AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO FORM S-4
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2011

Registration No. 333-175828

Registration No. 333-175828-1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 4

to

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

EXPEDIA, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   4700   20-2705720

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

333 108th Avenue N.E.

Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 679-7200

(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware  

7370

  80-0743202

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

141 Needham Street

Newton, MA 02464

(617) 670-6300

(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Mark D. Okerstrom

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Expedia, Inc.

333 108th Avenue N.E.

Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 679-7200

(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

 

Copy to:

Andrew J. Nussbaum, Esq.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

(212) 403-1000

 

 


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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE AND UPON COMPLETION OF THE TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE ENCLOSED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Expedia, Inc.:

 

Large accelerated filer   þ    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

TripAdvisor, Inc.:

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   þ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)  ¨

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  ¨

(Calculation of Registration Fee table appears on following pages)

 

 

The co-Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the co-Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE*

 

 

Title of each Class of Securities
to be Registered

  Amount
to be
Registered
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Security
 

Proposed
Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

A.    Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Expedia, Inc.

  153,577,116(1)   N/A   $8,935,221,149(2)   $1,037,379(3)

B.     Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Expedia, Inc. (the “New Expedia Warrants”) at .25 of a share per Warrant (assuming the 1:2 reverse stock split)

  32,186,793(4)   N/A   N/A(5)   N/A(6)

C.     Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of TripAdvisor, Inc.

  153,577,116(7)   N/A(8)   N/A(8)   N/A(8)

D.    Warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of TripAdvisor, Inc. (the “TripAdvisor Warrants”) at .25 of a share per Warrant (assuming the 1:2 reverse stock split)

  32,186,793(9)   N/A(8)   N/A(8)   N/A(8)

Total

          $8,935,221,149   $1,037,381(10)

 

 

 

 * Registration fee has been previously paid.
(1) Based on the maximum number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Expedia, Inc. (“New Expedia Common Stock”) that may be issued in connection with the reclassification and other transactions described in the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus (the “spin-off”), taking into account the proposed one-for-two reverse stock split to be effected immediately prior to the spin-off, which number is equal to 50% of 307,154,232 shares, which is the sum of (i) 248,621,889, the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Expedia (“Old Expedia Common Stock”) issued and outstanding as of July 11, 2011, (ii) 3,432,904, the number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock subject to Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Share Units and Stock Appreciation Rights issued under Expedia equity-based compensation plans as of June 30, 2011, (iii) 17,269,827, the maximum number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock remaining available for issuance pursuant to new equity awards or other securities issuable by Expedia under equity incentive plans as of July 11, 2011, (iv) 16,093,396, the maximum number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock issuable in respect of certain previously issued warrants to purchase shares of Old Expedia Common Stock (“Old Expedia Warrants”) issued and outstanding as of July 11, 2011, and (v) 21,736,216, the maximum number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock issuable in respect of options (“Old Expedia Options”) to purchase shares of Old Expedia Common Stock that were issued by Expedia and outstanding as of June 30, 2011. There are also registered hereunder such indeterminate number of additional shares of New Expedia Common Stock that may become issuable due to anti-dilution adjustments for changes resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions and certain other events as provided for in the terms of the securities set forth in clauses (i) to (v) above. The full maximum number of shares of New Expedia Common Stock issuable in connection with the spin-off as set forth in clauses (i) to (v), without giving effect to the 50% adjustment described above on account of the expected reverse stock split (which number would then be 307,154,232 instead of 153,577,116) is also registered hereunder to account for the scenario in which the Expedia Board of Directors were to determine to proceed with the spin-off without effecting the reverse stock split (and the registration fee paid hereunder and proposed maximum offering price set forth herein are based on the full, unadjusted number of securities being cancelled as described in footnote (2) below).
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to rule 457(c), Rule 457(f), Rule 457(h) and Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act. Such value equals (i) the product of (a) 269,324,620 (the sum of items (i) through (iii) in footnote (1) above), and (b) $30.11, the average of the high and low sales prices for Old Expedia Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on July 20, 2011, plus (ii) the product of (a) 21,736,216, the number of Old Expedia Options and equivalent number of underlying shares outstanding as of June 30, 2011, and (b) $19.07, the average exercise price of such options as of June 30, 2011, plus (iii) the product of (a) 16,093,396, the number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock underlying the Old Expedia Warrants exercisable for .5 of a share per warrant as of July 11, 2011, and (b) $25.56, the average exercise price of such warrants.
(3) Calculated by multiplying 0.0001161 by the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.
(4)

Based on the maximum number of new Expedia warrants to purchase shares of New Expedia Common Stock (“New Expedia Warrants”) for .25 of a share per warrant (assuming the 1:2 reverse stock split is implemented) that may be issued in the spin-off and number of underlying shares, which is equal to 16,093,396, the number of Old Expedia Warrants and equivalent number of underlying shares issued and outstanding as of July 11, 2011 multiplied by 50%, to give effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split. There is also registered hereunder such indeterminate number of additional New Expedia Warrants and underlying shares of New Expedia Common Stock that may become issuable due to anti-dilution adjustments for changes resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions and certain other events as provided for in the terms of the New Expedia Warrants or Old Expedia Warrants. The full maximum number of New Expedia Warrants and


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  number of underlying shares, without giving effect to the 50% adjustment described above on account of the expected reverse stock split (which number of underlying shares would then be 16,093,396 instead of 8,046,698), is also registered hereunder to account for the scenario in which the Expedia Board of Directors were to determine to proceed with the spin-off without effecting the reverse stock split (and the registration fee paid hereunder and proposed maximum offering price set forth herein are based on the full, unadjusted number of securities being cancelled as described in footnote (5) below).
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to rule 457(c), Rule 457(f), Rule 457(h) and Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act. Because such value, $411,347,202, is included in the Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price set forth with respect to Item A above, it is not separately listed in the fee table but is provided in this footnote for explanatory purposes. Such value equals the product of (a) 16,093,396, the number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock underlying the Old Expedia Warrants exercisable for .5 of a share per warrant outstanding as of July 11, 2011, and (b) $25.56, the average exercise price of such Old Expedia Warrants.
(6) The registration fee with respect to this Item B has been included in the registration fee for Item A above.
(7) Based on the maximum number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of TripAdvisor, Inc. (“TripAdvisor Common Stock”) that may be issued in connection with the spin-off, taking into account the proposed one-for-two reverse stock split to be effected immediately prior to the spin-off, which number is equal to the maximum number of shares of New Expedia Common Stock as set forth in Item A above and the footnote(s) relating thereto and giving effect to the 50% adjustment described in such footnote(s) to reflect the expected reverse stock split. There is also registered hereunder such indeterminate number of additional shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock that may become issuable due to anti-dilution adjustments for changes resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions and certain other events as provided for in the terms thereof and the post-spin-off adjusted securities with respect to those set forth in the footnote(s) relating to Item A above. The full maximum number of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock issuable in connection with the spin-off, without giving effect to the 50% adjustment described above on account of the expected reverse stock split (which number would then be 307,154,232 instead of 153,577,116), is also registered hereunder to account for the scenario in which the Expedia Board of Directors were to determine to proceed with the spin-off without effecting the reverse stock split (and the registration fee paid hereunder and proposed maximum offering price set forth herein are based on the full, unadjusted number of securities being cancelled as described in footnote (6) above and (8) below).
(8) Pursuant to Rule 457(f)(i), the registration fee is based upon the market value of the securities to be cancelled in the transaction. Items A through B above (and the footnotes relating thereto) account for all of the securities that will be cancelled in the transaction. Accordingly, the securities listed under Items C and D above that are also registered pursuant to this registration statement do not affect the registration fee payable hereunder.
(9) Based on the maximum number of TripAdvisor warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock (“TripAdvisor Warrants”) for .25 of a share per warrant (assuming the 1:2 reverse stock split is implemented) and number of underlying shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock, which number is equal to the maximum number of New Expedia Warrants and underlying shares as set forth in Item B above and the footnote(s) related thereto and giving effect to the 50% adjustment described in such footnote(s) to reflect the expected reverse stock split. There is also registered hereunder such indeterminate number of additional TripAdvisor Warrants and underlying shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock that may become issuable due to anti-dilution adjustments for changes resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions and certain other events as provided for in the terms thereof. The full maximum number of TripAdvisor Warrants and number of underlying shares, without giving effect to the 50% adjustment described above on account of the expected reverse stock split (which number of underlying shares would then be 16,093,396 instead of 8,046,698), is also registered hereunder to account for the scenario in which the Expedia Board of Directors were to determine to proceed with the spin-off without effecting the reverse stock split (and the registration fee paid hereunder and proposed maximum offering price set forth herein are based on the full, unadjusted number of securities being cancelled as described in footnote (8) above).
(10) An amount equal to $1.94 has been added to the registration fee otherwise payable on account of the securities registered hereunder as set forth in Items A to D above. The transactions and matters described in the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus include the merger of a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia, Inc. (“Expedia”) with and into Expedia, in connection with which each of the outstanding 751 shares of Expedia Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 (the “Series A Preferred”), will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $22.23, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the effective date of the merger. The preferred stock merger will be consummated prior to the reverse stock split and the spin-off, and neither the reverse stock split nor the spin-off will be effected if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated. The aggregate consideration to be paid in connection with the preferred stock merger is $16,694.73, assuming consummation at a date when there are no accrued and unpaid dividends to be included in the merger consideration. Applying the SEC’s registration fee ratio of $116.10 per $1,000,000 with respect to this amount results in an incremental filing fee amount of $1.94. The base, annual, dividend rate with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock is 1.99% of $22.23, the face value of the Series A Preferred, or $0.44 per share, or $330.44 in the aggregate, with dividend payments made in quarterly installments.


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The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Expedia and TripAdvisor may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 31, 2011

PROSPECTUS

 

Expedia, Inc.   TripAdvisor, Inc.
LOGO  

LOGO

153,577,116 Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Expedia, Inc.

32,186,793 Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Expedia, Inc.

(exercisable for an aggregate of 8,046,698.25 shares)

153,577,116 Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of TripAdvisor, Inc.

32,186,793 Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of TripAdvisor, Inc.

(exercisable for an aggregate of 8,046,698.25 shares)

This prospectus relates to the securities listed above that Expedia, Inc. (“Expedia”) and TripAdvisor, Inc. (“TripAdvisor”) may issue in connection with Expedia’s spin-off of TripAdvisor. After the spin-off, TripAdvisor will be an independent, separately traded public company that will consist of the domestic and international operations associated with Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group. Expedia will effect the spin-off by means of a reclassification of its capital stock that will result in the holders of Expedia capital stock at the time of effectiveness of the reclassification having the right to receive a proportionate amount of TripAdvisor capital stock. A one-for-two reverse stock split of outstanding Expedia capital stock is contemplated to occur prior to the spin-off.

The securities and businesses of Expedia and TripAdvisor are subject to various risks, including with respect to and following the spin-off. You should carefully consider the disclosures contained under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 19 of this prospectus, and carefully read this prospectus in its entirety.

Expedia’s common stock currently trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “EXPE” and the reclassified shares of Expedia common stock are expected to continue to trade under such symbol on The Nasdaq Global Select Market after the spin-off. Outstanding warrants with respect to Expedia common stock are not currently publicly listed and will be adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the reverse stock split. Expedia has no plans to publicly list such warrants.

Prior to the spin-off, TripAdvisor will have been a wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia, and its common stock has not been publicly listed. In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor will apply to list TripAdvisor common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market and has accordingly reserved the ticker symbol “TRIP.” While trading in TripAdvisor common stock under this symbol is expected to begin on the first business day following the date that Expedia completes the spin-off, there can be no assurance that a viable and active trading market will develop. There is no plan to publicly list the new TripAdvisor warrants that will be issued in connection with the spin-off as a consequence of adjustments to the Expedia warrants.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulators have approved or disapproved the spin-off or the securities to be issued in the spin-off or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated October 31, 2011


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The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Expedia and TripAdvisor may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated October 31, 2011

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

October 31, 2011

PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

Dear Stockholder:

You are invited to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Expedia, Inc., which Expedia will hold on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 11:00 am local time at 555 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011 to obtain stockholder approval of amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will result in, among other things, the spin-off from Expedia of TripAdvisor, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a one-for-two reverse stock split implemented prior to the spin-off, of a merger agreement that will result in the conversion of the remaining shares of Expedia’s Series A preferred stock to cash so as to simplify Expedia’s capital structure in advance of the spin-off, and a number of other annual meeting proposals that are described in the notice of meeting on the following page.

After the spin-off, TripAdvisor will be an independent, separately traded public company that will consist of the domestic and international operations associated with Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group, including the flagship TripAdvisor brand as well as 18 other travel media brands. Expedia will effect the spin-off by means of a reclassification of its capital stock that will result in the current holders of Expedia capital stock having the right to receive a proportionate amount of TripAdvisor capital stock, in a transaction that is generally tax free for federal income tax purposes. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19 of this proxy statement/prospectus for information that you should consider in evaluating the spin-off proposal and the reverse stock split proposal.

Expedia’s Board of Directors believes that the spin-off of TripAdvisor from Expedia and the other proposals submitted for your approval at the Annual Meeting are in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders. Expedia’s Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the spin-off proposal and the other proposals submitted for your approval at the Annual Meeting and vote in favor of holding an advisory vote on Expedia’s executive compensation every THREE years.

In addition to the votes required under Delaware law, based on the recommendation of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Expedia, the Expedia Board of Directors has further conditioned the spin-off on the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management.

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please take the time to vote. You may vote over the internet, as well as by telephone, or by mailing a proxy or voting instruction card. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote in person if you wish, even though you have previously submitted your vote.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Dara Khosrowshahi

Chief Executive Officer

333 108th Avenue N.E.

Bellevue, Washington 98004

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulators have approved or disapproved the spin-off or the securities to be issued in the spin-off or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This proxy statement/prospectus is first being mailed to stockholders on or about November 3, 2011.


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EXPEDIA, INC.

333 108th Avenue N.E.

Bellevue, Washington 98004

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

The 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Expedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 11:00 am local time at 555 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011. Expedia is providing this proxy statement/prospectus to holders of Expedia’s common stock, Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Expedia for use at the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will consider, among other things, the spin-off of TripAdvisor, Inc. as a separately traded public company that will consist of the domestic and international operations associated with Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group, including the flagship TripAdvisor brand as well as 18 other travel media brands.

In particular, Expedia will ask stockholders:

1. To approve amendments to the Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would effect the spin-off of TripAdvisor, Inc. by:

 

   

Reclassifying each share of Expedia $0.001 par value common stock into one share of Expedia $0.0001 par value common stock and 1/100 of a share of Expedia Series 1 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock that will automatically exchange into one share of TripAdvisor $0.001 par value common stock immediately following the reclassification; and

 

   

Reclassifying each share of Expedia $0.001 par value Class B common stock into one share of Expedia $0.0001 par value Class B common stock and 1/100 of a share of Expedia Series 2 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock that will automatically exchange into one share of TripAdvisor $0.001 par value Class B common stock immediately following the reclassification.

2. To approve amendments to the Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock (which would, if implemented, take place immediately prior to the spin-off).

3. To approve a proposal to adopt a merger agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, under which a wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia would merge with and into Expedia, and in connection with which each share of Expedia Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001, will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $22.23, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the effective date of the merger.

4. To approve the addition of provisions to the Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation pursuant to which Expedia would renounce any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities, which generally would have the effect that no officer or director of Expedia who is also an officer or director of TripAdvisor will be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to TripAdvisor instead of Expedia, or does not communicate information to Expedia regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to TripAdvisor (analogous and reciprocal provisions will be included in TripAdvisor’s certificate of incorporation). Expedia will implement this proposal only if Expedia completes the spin-off.

5. To elect the ten directors named in this proxy statement/prospectus to the Expedia Board of Directors, each to hold office for a one-year term ending on the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified (or, if earlier, such director’s removal or resignation from the Expedia Board of Directors).

6. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2011.


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7. To hold an advisory vote on Expedia’s executive compensation.

8. To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on Expedia’s executive compensation.

9. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

The Expedia Board of Directors may determine not to proceed with the spin-off and not to effect the related amendments to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation described above, even though Expedia may have received all necessary stockholder approvals with respect thereto. The preferred stock merger would be effected before the reverse stock split, if implemented, and before the spin-off. Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated.

Only holders of record of outstanding shares of Expedia capital stock at the close of business on October 28, 2011 are entitled to notice of, to attend, and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Only stockholders and persons holding proxies from stockholders may attend the Annual Meeting. Seating is limited, however, and admission to the Annual Meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If your shares are registered in your name, you must bring a form of identification to the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, you must bring a proxy or letter from that broker, trust, bank or other nominee that confirms that you are the beneficial owner of those shares. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

Mark D. Okerstrom

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

October 31, 2011


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Additional Information

This proxy statement/prospectus:

 

   

incorporates by reference important business and financial information about Expedia that Expedia has not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus; and

 

   

does not include some of the information included in the registration statement on Form S-4 that Expedia and TripAdvisor have jointly filed with the SEC or information included in the exhibits to the registration statement.

Upon your written or oral request, Expedia will make available to you without charge the information that Expedia has incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus or that Expedia and TripAdvisor have filed as exhibits to the registration statement on Form S-4. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus or filed as exhibits to the registration statement by requesting them in writing or by telephone from Expedia at the following address and telephone number:

Expedia, Inc.

333 108th Avenue N.E.

Bellevue, WA 98004

Attn: Investor Relations Department

(425) 679-7200

You should make any request for documents by November 28, 2011 to ensure timely delivery of the documents prior to the Annual Meeting.

To find more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.”

Explanatory Note

TripAdvisor, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in July 2011. TripAdvisor, Inc. currently does not have any material assets or liabilities, nor does it engage in any business or other activities and, other than in connection with the spin-off, will not acquire or incur any material assets or liabilities, nor will it separately engage in any business or other activities, in each case prior to the spin-off.

Consequently, in addition to the audited balance sheet of TripAdvisor, Inc. as of September 2, 2011, this proxy statement/prospectus includes combined financial statements and other historical financial information of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia. The domestic and international operations associated with Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group have historically been conducted primarily through TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries. In connection with and prior to the spin-off, Expedia will contribute all of the outstanding equity interests in TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC to TripAdvisor, Inc. At the time of the contribution, TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC will hold all of the Expedia subsidiaries and assets relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group, which on an historical basis are reflected in the combined financial statements of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this proxy statement/prospectus to “TripAdvisor” refer to TripAdvisor, Inc., the entity that at the time of the spin-off will hold, through its subsidiaries, the businesses comprising Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group and whose shares Expedia stockholders will receive in the spin-off. Where appropriate in context, the foregoing term also includes such subsidiaries.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting and the Spin-Off

     1   

Summary

     10   

Expedia

     10   

TripAdvisor

     10   

Recent Developments

     11   

The Spin-Off

     11   

Expedia: Summary Selected Consolidated Financial Information

     17   

TripAdvisor: Summary Selected Combined Financial Information

     18   

Risk Factors

     19   

Risk Factors Relating to the Spin-Off

     19   

Risk Factors Relating to Expedia Securities and TripAdvisor Securities

     23   

Risk Factors Relating to Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s Businesses Following the Spin-Off

     24   

Risk Factors Relating to TripAdvisor’s Business Following the Spin-Off

     32   

Risk Factors Relating to Expedia’s Business Following the Spin-Off

     40   

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     45   

Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal

     46   

Overview

     46   

Required Vote

     46   

Background and Reasons for the Spin-Off

     47   

Recommendation of Special Committee of Expedia’s Board of Directors

     49   

Recommendation of Expedia’s Board of Directors

     54   

Review of Financial Advisors

     54   

Interests of Certain Persons in the Spin-Off

     55   

Governance Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor

     55   

No Appraisal Rights

     63   

Accounting Treatment

     63   

Regulatory Requirements

     63   

Federal Securities Law Consequences

     63   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off

     63   

Treatment of Outstanding Expedia Compensatory Equity-Based Awards

     67   

Post Spin-Off TripAdvisor Financing Arrangements

     69   

Post Spin-Off Expedia Financing Arrangements

     69   

Treatment of Expedia Warrants in the Spin-Off

     71   

Distribution of Expedia and TripAdvisor Securities Following the Spin-Off

     71   

Listing and Trading of Expedia Securities

     72   

Listing and Trading of TripAdvisor Securities

     72   

Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off

     72   

Information about Expedia After the Spin-Off

     75   

Information about TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off

     84   

Compensation Program Objectives

     113   

Compensation Program Elements

     113   

The Role of Peer Groups, Surveys and Benchmarking

     115   

Change in Control

     116   

Historical Compensation of TripAdvisor Executive Officers Prior to Spin-Off

     116   

2010 Summary Compensation Table

     116   

2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     117   

2011 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     117   

 

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     Page  

Outstanding Expedia Equity Awards at 2010 Year-End

     118   

2010 Expedia Option Exercises and Stock Vested

     118   

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control of Expedia

     118   

Estimated Potential Incremental Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

     119   

2010 Equity Compensation Plan Information

     120   

Certain TripAdvisor Relationships and Related Party Transactions

     120   

TripAdvisor, Inc. 2011 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan

     121   

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability for Officers and Directors

     124   

Description of Expedia Capital Stock After the Spin-Off

     125   

Description of TripAdvisor Capital Stock After the Spin-Off

     127   

Comparison of Rights of Holders of Expedia Securities before the Spin-Off with Rights of Holders of Expedia Securities and TripAdvisor Securities Following the Spin-Off

     129   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     133   

Proposal 2—Reverse Stock Split Proposal

     140   

Proposal and Required Vote

     140   

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

     140   

Purpose of the Reverse Stock Split

     141   

Important Considerations with Respect to the Reverse Stock Split

     142   

Potential Anti-Takeover Effect

     143   

No Appraisal Rights

     143   

Reservation of Right to Abandon Reverse Stock Split

     143   

Proposal 3—Preferred Stock Merger Proposal

     144   

Proposal and Required Vote

     144   

Summary of Preferred Stock Merger Proposal

     144   

The Merger

     145   

Purpose of the Merger

     146   

Merger Sub

     146   

The Merger Agreement

     147   

Appraisal Rights

     148   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

     152   

Proposal 4—The Corporate Opportunity Proposal

     155   

Proposal and Required Vote

     155   

Rationale

     155   

Proposal 5—Election of Directors

     156   

Proposal and Required Vote

     156   

Nominees

     156   

Board Meetings and Committees

     160   

Director Nominations

     163   

Communications With the Board

     163   

Compensation Policies and Practices Risk Assessment

     163   

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

     164   

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     166   

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     166   

Information Concerning Executive Officers

     166   

Proposal 6—Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     168   

Overview

     168   

Required Vote

     168   

Proposal 7—Advisory Vote on Expedia’s Executive Compensation

     169   

 

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     Page  

Overview

     169   

Required Vote

     169   

Proposal 8—Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Holding Future Advisory Votes on Expedia’s Executive Compensation

     170   

Overview

     170   

Required Vote

     170   

Annual Meeting Procedural Matters

     171   

Date, Time and Place of Meeting

     171   

Record Date and Voting Rights

     171   

Quorum; Abstentions; Broker Non-Votes

     172   

Solicitation of Proxies

     173   

Voting Proxies

     173   

Voting in Person at the Annual Meeting

     174   

Revocation of Proxies

     174   

Other Business

     174   

Expedia Audit Committee Report

     175   

Fees Paid to Expedia’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     176   

Audit Committee Review and Pre-Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

     176   

Expedia Executive Compensation

     177   

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     177   

Overview

     177   

Roles of the Compensation Committee and Section 16 Committee

     177   

Role of Executive Officers

     178   

Role of Compensation Consultants

     178   

Compensation Program Objectives

     178   

Compensation Program Elements

     178   

The Role of Peer Groups, Surveys and Benchmarking

     182   

Stock Ownership Policy

     184   

Tax Matters

     184   

Change in Control

     185   

Severance

     185   

Expedia Compensation Committee Report

     186   

Executive Compensation

     186   

2010 Summary Compensation Table

     186   

2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     188   

2011 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     189   

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2010 Year-End

     190   

2010 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

     191   

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

     191   

Estimated Potential Incremental Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

     197   

2010 Equity Compensation Plan Information

     198   

Certain Expedia Relationships and Related Party Transactions

     200   

General

     200   

Review and Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

     200   

Relationships With Officers and Directors

     200   

Relationship Between Expedia and IAC

     201   

Relationship Between Expedia and Liberty Interactive

     201   

 

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     Page  

Market Price and Dividend Information for Expedia Common Equity

     202   

General

     202   

Performance Comparison Graph

     203   

Legal Matters

     204   

Experts

     204   

Trademarks

     204   

Industry Data

     204   

Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference

     205   

Annual Reports

     206   

Proposals by Stockholders for Presentation at the Expedia 2012 Annual Meeting

     206   

Other Matters

     206   

Annex A—Proposed Amendments to Expedia, Inc.’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

     A-1   

Annex B—Expedia, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     B-1   

Annex C—TripAdvisor, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     C-1   

Annex D—TripAdvisor, Inc. Financial Statements

     D-1   

Annex E—TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC Combined Financial Statements

     E-1   

Annex F—Form of Separation Agreement

     F-1   

Annex G—Form of Tax Sharing Agreement

     G-1   

Annex H—Form of Employee Matters Agreement

     H-1   

Annex I—Form of Transition Services Agreement

     I-1   

Annex J—Preferred Stock Merger Agreement

     J-1   

Annex K—Appraisal Rights Under Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

     K-1   

This proxy statement/prospectus is based on information provided by Expedia, TripAdvisor and other sources that Expedia and TripAdvisor believe to be reliable. This proxy statement/prospectus summarizes certain documents filed as exhibits to a registration statement on Form S-4 that Expedia and TripAdvisor have filed jointly with the SEC. This proxy statement/prospectus forms a part of the registration statement. For more information about Expedia, TripAdvisor and their respective securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the information included in the exhibits to the registration statement. For more information on how you can obtain copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.”

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND THE SPIN-OFF

The Annual Meeting

 

Q: What matters will Expedia stockholders consider at the Annual Meeting?

 

A: Expedia stockholders will vote on the following proposals:

 

   

To approve amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would effect the spin-off of TripAdvisor by reclassifying the Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock. This proxy statement/prospectus refers to the foregoing proposal as the “spin-off proposal.” If Expedia’s stockholders approve the spin-off proposal and Expedia completes the spin-off, the holders of Expedia common shares outstanding immediately prior to the spin-off would initially own all of the Expedia common shares and TripAdvisor common shares outstanding immediately following the spin-off. Expedia may determine not to proceed with the spin-off and not to make the related amendments to its certificate of incorporation described below, notwithstanding the fact that Expedia may have received all necessary stockholder approvals with respect thereto;

 

   

To approve amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock. This proxy statement/prospectus refers to the foregoing proposal as the “reverse stock split proposal.” If Expedia’s stockholders approve the reverse stock split proposal and the spin-off proposal and the Expedia Board of Directors proceeds with the spin-off, Expedia intends to effect the one-for-two reverse stock split immediately prior to the spin-off. Expedia will not complete the one-for-two reverse stock split unless the spin-off is to be effected;

 

   

To approve a proposal to adopt a merger agreement pursuant to which a wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia would merge with and into Expedia and each share of Expedia Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001, will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $22.23, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the effective date of the merger. This proxy statement/prospectus refers to the foregoing proposal as the “preferred stock merger proposal.” The preferred stock merger would be effected before the reverse stock split and before the spin-off. Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated;

 

   

To approve the addition of provisions to the Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation pursuant to which Expedia would renounce any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities, which generally would have the effect that no officer or director of Expedia who is also an officer or director of TripAdvisor will be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to TripAdvisor instead of Expedia, or does not communicate information to Expedia regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to TripAdvisor (analogous and reciprocal provisions will be included in TripAdvisor’s certificate of incorporation). Expedia will implement this proposal only if Expedia completes the spin-off;

 

   

To elect the ten directors named in this proxy statement/prospectus to the Expedia Board of Directors, each to hold office for a one-year term ending on the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified (or, if earlier, such director’s removal or resignation from the Expedia Board of Directors);

 

   

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of Expedia for the 2011 fiscal year;

 

   

To hold an advisory vote on Expedia’s executive compensation;

 

   

To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on Expedia’s executive compensation; and

 

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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

 

Q: What votes are required to approve the spin-off proposal?

 

A: Under Delaware law, the spin-off proposal must be approved by:

 

   

The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, voting as a separate class;

 

   

The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia Class B common stock, voting as a separate class; and

 

   

The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock, voting together as a single class, with each share of Expedia common stock entitled to one vote per share, each share of Expedia Class B common stock entitled to ten votes per share and each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock entitled to two votes per share. This proxy statement/prospectus refers to the Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock, taken together, along with their respective votes per share as described in the preceding sentence, as the “Expedia capital stock.

In addition to the votes required under Delaware law, based on the recommendation of the Expedia Special Committee of the Board, the Expedia Board of Directors has further conditioned the spin-off on the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management.

 

Q: What vote is required to approve the reverse stock split proposal, the corporate opportunity proposal and the preferred stock merger proposal?

 

A: Under Delaware law, each of the reverse stock split proposal, the corporate opportunity proposal and the preferred stock merger proposal must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Expedia capital stock voting together as a single class.

 

Q: What votes are required to elect directors to the Expedia Board of Directors?

 

A: The election of each of seven of the ten director nominees (Messrs. Barry Diller, Dara Khosrowshahi, Victor A. Kaufman, Jonathan L. Dolgen, William R. Fitzgerald, John C. Malone and José A. Tazón) as directors requires a plurality of the total number of votes cast by the holders of shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class.

The election of each of the remaining three director nominees (Messrs. A. George “Skip” Battle, Craig A. Jacobson and Peter M. Kern) as directors requires a plurality of the total number of votes cast by the holders of shares of Expedia common stock, present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a separate class.

 

Q: What vote is required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm?

 

A: The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2011 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

 

Q: What vote is required with respect to the advisory votes on Expedia’s executive compensation?

 

A:

At the Annual Meeting, Expedia will ask its stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement/prospectus in

 

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  accordance with SEC rules. This proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

In addition, at the Annual Meeting, Expedia will ask its stockholders to choose, on an advisory basis, how frequently they would like to cast such advisory vote on the compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers. Generally, approval of any matter presented to stockholders requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class. However, because this vote is advisory and non-binding, if none of the frequency options receives such a majority, the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the frequency recommended by Expedia’s stockholders. Even though this vote will not be binding on Expedia or the Expedia Board of Directors and will not create or imply any change in the fiduciary duties of, or impose any additional fiduciary duty on, Expedia or the Expedia Board of Directors, the Expedia Board of Directors will take into account the outcome of this vote in making a determination on the frequency with which Expedia will include advisory votes on its executive compensation in Expedia’s proxy statement.

 

Q: What is the impact on the stockholder votes of arrangements as of the meeting record date between Mr. Diller and Liberty Interactive Corporation?

 

A: As of the record date for the Annual Meeting, under the stockholders agreement between Barry Diller and Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) entered into on August 9, 2005, Mr. Diller, the Chairman and Senior Executive of Expedia, held an irrevocable proxy over all Expedia securities owned by Liberty Interactive Corporation and its subsidiaries. This irrevocable proxy includes authority to vote on each of the proposals presented for approval at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Diller, through shares that he owns as well as those subject to the Liberty Interactive proxy, generally controls the vote of approximately 22% of the outstanding shares of common stock (or 31% assuming exercise of Mr. Diller’s vested stock options and conversion of all shares of Class B common stock into shares of common stock) and 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock and, consequently, approximately 62% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Expedia capital stock as of the record date. Including the holdings of Expedia’s other directors and executive officers and their affiliates would increase such percentage by less than 1%. As a result, regardless of the vote of any other Expedia stockholder, Mr. Diller has control over the votes relating to the reverse stock split proposal, the preferred stock merger proposal, the election of seven of the ten director nominees (holders of Expedia common stock elect three directors as a separate class), the ratification of the appointment of Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm, and both advisory proposals regarding Expedia’s executive compensation. Mr. Diller has control over the separate class vote of Expedia Class B common stock with respect to the spin-off proposal and the separate combined vote of the outstanding shares of the Expedia common stock, the Expedia Class B common stock and the Expedia Series A preferred stock, voting together as a single class, but does not have control over either the separate class vote of Expedia common stock with respect to the spin-off proposal or the vote on the spin-off proposal by the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management.

 

Q: Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

A: You are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting if you were a holder of Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock or Expedia Series A preferred stock at the close of business on October 28, 2011, the record date for the Annual Meeting.

 

Q: What do I need to do now to vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

A: The Expedia Board of Directors is soliciting proxies for use at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders of record may vote their shares in any of four ways:

 

   

Submitting a Proxy by Mail: If you choose to submit your proxy by mail, simply request printed proxy cards (or use the printed proxy cards you will receive with this proxy statement/prospectus), then mark, sign and date the printed proxy cards and mail them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelopes;

 

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Submitting a Proxy by Telephone: Submit a proxy for your shares by telephone by using the toll-free telephone number provided on your proxy card and following the recorded instructions. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day;

 

   

Submitting a Proxy by Internet: Submit your proxy via the internet. The website for internet proxy voting is on your proxy card, and internet proxy voting is also available 24 hours a day; or

 

   

Voting in Person: If you were registered as a stockholder on Expedia’s books on October 28, 2011, you may vote in person by attending the Annual Meeting, and we will provide a ballot to registered stockholders who request one at the meeting.

Street name holders may submit a proxy by telephone or the internet if their bank or broker makes those methods available, in which case the bank or broker will enclose the instructions with this proxy statement/prospectus. If you submit a proxy by telephone or via the internet you should not return your proxy card. Instructions on how to submit a proxy by telephone or via the internet are located on the proxy card enclosed with this proxy statement/prospectus.

A person who beneficially owns shares of common stock through a bank, broker or other nominee (generally referred to as a “street name holder”) may submit a proxy by telephone or the internet if his, her or its bank, broker or other nominee makes those methods available, in which case the bank, broker or other nominee will enclose the instructions with this proxy statement/prospectus. A street name holder can vote his, her or its shares in person at the Annual Meeting only if he, she or it obtains from the bank, broker or other nominee a proxy, often referred to as a “legal proxy,” to vote those shares, and presents such proxy to the inspector of election at the meeting, together with his, her or its ballot.

The designated proxy will vote all proxies that you properly submit, and that you do not revoke, at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on your proxy. If you do not provide instructions on your proxy, your designated proxy will vote FOR each of the proposals that Expedia describes in this proxy statement/prospectus to be submitted for your approval at the Annual Meeting, and in favor of holding an advisory vote on Expedia’s executive compensation every three years. Your designated proxy will not vote unsigned proxy cards at all and unsigned proxies will have the same effect as a vote against the spin-off proposal, the reverse stock split proposal, the preferred stock merger proposal and the corporate opportunity proposal.

If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from your bank or broker.

Your vote is important. Expedia encourages you to submit your proxy by telephone or internet or by signing and returning the accompanying proxy card whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

 

Q: Can I change my vote?

 

A: Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before the vote at the Annual Meeting by:

 

   

Delivering to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services a written notice, bearing a date later than the proxy, stating that you revoke the proxy;

 

   

Submitting a later-dated proxy relating to the same shares by mail, telephone or the internet prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting; or

 

   

Attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy).

You should send any written notice or new proxy card to Expedia, Inc. c/o BNY Mellon Shareowner Services at the following address: P.O. Box 3550, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606-9250, or follow the instructions provided on your proxy card to submit a proxy by telephone or via the internet. You may request a new proxy card by calling Expedia’s proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at 1-800-322-2885 (toll-free).

 

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Q: If I hold my shares in “street name” through my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me?

 

A: Other than with respect to the auditor ratification proposal, your broker will vote your shares only if you provide instructions to your broker on how to vote your shares. You should follow the directions that your broker provides regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you fail to provide instructions to your broker, other than with respect to the auditor ratification proposal with respect to which your broker will have discretionary authority to vote even if you do not provide instructions as to how to vote, your broker will not vote your shares, which event we refer to as a “broker non-vote” and which will have the same effect as a vote against the spin-off proposal, the reverse stock split proposal, the preferred stock merger proposal and the corporate opportunity proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors, the advisory proposal on approving Expedia’s executive compensation or the advisory proposal on the frequency of advisory votes on Expedia’s executive compensation.

 

Q: What happens if I abstain?

 

A: An abstention will have the same effect as a vote against the spin-off proposal, the reverse stock split proposal, the preferred stock merger proposal, the corporate opportunity proposal, the auditor ratification proposal, the advisory proposal on approving Expedia’s executive compensation and the advisory proposal on the frequency of advisory votes on Expedia’s executive compensation. Abstentions will have no effect on the election of directors.

 

Q: What happens if I don’t vote?

 

A: If you are a record holder and you do not send a signed proxy or vote by telephone or over the internet, and you do not attend the Annual Meeting so as to vote in person, it will have the same effect as a vote against the spin-off proposal, the reverse stock split proposal, the preferred stock merger proposal and the corporate opportunity proposal, and it will have no effect on the election of directors, the auditor ratification proposal, the advisory proposal on approving Expedia’s executive compensation or the advisory vote on frequency of advisory votes on Expedia’s executive compensation.

The Spin-Off Proposal

 

Q: What is Expedia proposing to do?

 

A: Expedia is proposing to spin-off TripAdvisor so that TripAdvisor will become an independent, separately traded public company. After the spin-off, TripAdvisor will consist of the domestic and international operations associated with the flagship TripAdvisor brand as well as 18 other travel media brands. After the spin-off, Expedia will continue to operate or manage its remaining businesses, subsidiaries and investments. For a description of these businesses, subsidiaries and investments, see “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Information about Expedia After the Spin-Off.” If the spin-off is effected, the holders of Expedia common shares outstanding immediately prior to the spin-off would own all of the Expedia common shares and TripAdvisor common shares outstanding immediately following the spin-off.

 

Q: Why is Expedia proposing the TripAdvisor spin-off?

 

A: The Expedia Board of Directors believes that the spin-off should provide benefits to Expedia and its stockholders, including, among others:

 

   

Providing capital markets and investors with greater transparency into each of Expedia and TripAdvisor;

 

   

Creating businesses that have a single business focus, which we refer to as “pure-play businesses,” each with an equity currency that could promote growth through acquisitions; and

 

   

Enhancing the effectiveness of Expedia and TripAdvisor’s respective employee compensation structures.

 

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The Expedia Board of Directors also considered the potential risks and consequences to Expedia and its stockholders associated with the spin-off, but believes that the benefits to Expedia and its stockholders outweigh the risks. These potential risks and consequences include, among others, that:

 

   

the expected benefits from the spin-off may not be achieved;

 

   

the synergies that Expedia achieves with all of its businesses under the same corporate structure will cease to exist with regard to the TripAdvisor businesses following the spin-off;

 

   

after the spin-off, TripAdvisor may be unable to make the changes necessary to operate effectively as an independent public entity and will incur increased costs relating to operating as an independent public company that could cause its cash flow and results of operations to decline; and

 

   

conflicts of interests or the appearance thereof may develop between Expedia and TripAdvisor, including with respect to the management and directors of Expedia, on the one hand, and the management and directors of TripAdvisor, on the other hand.

For a discussion of the Expedia Board of Director’s recommendation and the factors considered by the Board, see “Recommendation of Expedia’s Board of Directors.”

 

Q: What will I own after the Reverse Stock Split and the TripAdvisor spin-off?

 

A: Immediately prior to the spin-off, Expedia expects to effect a one-for-two reverse stock split. The following bullets describe the treatment of certain Expedia securities in the spin-off assuming the reverse stock split occurs:

 

   

Expedia common stock: For every two shares of Expedia common stock that you own prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split, you will own one share of Expedia common stock and one share of TripAdvisor common stock immediately following the spin-off. Each share of Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock that you own following the spin-off will be entitled to one vote per share. Holders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Expedia common stock resulting from the reverse stock split.

 

   

Expedia Class B common stock: For every two shares of Expedia Class B common stock that you own prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split, you will own one share of Expedia Class B common stock and one share of TripAdvisor Class B common stock immediately following the spin-off. Each share of Expedia Class B common stock and TripAdvisor Class B common stock following the spin-off will be entitled to ten votes per share. Holders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Expedia Class B common stock resulting from the reverse stock split.

 

   

Expedia Series A preferred stock: Expedia will have completed the preferred stock merger prior to the reverse stock split and the spin-off, resulting in the conversion of each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock (other than dissenting shares) into the right to receive $22.23 in cash per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the effective date of the merger. Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated. As a result, no shares of Expedia Series A preferred stock will be outstanding at the time of the reverse stock split, the spin-off or the effectiveness of any of the proposed charter amendments (including the amendment that would give effect to the corporate opportunity proposal).

 

   

Warrants to purchase Expedia common stock: Expedia has outstanding a series of warrants that expire in May 2012. Following the TripAdvisor spin-off, Expedia’s warrants will convert into adjusted warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock and new warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock, each of which will mirror in all material respects the terms of the current warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock, as adjusted to reflect the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

 

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Expedia estimates that transaction costs in connection with the spin-off, the reverse stock split and the preferred stock merger will total approximately $9 million, of which $17,000 represents the merger consideration expected to be paid to holders of Expedia Series A preferred stock in the preferred stock merger.

 

Q: Will the Expedia securities and the TripAdvisor securities be listed on an exchange and publicly traded after the spin-off?

 

A: Expedia common stock currently trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “EXPE” and will continue to do so after the spin-off (as adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split). The Expedia warrants (which will also be adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the reverse stock split) are not currently publicly listed, and Expedia has no plans to list them following the spin-off.

TripAdvisor will apply to list TripAdvisor common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market and has reserved the ticker symbol “TRIP.” Trading in TripAdvisor common stock under this symbol is expected to begin on the first business day following the date that Expedia completes the spin-off. However, there can be no assurance that a viable and active trading market will develop. There is no plan to publicly list the new TripAdvisor warrants.

 

Q: Will a when-issued trading market develop for post-spin-off Expedia and/or TripAdvisor securities prior to the completion of the spin-off?

 

A: “When-issued” trading refers to conditional purchases or sales transactions with respect to a security that has been authorized but is not yet issued and available. Expedia currently expects, but cannot guarantee, that a when-issued trading market will develop with respect to Expedia and TripAdvisor publicly held securities prior to the completion of the spin-off. With respect to Expedia securities, a when-issued market for post-spin-off Expedia securities may develop as soon as Expedia stockholder approval for the spin-off is obtained. With respect to TripAdvisor securities, a when-issued market for post-spin-off TripAdvisor securities may develop after Expedia stockholder approval for the spin-off is obtained and TripAdvisor securities are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. No assurance can be given that a when-issued trading market will, in fact, develop in either Expedia or TripAdvisor securities.

 

Q: Is Expedia required to effect the spin-off, the reverse stock split or the proposed amendments to Expedia’s certificate of incorporation if stockholders were to approve them?

 

A: No. Regardless of receipt of necessary stockholder approvals, the Expedia Board of Directors retains and has reserved the right to abandon the spin-off, the reverse stock split and each of the proposed charter amendments.

 

Q: Am I entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights with respect to the spin-off?

 

A: No. You will not be entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights in connection with the spin-off. See “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—No Appraisal Rights.”

 

Q: Am I entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights with respect to the preferred stock merger?

 

A: Holders of shares of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock will not be entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights in connection with the preferred stock merger, but holders of shares of Expedia’s Series A preferred stock who do not vote in favor of the preferred stock merger proposal and properly perfect their appraisal rights will be entitled to such rights under Delaware law. See “Proposal 3—Preferred Stock Merger Proposal—Appraisal Rights.”

 

Q: When does Expedia expect to complete the spin-off?

 

A:

If Expedia stockholders approve the spin-off proposal at the Annual Meeting and all of the other conditions to the completion of the spin-off are satisfied, Expedia currently expects to complete the spin-off during the

 

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  fourth quarter of 2011. However, even if Expedia stockholders approve the spin-off proposal, the Expedia Board of Directors may abandon or delay the spin-off. In any event, Expedia may delay the completion of the spin-off if necessary to permit the development of a when-issued trading market in Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock prior to completion of the spin-off.

 

Q: Do I need to do anything with my certificates for Expedia securities?

 

A: The bullets below describe some of the mechanics relating to the exchange of your Expedia securities for securities of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor following the spin-off (and mechanics with respect to the preferred stock merger).

 

   

Expedia common stock: Expedia will mail to each holder of Expedia common stock a Letter of Transmittal with instructions that explain how to return certificated shares of Expedia common stock to enable you to receive uncertificated shares of Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock to which you are entitled following the spin-off (as described more fully below). Holders of Expedia common stock may deliver their certificates representing shares of Expedia common stock, along with a properly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents, to the exchange agent identified in the Letter of Transmittal. The certificates will be canceled and each holder will receive the number of full shares of reclassified Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock to which that holder is entitled, after giving effect to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split, subject to receipt of cash in lieu of any fractional shares arising from the reverse stock split.

Following the spin-off, reclassified Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock will be issued electronically by way of direct registration, or in “uncertificated” form, which will eliminate the physical handling and safekeeping responsibilities inherent in owning transferable stock certificates and the need to return a duly executed stock certificate to effect a transfer. BNY Mellon Shareowner Services will act as the registrar and transfer agent for Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock after the spin-off. After the spin-off, you will be able to transfer shares of Expedia common stock or TripAdvisor common stock by mailing to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services a transfer and assignment form, which BNY Mellon Shareowner Services will provide to holders at no charge upon written request.

 

   

Warrants to purchase Expedia common stock: Warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock will be adjusted as described in this proxy statement/prospectus. Subject to adjustment for the one-for-two reverse stock split and the spin-off, the Expedia warrants will remain outstanding and continue to be governed by their existing terms. In addition, TripAdvisor will issue TripAdvisor warrants pursuant to adjustments to the Expedia warrants. These TripAdvisor warrants will be issued promptly following the completion of the spin-off in certificated or uncertificated form, depending on the form in which the respective outstanding Expedia warrant to be adjusted is held. At or prior to the completion of the spin-off, Expedia will deposit with the warrant agent the new form of TripAdvisor warrant.

 

   

Expedia Series A Preferred Stock: Expedia will appoint a paying agent to handle the payment of the merger consideration for shares of Expedia’s Series A preferred stock. Soon after the merger effective time, the paying agent will mail a Letter of Transmittal to each holder of a certificate (or, if applicable, book-entry share) representing a share or shares of Expedia’s Series A preferred stock. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions explaining the procedure for surrendering such shares. Holders of shares of Expedia’s Series A preferred stock should follow those instructions. As a general matter, holders of Expedia Series A preferred stock will need to deliver their certificates representing shares of Expedia Series A preferred stock, along with a properly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents, to the paying agent identified in the Letter of Transmittal. The certificates will be canceled and as promptly as practicable following the preferred stock merger, the paying agent will distribute to each holder the merger consideration.

 

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Q: Whom can I call with questions?

 

A: If you have any questions about the spin-off or the Annual Meeting, or would like copies of any of the documents referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus, you should call MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at 1-800-322-2885.

 

Q: Where can I find more information about Expedia and TripAdvisor?

 

A: You can find more information from various sources described under “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.”

 

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SUMMARY

The following is a summary of some of the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition to this summary, you should read the entire document carefully, including (1) the risks associated with the spin-off, investing in Expedia securities and TripAdvisor securities and the businesses of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor that are discussed under “Risk Factors” and (2) the unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements and related notes for each of Expedia and TripAdvisor included in Annexes B and C and the historical financial statements and related notes for TripAdvisor included in Annexes D and E, respectively, and the consolidated financial statements and related notes for Expedia incorporated by reference from Expedia’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and from Expedia’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.

The summaries set forth under the captions “—Expedia” and “—TripAdvisor” assume the completion of the spin-off.

EXPEDIA

Expedia, Inc. is an online travel company, empowering leisure and business travelers with the tools and information they need to efficiently research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia has created a global travel marketplace used by a broad range of leisure and corporate travelers, offline retail travel agents and travel service providers. Expedia makes available, on a stand-alone and package basis, travel products and services provided by numerous airlines, lodging properties, car rental companies, destination service providers, cruise lines and other travel product and service companies. Expedia also offers travel and non-travel advertisers access to a potential source of incremental traffic and transactions through its various media and advertising offerings on its transaction-based websites.

Its portfolio of brands includes Expedia.com®, Hotels.com®, Hotwire.com™, Expedia® Affiliate Network, Classic Vacations, Expedia Local Expert™, Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®, Egencia ™, eLong ™, and Venere Net SpA. In addition, many of these brands have related international points of sale.

For information regarding the results of Expedia’s historical operations, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Expedia’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and in Expedia’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements for Expedia and the related notes in Annex B.

Expedia, Inc. is a Delaware corporation. The mailing address of Expedia’s principal executive offices is 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004, and Expedia’s telephone number at that location is (425) 679-7200.

TRIPADVISOR

TripAdvisor, Inc. is an online travel research company, empowering users to plan and enjoy the ideal trip. TripAdvisor’s travel research platform aggregates reviews and opinions of members about destinations, accommodations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts (“B&Bs”), specialty lodging and vacation rentals), restaurants and activities throughout the world through the flagship TripAdvisor brand. TripAdvisor-branded websites include tripadvisor.com in the United States and localized versions of the website in 29 countries, including in China under the brand daodao.com. TripAdvisor-branded websites globally received over 50 million unique visitors in July 2011 (according to comScore) and have built a marketable base of more than 20 million

 

 

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members and over 50 million reviews and opinions. Beyond travel-related content, TripAdvisor websites also include links to the websites of its advertisers, including travel advertisers, allowing travelers to directly book their travel arrangements.

In addition to the flagship TripAdvisor brand, TripAdvisor manages and operates websites under 18 other travel media brands, connected by the common goal of providing comprehensive travel planning resources across the travel sector.

TripAdvisor derives substantially all of its revenue through the sale of advertising, primarily through click-based advertising and, to a lesser extent, display-based advertising. In addition, TripAdvisor earns revenue through a combination of subscription-based offerings, licensing of its content and its recently launched private sale website, SniqueAway.

TripAdvisor, Inc. is a Delaware corporation. The mailing address of TripAdvisor’s principal executive offices is 141 Needham Street, Newton, MA 02464, and TripAdvisor’s telephone number at that location is (617) 670-6300.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On October 27, 2011, Expedia announced its preliminary financial results, including segment information, for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and reported such results on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on the same day. This Current Report on Form 8-K has been incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

THE SPIN-OFF

Expedia has proposed to spin-off TripAdvisor so that TripAdvisor will become an independent, separately traded public company. In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in July 2011. TripAdvisor, Inc. currently does not have any material assets or liabilities, nor does it engage in any business or other activities and, other than in connection with the spin-off, will not acquire or incur any material assets or liabilities, nor will it separately engage in any business or other activities, in each case prior to the spin-off. In connection with the spin-off, Expedia will contribute or transfer all of the subsidiaries and assets relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group (as reflected in the TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements), including the flagship TripAdvisor brand as well as 18 other travel media brands, to TripAdvisor, Inc. and TripAdvisor, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries will assume of all of the liabilities relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group. After the transaction, Expedia will continue to own and operate its remaining businesses—the domestic and international operations of its travel transaction brands including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, eLong, Hotwire, Egencia, Expedia Affiliate Network, CruiseShipCenters, Venere, Classic Vacations and carrentals.com—as an independent, separately traded public company.

Spin-Off and Related Matters (pages 46, 140, 155)

Expedia is proposing to effect the spin-off and related matters through amendments to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would reclassify the Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock. If those amendments are approved by Expedia’s stockholders and Expedia completes the spin-off, the holders of Expedia common shares outstanding immediately prior to the spin-off will initially own all of the Expedia common shares and TripAdvisor common shares outstanding immediately following the spin-off.

Expedia may determine not to proceed with the spin-off and not to make the related amendments to its certificate of incorporation, notwithstanding the fact that Expedia may have received all necessary stockholder approvals with respect thereto. As further discussed below, the spin-off will not be implemented if the preferred stock merger is not consummated.

In addition to the reclassification amendment that would effect the spin-off, Expedia intends to implement amendments to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would effect a one-for-two reserve stock split of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock and pursuant to which Expedia would renounce any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities.

 

 

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With respect to the reverse stock split, if Expedia’s stockholders approve the reverse stock split proposal and the spin-off proposal and the Expedia Board of Directors proceeds with the spin-off, Expedia intends to effect the one-for-two reverse stock split immediately prior to the spin-off. Expedia will not complete the one-for-two reverse stock split unless the spin-off is to be effected but has reserved the right to implement the spin-off without effecting the reverse stock split. If approved and implemented, the principal effects of the reverse stock split would include the following, with cash being paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares: (i) immediately prior to effecting the spin-off, each two shares of Expedia common stock or Class B common stock owned by a stockholder will be combined into one new share of Expedia common stock or Class B common stock, respectively, (ii) after giving effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split, approximately half as many shares of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock will be outstanding as were outstanding immediately prior to the one-for-two reverse stock split and (iii) specified adjustments will be made with respect to Expedia’s outstanding warrants and equity awards.

With respect to the corporate opportunity-related charter amendment that Expedia would implement in connection with the spin-off, provisions would be added to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation such that no officer or director of Expedia who is also an officer or director of TripAdvisor will be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to TripAdvisor instead of Expedia, or does not communicate information to Expedia regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to TripAdvisor (analogous and reciprocal provisions will be included in TripAdvisor’s certificate of incorporation).

Expedia and TripAdvisor Securities to be Issued (page 71)

In connection with the spin-off, Expedia will issue new shares of its capital stock and adjust the terms of its outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock, and TripAdvisor will issue new shares of its capital stock and new warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock. Specifically:

Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock: For every two shares of Expedia common stock that you own prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split, you will own one share of Expedia common stock and one share of TripAdvisor common stock immediately following the spin-off. Each share of Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock that you own following the spin-off will be entitled to one vote per share. Holders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Expedia common stock resulting from the reverse stock split.

Expedia Class B common stock and TripAdvisor Class B common stock: For every two shares of Expedia Class B common stock that you own prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split, you will own one share of Expedia Class B common stock and one share of TripAdvisor Class B common stock immediately following the spin-off. Each share of Expedia Class B common stock and TripAdvisor Class B common stock following the spin-off will be entitled to ten votes per share. Holders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Expedia Class B common stock resulting from the reverse stock split.

Warrants to purchase Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock: Expedia has outstanding a series of warrants that expire in May 2012. Following the TripAdvisor spin-off, Expedia’s warrants will convert into adjusted warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock and new warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock, each of which will mirror in all material respects the terms of the current warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock, as adjusted to reflect the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

Preferred Stock Merger (page 144)

It is a condition to the completion of the spin-off that the preferred stock merger, as further described below, be consummated prior to the spin-off. In this regard, Expedia is asking stockholders to adopt a merger agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, under which a wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia would merge with

 

 

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and into Expedia, and in connection with which each share of Expedia Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001, will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $22.23, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the effective date of the merger. As there are currently only 751 shares of Series A preferred stock issued and remaining outstanding, Expedia expects the total consideration to be paid to holders of preferred stock in the merger to be approximately $17,000, assuming consummation of the merger at a time such that the amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the merger effective time equaled zero. The purpose of implementing the merger is to simplify Expedia’s capital structure in advance of the spin-off by converting each of these remaining outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock into the right to receive the merger consideration. The preferred stock merger would be effected before the reverse stock split described above, if such split is implemented, and before the spin-off. Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated.

Risk Factors (page 19)

The securities and businesses of Expedia and TripAdvisor are subject to various risks, including the following:

Risk Factors Relating to the Spin-Off

 

   

TripAdvisor and Expedia may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that they expect to achieve through the spin-off.

 

   

The synergies that Expedia achieves with all of its businesses under the same corporate structure will cease to exist with regard to the TripAdvisor businesses following the spin-off.

 

   

After the spin-off, TripAdvisor may be unable to make the changes necessary to operate effectively as an independent public entity.

 

   

TripAdvisor will incur increased costs relating to operating as an independent public company that could cause its cash flow and results of operations to decline.

 

   

After the spin-off, conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, may develop between Expedia and TripAdvisor, including with respect to the management and directors of Expedia, on the one hand, and the management and directors of TripAdvisor, on the other hand.

 

   

If the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Expedia, TripAdvisor and Expedia stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities.

 

   

Certain transactions in Expedia or TripAdvisor equity securities could cause the spin-off to be taxable to Expedia and may give rise to indemnification obligations of TripAdvisor under the Tax Sharing Agreement.

Risk Factors Relating to Expedia Securities and TripAdvisor Securities

 

   

The aggregate value of the Expedia and TripAdvisor securities that current holders of Expedia capital stock receive in the spin-off might be less than the value of the Expedia securities before the spin-off.

 

   

The market price and trading volume of Expedia and/or TripAdvisor securities may be volatile and may face negative pressure.

 

   

After the spin-off, Expedia securities may be removed from investment indices and TripAdvisor securities may not qualify for those investment indices. In addition, Expedia securities and/or TripAdvisor securities may fail to meet the investment guidelines of institutional investors. In either case, these factors may negatively impact the price of Expedia securities and/or TripAdvisor securities and may impair Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s ability to raise capital through the sale of securities.

 

 

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Please refer to the information contained under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, for important information regarding these risks, risk factors relating to Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses following the spin-off, uncertainties and other factors that you should carefully consider.

Recommendation of the Special Committee (page 49)

The Expedia Board of Directors established a Special Committee of independent and disinterested directors to review any arrangements proposed to be entered into in connection with the spin-off among the applicable company, on the one hand, and Mr. Diller and/or Liberty, on the other hand, (taking into account that certain arrangements which relate to the applicable company are as between Mr. Diller and Liberty solely) and any other terms of the spin-off that could involve potential conflicts of interest but not including the financial and any other terms of the spin-off to be decided by the full Expedia Board of Directors, and to make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to proceed with the spin-off with such proposed arrangements and/or other terms that could involve potential conflicts of interest. After completing its activities and deliberations, the Special Committee determined to recommend to the Board of Directors that it proceed with the spin-off of TripAdvisor with such proposed arrangements and/or other terms that could involve potential conflicts of interest, subject to the approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management (which include the shares owned or controlled by Liberty, over which Mr. Diller holds a proxy as of the record date).

Recommendation to Stockholders (page 54)

The Expedia Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR approval of the spin-off proposal and the other proposals being submitted to Expedia stockholders. Expedia’s Board of Directors has carefully reviewed the terms of the spin-off and the related matters and has determined that the spin-off and the related matters are advisable and in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders.

Interests of Officers and Directors in the Spin-Off (page 55)

In considering the recommendation of the Expedia Board of Directors to vote in favor of the spin-off proposal, you should be aware that some of Expedia’s directors and executive officers have interests in the spin-off that are in addition to or different from the interests of stockholders generally.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off (page 63)

It is a condition to the completion of the spin-off that Expedia obtain a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service and an opinion of counsel or, alternatively, solely an opinion of counsel, in each case, satisfactory to Expedia’s Board of Directors, regarding the qualification of the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, as a transaction that is generally tax free for federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, in connection with the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this document is a part, Expedia has received a legal opinion from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to the same effect, and to the effect that, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss will be recognized by you, and no amount will be includible in your income, upon the receipt of shares of TripAdvisor common stock pursuant to the spin-off, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of any fractional shares in connection with the one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock. For more information regarding the Internal Revenue Service private letter ruling, the opinions of counsel, and the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences to Expedia and to you of the spin-off, see the section entitled “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

 

 

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The tax consequences to you of the spin-off will depend on the facts of your situation. In addition, you may be subject to state, local, or foreign tax laws that this document does not address. Please consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences to you of the spin-off.

Regulatory Requirements (page 63)

Expedia is not aware of any material governmental approvals or actions that are necessary for consummation of the spin-off, although Expedia expects to receive a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service as discussed in “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

Stock Market Listing of Expedia and TripAdvisor Securities (page 72)

Expedia common stock currently trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “EXPE” and will continue to do so after the spin-off (as adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split). The Expedia warrants (which will also be adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the reverse stock split) are not currently publicly listed, and Expedia has no plans to list them following the spin-off. TripAdvisor will apply to list TripAdvisor common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market and has reserved the ticker symbol “TRIP.” Trading in TripAdvisor common stock under this symbol is expected to begin on the first business day following the date that Expedia completes the spin-off. However, there can be no assurance that a viable and active trading market will develop. There is no plan to publicly list the new TripAdvisor warrants.

Governance Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off (page 55)

In connection with the spin-off, Expedia, Liberty Interactive Corporation and Mr. Diller intend to enter into an amended and restated governance agreement and Liberty Interactive Corporation and Mr. Diller intend to enter into an amended and restated stockholders agreement, each of which will take effect upon completion of the spin-off and replace the governance and stockholders agreements currently in effect. Similarly, TripAdvisor, Liberty Interactive Corporation and Mr. Diller intend to enter into a governance agreement and Liberty Interactive Corporation and Mr. Diller intend to enter into a stockholders agreement that will be come effective upon completion of the spin-off.

Spin-Off Related Financing Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor (page 69)

Expedia amended its existing revolving credit facility and the underlying credit agreement at the end of August 2011 to, among other things, extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility, reduce the interest rate spread on drawn amounts thereunder, reduce the commitment fee on undrawn amounts thereunder and clarify that the spin-off is permitted under the revolving credit facility. In addition, the indenture (the “2016 Notes Indenture”) governing Expedia’s $400 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding 8.5% senior notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes”) contains certain covenants that could restrict implementation of the proposed spin-off. In light of such covenants, Expedia anticipates that it will redeem the 2016 Notes and, prior to consummation of the spin-off, the 2016 Notes Indenture will have been discharged or defeased. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the outstanding 2016 Notes plus a make-whole premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date.

In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor and certain of its post spin-off subsidiaries expect to enter into a new credit agreement providing for a senior revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $200 million and a term of five years as well as a five-year, $400 million senior term loan to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC.

 

 

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Dividend Policy

 

   

Expedia: While remaining at the discretion of Expedia’s Board of Directors, Expedia anticipates continuing to pay quarterly cash dividends on Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock in the immediate future.

 

   

TripAdvisor: While remaining at the discretion of TripAdvisor’s Board of Directors, TripAdvisor does not anticipate paying cash dividends on TripAdvisor common stock or TripAdvisor Class B common stock in the immediate future.

Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off (page 72)

Following the spin-off, Expedia and TripAdvisor will be independent, publicly owned companies. In connection with the spin-off, Expedia and TripAdvisor will enter into the following agreements:

 

   

a separation agreement that sets forth the arrangements between Expedia and TripAdvisor with respect to the principal corporate transactions necessary to complete the spin-off, and a number of other principles governing the relationship between Expedia and TripAdvisor following the spin-off;

 

   

a tax sharing agreement that will govern the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Expedia and TripAdvisor after the spin-off with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax contests and other matters regarding income taxes, other taxes and related tax returns;

 

   

an employee matters agreement that will govern a wide range of compensation and benefit issues, including the allocation between Expedia and TripAdvisor of responsibility for the employment and benefit obligations and liabilities of each company’s current and former employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries);

 

   

a transition services agreement that will govern the provision of transition services from Expedia to TripAdvisor; and

 

   

various commercial agreements between Expedia and/or its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and TripAdvisor and/or its subsidiaries, on the other hand.

 

 

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EXPEDIA: SUMMARY SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following information is only a summary, and you should read it together with the more detailed financial information for Expedia included elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference into, this document and the annexes hereto.

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data of Expedia as of and for each of the years in the five year period ended December 31, 2010, and as of June 30, 2011 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. The selected consolidated financial data of Expedia as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the three years ended December 31, 2010 were derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Expedia, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data of Expedia as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Expedia, which are not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data of Expedia as of June 30, 2011 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 were derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Expedia, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited financial statements were prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements, and in the opinion of management include all adjustments, consisting of only ordinary recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the information set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. You should read the information in the following table in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and other financial data pertaining to Expedia included in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

    Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
    2010     2009     2008(1)     2007     2006     2011
(unaudited)
    2010
(unaudited)
 
    (In thousands, except per share data)        

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

             

Revenue

  $ 3,348,109      $ 2,955,426      $ 2,937,013      $ 2,665,332      $ 2,237,586      $ 1,845,811      $ 1,551,879   

Operating income (loss)

    731,915        571,414        (2,428,953     529,069        351,329        335,210        305,864   

Net income (loss) attributable to Expedia, Inc.

    421,500        299,526        (2,517,763     295,864        244,934        192,432        173,657   

Net income (loss) per share attributable to Expedia, Inc. available to common stockholders:

             

Basic

  $ 1.49      $ 1.04      $ (8.80   $ 1.00      $ 0.72      $ 0.70      $ 0.61   

Diluted

    1.46        1.03        (8.80     0.94        0.70        0.69        0.60   

Shares used in computing income (loss) per share:

             

Basic

    282,465        288,214        286,167        296,640        338,047        273,725        286,333   

Diluted

    288,028        292,141        286,167        314,233        352,181        278,136        291,726   

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.28      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 0.14      $ 0.14   
    December 31,     June 30,        
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006     2011
(unaudited)
       
    (In thousands)              

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Working deficit

  $ (187,793   $ (610,008   $ (367,454   $ (728,697   $ (224,770   $ (44,119  

Total assets

    6,650,994        5,937,156        5,894,249        8,295,422        8,264,317        8,045,277     

Long-term debt

    1,644,894        895,086        1,544,548        1,085,000        500,000        1,645,237     

Noncontrolling interest

    64,159        67,045        63,910        70,004        65,260        133,773     

Total stockholders’ equity

    2,736,703        2,749,726        2,380,964        4,880,016        5,966,046        3,013,848     

 

(1) The year ended December 31, 2008 includes an approximately $3 billion impairment charge related to goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets.

 

 

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TRIPADVISOR: SUMMARY SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following information is only a summary, and you should read it together with the more detailed financial information for TripAdvisor included elsewhere in this document and the annexes hereto.

The following table presents summary selected combined financial information of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC as of and for each of the years in the five year period ended December 31, 2010, and as of June 30, 2011 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. The selected combined financial data of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the three years ended December 31, 2010, and as of June 30, 2011 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, were derived from the combined financial statements of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC included as Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected combined financial data of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were derived from the unaudited combined financial statements of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC that have not been included in this proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited financial statements were prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements, and in the opinion of management include all adjustments, consisting of only ordinary recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the information set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. You should read the information in the following table in conjunction with the combined financial statements and accompanying notes of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC included in Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus, as well as the disclosure set forth under the caption “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Information about TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of TripAdvisor.”

 

    Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
    2010     2009     2008     2007(1)
(unaudited)
    2006
(unaudited)
    2011
(unaudited)
    2010
(unaudited)
 
    (In thousands)  

Combined Statement of Operations Data:

             

Revenue

  $ 313,525      $ 212,375      $ 200,578      $ 125,211      $ 50,578      $ 205,321      $ 153,923   

Related-party revenue from Expedia

    171,110        139,714        97,668        77,180        55,141        113,143        85,068   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    484,635        352,089        298,246        202,391        105,719        318,464        238,991   

Operating income

    226,300        168,178        124,883        85,165        44,374        157,133        125,034   

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor

    138,776        102,427        72,371        52,050        28,160        101,342        77,435   
    December 31,     June 30,        
    2010     2009     2008     2007
(unaudited)
    2006
(unaudited)
    2011
(unaudited)
       
    (In thousands)        

Combined Balance Sheet Data:

             

Working capital (deficit)

  $ 34,112      $ (78,560   $ (201,962   $ (166,627   $ 76,693      $ 137,276     

Total assets

    722,889        574,826        515,963        386,857        99,687        850,594     

Invested equity

    539,632        389,914        242,900        165,745        271,638        647,012     

 

(1) Includes the results of Smarter Travel since its acquisition in February 2007.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and uncertainties associated with Expedia and the ownership of Expedia securities and with TripAdvisor and the ownership of TripAdvisor securities. In addition, for more information about the companies after the spin-off, you should review the specific descriptions of each of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses under “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Information about Expedia After the Spin-Off” and “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Information about TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off.”

Risk Factors Relating to the Spin-Off

TripAdvisor and Expedia may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that they expect to achieve through the spin-off.

The strategic, operating and financial benefits expected to result from the spin-off (some of which are generally described in this proxy statement/prospectus in the section entitled “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Background and Reasons for the Spin-Off”) may be delayed or may never be realized at all. For instance, there can be no assurance that either Expedia or TripAdvisor will be able to attract transaction partners using their capital stock as acquisition currency or that the companies will be able to enhance the effectiveness of their respective employee compensation structures through better alignment with equity performance. Moreover, analysts and investors may not regard these new corporate structures of Expedia and TripAdvisor as more transparent than Expedia’s current corporate structure.

The synergies that Expedia achieves with all of its businesses under the same corporate structure will cease to exist with regard to the TripAdvisor businesses following the spin-off.

Currently, Expedia’s businesses share certain economies of scale in costs, human capital, vendor relationships and customer relationships with the businesses that TripAdvisor will own following the spin-off. While Expedia and TripAdvisor expect to enter into agreements that will govern their commercial and other relationships after the spin-off, those arrangements are not expected to fully capture the benefits the businesses currently enjoy as a result of common ownership prior to the spin-off. The loss of these benefits as a consequence of the spin-off could have an adverse effect on each of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s business, results of operations and financial condition following the spin-off.

After the spin-off, TripAdvisor may be unable to make the changes necessary to operate effectively as an independent public entity.

Following the spin-off, Expedia will have no obligation to provide financial, operational or organizational assistance to TripAdvisor, other than limited services pursuant to a transition services agreement that Expedia and TripAdvisor expect to enter into in connection with the spin-off. Among other things, as an independent entity, TripAdvisor will be subject to, and responsible for, regulatory compliance, including periodic public filings with the SEC and compliance with securities exchange listing requirements, as well as generally applicable tax and accounting rules. Without assistance from Expedia, TripAdvisor may not be able to implement the changes necessary to operate as an independent public entity successfully.

TripAdvisor will incur increased costs relating to operating as an independent public company that could cause its cash flow and results of operations to decline.

TripAdvisor expects that the obligations of being a public company, including substantial public reporting and investor relations obligations, will require new expenditures, place new demands on TripAdvisor’s management and require the hiring of additional personnel. TripAdvisor will need to implement additional systems or transition to new systems that require new expenditures in order to function effectively as a public

 

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company. Such expenditures could adversely affect TripAdvisor’s cash flow and results of operations. Moreover, there can be no assurance that TripAdvisor’s implementation of additional systems or transition to new systems will be successful, or that such implementation or transition will not present unforeseen costs or demands on TripAdvisor’s management.

After the spin-off, conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, may develop between the management and directors of Expedia, on the one hand, and the management and directors of TripAdvisor, on the other hand.

After the spin-off, the management and directors of Expedia and TripAdvisor may own both Expedia capital stock and TripAdvisor capital stock. This ownership overlap could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s directors and executive officers face decisions that could have different implications for Expedia and TripAdvisor. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between Expedia and TripAdvisor regarding terms of the agreements governing the spin-off and the relationship between Expedia and TripAdvisor thereafter, including the separation agreement, the employee matters agreement, the tax sharing agreement, the transition services agreement or any commercial agreements between the parties or their affiliates. Potential conflicts of interest could also arise if Expedia and TripAdvisor enter into commercial arrangements in the future.

In addition, Mr. Diller will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of TripAdvisor and its Senior Executive, while retaining his role as Chairman and Senior Executive of Expedia; Mr. Khosrowshahi will serve as a director of TripAdvisor while retaining his role as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Expedia; and Mr. Kaufman will serve as a director of TripAdvisor while retaining his role as Vice Chairman and director of Expedia. The fact that Messrs. Diller, Khosrowshahi and Kaufman hold positions with both Expedia and TripAdvisor could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest for each of Messrs. Diller, Khosrowshahi and Kaufman when he faces decisions that may affect both Expedia and TripAdvisor. Each of Messrs. Diller, Khosrowshahi and Kaufman may also face conflicts of interest with regard to the allocation of his time between Expedia and TripAdvisor. Involvement with entities other than Expedia or TripAdvisor could also create potential conflicts; for example, Messrs. Diller and Kaufman hold significant positions at IAC/InterActiveCorp.

In connection with its 2005 spin-off from IAC/InterActiveCorp, Expedia adopted “corporate opportunity” provisions in its amended and restated certificate of incorporation that generally provide that no officer or director of Expedia who is also an officer or director of IAC will be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to IAC instead of Expedia, or does not communicate information to Expedia regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to IAC. Such provisions will remain in effect following the spin-off. At the time of the spin-off, TripAdvisor will have a similar provision in its certificate of incorporation with respect to officers or directors of TripAdvisor who are also officers or directors of Expedia (or IAC). In addition, if the corporate opportunity proposal described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus is approved, Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation will be reciprocally and similarly amended such that Expedia would renounce any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities, which generally will have the effect that no officer or director of Expedia who is also an officer or director of TripAdvisor will be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to TripAdvisor instead of Expedia, or does not communicate information to Expedia regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to TripAdvisor. The corporate opportunity provisions may have the effect of exacerbating the risk of conflicts of interest between Expedia and TripAdvisor because the provisions effectively shield an overlapping director/executive officer from liability for breach of fiduciary duty in the event that such director or officer chooses to direct a corporate opportunity to TripAdvisor instead of to Expedia or vice versa.

 

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If the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Expedia, TripAdvisor and Expedia stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities.

It is a condition to the completion of the spin-off that Expedia obtain a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) along with an opinion of counsel, or alternatively, solely an opinion of counsel, in each case, satisfactory to the Expedia Board of Directors regarding the qualification of the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The IRS private letter ruling, if received, and the opinion of counsel will be based on, among other things, certain facts, assumptions as well as the accuracy of certain representations, statements and undertakings that Expedia and TripAdvisor make to the IRS and to counsel. If any of these representations, statements or undertakings are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, or if Expedia or TripAdvisor breach any of their respective covenants, the IRS private letter ruling, if received, and the opinions of counsel may be invalid.

Moreover, the IRS private letter ruling, if received, will not address all the issues that are relevant to determining whether the spin-off qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion of counsel, the IRS could determine that the spin-off should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings that were included in the request for the IRS private letter ruling or on which the opinion of counsel was based is false or has been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion of counsel that are not covered by any IRS ruling.

If the spin-off were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, then Expedia generally would recognize a gain in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the TripAdvisor common stock distributed to the Expedia stockholders in the spin-off over (ii) Expedia’s tax basis in the common stock of TripAdvisor. In addition, each Expedia stockholder who received TripAdvisor common stock in the spin-off generally would be treated as having received a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the TripAdvisor common stock received in the spin-off, which would be taxable as a dividend to the extent of the stockholder’s ratable share of Expedia’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as increased to reflect any current income, including any gain, recognized by Expedia on the taxable spin-off). The balance, if any, of the distribution would be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the Expedia stockholder’s tax basis in its Expedia stock, with any remaining amount being taxed as capital gain. For more information, see the section entitled “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off” included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Under the Tax Sharing Agreement between Expedia and TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor generally would be required to indemnify Expedia for any taxes resulting from the spin-off (and any related interest, penalties, legal and professional fees, and all costs and damages associated with related stockholder litigation or controversies) to the extent such amounts resulted from (i) any act or failure to act by TripAdvisor described in the covenants in the Tax Sharing Agreement, (ii) any acquisition of equity securities or assets of TripAdvisor or a member of its group, or (iii) any failure of the representations with respect to TripAdvisor or any member of its group to be true or any breach by TripAdvisor or any member of its group of any covenant, in each case, which is contained in the separation documents or in the documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion of counsel. The ability of Expedia to collect under these indemnity provisions will depend on the financial position of TripAdvisor. For more information, see section entitled “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off—Tax Sharing Agreement.”

 

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Certain transactions in Expedia or TripAdvisor equity securities could cause the spin-off to be taxable to Expedia and may give rise to indemnification obligations of TripAdvisor under the Tax Sharing Agreement.

Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s ability to engage in significant stock transactions could be limited or restricted after the spin-off in order to preserve the tax free nature of the spin-off to Expedia. Current U.S. federal income tax law creates a presumption that the spin-off of TripAdvisor would be taxable to Expedia, but not to its stockholders, if such spin-off is part of a “plan or series of related transactions” pursuant to which one or more persons acquire directly or indirectly stock representing a 50% or greater interest (by vote or value) in Expedia or TripAdvisor. Acquisitions that occur during the four-year period that begins two years before the date of the spin-off are presumed to occur pursuant to a plan or series of related transactions, unless it is established that the acquisition is not pursuant to a plan or series of transactions that includes the spin-off. U.S. Treasury regulations currently in effect generally provide that whether an acquisition and a spin-off are part of a plan is determined based on all of the facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, specific factors described in the Treasury regulations. In addition, the Treasury regulations provide several “safe harbors” for acquisitions that are not considered to be part of a plan or series of related transactions.

These rules will limit the ability of Expedia and TripAdvisor during the two-year period following the spin-off to enter into certain transactions that might be advantageous to them and their respective stockholders, particularly issuing equity securities to satisfy financing needs, repurchasing equity securities, and, under certain limited circumstances, acquiring businesses or assets with equity securities or agreeing to be acquired.

Under the Tax Sharing Agreement, there are restrictions on TripAdvisor’s ability to take such actions that could cause the spin-off to fail to qualify as a tax free transaction for a period of 25 months from the day after the spin-off. Moreover, the Tax Sharing Agreement generally provides that TripAdvisor will have to indemnify Expedia for any taxes resulting from the spin-off (and any related interest, penalties, legal and professional fees, and all costs and damages associated with related stockholder litigation or controversies) to the extent such amounts result from (i) any act or failure to act by TripAdvisor described in the covenants in the Tax Sharing Agreement, (ii) any acquisition of equity securities or assets of TripAdvisor or a member of its group, and (iii) any failure of the representations with respect to TripAdvisor or any member of its group to be true or any breach by TripAdvisor or any member of its group of any covenant, in each case, contained in the separation documents or in the documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion of counsel. For more information, see section entitled “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off—Tax Sharing Agreement.”

In addition to actions of Expedia and TripAdvisor, certain transactions that are outside their control and therefore not subject to the restrictive covenants contained in the Tax Sharing Agreement, such as a sale or disposition of the stock of Expedia or the stock of TripAdvisor by certain persons that own five percent or more of any class of stock of Expedia or TripAdvisor, could have a similar effect on the tax free status of the spin-off as transactions to which Expedia or TripAdvisor is a party. As of September 6, 2011, Liberty Interactive Corporation and certain of its affiliates, in the aggregate, owned Expedia stock representing approximately 60% by vote and 25% by value and, assuming no acquisitions or dispositions of Expedia stock by Liberty Interactive Corporation or its affiliates between such date and the date of the spin-off, are expected to own stock of TripAdvisor representing approximately 60% by vote and 25% by value. Accordingly, in evaluating the ability of Expedia and TripAdvisor to engage in certain transactions involving equity securities of Expedia or TripAdvisor, it is possible that Expedia and TripAdvisor will need to take into account the activities of Liberty Interactive Corporation and its affiliates.

