Vivendi Universal Acquires FIREFLYFANS.NET in Move to Strengthen Web Audience for Universal Studio's Firefly Movie 'Serenity'

POSTED BY: Haken
UPDATED: Monday, April 12, 2004 22:27
VIEWED: 21049
PAGE 1 of 1

HAKEN

Thursday, April 1, 2004 6:52 PM

FFF.NET is two years old today! As an added bonus, looked what happened to us on this very special day.

Quote:

(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 2004--Vivendi Universal (NYSE: V - news):
Price is $1 per share or approximately $18 Million in Cash and Stock
FIREFLYFANS.NET to Provide Leading-Edge Technology Website for Community and Proliferation of Firefly Content
Multiple Revenue Streams to Enhance Vivendi Universal's Online Strategy
FIREFLYFANS.NET Will Continue to Function as an Independent Distributor of Firefly Related Content for All Firefly fans
Vivendi Universal (Paris Bourse: EX FP; NYSE: V) announced today that it will acquire FIREFLYFANS.NET, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFF - news) for $18 million ($1 per share) in a friendly, combined cash and stock transaction. FIREFLYFANS.NET represents a major acquisition and is expected to strongly reinforce Vivendi Universal's digital efforts in the strategic areas of online entertainment, community, branding, technology and all its content.

FIREFLYFANS.NET shareholders have the ability to elect $1 per share in cash, a number of Vivendi Universal shares (in the form of American Depositary Receipts) having a value of $1, or any combination thereof, subject to aggregate transaction consideration caps of 50% cash consideration and 50% share consideration, which may result in proration. The transaction has been structured as a reorganization that will be tax free to FIREFLYFANS.NET shareholders to the extent they receive Vivendi Universal shares. Consistent with its previous statements, Vivendi Universal will not issue new common shares in this transaction, but will use treasury shares for the share portion of the aggregate transaction consideration. The Board of Directors of FIREFLYFANS.NET has unanimously approved the transaction. Holders of more than 50% of FIREFLYFANS.NET's outstanding shares have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction.

FIREFLYFANS.NET ( www.fireflyfans.net) will maintain its role as the premier distributor of fan-based Firefly content on the Internet. The company will continue to feature content from all fanfic writers and from all fan artists. There are currently over 40,000 artists from more than 130 countries that make their fanfic and art available to Firefly fans through FIREFLYFANS.NET. Currently, more than 75% of online Firefly related content are being promoted on FIREFLYFANS.NET.

Firefly Related Content Online

FIREFLYFANS.NET is a candidate to provide state-of-the-art technical contributions for FIREFLY UNIVERSE and create an online massively multiplayer gaming subscription service. FIREFLY UNIVERSE is expected to launch this summer.

Branding

Vivendi Universal is to acquire one of the top worldwide Internet brands. FIREFLYFANS.NET's brand and web site are well-known to a global online gathering of Firefly fans and artists (Browncoats). The company is expected to contribute a huge audience to Vivendi Universal's already-impressive online entertainment fold. The brand is particularly popular among fans of Firefly, a popluar television series from "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon.

Technology

FIREFLYFANS.NET is a technology leader in the delivery of online Firefly content. Recently, it pioneered the digital content delivery revolution and built The Blue Sun Room, which is designed to connect various segments of the Firefly community through fanfics and art. The Blue Sun Room allows the Firefly fans to interoperate in ways previously unavailable by connecting Firefly fanfic writers, artists, and custom online software tools.

FIREFLYFANS.NET possesses proprietary-patented technology for information distribution and has comprehensive solutions in data management and tracking. FIREFLYFANS.NET's proven distribution technology can power not only textual content, but also video and audio content.

FIREFLYFANS.NET technologists have an exceptional track record of creating industry-leading technology relating to a variety of contents and interfaces that include digital distribution, databases and e-m

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ASTRIANA

Thursday, April 1, 2004 6:57 PM

*Bustin' a gut laughing*

You're a bit of a devil, huh, Haken?

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

SPACEANGLER

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:01 PM

You shouldn't have said the last part, Haken. Might have actually fooled somebody.

WERZBOWSKI

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:07 PM

You son of a...

Nice one Haken. You really had me going with all those super-realistic details. You must have spent a butt load of time cooking that one up.

Well done.

"Wherever you go, there you are."
- Dr. B. Banzai

FLOATER68

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:12 PM

I know nobody will believe me, but I was kinda onto the gag when I hit the part about the $18 million, not that this site isn't worth it.

F68

SERENA

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:37 PM

OMG!!! I TOTALLY fell for that! Right up until I got to the April Fool's part.

Too bad. $18M would be sweet, eh Haken?

Please help Haken keep this site running by clicking on a google ad on the side of the page!

HAKEN

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Floater68:
I was kinda onto the gag when I hit the part about the $18 million, not that this site isn't worth it.

In the old days, before the internet bubble went all kablooey, it might have actually been true.

CHANNAIN

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:42 PM

bewdie, Hakey - well Done!

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

SUCCATASH

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:49 PM

Pretty funny, Haken. Happy Birthday to FFF!

RKLENSETH

Thursday, April 1, 2004 8:34 PM

I posted this on the Official Board just see if anyone will be fooled. I don't think they will as people have already flooded the place with April Fools Joke.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

SOULOFSERENITY

Thursday, April 1, 2004 9:39 PM

Now that was just so wrong and at the same just so ruttin' funny. Beautiful, Haken.

______________________

But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.

