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Technology Stocks : MessageMedia Inc. (MESG) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Leslie Tack who wrote (322)	10/7/1999 9:44:00 AM
From: Gutterball	Respond to of 553

MessageMedia Expands International Presence Creates MessageMedia Europe MessageMedia Forms Joint Venture With SOFTBANK and Vivendi to Pursue Leadership Position in Europe BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1999-- MessageMedia Inc. (Nasdaq:MESG), a leading provider of e-mail-based customer relationship management and direct marketing services, agreed today to create MessageMedia Europe, a joint venture between MessageMedia and @viso (''Atviso''). @viso, a strategic partnership between Vivendi, the European leader in communications, and SOFTBANK, will help MessageMedia rapidly penetrate the European region. MessageMedia entered into a non-binding agreement with @viso and the two companies are working toward a definitive agreement. ''MessageMedia has the unique opportunity to extend its U.S. brand in the e-messaging category in the rapidly growing European market,'' said Larry Jones, president and CEO of MessageMedia. ''By teaming with Vivendi and SOFTBANK through @viso, we will dramatically accelerate our entry into the continental European marketplace.'' ''As the pre-eminent leader in large-scale e-mail services, MessageMedia is becoming increasingly central to the new Internet economy,'' said Masayoshi Son, Chairman of SOFTBANK Corp. ''We expect that its innovative technology and sharply focused business model will position MessageMedia as a major force in this critical infrastructure sector in Europe.'' MessageMedia Europe will be led by managing director, David Ehrenthal, previously vice president of international development for MessageMedia. Mr. Ehrenthal possesses extensive expertise in the e-messaging space as well as eight years of multinational business experience with MessageMedia, American Express and other firms. As a previous marketing director for American Express Travel Related Services, Ehrenthal was instrumental in developing the Small Business Corporate Card business in Europe. MessageMedia's outsourced e-mail services are designed to help clients deliver timely information to subscribers, route and respond to customer requests, uncover new marketing opportunities, provide e-mail support for online e-commerce applications as well as conduct online customer surveys and research. These scalable solutions enable companies to increase customer retention and loyalty through an e-mail dialog as well as reduce operational and technology risk in executing large-scale e-mail programs at a reduced cost. As part of the joint venture, @viso will provide MessageMedia Europe with a full set of market access services in Europe, including identifying local competitors and potential partners, in order to accelerate MessageMedia Europe's position as a leader in e-mail services. @viso will act as an incubator, providing capital, infrastructure, and local support services, including strategic marketing, technical facilities and personnel resources. MessageMedia is currently providing e-messaging services in Europe for Barclays Bank and Bertelsmann. About @ viso Formed in July 1999, @viso (Atviso) is a joint venture between Vivendi and SOFTBANK, aimed at helping U.S. Internet companies gain rapid market entry into continental Europe. Its regional expertise and toolboxes of services -- including state-of-the-art technical facilities and marketing, legal, PR and recruitment services -- help businesses expand into new territory. Additional information about @viso can be found at www.atviso.com About Vivendi With net sales of 39 billion euros (estimated for 1999) and 260,000 employees in over 100 countries, Vivendi is the world leader in Environmental Services and a major player in communications. Vivendi owns Cegetel, the largest French private telecommunications operator, Europe's leading pay-television company Canal+, and the publishing giant Havas.

To: Leslie Tack who wrote (322)	10/7/1999 9:49:00 AM
From: Gutterball	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 553

The entry into Europe is something we've been waiting for for sometime. Should not be long before this link is active. messagemedia.co.uk My take, Messagemedia is poised to make a major move upwards. We should be seeing record earnings and movement into Europe to propel this move. As I said, Messagemedia has decided to blow its horn #reply-11447372.

To: Leslie Tack who wrote (322)	10/8/1999 1:07:00 AM
From: White Shoes	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 553

What has happened seems to be that this market is getting incredibly crowded. There are now DOZENS of competitors. I guess MESG will likely wind up having more staying power than many, but right now it's not clear that a high-end model such as the stuff they'll supposedly be offering is going to be needed or wanted by many customers. A lot of the permission-based mail I receive is being done by MESG's competitors. It looks like hell, but gets the job done. Perhaps the terrain will change long-term, with broadband, etc., putting MESG in command. There is also the problem of market perception, momentum, etc. This is perceived as a tired old renamed Softbank company with mysterious motivations behind the scenes and a questionable track record. On the other hand, 'fresh' unproven IPO's in this space can soar for a few years before the honeymoon period wears off. Stock price creates its own problems. MESG can't make acquisitions if these companies are all well funded and/or going public - and its own stock is in the dumper. I dunno how to get that stock to $50 but they need to figure out how, so they can get buyin'.