As a result of these rules, even if the spin-off otherwise qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, transactions involving equity securities of Expedia or TripAdvisor (including transactions by certain significant stockholders) could cause Expedia to recognize taxable gain with respect to the spin-off as described above. Although the restrictive covenants and indemnification provisions contained in the Tax Sharing Agreement are intended to minimize the likelihood that such an event will occur, there can be no assurance that the spin-off will not become taxable to Expedia as a result of transactions in Expedia or TripAdvisor equity securities.

 

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Risk Factors Relating to Expedia Securities and TripAdvisor Securities

The aggregate value of the Expedia and TripAdvisor securities that current holders of Expedia capital stock receive in the spin-off might be less than the value of the Expedia securities before the spin-off.

If Expedia completes the spin-off as currently contemplated, holders of Expedia capital stock prior to the spin-off will hold a combination of Expedia capital stock and TripAdvisor capital stock following the spin-off. Any number of matters, including the risks described herein, may adversely impact the value of Expedia and TripAdvisor securities after the completion of the spin-off. Some of these matters may or may not have been identified by Expedia or TripAdvisor prior to the completion of the spin-off, and, in any event, may not be within Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s control. Should any adverse circumstances, facts, changes or effects come to pass, the aggregate value of the Expedia and TripAdvisor securities could be less than the value of Expedia securities before the spin-off.

The market price and trading volume of Expedia and/or TripAdvisor securities may be volatile and may face negative pressure.

The businesses that TripAdvisor will own after the spin-off currently have a significant impact on Expedia’s financial condition and results of operations. For example, much of the growth in Expedia’s revenue in recent periods has been due to revenue growth in the TripAdvisor businesses and, accordingly, Expedia’s growth rate may suffer as a result of the spin-off. Investors may therefore choose not to invest in Expedia securities and investors that own Expedia securities because of its TripAdvisor businesses may dispose of some or all of their Expedia securities after the spin-off.

Because Expedia currently owns TripAdvisor and the businesses that TripAdvisor will operate following the spin-off, there is currently no trading market for TripAdvisor’s securities. Investors may decide to dispose of some or all of the TripAdvisor securities that they receive in the spin-off. The TripAdvisor securities issued in the spin-off will be trading publicly for the first time. Until, and possibly even after, orderly trading markets develop for these securities, there may be significant fluctuations in price. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market analysts currently covering Expedia will undertake research coverage of TripAdvisor, possibly negatively impacting market perception, understanding or valuation of the new company.

Expedia cannot accurately predict how investors in Expedia and/or TripAdvisor securities will behave after the spin-off. The market price for Expedia and/or TripAdvisor securities following the spin-off may be more volatile than the market price of Expedia securities before the spin-off. The market price of Expedia and TripAdvisor securities could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including the risks identified in this proxy statement/prospectus or reasons unrelated to each company’s performance. These factors may result in short- or long-term negative pressure on the value of Expedia and TripAdvisor securities.

After the spin-off, Expedia securities may be removed from investment indices and TripAdvisor securities may not qualify for those investment indices. In addition, Expedia securities and/or TripAdvisor securities may fail to meet the investment guidelines of institutional investors. In either case, these factors may negatively impact the price of Expedia securities and/or TripAdvisor securities and may impair Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s ability to raise capital through the sale of securities.

Some of the holders of Expedia securities are index funds tied to the S&P 500, NASDAQ 100 or other stock or investment indices, or are institutional investors bound by various investment guidelines. Companies are generally selected for investment indices, and in some cases selected by institutional investors, based on factors such as market capitalization, industry, trading liquidity and financial condition. The spin-off is expected to reduce Expedia’s market capitalization. As a result, one or more investment indices may remove Expedia securities from their indices and/or TripAdvisor securities may not qualify for those investment indices. In addition, Expedia and/or TripAdvisor securities that are received in the spin-off may not meet the investment

 

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guidelines of some institutional investors. Consequently, these index funds and institutional investors may sell some or all of the securities they receive in the spin-off, and the prices of Expedia and/or TripAdvisor securities may fall as a result. Any such decline could impair the ability of Expedia or TripAdvisor to raise capital through future sales of securities.

Risk Factors Relating to Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s Businesses Following the Spin-Off

After the spin-off, both Expedia and TripAdvisor will own and operate interactive travel businesses and are, therefore, subject to many of the same or similar business risks that this proxy statement/prospectus describes below. You should carefully consider these risks with the understanding that any particular risk factor may affect one or both of the companies. In addition, each company will have unique risk factors associated with its business, which are discussed in separate sections below. You should carefully consider these risks as well. For more information regarding each company’s business see “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Information about Expedia After the Spin-Off” and “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Information about TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off.”

Expedia and TripAdvisor’s businesses could be negatively affected by changes in search engine algorithms and dynamics, or search engine disintermediation.

Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor increasingly utilizes internet search engines such as Google, including through the purchase of travel-related keywords, to generate traffic to its websites. TripAdvisor, in particular, obtains a significant amount of traffic via search engines and, therefore, utilizes techniques such as search engine optimization and search engine marketing to improve its placement in relevant search queries. Search engines, including Google, frequently update and change the logic that determines the placement and display of results of a user’s search, such that the purchased or algorithmic placement of links to Expedia or TripAdvisor websites can be negatively affected. Moreover, a search engine could, for competitive or other purposes, alter its search algorithms or results causing a website to place lower in search query results. If a major search engine changes its algorithms in a manner that negatively affects the search engine ranking, paid or unpaid, of Expedia or TripAdvisor websites or websites of their respective third-party distribution partners, or if competitive dynamics impact the costs or effectiveness of search engine optimization or search engine marketing in a negative manner, Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance would be adversely affected, potentially to a material extent.

In addition, to the extent Google, Bing or other leading search or meta-search engines that have a significant presence in TripAdvisor’s or Expedia’s key markets disintermediate online travel agencies or travel content providers by offering comprehensive travel planning or shopping capabilities, or refer those leads to suppliers directly, or to other favored partners, there could be a material adverse impact on TripAdvisor’s or Expedia’s businesses and financial performance. For example, during 2011 Google completed its acquisition of flight search technology company ITA Software and separately made changes to its hotel search results, including both expanding and promoting the use of Google Places. To the extent these actions have a negative effect on TripAdvisor’s or Expedia’s search traffic, their business and financial performance could be adversely affected.

Declines or disruptions in the travel industry could adversely affect Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses and financial performance.

The businesses and financial performance of Expedia and TripAdvisor are affected by the health of the worldwide travel industry. Travel expenditures are sensitive to personal and business discretionary spending levels and tend to decline or grow more slowly during economic downturns. Decreased travel expenditures could reduce the demand for Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s services, thereby causing a reduction in revenue.

Beginning in 2008, domestic and global economic conditions deteriorated rapidly, resulting in increased unemployment and a reduction in available budgets for both business and leisure travelers, which slowed spending on the services that Expedia and TripAdvisor provide. Further economic weakness and uncertainty may

 

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result in significantly decreased spending on Expedia’s services by both business and leisure travelers. For TripAdvisor, further weakness in the global economy could create uncertainty for travelers and suppliers, and result in reduced spending by advertisers. These conditions could have a material adverse impact on Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance.

Expedia’s business is also sensitive to fluctuations in hotel occupancy and average daily rates, decreases in airline capacity or periodically rising airline ticket prices, all of which Expedia has recently experienced. Events specific to the air travel industry that could negatively affect Expedia’s business also include fare increases, continued carrier consolidation, reduced access to discount airfares or seat capacity, travel-related strikes or labor unrest, bankruptcies or liquidations and increases in fuel prices. Additionally, Expedia’s business is sensitive to safety concerns, and thus Expedia’s business has in the past and may in the future decline after incidents of actual or threatened terrorism, during periods of political instability or geopolitical conflict in which travelers become concerned about safety issues, as a result of natural disasters or events such as severe weather conditions, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes or earthquakes or when travel might involve health-related risks, such as the H1N1 and avian flu outbreaks. Such concerns could result in a protracted decrease in demand for Expedia’s travel services. This decrease in demand, depending on its scope and duration, together with any future issues affecting travel safety, could significantly and adversely affect Expedia’s business, working capital and financial performance over the short and long-term. In addition, the disruption of the existing travel plans of a significant number of travelers upon the occurrence of certain events, such as severe weather conditions, actual or threatened terrorist activity or war, could result in the incurrence of significant additional costs and constrained liquidity if Expedia, as it has done recently in the case of severe weather conditions, provides relief to affected travelers by refunding the price or fees associated with airline tickets, hotel reservations and other travel products and services.

Expedia and TripAdvisor rely on the value of their brands, and the costs of maintaining and enhancing brand awareness are increasing.

Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor invests in its respective brands in order to retain and expand its customer base and each of them expects these investments to continue, or even increase, as a result of a variety of factors, including increased spending from competitors, the increasing costs of supporting multiple brands, expansion into geographies and products where Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s brands are less well known, inflation in media pricing including search engine keywords and the continued emergence and relative traffic share growth of search engines and metasearch engines as destination sites for travelers. Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor expects to continue to invest in, and devote resources to, advertising and marketing, as well as other brand building efforts to preserve and enhance consumer awareness of the company’s respective brands. Such efforts may not maintain or enhance consumer awareness of their respective brands, and, even if Expedia and TripAdvisor are successful in their respective branding efforts, such efforts may not be cost-effective, or as efficient as they have been historically. If Expedia and TripAdvisor are unable to maintain or enhance consumer awareness of their respective brands and to generate demand in a cost-effective manner, it would have a material adverse effect on their respective businesses and financial performance.

Expedia and TripAdvisor rely on information technology to operate their respective businesses and maintain competitiveness, and any failure to adapt to technological developments or industry trends could harm their respective businesses.

Expedia and TripAdvisor depend on the use of sophisticated information technologies and systems. As their respective operations grow in size and scope, both Expedia and TripAdvisor must continuously improve and upgrade their systems and infrastructure while maintaining or improving the reliability and integrity of their systems and infrastructure. Future success of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor also depends on their ability to adapt their respective services and infrastructure to meet rapidly evolving consumer trends and demands while continuing to improve the performance, features and reliability of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s services in response to competitive service and product offerings. The emergence of alternative platforms such as mobile

 

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and tablet computing devices and the emergence of niche competitors who may be able to optimize products, services or strategies for such platforms will require new investment in technology. New developments in other areas, such as cloud computing, could also make it easier for competition to enter their markets due to lower up-front technology costs. In addition, Expedia and TripAdvisor may not be able to maintain their existing systems or replace or introduce new technologies and systems as quickly as they would like or in a cost-effective manner.

Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s international operations involve additional risks and their exposure to these risks will increase as Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s respective businesses expand globally.

Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor operates in a number of jurisdictions outside of the United States and intends to continue to expand its international presence. To achieve widespread acceptance in new countries and markets, Expedia and TripAdvisor must continue to tailor their respective services and business models to the unique circumstances of such countries and markets, which can be difficult, costly and divert management and personnel resources. Failure to adapt practices and models effectively to each country into which either Expedia or TripAdvisor expands could slow their respective international growth.

Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor has businesses operating in China, which create particular risks and uncertainties relating to the laws in China. Expedia operates in China primarily through eLong, Inc., an online transactional travel business; and TripAdvisor operates in China under the brands daodao.com and kuxun.cn. The success of these businesses, and of any future investments in China, is subject to risks and uncertainties regarding the application, development and interpretation of China’s laws and regulations.

The laws and regulations of China restrict foreign investment in areas including air-ticketing and travel agency services, internet content provision, mobile communication and related businesses. Although each of Expedia and TripAdvisor has established effective control of its respective Chinese businesses through a series of agreements, future developments in the interpretation or enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations or a dispute relating to these agreements could restrict Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s ability to operate or restructure these businesses or to engage in strategic transactions.

Other risks faced by both Expedia and TripAdvisor as a result of their international operations, including their operations in China, include:

 

   

Political instability;

 

   

Threatened or actual acts of terrorism;

 

   

Regulatory requirements, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and newly enacted U.K. Bribery Act, data privacy requirements, labor laws and anti-competition regulations;

 

   

Ability to comply with additional U.S. laws applicable to U.S. companies operating internationally as well as local laws and regulations;

 

   

Diminished ability to legally enforce contractual rights;

 

   

Increased risk and limits on enforceability of intellectual property rights;

 

   

Possible preferences by local populations for local providers;

 

   

Restrictions on, or adverse consequences related to, the withdrawal of non-U.S. investment and earnings;

 

   

Currency exchange restrictions, particularly conversion of the U.S. dollar into Chinese renminbi;

 

   

Restrictions on repatriation of cash as well as restrictions on investments in operations in certain countries;

 

   

Exchange rate fluctuations and the risks and costs inherent in hedging such exposures;

 

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Financial risk arising from transactions in multiple currencies;

 

   

Slower adoption of the internet as an advertising, broadcast and commerce medium in certain of those markets as compared to the United States;

 

   

Difficulties in managing staffing and operations due to distance, time zones, language and cultural differences; and

 

   

Uncertainty regarding liability for services and content, including uncertainty as a result of local laws and lack of precedent.

Following the spin-off, each of Expedia and TripAdvisor will depend on its respective key personnel.

Following the spin-off, the future success of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor will depend upon the continued contributions of its respective senior corporate management. In particular, the contributions of Barry Diller, the Chairman and Senior Executive of Expedia and the Chairman and Senior Executive of TripAdvisor, Dara Khosrowshahi, the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Expedia and a director of TripAdvisor, and Stephen Kaufer, the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of TripAdvisor, are critical to the overall management of the respective companies. Each of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s future successes will depend on the performance of their respective senior management and key employees. Expedia and TripAdvisor cannot ensure that they will be able to retain the services of these key personnel or any other member of their respective senior management or key employees, the loss of whom could seriously harm their respective businesses. Neither company maintains any key person life insurance policies.

In addition, competition remains intense for well-qualified employees in certain aspects of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses, including software engineers, developers, product management and development personnel, and other technology professionals.

The continued ability of both Expedia and TripAdvisor to compete effectively depends on their ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate existing employees. If Expedia and TripAdvisor do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees or retaining or motivating existing employees, the Expedia and TripAdvisor businesses would be adversely affected.

Changing laws, rules and regulations and legal uncertainties may adversely affect Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s respective businesses or financial performance.

Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s respective businesses and financial performance could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in or interpretations of existing laws, rules and regulations or the promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations applicable to Expedia or TripAdvisor and their businesses, including those relating to the internet and online commerce, internet advertising, consumer protection and privacy. Unfavorable changes could decrease demand for products and services, limit marketing methods and capabilities, increase costs and/or subject Expedia or TripAdvisor to additional liabilities.

For example, there is, and will likely continue to be, an increasing number of laws and regulations pertaining to the internet and online commerce that may relate to liability for information retrieved from or transmitted over the internet, online editorial and user-generated content, user privacy, behavioral targeting and online advertising, taxation, liability for third-party activities and the quality of products and services. TripAdvisor’s current business partner arrangements with third parties, including Facebook, could be negatively impacted to the extent that more restrictive privacy laws or regulations are enacted, particularly in the United States or European Union. In addition, enforcement authorities in the United States continue to rely on their authority under existing consumer protection laws to take action against companies relating to data privacy and security practices. The growth and development of online commerce may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws and more aggressive enforcement efforts, which may impose additional burdens on online businesses generally. In addition, for Expedia, the promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or manner in which Expedia provides primary ticketing and

 

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ticket resale services would require Expedia to change certain aspects of its business, operations and client relationships to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for services, reduce revenues, increase costs and/or subject the company to additional liabilities.

Mr. Diller currently controls Expedia and is expected to control TripAdvisor. If Mr. Diller ceases to control Expedia and/or TripAdvisor, Liberty Interactive Corporation may effectively control the company that Mr. Diller ceases to control.

Following the spin-off, subject to the terms of stockholders agreements relating separately to each of Expedia and TripAdvisor, Mr. Diller will effectively control the outcome of all matters submitted to a vote or for the consent of each company’s stockholders (other than with respect to the election by the holders of each company’s common stock of 25% of the members of that company’s Board of Directors and matters as to which Delaware law requires separate class votes). Upon Mr. Diller ceasing to serve in his capacity as Chairman of Expedia or TripAdvisor, as the case may be, or his becoming disabled, Liberty Interactive Corporation may effectively control the voting power of the capital stock of the company from which Mr. Diller departs due to ceasing to serve as Chairman or as a result of becoming disabled through its ownership of common shares of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor.

The effective tax rates of Expedia and TripAdvisor are impacted by a number of factors that could have a material impact on their respective financial results and could increase the volatility of those results.

Due to the global nature of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses, each earns an increasing portion of its income, and accumulates a greater portion of cash flow, in foreign jurisdictions. Any repatriation of funds currently held in foreign jurisdictions may result in higher effective tax rates and incremental cash tax payments. In addition, there have been proposals to amend U.S. tax laws that would significantly impact the manner in which U.S. companies are taxed on foreign earnings. Although the companies cannot predict whether or in what form any legislation will pass, if enacted, it could have a material adverse impact on Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s U.S. tax expense and cash flows.

Expedia and TripAdvisor cannot be sure that their respective intellectual property is protected from copying or use by others, including potential competitors.

Expedia and TripAdvisor websites rely on content, brands and technology, much of which is proprietary. Expedia and TripAdvisor each protect their proprietary content, brands and technology by relying on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, patents and confidentiality agreements. In connection with Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s license agreements with third parties, each seeks to control access to, and the use and distribution of, proprietary technology, content and brands. Even with these precautions, it may be possible for another party to copy or otherwise obtain and use Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s proprietary technology, content or brands without authorization or to develop similar technology, content or brands independently. Effective trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret protection may not be available in every jurisdiction in which Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s services are made available, and policing unauthorized use of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s proprietary technology, content and brands is difficult and expensive. Therefore, in certain jurisdictions, each company may be unable to protect its proprietary technology, content and brands adequately against unauthorized third-party copying or use, which could adversely affect each company’s business or ability to compete. Neither Expedia nor TripAdvisor can be sure that the steps they have taken will prevent misappropriation or infringement of proprietary technology, content or brands. Any misappropriation or violation of Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s rights could have a material adverse effect on Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s business. Furthermore, Expedia and TripAdvisor may need to go to court or other tribunals to enforce their respective intellectual property rights, to protect their trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. These proceedings might result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. The failure by Expedia or TripAdvisor to protect their intellectual property in a cost-effective or effective manner could have a material adverse effect on its respective business and ability to protect its respective technology, content and brands.

 

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Expedia and TripAdvisor currently license from third parties and from each other some of the technologies, content and brands incorporated into their respective websites. As Expedia and TripAdvisor continue to introduce new services that incorporate new technologies, content and brands, each may be required to license additional technology, content or brands. Expedia and TripAdvisor cannot be sure that such technology, content and brand licenses will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

Both Expedia and TripAdvisor are subject to foreign exchange risk.

Expedia and TripAdvisor conduct a significant and growing portion of their businesses outside the United States. As a result, both companies face exposure to movements in currency exchange rates, particularly those related to the euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and Chinese renminbi.

These exposures include but are not limited to re-measurement gains and losses from changes in the value of foreign denominated assets and liabilities; translation gains and losses on foreign subsidiary financial results that are translated into U.S. dollars upon consolidation; and planning risk related to changes in exchange rates between the time the companies prepare their annual and quarterly forecasts and when actual results occur.

Depending on the size of the exposures and the relative movements of exchange rates, if Expedia or TripAdvisor were to choose not to hedge or were to fail to hedge effectively its respective exposure, that company could experience a material adverse effect on its financial statements and financial condition. As seen in some recent periods, in the event of severe volatility in exchange rates the impact of these exposures can increase, and the impact on results of operations can be more pronounced. In addition, the current environment and the increasingly global nature of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses have made hedging these exposures both more complex and costly. Expedia has increased and plans to continue increasing the scope, complexity and duration of its foreign exchange risk management, including the use of forward contracts to hedge a portion of its exposures. Expedia makes a number of estimates in conducting hedging activities including in some cases the level of future bookings, cancellations, refunds, customer stay patterns and payments in foreign currencies. In the event those estimates differ significantly from actual results, Expedia could experience greater volatility as a result of its hedging activities. Historically, TripAdvisor has not hedged translation risks as cash flows from its international operations were generally reinvested locally. TripAdvisor does not expect, in the near term, to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and therefore could incur unanticipated translation gains and losses.

System interruption and the lack of redundancy in both Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s information systems may harm their businesses.

Expedia relies on computer systems to facilitate and process transactions; TripAdvisor relies on computer systems to deliver content and services. Both companies have experienced and may in the future experience system interruptions that make some or all of these systems unavailable or prevent the companies from efficiently fulfilling orders or providing content and services to users and third parties. Significant interruptions, outages or delays in internal systems, or systems of third parties that Expedia or TripAdvisor rely upon including multiple co-location providers for data centers and network access, or deterioration in the performance of any such systems, would impair the ability of Expedia and TripAdvisor to process transactions or display content and decrease the quality of the services they offer to travelers and users. These interruptions could include security intrusions and attacks on the companies’ systems for fraud or service interruption (called “denial of service” or “bot” attacks). If either Expedia or TripAdvisor were to experience frequent or persistent system failures, its respective businesses, reputations and brands could be harmed.

In addition, both companies lack backup systems or contingency plans for certain critical aspects of their operations or business processes. Many other systems are not fully redundant and their disaster recovery or business continuity planning may not be sufficient. Fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquakes, acts of war or terrorism, acts of God, computer viruses, electronic intrusion attempts from both external and internal sources and similar events or disruptions may damage or impact or interrupt computer or

 

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communications systems or business processes at any time. Although each company has put measures in place to protect certain portions of its facilities and assets, any of these events could cause system interruption, delays and loss of critical data, and could prevent Expedia or TripAdvisor from providing content and services to users, travelers and/or third parties for a significant period of time. Remediation may be costly and the companies may not have adequate insurance to cover such costs. Moreover, the costs of enhancing infrastructure to attain improved stability and redundancy may be time consuming and expensive and may require resources and expertise that are difficult to obtain.

Expedia and TripAdvisor process, store and use personal information and other data, which subjects both companies to risks stemming from possible failure to comply with governmental regulation and other legal obligations and potential liability related to security breaches.

Expedia and TripAdvisor may acquire personal or confidential information from users of their websites and mobile applications. There are numerous laws regarding privacy and the storing, sharing, use, processing, disclosure and protection of personal information and other consumer data, the scope of which are changing, subject to differing interpretations, and may be inconsistent between countries or conflict with other rules. Both Expedia and TripAdvisor strive to comply with all applicable laws, policies, legal obligations and industry codes of conduct relating to privacy and data protection. It is possible, however, that these obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or the practices of the companies. Any failure or perceived failure by Expedia or TripAdvisor to comply with its respective privacy policies, privacy-related obligations to users or other third parties, or privacy-related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other user data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation or public statements against the relevant company by consumer advocacy groups or others and could cause Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s customers and members to lose trust in the companies, which could have an adverse effect on its respective businesses.

The regulatory framework for privacy issues worldwide is currently in flux and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Practices regarding the collection, use, storage, transmission and security of personal information by companies operating over the internet have recently come under increased public scrutiny. The U.S. Congress and federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce, are reviewing the need for greater regulation for the collection and use of information concerning consumer behavior on the internet, including regulation aimed at restricting certain targeted advertising practices. U.S. courts are also considering the applicability of existing federal and state statutes, including computer trespass and wiretapping laws, to the collection and exchange of information online. In addition, the European Union is in the process of proposing reforms to its existing data protection legal framework, which may result in a greater compliance burden for companies, including Expedia and TripAdvisor, with users in Europe and increased costs of compliance. TripAdvisor collaborations with other online service providers involve exchanges of user information, and these practices may attract increased regulatory scrutiny in the United States and Europe in the future.

Potential security breaches to Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s systems, whether resulting from internal or external sources, could significantly harm their business. There can be no guarantee that their existing security measures will prevent all possible security breaches or attacks. A party, whether internal or external, that is able to circumvent Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s security systems could misappropriate user information or proprietary information or cause significant interruptions in such company’s operations. In the past, Expedia and TripAdvisor have experienced “denial-of-service” type attacks on their systems that have made portions of their websites unavailable for short periods of time as well as unauthorized access of their systems and data. Expedia and TripAdvisor may need to expend significant resources to protect against security breaches or to address problems caused by breaches, and reductions in website availability could cause a loss of substantial business volume during the occurrence of any such incident. Because the techniques used to sabotage security change frequently, often are not recognized until launched against a target and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, Expedia and TripAdvisor may be unable to proactively address these techniques or to implement adequate preventive measures. Security breaches could result in negative publicity, damage to

 

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reputation, exposure to risk of loss or litigation and possible liability due to regulatory penalties and sanctions. Security breaches could also cause travelers and potential users to lose confidence in Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s security, which would have a negative effect on the value of their brands. Failure to adequately protect against attacks or intrusions, whether for their own systems or systems of vendors, could expose Expedia or TripAdvisor to security breaches that could have an adverse impact on financial performance.

Acquisitions and investments by Expedia and by TripAdvisor could result in operating and financial difficulties.

Expedia and TripAdvisor (as part of Expedia) have each acquired a number of businesses in the past, and each company’s future growth may depend, in part, on future acquisitions, any of which could be material to its respective financial condition and results of operations. Certain financial and operational risks related to acquisitions that may have a material impact on Expedia’s or TripAdvisor’s business are:

 

   

Use of cash resources and incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities in funding acquisitions may limit other potential uses of its cash, including stock repurchases, dividend payments and retirement of outstanding indebtedness;

 

   

Amortization expenses related to acquired intangible assets and other adverse accounting consequences;

 

   

Expected and unexpected costs incurred in pursuing acquisitions, identifying and performing due diligence on potential acquisition targets that may or may not be successful;

 

   

Diversion of management’s attention or other resources from its existing business;

 

   

Difficulties and expenses in integrating the operations, products, technology, privacy protection systems, information systems or personnel of the acquired company;

 

   

Impairment of relationships with employees, suppliers and affiliates of their business and the acquired business;

 

   

The assumption of known and unknown debt and liabilities of the acquired company;

 

   

Failure of the acquired company to achieve anticipated traffic, revenues, earnings or cash flows or to retain key management or employees;

 

   

Failure to generate adequate returns on acquisitions and investments;

 

   

Entrance into markets in which they have no direct prior experience and increased complexity in their business;

 

   

Impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets such as trademarks or other intellectual property arising from acquisitions; and

 

   

Adverse market reaction to acquisitions.

Moreover, Expedia and TripAdvisor rely heavily on the representations and warranties provided to them by the sellers of acquired companies, including as they relate to creation, ownership and rights in intellectual property and compliance with laws and contractual requirements. Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with past or future acquisitions and investments could cause them to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions or investments, incur unanticipated liabilities and harm their business generally.

Expedia and TripAdvisor may be unable to access capital when necessary or desirable.

The availability of funds depends in significant measure on capital markets and liquidity factors over which Expedia and TripAdvisor have no control. In light of periodic uncertainty in the capital and credit markets, there can be no assurance that sufficient financing will be available on desirable or even any terms to fund investments, acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends, debt refinancing or extraordinary actions or that counterparties in any such financings would honor their contractual commitments. In addition, any downgrade of

 

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Expedia’s debt ratings by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investor Service or similar ratings agencies, increases in general interest rate levels or overall weakening in the credit markets could increase Expedia’s and/or TripAdvisor’s cost of capital.

Furthermore, Expedia and TripAdvisor are also accumulating a greater portion of their respective cash flows in foreign jurisdictions than previously and the repatriation of such funds for use in the United States, including for corporate purposes such as acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends or debt refinancings, may result in additional U.S. income tax expense.

Finally, Expedia has experienced, and may experience in the future, declines in seasonal liquidity and capital provided by its merchant hotel business, which has historically provided a meaningful portion of Expedia’s operating cash flow and will likely provide a more significant portion of Expedia’s operating cash flow following the spin-off. The extent of such impact is dependent on several factors, including the rate of growth of Expedia’s merchant hotel business, payment terms with suppliers and relative growth of businesses which consume rather than generate working capital, such as its agency hotel, advertising and managed corporate travel businesses. Expedia also continues to evaluate the use of the agency model versus the merchant model in each of its markets and any change in Expedia’s relative use of the agency model could have a materially adverse impact on its working capital and liquidity position.

Expedia is currently relying on the “controlled company” exemption under NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rules, and TripAdvisor is expected to elect to rely on such “controlled company” exemption, pursuant to which such “controlled companies” are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements otherwise applicable under NASDAQ listing rules.

The NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rules exempt “controlled companies,” or companies of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company from certain corporate governance requirements, including those requirements that:

 

   

a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;

 

   

compensation of officers be determined or recommended to the board of directors by a majority of its independent directors or by a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors; and

 

   

director nominees be selected or recommended to the board of directors by a majority of its independent directors or by a nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors.

Expedia currently relies on the controlled company exemption from the above requirements, and it is expected that TripAdvisor will qualify as a controlled company and is expected to rely on the controlled company exemption from the above requirements. Accordingly, stockholders of Expedia will not, and stockholders of TripAdvisor would not be afforded the same protections generally as stockholders of other NASDAQ-listed companies with respect to corporate governance for so long as each company relies on these exemptions from the corporate governance requirements.

Risk Factors Relating to TripAdvisor’s Business Following the Spin-Off

Competition from companies and websites that aggregate travel-related content could adversely affect TripAdvisor’s business.

TripAdvisor competes for advertising revenue with search engines, such as Google and Bing, which offer pay-per-click or pay-per-impression advertising services, as well as large internet portal sites such as Yahoo! that offer listing or other advertising opportunities for travel-related companies. These competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources compared to TripAdvisor as well as large client bases. In addition, TripAdvisor competes with newspapers, magazines and other traditional media companies that

 

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provide offline and online advertising opportunities. TripAdvisor expects to face additional competition as other established and emerging companies enter the travel advertising market. Competition could result in higher traffic acquisition costs, reduced margins on TripAdvisor’s advertising services, loss of market share, reduced customer traffic to TripAdvisor’s websites and reduced advertising by travel companies on TripAdvisor’s websites. For example, Google (through its expansion of Google Places and preferred top placement of Places results in Google organic travel search results and its acquisition of ITA Software) and Microsoft’s Bing (through its launch of Bing Travel) have each taken steps to appeal more directly to travel customers, which could lead to diversion of customer traffic to their own websites or those of a favored partner, or undermine TripAdvisor’s ability to obtain prominent placement in paid or unpaid search results at a reasonable cost, or at all.

TripAdvisor could face competition from companies and websites that collect travel-related content, which could divert traffic from TripAdvisor websites causing financial harm to TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor may face increased competition to the extent that competitors pursue a strategy to maximize the creation of commercially valuable online content at significant scale. For example, if any of the large search engines or online travel agencies chose to compete more directly with TripAdvisor in the travel review space, TripAdvisor may face the loss of business or other adverse financial consequences since those entities generally possess significantly greater consumer bases, financial resources, distribution channels and patent portfolios. For example, Google Places, with its aggregated reviews and local recommendations, competes with TripAdvisor. Further, Google’s access to more comprehensive data regarding user search queries through its search algorithms gives it a significant competitive advantage over other companies in the industry, including TripAdvisor. If this data is used competitively by Google, sold to online publishers or given away for free, TripAdvisor’s business may face increased competition from companies, including Google, with substantially greater resources, brand recognition and established market presence. TripAdvisor could also face competition from online travel agents that may be in a position to accumulate and develop a comprehensive offering of travel-related reviews and resources. The barriers to entry for these companies may be limited given their access to travel-related information and relationships with consumers. If online travel agents were to more directly enter TripAdvisor’s market, the number of visitors to TripAdvisor’s websites may be negatively affected which would, in turn, reduce TripAdvisor’s ability to attract advertisers. Online travel agents are also a meaningful source of TripAdvisor’s revenues, so if in competing with TripAdvisor these companies decide to reduce or eliminate their business with TripAdvisor, it could significantly impact TripAdvisor’s results of operations and financial condition. Any of these competitors may announce new products, services or enhancements that attract users. Any such increased competition could cause pricing pressure, loss of market share or decreased member engagement, any of which could adversely affect TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance.

TripAdvisor derives substantially all of its revenue from advertising and any reduction in spending by or loss of advertisers could harm TripAdvisor’s business.

TripAdvisor derives substantially all of its revenue from advertising. Most of TripAdvisor’s advertisers can generally terminate their contracts with TripAdvisor at any time or on very short notice. Advertisers will not continue to do business with TripAdvisor if their investment in such advertising does not generate sales leads, customers, bookings, or revenue and profit on a cost-effective basis, or if TripAdvisor does not deliver advertisements in an appropriate and effective manner. If TripAdvisor is unable to remain competitive and provide value to its advertisers, they will likely stop placing ads on TripAdvisor websites, which would harm TripAdvisor’s revenues and business. In addition, TripAdvisor cannot guarantee that its current advertisers will fulfill their obligations under existing contracts, continue to advertise beyond the terms of existing contracts or enter into any additional contracts with TripAdvisor.

Expenditures by advertisers also tend to be cyclical, subject to variation based on budgetary constraints, project cancellation or delay and to reflect overall economic conditions and buying patterns. If TripAdvisor is unable to generate advertising revenue due to factors outside of its control, TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance would be adversely affected.

 

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Click-based advertising accounts for the majority of TripAdvisor’s advertising revenue. If new, more effective advertising models were to emerge there can be no assurance that TripAdvisor will have the ability to offer these models, or offer them in an effective manner. To the extent new technology platforms, such as mobile and tablet computing, begin to take market share from established platforms, there can be no assurance that TripAdvisor’s existing advertising models will operate successfully on these new platforms, or work as effectively as on the desktop computer platform.

TripAdvisor relies on a relatively small number of significant advertisers and any reduction in spending by or loss of those advertisers could seriously harm TripAdvisor’s business.

TripAdvisor derives a substantial portion of its revenue from a relatively small number of significant advertisers. If any of TripAdvisor’s significant advertisers were to cease or to significantly curtail advertising on TripAdvisor websites, TripAdvisor could experience a rapid decline in its revenue over a relatively short period of time. For example, Expedia is TripAdvisor’s most significant advertising customer in terms of revenue and Expedia currently expects to reduce the percentage of gross profit (on bookings generated from TripAdvisor-sourced visitors) that it pays to TripAdvisor in the future for click-based advertising, which is expected to have the effect of reducing its marketing spend with TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor currently estimates that this reduction will reduce TripAdvisor’s annual revenue by approximately 2% to 5%. In the event that the impact of this change is more significant, it may have an adverse effect on TripAdvisor’s business, financial condition and results of operation. In addition, TripAdvisor expects to enter into a one-year agreement with Expedia in connection with the spin-off. If such contract is not subsequently renewed or is renewed on terms less favorable to TripAdvisor, it could have an adverse effect on TripAdvisor’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, TripAdvisor’s cost-per-click (“CPC”) pricing for click-based advertising depends, in part, on competition between advertisers, with those paying higher CPCs generally getting better advertising placement and more leads from TripAdvisor. If TripAdvisor’s large advertisers become less competitive with each other, merge with each other, focus more on profit than on traffic volume, or are able to reduce CPCs, this would have an adverse impact on TripAdvisor’s CPCs which would, in turn, have an adverse effect on TripAdvisor’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

TripAdvisor’s success depends upon the acceptance, and successful measurement, of online advertising as an alternative to offline advertising.

TripAdvisor believes that a significant discrepancy exists between the percentage of the advertising market allocated to online advertising and the percentage of time spent on online (as opposed to offline) media consumption. Growth in TripAdvisor’s business largely depends on this distinction between online and offline advertising narrowing or being eliminated, which may not happen in a manner or to the extent that TripAdvisor currently expects. TripAdvisor competes with traditional media for advertising dollars, in addition to websites with higher levels of traffic. If online advertising ceases to be an acceptable alternative to offline advertising, TripAdvisor’s business, financial condition and results of operations will be negatively impacted.

Because the online marketing industry is relatively new and rapidly evolving, it uses different methods than traditional media to gauge its effectiveness. Some of TripAdvisor’s potential customers have little or no experience using the internet for advertising and marketing purposes and have allocated only limited portions of their advertising and marketing budgets to the internet. The adoption of internet advertising, particularly by those entities that have historically relied upon traditional media for advertising, requires the acceptance of a new way of conducting business, exchanging information and evaluating new advertising and marketing technologies and services. In particular, TripAdvisor is dependent on TripAdvisor’s clients’ adoption of new metrics to measure the success of online marketing campaigns. TripAdvisor may also experience resistance from traditional advertising agencies who may be advising TripAdvisor’s clients. Any lack of growth in the market for various online advertising models could have an adverse effect on TripAdvisor’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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In addition, if advertisers materially change their transaction attribution models or their return on investment calculations and/or increase their return on investment targets with respect to online advertising in general or TripAdvisor traffic in particular, they might reduce their CPCs, which would have an adverse effect on TripAdvisor’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

If TripAdvisor is unable to continue to drive and increase visitors to TripAdvisor’s websites and to cost-effectively convert these visitors into repeat users or contributors, TripAdvisor’s advertising revenue could decline.

The primary asset that TripAdvisor uses to attract traffic to its websites and convert these visitors into repeat users is the content created by users of TripAdvisor’s websites, particularly such content’s volume, unique nature and organization. TripAdvisor’s success in attracting users depends, in part, upon TripAdvisor’s continued ability to collect, create and distribute high-quality, commercially valuable content in a cost-effective manner at a scale that connects consumers with content that meets their specific interests and enables them to share and interact with the content and supporting communities. There can be no assurances that TripAdvisor will continue to receive content in a cost-effective manner or in a manner that timely meets rapidly changing consumer demand, if at all. Any failure to obtain such content could adversely affect user experiences and reduce traffic driven to TripAdvisor’s websites, which would make TripAdvisor’s websites less attractive to advertisers. Any change in the cost structure pursuant to which TripAdvisor obtains its content currently, or in travelers’ relative appreciation of user-based versus expert content, could negatively impact TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance.

One method TripAdvisor employs to attract and acquire new, and retain existing, users and members is commonly referred to as search engine optimization (or SEO). SEO is the practice of developing websites with relevant and current content that rank well in search engine results. TripAdvisor is subject to periodic changes in search engine algorithms and methodologies and changes in search query trends and display results. TripAdvisor’s failure to successfully manage its SEO strategy could result in a substantial decrease in traffic to TripAdvisor websites, as well as increased costs if TripAdvisor were to replace free traffic with paid traffic. Actions beyond the control of TripAdvisor, such as changes to algorithms by search engine providers for competitive or other purposes, on the part of the companies that operate the large search engines, could also negatively impact the ranking of TripAdvisor websites in search engine results.

Even if TripAdvisor succeeds in driving traffic to its websites, neither TripAdvisor nor its advertisers or partners may be able to monetize this traffic or otherwise retain consumers. TripAdvisor’s failure to do so could result in decreased users and related advertising revenue. Any or all of the above results would adversely affect TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance.

TripAdvisor is dependent upon the quality of traffic in TripAdvisor’s network to provide value to online advertisers, and any failure in TripAdvisor’s quality control could have a material adverse effect on the value of TripAdvisor’s websites to TripAdvisor’s advertisers and adversely affect TripAdvisor’s revenue.

TripAdvisor uses technology and processes to monitor the quality of, and to identify any anomalous metrics associated with, the internet traffic that TripAdvisor delivers to online advertisers. These metrics may be indicative of low quality clicks such as non-human processes, including robots, spiders or other software; the mechanical automation of clicking; and other types of invalid clicks or click fraud. Even with such monitoring in place, there is a risk that a certain amount of low-quality traffic, or traffic that online advertisers deem to be invalid, will be delivered to such online advertisers. As a result, TripAdvisor may be required to credit future amounts owed to it by TripAdvisor’s advertisers. Furthermore, low-quality or invalid traffic may be detrimental to TripAdvisor’s relationships with advertisers, and could adversely affect TripAdvisor’s advertising pricing and revenue.

 

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New technologies could block TripAdvisor’s ads, which would harm TripAdvisor’s business.

Technologies have been developed that can block the display of online ads and that provide tools to users to opt out of some web-based advertising products. TripAdvisor derives most of its revenues from fees paid to TripAdvisor by advertisers in connection with the display of ads on web pages for TripAdvisor’s users. As a result, these technologies and tools could adversely affect TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance.

TripAdvisor may experience difficulty in achieving meaningful consumer adoption of, and creating a viable advertising market via, its applications for mobile and tablet computing devices, which could harm TripAdvisor’s business.

In general, TripAdvisor content was originally designed for users accessing the internet on a desktop or laptop computer. The number of people who access the internet through devices other than personal computers has increased substantially in the last few years. Although TripAdvisor has developed services and applications to address the smaller screens, lower resolution graphics and less convenient typing capabilities of these devices, the cost of mobile advertising is relatively high and may not be considered cost effective for advertising customers. Moreover, if TripAdvisor’s mobile and tablet computing services prove to be less effective for users seeking to research travel through these devices or less economically attractive for advertisers and the wireless and mobile segment of internet traffic grows at the expense of traditional computer internet access, TripAdvisor may experience difficulty attracting and retaining traffic and, in turn, advertisers, on these platforms. Additionally, as new devices and new platforms are continually being released, it is difficult to predict the challenges that TripAdvisor may encounter in developing versions of its offerings for use on these alternative devices, and TripAdvisor may need to devote significant resources to the creation, support, and maintenance of its services on such devices. To the extent that revenue generated from advertising placed on mobile and tablet computing devices becomes more important to TripAdvisor’s business and TripAdvisor fails to adequately evolve and address this market, TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance could be negatively impacted.

As a distributor and host of internet content, TripAdvisor faces potential liability and expense for legal claims based on the nature and content of the materials that TripAdvisor distributes or creates, or that are accessible via TripAdvisor’s websites.

As a distributor and host of original content and user-generated content, TripAdvisor faces potential liability based on a variety of theories, including defamation, libel, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or other legal theories based on the nature, creation or distribution of this information, and under various laws, including the Lanham Act, the Copyright Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Communications Decency Act, and the EU E-Commerce Directive. TripAdvisor may also be exposed to similar liability in connection with content that users post to TripAdvisor’s websites through forums, blogs, comments, and other social media features. In addition, it is possible that visitors to TripAdvisor’s websites could make claims against the company for losses incurred in reliance upon information provided via TripAdvisor’s websites. These claims, whether brought in the United States or abroad, could divert management time and attention away from TripAdvisor’s business and result in significant costs to investigate and defend, regardless of the merit of these claims. If TripAdvisor becomes subject to these or similar claims and is not successful in its defense, TripAdvisor may be forced to pay substantial damages. There is no guarantee that the company will avoid future liability and potential expenses for legal claims based on the content available on TripAdvisor’s websites. Should the content distributed through TripAdvisor’s websites violate the rights of others or otherwise give rise to claims against TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor could be subject to substantial liability, which could have a negative impact on its business and financial performance.

Poor perception of TripAdvisor’s brand or the content available on its websites could harm TripAdvisor’s reputation and adversely affect TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance.

Loss of trust in TripAdvisor’s content or brand would harm its reputation and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. TripAdvisor’s success depends on attracting and retaining a large

 

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number of users to its websites and providing leads and clicks to advertisers. In order to attract and retain users, TripAdvisor must remain a trusted source of travel advice. Because of TripAdvisor’s reliance on user-generated content, the company must continually manage and monitor its content and detect incorrect or fraudulent information. For example, hotels, hotel competitors, or others, in an attempt to improperly influence a hotel’s reviews and rankings, sometimes write and submit fraudulent or otherwise misleading reviews. If a significant amount of inaccurate or fraudulent information were not detected and removed by TripAdvisor in a timely manner, or if a significant amount of information was perceived by users or the media to be inaccurate or fraudulent, whether or not such perceptions were accurate, TripAdvisor’s brand, business and reputation could be harmed. From time to time, TripAdvisor has been the target of complaints and allegations in the United States and abroad regarding the trustworthiness of reviews on its websites, some of which have resulted in adverse media coverage. There can be no guarantee that current or future complaints, allegations, investigations or legal proceedings, even if baseless, will not generate adverse publicity that could damage TripAdvisor’s reputation. Any damage to TripAdvisor’s reputation could harm its ability to attract and retain users and advertisers, which would adversely affect its business and financial performance. In addition, adverse news reports or media, industry or consumer coverage of TripAdvisor would reflect poorly on its brands and could divert management time and attention away from TripAdvisor’s business, any of which could have an adverse effect on its business and financial performance.

If TripAdvisor does not continue to innovate and provide tools and services that are useful to travelers, it may not remain competitive, and its business and financial performance could suffer.

TripAdvisor’s success depends in part on continued innovation to provide features and services that make its websites and mobile and tablet computing applications useful for travelers. Competitors of TripAdvisor are continually developing innovations in online travel-related services and features. If TripAdvisor is unable to provide quality features and services that travelers want to use, then travelers may become dissatisfied and use a competitor’s offerings. If it is unable to continue offering innovative products and services, TripAdvisor may be unable to attract additional users, which could adversely affect its business and financial performance.

TripAdvisor may be subject to claims that it violated intellectual property rights of others, which claims are extremely costly to defend and could require the company to pay significant damages and limit its ability to operate.

Companies in the internet and technology industries, and other patent and trademark holders seeking to profit from royalties in connection with grants of licenses, own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. TripAdvisor has received in the past and may in the future receive notices that claim it has misappropriated or misused other parties’ intellectual property rights. There may be intellectual property rights held by others, including issued or pending patents and trademarks, that cover significant aspects of TripAdvisor’s technologies or content. Any intellectual property claim against the company, regardless of merit, could be time consuming and expensive to settle or litigate and could divert management’s attention and other resources. These claims also could subject the company to significant liability for damages and could result in it having to stop using technology or content found to be in violation of another party’s rights. TripAdvisor might be required or may opt to seek a license for rights to intellectual property held by others, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if a license is available, TripAdvisor could be required to pay significant royalties, which would increase its operating expenses. It may also be required to develop alternative non-infringing technology, or content, which could require significant effort and expense and make TripAdvisor less competitive in the relevant market. Any of these results could harm its business and financial performance.

 

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TripAdvisor may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor and certain of its post spin-off subsidiaries expect to enter into a credit agreement providing for a term loan in the amount of $400 million to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC as well as a revolving credit facility of $200 million. These arrangements may limit TripAdvisor’s ability to secure significant, additional financing in the future on favorable terms. TripAdvisor’s ability to secure additional financing and satisfy its financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time will depend upon TripAdvisor’s future operating performance, which is subject to then prevailing general economic and credit market conditions, including interest rate levels and the availability of credit generally, and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond TripAdvisor’s control.

In addition, TripAdvisor may be unable to secure additional financing or financing on favorable terms or TripAdvisor’s operating cash flow may be insufficient to satisfy its financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time (if any). Furthermore, if financing is not available when needed or is not available on favorable terms, TripAdvisor may be unable to issue or repurchase equity, develop new or enhanced existing services, complete acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, TripAdvisor’s stockholders may experience significant dilution.

TripAdvisor expects to have significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect its business and financial condition.

Upon consummation of the spin-off, the face value of TripAdvisor’s indebtedness is expected to total at least $400 million. Risks relating to TripAdvisor’s expected indebtedness include:

 

   

Increasing its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

Requiring TripAdvisor to dedicate a portion of its cash flow from operations to payments on its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments and other general corporate purposes;

 

   

Making it difficult for TripAdvisor to optimally capitalize and manage the cash flow for its businesses;

 

   

Limiting TripAdvisor’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its businesses and the markets in which it operates;

 

   

Possibly placing TripAdvisor at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt;

 

   

Limiting TripAdvisor’s ability to borrow additional funds or to borrow funds at rates or on other terms that it finds acceptable; and

 

   

Exposing TripAdvisor to the risk of increased interest rates because its outstanding debt is expected to be subject to variable rates of interest.

In addition, it is possible that TripAdvisor may need to incur additional indebtedness in the future in the ordinary course of business. The terms of TripAdvisor’s term loan and revolving credit facility will allow TripAdvisor to incur additional debt subject to certain limitations. If new debt is added to current debt levels, the risks described above could intensify.

The agreements that would govern TripAdvisor’s anticipated credit facility are expected to contain various covenants that will limit its discretion in the operation of its business and also will require TripAdvisor to meet financial maintenance tests and other covenants. The failure to comply with such tests and covenants could have a material adverse effect on TripAdvisor.

In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects to enter into a new credit agreement providing for a senior revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $200 million and a term of five years, as well as a

 

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five-year, $400 million senior term loan to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC. The agreements that would govern the term loan and revolving credit facility are expected to contain various covenants, including those that would limit TripAdvisor’s ability to, among other things:

 

   

Borrow money, and guarantee or provide other support for indebtedness of third parties including guarantees;

 

   

Pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase TripAdvisor’s capital stock;

 

   

Enter into certain asset sale transactions, including partial or full spin-off transactions;

 

   

Enter into secured financing arrangements;

 

   

Enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and

 

   

Enter into unrelated businesses.

These covenants may limit TripAdvisor’s ability to optimally operate its businesses.

In addition, TripAdvisor’s term loan and revolving credit facility are expected to require that it meet certain financial tests, including an interest coverage test and a leverage ratio test.

Any failure to comply with the restrictions of TripAdvisor’s term loan credit facility may result in an event of default under the agreements governing such facilities. Such default may allow the creditors to accelerate the debt incurred under thereunder. In addition, lenders may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to supply TripAdvisor with further funds (including periodic rollovers of existing borrowings).

TripAdvisor may not be able to successfully expand into the vacation rental marketplace.

TripAdvisor has recently begun offering vacation rental services. The online vacation rental market is relatively new and unproven and is rapidly evolving, and limited data is currently available regarding the market and industry. TripAdvisor’s vacation rental services may not succeed, and, even if successful, TripAdvisor’s revenues may not increase. These new services could also increase TripAdvisor’s operating costs. Furthermore, a larger competitor exists in the vacation rental space, with significantly more users and listed properties, and new competitors with significant financial resources are continually emerging. If property owners and managers do not perceive the benefits of marketing their properties online or marketing their properties with several intermediaries, then the market for TripAdvisor’s services may not develop as expected, or it may develop more slowly than expected, either of which would slow the growth of TripAdvisor’s business and revenues.

 

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Risk Factors Relating to Expedia’s Business Following the Spin-Off

Expedia operates in an increasingly competitive global environment.

The market for the services offered by Expedia is increasingly and intensely competitive. Expedia competes with both established and emerging online and traditional sellers of travel-related services, including online travel agencies, travel suppliers, large online portal and search companies, traditional travel agencies, metasearch companies, operators of travel industry reservation databases and private shopping websites. Some of Expedia’s competitors, including travel suppliers such as airlines and hotels, may offer products and services on more favorable terms, including lower prices, no fees or unique access to proprietary loyalty programs, such as points and miles. Many of these competitors, such as airlines, hotel and rental car companies, have been steadily focusing on increasing online demand on their own websites in lieu of third-party distributors such as the various Expedia sites. For instance, some low cost airlines, which are having increasing success in the marketplace, distribute their online supply exclusively through their own websites. Suppliers who sell on their own websites, in some instances, offer advantages such as increased or exclusive product availability and their own bonus miles or loyalty points, which could make their offerings more attractive to consumers than Expedia’s offerings.

Expedia faces increasing competition from other online travel agencies, such as Priceline and Travelocity, which in some cases may have more favorable offerings for both travelers and suppliers, including pricing and supply breadth. In particular, Expedia has faced and is facing intense competition from Priceline subsidiaries, Booking.com and Agoda.com. Expedia also competes with other travel agencies for both travelers and the acquisition and retention of supply. Increasing competition from current and emerging competitors, the introduction of new technologies and platforms, and the expansion of existing technologies, such as metasearch and other search engine technologies, may force Expedia to make changes to its business models, which could affect Expedia’s financial performance and liquidity. Increased competition has resulted in and may continue to result in reduced margins, as well as loss of travelers, transactions and brand recognition.

Expedia cannot assure you that it will be able to compete successfully against any current, emerging and future competitors or provide differentiated products and services to its customers.

Expedia’s business depends on its relationships with travel suppliers and travel supplier intermediaries.

An important component of Expedia’s business success depends on its ability to maintain and expand relationships with travel suppliers and global distribution system (“GDS”) partners. Expedia derives a substantial portion of its revenue from compensation negotiated with travel suppliers and GDS partners for bookings made through Expedia’s websites. Over the last several years, air and hotel travel suppliers have generally reduced, and in some cases eliminated, payments to travel agents and other travel intermediaries. In addition, Expedia’s hotel remuneration varies with the room rates paid by travelers (Average Daily Rates, or “ADRs”), meaning that Expedia’s revenue for each room will generally be proportionately higher or lower depending on the level of the ADR. For example, the significant decline in ADRs, which began in late 2008 and continued through 2009, negatively impacted Expedia’s hotel booking revenue. In addition, ADRs on Expedia’s websites generally declined faster than in the overall travel industry due to a number of factors including the increased use of Expedia’s distribution channels for promotional activities by hotels. To the extent ADRs decline in the future, Expedia’s hotel booking revenue may be negatively impacted.

Also, each year Expedia typically negotiates or renegotiates numerous long-term airline and hotel contracts. No assurances can be given that travel suppliers or GDS partners will not further reduce or eliminate compensation, attempt to implement multiple costly direct connections, charge travel agencies for or otherwise restrict access to content, credit card fees or other services, or further reduce their ADRs, any of which could reduce Expedia’s revenue and margins thereby adversely affecting Expedia’s business and financial performance. For example, a number of airlines now charge separately for checked baggage, food, beverages and other services. GDSs currently have limited technology to incorporate these elements into Expedia’s product selection, impacting Expedia’s product display and comparability with the airlines own sites or other channels that show

 

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this content detail. In late 2010, American Airlines began to pursue a new distribution strategy requiring online travel agents to agree to connect directly to American Airlines’ systems, rather than through GDSs, and Expedia’s contract with American Airlines expired without renewal resulting in American Airlines’ fares being temporarily removed from Expedia’s leisure travel sites. American Airlines tickets were placed back on the sites in April 2011, and Expedia and American Airlines have entered into a new agreement. If other airlines pursue a similar distribution strategy, it could reduce Expedia’s access to air inventory, reduce Expedia’s compensation, result in additional operating expenses related to the development, implementation and maintenance of the necessary technology systems, increase the frequency or duration of system problems and delay other projects.

Adverse application of existing tax or unclaimed property laws, rules or regulations, or implementation of new unfavorable laws, rules or regulations, could have an adverse effect on Expedia’s business and financial performance.

The application of various domestic and international sales, use, occupancy, value-added and other tax or unclaimed property laws, rules and regulations to Expedia’s historical and new products and services is subject to interpretation by the applicable taxing authorities. Many of the fundamental statutes and regulations that impose sales, use, occupancy, value added and other taxes were established before the growth of the internet and e-commerce. If the tax or other laws, rules and regulations were amended, if new unfavorable laws, rules or regulations were adopted, as has recently occurred in certain jurisdictions, or if current laws are interpreted adversely to Expedia’s interests, particularly with respect to occupancy or value-added taxes or unclaimed property, the results could increase Expedia’s tax payments or other obligations (prospectively or retrospectively) and/or subject it to interest and/or penalties and decrease the demand for Expedia’s products and services if Expedia passes on such costs to the consumer. As a result, these changes could have an adverse affect on Expedia’s businesses or financial performance.

A number of tax authorities have brought lawsuits and have levied assessments asserting that Expedia is required to collect and remit hotel occupancy taxes. In addition, Expedia has in the past and may in the future be required in certain jurisdictions to pay tax assessments, which may be substantial, prior to contesting the validity of such assessments. This requirement is commonly referred to as “pay-to-play.” Payment of these amounts is not an admission that the taxpayer believes it is subject to such taxes. Expedia continues to work with relevant tax authorities and legislators to clarify Expedia’s obligations under existing, new and emerging laws and regulations.

Expedia’s failure to comply with existing laws, rules and regulations could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Since Expedia businesses sell airline tickets and provide related services to consumers through a number of different online and offline channels, these businesses are subject to a wide variety of statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in various jurisdictions in the United States and abroad, which are subject to change at any time. Expedia’s businesses are also subject to laws, rules and regulations applicable to providers of primary ticketing and ticket resale services, which in some cases regulate the amount of transaction and other fees that they may be charged in connection with primary ticketing sales and/or the ticket prices that may be charged in the case of ticket resale services, and new legislation of this nature is introduced from time to time in various (and is pending in certain) jurisdictions in which Expedia’s businesses sell tickets and provide services. The failure of Expedia businesses to comply with these laws and regulations could result in fines and/or proceedings against Expedia by governmental agencies and/or consumers, which if material, could adversely affect Expedia’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the application of various domestic and international sales, use, value-added and other tax laws, rules and regulations to Expedia’s historical and new products and services is subject to interpretation by applicable taxing authorities. While Expedia believes that that it is compliant with current tax provisions, taxing authorities may take a contrary position and such positions may adversely affect Expedia’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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From time to time, federal, state and local authorities and/or consumers commence investigations, inquiries or litigation with respect to compliance by Expedia and its businesses with applicable consumer protection, advertising, unfair business practice, antitrust, competition and other laws. Expedia’s businesses have historically cooperated with authorities in connection with these investigations. Expedia has incurred significant legal expenses in connection with the defense of governmental investigations and litigation in the past and may be required to incur additional expenses in the future should investigations and litigation be instituted. An adverse outcome could limit or constrain Expedia’s businesses (whether generally, with respect to a particular segment or in a particular market thereof) or subject them to potential damage assessments, all of which could have a material adverse effect on Expedia’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Provisions in certain credit card processing agreements could adversely affect Expedia’s liquidity and financial position.

Expedia has agreements with companies that process customer credit card transactions for the facilitation of customer bookings of travel services from its travel suppliers. These agreements allow these processing companies, under certain conditions, to hold an amount of Expedia’s cash (referred to as a “holdback”) or require Expedia to post a letter of credit equal to a portion of bookings that have been processed by that company. These processing companies may be entitled to a holdback upon the occurrence of specified events, including material adverse changes in Expedia’s financial condition, or for certain companies, at their discretion. An imposition of a holdback by one or more of these processing companies could materially reduce Expedia’s liquidity.

Expedia may also be held liable for accepting fraudulent credit cards on its websites for transactions where it is merchant of record as well as other payment disputes with its customers. Additionally, Expedia is held liable for accepting fraudulent credit cards in certain retail transactions when it does not act as merchant of record. Accordingly, Expedia calculates and records an allowance for the resulting credit card charge backs. If Expedia is unable to combat the use of fraudulent credit cards on its websites, its results of operations and financial position could be materially adversely affected.

Expedia relies on third parties for many systems and services.

Expedia relies on third-party service providers for certain customer care, fulfillment, processing, systems development, technology and other services, including, increasingly, travel care and information technology services. If these third parties experience difficulty meeting Expedia’s requirements or standards, it could damage the company’s reputation or make it difficult for Expedia to operate some aspects of its business. In addition, if such third-party service providers were to cease operations, temporarily or permanently, face financial distress or other business disruption, Expedia could suffer increased costs and delays in its ability to provide similar services until an equivalent service provider could be found or Expedia could develop replacement technology or operations, any of which could have an adverse impact on Expedia’s business and financial performance.

Expedia is involved in various legal proceedings and may experience unfavorable outcomes, which could adversely affect its business and financial condition.

Expedia is involved in various legal proceedings and claims involving property, personal injury, contract, alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights and other claims. These matters may involve claims for substantial amounts of money or for other relief that might necessitate changes to Expedia’s business or operations. The defense of these actions is and may continue to be both time consuming and expensive. If these legal proceedings were to result in unfavorable outcomes, it could have a material adverse effect on Expedia’s business and financial performance.

For a description of proceedings and claims that may be of particular interest to Expedia stockholders, please see Part I. Item 3. Legal Proceedings in Expedia’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference, as updated by Expedia’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, also incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Expedia has significant long-term indebtedness, which could adversely affect its business and financial condition.

As of June 30, 2011, the value of Expedia’s long-term indebtedness totaled $1.6 billion. Risks relating to Expedia’s long-term indebtedness include:

 

   

Increasing its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

Requiring Expedia to dedicate a portion of its cash flow from operations to payments on its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments and other general corporate purposes;

 

   

Making it difficult for Expedia to optimally capitalize and manage the cash flow for its businesses;

 

   

Limiting Expedia’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its businesses and the markets in which it operates;

 

   

Possible refinancing risk if certain of Expedia’s senior note issues are put by holders in 2013;

 

   

Possibly placing Expedia at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt; and

 

   

Limiting Expedia’s ability to borrow additional funds or to borrow funds at rates or on other terms that it finds acceptable.

In addition, it is possible that Expedia may need to incur additional indebtedness in the future in the ordinary course of business. The terms of Expedia’s credit facility and the indentures governing its outstanding senior notes allow Expedia to incur additional debt subject to certain limitations. If new debt is added to current debt levels, the risks described above could intensify.

The agreements governing Expedia’s indebtedness contain various covenants that limit its discretion in the operation of its business and also require Expedia to meet financial maintenance tests and other covenants. The failure to comply with such tests and covenants could have a material adverse effect on Expedia.

The agreements governing Expedia’s indebtedness contain various covenants, including those that limit its ability to, among other things:

 

   

Borrow money, and guarantee or provide other support for indebtedness of third parties including guarantees;

 

   

Pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase Expedia’s capital stock;

 

   

Enter into certain asset sale transactions, including partial or full spin-off transactions;

 

   

Enter into secured financing arrangements;

 

   

Enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and

 

   

Enter into unrelated businesses.

The indenture governing Expedia’s 8.5% senior notes due 2016 also contains a covenant limiting Expedia’s ability to make investments in entities that it does not control, including joint ventures. Expedia expects, however, that this indenture will be discharged or defeased in connection with the spin-off.

These covenants may limit Expedia’s ability to optimally operate its businesses.

In addition, Expedia’s credit facility requires that it meet certain financial tests, including an interest coverage test and a leverage ratio test.

Any failure to comply with the restrictions of Expedia’s credit facility or any agreement governing its other indebtedness may result in an event of default under those agreements. Such default may allow the creditors to

 

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accelerate the related debt, which acceleration may trigger cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions in other debt. In addition, lenders may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to supply Expedia with further funds (including periodic rollovers of existing borrowings).

Expedia is exposed to various counterparty risks.

Expedia is exposed to the risk that various counterparties, including financial entities, will fail to perform. This creates risk in a number of areas, including with respect to Expedia’s insurance coverages, investments, bank deposits, letters of credit and foreign exchange risk management. As it relates to foreign exchange, Expedia employs forward contracts to hedge a portion of its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. As of June 30, 2011, Expedia was party to forward contracts with a notional value of approximately $172 million and the fair value of which was approximately $3 million. The counterparties to these contracts were JPMorgan Chase, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of America, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Royal Bank of Canada and BNP Paribas. Upon the maturity of these or subsequent contracts, the counterparties are potentially obligated to pay Expedia net settlement values. If any of these counterparties were to liquidate, declare bankruptcy or otherwise cease operations, it may not be able to satisfy its obligations under these forward contracts. In addition, due to the weakening economy Expedia also faces increased credit risk and payment delays from its non-financial contract counterparties.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement/prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by Expedia or TripAdvisor may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as of the date of the respective statement and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “believes,” “intends” and “expects,” among others, generally identifies forward-looking statements. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements and may include statements relating to future revenues, expenses, margins, profitability, net income (loss), earnings per share and other measures of results of operations and the prospects for future growth of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses.

Actual results and the timing and outcome of events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, among others, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section (such as those relating to the spin-off and Expedia and TripAdvisor’s respective securities and businesses following the spin-off), and other risks detailed in Expedia’s public filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, and subsequent Forms 10-Q.

These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Unless required by applicable law to do so, neither Expedia nor TripAdvisor intends to publicly update or review any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.

Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this proxy statement/prospectus and in Expedia’s other reports filed with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect the business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor.

 

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PROPOSAL 1—THE SPIN-OFF PROPOSAL

Overview

Expedia has proposed to spin-off TripAdvisor so that TripAdvisor will become an independent, separately traded public company. In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in July 2011. TripAdvisor, Inc. currently does not have any material assets or liabilities, nor does it engage in any business or other activities and, other than in connection with the spin-off, will not acquire or incur any material assets or liabilities, nor will it separately engage in any business or other activities, in each case prior to the spin-off. In connection with the spin-off, Expedia will contribute or transfer all of the subsidiaries and assets relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group (as reflected in the TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements), including the flagship TripAdvisor brand as well as 18 other travel media brands, to TripAdvisor, Inc. and TripAdvisor, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries will assume of all of the liabilities relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group. After the transaction, Expedia will continue to own and operate its remaining businesses as an independent, separately traded public company.

Expedia will effect the spin-off through amendments to the Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will:

 

   

Reclassify each share of Expedia $0.001 par value common stock into one share of Expedia $0.0001 par value common stock and 1/100 of a share of Expedia Series 1 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock that will automatically exchange into one share of TripAdvisor $0.001 par value common stock immediately following the reclassification; and

 

   

Reclassify each share of Expedia $0.001 par value Class B common stock into one share of Expedia $0.0001 par value Class B common stock and 1/100 of a share of Expedia Series 2 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock that will automatically exchange into one share of TripAdvisor $0.001 par value Class B common stock immediately following the reclassification.

The full text of the proposed amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation is set forth in Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated. The preferred stock merger would be effected before the reverse stock split and before the spin-off.

Even if Expedia receives all required stockholder approvals with respect to the spin-off proposal, Expedia’s Board of Directors has reserved the right to abandon the spin-off. In that case, the proposed amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the spin-off will not become effective.

If Expedia’s stockholders approve the proposed amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the spin-off and Expedia completes the spin-off, the holders of Expedia common shares outstanding immediately prior to the spin-off will initially own all of the Expedia common shares and TripAdvisor common shares outstanding immediately following the spin-off.

Required Vote

Under Delaware law, the spin-off proposal must be approved by (i) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, voting as a separate class; (ii) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia Class B common stock, voting as a separate class; and (iii) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock, voting together as a single class, with each share of Expedia common stock entitled to one vote per share, each share of Expedia Class B common stock entitled to ten votes per share and each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock entitled to two

 

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votes per share. In addition to the votes required under Delaware law, based on the recommendation of the Expedia Special Committee of the Board, the Expedia Board of Directors has further conditioned the spin-off on the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management. Mr. Diller has control over the separate class vote of Expedia Class B common stock with respect to the spin-off proposal and the separate combined vote of the outstanding shares of the Expedia common stock, the Expedia Class B common stock and the Expedia Series A preferred stock, voting together as a single class, but does not have control over either the separate class vote of Expedia common stock with respect to the spin-off proposal or the vote on the spin-off proposal by the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management.

Background and Reasons for the Spin-Off

This discussion of the information and factors that the Expedia Board of Directors considered in making its decision is not intended to be exhaustive but includes all material factors considered by the Expedia Board of Directors. In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with the evaluation of the spin-off and the complexity of these matters, the Expedia Board of Directors did not find it useful to, and did not attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to these factors. In addition, the individual members of the Expedia Board of Directors may have given different weight to different factors.

The Expedia Board of Directors periodically reviews Expedia’s organizational structure to consider the strategic, operational and financial requirements of a large company operating in several businesses. As part of its periodic reviews, Expedia’s Board of Directors regularly considers the performance and outlook for the Expedia business group as a whole as well as its individual businesses, such as the TripAdvisor Media Group. During one such review in early 2011, the Expedia Board considered the potential benefits discussed below that might be achieved through a separation of the TripAdvisor Media Group from the rest of Expedia’s businesses by means of a distribution to Expedia stockholders of the stock of a new publicly traded parent company that would hold the TripAdvisor Media Group assets and operations. The Expedia Board also considered effecting a separation by means of an initial public offering of a portion of TripAdvisor’s capital stock, but determined that a partial separation would not as effectively achieve certain objectives sought by the Expedia Board (such as placing Expedia and TripAdvisor in a better position to implement future growth through acquisitions). On April 7, 2011, following an Expedia Board meeting with respect to the spin-off, Expedia publicly announced its plan to pursue the spin-off.

In connection with its consideration of whether implementing a spin-off from Expedia of TripAdvisor Media Group-associated assets and operations would be in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders, Expedia’s Board of Directors consulted with its advisors, including its financial and legal advisors, and considered various factors, including the potential benefits of the spin-off, certain tax considerations and various risks and uncertainties, including those associated with the spin-off and the securities and businesses of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor following the spin-off. The Board considered the receptivity of the capital markets and the financing environment in concluding that it would be appropriate to proceed with the spin-off at this time.

Benefits of the Spin-Off

The Expedia Board of Directors believes that the spin-off would provide the following benefits to Expedia and its stockholders, and that such benefits would likely not be attainable if the spin-off were not implemented. Attainment of these potential benefits is the primary reason underlying the Expedia Board of Directors’ determination to pursue the spin-off of TripAdvisor.

Post Spin-Off, Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s Separate Equity Currencies Will Enable Growth Through Acquisitions

Currently, neither Expedia nor TripAdvisor operates as an independent, pure-play business (by which we mean a business that has a single focus), nor does either business have a separate equity security representing an

 

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interest in its pure-play business (such equity securities are commonly referred to as “pure-play currencies”) that it could use in acquiring similarly-focused businesses or other entities whose owners would be interested in acquiring interests in a pure-play business. The fact that neither Expedia nor TripAdvisor has a pure-play currency for its respective business may hinder the companies’ ability to complete additional acquisitions of similarly-focused businesses, as potential transaction partners may be more interested in receiving equity consideration representing an interest in a pure-play business. Accordingly, a pure-play currency should give each of Expedia and TripAdvisor heightened agility to maneuver effectively in the current and future acquisition environment.

The Spin-Off Will Provide Capital Markets and Investors with Greater Transparency into Each Company

The separation of TripAdvisor from Expedia will enable investors and capital markets to more accurately assess the performance and strategies of Expedia’s remaining businesses and TripAdvisor’s business.

The Spin-Off Will Enhance the Effectiveness of Expedia and TripAdvisor’s Respective Employee Compensation Structures

The spin-off will enable each of Expedia and TripAdvisor to better align management performance and equity performance. Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor will have pure-play currencies, which will enable each company to incentivize more effectively their respective employees with bonus and equity-based compensation, the value of which may be more directly tied to the performance of their particular businesses.

Tax Considerations

The Expedia Board of Directors took into account its expectation that the spin-off generally will not be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Expedia or TripAdvisor, or to holders of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock, except to security holders who receive cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection with the one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock that Expedia expects to complete immediately prior to the spin-off. Furthermore, the Expedia Board of Directors was aware and considered that both Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s ability to engage in significant issuances of equity securities could be limited or restricted after the spin-off to preserve the tax free nature of the spin-off to Expedia. For further discussion, see “—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

Risk Factors

The Expedia Board of Directors considered other potential risks and consequences to Expedia and to TripAdvisor associated with the spin-off, including those described in “Risk Factors—Risk Factors Relating to the Spin-Off,” but believed that the considerations described above outweighed those risks. These potential risks and consequences included, among others, that:

 

   

the expected benefits from the spin-off may not be achieved;

 

   

the synergies that Expedia achieves with all of its businesses under the same corporate structure will cease to exist with regard to the TripAdvisor businesses following the spin-off;

 

   

after the spin-off, TripAdvisor may be unable to make the changes necessary to operate effectively as an independent public entity and will incur increased costs relating to operating as an independent public company that could cause its cash flow and results of operations to decline;

 

   

conflicts of interests or the appearance thereof may develop between Expedia and TripAdvisor, including with respect to the management and directors of Expedia, on the one hand, and the management and directors of TripAdvisor, on the other hand; and

 

   

additional risks and uncertainties with respect to Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s securities and each of their businesses following the spin-off will exist.

 

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Special Committee

The Expedia Board of Directors took into account the conclusions and recommendation of the Expedia Special Committee of the Board with respect to any arrangements proposed to be entered into in connection with the spin-off among the applicable company, on the one hand, and Mr. Diller and/or Liberty, on the other hand, (taking into account that certain arrangements which relate to the applicable company are as between Mr. Diller and Liberty solely) and any other terms of the spin-off that could involve potential conflicts of interest but not including the financial and any other terms of the spin-off. See “—Recommendation of Special Committee of Expedia’s Board of Directors.”

Recommendation of Special Committee of Expedia’s Board of Directors

On April 7, 2011, the Expedia Board of Directors established a Special Committee of independent and disinterested directors to review any governance arrangements proposed to be entered into among the applicable company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Mr. Diller and/or Liberty, on the other hand, (taking into account that certain arrangements which relate to the applicable company are as between Mr. Diller and Liberty solely) in connection with the spin-off and any other terms of the spin-off that could involve potential conflicts of interest but not including the financial and any other terms of the spin-off to be decided by the full Expedia Board of Directors, and to make a recommendation to the Expedia Board of Directors with respect to these matters. The Special Committee, consisting of Messrs. Battle, Dolgen, Jacobson, Kern and Tazón, engaged Kirkland & Ellis LLP as counsel on April 20, 2011. The ultimate determination to proceed with the proposed spin-off transaction was the decision of the full Board of Directors, and the Special Committee was not asked to, and did not, make any independent recommendation as to the underlying business decision to proceed with the proposed spin-off transaction. The Special Committee and its counsel convened on numerous occasions to discuss the governance arrangements proposed to be entered into in connection with the spin-off. In addition, the Special Committee and its counsel had regular discussions with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Expedia’s special counsel, as well as Baker Botts L.L.P., Liberty’s counsel.

At the outset of its review, the Special Committee examined the existing ownership and control and governance arrangements among Expedia and its controlling stockholders, Liberty and Mr. Diller. In the course of such review, the Special Committee considered whether or to what extent TripAdvisor should replicate such arrangements as an independent public company. The existing arrangements at Expedia examined by the Special Committee included:

 

   

Control by Mr. Diller of the outcome of all matters submitted to a vote or for the consent of Expedia’s stockholders (other than with respect to the election by the holders of Expedia common stock of 25% of the members of Expedia’s Board of Directors and matters as to which Delaware law requires a separate class vote of the holders of Expedia common stock or Expedia preferred stock);

 

   

The requirement that each of Mr. Diller and Liberty consent to certain significant corporate matters in the event that Expedia incurs indebtedness as a result of which its ratio of total debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) equals or exceeds 8:1;

 

   

Liberty’s right to nominate up to 20% of Expedia’s directors subject to Liberty’s minimum equity ownership requirements;

 

   

Liberty obtaining effective voting control (based on Liberty’s current ownership of Expedia capital stock) upon the date Mr. Diller ceases to serve in his capacity as chairman at Expedia or becomes disabled and the resulting elimination of the proxy on Liberty’s shares of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock;

 

   

Restrictions on the transfer of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock by Mr. Diller and Liberty to unaffiliated third parties, including rights of first refusal rights, tag-along rights and “swap” rights (as described below);

 

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Mr. Diller’s right to purchase at fair market value or “swap” his shares of common stock of Expedia for such number of shares of Class B common stock proposed to be transferred by Liberty to an unaffiliated third party;

 

   

The requirement that, to the extent Mr. Diller does not exercise his right to purchase at fair market value or “swap” his shares of common stock of Expedia for all shares of Class B common stock proposed to be transferred, such shares must first be converted into shares of common stock before being transferred to an unaffiliated third party; and

 

   

The fact that the requirement to convert such remaining shares of Class B common stock (as described above) is provided by the Stockholders Agreement, to which Expedia is not a party, and thus could potentially be waived by Mr. Diller or modified without Expedia’s consent.

Upon its preliminary review of the existing ownership and control and governance arrangements among Expedia and its controlling stockholders, the Special Committee considered newly introduced proposed changes to the existing governance arrangements at Expedia, which had been previously negotiated by Liberty and Mr. Diller in the course of their discussions regarding the spin-off. The proposed changes included:

 

   

Allowing Liberty to spin-off or split-off its entire equity interest in Expedia and/or TripAdvisor to Liberty’s public stockholders (a “Distribution Transaction”) free of many of the current transfer restrictions in the Expedia governance arrangements (including Mr. Diller’s tag-along right, right of first refusal and ability to require the swap and/or conversion of Liberty’s Class B common stock before transfer to a third party, all as further described under “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Governance Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor”), and without the application of state law anti-takeover provisions or other anti-takeover measures, in which the spun-off or split-off company would be required to assume all of Liberty’s obligations and would succeed to Liberty’s rights under the applicable governance agreement and stockholders agreement; and

 

   

At a time when Mr. Diller continues to hold a proxy over Liberty’s shares in the applicable company and for so long as Liberty’s equity ownership in the applicable company does not exceed 30% of the total equity securities of the applicable company, allowing Liberty to sell its entire equity interest, but not less than its entire equity interest, in Expedia and/or TripAdvisor to a non-affiliated third-party (a “Block Sale”) without the application of state law anti-takeover provisions or other anti-takeover measures (including shareholder rights plans). In connection with such a Block Sale, over a two-year period, Mr. Diller would be permitted to acquire from the applicable company any Class B common stock which he had the right to acquire (but did not acquire) from Liberty through the exercise of his existing exchange rights at the time of the Block Sale.

As part of the Special Committee’s review of the proposed structure for TripAdvisor, the Special Committee considered several different governance alternatives for TripAdvisor following the spin-off as well as the controlling stockholders’ proposals for modifications to the Expedia and corresponding TripAdvisor governance arrangements. The Special Committee also considered whether any modifications it suggested to the proposed TripAdvisor structure should also be made to Expedia’s existing governance arrangements. The overall alternatives included the following:

 

   

Revising the Expedia governance arrangements to reflect some or all of the proposals made by Liberty and Mr. Diller and duplicating such modified governance structure at TripAdvisor;

 

   

Revising the Expedia governance arrangements to reflect some or all of the proposals made by Liberty and Mr. Diller, subject to certain modifications proposed by the Special Committee, and duplicating such modified governance structure at TripAdvisor;

 

   

Preserving the status quo at Expedia and duplicating this governance structure at TripAdvisor;

 

   

Seeking to provide TripAdvisor with a traditional public company governance structure; and

 

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Formulating a new governance structure that would incorporate some of the Expedia governance and stockholder arrangements with the traditional public company governance structure.

The Special Committee preliminarily concluded that it could support generally the second alternative identified above. The Special Committee’s proposed governance modifications included, among other things, the imposition of “standstill” and other anti-takeover restrictions on Liberty’s transferee in a Block Sale. Furthermore, the Special Committee contemplated imposing restrictions on Liberty upon Mr. Diller’s ceasing to control the applicable company, which its counsel discussed with special counsel to Expedia. The Special Committee also proposed that the applicable company be party to the applicable stockholders agreement or, alternatively, that any amendments to, or waivers by Mr. Diller of, certain of his rights in the applicable stockholders agreement would require the consent of the applicable company, to be exercised by a committee of independent directors. In addition, the Special Committee recommended that, independent of any governance changes, the spin-off transaction should be conditioned upon approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management (which include the shares owned or controlled by Liberty, over which Mr. Diller holds a proxy as of the record date).

