WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., May 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- United Online, Inc.(r) (Nasdaq:UNTD), a leading provider of consumer Internet and media services, announced today the resignation of Charles S. Hilliard as president and chief financial officer, effective May 31, 2007, to pursue an opportunity with a privately-held Internet company. Neil P. Edwards, the company's senior vice president, finance, treasurer and chief accounting officer, has been appointed interim chief financial officer, effective June 1, 2007. Mark R. Goldston, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, will assume the additional title of president and Edwards will report directly to him. The company intends to initiate a search for a permanent successor.
"Charles has been instrumental in the success we have achieved over the past eight years in building shareholder value and creating a world-class company at United Online," said Goldston. "He has been a key member of management throughout the company's evolution from a privately-held provider of free Internet access in 1999 to its position today as a leading provider of consumer Internet and media services. We are all proud of what he and the company have accomplished during his tenure, including the development of a solid finance organization comprised of experienced professionals. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him great success and happiness as he pursues this new phase of his career," Goldston said.
"As I take a new step in my career, I want to thank all of my United Online colleagues for allowing me to share in the success of building an amazing company during the past eight years," said Charles S. Hilliard, president and chief financial officer of United Online. "With exciting prospects in Content & Media and a sound profitability strategy in its Communications segment, I believe the company is well positioned for the future."
Edwards joined NetZero, the predecessor company to United Online, in 1999 and has served as United Online's senior vice president, finance, treasurer and chief accounting officer since its formation in 2001. Prior to joining United Online, he served as chief financial officer for Patagonia, Inc. He is a certified public accountant in California and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
About United Online
United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD) is a leading provider of consumer Internet and media services. The company's Content & Media services include social networking (Classmates) and online loyalty marketing (MyPoints). Its Communications services include Internet access (NetZero, Juno) and email. United Online is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, with offices in New York, NY; Fort Lee, NJ; Renton, WA; San Francisco, CA; Schaumburg, IL; Orem, UT; Erlangen, Germany; and Hyderabad, India. For more information about United Online, please visit www.unitedonline.com.
Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance. These statements are based on the current expectations or beliefs of the applicable company, as well as on assumptions concerning future events made by management, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. More information about potential factors that could affect the business and financial results of United Online are included in the Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other filings made by each of the companies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov/) including (without limitation) information under the captions "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors." United Online disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Note to Editors: United Online, NetZero, Classmates and MyPoints are registered trademarks of United Online, Inc. or its subsidiaries. The names of other companies, products and services used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.