Three Leading Proxy Advisory Firms Recommend Voting 'FOR' On2 Merger With Google
December 08 2009 - 8:35AM
PR Newswire (US)
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On2
Technologies, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ONT) today announced that three
leading independent proxy advisory firms have recommended to their
subscribers that On2's stockholders vote "FOR" the company's
previously announced merger proposal with Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)
and one of Google's wholly-owned subsidiaries. RiskMetrics Group,
Inc., Glass Lewis & Co., and PROXY Governance, Inc. all
recommend that On2 stockholders vote to approve both the proposal
to merge with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Google and the proposal
to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional
proxies in favor of the proposed merger. RiskMetrics concluded
their analysis by stating, "Given the substantial premium, the
growth potential opportunity for On2 shareholders given their
equity ownership in Google, and the reasonable breakup fee as a
percentage of enterprise value, the merger agreement warrants
shareholder support."* Glass Lewis expressed its belief that, "On2
would have a difficult time finding a buyer willing to pay a
significantly higher price than Google's offer, despite the value
of On2's proprietary technology, and that the purchase price is
fair..." In addition, Glass Lewis stated, "We have little concern
for the financial interests tied to the merger of current On2
executives. We also view the termination fee as a low barrier for
another potential buyer to step forward...we believe the proposed
transaction is in the best interest of shareholders."* PROXY
Governance concluded its report by saying, "We support this
transaction because it appears to make strategic sense and place a
fair value on the company based on the overall market reaction and
the premium offered. We also support the board's early and active
engagement in the process."* The merger proposal must be adopted by
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of On2 Common
Stock as of December 3, 2009, the voting record date for the
special meeting. On2 encourages all of its stockholders to vote
their shares promptly by phone, internet or by mailing their proxy
card prior to the special meeting date of December 18, 2009. On2's
Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" the
adoption of the merger proposal and "FOR" the adjournment proposal.
Stockholders who require assistance in voting their shares may call
On2's proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A, toll-free at (877)
456-3488, or internationally at +1 (412) 232-3565. *Permission to
use quotations was neither sought nor obtained. About On2
Technologies On2 creates advanced video compression technologies
that power the video in today's leading desktop and mobile
applications and devices. On2 customers include Adobe, Skype,
Nokia, Infineon, Sun Microsystems, Mediatek, Sony, Brightcove, and
Move Networks. On2 is also an industry leader in video transcoding
software and services. On2 Technologies is headquartered in Clifton
Park, New York. For more information visit http://www.on2.com/.
Additional Information and Where to Find It Google filed a
Registration Statement with the SEC in connection with the proposed
merger, which includes a Proxy Statement of On2 and also
constitutes a Prospectus of Google. The definitive proxy
statement/prospectus has been mailed to holders of On2 Common Stock
identified as of October 20, 2009, which is the notice record date
for the special meeting. The Registration Statement and the proxy
statement/prospectus contain important information about Google,
On2, the proposed merger and related matters. Investors and
security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement and
the proxy statement/prospectus (including all amendments and
supplements to it) carefully. Investors and security holders may
also obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the proxy
statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by
Google and On2 through the web site maintained by the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov/ and by contacting Google Investor Relations at
+1-650-253-7663 or On2 Investor Relations at +1-518-881-4299. In
addition, investors and security holders can obtain free copies of
the documents filed with the SEC on Google's website at
investor.google.com and on On2's website at http://www.on2.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this
communication contains forward-looking statements, which involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. All statements included in this
communication, other than statements of historical fact, that
address activities, events or developments that On2 expects,
believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. These statements represent On2's
reasonable judgment on the future based on various factors and
using numerous assumptions and are subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
outcomes and/or On2's financial position to differ materially from
those contemplated by the statements. You can identify these
statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to
historical or current facts. They use words such as "believe,"
"expect," "will," "anticipate," "should," "plans" and other words
of similar meaning. On2 cautions readers that any forward-looking
information is not a guarantee of future performance and that
actual results could differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking information. Investors should not rely on
forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of
risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from On2's expectation. Risks and
uncertainties include, among others: the extent to which On2 will
continue to incur operating losses in the future; the risk that the
conditions to merger set forth in the agreement and plan of merger
will not be satisfied and the transaction will not be consummated;
uncertainties as to the timing of the merger; uncertainties as to
whether holders of On2 Common Stock will approve the merger
proposal at the On2 special meeting; changes in On2's business
during the period between now and the effective time of the merger
that could cause a condition to closing not to be satisfied; as
well as other factors detailed in On2's and Google's filings with
the SEC, including the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, and
subsequent SEC filings. Additional information concerning risk
factors is contained from time to time in On2's SEC filings. On2
expressly disclaims any obligation to update the information
included herein are not exhaustive. DATASOURCE: On2 Technologies,
Inc. CONTACT: Investors: Garo Toomajanian, , +1-518-881-4299 Web
Site: http://www.on2.com/
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