This will answer a lot of your questions, a ton of info but worth the read:
AMS previously entered into purchase agreements with Baker & Taylor, Inc. for the sale of the majority of AMS's assets, and with Perseus Books, L.L.C. for the sale of certain assets of its debtor subsidiary Publishers Group West, Inc.; both of these prior sales were approved by the Bankruptcy Court and have closed.
Baker & Taylor acquires book distributor
Charlotte Business Journal - March 19, 2007
Baker & Taylor Inc. has acquired the wholesale operations of Advanced Marketing Services Inc., a California distributor of books to membership wholesale clubs.
Baker & Taylor will operate the warehouse-club business under a new brand, Baker & Taylor Marketing Services.
Baker & Taylor also acquired Advanced Marketing's wholesale distribution operations in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
Charlotte-based Baker & Taylor is a distributor of books, videos, music and electronic games to the library and retail markets. The company is owned by a private-equity investment fund organized and managed by Castle Harlan Inc. of New York.
Founded in 1828, Baker & Taylor serves customers in 125 countries.
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2007/03/19/daily8.html
No 06/14/06 15-12G 15-12G filed,
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2007--Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MKTS) (the "Company"), today announced that it has completed the sale of the majority of its assets to Baker & Taylor, Inc. ("B&T"), the world's largest book distributor, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 16, 2007, as amended.
The Company filed a petition pursuant to chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on December 29, 2006, and became a debtor-in-possession. The sale to B&T was conducted pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, was subject to an auction process, and was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on March 9, 2007. No other bids were received.
The Company previously entered into a purchase agreement with Perseus Books, L.L.C., in connection with the sale of certain assets of the Company's Publishers Group West Incorporated subsidiary; that sale also was approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. Announces Adoption of Stockholder Rights Plan
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2005--Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MKTS) (the "Company") announced that it has adopted a stockholder rights plan to discourage abusive takeover tactics and to provide the Company's Board of Directors with sufficient time to respond appropriately to a takeover attempt and seek alternative opportunities, if appropriate, to maximize stockholder value. The rights will be issued as a dividend to stockholders of record on August 22, 2005. The plan will expire on August 9, 2008.
Under the plan, if an entity acquires more than 15% of the Company's stock, or in the event of a squeeze-out merger, holders of the rights would be entitled to purchase either the Company's stock or stock in the merged entity at half of market value. The ownership by an entity of more than 15% of the Company's stock as of today's date, however, will not cause the rights to be exercisable provided that the entity does not subsequently acquire additional shares of the Company's stock.
The Company will be entitled to redeem the rights for a nominal amount at any time until the tenth day following public announcement that a 15% position has been acquired.
Details will be mailed to stockholders.
CONTACT: Advanced Marketing Services, Inc.
Gary Lloyd, 858-450-3514
The Company also announced that, as contemplated following the completion of the sale to B&T, Curtis R. Smith, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has succeeded Gary M. Rautenstrauch as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Smith will supervise the final winding-down of the Company's business operations. Mr. Rautenstrauch will remain a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
Finally, the Company announced that, in connection with the pending chapter 11 proceeding, it is not anticipated that any payments will be made with respect to outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
About B&T
B&T, founded in 1828, is the world's leading distributor of books, video, and music products to public and academic libraries. It is also a global leader in the distribution of books and entertainment products to many of the country's leading brick and mortar retailers, Internet retailers, as well as thousands of independent book, music and video stores. B&T is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and is ranked in the top 250 U.S. private companies by Forbes magazine. It serves customers in 125 countries around the world and has six distribution facilities strategically located throughout the country. B&T is a portfolio company of Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P.
Forward-looking statements in this public announcement are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Media and Stockholders:
MWW Group for AMS
Rich Tauberman, 201-507-9500
rtauberman@mww.com
or
Baker & Taylor, Inc.
Jenny Johnson, 704-998-3190
johnsonj@btol.com
Advanced Marketing Services Announces Agreements for Sale of Bookwise, Publishers Group UK, and H.I. Marketing
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2007--Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MKTS) ("AMS"), today announced that on April 5, 2007 it entered into two separate stock purchase agreements to sell all of the capital stock of Publishers Group UK Ltd. and H.I. Marketing Ltd. to Cathy Parson and Medwyn Hughes and to sell all of the capital stock of Bookwise International Pty Ltd. and Bookwise Asia Pte Ltd. to Brumby Books Holdings Pty Ltd. ("Brumby Books"). Each transaction is subject to higher and better offers.