In the course of discussions regarding these alternatives and modifications to the proposed changes, Mr. Diller and Liberty noted that Expedia’s spin-off from IAC/InterActiveCorp in 2005 had been conditioned on approval by holders of a majority of the shares of IAC common stock (other than shares owned or controlled by IAC management) actually voting on the spin-off proposal, and not a majority of those shares outstanding. However, Mr. Diller and Liberty indicated that they would be willing to consider conditioning the spin-off of TripAdvisor on the standard proposed by the Special Committee. Liberty also indicated that it would be willing to accept, and Mr. Diller indicated he could support, the imposition of additional restrictions on Liberty’s transferee in a Block Sale if the limitations would terminate in certain agreed circumstances and the transferee would have a means to nominate directors in light of the proposed standstill provision restricting proxy fights by the Block Sale transferee. With respect to the Special Committee’s recommendation that any amendments to, or waivers by Mr. Diller of, certain of his rights in the applicable stockholders agreement would require the consent of the applicable company, to be exercised by a committee of independent directors, Mr. Diller and Liberty conveyed their view that, in light of the purpose of the Stockholders Agreement to govern the relationship solely between the stockholders, but not their relationship with Expedia, the request seemed inconsistent with the historical practice of the parties and did not seem appropriate.

While the Special Committee appreciated that the proposed changes, which enhanced liquidity benefits to Liberty, would result in large part from Mr. Diller’s relinquishing his personal rights under the existing governance arrangements and that Mr. Diller had indicated his willingness to support such changes, the Special Committee also considered the potential disadvantages (including the loss of substantial anti-takeover protections) of providing an advance waiver under Delaware’s interested stockholder statute to a currently unidentified third-party transferee of Liberty. The Special Committee determined that such compromise of statutory anti-takeover protections could be significantly mitigated by the transferee’s agreement to a contractual analogue to Delaware’s interested stockholder statute, waivable only by a committee of independent directors, as well as the fact that Liberty’s rights in connection with a Block Sale would apply only while Mr. Diller continues to hold a proxy over Liberty’s shares. Special counsel to Expedia and counsel to Liberty informed counsel to the Special Committee that Mr. Diller and Liberty were unlikely to agree to grant Expedia and/or TripAdvisor broad consent rights over amendments and waivers under the applicable stockholders agreement. Nevertheless, considering Expedia’s dual class stock structure, the Special Committee viewed the possibility of obtaining Mr. Diller’s agreement not to waive Liberty’s obligation (under specified circumstances) to convert its Class B common stock into common stock as an essential benefit to, and potential protection of the public stockholders.

Further discussions ensued between the Special Committee and its counsel, Expedia management, Liberty, special counsel to Expedia and Liberty’s counsel regarding the Special Committee’s requests. In the course of these discussions, it was agreed that certain restrictions would be imposed on the third-party transferee in a Block Sale. It was further agreed that Expedia and TripAdvisor (by way of a committee of independent directors) would

 

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be granted a consent right over waivers by Mr. Diller of the provisions of the applicable stockholders agreement requiring Liberty to convert shares of Class B common stock into shares of common stock in the event of a transfer of such shares of Class B common stock to an unaffiliated third party. Additionally, the Special Committee requested, and Mr. Diller agreed, that his two-year period to acquire shares of Class B common stock following a Block Sale by Liberty described above would be suspended immediately upon the entry by the applicable company into a merger agreement providing for a merger that constitutes a change of control of the applicable company, and would terminate irrevocably upon the consummation of a tender or exchange offer for securities representing a majority of the total voting power of the applicable company or a merger that constitutes a change of control of the applicable company. Additional proposals to modify the existing governance arrangements were then discussed amongst Mr. Diller, Liberty, special counsel to Expedia and Liberty’s counsel.

Following these discussions, the Special Committee preliminarily determined that, subject to the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management (which include the shares owned or controlled by Liberty, over which Mr. Diller holds a proxy as of the record date), it could support a spin-off transaction that effectively duplicated the existing Expedia governance arrangements at TripAdvisor, with changes to the Expedia governance arrangements (and corresponding changes to the TripAdvisor governance arrangements) as agreed to with Mr. Diller and Liberty. The Special Committee’s preliminary determination reflected a careful evaluation and balancing of the potential benefits and detriments of the various governance arrangement alternatives, and recognition of the following factors:

 

   

Many elements of the proposed structure for TripAdvisor reflect the status quo at Expedia and all of the material terms of the structure would be described in this proxy statement/prospectus;

 

   

Expedia’s filings with the SEC and other public statements historically have included disclosure regarding Expedia’s governance and stockholder arrangements, and Expedia stockholders and other investors have accepted those arrangements as part of their investment decision;

 

   

With respect to changes to the Expedia governance arrangements (and corresponding changes to the TripAdvisor governance arrangements) proposed by Mr. Diller and Liberty, the parties agreed to incorporate a number of restrictions on such changes as requested by the Special Committee, including, among other things:

(i) comprehensive “standstill” and anti-takeover restrictions replicating the protections afforded to shareholders by Delaware’s interested stockholder statute on a third-party transferee in a Block Sale;

(ii) the applicable company’s right to require Mr. Diller to enforce the conversion of Class B common stock into shares of common stock in the event of any transfer by Liberty of such shares of Class B common stock to an unaffiliated third party; and

(iii) a suspension of Mr. Diller’s two-year period right to acquire shares of Class B common stock following a Block Sale by Liberty upon the execution of a change of control transaction agreement and irrevocable termination in the event of a completed change of control merger or tender offer transaction of the applicable company.

 

   

Liberty has maintained its investment in Expedia based in large measure on the governance arrangements that Expedia currently maintains; and

 

   

Approval of the spin-off proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management (which include the shares owned or controlled by Liberty, over which Mr. Diller holds a proxy as of the record date).

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Eliminating Mr. Diller’s and Liberty’s reciprocal tag-along rights on sales of common stock from the Expedia Stockholders Agreement (and not providing for such rights in the TripAdvisor Stockholders Agreement);

 

   

Eliminating certain limitations in the applicable stockholders agreement on Liberty’s ability to hedge its shares, with the revised stockholders agreements to prohibit Liberty from hedging any shares of Class B common stock (requiring Liberty to first convert any shares of Class B common stock to be used in a hedging transaction to common stock, subject to Mr. Diller’s “swap” rights as described below), and require that any shares used for hedging remain subject to Mr. Diller’s irrevocable proxy until such time as Liberty has neither legal or beneficial ownership nor economic interest in the shares. In addition, Liberty would agree to give the applicable company one full business days’ notice of any material hedging transactions; and

 

   

Allowing Liberty to transfer one of its demand registration rights with respect to the applicable company to an unaffiliated third party transferee that does not upon the transfer own more than 5% of the outstanding equity securities of such applicable company, if in the transfer the transferee acquires at least $250 million in market value of the applicable company’s equity securities.

The Special Committee indicated that it could not finally conclude its consideration of the proposed governance arrangements with these additional changes prior to the scheduled meeting of the Expedia Board of Directors. At the Board meeting, the Special Committee informed the full Board of Directors that it was in fundamental agreement with the package of corporate governance arrangements previously discussed, and that it would recommend proceeding with the spin-off transaction, subject to the resolution of the remaining items, as to which the Special Committee believed an acceptable accord could be reached, and provided that the spin-off be conditioned on the approval of the spin-off proposal by a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management (which include the shares owned or controlled by Liberty, over which Mr. Diller holds a proxy as of the record date). On the basis of the Special Committee’s recommendation, the full Expedia Board of Directors approved proceeding with the spin-off, subject to resolution of the remaining items to the Special Committee’s satisfaction and on the basis that the spin-off would be conditioned on the additional stockholder vote recommended by the Special Committee.

The Special Committee then examined the existing ownership, control and governance arrangements among Expedia and its controlling stockholders, Liberty and Mr. Diller, being modified by the additional proposals including:

 

   

Certain hedging transactions permitted to be effected by Liberty and the extent to which such permissible hedging transactions are subject to restrictions and exempt from Mr. Diller’s tag-along rights in connection with a transfer to an unaffiliated third party; and

 

   

Demand registration rights of Mr. Diller and Liberty.

The Special Committee then reviewed the additional proposals and counsel to the Special Committee proposed several adjustments to the latest proposal, including limiting the demand registration rights for certain of Liberty’s transferees to one demand of up to $100 million of common stock as well as additional restrictions on Liberty’s hedging transactions for the benefit of the applicable company. Further discussions ensued between the Special Committee and its counsel, Expedia management, Liberty, special counsel to Expedia and Liberty’s counsel regarding the Special Committee’s requests. Upon the acceptance by Mr. Diller and Liberty of many of the Special Committee’s adjustments to the additional proposals of Liberty and Mr. Diller, the Special Committee met, approved the supplemental remaining items and re-approved the fundamental agreement previously recommended to the full Board of Directors. The counsel to the Special Committee then reported to the special counsel to Expedia that no change to its recommendation would be necessary.

 

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Over the ensuing weeks, counsel to the Special Committee, special counsel to the Company and counsel to Liberty negotiated the material terms of the governance agreements and stockholders agreements to be in effect at the time of the spin-off. Further discussion ensued among the counsels to Liberty, Mr. Diller and the Special Committee regarding the following additional changes to the corporate governance arrangements:

 

   

Liberty proposed that it should have the option of selling all of the equity securities beneficially owned by Liberty in a Block Sale or in a transaction subject to the application of state law anti-takeover provisions and any other anti-takeover measures (including shareholder rights plans) then in effect at the applicable company. In each case, over a two-year period, Mr. Diller would be permitted to acquire from the applicable company any Class B common stock which he had the right to acquire (but did not acquire) from Liberty through the exercise of his existing exchange rights at the time of the sale of all of the equity securities beneficially owned by Liberty; and

 

   

The Special Committee proposed that the applicable company, acting through a committee of independent directors, would have the right to consent to a waiver by Mr. Diller of the requirement in the applicable stockholders agreement that Liberty convert or exchange Class B common stock for shares of common stock before transferring them to an unaffiliated third party, which right to consent would continue until the earlier of (a) a certain time period after mutual termination of the applicable stockholders agreement by Mr. Diller and Liberty and (b) the time at which Mr. Diller would not have been permitted to exercise his rights pursuant to the applicable stockholders agreement if the applicable stockholders agreement had remained in place and not been mutually terminated.

The Special Committee, counsel to the Special Committee, Liberty, counsel to Liberty, Mr. Diller and special counsel to Expedia discussed the additional changes. The Special Committee agreed that the applicable company’s consent right should survive a mutual termination of the applicable stockholders agreement for a maximum of one year following such mutual termination. The Special Committee met and reviewed the fundamental agreement previously recommended to the full Board of Directors. The Special Committee then reaffirmed its recommendation to the full Board of Directors of Expedia that it proceed with the spin-off of TripAdvisor with such proposed arrangements and/or other terms that could involve potential conflicts of interest but not including the financial and any other terms of the spin-off to be decided by the full Expedia Board of Directors, subject to the approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management (which include the shares owned or controlled by Liberty, over which Mr. Diller holds a proxy as of the record date).

Recommendation of Expedia’s Board of Directors

Based upon the factors described under “Background and Reasons for the Spin-Off” and, with respect to aspects of the proposed spin-off that could involve potential conflicts of interest, the recommendation of the Special Committee, Expedia’s Board of Directors has determined that the adoption of the spin-off proposal and the spin-off (including the amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will effectuate the spin-off) are in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders.

ACCORDINGLY, THE EXPEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE SPIN-OFF PROPOSAL.

Review of Financial Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. each acted as financial advisors to Expedia in connection with the spin-off. Each of J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs was retained in connection with the transaction because of the firm’s familiarity with Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s businesses and assets and the firm’s qualifications and reputation. In connection with the transaction, Expedia’s financial advisors will receive compensation to be negotiated, consistent with Expedia’s prior practices, for services rendered.

 

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In connection with the spin-off, Expedia expects that its Board of Directors will receive a solvency opinion regarding Expedia immediately prior to the completion of the spin-off.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Spin-Off

In considering the recommendation of Expedia’s Board of Directors to vote in favor of the spin-off, stockholders of Expedia should be aware that directors and executive officers of Expedia have interests in the spin-off that may be in addition to or different from the interests of stockholders generally. The Expedia Board of Directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other factors, in approving the spin-off.

Equity Ownership

Certain of Expedia’s directors and executive officers currently own shares of Expedia common stock, Expedia restricted stock units and/or options to purchase shares of Expedia common stock. In the spin-off, these directors and executive officers will receive reclassified shares of Expedia common stock, shares of TripAdvisor common stock, adjusted restricted stock units and/or options to purchase shares of Expedia common stock and restricted stock units and/or options to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock in respect of the Expedia securities that they currently own. See “—Treatment of Outstanding Expedia Compensatory Equity-Based Awards.”

Arrangements Among Messrs. Diller, Khosrowshahi and Kaufman with Expedia and TripAdvisor

Mr. Diller will remain Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive of Expedia and will become Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive of TripAdvisor. Mr. Khosrowshahi will remain President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Expedia and will become a director of TripAdvisor. Mr. Kaufman will remain Vice Chairman and a director of Expedia and will become a director of TripAdvisor.

Governance Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor

Governance Agreements with Liberty and Mr. Diller

Expedia, Liberty Interactive Corporation and Mr. Diller intend to enter into a new amended and restated governance agreement which we refer to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the “Expedia Governance Agreement” that will take effect upon completion of the spin-off and will replace the governance agreement dated August 9, 2005, as amended on June 19, 2007.

TripAdvisor, Liberty and Mr. Diller intend to enter into a governance agreement, which we refer to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the “TripAdvisor Governance Agreement,” that will become effective upon completion of the spin-off.

The description below sets forth the material terms of the Expedia Governance Agreement and the TripAdvisor Governance Agreement. Because these two agreements are identical in all material respects, the following description applies to each of Expedia and TripAdvisor (in each case, the “applicable company”) other than in instances in which the description specifically identifies Expedia or TripAdvisor. The following description does not purport to cover all the provisions of the Expedia Governance Agreement and the TripAdvisor Governance Agreement, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable agreements, which Expedia and TripAdvisor will file with the SEC when Expedia and TripAdvisor enter into these agreements. Share information set forth below gives effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split that Expedia expects to complete immediately prior to the spin-off.

 

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Representation of Liberty on the Expedia and TripAdvisor Boards of Directors

Under the terms of the applicable governance agreement:

 

   

Liberty has the right to nominate up to such number of directors of the applicable company as is equal to 20% of the total number of directors on the Board of Directors of the applicable company (rounded up to the next whole number if the total number of directors on the Board of Directors is not an even multiple of 5) so long as Liberty beneficially owns at least 16,825,982 equity securities of the applicable company (so long as Liberty’s ownership percentage is at least equal to 15% of the total equity securities of the applicable company);

 

   

Liberty has the right to nominate one director of the applicable company so long as Liberty beneficially owns at least 11,217,321 equity securities of the applicable company (so long as Liberty owns at least 5% of the total equity securities of the applicable company); and

 

   

The applicable company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause one of Liberty’s designees to be a member of a committee of the Board of Directors of the applicable company and, to the extent the person designated by Liberty would qualify as a member of the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of the applicable company under applicable tax and securities laws and regulations, the applicable company will seek to have that person appointed to the compensation committee of the applicable company.

Pursuant to the terms of the applicable governance agreement, the applicable company will cause each director that Liberty nominates to be included in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board of Directors of the applicable company to the stockholders of the applicable company for election as directors at each annual meeting of the stockholders of the applicable company and will use all reasonable efforts to cause the election of each such director including soliciting proxies in favor of the election of such persons. Liberty has the right to designate a replacement director to the board of the applicable company in order to fill any vacancy of a director previously designated by Liberty. Liberty would have the right to transfer this ability to nominate candidates to the Board of Directors of the applicable company, subject to the same ownership requirements as Liberty’s current nomination rights, to its transferee in a Block Sale (as discussed below), provided that the transferee’s nominees are independent directors and are approved by the applicable company’s Nominating Committee (or equivalent committee of the Board of Directors of the applicable company).

Contingent Matters

The applicable governance agreement lists certain actions that require the prior consent of Liberty and Mr. Diller before the applicable company can take any such action. This proxy statement/prospectus refers to these actions as “Contingent Matters.”

For so long as:

 

   

in the case of Liberty, Liberty owns at least 14,956,428 equity securities and at least 5% of the total equity securities of the applicable company (the “Liberty Condition”); and

 

   

in the case of Mr. Diller, he owns at least 2,500,000 common shares (including options to purchase common shares of the applicable company, whether or not then exercisable), continues to serve in his capacity as chairman at the applicable company and has not become disabled (the “Diller Condition,” and together with the Liberty Condition, the “Consent Conditions”),

the applicable company has agreed that, without the prior approval of Liberty and/or Mr. Diller, as applicable, it will not engage in any transaction that would result in Liberty or Mr. Diller having to divest any part of their interests in the applicable company or any other material assets, or that would render any such ownership illegal or would subject Mr. Diller or Liberty to any fines, penalties or material additional restrictions or limitations.

 

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In addition, for so long as the Consent Conditions apply, if the applicable company (or any of its subsidiaries) incurs any indebtedness, other than customary refinancing, after which such company’s “total debt ratio” (as defined in the applicable governance agreement) equals or exceeds 8:1, then for so long as the total debt ratio continues to equal or exceed 8:1, the applicable company may not take any of the following actions without the prior approval of Liberty and/or Mr. Diller:

 

   

acquire or dispose of any assets, issue any debt or equity securities, repurchase any debt or equity securities, or incur indebtedness, if the aggregate value of such transaction or transactions (alone or in combination) during any six month period equals 10% or more of the applicable company’s market capitalization;

 

   

voluntarily commence any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the applicable company or any material subsidiary of the applicable company;

 

   

make any material amendments to the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the applicable company;

 

   

in the case of TripAdvisor, engage in any line of business other than online and offline travel media and related businesses, or other businesses engaged in by TripAdvisor as of the date of determination of the total debt ratio;

 

   

in the case of Expedia, engage in any line of business other than online and offline travel services and products and related businesses, or other business engaged in by Expedia as of the date of determination of the total debt ratio;

 

   

adopt any stockholder rights plan that would adversely affect Liberty or Mr. Diller, as applicable; or

 

   

grant additional consent rights to a stockholder of the applicable company.

Preemptive Rights

In the event that the applicable company issues or proposes to issue any shares of common stock or Class B common stock (with certain limited exceptions) including shares issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange of options, warrants and convertible securities, Liberty will have preemptive rights that entitle it to purchase a number of common shares of the applicable company so that Liberty will maintain the identical ownership interest in the applicable company that Liberty had immediately prior to such issuance or proposed issuance (but not in excess of 20.01%). Any purchase by Liberty will be allocated between common stock and Class B common stock in the same proportion as the issuance or issuances giving rise to the preemptive right, except to the extent that Liberty opts to acquire shares of common stock in lieu of shares of Class B common stock.

Registration Rights

Liberty and Mr. Diller are entitled to customary, transferable registration rights with respect to shares of common stock of the applicable company owned by them. Liberty is entitled to four demand registration rights and Mr. Diller is entitled to three demand registration rights. The applicable company will pay the costs associated with such registrations (other than underwriting discounts, fees and commissions). The applicable company will not be required to register shares of its common stock if a stockholder could sell the shares in the quantities proposed to be sold at such time in one transaction under Rule 144 of the Securities Act or under another comparable exemption from registration.

In connection with a transfer of securities of the applicable company to an unaffiliated third party, Liberty may assign any of its then-remaining demand registration rights to the third party transferee, if upon the transfer the transferee acquires beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the outstanding equity securities of the applicable company. If upon the transfer the transferee acquires beneficial ownership of equity securities of the applicable company representing less than 5% of the outstanding equity securities, but having at least $250 million in then-current market value, Liberty may assign one of its remaining demand registration rights, which the transferee may exercise only in connection with an offering of shares of common stock of the applicable company having $100 million or more in market value.

 

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Inapplicability of Anti-Takeover Provisions to Distribution Transaction or Block Sale

The applicable company will not, in the case of a Distribution Transaction (as discussed below), implement any anti-takeover provision (including any shareholder rights plan) or , in the case of a Block Sale (as discussed below), will render inapplicable any such anti-takeover provision:

 

   

the purpose or reasonably evident effect of which is to restrict or limit Liberty’s ability to engage in a Distribution Transaction or a Block Sale; or

 

   

the purpose or reasonably evident effect of which is to impose a material economic detriment on the company to which Expedia or TripAdvisor equity securities, as applicable, are transferred in connection with a permitted Distribution Transaction (and whose shares are distributed to the public stockholders of Liberty) or that would impose a material economic detriment on the transferee in a Block Sale.

In addition, the Board of Directors of the applicable company will approve the transfer of Class B common stock and common stock in a Distribution Transaction or Block Sale (up to a 30% ownership level in the case of a Block Sale) for purposes of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or Section 203 of the DGCL, which is the prohibition on transactions with interested stockholders under Delaware state law. In the case of a Block Sale, however, such approval for purposes of Section 203 of the DGCL will be subject to the imposition of contractual restrictions on the Block Sale transferee analogous to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL (as further described below).

Restrictions on Block Sale Transferee

For three years following a Block Sale by Liberty, the transferee will be subject to the following restrictions with regard to the applicable company, unless the restrictions terminate early in the circumstances discussed below:

 

   

an ownership cap set at 30% of the total equity securities of the company (which would apply to any “group” of which the transferee or its affiliates is a member);

 

   

specified “standstill” restrictions limiting the transferee’s ability, at such time as any directors nominated by the transferee are serving on the Board of Directors, to, among other things, engage in proxy contests, propose transactions involving the company, form a “group” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or influence the management of the company. These restrictions, other than the prohibition on proxy contests, would terminate with respect to the applicable company if the transferee relinquishes all rights to nominate directors under the applicable governance agreement; and

 

   

contractual provisions analogous to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL that would prohibit the transferee from engaging in specified “business combination” transactions with the company without the prior approval by the applicable company, acting through a committee of independent directors.

The contractual provisions mirroring Section 203 of the DGCL would not apply to the transferee if upon the Block Sale it would not be an “interested stockholder” (as determined pursuant to Section 203 of the DGCL) of the applicable company. However, if these contractual provisions become applicable at the time of the Block Sale, they will continue in effect even if the transferee would subsequently cease to qualify as an “interested stockholder” (as determined pursuant to Section 203 of the DGCL). The standstill restrictions and 30% ownership cap, as well as the termination provisions, would apply to subsequent transferees of all or substantially all of the shares transferred in a prior Block Sale, but in any event would not extend past the third anniversary of the original Block Sale. With respect to such unaffiliated subsequent transferees of the shares transferred in a prior Block Sale, the statutory (rather than contractual) anti-takeover restrictions of Section 203 of the DGCL would apply subject to the waiver, at the time of a transfer, by the applicable company.

 

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Prior to the expiration of the three year term, the standstill restrictions, including the cap on ownership described above, would terminate at the earlier of (i) Mr. Diller and his affiliates “actually owning” securities representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the applicable company or (ii) the Block Sale transferee and its affiliates beneficially owning (as defined in the governance agreement for the applicable company) securities representing less than 12% of the total voting power of the applicable company and Mr. Diller beneficially owning (as defined in the governance agreement for the applicable company) securities representing more than 40% of the total voting power of the applicable company. For this purpose, securities “actually owned” by Mr. Diller and his affiliates will include all securities of the applicable company held by Mr. Diller and his “affiliates”, plus those shares of Class B common stock for which Mr. Diller and his “affiliates” have a right to “swap” shares of common stock (as discussed below) but for which the swap right has not been exercised, minus the securities Mr. Diller and his “affiliates” currently hold but would need to exchange for the Class B common stock in such swap right.

All of the above restrictions may be waived at any time, but only by the applicable company, acting through a committee of independent directors.

Other Block Sale Provisions

Any Block Sale by Liberty within the two years immediately following the completion of the TripAdvisor spin-off will require the consent of Expedia and TripAdvisor. Expedia and TripAdvisor will agree not to withhold their consent if they determine in good faith (a) that a safe harbor exists for the Block Sale under Section 355(e) of the Code or (b) that during the two years immediately prior to the TripAdvisor spin-off there were no substantial negotiations regarding the Block Sale.

If Mr. Diller does not acquire from Liberty all shares of Class B common stock proposed to be transferred in a Block Sale or in a transfer of all of the Class B common stock and common stock beneficially owned by Liberty through the exercise of his “swap” rights or right of refusal under the applicable stockholders agreement (resulting in such Class B common stock of Liberty being converted into, or exchanged for, shares of common stock of the applicable company before the Block Sale), for a period of two years after the Block Sale, Mr. Diller will have the right from time to time to acquire from the applicable company an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock held in treasury, either by purchase at fair market value, through an exchange of an equivalent number of shares of common stock, or a combination thereof. Mr. Diller may exercise this right either alone or in conjunction with one or more third-parties so long as Mr. Diller retains voting control over the Class B common stock acquired. Prior to the two year period following a Block Sale, Mr. Diller’s right to acquire Class B common stock from the applicable company will be suspended immediately upon the entry by the applicable company into a merger agreement providing for a merger that constitutes a change of control of the applicable company, and will terminate irrevocably upon the consummation of a tender or exchange offer for securities representing a majority of the total voting power of the applicable company or a merger that constitutes a change of control of the applicable company.

Certain Waivers

During the term of a stockholders agreement, without the applicable company’s consent (to be exercised by a committee of independent directors), Mr. Diller will not waive Liberty’s obligation under the applicable stockholders agreement to convert or exchange its shares of Class B common stock to shares of common stock in specified circumstances. This consent right is not applicable if Mr. Diller no longer has any rights under the applicable stockholders agreement. This consent right will survive a mutual termination of the applicable stockholders agreement for one year unless Mr. Diller’s rights are terminated under the circumstances described under “Stockholders Agreements—Termination.”

 

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Termination

Generally, the applicable governance agreement will terminate:

 

   

with respect to Liberty, at such time that Liberty beneficially owns equity securities representing less than 5% of the total equity securities of the applicable company; and

 

   

with respect to Mr. Diller, at such time as Mr. Diller ceases to be the chairman of the applicable company or becomes disabled.

With respect to the provisions governing “Contingent Matters,” such provisions will terminate as to Mr. Diller and Liberty as set forth under “—Contingent Matters.”

Stockholders Agreements

General

Liberty and Mr. Diller intend to enter into a new amended and restated stockholders agreement, which we refer to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the “Expedia Stockholders Agreement,” that will take effect upon completion of the spin-off and will replace the stockholders agreement dated August 9, 2005.

Liberty and Mr. Diller intend to enter into a stockholders agreement, which we refer to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the “TripAdvisor Stockholders Agreement,” that will become effective upon completion of the spin-off. The TripAdvisor Stockholders Agreement will mirror the provisions of the new amended and restated Expedia Stockholders Agreement in most material respects.

The description below sets forth the material terms of the Expedia Stockholders Agreement and the TripAdvisor Stockholders Agreement. Because these two agreements are identical in all material respects, the following description applies to each of Expedia and TripAdvisor (in each case, the “applicable company”) other than in instances in which the description specifically identifies Expedia or TripAdvisor. The following description does not purport to cover all the provisions of the Expedia Stockholders Agreement and the TripAdvisor Stockholders Agreement, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to those agreements, which Expedia and TripAdvisor will file with the SEC when Expedia and TripAdvisor enter into these agreements.

Share information set forth below gives effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split that Expedia expects to complete immediately prior to the spin-off.

Corporate Governance

Effective upon completion of the spin-off, Mr. Diller will hold an irrevocable proxy with respect to all securities of the applicable company beneficially owned by Liberty on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote or by which the stockholders may act by written consent, except for Contingent Matters with respect to which Liberty has not consented, so long as Mr. Diller continues to own at least 2,500,000 common shares (including options) of the applicable company. The proxy will generally remain in effect until the earlier of (1) Mr. Diller no longer serving in his capacity as chairman at the applicable company and (2) Mr. Diller becoming disabled. Under certain limited circumstances, including a breach by Mr. Diller of certain provisions of the applicable agreement, the proxy may terminate sooner.

Liberty and Mr. Diller will vote against any Contingent Matter with respect to the applicable company if Mr. Diller and Liberty do not approve the Contingent Matter (and continue to have veto rights with respect to the Contingent Matter under the applicable governance agreement). Mr. Diller will also vote all securities of the applicable company over which he has voting control in favor of the Liberty designees to the board of directors of the applicable company.

 

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Restrictions on Transfers

Until the later of (1) the date Mr. Diller no longer serves in his capacity as chairman at the applicable company and (2) the date Mr. Diller no longer holds the proxy to vote Liberty’s shares of the applicable company described above (or upon Mr. Diller becoming disabled, if that occurs first), and subject to the other provisions of the applicable stockholders agreement, neither Liberty nor Mr. Diller may transfer shares of common stock or Class B common stock of the applicable company, other than:

 

   

transfers by Mr. Diller to pay taxes relating to the granting, vesting and/or exercise of stock options to purchase shares of common stock of the applicable company;

 

   

transfers to each party’s respective affiliates;

 

   

transfers pursuant to certain permitted hedging transactions;

 

   

pledges relating to financings, subject to certain conditions; and

 

   

transfers of options or common shares of the applicable company in connection with “cashless exercises” of Mr. Diller’s options to purchase shares of common stock of the applicable company.

The restrictions on transfer are subject to a number of exceptions (which exceptions are generally subject to the rights of first refusal described below):

 

   

either of Liberty or Mr. Diller may transfer common shares of the applicable company to an unaffiliated third party, subject to tag-along rights described below and the applicable company’s consent in the event of a waiver of Liberty’s obligation to convert or exchange shares of Class B common stock to shares of common stock in certain circumstances, as described above (in the case of transfers of shares of Class B common stock);

 

   

either of Liberty or Mr. Diller may transfer common shares of the applicable company so long as the transfer complies with the requirements of Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act; and

 

   

Liberty may engage in a Distribution Transaction or Block Sale (as described below).

Tag-Along Rights and Rights of First Refusal

Each of Mr. Diller and Liberty will be entitled to a right to “tag-along” (i.e., participate on a pro rata basis) on sales by the other of shares of Class B common stock of the applicable company to any unaffiliated third party with limited exceptions. Mr. Diller will not have a tag-along right in connection with a Distribution Transaction by Liberty.

Each of Mr. Diller and Liberty has a right of first refusal in the case of a proposed transfer by the other of shares of Class B common stock of the applicable company to an unaffiliated third party, subject to specified exceptions, including transfers by Liberty pursuant to a Distribution Transaction.

Transfers of Shares of Expedia and TripAdvisor Class B Common Stock

If either Liberty or Mr. Diller proposes to transfer shares of Class B common stock of the applicable company, the other will have the right to swap any shares of common stock of the applicable company it or he owns for such shares of Class B common stock of the applicable company proposed to be transferred (subject to the rights of first refusal described above). To the extent that, after application of the swap right described in the prior sentence, there remain shares of Class B common stock of the applicable company that the selling stockholder would otherwise transfer to an unaffiliated third party, such shares must first be converted into shares of common stock of the applicable company.

As described above under “—Governance Agreements with Liberty and Mr. Diller,” any waiver by Mr. Diller of Liberty’s obligation in the applicable stockholders agreement to convert shares of Class B common

 

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stock to shares of common stock before transfer to an unaffiliated third party will be subject to the consent of the applicable company, exercisable through a committee of independent directors, as provided by the applicable governance agreement. This consent right is not applicable if Mr. Diller no longer has any rights under the applicable stockholders agreement. This consent right will survive a mutual termination of the applicable stockholders agreement for one year unless Mr. Diller’s rights are terminated under the circumstances described under “Stockholders Agreements—Termination.”

This transfer restriction does not apply to, among other specified transfers, transfers among the parties and their affiliates, and transfers by Liberty in a Distribution Transaction.

Distribution Transactions

Liberty will be permitted to spin-off or split-off to its public stockholders all (but not less than all) of its equity ownership in the applicable company in a transaction meeting specified requirements (a “Distribution Transaction”) without first complying with many of the transfer restrictions described above, including Mr. Diller’s tag-along right, right of first refusal, swap right and conversion requirement, and without being subject to the application of certain anti-takeover provisions, as described above under “—Governance Agreements with Liberty and Mr. Diller—Inapplicability of Anti-Takeover Provisions to Distribution Transaction or Block Sale.” The spun-off or split-off company will be required to assume all of Liberty’s obligations (including the proxy given to Mr. Diller) and will succeed to Liberty’s rights under the applicable governance agreement and stockholders agreement (including Liberty’s right to nominate candidates to the Board of Directors).

Block Sales

So long as Liberty’s equity ownership in the applicable company does not exceed 30% of the total equity securities of the applicable company and Mr. Diller continues to hold a proxy over Liberty’s shares in the applicable company, Liberty will be permitted to sell all (but not less than all) of such equity interest in the applicable company to an unaffiliated third party (a “Block Sale”), without being subject to the application of certain anti-takeover provisions, as described above under “—Governance Agreements with Liberty and Mr. Diller—Inapplicability of Anti-Takeover Provisions to Distribution Transaction or Block Sale,” subject to prior compliance with Mr. Diller’s tag-along right, right of first refusal and swap right, as well as the requirement that Liberty convert shares of Class B common stock to shares of common stock or exchange them for common stock with the applicable company before the Block Sale.

Prior to any Block Sale, Liberty will be required to exchange and/or convert any shares of Class B common stock proposed to be transferred in such Block Sale, to the extent Mr. Diller does not acquire such shares pursuant to exercise of his right of first refusal or swap rights, for newly-issued common stock of the applicable company (subject to application of relevant securities laws).

Termination

Mr. Diller’s and Liberty’s rights and obligations under the applicable stockholders agreement generally terminate at such time as, in the case of Mr. Diller, he no longer beneficially owns at least 1,100,000 common shares (including stock options) of the applicable company and, in the case of Liberty, Liberty no longer beneficially owns at least 1,000,000 common shares of the applicable company. Liberty’s tag-along rights and obligations terminate at such time as Liberty ceases to beneficially own at least 5% of the total equity securities of the applicable company.

In addition, Mr. Diller’s rights under the applicable stockholders agreement will terminate upon the later of (1) the date Mr. Diller ceases to serve in his capacity as chairman at the applicable company or becomes disabled and (2) the date Mr. Diller no longer holds a proxy to vote the shares of the applicable company owned by Liberty.

 

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No Appraisal Rights

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, holders of shares of Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock will not have appraisal or dissenters’ rights in connection with the spin-off.

Accounting Treatment

Expedia will account for the spin-off as a discontinuance of the businesses that will constitute TripAdvisor after the spin-off. The measurement date for discontinued operations for accounting purposes will be the effective date of the spin-off. After the spin-off, the assets and liabilities of TripAdvisor will be accounted for at the historical values carried by Expedia prior to the spin-off. Total transaction costs relating to the spin-off are estimated at $9 million, which will be borne 50% by Expedia and 50% by TripAdvisor.

Regulatory Requirements

Expedia is not aware of any material governmental approvals or actions that are necessary for consummation of the spin-off, although Expedia expects to receive the IRS letter ruling referred to below.

Federal Securities Law Consequences

The issuance in connection with the spin-off of the following Expedia securities has been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”):

 

   

Expedia common stock;

 

   

warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock (as adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split).

The issuance in connection with the spin-off of the following TripAdvisor securities has been registered under the Securities Act:

 

   

TripAdvisor common stock;

 

   

warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock pursuant to adjustments to the outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock.

Upon issuance, these Expedia and TripAdvisor securities may be traded freely and without restriction, except that with respect to securities received by persons who are deemed to be “affiliates” (as such term is defined under the Securities Act) of Expedia or TripAdvisor, as applicable, such persons may resell their securities only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144, to the extent available. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Expedia or TripAdvisor, as applicable, are generally defined as individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, Expedia or TripAdvisor, as applicable, and may include certain executive officers and directors of Expedia and/or TripAdvisor, as applicable.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off

The following is a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the spin-off to “U.S. holders” (as defined below) of Expedia common stock. This summary is based on current provisions of the Code, the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and on judicial and administrative interpretations of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect the accuracy of the

 

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statements and conclusions set forth in this document. This discussion assumes that the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, will be consummated in accordance with the separation documents and as described in this proxy statement/prospectus and does not purport to be a complete description of all U.S. federal income tax consequences of the spin-off.

For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of Expedia common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (2) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (3) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or (4) a trust if (x) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

The following discussion addresses only holders of Expedia common stock that are U.S. holders and hold such stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. Further, this summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances or that may be applicable to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws (including, but not limited to, financial institutions, brokers or dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, insurance companies, mutual funds, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or other flow-through entities and their partners or members, U.S. expatriates, holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, holders who hold their Expedia common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction, and holders who acquired Expedia common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation). This discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the unearned income Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. In addition, no information is provided herein with respect to the tax consequences of the spin-off under any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or federal laws other than those pertaining to the federal income tax. This discussion does not address the tax consequences to any person who actually or constructively owns more than 5% of Expedia common stock.

If an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Expedia common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such entity generally will depend on the status of the partners and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding Expedia common stock, please consult your tax advisor.

EXPEDIA STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPIN-OFF TO THEM, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

It is a condition to the completion of the spin-off that Expedia obtain a private letter ruling from the IRS along with an opinion of counsel, or alternatively, solely an opinion of counsel, in each case, satisfactory to the Expedia Board of Directors regarding the qualification of the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. The IRS private letter ruling, if received, and the opinion of counsel will be based on, among other things, certain facts, assumptions as well as the accuracy of certain representations, statements and undertakings that Expedia and TripAdvisor make to the IRS and to counsel. If any of these representations, statements or undertakings are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, or if Expedia or TripAdvisor breach any of their respective covenants, the IRS private letter ruling, if received, and the opinions of counsel may be invalid.

Moreover, the IRS private letter ruling, if received, will not address all the issues that are relevant to determining whether the spin-off qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax

 

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purposes. Notwithstanding the IRS private letter ruling, if received, and/or the opinion of counsel, the IRS could determine that the spin-off should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings that were included in the request for the IRS private letter ruling or on which the opinion of counsel was based is false or has been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion of counsel that are not covered by the IRS ruling.

In addition to the opinion of counsel to be delivered on the date of the spin-off as described above, in connection with the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this document is a part, Expedia has received a legal opinion from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to the effect that the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. This opinion is based on representations made by Expedia and on factual assumptions set forth or referred to in the opinion. If any of the representations or assumptions upon which such opinion is based is inconsistent with the actual facts, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the spin-off could be adversely affected. Unless otherwise indicated, the remainder of this discussion assumes that the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. Accordingly, and based on this opinion, the following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the spin-off.

The one-for-two reverse stock split and the reclassification of Expedia common stock will generally not be taxable events for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the receipt of the Expedia Series 1 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the reclassification generally will be ignored. The one-for-two reverse stock split, the reclassification of Expedia common stock and the immediate exchange of shares of Expedia Series 1 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock for shares of TripAdvisor common stock will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a recapitalization of Expedia common stock and a distribution by Expedia of TripAdvisor common stock to the holders of Expedia common stock.

The following material U.S. federal income tax consequences will generally apply to Expedia, TripAdvisor and Expedia shareholders:

 

   

neither Expedia nor TripAdvisor will generally recognize any gain or loss as a result of the spin-off, and no amount will generally be includible in the income of Expedia or TripAdvisor as a result of the spin-off other than taxable income or gain possibly arising in connection with certain internal restructurings undertaken in connection with the spin-off and with respect to any “excess loss account” or “intercompany transaction” required to be taken into account under U.S. Treasury regulations relating to consolidated federal income tax returns;

 

   

an Expedia shareholder will generally not recognize any gain or loss and no amount will be includable in such shareholder’s income as a result of the receipt of TripAdvisor common stock pursuant to the spin-off;

 

   

an Expedia shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in such shareholder’s Expedia common stock and in TripAdvisor common stock received in the spin-off will generally equal such shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in its Expedia common stock immediately before the spin-off, allocated between the Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock in proportion to their relative fair market values on the date of the spin-off; and

 

   

an Expedia shareholder’s holding period for TripAdvisor common stock received in the spin-off will generally include the holding period for that shareholder’s Expedia common stock.

U.S. Treasury regulations generally provide that if an Expedia shareholder holds different blocks of Expedia common stock (generally shares of Expedia common stock purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices), the aggregate basis for each block of Expedia common stock purchased or acquired on the same date and at the same price will be allocated, to the greatest extent possible, between the shares of TripAdvisor common stock received in the spin-off in respect of such block of Expedia common stock and such block of

 

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Expedia common shares, in proportion to their respective fair market values. The holding period of the shares of TripAdvisor common stock received in the spin-off in respect of such block of Expedia common stock will include the holding period of such block of Expedia common stock. If an Expedia shareholder is not able to identify which particular shares of TripAdvisor common stock are received in the spin-off with respect to a particular block of Expedia common shares, for purposes of applying the rules described above, such shareholder may designate which shares of TripAdvisor common stock are received in the spin-off in respect of a particular block of Expedia common stock, provided that such designation is consistent with the terms of the spin-off. Expedia shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

U.S. Treasury regulations also require each Expedia shareholder who receives TripAdvisor common stock in the spin-off to attach to such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the TripAdvisor common stock is received a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax free nature of the spin-off. Within a reasonable period of time after the spin-off, Expedia expects to make available to its shareholders information pertaining to compliance with this requirement.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Spin-Off, Together With Certain Related Transactions, Were Taxable

Notwithstanding receipt by Expedia of the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion of counsel, the IRS could assert successfully that the spin-off was taxable. In that event, the above consequences would not apply with respect to the spin-off and both Expedia and holders of Expedia common stock who received shares of TripAdvisor common stock in the spin-off could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability, as described below. In addition, certain events that may or may not be within the control of Expedia or TripAdvisor, including extraordinary purchases of Expedia common stock or TripAdvisor common stock, could cause the spin-off not to qualify as tax free to Expedia and/or holders of Expedia common stock. Depending on the circumstances, TripAdvisor may be required to indemnify Expedia for some or all of the taxes and certain related losses resulting from the spin-off not qualifying as tax free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (see section entitled “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off—Tax Sharing Agreement”). In general, if the spin-off, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, then:

 

   

Expedia would recognize gain in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of TripAdvisor common stock on the date of the spin-off distributed to Expedia shareholders over Expedia’s adjusted tax basis in TripAdvisor common stock, and Expedia may also recognize income or gain with respect to certain restructuring transactions undertaken in connection with the spin-off;

 

   

an Expedia shareholder who received TripAdvisor common stock in the taxable spin-off would be treated as having received a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of such TripAdvisor stock on the date of the spin-off. That distribution would be taxable to the shareholder as a dividend to the extent of Expedia’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Any amount that exceeded Expedia’s earnings and profits would be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the Expedia shareholder’s tax basis in its Expedia common stock (which amounts would reduce such shareholder’s tax basis in its Expedia common stock), with any remaining amounts being taxed as capital gain;

 

   

certain Expedia shareholders would be subject to additional special rules governing taxable spin-offs, such as rules relating to the dividends received deduction and extraordinary dividends; and

 

   

an Expedia shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in TripAdvisor common stock received in the spin-off generally would equal the fair market value of TripAdvisor common stock on the date of the spin-off, and the holding period for that stock would begin the day after the date of the spin-off. The holding period for the shareholder’s Expedia common stock would not be affected by the fact that the spin-off was taxable.

 

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Even if the spin-off otherwise qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, it could be taxable to Expedia (but not Expedia’s shareholders) under Section 355(e) of the Code if the spin-off were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock representing a 50% or greater interest by vote or value, in Expedia or TripAdvisor. For this purpose, any acquisitions of Expedia common stock or TripAdvisor common stock within the period beginning two years before the spin-off and ending two years after the spin-off are presumed to be part of such a plan, although Expedia or TripAdvisor may be able to rebut that presumption. If such an acquisition of Expedia or TripAdvisor common stock were to trigger the application of Section 355(e), Expedia would recognize taxable gain as described above, but the spin-off would be tax free to Expedia shareholders.

Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares

To the extent that the one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock results in fractional shares, holders of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock will receive cash in lieu of such fractional shares. A shareholder who receives cash instead of a fractional share of Expedia common stock in connection with the one-for-two reverse stock split will generally recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for such fractional share and the shareholder’s tax basis in the fractional share. Any such capital gain or loss will be treated as a long-term or short-term gain or loss based on the shareholder’s holding period for the Expedia common stock. Payments of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Expedia common stock made in connection with the one-for-two reverse stock split may, under certain circumstances, be subject to “backup withholding” (currently at a rate of 28%), unless the Expedia shareholder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies with the requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding does not constitute an additional U.S. federal income tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of the person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may generally be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. The spin-off transaction will not result in any fractional shares of Expedia common stock.

THE FOREGOING IS A SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPIN-OFF UNDER CURRENT LAW AND IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. THE FOREGOING DOES NOT PURPORT TO ADDRESS ALL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OR TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THE TAX LAWS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS OR THAT MAY APPLY TO PARTICULAR CATEGORIES OF SHAREHOLDERS. EACH EXPEDIA SHAREHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPIN-OFF TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAX LAWS THAT MAY AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED ABOVE.

Treatment of Outstanding Expedia Compensatory Equity-Based Awards

Treatment of Expedia Options

Vested Expedia Options: Each vested option to purchase shares of Expedia common stock will convert into an option to purchase shares of Expedia common stock and an option to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock with adjustments to the number of shares subject to each option and the option exercise prices based on (1) the value of Expedia common stock prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split and (2) the value of Expedia common stock and the value of TripAdvisor common stock after giving effect to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

Except as otherwise described above and except to the extent otherwise provided under local law, following the spin-off, the converted options generally will have the same terms and conditions, including the same exercise periods, as the vested options to purchase Expedia common stock had immediately prior to the spin-off.

 

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Following the spin-off, solely for purposes of determining the expiration of options with respect to shares of common stock of one company held by employees of the other company, Expedia and TripAdvisor employees will be deemed employed by both companies for so long as they continue to be employed by whichever of the companies employs them immediately following the spin-off.

Unvested Expedia Options: Each unvested option to purchase shares of Expedia common stock (other than those unvested options held by Mr. Diller) will convert into an option to purchase shares of common stock of the applicable company (Expedia or TripAdvisor, as the case may be) for which the applicable employee works following the spin-off with adjustments to the number of shares subject to the option and the option exercise price based on (1) the value of Expedia common stock prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split and (2) the value of the common stock of the applicable company (Expedia or TripAdvisor, as the case may be) after giving effect to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

Except as otherwise described above and except to the extent otherwise provided under local law, following the spin-off, the unvested options to purchase shares of common stock of the applicable company generally will have the same terms and conditions, including the same vesting provisions and exercise periods, as the unvested options to purchase Expedia common stock had immediately prior to the spin-off.

Unvested Expedia Options Held by Mr. Diller

Each unvested option to purchase shares of Expedia common stock held by Mr. Diller will convert into an option to purchase shares of Expedia common stock and an option to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock with adjustments to the number of shares subject to each option and the option exercise prices based on (1) the value of Expedia common stock prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split and (2) the value of the applicable company (Expedia or TripAdvisor, as the case may be) after giving effect to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

Treatment of Expedia RSUs

All Expedia restricted stock units (“RSUs”) (other than those held by Mr. Diller, 800,000 performance-based RSUs held by Mr. Khosrowshahi and RSUs granted in respect of service as an Expedia director) will convert into RSUs of the company (Expedia or TripAdvisor, as the case may be) for which the applicable employee works following the spin-off with adjustments to the number of RSUs based on (1) the value of Expedia common stock prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split and (2) the value of the common stock of the applicable company (Expedia or TripAdvisor, as the case may be) after giving effect to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

Expedia RSUs granted in respect of service as an Expedia director will convert into adjusted Expedia RSUs with adjustments to the number of Expedia RSUs based on (1) the value of Expedia common stock prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split and (2) the value of Expedia common stock after giving effect to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

Except as otherwise described above and except to the extent otherwise provided under local law, following the spin-off, the RSUs of the applicable company generally will have the same terms and conditions, including the same vesting provisions, as the Expedia RSUs had immediately prior to the date of the spin-off.

Expedia RSUs Held by Mr. Diller and Performance-based RSUs Held by Mr. Khosrowshahi

Mr. Diller’s RSUs will convert into (1) Expedia RSUs with respect to one half the number of shares subject to Mr. Diller’s Expedia RSUs prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split, and (2) TripAdvisor RSUs with respect to one half the number of shares subject to Mr. Diller’s Expedia RSUs prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split.

 

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Mr. Khosrowshahi’s 800,000 performance-based RSUs will convert into 400,000 Expedia RSUs and 400,000 TripAdvisor RSUs. The applicable performance goals relating to Mr. Khosrowshahi’s performance-based RSUs will be adjusted into independent, company-specific performance goals for each award.

Except as otherwise described above and except to the extent otherwise provided under local law, following the spin-off, the RSUs of the applicable company generally will have the same terms and conditions, including the same vesting provisions, as the Expedia RSUs had immediately prior to the date of the spin-off.

Post Spin-Off TripAdvisor Financing Arrangements

In connection with and prior to the spin-off, TripAdvisor, Inc., TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC, and certain of their respective subsidiaries acting as additional borrowers expect to enter into a credit agreement with certain lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “TripAdvisor Credit Agreement”). The TripAdvisor Credit Agreement will provide for a five-year senior term loan to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC in a principal amount of $400 million (the “Term Loan”), repayable in quarterly installments equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount in year 2012 and 2.5% of the original principal amount in each year thereafter, with the balance payable on the final maturity date. The TripAdvisor Credit Agreement will also provide for a senior revolving credit facility with a maximum borrowing capacity of $200 million (the “TripAdvisor Revolving Facility”). All outstanding principal and interest under the Term Loan and the TripAdvisor Revolving Facility will be due and payable, and the TripAdvisor Revolving Facility will terminate, on the fifth anniversary of the effectiveness of the TripAdvisor Credit Agreement. The obligations under the TripAdvisor Credit Agreement will be the senior unsecured obligations of the borrowers thereunder and will be guaranteed by TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC, TripAdvisor, Inc. (after consummation of the spin-off) and certain of their respective subsidiaries.

The Term Loan and any loans under the TripAdvisor Revolving Facility will bear interest by reference to a base rate or a eurocurrency rate, in either case plus an applicable margin based on the leverage ratio of TripAdvisor, Inc. TripAdvisor, Inc. is also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee, the amount of which is based on the leverage ratio of TripAdvisor, Inc., on the average daily unused portion of the TripAdvisor Revolving Credit Facility for each fiscal quarter and fees in connection with the issuance of letters of credit. Immediately after consummation of the spin-off, the Term Loan and loans under the TripAdvisor Revolving Facility will bear interest at LIBOR plus 175 basis points or the alternate base rate plus 75 basis points, and undrawn amounts will be subject to a commitment fee of 30 basis points. The proceeds of the Term Loan and any loans under the TripAdvisor Revolving Facility will be used for general corporate purposes, including the payment of a dividend to Expedia immediately prior to the spin-off in an amount not to exceed $450 million. The TripAdvisor Credit Agreement will contain customary covenants, restrictions and events of default, including, but not limited to, maintenance of a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio.

In August 2010, certain of TripAdvisor’s post spin-off Chinese subsidiaries entered into a RMB67,000,000 (approximately $10 million), one-year revolving credit facility with Bank of America. In June 2011, the revolving credit facility was amended to extend the facility to March 2012 and increase the borrowing capacity to RMB130,000,000 (approximately $20 million). The facility is expected to be unconditionally guaranteed

by TripAdvisor. As of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011, there were $2 million and $5 million of borrowings outstanding, respectively, under this facility. This facility bears interest at a rate determined by reference to People’s Bank of China’s base rate. The rate at which this facility bore interest was 5.81% and 6.56% as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011, respectively.

Post Spin-Off Expedia Financing Arrangements

Expedia Notes

The indenture (the “2016 Notes Indenture”) governing Expedia’s $400 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding 8.5% senior notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes”) contains certain covenants that could restrict implementation of the proposed TripAdvisor spin-off. In light of such covenants, Expedia anticipates that it will

 

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redeem the 2016 Notes and, prior to consummation of the spin-off, the 2016 Notes Indenture will have been discharged or defeased. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the outstanding 2016 Notes plus a make-whole premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date.

Expedia’s 2018 Notes and 2020 Notes (each as defined below) are described below.

On August 21, 2006, Expedia entered into an indenture with The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “2018 Notes Indenture”), in connection with an offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.456% senior notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”). The 2018 Notes mature on August 15, 2018 and accrue interest at 7.456% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. Expedia may redeem the 2018 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time at a specified make-whole premium. Each 2018 Note is payable at par at the option of the holder thereof on August 15, 2013. The 2018 Notes Indenture contains certain customary covenants, restrictions and events of default.

On August 5, 2010, Expedia entered into an indenture with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “2020 Notes Indenture”), in connection with an offering of $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.95% senior notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). The 2020 Notes mature on August 15, 2020 and accrue interest at 5.95% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. Expedia may redeem the 2020 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time at a specified make-whole premium. Upon the occurrence of a change of control and a sufficient lowering of the debt rating of the 2020 Notes, each holder of notes will have the right to require Expedia to repurchase such holder’s notes, in whole or in part, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. The 2020 Notes Indenture contains certain customary covenants, restrictions and events of default.

The 2018 Notes and 2020 Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) are senior unsecured obligations of Expedia and are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Expedia, including each domestic subsidiary of Expedia that guarantees the Expedia Revolving Facility (as defined below).

Expedia Credit Facilities

On February 8, 2010, Expedia, and certain of Expedia’s subsidiaries acting as additional borrowers, entered into a credit agreement (the “Expedia Credit Agreement”) with certain lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, establishing a senior revolving credit facility with a maximum borrowing capacity of $750.0 million (the “Expedia Revolving Facility”). The obligations under the Expedia Revolving Facility are unsecured and are guaranteed by the borrowers thereunder (as to the obligations of other borrowers) and by certain of Expedia’s other subsidiaries. Loans under the Expedia Revolving Facility bear interest by reference to a base rate or a eurocurrency rate, in either case plus an applicable margin based on Expedia’s senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced long-term debt rating. Expedia is also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee, the amount of which is based on Expedia’s senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced long-term debt rating, on the average daily unused portion of the Expedia Revolving Facility for each fiscal quarter and fees in connection with the issuance of letters of credit. The proceeds of the loans under the Expedia Revolving Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. The Expedia Credit Agreement contains customary covenants, restrictions and events of default, including, but not limited to, maintenance of a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio.

On August 18, 2010, Expedia and its applicable subsidiaries entered into the First Amendment to the Expedia Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment, among other things, amended certain covenants set forth in the Expedia Credit Agreement, extended the maturity date of the Expedia Revolving Facility and reduced the interest rate spreads and commitment fees payable thereon.

On August 31, 2011, Expedia and its applicable subsidiaries entered into the Second Amendment to the Expedia Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment, among other things, extended

 

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the maturity of the Expedia Revolving Facility to August 31, 2016, reduced the interest rate spread on drawn amounts by between 87.5 basis points and 100 basis points and reduced the commitment fee on undrawn amounts by between 7.5 basis points and 25 basis points. Based on Expedia’s current debt ratings, loans under the Expedia Revolving Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 150 basis points or the alternate base rate plus 50 basis points, and undrawn amounts are subject to a commitment fee of 22.5 basis points. The Second Amendment also made certain other modifications to the covenants and other terms of the Expedia Credit Agreement, including clarifying that the spin-off is permitted by the Expedia Credit Agreement.

Treatment of Expedia Warrants in the Spin-Off

Expedia has outstanding a series of warrants that expire in May 2012. Expedia originally issued these warrants in 2005 in connection with Expedia’s spin-off from IAC/InterActiveCorp, as part of the adjustment of then outstanding warrants to acquire IAC common stock that IAC had issued in 2002 in connection with a joint venture with Vivendi Universal. Each such Expedia warrant will convert in accordance with its terms into an adjusted warrant to purchase Expedia common stock and a new warrant to purchase TripAdvisor common stock, each of which will mirror in all material respects the terms of the current warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock, as adjusted as follows to reflect the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split. From and after the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split, the number of shares of Expedia common stock subject to the adjusted Expedia warrant and the number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock subject to the new TripAdvisor warrant each will equal one half the number of shares of Expedia common stock underlying the Expedia warrant prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split. The exercise price of the Expedia warrant prior to the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split will be allocated to the adjusted Expedia warrant and the new TripAdvisor warrant based on the relative post-separation trading values of Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock at the time of the spin-off.

Distribution of Expedia and TripAdvisor Securities Following the Spin-Off

Following the spin-off, reclassified Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock will be issued electronically by way of direct registration, or in “uncertificated” form, which will eliminate the physical handling and safekeeping responsibilities inherent in owning transferable stock certificates and the need to return a duly executed stock certificate to effect a transfer. BNY Mellon Shareowner Services will act as the registrar and transfer agent for Expedia common stock and TripAdvisor common stock after the spin-off. After the spin-off, you will be able to transfer shares of Expedia common stock or TripAdvisor common stock by mailing to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services a transfer and assignment form, which BNY Mellon Shareowner Services will provide to holders at no charge upon written request.

Expedia Common Stock and Expedia Class B Common Stock

In connection with the spin-off and on account of the one-for-two reverse stock split, certificates representing shares of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock prior to the spin-off will represent half the number of shares of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock (as applicable) after the spin-off. Holders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split.

TripAdvisor Common Stock and TripAdvisor Class B Common Stock

As promptly as practicable following the spin-off, TripAdvisor’s transfer agent will distribute shares of TripAdvisor common stock to those persons who are holders of Expedia common stock at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the date of the spin-off by mailing physical certificates representing the shares or by crediting the shares to book-entry accounts established by the transfer agent.

As promptly as practicable following the spin-off, TripAdvisor will distribute shares of TripAdvisor Class B common stock to those persons who are holders of Expedia Class B common stock at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the date of the spin-off by mailing physical certificates representing the shares or by crediting the shares to book-entry accounts established by the transfer agent.

 

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Expedia Warrants; TripAdvisor Warrants

Warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock will be adjusted as described in this proxy statement/prospectus. Subject to adjustment for the one-for-two reverse stock split and the spin-off, the Expedia warrants will remain outstanding and continue to be governed by their existing terms. In addition, TripAdvisor will issue TripAdvisor warrants pursuant to adjustments to the Expedia warrants. These TripAdvisor warrants will be issued promptly following the completion of the spin-off in certificated or uncertificated form, depending on the form in which the respective outstanding Expedia warrant to be adjusted is held. At or prior to the completion of the spin-off, Expedia will deposit with the warrant agent the new form of TripAdvisor warrant.

Series A Preferred Stock

Assuming receipt of the required shareholder vote for effecting the preferred stock merger, such merger will be effected prior to the reverse stock split and the spin-off, resulting in the conversion of each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock (other than dissenting shares) into the right to receive $22.23 in cash per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the effective date of the merger. Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated. As a result, no shares of Expedia Series A preferred stock will be outstanding at the time of the reverse stock split, the spin-off or the effectiveness of any of the proposed charter amendments (including the amendment that would give effect to the corporate opportunity proposal).

Listing and Trading of Expedia Securities

Expedia common stock currently trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “EXPE” and will continue to do so after the spin-off (as adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split). The Expedia warrants (which will also be adjusted in connection with the spin-off and the reverse stock split) are not currently publicly listed and Expedia has no plans to list them following the spin-off.

Listing and Trading of TripAdvisor Securities

TripAdvisor will apply to list TripAdvisor common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market and has reserved the ticker symbol “TRIP” for such listing. Trading in TripAdvisor common stock under this symbol is expected to begin on the first business day following the date that Expedia completes the spin-off. However, there can be no assurance that a viable and active trading market will develop. TripAdvisor does not intend to apply to list on any stock exchange the series of TripAdvisor warrants to be issued in connection with the adjustment of the Expedia warrants in the spin-off.

Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off

Following the spin-off, the relationship between Expedia and TripAdvisor will be governed by a number of agreements. These agreements include:

 

   

a separation agreement;

 

   

a tax sharing agreement;

 

   

an employee matters agreement;

 

   

a transition services agreement; and

 

   

commercial agreements.

Expedia and TripAdvisor have attached forms of the separation agreement, the tax sharing agreement, the employee matters agreement and the transition services agreement as annexes to this proxy statement/prospectus, and the summaries of these documents that follow are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of those documents.

 

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Separation Agreement

The separation agreement will provide that Expedia will, immediately prior to the spin-off, contribute or otherwise transfer to TripAdvisor all of the subsidiaries and assets primarily related to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group-related businesses. In general, Expedia will effect the transfer of TripAdvisor assets through a series of contributions of relevant Expedia subsidiaries. Similarly, TripAdvisor or one of its subsidiaries will assume all of the liabilities primarily relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group-related businesses, as described above, immediately prior to the spin-off. TripAdvisor has agreed to take each TripAdvisor asset and to assume and perform each TripAdvisor liability on an “as is, where is” basis, and Expedia has made no representations or warranties with respect to any aspect of the TripAdvisor assets or the TripAdvisor liabilities.

Other matters governed by the separation agreement include provision and retention of records, access to information and confidentiality, cooperation with respect to governmental filings and third party consents, access to property, control of ongoing litigation and indemnification arrangements relating to liabilities of each party.

Pursuant to the separation agreement, TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify Expedia, its affiliates and their respective current and former directors, officers and employees for any losses arising out of any breach of the separation agreement, the tax sharing agreement, the employee matters agreement, the transition services agreement and any failure by TripAdvisor to assume and perform any of the TripAdvisor liabilities. Expedia and its subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify TripAdvisor and its affiliates and their respective current and former directors, officers and employees for any losses arising out of any breach of the separation agreement, the tax sharing agreement, the transition services agreement, the employee matters agreement and any failure by Expedia to perform any of the Expedia liabilities. TripAdvisor has also agreed to indemnify Expedia against any liabilities relating to the TripAdvisor financial and business information included in this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, from and after the completion of the spin-off, each of Expedia and TripAdvisor have generally agreed to bear 50% of the costs and liabilities associated with any securities law litigation relating to public disclosures prior to the spin-off with respect to the businesses or entities that comprise TripAdvisor following the spin-off, regardless of whether the litigation arises prior to or after the spin-off. Following the spin-off, TripAdvisor will bear 100% of the costs and liabilities associated with any other litigation relating to the conduct, prior to or after the spin-off, of the businesses or entities that comprise TripAdvisor following the spin-off, regardless of whether the litigation arises before or after the spin-off.

Expedia may terminate the separation agreement and abandon the spin-off, in its sole discretion, at any time prior to completion of the spin-off.

Tax Sharing Agreement

The tax sharing agreement will govern Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the spin-off with respect to various tax matters. Generally, the tax sharing agreement provides that although Expedia will remit taxes payable with respect to the TripAdvisor income included on its consolidated returns, pre-distribution taxes that are attributable to the business of one party, including audit adjustments with respect to consolidated periods, will be borne solely by that party. Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement, Expedia will prepare and file the federal consolidated return, and any other income tax returns that include TripAdvisor with respect to any taxable period ending on or prior to, or including, the distribution date with the appropriate tax authorities and will remit any taxes relating thereto to the relevant tax authority. TripAdvisor will prepare and file all separate company tax returns for TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries, and pay all taxes due with respect to such tax returns for all taxable periods. In general, Expedia controls all audits and administrative matters relating to the consolidated return of the Expedia group.

Under the tax sharing agreement TripAdvisor generally (i) may not take (or fail to take) any action that would cause any representations, information or covenants in the separation documents or documents relating to the tax opinion concerning the spin-off to be untrue, (ii) may not take (or fail to take) any action that would cause the spin-off to lose its tax free status, (iii) may not sell, issue, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity

 

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securities (or equity securities of members of its group), except in specified transactions for a period of 25 months following the spin-off and (iv) may not, other than in the ordinary course of business, sell or otherwise dispose of a substantial portion of its assets, liquidate, merge or consolidate with any other person for a period of 25 months following the spin-off. During that period, TripAdvisor may take some actions prohibited by these covenants if it provides Expedia with an Internal Revenue Service ruling or an unqualified opinion of counsel to the effect that these actions will not affect the tax free nature of the spin-off, in each case satisfactory to Expedia in its sole and absolute discretion. Notwithstanding the receipt of any such Internal Revenue Service ruling or opinion, TripAdvisor must indemnify Expedia for any taxes and related losses resulting from (i) any act or failure to act described in the covenants above, (ii) any acquisition of equity securities or assets of TripAdvisor or any member of its group, and (iii) any breach by TripAdvisor or any member of its group of representations in the separation documents between Expedia and TripAdvisor or the documents relating to the tax opinion concerning the spin-off.

Under U.S. federal income tax laws, Expedia and TripAdvisor are severally liable for all of Expedia’s federal income taxes attributable to the periods prior to and including the current taxable year of Expedia, which ends on December 31, 2011. Thus, if Expedia fails to pay the taxes attributable to it under the tax sharing agreement for periods prior to and including the current taxable year of Expedia, TripAdvisor may be responsible for these tax liabilities.

Employee Matters Agreement

The employee matters agreement covers a wide range of compensation and benefit issues related to the spin-off. In general, under the employee matters agreement Expedia will assume or retain (i) all liabilities with respect to Expedia employees, former Expedia employees and their dependents and beneficiaries under all Expedia employee benefit plans, and (ii) all liabilities with respect to the employment or termination of employment of all Expedia employees, former Expedia employees and other service providers. TripAdvisor will assume or retain (i) all liabilities under its employee benefit plans, and (ii) all liabilities with respect to the employment or termination of employment of all TripAdvisor employees, former employees and other service providers.

Subject to a transition period through the end of 2011 with respect to benefits under the U.S. Expedia health and welfare plans and flexible benefits plan, after the spin-off, TripAdvisor will no longer participate in such Expedia employee benefit plans, but will have established its own employee benefit plans that are currently expected to be substantially similar to the plans sponsored by Expedia prior to the spin-off. Through the end of 2011, Expedia will continue to provide benefits under the U.S. Expedia health and welfare plans and flexible benefits plan to TripAdvisor employees located in the United States and TripAdvisor will bear the cost of this coverage with respect to its employees. Assets and liabilities from the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan relating to the accounts of TripAdvisor employees will be transferred to the comparable TripAdvisor plan as soon as practicable following the spin-off.

For a description of the treatment of outstanding Expedia equity awards pursuant to the employee matters agreement, see “—Treatment of Outstanding Expedia Compensatory Equity-Based Awards.”

Transition Services Agreement

Under the transition services agreement Expedia will provide to TripAdvisor on an interim, transitional basis, various services, including governmental affairs, finance and accounting services, corporate sourcing, legal affairs, systems support and assistance with certain public company functions, and such other services as to which Expedia and TripAdvisor mutually agree. The charges for these services will be on a cost plus fixed percentage or hourly rate basis to be agreed upon prior to the completion of the spin-off.

In general, the services will begin on the date of the completion of the spin-off and will cover a period generally not expected to exceed 12 months following the spin-off. TripAdvisor may terminate the agreement with respect to one or more particular services upon 90 days’ prior written notice.

 

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Commercial Agreements

Following the spin-off, Expedia and TripAdvisor will continue to work together pursuant to various commercial agreements between subsidiaries of Expedia, on the one hand, and subsidiaries of TripAdvisor, on the other hand. The various commercial agreements have terms of up to one year. Below is a brief description of such agreements that, individually or together with similar agreements, involve revenue to either Expedia or TripAdvisor in excess of $50,000. For a more detailed discussion of click-based and display-based advertising on TripAdvisor websites generally, see the section below titled “—Information about TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off—TripAdvisor’s Business Model.”

Click-Based Advertising Agreements. Certain subsidiaries of Expedia will agree to continue to purchase click-based advertising, primarily in connection with the “check rates” feature on TripAdvisor websites, but also including textlink advertising on TripAdvisor websites. The pricing for such advertising will be on a cost-per-click or revenue-share basis. Aggregate TripAdvisor revenue in respect of click-based advertising by entities that Expedia will own following the spin-off approximated $166 million in 2010.

Content Sharing Agreement. Expedia and TripAdvisor expect to enter into a content sharing agreement whereby each will agree to continue providing the other, without charge, with certain proprietary and/or user-generated content. TripAdvisor will continue to provide certain subsidiaries of Expedia with proprietary content, including user-generated content, primarily hotel reviews, as well as proprietary ratings and summary statistics. Expedia will continue to provide TripAdvisor with proprietary content, including hotel star ratings, thumbnail images, hotel and flight pricing and availability data.

Display-based and Other Advertising Agreements. Certain subsidiaries of Expedia will agree to continue to purchase banner display and “exit window” advertising on TripAdvisor websites, and vice versa. In each case, pricing will be on a cost-per-thousand impressions or revenue-share basis. Aggregate TripAdvisor revenue in respect of display-based advertising by entities that Expedia will own following the spin-off approximated $5 million in 2010.

Information about Expedia After the Spin-Off

The following disclosure regarding Expedia and its businesses assumes the completion of the spin-off of TripAdvisor.

Expedia Overview

Expedia, Inc. is an online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to efficiently research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia has created a global travel marketplace used by a broad range of leisure and corporate travelers, offline retail travel agents and travel service providers. Expedia makes available, on a stand-alone and package basis, travel products and services provided by numerous airlines, lodging properties, car rental companies, destination service providers, cruise lines and other travel product and service companies. Expedia also offers travel and non-travel advertisers access to a potential source of incremental traffic and transactions through its various media and advertising offerings on its transaction-based websites.

Summary of Expedia’s Spin-Off from IAC/InterActiveCorp

On August 9, 2005, IAC/InterActiveCorp completed the spin-off of substantially all of its travel and travel-related businesses to IAC stockholders by way of the distribution of all outstanding shares of Expedia, Inc., a newly-formed Delaware corporation, to IAC stockholders. Expedia shares began trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EXPE.”

 

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Portfolio of Expedia Brands

Expedia leverages its brand portfolio to target the broadest possible range of travelers, travel suppliers and advertisers. The brands provide a wide selection of travel products and services, from simple, discounted travel to more complex, luxury travel. Expedia’s travel offerings primarily consist of airline flights, hotel stays, car rentals, destination services, cruises and package travel, which encompasses multiple travel products. Expedia also offers travel and non-travel advertisers access to a potential source of incremental traffic and transactions through various media and advertising offerings on its transaction-based websites.

Expedia.com. Expedia-branded websites make a large variety of travel products and services available directly to travelers through Expedia’s U.S.-based website, www.expedia.com, as well as through localized versions of the Expedia website in 25 countries worldwide. Expedia-branded websites target many different types of travelers, from families booking a summer vacation to individual travelers arranging a quick weekend getaway. Travelers can search for, compare information about (including pricing, availability and traveler reviews) and book travel products and services on Expedia-branded websites, including airline tickets, lodging, car rentals, cruises and many destination services—such as airport transfers, local attractions and tours—from a large number of suppliers, on both a stand-alone and package basis.

Hotels.com. The Hotels.com website provides a broad selection of hotel properties to travelers, who can plan, shop for and book lodging accommodations, from traditional hotels to vacation rentals. Hotels.com seeks to provide travelers with premium content and service through its U.S.-based website, www.hotels.com, as well as through more than 75 localized versions in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and South Africa. With Hotels.com, the offerings are differentiated by positioning the brand as the hotel expert, with premium content about lodging properties.

Hotwire. The discount travel website, www.hotwire.com, makes available airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Hotwire’s approach matches flexible, price-sensitive travelers with suppliers who have excess seats, rooms and cars they wish to fill without affecting the public’s perception of their brands. Hotwire travelers may enjoy significant discounts by electing to book travel services “opaquely,” without knowing certain itinerary details such as brand, time of departure and exact hotel location, while suppliers create value from excess availability without diluting their core brand-loyal traveler base. Through its U.S. and international sites, Hotwire partners with leading hotel companies worldwide, brand-name domestic and international airlines, and major car rental companies in the United States. Hotwire also operates CarRentals.com, an online car rental marketing and retail firm offering a diverse selection of car rentals direct to consumers. Hotwire operates Travel-ticker.com as well, which is an inspirational travel website that is home to some of the best insider deals at many of the world’s favorite destinations.

Expedia Affiliate Network. Expedia Affiliate Network’s private label and co-brand programs make travel products and services available to travelers through third-party company-branded websites. The products and services made available through www.expediaaffiliate.com and www.wwte.com are substantially similar to those made available on Expedia-branded and Hotels.com-branded websites, respectively. Participants are generally compensated in the WWTE ® and IAN private label programs on a revenue-share basis. Expedia also leverages its WWTE and IAN platforms to make Expedia and Hotels.com-branded sites available in various international points of sale.

Egencia. The full-service travel management company offers travel products and services available to corporations and corporate travelers. Egencia has a global presence in 39 countries across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Egencia provides, among other things, centralized booking tools for employees of its corporate customers, unique supply targeted at business travelers, and consolidated reporting for global, large and “SME” (small and medium size enterprise) business segments. Egencia charges its corporate clients account management fees, as well as transactional fees for making or changing bookings. In addition, Egencia provides on-site agents to some corporate clients to more fully support the account. Egencia also offers consulting and meeting management services.

 

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eLong. Expedia’s majority-owned online hotel and air travel service company, based in Beijing, China, specializes in travel products and services in China. eLong uses web-based distribution technologies and a 24-hour nationwide call center to provide consumers with the ability to make hotel reservations at more than 20,000 hotels in over 700 cities across China and more than 135,000 hotels in 100 countries worldwide. eLong also offers air ticketing and other travel related information and services. Travelers can access eLong travel products and services through its websites, including www.elong.com and www.elong.net. eLong, Inc. is a listed company, which trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol “LONG.”

Venere. The Venere website, www.venere.com, lists hotel properties in hundreds of locations across the world and provides hotel partners with geographically diverse sources of demand. Venere primarily uses direct agency-based relationships with hotels around the globe ensuring it can offer customers best value rates.

Classic Vacations. Classic Vacations offers individually tailored vacations primarily through a national network of third-party retail travel agents. Classic Vacations delivers a full line of premium vacation packages—air, hotels, car rentals, activities and private transportation—to create customized luxury vacations in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti. Travel agents and travelers can preview the product offerings through the websites, www.classicforagents.com and www.classicvacations.com.

Expedia Local Expert. Expedia Local Expert’s network offers face-to-face personalized recommendations and assistance in booking events, activities, tours, attractions and other services that travelers seek in their destinations. With access to a rich portfolio of thousands of tours and adventures, Expedia Local Expert operates concierge and activity desks in more than 100 hotels and other retail locations in many key cities around the world, and also operates www.localexpert.com.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters. Majority-owned by Expedia, CruiseShipCenters is one of North America’s leading sellers of cruise vacations. CruiseShipCenters has over 130 retail locations, a team of 3,200 independent professionally-trained cruise consultants and a searchable online database of more than 10,000 cruise vacations.

Expedia’s Business Strategy

Expedia plays a fundamental role in facilitating travel, whether for leisure, unmanaged business or managed business travelers. Expedia is committed to providing travelers, travel suppliers and advertisers the world over with the best set of resources to serve their travel needs by leveraging its critical assets—its brand portfolio, technology and commitment to continuous innovation, global reach and breadth of product offering. In addition, Expedia intelligently utilizes its growing base of knowledge about destinations, activities, suppliers and travelers and its central position in the travel value chain to more effectively merchandise its partners’ travel offerings.

A discussion of the critical assets that Expedia leverages in achieving its business strategy follows:

Portfolio of Travel Brands. Expedia seeks to appeal to the broadest possible range of travelers, suppliers and advertisers through its collection of industry-leading brands. Expedia targets several different demographics, from the value-conscious traveler through its Hotwire brand to luxury travelers seeking a high-touch, customized vacation package through its Classic Vacations brand.

Expedia believes its flagship Expedia brand appeals to the broadest range of travelers, with its extensive product offering ranging from single item bookings of discounted product to dynamic bundling of higher-end travel packages. The Hotels.com site and its international versions target travelers with premium hotel content about lodging properties, such as 360 degree tours and hotel reviews. In the United States, Hotels.com generally appeals to travelers with shorter booking windows who prefer to drive to their destinations, and who make a significant portion of their travel bookings over the telephone.

Egencia makes travel products and services available on a managed basis to corporate travelers in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

 

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Expedia’s advertising business offers travel and other advertisers a host of alternatives for reaching customers in its prime demographic. The majority of advertising revenue is generated through click-based advertising, but Expedia also has a growing TravelAds business. After the spin-off, Expedia will generate advertising revenue on its transaction sites, primarily through efforts of Expedia ® Media Solutions and Hotwire.

Expedia believes its appeal to suppliers and advertisers is further enhanced by its geographic breadth and range of business models, allowing these suppliers and advertisers to offer their products and services to the industry’s broadest range of travelers using Expedia’s various agency, merchant and advertising business models. Expedia intends to continue supporting and investing in its brand portfolio, geographic footprint and business models for the benefit of its travelers, suppliers and advertisers.

Technology and Content Innovation. Expedia has an established tradition of technology innovation, from Expedia.com’s inception as a division of Microsoft to its introduction of more recent innovations, such as Expedia.com’s introduction of opaque hotel inventory through its Unpublished Rates product, new mobile websites and applications across nearly all of its travel brands, a new loyalty program at Expedia called ExpediaRewards and a new exclusive loyalty program at Hotels.com for its most frequent customers called FIVESTAR. Expedia’s focus on mobile offerings increased in 2010 when it acquired Mobiata, a mobile application development company, to accelerate these efforts.

Expedia intends to continue innovating on behalf of its travelers, suppliers and advertisers with particular focus on improving the traveler experience through social and mobile efforts, supplier integration and presentation, platform improvements, search engine marketing and search engine optimization.

Global Reach. The Expedia and Hotels.com brands operate both in North America and internationally. Expedia also offers Chinese travelers an array of products and services through its majority ownership in eLong. Expedia offers hotels to European-based travelers through Venere. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, approximately 39% of worldwide gross bookings and 41% of worldwide revenues were international.

Egencia, Expedia’s corporate travel business, operates in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region using direct points of sale as well as strategic partnerships. Expedia believes the corporate travel sector represents a significant opportunity for the Company, and Expedia believes it offers a compelling technology solution to businesses seeking to optimize travel costs and improve their employees’ travel experiences. Expedia intends to continue investing in and expanding the geographic footprint and technology infrastructure of Egencia.

In expanding its global reach, Expedia leverages significant investments in technology, operations, brand building, supplier relationships and other initiatives that Expedia has made since the launch of Expedia.com in 1996. Expedia intends to continue leveraging this investment when launching additional points of sale in new countries, introducing new website features, adding supplier products and services including new business model offerings, as well as proprietary and user-generated content for travelers.

Expedia’s scale of operations enhances the value of technology innovations it introduces on behalf of its travelers and suppliers. Expedia believes that its size and scale affords the company the ability to negotiate competitive rates with its supply partners, provide breadth of choice and travel deals to its traveling customers through an increasingly larger supply portfolio, and create new value added offers for its customers such as its recently launched loyalty programs. The size of Expedia’s worldwide traveler base makes its sites an increasingly appealing channel for travel suppliers to reach customers. In addition, Expedia believes that its increasing scale enhances its websites’ appeal to travel and non-travel advertisers.

