Exhibit (a)(2)
Letter of Transmittal to
Tender Shares of Common Stock
of
24/7 REAL MEDIA, INC.
Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated May 31, 2007
at
$11.75 Net Per Share
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities: 901314203)
by
TS TRANSACTION, INC.
an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
WPP GROUP PLC
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
The Depositary For The Offer Is:
Citibank N.A.
By Mail: Citibank N.A. c/o Computershare Attn: Corporate Actions – Voluntary Offer P.O. Box 43011 Providence RI 02940-3011 | By Overnight Courier: Citibank N.A. c/o Computershare Attn: Corporation Actions – Voluntary Offer 250 Royall Street Canton MA 02021 |
By Facsimile Transmission:
(For Eligible Institutions Only)
(617) 360-6810
Confirm Facsimile Transmission:
(781) 575-2332
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED | ||||||
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s) (Please fill in, if blank, exactly as Name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificate(s)) | Share Certificate(s) Tendered (Attach additional list if necessary) | |||||
Share Certificate Numbers* | Total Number of Shares Evidenced by Share | Number of Shares Tendered** | ||||
Total Shares |
* | Need not be completed by stockholders tendering shares by book-entry transfer. |
** | Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all shares evidenced by the listed share certificates delivered to the Depositary are being tendered. See Instruction 4. |
ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THE OFFER SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION AGENT, D.F. KING & CO., INC., AT THE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS AS SET FORTH ON THE BACK COVER PAGE OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE.
Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER. YOU MUST SIGN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN THE APPROPRIATE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW, WITH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE IF REQUIRED, AND COMPLETE THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 SET FORTH BELOW.
THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by stockholders of outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of 24/7 Real Media, Inc (the “Company”) either if certificates evidencing Shares (the “Share Certificates”) are to be forwarded herewith, or if delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account of Citibank N.A. (the “Depositary”) at the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) (the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”) pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedure described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase, dated May 31, 2007 (the “Offer to Purchase”).Delivery of documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
If (i) Share Certificates are not immediately available; (ii) Share Certificates and all other required documents cannot be delivered to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase); or (iii) the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, stockholders must deliver their Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
¨ | CHECK HERE IF SHARE CERTIFICATES HAVE BEEN MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED. SEE INSTRUCTION 9. |
¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE DEPOSITARY’S ACCOUNT AT ONE OF THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITIES AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
Name(s) of Tendering Institution:
Account Number:
Transaction Code Number:
¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:
If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, Check Box: ¨
Account Number:
Transaction Code Number:
NOTE: | SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY. |
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to TS Transaction, Inc, a Delaware corporation (the “Purchaser”) and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of WPP Group plc (“WPP”), the above-described shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Shares”), of 24/7 Real Media, Inc, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to the Purchaser’s offer to purchase all of the outstanding Shares at $11.75 per Share, net to the seller in cash (subject to applicable withholding taxes), without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated May 31, 2007 (the “Offer to Purchase”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which together with the Offer to Purchase, as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitute the “Offer”). The Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of its affiliates the right to purchase Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, but any such transfer or assignment will not relieve the Purchaser of its obligations under the Offer or prejudice your rights to receive payment for Shares validly tendered and accepted for payment.
Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of Shares tendered herewith, in accordance with the terms of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Purchaser all right, title and interest in and to all Shares that are being tendered hereby and all dividends, distributions (including, without limitation, distributions of additional Shares) and rights declared, paid or distributed in respect of such Shares on or after the date of the Offer (collectively, “Distributions”) and irrevocably appoints the Depositary as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares and any and all Distributions, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver Share Certificates evidencing such Shares and all Distributions, or transfer ownership of such Shares and all Distributions on the account books maintained by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, together, in either case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of the Purchaser, (ii) present such Shares and all Distributions for transfer on the books of the Company and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares and all Distributions, all in accordance with the terms of the Offer.
By executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned irrevocably appoints designees of the Purchaser as attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, in the manner set forth in this Letter of Transmittal, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of the undersigned’s rights with respect to (i) the Shares tendered by the undersigned and accepted for payment by the Purchaser and (ii) any and all non-cash dividends, distributions, rights or other securities issued or issuable on or after the date of the Offer to Purchase in respect of such tendered and accepted Shares. All such proxies shall be considered coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. This appointment will be effective if, when and only to the extent that the Purchaser accepts such Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior proxies given by such stockholder with respect to such Shares and other securities will, without further action, be revoked, and no subsequent proxies may be given nor any subsequent written consents executed (and, if given or executed, will not be deemed effective). The designees of the Purchaser will, with respect to Shares and other securities for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of such stockholder as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual, special, adjourned or postponed meeting of the Company’s stockholders, and the Purchaser reserves the right to require that in order for Shares or other securities to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon the Purchaser’s acceptance for payment of such Shares, the Purchaser must be able to exercise full voting rights with respect to such Shares. The foregoing proxies are effective only upon acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions, and that when such Shares are accepted for payment by the Purchaser, the Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto and to all Distributions, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances (other than those resulting from
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
action of the Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries), and that none of such Shares and Distributions will be subject to any adverse claim (other than those resulting from action of the Purchaser or any of its affiliates). The undersigned, upon request, shall execute and deliver all additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions. In addition, the undersigned shall remit and transfer promptly to the Depositary for the account of the Purchaser, all Distributions in respect of Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer, and, pending such remittance and transfer or appropriate assurance thereof, the Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may withhold the entire purchase price of Shares tendered hereby or deduct from such purchase price the amount or value of such Distribution as determined by the Purchaser in its sole discretion.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including, without limitation, the undersigned’s representation and warranty that the undersigned owns all Shares being tendered.
