<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit 10.20

                          Consulting Agreement between

                   Jeffrey Berg and thehealthchannel.com, Inc.

                             dated September 1, 1999

<PAGE>

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is made as of the 1st day of September, 1999 by and between
Jeffrey Berg, (hereinafter "JB") located at 3 Fairhill Road, Edison, N.J. 08817,
92663, and thehealthchannel.com, Inc, (hereinafter "THCL" or "Company") located
at 500 Birch Street, Suite 400, Newport Beach, CA 92660, represented by Tom
Lonergan COO. Collectively JB and THCL shall be referred to as "The Parties".

     WHEREAS, THCL desires various consulting assistance with specific regard to
one of their properties, The Health Channel more specifically with the
representation of the company to various investors and financial institutions
consistent with the Company's goals.

     WHEREAS, THCL wishes to engage the services of JB to coordinate the related
elements and disciplines required to achieve THCL's objectives; and

     WHEREAS, JB is willing to provide such services on the terms and conditions
set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and
agreements herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.   Services Provided. JB agrees to provide to THCL the fill professional
          services of its resources and shall work diligently to provide the
          following services:

          a)   Schedule meeting with potential investors and financial
               institutions
          b)   Be present for all meetings including making presentations to
               investor's and/or institutions.
          c)   Be available (upon sufficient notice) for any and all meetings
               scheduled by THCL with any investors and/or institutions

     The services above are to be performed on a best effort basis only and
should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of performance or its outcome.
THCL may cancel this agreement in writing at any time with sufficient cause and
proof of non-performance. If THCL requests any additional services during the
time of this agreement, said additional services will be outlined within a new
agreement or written amendment hereto, to include any additional compensation.
This contract will remain in force in any such case.

     2.   Additional Expenses: THCL agrees to pay for or, to reimburse all
          additional expenses which may be needed for travel, meals, etc, in
          connection with JB's representation of THCL in carrying out its
          services. All such additional expenses must be approved in advance in
          writing.
     3.   Services Not Provided: THCL recognizes and agrees that SB is not
          providing either accounting or legal services and that SB recommends
          that THCL have its own independent legal and/or accounting review of
          all related materials. THCL further recognizes and agrees that JB is
          not providing any due diligence or evaluation activities with regard
          to their operations and the information provided to SB.
     4.   Reports: Meetings: SB agrees to report its activities on behalf of
          THCL on a regular basis. JB may, in consultation with THCL, request
          that THCL meet with various individuals and consultants pursuant to
          the services set forth in paragraph 1 above, and THCL agrees to attend
          such meetings when scheduled in advance.
     5.   THCL's Interest: SB agrees to represent THCL in a professional manner
          at all times, and shall represent THCL's best interest in all dealings
          on behalf of THCL.

     Need for Information/confidentiality: THCL agrees to provide such
information about its operations, finances, principles, officers, associates,
properties and activities as SB may request from time to time, as such
information is necessary for SB to perform the services set forth in paragraph 1
above; provided, however, SB agrees that it will treat as confidential and
proprietary any information deemed by THCL to be confidential and proprietary,
and to protect the best interest of THCL. THCL further agrees that since the
information requested is essential in the fulfillment of SB's obligation to
THCL, any delay in providing the information requested may cause a delay in the
completion of SB's services for THCL. It is mutually agreed that time is of the
essence in the fulfillment of SB's obligation to THCL.

     6.   Fees: THCL agrees to pay the following fees to SB for the services
          provide by JB as set forth in paragraph 1 above, unless additional
          services have been rendered altering this agreement. These fees do not
          include any

<PAGE>

          fees and/or costs, with regard to any other third party needed in
          carrying out the services set forth in paragraph 1 above. SB must
          receive written permission from THCL to incorporate any third party,
          for which these fees would not cover. These fees also do not include
          the costs associated with any printing, mailing, general or express
          delivery services, etc. above $25.00. All costs over $25.00 will be
          regularly to the THCL.

          a)   THCL shall deliver within five days thereafter, a stock
               certificate for shares of THCL's Common Stock totaling 22,000
               shares. The certificate shall be free and clear of any and all
               restrictions or legends of any kind and when issued in accordance
               with the terms hereto will be validly issued and outstanding,
               fully paid and non-assessable and entitled to the rights and
               preferences set forth therein.

     7.   Independent Contractor: Nothing contained in this Agreement shall make
          JB an agent or employee of THCL. Each party shall be deemed an
          independent contractor regarding the other, and neither party shall
          have the power to bind or commit the other without express written
          consent.