Expedia intends to continue investing in and growing its international points of sale. Expedia anticipates launching points of sale in additional countries where Expedia finds large travel markets and rapid growth of online commerce. Future launches may occur under any of its brands, or through acquisition of third-party brands, as in the case of Egencia, eLong and Venere, or other partnerships, such as the joint venture with AirAsia launched in July 2011.

 

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Breadth of Product Offering. Expedia offers a comprehensive array of innovative travel products and services to its travelers. Expedia plans to continue improving and growing these offerings, as well as expand them to its worldwide points of sale over time. Travelers can interact with Expedia how and when they prefer, including via the 24/7 1-800 telesales service, which is an integral part of the Company’s appeal to travelers. Expedia offers travelers access to more than 140,000 hotels and over 300 airlines in over 200 countries around the world.

In the first half of 2011, approximately 70% of Expedia’s revenue came from transactions involving the booking of hotel reservations, with 13% of worldwide revenue derived from the sale of airline tickets. Expedia facilitates travel products and services either as stand-alone products or as part of package transactions. Expedia has emphasized growing its merchant hotel and package businesses as these result in higher revenue per transaction. Expedia also seeks to continue diversifying its revenue mix beyond core air and hotel products to car rental, destination services, cruise and other product offerings. Expedia has been working toward increasing the mix of advertising and media revenue from its worldwide websites, such as Expedia.com and Hotels.com, which have historically been focused on transaction revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, advertising and media revenue from transaction sites accounted for approximately 3% of worldwide revenue.

Expedia’s Merchant and Agency Business Models

Expedia makes travel products and services available both on a stand-alone and package basis, primarily through two business models: the merchant model and the agency model. Under the merchant model, Expedia facilitates the booking of hotel rooms, airline seats, car rentals and destination services from its travel suppliers and for such bookings, Expedia is the merchant of record. Under the agency model, Expedia acts as an agent in the transaction, passing reservations booked by its travelers to the relevant airline, hotel, car rental company or cruise line.

As merchant of record, Expedia generally has certain latitude to establish prices charged to travelers (as compared to agency transactions). Also, Expedia generally negotiates supply allocation and pricing with its suppliers, which enables the Company to achieve a higher level of net revenue per transaction as compared to that provided through the agency model.

Through Expedia-branded websites, travelers can dynamically assemble multiple component travel packages in a single transaction at a lower price as compared to booking each component separately. Packages assembled by travelers through the packaging model on these websites include a merchant hotel component and an air or car component. Travelers select packages based on the total package price, without being provided component pricing. The use of the merchant travel components in packages enables Expedia to make certain travel products available at prices lower than those charged on an individual component basis by travel suppliers without impacting their established pricing and position models. Expedia also offers third-party provided pre-assembled package offerings, primarily through its international points of sale, further broadening its scope of products and services to travelers.

Expedia also sells airline tickets, hotel rooms, cruises and car rentals through its agency business, with airline ticket transactions currently making up the majority of this business. In 2009, Expedia launched Expedia Easy Manage, which is its agency hotel offering for small hotels and hotels in secondary or tertiary cities, which Expedia expects to become a bigger part of its hotel mix over time. Although net revenue per transaction is lower compared to the merchant model, due to the volume of airline tickets sold, Expedia’s agency gross bookings accounted for 57% of total gross bookings for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Expedia’s Relationships with Travel Suppliers, Distribution and Fulfillment Partners

Overview. Expedia makes travel products and services available from a variety of large and small commercial airlines, lodging properties, car rental companies, cruise lines and destination service providers. Expedia seeks to build and maintain long-term, strategic relationships with travel suppliers and GDS partners. An important component of the success of Expedia’s business depends on its ability to maintain existing, as well as build new, relationships with travel suppliers and GDS partners.

 

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Travel Suppliers. Expedia strives to deliver value to its travel suppliers through a wide range of innovative, targeted merchandising and promotional strategies designed to increase their revenue, while simultaneously reducing their marketing transaction and customer service costs. Expedia’s Partner Services Group consists mainly of strategic account managers and local market managers who work directly with travel suppliers to increase the marketing of their travel products and brands through Expedia’s points of sale, including participation in seasonal and event-driven promotions.

In addition, Expedia has developed proprietary, supplier-oriented technology that streamlines the interaction between some of its websites and hotel central reservation systems, making it easier and more cost-effective for hotels to manage reservations made through Expedia’s brands. Through this “direct connect” technology, hotels can upload information about available products and services and rates directly from their central reservation systems into Expedia’s websites, as well as automatically confirm hotel reservations made by its travelers. In the absence of direct connect technology, both of these processes are generally completed manually via a proprietary extranet.

Distribution Partners. GDSs, also referred to as computer reservation services, provide a centralized, comprehensive repository of travel suppliers “content”—such as availability and pricing of seats on various airline point-to-point flights, or “segments.” The GDSs act as intermediaries between the travel suppliers and travel agencies, allowing agents to reserve and book flights, rooms or other travel products.

Expedia uses Sabre and, to a lesser extent, Amadeus and Travelport as its GDS segment providers in order to ensure the widest possible supply of content for its travelers.

Fulfillment Partners. Expedia outsources a portion of its airline ticket fulfillment functions to third-party suppliers. Such functions include the issuance of airline tickets and related customer services.

Expedia’s Marketing and Promotions

Expedia’s marketing programs are intended to build and maintain the value of its various brands, drive traffic and conversion through its various brands and businesses, optimize ongoing traveler acquisition costs and strategically position its brands in relation to one another. Expedia’s long-term success and profitability depend on its continued ability to maintain and increase the overall number of traveler transactions in a cost-effective manner.

Expedia’s marketing channels primarily include online advertising, including search engine marketing and optimization, offline advertising, direct and/or personalized traveler communications on its websites as well as through direct e-mail communication with its travelers. The marketing programs and initiatives include promotional offers such as coupons as well as seasonal or periodic special offers from travel suppliers based on supplier relationships. In addition, Expedia offers several traveler loyalty programs to its worldwide travelers, including welcome rewards on Hotels.com and, beginning in 2011, Expedia Rewards on Expedia.com.

Expedia also makes use of affiliate marketing. The Expedia.com and Hotels.com-branded websites receive bookings from consumers who have clicked-through to the respective websites through links posted on affiliate partner websites. Expedia has agreements with thousands of third-party affiliate partners, including a number of leading travel companies, pursuant to which Expedia pays a commission for bookings originated from their websites. Affiliate partners can make travel products and services available through an Expedia-branded website, a co-branded website or their own private label website. Expedia also provides its affiliates with technology and access to a wide range of products and services.

Expedia’s Operations and Technology

Expedia provides 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week traveler sales and support by telephone or via e-mail. For purposes of operational flexibility, Expedia uses a combination of outsourced and in-house call centers. The call centers are located throughout the world, including extensive outsourced operations in the Philippines, El

 

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Salvador and Egypt. Expedia has made significant investments in its call center technologies in 2008 through 2010 and has plans to continue these investments going forward.

Expedia’s systems infrastructure and web and database servers are housed in various locations, mainly in the United States, and have communication links as well as 24-hour monitoring and engineering support. The web hosting facilities have their own generators and multiple back-up systems. Significant amounts of Expedia-owned computer hardware for operating the websites are located at these facilities. For some critical systems, Expedia has both production and disaster-recovery facilities.

Expedia has developed innovative technology to power its global travel marketplace. For example, the Best Fare Search technology essentially deconstructs segment feeds in the United States from GDS partners for air flight searches and recommends the best way to re-assemble multi-leg itineraries so that they are less expensive and more flexible for the traveler. Expedia has recently made significant investments related to platform improvements, for example migrating the Hotels.com business onto a single platform, new hotel search capabilities, international site expansion, a variety of customer facing improvements across its brands, and new and increased data center capabilities. Expedia expects to continue to invest in technology improvements through 2011 and beyond.

Expedia’s Competition

Expedia’s brands compete in rapidly evolving and intensely competitive markets. Expedia believes the relatively low percentage of total travel sales transacted online, particularly in international markets, indicates that these markets represent especially large opportunities for Expedia and those of its competitors that wish to expand their brands and businesses abroad.

Expedia’s competition, which is strong and increasing, includes online and offline travel companies that target leisure and corporate travelers, including travel agencies, tour operators, travel supplier direct websites and their call centers, consolidators and wholesalers of travel products and services, search engines, such as Google and Bing, and travel meta-search engines. Expedia faces these competitors in local, regional, national and/or international markets. In some cases, competitors are offering favorable terms and improved interfaces to suppliers and travelers which make competition increasingly difficult.

Expedia believes that maintaining and enhancing its brands is a critical component of its effort to compete. Expedia differentiates its brands from those of competitors primarily based on quality and breadth of travel products, channel features and usability, price or promotional offers, traveler service and quality of travel planning content and advice. The emphasis on one or more of these factors varies, depending on the brand or business and the related target demographic.

Expedia’s brands face increasing competition from travel supplier direct websites. In some cases, supplier direct channels offer advantages to travelers, such as long standing loyalty programs, no transaction fees and better pricing. Expedia’s websites feature travel products and services from numerous travel suppliers, and allow travelers to combine products and services from multiple providers in one transaction. Expedia faces competition from airlines, hotels, rental car companies, cruise operators and other travel service providers, whether working individually or collectively, some of which are suppliers to its websites. Expedia’s business is generally sensitive to changes in the competitive landscape, including the emergence of new competitors or business models, and supplier consolidation.

Impact of the Spin-Off on Expedia’s Operating Performance and Seasonality

The spin-off will result in a reduction to Expedia’s overall results of operations. As disclosed in Annex B - Expedia, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Expedia estimates fiscal year 2010 revenue and operating income would have been reduced by approximately 10% and 31%, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2011 by approximately 12% and 46%, respectively, had the spin-off and related transactions occurred on January 1, 2010.

 

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Additionally, Expedia generally experiences seasonal fluctuations in the demand for its travel products and services. For example, traditional leisure travel bookings are generally the highest in the first three quarters as travelers plan and book their spring, summer and holiday travel. The number of bookings typically decreases in the fourth quarter. Because revenue in the merchant business is generally recognized when the travel takes place rather than when it is booked, revenue typically lags bookings by several weeks or longer. As a result, revenue and income are typically the lowest in the first quarter and highest in the third quarter. Similarly, TripAdvisor typically comprises a larger portion of Expedia revenue and income during the first quarter. Thus, following the spin-off the seasonal impact on Expedia’s business will likely be more pronounced, particularly in the first quarter, as the bookings versus recognition of revenue time lag under the merchant hotel business will represent a larger portion of Expedia’s operating results without TripAdvisor. The continued growth of Expedia’s international operations or a change in its product mix may influence the typical trend of the seasonality in the future.

Expedia’s Intellectual Property Rights

Expedia’s intellectual property rights, including its patents, trademarks, trade dress, proprietary technology, and trade secrets, are an important component of its business. For example, Expedia relies heavily upon its intellectual property rights in its content, brands, software code, proprietary technology, ratings indexes, informational databases, images, graphics and other components that make up its services. Expedia has acquired some of its intellectual property rights through licenses and content agreements with third parties.

Expedia protects its intellectual property by relying on its terms of use, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, as well as international, national, state and common law rights. In addition, Expedia enters into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with employees and contractors, and confidentiality agreements with other third parties. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third-party to copy or otherwise obtain and use Expedia’s trade secrets or its intellectual property without authorization which, if discovered, might require the uncertainty of legal action to correct. In addition, there can be no assurance that others will not independently and lawfully develop substantially similar properties.

Expedia maintains its trademark portfolio by filing trademark applications with the appropriate international trademark offices, maintaining appropriate registrations, securing contractual trademark rights when appropriate, and relying on common law trademark rights when appropriate. Expedia also registers copyrights and domain names as it deems appropriate. Expedia protects its trademarks, copyrights and domain names with an enforcement program and use of intellectual property licenses. Trademark and intellectual property protection may not be available or may not be sought, sufficient or effective in every jurisdiction where Expedia operates. Contractual disputes or limitations may affect the use of trademarks and domain names governed by private contract.

Expedia has considered, and will continue to consider, the appropriateness of filing for patents to protect future inventions, as circumstances may warrant. However, many patents protect only specific inventions and there can be no assurance that others may not create new products or methods that achieve similar results without infringing upon patents owned by Expedia.

From time to time, Expedia may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of its business, including claims of alleged infringement or infringement by Expedia of the trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties. In addition, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce its intellectual property rights, protect its trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Any such litigation, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could materially harm Expedia’s business.

 

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Regulation Relevant to Expedia

Expedia must comply with laws and regulations relating to the travel industry and the provision of travel services, including registration in various states as “sellers of travel” and compliance with certain disclosure requirements and participation in state restitution funds. In addition, Expedia’s businesses are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation and must comply with various rules and regulations governing the provision of air transportation, including those relating to advertising and accessibility.

As Expedia continues to expand the reach of its brands into the European, Asia-Pacific and other international markets, Expedia is increasingly subject to laws and regulations applicable to travel agents in those markets, including, in some countries, laws regulating the provision of travel packages and industry specific value-added tax regimes. For example, the European Economic Community Council Directive on Package Travel Package Holidays and Package Tours imposes various obligations upon marketers of travel packages, such as disclosure obligations to consumers and liability to consumers for improper performance of the package, including supplier failure.

Expedia Employees

As of June 30, 2011, Expedia employed approximately 8,800 full-time and part-time employees, including approximately 2,000 employees of eLong and excluding TripAdvisor employees. Expedia believes the Company has good relationships with its employees, including relationships with employees represented by works councils or other similar organizations.

Expedia Financial Information about Segments and Geographic Areas

Expedia generates its revenue through a diverse customer base, and there is no reliance on a single customer or small group of customers; no customer represented 10% or more of total revenue for any period.

Excluding TripAdvisor, Expedia has two reportable segments: Leisure and Egencia. Segment and geographical information is contained in Note 17—Segment Information in the notes to Expedia’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, which financial statements and notes are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

Expedia Properties

As of June 30, 2011, Expedia leases approximately 1.2 million square feet of office space worldwide, pursuant to leases with expiration dates through September 2020.

Expedia leases approximately 407,000 square feet for its headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, pursuant to a lease with an expiration date of October 2018. Expedia also leases approximately 350,000 square feet of office space for its domestic operations in various cities and locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Washington DC, pursuant to leases with expiration dates through November 2015.

Expedia also leases approximately 408,000 square feet of office space for its international operations in various cities and locations, including Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, pursuant to leases with expiration dates through September 2020.

 

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Information about TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off

The following disclosure regarding TripAdvisor and its businesses assumes the completion of the spin-off. For information regarding the results of operations of TripAdvisor on an historical basis, see the combined financial statements of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC included in Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus and the disclosure set forth under the caption “—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of TripAdvisor.” For information regarding the results of operations of TripAdvisor on a pro forma basis to give effect to the completion of the spin-off, see the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements for TripAdvisor included in Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus.

TripAdvisor Overview

TripAdvisor is an online travel research company, empowering users to plan and enjoy the ideal trip. TripAdvisor’s travel research platform aggregates reviews and opinions of members about destinations, accommodations (including hotels, B&Bs, specialty lodging and vacation rentals), restaurants and activities throughout the world through its flagship TripAdvisor brand. TripAdvisor-branded websites include tripadvisor.com in the United States and localized versions of the website in 29 countries, including in China under the brand daodao.com. TripAdvisor-branded websites globally received more than 50 million unique visitors in July 2011 (according to comScore) and have built a marketable base of more than 20 million members and over 50 million reviews and opinions. Beyond travel-related content, TripAdvisor websites also include links to the websites of its advertisers, including travel advertisers, allowing travelers to directly book their travel arrangements. In addition to the flagship TripAdvisor brand, TripAdvisor manages and operates websites under 18 other travel media brands, connected by the common goal of providing comprehensive travel planning resources across the travel sector.

TripAdvisor History and Brands

Corporate Background. TripAdvisor, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed in July 2011 in connection with the spin-off from Expedia to hold the travel media brands associated with the TripAdvisor businesses, as reflected in the TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements. The original TripAdvisor business was founded in February 2000 and was acquired by IAC/InterActiveCorp in April 2004. In August 2005, IAC/InterActiveCorp spun out its portfolio of travel brands, including TripAdvisor, into a separate company under the newly-formed Delaware corporation, Expedia, Inc. The mailing address of TripAdvisor’s principal executive offices is 141 Needham Street, Newton, MA 02464, and TripAdvisor’s telephone number at that location is (617) 670-6300.

Evolution of TripAdvisor-Branded Websites. Since the initial launch of the U.S.-based tripadvisor.com website in November 2000, TripAdvisor-branded websites have been added in the following locations:

 

Website

  Target Location   Language   Launch Date
tripadvisor.ie   Ireland   English   January 2006
tripadvisor.co.uk   United Kingdom   English   January 2006
tripadvisor.fr   France   French   May 2007
tripadvisor.de   Germany   German   May 2007
tripadvisor.it   Italy   Italian   January 2008
tripadvisor.es   Spain   Spanish   January 2008
tripadvisor.in   India   English   August 2008
tripadvisor.jp   Japan   Japanese   October 2008
tripadvisor.com.br   Brazil   Portuguese   April 2009
daodao.com   China   Chinese (Simplified)   April 2009
tripadvisor.nl   Netherlands   Dutch   April 2009
tripadvisor.se   Sweden   Swedish   April 2009
tripadvisor.ca   Canada   English   August 2009
tripadvisor.dk   Denmark   Danish   December 2009
tripadvisor.com.mx   Mexico   Spanish   December 2009
tripadvisor.com.tr   Turkey   Turkish   December 2009

 

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Website

  Target Location   Language   Launch Date
tripadvisor.com.au   Australia   English   March 2010
no.tripadvisor.com   Norway   Norwegian   March 2010
pl.tripadvisor.com   Poland   Polish   March 2010
tripadvisor.com.sg   Singapore   English   August 2010
tripadvisor.co.kr   South Korea   Korean   August 2010
th.tripadvisor.com   Thailand   Thai   August 2010
tripadvisor.ru   Russia   Russian   October 2010
tripadvisor.gr   Greece   Greek   October 2010
tripadvisor.co.id   Indonesia   Bahasa   November 2010
tripadvisor.com.ar   Argentina   Spanish   December 2010
tripadvisor.tw   Taiwan   Chinese (Traditional)   February 2011
tripadvisor.com.my   Malaysia   English   March 2011
tripadvisor.com.eg   Egypt   Arabic   June 2011

Other Travel Brands and Websites. In addition to the flagship TripAdvisor-branded websites, TripAdvisor has also acquired and launched numerous other travel brands, connected by the common characteristic of providing travelers with valuable planning resources across the travel sector. These brands have expanded TripAdvisor’s reach, product breadth and appeal to domestic and international advertisers. Brands acquired include:

 

Website

  

Date Acquired

  

Key Focus

travel-library.com

   September 2006    Website with user-generated reviews.

travelpod.com

   December 2006    Pioneering travel blog website.

smartertravel.com

   February 2007    One of the largest online travel resources of independent expert advice for the budget-conscious traveler. The SmarterTravel editorial staff provides advice and analysis to help travelers find the best deals and get the most value from their trips.

bookingbuddy.com

   February 2007    Travel shopping website that gives travelers easy access to the best airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise, vacation rental, and vacation deals, plus prices from selected travel sites.

seatguru.com

   March 2007    Features aircraft seat maps, seat reviews, and a color-coded system to identify superior and substandard airline seats.

independenttraveler.com

   May 2007    Established in 1990 as an interactive traveler’s exchange and comprehensive online travel guide for a community of cruise travelers.

cruisecritic.com

   May 2007    Cruise review community website with information for cruisers written by editors, news on cruising and a forum.

holidaywatchdog.com

   January 2008    U.K.-based website for traveler reviews on hotels and destinations focusing on the Mediterranean.

airfarewatchdog.com

   March 2008    Provides up-to-date airline deals that have been researched and verified by a team of dedicated airfare experts.

 

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Website

  

Date Acquired

  

Key Focus

virtualtourist.com

   June 2008    Travel-oriented community website featuring user-contributed travel guides for locations worldwide.

onetime.com

   June 2008    Comparison shopping travel website that allows travel shoppers to conduct itinerary-based, multi-site searches for flights, hotels, cruises, vacations, and car rentals.

flipkey.com

   August 2008    A vacation rental website featuring the largest collection of vacation rental guest reviews on vacation rental properties around the world.

kuxun.com

   October 2009    Travel metasearch engine operating in China.

holidaylettings.co.uk

   June 2010    A leading U.K.-based vacation rental site, featuring properties listed globally.

everytrail.com

   February 2011    Mobile application and website for collecting and sharing geo-tagged user-generated travel content, such as walking tours and itineraries.

whereivebeen.com

   July 2011    Website and social platform with a detailed interactive world map that lets users share where they’ve been, lived, and want to go.

Brands developed internally and launched include:

 

Website

  

Date Launched

  

Key Focus

familyvacationcritic.com

   June 2009    Reviews of family-friendly hotels, resorts, destinations and attractions.

sniqueaway.com

   September 2010    U.S.-based members-only private sale website, providing exclusive limited time access to deals on top hotels at deep discounts. This first-of-its-kind members-only website offers limited-time discounts exclusively on traveler-endorsed properties that have received a minimum four out of five-star rating (or its equivalent for smaller properties) on TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor’s Industry

TripAdvisor operates in the online advertising sector of the global travel industry.

Global Travel Market and Online Penetration. Gross bookings in the worldwide travel market are expected to be greater than $900 billion in 2011 and 2012. Recent historical trends show that, each year, an increasing percentage of global travel spending has been conducted online through supplier websites and online travel

 

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agencies. TripAdvisor believes that this trend will continue as online penetration continues, as more and more consumers gain broadband access to the internet, as mobile smartphone and other devices continue to proliferate, and as travel grows along with an expanding middle class in certain developing countries like China and India.

According to PhoCusWright’s Global Online Travel Overview (April 2011), the global online leisure and unmanaged business travel segment is expected to grow twice as fast as the total global travel market, with gross booking in this online segment expected to surpass $300 billion globally in 2012. The report further estimates that travelers will book one-third of the world’s travel sales online by the end of 2012. Among the four regions studied by PhoCusWright, the United States and Europe represent more than three-fourths of all online sales, but less than two-thirds of total travel sales. As online travel bookings in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific and Latin America accelerate, these regions are expected to comprise an increasing share of the online travel market. TripAdvisor believes that the internet will become increasingly integral to the travel-planning process due to increasing worldwide online penetration, particularly given the capability that the internet provides travelers to refine searches, compare destinations and view real-time pricing. With internet penetration currently estimated at 29% globally (77% in North America, 58% in Europe, 35% in Latin America and 21% in Asia), TripAdvisor believes there is potential to grow in all markets.

Online Advertising. The global online advertising market is growing and is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2014, as more and more advertisers continue to shift their spending from offline to online channels, mirroring the trend in consumer media consumption generally. For travel specifically, International Data Corporation estimates that annual expenditures for global online travel advertising in 2011 will be over $5 billion and are projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 15% through 2014. Given the size of the travel market, TripAdvisor believes that travel providers and travel related advertisers are, and will continue to be, motivated to devote significant resources to advertise their travel products and services. In addition, as more and more travel dollars are spent online generally, an increasing amount of travel advertising spending is expected to migrate from traditional offline advertising channels to online advertising opportunities.

TripAdvisor’s Business Strategy

Just over a decade ago, travel research and planning was largely conducted with the assistance and guidance of a personal travel agent or advice from friends and family. Consumers had no single resource to access for recent and comprehensive destination, lodging, restaurant and attraction feedback and information. TripAdvisor was founded with the goal of giving more control to the prospective traveler. By using the power of the internet to create transparency in the travel planning process with a comprehensive online resource for travel information, TripAdvisor democratized the travel research and planning process. For any customer with access to the internet, TripAdvisor provides the ability and information to plan and enjoy the ideal trip.

In order to achieve its goals, TripAdvisor leverages its critical assets—a robust community of users, technology and a commitment to continuous innovation and global reach. A discussion of the critical assets that TripAdvisor leverages in achieving its business strategy follows:

Robust Community of Users. TripAdvisor believes that the best travel content comes from the wisdom and insight of a robust community of real travelers. TripAdvisor leverages user-generated content to power travel planning by allowing members to create reviews and share opinions on hundreds of thousands of accommodations, destinations, attractions and restaurants. As evidenced by the growth in the business, this type of travel planning has been embraced by travelers. In July 2006, for example, TripAdvisor hosted more than five million user reviews and opinions with respect to approximately 220,000 hotels and attractions. Five years later, in July 2011, TripAdvisor-branded websites provide consumers with over 50 million user reviews and opinions with respect to more than 700,000 accommodations, 675,000 restaurants and 145,000 attractions. Through the first six months of 2011, on average, more than 25 new contributions were posted to TripAdvisor-branded websites every minute.

 

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By providing an interactive forum to share travel experiences, TripAdvisor allows the voice of real travelers to influence travel purchase decision-making during the trip-planning phase. To ease planning, TripAdvisor enables consumers to research pricing and availability from third-party travel booking sites, once customers have identified the right hotel or destination for their travel needs. To facilitate better travel experiences for consumers and to create a feedback loop between the hospitality industry and individual travelers, TripAdvisor allows hospitality management representatives to respond to reviews of their properties on the TripAdvisor website. TripAdvisor has also launched in-market seminars to help hotel industry professionals better understand how to create a better experience for the TripAdvisor community. To promote an enthusiastic reviewer community, TripAdvisor has launched several programs to recognize reviewer contributions, including site badges, helpful vote recognition, and other community-focused features, all of which highlight the active and helpful reviews available throughout the TripAdvisor community.

TripAdvisor expends significant efforts with respect to manual and electronic fraud detection in order to maintain the quality and authenticity of user reviews, and has clear posting guidelines for user content submission. TripAdvisor believes that the robust feedback loop created on TripAdvisor-branded websites and the volume of reviews generated provide a sustainable advantage over competitors. TripAdvisor believes it has the greatest breadth of content in its markets, and that, because of this breadth, travelers gravitate to TripAdvisor to research their travel plans. After completing their trip, consumers can return to TripAdvisor to write reviews to give back to the community that helped them plan their trip. Through this virtuous cycle, more content is generated, which drives community, traffic, loyalty and higher search engine rankings, all of which leads to even further content creation.

Technology and Innovation. TripAdvisor focuses heavily on speed-to-market and product innovation in order to create a richer experience for travelers, and the team deploys frequent engineering releases with new products and features. Some recent examples of this innovation include incorporating instant personalization of the tripadvisor.com website with Facebook so that travelers can benefit from the experiences of friends by highlighting reviews and creating an interactive social map featuring destinations visited; creating review summarization tools to facilitate easier consumption of review content; and adding comprehensive flight metasearch and ratings in international points of sale. TripAdvisor is also heavily investing in the rapidly-growing mobile channel, developing industry-leading mobile websites as well as tablet and smartphone applications that are currently available in a variety of languages. TripAdvisor’s innovation also extends to content syndication, leveraging its technology and content for the benefit of other websites.

Global Reach. TripAdvisor maintains a global presence both through the reach of its global portfolio of 30 websites and through its in-market staffing in more than ten countries. The flagship TripAdvisor brand operates websites in 30 countries in 21 languages, including in China under the brand daodao.com. TripAdvisor believes that its core TripAdvisor platform and many of its other brands are uniquely positioned to appeal to travelers globally, in that they strive to provide universally-relevant content and community.

In expanding its global reach, TripAdvisor leverages significant investments in technology, operations, brand-building, advertiser and other partner relationships. For example, TripAdvisor is able to aggregate a large base of consumer reviews, in a variety of languages, from its global core platform. TripAdvisor expects to continue leveraging this investment when launching additional points of sale in new countries, introducing new product features and adding new business model offerings.

TripAdvisor’s Business Model

TripAdvisor derives substantially all of its revenue from the sale of advertising, primarily through click-based advertising and, to a lesser extent, display-based advertising. The remainder of TripAdvisor’s revenue is generated through a combination of subscription-based offerings, content licensing and its recently-launched private sale site, SniqueAway.

 

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Click-Based Advertising Revenue. TripAdvisor’s largest source of revenue is click-based advertising, which includes TripAdvisor’s “check rates” feature as well as contextually-relevant branded and unbranded textlinks. The “check rates” feature enables users to compare pricing and availability for a particular hotel on particular dates across different advertisers’ booking engines and thereby delivers a highly-targeted audience deep into the booking paths of the advertisers’ websites. TripAdvisor’s click-based advertising partners are predominantly online travel agencies and direct suppliers in the hotel, airline and cruise product categories. Click-based advertising is generally priced on a cost-per-click (or “CPC”) basis, with payments from advertisers based on the number of users who click on each type of link. Advertisers who increase their CPC rates generally get improved positioning of, and thereby an increased number of clicks from, their click-based advertising on TripAdvisor. In some cases, contracts with advertisers are on a cost per acquisition or revenue-share basis, whereby TripAdvisor is paid a fixed price per booking or a negotiated percentage of the gross profit on bookings generated from TripAdvisor-sourced visitors. In such cases, TripAdvisor converts such payments back into an effective CPC rate in order to determine the relative position of such advertiser’s links within TripAdvisor’s overall display. Most of TripAdvisor’s click-based advertising contracts can be terminated by the advertisers at will or on short notice.

Display-Based Advertising Revenue. TripAdvisor also earns revenue from a variety of display-based advertising placements on its websites through which its advertising partners can promote their brands in a contextually-relevant manner. While purchasers of TripAdvisor’s display-based advertising include direct suppliers in the hotel, airline and cruise categories and online travel agencies, TripAdvisor has also broadened its advertiser base to include destination marketing organizations, casinos, resorts and attractions, as well as advertisers from non-travel categories. TripAdvisor generally sells its display-based advertising on a cost per thousand impressions (or “CPM”) basis. TripAdvisor’s display-based advertising products also include a number of custom-built products including the sponsorship of certain site features and functionality, as well as certain customized co-branded features.

Subscription and Other Revenue. TripAdvisor also offers advertising via classified listings that are sold for a flat fee with both annual and monthly payment models available. This advertising product is currently offered to hotels, B&Bs and other specialty lodging properties and allows subscribers to list a website URL, email address and phone number on the TripAdvisor-branded websites as well as to post special offers for travelers. Individual vacation property owners or managers can also pay an annual subscription fee to list properties with TripAdvisor’s Holiday Lettings and FlipKey websites, as well as with select TripAdvisor-branded websites. Other sources of revenue include licensing TripAdvisor content to its partners and marketing discounted hotel room nights and coupons on its private members-only website, SniqueAway.

TripAdvisor’s Strategic Relationships

Critical to TripAdvisor’s success are its relationships with online travel agencies, travel suppliers and other partners.

Expedia Brands. In recent years, TripAdvisor’s commercial arrangements with Expedia businesses, pursuant to which Expedia has purchased click-based advertising from TripAdvisor, have primarily been on a revenue-share basis (which TripAdvisor converts to effective CPCs). For the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately $171 million or 35% of TripAdvisor’s total revenue was derived from Expedia businesses. Following the spin-off, new commercial arrangements with Expedia businesses, including Expedia.com and Hotels.com, all of which are intended to reflect arms’-length terms, are expected to be implemented and are described in “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off” elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The new arrangements are expected to have terms of up to one year. Following the spin-off, Expedia expects to reduce the percentage of gross profit (on bookings generated from TripAdvisor-sourced visitors) that it pays to TripAdvisor for click-based advertising, which it expects will have the effect of reducing its marketing spend with TripAdvisor, although TripAdvisor expects that some of this lost revenue may be replaced by advertising from other customers. See the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for Expedia and TripAdvisor, and the related notes, in Annex B and C, respectively, for further information.

 

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Other Click-Based Advertisers. TripAdvisor has click-based advertising relationships with the vast majority of the leading online travel agencies globally as well as a variety of travel suppliers pursuant to which these companies purchase traveler leads from TripAdvisor, generally on a CPC basis. These relationships are strategically important to TripAdvisor but most can be terminated by the advertiser with very short notice.

Content-Related Partnerships. TripAdvisor has a content licensing program utilized by over 250 licensed partners across the world, including hotel chains, online travel agents, tourist boards, airlines and media sites. Partners benefit from TripAdvisor’s user-generated content, such as reviews, ratings, and traveler forums. In addition, TripAdvisor powers review collection for partners such as Accor Hotels, enabling them to collect reviews from their own customers post-stay. TripAdvisor is also developing mobile partnerships with carriers and mobile device manufacturers such as Nokia, which has pre-installed a customized version of the TripAdvisor mobile application on its mobile devices.

Syndication Partners. TripAdvisor also syndicates its CPC advertising services to third-party websites. The largest such syndication relationship is with Yahoo! Travel Guides, pursuant to which TripAdvisor is the exclusive provider of “check rates” advertising on the Yahoo! Travel Guides’ hotel pages for a multi-year term.

TripAdvisor’s Competition

TripAdvisor faces competition for travel reviews, users and advertisers. TripAdvisor’s primary competitors include large search engines, such as Google and Google Places, Yahoo! and Yahoo! Travel, Microsoft’s Bing and Bing Travel, and Baidu, and online travel agencies, such as Expedia and Priceline and their respective subsidiaries. TripAdvisor also competes with a wide range of other companies, including, among others, Ctrip, HolidayCheck, HomeAway, Kayak, Qunar, TravelZoo and Yelp. As the market evolves for online travel content and the technology supporting it, including new platforms such as mobile and tablet competing devices, TripAdvisor anticipates that the existing competitive landscape will change and new competitors may emerge.

Competition for Content and Travel Reviews. After the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects to be the leading global platform for travel-related reviews and opinions. While several more regionally-focused competitors do exist, these competitors currently lack the global scale enjoyed by TripAdvisor, although they could achieve similar scale over time.

TripAdvisor also faces competition in the travel review space from online travel agencies, such as Expedia and Priceline and their respective subsidiaries, which solicit reviews from travelers who book travel on their websites. Moreover, networks with significant installed user bases such as Google (via Google Places) have begun to, and other networks or platforms, like Facebook, could choose to, compete more directly by attracting and accumulating user-generated travel reviews and opinions or may pursue the acquisition of travel-related content directly from consumers.

Competition for Users. In the competition to attract users, TripAdvisor relies on its ability to acquire traffic through offline brand recognition and brand-direct efforts such as email, paid search advertising, and natural search traffic. Natural search traffic results correlate to how TripAdvisor’s pages are indexed in search engines and how prominently those pages are displayed in search results. Natural search traffic can be affected by a number of factors including competitive site content, changes to TripAdvisor site architecture and page designs, changes to search engine ranking algorithms, or changes to display ordering in search engine results such as preferred placement for internal products offered by search engines. Search engine advertising is a competitive marketplace with competitors continually updating their traffic acquisition strategies and economic models across a large number of keywords and markets.

Competition for Advertisers. TripAdvisor competes with search engines, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo! Search, online media companies and ad networks, as well as offline advertising sources, such as television and print media, for travel supplier, online travel agency and other travel-related advertising dollars. These competitors have large client bases and significantly greater resources than those of TripAdvisor, and

 

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competition from these parties could cause TripAdvisor to lose advertising customers or share of advertising expenditures. Despite the competitive environment for advertisers, TripAdvisor currently provides well-qualified travel leads that result in increased brand exposure and traffic for its advertising partners.

TripAdvisor’s Intellectual Property Rights

TripAdvisor’s intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, domain names, trade dress, proprietary technology and trade secrets, is an important component of its business. TripAdvisor relies on its intellectual property rights in its content, proprietary technology, software code, ratings indexes, databases of reviews and forum content, images, videos, graphics and brands. TripAdvisor has acquired some of its intellectual property rights through licenses and content agreements with third parties. These licenses and agreements may place restrictions on TripAdvisor’s use of the intellectual property.

TripAdvisor protects its intellectual property by relying on its terms of use, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, as well as on international, national, state and common law rights. In addition, TripAdvisor enters into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with employees and contractors, and confidentiality agreements with other third parties.

TripAdvisor protects its brands by pursuing the registration of its core brands, such as TripAdvisor and the Owl Logo, maintaining its trademark portfolio, securing contractual trademark rights when appropriate, and relying on common law trademark rights when appropriate. TripAdvisor also registers copyrights and domain names as deemed appropriate. TripAdvisor also protects its trademarks, domain names and copyrights with an enforcement program and use of intellectual property licenses.

Intellectual property protection may not be available or may not be sought, sufficient or effective in every jurisdiction where TripAdvisor operates. Contractual disputes or limitations may affect the use of TripAdvisor’s intellectual property governed by private contract. In addition, TripAdvisor may not locate or pursue every trademark, domain name or copyright infringement that exists. The failure to protect its intellectual property in an effective manner, or challenges to its intellectual property rights, could materially adversely affect TripAdvisor’s business or ability to compete, result in erosion of its brand names and content and/or limit its ability to control marketing on or through the internet using TripAdvisor’s various domain names. Any unauthorized use of TripAdvisor’s intellectual property may cause it to incur substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could adversely affect its business or ability to compete.

TripAdvisor has considered, and will continue to consider, the appropriateness of filing for patents to protect future inventions, as circumstances may warrant. However, many patents protect only specific inventions and there can be no assurance that others may not create new products or methods that achieve similar results without infringing upon patents owned by TripAdvisor.

From time to time, TripAdvisor may be subject to legal proceedings and third-party claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement or violation by TripAdvisor of the trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights of third-parties. In addition, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce TripAdvisor’s intellectual property rights, protect its trade secrets, or to determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Any such litigation, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could materially harm TripAdvisor’s business.

Regulation Relevant to TripAdvisor

In the ordinary course of business, TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries are parties to legal proceedings and claims involving alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, defamation, and other claims. There may be claims or actions pending or threatened against TripAdvisor of which TripAdvisor is currently not aware and the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on TripAdvisor.

 

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TripAdvisor provides advertising data and information and conducts marketing activities that are subject to federal, state and foreign consumer protection laws that regulate unfair and deceptive practices. The United States and European Union are increasingly adopting legislation that regulates certain aspects of the internet and online commerce that may relate to liability for information retrieved from or transmitted over the internet, online editorial and user-generated content, user privacy, behavioral targeting and online advertising, taxation, liability for third-party activities and the quality of products and services.

Federal, state, local and foreign governments are also considering alternative legislative and regulatory proposals that would increase regulation on internet advertising. It is impossible to predict whether new taxes or regulations will be imposed on TripAdvisor’s services, and whether or how TripAdvisor might be affected. Increased regulation of the internet could increase the cost of doing business or otherwise materially adversely affect TripAdvisor’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

TripAdvisor Employees

As of June 30, 2011, TripAdvisor had just over 1,100 employees. Of these employees, approximately 660 were based in the United States. None of its employees is represented by a labor union or is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. TripAdvisor believes that relations with its employees are good.

TripAdvisor Properties

TripAdvisor leases approximately 108,000 square feet for its corporate headquarters in Newton, Massachusetts. It also leases an aggregate of approximately 110,000 square feet at 18 other locations across North America, Europe and Asia, primarily for TripAdvisor’s international management teams, sales offices, and subsidiary headquarters. TripAdvisor believes that its current facilities are adequate for its current operations and that additional leased space can be obtained on reasonable terms if needed.

TripAdvisor Seasonality

Expenditures by travel advertisers tend to be seasonal. Traditionally, TripAdvisor’s strongest quarter has been the third quarter, which is a key travel research period, with the weakest quarter being the fourth quarter. However, adverse economic conditions or continued growth of its international operations with differing holiday peaks may influence the typical trend of TripAdvisor’s seasonality in the future.

TripAdvisor Capitalization

The following table presents TripAdvisor’s cash and short-term investments and capitalization as of June 30, 2011 on a historical basis and on an unaudited pro forma basis giving effect to the spin-off and planned TripAdvisor financing. The pro forma amounts for the spin-off and financing include $400 million in indebtedness that TripAdvisor expects to owe at the time of its separation from Expedia. Prior to the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects to distribute to Expedia the net proceeds of the financing and any cash on hand in excess of $165 million, which amount would be expected to be retained. The spin-off of TripAdvisor and the related financing transactions are described in Annex C in the notes to TripAdvisor’s Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which pro forma financial statements give effect to the spin-off and financing transactions as if they had been consummated on June 30, 2011 for balance sheet purposes and on January 1, 2010 for statement of operations purposes.

The assumptions used and pro forma adjustments derived from such assumptions are based on currently available information, and TripAdvisor believes such assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances.

 

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The table below is not necessarily indicative of TripAdvisor’s cash and short-term investments and capitalization had the spin-off and the related financing transactions been completed on June 30, 2011. The capitalization table below may not reflect the capitalization or financial condition which would have resulted had TripAdvisor been operating as an independent, publicly-traded company at that date and is not necessarily indicative of TripAdvisor’s future capitalization or financial condition.

 

     As of June 30, 2011  
     Actual     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands)  

Cash and short-term investments(1)

   $ 132,691      $ 165,000   

Debt obligations(2)(3)

    

Debt obligations

   $ 4,635      $ 404,635   

Equity

    

Invested equity

     648,283        —     

Common stock

     —          124   

Class B common stock

     —          13   

Additional paid-in capital

     —          208,473   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,271     (1,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     647,012        207,339   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Capitalization

   $ 651,647      $ 611,974   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Actual balance includes cash and cash equivalents of $112 million and short-term investments of $21 million.
(2) At the time the spin-off is effective, TripAdvisor also expects to have entered into a $200 million revolving credit facility with a term of five years, which is assumed to be unused at the time of the spin-off.
(3) The five-year, $400 million term loan will be repayable in quarterly installments equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount in year 2012 and 2.5% of the original principal amount in each year thereafter with the balance due on the final maturity date.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of TripAdvisor

The following discussion describes the financial condition and results of operations of TripAdvisor as though TripAdvisor were a separate company as of the dates and for the periods presented and includes the businesses, assets and liabilities that will comprise TripAdvisor following the spin-off. You should read this discussion in conjunction with TripAdvisor’s combined financial statements and accompanying notes included in Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Spin-Off

On April 7, 2011, Expedia announced its plan to separate into two independent public companies. The transaction is referred to as the spin-off and the new company that will hold the TripAdvisor travel media brands is referred to as “TripAdvisor.”

Overview

TripAdvisor is an online travel research company, empowering users to plan and enjoy the ideal trip. TripAdvisor’s travel research platform aggregates reviews and opinions of members about destinations, accommodations, restaurants and activities throughout the world through its flagship TripAdvisor brand. TripAdvisor branded websites include tripadvisor.com in the United States and localized versions of the website in 29 countries, including in China under the brand daodao.com. In addition to the flagship TripAdvisor brand, TripAdvisor manages and operate websites under 18 other travel media brands, connected by the common goal of providing comprehensive travel planning resources across the travel sector.

 

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Current Trends Affecting TripAdvisor’s Business

Increasing Competition. The travel review industry and, more generally, the business of collecting and aggregating travel-related resources and information, has become increasingly competitive. In recent years, an increasing number of companies, such as search companies Google and Baidu and several large online travel agencies, have begun to collect and aggregate travel information and resources. TripAdvisor plans to continue to invest in order to remain the leading source of travel reviews as well as continuing to enhance its content and user experience.

Increasing Use of Internet and Social Media to Access Travel Information. Commerce, information and advertising continue to migrate to the internet and away from traditional media outlets. TripAdvisor believes that this trend will create strategic growth opportunities, allowing TripAdvisor to attract new consumers and develop unique and effective advertising solutions.

Consumers are increasingly using online social media, such as Facebook, as a means to communicate and exchange information, including travel information and opinions. Consumers are also increasingly using mobile and tablet computing devices to access the internet. To address these demands, TripAdvisor has developed and continues to develop mobile and tablet applications to allow greater access to the company’s travel information and resources. In addition, TripAdvisor has made significant efforts related to social networking in order to leverage the expanded use of this channel.

Cost-Per-Click. In recent years, a majority of TripAdvisor’s revenue growth resulted from higher click-based revenue due to increased traffic on its websites and an increase in the volume of clicks on advertisers’ placements. Although click-based revenue growth has not generally been driven by CPC pricing, TripAdvisor remains focused on the various factors that could impact CPC pricing fluctuations, including, but not limited to, the overall economy, the ability of advertisers to monetize TripAdvisor’s traffic, the quality and mix of traffic to TripAdvisor, the quality and mix of traffic from TripAdvisor’s advertising placements to advertisers, as well as advertisers’ evolving approach to transaction attribution models and return on investment targets.

Global Economic Conditions. In late 2008 and throughout 2009, weak global economic conditions created uncertainty for travelers and suppliers, and pressured discretionary spending on travel and advertising. As a result, TripAdvisor’s revenue growth slowed in 2009 with a corresponding pull back in sales and marketing and a reduction in general and administrative expenses. Throughout 2010 and into 2011, the travel industry has been gradually improving after weathering the recession in 2009. With the improved economic conditions, TripAdvisor reaccelerated sales and marketing spending and increased other operating costs to support expansion and has experienced increased click volumes and revenue growth during these periods. Global economic conditions remain uncertain and, as such, TripAdvisor’s near-term visibility remains limited.

Commercial and Other Arrangements with Expedia Businesses

Following the spin-off, new commercial arrangements with Expedia businesses, including Expedia.com and Hotels.com, are expected to be implemented and are described in “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off.” The new arrangements are expected to have terms of up to one year. Following the spin-off, Expedia expects to reduce the amount it pays to TripAdvisor (on bookings generated from TripAdvisor-sourced visitors) for click-based advertising, which it expects will have the effect of reducing its marketing spend with TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor expects that some of this lost revenue may be replaced by advertising from other customers. TripAdvisor estimates annual net revenue may be reduced by approximately 2% to 5%.

In addition to the new commercial arrangements, TripAdvisor and Expedia will enter into various other agreements, including a separation agreement, a tax sharing agreement, an employee matters agreement and a transition services agreement.

The separation agreement provides that Expedia will, immediately prior to the spin-off, contribute or otherwise transfer to TripAdvisor all of the subsidiaries and assets, and TripAdvisor or one of its subsidiaries will assume all of the liabilities, of the travel media brands associated with the TripAdvisor businesses, as reflected in

 

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the TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements. The tax sharing agreement will govern Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligation after the spin-off with respect to various tax matters. Under the tax sharing agreement, TripAdvisor will generally be responsible for pre-distribution taxes attributable to the TripAdvisor business, of which the best estimate is included in TripAdvisor’s standalone tax provision. However, the ultimate resolution of tax matters upon audit may be greater than or less than the liabilities recorded, the impact of which cannot be estimated at this time. The employee matters agreement covers a wide range of compensation and benefit issues related to the spinoff. The impact, if any, on TripAdvisor’s financial results and results of operations in future periods as a result of these agreements cannot be estimated.

Under the transition services agreement Expedia will provide to TripAdvisor on an interim, transitional basis, various services, including governmental affairs, finance and accounting services, corporate sourcing, legal affairs, systems support and assistance with certain public company functions, and such other services as to which Expedia and TripAdvisor mutually agree. The charges for these services will be on a cost plus fixed percentage or hourly rate basis to be agreed upon prior to the completion of the spin-off are not expected to exceed $1 million for 2012.

Segment

TripAdvisor has one reportable segment. The segment is determined based on how TripAdvisor’s chief operating decision maker manages TripAdvisor’s business, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance.

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 and the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

Revenue

TripAdvisor derives substantially all of its revenue through the sale of advertising, primarily through click-based advertising and, to a lesser extent, display-based advertising. In addition, TripAdvisor earns revenue through a combination of subscription-based offerings, content licensing and its recently launched private sale website, SniqueAway.

The following discussion of revenue refers to the number of unique internet protocol (“IP”) addresses that visit TripAdvisor-branded sites each month. This metric is used by TripAdvisor to analyze revenue and is measured using internally developed analytical tools. Each unique IP address is only counted the first time it visits a TripAdvisor site during each calendar month. TripAdvisor’s measurement of unique visitors does not include any visitors to its subsidiary sites that are not TripAdvisor-branded, nor does it include any individuals who view TripAdvisor content on other sites. This measurement of unique visitors is important to TripAdvisor as it correlates to the potential volumes of clicks and impressions that TripAdvisor is able to generate, which are key drivers to its click-based advertising and display-based advertising revenues.

 

     Three months ended June 30,      % Change     Six months ended June 30,      % Change  
           2011                  2010                  2011              2010         
     ($ in millions)            ($ in millions)         

Click-based advertising

   $ 134       $ 102         31   $ 254       $ 199         28

Display-based advertising

     23         19         21     42         35         20

Subscription and other

     12         4         207     22         5         310
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total revenue

   $ 169       $ 125         35   $ 318       $ 239         33
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Monthly unique IP addresses to the TripAdvisor-branded sites increased 42% and 38% during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, which was the primary contributing factor to the higher click-based and display-based advertising revenue in the respective periods.

 

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Subscription and other revenue grew due to the launch of Business Listings in January 2010, the acquisition of Holiday Lettings in June 2010 and the launch of SniqueAway in September 2010.

 

     Year ended December 31,      % Change  
         2010              2009              2008          2010 vs 2009     2009 vs 2008  
     ($ in millions)               

Click-based advertising

   $ 384       $ 302       $ 258         27     17

Display-based advertising

     72         49         39         47     26

Subscription and other

     29         1         1         3,227     (27 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total revenue

   $ 485       $ 352       $ 298         38     18
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

Monthly unique IP addresses to the TripAdvisor-branded sites increased 47% and 49% during 2010 and 2009, which was the primary contributing factor to the increase in click-based and display-based advertising revenue. Subscription and other revenue grew in 2010 due to the launch of Business Listings in January 2010, the acquisition of Holiday Lettings in June 2010 and the launch of SniqueAway in September 2010.

In addition to the above product revenue discussion, related-party revenue from Expedia, which consists primarily of click-based advertising, is as follows:

 

    Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
        2011             2010               2011             2010        
    ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Related-party revenue from Expedia

  $ 59      $ 43        38   $ 113      $ 85        33

% of revenue

    35.0     34.3       35.5     35.6  
    Year ended December 31,     % Change        
      2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008          
    ($ in millions)                    

Related-party revenue from Expedia

    171        140        98        22     43  

% of revenue

    35.3     39.7     32.7      

TripAdvisor and Expedia expect to enter into new commercial arrangements in connection with the spin-off. Pursuant to these arrangements, Expedia anticipates that it will reduce marketing spend with TripAdvisor; however, TripAdvisor expects that some of this reduction to revenue may be replaced by revenue from other customers. In the aggregate, TripAdvisor estimates annual net revenue may be reduced by approximately 2% to 5%.

Cost of Revenue

TripAdvisor’s cost of revenue consist of expenses that are closely correlated or directly related to revenue generation, including ad serving fees, flight search fees, credit card fees and data center costs.

 

     Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
           2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
     ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Cost of revenue

   $ 3      $ 2        58   $ 5      $ 3        51

% of revenue

     1.6     1.4       1.6     1.4  

Cost of revenue increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to higher data center costs and credit card merchant fees.

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Cost of revenue

   $ 7      $ 5      $ 2        61     89

% of revenue

     1.5     1.3     0.8    

 

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In 2010 and 2009, the primary drivers of the increase in cost of revenue expense were higher costs related to an increase in flight search volume and data center costs in support of higher site traffic.

Selling and Marketing

TripAdvisor’s sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of direct costs, including traffic acquisition costs from search engines and affiliate program commissions, brand advertising and public relations. In addition, TripAdvisor’s indirect sales and marketing expense consists of personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits, share-based compensation expense and bonuses for sales, sales support, customer support and marketing employees.

 

     Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
           2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
     ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Direct costs

   $ 34      $ 19        75   $ 61      $ 39        55

Indirect costs

     19        12        56     36        23        57
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total selling and marketing

   $ 53      $ 31        68   $ 97      $ 62        55
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

% of revenue

     31.1     25.0       30.4     26.1  

Direct selling and marketing expenses increased $15 million and $21 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to higher traffic acquisition costs. Indirect selling and marketing costs increased $7 million and $13 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to an increase in headcount.

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010          2009          2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Direct costs

   $ 88      $ 70      $ 70        26     0

Indirect costs

     52        36        28        47     26
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total selling and marketing

   $ 140      $ 106      $ 98        33     8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

% of revenue

     29.0     30.0     33.0    

The increase in selling and marketing expense in 2010 was due to an increase in online and offline marketing expenses, including affiliate marketing expenses, search engine marketing, other traffic acquisition costs, and higher personnel costs primarily due to an increase in headcount, including personnel added through acquisitions. The increase in selling and marketing expenses in 2009 was due to higher personnel costs primarily due to an increase in headcount, including personnel added through acquisitions.

Technology and Content

TripAdvisor’s technology and content expenses consist of personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries and benefits, share-based compensation expense and bonuses for salaried employees and contractors engaged in the design, development, testing and maintenance of TripAdvisor’s website. Technology and content expenses also include depreciation of and amortization costs of technology assets including web servers, and purchased and capitalized website and development activities as well as licensing expenses.

 

     Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
           2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
     ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Personnel and overhead

   $ 12      $ 10        18   $ 23      $ 19        25

Depreciation and amortization of technology assets

     4        2        51     7        5        52

Other

     1        1        269     3        1        150
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total technology and content

   $ 17      $ 13        31   $ 33      $ 25        36
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

% of revenue

     10.1     10.4       10.5     10.3  

 

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The increase of $4 million and $9 million in technology and content expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, was primarily due to increased personnel costs from increased headcount as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of technology assets primarily due to the amortization of capitalized website development costs.

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Personnel and overhead

   $ 40      $ 26      $ 22        51     20

Depreciation and amortization of technology assets

     10        8        4        34     85

Other

     4        3        4        16     (26 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total technology and content

   $ 54      $ 37      $ 30        45     23
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

% of revenue

     11.1     10.5     10.1    

The year-over-year increase of $17 million in technology and content expense in 2010 was primarily due to increased personnel costs from increased headcount to support business expansion, including site launches in ten countries, enhanced site features and mobile initiatives, as well as personnel added through acquisitions, and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of technology assets.

The year-over-year increase of $7 million in technology and content expense in 2009 was primarily due to increased personnel costs from increased headcount to support a number of business initiatives, including site launches in eight countries and enhanced site features, as well as personnel added through acquisitions, and an increase in depreciation and amortization of technology assets.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel and related overhead costs, including executive leadership, finance, legal and human resource functions and stock-based compensation as well as fees for external professional services including legal, tax and accounting, and other costs including bad debt expense.

 

    Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
          2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
    ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Personnel and overhead

  $ 7      $ 6        10   $ 15      $ 11        32

Professional service fees and other

    2        3        (28 )%      3        3        28
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total general and administrative

  $ 9      $ 9        (1 )%    $ 18      $ 14        31
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

% of revenue

    5.2     7.1       5.6     5.7  

There was no significant change in general and administrative expense for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the increase in general and administrative expense compared to the prior year period was primarily due to an increase in headcount.

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Personnel and overhead

   $ 27      $ 13      $ 20        100     (35 %) 

Professional service fees and other

     7        3        3        203     3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total general and administrative

   $ 34      $ 16      $ 23        116     (31 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

% of revenue

     7.1     4.5     7.7    

In 2010, the increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to an increase in personnel costs, including incentive compensation, as well as an increase in bad debt expense, agency recruiting fees, excise tax and depreciation of leasehold improvements.

 

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In 2009, the decrease in general and administrative expense was primarily due to a decrease in personnel costs, principally from lower incentive compensation, and a decrease in bad debt expense and legal fees. These decreases were partially offset by increases in depreciation expense from leasehold improvements and rent expense.

As a result of the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects general and administrative expenses to increase by approximately $20 million to $25 million for costs to be incurred related to services previously obtained from Expedia, such as accounting, legal, tax, corporate development, real estate, additional costs associated with being a publicly traded company, as well as costs related to Expedia’s obligation to fund a charitable foundation that will be assumed by TripAdvisor in connection with the spin-off. A small amount of these services, less than approximately $1 million, will continue to be provided by Expedia to TripAdvisor pursuant to a transition services agreement. Commensurate with the increase in general and administrative expense, the related-party shared services fee will cease, thus the net annual increase is expected to between $12 million and $17 million.

Related-Party Shared Services Fee

Related-party shared services fee is comprised of allocations from Expedia for accounting, legal, tax, corporate development, and real estate functions and includes an allocation of employee compensation within these functions. These allocations were determined on the basis that Expedia and TripAdvisor considered to be reasonable reflections of the utilization of services provided or the benefit received by TripAdvisor.

 

     Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
           2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
     ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Related-party shared services fee

   $ 2      $ 2        0   $ 4      $ 4        0

% of revenue

     1.2     1.6       1.2     1.7  

There was no significant change in related-party shared services fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010.

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Related-party shared services fee

   $ 8      $ 7      $ 8        14     (17 %) 

% of revenue

     1.6     2.0     2.8    

In 2010, the increase in related-party shared services fee was primarily due to an increase in legal, tax and treasury costs in support of international expansion.

In 2009, the decrease in related-party shared services fee was primarily due to a decrease in acquisition related activity and related support fees.

Subsequent to the spin-off, the related-party shared services fee will cease and such expenses will be included in general and administrative expense.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

 

     Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
           2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
     ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Amortization of intangible assets

   $ 1      $ 3        (60 %)    $ 3      $ 6        (48 %) 

% of revenue

     0.7     2.3       1.0     2.6  

 

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During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, the decrease in amortization of intangible assets expense compared to the prior year periods was primarily due to the completion of amortization related to certain technology intangible assets, partially offset by amortization related to the acquisition of Holiday Lettings in June 2010.

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Amortization of intangible assets

   $ 15      $ 14      $ 11        6     24

% of revenue

     3.0     3.9     3.7    

In 2010, the increase in amortization of intangible assets expense was primarily due to a charge of approximately $4 million related to changes in the estimated amount of contingent purchase consideration, partially offset by the completion of amortization related to certain technology intangibles. In 2009, the increase in amortization of intangible assets expense was primarily due to amortization related to new business acquisitions, partially offset by the completion of amortization related to certain technology intangibles.

Operating Income

 

     Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
           2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
     ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Operating income

   $ 84      $ 66        28   $ 157      $ 125        26

% of revenue

     49.5     52.3       49.3     52.3  

Operating income increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to an increase in revenue, which was partially offset by a corresponding increase to operating expenses, particularly in personnel costs to support business growth and traffic acquisition costs to drive higher revenue.

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Operating income

   $ 226      $ 168      $ 125        35     35

% of revenue

     46.7     47.8     41.9    

In 2010 and 2009, operating income increased primarily due to an increase in revenue, which was partially offset by a corresponding increase to operating expenses, particularly in personnel costs to support business growth and traffic acquisition costs to drive higher revenue.

Related-party Interest Income (Expense), net

Interest income (expense), net is immaterial for all periods presented and is primarily intercompany in nature, arising from the transfer of liquid funds between Expedia and TripAdvisor that occurred as part of Expedia’s treasury operations.

Other, net

Other, net is primarily comprised of net foreign exchange losses for the periods presented.

Provision for Income Taxes

 

     Three months ended June 30,     % Change     Six months ended June 30,     % Change  
           2011                 2010                   2011                 2010          
     ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

Provision for income taxes

   $ 30      $ 24        26   $ 57      $ 45        28

Effective tax rate

     36.0     37.5       36.1     36.6  

 

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The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 were higher than the 35% federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and accruals related to uncertain tax positions, partially offset by earnings in jurisdictions outside the United States, where the effective rate is lower.

 

     Year ended December 31,     % Change  
       2010         2009         2008         2010 vs 2009         2009 vs 2008    
     ($ in millions)              

Provision for income taxes

   $ 85      $ 64      $ 47        33     37

Effective tax rate

     38.1     38.6     39.6    

The 2010 and 2009 effective tax rates were higher than the 35% federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and accruals related to uncertain tax positions, partially offset by earnings in jurisdictions outside the United States, where the effective rate is lower.

In 2008, the effective tax rate was higher than the 35% statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and accruals related to uncertain tax positions.

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, TripAdvisor had $133 million and $113 million of cash and short-term investments. Until the spin-off is completed, Expedia will provide cash management and other treasury services to TripAdvisor. As part of these services TripAdvisor regularly sweeps the majority of its domestic cash balances to Expedia and receives funding from Expedia for any domestic cash needs. Accordingly, the cash and short-term investment balances presented above, and the cash and short-term investment balances up to and as of the spin-off will, consist primarily of cash held in the United Kingdom ($122 million and $103 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010) related to earnings TripAdvisor intends to reinvest permanently outside the United States. Cash held is primarily denominated in U.S. dollars and British pound sterling.

TripAdvisor’s cash flows are as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,     Six months ended June 30,  
       2010         2009         2008                 2011                          2010             
     (In millions)  

Cash provided by (used in):

          

Operating activities

   $ 197      $ 126      $ 111      $ 114      $ 91   

Investing activities

     (140     (149     (302     (105     (82

Financing activities

     4        46        191        9        2   

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net cash provided by operating activities increased by $23 million primarily due to higher operating income after adjusting for the impacts of depreciation and amortization, partially offset by an increase in income tax payments.

In 2010, net cash provided by operating activities increased by $71 million primarily due to higher operating income after adjusting for the impacts of depreciation and amortization and cash inflows from the Business Listing product, partially offset by an increase in income tax payments. In 2009, net cash provided by operating activities increased by $15 million primarily due to higher operating income after adjusting for the impacts of depreciation and amortization, partially offset by an increase in income tax payments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, cash used in investing activities increased by $23 million primarily due to higher net payments to Expedia of $53 million, partially offset by a decrease of $30 million in cash paid for acquisitions.

 

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In 2010, cash used in investing activities decreased slightly due to lower net payments to Expedia and lower cash paid for acquisitions, partially offset by the purchase of short-term investments and higher capital expenditures. In 2009, cash used in investing activities decreased primarily due to a $154 million decrease in cash paid for acquisitions.

Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was primarily comprised of short-term borrowings of $3 million and $5 million of transfers from Expedia to fund acquisitions.

Cash provided by financing activities in 2010 was primarily comprised of short-term borrowings of $2 million and excess tax benefits of $2 million. Cash provided by financing activities in 2009 and 2008 primarily consisted of transfers from Expedia to fund acquisitions of $46 million and $190 million, respectively.

In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor and certain of its post-spin-off subsidiaries expect to enter into a new credit agreement providing for a senior revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $200 million and a term of five years, as well as a five-year, $400 million senior term loan to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC.

Prior to the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects to transfer to Expedia all cash in excess of $165 million and all intercompany receivable and payable balances will be extinguished. Historically, the cash TripAdvisor generates has been sufficient to fund its working capital and capital expenditure requirements both domestically and outside the United States, after giving effect to its permanent reinvestment strategy in the United Kingdom. Subsequent to the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects to fund its ongoing working capital needs, capital expenditure requirements and the growth of its business through cash flows from operations and the new revolving credit facility.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table presents TripAdvisor’s material contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2010:

 

            By Period  
     Total      Less than
1 year
     1 to 3 years      3 to 5 years      More than
5 years
 
     (In millions)  

Operating leases

   $ 12       $ 3       $ 6       $ 3       $ —     

Purchase obligations

     5         2         3         —           —     

Credit facility

     2         2         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total(1)(2)

   $ 19       $ 7       $ 9       $ 3       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Excluded from the table was $7 million of unrecognized tax benefits for which TripAdvisor cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment.
(2) Excluded from the table was the five-year, $400 million senior term loan that TripAdvisor expects to be made to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC in connection with and prior to the spin-off. The term loan will be repayable in quarterly installments equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount in year 2012 and 2.5% of the original principal amount in each year thereafter with the balance due on the final maturity date. Also excluded from table is the $200 million, five-year senior revo1ving credit facility that TripAdvisor and certain of its post spin-off subsidiaries expect to enter into in connection with and prior to the spin-off. Immediately after consummation of the spin-off, the term loan and loans under the revolving credit facility will bear interest per annum at LIBOR plus 175 bps, which, as of June 30, 2011 and assuming a 1-month interest period, would have been 1.94% per annum, and undrawn amounts will be subject to a commitment fee of 30 bps. See “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposa1—Post-Spin-Off TripAdvisor Financing Arrangements” for further information.

 

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In August 2010, certain of TripAdvisor’s post spin-off Chinese subsidiaries entered into a RMB67,000,000 (approximately $10 million), one-year revolving credit facility with Bank of America. In June 2011, the revolving credit facility was amended to extend the facility to March 2012 and increase the borrowing capacity to RMB130,000,000 (approximately $20 million). The facility is unconditionally guaranteed by Expedia, Inc. This guarantee will be released at or prior to the spin-off. As of June 30, 2011, there was $5 million of borrowings outstanding under this facility.

Certain TripAdvisor entities are guarantors of Expedia’s credit facility and outstanding senior notes. These guarantees are full, unconditional, joint and several, and will be released upon the spin-off.

In addition, in connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor will assume Expedia’s obligation to fund a charitable foundation. The Board of Directors of the charitable foundation is currently comprised of Stephen Kaufer, Dara Khosrowshahi and Burke Norton. The obligation is calculated at 1.7% of Operating Income Before Amortization (“OIBA”) for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2.0% of OIBA for subsequent years. OIBA is TripAdvisor’s primary operating metric for evaluating segment performance and is detailed within Note 11, Segment Information, of TripAdvisor’s combined financial statements included in Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Other than as described above, there were no material changes in TripAdvisor’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of June 30, 2011. In addition, other than the items described above, TripAdvisor does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2010 or June 30, 2011.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that TripAdvisor believes are important in the preparation of its combined financial statements because they require that management use judgment and estimates in applying those policies. TripAdvisor prepares its combined financial statements and accompanying notes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Preparation of the combined financial statements and accompanying notes requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the combined financial statements as well as revenue and expenses during the periods reported. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, where applicable, and other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

There are certain critical estimates that TripAdvisor believes require significant judgment in the preparation of the combined financial statements. TripAdvisor considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

 

   

It requires TripAdvisor to make an assumption because information was not available at the time or it included matters that were highly uncertain at the time management was making the estimate; and/or

 

   

Changes in the estimate or different estimates that management could have selected may have had a material impact on TripAdvisor’s financial condition or results of operations.

For more information on each of these policies, see Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to combined financial statements, which are included in Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus. A discussion of information about the nature and rationale for TripAdvisor’s critical accounting estimates is below.

Recoverability of Goodwill and Indefinite and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill. TripAdvisor assesses goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently, if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The impairment test requires TripAdvisor to estimate the fair value of its reporting units. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill of that reporting unit is potentially impaired and TripAdvisor proceeds to step two of the impairment

 

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analysis. In step two of the analysis, TripAdvisor will record an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over its implied fair value should such a circumstance arise.

TripAdvisor generally bases its measurement of fair value of its reporting units on a blended analysis of the present value of future discounted cash flows and market valuation approach. The discounted cash flows model indicates the fair value of the reporting units based on the present value of the cash flows that TripAdvisor expects the reporting units to generate in the future. TripAdvisor’s significant estimates in the discounted cash flows model include: its weighted average cost of capital; long-term rate of growth and profitability of its business; and working capital effects. The market valuation approach estimates the fair value of the business based on a comparison of TripAdvisor to comparable publicly traded companies in similar lines of business. TripAdvisor’s significant estimates in the market approach model include identifying similar companies with comparable business factors such as size, growth, profitability, risk and return on investment and assessing comparable revenue and operating income multiples in estimating the fair value of the reporting units.

TripAdvisor believes the use of discounted cash flows and market approach on a weighted basis is the best method for determining the fair value of its reporting units because these are the most common valuation methodologies used within the travel and internet industries; and the blended use of both models compensates for the inherent risks associated with either model if used on a stand-alone basis.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets. TripAdvisor bases its measurement of fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist of trade name and trademarks, using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes that the trade name and trademarks have value to the extent that their owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brands, the appropriate royalty rate and the weighted average cost of capital.

Definite-Lived Intangible Assets. TripAdvisor reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that could affect the value of the asset, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, among others. If such facts indicate a potential impairment, TripAdvisor assesses the recoverability of an asset group by determining if the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets over the remaining economic life of the primary asset in the asset group. If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying value of the asset group is not recoverable, TripAdvisor will estimate the fair value of the asset group using appropriate valuation methodologies, which would typically include an estimate of discounted cash flows. Any impairment would be measured as the difference between the asset group’s carrying amount and its estimated fair value.

The use of different estimates or assumptions in determining the fair value of TripAdvisor’s goodwill, indefinite-lived and definite-lived intangible assets may result in different values for these assets, which could result in an impairment or, in the period in which an impairment is recognized, could result in a materially different impairment charge. As of October 1, 2010 and 2009, the fair value of each goodwill reporting unit significantly exceeded its carrying values.

Income Taxes

TripAdvisor is included in the consolidated income tax returns filed by Expedia. TripAdvisor computes and accounts for its income taxes on a separate tax return basis. TripAdvisor records income taxes under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect its estimation of the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for book and tax purposes. TripAdvisor determines deferred income taxes based on the differences in accounting methods and timing between financial

 

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statement and income tax reporting. Accordingly, TripAdvisor determines the deferred tax asset or liability for each temporary difference based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when TripAdvisor realizes the underlying items of income and expense. TripAdvisor considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of its deferred tax assets, including its recent earnings experience by jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income and the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, as well as other relevant factors. TripAdvisor may establish a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount it believes is more likely than not to be realized. Due to inherent complexities arising from the nature of its businesses, future changes in income tax law, tax sharing agreements or variances between its actual and anticipated operating results, TripAdvisor makes certain judgments and estimates. Therefore, actual income taxes could materially vary from these estimates.

TripAdvisor records liabilities to address uncertain tax positions it has taken in previously filed tax returns or that it expects to take in a future tax return. The determination for required liabilities is based upon an analysis of each individual tax position, taking into consideration whether it is more likely than not that the tax position, based on technical merits, will be sustained upon examination. For those positions for which TripAdvisor concludes it is more likely than not it will be sustained, TripAdvisor recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. The difference between the amount recognized and the total tax position is recorded as a liability. The ultimate resolution of these tax positions may be greater or less than the liabilities recorded.

Stock-Based Compensation

In 2009 and 2010, TripAdvisor, through Expedia, awarded stock options as its primary form of employee stock-based compensation. The value of stock option awards was measured on the date of grant at fair value using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. TripAdvisor amortizes the fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, over the remaining term on a straight-line basis. The Black-Scholes model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including volatility and expected option term. If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model change significantly, stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period.

TripAdvisor records stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures. In determining the estimated forfeiture rates for stock-based awards, a periodic assessment is conducted using the actual number of equity awards that have been forfeited to date as well as those expected to be forfeited in the future. Many factors are considered when estimating expected forfeitures, including the type of award, the employee class and historical experience. The estimate of stock awards that will ultimately be forfeited requires significant judgment and to the extent that actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period such estimates are revised.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

TripAdvisor’s exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its short-term time deposits. TripAdvisor invests a portion of its excess cash in time deposits. At December 31, 2010 the time deposits were not material and as such, an increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a significant impact on TripAdvisor’s financial position.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

TripAdvisor conducts business in certain international markets, primarily the European Union and China. Because TripAdvisor operates in international markets, TripAdvisor has exposure to different economic climates, political arenas, tax systems and regulations that could affect foreign exchange rates. TripAdvisor’s primary exposure to foreign currency risk relates to transacting in foreign currency and recording the activity in

 

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U.S. dollars. Changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and these other currencies will result in transaction gains or losses, which TripAdvisor recognizes in its consolidated statements of operations.

As currency exchange rates change, translation of statements of operations of TripAdvisor’s international businesses into U.S. dollars affects year-over-year comparability of operating results. Historically, TripAdvisor has not hedged translation risks because cash flows from international operations were generally reinvested locally.

As TripAdvisor increases its operations in international markets, it becomes increasingly exposed to potentially volatile movements in currency exchange rates. These movements, if material, could cause TripAdvisor to adjust its financing and operating strategies.

Foreign exchange gains and losses were not material to TripAdvisor’s earnings in 2010, 2009 and 2008 and for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

TripAdvisor Management

Directors

The TripAdvisor Board of Directors (the “TripAdvisor Board”) is currently expected to consist of 10 directors, including the ten persons named below, each of whom has consented to be named in this proxy statement/prospectus. There are no family relationships among directors or executive officers of TripAdvisor.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Barry Diller

     69       Chairman and Senior Executive

Stephen Kaufer

     48       Chief Executive Officer and Director

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy

     41       Director

William R. Fitzgerald

     54       Director

Victor A. Kaufman

     68       Director

Dara Khosrowshahi

     42       Director

Jonathan F. Miller

     54       Director

Jeremy Philips

     38       Director

Robert S. Wiesenthal

     45       Director

Michael P. Zeisser

     46       Director

Barry Diller has been the Chairman of the Expedia Board and Senior Executive of Expedia since the completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off in August 2005. Mr. Diller has been the Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive of IAC since December 2010 and also served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of IAC (and its predecessors) from August 1995 through November 2010. Mr. Diller also previously served as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. from August 2008 through January 2010 and as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Live Nation Entertainment from January 2010 through October 2010 and remained a member of the Board of Live Nation Entertainment through January 2011. He served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of QVC, Inc. from December 1992 through December 1994 and as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Fox, Inc. from 1984 to 1992. Prior to joining Fox, Inc., Mr. Diller served for ten years as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation. Mr. Diller is currently a member of the Boards of Directors of The Washington Post Company and of The Coca-Cola Company. Mr. Diller is also a member of the Board of Councilors for the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, the New York University Board of Trustees, the Executive Board for the Medical Sciences of the University of California, Los Angeles and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Board Membership Qualifications: As Chairman of the Board of Expedia since its spin-off from IAC (as well as Chairman of the Board of IAC prior, during and after IAC’s acquisition of TripAdvisor in 2004), Mr. Diller has a great depth of knowledge and experience regarding TripAdvisor and its businesses.

 

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Mr. Diller has extensive management experience, including through his service as Chief Executive Officer of media and interactive commerce companies, as well as experience as a director serving on other public company boards, including as Chairman. In addition, Mr. Diller effectively controls over a majority of the outstanding share capital of TripAdvisor.

Stephen Kaufer co-founded TripAdvisor in February 2000 and has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of TripAdvisor since that date. Prior to co-founding TripAdvisor, Mr. Kaufer served as President of CDS, Inc., an independent software vendor specializing in programming and testing tools, and co-founded CenterLine Software and served as its Vice President of Engineering. Mr. Kaufer serves on the boards of several privately-held companies, including CarGurus, LLC, LiveData, Inc., and GlassDoor, Inc., as well as the charity, Caring for Carcinoid Foundation.

Board Membership Qualifications: As co-founder of TripAdvisor and through his service as its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kaufer has extensive knowledge of TripAdvisor’s business and operations, and significant experience in the online advertising sector of the global travel industry. Mr. Kaufer also possesses strategic and governance skills gained through his executive and director roles with several privately-held companies.

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy founded, in January 2011, and currently serves as Chairman of Joyus, a video commerce website owned by privately-held Project J Corporation. Ms. Singh Cassidy previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Polyvore, Inc., a privately-held social commerce website, from March 2010 to September 2010. Prior to that, she was CEO-in-residence at Accel Partners, a global venture and growth equity firm, from April 2009 to March 2010. From 2003 to April 2009, Ms. Singh Cassidy held various positions at Google, Inc., including, mostly recently, global Vice President of Sales and Operations. Previously, Ms. Singh Cassidy worked with Yodlee.com, Amazon.com and News Corporation, and in investment banking with Merrill Lynch. Ms. Singh Cassidy has served on the board of directors of privately-held Formspring, Inc., an online social network, since June 2011, served on the board of directors of publicly-traded J. Crew Group, Inc. from August 2009 to March 2010, and currently serves on the board of directors of the nonprofit JobTrain and on the advisory board of A Woman’s Nation, a project of Maria Shriver and the Center for American Progress.

Board Membership Qualifications: Through her experience as a consumer internet and media executive, Ms. Singh Cassidy has in-depth knowledge of the online media and advertising sectors. Ms. Singh Cassidy also possesses extensive executive, strategic and operational experience.

William R. Fitzgerald has been a director of Expedia since March 2006. He has served as a Senior Vice President of Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) since 2000, and has served as a Senior Vice President of Liberty Media Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Capstarz, Inc.) since September 2011. In addition, Mr. Fitzgerald serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. Prior to joining Liberty Interactive, Mr. Fitzgerald served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, for AT&T Broadband (formerly known as Tele-Communications, Inc.) Prior to that, Mr. Fitzgerald served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Tele-Communications, Inc., was a partner at Daniels & Associates and was a commercial banker at The First National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Fitzgerald served on the Board of Directors of Cablevision Corporation from 1998 to 2000 and on the Board of Directors of OnCommand Corporation from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Fitzgerald received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business and a master’s degree from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Fitzgerald was nominated as a director by Liberty Interactive, which under the TripAdvisor Governance Agreement will have the right as of the time of the spin-off to nominate two individuals for election to the TripAdvisor Board of Directors (based on Liberty Interactive’s expected ownership of TripAdvisor stock). Mr. Fitzgerald has significant executive-level experience and a strong operational background.

 

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Victor A. Kaufman has been a director and the Vice Chairman of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Kaufman has been a director of IAC (and its predecessors) since December 1996 and has served as the Vice Chairman of IAC since October 1999. Mr. Kaufman also previously served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. from August 2008 through January 2010 and as a director of Live Nation Entertainment from January 2010 through December 2010. Mr. Kaufman served in the Office of the Chairman of IAC from January 1997 to November 1997 and as Chief Financial Officer of IAC from November 1997 to October 1999. Prior to his tenure with IAC, Mr. Kaufman served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Savoy Pictures Entertainment, Inc. from March 1992 and as a director of Savoy from February 1992. Mr. Kaufman was the founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tri-Star Pictures, Inc. and served in those capacities from 1983 until December 1987, at which time he became President and Chief Executive Officer of Tri-Star’s successor company, Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. He resigned from those positions at the end of 1989 following the acquisition of Columbia by Sony USA, Inc. Mr. Kaufman joined Columbia in 1974 and served in a variety of senior positions at Columbia and its affiliates prior to the founding of Tri-Star.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Kaufman has unique knowledge of and experience with TripAdvisor and its businesses gained through his involvement with TripAdvisor during its time as a subsidiary of Expedia and IAC. Mr. Kaufman also has a high level of financial literacy and expertise regarding mergers, acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions, as well as experience as a director serving on other public company boards.

