Final Results and Acquisition

Kazoo3D PLC 24 April 2001 PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 April 2001 KAZOO3D PLC PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF THE ZOO MEDIA CORPORATION LIMITED CHANGE OF NAME TO ZOO DIGITAL GROUP PLC APPLICATION FOR THE ADMISSION OF THE ENLARGED SHARE CAPITAL TO TRADING ON AIM RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Key Highlights: * Acquisition of the entire issued share capital of The ZOO Media Corporation Limited, a digital media developer and solutions provider, for approximately £6.8 million to be satisfied by the issue of 79.8 million new ordinary shares in Kazoo3D. * Ian Stewart to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Andy Scrivener as Chief Operating Officer, Robert Deri as Chief Financial Officer and John Barnes as Non-Executive Chairman. Stuart Green to become Chief Technology Officer. * Allows Shareholders to participate in a fast growing digital media business run by an experienced management team. * Inclusion of the Kazoo technology within ZOO's application tool set allows the existing business to be developed and commercialised as part of a wider and proven business model. * Change of name to ZOO Digital Group plc to reflect the change in focus of the Company's activities. * Acquisition of ZOO classified as a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules and therefore conditional, inter alia, upon the approval of Shareholders. * Kazoo3D's audited consolidated accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000 show a loss before tax of £4.6 million and net assets of £6.7 million. Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance is the Nominated Adviser to the Company and Rowan Dartington is the Broker to the Company. Gordon Oliver, Chairman of Kazoo3D, commented: 'The acquisition of ZOO Media Corporation provides a platform to develop and commercialise the Kazoo technology. Furthermore, Kazoo3D's assets should accelerate the development of ZOO. 'The Board believes that the proposed deal presents an excellent opportunity to relaunch the Company as a pivotal player in the digital media industry.' Ian Stewart, Executive Chairman of ZOO Media Corporation, commented: 'ZOO has already made a significant impact in the digital media market. The merging of the two businesses will allow the Enlarged Group to take advantage of the increasing use of fixed internet, mobile internet and broadband technologies as marketing and communication tools by our clients.' Enquiries: Kazoo3D plc Tel: 0114 290 0026 Gordon Oliver, Chairman Stuart Green, Chief Executive Officer The ZOO Media Corporation Limited Tel: 0114 241 3700 Ian Stewart Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance Tel: 0113 207 7000 Philip Evans Jim Whittaker Rowan Dartington & Co Limited Tel: 0117 933 0020 Mike Coe Hogarth Partnership Limited Tel: 020 7357 9477 James Longfield Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance, a division of Arthur Andersen, which is authorised to carry on investment business by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and Rowan Dartington, which is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is regulated by The Securities and Futures Authority Limited, are acting solely for Kazoo3D and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kazoo3D for providing the protections afforded to clients of Arthur Andersen and Rowan Dartington or for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 April 2001 KAZOO3D PLC PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF THE ZOO MEDIA CORPORATION LIMITED CHANGE OF NAME TO ZOO DIGITAL GROUP PLC APPLICATION FOR THE ADMISSION OF THE ENLARGED SHARE CAPITAL TO TRADING ON AIM RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Introduction On 13 March 2001 the Board announced that, following its strategic review, it was holding intensive discussions regarding a potential acquisition that might allow the Kazoo3D technology to develop as part of a broader business model. The Board is pleased to announce today that it has concluded these discussions and that the Company has conditionally agreed to acquire the whole of the issued share capital of ZOO Media Corporation, a provider of digital media solutions to the corporate sector. ZOO Media Corporation, established in 1999 by Ian Stewart, owns and develops proprietary software applications and technology tools that seek to address the digital media marketing requirements of medium to large corporate clients. Using its technology tool set, ZOO assists its clients in the enhancement of promotions and communications between their clients and their clients' customers, business partners and employees. The Acquisition The consideration for the Acquisition will be satisfied through the issue of 79,830,937 New Ordinary Shares to the ZOO Shareholders. On the basis of 8.5p per share (being the closing middle market price on 23 April 2001, the last dealing day before this announcement), the Acquisition values ZOO Media Corporation at approximately £6.8 million. Due to the size of ZOO relative to Kazoo3D, the Acquisition will be treated by the London Stock Exchange as a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules and is therefore conditional, inter alia, upon approval of Shareholders. In addition, an application has been submitted to the Panel to request its agreement to waive the requirement to make a general offer for the Company in accordance with Rule 9 of the City Code which will arise as Ian Stewart