     8.   Non-Circumvention/Confidentiality: Should JB introduce THCL to any
          "Sources" be it potential acquisitions, Joint Venture and/or
          partnership candidates, etc., including any of SB's financing sources,
          THCL agrees not to disclose the identity of any of JB's Sources to any
          person not directly associated with this project, and not to
          communicate with those sources for any reason without JB's prior
          written permission. Furthermore, THCL agrees that neither THCL nor its
          employees, agents or consultants will deal with any SB's Sources or
          agents introduced to THCL by JB without using SB as their intermediary
          for a period of 60 (sixty) months from the date of this Agreement. If
          a breach of this provision occurs, THCL shall be held in breech of
          contract and will be liable for any, and all loss of wages and
          damages, including reimbursement to SB for reasonable court costs,
          travel, incidental expenses, and without limitation, attorney's fees
          incurred by JB to enforce any of the provisions of this agreement.

     9.   Arbitration: SB and THCL agree that any disputes arising under this
          Agreement shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to rules,
          regulations, and laws governing arbitration in the State of
          California, County of Orange, at the time if the dispute, and the
          parties hereto agree to be bound by the decision of any such
          arbitration proceeding.

     11.  Attorney Fees: In the event SB shall refer to an attorney or any
          enforceable entity for collection, THCL agrees to pay all the costs
          and expenses incurred in attempting or effecting collection hereunder
          or enforcement of the terms of this agreement, including reasonable
          court costs, travel, incidental expenses, and without limitation,
          attorney's fees incurred by JB to enforce collection of compensation
          under this agreement of any other of the provisions of this agreement.

     12.  Representations and warranties: THCL hereby makes the following
          representations and warranties to JB:

          a.   Organization good standing and power. THCL is a corporation duly
               incorporated, validly existing and in good-standing under the
               laws of the State of Delaware, registered in good standing to
               conduct business in the State of California and has the requisite
               corporate power to own, lease and operate it properties and
               assets and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted.

          b.   Authorization; Enforcement. THCL has the requisite corporate
               power and authority to enter into and perform under this
               agreement and the terms hereof. The execution, delivery and
               performance of this agreement by THCL and the consummation by it
               of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
               validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no
               further consent or authorization of THCL, or its Board of
               Directors or stockholders is required. This agreement has been
               duly delivered and when executed by THCL shall constitute a valid
               and binding obligation of THCL, and enforceable against them
               including all THCL's subsidiary's and affiliate companies in
               accordance with its terms.

          c.   Issuance of Common Stock. The Common Stock to be issued in
               accordance with the compensation section herein have been duly
               authorized by all necessary corporate action and, when paid for
               or issued in accordance with the terms hereof; will be validly
               issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable and
               entitled to the rights and preferences set forth therein.

     13.  Indemnification: Within the limits of law, the parties hereto agree to
          indemnify and hold harmless each other including any affiliate
          companies, and their respective principles, officers, directors,
          controlling persons and employees and any persons retained in
          connection with services it performed under this agreement (whether or
          not consummated) from and against all claims, damages, losses,
          liabilities and expenses as they are incurred (including any legal or
          other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending
          against any such loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in
          respect thereof) to the extent they are casually related to
          information provided in writing one party to the other and casually
          related to or arising out of activities there under. Notwithstanding
          the forgoing, neither party shall be liable for indemnity under this
          Agreement in

<PAGE>

          respect to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense primarily
          resulted from the other party's willful illegal acts, misconduct or
          gross negligence in performing its obligations under this Agreement.
          This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement as well
          as the consummation or abandonment of any of the services rendered.

     14.  Governing Law: This Agreement, its validity, meaning and effect, shall
          be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California,
          County of Orange applicable to contracts made and to be performed in
          that state.

     15.  Entire Agreement: This Agreement is an entire agreement between the
          parties, and supersedes any and all prior agreements, written or oral.
          No changes shall be made in this agreement, except in writing duly
          executed by the parities hereto.

     16.  Facsimile: In the event that this Agreement is forwarded via
          electronic facsimile reproduction ("fax machine"), the respective
          parties agree to find the Agreement acceptable upon receipt with the
          authorized, respective signature(s).

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, persons with power and authority to commit the parties
hereto, have signed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first above
written:

                                            AGREED & ACCEPTED

Jeffrey Berg
3 Fairhill Road
Edison, NJ 08817
   /s/      Jeffrey Berg
------------------------
Date:   September 1, 1999


"THCL"
thehealthchannel.com, Inc
5000 Birch Street
Suite 4000
Newport Beach, CA 92660
   /s/   Tom Lonergan, C.O.O.
-----------------------------
Date:  September 1, 1999