Dara Khosrowshahi has been a director and the Chief Executive Officer of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Khosrowshahi served as the Chief Executive Officer of IAC Travel, a division of IAC, from January 2005 to the IAC/Expedia spin-off date. Prior to his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of IAC Travel, Mr. Khosrowshahi served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of IAC from January 2002 to January 2005. Mr. Khosrowshahi served as IAC’s Executive Vice President, Operations and Strategic Planning, from July 2000 to January 2002 and as President, USA Networks Interactive, a division of IAC, from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Khosrowshahi joined IAC in 1998 as Vice President of Strategic Planning and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1999. Mr. Khosrowshahi worked at Allen & Company LLC from 1991 to 1998, where he served as Vice President from 1995 to 1998.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Khosrowshahi possesses in-depth experience with and knowledge of the online advertising sector of the global travel industry gained through his service as Chief Executive Officer of Expedia, parent company to TripAdvisor, and as Chief Executive Officer of IAC Travel prior to Expedia’s spin-off from IAC. Mr. Khosrowshahi also has a high level of financial literacy and expertise regarding mergers, acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions. In his roles as a director and Chief Executive Officer of Expedia, Mr. Khosrowshahi has gained valuable corporate governance experience.

Jonathan F. Miller is the Chairman and Chief Executive of News Corporation’s digital media group and News Corporation’s Chief Digital Officer, positions he has held since April 2009. Mr. Miller had previously been a founding partner of Velocity Interactive Group, an investment firm focusing on digital media and the consumer internet, from its inception in February 2007 until April 2009. Prior to founding Velocity, Mr. Miller served as Chief Executive Officer of AOL LLC from August 2002 to December 2006. Prior to joining AOL, Mr. Miller served as Chief Executive Officer and President of USA Information and Services, of USA interactive, a predecessor to IAC/InterActiveCorp. Mr. Miller also served as a director of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. from August 2008 until January 2010, and as a director of Live Nation Entertainment from January 2010 through April 2011. Mr. Miller serves on the Board of Trustees of the American Film Institute and is also a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Board Membership Qualifications: Through his various senior leadership positions at other private and public companies and business divisions thereof, Mr. Miller possesses extensive executive, strategic, operational, and corporate governance experience. Mr. Miller also has expertise in the digital media and online advertising sectors. Further, Mr. Miller has experience as a director serving on other public company boards.

 

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Jeremy Philips has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Photon Group Limited, a holding company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, since June 2010. Mr. Philips had previously served as an Executive Vice President in the Office of the Chairman of News Corporation from January 2006 to March 2010, and as Senior Vice President of News Corporation from July 2004 to January 2006. Prior to joining News Corporation he served in several roles, including as co-founder and Vice-Chairman of a publicly traded Internet holding company, and as an analyst at McKinsey & Company. Mr. Philips also served as a director of REA Group from March 2009 to June 2010. He holds a BA and LLB from the University of New South Wales and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Philips has significant strategic and operational experience, acquired through his service as Chief Executive Officer and other executive-level positions at other companies. He also possesses a high level of financial literacy and expertise regarding mergers, acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions.

Robert S. Wiesenthal joined Sony Corporation in July 2000 and currently serves as Group Executive, Sony Corporation; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Sony Corporation of America; and Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Sony Entertainment, Inc. He is a member of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Operating Committee and sits on the Boards of Directors of Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. Mr. Wiesenthal also oversees Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony’s music publishing joint venture. Prior to Sony, Mr. Wiesenthal was associated with Credit Suisse First Boston, joining the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group in 1988, the firm’s Media Group in 1993 and, from 1999 to 2000, serving as Managing Director and head of the firm’s Entertainment and Digital Media practices. Mr. Wiesenthal serves on the Board of Directors of Entercom Communications Corp., a position he has held since 2004. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Hamptons International Film Festival.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Wiesenthal possesses extensive strategic, operational and financial experience, gained through his wide range of service in executive-level positions with a strong focus on networked consumer electronics, entertainment, and digital media. He also has a high degree of financial literacy and expertise regarding mergers, acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions.

Michael P. Zeisser has served as Senior Vice President of Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) since September 2003, in which capacity he is responsible for the oversight of Liberty’s digital media initiatives, companies and investments. Prior to his tenure at Liberty, Mr. Zeisser was a partner at McKinsey & Company from December 1996. Mr. Zeisser served as a director of IAC from August 2008 to June 2011 and, at certain times during the past five years, served as a member of the boards of directors of OpenTV and FUN Technologies, Inc. Mr. Zeisser is a graduate of the University of Strasbourg, France and the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, where he was a Procter & Gamble Academic Scholar. Mr. Zeisser also serves on the board of the Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Zeisser was nominated as a director by Liberty Interactive, which under the TripAdvisor Governance Agreement will have the right as of the time of the spin-off to nominate two individuals for election to the TripAdvisor Board of Directors (based on Liberty Interactive’s expected ownership of TripAdvisor stock). Mr. Zeisser has extensive insight into, and unique and specialized experience regarding, the internet and digital media. He also possesses significant experience with respect to international operations and business strategy.

Executive Officers

Background information for Barry Diller, Senior Executive and a director of TripAdvisor, and Stephen Kaufer, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of TripAdvisor, is provided above. Background information about TripAdvisor’s executive officers who are not expected to serve as directors of TripAdvisor appears below.

 

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Julie M.B. Bradley, age 43, has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of TripAdvisor since October 2011. Prior to joining TripAdvisor, from July 2005 to April 2011, Ms. Bradley served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of Art Technology Group, Inc., a provider of e-commerce software solutions and services, which was acquired by Oracle in January 2011. Prior to joining Art Technology Group, Ms. Bradley was at Akamai Technologies, Inc. from April 2000 to June 2005, most recently serving as Vice President of Finance. Previously, Ms. Bradley was an accountant with Deloitte. Ms. Bradley received her B.S. degree from Wheaton College and is a certified public accountant.

Seth J. Kalvert, age 42, has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of TripAdvisor since August 2011. Prior to his transition to TripAdvisor, Mr. Kalvert served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel of Expedia since February 2006, having been promoted from Assistant General Counsel, a position he had held since March 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Kalvert held positions at IAC, including Senior Counsel, from April 2002 to March 2005, and Vice President and General Counsel of Electronic Commerce Solutions, a former subsidiary of IAC, from July 2001 to March 2002. Previously, Mr. Kalvert held a business development position at Bolt Media, a privately-held online social networking and e-commerce company, and was an associate at Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP, a New York law firm. Mr. Kalvert holds an A.B. degree from Brown University and a J.D. degree from Columbia Law School.

Committees of TripAdvisor’s Board of Directors

Concurrent with the completion of the spin-off, the TripAdvisor Board of Directors expects to establish the following standing committees: the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rules exempt “controlled companies,” or companies of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company, from certain requirements including a standing nominating committee of the Board of Directors. We expect that TripAdvisor will qualify as a controlled company, and therefore will not have a nominating committee. Upon completion of the spin-off, TripAdvisor’s Board of Directors expects to form the following committees, with committee membership to be determined:

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of the TripAdvisor Board of Directors is expected to consist of three persons and the composition of the committee will satisfy the independence requirements under the current standards imposed by the rules of the SEC and applicable stock exchange listing rules. The TripAdvisor Board will determine which member of the Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in the regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Audit Committee will function pursuant to a written charter adopted by the TripAdvisor Board of Directors, pursuant to which it will be granted the responsibilities and authority necessary to comply with Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act. The Audit Committee will be appointed by the Board to assist the Board with a variety of matters including monitoring (1) the integrity of the financial statements of TripAdvisor, (2) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, (3) the performance of TripAdvisor’s internal audit function and independent auditors, and (4) the compliance by TripAdvisor with legal and regulatory requirements.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is expected to be authorized to exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors with respect to certain matters pertaining to compensation, including administering and overseeing the Company’s executive compensation program and administering the Company’s equity compensation plans and granting awards under such stock plans. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is expected to be an employee of TripAdvisor.

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is expected to have all the power and authority of the Board of Directors of TripAdvisor, except those powers specifically reserved to the Board by Delaware law or TripAdvisor’s organizational documents.

 

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Other Committees. In addition to the foregoing committees, TripAdvisor’s Board of Directors, by resolution, may from time to time establish other committees of the TripAdvisor Board of Directors, consisting of one or more of its directors.

Governance Matters

Director Independence. The TripAdvisor Board of Directors expects that each of its non-employee directors, other than Messrs. Kaufman and Khosrowshahi and the directors who will be nominated by Liberty, will qualify as an “independent director” as defined by the applicable stock exchange listing rules. In making its independence determinations, the Board will consider the applicable legal standards and any relevant transactions, relationships or arrangements.

Board Leadership Structure. Mr. Diller will serve as the Chairman and as Senior Executive of TripAdvisor, and Mr. Kaufer will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of TripAdvisor. It is currently anticipated that the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board will be separated in recognition of the differences between the two roles. The TripAdvisor Board of Directors, however, will make the appropriate determination with regard to the separation or combination of these roles concurrent with the spin-off and at anytime in the future at which it elects a new Chairman or Chief Executive Officer. Such determination will be based on the relevant facts and circumstances applicable at such time and will be, in the Board’s opinion, in the best interests of TripAdvisor stockholders. It is anticipated that independent members of the Board will chair TripAdvisor’s Audit and Compensation Committees.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight. As part of its general oversight duties, it is currently expected that the TripAdvisor Board of Directors will oversee TripAdvisor’s risk management. We expect that this oversight role will be carried out and supported in a manner similar to that currently in operation at Expedia.

Director Compensation

TripAdvisor has not yet determined directors’ fees or other arrangements to compensate its directors for their services to the company following the spin-off. TripAdvisor expects, however, that compensation to its non-employee directors will be comprised of an annual cash retainer, additional annual cash retainers for membership on and leadership positions with board committees, and an annual equity award. As TripAdvisor expects that the compensation of its directors will be similar to the structure currently in place at Expedia, please see the discussion of director compensation arrangements that were in place at Expedia in this proxy statement/prospectus in the section entitled, “Proposal 5—Election of Directors—Compensation of Non-Employee Directors.”

Prior to the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects to adopt the TripAdvisor Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, pursuant to which non-employee directors may defer all or a portion of their directors’ fees. Under the plan, eligible directors who defer their directors’ fees may elect to have such deferred fees (i) applied to the purchase of share units, representing the number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock that could have been purchased on the date such fees would otherwise be payable, or (ii) credited to a cash fund. If any dividends are paid on TripAdvisor common stock, dividend equivalents will be credited on the share units. The cash fund will be credited with interest at an annual rate equal to the weighted average prime or base lending rate of JP Morgan Chase Bank or another financial institution selected in accordance with the terms of the plan and applicable law. Upon termination of service as a director of the company, a director will receive (1) with respect to share units, such number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock as the share units represent, and (2) with respect to the cash fund, a cash payment. Payments upon termination will be made in either one lump sum or up to five installments, as elected by the eligible director at the time of the deferral election. The total number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock reserved for issuance under the plan is 100,000.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

TripAdvisor does not expect that any of the directors that will be appointed to its compensation committee will be an officer or employee of TripAdvisor, formerly an officer of TripAdvisor, or an executive officer of an

 

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entity for which an executive officer of TripAdvisor served as a member of the compensation committee or as a director during the one-year period ended December 31, 2010.

TripAdvisor Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview

This TripAdvisor Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes executive compensation policies, principles and elements as they relate to the following “named executive officers” of TripAdvisor, which include TripAdvisor executive officers or Expedia executive officers that performed policy making functions equivalent to those of an executive officer of TripAdvisor, during 2010: Barry Diller, Dara Khosrowshahi and Stephen Kaufer.

During 2010, Barry Diller served as the Senior Executive of Expedia and Dara Khosrowshahi served as Chief Executive Officer of Expedia, in connection with which each performed policy making functions for TripAdvisor equivalent to those of an executive officer. However, this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the tabular and narrative disclosures that follow relate only to Mr. Kaufer because the compensation of Messrs. Diller and Khosrowshahi during 2010 appear in “Expedia Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, four individuals have been identified to serve as TripAdvisor executive officers following the spin-off: Mr. Diller, Mr. Kaufer, Julie M.B. Bradley and Seth J. Kalvert. Ms. Bradley will serve as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mr. Kalvert will serve as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Since neither Ms. Bradley nor Mr. Kalvert served in the capacity of named executive officer of TripAdvisor during 2010, neither individual is addressed in the discussion that follows regarding 2010 named executive officer compensation.

Expedia, acting through its Compensation Committee with regard to equity compensation matters, determined the compensation of Mr. Kaufer in 2010. Accordingly, this section describes Expedia’s compensation philosophy and programs as they pertain to Mr. Kaufer. Following the spin-off, TripAdvisor will have a board of directors, which will in turn have a compensation committee or similar committee or committees with responsibility for establishing TripAdvisor’s compensation philosophy and programs and determining appropriate payments and awards to its named executive officers. Because TripAdvisor’s compensation committee has not yet been established, TripAdvisor cannot predict what compensation philosophies and programs it will adopt following the spin-off, and therefore this historical report is not necessarily indicative of the practices that TripAdvisor will follow when it is an independent public company.

Roles and Responsibilities

Expedia’s Compensation Committee is appointed by Expedia’s board of directors and consists entirely of directors who are “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Expedia Compensation Committee currently consists of Jonathan L. Dolgen, William R. Fitzgerald and Peter M. Kern.

As Expedia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khosrowshahi reviewed the performance of TripAdvisor and the individual performance of Mr. Kaufer with the Expedia Compensation Committee and made a recommendation with respect to a grant of an Expedia long-term equity incentive award for Mr. Kaufer.

Role of Compensation Consultants

Expedia regularly uses survey or other data from a number of compensation consulting firms and used such data in connection with Mr. Kaufer’s 2010 compensation. A more detailed description of the compensation peer group review and use of survey and other data provided by compensation consultants is included below in the section titled “The Role of Peer Groups, Surveys and Benchmarking.”

 

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Compensation Program Objectives

Expedia’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain highly skilled executives with the business experience and acumen that management and the Expedia Compensation Committee believe are necessary for achievement of Expedia’s long-term business objectives. In addition, the Expedia executive compensation program is designed to reward short- and long-term performance and to align the financial interests of executive officers with the interests of Expedia’s stockholders. Expedia management and the Expedia Compensation Committee evaluate both performance and compensation levels to ensure that Expedia maintains its ability to attract and retain outstanding employees in executive positions and that the compensation provided to these executives remains competitive with the compensation paid to similarly situated executives at comparable companies. To that end, Expedia management and the Expedia Compensation Committee believe executive compensation packages provided by Expedia to its executive officers should include both cash and equity-based compensation.

Compensation Program Elements

General

The primary elements of the Expedia executive compensation program are base salary, cash bonus and equity compensation. The Expedia Compensation Committee reviews these elements in the first quarter of each year in light of Expedia and individual performance, recommendations from Expedia management and other relevant information, including prior compensation history and outstanding long-term compensation arrangements. Expedia management and the Expedia Compensation Committee believe that there are multiple, dynamic factors that contribute to success at an individual and business level. Expedia management and the Expedia Compensation Committee have therefore avoided adopting strict formulas and have relied primarily on a discretionary approach that allows the Expedia Compensation Committee to set executive compensation levels on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant factors.

Base Salary

Base salary represents the fixed portion of Mr. Kaufer’s compensation and is intended to provide compensation for expected day-to-day performance. Mr. Kaufer’s base salary is reviewed annually by Expedia’s management, based on consideration of a variety of factors, including:

 

   

Mr. Kaufer’s total compensation relative to other executives in similarly situated positions,

 

   

Mr. Kaufer’s individual performance,

 

   

Mr. Kaufer’s responsibilities, prior experience, and individual compensation history, including any additional compensation such as signing bonuses or relocation benefits,

 

   

general economic conditions,

 

   

competitive compensation market data, when available, and

 

   

the recommendations of Expedia’s Chief Executive Officer.

Cash Bonuses

Cash bonuses are granted to recognize and reward an individual’s annual contribution to Expedia’s performance. In addition to his base salary and equity compensation, which is described below, in 2010, Mr. Kaufer had a target cash bonus equal to 50% of his base salary for the year. Mr. Kaufer’s bonus target percentage is reviewed each year by Expedia’s Chief Executive Officer with the approval of Expedia’s Chairman/Senior Executive.

 

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In March 2011, Expedia’s management approved a bonus with respect to calendar year 2010 for Mr. Kaufer after taking into account a variety of factors, including:

 

   

Expedia and TripAdvisor’s business and financial performance, including year-over-year performance,

 

   

Mr. Kaufer’s target cash bonus percentage,

 

   

Mr. Kaufer’s individual performance,

 

   

the overall funding of the cash bonus pool,

 

   

amount of bonus relative to other Expedia executives,

 

   

general economic conditions,

 

   

competitive compensation market data, when available, and

 

   

the recommendation of Expedia’s Chief Executive Officer.

Based on Expedia management’s consideration of these factors, Mr. Kaufer’s annual cash bonus for 2010 was the same as his 2009 bonus. For Mr. Kaufer’s 2010 cash bonus, Expedia management gave particular consideration to:

 

   

Expedia and TripAdvisor’s 2010 financial performance compared to their respective financial performance in 2009; and

 

   

the Expedia Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation, which reflected Mr. Kaufer’s individual performance during 2010.

During 2010, Mr. Kaufer was not an employee covered by Section 162(m) of the Code. Accordingly, his bonus was not subject to the Section 162(m) performance goals applicable to the cash bonuses of Expedia named executive officers that are described under “Expedia Executive Compensation—Compensation Program Elements—Cash Bonuses.” Mr. Kaufer’s 2010 cash bonus is reflected in the “Bonus” column of the table below titled “2010 Summary Compensation Table.”

Equity Compensation

Expedia equity compensation is designed to align executive compensation with the interests of Expedia stockholders and the long-term performance of Expedia. Expedia equity compensation awards link compensation to Expedia financial performance because the value of Expedia equity awards depends on Expedia’s stock price. Expedia equity compensation awards are also an important employee retention tool because they generally vest over a multi-year period, subject to continued service by the award recipient.

Prior to March 2009, Expedia utilized Expedia restricted stock units as its principal form of equity compensation. In March 2009, following a review of its equity compensation program and practices in light of its overall compensation program objectives, Expedia management recommended, and the Expedia Compensation Committee approved, awards of Expedia stock options as Expedia’s primary equity vehicle. In February 2010, the Expedia Compensation Committee, based on Expedia management’s recommendation, again approved awards of Expedia stock options as Expedia’s primary equity compensation vehicle.

Expedia equity awards are typically granted to executive officers upon hire or promotion and annually thereafter. Expedia management generally recommends annual equity awards in the first quarter of each year when the Expedia Compensation Committee meets to make determinations regarding annual bonuses for the last completed fiscal year and to set compensation levels for the current fiscal year. The meeting at which the Expedia Compensation Committee makes these awards is generally scheduled several months in advance and is generally timed to occur after the public disclosure of Expedia’s prior year financial statements.

 

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The Expedia Compensation Committee reviews various factors considered by management when it establishes the company-wide Expedia equity grant pool, including:

 

   

Expedia’s business and financial performance, including year-over-year performance,

 

   

dilution rates, taking into account projected headcount changes and employee turnover,

 

   

non-cash compensation as a percentage of operating income before amortization,

 

   

equity compensation utilization by peer companies,

 

   

general economic conditions, and

 

   

competitive compensation market data regarding award values.

For Expedia equity grants to Mr. Kaufer, Expedia management makes recommendations to the Expedia Compensation Committee based on a variety of factors, including:

 

   

Mr. Kaufer’s individual performance and his future potential,

 

   

the overall size of the Expedia equity grant pool,

 

   

award value relative to other Expedia executives,

 

   

the value of previous grants to Mr. Kaufer and the amount of outstanding unvested Expedia equity awards held by Mr. Kaufer,

 

   

competitive compensation market data, to the degree that the available data is comparable, and

 

   

the recommendation of Expedia’s Chief Executive Officer.

After review and consideration of Expedia management’s recommendations, the Expedia Compensation Committee decides whether to approve the grants of Expedia equity compensation. In February 2010, the Expedia Compensation Committee awarded to Mr. Kaufer an option to purchase 65,000 shares of Expedia common stock that vests in equal installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date. The per share exercise price for the Expedia option equals the closing price of Expedia’s common stock on the date of grant, and the Expedia stock option has a seven-year term. The 2010 Expedia stock option grant to Mr. Kaufer is reflected in the table below titled “2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

Other Compensation

In addition to the base salary, cash bonus and equity awards described above, Mr. Kaufer is eligible to participate in Expedia’s 401(k) Retirement Program and is eligible for matching contributions (as are all domestic Expedia employees). Expedia matches 50% of each dollar a participant contributes, up to the first 6% of eligible compensation, subject to applicable Internal Revenue Service limits.

The Role of Peer Groups, Surveys and Benchmarking

Expedia’s management considers multiple data sources when reviewing compensation information to ensure that the data reflect compensation practices of relevant companies in terms of size, industry and geographic location (see “Expedia Executive Compensation—Expedia Compensation Discussion and Analysis—The Role of Peer Groups, Surveys and Benchmarking”) and Expedia reviewed and considered survey data in connection with Mr. Kaufer’s 2010 compensation. However, Expedia management and the Expedia Compensation Committee believe that there are multiple, dynamic factors that contribute to success at an individual and business level, and Expedia management and the Expedia Compensation Committee have therefore avoided adopting strict formulas and have relied primarily on a discretionary approach that allows the Expedia Compensation Committee to set executive compensation levels on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant factors.

 

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Change in Control

Under the Expedia 2005 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan (the “Expedia 2005 Plan”), Mr. Kaufer is entitled to accelerated vesting of his Expedia equity awards in the event that his employment is terminated other than for cause or disability or if he resigns for good reason, in each case during the two year period following a change in control of Expedia (each of cause, disability, good reason and change in control as defined in the Expedia 2005 Plan).

Historical Compensation of TripAdvisor Executive Officers Prior to Spin-Off

The amounts and forms of compensation reported below with respect to Mr. Kaufer (and incorporated by reference to the tabular disclosures under “Expedia Executive Compensation” with respect to Messrs. Diller and Khosrowshahi) set forth the compensation earned by Messrs. Kaufer, Diller and Khosrowshahi as TripAdvisor named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. This historical information does not necessarily reflect the compensation that Messrs. Diller and Kaufer will receive as TripAdvisor named executive officers following the spin-off, which could be higher or lower, because historical compensation was determined by Expedia and future compensation levels will be determined in accordance with the compensation policies and programs that will be established by TripAdvisor’s compensation committee. All references in the tables below to stock options and restricted stock units relate to awards granted by Expedia relating to Expedia common stock.

2010 Summary Compensation Table

The table below sets forth certain information regarding compensation paid by Expedia to Mr. Kaufer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year      Salary
($)
     Bonus
($)(1)
     Option
Awards
($)(2)
     All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
     Total
($)
 

Stephen Kaufer

     2010         300,000         300,350         598,782         7,350         1,206,482   

Chief Executive Officer

                 

 

(1) Bonus amount for 2010 reflects annual cash bonus that was paid in 2011, for performance in 2010. In addition to his 2010 annual bonus, Mr. Kaufer received a bonus of $350 that was paid to all TripAdvisor employees on a non-discriminatory basis.
(2) Amount shown is the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. This amount reflects an estimate of the grant date fair value and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by Mr. Kaufer. Expedia stock options awarded in 2010 are valued at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model, assuming an annual dividend rate of 1.25%. The Black-Scholes model incorporates various other assumptions including expected volatility, expected term and risk-free interest rates. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility of Expedia’s common stock and other relevant factors. The expected term is based on Expedia’s historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the stock option awards granted to employees. The following are the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the award to Mr. Kaufer for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

     Expected
Term
(years)
     Risk-Free
Interest Rate
(%)
     Expected
Volatility
(%)
     Assumed
Annual
Dividend Rate
(% of grant
date closing
price)
 

Stephen Kaufer

     4.64         2.18         51.79         1.25   

 

(3) Represents matching contributions of Expedia under the Expedia 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. Under this plan as in effect through December 31, 2010, Expedia matches $0.50 for each dollar a participant contributes, up to the first 6% of eligible compensation, subject to limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

On February 23, 2010, the Expedia Compensation Committee approved an Expedia stock option award to Mr. Kaufer as follows:

 

Name

   Grant Date      All Other Option
Awards: Number
of Securities
Underlying
Options(#)(1)
     Exercise Price or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)
     Closing Market
Price on Date of
Grant ($)
     Grant Date Fair
Value of Option
Awards

($)(2)
 

Stephen Kaufer

     02/23/2010         65,000       $  22.42       $  22.42       $  598,782   

 

(1) Options have a seven-year term and vest in four equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(2) Reflects the full grant date fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using a Black-Scholes option valuation methodology. These amounts reflect an estimate of the grant date fair value and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by Mr. Kaufer. See footnote 2 of the “2010 Summary Compensation Table” above for more information regarding assumptions used in the Black-Scholes pricing model.

2011 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

On March 1, 2011, the Expedia Compensation Committee approved an Expedia stock option award to Mr. Kaufer as follows:

 

Name

   Grant Date      All Other Option
Awards: Number
of Securities
Underlying
Options(#)(1)
     Exercise Price or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)
     Closing Market
Price on Date of
Grant
($)
     Grant Date Fair
Value of Option
Awards
($)(2)
 

Stephen Kaufer

     03/01/2011         75,000       $  19.69       $  19.69       $  574,999   

 

(1) Options have a seven-year term and vest in four equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(2) Reflects the full grant date fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using a Black-Scholes option valuation methodology. These amounts reflect an estimate of the grant date fair value and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by Mr. Kaufer. The following are the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for awards to Mr. Kaufer on March 1, 2011:

 

     Expected
Term (years)
     Risk-Free
Interest
Rate(%)
     Expected
Volatility (%)
     Assumed
Annual
Dividend
Rate (% of
grant date
closing price)
 

Stephen Kaufer

     4.64         1.92         49.90         1.42   

 

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Outstanding Expedia Equity Awards at 2010 Year-End

The following table provides information regarding the holdings of Expedia stock options and Expedia RSUs by Mr. Kaufer as of December 31, 2010. The market value of the Expedia RSUs is based on the closing price of Expedia common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on December 31, 2010, the last trading day of the year, which was $25.09.

 

          Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name

  Grant
Date(1)
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise
Price ($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Not Vested (#)     Vested ($)  

Stephen Kaufer

    03/02/2009        25,000        75,000 (2)    $ 7.36        03/02/2016        —        $ —     
    03/02/2009        —          30,000 (3)      9.20        03/02/2016        —          —     
    02/23/2010        —          65,000 (2)      22.42        02/23/2017        —          —     
    03/02/2009        —          —          —          —          124,551 (4)      3,124,985   
    02/28/2008        —          —          —          —          12,381 (5)      310,639   
    05/27/2007        —          —          —          —          9,212 (6)      231,129   
    02/28/2006        —          —          —          —          1,538 (7)      38,588   

 

(1) Represents the date on which the original grant was approved by the compensation committee.
(2) Expedia options vest in four equal installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(3) Expedia options vest in full on March, 2, 2012, the third anniversary of the grant date.
(4) Of these Expedia RSUs, 62,275 vested on March 2, 2011 and 62,276 will vest on March 2, 2012.
(5) Of these Expedia RSUs, 4,127 vested on February 28, 2011, 4,127 will vest on February 28, 2012 and 4,127 will vest on February 28, 2013.
(6) Of these Expedia RSUs, 4,606 vested on February 27, 2011 and 4,606 will vest on February 27, 2012.
(7) Of these Expedia RSUs, all 1,538 vested on February 28, 2011.

2010 Expedia Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding Expedia restricted stock unit awards vested for Mr. Kaufer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

     Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)(1)
     Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)
 

Stephen Kaufer

     72,545       $ 1,668,825   

 

(1) Represents the gross number of Expedia shares acquired upon vesting of Expedia RSUs without taking into account any Expedia shares that may be withheld to satisfy applicable tax obligations.
(2) Represents the value of vested Expedia RSUs calculated by multiplying the gross number of vested Expedia RSUs by the closing price of Expedia common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the vesting date or if the vesting occurred on a day on which the NASDAQ Stock Market was closed for trading, the next trading day.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control of Expedia

Certain of Expedia’s compensation plans, award agreements and employment agreements entitle some of the TripAdvisor named executive officers to accelerated vesting of Expedia equity awards and/or severance payments in the event of a change in control of Expedia and/or upon the termination of the executive’s

 

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employment with Expedia under specified circumstances. These plans and agreements are described below as they apply to Mr. Kaufer. Disclosure of potential payments upon termination or change in control of Expedia with respect to Messrs. Diller and Khosrowshahi are incorporated by reference to “Expedia Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control of Expedia” contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Stephen Kaufer Stock Option and Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Mr. Kaufer was granted restricted stock unit awards in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and stock option awards in 2009 and 2010 under the Expedia 2005 Plan. Pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan, these stock option and restricted stock unit awards will become fully vested and exercisable upon termination of Mr. Kaufer’s employment by Expedia other than for cause or disability or by Mr. Kaufer for good reason, in each case during the two year period following a change in control (each of cause, disability, good reason and change in control as defined in the Expedia 2005 Plan). Mr. Kaufer does not receive severance or change of control payments other than as provided in the Expedia 2005 Plan and his equity award agreements.

Julie Bradley Employment Agreement

In connection with Julie Bradley’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer of TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor LLC has entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Bradley, effective as of October 3, 2011, for a term of two years. The agreement provides that Ms. Bradley will receive an annual base salary of $300,000 and a target bonus of 66% of her base salary. Pursuant to the agreement, if Ms. Bradley terminates her employment with TripAdvisor for good reason or is terminated by TripAdvisor without cause:

 

   

Ms. Bradley is entitled to receive her base salary and reimbursement for monthly premiums of group health plan continuation coverage under COBRA through the longer of (i) the completion of the term of her agreement and (ii) 12 months after the termination of her employment;

 

   

TripAdvisor will consider in good faith the payment of a discretionary bonus on a pro rata basis for the year in which the termination of her employment occurs;

 

   

Contingent upon the satisfaction of any applicable performance conditions, all equity awards held by Ms. Bradley that otherwise would have vested during the 12-month period following the termination of her employment will accelerate (provided that equity awards that vest less frequently than annually will be treated as though such awards vested annually), and her vested stock options will remain exercisable for 18 months following the termination of her employment.

Ms. Bradley will be restricted from competing with TripAdvisor or soliciting its employees through the longer of (i) the completion of the term of her agreement and (ii) 12 months after the termination of her employment.

Additionally, in connection with her employment, the Expedia Compensation Committee approved a one-time grant of 50,000 Expedia RSUs to Ms. Bradley.

Estimated Potential Incremental Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The table below reflects the estimated amount of incremental compensation payable to Mr. Kaufer upon termination of his employment by Expedia other than for cause or disability or by Mr. Kaufer for good reason, in each case during the two year period following a change in control.

 

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The amounts shown in the table assume that the triggering event was effective as of December 31, 2010 and that the price of Expedia common stock on which certain of the calculations are based was the closing price of $25.09 on the NASDAQ Stock Market on that date. These amounts are estimates of the incremental amounts that would be paid out to Mr. Kaufer upon such triggering event. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of the triggering event, if any.

 

Name and Benefits

   Payment  

Stephen Kaufer

  

2009 and 2010 Stock Option Awards

   $ 1,980,000   

2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 RSU Awards

     3,705,341   

Total Estimated Incremental Value

     5,685,341   

2010 Equity Compensation Plan Information

As of December 31, 2010, TripAdvisor had no equity compensation plan pursuant to which grants of stock options, restricted stock, RSUs or other rights to acquire TripAdvisor shares could be granted. All equity awards granted to employees of TripAdvisor LLC were awarded pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan. In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor intends to adopt the TripAdvisor 2011 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan. For a summary of that plan, please see the description below under “—TripAdvisor, Inc. 2011 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan.”

Certain TripAdvisor Relationships and Related Party Transactions

Review and Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

The TripAdvisor board of directors is expected to adopt a written policy and procedures regarding related person transactions.

This policy is expected to require the approval or ratification by the TripAdvisor Audit Committee of any transaction or series of transactions exceeding $120,000 in any calendar year in which TripAdvisor is a participant and any related person has a direct or indirect material interest. Related persons include TripAdvisor’s directors, nominees for election as directors, persons controlling over 5% of its common stock and executive officers and the immediate family members of each of these individuals.

Once a potential related person transaction has been identified, management will present it to the Audit Committee to determine whether to approve or ratify it. When determining whether to approve, ratify, disapprove or reject any related person transaction, the Audit Committee will consider all relevant factors, including the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction, whether the terms are commercially reasonable and whether the related person transaction is consistent with the best interests of TripAdvisor and its stockholders.

Related Person Transactions

Relationships With Officers and Directors. Subject to the anticipated terms of a Stockholders Agreement between Mr. Diller and Liberty Interactive, Mr. Diller will hold an irrevocable proxy to vote shares of TripAdvisor common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by Liberty Interactive. By virtue of the proxy, as well as through shares owned by Mr. Diller directly, Mr. Diller will effectively be able to control the outcome of all matters submitted to a vote or for the consent of TripAdvisor’s stockholders (other than with respect to the election by the holders of TripAdvisor common stock of 25% of the members of TripAdvisor’s Board of Directors and matters as to which Delaware law requires a separate class vote).

Agreements with Expedia. For a discussion of certain agreements that TripAdvisor will enter into with Expedia in connection with the spin-off, see “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor after the Spin-Off.

 

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TripAdvisor, Inc. 2011 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan

It is expected that TripAdvisor, prior to the completion of the spin-off, will adopt a stock and annual incentive plan with terms substantially as set forth below.

Introduction

Prior to the completion of the spin-off, TripAdvisor expects to adopt the TripAdvisor, Inc. 2011 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan (the “2011 Incentive Plan”). The purpose of the 2011 Incentive Plan will be to give TripAdvisor a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining and motivating officers and employees and to provide TripAdvisor with the ability to provide incentives more directly linked to the profitability of TripAdvisor’s businesses and increases in stockholder value. In addition, the 2011 Incentive Plan is expected to provide for the assumption of certain awards pursuant to the adjustment of awards granted under current plans of Expedia and its subsidiaries, as described in the Employee Matters Agreement. See “—Treatment of Outstanding Expedia Compensatory Equity-Based Awards.”

Description

The 2011 Incentive Plan is expected to contain important features that are summarized below.

Administration

The 2011 Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee or such other committee as the Board of Directors of TripAdvisor (“TripAdvisor Board”) may from time to time designate (the “Committee”). Among other things, the Committee will have the authority to select individuals to whom awards may be granted, to determine the type of award as well as the number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock to be covered by each award, and to determine the terms and conditions of any such awards.

Eligibility

In addition to individuals who hold outstanding adjusted awards, persons who serve or agree to serve as officers, employees, non-employee directors or consultants of TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries and affiliates will be eligible to be granted awards under the 2011 Incentive Plan.

Shares Subject to the Plan

The 2011 Incentive Plan will authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor common stock pursuant to new awards under the plan, plus shares to be granted pursuant to the assumption of outstanding adjusted awards. During a calendar year, no single participant may be granted (a) stock options covering in excess of 3,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor common stock, or (b) restricted stock or restricted stock units, intended to qualify under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, covering in excess of 2,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor common stock; provided, however, that adjusted awards will not be subject to these limitations. The maximum number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock that may be granted pursuant to stock options intended to be incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code shall be 7,000,000 shares.

The shares of TripAdvisor common stock subject to grant under the 2011 Incentive Plan are to be made available from authorized but unissued shares or from treasury shares, as determined from time to time by the TripAdvisor Board. Other than adjusted awards, to the extent that any award is forfeited, or any option or stock appreciation right terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, or any award is settled for cash, the shares of TripAdvisor common stock subject to such awards not delivered as a result thereof will again be available for awards under the plan. If the exercise price of any option and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to any award are satisfied by delivering shares of TripAdvisor common stock (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock issued net of the shares of

 

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TripAdvisor common stock delivered or attested to will be deemed delivered for purposes of the limits in the plan. To the extent any shares of TripAdvisor common stock subject to an award are withheld to satisfy the exercise price (in the case of an option) and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to such award, such shares of TripAdvisor common stock will not generally be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of the limits set forth in the plan.

In the event of certain extraordinary corporate transactions, the Committee or the TripAdvisor Board will be able to make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (1) the aggregate number and kind of shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the plan, (2) the various maximum limitations set forth in the plan, (3) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to outstanding awards; and (4) the exercise price of outstanding options and stock appreciation rights.

As indicated above, several types of stock grants can be made under the 2011 Incentive Plan. A summary of these grants is set forth below. The 2011 Incentive Plan will govern TripAdvisor options and TripAdvisor restricted stock units that convert from existing Expedia options and Expedia restricted stock units in connection with the spin-off as well as other award grants made following the spin-off pursuant to the 2011 Incentive Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms that govern Expedia options and Expedia restricted stock units that convert into TripAdvisor options and TripAdvisor restricted stock units in connection with the spin-off will govern the TripAdvisor options and TripAdvisor restricted stock units to the extent inconsistent with the terms described below.

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock options granted under the plan may either be incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options. Stock appreciation rights granted under the plan may either be granted alone or in tandem with a stock option. The exercise price of options and stock appreciation rights cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock underlying the options or stock appreciation rights on the date of grant. Optionees may pay the exercise price in cash or, if approved by the Committee, in TripAdvisor common stock (valued at its fair market value on the date of exercise) or a combination thereof, or by “cashless exercise” through a broker or by withholding shares otherwise receivable on exercise. The term of options and stock appreciation rights will be as determined by the Committee, but an ISO may not have a term longer than ten years from the date of grant. The Committee will determine the vesting and exercise schedule of options and stock appreciation rights, and the extent to which they will be exercisable after the award holder’s employment terminates. Generally, unvested options and stock appreciation rights terminate upon the termination of employment, and vested options and stock appreciation rights will remain exercisable for one year after the award holder’s death, disability or retirement, and 90 days after the award holder’s termination for any other reason. Vested options and stock appreciation rights also will terminate upon the optionee’s termination for cause (as defined in the 2011 Incentive Plan). Stock options and stock appreciation rights are transferable only by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or in the case of nonqualified stock options or stock appreciation rights, as otherwise expressly permitted by the Committee including, if so permitted, pursuant to a transfer to the participant’s family members, to a charitable organization, whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust or partnership or otherwise.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock may be granted with such restriction periods as the Committee may designate. The Committee may provide at the time of grant that the vesting of restricted stock will be contingent upon the achievement of applicable performance goals and/or continued service. In the case of performance-based awards that are intended to qualify under Section 162(m)(4), such goals will be based on the attainment of one or any combination of the following: specified levels of earnings per share from continuing operations, net profit after tax, EBITDA, EBITA, gross profit, cash generation, unit volume, market share, sales, asset quality, earnings per share, operating income, revenues, return on assets, return on operating assets, return on equity, profits, total shareholder return (measured in terms of stock price appreciation and/or dividend growth), cost saving levels, marketing-spending efficiency, core non-interest income, change in working capital, return on capital, and/or

 

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stock price, with respect to TripAdvisor or any subsidiary, division or department of TripAdvisor. Such performance goals also may be based upon the attaining of specified levels of TripAdvisor, subsidiary, affiliate or divisional performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other entities, divisions or subsidiaries. Performance goals based on the foregoing factors are hereinafter referred to as “Performance Goals.” The terms and conditions of restricted stock awards (including any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each participant. During the restriction period, the Committee may require that the stock certificates evidencing restricted shares be held by TripAdvisor. Restricted stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, and is forfeited upon termination of employment, unless otherwise provided by the Committee. Other than such restrictions on transfer and any other restrictions the Committee may impose, the participant will have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to the restricted stock award.

Restricted Stock Units

The Committee may grant restricted stock units payable in cash or shares of TripAdvisor common stock, conditioned upon continued service and/or the attainment of Performance Goals determined by the Committee. The terms and conditions of restricted stock unit awards (including any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each participant.

Other Stock-Based Awards

Other awards of TripAdvisor common stock and other awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based upon, TripAdvisor common stock, including (without limitation), unrestricted stock, dividend equivalents, and convertible debentures, may be granted under the plan.

Bonus Awards

Bonus awards granted to eligible employees of TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries and affiliates under the 2011 Incentive Plan will be based upon the attainment of the Performance Goals established by the Committee for the plan year or such shorter performance period as may be established by the Committee. Bonus amounts earned by any individual will be limited to $10 million for any plan year, pro rated (if so determined by the Committee) for any shorter performance period. Bonus amounts will be paid in cash or, in the discretion of the Committee, in TripAdvisor common stock, as soon as practicable following the end of the plan year. The Committee may reduce or eliminate a participant’s bonus award in any year notwithstanding the achievement of Performance Goals.

Change in Control

Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an award agreement (and with respect to adjusted awards only if provided in an applicable award agreement or in the Expedia plan under which the award was granted), in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2011 Incentive Plan) of TripAdvisor, in the case of officers of TripAdvisor who are Senior Vice Presidents and above as of the time of the Change in Control and, in the case of other employees of TripAdvisor if provided by the Committee in an award agreement (i) any SARs and stock options outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control, which are not then exercisable and vested will become fully exercisable and vested, (ii) the restrictions applicable to restricted stock will lapse and such restricted stock will become free of all restrictions and fully vested, (iii) all restricted stock units will be considered to be earned and payable in full, and (iv) bonus awards may be paid out in whole or in part, in the discretion of the Committee, notwithstanding whether Performance Goals have been achieved. In addition, in the event that, during the two-year period following a Change in Control, a participant’s employment is terminated by TripAdvisor other than for cause or disability or a participant resigns for good reason, (i) any SARs and stock options outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control, will become fully exercisable and vested and will remain exercisable for the greater of (a) the period that they would remain exercisable absent the Change in

 

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Control provision and (b) the lesser of the original term or one year following such termination of employment, (ii) the restrictions applicable to restricted stock will lapse and such restricted stock will become free of all restrictions and fully vested, and (iii) all restricted stock units will be considered to be earned and payable in full.

Amendment and Discontinuance

The 2011 Incentive Plan may be amended, altered or discontinued by the TripAdvisor Board, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuance may materially impair the rights of an optionee under an option or a recipient of an SAR, restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award or bonus award previously granted without the optionee’s or recipient’s consent. Amendments to the 2011 Incentive Plan will require stockholder approval to the extent such approval is required by law or the applicable exchange.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion is intended only as a brief summary of the federal income tax rules that are generally relevant to stock options. The laws governing the tax aspects of awards are highly technical and such laws are subject to change.

Nonqualified Options. Upon the grant of a nonqualified option, the optionee will not recognize any taxable income and TripAdvisor will not be entitled to a deduction. Upon the exercise of such an option or related SAR, the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired on the exercise of the option or SAR over the exercise price or the cash paid under an SAR (the “spread”) will constitute compensation taxable to the optionee as ordinary income. TripAdvisor, in computing its U.S. federal income tax, will generally be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the compensation taxable to the optionee, subject to the limitations of Code Section 162(m).

ISOs. An optionee will not recognize taxable income on the grant or exercise of an ISO. However, the spread at exercise will constitute an item includible in alternative minimum taxable income, and, thereby, may subject the optionee to the alternative minimum tax. Such alternative minimum tax may be payable even though the optionee receives no cash upon the exercise of the ISO with which to pay such tax.

Upon the disposition of shares of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO, after the later of (i) two years from the date of grant of the ISO or (ii) one year after the transfer of the shares to the optionee (the “ISO Holding Period”), the optionee will recognize long-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be, measured by the difference between the stock’s selling price and the exercise price. TripAdvisor is not entitled to any tax deduction by reason of the grant or exercise of an ISO, or by reason of a disposition of stock received upon exercise of an ISO if the ISO Holding Period is satisfied. Different rules apply if the optionee disposes of the shares of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO before the expiration of the ISO Holding Period.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability for Officers and Directors

TripAdvisor is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides in relevant part as follows:

A corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to

 

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believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

A corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

As permitted by Delaware law, TripAdvisor has included in its certificate of incorporation a provision to eliminate the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, TripAdvisor’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that TripAdvisor is required to indemnify its officers and directors under certain circumstances, including, with certain exceptions, those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary as described above. Moreover, TripAdvisor is required to advance expenses to its officers and directors as incurred in connection with proceedings against them for which they may be indemnified. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Description of Expedia Capital Stock After the Spin-Off

The following is a description of the material terms of Expedia’s capital stock after the spin-off and after giving effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split that Expedia intends to effect immediately prior to the spin-off. The following description is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law. Copies of Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws are incorporated by reference herein. For more information on how you can obtain copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation By Reference.” We urge you to read Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws in their entirety.

Expedia Authorized Capital Stock

If Expedia’s stockholders approve the spin-off proposal and the spin-off is completed, Expedia’s authorized capital stock will consist of 2,100,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 1,600,000,000 shares of Expedia common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (ii) 400,000,000 shares of Expedia Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of Expedia preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Based on the capitalization of Expedia as of September 6, 2011, assuming the completion of (1) the one-for-two reverse stock split, (2) the conversion of the remaining shares of Series A preferred stock to cash via a merger pursuant to the preferred stock proposal, and (3) the spin-off, Expedia estimates that approximately 123,014,661

 

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shares of Expedia common stock and 12,799,999 shares of Expedia Class B common stock will be outstanding immediately after the spin-off (assuming no conversion or exercise of derivative securities prior to the spin-off); no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding.

Expedia Common Stock

In general, the holders of Expedia common stock will vote together as a single class with the holders of Expedia Class B common stock on all matters, including the election of directors provided; however, that the holders of Expedia common stock, voting as a single class, will be entitled to elect twenty-five percent (25%) of the total number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction. Each outstanding share of Expedia common stock will entitle the holder to one vote per share. The Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Subject to applicable law, the holders of Expedia common stock will be entitled, share for share with the holders of the Class B common stock, to such dividends if, as and when may be declared from time to time by the Expedia Board of Directors, and, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be entitled to receive, share for share with the holders of the Class B common stock, all assets available for distribution after payment of a proper amount to the holders of any series of preferred stock that may be issued in the future.

Expedia Class B Common Stock

In general, the holders of Class B common stock will vote together as a single class with the holders of Expedia common stock on all matters, including the election of directors. The holders of Expedia Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share. The Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding series of Expedia preferred stock created by the Expedia Board of Directors from time to time and to applicable law, the holders of Expedia Class B common stock will be entitled, share for share with the holders of the Expedia common stock, to such dividends if, as and when may be declared from time to time by the Expedia Board of Directors, and, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be entitled to receive, share for share with the holders of the Expedia common stock, all assets available for distribution after payment of a proper amount to the holders of any series of preferred stock that may be issued in the future.

Expedia Preferred Stock

Expedia will have the authority to issue shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. The Expedia Board of Directors will have the authority, by resolution, to designate the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of preferred stock of Expedia.

Expedia Warrants

Holders of Expedia warrants prior to the spin-off will not need to take any action to effect the split of their warrants into separate Expedia warrants and TripAdvisor warrants. For a description of the manner in which the Expedia warrants will be adjusted in the spin-off, see “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Treatment of Expedia Warrants in the Spin-Off.”

The number of shares of Expedia common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Expedia warrants will be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of any of the following events: any stock split; any stock consolidation, combination or subdivision; any stock dividend or other distribution; any repurchase, reclassification, recapitalization or reorganization; and certain distributions of rights, warrants or evidences of indebtedness or assets. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of warrants, and cash will be paid to the holders of such warrants in lieu of such fractional shares based on the closing prices of Expedia common stock as of the exercise date of the warrant.

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions in Expedia’s Bylaws

Expedia’s bylaws contain provisions that could delay or make more difficult the acquisition of Expedia by means of a hostile tender offer, open market purchases, a proxy contest or otherwise. Please also refer to “Risk Factors” for information on other factors that could impact a change of control. In addition, Expedia’s bylaws provide that only Expedia’s Chairman of the Board of Directors or a majority of Expedia’s Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders.

Effect of Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

Expedia is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, which generally prevents corporations from engaging in a business combination with any interested stockholder for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless that business combination has been approved in one of a number of specific ways. For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving Expedia and the interested stockholder and a sale of more than 10% of Expedia’s assets. In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of a company’s outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by that entity or person. A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of Section 203 with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws resulting from amendments approved by holders of at least a majority of a corporation’s outstanding voting shares. Expedia has not “opted out” of the provisions of Section 203, and following the spin-off will remain subject to the provisions of Section 203 except in certain circumstances; see “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Governance Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor.”

Action by Written Consent

Under the DGCL, unless a company’s certificate of incorporation expressly prohibits action by the written consent of stockholders, any action required or permitted to be taken by its stockholders at a duly called annual or special meeting may be taken by a consent in writing executed by stockholders possessing the requisite votes for the action to be taken. Expedia’s current certificate of incorporation does not expressly prohibit action by the written consent of stockholders. The certificate of incorporation that will be in effect following the spin-off will also not expressly prohibit action by the written consent of stockholders.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent for the shares of Expedia common stock following the spin-off will be BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.

Description of TripAdvisor Capital Stock After the Spin-Off

The following is a description of the material terms of TripAdvisor capital stock. The following description is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to the forms of certificate of incorporation and bylaws that TripAdvisor will implement immediately prior to the spin-off and the Delaware General Corporation Law. The forms of TripAdvisor certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as these documents are expected to be in effect at the time of the spin-off, have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this document is a part. For more information on how you can obtain copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.” We urge you to read the forms of TripAdvisor’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws in their entirety.

TripAdvisor Authorized Capital Stock

If Expedia’s stockholders approve the spin-off proposal and the spin-off is completed, TripAdvisor’s authorized capital stock will consist of 2,100,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 1,600,000,000

 

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shares of TripAdvisor common stock, par value $0.001 per share, (ii) 400,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Based on the capitalization of Expedia as of September 6, 2011, assuming the completion of (1) the one-for-two reverse stock split and (2) the spin-off, TripAdvisor estimates that approximately 123,014,661 shares of TripAdvisor common stock and 12,799,999 shares of TripAdvisor Class B common stock will be outstanding immediately after the spin-off (assuming no conversion or exercise of Expedia derivative securities prior to the spin-off); no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding.

TripAdvisor Common Stock

In general, the holders of TripAdvisor common stock will vote together as a single class with the holders of TripAdvisor Class B common stock on all matters, including the election of directors; provided, however, that the holders of TripAdvisor common stock, voting as a single class, will be entitled to elect twenty-five percent (25%) of the total number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction. Each outstanding share of TripAdvisor common stock will entitle the holder to one vote per share. The TripAdvisor certificate of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Subject to applicable law, the holders of TripAdvisor common stock will be entitled, share for share with the holders of the TripAdvisor Class B common stock, to such dividends if, as and when may be declared from time to time by the TripAdvisor Board of Directors, and, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be entitled to receive, share for share with the holders of the TripAdvisor Class B common stock, all assets available for distribution after payment of a proper amount to the holders of any series of preferred stock that may be issued in the future.

TripAdvisor Class B Common Stock

In general, the holders of Class B common stock will vote together as a single class with the holders of TripAdvisor common stock on all matters, including the election of directors. The holders of TripAdvisor Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share. The TripAdvisor certificate of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding series of TripAdvisor preferred stock created by the TripAdvisor Board of Directors from time to time and to applicable law, the holders of TripAdvisor Class B common stock will be entitled, share for share with the holders of the TripAdvisor common stock, to such dividends if, as and when may be declared from time to time by the TripAdvisor Board of Directors, and, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be entitled to receive, share for share with the holders of the TripAdvisor common stock, all assets available for distribution after payment of a proper amount to the holders of any series of preferred stock that may be issued in the future.

TripAdvisor Preferred Stock

TripAdvisor will have the authority to issue shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. The TripAdvisor Board of Directors will have the authority, by resolution, to designate the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of preferred stock of TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor Warrants

Holders of Expedia warrants will not need to take any action to effect the split of their warrants into separate Expedia warrants and TripAdvisor warrants. For a description of the manner in which the Expedia warrants will be adjusted in the spin-off, see “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Treatment of Expedia Warrants in the Spin-Off.”

In the case of TripAdvisor warrants to be issued in the spin-off, the number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants will be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of any of the following events: any stock split; any stock consolidation, combination or subdivision; any stock dividend or other distribution; any repurchase, reclassification, recapitalization or reorganization; and certain

 

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distributions of rights, warrants or evidences of indebtedness or assets. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of warrants, and cash will be paid to the holders of such warrants in lieu of such fractional shares based on the closing prices of TripAdvisor common stock as of the exercise date of the warrant.

Anti-Takeover Provisions in TripAdvisor’s Bylaws

TripAdvisor’s bylaws will contain provisions that could delay or make more difficult the acquisition of TripAdvisor by means of a hostile tender offer, open market purchases, a proxy contest or otherwise. We also refer you to “Risk Factors” for information on other factors that could impact a change of control.

In addition, TripAdvisor’s bylaws will provide that only TripAdvisor’s Chairman of the Board of Directors or a majority of TripAdvisor’s Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders.

Effect of Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

TripAdvisor is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, which generally prevents corporations from engaging in a business combination with any interested stockholder for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless that business combination has been approved in one of a number of specific ways. For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving TripAdvisor and the interested stockholder and a sale of more than 10% of TripAdvisor’s assets. In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of a company’s outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by that entity or person. A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of Section 203 with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws resulting from amendments approved by holders of at least a majority of a corporation’s outstanding voting shares. TripAdvisor has not “opted out” of the provisions of Section 203, and following the spin-off will remain subject to the provisions of Section 203 except in certain circumstances; see “Proposal 1—The Spin-off Proposal—Governance Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor.”

Action by Written Consent

Under the DGCL, unless a company’s certificate of incorporation expressly prohibits action by the written consent of stockholders, any action required or permitted to be taken by its stockholders at a duly called annual or special meeting may be taken by a consent in writing executed by stockholders possessing the requisite votes for the action to be taken. TripAdvisor’s certificate of incorporation will not expressly prohibit action by the written consent of stockholders.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent for the shares of TripAdvisor common stock following the spin-off will be BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.

Comparison of Rights of Holders of Expedia Securities before the Spin-Off with Rights of Holders of Expedia Securities and TripAdvisor Securities Following the Spin-Off

The following table sets forth a comparison of (i) Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common prior to the spin-off to (ii) Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common after the spin-off to (iii) TripAdvisor common stock and TripAdvisor Class B common stock after the spin-off: It assumes receipt of the requisite shareholder approvals with respect to the corporate opportunity proposal (which, upon

 

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implementation, would result in an amendment to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation) and the preferred stock merger proposal (which, upon consummation, would result in the cash-out of all remaining outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock prior to the reverse stock split and the spin-off and accordingly no shares of Expedia’s Series A Preferred Stock being outstanding).

 

   

Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock before
Spin-Off

 

Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

 

TripAdvisor Common Stock
and Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

Authorized Capital

Stock:

  2,100,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 1,600,000,000 shares of Expedia common stock, par value $0.001 per share, (ii) 400,000,000 shares of Expedia Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of Expedia Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share.   2,100,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 1,600,000,000 shares of Expedia common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (ii) 400,000,000 shares of Expedia Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of Expedia Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share.   2,100,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 1,600,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor common stock, par value $0.001 per share, (ii) 400,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of TripAdvisor Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share.

Voting Power of Capital

Stock:

 

Each share of Expedia common stock is entitled to one vote per share; each share of Expedia Class B

common stock is entitled to ten votes per share and each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock is entitled to two votes per share, in each case, generally voting together on all matters submitted for the vote or consent of Expedia stockholders, except in cases where the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, provides for a separate class vote and except for the election of 25% of the Expedia Board of Directors (rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction), which will be elected by the holders of the Expedia common stock. Based on the number of shares of Expedia Class B common stock outstanding as of the

 

Each share of Expedia common stock will be entitled to one vote per share and each share of

Expedia Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share, in each case, generally voting together on all matters submitted for the vote or consent of Expedia stockholders, except in cases where the DGCL provides for a separate class vote and except for the election of 25% of the Expedia Board of Directors (rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction), which will be elected by the holders of the Expedia common stock. Based on the number of shares of

Expedia Class B common stock expected to be outstanding following the spin-off, the holders of Expedia Class B common stock will likely control

  Each share of TripAdvisor common stock will be entitled to one vote per share and each share of TripAdvisor Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share, in each case, generally voting together on all matters submitted for the vote or consent of TripAdvisor stockholders, except in cases where the DGCL provides for a separate class vote and except for the election of 25% of the TripAdvisor Board of Directors (rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction), which will be elected by the holders of the TripAdvisor common stock. Based on the number of shares of Expedia Class B common stock expected to be outstanding following the spin-off, the holders of TripAdvisor Class B

 

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Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock before
Spin-Off

 

Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

 

TripAdvisor Common Stock
and Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

  date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the holders of Expedia Class B common stock control the vote of any matter submitted to Expedia stockholders voting together as a single class.   the vote of any matter submitted to Expedia stockholders voting together as a single class.   common stock will likely control the vote of any matter submitted to TripAdvisor stockholders voting together as a single class.

Board of Directors:

  The Expedia bylaws provide that the Expedia Board of Directors will determine the number of directors by resolution. Currently, the number of directors is ten. The Expedia charter provides that the holders of the Expedia common stock, acting as a single class, elect 25% of the total number of directors (rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction), with the remaining directors elected by the holders of the Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock voting together as a single class.   The Expedia bylaws will provide that the Expedia Board of Directors will determine the number of directors by resolution. The number of directors is expected to be ten. The Expedia charter will provide that the holders of the Expedia common stock, acting as a single class, may elect 25% of the total number of directors (rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction), with the remaining directors elected by the holders of the Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock voting together as a single class.   The TripAdvisor bylaws will provide that the TripAdvisor Board of Directors will determine the number of directors by resolution. The number of directors is expected to be 10. The TripAdvisor charter will provide that the holders of the TripAdvisor common stock, acting as a single class, may elect 25% of the total number of directors (rounded up to the next whole number in the event of a fraction), with the remaining directors elected by the holders of the TripAdvisor common stock and TripAdvisor Class B common stock voting together as a single class.

Removal of Directors:

  The Expedia bylaws provide that a director may be removed either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of shares then entitled to vote of the class or classes that elected such director.   The Expedia bylaws will provide that a director may be removed either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of shares then entitled to vote of the class or classes that elected such director.   The TripAdvisor bylaws will provide that a director may be removed either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of shares then entitled to vote of the class or classes that elected such director.

Filling Vacancies of the

Board of Directors:

  The DGCL provides that, unless the charter or bylaws provide otherwise, whenever the holders of any class or classes are   The DGCL provides that, unless the charter or bylaws provide otherwise, whenever the holders of any class or classes are   The DGCL provides that, unless the charter or bylaws provide otherwise, whenever the holders of any class or classes are

 

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Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock before
Spin-Off

 

Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

 

TripAdvisor Common Stock
and Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

  entitled to elect directors, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes then in office or by a sole remaining director so elected. Expedia’s bylaws also permit holders of a majority of the voting power of outstanding shares entitled to vote on a particular directorship to fill vacancies with respect to that directorship.   entitled to elect directors, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes then in office or by a sole remaining director so elected. Expedia’s bylaws will permit holders of a majority of the voting power of outstanding shares entitled to vote on a particular directorship to fill vacancies with respect to that directorship.   entitled to elect directors, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes then in office or by a sole remaining director so elected. TripAdvisor’s bylaws will permit holders of a majority of the voting power of outstanding shares entitled to vote on a particular directorship to fill vacancies with respect to that directorship.

Stockholder Action by

Written Consent:

  Stockholders are permitted to act by written consent in accordance with applicable law.   Stockholders are permitted to act by written consent in accordance with applicable law.   Stockholders are permitted to act by written consent in accordance with applicable law.

Calling of Special

Meetings of

Stockholders:

  The DGCL provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws. Expedia’s bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by Expedia’s Chairman of the Board of Directors or by a majority of Expedia’s Board of Directors.   The DGCL provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws. Expedia’s bylaws will provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by Expedia’s Chairman of the Board of Directors or by a majority of Expedia’s Board of Directors.   The DGCL provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws. TripAdvisor’s bylaws will provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by TripAdvisor’s Chairman of the Board of Directors or by a majority of TripAdvisor’s Board of Directors.

Supermajority

Provisions and

Amendment of the

Certificate of

Incorporation:

  The Expedia charter requires a supermajority (80%) vote of each of the Board of Directors and the voting power of the stockholders voting as a single class to amend or repeal the requirement in   The Expedia charter will require a supermajority (80%) vote of each of the Board of Directors and the voting power of the stockholders voting as a single class to amend or repeal the requirement in   The TripAdvisor charter will require a supermajority (80%) vote of each of the Board of Directors and the voting power of the stockholders voting as a single class to amend or repeal the

 

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Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock before
Spin-Off

 

Expedia Common Stock and
Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

 

TripAdvisor Common Stock
and Class B Common
Stock after
Spin-Off

  the charter that the Chairman of the Board of Directors may only be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the entire Board of Directors.   the charter that the Chairman of the Board of Directors may only be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the entire Board of Directors.   requirement in the charter that the Chairman of the Board of Directors may only be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the entire Board of Directors.

Corporate Opportunity:

  The Expedia charter generally provides that Expedia renounces any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities, the general effect of which is that no officer or director of Expedia who is also an officer or director of IAC/InterActiveCorp will be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to IAC/InterActiveCorp instead of Expedia, or does not communicate information to Expedia regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to IAC/InterActiveCorp   The Expedia charter will generally provide that Expedia renounces any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities, the general effect of which will be that no officer or director of Expedia who is also an officer or director of TripAdvisor or IAC/InterActiveCorp will be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to TripAdvisor or IAC/InterActiveCorp instead of Expedia, or does not communicate information to Expedia regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to TripAdvisor or IAC/InterActiveCorp.   The TripAdvisor charter will generally provide that TripAdvisor renounces any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities, the general effect of which will be that no officer or director of TripAdvisor who is also an officer or director of Expedia or IAC/InterActiveCorp will be liable to TripAdvisor or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to Expedia or IAC/InterActiveCorp instead of TripAdvisor, or does not communicate information to TripAdvisor regarding a corporate opportunity that the officer or director has directed to Expedia or IAC/InterActiveCorp.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be the beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which that person has no economic interest.

Security Ownership of Expedia Capital Stock Prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Spin-Off

The following table presents, as of September 6, 2011, information relating to the beneficial ownership of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock by (i) each person or entity known by Expedia to

 

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own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock, (ii) each director and nominee of Expedia, (iii) each named executive officer of Expedia, and (iv) the named executive officers, other executive officers and directors and nominees of Expedia, as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial owners listed in the table may be contacted at Expedia’s corporate headquarters at 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004.

Shares of Expedia Class B common stock may, at the option of the holder, be converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of Expedia common stock; therefore, the common stock column below includes shares of Class B common stock held by each listed person, entity or group. For each listed person, entity or group, the number of shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock and the percentage of each such class listed include shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock that may be acquired by such person, entity or group on the conversion or exercise of equity securities, such as stock options and warrants, which can be converted or exercised, and RSUs that will have vested within 60 days of September 6, 2011. Pursuant to SEC rules, for each listed person, entity or group, the number of shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock and the percentage of each such class listed assume the conversion or exercise of certain Expedia equity securities, as described below, owned by such person, entity or group, but do not assume the conversion or exercise of any equity securities owned by any other person, entity or group.

The percentage of votes for all classes of Expedia’s capital stock is based on one vote for each share of common stock, ten votes for each share of Class B common stock and two votes for each shares of Series A preferred stock. The information set forth below does not give effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split that Expedia expects to complete immediately prior to the spin-off. The below also does not give effect to the consummation of the preferred stock merger, which would take effect prior to the reverse stock split and the spin-off, and, upon consummation thereof, no shares of Series A preferred stock would be issued and outstanding.

None of the persons or entities listed below are known by Expedia to beneficially own any shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

     Common Stock      Class B Common Stock      Percent (%) of
Votes (All
Classes)
 

Beneficial Owner

   Shares     %      Shares     %     

Liberty Interactive Corporation

            

12300 Liberty Boulevard

            

Englewood, CO 80112

     69,219,807 (1)      25.48         25,599,998 (2)      100         59.68   

Barry Diller

     82,531,293 (3)      29.95         25,599,998 (2)      100         61.85   

Victor A. Kaufman

     190,083 (4)      *         —          —           *   

Dara Khosrowshahi

     565,869 (5)      *         —          —           *   

A. George “Skip” Battle

     178,275 (6)      *         —          —           *   

Jonathan L. Dolgen

     56,458 (7)      *         —          —           *   

William R. Fitzgerald

     —   (8)      —           —          —           —     

Craig A. Jacobson

     32,717        *         —          —           *   

Peter M. Kern

     50,361        *         —          —           *   

John C. Malone

     —   (8)      —           —          —           —     

José A. Tazón

     12,952 (9)      *         —         —          *   

Michael B. Adler

     182,322 (10)      *         —          —           *   

Burke F. Norton

     221,223 (11)      *         —          —           *   

All executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (15 persons)

     84,374,318 (12)      30.50         25,599,998        100         62.08   

 

* The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the class.
(1)

Based on information filed on a Schedule 13D, as amended, with the SEC on November 1, 2007 by Liberty Interactive and Mr. Diller (the “Liberty/Diller Schedule 13D”) and the Company’s records. Consists of

 

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  43,619,809 shares of common stock and 25,599,998 shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive (“Liberty USA”). Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement described in the section above titled “—Board Meetings and Committees,” Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA.
(2) Consists of shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA. Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA.
(3) Based on information filed on the Liberty/Diller Schedule 13D and the Company’s records. Consists of (i) 9,232,116 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Diller, (ii) options to purchase 3,950,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Diller that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011, (iii) 129,370 shares of common stock held by a private foundation as to which Mr. Diller disclaims beneficial ownership, (iv) 43,619,809 shares of common stock held by Liberty USA (see footnote 1 above), and (v) 25,599,998 shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA (see footnote 1 above). Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA. Excludes shares of common stock and options to purchase shares of common stock held by Mr. Diller’s spouse, as to which Mr. Diller disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4) Consists of 77,583 shares of common stock and options to purchase 112,500 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.
(5) Consists of 251,842 shares of common stock and options to purchase 314,027 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.
(6) Consists of (i) 50,361 shares of common stock held by Mr. Battle, (ii) options to purchase 112,848 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011, (iii) 9,999 shares of common stock held by the Battle Family Foundation, as to which Mr. Battle disclaims beneficial ownership, and (iv) 5,067 shares of common stock held by Mr. Battle’s wife as custodian under CAUTMA for Catherine McNelley, as to which Mr. Battle disclaims beneficial ownership.
(7) Consists of 55,991 shares of common stock held by Mr. Dolgen and 467 shares of common stock held indirectly by a charitable trust, of which Mr. Dolgen is a trustee and as to which Mr. Dolgen disclaims beneficial ownership.
(8) Excludes shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty USA, as to which Dr. Malone and Mr. Fitzgerald disclaim beneficial ownership.
(9) Excludes 2,814 share units credited to Mr. Tazón pursuant to the Expedia Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The earliest that such share units can be paid to Mr. Tazón in the form of shares of Expedia common stock is in January of the year following his termination of service as a director of Expedia.
(10) Consists of 92,322 shares of common stock and options to purchase 90,000 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011. Mr. Adler resigned from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Expedia, effective September 26, 2011. On September 15, 2011, the Expedia Board of Directors approved the appointment of Mark D. Okerstrom as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 26, 2011. Mr. Okerstrom is not included in the table above because he was not a named executive officer of Expedia for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
(11) Consists of (i) 58,856 shares of common stock, (ii) options to purchase 131,250 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011 and (iii) 31,117 shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of September 6, 2011. Mr. Norton resigned from his position as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, effective October 28, 2011.
(12) Consists of (i) 53,761,328 shares of common stock, (ii) 25,599,998 shares of Class B common stock, (iii) options to purchase 4,981,875 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011 and (iv) 31,117 shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of September 6, 2011.

 

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Security Ownership of Expedia Capital Stock Immediately Following the Spin-Off

The following table presents, as of September 6, 2011, information relating to the anticipated beneficial ownership of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock, assuming the completion of the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split (and associated adjustments to Expedia options), as if they occurred on September 6, 2011, by (i) each person or entity expected by Expedia to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock, (ii) each person expected to serve as a director of Expedia, (iii) each person expected to be a named executive officer of Expedia, and (iv) the expected named executive officers, other executive officers and directors and nominees of Expedia, as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial owners listed in the table may be contacted at Expedia’s corporate headquarters at 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004. The information below also assumes the consummation of the preferred stock merger prior to the reverse stock split and the spin-off, pursuant to which all outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock would have ceased to be outstanding. Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated.

Shares of Expedia Class B common stock may, at the option of the holder, be converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of Expedia common stock; therefore, the common stock column below includes shares of Class B common stock held by each listed person, entity or group. For each listed person, entity or group, the number of shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock and the percentage of each such class listed include shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock that may be acquired by such person, entity or group on the conversion or exercise of equity securities, such as stock options and warrants, which can be converted or exercised, and RSUs that will have vested within 60 days of September 6, 2011. Pursuant to SEC rules, for each listed person, entity or group, the number of shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock and the percentage of each such class listed assume the conversion or exercise of certain Expedia equity securities, as described below, owned by such person, entity or group, but do not assume the conversion or exercise of any equity securities owned by any other person, entity or group.

The actual number of shares of Expedia capital stock outstanding as of the date of the spin-off may differ due to, among other things, the exercise of options or warrants, the vesting of restricted stock units or the conversion of preferred stock, in each case between September 6, 2011 and the date of the spin-off and to the extent the other assumptions, including those set forth above, differ from the actual developments.

The percentage of votes for all classes of Expedia’s capital stock is based on one vote for each share of common stock and ten votes for each share of Class B common stock.

 

     Common Stock      Class B Common Stock      Percent (%) of
Votes (All
Classes)
 

Beneficial Owner

   Shares     %      Shares     %     

Liberty Interactive Corporation

            

12300 Liberty Boulevard

            

Englewood, CO 80112

     34,609,903 (1)      25.48         12,799,999 (2)      100         59.68   

Barry Diller

     41,265,646 (3)      29.95         12,799,999 (2)      100         61.85   

Victor A. Kaufman

     95,041 (4)      *         —         —          *   

Dara Khosrowshahi

     282,934 (5)      *         —         —          *   

A. George “Skip” Battle

     89,137 (6)      *         —         —          *   

Jonathan L. Dolgen

     28,229 (7)      *         —         —          *   

William R. Fitzgerald

     —   (8)      —          —         —          —    

Craig A. Jacobson

     16,358        *         —         —          *   

Peter M. Kern

     25,180        *         —         —          *   

John C. Malone

     —   (8)      —          —         —          —    

José A. Tazón

     6,476 (9)      *         —         —          *   

Michael B. Adler

     91,161 (10)      *         —         —          *   

Burke F. Norton

     110,611 (11)      *         —         —          *   

Mark D. Okerstrom

     27,386 (12)      *         —          —           *   

All executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (16 persons)

     42,215,582 (13)      30.52         12,799,999        100         62.09   

 

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* The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the class.
(1) Based on information filed on a Schedule 13D, as amended, with the SEC on November 1, 2007 by Liberty Interactive and Mr. Diller (the “Liberty/Diller Schedule 13D”) and the Company’s records. Consists of 21,809,904 shares of common stock and 12,799,999 shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive (“Liberty USA”). Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement described in the section above titled “—Board Meetings and Committees,” Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA.
(2) Consists of shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA. Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA.
(3) Based on information filed on the Liberty/Diller Schedule 13D and the Company’s records. Consists of (i) 4,616,058 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Diller, (ii) options to purchase 1,975,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Diller that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011, (iii) 64,685 shares of common stock held by a private foundation as to which Mr. Diller disclaims beneficial ownership, (iv) 21,809,904 shares of common stock held by Liberty USA (see footnote 1 above), and (v) 12,799,999 shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA (see footnote 1 above). Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA. Excludes shares of common stock and options to purchase shares of common stock held by Mr. Diller’s spouse, as to which Mr. Diller disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4) Consists of 38,791 shares of common stock and options to purchase 56,250 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.
(5) Consists of 125,921 shares of common stock and options to purchase 157,013 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.
(6) Consists of (i) 25,180 shares of common stock held by Mr. Battle, (ii) options to purchase 56,424 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011, (iii) 4,999 shares of common stock held by the Battle Family Foundation, as to which Mr. Battle disclaims beneficial ownership, and (iv) 2,533 shares of common stock held by Mr. Battle’s wife as custodian under CAUTMA for Catherine McNelley, as to which Mr. Battle disclaims beneficial ownership.
(7) Consists of 27,995 shares of common stock held by Mr. Dolgen and 233 shares of common stock held indirectly by a charitable trust, of which Mr. Dolgen is a trustee and as to which Mr. Dolgen disclaims beneficial ownership.
(8) Excludes shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty USA, as to which Dr. Malone and Mr. Fitzgerald disclaim beneficial ownership.
(9) Excludes 1,407 share units credited to Mr. Tazón pursuant to the Expedia Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The earliest that such share units can be paid to Mr. Tazón in the form of shares of Expedia common stock is in January of the year following his termination of service as a director of Expedia.
(10) Consists of 46,161 shares of common stock and options to purchase 45,000 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011. Mr. Adler resigned from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Expedia, effective September 26, 2011.
(11) Consists of 29,428 shares of common stock, (ii) options to purchase 65,625 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011 and (iii) 15,558 shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of September 6, 2011. Mr. Norton resigned from his position as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, effective October 28, 2011.
(12) Consists of 4,534 shares of common stock, (ii) options to purchase 22,237 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011, and (iii) 615 shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of September 6, 2011. On September 15, 2011, the Expedia Board of Directors approved the appointment of Mark D. Okerstrom as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 26, 2011.

 

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(13) Consists of (i) 26,886,723 shares of common stock, (ii) 12,799,999 shares of Class B common stock, (iii) options to purchase 2,512,687 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011 and (iv) 16,173 shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of September 6, 2011.

Security Ownership of TripAdvisor Capital Stock Immediately Following the Spin-Off

The following table presents, as of September 6, 2011, information relating to the anticipated beneficial ownership of TripAdvisor common stock and TripAdvisor Class B common stock, assuming the completion of the spin-off and the one-for-two reverse stock split (and associated adjustments to Expedia options), as if they occurred on September 6, 2011, by (i) each person or entity expected to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of TripAdvisor common stock and TripAdvisor Class B common stock, (ii) each person expected to serve as a director of TripAdvisor, (iii) each person expected to be a named executive officer of TripAdvisor, and (iv) the expected named executive officers, other executive officers and directors of TripAdvisor, as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial owners listed in the table may be contacted at TripAdvisor’s corporate headquarters at 141 Needham Street Newton, MA 02464. The information below also assumes the consummation of the preferred stock merger prior to the reverse stock split and the spin-off, pursuant to which all outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock would have ceased to be outstanding. Expedia will not effect the spin-off or the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated.

Shares of TripAdvisor Class B common stock may, at the option of the holder, be converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of TripAdvisor common stock; therefore, the common stock column below includes shares of Class B common stock held by each listed person, entity or group. For each listed person, entity or group, the number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock and Class B common stock and the percentage of each such class listed include shares of TripAdvisor common stock and Class B common stock that may be acquired by such person, entity or group on the conversion or exercise of equity securities, such as stock options and warrants, which can be converted or exercised, and RSUs that will have vested within 60 days of September 6, 2011. Pursuant to SEC rules, for each listed person, entity or group, the number of shares of TripAdvisor common stock and Class B common stock and the percentage of each such class listed assume the conversion or exercise of certain TripAdvisor equity securities, as described below, owned by such person, entity or group, but do not assume the conversion or exercise of any equity securities owned by any other person, entity or group.

The actual number of shares of TripAdvisor capital stock outstanding as of the date of the spin-off may differ due to, among other things, the exercise of options or warrants, the vesting of restricted stock units or the conversion of preferred stock, in each case between September 6, 2011 and the date of the spin-off and to the extent the other assumptions, including those set forth above, differ from the actual developments.

 

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The percentage of votes for all classes of TripAdvisor’s capital stock is based on one vote for each share of common stock and ten votes for each share of Class B common stock.

 

     Common Stock      Class B Common Stock      Percent (%) of
Votes (All
Classes)
 

Beneficial Owner

   Shares     %      Shares     %     

Liberty Interactive Corporation

            

12300 Liberty Boulevard

            

Englewood, CO 80112

     34,609,903 (1)      25.48         12,799,999 (2)      100         59.68   

Barry Diller

     41,265,646 (3)      29.95         12,799,999 (2)      100         61.85   

Stephen Kaufer

     258,517 (4)      *         —          —           *   

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy

     —          —           —          —           —     

William R. Fitzgerald

     —   (5)      —           —          —           —     

Victor A. Kaufman

     95,041 (6)      *         —          —           *   

Dara Khosrowshahi

     282,934 (7)      *         —          —           *   

Jonathan F. Miller

     —          —           —          —           —     

Jeremy Philips

     —          —           —          —           —     

Robert S. Wiesenthal

     —          —           —          —           —     

Michael P. Zeisser

     —   (5)      —           —          —           —     

Julie M.B. Bradley

     —          —           —          —           —     

All executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (12 persons)

     41,910,452 (8)      30.36         12,799,999        100         62.04   

 

* The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the class.
(1) Based on information filed on a Schedule 13D, as amended, with the SEC on November 1, 2007 by Liberty Interactive and Mr. Diller (the “Liberty/Diller Schedule 13D”) and the Company’s records. Consists of 21,809,904 shares of common stock and 12,799,999 shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive (“Liberty USA”). Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement described in the section above titled “—Board Meetings and Committees,” Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA.
(2) Consists of shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA. Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA.
(3) Based on information filed on the Liberty/Diller Schedule 13D and the Company’s records. Consists of (i) 4,616,058 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Diller, (ii) options to purchase 1,975,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Diller that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011, (iii) 64,685 shares of common stock held by a private foundation as to which Mr. Diller disclaims beneficial ownership, (iv) 21,809,904 shares of common stock held by Liberty USA (see footnote 1 above), and (v) 12,799,999 shares of Class B common stock held by Liberty USA (see footnote 1 above). Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Mr. Diller generally has the right to vote all the shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty Interactive and Liberty USA. Excludes shares of common stock and options to purchase shares of common stock held by Mr. Diller’s spouse, as to which Mr. Diller disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4) Consists of 225,392 shares of common stock and options to purchase 33,125 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.
(5) Excludes shares of common stock and Class B common stock held by Liberty USA, as to which Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Zeisser disclaim beneficial ownership.
(6) Consists of 38,791 shares of common stock and options to purchase 56,250 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.
(7) Consists of 125,921 shares of common stock and options to purchase 157,013 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.
(8) Consists of (1) 26,882,127 shares of common stock, (ii) 12,799,999 shares of Class B common stock, and (iii) options to purchase 2,228,326 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2011.

 

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PROPOSAL 2—REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL

Proposal and Required Vote

Expedia is asking you to approve a one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock. If you approve the reverse stock split proposal and Expedia proceeds with the spin-off, Expedia intends to effect the one-for-two reverse stock split immediately prior to the spin-off by filing an amendment to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation. That amendment would be effective after the effective time of the preferred stock merger provided for in the preferred stock merger proposal, in which the outstanding shares of Expedia Series A preferred stock would be converted into the right to receive the cash merger consideration. The full text of the charter amendment providing for the reverse stock split is set forth in Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. Expedia will only complete the one-for-two reverse stock split if stockholders approve the spin-off proposal and the preferred stock merger proposal, and the Expedia Board of Directors determines to complete the preferred stock merger and the spin-off. If Expedia does effect the one-for-two reverse stock split, Expedia stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares. Expedia will not effect the reverse stock split if the preferred stock merger has not been consummated.