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6, AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Shares purchased and/or Share Certificates evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned, or if Shares tendered hereby and delivered by book-entry transfer that are not purchased are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than the account indicated above.
Issue:
¨ Check
¨ Share Certificate(s) to:
Name:
(Print)
Address:
(Include Zip Code)
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
(See Substitute Form W-9 Included Herein)
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6, AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Shares purchased and/or Share Certificates evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be mailed to someone other than the undersigned, or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown under “Description of Shares Tendered.”
Mail:
¨ Check
¨ Share Certificate(s) to:
Name:
(Print)
Address:
(Include Zip Code)
��
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
(See Substitute Form W-9 Included Herein)
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
IMPORTANT:
STOCKHOLDERS
SIGN HERE (PLEASE COMPLETE
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 INCLUDED HEREIN)
Signature(s) of Holder(s)
Date:
, 2007
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificates or on a security position listing or by a person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information. See Instruction 5.)
Name:
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title):
Address:
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.:
Tax Identification or Social Security Number:
(See Substitute Form W-9 Included Herein)
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S) (IF REQUIRED—SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
FOR USE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY.
Authorized Signature:
Name:
(Please Print)
Name of Firm:
Address:
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.:
Date: , 2007
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Citibank - UPRR - Corporate Actions - Voluntary
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
1. Guarantee of Signatures.
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program or any other “eligible guarantor institution” (as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (each, an “Eligible Institution”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (i) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Shares) tendered herewith and such holder(s) have not completed the instruction entitled “Special Payment Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.
2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Shares.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used if share certificates representing one or more Shares (the “Share Certificates”) are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) is utilized, if deliveries are to be made by book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Share Certificates for all physically delivered Shares, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof) and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, or an Agent’s Message in the case of a book-entry transfer, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the front page of this Letter of Transmittal by the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). If Share Certificates are forwarded to the Depositary in multiple deliveries, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery. Stockholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available, who cannot deliver their Share Certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender their Shares pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Purchaser, must be received by the Depositary on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (c) Share Certificates representing tendered Shares in proper form for tender, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all Shares, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof), and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within three Nasdaq Stock Market trading days of the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery as provided in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, SHARE CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH ANY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE ELECTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE UNDERSIGNED, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted, and no fractional Shares will be purchased. By executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance for payment of the Shares.
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3. Inadequate Space.
If the space provided herein is inadequate, the Share Certificate numbers, the number of Shares evidenced by such Share Certificates and the number of Shares tendered should be listed on a separate signed schedule and attached hereto.
4. Partial Tenders (not applicable to stockholders who tender by book-entry transfer).
If fewer than all the Shares represented by any Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled “Number of Shares Tendered.” In such case, a new certificate for the remainder of the Shares represented by the old certificate will be sent to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as promptly as practicable following the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Shares represented by certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Share Certificates without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Shares tendered hereby are held of record by two or more persons, all such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any of the Shares tendered hereby are registered in names of different holders, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment of the purchase price is to be made, or Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned, in the name of any person other than the registered holder(s). Signatures on any such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificates for such Shares. Signature(s) on any such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificate or stock power is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Purchaser of the authority of such person so to act must be submitted.
6. Stock Transfer Taxes.
The Purchaser will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the sale and transfer of any Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned in the name of, any person other than the registered holder(s), or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the sale or transfer of Shares to the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer, then the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other person or otherwise) will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted herewith.
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Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates evidencing the Shares tendered hereby.
7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions.
If the check for the purchase price of any Shares purchased is to be issued, or any Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned, in the name of a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if the check or any certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be mailed to someone other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Stockholders tendering Shares by book-entry transfer may request that Shares not purchased be credited to such account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such stockholder may designate under “Special Payment Instructions.” If no such instructions are given, any such Shares not purchased will be returned by crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated above.
8. Substitute Form W-9.
Under U.S. federal income tax laws, the Depositary will be required to withhold 28% of the amount of any payments made to certain stockholders pursuant to the Offer. In order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering stockholder that is a United States citizen, resident or entity, and, if applicable, each other United States payee, must provide the Depositary with such stockholder’s or payee’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certify that such number is correct and that stockholder or payee is not subject to such backup withholding by completing the attached Substitute Form W-9. In general, if a stockholder or payee is an individual, the taxpayer identification number is the social security number of such individual. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct taxpayer identification number, the stockholder or payee may be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Certain stockholders or payees (including, among others, corporations, non-resident foreign individuals and foreign entities) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Exempt United States stockholders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute Form W-9. A tendering stockholder who is a foreign individual, or a foreign entity should complete, sign, and submit to the Depositary the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8. A Form W-8 may be obtained from the Depositary or downloaded from the Internal Revenue Service’s website at the following address:http://www.irs.gov/.
