ZD may be good for a quick buck...
It's been up the last few days, but the real news is just coming out. Not only are the sponsoring Comdex, which is news in itself, but they exercised their options to buy ZDTV, which is getting picked up by many cable companies and starting to make news; not the least of which is the financial support of Paul Allen. When the relationships are fully understood, it could drive the price higher. Especially interesting, in this months investment world, is the relationship between ZDTV and ONSL. Some news below:
( BW)(ONSALE)(ONSL)(ZD) ONSALE and ZDTV Debut Breakthrough Advertising
Format That Integrates the Internet and Television; Innovative Convergence
Advertising Features Live Data Feed of Online Auctions
Business Editors
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 1998--ZDTV, an affiliate of Ziff-Davis (NYSE:ZD), and
ONSALE, Inc. (Nasdaq:ONSL), a leading Internet real-time retailer, today announced the successful debut of
television advertising that enables ONSALE's ads to showcase live online auctions. The commercials will air
daily during ZDTV's Money Machine television show, a program on how to make, manage and save money
using computers and the Internet.
Developed by ONSALE's interactive advertising agency, Lot21, the advertising combines the Internet and
television to target ZDTV's tech-oriented viewers with real-time information about the latest deals on computer
gear available at ONSALE. ONSALE, utilizing push technology, provides current information for a variety of
products including desktop computers, laptops, printers, modems, monitors, scanners, video cards and digital
cameras. The information is updated every 15 minutes by ONSALE.
"This is truly an innovative approach to convergence advertising," said Richard Fisher, executive vice president
of ZDTV and ZDTV productions. "These commercials leverage ZDTV's unique ability to integrate the web and
television. Moreover, our tech-savvy viewers get up-to-date information about the latest computer gear -- and
ONSALE gets a real-time sales opportunity."
"One of the keys to the company's success is customer interaction," said Jerry Kaplan, ONSALE's chief
executive officer. "Using television to extend the reach of interactivity is a new step for us, and we expect it will
contribute to the continued growth of our customer base. ZDTV's viewers are an excellent audience for
ONSALE: they are comfortable using the Internet, and they are enthusiastic about finding bargains."
About ONSALE
ONSALE (Nasdaq:ONSL) is a leading Internet real-time retailer pioneering an efficient and entertaining new
distribution channel - the interactive online auction. The company specializes in selling value-oriented
merchandise and services, including personal computers, consumer electronics, housewares, sports and fitness
equipment, vacation and travel packages, and specialty foods over the Internet. ONSALE is located on the
World Wide Web at www.onsale.com.
About ZDTV
ZDTV is an affiliate of Ziff-Davis. Ziff-Davis is a leading integrated media and marketing company focused
on computing and Internet-related technology, with principal platforms in print publishing, trade shows and
conferences, online content, market research, and education. The Company provides global technology
companies with marketing strategies for reaching key decision-makers.
About Lot21
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Lot21 is an interactive marketing, media and advertising agency
specializing in the creation of integrated marketing solutions for advertisers who want to better target and convert
consumers to their brand, products and services. Their focus is online advertising, from planning media to
creative development to consumer conversion. Its founders have years of experience in advertising, marketing
and consulting for some of the biggest success stories on the Web. The Lot21 team's collective knowledge helps
their clients realize and quantify their online marketing goals. For more information, access the company's web
site at lot21.com
(c)1998 ONSALE, Inc. All Rights Reserved
ONSALE is a registered trademark and Auction Supersite is a trademark of ONSALE, Inc. All other
companies and brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
SECTION: Financial News
DISTRIBUTION: TO BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS
LENGTH: 447 words
HEADLINE: Ziff-Davis to Exercise Option to Purchase ZDTV
DATELINE: NEW YORK, Nov. l7
BODY:
As expected, Ziff-Davis (NYSE: ZD) today announced that it will exercise its option to purchase ZDTV from MAC, an affiliate of
SOFTBANK Corp. ZDTV, the first 24-hour cable television channel focused on the Internet and related technologies, has exceeded
expectations, and will reach nine million homes by year end.
Also today, Ziff-Davis announced that Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Ventures, Inc. will make a strategic investment in ZDTV. (See related press
release, "Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Ventures Makes Strategic Investment of $54 million in ZDTV.")
Eric Hippeau, Chairman and CEO of Ziff-Davis, said, "We have said all along that Ziff-Davis would exercise its option to purchase MAC's
interest in ZDTV if the channel had access to more than eight million homes by the end of this year. ZDTV has already achieved that
distribution goal, making it one of the most successful launches in recent history. Both of today's announcements represent a strong vote of
confidence for the channel and represent our belief that ZDTV has all the makings of a very successful cable business."
Ziff-Davis' purchase of ZDTV from MAC also includes the purchase of ZD Television Productions, which creates customized
programming for ZDTV and third parties, including "21st Century Home" with Home & Garden Television.
Ziff-Davis will also combine SKY Television, the producer of Bunting's Window, into ZDTV. Ziff-Davis recently completed the acquisition
of SKY Television, a media company that specializes in in-flight programming, video production, and cable and broadcast television shows.
Ziff-Davis Background
Ziff-Davis is a leading integrated media and marketing company focused on
Internet-related technologies, with principal platforms in print publishing,
trade shows and conferences, online content, television, market research and
education. The Company provides global marketing and media strategies for
reaching key technology decision-makers worldwide.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks
and uncertainties. Although Ziff-Davis Inc. believes that the expectations
reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results
could differ materially from those expectations. Important cautionary
statements and risk factors that would affect actual results are discussed in
materials filed by Ziff-Davis Inc. with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus dated
April 28, 1998 contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333-46493).
|