SHINY

Thursday, April 1, 2004 10:01 PM

You got me, Haken! I was all ready to sick my lawyers on you for a piece of that $18 Mil. ;p

Please help Haken keep this site running by occasionally clicking on some of the sponsored ad links on the side of the page!

LIVINGIMPAIRED

Thursday, April 1, 2004 11:02 PM

Oh, my god. For a minute there, I absolutely freaked out. This was brilliant. Made my day, Haken.

________________

"Very occasionally, if you really pay attention, life doesn't suck." -- Joss Whedon

MOONSTARRR

Thursday, April 1, 2004 11:55 PM

Hilarious! That was the best joke I've seen all day.

PHOENIXSHIP

Friday, April 2, 2004 12:20 AM

I was thinking, where's my piece of this? Am I a shareholder? I want a dollar.

They fooled me, Jerry.

"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"

RITA

Friday, April 2, 2004 12:45 AM

Oh i was so happy for you. There i was thinking well isn't this brillant his passion for great t.v lead him to build up such a wonderful site and he's rewarded for it profit off his passion. Well i am such a gosh durn chump. Prett funny though

ATILLA

Friday, April 2, 2004 2:23 AM

what a hoot. A really fine April fool.

NRKANGEL

Friday, April 2, 2004 2:32 AM

Absolutely brilliant! I didn't know which was worse, feeling like I'd lost a winning lottery ticket when I hit the bottom of the page or laughing my gorram head off at work. My hat is off to you...wonderful spoof!

LORA

Friday, April 2, 2004 2:38 AM

You made me read all that legalese, on the edge of my seat...I was...waffling...I mean, it would be very cool for you to have $18M for your labor of love -- you could do it full-time and give up your profitable job, but corporate purchase of it would probably diminish the freedom and enjoyment of it...Haken, you are a brilliant, sick, evil man.

Okay. I have my breath back now. I'm relieved.

Keep flyin', Haken. Don't do this to me again until next April Fool's, 'kay? I think I need a cigarette...

"Is there any way I'm gonna get out of this with honor and dignity?"

ROCKETJOCK

Friday, April 2, 2004 2:45 AM

Oh, you're going to the very special level of hell...

"Merely corrorative detail intended to add artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative." ** Pooh-Bah, "The Mikado"

"You can't enslave a free man. The most you can do is kill him." -- Robert A. Heinlein

DBELL46

Friday, April 2, 2004 2:49 AM

An incredible amount of work must have gone into
that prank. You had me. Nice job. Very funny.

If history is remarkably clear on one point, it's
that people don't learn from history.

WANTMORE

Friday, April 2, 2004 3:30 AM

You wicked, wicked Browncoat! I just love your kind of evil! Happy Birthday/Anniversary FFF!

JRC

Friday, April 2, 2004 4:14 AM

Say, uh, that PayPal donation, uh, can I have it back?
Just Kidding!!! April Fools!!! Ha-Ha...ha.........ha.

Everyone dies alone.

LEEH

Friday, April 2, 2004 5:25 AM

Ok that was strangely hilarious--and where the hell did you find the time to whip that up?!

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

SOUTHERNMERC

Friday, April 2, 2004 7:57 AM

FUNHAY!

Jayne: "How big a room?"

CALHOUN

Friday, April 2, 2004 11:59 AM

LOL, you suckers!

I was instantly suspicious and scrolled to the end of the post straight away... you'd have to get up pretty damn early in the mornin to catch me offguard.

CANTTAKESKY

Friday, April 2, 2004 3:58 PM

I had some doubts because Universal got Firefly movie rights, but I wasn't sure they had the right to endorse/produce fanfics, games, images, and other copyrighted material. It seemed more likely that FOX who owns those rights would be in a better place to make this sort of acquisition.

However, wishful thinking brushed aside doubts and I went along for the ride anyway. ;) Good one Haken!

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

NEMESIS21X

Friday, April 2, 2004 6:48 PM

Honestly, that green eyed monster popped up in me when I saw $18 million. All I kept thinking as I read was, "Damn!!! Why didn't I come up with a website for Firefly?" Then I saw "April Fool." Heh heh....pretty funny. Damn!!! Why didn't I come up with that April Fool's joke?

VETERAN

Saturday, April 3, 2004 4:10 AM

Good one Haken.

CAPNRAHN

Saturday, April 3, 2004 1:55 PM

You are a baaaaaaaaaaaad man, Haken!!!

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

WEATHERCOCK

Sunday, April 4, 2004 8:35 PM

Thank the book this was an April Fool's - If not you could have kissed the site goodbye before too long. VU bought MP3.com, remember - only to destroy it.

"I swear by the twelve articles!" - Hey how do I get this to appear next to my name, guys?

MALICIOUS

Sunday, April 4, 2004 11:02 PM

HI-Larious!!

It would have been well deserved, however...

Mal-licious

STICKS

Monday, April 5, 2004 8:30 AM

YEP, YA GOT ME GOIN ASWELL,GOOD APRILS FOOL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FFF.

QUICKSAND

Thursday, April 8, 2004 5:39 AM

Was that entire block o' text supposed to be a joke? Cuz I didn't read it. Seems a long way to go for a damn AFD joke, but, whatever.

Happy Birthday, FFF.N!! Long may you reign! Short may be your Corporate Whoredom! Vive le Fromage!

XOXO

AMDOBELL

Monday, April 12, 2004 10:27 PM

Rats! This would have been ultra cool if true. Ah, but we can dream with the rest of 'em, gorrammit. Nice April Fools. Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me

Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me...