Global Traffic Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNET), a leading provider of
custom traffic and news reports to radio and television stations outside
the United States, today announced that it has entered into a definitive
merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of GTCR, LLC ("GTCR"),
a leading private equity firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Global stockholders will receive
$14.00 in cash for each share of Global's common stock, which represents
approximately a 20.0% premium over the closing price on
Tuesday, August 2, 2011 and a 22.7% premium based on the 60-day volume
weighted average price of $11.41.
The acquisition of Global will be completed through a cash tender offer
for all outstanding shares of Global's common stock that is expected to
commence shortly. The tender offer will be subject to customary
conditions, including that there be validly tendered in the tender offer
and not withdrawn a number of shares which represents at least a
majority of the shares of common stock then issued and outstanding,
excluding from such calculation shares held by Global's executive
officers. The transaction is not subject to any financing condition. The
tender offer will be followed by a merger in which each share of common
stock not acquired in the tender offer will be converted into the right
to receive $14.00 per share in cash, without interest. Upon completion
of the transaction, Global will become a private company, controlled by
an affiliate of GTCR. The transaction is expected to be completed by the
fourth quarter of 2011.
Global has the right under the merger agreement to solicit competing
bids during a period expiring on September 13, 2011. Subject to certain
requirements of the merger agreement, Global may negotiate with parties
that submit qualifying competing proposals during the initial
solicitation period for a period expiring on October 1, 2011. The tender
offer is required to remain until the completion of the solicitation
period, and if applicable, the subsequent negotiation period.
Global's Board of Directors has, based on the unanimous recommendation
of a Special Committee comprised solely of independent directors,
approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Mr. Yde said: "We believe the sale price of $14.00 per share represents
compelling value for our stockholders. This price is both a significant
premium over the current trading price and represents an all-time high
for the stock. The purchase price also represents an almost 200%
increase from our initial public offering of $5.00 in March 2006."
Moelis & Company and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP are serving as
financial and legal advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company, respectively. Latham & Watkins LLP is serving
as legal adviser to GTCR.
Conference Call
Global Traffic Network, Inc. will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m.
EST on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, to discuss this transaction and other
relevant matters. To listen to the call, dial (877) 303-9131 (domestic),
or (408) 337-0141 (international), and enter the pass code 89193915.
About Global Traffic Network
Global is a leading provider of custom traffic and news reports to radio
and television stations outside the U.S. The Company operates the
largest traffic and news network in Australia, operates traffic networks
in eight Canadian markets and the largest national radio traffic network
across the United Kingdom. In exchange for providing custom traffic and
news reports, television and radio stations provide Global Traffic
Network with commercial airtime inventory that the Company sells to
advertisers. As a result, radio and television stations incur no
out-of-pocket costs when contracting to use Global Traffic Network's
services. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.globaltrafficnetwork.com.
Important Notice
This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an
offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of
Global's common stock. The tender offer described herein has not yet
been commenced.
Global will file a solicitation/recommendation statement with the SEC in
connection with the tender offer, and, if required, will file a proxy
statement or information statement with the SEC in connection with the
second-step merger. Stockholders are strongly advised to read these
documents if and when they become available because they will contain
important information about the tender offer and the proposed merger.
Stockholders would be able to obtain a free copy of the
solicitation/recommendation statement and the proxy statement or
information statement as well as other filings containing information
about Global, the tender offer and the merger, if any, when available,
without charge, at the SEC's internet site (http://www.sec.gov).
In addition, copies of the solicitation/recommendation statement, the
proxy statement or information statement and other filings containing
information about Global, the tender offer and the merger may be
obtained, if and when available, without charge, by directing a request
to Global Traffic Network, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, Phil
Carlson, KCSA Strategic Communications, 880 Third Avenue 6th Floor, New
York, NY 10022, pcarlson@kcsa.com,
or on Global's website at (www.globaltrafficnetwork.com).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the
U.S. federal securities law which are based on our current expectations
and assumptions, which are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated, projected or implied, including, among other things,
risks relating to the expected timing of the completion and financial
benefits of the tender offer and the merger. We undertake no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
