International Internet's StogiesOnline.com Approved To Buy Direct From Swedish
Match
Business Editors/Technology Writers
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2000--International
Internet, Inc. (OTCBB:IINN) announced today that it's subsidiary
StogiesOnline.com has been approved to buy directly from Swedish Match
AB (Nasdaq:SWMAY). Swedish Match is one of the world's leading cigar
manufacturers with a total annual production amounting to more than
1 billion cigars. These are sold in more than 90 countries, where the
US and Western Europe are the most important markets. With a long
tradition of producing superior cigars, Swedish Match's brands La Paz,
Willem II, Clubmaster, Justus van Maurik, De Heeren van Ruysdael and
Montague enjoy strong market positions. The total market for cigars is
increasing, despite large differences between various markets. This
makes cigars a product with great growth potential. The most
well-known Swedish brands are Bellman, Cortez and Frans Suell.
In the U.S., the premium end of the cigar market is enjoying
explosive growth. Swedish Match is exploiting that segment with its
Montague and La Paz brands. Through the recent acquisition of the
American company General Cigars' mass-market business, Swedish Match
also acquired well-known brands such as Garcia y Vega, White Owl and
Tijuana Smalls. The current agreement allows International Internet's
StogiesOnline.com/Mr. Cigar Inc., to purchase cigars directly from the
manufacturer. The new agreement places StogiesOnline.com in a better
position to compete in the Mass Market and Premium cigar market.
International Internet retails cigars through their website at
stogiesonline.com and their retail location in
Boca Raton, Fla.
Brian John, StogiesOnline.com subsidiary president, stated: "Our
approval to buy directly from Swedish Match allows us to be even more
competitive in the Mass Market. With the mass market comprising
approximately 70% of the overall cigar industry this represents a very
important relationship for our continued growth and further
penetration in to the cigar market."
About Swedish Match AB
Swedish Match is an international group with its head office in
Stockholm, Sweden. The company produces an extensive range of OTP
(Other Tobacco Products: smokeless tobacco, cigars and pipe tobacco)
and matches and lighters, which are sold in 140 countries. The
company's sales for the twelve-month period ending September 30, 1999
were approximately USD 1.2 billion. The Swedish Match share is listed
on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (SWMA) and NASDAQ (SWMAY).
About International Internet, Inc. :
International Internet, Inc. develops and operates Internet and
direct retail marketing companies as well as venture funds focused on
the Internet. The International Internet Group includes wholly owned
subsidiaries American Computer Systems (ACS), StogiesOnline.com, Inc.
(www.stogiesonline.com), International Internet E-tail group, Inc. and
International Internet Ventures I LLC and majority owned subsidiaries,
Mr. Cigar, Inc., TheBroadcastWeb.com, Inc. (www.thebroadcastweb.com),
StogiesAuction.com (www.stogiesauction.com), a joint venture between
AuctionAnything.com, Inc. (OTC:UBUY) and International Internet.
International Internet also holds minority interests in WowStores.com,
Inc. (NQB:WOWS) (www.wowstores.com) and Goldonline International,
Inc.(OTC:GDOL) (www.goldonline.com) and Vertical Computer Systems
(OTC:VCSY) (www.thechinabridge.com).
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to
the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ from those
discussed. This material was prepared and disseminated by The Hawke
Group, Inc. ("Hawke") for the Company discussed herein, based upon
Company-supplied information or other sources believed to be reliable.
Hawke does not guarantee the information for accuracy or to be
all-inclusive. This material is information only and is not an offer
or solicitation to buy or sell the securities. Hawke, its affiliates,
and/or its officers, directors and employees may from time to time
have a position in these securities. International Internet has
retained The Hawke Group as a Financial Public Relations Consultant.
For services rendered between Jan 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999, The
Hawke Group has received 1,250,000 shares of International Internet
free-trading common stock. On November 15, 1999 Scott Phillips, an
employee of The Hawke Group, was issued 150,000 shares of restricted
stock.
--30--law/mi*
CONTACT: The Hawke Group, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Scott Phillips, 954/564-7114
Fax: 954/564-9848
URL: www.hawkegroup.com |
