UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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SCHEDULE 14A
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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VITACOST.COM, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
GREAT HILL INVESTORS, LLC
GREAT HILL EQUITY PARTNERS III, L.P.
GREAT HILL EQUITY PARTNERS IV, L.P.
CHRISTOPHER S. GAFFNEY
MICHAEL A. KUMIN
(Name of Person(s) Filing Consent Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
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The Case for Change at Vitacost.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: VITC) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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The Need for Change at Vitacost.com is Now • Vitacost.com’s June 14 th announcement is an endorsement of Great Hill’s long stated belief that a change in the majority of the Board is needed • Vitacost is asking shareholders to wait until August 26 th to make necessary changes to its Board, while shareholders can vote TODAY for Great Hill’s four highly qualified nominees • Vitacost is employing this delay and entrenchment tactic only after: – Two members of Vitacost’s own Board, Allen S. Josephs and Robert G. Trapp, who collectively possess voting control over approximately 10% of the common stock, indicated they support Great Hill’s slate in some manner – Significant pressure from other material shareholders with a vested interest in Vitacost’s long-term success – Having hastily tried to explore a sale of the company when Vitacost had been public less than a year • Shareholders have every right to question the motivations of Vitacost’s actions |
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Great Hill’s Nominees Are Experienced and Aligned with Shareholders • Great Hill’s candidates have the qualifications, experience and will to address Vitacost’s problems and put the company on track to grow profitably and generate shareholder value • Great Hill’s candidates can provide real value in addressing the significant performance issues facing Vitacost with over 60 years of combined experience in the Internet, eCommerce and direct marketing industries and significant executive and board level public company experience • Great Hill’s candidates would be independent and provide much needed oversight of management • Great Hill is a significant Vitacost shareholder invested in the success of the company and Great Hill’s interests are aligned with those of ALL shareholders |
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Great Hill’s Nominees = Real Change, Real Leadership Ensure that Vitacost’s growth & expansion plans are effectively implemented by management • Maintain existing customer relationships and optimize new customer acquisition through targeted direct marketing campaigns • Further automate distribution centers • Expand SKU count • Manufacture a higher proportion of products in-house • Integrate ERP system with existing software infrastructure • Identify new key leadership to manage critical manufacturing function and further build-out senior and mid-level management Provide appropriate Board-level input going forward, leveraging the nominees’ expertise • To maintain its market position as a high-growth eCommerce company, Vitacost needs to expand its customer base, merchandise and cross-sell effectively, and deliver superior customer service • Great Hill’s nominees have a strong track record of building strategic assets through organic growth initiatives and accretive acquisitions, driving improved operating performance, both in terms of revenue growth and profitability, and ultimately creating shareholder value Redeem the Company’s poison pill • Prevents long-term, growth-oriented investors from purchasing additional shares to support the stock |