ZDnet ZDZ Softbank news is out
Softbank, ZDNet, and Yahoo Japan Announce
Intention to Form 'Softbank ZDNet Japan' Joint
Venture
Internet Leaders Plan to Expand Presence in Japanese Market, Leveraging Success of 'ZDNet
Japan' Site
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Softbank Publishing Inc., ZDNet (NYSE: ZDZ - news), and Yahoo! Japan
Corporation today announced intentions to form Softbank ZDNet Japan K.K., a Japanese joint venture through which the three
Internet leaders plan to address the growing Japanese Web market opportunity through the continued development and expansion
of the ZDNet Japan site. According to plans, Softbank Publishing will own 60 percent of Softbank ZDNet Japan, while ZDNet
will own 30 percent and Yahoo! Japan will own 10 percent.
ZDNet Japan (http://www.zdnet.co.jp/ ) was launched in 1997 and currently provides technology content and services to more
than 1.5 million unique visitors per month, making it one of the top Web sites in Japan, and among the largest of ZDNet's 29 sites
in 19 countries outside of the United States. According to the Internet Association of Japan, in 1999 there were nearly 18.5 million
unique Web visitors in Japan, 29 percent more than in 1998. This number is expected to increase by 30 percent in 2000.
``By making this move, we are acknowledging the potential for ZDNet Japan to expand its audience as the Japanese Web
marketplace takes off,' said Toshiki Otsuki, CEO of Softbank ZDNet Japan. ``By adding ZDNet as an active investor and strong
collaborative partner, ZDNet Japan will move to the next level in addressing the technology needs of Japanese consumers and
business users.'
In conjunction with today's announcement, Softbank Publishing will launch ZDNet Inter@ctive Investor on the ZDNet Japan site,
a Japanese version of ZDNet's award-winning technology investor site. ZDNet Japan includes a range of content from ZDNet's
US site, combined with reporting and editorial from the ZDNet Japan staff and other Softbank sources. It provides Japanese
language versions of popular Web brands such as ZDNet News, ZDNet AnchorDesk, ZDNet GameSpot and ZDNet Downloads,
and online publishing brands such as PC Magazine, PC/Computing, Yahoo! Internet Life, and Computer Shopper.
``We're excited at the prospect of teaming with two of the world's top Internet companies to expand the capabilities and reach of
ZDNet Japan,' said Dan Rosensweig, president and CEO of ZDNet. ``ZDNet has been focusing on international expansion for
years. We've learned how to address the unique content needs of individual countries and regions, especially through our wholly
owned ZDNet sites in Germany, France, the UK and Asia. Moving forward, we'll focus on integrating services that will enable
ZDNet Japan visitors to quickly and easily perform tasks that would otherwise be time consuming, like buying products and getting
online services and support.'
``Having established Yahoo! Japan as the number-one site in Japan, we're convinced of the growth potential there,' said Masahiro
Inoue, CEO of Yahoo! Japan. ``ZDNet Japan is already one of the most popular sites in that country, fulfilling the needs of its
technology-interested Web users. We're excited to participate in this effort to aggressively build ZDNet Japan's business, and
regard this joint venture as a good long-term investment.'
ZDNet's International Presence
Anticipating strong international adoption of the Internet, ZDNet has been working for years to establish a leadership position in
major markets. ZDNet has 29 international sites in 19 countries, adding 20 percent more page views to ZDNet's US Web
property, which is among the top 20 Web properties world-wide. Each ZDNet site includes selected content, services and
commerce from the company's flagship U.S. Web property, translated into the appropriate language, and integrated with news,
reviews, and analysis specific to each country. ZDNet has four wholly-owned international properties including ZDNet UK,
ZDNet France, ZDNet Germany, and ZDNet Asia. The most recent addition is ZDNet Asia, which was launched in October.
About ZDNet
Based in San Francisco, ZDNet operates the leading Web destination (http://www.zdnet.com ) for people who want to buy, use
and learn about technology. ZDNet offers an enormous depth and breadth of original, fresh content that it serves to a growing
audience ranging from IT professionals, to families, to gamers. Winner of the Computer Press Awards' Best Overall Online Site,
ZDNet Sites consistently ranks among the Top 20 Web properties according to Media Metrix's at home/at work study. ZDNet's
content is available worldwide through 29 sites in 19 countries outside of the United States. As measured by Media Metrix, ZDNet
includes zdnet.com, zdii.com and zdu.com. ZDNet sites consist of a broad range of interconnected technology-related sites,
including ZDNet, zdnet.com (pseudonyms such as anchordesk.com, zdtv.com, zdnn.com, and pcmagazine.com), GameSpot.com
and jobengine.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Ziff-Davis Inc. believes that
the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those
expectations. Important cautionary statements and risk factors that would affect actual results are discussed in materials filed by
Ziff-Davis Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption ``Risk Factors' in the Registration
Statement on Form S-1, which became effective March 30, 1999, and the Form S-3, which became effective October 29, 1999.
Holders of ZD Group Stock and ZDNet Stock are common stockholders of Ziff-Davis Inc. and are subject to the risks associated
with an investment in Ziff-Davis Inc. and all of its businesses, assets and liabilities.
SOURCE: ZDNet |