All tendering stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are exempt from these backup withholding and reporting requirements. For further information concerning backup withholding see “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION.”
Failure to complete the Substitute Form W-9 (or other applicable Internal Revenue Service Form) will not, by itself, cause Shares to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Depositary to withhold a portion of the amount of any payments made pursuant to the Offer.NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION” SECTION BELOW AND THE ENCLOSED “GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TIN ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9” FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
9. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.
Any holder of a certificate(s) which represented Shares whose certificate(s) has been mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed should (i) complete this Letter of Transmittal and check the appropriate box above and (ii) immediately contact the Information Agent on 888-605-1958. The Information Agent will provide such holder with all necessary forms and instructions to replace any mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.
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The holder may also be required to give the Company a bond as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to the certificate(s) alleged to have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed. However, there can be no assurances that such mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed certificates will be replaced prior to the expiration date of the Offer. A valid delivery is not constituted until the Depositary receives your valid certificates and a Letter of Transmittal.
10. Waiver of Conditions.
Except as otherwise provided in the Offer to Purchase or the Merger Agreement (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), the Purchaser reserves the right to waive in whole or in part at any time or from time to time any of the specified conditions of the Offer or to waive any defect or irregularity in tender with regard to any Shares tendered.
11. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.
Any questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of this Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other related materials may be obtained from the Information Agent.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED (TOGETHER WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE).
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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
TO COMPLY WITH TREASURY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 230, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT: (A) ANY DISCUSSION OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX ISSUES IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON YOU UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; (B) ANY SUCH DISCUSSION IS INCLUDED HEREIN BY THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMOTION OR MARKETING (WITHIN THE MEANING OF CIRCULAR 230) OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN; AND (C) YOU SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.
Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a stockholder whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment is required by law to provide the Depositary (as payer) with such stockholder’s correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below. If such stockholder is an individual, the TIN is such stockholder’s social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the stockholder may be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and payments that are made to such stockholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to 28% backup withholding.
If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 28% of any payments made to the stockholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
For further information concerning backup withholding and instructions for completing the Substitute Form W-9 (including how to obtain a TIN if you do not have one and how to complete the Substitute Form W-9 if Shares are held in more than one name), consult the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.”
Purpose of Substitute Form W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a United States stockholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the stockholder is required to notify the Depositary of such stockholder’s correct TIN by completing the form below certifying, under penalties of perjury, (i) that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such stockholder is awaiting a TIN), (ii) that such stockholder is not subject to backup withholding because (a) such stockholder has not been notified by the IRS that such stockholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, (b) the IRS has notified such stockholder that such stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding or (c) such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding, and (iii) that such stockholder is a U.S. person.
What Number to Give the Depositary
United States stockholders are required to give the Depositary the social security number or employer identification number of the record holder of the Shares tendered hereby. If the Shares are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidance on which number to report. If the tendering stockholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near future, the stockholder should check the “Awaiting TIN” box in Part II, sign and date the Substitute Form W-9 and complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below. Notwithstanding that the “Awaiting TIN” box is checked in Part II and the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Depositary will withhold 28% of all payments of the purchase price to such stockholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary. Such amounts will be refunded to such surrendering stockholder if a TIN is provided to the Depositary within 60 days.
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PAYOR’S NAME: Citibank N.A.
Substitute | ||||
Form W-9 | Name (As shown on your tax return):
| |||
Address: | ||||
| ||||
(Number and Street) | ||||
| ||||
(City) (State) (Zip Code) |
Department of the | Check appropriate box: | |||||||||||
Treasury | Individual/Sole Proprietor | ¨ | Corporation | ¨ | Exempt from | |||||||
Internal Revenue Service | Partnership | ¨ | Other (specify) | ¨ | Backup Withholding | ¨ |
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) andCertification | Part I—Please provide your taxpayer or employee identification number in the space at right. If awaiting TIN,write “Applied For.”Note: If the account is in more than one name see the chart under Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9. | SSN: or EIN: | ||||
Part II—Awaiting TIN ¨
Part III—Certification. Under penalty of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me);
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, (b) I have not been notified by the IRS that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and
(3) I am a United States person (including a United States resident alien).
Certification Instruction—You must cross out item (2) in Part III above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received notification from the IRS thatyou are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2). | ||||||
Sign Here ð | Signature:
Date: |
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
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NOTE: YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART II OF THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATION OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration office or (2) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 28% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a taxpayer identification number to the payer and that, if I do not provide my taxpayer identification number within sixty days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service as backup withholding.
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Any questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and telephone numbers set forth below. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Information Agent at the address and telephone numbers set forth below. Holders of Shares may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
D.F. King & Co., Inc.
48 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
Banks and Brokers Call: 212-269-5550
All Others Call Toll Free: 888-605-1958
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