The reverse stock split would reduce the number of outstanding shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock, and the holdings of each stockholder, according to the same formula, which is described under the caption “Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split” below. After giving effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split, approximately half as many shares of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock will be outstanding as were outstanding immediately prior to the one-for-two reverse stock split. Based on the capitalization of Expedia as of September 6, 2011, assuming the completion of (1) the one-for-two reverse stock split and (2) the spin-off, the number of shares of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock that will be outstanding is estimated to be approximately 123,014,661 and 12,799,999, respectively. Expedia securities that are exercisable for Expedia common stock will be proportionately adjusted in accordance with their terms to give effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split. Approval of the reverse stock split proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock voting together as a single class.

EXPEDIA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL.

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

If approved and implemented, the principal effects of the reverse stock split would include the following:

 

   

immediately prior to effecting the spin-off, each two shares of Expedia common stock or Class B common stock owned by a stockholder will be combined into one new share of common stock or Class B common stock, respectively (except for the payment of cash instead of issuing fractional shares as described below);

 

   

immediately prior to effecting the spin-off, the number of outstanding shares of common stock and Class B common stock will be proportionately reduced at the ratio of one-for-two (except for the payment of cash instead of issuing fractional shares as described below);

 

   

immediately prior to effecting the spin-off, the number of shares of common stock that are held in Expedia’s treasury will be proportionately reduced at the ratio of one-for-two;

 

   

the par value of Expedia’s common stock and Class B common stock will change to $0.0001 per share after the reverse stock split (the par value of both such classes of common stock is currently $0.001);

 

   

in conjunction with the adjustments to be made in connection with the spin-off, appropriate adjustments will be made pursuant to the terms of Expedia’s outstanding warrants; and

 

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either as an independent adjustment or as part of the adjustments to the Expedia compensatory equity-based awards in connection with the spin-off, Expedia compensatory equity-based awards will be equitably adjusted in connection with the reverse stock split in a manner designed to preserve the value of the awards immediately prior to and immediately following the adjustments.

The Expedia common stock and Class B common stock resulting from the reverse stock split will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The reverse stock split will not affect the public registration of the common stock under the Exchange Act or the listing of the common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market (although, in accordance with Nasdaq rules, the letter “D” is expected to be added to the end of the trading symbol for a period of 20 trading days from the reverse stock split’s effective date of the reverse stock split to indicate that the reverse stock split has occurred).

The reverse stock split would not affect the number of shares of common stock, Class B common stock or preferred stock that Expedia is authorized to issue under Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or the par value of any such shares (although the spin-off, which is being effected by means of a reclassification amendment, will change the par value of the common stock and the Class B common stock, but not the preferred stock, from $0.001 per share to $0.0001 per share). As a result, following the effectiveness of the reverse stock split, Expedia’s authorized capital will consist of 1,600,000,000 shares of Expedia common stock, 400,000,000 shares of Expedia Class B common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock (of which, based on Expedia’s outstanding shares as of September 6, 2011, approximately 123,014,661 shares of Expedia common stock, 12,799,999 shares of Expedia Class B common stock and no shares of Expedia preferred stock will be outstanding). Expedia has no present plans, proposals or arrangements to issue any shares of its capital stock other than in connection with the vesting, exercise or settlement of outstanding equity awards or in connection with the conversion, exchange or exercise of outstanding Expedia securities in accordance with their terms or the terms of Expedia’s Amended and Restated Governance Agreement (see “Proposal1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Governance Arrangements at Expedia and TripAdvisor”).

With respect to fractional shares, no fractional shares, or certificates representing fractional shares, will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares, because they hold a number of shares of common stock or Class B common stock not evenly divisible by two, will be entitled only to a cash payment (without interest) in lieu of such shares and will no longer have any rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares of common stock that would have been exchanged for such fractional shares. Stockholders will not be entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the effective time of the reverse stock split and the date the stockholder receives his or her cash payment, if any, in lieu of fractional shares.

Purpose of the Reverse Stock Split

It is likely that the trading price of Expedia common stock will decline following the spin-off in light of Expedia ceasing to own TripAdvisor. The purpose of implementing the reverse stock split would be to seek to increase the per share trading price of Expedia common stock following the spin-off relative to what the per share trading price of Expedia would be if the reverse stock split were not implemented. The Expedia Board intends to effect the proposed reverse stock split prior to the spin-off, although the Board has reserved the right to abandon the reverse stock split. See “—Reservation of Right to Abandon Reverse Stock Split” below.

Expedia believes that a number of institutional investors and investment funds may be reluctant to invest, and in some cases may be prohibited from investing, in lower-priced stocks and that brokerage firms are reluctant to recommend lower-priced stocks to their clients. If Expedia’s common stock were to trade in a range following the spin-off that could raise these concerns, the reverse stock split could help ensure that Expedia’s common stock price stays at a level that would be viewed more favorably by potential investors.

Other investors may also be dissuaded from purchasing lower-priced stocks because the brokerage commissions, as a percentage of the total transaction, tend to be higher for such stocks. A higher stock price after the reverse stock split should reduce this concern.

 

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The combination of increased interest from institutional investors and investment funds and lower transaction costs could have the effect of improving the trading liquidity of Expedia’s common stock relative to what the trading liquidity would be if the reverse stock split were not implemented.

Expedia common stock currently trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EXPE.” The Nasdaq Global Select Market has several continued listing criteria that companies must satisfy in order to remain listed on the exchange, including a minimum trading price requirement. Today, Expedia meets all of such continued listing criteria, including the minimum trading price requirement. Although Expedia does not believe that it currently has an issue relating to the continued listing of its common stock and does not expect that the spin-off would cause Expedia to have such an issue even if it were not to implement the reverse stock split but still proceed with the spin-off, Expedia believes that effecting the reverse stock split proposal would help ensure that Expedia common stock will continue to meet the continued listing standard immediately after the spin-off, to the extent that its common stock price might not otherwise meet the minimum trading requirement. Expedia also cannot assure you that it will continue to meet the continued listing criteria following the reverse stock split and the spin-off.

If the stockholders approve this proposal, Expedia’s Board of Directors intends to effect the reverse stock split, prior to effecting the spin-off, unless the Board determines that doing so would not be in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders. No further action on the part of stockholders will be required to either implement or abandon the reverse stock split. By virtue of Mr. Diller’s irrevocable proxy over all Expedia securities beneficially owned by Liberty and its subsidiaries, as well as through shares owned by Mr. Diller directly, Mr. Diller has control over the vote on the reverse stock split proposal, regardless of the vote of any other Expedia stockholder. Mr. Diller has indicated that he intends to vote in favor of the reverse stock split proposal at the 2011 Annual Meeting.

Important Considerations with Respect to the Reverse Stock Split

Expedia cannot assure you that the market price per share of Expedia’s common stock following the reverse stock split would reflect the reverse split ratio of one-for-two or that the price following the reverse stock split will be maintained for any period of time.

While Expedia believes that a higher stock price relative to what the price would be in the absence of the reverse stock split may help generate investor interest in Expedia’s common stock, the reverse stock split may not result in a stock price that will attract institutional investors or investment funds or satisfy the investment guidelines of institutional investors or investment funds. Furthermore, the liquidity of Expedia’s common stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the reverse stock split.

If the reverse stock split is implemented and the market price of Expedia’s common stock declines, the percentage decline may be greater than would occur in the absence of the reverse stock split. The market price of Expedia’s common stock is also based on its performance and other factors, which are unrelated to the number of shares of common stock outstanding. You should keep in mind that the implementation of the reverse stock split, standing alone, does not have an effect on the actual or intrinsic value of Expedia or your proportional ownership in Expedia.

The reverse stock split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of common stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.

 

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Potential Anti-Takeover Effect

The increased proportion of authorized but unissued shares of Expedia common stock and Expedia Class B common stock to outstanding shares could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect. For example, such a change could permit future issuances of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock that would dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in composition of Expedia’s board of directors or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of Expedia with another entity, whether or not the change is favored by a majority of Expedia’s unaffiliated stockholders. The reverse stock split proposal, however, is not being made in response to any effort to accumulate shares of Expedia common stock or to obtain control of Expedia nor is it being made to enable any anti-takeover defense or mechanism on behalf of Expedia, and Expedia has no intent or plan to employ the resulting additional unissued authorized shares as an anti-takeover device.

No Appraisal Rights

Stockholders do not have appraisal rights under the DGCL or under Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation in connection with the reverse stock split.

Reservation of Right to Abandon Reverse Stock Split

The Expedia Board of Directors has reserved the right to abandon the reverse stock split without further action by Expedia’s stockholders at any time before the reverse stock split’s effective time, even if the authority to effect the reverse stock split has been approved by Expedia’s stockholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting.

 

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PROPOSAL 3—PREFERRED STOCK MERGER PROPOSAL

Proposal and Required Vote

Expedia is asking stockholders to approve a proposal to adopt a merger agreement (as it may be amended from time to time, the “merger agreement”) between Expedia and Expedia Preferred Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a new wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia formed for the purpose of facilitating the merger of Merger Sub with and into Expedia (the “merger” or the “preferred stock merger”). If the stockholders approve the preferred stock merger proposal and the companies consummate the merger, each share of Series A preferred stock will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (the “merger consideration”) equal to $22.23, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends on such share through the merger effective time (as defined below). We expect the total consideration to be paid to holders of preferred stock in the merger to be approximately $17,000, assuming consummation of the merger at a time such that the amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the merger effective time equaled zero.

Approval of the preferred stock merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock voting together as a single class.

EXPEDIA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE PREFERRED STOCK MERGER PROPOSAL.

Summary of Preferred Stock Merger Proposal

This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus relating to the preferred stock merger proposal and may not contain all of the information that is important to stockholders. To understand the merger fully and for a more complete description of the merger agreement and transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, stockholders should read carefully this entire proxy statement/prospectus and the documents referred to herein. The merger agreement is included in Annex J to this proxy statement/prospectus. Expedia encourages stockholders to read the merger agreement in its entirety, as it is the legal document that governs the merger.

The Merger (see pages 145-146). Expedia is asking stockholders to approve a proposal to adopt a merger agreement between Expedia and Merger Sub, a new wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia formed for the purpose of facilitating the merger of Merger Sub with and into Expedia, with Expedia continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger. If the stockholders approve the preferred stock merger and the companies consummate the merger, each share of Series A preferred stock (other than Dissenting Shares, as defined below) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $22.23, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends on such share through the merger effective time.

By virtue of Mr. Diller’s irrevocable proxy over all Expedia securities beneficially owned by Liberty and its subsidiaries, as well as through shares owned by Mr. Diller directly, Mr. Diller has control over the vote on the preferred stock merger proposal, regardless of the vote of any other Expedia stockholder. Because Mr. Diller has advised Expedia that he intends to vote in favor of the preferred stock merger proposal at the 2011 Annual Meeting, Expedia expects that the merger will be consummated shortly thereafter, and in any event prior to the completion of the reverse stock split and the spin-off.

Purpose of the Merger (see page 146). As of September 6, 2011, there were only 751 shares of Series A preferred stock issued and outstanding. The purpose of implementing the merger is to simplify Expedia’s capital structure in advance of the spin-off by converting each of these remaining outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock into the right to receive the merger consideration.

Payment Procedures (see page 147). Expedia has appointed BNY Mellon Shareowner Services to act as paying agent to handle the payment of the merger consideration for shares of Series A preferred stock. Soon after

 

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the merger effective time, the paying agent will mail a letter of transmittal to each holder of a certificate or book-entry share representing a share or shares of Series A preferred stock. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions explaining the procedure for surrendering such shares. Holders of shares of Series A preferred stock should follow those instructions.

Appraisal Rights (see pages 148-151). Holders of shares of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock do not have appraisal rights in respect of such shares under the DGCL or under Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation in connection with the preferred stock merger.

Holders of shares of Series A preferred stock who do not vote in favor of the preferred stock merger proposal and otherwise comply with the requirements of Delaware law are entitled to appraisal rights under Delaware law in connection with the preferred stock merger, which are described in this proxy statement/prospectus and are set forth in Annex J to this proxy statement/prospectus. Holders who perfect their appraisal rights and follow specified procedures in the manner prescribed by Section 262 of the DGCL will be entitled to have the “fair value” of their shares of Series A preferred stock appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences (see pages 152-154). An exchange of Series A preferred stock for cash pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. Holder who exchanges Series A preferred stock for cash in the merger will, depending on such U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, be treated either as recognizing gain or loss from the disposition of the shares of Series A preferred stock or receiving a distribution from Expedia with respect to Expedia stock.

Proposal and Required Vote (see page 144). Approval of the preferred stock merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock voting together as a single class.

The Merger

Expedia is asking stockholders to approve a proposal to adopt a merger agreement between Expedia and Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia formed for the purpose of facilitating the merger. If the stockholders approve the preferred stock merger proposal and the companies consummate the merger, each share of Series A preferred stock (other than Dissenting Shares, as defined below) will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration.

The Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia options, restricted stock units, warrants and other securities of Expedia (other than shares of Expedia’s Series A preferred stock) will remain outstanding securities of Expedia following the merger and will be unaffected by the merger. The merger will not result in any change in Expedia’s business, assets or liabilities (other than as a result of the payment of the merger consideration and other costs incident to the merger). Expedia management, including its directors and officers, will remain the same following the merger. The merger also will not have any effect on Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

The merger would not affect Expedia’s ability to issue new shares of preferred stock in the future in accordance with its amended and restated certificate of incorporation and other governing documents.

Expedia’s Board has approved the terms of the merger agreement and of the merger, declared the advisability of the merger agreement and of the merger and determined them to be fair to and in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders. In making its determination, the Expedia Board of Directors considered the following factors:

 

   

that beginning on February 2, 2012, the terms of the Expedia Series A preferred stock permit Expedia to redeem the preferred stock for a redemption price equal to face value (currently $22.23 per share) plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, and that in the preferred stock merger holders

 

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of Expedia Series A preferred stock that do not exercise appraisal rights will receive $22.23 per share plus accrued and unpaid interest through the effective time of the merger;

 

   

that Expedia intends to redeem all shares of Expedia Series A preferred stock that are outstanding on February 2, 2012, and that in connection with such redemption holders will not have the right under Delaware law to demand appraisal of the fair value of their shares but are entitled to such appraisal rights in connection with the preferred stock merger;

 

   

that holders of Expedia Series A preferred stock would have the right during the twenty trading day period preceding February 2, 2012 to require Expedia to redeem any or all of the holder’s shares of preferred stock for a redemption price equal to face value (currently $22.23 per share) plus accrued and unpaid interest through February 2, 2012, payable at Expedia’s election in cash or shares of Expedia common stock or a combination of cash and stock;

 

   

that holders of Expedia Series A preferred stock have the right currently to convert their shares into Expedia common stock (as of September 6, 2011, at a conversion rate of 0.7408 of a share of Expedia common for each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock), and that, if the TripAdvisor spin-off is effected, a holder of Expedia Series A preferred stock that converts its shares into Expedia common stock and holds such shares through the spin-off date would also receive TripAdvisor common stock in the spin-off; and

 

   

that the preferred stock merger will simplify Expedia’s capital structure, which the Expedia board believes will be beneficial to Expedia’s stockholders generally.

As stated above, by virtue of Mr. Diller’s irrevocable proxy over all Expedia securities beneficially owned by Liberty and its subsidiaries, as well as through shares owned by Mr. Diller directly, Mr. Diller has control over the vote on the preferred stock merger proposal, regardless of the vote of any other Expedia stockholder. Because Mr. Diller has indicated that he intends to vote in favor of the preferred stock merger proposal at the 2011 Annual Meeting, Expedia expects that the merger will be consummated shortly thereafter, and in any event prior to the completion of the reverse stock split and the spin-off. If the stockholders approve this proposal, no further action on the part of stockholders will be required to implement the merger.

Purpose of the Merger

Before the IAC/InterActiveCorp spin-off of Expedia in August 2005, IAC/InterActiveCorp had a series of preferred stock outstanding. In connection with the IAC/Expedia spin-off, each holder of a share of such series of IAC preferred stock could elect to receive (i) a specified amount in cash, (ii) a specified combination of IAC common stock and Expedia common stock or (iii) a specified combination of IAC Series A preferred stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock, and the substantial majority of such holders did not elect option (iii). As a result of these elections and subsequent elections to have Expedia redeem such shares, as of September 6, 2011, there were only 751 shares of Series A preferred stock issued and outstanding. The purpose of implementing the merger is to simplify Expedia’s capital structure in advance of the planned spin-off of TripAdvisor by converting these remaining shares of Series A preferred stock into the right to receive the merger consideration. Expedia expects to consummate the merger whether or not the spin-off occurs. However, the Expedia Board has reserved the right to terminate the merger agreement and abandon the merger at any time before the merger effective time in its sole discretion, even if Expedia stockholders have approved the preferred stock merger proposal.

Merger Sub

Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia, was incorporated under the DGCL in October 2011 for the purpose of merging with Expedia. The address and phone number of Merger Sub’s principal office are the same as those of Expedia. Prior to the merger, Merger Sub will have no material assets or liabilities and will not have carried on any business.

 

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The Merger Agreement

The following is a summary of the material terms of the merger agreement. This summary does not purport to describe all the terms of the merger agreement and is qualified by the complete merger agreement, which is included in Annex J to this proxy statement/prospectus and incorporated herein by reference. Expedia urges all stockholders to read carefully the merger agreement in its entirety.

General. Under the merger agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Expedia, with Expedia continuing as the surviving corporation.

Closing; Merger Effective Time. Unless Expedia decides otherwise, the closing of the merger will take place as soon as reasonably practicable after the date that all closing conditions have been satisfied or waived. On the closing date, Expedia will file a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the merger. The merger will be effective at such time as the certificate of merger is filed or at such later time as is specified in the certificate of merger (the “merger effective time”).

Effect on Capital Stock. At the merger effective time:

 

   

each share of common stock of Merger Sub will be automatically cancelled;

 

   

each share of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock will remain a share of common stock or Class B common stock, respectively, of Expedia, the surviving corporation; and

 

   

each share of Series A preferred stock (other than Dissenting Shares (as defined below)) will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration.

Payment Procedures. Expedia has appointed BNY Mellon Shareowner Services to act as paying agent to handle the payment of the merger consideration for shares of Series A preferred stock. Soon after the merger effective time, the paying agent will mail a letter of transmittal to each holder of a certificate or book-entry share representing a share or shares of Series A preferred stock. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions explaining the procedure for surrendering such shares. Holders of Series A preferred stock should not return certificates with the enclosed proxy card.

Holders of certificates or book-entry shares representing a share or shares of Series A preferred stock who surrender such certificates or book-entry shares, together with a properly completed transmittal form and such other documents as may be required by the instructions to the letter of transmittal, will receive the merger consideration in respect of such shares. After the merger, each holder of a certificate or book-entry share that previously represented a share or shares of Series A preferred stock will no longer have any rights with respect to such share, except the right to receive the merger consideration in respect thereof or, in the case of a Dissenting Stockholder (as defined below), the appraisal rights summarized below.

Holders of Series A preferred stock that do not comply with the payment procedures within six months following the closing of the merger may look only to Expedia for payment of any merger consideration. None of Expedia (the surviving corporation), Merger Sub or the paying agent will be liable to any holder of Series A preferred stock for any amount delivered to a public official under applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws. No interest will be paid or accrued on the merger consideration payable upon the surrender of certificates or book-entry shares representing Series A preferred shares.

It is up to holders of Series A preferred stock to decide how to deliver their certificates or book-entry shares and any other required documents. It is the responsibility of holders of Series A preferred stock to ensure that all necessary materials are delivered to the paying agent in a timely manner.

 

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Conditions to the Merger. The obligations of Expedia and Merger Sub to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction of, or (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the waiver by Expedia of, the following conditions:

 

   

the adoption of the merger agreement by Expedia’s and Merger Sub’s stockholders; and

 

   

the absence of any law, order or injunction prohibiting the completion of the merger and the absence of any proceeding challenging the merger agreement or seeking to prohibit or delay the merger which Expedia’s Board determines would make the merger no longer advisable.

No federal or state regulatory approvals must be obtained in connection with the merger.

Termination. The Expedia Board has reserved the right to terminate the merger agreement and abandon the merger at any time before the merger effective time in its sole discretion, even if Expedia’s stockholders have approved the preferred stock merger proposal. If the merger agreement is terminated, it will become void and of no effect without any liability on the part of any party to the agreement.

Amendments and Waiver. To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the merger agreement may be amended by mutual consent of Expedia’s Board and the board of directors of Merger Sub, and any provision of the merger agreement may be waived, at any time before the merger effective time, even if Expedia’s stockholders have approved the preferred stock merger proposal.

Appraisal Rights

Holders of shares of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock do not have appraisal rights in respect of their shares under the DGCL or under Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation in connection with the merger.

A holder of shares of Expedia’s Series A preferred stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger who makes the demand described below, who is continuously the record owner of such shares from the date of the making of such demand through the merger effective time, who otherwise complies with the statutory requirements of Section 262 of the DGCL and who neither votes in favor of the preferred stock merger proposal nor consents thereto in writing is entitled to certain appraisal rights under Delaware law in connection with the merger, which are described below and are set forth in the copy of Section 262 of the DGCL attached as Annex K to this proxy statement/prospectus. Such holders who perfect their appraisal rights and follow specified procedures in the manner prescribed by Section 262 of the DGCL will be entitled to have an appraisal of the fair value of their shares of Series A preferred stock by the Delaware Court of Chancery, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger. ANY HOLDER OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK WHO WISHES TO EXERCISE APPRAISAL RIGHTS OR WHO WISHES TO PRESERVE HIS, HER OR ITS RIGHT TO DO SO SHOULD REVIEW ANNEX K CAREFULLY AND SHOULD CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS LEGAL ADVISOR, SINCE FAILURE TO TIMELY AND PROPERLY COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH THEREIN WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SUCH RIGHTS.

The record holders of the shares of Series A preferred stock that elect to exercise appraisal rights with respect to the merger are referred to as “Dissenting Stockholders” and the shares of Series A preferred stock with respect to which they exercise appraisal rights are referred to as “Dissenting Shares.” If a stockholder has a beneficial interest in shares of Series A preferred stock that are held of record in the name of another person, such as a bank, broker or other nominee, and such stockholder desires to perfect whatever appraisal rights the beneficial holder may have, the beneficial holder must act promptly to cause the holder of record timely and properly to follow the steps summarized below. All references in this summary of appraisal rights to a “stockholder” or a “holder of Series A preferred stock” are to the record holder or holders of shares of Series A preferred stock.

 

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A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PREFERRED STOCK MERGER PROPOSAL BY A HOLDER OF SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK WILL RESULT IN A WAIVER OF SUCH HOLDER’S APPRAISAL RIGHTS.

Under Section 262, where a merger is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, such as the Annual Meeting, not less than 20 days prior to such meeting a constituent corporation must notify each of the holders of its stock for whom appraisal rights are available that such appraisal rights are available and include in each such notice a copy of Section 262. This proxy statement/prospectus shall constitute such notice to the record holders of Series A preferred stock.

When the merger becomes effective, holders of Series A preferred stock who comply with the procedures prescribed in Section 262 of the DGCL will be entitled to a judicial appraisal of the fair value of their shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, and to receive payment of the fair value of their shares in cash from Expedia together with interest, if any, to be paid on the amount determined to be fair value. The following is a brief summary of the statutory procedures that must be followed by a holder of shares of Series A preferred stock in order to perfect appraisal rights under the DGCL. This summary is not intended to be complete and is qualified by reference to Section 262 of the DGCL, the text of which is included as Annex K to this proxy statement/prospectus. Expedia advises any holder of Series A preferred stock considering demanding appraisal to consult legal counsel.

In order to exercise appraisal rights under Delaware law, a stockholder must be the holder of record of the shares of Series A preferred stock as to which appraisal rights are to be exercised on the date that the written demand for appraisal described below is made, must continuously hold such shares through the effective date of the merger and must not vote in favor of approval of the merger or consent thereto in writing. A vote by a holder of Series A preferred stock against approval of the merger is not required in order for that holder to exercise appraisal rights.

Within 10 days after the merger effective time, Expedia must provide notice of the date of effectiveness of the merger to all holders of Series A preferred stock who have complied with Section 262 of the DGCL and have not voted for adoption of the merger agreement.

A holder of Series A preferred stock who elects to exercise appraisal rights must mail or deliver the written demand for appraisal before the vote on the merger at the 2011 Annual Meeting to:

Expedia, Inc., 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004, Attention: Secretary

When submitting a written demand for appraisal under Delaware law, the written demand for appraisal must reasonably inform Expedia of the identity of the stockholder of record making the demand and that the stockholder intends to demand appraisal of such stockholder’s shares of Series A preferred stock. A proxy or vote against the adoption of the merger agreement shall not constitute such a demand. A demand for appraisal should be executed by or for the stockholder of record, fully and correctly, as that stockholder’s name appears on the stockholder’s stock certificate. If Series A preferred stock is owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be executed by the fiduciary in its capacity as such. If Series A preferred stock is owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or for all joint owners. An authorized agent, including an agent for two or more joint owners, may execute the demand for appraisal for a stockholder of record; however, the agent must identify the record owner and expressly disclose the fact that, in exercising the demand, he, she or it is acting as agent for the record owner.

A holder of record who holds Series A preferred stock as a nominee for other beneficial owners of the shares may exercise appraisal rights with respect to the Series A preferred stock held for all or less than all beneficial owners of the Series A preferred stock for which the holder is the record owner. In that case, the written demand must state the number of shares of Series A preferred stock covered by the demand. Where the number of shares of

 

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Series A preferred stock is not expressly stated, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding in the name of that record owner. Beneficial owners who are not record owners and who intend to exercise appraisal rights should instruct the record owner to comply strictly with the statutory requirements with respect to the delivery of a written demand prior to the taking of the vote on the merger.

Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, any Dissenting Stockholder who has theretofore complied with the applicable provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL will be entitled, upon written request, to receive from Expedia a statement of the aggregate number of shares of Series A preferred stock not voted in favor of approval of the preferred stock merger proposal and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received by Expedia, and the aggregate number of holders of those shares. A person who is a beneficial owner of shares of Series A preferred stock held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may, in such person’s own name, request from Expedia the statement described in the previous sentence. This statement must be mailed within 10 days after the written request has been received by Expedia.

Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, either Expedia, any Dissenting Stockholder or any beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the fair value of each share of Series A preferred stock of all Dissenting Stockholders, with a copy served on Expedia in the event a person other than Expedia files such a petition. If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed, then after a hearing on the petition, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine which of the Dissenting Stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights and will then appraise, in accordance with the rules of the Delaware Court of Chancery, the shares of Series A preferred stock owned by those stockholders, by determining the fair value of the shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, together with interest to be paid, if any, on the amount determined to be the fair value. The Delaware Court of Chancery may require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit such certificates to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceeding and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Delaware Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder. Unless the Delaware Court of Chancery in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest from the effective date of the merger through the date of payment of the judgment will be compounded quarterly and will accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger and the date of payment of the judgment. If no petition for appraisal is filed with the Delaware Court of Chancery by Expedia, any Dissenting Stockholder or any beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, then Dissenting Stockholders’ rights to appraisal will cease and they will be entitled only to receive the merger consideration in the merger on the same basis as other holders of Series A preferred stock. Inasmuch as Expedia has no obligation and no intention to file a petition, any holder of Series A preferred stock who desires a petition to be filed is advised to file it on a timely basis. No petition timely filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding appraisal will be dismissed as to any holder of Series A preferred stock without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and this approval may be conditioned on any terms the Delaware Court of Chancery deems just; provided, however, that any holder of Series A preferred stock who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined such a proceeding as a named party may withdraw such holder’s demand for appraisal and accept the terms offered upon the merger within 60 days after the effective date of the merger.

The cost of the appraisal proceeding may be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and taxed upon the parties as the court deems equitable in the circumstances. However, costs do not include attorneys’ and expert witness fees. Upon application of a Dissenting Stockholder, the court may order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any Dissenting Stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and the fees and expenses of experts, be charged pro rata against the value of all shares entitled to appraisal. In the absence of this determination or assessment, each party bears its own expenses. A Dissenting Stockholder who has timely demanded appraisal in compliance with Section 262 of the DGCL will not, from and after the effective time of the merger, be entitled to vote the Series A preferred stock

 

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subject to such demand for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the Series A preferred stock, except for dividends or other distributions payable to holders of record at a date prior to the effective time of the merger.

At any time within 60 days after the effective time of the merger, any Dissenting Stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined the proceeding as a named party will have the right to withdraw such stockholder’s demand for appraisal and to accept the right to receive merger consideration in the merger on the same basis on which Series A preferred stock is converted into merger consideration in the merger. After this 60-day period, a Dissenting Stockholder may withdraw his, her or its demand for appraisal only with the consent of Expedia.

Holders of Series A preferred stock considering whether to seek appraisal should bear in mind that the fair value of their Series A preferred stock determined under Section 262 of the DGCL could be more than, the same as or less than the value of the merger consideration in the merger. Also, Expedia reserves the right to assert in any appraisal proceeding that, for purposes thereof, the “fair value” of the Series A preferred stock is less than the value of the merger consideration to be issued in the merger. In determining “fair value,” the Delaware Court of Chancery is required to take into account all relevant factors. In Weinberger v. UOP, Inc. the Delaware Supreme Court discussed the factors that could be considered in determining fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that “proof of value by any techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered and that “fair price obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the value of a company.” The Delaware Supreme Court has stated that in making this determination of fair value the court must consider market value, asset value, dividends, earnings prospects, the nature of the enterprise and any other facts which could be ascertained as of the date of the merger which throw any light on future prospects of the merged corporation. Section 262 provides that fair value is to be “exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger.” In Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., the Delaware Supreme Court stated that such exclusion is a “narrow exclusion that does not encompass known elements of value,” but which rather applies only to the speculative elements of value arising from such accomplishment or expectation. In Weinberger, the Delaware Supreme Court construed Section 262 to mean that “elements of future value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known or susceptible of proof as of the date of the merger and not the product of speculation, may be considered.”

THE PROCESS OF PERFECTING APPRAISAL RIGHTS REQUIRES STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH TECHNICAL PREREQUISITES. THOSE HOLDERS OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK WISHING TO PERFECT APPRAISAL RIGHTS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN LEGAL COUNSEL IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLIANCE UNDER SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL.

Any holder of Series A preferred stock who fails to comply with the requirements of Section 262 of the DGCL, a copy of which is set forth in Annex K to this proxy statement/prospectus, will forfeit his, her or its rights to exercise appraisal rights and will receive merger consideration on the same basis as all other holders of Series A preferred stock.

Financial Information. For additional financial information that holders of Series A preferred stock should review, please see “Expedia Summary Selected Consolidated Financial Information” and “Market Price and Dividend Information for Expedia Common Equity,” each elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus as well as the consolidated financial statements of Expedia, Inc. appearing in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, which have been and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

The following is a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to “U.S. holders” (as defined below) of Series A preferred stock. This summary is based on current provisions of the Code, the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and on judicial and administrative interpretations of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth in this document. This discussion assumes that the merger will be consummated in accordance with the merger agreement and as described in this proxy statement/prospectus and does not purport to be a complete description of all U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger.

For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of Series A preferred stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (2) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (3) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or (4) a trust if (x) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

The following discussion addresses only holders of Series A preferred stock that are U.S. holders and hold such stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. Further, this summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances or that may be applicable to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws (including, but not limited to, financial institutions, brokers or dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, insurance companies, mutual funds, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or other flow-through entities and their partners or members, U.S. expatriates, holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, holders who hold their Series A preferred stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction, and holders who acquired Series A preferred stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation). This discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the unearned income Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. In addition, no information is provided herein with respect to the tax consequences of the merger under any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or federal laws other than those pertaining to the federal income tax. This discussion does not address the tax consequences of the merger to holders of Series A preferred stock that also own Expedia Class B common stock or to holders of Series A preferred stock that exercise appraisal rights.

If an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Series A preferred stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such entity generally will depend on the status of the partners and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding Series A preferred stock, please consult your tax advisor.

EXPEDIA STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO THEM, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

An exchange of Series A preferred stock for cash pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. Holder who exchanges Series A preferred stock for cash in the merger will, depending on such U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, be treated either as recognizing gain or loss from the disposition of the shares of Series A preferred stock or receiving a distribution from Expedia with respect to Expedia stock.

 

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Sale or Exchange Treatment. Under Section 302 of the Code, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the exchange of shares of Series A preferred stock for cash pursuant to the merger if the exchange:

 

   

results in a “complete termination” of such U.S. Holder’s equity interest in Expedia;

 

   

results in a “substantially disproportionate” redemption with respect to such U.S. Holder; or

 

   

is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to such U.S. Holder.

An exchange of shares of Series A preferred stock pursuant to the merger will result in a “complete termination” if either (i) the U.S. Holder owns no shares of Expedia stock either actually or constructively after the shares of Series A preferred stock are exchanged pursuant to the merger or (ii) the U.S. Holder actually owns no shares of Expedia stock immediately after the exchange of shares of Series A preferred stock pursuant to the merger and, with respect to shares of Expedia stock constructively owned, is eligible to waive, and effectively waives, constructive ownership of all such shares of Expedia stock. U.S. Holders wishing to satisfy the “complete termination” test through waiver of attribution should consult their tax advisors.

An exchange of shares of Series A preferred stock pursuant to the merger will result in a “substantially disproportionate” redemption with respect to a U.S. Holder if such holder does not own, actually or constructively, any shares of Expedia common stock. If an exchange of shares of Series A preferred stock pursuant to the merger fails to satisfy the “substantially disproportionate” test, the U.S. Holder may nonetheless satisfy the “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” test.

An exchange of shares of Series A preferred stock pursuant to the merger will satisfy the “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” test if it results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in Expedia. An exchange of shares of Series A preferred stock for cash that results in a relatively minor reduction of the proportionate equity interest of a U.S. Holder whose relative equity interest in Expedia is minimal and who does not exercise any control over or participate in the management of Expedia’s corporate affairs should constitute a “meaningful reduction.” In applying each of the Section 302 tests described above, a U.S. Holder must take account of shares of Expedia stock that such U.S. Holder constructively owns under attribution rules, pursuant to which the U.S. Holder will be treated as owning shares of Expedia stock owned by certain related individuals and entities, and shares of Expedia stock that the U.S. Holder has the right to acquire by exercise of an option or warrant or by conversion or exchange of a security. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the rules of Section 302 in their particular circumstances.

Contemporaneous dispositions or acquisitions of shares of Expedia stock by a U.S. Holder or a related person may be deemed to be part of a single integrated transaction and, if so, may be taken into account in determining whether any of the Section 302 tests, described above, are satisfied.

If a U.S. Holder satisfies any of the Section 302 tests described above, the U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash received in exchange for such holder’s Series A preferred stock pursuant to the merger and (ii) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the shares of Series A preferred stock so exchanged. Any such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period of the shares of Series A preferred stock exceeds one year as of the date of the exchange. Gain or loss must be determined separately for each block of shares of Series A preferred stock. Specified limitations apply to the deductibility of capital losses by U.S. Holders.

Distribution Treatment. If a U.S. Holder does not satisfy any of the Section 302 tests described above, the entire amount of cash received by such U.S. Holder pursuant to the merger will be treated as a dividend to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s allocable portion of Expedia’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. The amount of any distribution in excess of Expedia’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated as a return of capital to the extent, generally, of the U.S. Holder’s basis in the Series A preferred stock shares exchanged in the merger, and any remainder will be treated as capital gain. Any such gain will be capital gain and will be long-term capital gain if the holding period

 

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of the shares of Series A preferred stock exceeds one year as of the date of the exchange. Provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied, non-corporate U.S. Holders generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 15% on amounts treated as a dividend. Such a dividend will be taxed in its entirety, without reduction for the U.S. Holder’s tax basis of the shares of Series A preferred stock exchanged in the merger. To the extent that an exchange of the Series A preferred stock for cash in the merger is treated as the receipt by the U.S. Holder of a dividend, the U.S. Holder’s remaining adjusted basis (reduced by the amount, if any, treated as a return of capital) in the exchanged shares of Series A preferred stock will be added to any shares of Expedia stock retained by the U.S. Holder.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of cash in exchange for shares of Series A preferred stock pursuant to the merger may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%), unless the holder of such shares provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with the requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. federal income tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of the person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may generally be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

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PROPOSAL 4—THE CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY PROPOSAL

Proposal and Required Vote

In connection with the spin-off proposal, Expedia is asking you to approve the corporate opportunity proposal. The corporate opportunity proposal contemplates an amendment to the Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would provide that Expedia generally renounces any interest or expectancy in any transaction that may be a corporate opportunity for both Expedia and TripAdvisor (a “dual opportunity”) to the extent described below. Pursuant to the contemplated amendment, any individual who is an officer or director of both Expedia and TripAdvisor (a “dual role person”) will generally have no duty to communicate or offer to Expedia any dual opportunity that such dual role person has communicated or offered to TripAdvisor, will generally not be prohibited from communicating or offering any dual opportunity to TripAdvisor, and will generally not be liable to Expedia or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director or officer of Expedia, resulting from the failure to communicate or offer to Expedia a dual opportunity that such dual role person has communicated or offered to TripAdvisor. This amendment will be effective only in the event that Expedia completes the spin-off. The full text of the charter amendment providing for the corporate opportunity proposal is set forth in Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. Expedia’s existing amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains similar provisions as those discussed above with respect to matters that may be corporate opportunities for both Expedia and IAC/InterActiveCorp.

If Expedia’s stockholders approve the spin-off proposal and the corporate opportunity proposal and if Expedia proceeds with the spin-off, the TripAdvisor certificate of incorporation will include a reciprocal corporate opportunity provision.

Approval of the corporate opportunity proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock voting together as a single class.

Rationale

The Expedia Board of Directors believes that the corporate opportunity proposal and the amendment related thereto is the practical solution to the facts that (i) Expedia has in the past made, and, following the spin-off, each of Expedia and TripAdvisor may in the future make, significant acquisitions and investments, (ii) Mr. Diller is the controlling stockholder (see “Annual Meeting Procedural Matters—Record Date and Voting Rights”) and Senior Executive of Expedia and, following the spin-off, will be the controlling stockholder and Senior Executive of TripAdvisor, and (iii) Expedia believes that Mr. Diller and other persons who serve as officers or directors of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor should not be inhibited in making decisions with respect to the allocation of potential new business opportunities because of possible risks of litigation or potential liability. While Expedia considered the possibility of seeking to identify specific areas of opportunity for each of Expedia and TripAdvisor, Expedia believed that such an approach was not practical and that use of such an approach could adversely affect the companies’ future flexibility. The amendment described above is analogous to existing provisions in the Expedia amended and restated certificate of incorporation that were adopted in connection with the IAC/Expedia spin-off in view of the fact that, following that transaction, certain persons (including Mr. Diller) would serve as officers and directors of both Expedia and IAC. In light of the foregoing, the Expedia Board of Directors has determined that the corporate opportunity proposal is in the best interests of Expedia and all of its stockholders.

THE EXPEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY PROPOSAL.

 

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PROPOSAL 5—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Proposal and Required Vote

At the Annual Meeting, Expedia will ask its stockholders to elect the ten persons named below to serve as members of the Expedia Board of Directors, each to hold office for a one-year term ending on the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders or until each such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified (or, if earlier, such director’s removal or resignation).

Election of Messrs. Diller, Khosrowshahi, Kaufman, Dolgen, Fitzgerald, Malone and Tazón as directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the total number of votes cast by the holders of shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class.

Election of Messrs. Battle, Jacobson and Kern as directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the total number of votes cast by the holders of shares of Expedia common stock, present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a separate class.

For the election of the directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect because approval by a certain percentage of voting stock present or outstanding is not required.

THE EXPEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED BELOW.

Nominees

At the Annual Meeting, a board of ten directors will be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified (or, if earlier, any director’s removal or resignation from the Board of Directors). Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the holders of Expedia’s common stock, acting as a single class, are entitled to elect a number of directors equal to 25% percent of the total number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number of directors, which is currently three directors. The Board has designated Messrs. Battle, Jacobson and Kern as nominees for the positions on the Board to be elected by the holders of Expedia common stock voting as a separate class. Pursuant to a Governance Agreement among Expedia, Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) and Mr. Diller dated August 9, 2005, as amended (the “Governance Agreement”), Liberty Interactive has the right to nominate up to a number of directors equal to 20% of the total number of the directors on the Board (rounded up to the next whole number if the number of directors on the Board is not an even multiple of five) for election to the Board and has certain other rights regarding committee participation, so long as certain stock ownership requirements applicable to Liberty Interactive are satisfied. Liberty Interactive has designated Dr. Malone and Mr. Fitzgerald as its nominees to the Board. Although management does not anticipate that any of the nominees named below will be unable or unwilling to stand for election, in the event of such an occurrence, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the Board.

 

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The name and certain background information regarding each nominee, as of September 15, 2011, are set forth below. There are no family relationships among directors or executive officers of Expedia. In addition to the information presented below regarding each nominee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Board of Directors to the conclusion that he should be renominated as a director, each nominee has demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a commitment to Expedia and Expedia’s Board as demonstrated by the nominee’s past service. All of Expedia’s director-nominees also have extensive management experience in complex organizations. The Expedia Board considered the NASDAQ requirement that Expedia’s Audit Committee be composed of at least three independent directors, as well as specific NASDAQ and SEC requirements regarding financial literacy and expertise.

 

Name

   Age     

Position With Expedia, Inc.

Barry Diller

     69       Chairman and Senior Executive

Victor A. Kaufman

     68       Director and Vice Chairman

Dara Khosrowshahi

     42       Director and Chief Executive Officer

A. George “Skip” Battle

     67       Director

Jonathan L. Dolgen

     66       Director

William R. Fitzgerald

     54       Director

Craig A. Jacobson

     59       Director

Peter M. Kern

     44       Director

John C. Malone

     70       Director

José A. Tazón

     68       Director

Barry Diller has been the Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive of Expedia since the completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off in August 2005. Mr. Diller has been the Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive of IAC since December 2010 and also served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of IAC (and its predecessors) from August 1995 through November 2010. Mr. Diller also previously served as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. from August 2008 through January 2010 and as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Live Nation Entertainment from January 2010 through October 2010 and remained a member of the Board of Live Nation Entertainment through January 2011. He served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of QVC, Inc. from December 1992 through December 1994 and as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Fox, Inc. from 1984 to 1992. Prior to joining Fox, Inc., Mr. Diller served for ten years as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation. Mr. Diller is currently a member of the Boards of Directors of The Washington Post Company and of The Coca-Cola Company. Mr. Diller is also a member of the Board of Councilors for the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, the New York University Board of Trustees, the Executive Board for the Medical Sciences of the University of California, Los Angeles and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Board Membership Qualifications: As result of his involvement with Expedia both while it was operated within IAC and since the IAC/Expedia spin-off, Mr. Diller has a great depth of knowledge and experience regarding Expedia and its businesses. Mr. Diller has extensive management experience, including through his service as Chief Executive Officer of media and interactive commerce companies, as well as experience as a director serving on other public company boards, including as Chairman. Mr. Diller also effectively controls Expedia.

Victor A. Kaufman has been a director and the Vice Chairman of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Kaufman has been a director of IAC (and its predecessors) since December 1996 and has served as the Vice Chairman of IAC since October 1999. Mr. Kaufman also previously served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. from August 2008 through January 2010 and as a director of Live Nation Entertainment from January 2010 through December 2010. Mr. Kaufman served in the Office of the Chairman of IAC from January 1997 to November 1997 and as Chief Financial Officer of IAC from November 1997 to October 1999. Prior to his tenure with IAC, Mr. Kaufman served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Savoy Pictures Entertainment, Inc. from March 1992 and as a director of Savoy from February 1992.

 

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Mr. Kaufman was the founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tri-Star Pictures, Inc. and served in those capacities from 1983 until December 1987, at which time he became President and Chief Executive Officer of Tri-Star’s successor company, Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. He resigned from those positions at the end of 1989 following the acquisition of Columbia by Sony USA, Inc. Mr. Kaufman joined Columbia in 1974 and served in a variety of senior positions at Columbia and its affiliates prior to the founding of Tri-Star.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Kaufman has unique knowledge of and experience with Expedia and its businesses gained through his involvement with Expedia both while it was operated within IAC and since the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Kaufman also has a high level of financial literacy and expertise regarding mergers, acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions, as well as experience as a director serving on other public company boards.

Dara Khosrowshahi has been a director and the Chief Executive Officer of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Khosrowshahi served as the Chief Executive Officer of IAC Travel, a division of IAC, from January 2005 to the IAC/Expedia spin-off date. Prior to his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of IAC Travel, Mr. Khosrowshahi served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of IAC from January 2002 to January 2005. Mr. Khosrowshahi served as IAC’s Executive Vice President, Operations and Strategic Planning, from July 2000 to January 2002 and as President, USA Networks Interactive, a division of IAC, from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Khosrowshahi joined IAC in 1998 as Vice President of Strategic Planning and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1999. Mr. Khosrowshahi worked at Allen & Company LLC from 1991 to 1998, where he served as Vice President from 1995 to 1998.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Khosrowshahi possesses in-depth experience with and knowledge of the online travel industry gained through his service as Chief Executive Officer of IAC Travel prior to the IAC/Expedia spin-off and as Chief Executive Officer of Expedia since the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Khosrowshahi also has a high level of financial literacy and expertise regarding mergers, acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions.

A. George “Skip” Battle has been a director of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Battle previously served as the Executive Chairman of Ask Jeeves, Inc. from January 2004 through July 2005 and as its Chief Executive Officer from December 2000 until January 2004. Mr. Battle was a business consultant and investor and served as a member of the boards of directors of several technology companies from 1995 to 2000. Prior thereto, Mr. Battle served with Andersen Consulting in various roles, including Worldwide Managing Partner, Market Development, until his retirement from Andersen Consulting in 1995. Mr. Battle is currently Chairman of the Board of Fair Isaac Corporation, a position he has held since 2002, and serves as lead independent director on the Board of Directors of LinkedIn Corporation, a position he has held since December 2010. He is also a director of the Masters Select family of funds (all registered investment companies), Netflix, Inc., OpenTable, Inc., and two nonprofit organizations. Mr. Battle also served as a director of PeopleSoft, Inc. from 1995 until its acquisition by Oracle Corp. in 2004, of Barra, Inc. from 1996 until 2004 and of Advent Software, Inc. from 2006 to May 2011. Mr. Battle holds a B.A. in economics from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Battle has extensive financial, strategic, operational, and corporate governance experience, acquired through his more than 25 years as a business consultant as well as his prior service as a chief executive officer. Mr. Battle also has experience as a director serving on other public company boards.

Jonathan L. Dolgen has been a director of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. From July 2004 until April 2010, Mr. Dolgen was a Senior Advisor to Viacom, Inc. (“Old Viacom”), a worldwide entertainment and media company, where he provided advisory services to the chief executive officer of Old Viacom, or others designated by him, on an as-requested basis. Effective December 31, 2005, Old Viacom was separated into two publicly traded companies, Viacom Inc. (“New Viacom”) and CBS Corporation. From the separation of Old Viacom, Mr. Dolgen provided advisory services to the chief executive officer of New Viacom, or others designated by him, on an as-requested basis. Since July 2004, Mr. Dolgen has been a private investor, and since September 2004, Mr. Dolgen has been a principal of Wood River Ventures, LLC, a private start-up

 

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entity that seeks investment and other opportunities and provides consulting services, primarily in the media sector. Since April 2005, Mr. Dolgen, through Wood River, has had an arrangement with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC to seek investment opportunities and consult, primarily in the media sector. From October 2006 through March 2008, Mr. Dolgen served as senior consultant for ArtistDirect, Inc. From April 1994 to July 2004, Mr. Dolgen served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Viacom Entertainment Group, a unit of Old Viacom, where he oversaw various operations of Old Viacom’s businesses, which during 2003 and 2004 primarily included the operations engaged in motion picture production and distribution, television production and distribution, regional theme parks, theatrical exhibition and publishing. As a result of the separation of Old Viacom, Old Viacom’s motion picture production and distribution and theatrical exhibition business became part of New Viacom’s businesses, and substantially all of the remaining businesses of Old Viacom overseen by Mr. Dolgen remained with CBS Corporation. Mr. Dolgen began his career in the entertainment industry in 1976 and, until joining the Viacom Entertainment Group, served in executive positions at Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., Twentieth Century Fox and Fox, Inc., and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Mr. Dolgen has also been a director of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. since its formation following the merger of Live Nation, Inc. and Ticketmaster in January 2010. Prior to the merger, Mr. Dolgen was a director of Ticketmaster from August 2008. From October 2004 until September 2008, Mr. Dolgen was a Director of Charter Communications, Inc. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Claremont Graduate School and a director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Mr. Dolgen holds a B.S. from Cornell University and a J.D. from New York University.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Dolgen has extensive high-level executive management experience, including prior service as a Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dolgen also has experience as a director serving on other public company boards. Mr. Dolgen has significant expertise in both traditional and new media.

William R. Fitzgerald has been a director of Expedia since March 2006. He has served as a Senior Vice President of Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) since 2000, and has served as a Senior Vice President of Liberty Media Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Capstarz, Inc.) since September 2011. In addition, Mr. Fitzgerald serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. Prior to joining Liberty Interactive, Mr. Fitzgerald served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for AT&T Broadband (formerly known as Tele-Communications, Inc.). Prior to that, Mr. Fitzgerald served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Tele-Communications, Inc., was a partner at Daniels & Associates and was a commercial banker at The First National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Fitzgerald served on the Board of Directors of Cablevision Corporation from 1998 to 2000 and on the Board of Directors of OnCommand Corporation from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Fitzgerald received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business and a master’s degree from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Fitzgerald was nominated as a director by Liberty Interactive, which currently has the right to nominate two individuals for election to Expedia’s Board of Directors pursuant to the Governance Agreement. Mr. Fitzgerald has significant executive-level experience and a strong operational background.

Craig A. Jacobson has been a director of Expedia since December 2007. Mr. Jacobson is a founding partner at the law firm of Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren & Richman, L.L.P., where he has practiced entertainment law for the past 20 years. Mr. Jacobson is a member of the Board of Directors of Aver Media, a privately-held Canadian lending institution and was a director of Ticketmaster from August 2008 until its merger with Live-Nation, Inc. in January 2010.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Jacobson has extensive legal and business knowledge and experience in corporate governance matters. Mr. Jacobson also has significant financial knowledge gained during his more than twenty years practicing law as well as his service as a director serving on public and private company boards.

Peter M. Kern has been a director of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Mr. Kern is a Managing Partner of InterMedia Partners, LP, a private equity firm. Prior to joining InterMedia, Mr. Kern was

 

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Senior Managing Director and Principal of Alpine Capital LLC. Prior to Alpine Capital, Mr. Kern founded Gemini Associates in 1996 and served as President from its inception through its merger with Alpine Capital in 2001. Prior to founding Gemini Associates, Mr. Kern was at the Home Shopping Network and Whittle Communications. Mr. Kern serves on the boards of a number of private companies, including Televicentro of Puerto Rico, LLC, Luxury Retreats International Holdings, Inc. and Cine Latino, Inc. Mr. Kern holds a B.S. degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Board Membership Qualifications: Through his extensive background in private equity and as a director of several private companies, as well as prior experience in senior executive positions, Mr. Kern has a high level of financial expertise and background in analyzing investments and strategic transactions.

John C. Malone has been a director of Expedia since completion of the IAC/Expedia spin-off. Dr. Malone has served as the Chairman of the Board of Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) since 1990 and as Chairman of the Board of Liberty Media Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Capstarz, Inc.) since September 2011, and he served as Liberty Interactive’s Chief Executive Officer from August 2004 through February 2006. Dr. Malone also served as Chairman of the Board of Tele-Communications, Inc. from 1996 to 1999 and as Chief Executive Officer of Tele-Communications, Inc. from 1994 to 1997. In addition, Dr. Malone has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Liberty Global, Inc. since June 2005 and served as Chairman of the Board of Liberty Global’s predecessor, LMI, from March 2004 to June 2005. He has served as a director of Discovery Communications, Inc. since September 2008, and he served as Chairman of the Board of its predecessor, Discovery Holding Company, from May 2005 to September 2008. Dr. Malone has served as a director of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. since January 2010 and Sirius XM Radio Inc. since April 2009. Dr. Malone served as a director of the Bank of New York Company, Inc. from June 2005 to April 2007 and as a director of Cablevision Systems Corp. from March 2005 to June 2005. In addition, Dr. Malone served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of DIRECTV from November 2009 until June 2010 and previously to that he served as Chairman of the Board of DIRECTV’s predecessor, The DirecTV Group, Inc., from February 2008 to November 2009. Dr. Malone also served as a director of IAC/InterActiveCorp from May 2006 until June 2010, and of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. from January 2010 until February 2011.

Board Membership Qualifications: Dr. Malone was nominated as a director by Liberty Interactive, which currently has the right to nominate two individuals for election to Expedia’s Board of Directors pursuant to the Governance Agreement. Dr. Malone is a leader in the media and telecommunications industry and has extensive senior executive experience as well as experience as a director serving on other public company boards.

José A. Tazón has been a director of Expedia since March 2009. Since January 1, 2009, Mr. Tazón has served as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amadeus IT Group S.A., a leading provider of IT solutions to the travel and tourism industry. Mr. Tazón served as Amadeus’ President and Chief Executive Officer from October 1990 until December 2008. Prior to joining Amadeus, Mr. Tazón worked at Iberian Airlines from 1975 until 1987, where he served as Head of Systems Planning from 1983 until 1987. Mr. Tazón received advanced degrees in Telecommunications Engineering and Data Processing from the Universidad Politécnica, Madrid, Spain.

Board Membership Qualifications: Mr. Tazón has extensive senior-level management experience, including eighteen years as a chief executive officer. He also has a wealth of knowledge of the travel and tourism industry, including insight and understanding of technology solutions related to the industry, and a strong background in the global travel marketplace.

Board Meetings and Committees

Controlled Company Status. Expedia is subject to the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rules. These rules exempt “controlled companies,” or companies of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company, such as Expedia, from certain requirements.

As of the record date for the Annual Meeting, under the stockholders agreement between Liberty Media Corporation (the predecessor entity to Liberty Interactive Corporation) and Mr. Diller entered into on August 9,

 

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2005, Mr. Diller, through shares owned by him as well as those beneficially owned by Liberty Interactive as of October 28, 2011, the record date for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, generally controls the vote of approximately 22% of the outstanding common stock (or 31% assuming exercise of Mr. Diller’s vested stock options and conversion of all shares of Class B common stock into shares of common stock) and 100% of the outstanding Class B common stock and, consequently, approximately 62% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Expedia capital stock. Mr. Diller, Liberty Interactive and certain of their affiliates have filed a Statement of Beneficial Ownership on Schedule 13D (and related amendments) with respect to their Expedia holdings and related voting arrangements with the SEC. On this basis, Expedia is relying on the exemption for controlled companies from certain NASDAQ requirements, including, among others, the requirement that a majority of the Expedia Board of Directors be composed of independent directors, the requirement that the Compensation Committee be composed solely of independent directors and certain requirements relating to the nomination of directors.

Director Independence. The Expedia Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Battle, Dolgen, Jacobson, Kern and Tazón is an “independent director” as defined by the NASDAQ listing rules. In making its independence determinations, the Board considered the applicable legal standards and any relevant transactions, relationships or arrangements, including legal services provided to a subsidiary of IAC by the law firm in which Mr. Jacobson is a partner and Mr. Tazón’s service as non-executive chairman of Amadeus, a company with which Expedia has a contractual relationship.

The Board. The Expedia Board of Directors met five times, and acted by written consent one time, in 2010. During such period, all of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the Board committees on which they served. The independent directors meet in regularly scheduled sessions, typically before or after each Board meeting, without the presence of management. Directors are encouraged, but not required to attend annual meetings of Expedia stockholders. All ten members of the Expedia Board attended the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The Expedia Board of Directors has the following standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Section 16 Committee, the Executive Committee and the Preferred Stock Subcommittee. The Audit, Compensation and Section 16 Committees operate under written charters adopted by the Board of Directors. These charters are available in the About Expedia, Inc./Leadership section of Expedia’s corporate website at www.expediainc.com.

Board Leadership Structure. Mr. Diller serves as the Chairman and also serves as Senior Executive of Expedia, and Mr. Khosrowshahi serves as Chief Executive Officer of Expedia. The roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board are currently separated in recognition of the differences between the two roles. We believe that it is in the best interests of Expedia stockholders for the Board to make a determination regarding the separation or combination of these roles each time it elects a new Chairman or Chief Executive Officer based on the relevant facts and circumstances applicable at such time. Independent members of the Board chair Expedia’s Audit, Compensation and Section 16 Committees. Expedia has had the current leadership structure since the IAC/Expedia spin-off.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight. As part of its general oversight duties, the Expedia Board of Directors oversees Expedia’s risk management. The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel attend quarterly Board meetings and discuss operational risks with the Board. Management also provides quarterly reports and presentations on strategic risks to the Board. Between quarterly meetings, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel meet regularly with the Executive Committee, and the members are informed of any immediate risks at such meetings.

In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for discussing with management Expedia’s major financial risks and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such risks, including Expedia’s risk assessment and risk management policies. The Audit Committee also has oversight responsibility for Expedia’s foreign exchange risk management policy and investment management policy. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit

 

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Committee receives regular reports from the Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Vice President of Internal Audit, Treasurer, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. In addition, the Committee reviews the results of the annual risk assessment survey of key company leaders. The Vice President of Internal Audit reports directly to the Audit Committee and provides quarterly (or more frequent) reports on the results of internal audits and investigations. The Audit Committee makes regular reports to the Board.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of the Expedia Board of Directors currently consists of three directors: Messrs. Battle, Jacobson and Kern. Each current Audit Committee member satisfies the independence requirements under the current standards imposed by the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ. The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Battle and Kern is an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in the regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

The Audit Committee functions pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, pursuant to which the Audit Committee is granted the responsibilities and authority necessary to comply with Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. The full text of the Audit Committee charter is available in the Investor Information section of Expedia’s corporate website at www.expediainc.com/ir. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board with a variety of matters discussed in detail in the charter, including monitoring: (i) the integrity of Expedia’s financial reporting process, (ii) the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, (iii) the performance of Expedia’s internal audit function and the independent registered public accounting firm and (iv) Expedia’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Mr. Battle is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met eight times in 2010. The formal report of the Audit Committee with respect to the year ended December 31, 2010, is set forth under the heading “Audit Committee Report” below.

Compensation Committee. The Expedia Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Dolgen, Fitzgerald and Kern. With the exception of Mr. Fitzgerald, each member is an “independent director” as defined by the NASDAQ listing rules. No member of the Compensation Committee is an employee of Expedia. The Compensation Committee is responsible for (i) administering and overseeing Expedia’s executive compensation program, including salary matters, bonus plans and stock compensation plans, and (ii) approving all grants of equity awards, but excluding matters governed by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (see section below titled “Section 16 Committee”). Mr. Dolgen is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. In 2010, the Compensation Committee met six times and took action by written consent one time. A description of Expedia’s processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation is included in the section below titled “Expedia Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Section 16 Committee. The Expedia Section 16 Committee consists of Messrs. Dolgen and Kern. Each member is an “independent director” as defined by the NASDAQ listing rules and satisfies the definition of “non-employee director” for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Section 16 Committee is authorized to exercise all powers of the Board of Directors with respect to matters governed by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, including approving grants of equity awards to Expedia’s executive officers. Mr. Dolgen is the Chairman of the Section 16 Committee. The Section 16 Committee met six times in 2010.

Executive Committee. The Expedia Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Diller, Kaufman and Khosrowshahi. The Executive Committee has all the power and authority of the Board of Directors, except those powers specifically reserved to the Board by Delaware law. Mr. Diller is the Chairman of the Executive Committee. In 2010, the Executive Committee held four meetings and acted by written consent three times.

Other Committees. In addition to the foregoing committees, the Expedia Board of Directors has established a Preferred Stock Subcommittee, of which Mr. Khosrowshahi is the sole member. The Preferred Stock Subcommittee is authorized solely to declare dividends on Expedia’s Series A preferred stock. The Preferred Stock Subcommittee acted by written consent four times in 2010. The Board of Directors may also from time to time establish other committees of the Board consisting of one or more of its directors.

 

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Compensation Policies and Practices Risk Assessment. Consistent with new SEC disclosure requirements, management has assessed compensation policies and practices for Expedia employees and has concluded that such policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Expedia.

Director Nominations

Given the ownership structure of Expedia and its status as a “controlled company,” the Expedia Board of Directors does not have a nominating committee or other committee performing similar functions or any formal policy on director nominations. Pursuant to the Governance Agreement, Liberty Interactive has the right to nominate a number of directors equal to 20% of the total number of the directors on the Expedia Board of Directors (rounded up to the next whole number if the number of directors on the Board is not an even multiple of five) for election to the Expedia Board so long as certain stock ownership requirements are satisfied. The Expedia Board does not have specific requirements for eligibility to serve as a director of Expedia, nor does it have a specific policy on diversity. However, in evaluating candidates, regardless of how recommended, the Board considers whether the professional and personal ethics and values of the candidate are consistent with those of Expedia, whether the candidate’s experience and expertise would be beneficial to the Board in rendering service to Expedia, including in providing a mix of Board members that represent a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and opinions, whether the candidate is willing and able to devote the necessary time and energy to the work of the Board, and whether the candidate is prepared and qualified to represent the best interests of Expedia’s stockholders. Given the controlled status of Expedia, the Board believes the process described above is appropriate. Liberty Interactive has nominated Dr. Malone and Mr. Fitzgerald as nominees for 2011. The other nominees to the Expedia Board were recommended by the Chairman and then were considered and recommended by the entire Board.

The Expedia Board of Directors does not have a formal policy regarding the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders. However, the Board would consider such recommendations if made in the future. Stockholders who wish to make such a recommendation should send the recommendation to Expedia, Inc., 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004, Attention: Secretary. The envelope must contain a clear notation that the enclosed letter is a “Director Nominee Recommendation.” The letter must identify the author as a stockholder, provide a brief summary of the candidate’s qualifications and history and be accompanied by evidence of the sender’s stock ownership, as well as consent by the candidate to serve as a director if elected. Any director candidate recommendations will be reviewed by the Secretary and, if deemed appropriate, forwarded to the Chairman for further review. If the Chairman believes that the candidate fits the profile of a director nominee as described above, the recommendation will be shared with the entire Board.

Communications With the Board

Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Expedia Board of Directors or a particular director may send such communication to Expedia, Inc., 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004, Attention: Secretary. The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Stockholder-Board Communication” or “Stockholder-Director Communication.” All such letters must identify the author as a stockholder, provide evidence of the sender’s stock ownership and clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board or just certain specified directors. The Secretary will then review such correspondence and forward it to the Board, or to the specified director(s), if deemed appropriate. Communications that are primarily commercial in nature, that are not relevant to stockholders or other interested constituents or that relate to improper or irrelevant topics will generally not be forwarded to the Board or to the specified director(s).

Compensation Policies and Practices Risk Assessment

Consistent with new SEC disclosure requirements, management has assessed compensation policies and practices for Company employees and has concluded that such policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

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Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

The Expedia Board of Directors sets non-employee director compensation, which is designed to provide competitive compensation necessary to attract and retain high quality non-employee directors and to encourage ownership of Company stock to further align directors’ interests with those of our stockholders.

Expedia employees do not receive compensation for services as directors, and Liberty Interactive nominees have historically agreed that they would not receive compensation for their Expedia Board service, including for 2011. During 2010, each non-employee director of Expedia was entitled to receive the following compensation:

 

   

an annual retainer of $45,000, paid in equal quarterly installments;

 

   

a grant of restricted stock units (“Director RSUs”) with a value of $250,000 (based on the closing price of Expedia’s common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the day prior to the grant), upon such director’s initial election to office and on the date of each Expedia annual meeting of stockholders at which the director is reelected;

 

   

an annual retainer of $20,000 for each member of the Audit Committee (including the Chairman) and $15,000 for each member of the Compensation Committee (including the Chairman); and

 

   

an additional annual retainer of $10,000 for the Chairman of the Audit Committee and $10,000 for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

Director RSUs vest in three equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date (the “Vesting Period”) and are credited with dividend equivalents for any regular dividends paid on Expedia common stock having a record date during the Vesting Period. The dividend equivalents vest concurrently with the vesting of the related restricted stock units. Director RSUs vest in full the event of a change in control (as defined in the Expedia 2005 Plan).

Members of the Section 16 Committee do not receive additional compensation for service on that committee.

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

In March 2010, the Expedia Board of Directors adopted stock ownership guidelines for directors to further align the interests of the directors with the interests of the stockholders of Expedia. The director ownership guidelines apply to all directors except (i) directors who are also subject to Expedia’s Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines and (ii) directors nominated by Liberty Interactive, who do not receive compensation from Expedia for service on the Board of Directors (the “Covered Directors”). Covered Directors are encouraged to hold a number of shares of Expedia common stock during their tenure equal to three times the annual cash retainer (currently $45,000, with the current holding requirement thereby equal to $135,000). Each Covered Director will have three years from the later of (i) the adoption of the policy and (ii) election to the Board of Directors to acquire such shares. If the annual cash retainer is increased during a Covered Director’s service, he shall have three years from the date of the increase in the annual cash retainer to acquire the additional stock.

Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan

Under Expedia’s Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, non-employee directors may defer all or a portion of their directors’ fees. Eligible directors who defer their directors’ fees may elect to have such deferred fees (i) applied to the purchase of share units, representing the number of shares of Expedia common stock that could have been purchased on the date such fees would otherwise be payable, or (ii) credited to a cash fund. If any dividends are paid on Expedia common stock, dividend equivalents will be credited on the share units. The cash fund will be credited with deemed interest at an annual rate equal to the average “bank prime loan” rate for such year identified in the U.S. Federal Reserve Statistical Release. Upon termination of service as a director of Expedia, a director will receive (1) with respect to share units, such number of shares of Expedia

 

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common stock as the share units represent, and (2) with respect to the cash fund, a cash payment. Payments upon termination will be made in either one lump sum or up to five installments, as elected by the eligible director at the time of the deferral election.

2010 Non-Employee Director Compensation

As employees of Expedia, Messrs. Diller, Kaufman and Khosrowshahi did not receive compensation for service as directors. Dr. Malone and Mr. Fitzgerald, who were each nominated by Liberty Interactive, also did not receive compensation for their Expedia Board service. The following table shows the 2010 compensation information for the remaining directors of Expedia:

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
     Stock Awards
($)(2)(3)
     Option
Awards
($)(4)
     All Other
Compensation
($)(5)
     Total
($)
 

A. George “Skip” Battle(6)

   $ 75,000       $ 249,991       $ —         $ 6,678       $ 331,669   

Jonathan L. Dolgen(7)

     70,000         249,991         —           1,678         321,669   

Craig A. Jacobson(8)

     65,000         249,991         —           1,910         316,901   

Peter M. Kern(9)

     80,000         249,991         —           1,678         331,669   

José A. Tazón(10)

     45,000         249,991         —           671         295,662   

 

(1) This column reports the amount of cash compensation earned in 2010 for Board and committee service, including amounts deferred at the director’s election.
(2) Amounts shown reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Classification (“ASC”) Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. These amounts reflect an estimate of the grant date fair value and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the directors. Stock awards consist of RSUs valued using the closing price of Expedia common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the day immediately preceding the grant date.
(3) Each of Messrs. Battle, Dolgen, Jacobson and Kern had 25,941, and Mr. Tazón had 22,165, RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2010. On June 8, 2010, the date of Expedia’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each of the directors listed in the table above received an award of 12,575 RSUs with a grant date fair value of $249,991.
(4) Expedia has not granted any options for service as a director. At December 31, 2010, Mr. Battle held options to purchase 112,848 shares of Expedia common stock that were issued in connection with IAC’s acquisition of Ask Jeeves, Inc. in July 2005.
(5) Unvested RSUs held by directors are credited with dividend equivalents at the same rate and at the same time as regular cash dividends paid to Expedia’s common stockholders. Such dividend equivalents vest and are paid upon vesting of the underlying RSUs. The amounts of such dividend equivalents were factored into the grant date fair values of 2010 RSU grants shown in the above table; however, dividend equivalents were not factored into the grant date fair values of RSUs awarded to directors prior to 2010. Accordingly, dividend equivalents paid to directors in 2010 on unvested RSUs awarded prior to 2010 are included in “all other compensation.” For Mr. Battle, please see footnote 6 below.
(6) Mr. Battle is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in Expedia’s matching gifts program, which is the same program available to all U.S.- and Canada-based employees. In 2010, Mr. Battle submitted a request to match up to $5,000 of a contribution he made to a charity, and this request was approved during 2010. Payment is expected to be made by Expedia to the charitable organization during the second quarter of 2011.
(7) Mr. Dolgen is the Chairman of the Compensation and Section 16 Committees. Mr. Dolgen deferred his director fees for 2010 pursuant to Expedia’s Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, which is described above, but has elected to cease such deferral beginning with fees earned during the first quarter of 2011.
(8) Mr. Jacobson is a member of the Audit Committee.
(9) Mr. Kern is a member of each of the Audit, Compensation and Section 16 Committees.
(10) Mr. Tazón has elected to defer his director fees beginning in the first quarter of 2010 pursuant to Expedia’s Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, which is described above.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Expedia Board of Directors currently has a Compensation Committee consisting of Messrs. Dolgen, Fitzgerald and Kern and a Section 16 Committee consisting of Messrs. Dolgen and Kern. None of Messrs. Dolgen, Fitzgerald or Kern was an officer or employee of Expedia, formerly an officer of Expedia, or an executive officer of an entity for which an executive officer of Expedia served as a member of the compensation committee or as a director during the one-year period ended December  31, 2010.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, Expedia officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of Expedia’s equity securities are required to file initial statements of beneficial ownership (Form 3) and statements of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) with the SEC. Such persons are required by the rules of the SEC to furnish Expedia with copies of all such forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to Expedia and/or written representations that no additional forms were required, Expedia believes that all of its directors and officers complied with all of the reporting requirements applicable to them with respect to transactions during 2010.

Information Concerning Executive Officers

Background information as of September 15, 2011 about each of Expedia’s executive officers who does not also serve as a director of Expedia is provided below.

 

Name

   Age     

Position With Expedia, Inc.

Michael B. Adler

     48       Outgoing Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dhiren R. Fonseca

     46       Co-President, Partner Services Group

Gary M. Fritz

     38       Co-President, Partner Services Group

Burke F. Norton

     44       Outgoing Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Mark D. Okerstrom

     38       Incoming Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Lance A. Soliday

     39       Incoming Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

Patricia L. Zuccotti

     64       Outgoing Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

Michael B. Adler served as Chief Financial Officer of Expedia from May 2006 to September 2011. Mr. Adler had served as Executive Vice President, Finance during a one-month transition period prior to the effective date of his appointment as Chief Financial Officer of Expedia. Prior to joining Expedia, Mr. Adler served as the Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis, for IAC. Mr. Adler was promoted to that position in April 2005 from Vice President, Financial Analysis and Operational Reporting, a position he had held since January 2002. Mr. Adler joined IAC in May 2001 as Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration, for IAC’s Information and Services Group. Prior to joining IAC, Mr. Adler held a number of positions, including Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel for SchoolSports, Inc. and Vice President and General Counsel for Cheyenne Software, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Adler practiced law with Feldman, Waldman & Kline. Mr. Adler received his B.S. in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Adler received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Dhiren R. Fonseca has served as Expedia’s Co-President, Partner Services Group since March 2009. Mr. Fonseca had previously served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy from April 2006 and as Vice President, Strategy between February 2005 and April 2006. Mr. Fonseca has been at the forefront of online travel since 1995, when he was one of the original members of Microsoft Corporation’s Travel Technology Group, which became Expedia.com in October of 1996 while still part of Microsoft Corporation. During his 15-year tenure with Expedia, Mr. Fonseca has served in numerous sales, marketing, and business development capacities. Prior to his work in online travel, Mr. Fonseca had served in numerous

 

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capacities within Microsoft Corporation, including on Windows 95 marketing teams between 1994 and 1995 and in Microsoft’s corporate field sales force between 1988 and 1993. In 1991 Mr. Fonseca was the sole recipient of the Chairman’s award for outstanding contribution to the success of Microsoft Corporation. Mr. Fonseca studied computer science at the University of Manitoba and he did not complete an undergraduate degree.

Gary M. Fritz has served as Co-President, Partner Services Group since March 2009. Mr. Fritz had previously served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy from April 2006, as Vice President, Strategy between February 2005 and April 2006 and as Director of Strategy between December 2003, when he first joined Expedia, and February 2005. Between September 2000 and December 2003, Mr. Fritz had worked as consultant at McKinsey and Company. Mr. Fritz received his B.A. degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.B.A. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Burke F. Norton served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Expedia from October 2006 to October 2011. Prior to joining Expedia, Mr. Norton was a partner at the law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati P.C., where he practiced corporate and securities law for 11 years, representing emerging growth and technology companies in the enterprise software, telecommunications, semiconductor, life sciences, entertainment and e-commerce industries. Mr. Norton received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, where he was Executive Editor of the California Law Review.

Mark D. Okerstrom has served as Expedia’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2011 and as Secretary since October 28, 2011. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development of Expedia since February 2009. Having joined Expedia in October 2006, Mr. Okerstrom had also previously served as Vice President, Corporate Development until February 2009 and as Senior Director, Corporate Development until February 2008. Prior to joining Expedia, Mr. Okerstrom was a consultant with Bain & Company in Boston and San Francisco, and worked with UBS Investment Bank in London. Prior to that, Mr. Okerstrom practiced as an attorney with the global law firm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. Mr. Okerstrom holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a law degree from the University of British Columbia.

Lance A. Soliday has served as Expedia’s Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller since September 2011 and, prior to that, as Senior Director, Financial Reporting since February 2009. Mr. Soliday has previously served as Expedia’s Director, Financial Reporting since December 2006 and Director, Accounting Research since joining Expedia in May 2006. Prior to Expedia, Mr. Soliday held various roles in the finance departments of Amazon.com and Microsoft Corporation. Previously, Mr. Soliday was an accountant with Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Soliday received his bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and is a certified public accountant.

Patricia L. Zuccotti served as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of Expedia from October 2005 to September 2011. Prior to joining Expedia, Ms. Zuccotti was employed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, a professional services firm, for 22 years, serving most recently as Director, Enterprise Risk Services, from June 2003 to October 2005 and as Director, Audit, from June 1993 to June 2003. Ms. Zuccotti received her B.A. from Trinity College and her M.B.A. from the University of Washington. She is a certified public accountant.

 

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PROPOSAL 6—RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Overview

Ernst & Young LLP was Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has also appointed Ernst & Young LLP as Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011.

Selection of Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required to be submitted to a vote of the stockholders for ratification. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that the Audit Committee be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the audit work of the independent registered public accounting firm. If the stockholders fail to vote on an advisory basis in favor of the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain Ernst & Young LLP and may retain that firm or another firm without resubmitting the matter to Expedia stockholders. Even if stockholders vote on an advisory basis in favor of the appointment, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders.

A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so chooses and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Required Vote

At the Annual Meeting, Expedia will ask its stockholders to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2011. This proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulations of voting power present and entitled to vote on the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm proposal and will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. Brokers have discretion to vote on the proposal for ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm.

THE EXPEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS EXPEDIA’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2011.

 

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PROPOSAL 7—ADVISORY VOTE ON EXPEDIA’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview

The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 enables Expedia stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory or non-binding basis, the compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement/prospectus in accordance with SEC rules.

Expedia’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled executives with the business experience and acumen that management and the Compensation Committees believe are necessary for achievement of Expedia’s long-term business objectives. In addition, the executive compensation program is designed to reward short- and long-term performance and to align the financial interests of executive officers with the interests of Expedia’s stockholders. Please refer to the “Expedia Executive Compensation—Expedia Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section for a detailed discussion of Expedia’s executive compensation practices and philosophy.

Expedia is asking for stockholder approval of the compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement/prospectus in accordance with SEC rules, which disclosures include the disclosures in the “Expedia Executive Compensation—Expedia Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the compensation tables and the narrative discussion following the compensation tables. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers and the policies and practices described in this proxy statement.

This vote is advisory and therefore not binding on Expedia, the Compensation Committees of the Expedia Board of Directors, or the Expedia Board of Directors. The Expedia Board of Directors and the Expedia Compensation Committees value the opinions of Expedia’s stockholders and Expedia is providing the vote as required pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. To the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Expedia Compensation Committees will consider the impact of such vote on its compensation policies and decisions.

Required Vote

At the Annual Meeting, Expedia will ask its stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of its named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement/prospectus in accordance with SEC rules. This proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulations of voting power present and entitled to vote on the Expedia executive compensation proposal and will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. Brokers do not have discretion to vote on the proposal regarding Expedia’s executive compensation and broker non-votes will have no effect on the proposal.

THE EXPEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF EXPEDIA’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SEC RULES.

 

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PROPOSAL 8—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF HOLDING FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXPEDIA’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview

The Dodd-Frank Act also enables Expedia stockholders to vote, on an advisory or non-binding basis, on how frequently they would like to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers. By voting on this proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation every one, two, or three years. Expedia is including this proposal as required pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

After careful consideration of this proposal, Expedia’s Board of Directors has determined that conducting an advisory vote on the compensation of its named executive officers every three years is the most appropriate alternative for Expedia, and therefore Expedia’s Board of Directors recommends that you vote for a three-year interval for the advisory vote on the compensation of its named executive officers.

In formulating its recommendation, Expedia’s Board of Directors considered that a triennial advisory vote on its named executive officer compensation is a reasonable frequency as it is more in line with the long-term nature of Expedia’s equity compensation horizon and because it would allow for an appropriate interval between the vote and an opportunity to evaluate Expedia’s consideration of the results of the prior vote, thereby enabling Expedia’s stockholders to assess the impact of Expedia’s named executive officer compensation policies and decisions. Expedia understands that its stockholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for Expedia and looks forward to hearing from its stockholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on this proposal.

Required Vote

At the Annual Meeting, Expedia will ask its stockholders to choose, on an advisory basis, how frequently they would like to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers. Generally, approval of any matter presented to stockholders requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of Expedia capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class. However, because this vote is advisory and non-binding, if none of the frequency options receives such a majority, the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the frequency recommended by Expedia’s stockholders. Even though this vote will not be binding on Expedia or the Expedia Board of Directors and will not create or imply any change in the fiduciary duties of, or impose any additional fiduciary duty on, Expedia or the Expedia Board of Directors, the Expedia Board of Directors will take into account the outcome of this vote in making a determination on the frequency at which Expedia will include advisory votes on its named executive officer compensation in Expedia’s proxy statement.

Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulations of voting power present and entitled to vote on the frequency of advisory votes on Expedia’s named executive officer compensation proposal and will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. Brokers do not have discretion to vote on the proposal regarding the frequency of the Expedia named executive officer compensation proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the proposal.

THE EXPEDIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF A THREE-YEAR INTERVAL FOR THE ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF EXPEDIA’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

 

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ANNUAL MEETING PROCEDURAL MATTERS

This proxy statement/prospectus is being furnished to holders of common stock, Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock of Expedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by Expedia’s Board of Directors for use at its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Expedia’s principal offices are located at 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004. This proxy statement/prospectus is being made available to Expedia stockholders on or about November 3, 2011.

Date, Time and Place of Meeting

The Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 11:00 am local time at 555 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011.

Only stockholders and persons holding proxies from stockholders may attend the Annual Meeting (this includes persons who are beneficial owners and bring a proxy or letter from their broker, trust, bank or other nominee that confirms that they are the beneficial owner of shares). If your shares are registered in your name, you must bring a form of identification to the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, otherwise known as holding in “street name,” you must bring a proxy or letter from that broker, trust, bank or other nominee that confirms you are the beneficial owner of those shares. Cameras and recording devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting.

Record Date and Voting Rights

General. The Board of Directors established the close of business on October 28, 2011 as the record date for determining the holders of Expedia stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, 241,186,419 shares of common stock, 25,599,998 shares of Class B common stock and 751 shares of Series A preferred stock were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Expedia stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock, ten votes for each share of Class B common stock and two votes for each share of Series A preferred stock held as of the record date, voting together as a single class, in (i) the reverse stock split proposal, (ii) the preferred stock merger proposal, (iii) the election of seven of the ten director nominees, (iv) the ratification of the appointment of Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm, and (v) the two advisory proposals regarding Expedia’s executive compensation. Expedia stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held as of the record date in the election of the three director nominees that the holders of Expedia common stock are entitled to elect as a separate class pursuant to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. The spin-off proposal must be approved by (i) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, voting as a separate class, (ii) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia Class B common stock, voting as a separate class, (iii) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock, voting together as a single class, with each share of Expedia common stock entitled to one vote per share, each share of Expedia Class B common stock entitled to ten votes per share and each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock entitled to two votes per share; and (iv) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management.

As of the record date, Barry Diller, the Chairman and Senior Executive of Expedia, held an irrevocable proxy over all Expedia securities owned by Liberty Interactive Corporation and its subsidiaries. This irrevocable proxy includes authority to vote on each of the proposals presented for approval at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Diller, through shares that he owns as well as those subject to the Liberty Interactive proxy, generally controls the vote of approximately 22% of the outstanding shares of common stock (or 31% assuming exercise of Mr. Diller’s vested stock options and conversion of all shares of Class B common stock into shares of common stock) and 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock and, consequently, approximately 62% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Expedia capital stock as of the record date. As a result, regardless

 

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of the vote of any other Expedia stockholder, Mr. Diller has control over the votes relating to the reverse stock split proposal, the preferred stock merger proposal, the election of seven of the ten director nominees, the ratification of the appointment of Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the advisory proposals regarding Expedia’s executive compensation. In addition, the spin-off proposal must be approved by (i) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, voting as a separate class (which vote Mr. Diller does not control), (ii) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia Class B common stock, voting as a separate class (which vote Mr. Diller does control), (iii) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, Expedia Class B common stock and Expedia Series A preferred stock, voting together as a single class (which vote Mr. Diller does control), with each share of Expedia common stock entitled to one vote per share, each share of Expedia Class B common stock entitled to ten votes per share and each share of Expedia Series A preferred stock entitled to two votes per share; and (iv) the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Expedia common stock, other than shares owned or controlled by Expedia management (which vote Mr. Diller does not control).

Voting of Stock Held in 401(k) Plan. The trustee of Expedia’s 401(k) plan for employees, Fidelity Management Trust Company, will vote Expedia common stock credited to employee accounts in accordance with such employees’ voting instructions. The trustee will vote the 401(k) plan stock for which voting instructions are not received in the same proportion as the shares for which voting instructions are received.

Quorum; Abstentions; Broker Non-Votes

Transaction of business at the Annual Meeting may occur if a quorum is present. If a quorum is not present, it is expected that the Annual Meeting will be adjourned or postponed in order to permit additional time for soliciting and obtaining additional proxies or votes, and, at any subsequent reconvening of the Annual Meeting, all proxies will be voted in the same manner as such proxies would have been voted at the original convening of the Annual Meeting, except for any proxies that have been effectively revoked or withdrawn.

The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Corporation entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. In the election of seven of the ten director nominees and the seven other proposals (other than the proposal referred to in the immediate subsequent sentence) currently expected to be brought before the Annual Meeting, the presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Corporation entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. In the election of the three directors whom the holders of Expedia common stock are entitled to elect as a separate class, the presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock constitutes a quorum. If a share is represented for any purpose at the meeting, it is deemed to be present for quorum purposes for all other matters as well. Shares of Expedia stock represented by a properly executed proxy will be treated as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, without regard to whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote or abstaining.

Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote the shares on a proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power for a particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner regarding voting. Brokers who hold shares for the accounts of their clients have discretionary authority to vote shares if specific instructions are not given with respect to the ratification of the appointment of Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm. Brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote on the spin-off proposal, the reverse stock split proposal, the preferred stock merger proposal, the corporate opportunity proposal, the election of Expedia’s directors or on the two Expedia executive compensation advisory proposals, so you are encouraged to provide instructions to your broker regarding the voting of your shares.

 

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Solicitation of Proxies

Expedia will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and employees of Expedia, without additional compensation, may solicit proxies from stockholders by telephone, by letter, by facsimile, in person or otherwise. Following the original mailing of the proxies and other soliciting materials, Expedia will request brokers, trusts, banks or other nominees to forward copies of the proxy and other soliciting materials to persons for whom they hold shares of Expedia capital stock and to request authority for the exercise of proxies. In such cases, Expedia, upon the request of the brokers, trusts, banks and other stockholder nominees, will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses.

Voting Proxies

The manner in which your shares may be voted depends on whether you are a:

 

   

Registered stockholder: your shares are represented by certificates or book entries in your name on the records of Expedia’s stock transfer agent;

 

   

401(k) plan participant: your shares are held in Expedia’s 401(k) plan for employees; or

 

   

Beneficial stockholder: you hold your shares “in street name” through a broker, trust, bank or other nominee.

Whether you hold shares directly as a registered stockholder or beneficially as a beneficial stockholder, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the Annual Meeting. For directions on how to vote, please refer to the instructions below and those on the proxy card or voting instruction form provided. To vote using the internet or by telephone, you will be required to enter the control number that is included on your proxy card or other voting instruction form provided by your broker, trust, bank or other nominee.

 

   

Using the Internet. Registered stockholders and 401(k) plan participants may vote using the internet by going to www.proxyvoting.com/expe and following the instructions. Beneficial stockholders may vote by accessing the website specified on the voting instruction forms provided by their brokers, trusts, banks or other nominees.

 

   

By Telephone. Registered stockholders and 401(k) plan participants may vote, from within the United States, using any touch-tone telephone by calling 1-866-540-5760 and following the recorded instructions. Beneficial owners may vote, from within the United States, using any touch-tone telephone by calling the number specified on the voting instruction forms provided by their brokers, trusts, banks or other nominees.

 

   

By Mail. Registered stockholders and 401(k) plan participants may submit proxies by mail by using the accompanying proxy card or requesting additional printed proxy cards and marking, signing and dating the printed proxy cards and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelopes. Beneficial owners may vote by marking, signing and dating the voting instruction forms provided and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelopes.

All proxies properly submitted and not revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated thereon. If you are a stockholder of record and submit your proxy voting instructions but do not direct how to vote on each item, the persons named as proxies will vote as the Board recommends on each of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.

Expedia is incorporated under Delaware law, which specifically permits electronically transmitted proxies, provided that each such proxy contains, or is submitted with, information from which the inspector of elections can determine that such proxy was authorized by the stockholder (Delaware General Corporation Law section 212(c)). The electronic voting procedures provided for the Annual Meeting are designed to authenticate each stockholder by use of a control number, to allow stockholders to vote their shares, and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded.

 

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Voting in Person at the Annual Meeting

You may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Votes in person will replace any previous votes you have made by mail, telephone or the internet. We will provide a ballot to registered stockholders who request one at the meeting. Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted on that ballot. Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted on a ballot only if you bring a legal proxy from the broker, trust, bank or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. Attendance at the Annual Meeting without voting or revoking a previous proxy in accordance with the voting procedures will not in and of itself revoke a proxy.

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please take the time to vote via the internet, by telephone or by returning your marked, signed and dated proxy card so that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting.

Revocation of Proxies

If you are a beneficial stockholder, you may revoke your proxy or change your vote only by following the separate instructions provided by your broker, trust, bank or other nominee.

If you are a registered stockholder, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised at the Annual Meeting by (i) delivering written notice, bearing a date later than the proxy, stating that the proxy is revoked, (ii) submitting a later-dated proxy relating to the same stock by mail, telephone or the internet prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting, or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and properly giving notice of revocation to the inspector of election or voting in person. Registered holders may send any written notice or request for a new proxy card to Expedia, Inc., c/o BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 3550, S. Hackensack, New Jersey 07606-9250, or follow the instructions provided on the proxy card to submit a new proxy by telephone or via the internet. Registered holders may also request a new proxy card by calling 1-888-313-0164.

Other Business

The Board of Directors does not presently intend to bring any business before the Annual Meeting other than the proposals discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus and specified in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board has no knowledge of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons designated in the proxy will vote on them according to their best judgment.

 

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EXPEDIA AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee reviews Expedia’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements, the reporting process and maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting. Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to audit and express opinions on the conformity of Expedia’s financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations, and the effectiveness of Expedia’s internal control over financial reporting.

In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements, together with the results of the assessment of the internal control over financial reporting, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, “Communication with Audit Committees,” as amended and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in Rule 3200T. In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with them their independence from Expedia and its management. Finally, the Audit Committee has considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of non-audit services to Expedia is compatible with their independence.

Relying on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in Expedia’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, filed with the SEC.

Members of the Audit Committee:

A. George “Skip” Battle (Chairman)

Craig A. Jacobson

Peter M. Kern

 

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Fees Paid to Expedia’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table sets forth aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

     2010      2009  

Audit Fees(1)

   $ 5,951,000       $ 4,982,000   

Audit-Related Fees(2)

     285,000         260,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Audit and Audit-Related Fees

     6,236,000         5,242,000   

Tax Fees

     2,000         20,000   

Other Fees(3)

     42,000         56,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Fees

   $ 6,280,000       $ 5,318,000   

 

(1) Audit Fees include fees and expenses associated with the annual audit of Expedia’s consolidated financial statements, statutory audits, reviews of Expedia’s periodic reports, accounting consultations, reviews of SEC registration statements and consents and other services related to SEC matters.
(2) Audit-Related Fees include fees for due diligence in connection with acquisitions, accounting consultations and benefit plan audits in 2009. Beginning in 2010, benefit plan audits were performed by another independent registered public accounting firm.
(3) Other Fees include professional education offerings to Expedia’s employees, as well as access fees for Ernst & Young LLP’s online research tools.

Audit Committee Review and Pre-Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

The Audit Committee has considered the non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP as described above and believes that they are compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP’s independence as Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy governing the pre-approval of all audit and permitted non-audit services performed by Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence from Expedia and its management. Unless a type of service to be provided by Expedia’s independent registered public accounting firm has received general pre-approval from the Audit Committee, it requires specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The payment for any proposed services in excess of pre-approved cost levels requires specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

Pursuant to its pre-approval policy, the Audit Committee may delegate its authority to pre-approve services to one or more of its members, and it has currently delegated this authority to its Chairman, subject to a limit of $500,000 per approval. The decisions of the Chairman (or any other member(s) to whom such authority may be delegated) to grant pre-approvals must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee may not delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve services to Company management.

 

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EXPEDIA EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes Expedia’s executive compensation program as it relates to the following individuals who were “named executive officers” of Expedia during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010:

 

Barry Diller

   Chairman/Senior Executive

Victor A. Kaufman

   Vice Chairman

Dara Khosrowshahi

   Chief Executive Officer

Michael B. Adler*

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Burke F. Norton**

   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

* Mr. Adler resigned from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Expedia, effective September 26, 2011. Mr. Adler has agreed to remain with Expedia through a transition period that will include completion of the spin-off. On September 15, 2011, the Expedia Board of Directors approved the appointment of Mark D. Okerstrom, who was not an Expedia named executive officer during 2010, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 26, 2011.
** Mr. Norton resigned from his position as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, effective October 28, 2011.

Expedia has a Compensation Committee and a Section 16 Committee that together have primary responsibility for establishing the compensation of Expedia’s named executive officers.

From August 8, 2003 until the spin-off of Expedia from IAC on August 9, 2005, the travel-related companies that became Expedia were subsidiaries of IAC. As a result, compensation policies and equity grants made during that period reflect the compensation programs established by the Compensation Committee of the IAC Board of Directors. Certain employment matters relating to Expedia’s named executive officers are governed by the Employee Matters Agreement entered into between Expedia and TripAdvisor in connection with the IAC/Expedia spin-off.

Roles of the Compensation Committee and Section 16 Committee

The Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and consists entirely of directors who are “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Dolgen, Fitzgerald and Kern. The Compensation Committee is responsible for (i) administering and overseeing Expedia’s executive compensation program, including salary matters, bonus plans and stock compensation plans, and (ii) approving all grants of equity awards, but excluding matters governed by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (see below). Mr. Dolgen is the chairman of the Compensation Committee.

The Section 16 Committee is also appointed by the Board of Directors and consists entirely of directors who are “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Section 16 Committee currently consists of Messrs. Dolgen and Kern. The Section 16 Committee is responsible for administering and overseeing matters governed by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, including approving grants of equity awards to named executive officers. Mr. Dolgen is also the chairman of the Section 16 Committee.

For the purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we refer to the Compensation Committee and Section 16 Committee collectively as the “Compensation Committees.”

 

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Role of Executive Officers

Expedia management participates in reviewing and refining Expedia’s executive compensation program. Mr. Khosrowshahi, Expedia’s Chief Executive Officer, annually reviews the performance of Expedia and each named executive officer with the Compensation Committees and makes recommendations with respect to the appropriate base salary, annual cash bonus and grants of long-term equity incentive awards for each named executive officer, other than in connection with compensation for himself, Mr. Diller, Expedia’s Chairman/Senior Executive, and Mr. Kaufman, Expedia’s Vice Chairman. The Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committees discuss each recommendation. Based in part on these recommendations and other considerations discussed below, the Compensation Committees review and approve the annual compensation package of each named executive officer.

Role of Compensation Consultants

Management retained Compensia, Inc. to conduct an independent review of Expedia’s compensation peer group in each of 2010 and 2011. In both those years, management also retained Compensia to compile data from proxy statements and other SEC filings of peer companies regarding compensation for certain executive officer positions, including the positions held by each of the named executive officers, with the exception of the Vice Chairman position, for which comparable data was not available. In late 2010, management also engaged Compensia to conduct an independent review of the 2011 compensation peer group for the Chairman/Senior Executive position. Expedia also regularly uses survey or other data from a number of compensation consulting firms. A more detailed description of the compensation peer group review and use of survey and other data provided by compensation consultants is included below in the section titled “—The Role of Peer Groups, Surveys and Benchmarking.”

Compensation Program Objectives

Expedia’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain highly skilled executives with the business experience and acumen that management and the Compensation Committees believe are necessary for achievement of Expedia’s long-term business objectives. In addition, the executive compensation program is designed to reward short- and long-term performance and to align the financial interests of executive officers with the interests of Expedia’s stockholders. Management and the Compensation Committees evaluate both performance and compensation levels to ensure that Expedia maintains its ability to attract and retain outstanding employees in executive positions and that the compensation provided to these executives remains competitive with the compensation paid to similarly situated executives at comparable companies. To that end, management and the Compensation Committees believe executive compensation packages provided by Expedia to the named executive officers should include both cash and equity-based compensation.

Compensation Program Elements

General

The primary elements of the executive compensation program are base salary, cash bonus and equity compensation. The Compensation Committees review these elements in the first quarter of each year in light of Company and individual performance, recommendations from management and other relevant information, including prior compensation history and outstanding long-term compensation arrangements. Management and the Compensation Committees believe that there are multiple, dynamic factors that contribute to success at an individual and business level. Management and the Compensation Committees have therefore avoided adopting strict formulas and have relied primarily on a discretionary approach that allows the Compensation Committees to set executive compensation levels on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant factors.

Following recommendations from management, the Compensation Committees may also adjust compensation for specific individuals at other times during the year when there are significant changes in responsibilities or under other circumstances that the Compensation Committees consider appropriate.

 

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Base Salary

Base salary represents the fixed portion of a named executive officer’s compensation and is intended to provide compensation for expected day-to-day performance. An executive officer’s base salary is initially determined upon hire or promotion based on the executive officer’s responsibilities, prior experience, individual compensation history and salary levels of other executives within Expedia and similarly situated executives at comparable companies.

Base salary is typically reviewed annually or prior to entering into an employment agreement, at which time management makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee based on consideration of a variety of factors, including:

 

   

the executive’s total compensation relative to other executives in similarly situated positions,

 

   

individual performance of the executive,

 

   

the executive’s responsibilities, prior experience, and individual compensation history, including any additional compensation such as signing bonuses or relocation benefits,

 

   

the terms of the executive’s employment agreement, if any,

 

   

general economic conditions,

 

   

competitive compensation market data, when available, and

 

   

the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, other than in connection with compensation for himself, the Chairman/Senior Executive and the Vice Chairman.

In May 2009, the Compensation Committees approved the terms of amended and restated employment agreements for each of Mr. Adler and Mr. Norton pursuant to which Mr. Adler’s base salary was increased from $375,000 to $450,000 and Mr. Norton’s base salary was increased from $375,000 to $425,000, each increase effective January 1, 2010. These increases were approved based on the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer, which was made in light of their individual performance, no change in base salary since their initial appointment in 2006, and the compensation of executives in similar positions at comparable companies.

Mr. Kaufman has never received a base salary from Expedia and no named executive officer received an increase to base salary in connection with the 2010 annual compensation review.

Cash Bonuses

Cash bonuses are granted to recognize and reward an individual’s annual contribution to Company performance. In 2010, each of Messrs. Adler and Norton had a target cash bonus equal to 75% of his base salary for the year. The Chairman/Senior Executive and Chief Executive Officer did not have a target cash bonus percentage. The Vice Chairman has never received a cash bonus and did not have a target cash bonus percentage. Bonus target percentages for executive officers are generally established by the Compensation Committee, based on the recommendation of management, at the time of the executive’s hire or promotion and are reviewed each year by the Chief Executive Officer with the approval of the Chairman/Senior Executive and the Compensation Committee. In addition to annual bonuses related to performance, management may also recommend that the Compensation Committee grant bonuses to new executives upon hire. Expedia utilizes new hire bonuses to help attract highly skilled executives to Expedia and to offset an executive’s loss of incentive compensation from a prior employer.

In March 2011, management recommended bonuses with respect to calendar year 2010 for each of the named executive officers after taking into account a variety of factors, including:

 

   

Expedia’s business and financial performance, including year-over-year performance,

 

   

the executive’s target cash bonus percentage, if any,

 

   

the executive’s individual performance,

 

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the overall funding of the cash bonus pool,

 

   

amount of bonus relative to other Company executives,

 

   

general economic conditions,

 

   

competitive compensation market data, when available, and

 

   

the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, other than in connection with compensation for himself and the Chairman/Senior Executive.

Based on the Compensation Committees’ consideration of these factors, cash bonuses awarded to the named executive officers for 2010 were significantly lower than the bonuses awarded for 2009. Cash bonuses for 2009 had reflected strong individual and Company performance during a significantly challenging macroeconomic environment. For 2010 cash bonuses awarded to the named executive officers, the Compensation Committees gave particular consideration to:

 

   

Expedia’s 2010 financial performance compared to Expedia’s financial performance in 2009;

 

   

the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations for Messrs. Adler and Norton, which reflected their individual performance during 2010; and

 

   

for the Chief Executive Officer, his role in directing a substantial expansion of Expedia’s business lines internationally as well as other technology and restructuring initiatives.

The cash bonuses awarded to the named executive officers for 2010 were subject to the achievement of performance goals relating either to stock price performance or worldwide hotel bookings, which were satisfied. These performance goals were designed to permit Expedia to deduct all named executive officer compensation for 2010 in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. Specifically, the cash bonuses awarded to named executive officers in 2010 were subject to the satisfaction of either one of the following performance goals:

 

   

worldwide hotel bookings (on a room night stayed basis) of Expedia on a consolidated basis in any of the three consecutive calendar quarters beginning with the second quarter of 2010 must be at least 5% higher than worldwide hotel bookings in the corresponding calendar quarter twelve months before, excluding the benefit of any acquisitions by Expedia during such period; or

 

   

on at least 30 trading days during the period beginning March 2, 2010 through December 31, 2010, the closing price per share of Expedia’s common stock must exceed by at least 5% the closing price of Expedia’s common stock on March 1, 2010, which was $23.13, taking into account any Share Change or Corporate Transaction (each as defined in the Expedia 2005 Plan).

In general, these performance goals reflect the minimally acceptable Company performance that must be achieved in order for any amount of cash bonuses to be awarded to the named executive officers, but with respect to which there is substantial uncertainty when established. Based on data provided by management, the Compensation Committee certified that the Section 162(m) goals for 2010 have been satisfied. The Compensation Committee exercises negative discretion in setting payouts under the annual incentive plan. By setting a high amount that can then be reduced, Expedia is advised by legal counsel that Expedia’s annual incentive plan meets the requirements of Section 162(m). As a result, while performance targets are utilized in setting compensation under this plan, ultimately the level of those targets and the Compensation Committee’s use of negative discretion typically result in the award of compensation as if the annual incentive plan were operating as a discretionary plan.

These cash bonuses are reflected in the “Bonus” column of the table below titled “2010 Summary Compensation Table.”

 

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Equity Compensation

Equity compensation is designed to align executive compensation with the interests of stockholders and the long-term performance of Expedia. Equity compensation awards link compensation to financial performance because the value of equity awards depends on Expedia’s stock price. Equity compensation awards are also an important employee retention tool because they generally vest over a multi-year period, subject to continued service by the award recipient.

Prior to March 2009, Expedia had utilized restricted stock units as its principal form of equity compensation. In March 2009, following a review of Expedia’s equity compensation program and practices in light of Expedia’s overall compensation program objectives, management recommended, and the Compensation Committees approved, awards of stock options as Expedia’s primary equity vehicle. In February 2010, the Compensation Committees, based on management’s recommendation, again approved awards of stock options as Expedia’s primary equity compensation vehicle.

Equity awards are typically granted to executive officers upon hire or promotion and annually thereafter. Except where otherwise noted, management generally recommends annual equity awards in the first quarter of each year when the Compensation Committees meet to make determinations regarding annual bonuses for the last completed fiscal year and to set compensation levels for the current fiscal year. The meeting at which the Compensation Committees make these awards is generally scheduled several months in advance and is generally timed to occur after the public disclosure of Expedia’s prior year financial statements.

The Compensation Committees review various factors considered by management when it establishes Expedia-wide equity grant pool, including:

 

   

Expedia’s business and financial performance, including year-over-year performance,

 

   

dilution rates, taking into account projected headcount changes and employee turnover,

 

   

non-cash compensation as a percentage of operating income before amortization,

 

   

equity compensation utilization by peer companies,

 

   

general economic conditions, and

 

   

competitive compensation market data regarding award values.

For specific grants to named executive officers, management makes recommendations to the Section 16 Committee based on a variety of factors, including:

 

   

individual performance and future potential of the executive,

 

   

the overall size of the equity grant pool,

 

   

award value relative to other Company executives,

 

   

the value of previous grants and amount of outstanding unvested equity awards,

 

   

competitive compensation market data, to the degree that the available data is comparable, and

 

   

the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, other than in connection with compensation for himself, the Chairman/Senior Executive and the Vice Chairman.

After review and consideration of management’s recommendations, the Section 16 Committee decides whether to approve the grants of equity compensation to executive officers.

In February 2010, each of the named executive officers was awarded stock options that vest in equal installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date. The exercise price for each stock option was equal to the closing price of Expedia’s common stock on the date of grant, and each stock option had a seven-year term.

 

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In connection with the annual stock option awards granted to the Chief Executive Officer, management also reviewed with the Section 16 Committee the Chief Executive Officer’s contribution to Expedia’s performance during the prior year, including his contribution to Expedia’s significant year-over-year growth in key financial and operating metrics and his role in directing acquisitions and Company-restructuring efforts. For the annual stock option award to Mr. Kaufman, consideration was given to the fact that he does not receive a base salary or cash bonus compensation. In connection with the annual option awards granted to Messrs. Adler and Norton, the Chief Executive Officer reviewed with the Section 16 Committee the individual performance of each executive during 2009. The 2010 stock option grants to the named executive officers are reflected in the table below titled “2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

Other Compensation

In addition to the primary elements of compensation (base salary, cash bonuses and equity awards) described above, the named executive officers may also receive compensation in the following forms:

 

   

401(k) Match: Executives who participate in Expedia’s 401(k) Retirement Program are eligible for Company matching contributions (as are all domestic Expedia employees). Expedia matches 50% of each dollar a participant contributes, up to the first 6% of eligible compensation, subject to applicable Internal Revenue Service limits.

 

   

Personal Use of Corporate Aircraft: Executives may receive benefits attributable to the personal use of certain aircraft, including an aircraft jointly owned by Expedia and TripAdvisor (or charter aircraft if that aircraft is temporarily unavailable) and aircraft in which Expedia has purchased a fractional ownership interest. Pursuant to Company policy, Mr. Diller and Mr. Khosrowshahi are encouraged to travel, both for business and personal purposes, on corporate aircraft. In addition to serving general security interests, this means of travel permits them to travel non-stop and without delay, to remain in contact with Expedia while traveling, to change plans quickly in the event Company business requires, and to conduct confidential Company business while flying, be it telephonically, by email or in person. These interests are similarly furthered on both business and personal flights, as Mr. Diller and Mr. Khosrowshahi typically provide services to Expedia while traveling in either case. Nonetheless, the incremental cost to Expedia of travel for personal purposes is reflected as compensation to each of Mr. Diller and Mr. Khosrowshahi from Expedia.

In addition, in connection with the IAC/Expedia spin-off and in light of Mr. Diller’s senior role at both companies, Expedia and IAC agreed to share certain expenses associated with the provision of personal benefits to Mr. Diller, including the use of automobiles for personal purposes and certain office space and IT equipment used by individuals who work for Mr. Diller personally. Currently, Expedia and IAC cover 35% and 65% of these costs, respectively.

The Role of Peer Groups, Surveys and Benchmarking

Management considers multiple data sources when reviewing compensation information to ensure that the data reflect compensation practices of relevant companies in terms of size, industry and geographic location. Among other factors, management considers the following information, when available, in connection with its recommendations to the Compensation Committees regarding compensation for named executive officers:

 

   

Data from salary and equity compensation surveys that include companies of a similar size, based on market capitalization, revenues and other factors, and

 

   

Data regarding compensation for comparable executive officer positions from recent proxy statements and other SEC filings of peer companies, which include:

 

   

direct industry competitors, and

 

   

non-industry companies with which Expedia commonly competes for talent (including both regional and national competitors).

 

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2010 Peer Groups

For purposes of establishing its compensation peer group for 2010, management recommended to, and reviewed with, the Compensation Committees public companies in technology, travel and/or e-commerce businesses with which Expedia competes for talent at both the executive and employee levels. The companies constituting the compensation peer group for 2010 (the “2010 Peer Group Companies”) were:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

  Netflix, Inc.

Adobe Systems Incorporated

  Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.

Alaska Air Group Inc.

  Paychex, Inc.

eBay Inc.

  priceline.com Incorporated

Equifax Inc.

  Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

HSN, Inc.

  salesforce.com, inc.

Intuit Inc.

  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Monster Worldwide, Inc.

  Total System Services, Inc.

None of the 2010 Peer Group Companies had an executive chairman role comparable to the Chairman/Senior Executive role at Expedia. As a result, management recommended to, and reviewed with, the Compensation Committees, a compensation peer group for the Chairman/Senior Executive role composed of public companies with a comparable executive chairman role. The companies constituting the 2010 compensation peer group for the Chairman/Senior Executive role were:

 

Cablevision Systems Corporation

  M&T Bank Corporation

CBS Corporation

  News Corporation

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

  Starbucks Corporation

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  Viacom Inc.

Linear Technology Corporation

 

2011 Peer Groups

In late 2010, management engaged Compensia, an independent compensation consulting firm, to conduct a review of Expedia’s compensation peer group. Compensia considered the peer group companies used for 2010 as well as other public companies based on their similarities to Expedia with respect to revenue, industry, location and/or size. For the purposes of establishing the peer group for 2011, the Compensation Committees agreed with management’s proposal, which was based on Compensia’s recommendations, to remove Monster Worldwide, Inc. in light of increased differences between Expedia and Monster’s financial metrics and the fact that Monster was also not a direct industry competitor. The companies constituting the 2011 compensation peer group for all named executive officers other than Mr. Diller are:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

  Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.

Adobe Systems Incorporated

  Paychex, Inc.

Alaska Air Group Inc.

  priceline.com Incorporated

eBay Inc.

  Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Equifax Inc.

  salesforce.com, inc.

HSN, Inc.

  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Intuit Inc.

  Total System Services, Inc.

Netflix, Inc.

 

 

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In early 2011, management engaged Compensia to perform an independent review of the compensation peer group for the role of Chairman/Senior Executive. Based on Compensia’s recommendations, management proposed that Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Guess Inc. be added to the compensation peer group for the Chairman/Senior Executive role, as each had a comparable executive chairman role.

When available, management considers competitive market compensation paid by other peer group companies but does not attempt to maintain a certain target percentile within the peer group or otherwise rely solely on such data when making recommendations to the Compensation Committees regarding compensation for the named executive officers. Management and the Compensation Committees strive to incorporate flexibility into the compensation programs and the assessment process to respond to and adjust for the evolving business environment and the value delivered by the named executive officers.

Stock Ownership Policy

To further align the interests of Expedia management and Expedia stockholders, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors adopted a Stock Ownership Policy, effective October 26, 2009. The Stock Ownership Policy specifies a number of shares that the Chief Executive Officer and all executives reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer are expected to accumulate and hold by the later of five years from the date of hire or promotion into an eligible position or September 30, 2014 (the “Ownership Target Date”). The Stock Ownership Policy minimum stockholding requirement is 200,000 shares for Mr. Khosrowshahi and 60,000 shares for each of Messrs. Adler and Norton. Unexercised stock options and unvested RSUs are not counted toward compliance with the minimum stockholding requirement. The Stock Ownership Policy also includes stock retention provisions. Prior to the Ownership Target Date, if eligible executives have not met their stockholding requirement, they are required to retain 25% of the net shares received from any exercised options or any vested RSUs until they have met their stockholding requirement. Net shares are the shares remaining after payment of the exercise price and/or withholding of taxes. If executives subject to the policy have not met their stockholding requirement on the Ownership Target Date, the net-share retention percentage increases to 100% until they have met their stockholding requirement.

Expedia’s Securities Trading Policy prohibits employees, including executive officers, from engaging in short sales with respect to Expedia securities or the purchase, sale or issuance of options or rights relating to Expedia securities.

Tax Matters

Section 162(m) of the Code generally permits a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation over $1 million paid in any fiscal year to a corporation’s chief executive officer and certain other highly compensated executive officers only if the compensation qualifies as being performance-based under Section 162(m). Expedia endeavors to structure its compensation policies to qualify as performance-based under Section 162(m) whenever it is reasonably possible to do so while meeting Expedia’s compensation objectives. For 2010, the grants of stock options and the payments of annual bonuses were designed to meet the requirements for deductible compensation.

Nonetheless, from time to time certain nondeductible compensation may be paid and the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committees reserve the authority to award nondeductible compensation to executive officers in appropriate circumstances. It is possible that some compensation paid pursuant to certain equity awards that have already been granted may be nondeductible as a result of Section 162(m). Additionally, under applicable Internal Revenue Service rules, the personal use of corporate aircraft leads to a disallowance of the deduction by Expedia for tax purposes of certain airplane-related costs.

For purposes of allowing Expedia to deduct all employee compensation in accordance with Section 162(m), the Compensation Committees made all annual bonuses payable to named executive officers in 2010 subject to the satisfaction of the performance goals described under “Expedia Executive Compensation – Compensation Program Elements—Cash Bonuses.”

 

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Change in Control

Under the Expedia 2005 Plan, certain executive officers (including all the named executive officers) are entitled to accelerated vesting of equity awards in the event of a change in control of Expedia. The Compensation Committees believe that accelerated vesting of equity awards in connection with change in control transactions would provide an incentive for these executives to continue to help execute successfully such a transaction from its early stages until closing.

The change in control definition in the Expedia 2005 Plan does not include the acquisition of voting control by Liberty Interactive Corporation (a “Liberty Change in Control”). However, for a limited number of awards, the Section 16 Committee has approved agreements that provide for acceleration of equity upon a Liberty Change in Control. The definition of change in control in Mr. Khosrowshahi’s 2006 performance grant and Messrs. Adler and Norton’s new-hire grants each include a Liberty Change in Control. Given the nature of Mr. Diller’s voting arrangement with Liberty Interactive Corporation, a Liberty Change in Control could occur suddenly and without warning. Since Messrs. Khosrowshahi, Adler and Norton are among the executive officers whose employment experience would be likely to change most substantially and immediately in the event of a Liberty Change in Control, providing them with additional protection through acceleration of these grants helps Expedia more fully realize the retentive effect of their equity compensation.

For a description and quantification of these change in control benefits, please see the section below titled “Expedia Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Severance

Expedia has entered into an employment agreement with each of Messrs. Khosrowshahi, Adler and Norton, pursuant to which, in the event of a qualifying termination:

 

   

Expedia will continue to pay base salary through the longer of the end of the term of the employment agreement and 12 months (in all cases provided that such payments will be offset by any amount earned from another employer during such time period);

 

   

Expedia will consider in good faith the payment of discretionary bonuses on a pro rata basis for the year in which termination of employment occurs;

 

   

with the exception of restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between Mr. Khosrowshahi and Expedia, dated March 7, 2006, as amended, and contingent upon the satisfaction of any applicable performance conditions, all equity held by Messrs. Khosrowshahi, Adler and Norton that otherwise would have vested during the 12-month period following termination of employment will accelerate (provided that equity awards that vest less frequently than annually shall be treated as though such awards vested annually); and

 

   

Messrs. Khosrowshahi, Adler and Norton will have 18 months following such date of termination to exercise any vested stock options (including stock options accelerated pursuant to the terms of the executive’s employment agreement) or, if earlier, through the scheduled expiration date of the options.

These arrangements are intended to attract and retain qualified executives who may have other employment alternatives that may appear to them to be less risky absent these arrangements.

Not all of Expedia’s executive officers have employment agreements or award agreements that provide benefits in the event their employment with Expedia is terminated. In these cases, based on the recommendation of management, the Compensation Committees have determined that it is in the best interests of Expedia to retain the flexibility to determine such benefits on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Expedia Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committees have reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussed that Analysis with management. Based on this review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committees recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Expedia’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, and in Expedia’s 2011 proxy statement. This report is provided by the following directors:

Members of the Compensation Committee:

Jonathan L. Dolgen (Chairman)

William R. Fitzgerald

Peter M. Kern

Members of the Section 16 Committee:

Jonathan L. Dolgen (Chairman)

Peter M. Kern

Executive Compensation

The amounts and forms of compensation reported below set forth the compensation earned by Expedia’s named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. On September 15, 2011, the Expedia Board of Directors accepted Michael Adler’s resignation as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Expedia, effective September 26, 2011, and appointed Mark Okerstrom as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 26, 2011. Because Mr. Okerstrom was not a named executive officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, his compensation is not included in the tables or discussion below pertaining to the compensation of individuals who served as Expedia’s named executive officers during 2010. On October 11, 2011, the Expedia Board of Directors accepted Burke Norton’s resignation as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, effective October 28, 2011.

2010 Summary Compensation Table

The table below sets forth certain information regarding the compensation that Expedia’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and three other most highly compensated officers earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and during the two prior years.

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)(1)
    Bonus
($)(2)
    Stock Awards
($)(3)
    Option
Awards
($)(3)
    All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
    Total
($)
 

Barry Diller

Chairman and Senior Executive

    2010      $ 465,000      $ 1,000,000      $ —        $ 2,210,516      $ 643,796      $ 4,319,312   
    2009        465,000        2,000,000        —          1,305,924        731,779        4,502,703   
    2008        465,000        625,000        2,499,979        —          799,065        4,389,044   

Victor A. Kaufman

Vice Chairman

    2010        —          —          —          1,381,805          1,381,805   
    2009        —          —          —          613,171        —          613,171   
    2008        —          —          816,486        —          —          816,486   

Dara Khosrowshahi

Chief Executive Officer

    2010        1,000,000        1,125,000        —          2,763,610        284,200        5,172,810   
    2009        1,000,000        2,250,000        —          1,337,366        256,330        4,843,696   
    2008        1,000,000        1,250,000        4,999,982        —          113,304        7,363,286   

Michael B. Adler

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    2010        448,846        225,000        —          1,013,324        8,818        1,695,988   
    2009        375,000        375,000        —          1,012,939        12,976        1,775,915   
    2008        375,000        245,000        949,986        —          6,308        1,576,294   

Burke F. Norton

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

    2010        424,231        250,000        —          1,151,504        10,617        1,836,352   
    2009        375,000        375,000        —          813,055        600        1,563,655   
    2008        375,000        220,000        799,978        —          —          1,394,978   

 

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(1) Reflects base salary earned during 2010. The amounts shown for Messrs. Adler and Norton reflect a mid-year salary adjustment. See the section above titled “Expedia Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Program Elements—Base Salary” for a description of changes to annual base salaries during 2010.
(2) Bonus amounts for 2010 reflect annual cash bonuses that were paid in 2011, for performance in 2010, pursuant to the 2010 Cash Bonus Plan for senior executive employees of Expedia approved by the Compensation Committee on February 23, 2010 (the “2010 Cash Bonus Plan”). Pursuant to the 2010 Cash Bonus Plan, each named executive officer was eligible to receive a cash bonus, subject to (i) the achievement of performance goals relating either to stock price performance or worldwide hotel bookings and (ii) a $10 million maximum amount that was intended to preserve flexibility under Section 162(m) of the Code to ensure deductibility of any bonus that the Compensation Committee determined appropriate. See the section above titled “Expedia Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Program Elements—Cash Bonuses” for a description of the 2010 Cash Bonus Plan and “Expedia Executive Compensation—Expedia Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Tax Matters” for a description of the Section 162(m) provisions. Having previously certified that the relevant performance criteria had been met, the Compensation Committees approved cash bonus awards pursuant to the 2010 Cash Bonus Plan to the named executive officers who received cash bonuses on March 1, 2011.
(3) Amounts shown are the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. These amounts reflect an estimate of the grant date fair value and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executive officers. Stock awards consist of restricted stock units valued using the closing price of Expedia common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the day immediately preceding the grant date. Stock options awarded in 2009 are valued at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model, assuming no dividends; stock options awarded in 2010 and 2011 are valued at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model, assuming an annual dividend rate of 1.25% and 1.42%. The Black-Scholes model incorporates various other assumptions including expected volatility, expected term and risk-free interest rates. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our common stock and other relevant factors. The expected term is based on our historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the stock option awards granted to employees. The expected term (and related risk-free interest rate) for Mr. Diller is based on his historical practice of holding Expedia stock options until expiration. The following are the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for awards to the named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2010:

 

     Expected
Term
(years)
     Risk-Free
Interest Rate
(%)
     Expected
Volatility
(%)
     Assumed
Annual
Dividend Rate
(% of grant
date closing
price)
 

Barry Diller

     7.00         2.88         51.79         1.25   

All other named executive officers

     4.64         2.18         51.79         1.25   

 

(4) See the table below for additional information regarding certain components of amounts reflected in the “All Other Compensation” column above.

2010 All Other Compensation

 

    Barry
Diller
    Victor
Kaufman
    Dara
Khosrowshahi
    Michael B.
Adler
    Burke F.
Norton
 

Personal Use of Corporate Aircraft(a)

  $ 605,786      $ —        $ 274,050      $ —        $ —     

Miscellaneous(b)

    38,010        —          —          —          —     

Dividend Equivalents(c)

    —          —          2,800        1,930        3,267   

401(k) Company Match(d)

    —          —          7,350        6,888        7,350   

 

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(a) Reflects the incremental cost to Expedia for personal use of corporate aircraft, including an aircraft jointly owned by each of Expedia and IAC (or charter aircraft in the event the jointly-owned aircraft is temporarily unavailable) and aircraft in which Expedia has purchased a fractional ownership interest. In 2010, the incremental cost to Expedia for Messrs. Diller and Khosrowshahi’s personal use of these aircraft is based on the average variable operating cost to Expedia. Variable operating costs include fuel, certain maintenance costs, navigation fees, onboard catering, landing fees, crew travel expenses and other miscellaneous variable costs. Calculated separately for the jointly-owned aircraft and the aircraft for which Expedia has purchased a fractional interest, the total annual variable costs are divided by the annual number of hours such aircraft flew to derive an average variable cost per hour. This average variable cost per hour is then multiplied by the hours flown for personal use (for the jointly-owned aircraft, including flights to the hangar or other locations without passengers, commonly referred to as “deadhead” flights), to derive the incremental cost. We do not include fixed costs that do not change based on usage, such as pilots’ salaries, purchase costs, insurance, scheduled maintenance and non-trip-related hangar expenses in the case of the jointly-owned aircraft, and purchase costs and management fees in the case of the fractional interest aircraft. In 2010, each of Mr. Diller and Mr. Khosrowshahi occasionally had family members or other guests accompany him on personal trips, at no incremental cost to Expedia. See the section above titled “Expedia Executive Compensation—Expedia Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Program Elements—Other Compensation” for a description of Expedia’s policy regarding the personal use of Company aircraft by Messrs. Diller and Khosrowshahi.
(b) In connection with the IAC/Expedia spin-off, Expedia and IAC agreed, in light of Mr. Diller’s senior role at both companies and his anticipated use of certain resources for the benefit of both companies, that certain expenses associated with such usage would be shared between Expedia and IAC. Mr. Diller is provided with the use of certain automobiles for business and personal purposes and certain IAC-owned office space and IT equipment for use by certain individuals who work for Mr. Diller personally. For 2010 Expedia and IAC covered 35% and 65% of these costs, respectively.
(c) Unvested RSUs are credited with dividend equivalents at the same rate and at the same time as regular cash dividends paid to Expedia’s common stockholders. Such dividend equivalents vest and are paid upon vesting of the underlying RSUs. The amounts of such dividend equivalents were not factored into the grant date fair values of RSUs awarded to executives prior to 2010. Accordingly, dividend equivalents paid to executives in 2010 on unvested RSUs awarded prior to 2010 are included in “all other compensation.”
(d) Represents matching contributions of Expedia under the Expedia 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. Under this plan as in effect through December 31, 2010, Expedia matches $0.50 for each dollar a participant contributes, up to the first 6% of eligible compensation, subject to limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.

2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

On February 23, 2010, the Section 16 Committee approved stock option awards to the named executive officers as follows:

 

Name

   Grant Date      All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(#)(1)
     Exercise Price
or Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)
     Closing
Market Price
on Date of
Grant
($)
     Grant Date
Fair Value of
Option
Awards
($)(2)
 

Barry Diller

     02/23/2010         200,000       $ 22.42       $ 22.42       $ 2,210,516   

Victor A. Kaufman

     02/23/2010         150,000         22.42         22.42         1,381,805   

Dara Khosrowshahi

     02/23/2010         300,000         22.42         22.42         2,763,610   

Michael B. Adler

     02/23/2010         110,000         22.42         22.42         1,013,324   

Burke F. Norton

     02/23/2010         125,000         22.42         22.42         1,151,504   

 

(1)

All options have a seven-year term and vest in four equal installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.

 

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(2) Reflects the full grant date fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using a Black-Scholes option valuation methodology. These amounts reflect an estimate of the grant date fair value and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executive officers. See footnote 3 of the “2010 Summary Compensation Table” above for more information regarding assumptions used in the Black-Scholes pricing model.

2011 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

On March 1, 2011, the Section 16 Committee approved stock option awards to the named executive officers as follows:

 

Name

   Grant Date      All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(#)(1)
     Exercise Price
or Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)
     Closing
Market Price
on Date of
Grant
($)
     Grant Date
Fair Value of
Option
Awards
($)(2)
 

Barry Diller

     03/01/2011         100,000       $ 19.6925       $ 19.6925       $ 914,851   

Victor A. Kaufman

     03/01/2011         75,000         19.6925         19.6925         574,999   

Dara Khosrowshahi

     03/01/2011         150,000         19.6925         19.6925         1,149,998   

Michael B. Adler

     03/01/2011         75,000         19.6925         19.6925         574,999   

Burke F. Norton

     03/01/2011         100,000         19.6925         19.6925         766,665   

 

(1) All options have a seven-year term and vest in four equal installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(2) Reflects the full grant date fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using a Black-Scholes option valuation methodology. These amounts reflect an estimate of the grant date fair value and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executive officers. The following are the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for awards to the named executive officers on March 1, 2011:

 

     Expected Term
(years)
     Risk-Free
Interest
Rate(%)
     Expected
Volatility (%)
     Assumed
Annual
Dividend Rate
(% of grant
date closing
price)
 

Barry Diller

     7.00         2.77         49.72         1.42   

All other named executive officers

     4.64         1.92         49.90         1.42   

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2010 Year-End

The following table provides information regarding the holdings of stock options and RSUs by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2010. The market value of the RSUs is based on the closing price of Expedia common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on December 31, 2010, the last trading day of the year, which was $25.09.

 

Name

  Grant
Date(1)
    Option Awards     Stock Awards  
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested

($)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested

(#)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested

($)
 
    Exercisable     Unexercisable              

Barry Diller

    06/07/2005        1,400,000 (2)      —        $ 38.35        06/07/2015        —        $ —          —        $ —     
    06/07/2005        2,400,000 (2)      —          28.49        06/07/2015        —          —          —          —     
    03/02/2009        50,000        150,000 (3)      7.36        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    03/02/2009        —          150,000 (4)      9.20        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    02/23/2010        —          200,000 (3)      22.42        02/23/2017        —          —          —          —     
    02/27/2007        —          —          —          —          36,850 (5)      924,567        —          —     
    02/28/2008        —          —          —          —          61,907 (6)      1,553,247        —          —     

Victor A. Kaufman

    03/02/2009        37,500        112,500 (3)      7.36        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    03/02/2009        —          50,000 (4)      9.20        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    02/23/2010        —          150,000 (3)      22.42        02/23/2017        —          —          —          —     
    02/27/2007        —          —          —          —          18,425 (7)      462,283        —          —     
    02/28/2008        —          —          —          —          19,810 (8)      497,033        —          —     

Dara Khosrowshahi

    04/25/2001        41,666        —          20.06        04/25/2011        —          —          —          —     
    12/16/2001        164,027        —          21.19        12/16/2011        —          —          —          —     
    03/02/2009        62,500        187,500 (3)      7.36        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    03/02/2009        —          200,000 (4)      9.20        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    02/23/2010        —          300,000 (3)      22.42        02/23/2017        —          —          —          —     
    03/07/2006        —          —          —          —          —          —          800,000 (9)      20,072,000   
    02/27/2007        —          —          —          —          36,850 (10)      924,567        —          —     
    06/06/2007        —          —          —          —          40,000 (11)      1,003,600        —          —     
    02/28/2008        —          —          —          —          123,813 (12)      3,106,468        —          —     

Michael B. Adler

    03/02/2009        —          187,500 (3)      7.36        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    03/02/2009        —          80,000 (4)      9.20        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    02/23/2010        —          110,000 (3)      22.42        02/23/2017        —          —          —          —     
    05/16/2006        —          —          —          —          16,967 (13)      425,702        —          —     
    05/16/2006        —          —          —          —          10,604 (13)      266,054        —          —     
    02/27/2007        —          —          —          —          15,661 (14)      392,934        —          —     
    02/28/2008        —          —          —          —          23,525 (15)      590,242        —          —     

Burke F. Norton

    03/02/2009        50,000        150,000 (3)      7.36        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    03/02/2009        —          65,000 (4)      9.20        03/02/2016        —          —          —          —     
    02/23/2010        —          125,000 (3)      22.42        02/23/2017        —          —          —          —     
    10/25/2006        —          —          —          —          31,117 (13)      780,726        —          —     
    02/27/2007        —          —          —          —          7,370 (16)      184,913        —          —     
    02/28/2008        —          —          —          —          19,810 (17)      497,033        —          —     

 

(1) Represents the date on which the original grant was approved by the applicable compensation committee. All awards with a grant date prior to the effective date of the IAC/Expedia spin-off, August 9, 2005, were granted by IAC and were converted into Expedia equity awards upon effectiveness of the IAC/Expedia spin-off.
(2) Options vested in full on June 7, 2010, the fifth anniversary of the grant date. A description of other material terms is included in the section below titled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Barry Diller.”
(3) Options vest in four equal installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(4) Options vest in full on March, 2, 2012, the third anniversary of the grant date.
(5) Of these RSUs, 18,425 vested on February 27, 2011 and 18,425 will vest on February 27, 2012.
(6) Of these RSUs, 20,636 vested on February 28, 2011; 20,635 will vest on February 28, 2012 and 20,636 will vest on February 28, 2013.
(7) Of these RSUs, 9,212 vested on February 27, 2011 and 9,213 will on February 27, 2012.
(8) Of these RSUs, 6,603 vested on February 28, 2011; 6,603 will vest on February 28, 2012 and 6,604 will vest on February 28, 2013.

 

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(9) The vesting provisions of this award are described in the section below titled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Dara Khosrowshahi—2006 RSU Award.” 160,000 of these RSUs are beneficially owned by Mr. Khosrowshahi’s former spouse.
(10) Of these RSUs, 18,425 vested on February 27, 2011 and 18,425 will vest on February 27, 2012.
(11) Of these RSUs, 20,000 will vest on June 6 in each of 2011 and 2012.
(12) Of these RSUs, 41,271 vested on February 28, 2011 and 41,271 will vest on February 28 in each of 2012 and 2013.
(13) The vesting provisions of these awards are described in the section below titled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton—2006 RSU Awards.”
(14) Of these RSUs, 7,830 vested on February 27, 2011 and 7,831 will vest on February 27, 2012.
(15) Of these RSUs, 7,842 vested on February 28, 2011; 7,841 will vest on February 28, 2012 and 7,842 will vest on February 28, 2013.
(16) Of these RSUs, 3,685 vested on February 27, 2011 and 3,685 will vest on February 27, 2012.
(17) Of these RSUs, 6,603 vested on February 28, 2011; 6,603 will vest on February 28, 2012 and 6,604 will vest on February 28, 2013.

2010 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding options exercised by and restricted stock unit awards vested for the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

     Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)(1)
    Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(2)
    Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)(3)
     Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(4)
 

Barry Diller

     —        $ —          39,059       $ 868,672   

Victor A. Kaufman

     —   (5)      —   (5)      24,069         535,295   

Dara Khosrowshahi

     162,501        1,502,127        98,531         2,143,348   

Michael B. Adler

     62,500        1,229,525        43,242         977,141   

Burke F. Norton

     —          —          25,847         668,814   

 

(1) Represents the gross number of shares acquired upon exercise of vested options without taking into account any shares that may be withheld to cover option exercise price or applicable tax obligations.
(2) Represents the value of exercised options calculated by multiplying (i) the number of shares of Expedia’s common stock to which the exercise of the option related by (ii) the difference between the market price of Expedia’s common stock at exercise and the exercise price of the options.
(3) Represents the gross number of shares acquired upon vesting of RSUs without taking into account any shares that may be withheld to satisfy applicable tax obligations.
(4) Represents the value of vested RSUs calculated by multiplying the gross number of vested RSUs by the closing price of Expedia common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the vesting date or if the vesting occurred on a day on which the NASDAQ Stock Market was closed for trading, the next trading day.
(5) During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, Mr. Kaufman acquired 293,750 shares of Expedia common stock with a value realized on exercise of $1,754,864 relating to the exercise of options originally awarded by IAC that were converted into options to purchase shares of Expedia common stock in connection with the IAC/Expedia spin-off.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Certain of our compensation plans, award agreements and employment agreements entitle some of the named executive officers to accelerated vesting of equity awards or severance payments in the event of a change in control of Expedia and/or upon the termination or material adverse modification of the executive’s employment with Expedia under specified circumstances. These plans and agreements are described below as they apply to each named executive officer.

Barry Diller

2010 Stock Option Awards. Mr. Diller was granted a stock option award under the Expedia 2005 Plan in February 2010. The award featured incremental vesting whereby 25% of the stock option award will vest and

 

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become exercisable on each anniversary of the date of grant over four years (an “Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award”). Pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan, in the event of a change in control, the stock options held by officers of Expedia (and not Expedia’s subsidiaries) with a title of Senior Vice President or above, which includes Mr. Diller, as of immediately prior to the change in control, will become fully vested and exercisable. The Expedia 2005 Plan defines a “change in control” as follows: a “change in control” occurs if: (i) another party, other than Mr. Diller, Liberty Interactive Corporation or their respective affiliates, becomes the beneficial owner of at least 50% of Expedia’s outstanding voting stock, with certain exceptions; (ii) there is a change in the majority of Expedia’s Board not endorsed by the requisite number of incumbent board members; (iii) Expedia consummates a merger, reorganization or consolidation with another party, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of Expedia’s assets or the purchase of assets or stock of another entity (“Business Combination”), unless the beneficial stockholders of Expedia immediately following such Business Combination retain more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of the entity resulting from the Business Combination in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of voting stock immediately prior to such Business Combination, and at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the entity resulting from the Business Combination were incumbent directors of Expedia’s Board at the time of the initial agreement or Board action providing for such Business Combination; or (iv) Expedia’s stockholders approve the complete liquidation or dissolution of Expedia.

2009 Stock Option Awards. Mr. Diller was granted two types of stock option awards under the Expedia 2005 Plan in March 2009. One stock option award was an Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award and the other stock option award featured a cliff vesting schedule where the stock option award will vest in its entirety on the third anniversary of the date of grant (a “Cliff Vesting Stock Option Award”). In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these stock option awards will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.”

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards. Mr. Diller was granted RSU awards under the Expedia 2005 Plan in both February 2007 and February 2008 with 20% of the RSU awards vesting on each anniversary of the award date over a five-year term. As of December 31, 2010, 98,757 of these RSUs remained unvested. Pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan, in the event of a change in control of Expedia, the RSUs held by officers of Expedia (and not Expedia’s subsidiaries) with a title of Senior Vice President or above, which includes Mr. Diller, as of the time of the change in control, will be considered to be earned and payable in full and any deferral or other restrictions will lapse and such RSUs will be settled in cash or shares of Expedia common stock as promptly as practicable. Mr. Diller’s awards were contingent on the satisfaction of certain performance goals, which have subsequently been satisfied.

Victor Kaufman

2010 Stock Option Awards. Mr. Kaufman was granted an Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award in February 2010. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, this stock option award will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.”

2009 Stock Option Awards. Mr. Kaufman was granted an Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award and a Cliff Vesting Stock Option Award under the Expedia 2005 Plan in March 2009. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these stock option awards will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.”

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards. Mr. Kaufman was granted RSU awards under the Expedia 2005 Plan in both 2007 and 2008, with 20% of the RSU awards vesting on each anniversary of the award date over a five-year term. As of December 31, 2010, 38,235 of these RSUs remained unvested. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these RSUs will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2007 and 2008 RSU Awards.” Mr. Kaufman’s 2007 and 2008 RSU awards were contingent on the satisfaction of certain performance goals, which have subsequently been satisfied.

 

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Dara Khosrowshahi

Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement. Expedia entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Khosrowshahi (the “Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement”), effective as of May 28, 2009, for a term of three years. Pursuant to the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement, if Mr. Khosrowshahi terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates his employment with Expedia without cause, Mr. Khosrowshahi is entitled to receive his base salary through the longer of (i) the completion of the term of the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement and (ii) 12 months. Further, Expedia will consider in good faith the payment of discretionary bonuses on a pro rata basis for the year in which his termination of employment occurs. With the exception of the RSUs granted pursuant to Mr. Khosrowshahi’s 2006 RSU Award (discussed below), all equity awards held by Mr. Khosrowshahi that otherwise would have vested during the twelve-month period following the termination of his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia’s termination of his employment without cause, will accelerate (provided that (i) equity awards that vest less frequently than annually will be treated as though such awards vested annually and (ii) any award amount that is subject to outstanding performance conditions will vest if and only to the extent such performance conditions are satisfied). Mr. Khosrowshahi will have eighteen months following such date of termination to exercise any vested stock options (including stock options accelerated pursuant to the terms of the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement) or, if earlier, through the scheduled expiration date of the options. Mr. Khosrowshahi is restricted from competing with Expedia or soliciting or hiring Company employees during the term of the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement and for a two-year period following the termination of his employment with Expedia.

“Good reason” is defined in the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement to mean the occurrence of any of the following without the executive’s consent: (i) Expedia’s material breach of any material provision of the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement, (ii) the material reduction in Mr. Khosrowshahi’s title, duties or reporting responsibilities, (iii) a material reduction in Mr. Khosrowshahi’s base salary, or (iv) the relocation of Mr. Khosrowshahi’s principal place of employment more than 50 miles outside of the Seattle metropolitan area.

“Cause” is defined under the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement to mean Mr. Khosrowshahi’s (i) plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, conviction for, or the commission of, a felony offense, (ii) material breach of a fiduciary duty owed to Expedia or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) material breach of any of the covenants made pursuant to the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement, (iv) willful or gross neglect of the material duties required by the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement, or (v) knowing and material violation of any Company policy pertaining to ethics, wrongdoing or conflicts of interest, subject to certain qualifications.

2010 Stock Option Awards. Mr. Khosrowshahi was granted an Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award in February 2010. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, this stock option award will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.” In the event Mr. Khosrowshahi terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates his employment with Expedia without cause, the stock options will vest as described in the section above titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement.”

2009 Stock Option Awards. Mr. Khosrowshahi was granted an Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award and a Cliff Vesting Stock Option Award under the Expedia 2005 Plan in March 2009. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these stock option awards will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.” In the event Mr. Khosrowshahi terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates his employment with Expedia without cause, the stock options will vest as described in the section above titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement.”

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards. Mr. Khosrowshahi was granted RSU awards under the Expedia 2005 Plan in both 2007 and 2008 with 20% of the RSU awards vesting on each anniversary of the award date over a five-year term. As of December 31, 2010, 200,663 of these RSUs remained unvested. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these RSUs will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2007 and 2008 RSU

 

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Awards.” Mr. Khosrowshahi’s 2007 and 2008 RSU awards were contingent on the satisfaction of certain performance goals, which have subsequently been satisfied. In the event Mr. Khosrowshahi terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates his employment with Expedia without cause, the RSUs will vest as described in the section above titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement.”

2006 RSU Award. On March 7, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved certain compensation arrangements with Mr. Khosrowshahi, including the grant of 800,000 RSUs pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan (the “2006 RSU Award”). As of December 31, 2010, all 800,000 of these RSUs remained unvested. Of these RSUs, 75% will vest (the “Initial Vesting”) upon Expedia’s achievement of OIBA of $1.0 billion for a full fiscal year, adjusted as described below (the “OIBA Target”). The 2006 RSU Award was also contingent on the satisfaction of certain other performance goals, which goals have subsequently been satisfied. The Initial Vesting shall, at the election of Expedia, also be subject to the additional condition that at such time as Expedia achieves the OIBA Target, Mr. Khosrowshahi shall agree to remain employed as the Chief Executive Officer of Expedia for an additional two years following satisfaction of the OIBA Target on no less favorable terms to Mr. Khosrowshahi than the terms of employment as in effect at the time of such agreement.

If Mr. Khosrowshahi has not voluntarily terminated his employment with Expedia or has not been terminated for cause on the first anniversary of the Initial Vesting, the remaining portion of the RSUs will vest. If Expedia terminates Mr. Khosrowshahi without cause in any year in which Expedia achieves an OIBA target of $900 million, adjusted as described below (the “Modified OIBA Target”), then 75% of the RSUs will vest upon such termination of employment and the remaining RSUs will be forfeited. If there is a change in control of Expedia, then 50% of the outstanding RSUs vest immediately, without regard to the OIBA targets. If within one year of the change in control Mr. Khosrowshahi is terminated without cause or Mr. Khosrowshahi incurs a material adverse modification of his duties, then the remaining RSUs will vest, without regard to the OIBA Target.

For purposes of calculating the OIBA Target and the Modified OIBA Target, the operating results of all entities acquired by Expedia will also be included, starting with the first full fiscal year after any such acquisitions. In the case of each acquisition, the OIBA Target or Modified OIBA Target will be increased by the amount of OIBA that Expedia expects to achieve in the first full fiscal year following such acquisition, as projected by Expedia at the time of the acquisition. The OIBA Target and the Modified OIBA Target have not yet been met.

For the purposes of the 2006 RSU Award, a “change in control” is defined by reference to the Expedia 2005 Plan, as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.” In addition, the 2006 RSU Award provides that a change in control will include termination of the irrevocable proxy held by Mr. Diller to vote shares of Expedia common stock held by Liberty Interactive or its affiliates, or the acquisition by Liberty Interactive or its affiliates, of beneficial ownership of equity securities of Expedia, whereby Liberty Interactive acquires or assumes more than 35% of the voting power of the then outstanding equity securities of Expedia entitled to vote generally on the election of Expedia’s directors.

Under the 2006 RSU Award, “cause” is defined by reference to the Expedia 2005 Plan as follows: (i) the willful or gross neglect by a participant of his employment duties, (ii) the plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or conviction for, the commission of a felony offense by a participant, (iii) a material breach of the participant’s fiduciary duty owed to Expedia or any of its subsidiaries, or (iv) a material breach by a participant of any nondisclosure, nonsolicitation or noncompetition obligation owed to Expedia.

Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton

Employment Agreements. Expedia has entered into an employment agreement (an “Employment Agreement”) with each of Mr. Adler and Mr. Norton. Mr. Adler’s Employment Agreement, as amended, was effective as of May 16, 2009 for a term of three years, and Mr. Norton’s Employment Agreement, as amended,

 

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was effective as of May 28, 2009 for a term of three years. Pursuant to the Employment Agreements, if the executive terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates the executive’s employment with Expedia without cause, the executive is entitled to the benefits and subject to the restrictions described above under the section titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement.” Under the Employment Agreements, “good reason” and “cause” have the same meaning as under the Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement.

2010 Stock Option Awards. In February 2010, Messrs. Adler and Norton were each granted an Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these stock option awards will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.” In the event Mr. Adler or Mr. Norton terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates such executive’s employment without cause, these options will vest as described in the section above titled “—Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton—Employment Agreements.”

2009 Stock Option Awards. In March 2009, Messrs. Adler and Norton were each granted a Cliff Vesting Stock Option Award and an Incremental Vesting Stock Option Award under the Expedia 2005 Plan. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these stock option awards will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.” In the event Mr. Adler or Mr. Norton terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates such executive’s employment without cause, these options will vest as described in the section above titled “—Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton—Employment Agreements.”

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards. Messrs. Adler and Norton also hold RSUs granted in 2007 and 2008 pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan, with 20% of the RSU awards vesting on each anniversary of the award date over a five-year term. As of December 31, 2010, 39,186 of the RSUs awarded to Mr. Adler in 2007 and 2008 remained unvested and 27,180 of the RSUs awarded to Mr. Norton in 2007 and 2008 remained unvested. In the event of a change in control of Expedia, these RSUs will vest as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2007 and 2008 RSU Awards.” In the event Mr. Adler or Mr. Norton terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates either such executive’s employment without cause, these RSU awards will vest as described in the section above titled “—Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton—Employment Agreements.”

2006 RSU Awards. In 2006, Mr. Adler was granted two awards of 84,832 RSUs and 53,020 RSUs (the “Adler RSU Awards”) pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan, with 20% of the Adler RSU Awards vesting on each anniversary of the award date over a five-year term. As of December 31, 2010, 27,571 of the Adler RSU Awards remained unvested. In 2006, Mr. Norton was granted 31,117 RSUs (the “Norton RSU Award”) pursuant to the Expedia 2005 Plan, with 100% of the award vesting on the fifth anniversary of the award date. As of December 31, 2010, 31,117 of the Norton RSU Award remained unvested. In the event Mr. Adler or Mr. Norton terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates the executive’s employment without cause, the Adler RSUs Awards and Norton RSU Award will vest as described in the section above titled “—Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton—Employment Agreements.” These awards were contingent on the satisfaction of certain performance goals, which have subsequently been met. The Adler RSU Awards and the Norton RSU Award vest upon a change in control of Expedia. For this purpose, the term “change in control” is defined by reference to the Expedia 2005 Plan as described in the section above titled “—Barry Diller—2010 Stock Option Awards.” In addition, Mr. Adler’s RSUs will vest upon a “Liberty Change in Control,” which is defined as termination of the irrevocable proxy held by Mr. Diller to vote shares of Expedia common stock held by Liberty Interactive or its affiliates or the acquisition by Liberty Interactive or its affiliates, of beneficial ownership of equity securities of Expedia, whereby Liberty Interactive acquires or assumes more than 50% of the voting power of the then outstanding equity securities of Expedia entitled to vote generally on the election of Expedia’s directors. Mr. Norton’s RSUs will vest in full if Mr. Norton terminates his employment with Expedia for good reason or Expedia terminates his employment without cause at any time during the two-year period following a Liberty Change in Control.

 

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Michael B. Adler Separation Agreement. As previously discussed, Mr. Adler resigned from his position effective September 26, 2011. Pursuant to Mr. Adler’s Employment Agreement and a separation agreement between Mr. Adler and Expedia, dated as of September 27, 2011, subject to Mr. Adler’s execution of a release of claims against Expedia:

 

   

Mr. Adler will continue as an Expedia employee through January 31, 2012 at his current base salary of $450,000 per year, during which period he will provide services relating to the spin-off and assist with the transition of Expedia’s new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer;

 

   

Expedia will continue to pay Mr. Adler his current base salary during the eleven-month period following January 31, 2012, with respect to which period Expedia has waived its right to offset amounts earned by Mr. Adler from another employer;

 

   

Expedia will pay Mr. Adler a 2011 bonus, pro rated for nine months’ service, at the same time and at the same funding level as other corporate executive bonuses;

 

   

for the 17 months following January 31, 2012, Expedia will reimburse Mr. Adler for the monthly premiums of group health plan continuation coverage under COBRA for him and his dependents;

 

   

108,750 options and 7,842 RSUs held by Mr. Adler that otherwise would have vested during the 12-month period following January 31, 2012, vested on October 5, 2011 following his execution and non-revocation of a release agreement; and

 

   

188,750 options and 15,672 RSUs that would have vested during the twelve-month period following January 31, 2013 will vest on the earlier of immediately prior to the completion of the spin-off or November 15, 2011, subject to Mr. Adler’s assistance with the transition of Chief Financial Officer responsibilities.

Mr. Adler’s vested stock options will remain exercisable for 18 months following his employment termination date.

Burke F. Norton Resignation. Mr. Norton resigned from his position as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Expedia, effective October 28, 2011. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Norton’s Employment Agreement, he is entitled to compensation and benefits that were accrued and vested through the effective date of his termination. Mr. Norton’s vested stock options will remain exercisable for 90 days following his employment termination date.

Mark D. Okerstrom

Employment Agreement. In connection with Mark D. Okerstrom’s appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Expedia, on September 15, 2011, the Compensation Committees approved an award to Mr. Okerstrom of options to purchase 50,000 shares of Expedia common stock, which vest annually over four years. Additionally, Expedia entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Okerstrom, effective October 20, 2011, for a term of three years at an annual base salary of $425,000 and a target bonus of 75% of base salary. Mr. Okerstrom’s agreement provides that, in the event that he resigns for good reason or is terminated by Expedia without cause (as those terms will be defined in his employment agreement), Mr. Okerstrom will be entitled to the benefits and subject to the restrictions described above under the section titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—Khosrowshahi Employment Agreement,” except that Mr. Okerstrom will be entitled to reimbursement for the monthly premiums of group health plan continuation coverage under COBRA through the longer of the completion of the term of his agreement and 12 months, and he will be restricted from competing with Expedia or soliciting its employees for a period of 18 months after termination of his employment.

 

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Estimated Potential Incremental Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The table below reflects the estimated amount of incremental compensation payable to the named executive officers upon termination of the executive’s employment in the following circumstances: (i) a termination by Expedia without cause or resignation by the executive for good reason not in connection with a change in control, (ii) a termination by Expedia without cause in a fiscal year in which Expedia meets the performance goals established by the Compensation Committee, (iii) a change in control, or (iv) a termination by Expedia without cause or by the executive for good reason in connection with a change in control. The table should be read in conjunction with the descriptions of benefits above as the definitions for “change in control,” “cause” and “good reason” may vary.

The amounts shown in the table assume that the triggering event was effective as of December 31, 2010 and that the price of Expedia common stock on which certain of the calculations are based was the closing price of $25.09 on the NASDAQ Stock Market on that date. These amounts are estimates of the incremental amounts that would be paid out to the executive upon such triggering event. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of the triggering event, if any.

 

Name and Benefits

  Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason(1)
    Termination w/o
Cause and Meets
Performance
Goals(2)
    Upon Change in
Control(3)
    Termination w/o
Cause
or for Good
Reason in
Connection
w/Change in
Control(4)
 

Barry Diller

       

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards (vesting accelerated)

  $ —        $ —        $ 2,477,814      $ —     

2009 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    —          —          5,043,000        —     

2010 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    —          —          534,000        —     

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    —          —          8,054,814        —     

Victor A. Kaufman

       

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards (vesting accelerated)

    —          —          959,316        —     

2009 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    —          —          2,789,125        —     

2010 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    —          —          400,500        —     

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    —          —          4,148,941        —     

Dara Khosrowshahi

       

Cash Severance (salary)

    1,408,000        —          —          —     

2006 RSU Award (vesting accelerated)

    —          15,054,000        10,036,000 (5)      10,036,000   

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards (vesting accelerated)

    1,999,572        —          5,034,635        —     

2009 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    2,167,464        —          6,502,375        —     

2010 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    200,250        —          801,000        —     

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    5,775,286        15,054,000        22,374,010        10,036,000   

Michael B. Adler(6)

       

Cash Severance (salary)

    618,750        —          —          —     

2006 First RSU Award (vesting accelerated)

    425,702        —          425,702 (5)      —     

2006 Second RSU Award (vesting accelerated)

    266,054        —          266,054        —     

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards (vesting accelerated)

    393,211        —          983,176        —     

2009 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    1,531,864        —          4,595,575        —     

2010 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    73,425        —          293,700        —     

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    3,309,006        —          6,564,207        —     

Burke F. Norton(7)

       

Cash Severance (salary)

    598,400        —          —          —     

2006 RSU Award (vesting accelerated)

    780,726        —          780,726 (5)      780,726   

2007 and 2008 RSU Awards (vesting accelerated)

    258,126        —          681,946        —     

2009 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    1,230,789        —          3,692,350        —     

2010 Stock Option Awards (vesting accelerated)

    83,438        —          333,750        —     

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    2,951,479        —          5,488,772        780,726   

 

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(1) Represents salary continuation and equity acceleration benefits pursuant to the Khosrowshahi, Adler and Norton employment agreements. See sections above titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—Employment Agreement” and “—Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton—Employment Agreements.”
(2) Represents accelerated vesting of 75% of Mr. Khosrowshahi’s 2006 RSU Award. See section above titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—2006 RSU Award.”
(3) Change in control is as defined in the Expedia 2005 Plan, unless noted.
(4) Represents additional amounts to which the executive would be entitled if within a specified time period following a change in control, the executive’s employment is also terminated, in the case of Mr. Norton’s 2006 RSU Award, or the executive incurs a material adverse modification of duties, in the case of Mr. Khosrowshahi’s 2006 RSU Award.
(5) In addition to a change in control as defined in the Expedia 2005 Plan, includes a Liberty Interactive change in control as described above in the sections titled “—Dara Khosrowshahi—2006 RSU Award” and “—Michael B. Adler and Burke F. Norton—2006 RSU Awards.”
(6) As required by the applicable disclosure rules, the table reports amounts based on a hypothetical termination of employment on December 31, 2010. Mr. Adler resigned from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Expedia, effective September 26, 2011. Mr. Adler’s actual severance arrangements are described in the section above titled “—Michael B. Adler Separation Agreement.”
(7) As required by the applicable disclosure rules, the table reports amounts based on a hypothetical termination of employment on December 31, 2010. Mr. Norton resigned from his position as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Expedia, effective October 28, 2011. Mr. Norton’s actual severance arrangements are described in the section above titled “—Burke F. Norton Resignation.”

2010 Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes information, as of December 31, 2010, relating to Expedia’s equity compensation plans pursuant to which grants of stock options, restricted stock, RSUs or other rights to acquire shares may be granted from time to time.

 

Plan Category

  Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants

and Rights
(A)(1)
    Weighted-
Average

Exercise
Price of

Outstanding
Options,
Warrants

and Rights
(B)(2)
    Number of  Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column(A))
(C)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(3)

    17,764,921 (4)    $ 13.82        21,680,461   

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(5)

    1,467 (6)      —          98,533   

Total

    17,766,388        —          21,778,994   

 

(1) Information excludes the following securities, which represent IAC equity-based compensation awards that were converted into Expedia equity-based awards on the effective date of the IAC/Expedia spin-off and were outstanding as of December 31, 2010: 4,966,019 securities with a weighted-average exercise price of $28.903 to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.
(2) Excludes the following equity-based awards outstanding as of December 31, 2010: (i) 4,617,176 securities issuable in connection with RSUs for which there is no related exercise price (ii) 1,467 shares issuable in connection with share units credited to director accounts under the Expedia Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors for which there is no related exercise price, and (iii) grants of 110,000 stock appreciation rights. When vested, 50,000 stock appreciation rights represented the right to receive the difference between $6.76 and the value of one share of the common stock of eLong, Inc., a subsidiary of Expedia, at the time of exercise, to be settled in Expedia’s stock. The remaining 60,000 stock appreciation rights represented the right to receive the difference between $4.30 and the value of one share of common stock of eLong at the time of exercise, to be settled in Expedia’s stock.

 

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(3) The Expedia 2005 Plan.
(4) Does not include shares underlying RSUs or stock options granted in 2011. On March 1, 2011, the Compensation Committees awarded a total of (i) 43,076 RSUs and (ii) 5,669,550 options to purchase shares of common stock of Expedia.
(5) The Expedia Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(6) Represents 1,467 shares underlying share units credited to director accounts as of December 31, 2010 under the Expedia Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

 

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CERTAIN EXPEDIA RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

General

The historical information contained in this section does not give effect to the spin-off or the one-for-two reverse stock split that Expedia expects to complete immediately prior to the spin-off.

Review and Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

In general, Expedia will enter into or ratify a “related person transaction” only when it has been approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Related persons include Expedia’s executive officers, directors, 5% or more beneficial owners of our common stock, immediate family members of these persons and entities in which one of these persons has a direct or indirect material interest. Related person transactions are transactions that meet the minimum threshold for disclosure in the proxy statement under the relevant SEC rules (generally, transactions involving amounts exceeding $120,000 in which a related person or entity has a direct or indirect material interest). When a potential related person transaction is identified, management presents it to the Audit Committee to determine whether to approve or ratify. When determining whether to approve, ratify, disapprove or reject any related person transaction, the Audit Committee considers all relevant factors, including the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction, whether the terms are commercially reasonable and whether the related person transaction is consistent with the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders.

The legal and accounting departments work with business units throughout Expedia to identify potential related person transactions prior to execution. In addition, Expedia takes the following steps with regard to related person transactions:

 

   

On an annual basis, each director, director nominee and executive officer of Expedia completes a Director and Officer Questionnaire that requires disclosure of any transaction, arrangement or relationship with Expedia during the last fiscal year in which the director or executive officer, or any member of his or her immediate family, had a direct or indirect material interest.

 

   

Each director, director nominee and executive officer is expected to promptly notify Expedia’s legal department of any direct or indirect interest that such person or an immediate family member of such person had, has or may have in a transaction in which Expedia participates.

 

   

Expedia performs a quarterly search of its accounts payable, accounts receivable and other databases to identify any other potential related person transactions that may require disclosure.

 

   

Any reported transaction that Expedia’s legal department determines may qualify as a related person transaction is referred to the Audit Committee.

If any related person transaction is not approved, the Audit Committee may take such action as it may deem necessary or desirable in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders.

Related Person Transactions

Relationships With Officers and Directors

Subject to the terms of a Stockholders Agreement between Mr. Diller and Liberty Interactive, Mr. Diller holds an irrevocable proxy to vote shares of Expedia common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by Liberty Interactive. By virtue of the proxy, as well as through shares owned by Mr. Diller directly, Mr. Diller is effectively able to control the outcome of all matters submitted to a vote or for the consent of Expedia’s stockholders (other than with respect to the election by the holders of Expedia common stock of 25% of the members of Expedia’s Board of Directors and matters as to which Delaware law requires separate class votes).

Mr. Diller is also the chairman and chief executive officer of IAC, and through similar arrangements between Mr. Diller and Liberty Interactive, Mr. Diller is effectively able to control the outcome of all matters

 

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submitted to a vote or for the consent of IAC’s stockholders (other than with respect to the election by the holders of IAC common stock of 25% of the members of IAC’s Board of Directors and matters as to which Delaware law requires separate class votes).

Relationship Between Expedia and IAC

In connection with and following the IAC/Expedia spin-off, Expedia and IAC entered into certain arrangements, including arrangements regarding the sharing of certain costs and the use and ownership of Expedia Aircraft and various commercial and other relationships, which are described below. On August 20, 2008, IAC completed its plan to separate into five publicly traded companies, and certain of the commercial relationships described above were with former IAC entities that are now separate from IAC. Since such separation, these former IAC entities are no longer under common control with Expedia and therefore no longer considered related persons.

Cost-Sharing Arrangements. Expedia and IAC have agreed, in light of Mr. Diller’s senior role at both companies and his use of certain resources to the benefit of both companies, that certain expenses associated with such usage would be shared. These expenses include certain of Mr. Diller’s business expenses, costs for equipment dedicated to Mr. Diller’s use and expenses relating to Mr. Diller’s support staff, as well as certain other costs. In 2010, Expedia paid 35% of such expenses. The aggregate amount of costs paid by Expedia was approximately $277,000 for 2010, which amount does not include amounts paid by Expedia for its costs attributable to Mr. Diller’s personal use of Company aircraft. See footnote 4 to the table above titled “2010 Summary Compensation Table” for information regarding personal use of Company aircraft.

