1
EXHIBIT 99.1
Wednesday February 9, 4:08 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: PopMail.com, inc
PopMail.com, inc. Completes Merger with Iz.com
* Jesse Berst named Chief Operating Officer of PopMail.com, inc. * Content focus
added to distribution
DALLAS, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- PopMail.com, inc. (Nasdaq: POPM - news), a
leading permission- and affinity-based email marketing company for the
broadcast, media, sports, and entertainment industries, today announced it has
completed the merger of online convergent media company Iz.com.
In conjunction with the closing of the acquisition, the Company completed a
$6.75 million private placement of common stock. In addition to each share of
common stock sold, a warrant was attached. This financing will be used for
working capital, sales, marketing, and further development of member lists.
Stephen D. King, CEO of PopMail.com, inc, stated, "We are pleased to announce
the merger with Iz.com. We now have additional tools to help clients monetize
email. PopMail.com's approach drives traffic to their Web sites and to their
real-world operations, such as TV stations and sports teams. Our affinity
marketing builds loyal subscribers that are more inclined to open the email and
more inclined to buy." By combining PopMail's permission-based email and
Iz.com's management and resources, PopMail.com is positioned to expand its
member base and grow revenues. The acquisition of Iz.com also adds extensive
entertainment management experience. This will enhance the Company's ability to
acquire a larger client base in the entertainment sector, as well as attract and
retain new affinity members. As of February 8, 2000, PopMail.com had signed
contracts with 750 companies in the broadcast, media, sports and entertainment
industries.
Board and Management Additions
Internet email pioneer Jesse Berst has officially joined the Board of
PopMail.com, inc. In addition to his strategic role as Board member, Berst will
join the Company on a full-time basis as Chief Operating Officer of PopMail.com,
inc. Prior to joining PopMail.com, Mr. Berst was a Vice President at ZDNet.
Berst will occupy the Board seat recently vacated by Mr. Anderson who has
resigned from the Board to pursue other business interests.
Jesse Berst, in the office of Chief Operating Officer, will be directly
responsible for strategy and policy regarding monetization of PopMail.com's
email database. In addition, Mr. Berst will head content development, as well as
Internet and email strategic initiatives.
1
2
Commenting on Mr. Berst's role as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. King continued,
"We are fortunate to attract a senior executive of Jesse's experience and
caliber who has not only been successful in acquiring knowledge of the
technology sector over the past two decades, but who also possesses the ability
to pass his knowledge on to an audience of eager listeners. Jesse's background
in the Internet and publishing industry will allow us to more rapidly grow our
four main verticals, while his proven, hands on experience in the email
messaging arena will assist in revenue and member growth. His ability to provide
valuable content to drive revenue and monetize PopMail's current and growing
member base will prove valuable going forward."
Jesse Berst is editorial director of ZDNet's popular AnchorDesk website. His
"Berst Alerts" go out via email to millions of subscribers every week.
AnchorDesk will continue to be published through its contract with Iz.com.
Jesse Berst is one of the world's most widely known technology commentators.
Named "Most Prominent Cyber Journalist" by the 1999 PRESStige awards and one of
the world's most influential tech journalists by Marketing Computers Magazine,
he is the originator and editorial director of ZDNet AnchorDesk, the Internet's
most popular site for technology news analysis. AnchorDesk was named one of
eight "Web Sites We Can't Live Without" by Fast Company Magazine and chosen
"Best Overall Web Site" by the Society of Professional Journalists.
Mr. Berst's columns have appeared in many of the leading computer magazines in
the US, Europe and Asia, including PC Computing and PC World (Japan). He is a
popular keynote speaker and moderator at computer conferences and expositions
and has appeared at dozens of international, national and regional events
including Comdex, Seybold Seminars, Windows World, Windows Solutions, and many
more. Jesse is widely quoted for his industry expertise in publications such as
The Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, Business Week, The New York Times, and
dozens more. For several years, he was the anchor of CyberNews, a technology
news segment for NorthWest CableNews. He has appeared on Good Morning America,
ABC World News Tonight, CNBC, CNN, CBS Radio News and numerous other television
and radio programs.
Mr. Berst has also authored or co-authored numerous computer books. His most
recent effort is The Magnet Effect: What comes next in the Internet and how to
know in time to cash in, due this summer from McGraw-Hill.
Iz.com is rich in personnel and possesses strengths in media, Internet, and
television production. Because of this, the Company expects to make further
announcements regarding increased management responsibilities and future Board
additions. This focused media Internet strategy, combining content and
distribution will allow the Company to continue to grow its member base and
revenues.
About PopMail.com, inc.
PopMail.com, inc. is a "permission marketing" and "affinity-based" email
marketing company, serving the needs of individual businesses in a one-on-one
relationship with their customers. The
2
3
Company targets four main vertical markets for its network services: Broadcast,
Media, Sports and Entertainment industries. Companies in these vertical markets
typically have customers who have a strong affinity towards their products and
services, such as a favorite sports team, radio station or upcoming broadcast or
publication. Combining these email services allows companies to cut through the
clutter and inefficiencies of traditional marketing and begin promoting and
branding more effectively and efficiently to their viewers, listeners, fans and
customers on the topics and items that are of interest to them.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe- harbor"
for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press
release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written
statements made by or to be made by the Company) contains statements that are
forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion. Such
forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that
could significantly affect anticipated results in the future; and accordingly,
such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statement
made by or on behalf of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, completion of definitive purchase agreements, ability to
obtain needed capital, ability to attract and retain key and other personnel,
those relating to development activities, dependence on existing management,
leverage and debt service, domestic or global economic conditions, and changes
in customer preferences and attitudes. For more information, review the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: PopMail.com, inc
3