SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
______________
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. )
United Online, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
(Title of Class of Securities)
911268209
(CUSIP Number)
BRYANT R. RILEY
B. RILEY & CO., LLC
11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 966-1444
STEVE WOLOSKY, ESQ.
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP
Park Avenue Tower
65 East 55th Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
November 4, 2015
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box ☐.
Note. Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 2 of 15 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
BRC Partners Opportunity Fund, LP | |
2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A
MEMBER OF A GROUP* (b) [_] | |
3 |
SEC USE ONLY
| |
4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) [_] | |
6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware | |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 - |
8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
597,653 | |
9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 - | |
10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
597,653 | |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
597,653 | |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [_] | |
13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
4.0% | |
14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 3 of 15 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund | |
2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A
MEMBER OF A GROUP* (b) [_] | |
3 |
SEC USE ONLY
| |
4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) [_] | |
6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware | |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 - |
8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
21,203 | |
9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 - | |
10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
21,203 | |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
21,203 | |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [_] | |
13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Less than 1% | |
14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IV |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 4 of 15 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
B. Riley Capital Management, LLC | |
2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A
MEMBER OF A GROUP* (b) [_] | |
3 |
SEC USE ONLY
| |
4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF, OO | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) [_] | |
6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
New York | |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 - |
8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
629,992 | |
9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 - | |
10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
629,992 | |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
629,992 | |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [_] | |
13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
4.3% | |
14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IA |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 5 of 15 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
B. Riley & Co., LLC | |
2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A
MEMBER OF A GROUP* (b) [_] | |
3 |
SEC USE ONLY
| |
4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) [_] | |
6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware | |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 - |
8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
539,608 | |
9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 - | |
10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
539,608 | |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
539,608 | |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [_] | |
13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
3.6% | |
14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
BD |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 6 of 15 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Bryant R. Riley | |
2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A
MEMBER OF A GROUP* (b) [_] | |
3 |
SEC USE ONLY
| |
4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF, PF | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) [_] | |
6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America | |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
2,750 |
8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
1,169,600 | |
9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,750 | |
10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,169,600 | |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,172,350 | |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [_] | |
13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
7.9% | |
14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 7 of 15 Pages |
The following constitutes the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (the “Schedule 13D”).
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This statement relates to the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”), of United Online, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 21255 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 400, Woodland Hills, California 91367.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
(a) This statement is filed by BRC Partners Opportunity Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“BPOF”), B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund, a series of the World Funds Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Mutual Fund”), B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, a New York limited liability company (“BRCM”), B. Riley & Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BRC”), and Bryant R. Riley (“Mr. Riley”). Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.” Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.
BRCM serves as the investment manager and general partner of BPOF, and as the investment advisor to the Mutual Fund and of certain separately managed accounts (the “Separately Managed Accounts”). Mr. Riley serves as the Portfolio Manager of BPOF, the Chief Executive Officer of BRCM and the Chairman of BRC. By virtue of these relationships, each of BRCM and Mr. Riley may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by BPOF, the Mutual Fund and held in the Separately Managed Accounts, and Mr. Riley may also be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by BRC.
(b) The address of the principal office of each of BPOF, the Mutual Fund, BRCM, BRC and Mr. Riley is 11100 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
(c) The principal business of BPOF is investing in securities. The principal business of the Mutual Fund is investing in securities. The principal business of BRCM is acting as a registered investment advisor and serving as the investment manager and general partner of BPOF, and as the investment advisor to the Mutual Fund, the Separately Managed Accounts and other clients. The principal business of BRC is acting as a brokerage firm. The principal occupation of Mr. Riley is serving as the Portfolio Manager of BPOF, the Chief Executive Officer of BRCM, the Chairman of BRC and the Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Financial, Inc., the parent company of BRCM and BRC.
(d) No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 8 of 15 Pages |
(f) BPOF and BRC are organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Mutual Fund is a series of the World Funds Trust, a Delaware statutory trust. BRCM is organized under the laws of the State of New York. Mr. Riley is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
The aggregate purchase price of the 597,653 Shares owned directly by BPOF is approximately $7,250,535, excluding brokerage commissions. Such Shares were acquired with the working capital of BPOF.
The aggregate purchase price of the 21,203 Shares owned directly by the Mutual Fund is approximately $286,101, excluding brokerage commissions. Such Shares were acquired with the working capital of the Mutual Fund.
