Attached files
| file | filename |
|---|---|
| EX-2.1 - SONIC SOLUTIONS/CA/ | v206529_ex2-1.htm |
| EX-99.1 - SONIC SOLUTIONS/CA/ | v206529_ex99-1.htm |
| 8-K - SONIC SOLUTIONS/CA/ | v206529_8k.htm |
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To:
|
All
Sonic Staff
|
|
From:
|
Dave
Habiger
|
|
Date:
|
December
22, 2010
|
Dear
Colleagues,
As
announced this evening, Sonic Solutions and Rovi Corporation have reached a
definitive agreement for Rovi to acquire Sonic. This is a significant
milestone for all of us at Sonic and for our valued partners, customers, and
shareholders. I believe today’s announcement will be notable for the
broader digital entertainment industry.
For those
of you not familiar with Rovi, the company is a highly regarded leader in
digital home entertainment technology. It has a broad portfolio of
products, services, and patents that encompasses program guide technology,
entertainment data, content protection, networking, and
advertising.
Sonic’s
digital entertainment technologies and platforms complement Rovi’s rich
portfolio. By combining forces, I believe that we create a dynamic
company that will play a pivotal role in the fundamental transition taking place
in digital media distribution and consumption. As outlined in the
press release, the acquisition of Sonic will enable Rovi to deliver scaled
end-to-end solutions for the entire digital entertainment ecosystem of content,
services, and devices. The union of Rovi and Sonic will provide consumers
with more convenient access to digital media content from virtually anywhere and
a far more compelling and interactive entertainment experience.
Naturally,
this announcement will mean changes for us. There are many questions
to be answered and decisions to be made in the coming months. I will
do all that I can to keep
you informed of the important milestones and decisions affecting our company and
careers. To begin the dialogue, I invite you to join an all-hands
meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 9 am (PST) in which Sonic management will be
joined by Fred Amoroso, Rovi president and CEO. Call details will
follow shortly. For those of you unable to listen to the call live, a recording
will be available 24 hours following the call on SNET.
For many
of us who have been here since the beginning, this has been a remarkable
journey. We have had some tremendous wins over the twenty-four years
since Sonic started. Along the way, we were joined by fantastic
individuals and companies who have helped shape and drive our
mission. Collectively, we had a dramatic impact on the way
businesses, professionals, and consumers interact with digital media, and we
should be extremely proud of all that we have accomplished.
As we
move toward the close of this transaction, which Rovi expects to be finalized in
the first quarter of 2011, I ask each of you to remain focused and committed to
your work and perform at the high level that our partners expect and that we
expect of each other.
On a
personal and professional level, I feel extremely blessed to have worked with
people I consider to be some of the brightest and most creative in the digital
media industry. It has truly been an honor, and I want to thank each
and every one of you for your dedication and passion. I believe
Sonic’s vision and technologies will continue to develop and thrive within Rovi,
and we will enable Rovi to extend its value proposition in the digital
entertainment ecosystem.
On behalf
of the entire executive team at Sonic, I wish you a very happy Holiday
Season. Please enjoy and cherish this time with your loved
ones.
Best
regards,
Dave
Habiger
Confidential
– Internal Use Only
Internal
faq
Q.
Are we able to begin to collaborate with Rovi prior to the close of the
acquisition?
A. Prior
to the close, Sonic and Rovi are legally required to continue to operate as
independent businesses, so we cannot execute plans for the combined company
until after the closing.
Q.
I know people at Rovi; may I contact them?
A. We are
asking Sonic employees to refrain from contacting anyone at Rovi until after the
closing of the second-step merger. Prior to closing, integration planning is
being handled by a team tasked with responsibility for the planning. Actual
integration is not allowed to occur until following the closing.
Q.
How will the acquisition impact Sonic employees?
A.
Nothing will be known until after closing.
Q.
What can we say publicly about the acquisition?
A. If you
receive general inquiries regarding the acquisition, you may direct them to the
press release. Customer/partner questions should be filtered through the
appropriate channels. All press inquiries should be directed to
press@rovicorp.com.
Q.
How will the acquisition impact current product plans and
deliverables?
A. The
acquisition should have no impact on current product plans or
deliverables. It is very important that each of us stay committed to
our work and continue performing at the high level expected from our customers,
partners, and colleagues.
Q.
I have additional questions about the acquisition, who should I
ask?
A. Please
direct your questions to your manager.
Confidential
– Internal Use Only