Business Services Industry

Tokyo-based CYBIRD Co. to Acquire Airborne Entertainment Inc

Business Wire, June 21, 2005

TORONTO -- CYBIRD Co., Ltd. (OTC, JASDAQ, stock code: 4823), one of Japan's pre-eminent mobile media companies and a pioneer in mobile content services, announced today it has agreed to acquire Airborne Entertainment Inc. ("Airborne"), one of North America's leading mobile entertainment companies, in a transaction valued at approximately US$90 million.

The acquisition forms an unprecedented alliance between two of the mobile world's most successful and innovative content companies, with CYBIRD benefiting from Airborne's rich library of original and branded content and its strong distribution throughout North American wireless carriers.The deal also positions Airborne, which becomes an independent subsidiary of CYBIRD, as a global force by leveraging CYBIRD's proven international vision and relationships.CYBIRD is publicly traded in Japan and has a market capitalization of approximately US$457 million.

Wellington Financial Fund II ("Wellington"), a privately-held specialty finance firm, advanced $3 million in financing to Airborne in April 2004, which will be retired at closing.

About Wellington Financial LP

Founded in 2000, Wellington Financial LP is a privately-held $83 million specialty finance bridge lending, term and venture debt firm, providing debt financing for private and public companies in its chosen fields.Wellington transactions are generally between $2 million and $10 million, but the fund has issued term sheets up to $30 million due to its ability to syndicate transactions.Wellington clients vary in size, sector and business model, but generally have current year revenue of at least $5 million.Wellington is managed by a partnership controlled by Fund management and Clairvest Group Inc. (CVG:TSX), who jointly have contributed a large financial stake to Fund II.Wellington's limited partners include several Canadian institutional investors, such as pension funds, life insurance companies and money managers.Please visit our website at www.wellingtonfund.com.

About Airborne Entertainment Inc.

Airborne Entertainment is a leading provider and publisher of premier mobile entertainment content and applications, including games, images, video, ringtones, ringbacktones and informational content.Airborne's product portfolio consists of original and branded properties including, Family Guy(TM), Donald Trump's Real Estate Tycoon(TM), Speed TV Mobile(TM), Maxim ToGo(TM) and Cosmo Mobile(TM). Airborne's products are available across wireless carriers in North America and Europe and the company provides retailers and branded destinations the ability to reach mobile consumers directly via premium and promotional channels.For more information, visit www.airborne-e.com.

Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG)

COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
 

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