The aggregate purchase price of the 11,136 Shares held in the Separately Managed Accounts is approximately, $150,360, excluding brokerage commissions. Such Shares were acquired with the working capital of the Separately Managed Accounts.
The aggregate purchase price of the 539,608 Shares owned directly by BRC is approximately $5,685,939, excluding brokerage commissions. Such Shares were acquired with the working capital of BRC.
The aggregate purchase price of the 2,750 Shares owned directly by Mr. Riley is approximately $45,009, excluding brokerage commissions. Such Shares were acquired with Mr. Riley’s personal funds.
From time to time, BPOF, BRCM, BRC, and Mr. Riley may effect purchases of securities through margin accounts, and may be extended margin credit as and when required to open or carry positions in the margin accounts, subject to applicable federal margin regulations and stock exchange rules. In such instances, the positions held in the margin accounts are pledged as collateral security for the repayment of debit balances in the accounts.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
On November 16, 2015, the Reporting Persons delivered a letter to the Issuer’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) offering to enter into a negotiated transaction with the Board to acquire all of the outstanding Shares of the Issuer for $12.50 per Share, representing a 21% premium to the Issuer’s previous closing stock price. A copy of the letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Persons’ belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of securities of the Issuer at prices that would make the purchase or sale of such securities desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their respective positions in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of securities of the Issuer on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 9 of 15 Pages |
No Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur upon completion of any of the actions discussed herein. The Reporting Persons intend to review their respective investments in the Issuer on a periodic basis and may from time to time engage in discussions with management and the Board of the Issuer, stockholders of the Issuer, and others concerning, among other things, the business, operations and future plans of the Issuer, and the Reporting Persons’ investment in the Issuer. Depending on various factors including, without limitation, the Issuer’s financial position and investment strategy, the price levels of the securities of the Issuer, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, the Reporting Persons may in the future take such actions with respect to their respective investments in the Issuer as they deem appropriate including, without limitation, making proposals concerning strategic alternatives, changes to the capital allocation, capitalization, ownership structure, Board structure (including Board composition) or operations of the Issuer, purchasing additional securities of the Issuer, selling some or all of their securities of the Issuer, engaging in short selling of or any hedging or similar transaction with respect to the securities of the Issuer, or changing their intention with respect to any and all matters referred to in this Item 4.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a) The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 14,818,359 Shares outstanding as of October 30, 2015, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2015.
As of the close of business on November 13, 2015, BPOF beneficially owned directly 597,653 Shares, the Mutual Fund beneficially owned directly 21,203 Shares, 11,136 Shares were held in the Separately Managed Accounts, BRC beneficially owned directly 539,608 Shares and Mr. Riley beneficially owned directly 2,750 Shares, constituting approximately 4%, less than 1%, less than 1%, approximately 3.6% and less than 1%, respectively, of the Shares outstanding.
BRCM, as the investment manager and general partner of BPOF and the investment advisor to the Mutual Fund and the Separately Managed Accounts, may be deemed to beneficially own the 629,992 Shares directly beneficially owned in the aggregate by BPOF, the Mutual Fund and held in the Separately Managed Accounts, constituting approximately 4.3% of the Shares outstanding.
Mr. Riley, as the Portfolio Manager of BPOF, the Chief Executive Officer of BRCM and the Chairman of BRC, may be deemed to beneficially own the 1,169,600 Shares beneficially owned in the aggregate by BPOF, BRCM and BRC, which, together with the Shares he directly beneficially owns, constitutes an aggregate of 1,172,350, constituting approximately 7.9% of the Shares outstanding.
Each of the Reporting Persons, as a member of a “group” with the other Reporting Persons for purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), may be deemed to beneficially own the securities of the Issuer owned by the other Reporting Persons. The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, the beneficial owners of any securities of the Issuer he or it does not directly own. Each of the Reporting Persons specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein that he or it does not directly own.
(b) Each of BPOF, BRCM and Mr. Riley have shared power to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the Shares beneficially owned directly by BPOF.
Each of the Mutual Fund, BRCM and Mr. Riley have shared power to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the Shares beneficially owned directly by the Mutual Fund.
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 10 of 15 Pages |
Each of BRCM and Mr. Riley have shared power to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the Shares held in the Separately Managed Accounts.
Each of BRC and Mr. Riley have shared power to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the Shares beneficially owned directly by BRC.
