To: TLindt who wrote (1773 ) 11/23/1998 3:13:00 PM From: M. Frank Greiffenstein Respond to of 2882
Digital River Signs Online Distribution Partnership With BUYDIRECT.COM Business Wire - November 23, 1998 14:42 MINNEAPOLIS/SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 23, 1998-- Companies Team To Offer Largest Selection Of Digital Software Available From Any Software Retailer Digital River (NASDAQ: DRIV), the leading distributor in electronic software delivery (ESD) with over 131,000 software titles from over 1,300 publishers, today announced a distribution partnership with BUYDIRECT.COM, a leading online retailer of software products for consumers and small businesses. Through its partnership with Digital River, and other sources, BUYDIRECT.COM will expand its selection of digital files - with access to more than 200,000 by early next year. "Our relationship with Digital River furthers our mission to provide small businesses and consumers with the fastest way in the world to buy software," said William Headapohl, President and COO of BUYDIRECT.COM. "The agreement underscores Digital River's ability to provide the most expansive database of electronic software files." "We are excited to help BUYDIRECT.COM extend their product offering," said Joel Ronning, CEO of Digital River. "As a pioneer in retailing electronically delivered software, BUYDIRECT.COM will continue to provide online consumers with more choice for fast delivery of software to the desktop." About BUYDIRECT.COM Based in San Francisco, California, BUYDIRECT.COM is a leading online software retailer, featuring Windows(R), Macintosh(R), and Handheld(R) software products for consumers and small businesses. The company specializes in software programs that can be delivered electronically over the Internet, and also offers a complete selection of titles that can be shipped directly to consumers' homes and offices. With its unique Web site design, and strategic relationships with @Home Network and CNET, BUYDIRECT.COM offers the fastest way in the world to select and purchase software. Since its inception in 1996, BUYDIRECT.COM has been a pioneer in retailing electronically delivered software - serving nearly 200,000 consumers and small businesses in more than 40 countries. The company is an independent venture owned by its management and employees, CNET, Inc., @Home Network and private investors. BUYDIRECT.COM can be found on the Web at buydirect.com . About Digital River(a) Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV), based in Minneapolis, offers the world's largest online database of software products. The company provides more than 2,000 software publishers and online dealers with its proprietary technology for Internet delivery of more than 131,000 software and other digital products. Tech Squared Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TSQD) controls 19 percent of Digital River's common stock. For more information visit the Digital River Web site at digitalriver.com . (a) Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words, "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and similar words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the Company's limited operating history and variability of operating results; market acceptance of electronic software delivery; the Company's ability to maintain relationships with software publishers and online retailers; competition in the electronic commerce market; and other risk factors referenced in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Jodi Baumann Karen Blondell Digital River Technology Solutions, Inc. 612-253-8396 212-320-2267 jbaumann@digitalriver.com kblondell@tsipr.com Rebecca Perata-Rosati BUYDIRECT.COM 415-835-9194 beccap@buydirect.com