and others, deemed to be acting in concert, will hold more than 30 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital. Prior to completion of the Acquisition, application will have been made for the Enlarged Share Capital to be admitted to trading on AIM. Such application will be subject to approval of Shareholders of the Acquisition at an extraordinary general meeting. Reasons for the Acquisition At the time of the launch of its website, www.kazoo3d.com, on 29 August 2000, Kazoo3D's strategy was to establish itself as a leading supplier of 3D content to the consumer digital imaging market. Kazoo3D targeted digital imaging web merchants in order to drive customer traffic to Kazoo3D's website. However, click through rates to Kazoo3D's website and the subsequent conversion rate of visitors to customers were extremely disappointing. In response to this, the Board commissioned an independent market review in order to understand the underlying reasons behind the poor performance of the website, as well as the potential level of consumer interest in the Kazoo3D proposition and the effectiveness of the internet as a distribution channel to consumers for Kazoo3D products in the context of the developing digital imaging market. Following the results of this independent market review, the Board announced on 26 January 2001 that it was reviewing all strategic options in relation to the Company. The Board also announced that it was taking action to minimise operating costs and overheads. After examining a number of options, the Board concluded that it would be in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders to acquire ZOO Media Corporation. The Directors believe that the Acquisition will allow Shareholders to participate in a fast growing digital media business run by an experienced management team. The inclusion of the Kazoo technology within ZOO's tool set of digital applications should allow the Kazoo technology to be developed and commercialised as part of a wider and proven business model. Information on ZOO Media Corporation ZOO Media Corporation is a digital media developer and solutions provider. Ian Stewart established ZOO in Sheffield in October 1999, in response to the growing demand for end to end digital media solutions from medium to large companies. ZOO Media Corporation provides corporate clients with fast, effective and innovative solutions that address their digital media needs using multiple delivery channels, including fixed internet, mobile internet and, in the near future, domestic broadband TV. ZOO Media Corporation offers digital solutions through four distinct and inter-related disciplines - marketing, creative, publishing and technology - allowing ZOO to provide a comprehensive end to end service to its clients. ZOO's solutions can be designed to embody in full the appearance and attributes of the client's own brand and business. ZOO Media Corporation seeks to generate revenues through: * the creation and licensing of ZOO owned applications and associated IP; * receiving payment for access to ZOO generated content; * the creation, hosting and maintenance of customer branded digital media content supported by ZOO's applications; and * the development of specific applications and digital media solutions for clients. To date, ZOO Media Corporation has been funded by an investment of approximately £2.2 million from Ian Stewart. A high profile client base has been developed by focusing on the key digital routes in the consumer supply chain, including fixed internet (AOL, Lycos, Yahoo!), mobile internet (Motorola) and domestic broadband TV (Premium TV). ZOO Media Corporation has also recently worked for Michelin, Loaded Magazine, The Football League, The Rugby League World Cup, Sporting Life and Rugbee.com. For the 53 week period from incorporation to 31 August 2000, ZOO made an operating loss of approximately £1.74 million on turnover of approximately £ 62,000. For the six month period to 28 February 2001, ZOO reported turnover of approximately £536,000 and made an operating loss of approximately £373,000. As at 28 February 2001, the net liabilities of ZOO were £708,000. Trading since 28 February 2001 has been in line with the expectations of the directors of ZOO Media Corporation. A number of contract negotiations are at an advanced stage and prospects for the remainder of the current financial year ending 31 August 2001 appear good. ZOO's website is located at www.zoomediacorp.com. Change of Name The Directors believe that, in view of the change in focus of the Company's activities, it is appropriate for the Company's name to be changed. A special resolution will be proposed at an extraordinary general meeting proposing that the Company's name be changed to ZOO Digital Group plc. Board Changes On completion of the Acquisition and in recognition of the new circumstances of the Company, John Barnes will be appointed Non-Executive Chairman, Ian Stewart will become Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Scrivener will become Chief Operating Officer and Robert Deri will become Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. Stuart Green will move from his present position of Chief Executive Officer to Chief Technology Officer of the Company. Christopher Honeyborne will remain as a Non-Executive Director. Gordon Oliver, John Warden and Roy Abrams will resign as directors of the Company following completion of the Acquisition. Following completion of the Acquisition, the board of the Enlarged Group will