BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 1999--Asymetrix
Learning Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYM), the leading provider of online
learning solutions, and Go2Net, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNET), a network of
branded, technology- and community-driven Web sites, today announced a
memorandum of understanding for a comprehensive, three-year marketing,
distribution, licensing and co-branding partnership.
Go2Net will offer Asymetrix Learning Systems' click2learn.com to
its rapidly growing user base, in the form of co-branded training
offerings throughout the Go2Net Network. As part of the agreement,
Asymetrix and Go2Net also announced today that Go2Net will invest $3
million in Asymetrix common stock, along with warrants to acquire an
additional $3 million in common stock. Additional financial terms of
the agreement were not disclosed.
Using click2learn.com (preview available at
click2learn.asymetrix.com), Go2Net will provide co-branded
learning environments throughout its MetaCrawler, HyperMart, Virtual
Avenue and Silicon Investor Web sites, offering users access to
hundreds of online learning courses on various relevant topics.
Additionally, users will have access to the revolutionary new "browser
only" free click2learn.com authoring and publishing system that allows
anyone to create and publish courseware, and receive royalties on
their courses that are purchased through the click2learn.com network.
"Go2Net has built an outstanding community of more than 400,000
small businesses as well as millions of individual users," said Jim
Billmaier, CEO of Asymetrix Learning Systems. "click2learn.com will
provide Go2Net's network of web sites with easy access to continuing
education to further the success of their sites by increasing site
loyalty and value, and the "stickiness" of the site."
Go2Net and its users will participate in a financial model in
which revenue is shared among the course creator, the Go2Net Network
site through which the course is accessed or published, and the
click2learn.com network. Current content categories include end-user
and professional computer training, business and professional skills,
industrial and OSHA required training, as well as personal skill
development and continuing education. In addition to courses expected
to be published by individuals using the free click2learn.com
authoring and publishing system, online content is also currently
provided by several industry-leading developers for interpersonal,
computer and business skills.
"We believe there are considerable synergies involving the custom
online learning environments developed by Asymetrix Learning Systems
and the area-specific interests of Go2Net's growing user base, whether
it's a business owner on HyperMart or an individual user anywhere
throughout the Go2Net Network," said Russell C. Horowitz, Go2Net Chief
Executive Officer. "The addition of click2learn.com's authoring and
publishing capabilities to the Go2Net Network brings added depth to
our sites in the process of enabling our individual users and member
businesses to share their areas of expertise."
Go2Net Network community members will also have access to free
"2MinuteTutors(tm)" -- short, engaging tutorials on a wide range of
general-interest topics -- as well as free trials of courses from
independent content providers. Go2Net and Asymetrix have agreed to
build a series of 2MinuteTutors that will enhance the learning
experience of Go2Net community members. These new 2MinuteTutors will
be integrated throughout the Go2Net Network.
Go2Net recently announced that its reach grew by approximately 20
percent from May through June of this year, facilitating Go2Net's
first entry into the Top 10 Digital Media/Web Properties, as measured
by Media Metrix. The measurement firm ranked the Go2Net Network number
9 in reach among home/work users in June, compared to a number 15
ranking in May. This growth rate reflects a month-to-month increase in
use on the Go2Net Network's existing properties during a time period
in which no acquisitions were consolidated. Since January, the Go2Net
Network has extended its reach by more than 91 percent, making it the
fastest growing property among the Internet's top 20 destinations.
About Go2Net, Inc.
Go2Net is a network of branded, technology- and community-driven
Web sites focused on the following categories: personal finance,
search and directory, commerce and business services, and games. The
company also develops Web-related software. The Go2Net Network's
properties include: Go2Net Personal (http://www.go2net.com), which
provides users with a comprehensive Internet start page offering
customizable news, discussion, and stock information, as well as
direct access to Go2Net's own finance, search, free Web hosting,
shopping and Java multiplayer game sites; Silicon Investor
(http://www.siliconinvestor.com), the Web's premier financial
discussion site; StockSite (http://www.stocksite.com), which offers
proprietary articles, portfolio tracking tools, company research and
news relating to business and finance; MetaCrawler
(http://www.metacrawler.com), a metasearch service that combines
various existing search/index guides into one service; 100hot
(http://www.100hot.com), a leading directory of the Web's most popular
sites; HyperMart (http://www.hypermart.net), the Web's leading
provider of free business hosting services; Authorize.Net
(http://www.authorize.net), the Internet's leading payment
authorization system for online businesses; Haggle Online
(http://www.haggle.com), one of the Web's premier person-to-person
auction services; WebMarket (http://www.webmarket.com), a one-stop
comparison shopping service; and PlaySite (http://www.playsite.com),
the Web's premier Java-based multi-player games site. The company's
Go2Net Labs division develops innovative technologies to enhance the
features and functionality of the Go2Net sites and for licensing to
other Internet companies.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the
company's ability to grow its user and advertiser base. Actual results
may differ materially from the results predicted and reported results
should not be considered as an indication of future performance. The
potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the company's
limited operating history, the competitive environment in which the
company competes, the early stage of the Web as an advertising and
electronic commerce medium, the company's dependence on advertising
and sponsorship revenues, the company's dependence on strategic
relationships to drive traffic to its Web sites, consumer acceptance
of the company's new products and services, the company's ability to
develop and integrate new technologies and services into its existing
services, and the increased use of the Web for commerce. More
information about the potential factors that could affect the
company's business and financial results is included in the company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1998 and
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December 31,
1998 and March 31, 1999, which are on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
About Asymetrix Learning Systems, Inc.
Asymetrix Learning Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYM) is a leading
provider of online enterprise learning solutions that enable
organizations to author, deploy and manage Internet-based training and
education. Asymetrix offers a single source training solution
incorporating learning management and authoring software products with
professional services, including custom development, strategic
consulting and integration services. For more information on Asymetrix
solutions, call 800/448-6543 or 425/462-0501. Asymetrix Learning
Systems Inc. is located on the World Wide Web at
asymetrix.com. click2learn.asymetrix.com.
Asymetrix is a registered trademark and click2learn.com is a
trademark of Asymetrix Learning Systems, Inc. Asymetrix is registered
in the USA and in certain other countries. All other company and/or
product names are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Asymetrix Learning Systems, Inc.
John Atherly, 425/637-1557, JohnA@asymetrix.com
Kevin Oakes, 617/747-7000, x101, KevinO@asymetrix.com
www.asymetrix.com
click2learn.asymetrix.com
KEYWORD: WASHINGTON
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMED COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS EDUCATION
INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET PRODUCT
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