Mr. Riley has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the Shares beneficially owned directly by him.
(c) Schedule A annexed hereto lists all transactions in the Shares by the Reporting Persons during the past 60 days. All of such transactions were effected in the open market, except as otherwise noted.
(d) No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Shares.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
On November 16, 2015 each of the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing Agreement (the “Joint Filing Agreement”) in which the parties agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to the securities of the Issuer to the extent required by applicable law. The Joint Filing Agreement is attached as exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting Persons, or between the Reporting Persons and any other person, with respect to the securities of the Issuer.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
Exhibit No. | Description | |
99.1 | Letter to the Board of Directors, dated November 16, 2015. | |
99.2 | Joint Filing Agreement by and among BRC Partners Opportunity Fund, LP, B. Riley Diversified Equity Fund, B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, B. Riley & Co., LLC and Bryant R. Riley, dated November 16, 2015. |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 11 of 15 Pages |
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: November 16, 2015 |
BRC PARTNERS OPPORTUNITY FUND, LP | ||
By: | B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, its General Partner | |
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer
| |
B. RILEY DIVERSIFIED EQUITY FUND | ||
By: | B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, its Investment Advisor | |
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
B. RILEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
B. RILEY & CO., LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: |
Chairman
| |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | ||
BRYANT R. RILEY |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 12 of 15 Pages |
SCHEDULE A
Transactions in the Shares During the Past 60 Days
Shares of Common Stock Purchased/ (Sold) |
Price Per Share($) |
Date of Purchase/ Sale |
BRC PARTNERS OPPORTUNITY FUND, LP
12,500 | 10.4689 | 9/23/2015 |
700 | 10.4643 | 9/24/2015 |
1,700 | 10.4935 | 9/25/2015 |
3,800 | 9.8951 | 9/30/2015 |
5,599 | 9.9000 | 10/1/2015 |
601 | 9.8900 | 10/2/2015 |
15,000 | 10.6599 | 10/6/2015 |
9,265 | 10.7949 | 10/8/2015 |
5,589 | 10.7370 | 10/9/2015 |
15,800 | 10.9912 | 10/15/2015 |
100 | 11.2500 | 10/22/2015 |
150,000 | 10.6218 | 11/4/2015 |
77,433 | 10.2935 | 11/12/2015 |
22,567 | 10.2355 | 11/13/2015 |
B. RILEY DIVERSIFIED EQUITY FUND
2,500 | 10.2543 | 9/25/2015 |
(840) | 10.1200 | 9/29/2015 |
(7,000) | 9.9196 | 9/30/2015 |
(5,000) | 10.0002 | 10/1/2015 |
3,000 | 10.6277 | 10/6/2015 |
(1,000) | 11.8500 | 10/28/2015 |
3,000 | 11.4763 | 11/2/2015 |
2,000 | 10.4500 | 11/4/2015 |
B. RILEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
1,000 | 10.2543 | 9/25/2015 |
620 | 9.6923 | 10/2/2015 |
700 | 10.2858 | 10/5/2015 |
316 | 11.5168 | 10/21/2015 |
470 | 11.7000 | 10/28/2015 |
(400) | 11.4800 | 11/2/2015 |
50 | 11.6700 | 11/3/2015 |
550 | 10.3100 | 11/9/2015 |
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 13 of 15 Pages |
B. RILEY & CO., LLC
18,599 | 10.4940 | 9/21/2015 |
19,662 | 10.4142 | 9/22/2015 |
9,708 | 11.5752 | 10/22/2015 |
500 | 11.5960 | 10/23/2015 |
30,282 | 11.5647 | 10/27/2015 |
800 | 11.5000 | 10/29/2015 |
500 | 11.5000 | 10/30/2015 |
19,949 | 11.4992 | 11/2/2015 |
2,000 | 11.2500 | 11/3/2015 |
130,111 | 10.6251 | 11/4/2015 |
47,305 | 10.2531 | 11/9/2015 |
98 | 10.2300 | 11/10/2015 |
100,000 | 10.3448 | 11/11/2015 |
100,000 | 10.2911 | 11/12/2015 |
60,094 | 10.2959 | 11/13/2015 |
BRYANT R. RILEY
NONE
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 14 of 15 Pages |
Exhibit 99.1
November 16, 2015
United Online, Inc.