AMS and certain domestic subsidiaries filed petitions pursuant to chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on December 29, 2006, and have been operating as debtors-in-possession since then. On April 6, 2007, AMS filed motions with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware requesting approval of the sale transactions under section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Following the completion of a bidding process and an auction, if necessary, AMS anticipates that both sale transactions will close by May 1, 2007 pursuant to the requirements of the stock purchase agreements.
"We have dealt with Bookwise for many years and we have great respect for its people and its publishers," commented the Managing Director of Brumby Books. He continued, "This agreement with AMS, once consummated, will bring together our two distribution businesses and will provide the scale for these businesses to compete more effectively in the highly competitive Australasian marketplace. There are great similarities and synergies between our businesses and we are excited about the opportunities ahead."
Medwyn Hughes stated, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to acquire Publishers Group UK and H.I. Marketing. We believe that as a private company we can deliver the service excellence required to satisfy both our client publishers and customers." "We would like to thank all the publishers for their support over the last few months. This is an opportunity for us to take the company back to its roots," added Cathy Parson.
AMS previously entered into purchase agreements with Baker & Taylor, Inc. for the sale of the majority of AMS's assets, and with Perseus Books, L.L.C. for the sale of certain assets of its debtor subsidiary Publishers Group West, Inc.; both of these prior sales were approved by the Bankruptcy Court and have closed.
As previously announced, in connection with the pending chapter 11 proceeding, AMS does not anticipate that any payments will be made with respect to outstanding shares of AMS's common stock.
About Cathy Parson and Medwyn Hughes
Cathy Parson and Medwyn Hughes have worked together in the book distribution business for over 25 years. In 1992 they founded H.I. Marketing Ltd. and, prior to selling to AMS in 2002, had developed it into one of the premier sales and marketing agencies in the United Kingdom. They currently manage Publishers Group UK in the respective roles of Commercial Director and Divisional Director.
About Brumby Books
Brumby Books was founded in the mid 1980's and has operated on a consistently profitable basis since then. It was purchased by its current owners in 2004 whose strategy has been to grow organically and to acquire similarly positioned distribution businesses where consolidation opportunities exist. The company is privately owned and is headquartered near Melbourne.
Forward-looking statements in this public announcement are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Media and Stockholders:
MWW Group for AMS
Rich Tauberman, 201-507-9500
rtauberman@mww.com
AMS previously entered into purchase agreements with Baker & Taylor, Inc. for the sale of the majority of AMS's assets, and with Perseus Books, L.L.C. for the sale of certain assets of its debtor subsidiary Publishers Group West, Inc.; both of these prior sales were approved by the Bankruptcy Court and have closed.
Baker & Taylor acquires book distributor
Charlotte Business Journal - March 19, 2007
Baker & Taylor Inc. has acquired the wholesale operations of Advanced Marketing Services Inc., a California distributor of books to membership wholesale clubs.
Baker & Taylor will operate the warehouse-club business under a new brand, Baker & Taylor Marketing Services.
Baker & Taylor also acquired Advanced Marketing's wholesale distribution operations in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
Charlotte-based Baker & Taylor is a distributor of books, videos, music and electronic games to the library and retail markets. The company is owned by a private-equity investment fund organized and managed by Castle Harlan Inc. of New York.
Founded in 1828, Baker & Taylor serves customers in 125 countries.
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2007/03/19/daily8.html
No 06/14/06 15-12G 15-12G filed,
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2007--Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MKTS) (the "Company"), today announced that it has completed the sale of the majority of its assets to Baker & Taylor, Inc. ("B&T"), the world's largest book distributor, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 16, 2007, as amended.
The Company filed a petition pursuant to chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on December 29, 2006, and became a debtor-in-possession. The sale to B&T was conducted pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, was subject to an auction process, and was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on March 9, 2007. No other bids were received.
The Company previously entered into a purchase agreement with Perseus Books, L.L.C., in connection with the sale of certain assets of the Company's Publishers Group West Incorporated subsidiary; that sale also was approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. Announces Adoption of Stockholder Rights Plan
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2005--Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MKTS) (the "Company") announced that it has adopted a stockholder rights plan to discourage abusive takeover tactics and to provide the Company's Board of Directors with sufficient time to respond appropriately to a takeover attempt and seek alternative opportunities, if appropriate, to maximize stockholder value. The rights will be issued as a dividend to stockholders of record on August 22, 2005. The plan will expire on August 9, 2008.