therefore be constituted as follows: John Barnes, Non-Executive Chairman, aged 51 John has 30 years of general management experience in consumer oriented businesses within Europe and the USA. John held roles with Procter & Gamble, the International Playtex Company and Pepsico. Previously he was Managing Director of Kentucky Fried Chicken (GB) Limited and of the UK rental and retail division of Thorn EMI plc. John joined the new start-up company which acquired the one Harry Ramsden's restaurant in 1988 as Executive Chairman and led its flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and eventual sale to Granada plc in November 1999. He is a Non-Executive Director of Yates Group plc, Caffe Nero plc, Arena Leisure plc and Chairman of Galaxy105 FM Yorkshire (part of the Chrysalis Group). Ian Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, aged 47 Ian Stewart is the Executive Chairman and majority shareholder of ZOO Media Corporation and has had responsibility for the strategic direction of ZOO since founding it in October 1999. Ian founded Gremlin Interactive Limited, a developer and publisher of computer games for consumers, in 1984 and grew that company through organic growth and strategic acquisition until July 1997 when it floated on the London Stock Exchange as Gremlin Group plc. Infogrames SA acquired Gremlin Group plc for £25 million in May 1999. Andrew Scrivener, Chief Operating Office, aged 41 Andrew Scrivener is currently the Managing Director of ZOO Media Corporation and will become Chief Operating Officer of the Enlarged Group. Andrew was previously Technical Director at Sears plc and was responsible for retail design, surveying, engineering and procurement across 15 brands in European and Middle Eastern territories. Robert Deri, Chief Financial Officer, aged 38 Robert Deri joined ZOO Media Corporation in March 2001 as Finance Director. He has responsibility for the financial information and systems of ZOO Media Corporation. Until recently he was the Group Finance Director of Grattan Plc, having joined them in 1998 and, prior to that, held senior positions at BT Mobile, Colorvision PLC and The Burton Group plc. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1987. Dr Stuart Antony Green, Chief Technology Officer, aged 35 Stuart Green is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Kazoo3D and was responsible for forming the Kazoo Technology Group within LightWork Design. He has eleven years' experience of team building and executive management in the software industry. He received a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Bristol in 1989 for his research into computer systems for advanced computer graphics. Dr Christopher Henry Bruce Honeyborne, Non-Executive Director, aged 60 Christopher Honeyborne spent 24 years in banking, gaining experience in a variety of roles with Lazard Brothers, Banque Paribas Group and Bank of N T Butterfield & Son. Since then, he has held a number of high-profile non-executive directorships, including Yorkshire Water plc and Gremlin Group plc. His current non-executive directorships include Birse Group plc, Kunick plc, Bede plc and BWD AIM VCT plc. Terms of service of the Proposed Directors With the exception of Dr Green and Dr Honeyborne, each of the Proposed Directors has entered into a conditional agreement with the Company dated 23 April 2001. Dr Green entered into an executive service agreement and Dr Honeyborne entered into a consultancy agreement on 8 March 2000. The principal terms of these are as follows: Salary/Fees Proposed Director Position (£ per annum) Duration John Barnes Non-Executive Chairman 15,000 2 years Ian Stewart Chief Executive Officer 85,000 12 months Robert Deri Chief Financial Officer 85,000 12 months Andrew Scrivener Chief Operating Officer 85,000 12 months Dr Stuart Green Chief Technology Officer 85,000 12 months Dr Christopher Honeyborne Non-Executive 12,000 12 months The service agreements with the executive Proposed Directors allow for pension contributions of five per cent. of gross salary to be made by the Company, although currently there is no pension scheme in place. They also provide for membership of the Company's medical care scheme for the executive Proposed Director, his spouse and dependants, when introduced. Results of Kazoo3D for the year ended 31 December 2000 and Current Trading For the year ended 31 December 2000, Kazoo3D made a consolidated loss before taxation of £4.6 million on negligible turnover. As at 31 December 2000, the Kazoo3D Group had net assets of £6.7 million. Since the year end, sales generated by Kazoo3D's website have continued to be weak and the Board has taken action to reduce the Company's ongoing operating costs and overheads. It is expected that audited consolidated accounts for Kazoo3D will be posted to Shareholders tomorrow. Recommendation and Irrevocable Undertakings The Board believes the Acquisition to be in the best interests of Kazoo3D and its Shareholders. Accordingly, the Directors will unanimously recommend to the Shareholders that they vote in favour of the resolutions, inter alia, to effect the Acquisition, as the Directors, LightWork Design and the Founding Shareholders have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings which amount, in aggregate, to 45,333,824 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 76.3 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares. Admission to AIM Application will be made for the admission of the Enlarged Share Capital to trading on AIM. Such