ASYM- Asymetrix Learning Systems, in cahoots with GNET.
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Asymetrix Learning Systems and Go2Net Announce
Click2learn.com Learning Portal Partnership & Equity Investment
Business Wire - July 21, 1999 17:32
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
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