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Dear Partner,
I am pleased to announce a significant milestone in the evolution of LinkShare. Rakuten, the second largest portal in Japan, has acquired LinkShare. Rakuten is the number one portal in Japan for shopping, on-line finance and travel. Think of Rakuten as a Japanese combination of MSN and Yahoo, combined with strong search, shopping and other businesses. It has a market cap of over $9 billion.
For our partners, this gives LinkShare access to the resources of a large, well-capitalized parent to continue to develop and innovate. We are joining a dynamic company like ours that shares our entrepreneurial spirit. This is a very synergistic combination. We will be Rakuten's platform to expand in the U.S. and they will be our platform to expand globally.
LinkShare will retain those qualities that have made us so successful to date, including our name. The plan is to continue to grow and develop LinkShare's existing business just as we have been. Heidi, the rest of the senior management team and I will remain with the company. We will lead the continued growth of LinkShare's core businesses and will closely support Rakuten's U.S expansion and exploration of potential acquisitions.
Rest assured that Rakuten is aware that Q4 is a very important time for U.S. businesses, so there will be no changes during Q4. And, of course, going forward, LinkShare's success will always be dependent upon the success of our partners.
FYI, below is a copy of the press release that we sent out yesterday. I know I speak for all my colleagues at LinkShare when I say that we remain committed to maintaining and building upon our mutually beneficial relationship with you under our new ownership. The future is bright indeed for all of us in this exciting business!
Best regards,
Stephen Messer
Chairman and CEO
LinkShare Corporation
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Rakuten, Leading Japanese E-Commerce Portal, to Acquire
LinkShare, Leading U.S. Performance-Based E-Commerce Company
-- Transaction is Rakuten's first step into U.S. e-commerce market --
-- Continues Rakuten's international expansion --
-- LinkShare's patented tracking technology and Fortune 500 retail ties are key --
TOKYO and NEW YORK, September 6, 2005 - Rakuten, Inc. (JASDAQ: 4755) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LinkShare Corporation, a privately held New York-based performance-based marketing firm, for a cash purchase price of approximately $425 million. The acquisition is expected to be completed within four to six weeks.
Founded in 1997, Rakuten is Japan's most diversified Internet portal, with the number one sites in Japan for on-line shopping, travel, golf reservations, community and greeting cards. Rakuten's on-line and Internet-related businesses also include shopping via Internet-enabled cell phones, auctions, financial services, broadband entertainment and business-to-business services. Rakuten, which has one of the most recognized Internet brands in Japan, is also the owner of Japanese professional baseball's newest franchise, the Rakuten Eagles.
"LinkShare's performance-based marketing expertise across affiliate, search, and e-mail capabilities provides Rakuten with an excellent first step to launch our U.S. operations and continue our international expansion." said Hiroshi Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten. "We can leverage LinkShare's client relationships and technology advantages worldwide, so that LinkShare will be able to achieve significant growth in the future."
Established in 1996, LinkShare Corporation is a leader in performance-based marketing solutions, having created the largest network of affiliates of any program provider, with over 10 million e-commerce relationships. LinkShare has over 500 clients including J.C. Penney, 1-800-Flowers.com, American Express, Avon Products and Dell. LinkShare has been named the New York area's fastest growing technology company for two years in a row on the Deloitte & Touche Fast 50 list.
"By partnering with a successful portal with global aspirations, LinkShare has positioned itself to take advantage of the increasingly universal nature of the Internet and e-commerce," said Stephen D. Messer, Chairman and CEO of LinkShare Corporation. "Our merchants and our affiliates will benefit because taking the network worldwide can only increase volume, which means growth for everyone."
LinkShare's senior management team including Mr. Messer, and LinkShare's President and COO, Heidi Messer, will remain with the company. They will lead continued growth of LinkShare's core businesses and will closely support Rakuten's U.S expansion and exploration of potential acquisitions.
Morgan Stanley represented Rakuten, Inc., and Goldman Sachs advised LinkShare in the transaction.
About Rakuten, Inc.
Rakuten, Inc., is a leading Internet portal in Japan, bringing a wide range of services to consumers through its main division companies in E-Commerce (EC), Portal and Media, Travel, Financial Services, and Professional Sports.
The EC company provides a general on-line market for consumers, on-line auctions, and a place for B2B trade in used goods. The Portal and Media company offers Internet search and marketing services, job search, and satellite TV channels. On-line hotel and international air reservations can be done through the Travel company, and the Financial Services company houses Rakuten Securities, one of Japan's strongest on-line brokerage services, and also provides personal financial services. Lastly, Rakuten is the proud owner of a professional baseball team -- the Rakuten Eagles.
Rakuten is a public company listed on the JASDAQ with a market capitalization as of September 5, 2005 of $9.7 billion.
About LinkShare Corporation
LinkShare Corporation is a leading provider of technology solutions to track, manage, and analyze the performance of sales, marketing, and business development initiatives. Combining patented technology, the reach and distribution of a robust network, and expert account management services, LinkShare empowers clients with the ability to collaborate with partners online and develop cost-efficient pay-for-performance campaigns. In 2004, approximately 2% of U.S. retail e-commerce, or $1.4 billion, passed through the LinkShare network. LinkShare provides the platform, tools, and reporting to help clients acquire new customers, increase revenues, drive results, and measure success across affiliate, search, and e-mail initiatives. LinkShare clients are Fortune 500 and prominent companies doing business online, and include J.C. Penney, 1-800-Flowers.com, American Express, Avon Products and Dell. LinkShare was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago.
LinkShare's investors include Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: MITSY), Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A), Inc., Internet Capital Group (NASDAQ: ICGE), and Comcast Interactive Capital, an affiliate of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSK; CMCSA). Please visit http://www.linkshare.com for more information. |
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发表于 2005-9-8 12:55:19
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