PlanetOut Inc. Enters Into Binding Letter of Intent for Sale of Publishing Business
10 April 2008 - 6:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
Sale will enable company to focus on core online properties SAN
FRANCISCO, April 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PlanetOut Inc.
(NASDAQ:LGBT), a leading media and entertainment company
exclusively focused on the gay and lesbian market, today announced
that it has entered into a binding Letter of Intent with an
affiliate of here! Networks to acquire PlanetOut's magazine and
book publishing businesses. The transaction includes marketing
commitments, cash payments, and the assumption of the majority of
the operating liabilities and assets of the business by here!, and
commitments by PlanetOut to provide certain marketing and
advertising services to here! Networks and here! films. A
definitive agreement is expected to be finalized by April 30, 2008,
and the transaction is expected to close on or before August 31,
2008. "We are extremely pleased that here! Networks will be the new
parent company for our publishing business," said Karen Magee,
Chief Executive Officer, PlanetOut Inc. "here! Networks Co-Founders
Stephen P. Jarchow and Paul Colichman have long been admirers and
strong supporters of The Advocate and Out, and we believe that our
magazines, their associated websites and Alyson books will thrive
under here!'s ownership." "Most importantly, we believe that the
divestiture of our publishing businesses will enable PlanetOut Inc.
to devote all of our attention and resources to our core online
businesses, GAY.COM and PlanetOut.com. This will ensure that all of
our powerful brands have a better chance to grow and prosper, and
will ultimately produce greater value for our shareholders." added
Magee. "In adding PlanetOut's magazine and book publishing group to
our television, film and online media properties, we continue the
LGBTQ legacy that the men and women of PlanetOut have built and
nurtured. We recognize the responsibility and opportunity that
LGBTQ media has in making a meaningful and positive impact on
society and culture. We will protect and expand these iconic brands
with integrity, passion and commitment," said Jarchow and
Colichman. "The structure of this transaction was carefully
designed to benefit PlanetOut Inc., here! Networks, our customers,
our advertising partners, and our shareholders. Paul and I plan to
work closely together over the coming months to provide the
smoothest possible separation and transition of these businesses,"
continued Magee. "In addition, we are looking forward to the
opportunity to utilize PlanetOut Inc.'s extensive reach into the
influential LGBT market to promote the theatrical release of an
exciting collection of here! films." Magee also stated that
PlanetOut Inc. is continuing to work with Allen & Co. to
explore strategic alternatives with respect to its core online
businesses. About PlanetOut Inc. PlanetOut Inc. is a leading media
and entertainment company exclusively serving the lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. PlanetOut's digital
media brands include Gay.com, PlanetOut.com, Advocate.com, Out.com,
OutTraveler.com and HIVPlusMag.com. PlanetOut print media brands
include The Advocate, Out, The Out Traveler and HIVPlus, as well as
SpecPub, Inc. titles. Transaction services brands include
e-commerce Web sites Kleptomaniac.com and BuyGay.com, and book
publisher Alyson Publications. PlanetOut, based in San Francisco
with additional offices in New York and Los Angeles, offers
advertisers access to what it believes to be the most extensive
multi-channel, multi-platform network of gay and lesbian people in
the world. For more information, please visit
http://www.planetoutinc.com/. Forward-Looking Statements In
addition to the historical information contained herein, this press
release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding PlanetOut's commitment to sell its publishing business,
marketing relationship with Regent, and other strategic transaction
plans, as well as statements containing the words "believes,"
"anticipates," "expects," and similar words. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the company to differ materially from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the
company's limited operating history and variability of operating
results; competition; timing of product launches; success of its
marketing efforts; and the company's dependence on technology
infrastructure and the Internet. Additional information concerning
factors that could affect PlanetOut's future business and financial
results is included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2007 and other public filings filed
from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), which are available at the SEC's website at
http://www.sec.gov/. DATASOURCE: PlanetOut Inc. CONTACT: Karen
Magee of PlanetOut Inc., +1-415-834-6500 Web site:
http://www.planetoutinc.com/
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