HSW International and NetEase Enter Content Distribution Relationship in China

HSW International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSWI), a US-based developer and operator of Internet businesses focused on providing locally relevant, high quality information, today announced a content distribution and branding relationship for its BoWenWang website with NetEase (Nasdaq: NTES), one of China's largest web portals with over 500 million page views per day. BoWenWang, at http://bowenwang.com.cn, is a leading online source for knowledge and high quality information in China. NetEase will feature BoWenWang's high-quality, credible articles on a BoWenWang branded section of NetEase's portal, allowing NetEase users convenient access to vast amounts of professional, high quality information. NetEase will also provide promotional links as part of the relationship, directing users to BoWenWang for additional related content.

Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Announces Receipt of 'Going Private' Proposal at $5.50 Per Share

Playboy Enterprises, Inc. ("PEI") (NYSE: PLA, PLAA) today announced that its board of directors has received a proposal from Hugh M. Hefner ("Hefner") to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of PEI not currently owned by Hefner for $5.50 per share in cash.  Hefner owns 69.5% of PEI's Class A common stock and 27.7% of PEI's Class B common stock.  According to the proposal letter, Hefner has had discussions with Rizvi Traverse Management LLC ("Rizvi Traverse"), with whom Hefner expresses an intention to partner in connection with the transaction.  The proposal letter also states that Rizvi Traverse informed Hefner that it had contacted major lenders regarding potential financing and that Rizvi Traverse is highly confident ample financial resources will be available to complete the transaction.  

Akamai Reports First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKAM)

• Revenue of $240.0 million, up 14 percent year-over-year
• GAAP net income of $40.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, up 10 percent year-over-year
• Fully taxed normalized net income* of $66.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, up 14 percent year-over-year
• Board of Directors authorizes $150 million extension of share repurchase program

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKAM ), the leader in powering video, dynamic transactions and enterprise applications online, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Revenue for the first quarter 2010 was $240.0 million, a 14 percent increase over first quarter 2009 revenue of $210.4 million, and a 1 percent increase over fourth quarter 2009 revenue of $238.3 million.

SkillSoft Announces Agreement on the Terms of a Recommended Acquisition for Cash by Private Investor Group

SkillSoft PLC ( SKIL ), a leading Software as a Service (SaaS) provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses, today announced that it has reached agreement on the terms of a recommended acquisition of the Company by a new company formed by funds sponsored by each of Berkshire Partners LLC, Advent International Corporation and Bain Capital Partners, LLC (together, the “Investor Group”). Under the terms of the recommended acquisition, SkillSoft shareholders will receive $10.80 in cash for each SkillSoft ordinary share or American Depositary Share (“ADS”), representing a 26% premium to the average closing price of SkillSoft’s ADS over the one-year period ended on February 11, 2010 and a 49% premium to the average closing price of SkillSoft’s ADS over the five-year period ended on February 11, 2010. The fully diluted equity value of the transaction is approximately $1.1 billion.