Under the plan, if an entity acquires more than 15% of the Company's stock, or in the event of a squeeze-out merger, holders of the rights would be entitled to purchase either the Company's stock or stock in the merged entity at half of market value. The ownership by an entity of more than 15% of the Company's stock as of today's date, however, will not cause the rights to be exercisable provided that the entity does not subsequently acquire additional shares of the Company's stock.
The Company will be entitled to redeem the rights for a nominal amount at any time until the tenth day following public announcement that a 15% position has been acquired.
Details will be mailed to stockholders.
CONTACT: Advanced Marketing Services, Inc.
Gary Lloyd, 858-450-3514
The Company also announced that, as contemplated following the completion of the sale to B&T, Curtis R. Smith, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has succeeded Gary M. Rautenstrauch as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Smith will supervise the final winding-down of the Company's business operations. Mr. Rautenstrauch will remain a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
Finally, the Company announced that, in connection with the pending chapter 11 proceeding, it is not anticipated that any payments will be made with respect to outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
About B&T
B&T, founded in 1828, is the world's leading distributor of books, video, and music products to public and academic libraries. It is also a global leader in the distribution of books and entertainment products to many of the country's leading brick and mortar retailers, Internet retailers, as well as thousands of independent book, music and video stores. B&T is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and is ranked in the top 250 U.S. private companies by Forbes magazine. It serves customers in 125 countries around the world and has six distribution facilities strategically located throughout the country. B&T is a portfolio company of Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P.
Forward-looking statements in this public announcement are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Media and Stockholders:
MWW Group for AMS
Rich Tauberman, 201-507-9500
rtauberman@mww.com
or
Baker & Taylor, Inc.
Jenny Johnson, 704-998-3190
johnsonj@btol.com
Advanced Marketing Services Announces Agreements for Sale of Bookwise, Publishers Group UK, and H.I. Marketing
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2007--Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MKTS) ("AMS"), today announced that on April 5, 2007 it entered into two separate stock purchase agreements to sell all of the capital stock of Publishers Group UK Ltd. and H.I. Marketing Ltd. to Cathy Parson and Medwyn Hughes and to sell all of the capital stock of Bookwise International Pty Ltd. and Bookwise Asia Pte Ltd. to Brumby Books Holdings Pty Ltd. ("Brumby Books"). Each transaction is subject to higher and better offers.
AMS and certain domestic subsidiaries filed petitions pursuant to chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on December 29, 2006, and have been operating as debtors-in-possession since then. On April 6, 2007, AMS filed motions with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware requesting approval of the sale transactions under section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Following the completion of a bidding process and an auction, if necessary, AMS anticipates that both sale transactions will close by May 1, 2007 pursuant to the requirements of the stock purchase agreements.
"We have dealt with Bookwise for many years and we have great respect for its people and its publishers," commented the Managing Director of Brumby Books. He continued, "This agreement with AMS, once consummated, will bring together our two distribution businesses and will provide the scale for these businesses to compete more effectively in the highly competitive Australasian marketplace. There are great similarities and synergies between our businesses and we are excited about the opportunities ahead."
Medwyn Hughes stated, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to acquire Publishers Group UK and H.I. Marketing. We believe that as a private company we can deliver the service excellence required to satisfy both our client publishers and customers." "We would like to thank all the publishers for their support over the last few months. This is an opportunity for us to take the company back to its roots," added Cathy Parson.
AMS previously entered into purchase agreements with Baker & Taylor, Inc. for the sale of the majority of AMS's assets, and with Perseus Books, L.L.C. for the sale of certain assets of its debtor subsidiary Publishers Group West, Inc.; both of these prior sales were approved by the Bankruptcy Court and have closed.
As previously announced, in connection with the pending chapter 11 proceeding, AMS does not anticipate that any payments will be made with respect to outstanding shares of AMS's common stock.
About Cathy Parson and Medwyn Hughes
Cathy Parson and Medwyn Hughes have worked together in the book distribution business for over 25 years. In 1992 they founded H.I. Marketing Ltd. and, prior to selling to AMS in 2002, had developed it into one of the premier sales and marketing agencies in the United Kingdom. They currently manage Publishers Group UK in the respective roles of Commercial Director and Divisional Director.
About Brumby Books
Brumby Books was founded in the mid 1980's and has operated on a consistently profitable basis since then. It was purchased by its current owners in 2004 whose strategy has been to grow organically and to acquire similarly positioned distribution businesses where consolidation opportunities exist. The company is privately owned and is headquartered near Melbourne.
Forward-looking statements in this public announcement are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Media and Stockholders:
MWW Group for AMS
Rich Tauberman, 201-507-9500
rtauberman@mww.com
Join the InvestorsHub Community
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.