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Online Dating Magazine > Online Dating News > Udate and Kiss.com Acquisition

USA Interactive to Acquire Udate.com and Kiss.com

(onlinedatingmagazine.com - December 19, 2002) USA Interactive has entered into an agreement to acquire uDate.com, Inc., a global online personals group based in Derby, England, which provides dating and matchmaking services through Udate.com and Kiss.com, for approximately $150 million in USA common stock (subject to various adjustments). For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, uDate reported revenue of $29.2 million, representing growth of 135.6% over the same period in 2001. USA expects the acquisition of uDate to be accretive over the next several years.

The personals category, which is still in its infancy, has enormous potential for growth, as demonstrated by the success of USA's Match.com. As a result of the transaction, the strengths of the Match.com and uDate teams, and their products, will better serve the ever-increasing demand of consumers who choose to find their potential romantic matches via the Internet.

"Our acquisition of uDate, in combination with our continued investment in Match.com, underscores USA's commitment to the personals business," said John Pleasants, President and CEO of Ticketmaster and incoming President of USA's Information & Services group. "uDate's track record of strong growth, combined with its culture of innovation, and excellent management team, make it a perfect fit for our operations."

"We are pleased to join the USA family," said Mel Morris, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, uDate. "We believe the opportunity to combine our efforts with USA's collection of strong online brands is truly exciting. The support and backing of USA will enhance our ability to fully capitalize on this rapidly growing category."

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2003, subject to standard closing conditions and approvals. Pursuant to a voting agreement with USA, Atlas Trust Company (Jersey) Limited, as Trustee of the Internet Investments Inc. Employee Shares Trust and Lee Zehrer, who together hold a majority of the uDate common shares, have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction at the uDate shareholder meeting.

uDate was advised in the transaction by Broadview International.



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