application will be subject to approval of the Acquisition at an extraordinary general meeting. It is expected that dealings in the New Ordinary Shares will commence on 11 May 2001. Shareholder Document A circular setting out further details relating to, inter alia, the Acquisition and the Rule 9 waiver is expected to be posted to Shareholders tomorrow. Copies of the circular will be available at the offices of Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance, 1 City Square, Leeds, LS1 2AL and Rowan Dartington & Co Limited, Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 4RD. Enquiries: Kazoo3D plc Tel: 0114 290 0026 Gordon Oliver, Chairman Stuart Green, Chief Executive Officer The ZOO Media Corporation Limited Tel: 0114 241 3700 Ian Stewart Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance Tel: 0113 207 7000 Philip Evans Jim Whittaker Rowan Dartington & Co Limited Tel: 0117 933 0020 Mike Coe Hogarth Partnership Limited Tel: 020 7357 9477 James Longfield Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance, a division of Arthur Andersen, which is authorised to carry on investment business by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and Rowan Dartington, which is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is regulated by The Securities and Futures Authority Limited, are acting solely for Kazoo3D and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kazoo3D for providing the protections afforded to clients of Arthur Andersen and Rowan Dartington or for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition. APPENDIX I DEFINITIONS In this announcement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall bear the following meanings: 'Acquisition' the proposed acquisition of the whole of the issued share capital of ZOO Media Corporation by Kazoo3D pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement 'Acquisition the conditional agreement relating to the Acquisition between Agreement' (1) Ian Stewart, Susan Scrivener, Stephen Bailey, ZEST and Alchemy Capital Limited, (2) the Company and (3) Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance 'AIM' the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange 'AIM Rules' the Alternative Investment Market rules published in February 2001 by the London Stock Exchange 'AOL' AOL (UK) Limited 'Arthur Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance, a division of Arthur Andersen Andersen Corporate Finance' 'Board' or the directors of the Company 'Directors' 'City Code' the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers 'Enlarged the Kazoo3D Group as enlarged by the Acquisition Group' 'Enlarged the total issued ordinary share capital of the Enlarged Group Share Capital' 'Founding the founding shareholders of the Company, being R Gordon Oliver, Shareholders' Stuart Green, Mark Dalman, William Newall and Peter Kane 'Kazoo3D' or Kazoo3D plc 'Company' 'Kazoo3D the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Kazoo3D Inc. Group' 'Kazoo3D Inc.' the USA based subsidiary of the Company 'LightWork LightWork Design Limited Design' 'Loaded a magazine published by Emap plc Magazine' 'London Stock London Stock Exchange plc Exchange' 'Lycos' Lycos Europe GmbH 'Motorola' Motorola Limited 'New Ordinary the 79,830,937 new ordinary shares to be issued and credited as Shares' fully paid up pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement 'Ordinary the existing 59,392,647 issued ordinary shares of 0.2p each in Shares' the capital of the Company 'Panel' the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers 'Premium TV' Premium TV Limited 'Proposed the directors who will comprise the board of the Enlarged Directors' Group on completion of the Acquisition 'Rowan Rowan Dartington & Co Limited Dartington' 'Rugbee.com' Rugbee.com Limited 'Rugby League Rugby League World Cup 2000 Limited World Cup' 'Shareholders' holders of Ordinary Shares 'Sporting Life' PA Sporting Life Limited 'Yahoo!' Yahoo UK Limited 'ZEST' ZOO Employee Share Trust Limited 'ZOO Media The ZOO Media Corporation Limited Corporation' or 'ZOO' 'ZOO the holders of 10p ordinary shares in ZOO Media Corporation Shareholders' APPENDIX II GLOSSARY OF TERMS '3D' three dimensional '3D Models' virtual 3D images and objects created by Kazoo3D in the Kazoo Format 'broadband' a high speed method of transmitting data, voice and video 'e-commerce' commercial activities carried out through the internet, computer systems, digital television or WAP 'internet' the global network of inter-connected computer systems providing an electronic medium over which to distribute and exchange information at high speed 'IP' intellectual property, such as patents, designs and copyrights 'Kazoo a secure, proprietary 3D format developed by Kazoo3D Format' 'Kazoo the proprietary technology devised by Kazoo3D which allows images technology' to be converted and securely stored in 3D format and that may be used to enhance visual communications 'WAP' wireless applications protocol; enabling internet pages to be transmitted to mobile internet devices, such as mobile phones 'web a company that operates an e-commerce website merchant' 'website' a location on the worldwide web, comprising one or more web pages of content, identified by a unique address and managed by an individual, corporation or other organisation 'www.kazoo3d.com' the website address of Kazoo3D which allows visitors to acquire 3D Models 'www.zoomediacorp.com' the website address of ZOO Media Corporation
UK 100

Latest directors dealings