21255 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 400
Woodland Hills, California 91367
Attn: Board of Directors
To the Board of Directors:
Per my conversation with Chairman Howard G. Phanstiel, B. Riley Capital Management, LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “B. Riley Financial”) currently beneficially owns approximately 7.9% of the outstanding shares of United Online, Inc. (“United Online” or the “Company”), and proposes to enter into a negotiated transaction with the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) to acquire all of the Company’s outstanding shares for $12.50 per share. This represents approximately a 21% premium over the current price of United Online shares. We would require limited due diligence given our deep knowledge of the Company and would provide for a go-shop clause.
We believe our offer provides shareholders with immediate liquidity at a time of tremendous uncertainty. The announcement of the resignation of the Company’s CEO as well as the hiring of an investment bank to review the Company’s acquisitions have resulted in an approximate 10% decline in its share price and a Schedule 13D filing by a shareholder group announcing an intention to nominate directors for election at the next annual meeting. We believe that many shareholders share our concern that using the cash on the Company’s balance sheet to make an acquisition first in telecom and now in e-commerce is too risky, especially given that prior acquisitions made by the Company under the leadership of the incumbent Board have proven detrimental to shareholder value.
Although we would have preferred to keep our offer private, securities laws have forced us to go public with our proposal. As such, we believe that this is an appropriate forum to not only share our proposal, but also some of our concerns regarding the Company that shareholders should be aware of.
As you may be aware, earlier last month we shared with the Company’s management team an analysis of the compensation that has been paid to the management team, the Board and the Company’s auditors. We expressed our dismay that over the last 10 years, despite United Online shares declining over 10% inclusive of dividends, the members of the Company’s executive team have received over $160 million in compensation and the Company’s auditors have been paid in excess of $25 million. Further, over the last 9 years, the members of the Board who have served during such time have each received between $1.5 million and $2.1 million in total compensation, all while shareholders have sustained losses. Compounding matters is that the Board’s minimal ownership of the Company comes in the form of stock option awards and restricted stock unit grants, despite over 70 years of cumulative service on the Board.
We firmly believe shareholders cannot afford to remain in an environment where unallocated management expenses, board fees and audit expenses equate to more than 25% of the Company’s current enterprise value. Our proposal offers shareholders both immediate liquidity and an opportunity to maximize the value of their investment in the Company.
As I informed Chairman Phanstiel, we have serious concerns with the potential ramifications of a long drawn-out process and will not participate in a full auction process. We believe our proposal, highlighted by a go-shop provision, will provide shareholders with the certainty of closing while also allowing the Company to engage an investment bank to look for others who are willing to pay a higher price for the Company. Our reason for not participating in a full auction process is a simple one – we own over $10 million of United Online shares that we purchased in the open market and believe that under the current infrastructure, this investment will continue to deteriorate. We do not believe that the Company, its shareholders, or its valuable employees can afford to face the uncertainty associated with an extended sales process.
We are prepared to immediately enter into negotiations with the Board on the terms and conditions of a definitive merger. We intend to fund the purchase price with an equity contribution and the balance from financing commitments. We have spoken with financing sources for the debt commitment and are highly confident that we will obtain binding commitments for all such financing no later than the signing of a definitive merger agreement. Accordingly, the merger agreement would not be subject to a financing contingency.
Given our ability to consummate the transaction without a financing contingency, we expect that the Board will meet with us promptly and seriously consider our proposal. We intend to evaluate all our options and take appropriate action with respect to United Online should we fail to hear a favorable response from the Board to our proposal.
Sincerely,
/s/ Bryant R. Riley
Bryant R. Riley
CUSIP No. 911268209 |
13D | Page 15 of 15 Pages |
Exhibit 99.2
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement on Schedule 13D (including additional amendments thereto) with respect to the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of United Online, Inc., a Delaware corporation. This Joint Filing Agreement shall be filed as an Exhibit to such Statement.
Dated: November 16, 2015 |
BRC PARTNERS OPPORTUNITY FUND, LP | ||
By: | B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, its General Partner | |
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer
| |
B. RILEY DIVERSIFIED EQUITY FUND | ||
By: | B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, its Investment Advisor | |
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
B. RILEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
B. RILEY & CO., LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | |
Name: | Bryant R. Riley | |
Title: |
Chairman
| |
/s/ Bryant R. Riley | ||
BRYANT R. RILEY |