Good afternoon to you all. Please find enclosed the latest press release from Valu-net. In addition to adding another revenue stream to it's operations, the following release serves as an example of the open doors to future business opportunities with the National Hockey League, particularly in the area of international marketing of products and services.
What is most impressive about this press release is that Valu-net has once again proven their ability to introduce new initiatives and immeidately begin generating revenues. This is an accomplishment very few corporations can achieve but the second consecutive success for Valu-net, which reported $438,000 in first month revenues from the North American program.
In our last update to you, we stated the following:
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VNE announced the signing of Wayne Gretzky to a four year contract. The contract calls for the sale of Wayne Gretzky merchandise, as well as, the spokesman services of Wayne Gretzky. There is no other way to say it, this is a very significant signing and will most likely represent a turning point of this young company's future. Wayne Gretzky is considered a world class athlete. His endorsements represent products world-wide and are of Fortune 500 calibre.
Signing with Valu-net is tantamount to third party confirmation that VNE represents the upper class of it's industry. Remember, Wayne Gretzky is managed by the top sports agency in the world and they are undoubtedly swamped with proposals for product endorsements from all over the world. Mr. Gretzky no doubt has plenty of options and can afford to be very indiscriminate. As such, to sign Wayne Gretzky requires more than a lucrative offer, it requires association with a company Wayne Gretzky feels completely comfortable in associating himself with.
In the world of Internet commerce, Wayne Gretzky chose Valu-net. We can't wait to see what is next.
For those of you who have been watching VNE from the sidelines as we issued our special reports, there is no better time to add VNE to your portfolio.
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The success of Value-net's International program, as announced in this press release, only serves to increase the potential of a company that is already enjoying success in the lucrative North American market. We have stated on many previous occasions that a junior company can only survive by combining growth potential, visibility and revenues. To that end, Valu-net's potential for growth is the unlimited potential of e-commerce. Their recent signing of Wayne Gretzky, a celebrity beyond being the NHL's all-time greatest player, has provided Valu-net with all the visibility required; and the question of revenues was answered some $440,000 ago.
When combining all these factors, we now have to rate VNE as our top junior company, among some very good competition including MIQ, KCI and SYD, which are all excellent but lacking one of the three key components to a true success. As such, if you do not hold VNE in your portfolio, there does not appear to be a better time to do so.
Regards,
Agora.
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ASE Symbol - VNE CUSIP No. 919911 10 7
For Immediate Release - February 25 , 1998
VALU-NET LAUNCHES WAYNE GRETZKY PHONE CARD PROGRAM IN JAPAN
Markham, Ont. David Lucatch, President & CEO of Valu-net Corporation
("Valu-net"), announced that Valu-net, in conjunction with the National
Hockey League, Team Canada and Dentsu Inc. of Japan, an International
Communications firm, have initiated a Japanese phone card program bearing
the images of NHL Superstar, Wayne Gretzky.
Under the terms of the Agreement and to coincide with hockey events during
the 1998 Olympic Winter Games, Valu-net supplied Dentsu Inc. with images of
Wayne Gretzky which were used to manufacture Prepaid Phone Cards,
exclusively for the Japanese market. The initial production run was limited
to 999 two (2) card sets. One card depicts Wayne Gretzky in his Team Canada
uniform, while the other shows him wearing his New York Rangers uniform. A
further 99 promotional sets will also be produced. Dentsu Inc., who is
responsible for all marketing activities in Japan, have indicated that,
given the strong demand for these cards, they expect all the sets to be
completely sold out before the end of February, 1998.
David Lucatch, President and CEO of Valu-net Corporation stated; "This
introductory offer of Wayne Gretzky Phone Cards to the Japanese
marketplace opens the doors to future business opportunities with the
National Hockey League, particularly in the area of international marketing
of products and services. The scale of this undertaking and the speed with
which it was accomplished, is a testament to the high degree of cooperation
we received from all concerned."
Valu-net Corporation, with operations in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and
Malaysia, is a New Media corporation whose business is electronic commerce
and marketing on the Internet. By working with leading financial
institutions and technology companies, Valu-net has developed a bank
endorsed "virtual" retailing system that is secure for both consumers and
businesses. According to a recent Ernst & Young study ("Web sites can make
money for retailers"), by the year 2000, a staggering 81% of retailers
project profitable web sites. The study also predicts that by that date,
half of on-line sellers expect to generate at least 20% of their total
sales on the Internet. While waiting for this huge potential market to
develop, Valu-net has taken the initiative of launching a niche marketing
strategy, in the professional sports arena, to showcase Internet Marketing
and Electronic Commerce opportunities and to demonstrate that Internet
sales/commerce can be conducted profitably and securely.
Valu-net Corporation was posted for trading on The Alberta Stock Exchange
on October 16, 1997 under the symbol "VNE". There are currently 22.25
million common shares issued and outstanding. Management and insiders
collectively hold 78% of the issued and outstanding shares and all are
subject to restrictions on release. The public float consists of 4.9
million common shares.
We invite you to visit our web site at: www.vncorp.com or
The National Hockey League's web site at: www.nhl.com or
Dentsu Inc.'s web site at: www.dentsu.co.jp
For further information, please contact David Lucatch, President & CEO,
Valu-net Corporation
Phone (905) 474 - 5100 Toll Free 1-800-558-9069
Fax: (905) 474 - 9843 E-Mail - dlucatch@valuenetwork.com
or
For Investor Relations information, please contact Gary Perkins,
Director.
Tel: (905) 479 - 2800 Toll Free 1-800-225-2744
Fax: (905) 479 - 8608 E-Mail - investrelations@vncorp.com |
