the Vice President and General Manager of Online Business Strategy and Development since 2002. He has also worked for companies such as Information Markets Corp, TheGlobe.com, NBC Interactive, and Viacom New Media where he was integrally involved in the design and set-up of their online experience.

Mr. O’Neal earned a B.A .degree in International Relations and Economics from Boston University in 1989. He served as Chairman of the Winter Antiques Show Young Collector’s Night and as a Young Fellow at the Frick Museum.