Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 425
Filed by Expedia, Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14d-9
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Expedia, Inc.
Commission File No. 000-27429
Email message,
dated June 2, 2002, from Richard Barton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Expedia, Inc. to the employees of Expedia, Inc.:
Over the weekend, USA Interactive notified our board of directors that it would like to purchase the shares in Expedia that it doesnt already own. It did the same for its 2 other majority owned public subsidiaries,
Ticketmaster-Citysearch, and Hotels.com. This is part of USAs strategy to create a more integrated interactive commerce experience for the millions of customers of its leading properties. I believe that such a strategy is quite sound, and I
also believe that Expedia and its people are the cornerstone of USAIs ability to make this dream a reality. The aggressiveness with which Expedia has pursued early integration with Ticketmaster, CItysearch, and the USA Travel Channel is a
great early indicator of what might be possible. I see this as yet another opportunity for us to stomp on the gas, broaden Expedias view, and lengthen its reach.
The process on this will stretch out over a few weeks at least. First, the board of directors will form a special committee of independent directors to evaluate the USA
offer relative to what is in the best interests of our shareholders and employees.
It should be quite obvious to
you all that the reason for USAIs interest in us is due to the fact that Expedia has pretty much kicked butt. Needless to say, this was not why Sabre bought Travelocity recently. Two and a half years ago we were half the size of Travelocity
and in the March quarter we were 40% larger. I dont say this so we get comfortable with our products, our service, or our competitive position. Dont get comfortable. We are really truly only one click away from our competition.
However, facts are facts, and you guys have really kicked some serious butt. I want you to know, that should this offer from USAI not go through, we are going to continue to kick butt. Ill keep everyone posted.
Rich
About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) is the
worlds leading online travel service and was the seventh largest travel agency in the United States in 2001. To meet the needs of travelers around the globe, it operates Expedia.com in the United States and localized versions throughout Europe
and Canada. Expedia.com helps travelers travel right with a wide variety of travel products and services, such as Expedia® Special Rate hotels and vacation rentals with the guaranteed lowest prices. Expedia operates Classic Custom Vacations, Inc., a leading wholesaler of premiere vacation packages to
destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean. Travelscape, Inc., wholly owned by Expedia, also operates as WWTE, a private-label online travel business that supplies car and hotel inventory to third parties. Expedia is a
majority-owned subsidiary of USA Interactive (NASDAQ: USAI).
Important Disclosures
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ USA INTERACTIVES EXCHANGE OFFER STATEMENT FOR EXPEDIA, INC. TO BE INCLUDED IN A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THIS DOCUMENT AND OTHER FILED DOCUMENTS
FREE OF CHARGE AT THE SECS WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE BY CONTACTING USA INTERACTIVE, 152 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10019, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS.
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include the information relating to possible or assumed future results of operations of Expedia and its subsidiaries, including those preceded by, followed by or that
include the words believes, could, projects, budgets, estimates, intends, expects, anticipates or similar expressions. These statements reflect the
current views of Expedia with respect to future events, and are based on information currently available to Expedia. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may affect the operations, performance,
development and results of Expedias and its subsidiaries business. The following important factors, in addition to those described in Expedias filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the future results of
Expedia and the other subsidiaries of Expedia described in this document, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: material adverse changes generally or in economic conditions in the
markets served by our businesses; future regulatory actions and conditions in our businesses operating areas; competition from others; successful integration of recently acquired businesses; product demand and market acceptance; the ability to
protect proprietary information and technology or to obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms; the ability to expand into and successfully operate in foreign markets; and obtaining and retaining key executives and employees. You
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this document. Expedia undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as
a result of new information, future events or any other reason.
Expedia, Expedia.com and the Expedia logo are
either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S., Canada and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
For investor information about Expedia, Inc.:
Marj Charlier, Director of Investor Relations, (425) 564-7666
or call our Investor
Relations team at (425) 564-7233
For more information, press only:
Darcy Bretz, Edelman Public Relations, (312) 240-2619
darcy.bretz@edelman.com or visit http://expedia.com/daily/press