Expedia Aircraft Agreement. Each of Expedia and IAC has a 50% ownership interest in an aircraft that may be used by both companies. Expedia and IAC share capital costs relating to this aircraft equally and operating costs pro rata based on actual usage. Members of Expedia aircraft’s flight crew are employed by an entity in which each of Expedia and IAC has a 50% ownership interest. In 2010, total payments of approximately $385,000 were made to this entity by Expedia. On the fifth anniversary of the IAC/Expedia spin-off and annually thereafter, or at any time when Mr. Diller ceases to serve as Chairman of either Expedia or IAC, IAC will have a call right and Expedia will have a put right with respect to Expedia’s interest in Expedia aircraft, in each case at fair market value. IAC has the right to sell the aircraft on behalf of both parties.

Commercial and Other Relationships. Since the IAC/Expedia spin-off, Expedia has continued to work with some of IAC’s businesses pursuant to a variety of commercial relationships. These relationships generally include service agreements, primarily involving advertising sales services provided by IAC businesses and private-label travel services provided by Expedia businesses. In 2010, pursuant to commercial and other relationships, primarily relating to advertising and marketing services, Expedia businesses paid an aggregate amount of approximately $725,000 to IAC businesses and IAC businesses paid approximately $186,000 to Expedia businesses.

Relationship Between Expedia and Liberty Interactive

Liberty Interactive, Expedia and Mr. Diller are parties to the Governance Agreement, pursuant to which Liberty Interactive has the right to nominate up to a number of directors equal to 20% of the total number of directors on the Board of Directors (rounded up to the next whole number if the number of directors on the Board is not an even multiple of five) and has certain other rights regarding committee participation, so long as certain stock ownership requirements applicable to Liberty Interactive are satisfied.

The Governance Agreement also provides that if Expedia issues or proposes to issue shares of Expedia common stock or Expedia Class B common stock, Liberty Interactive has preemptive rights that generally entitle it to purchase a number of Expedia common shares, subject to a cap, so that Liberty Interactive will maintain the same ownership interest in Expedia that Liberty Interactive held immediately prior to such issuance or proposed issuance. Liberty Interactive was not entitled to exercise any such preemptive rights in 2009 or in 2010.

 

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MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION FOR EXPEDIA COMMON EQUITY

General

The historical share information contained in this section does not give effect to the spin-off or the one-for-two reverse stock split that Expedia expects to complete immediately prior to the spin-off.

Expedia common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “EXPE.” Expedia Class B common stock is not listed and there is no established public trading market. As of September 6, 2011, there were approximately 3,823 holders of record of Expedia’s common stock and the closing price of its common stock was $29.77 on NASDAQ. As of September 6, 2011, all of its Class B common stock was held by a subsidiary of Liberty.

On April 6, 2011, the last full trading day prior to Expedia’s public announcement of the spin-off, the closing price of the Expedia common stock was $22.48, and on October 27, 2011, the most recent practicable date prior to submission of this document to the SEC, the closing price of the Expedia common stock was $29.09.

The following table sets forth the intra-day high and low prices per share for Expedia’s common stock during the periods indicated as reported on the NASDAQ:

 

     High      Low  

Year ended December 31, 2011

     

Fourth Quarter (through October 26, 2011)

   $ 29.00       $ 23.85   

Third Quarter

     32.89         25.74   

Second Quarter

     29.14         22.00   

First Quarter

     27.91         19.61   
     High      Low  

Year ended December 31, 2010

     

Fourth Quarter

   $ 29.50       $ 24.84   

Third Quarter

     29.85         18.30   

Second Quarter

     26.09         18.69   

First Quarter

     26.03         20.17   
     High      Low  

Year ended December 31, 2009

     

Fourth Quarter

   $ 27.51       $ 21.95   

Third Quarter

     25.62         13.52   

Second Quarter

     17.65         8.82   

First Quarter

     10.35         6.31   

In 2011 and 2010, the Expedia Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Expedia Board of Directors, declared the following dividends:

 

Declaration Date

   Dividend
Per Share
     Record Date    Total Amount
(in thousands)
    Payment Date

Year ended December 31, 2011

          

February 9, 2011

   $ 0.07       March 11, 2011    $ 19,352      March 31, 2011

April 27, 2011

     0.07       May 27, 2011      19,232      June 17, 2011

July 25, 2011

     0.07       August 24, 2011      19,148      September 16, 2011

October 26, 2011

     0.07       November 18, 2011      19,000   December 9, 2011

Year ended December 31, 2010

          

February 10, 2010

   $ 0.07       March 11, 2010    $ 20,220      March 31, 2010

April 27, 2010

     0.07       May 27, 2010      19,902      June 17, 2010

July 26, 2010

     0.07       August 26, 2010      19,703      September 16, 2010

October 25, 2010

     0.07       November 18, 2010      19,251      December 9, 2010

 

* Estimated based on common stock outstanding on October 26, 2011.

 

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The March 2010 dividend was the first dividend in Expedia’s history as a separate, independently traded company.

Declaration and payment of future dividends, if any, is at the discretion of the Expedia Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, Expedia’s results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, share dilution management, legal risks, tax policies, capital requirements relating to research and development, investments and acquisitions, challenges to Expedia’s business model and other factors that the Expedia Board of Directors may deem relevant. In addition, Expedia’s credit agreement and high yield indenture limit its ability to pay dividends under certain circumstances.

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON GRAPH

The graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total return, calculated on a dividend reinvested basis, for Expedia common stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index, the RDG (Research Data Group) Internet Composite Index and the S&P 500. The graph assumes an investment of $100 in each of the above on December 31, 2005. The stock price performance shown in the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

LOGO

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the Expedia common stock to be issued in the reclassification and the warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock registered pursuant to this registration statement will be passed upon for Expedia by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The validity of the TripAdvisor common stock to be issued in the reclassification and the warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock registered pursuant to this registration statement will be passed upon for TripAdvisor by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Expedia, Inc. appearing in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The balance sheet of TripAdvisor, Inc. at September 2, 2011 appearing in this proxy statement/prospectus has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and is included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The combined financial statements of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, appearing in this proxy statement/prospectus have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

TRADEMARKS

Trademarks and logos mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

INDUSTRY DATA

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein includes industry position and industry data and forecasts that Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s obtained or derived from internal company reports, independent third party publications and other industry data. Some data are also based on good faith estimates, which are derived from internal company analyses or review of internal company reports as well as the independent sources referred to above. Although both Expedia and TripAdvisor believe that the information on which the companies have based these estimates of industry position and industry data are generally reliable, the accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed and they have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources nor have they ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s internal company reports have not been verified by any independent source. Statements as to industry position are based on market data currently available. While Expedia and TripAdvisor are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented or incorporated by reference herein, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, in Expedia’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, and in Expedia’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Expedia and TripAdvisor have filed a joint registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act with respect to shares of Expedia common stock, warrants to purchase shares of Expedia common stock, TripAdvisor common stock, and warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor common stock. This proxy statement/prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, does not contain all the information included in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement, to which reference is hereby made. You should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, for further information about Expedia and TripAdvisor and their securities. In addition, Expedia files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document that Expedia or TripAdvisor files with the SEC at its public reference room in Washington, D.C. located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. You can also obtain copies of those documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at that address. Expedia’s SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial retrieval services.

The reports, proxy statements and other information that Expedia files with the SEC may contain important information about Expedia and TripAdvisor. After the spin-off, TripAdvisor, as an independent, separately traded public company, will become subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, TripAdvisor will file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC.

The SEC allows Expedia to “incorporate by reference” the information that Expedia’s files with the SEC, which means that Expedia can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this proxy statement/prospectus. Expedia incorporates by reference the documents listed below, which Expedia has already filed with the SEC:

 

   

Expedia Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended;

 

   

Expedia Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011; and

 

   

Expedia Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished under Regulation FD) filed with the SEC on the following dates:

February 10, 2011 (other than Item 2.02 disclosure);

April 7, 2011;

April 28, 2011 (other than Item 2.02 disclosure);

May 4, 2011;

July 28, 2011 (other than Item 2.02 disclosure);

September 1, 2011;

September 2, 2011;

September 21, 2011;

October 17, 2011; and

October 27, 2011.

In addition, all documents filed by Expedia or TripAdvisor pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the registrant’s securities contemplated by this proxy statement/prospectus shall automatically update, and be deemed to be incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

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You may request a copy of this filing and other filings made after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing, at no cost, by writing or calling Expedia at the following address:

Expedia, Inc.

333 108th Avenue N.E.

Bellevue, WA 98004

Attn: Investor Relations Department

(425) 679-7200

You should make such requests for documents by November 28, 2011 to ensure timely delivery of the documents prior to the Annual Meeting. You should rely only on the information contained in this document. Neither Expedia nor TripAdvisor has authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this document. The information contained in this document is accurate only as of the date of this document, regardless of the time of delivery of this document or any distribution of securities described in this document. Please note that information included in Expedia’s website and in TripAdvisor’s website does not form a part of this document.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Expedia’s Annual Report to Stockholders for 2010, which includes Expedia’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (not including exhibits), will be mailed to shareholders of record as of October 28, 2011 together with the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus and posted to the Investor Relations section of Expedia’s corporate website. Upon written request received no later than November 28, 2011 to Expedia, Inc., 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004, Attention: Secretary, Expedia will provide, without charge, an additional copy of Expedia’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Expedia will furnish any exhibit contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K upon payment of a reasonable fee. Stockholders may also review a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K (including exhibits) by accessing Expedia’s corporate website at www.expediainc.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS FOR PRESENTATION AT THE

EXPEDIA 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

If the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held on or after November 6, 2012, stockholders who wish to have a proposal considered for inclusion in Expedia’s proxy materials for presentation at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must ensure that their proposal is received by Expedia no later than July 6, 2012 at its principal executive offices at 333 108th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, Washington 98004, Attention: Secretary. The proposal must be made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. Stockholders who intend to present a proposal at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders without inclusion of the proposal in Expedia’s proxy materials are required to provide notice of such proposal to Expedia at its principal executive offices, such notice to be received no later than September 19, 2012 if the date of the 2012 Annual Meeting is on or after November 6, 2012. Earlier deadlines than those set forth above (which new deadlines will be reasonable periods of time in advance of Expedia beginning to send its proxy materials for the 2012 Annual Meeting) will apply if the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held earlier than November 6, 2012. Expedia reserves the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

OTHER MATTERS

Expedia’s Board of Directors has no knowledge of any other matters to be presented at the meeting other than those described herein. If any other matters should properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons designated in the proxy to vote on them according to their best judgment.

 

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YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. THE BOARD ENCOURAGES YOU TO MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at their toll free number, 1-800-322-2885.

Bellevue, Washington

October 31, 2011

 

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ANNEX A

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO

THE EXPEDIA, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Form of Reverse Stock Split Amendment:

“(A) Article IV is hereby amended by adding the following new Paragraph E at the end thereof:

E.    Reverse Stock Split

(1) Upon this amendment becoming effective (the “Effective Time”), a one-for-two reverse stock split of each of the par value $0.001 Common Stock of the Corporation (“Old Common Stock”) and the par value $0.001 Class B Common Stock of the Corporation (“Old Class B Common Stock”) shall become effective, such that (a) every two (2) shares of Old Common Stock either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation as treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be automatically reclassified and combined into one (1) share of $0.001 par value Common Stock of the Corporation, subject to the treatment of fractional shares as described in paragraph (2) below, and (b) every two (2) shares of Old Class B Common Stock either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation as treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be automatically reclassified and combined into one (1) share of $0.001 par value Class B Common Stock of the Corporation, subject to the treatment of fractional shares as described in paragraph (2) below (the “Reverse Stock Split”).

(2) No fractional shares of Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or certificates representing fractional shares of Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, shall be issued to the former holders of Old Common Stock or Old Class B Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders that otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares of Common Stock or Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive cash (without interest) from the Corporation’s transfer agent in lieu of such fractional shares upon the submission of a properly completed and duly executed transmittal letter and, where the Common Stock is held in certificated form, the surrender of the stockholder’s certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Old Common Stock or Old Class B Common Stock (or if the stockholder alleges that such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate) , as applicable, (x) in the case of fractional shares of Common Stock, in an amount equal to the proceeds attributable to the sale of such fractional shares following the aggregation and sale by the Corporation’s transfer agent of all such fractional shares otherwise issuable and (y) in the case of fractional shares of Class B Common Stock, in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the fair value of a share of Class B Common Stock at the Effective Time, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

(3) Each stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented shares of Old Common Stock or Old Class B Common Stock, as applicable, shall, from and after the Effective Time, automatically and without the necessity of presenting the same for exchange, represent that number of whole shares of Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, into which the shares of Old Common Stock or Old Class B Common Stock, as applicable, represented by such certificate shall have been reclassified and combined: provided, however, that each holder of record of a certificate that represented shares of Old Common Stock or Old Class B Common Stock, as applicable, shall receive, upon surrender of such certificate (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) as described in paragraph (2) above, a new certificate representing the number of whole shares of Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, into which the shares of Old Common Stock or Old Class B Common Stock represented by such certificate shall have been reclassified and combined together with the cash in lieu of fractional shares as described in paragraph (2) above.”

 

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Form of Spin-Off Reclassification Amendment:

“(A) Article IV is hereby amended by deleting the first paragraph of Article IV and replacing that paragraph with the following text:

Without regard to any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, all of the provisions of Article IV), (a) each one (1) share of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, of the Corporation, either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation as treasury stock immediately prior to the time this amendment shall become effective, shall be and hereby is automatically reclassified as and changed into (without any further action) (i) one (1) share of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, of the Corporation and (ii) one one-hundredth of a share of Series 1 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, of the Corporation and (b) each one (1) share of Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value, of the Corporation, either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation as treasury stock immediately prior to the time this amendment shall become effective, shall be and hereby is automatically reclassified as and changed into (without any further action) (i) one (1) share of Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, of the Corporation and (ii) one one-hundredth of a share of Series 2 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, of the Corporation.

The Corporation shall have the authority to issue two billion one hundred million (2,100,000,000) shares of stock, comprised of one billion six hundred million (1,600,000,000) shares of $0.0001 par value Common Stock, four hundred million (400,000,000) shares of $0.0001 par value Class B Common Stock, and one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Stock.”

Form of Corporate Opportunity Amendment”

“Article XIII is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

ARTICLE XIII

A. COMPETITION AND CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

To the extent provided in the following sentence, the Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation or any of its Affiliated Companies in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Dual Opportunity about which a Dual Role Person acquires knowledge. A Dual Role Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer to the Corporation or any of its Affiliated Companies any Dual Opportunity that such Dual Role Person has communicated or offered to IAC or TripAdvisor, shall not be prohibited from communicating or offering any Dual Opportunity to IAC or TripAdvisor, and shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation, as the case may be, resulting from (i) the failure to communicate or offer to the Corporation or any of its Affiliated Companies any Dual Opportunity that such Dual Role Person has communicated or offered to IAC or to TripAdvisor or (ii) the communication or offer to IAC or TripAdvisor of any Dual Opportunity, so long as (x) the Dual Opportunity does not become known to the Dual Role Person in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation, and (y) the Dual Opportunity is not presented by the Dual Role Person to any party other than IAC or TripAdvisor and the Dual Role Person does not pursue the Dual Opportunity individually.

B. CERTAIN MATTERS DEEMED NOT CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article XIII, the Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation or any of its Affiliated Companies in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that the Corporation is not financially able or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake. Moreover, nothing in this Article XIII shall amend or modify in any respect any written contractual agreement between IAC or TripAdvisor on the one hand and the Corporation or any of its Affiliated Companies on the other hand.

 

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C. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Article XIII:

“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. For purposes of the foregoing definition, the term “controls,” “is controlled by,” or “is under common control with” means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Affiliated Company” means (i) with respect to the Corporation, any Person controlled by the Corporation, (ii) with respect to IAC, any Person controlled by IAC and (iii) with respect to TripAdvisor, any Person controlled by TripAdvisor.

“Dual Opportunity” means any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for the Corporation or any of its Affiliated Companies, on the one hand, and either or both of (x) IAC/InterActiveCorp or its Affiliated Companies (“IAC”) or (y) TripAdvisor, Inc. or its Affiliated Companies (“TripAdvisor”), on the other hand.

“Dual Role Person” means any individual who is an officer or director of both the Corporation and either or both of IAC or TripAdvisor.

“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

D. TERMINATION

The provisions of this Article XIII shall have no further force or effect at such time as (i) none of the Corporation, TripAdvisor and IAC are Affiliates of any of the other and (ii) none of the directors and/or officers of IAC or TripAdvisor serve as directors and/or officers of the Corporation and its Affiliated Companies; provided, however, that any such termination shall not terminate the effect of such provisions with respect to any agreement, arrangement or other understanding between the Corporation or an Affiliated Company thereof on the one hand, and IAC or TripAdvisor, on the other hand, that was entered into before such time or any transaction entered into in the performance of such agreement, arrangement or other understanding, whether entered into before or after such time.

E. DEEMED NOTICE

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or obtaining any interest in any capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice and to have consented to the provisions of this Article XIII.

F. SEVERABILITY

The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision, or part of any provision, of this Article XIII shall not affect the other provisions or parts hereof, and this Article XIII shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provisions or parts were omitted.”

 

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ANNEX B

EXPEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements give effect to the proposed TripAdvisor spin-off in accordance with Article 11 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X. Following and as a result of the TripAdvisor spin-off, Expedia will account for the operations of TripAdvisor as a discontinued operation.

In April 2011, Expedia announced its plan to separate into two independent, separately traded public companies:

 

   

TripAdvisor, Inc., which at the time of the spin-off will include the domestic and international operations associated with Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group, including the flagship TripAdvisor brand as well as 18 other travel media brands, and

 

   

Expedia, Inc., which at the time of the spin-off will continue to operate its remaining businesses—the domestic and international operations of its travel transaction brands including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, eLong, Hotwire, Egencia, Expedia Affiliate Network, CruiseShipCenters, Venere, Classic Vacations and carrentals.com—as an independent, separately traded public company.

For purposes of these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, the TripAdvisor spin-off is assumed to have occurred as of January 1, 2010 with respect to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations and as of June 30, 2011 with respect to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited consolidated statement of operations of Expedia for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the audited combined statement of operations of TripAdvisor for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2011 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated statement of operations of Expedia for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and the unaudited combined statement of operations of TripAdvisor for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2011 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Expedia as of June 30, 2011 and the unaudited combined balance sheet of TripAdvisor as of June 30, 2011.

The pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have been achieved if the TripAdvisor spin-off had occurred at January 1, 2010, nor is it indicative of future operating results or financial position. The pro forma adjustments are based upon information and assumptions available at the time of the filing of this proxy statement/prospectus. In the opinion of Expedia’s management, all adjustments necessary to fairly present the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements have been made based upon the proposed terms of the spin-off. You should read the pro forma information in conjunction with the accompanying notes thereto, with Expedia’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus, and TripAdvisor’s combined financial statements and related notes thereto, which are included in Annex E this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

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EXPEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(In thousands)

 

    Expedia
June 30,
2011
    TripAdvisor
June 30,
2011
    Spin-off
Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Notes     Pro Forma
June 30,

2011
 

ASSETS

         

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,409,008      $ 111,724      $ 364,641        (a   $ 1,265,938   
        (395,987     (d  

Short-term investments

    881,602        20,967        —            860,635   

Receivable from Expedia, net

    —          75,032        75,032        (a     —     

Other current assets

    663,390        90,765        —            572,625   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

    2,954,000        298,488        43,686          2,699,198   

Other non-current assets

    619,257        39,046        —            580,211   

Intangible assets, net

    793,482        47,530        —            745,952   

Goodwill

    3,678,538        465,530        (317,085     (a     2,895,923   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 8,045,277      $ 850,594      $ (273,399     $ 6,921,284   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          

Current liabilities:

         

Accounts payable, merchant

  $ 923,184      $ —        $ —          $ 923,184   

Deferred merchant bookings

    1,465,429        —          —            1,465,429   

Other current liabilities

    609,506        161,212        —            448,294   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    2,998,119        161,212        —            2,836,907   

Long-term debt

    1,645,237        —          (395,987     (d     1,249,250   

Deferred income taxes, net

    265,717        30,404        —            235,313   

Other long-term liabilities

    122,356        11,966        —            110,390   

Commitments and contingencies

         

Stockholders’ equity:

         

Invested capital

    —          648,283        364,641        (a     —     
        75,032        (a  
        (317,085     (a  
        525,695        (a  

Preferred stock

    —          —          —          (b     —     

Common stock

    351        —          (176     (c     175   

Class B common stock

    26        —          (13     (c     13   

Additional paid-in capital

    6,149,609        —          189        (c     5,624,103   
        (525,695     (a  

Treasury stock—common stock, at cost

    (2,290,418     —          —            (2,290,418

Retained earnings (deficit)

    (1,002,101     —          —            (1,002,101

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    22,608        (1,271     —            23,879   

Noncontrolling interest

    133,773        —          —            133,773   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

    3,013,848        647,012        122,588          2,489,424   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $ 8,045,277      $ 850,594      $ (273,399     $ 6,921,284   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

See Notes to Expedia, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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EXPEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

    Expedia Six
Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
    TripAdvisor
Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
    Spin-off
Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Notes     Pro Forma
Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
 

Revenue

  $ 1,845,811      $ 318,464      $ 113,143        (e   $ 1,629,115   
        (11,375     (f  

Costs and expenses:

         

Cost of revenue(1)

    376,386        4,966        (1,980     (f     369,440   

Selling and marketing(1)

    735,127        96,880        113,143        (e     741,995   
        (9,395     (f  

Technology and content(1)

    213,345        33,437        —            179,908   

General and administrative(1)

    167,538        17,785        (3,575     (g     145,679   
        (499     (h  

Other operating expense

    18,205        8,263        1,980        (g     11,922   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

    335,210        157,133        2,094          180,171   

Total other income (expense), net

    (64,685     1,737        177        (e     (48,811
        17,434        (d  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    270,525        158,870        19,705          131,360   

Provision for income taxes

    (77,426     (57,389     (7,258     (i     (27,295
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

    193,099        101,481        12,447          104,065   

Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (667     (139     —            (528
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ 192,432      $ 101,342      $ 12,447        $ 103,537   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

(1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:

         

Cost of revenue

  $ 1,391      $ —        $ —          $ 1,391   

Selling and marketing

    7,182        1,394        —            5,788   

Technology and content

    8,080        1,527        —            6,553   

General and administrative

    14,100        1,521        (499     (h     12,080   

Earnings per share(j)

         

Basic

  $ 0.70            $ 0.76   

Diluted

    0.69              0.72   

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.14           

See Notes to Expedia, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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EXPEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31, 2010

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

    Expedia
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
    TripAdvisor
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
    Spin-off
Pro  Forma
Adjustments
    Notes     Pro Forma
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 

Revenue

  $ 3,348,109      $ 484,635      $ 171,110        (e   $ 3,017,029   
        (17,555     (f  

Costs and expenses:

         

Cost of revenue(1)

    692,832        7,345        (3,055     (f     682,432   

Selling and marketing(1)

    1,204,141        140,470        171,110        (e     1,220,281   
        (14,500     (f  

Technology and content(1)

    362,447        53,667        —            308,780   

General and administrative(1)

    314,109        34,344        (5,041     (g     271,634   
        (3,090     (h  

Other operating expense

    42,665        22,509        7,900        (g     28,056   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

    731,915        226,300        231          505,846   

Total other expense, net

    (111,347     (1,885     (315     (e     (74,948
        34,829        (d  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    620,568        224,415        34,745          430,898   

Provision for income taxes

    (195,008     (85,461     (12,818     (i     (122,365
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

    425,560        138,954        21,927          308,533   

Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (4,060     (178     —            (3,882
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ 421,500      $ 138,776      $ 21,927        $ 304,651   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

(1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:

         

Cost of revenue

  $ 2,401      $ —        $ —          $ 2,401   

Selling and marketing

    13,867        2,101        —            11,766   

Technology and content

    14,326        2,661        —            11,665   

General and administrative

    29,096        2,421        (3,090     (h     23,585   

Earnings per share(j)

         

Basic

  $ 1.49            $ 2.16   

Diluted

    1.46              2.08   

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.28           

See Notes to Expedia, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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EXPEDIA, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

EXPEDIA PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

 

(a) To reflect the transfer to TripAdvisor by Expedia of the net assets comprising the post-spin-off TripAdvisor after giving effect to the terms related to its spin-off and separation from Expedia upon the terms of separation provided for in the separation agreements and giving effect to the accounting treatment related thereto as follows:

 

TripAdvisor Invested Equity

   $ 648,283   

Decrease in TripAdvisor’s cash and cash equivalents pursuant to the terms of the spin-off

     (364,641

Reclassification of TripAdvisor’s receivable from Expedia which will be extinguished in connection with the spin-off

     (75,032

Adjustments to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group reporting unit goodwill that will be required to effect the spin-off

     317,085   
  

 

 

 

Reduction to additional paid-in capital

   $ 525,695   
  

 

 

 

 

(b) To reflect the consummation of the preferred stock merger pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Expedia Series A preferred stock would cease to be outstanding and be converted into the right to receive a fixed amount of cash plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends through the merger effective time.

 

(c) To reflect changes in Expedia’s stockholders’ equity to affect the spin-off after giving effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia that is expected to be effected in connection with the spin-off.

 

(d) To reflect Expedia’s intended redemption of its 8.5% senior notes due 2016 with an aggregate principal amount of $400 million in connection with the spin-off. The related interest expense as well as amortization of debt issuance costs and discount during the year ended December 31, 2010 of $35 million and six months ended June 30, 2011 of $17 million were also eliminated.

One-time expenses related to this redemption, which include a make-whole provision as well as the write-off of the unamortized debt issue costs, are estimated at approximately $53 million (or $33 million net of tax) as of June 30, 2011. Since these expenses and the related cash payment are non-recurring, they have not been included as a pro forma adjustment. See “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Post-Spin-Off Expedia Financing Arrangements.”

 

(e) To reverse previously recorded elimination of intercompany transactions between TripAdvisor and certain Expedia subsidiaries.

 

(f) To reflect the anticipated effects under the material commercial agreements between TripAdvisor and Expedia as part of the spin-off. It is anticipated that Expedia’s average cost-per-click with TripAdvisor will be reduced. This reduction in marketing spend is anticipated to result in lower transaction volumes, revenue and cost of sales at Expedia, with an assumed net operating profit impact of zero. Expedia expects the actual related reduction in transaction volumes and revenue to be less than the reduction in marketing spend, thus resulting in an annual operating profit benefit; however, a net benefit is not included in the pro forma financials due to the difficulty in estimating such amount.

 

(g) To reflect the net effect of the reversal of the allocations made to TripAdvisor by Expedia in the preparation of TripAdvisor’s historical financial statements and the estimated amount of costs incurred by Expedia that will be charged to or incurred by TripAdvisor after the spin-off, including expense related to Expedia’s obligation to fund a charitable foundation that will be assumed by TripAdvisor, Inc. in conjunction with the spin-off.

One-time expenses related to the TripAdvisor spin-off from Expedia are expected to total $4.5 million, pre-tax, in 2011. The amount excludes the one-time impact of the charge associated with the redemption of the senior

 

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notes referred to in Note (d) above and the modifications of equity awards referred to below in Note (h). Since these expenses are non-recurring, they have not been included as a pro forma adjustment.

 

(h) To reflect the net reduction to non-cash compensation expense due to the modification of unvested Expedia awards due to the spin-off. The net reduction to the expense arises because certain of these modifications result in a shift of stock-based compensation expense from Expedia to TripAdvisor. This amount excludes a one-time expense of $1 million, pre-tax, due to the modification of vested stock options that remain unexercised at the date of the spin-off. Since this expense is non-recurring, it has not been included as a pro forma adjustment.

 

(i) To reflect the tax effect of pro forma adjustments above at an assumed effective rate of 36.9% for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 36.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

 

(j) Pro forma earnings per share has been adjusted to give effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split and is calculated as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
     Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

   $ 103,537       $ 304,651   

Basic shares outstanding-weighted average shares

     136,863         141,232   

Other dilutive securities including stock options, warrants and restricted stock units

     6,619         5,250   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dilutive shares outstanding-weighted average shares

     143,482         146,482   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ANNEX C

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements of TripAdvisor, Inc. were derived from the application of pro forma adjustments to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC’s combined financial statements and give effect to the terms of the spin-off and separation of TripAdvisor from Expedia in accordance with Article 11 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X as well as the contribution or transfer of all entities comprising the TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements to TripAdvisor, Inc. The pro forma adjustments include the initial capitalization by Expedia related to the formation of TripAdvisor, Inc. as if it had occurred as of the date of the pro forma financial statements. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations have been prepared as if the spin-off of TripAdvisor and its separation from Expedia had occurred as of January 1, 2010. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2011 has been prepared as if the spin-off of TripAdvisor and its separation from Expedia had occurred as of June 30, 2011. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2011 has been derived from the unaudited combined statement of operations of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited combined statement of operations of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2010. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2011 has been derived from the unaudited combined balance sheet of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC as of June 30, 2011.

The pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial position or operating results that would have been achieved if the spin-off and separation of TripAdvisor from Expedia had occurred on January 1, 2010, nor is it indicative of the financial position or operating results that may be achieved in the future. The pro forma adjustments are based upon information and assumptions available at the time of the filing of this proxy statement/prospectus as set forth in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.

You should read these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with “Proposal 1—The Spin-Off Proposal—Information About TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of TripAdvisor” and TripAdvisor’s combined financial statements and related notes thereto, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

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TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

June 30, 2011

(In thousands)

 

     Historical     Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Notes     Pro Forma  
ASSETS         

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 111,724      $ (364,641     (a)      $ 144,033   
       396,950        (b)     

Short-term investments

     20,967        —            20,967   

Receivable from Expedia, net

     75,032        (75,032     (a)        —     

Other current assets

     90,765        —            90,765   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

     298,488        (42,723       255,765   

Other non-current assets

     39,046        3,050        (b)        42,096   

Intangible assets, net

     47,530        —            47,530   

Goodwill

     465,530        —            465,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 850,594      $ (39,673     $ 810,921   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

Total current liabilities

   $ 161,212      $ 20,000        (b   $ 181,212   

Long-term debt

     —          380,000        (b     380,000   

Deferred income taxes, net

     30,404        —            30,404   

Other long-term liabilities

     11,966        —            11,966   

Shareholders’ equity:

        

Invested capital

     648,283        (648,283     (a     —     

Common shares, $0.001 par value, 1,600,000 authorized; 124,245 issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

     —          124        (a     124   

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, 400,000 authorized; 12,800 issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

     —          13        (a     13   

Additional paid-in capital

     —          208,473        (a     208,473   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,271     —            (1,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     647,012        (439,673       207,339   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 850,594      $ (39,673     $ 810,921   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

See Notes to TripAdvisor, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

     Historical     Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Notes     Pro Forma  

Revenue

   $ 318,464      $ (9,395     (c   $ 309,069   

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of revenue (exclusive of amortization)(1)

     4,966        —           4,966   

Selling and marketing(2)

     96,880        93        (e     96,973   

Technology and content(2)

     33,437        101        (e     33,538   

General and administrative(2)

     17,785        11,169        (d     29,624   
       670        (e  

Related-party shared services fee

     3,960        (3,960     (d     —    

Other operating expense

     4,303        —           4,303   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

     157,133        (17,468       139,665   

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income (expense), net

     315        (4,452     (f     (4,314
       (177     (g  

Other, net

     1,422        —           1,422   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     1,737        (4,629       (2,892
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     158,870        (22,097       136,773   

Provision for income taxes

     (57,389     9,087        (h     (48,302
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     101,481        (13,010       88,471   

Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (139     —           (139
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

   $ 101,342      $ (13,010     $ 88,332   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

(1) Amortization of acquired technology included in amortization of intangible assets is as follows:

   $ 325      $ —          $ 325   

      Amortization of website development costs included in technology and content is as follows

     5,723        —            5,723   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
   $ 6,048      $ —          $ 6,048   

(2) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:

        

Selling and marketing

   $ 1,394      $ 93        (e   $ 1,487   

Technology and content

     1,527        101        (e     1,628   

General and administrative

     1,521        670        (e     2,191   

Pro forma earnings per share(i)

        

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

         $ 0.65   

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

           0.63   

See Notes to TripAdvisor, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31, 2010

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

     Historical     Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Notes   Pro Forma  

Revenue

   $ 484,635      $ (14,500   (c)   $ 470,135   

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of revenue (exclusive of amortization)(1)

     7,345        —            7,345   

Selling and marketing(2)

     140,470        175      (e)     140,645   

Technology and content(2)

     53,667        222      (e)     53,889   

General and administrative(2)

     34,344        20,725      (d)     58,502   
       3,433      (e)  

Related-party shared services fee

     7,900        (7,900   (d)     —     

Amortization of intangible assets

     14,609        —            14,609   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

     226,300        (31,155       195,145   

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income (expense), net

     (241     (8,952   (f)     (8,878
       315      (g)  

Other, net

     (1,644     —            (1,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total other expense, net

     (1,885     (8,637       (10,522
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     224,415        (39,792       184,623   

Provision for income taxes

     (85,461     16,433      (h)     (69,028
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     138,954        (23,359       115,595   

Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (178     —            (178
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

   $ 138,776      $ (23,359     $ 115,417   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

(1) Amortization of acquired technology included in amortization of intangible assets is as follows:

   $ 1,080      $ —          $ 1,080   

      Amortization of website development costs included in technology and content is as follows

     8,104        —            8,104   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
   $ 9,184      $ —          $ 9,184   

(2) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:

        

Selling and marketing

   $ 2,101      $ 175      (e)   $ 2,276   

Technology and content

     2,661        222      (e)     2,883   

General and administrative

     2,421        3,433      (e)     5,854   

Pro forma earnings per share(i)

        

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

         $ 0.82   

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

           0.80   

See Notes to TripAdvisor, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TRIPADVISOR, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

TRIPADVISOR PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

 

(a) To reflect the formation of TripAdvisor, Inc. and the transfer to TripAdvisor by Expedia of the post-spin-off net assets of TripAdvisor after giving effect to the terms provided for in the separation agreements and the accounting treatment related thereto.

 

Invested equity

   $ 648,283   

Cash distributed to Expedia(1)

     (364,641

Receivable from Expedia extinguished(2)

     (75,032

Common shares issued(3)

     (124

Class B shares issued(3)

     (13
  

 

 

 

Addition to APIC

   $ 208,473   
  

 

 

 

 

  (1) The transfer of approximately $365 million in cash to Expedia, prior to TripAdvisor’s separation from Expedia, which was raised from the financing referred to in note (b) below. TripAdvisor will retain $165 million in cash and short-term investments upon the separation, inclusive of cash on hand;

 

  (2) The extinguishment of the receivables from Expedia; and

 

  (3) The reclassification of 124.2 million shares of Expedia common stock and 12.8 million shares of Expedia Class B common stock into, in part, shares of Expedia mandatory exchangeable preferred stock that will automatically, immediately following the reclassification, exchange into 124.2 million shares of TripAdvisor common stock and 12.8 million shares of TripAdvisor Class B common stock to effect the transfer of ownership of TripAdvisor from Expedia to Expedia’s shareholders based upon an expected ratio of one share of the respective class of TripAdvisor common stock for each share of the respective class of Expedia common stock and the number of Expedia common and Class B common shares outstanding as of June 30, 2011 after giving effect to the one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia shares that is expected to be effected in connection with, and immediately prior to, the spin-off.

 

(b) At the time the spin-off is effective, TripAdvisor and certain of its post spin-off subsidiaries expect to enter into a credit agreement providing for a senior term loan in the amount of $400 million with a term of five years to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC (the “Term Loan”) as well as a senior revolving credit facility of $200 million with a term of five years. The Term Loan will be repayable in quarterly installments equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount in the year 2012 (the sum total of which in the year 2012 will be $20 million) and 2.5% of the original principal amount in each thereafter with the balance due on the final maturity date. Total issuance costs in connection with these financing transactions are expected to be approximately $3 million. The net proceeds are expected to be approximately $397 million.

 

(c) To reflect the anticipated effects under the material commercial agreements between TripAdvisor and Expedia as part of the spin-off. Expedia expects to reduce its marketing spend with TripAdvisor, resulting in lower TripAdvisor revenue. The estimated revenue reduction assumes lower average costs-per-click by Expedia, but does not assume any volume reductions to revenue, or offsetting revenue increases for lost revenue that will be replaced by other customers, due to the difficulty in estimating such amounts.

 

(d) To reflect the estimated increase in expenses that TripAdvisor expects to incur on a stand-alone basis after its separation from Expedia detailed as follows:

 

    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
    Year Ended
December 31, 2010
 

Costs related to services previously obtained from Expedia

  $ 3,960      $ 7,900   

Additional expenses associated with being a separately traded public company

    4,625        9,918   

Charitable foundation contribution

    2,584        2,907   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 11,169      $ 20,725   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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These expenses include the costs related to services previously obtained from Expedia, classified as “Related-party shared services fee” in the historical financial statements, and include the allocation of costs related to accounting, legal, tax, corporate development and real estate functions and the related employee compensation within these functions, as well as the additional costs associated with being a publicly traded company and costs related to Expedia’s obligation to fund a charitable foundation that will be assumed by TripAdvisor in connection with the spin-off. The charitable foundation contribution was calculated at 1.3% and 1.7% of TripAdvisor’s pro forma Operating Income Before Amortization (“OIBA”) for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. OIBA is TripAdvisor’s primary operating metric for evaluating segment performance and is detailed within Note 11, Segment Information, of TripAdvisor’s combined financial statements included in Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus.

One-time expenses related to TripAdvisor’s spin-off from Expedia are expected to total $4.5 million, pre-tax, in 2011, excluding the one-time impact of the modification of vested stock options referred to in Note (e) below. Since these expenses are non-recurring, they have not been included as a pro forma adjustment.

 

(e) To reflect the additional non-cash compensation expense resulting from the modification of stock-based compensation awards due to the spin-off. The additional expense reflects (1) the additional expense that arises due to the increase in the estimated fair value of these awards due to the modifications and (2) the shift of stock based compensation from Expedia to TripAdvisor for certain of these unvested awards related to Mr. Diller. Mr. Diller is a Senior Executive and Chairman of the Board of Expedia. Following the spin-off, Mr. Diller will serve as a Senior Executive and Chairman of the Board of TripAdvisor as well. In light of his expected roles as Senior Executive of both Expedia and TripAdvisor following the spin-off, Mr. Diller’s unvested Expedia equity awards will convert into unvested Expedia equity awards and unvested TripAdvisor equity awards as described in “—Treatment of Outstanding Expedia Compensatory Equity-Based Awards.”

This amount excludes a one-time expense of $0.2 million, pre-tax, due to the modification of vested stock options that remain unexercised at the date of the spin-off. Since this expense is non-recurring, it has not been included as a pro forma adjustment.

 

(f) To reflect the incremental interest expense related to the financing referred to in note (b) above. It includes an assumed interest expense on the Term Loan at LIBOR plus 175 bps, which, as of June 30, 2011 and assuming a 1-month interest period, would have been 1.94% per year. It also reflects assumed expense at 0.30% on the committed amount of the revolving credit facility, which is assumed to be unused. The interest expense calculation includes the amortization of the debt issuance costs over the applicable terms of the financings. The interest rates are based on current assumptions, leverage and LIBOR rates and do not take into account that the Term Loan’s LIBOR would reset every three months. A 25 basis point change in the interest rate on the Term Loan would result in an increase or decrease to interest expense of approximately $1 million.

 

(g) To reflect the elimination of intercompany interest (income) expense between Expedia to TripAdvisor on related party receivable/payable balances.

 

(h) To reflect the tax effect of the pro forma adjustments at an assumed effective tax rate of 41.3% for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 41.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

 

(i) Pro forma earnings per share is calculated as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
     Year Ended
December 31, 2010
 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

   $ 88,332       $ 115,417   

Basic shares outstanding-weighted average shares

     136,863         141,232   

Other dilutive securities including stock options, warrants and restricted stock units

     3,294         3,045   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dilutive shares outstanding-weighted average shares

     140,157         144,277   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ANNEX D

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

Index to Financial Statement

 

Financial Statement

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     D-2   

Balance Sheet

     D-3   

Note to Balance Sheet

     D-4   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Expedia, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of TripAdvisor, Inc. (the Company) as of September 2, 2011. This balance sheet is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the balance sheet based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit of the balance sheet provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of TripAdvisor, Inc. at September 2, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Seattle, Washington

September 21, 2011

 

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TRIPADVISOR, INC.

BALANCE SHEET

 

     September 2,
2011
 
ASSETS   

Current asset:

  

Cash

   $ 1,000   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSET

   $ 1,000   
  

 

 

 
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY   

Stockholder’s Equity:

  

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 3,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding

   $ —     

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 3,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

     1   

Class B, $0.001 par value per share, 4,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding

     —     

Additional paid-in capital

     999   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

   $ 1,000   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying note to TripAdvisor, Inc. balance sheet.

 

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TRIPADVISOR, INC.

NOTE TO BALANCE SHEET

Organization—The Spin-Off

On April 7, 2011, Expedia, Inc. (“Expedia”) announced its plan to separate into two independent public companies in order to better achieve certain strategic objectives of its various businesses. We refer to this transaction as the “spin-off.”

In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor, Inc. (“TripAdvisor”) was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in July 2011. TripAdvisor currently does not have any material assets or liabilities, nor does it engage in any business or other activities and, other than in connection with the spin-off, will not acquire or incur any material assets or liabilities, nor will it separately engage in any business or other activities, in each case prior to the spin-off. In connection with the spin-off, Expedia will contribute or transfer all of the subsidiaries and assets relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group, which are comprised of the TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements, to TripAdvisor, Inc. and TripAdvisor, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries will assume of all of the liabilities relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group.

The balance sheet of TripAdvisor as of September 2, 2011 represents the amount of initial capitalization upon the incorporation of TripAdvisor, which would also be presented as an investing cash inflow in the statement of cash flows. TripAdvisor did not have any operating activities, and therefore, a statement of operations, statement of stockholder’s equity and statement of cash flows has not been included herein.

 

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ANNEX E

TRIPADVISOR HOLDINGS, LLC

COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Index to Combined Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Combined Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     E-2   

Combined Statements of Operations

     E-3   

Combined Balance Sheets

     E-4   

Combined Statements of Changes in Invested Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     E-5   

Combined Statements of Cash Flows

     E-6   

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

     E-7   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Expedia, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC. (the Company) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related combined statements of operations, changes in invested equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the combined results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Seattle, Washington

September 21, 2011

 

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TRIPADVISOR HOLDINGS, LLC

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

    Year ended December 31,     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
    2008     2009     2010     2010     2011     2010     2011  
                      (Unaudited)  

Revenue

  $ 200,578      $ 212,375      $ 313,525      $ 82,422      $ 110,043      $ 153,923      $ 205,321   

Related-party revenue from Expedia

    97,668        139,714        171,110        42,987        59,199        85,068        113,143   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    298,246        352,089        484,635        125,409        169,242        238,991        318,464   

Costs and expenses:

             

Cost of revenue (exclusive of amortization(1)

    2,414        4,569        7,345        1,735        2,735        3,282        4,966   

Selling and marketing(2)

    98,291        105,679        140,470        31,392        52,685        62,313        96,880   

Technology and content(2)

    30,240        37,074        53,667        13,015        17,058        24,587        33,437   

General and administrative(2)

    22,937        15,873        34,344        8,851        8,779        13,583        17,785   

Related-party shared services fee

    8,320        6,910        7,900        1,975        1,980        3,950        3,960   

Amortization of intangible assets

    11,161        13,806        14,609        2,864        1,132        6,242        3,249   

Spin-off costs

    —          —          —          —          1,054        —          1,054   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    124,883        168,178        226,300        65,577        83,819        125,034        157,133   

Other income (expense):

             

Related-party interest income (expense), net

    (4,035     (978     (241     (70     217        (148     315   

Other, net

    (1,738     (660     (1,644     (1,359     457        (2,674     1,422   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

    (5,773     (1,638     (1,885     (1,429     674        (2,822     1,737   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    119,110        166,540        224,415        64,148        84,493        122,212        158,870   

Provision for income taxes

    (46,788     (64,325     (85,461     (24,073     (30,383     (44,723     (57,389
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    72,322        102,215        138,954        40,075        54,110        77,489        101,481   

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

    49        212        (178     (13     (46     (54     (139
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

  $ 72,371      $ 102,427      $ 138,776      $ 40,062      $ 54,064      $ 77,435      $ 101,342   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1) Amortization of acquired technology included in amortization of intangible assets is as follows:

  $ 4,978      $ 4,356      $ 1,080      $ 138      $ 163      $ 781      $ 325   

      Amortization of website development costs included in technology and content is as follows:

    3,071        5,992        8,104        1,923        3,029        3,608        5,723   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 8,049      $ 10,348      $ 9,184      $ 2,061      $ 3,192      $ 4,389      $ 6,048   

(2) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:

  

Selling and marketing

  $ 1,669      $ 1,885      $ 2,101      $ 434      $ 589      $ 1,089      $ 1,394   

Technology and content

    2,784        2,276        2,661        601        639        1,378        1,527   

General and administrative

    1,107        1,744        2,421        519        740        1,254        1,521   

See notes to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements.

 

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TRIPADVISOR HOLDINGS, LLC

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     December 31,     June 30,  
     2009     2010     2011  
                 (Unaudited)  

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 31,364      $ 93,133      $ 111,724   

Short-term investments

     —          20,297        20,967   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,693, $5,184 and $5,894 at December 31, 2009 and 2010 and June 30, 2011, respectively

     39,491        51,150        77,274   

Receivable from Expedia, net

     —          —          75,032   

Deferred income taxes, net

     4,002        7,954        8,027   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     4,140        4,267        5,464   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     78,997        176,801        298,488   

Property and equipment, net

     24,545        30,744        32,592   

Other long-term assets

     496        4,640        6,454   

Intangible assets, net

     52,618        50,094        47,530   

Goodwill

     418,170        460,610        465,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 574,826      $ 722,889      $ 850,594   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND INVESTED EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

      

Accounts payable

   $ 4,596      $ 6,768      $ 21,787   

Payable to Expedia, net

     84,497        18,860        —     

Deferred revenue

     1,208        12,119        19,764   

Credit facility

     —          1,779        4,635   

Taxes payable

     49,978        65,034        76,901   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     17,278        38,129        38,125   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     157,557        142,689        161,212   

Deferred income taxes, net

     22,385        28,888        30,404   

Other long-term liabilities

     4,970        11,680        11,966   

Commitments and Contingencies

      

Invested equity:

      

Invested capital

     393,363        541,561        648,283   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,449     (1,929     (1,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total invested equity

     389,914        539,632        647,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND INVESTED EQUITY

   $ 574,826      $ 722,889      $ 850,594   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements.

 

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TRIPADVISOR HOLDINGS, LLC

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN INVESTED EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE

INCOME (LOSS)

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     Invested
capital
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2007

   $ 165,768      $ (24   $ 165,744   

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

     72,371          72,371   

Components of comprehensive income:

      

Currency translation adjustment

       (4,808     (4,808
      

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

         67,563   

Tax benefits on equity awards

     59          59   

Stock-based compensation expense

     5,469          5,469   

Other

     4,065          4,065   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2008

     247,732        (4,832     242,900   

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

     102,427          102,427   

Components of comprehensive income:

      

Currency translation adjustment

       1,383        1,383   
      

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

         103,810   

Tax deficiencies on equity awards

     (1,054       (1,054

Stock-based compensation expense

     5,612          5,612   

Invested capital for acquisition

     38,487          38,487   

Other

     159          159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2009

     393,363        (3,449     389,914   

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

     138,776          138,776   

Components of comprehensive income:

      

Currency translation adjustment

       1,520        1,520   
      

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

         140,296   

Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

     (1,152       (1,152

Tax benefits on equity awards

     3,992          3,992   

Stock-based compensation expense

     6,582          6,582   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     541,561        (1,929     539,632   

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

     101,342          101,342   

Components of comprehensive income:

      

Currency translation adjustment

       658        658   
      

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

         102,000   

Tax benefits on equity awards

     1,327          1,327   

Stock-based compensation expense

     3,971          3,971   

Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

     82          82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2011 (unaudited)

   $ 648,283      $ (1,271   $ 647,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments.

See notes to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements.

 

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TRIPADVISOR HOLDINGS, LLC

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

    Year ended December 31,     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
    2008     2009     2010     2010     2011  
                      (Unaudited)  

Operating activities:

         

Net income

  $ 72,322      $ 102,215      $ 138,954      $ 77,489      $ 101,481   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

         

Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development

    5,022        9,330        12,871        5,678        8,616   

Amortization of stock-based compensation

    5,560        5,905        7,183        3,721        4,442   

Amortization of intangible assets

    11,161        13,806        14,609        6,242        3,249   

Deferred income taxes

    (1,772     7,218        (653     (54     (174

Foreign exchange (gain) loss on cash and cash equivalents, net

    —          —          (541     70        (618

Other

    —          —          164        1,002        (1,222

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

         

Accounts receivable

    (5,684     (5,996     (11,470     (30,319     (24,570

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    128        (1,293     (328     (980     (1,525

Accounts payable

    (2,961     (802     1,273        2,903        12,229   

Taxes payable

    13,376        1,767        15,546        13,887        3,113   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    12,775        (6,821     9,707        3,910        1,925   

Deferred revenue

    799        409        9,600        7,249        6,925   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    110,726        125,738        196,915        90,798        113,871   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

         

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (199,365     (44,971     (34,446     (34,446     (4,893

Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development

    (17,871     (13,873     (18,813     (9,585     (10,424

Transfers to Expedia, Inc., net

    (84,623     (90,086     (66,421     (37,542     (90,125

Purchase of short-term investments

    —          —          (20,090     —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

    (301,859     (148,930     (139,770     (81,573     (105,442
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

         

Acquisitions funded by Expedia, Inc.

    189,896        45,958        —          —          5,135   

Short-term borrowings

    —          —          1,733        —          2,782   

Excess tax benefit

    198        112        1,813        1,551        1,431   

Change in restricted cash

    519        —          475        475        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    190,613        46,070        4,021        2,026        9,348   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    (1,043     485        603        (290     814   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (1,563     23,363        61,769        10,961        18,591   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    9,564        8,001        31,364        31,364        93,133   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $ 8,001      $ 31,364      $ 93,133      $ 42,325      $ 111,724   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

         

Income taxes paid directly to (refunded from) taxing authorities, net

  $ (3,985   $ 7,168      $ 26,654      $ 21,794      $ 34,056   

Income taxes paid to Expedia, Inc.

    39,342        48,078        41,333        7,510        18,289   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax payments, net

  $ 35,357      $ 55,246      $ 67,987      $ 29,304      $ 52,345   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements.

 

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TRIPADVISOR HOLDINGS, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Information as of June 30, 2011 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and

2011 is unaudited)

NOTE 1: ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

On April 7, 2011, Expedia, Inc. (“Expedia”) announced its plan to separate into two independent public companies in order to better achieve certain strategic objectives of its various businesses. We refer to this transaction as the “spin-off.” Non-recurring expenses incurred to affect the spin-off during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 have been included within spin-off costs in the statements of operations.

In connection with the spin-off, TripAdvisor, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in July 2011. TripAdvisor, Inc. currently does not have any material assets or liabilities, nor does it engage in any business or other activities and, other than in connection with the spin-off, will not acquire or incur any material assets or liabilities, nor will it separately engage in any business or other activities, in each case prior to the spin-off. In connection with the spin-off, Expedia will contribute or transfer all of the subsidiaries and assets relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group, which are comprised of the TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC combined financial statements as discussed below, to TripAdvisor, Inc. and TripAdvisor, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries will assume of all of the liabilities relating to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying combined financial statements include TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC and its majority-owned subsidiaries as well as two international Expedia subsidiaries, which we collectively refer to as “TripAdvisor,” “us,” “we” and “our” in these combined financial statements. TripAdvisor represents the domestic and international operations associated with Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group as presented in the Expedia consolidated financial statements.

The combined financial statements of TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries assume the allocation to TripAdvisor of certain Expedia corporate expenses relating to TripAdvisor (see Note 9 for further information) and the accounting for income taxes computed for TripAdvisor on a separate tax return basis (see Note 8 for further information).

Our management believes that the assumptions underlying the combined financial statements are reasonable. However, this financial information does not necessarily reflect the future financial position, results of operations and cash flows of TripAdvisor, nor does it reflect what the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of TripAdvisor would have been had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented.

The accompanying combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2011, the combined statements of operations and the combined statement of changes in invested equity and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and the combined statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011 are unaudited. The unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited combined financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position as of June 30, 2011 and results of operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes to the combined financial statements related to the three and six month periods are unaudited. The results of the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ended December 31, 2011 or for any other interim period or for any other future year.

 

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Description of Business

TripAdvisor is an online travel research company, empowering users to plan and enjoy the ideal trip. TripAdvisor’s travel research platform aggregates reviews and opinions of members about destinations, accommodations (hotels, bed and breakfasts, specialty lodging and vacation rentals), restaurants and activities throughout the world through our flagship TripAdvisor brand. TripAdvisor-branded websites include tripadvisor.com in the United States and localized versions of the website in 29 countries, including in China under the brand daodao.com. Beyond travel-related content, TripAdvisor websites also include links to the websites of our travel advertisers allowing travelers to directly book their travel arrangements. In addition to the flagship TripAdvisor brand, we manage and operate websites under 18 other travel media brands, connected by the common goal of providing comprehensive travel planning resources across the travel sector. We derive substantially all of our revenue from advertising, primarily through click-based and display-based advertising sales. In addition, we earn revenue through a combination of subscription-based offerings, licensing of our content and our recently launched private sale website, SniqueAway.

Seasonality

Expenditures by travel advertisers tend to be seasonal. Traditionally, our strongest quarter has been the third quarter, which is a key travel research period, with the weakest quarter being the fourth quarter. However, adverse economic conditions or continued growth of our international operations with differing holiday peaks may influence the typical trend of our seasonality in the future.

NOTE 2: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation

Our combined financial statements include the accounts of TripAdvisor, our wholly owned subsidiaries, and entities for which we control a majority of the entity’s outstanding common stock. We record noncontrolling interest in our combined financial statements to recognize the minority ownership interest in our combined subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interest in the earnings and losses of combined subsidiaries represent the share of net income or loss allocated to members or partners in our combined entities. Significant intercompany transactions between the TripAdvisor combined entities and accounts have been eliminated.

Certain of our subsidiaries that operate in China, have variable interests in affiliated entities in China in order to comply with Chinese laws and regulations, which restricts foreign investment in internet content provision businesses. Although we do not own the capital stock of some of our Chinese affiliates, we consolidate their results as we are the primary beneficiary of the cash losses or profits of these variable interest affiliates and have the power to direct the activities of these affiliates.

Accounting Estimates

We use estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our combined financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of our combined financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amount of net income or loss during any period. Our actual financial results could differ significantly from these estimates. The significant estimates underlying our combined financial statements include revenue recognition; recoverability of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill; income taxes; useful lives of property and equipment; purchase accounting and stock-based compensation.

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events through September 21, 2011, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

 

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Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from the advertising services rendered when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.

Click-based Advertising. Revenue is derived primarily from click-through fees charged to our travel partners for traveler leads sent to the travel partners’ website. We record revenue from click-through fees after the traveler makes the click-through to the travel partners’ websites.

Display and Other Advertising. We recognize display advertising revenue ratably over the advertising period or upon delivery of advertising impressions, depending on the terms of the advertising contract. Subscription-based revenue is recognized ratably over the related subscription period. We recognize revenue from all other sources either upon delivery or when we provide the service.

Deferred revenue, which primarily relates to our subscription-based programs, is recorded when payments are received in advance of our performance as required by the underlying agreements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Our cash and cash equivalents include cash and liquid financial instruments, including money market funds and time deposit investments, with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. Our domestic cash receipts have been transferred to Expedia, which has funded our domestic disbursement accounts as required. Transfers of cash between TripAdvisor and Expedia result in increases or decreases to our net related-party payable.

Our short-term investments include time deposit investments with original maturities of greater than 90 days and remaining maturities of less than one year.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are generally due within thirty days and are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We consider accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms as past due. We determine our allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, previous loss history, a specific customer’s ability to pay its obligations to us, and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole.

Property and Equipment, Including Website and Software Development Costs

We record property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. We capitalize certain costs incurred during the application development stage related to the development of websites and internal use software. Capitalized costs include internal and external costs, if direct and incremental, and deemed by management to be significant. We expense costs related to the planning and post-implementation phases of software and website development as these costs are incurred. Maintenance and enhancement costs (including those costs in the post-implementation stages) are typically expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the website or software resulting in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized.

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is three to five years for computer equipment, capitalized software and website development and furniture and other equipment. We depreciate leasehold improvement using the straight-line method, over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease.

 

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Recoverability of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill is assigned to reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination as of the acquisition date. We assess goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, neither of which is amortized, for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently, if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.

We generally base our measurement of fair value of our reporting units on a blended analysis of the present value of future discounted cash flows and market valuation approach. The discounted cash flows model indicates the fair value of the reporting units based on the present value of the cash flows that we expect the reporting units to generate in the future. Our significant estimates in the discounted cash flows model include: our weighted average cost of capital; long-term rate of growth and profitability of our business; and working capital effects. The market valuation approach estimates the fair value of the business based on a comparison of TripAdvisor to comparable publicly traded companies in similar lines of business. Our significant estimates in the market approach model include identifying similar companies with comparable business factors such as size, growth, profitability, risk and return on investment and assessing comparable revenue and operating income multiples in estimating the fair value of the reporting units.

We believe the use of discounted cash flows and market approach on a weighted basis is the best method for determining the fair value of our reporting units because these are the most common valuation methodologies used within the travel and internet industries; and the blended use of both models compensates for the inherent risks associated with either model if used on a stand-alone basis. In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, we first compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill of that reporting unit is potentially impaired and we proceed to step two of the impairment analysis. In step two of the analysis, we will record an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over its implied fair value should such a circumstance arise.

In the evaluation of indefinite-lived intangible assets, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess of the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset over its fair value. We base our measurement of fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist of trade name and trademarks, using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes that the trade name and trademarks have value to the extent that their owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them.

Recoverability of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives and Other Long-Lived Assets

Intangible assets with definite lives and other long-lived assets are carried at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of two to ten years. We review the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups, including property and equipment, to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable.

Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that could affect the value of the asset, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, among others. If such facts indicate a potential impairment, we assess the recoverability of the asset by determining if the carrying value of the asset exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset over the remaining economic life of the asset. If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, we will estimate the fair value of the asset using appropriate valuation methodologies which would typically include an estimate of discounted cash flows. Any impairment would be measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and its estimated fair value.

 

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Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2009      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Accrued salary, bonus, and related benefits

   $ 10,691       $ 18,543   

Contingent purchase consideration

     100         13,324   

Other

     6,487         6,262   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 17,278       $ 38,129   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income Taxes

We are included in the consolidated income tax returns filed by Expedia. We compute and account for our income taxes on a separate tax return basis. We record income taxes under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our estimation of the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for book and tax purposes. We determine deferred income taxes based on the differences in accounting methods and timing between financial statement and income tax reporting. Accordingly, we determine the deferred tax asset or liability for each temporary difference based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when we realize the underlying items of income and expense. We consider many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent earnings experience by jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, and the carryforward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, as well as other relevant factors. We may establish a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. Due to inherent complexities arising from the nature of our businesses, future changes in income tax law, tax sharing agreements or variances between our actual and anticipated operating results, we make certain judgments and estimates. Therefore, actual income taxes could materially vary from these estimates.

We recognize in our combined financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon an examination, based on the technical merits of the position.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses

Certain of our operations outside of the United States use the related local currency as their functional currency. We translate revenue and expense at average rates of exchange during the period. We translate assets and liabilities at the rates of exchange as of the combined balance sheet dates and include foreign currency translation gains and losses as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Due to the nature of our operations and our corporate structure, we also have subsidiaries that have transactions in foreign currencies other than their functional currency. We record transaction gains and losses in our combined statements of operations related to the recurring remeasurement and settlement of such transactions.

Advertising Expense

We incur advertising expense consisting of online advertising expense, including traffic generation costs from search engines and internet portals, and offline advertising expense to promote our brands. We expense the costs associated with advertisements in the period in which the advertisement first takes place. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, our advertising expense was $63 million, $59 million, and $61 million.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

All stock-based compensation included in our combined financial statements relates to Expedia common stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) held by TripAdvisor employees. We measure and amortize the fair value thereof as follows:

Stock Options. We measure the value of stock options issued or modified, including unvested options assumed in acquisitions, on the grant date (or modification or acquisition dates, if applicable) at fair value, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Black-Scholes model incorporates various assumptions including expected volatility, expected term, dividend yield and risk-free interest rates. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility of Expedia’s common stock and other relevant factors. We base our expected term assumptions on our historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the stock awards granted to employees. We amortize the fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, over the remaining vesting term on a straight-line basis. The majority of our stock options vest over four years.

Restricted Stock Units. RSUs are stock awards that are granted to employees entitling the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests, typically over a five-year period. We measure the value of RSUs at fair value based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock at the date of grant. We amortize the fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term on a straight-line basis.

Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by employees who receive these awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of our original estimates of fair value. In determining the estimated forfeiture rates for stock-based awards, we periodically conduct an assessment of the actual number of equity awards that have been forfeited to date as well as those expected to be forfeited in the future. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including the type of award, the employee class and historical experience. The estimate of stock awards that will ultimately be forfeited requires significant judgment and to the extent that actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period such estimates are revised.

Fair Value Measurements

We disclose the fair value of our financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy using the following three categories:

Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

Cash equivalents include money market and investment accounts that hold excess liquid funds, of which we had $0, $40 million and $48 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and June 30, 2011, respectively. The fair value measurement of these assets is based on quoted market prices in active markets and, therefore, is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and classified as Level 1 assets.

Short-term investments include time deposit investments with financial institutions, of which we had $0, $20 million and $21 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and June 30, 2011, respectively. The fair value

 

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measurement of these assets is based on observable market-based inputs or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means and, therefore, is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and classified as Level 2 assets.

We did not have any Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 or the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Certain Risks and Concentrations

Our business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on relationships with our customers. We are highly dependent on our advertising and media relationship with Expedia (See Note 9). In addition, another of our customers accounted for approximately 11% of our revenue in 2010.

Contingent Liabilities

Periodically, we review the status of all significant outstanding matters to assess any potential financial exposure. When (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record the estimated loss in our consolidated statements of operations. We provide disclosure in the notes to the combined financial statements for loss contingencies that do not meet both these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred that would be material to the financial statements. Significant judgment is required to determine the probability that a liability has been incurred and whether such liability is reasonably estimable. We base accruals made on the best information available at the time which can be highly subjective. The final outcome of these matters could vary significantly from the amounts included in the accompanying combined financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2011, we adopted the new Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on revenue recognition to require companies to allocate revenue in multiple-element arrangements based on an element’s estimated selling price if vendor-specific or other third-party evidence of value is not available. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our combined financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. Specifically, the new guidance allows an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. The new guidance eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in invested equity. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income from that of current accounting guidance. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Upon adoption, we will present our financial statements under this new guidance.

NOTE 3: ACQUISITIONS

During 2008, 2009 and 2010, we acquired a number of companies including various online travel media content companies. The 2008 acquisition amounts primarily relate to our 100% acquisition of Virtual Tourist in June 2008. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price for all acquisitions made in the three years ended December 31, 2010:

 

     2008      2009     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Goodwill

   $ 89,685       $ 29,505      $ 40,703   

Intangible assets with definite lives(1)

     20,100         9,000        8,148   

Net assets (liabilities) and non-controlling interest acquired(2)

     3,047         (18     (3,580
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total(3)

   $ 112,832       $ 38,487      $ 45,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(1) The weighted average life of acquired intangible assets during 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 3.7 years, 4.5 years and 6.2 years, respectively.
(2) Includes cash acquired of $6 million, $2 million and $2 million during 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
(3) As of December 31, 2008 and 2010, $1 million and $9 million of the total purchase price were contingent and accrued with the remainder paid in cash during the respective years, respectively.

In addition, during 2008 and 2009, we paid $93 million and $8 million of contingent purchase consideration under prior acquisitions. All contingent consideration accrued and paid is calculated based on the financial performance of the acquired entities to which it relates.

The purchase price allocation of the 2010 acquisition is preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available, but in any case will not be revised beyond 12 months after the acquisition date and any change to the fair value of net assets acquired will lead to a corresponding change to the purchase price allocable to goodwill on a retroactive basis. The results of operations of each of the acquired businesses have been included in our combined results from each transaction closing date forward.

One of our acquisitions made during 2008 includes noncontrolling interests with certain rights, whereby we may acquire and the minority shareholders may sell to us the additional shares of the subsidiary, at fair value or at adjusted fair values at our discretion, during 2012. Changes in fair value of the shares for which the minority holders may sell to us are recorded to the redeemable noncontrolling interest with charges or credits to invested capital. Fair value determinations are based on various valuation techniques, including market comparables and discounted cash flow projections. Our redeemable noncontrolling interest is not significant for all periods presented and has been included in other long-term liabilities.

NOTE 4: PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2009     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Capitalized software and website development

   $ 19,931      $ 31,778   

Leasehold improvements

     7,667        11,461   

Computer equipment

     5,865        8,863   

Furniture and other equipment

     2,384        3,480   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     35,847        55,582   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (12,057     (25,075

Projects in progress

     755        237   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

   $ 24,545      $ 30,744   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2009 and 2010, our recorded capitalized software and website development costs, net of accumulated amortization, were $13 million and $17 million. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, we recorded amortization of capitalized software and website development costs of $3 million, $6 million and $8 million, respectively, which is included in technology and content expense.

 

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NOTE 5: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

The following table presents the changes in goodwill for the years ended December 31:

 

     2009      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Beginning balance as of January 1

   $ 387,584       $ 418,170   

Additions

     29,505         40,703   

Foreign exchange translation adjustment

     1,081         1,737   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance as of December 31

   $ 418,170       $ 460,610   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In 2009 and 2010, the additions to goodwill related to our acquisitions. See Note 3, Acquisitions, above for further information.

Intangible assets, which were acquired in business combinations and recorded at fair value on the date of purchase, consist of the following as of December 31:

 

     2009     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Intangible assets with definite lives

   $ 79,401      $ 87,582   

Less: accumulated amortization

     (57,083     (67,788
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets with definite lives, net

     22,318        19,794   

Intangible assets with indefinite lives

     30,300        30,300   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 52,618      $ 50,094   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our indefinite-lived assets relate to trade names and trademarks acquired in various acquisitions. The following table presents the components of our intangible assets with definite lives as of December 31, 2009 and 2010:

     December 31, 2009      December 31, 2010  
     Cost      Accumulated
Amortization
    Net      Cost      Accumulated
Amortization
    Net  
     (In thousands)  

Trade names

   $ 13,740       $ (3,059   $ 10,681       $ 16,721       $ (5,952   $ 10,769   

Subscriber relationships

     14,160         (7,672     6,488         18,836         (11,748     7,088   

Technology and other

     51,502         (46,353     5,149         52,025         (50,088     1,937   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 79,402       $ (57,084   $ 22,318       $ 87,582       $ (67,788   $ 19,794   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expense was $11 million, $14 million, and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Included within amortization expense for 2010 was a charge of approximately $4 million related to changes in the estimated amount of contingent purchase consideration.

The estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets with definite lives as of December 31, 2010, assuming no subsequent impairment of the underlying assets, is as follows, in thousands:

 

2011

   $ 7,368   

2012

     5,424   

2013

     3,327   

2014

     2,033   

2015

     299   

2016 and thereafter

     1,343   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 19,794   
  

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 6: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Our U.S. employees are generally eligible to participate in Expedia’s retirement and savings plan that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participating employees may contribute up to 50% of their pretax salary, but not more than statutory limits. We contribute fifty cents for each dollar a participant contributes in this plan, with a maximum contribution of 3% of a participant’s earnings. Our contributions vest with the employees after they complete two years of service. Participating employees have the option to invest in Expedia’s common stock, but there is no requirement for participating employees to invest their contribution or our matching contribution in Expedia’s common stock. Expedia also has various defined contribution plans for our international employees. Contributions to these benefit plans for our employees were $1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

NOTE 7: STOCK-BASED AWARDS

We participate in the Amended and Restated Expedia, Inc. 2005 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan, under which Expedia may grant restricted stock, restricted stock awards, RSUs, stock options and other stock-based awards to our officers, employees and consultants. As of December 31, 2010, Expedia had approximately 22 million shares of common stock reserved for new stock-based awards under the 2005 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan.

The following table presents a summary of our stock option activity:

 

     Options     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
     (In thousands)            (In years)      (In thousands)  

Balance as of January 1, 2009

     —        $ —           

Granted

     1,186        7.92         

Cancelled

     (20     7.36         
  

 

 

         

Balance as of December 31, 2009

     1,166        7.93         

Granted

     681        22.56         

Exercised

     (166     7.36         

Cancelled

     (32     13.54         
  

 

 

         

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     1,649        13.93         5.6       $ 18,438   
  

 

 

         

Exercisable as of December 31, 2010

     116        8.67         5.2         1,909   
  

 

 

         

Vested and expected to vest after December 31, 2010

     1,373        13.38         5.6         16,094   
  

 

 

         

The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options shown in the stock option activity table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value at December 31, 2010, based on Expedia’s closing stock price of $25.09 as of the last trading date. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

During 2009 and 2010, we awarded stock options as our primary form of stock-based compensation. The fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, assuming the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     2009     2010  

Risk-free interest rate

     1.75     2.18

Expected volatility

     50.04     51.73

Expected life (in years)

     4.64        4.64   

Dividend yield

     —          1.24

Weighted-average estimated fair value of options granted during the year

   $ 3.42      $ 9.26   

 

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The expected dividend rate was zero prior to Expedia’s first dividend declaration on February 10, 2010 as Expedia did not historically pay cash dividends on common stock and did not anticipate doing so for the foreseeable future. For stock options granted after February 10, 2010, including our annual employee grants, we used an annualized dividend yield based on the first quarterly per share dividend declared by Expedia’s Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Expedia Board of Directors.

The following table presents a summary of our stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010:

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

   Shares      Weighted-
Average
Price Per
Share
     Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Shares      Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 
     (In thousands)             (In years)      (In thousands)         

 $ 0.01 - $ 15.00

     940       $ 7.42         5.2         106       $ 7.36   

  15.00 -    27.00

     709         22.56         6.2         10         22.60   
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

    0.01 -    27.00

     1,649         13.93         5.6         116         8.67   
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

RSUs, which are stock awards that are granted to employees entitling the holder to shares of Expedia’s common stock as the award vests, were our primary form of stock-based award prior to 2010. Our RSUs generally vest over five years, but may accelerate in certain circumstances, including certain changes in control of Expedia.

The following table presents a summary of RSU activity:

 

     RSUs     Weighted
Average
Grant-
Date Fair
Value
 
     (In thousands)        

Balance as of January 1, 2008

     584      $ 22.65   

Granted

     492        20.67   

Vested and released

     (198     22.62   

Cancelled

     (74     24.83   
  

 

 

   

Balance as of December 31, 2008

     804        21.23   

Granted

     652        8.24   

Vested and released

     (284     20.40   

Cancelled

     (59     18.61   
  

 

 

   

Balance as of December 31, 2009

     1,113        13.95   

Vested and released

     (345     13.54   

Cancelled

     (35     19.96   
  

 

 

   

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     733        13.86   
  

 

 

   

The total fair value of shares vested and released during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was $5 million, $3 million and $8 million.

In 2008, 2009 and 2010, we recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $6 million, $6 million and $7 million. The total income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense was $2 million for each of 2008, 2009, and 2010.

As of December 31, 2010, there was approximately $11 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested stock-based awards, which is expected to be recognized in expense over a weighted-average period of 2.34 years.

 

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NOTE 8: INCOME TAXES

The following table presents a summary of our domestic and foreign income before income taxes:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2008      2009      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Domestic

   $ 115,511       $ 113,265       $ 121,964   

Foreign

     3,599         53,275         102,451   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 119,110       $ 166,540       $ 224,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents a summary of the components of our provision for income taxes:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2008     2009     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Current income tax expense:

      

Federal

   $ 41,097      $ 30,782      $ 42,568   

State

     6,750        9,943        13,490   

Foreign

     713        16,382        30,056   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current income tax expense

     48,560        57,107        86,114   

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:

      

Federal

     (2,530     6,436        972   

State

     783        904        (215

Foreign

     (25     (122     (1,410
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:

     (1,772     7,218        (653
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

   $ 46,788      $ 64,325      $ 85,461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We are a member of Expedia’s consolidated federal and state tax returns. In all periods presented, current and deferred tax expense has been computed for TripAdvisor on a separate return basis. These calculations do not necessarily reflect what our future income taxes will be, nor do they reflect tax strategies that we would have followed or will follow on a stand-alone basis, given that our tax position was being managed by Expedia for the benefit of Expedia on a consolidated basis. The respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of TripAdvisor and Expedia after the spin-off with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the spin-off are expected to be governed by a tax sharing agreement (See Note 14).

In all periods presented, foreign taxes were paid directly to foreign taxing authorities. Domestic taxes were considered to be paid by Expedia on behalf of TripAdvisor and treated as a transfer between the two entities.

 

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Our deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2009     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Net operating loss carryforwards

   $ 4,692      $ 8,402   

Provision for accrued expenses

     4,138        6,758   

Stock-based compensation

     1,717        2,181   

Other

     258        372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     10,805        17,713   

Less valuation allowance

     (4,216     (7,734
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 6,589      $ 9,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Intangible assets

   $ (18,704   $ (23,220

Property and equipment

     (5,447     (9,032

Prepaid expenses

     (1,341     (439

Other

     520        1,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

   $ (24,972   $ (30,913
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liability

   $ (18,383   $ (20,934
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2010, we had federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of approximately $4 million, $16 million and $22 million. If not utilized, the federal and state NOLs will expire at various times between 2011 and 2030 and the foreign NOLs will expire at various times between 2012 and 2016.

At December 31, 2010, we had a valuation allowance of approximately $8 million related to the portion of net operating loss carryforwards for which it is more likely than not that the tax benefit will not be realized. This amount represented an increase of $4 million over the amount recorded as of December 31, 2009.

We have not provided for deferred U.S. income taxes on undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that we intend to reinvest permanently outside the United States; the total amount of such earnings as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 was $62 million and $137 million. Should we distribute earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the form of dividends or otherwise, we may be subject to U.S. income taxes. Due to complexities in tax laws and various assumptions that would have to be made, it is not practicable to estimate the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. taxes on these earnings.

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes is as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2008     2009     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Income tax expense at the federal statutory rate of 35%

   $ 41,688      $ 58,289      $ 78,545   

Foreign rate differential

     (253     (3,604     (6,947

State income taxes, net of effect of federal tax benefit

     3,927        6,742        7,716   

Unrecognized tax benefits and related interest

     —          440        1,920   

Other, net

     1,426        2,458        4,227   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

   $ 46,788      $ 64,325      $ 85,461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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By virtue of previously filed consolidated income tax returns filed with Expedia, we are routinely under audit by federal, state, local and foreign authorities. These audits include questioning the timing and the amount of income and deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. Annual tax provisions include amounts considered sufficient to pay assessments that may result from the examination of prior year returns. We are no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2004. The primary jurisdiction in which we are subject to tax exams are the United States and the United Kingdom.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2008     2009     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 3,113      $ 2,982      $ 3,333   

Increases to tax positions related to the current year

     —          —          3,913   

Increases to tax positions related to the prior year

     —          306        2,123   

Reductions due to lapsed statute of limitations

     —          —          (2,366

Decreases to tax positions related to the prior year

     (49     (90     —     

Settlements during current year

     (251     —          —     

Interest and penalties

     169        135        (493
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

   $ 2,982      $ 3,333      $ 6,510   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, we had $7 million of unrecognized tax benefits, which is classified as long-term and included in other long-term liabilities. Included in the balance at December 31, 2010 was $2 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions that, if recognized, would decrease our provision for income taxes. We recognize interest and penalties related to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, we recognized less than $1 million of interest expense, net of federal benefit and penalties, related to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions.

NOTE 9: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS WITH EXPEDIA

Related-party revenue from Expedia of $98 million, $140 million and $171 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and $85 million and $113 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively, primarily consists of click-through fees and other advertising services provided to Expedia and its subsidiaries and are recorded at contract value, which we believe is a reasonable reflection of the value of the services provided. Related-party revenue represented 33%, 40% and 35% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and 36% for both the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011.

Our operating expenses include a related-party shared services fee, which is comprised of allocations from Expedia for accounting, legal, tax, corporate development and real estate functions and includes an allocation of employee compensation within these functions. These allocations were determined on a basis that Expedia and TripAdvisor considered to be a reasonable reflection of the cost of services provided or the benefit received by TripAdvisor. These expenses were allocated based on a number of factors including headcount, estimated time spent and operating expenses. It is not practicable to determine the amounts of these expenses that would have been incurred had TripAdvisor operated as an unaffiliated entity. In the opinion of management of TripAdvisor, the allocation method is reasonable.

Virtually all of the net interest expense reflected in the consolidated statements of operations is intercompany in nature, arising from the transfer of liquid funds between Expedia and TripAdvisor that occurred as part of Expedia’s treasury operations.

The net related party payable balances with Expedia and its subsidiaries reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 were $84 million and $19 million. As of June 30, 2011, we

 

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had a net related party receivable balance of $75 million. In addition to the revenue and expense relationships described above, the change in the payable/receivable balance was also affected by our transfer of domestic cash receipts to Expedia during the periods offset by Expedia’s funding of our payroll and income tax payments as well as certain acquisitions.

Certain TripAdvisor entities are guarantors of Expedia’s credit facility and outstanding senior notes. These guarantees are full, unconditional, joint and several, and will be released upon spin-off.

NOTE 10: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Revolving Credit Facility

In August 2010, one of our Chinese subsidiaries along with Expedia Beijing entered into a RMB67,000,000 (approximately $10 million), one-year revolving credit facility with Bank of America. In June 2011, the revolving credit facility was amended to extend the facility to March 2012 and increase the borrowing capacity to RMB130,000,000 (approximately $20 million). The facility is unconditionally guaranteed by Expedia, Inc. As of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011, we had $2 million and $5 million of borrowings outstanding, respectively. The facility bears interest at a rate determined by reference to People’s Bank of China’s base rate. The rate at which this facility bore interest was 5.81% and 6.56% as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011, respectively.

Office Lease Commitments

We have contractual obligations in the form of operating leases for office space and related office equipment for which we record the related expense on a monthly basis. Certain leases contain periodic rent escalation adjustments and renewal options. Rent expense related to such leases is recorded on a straight-line basis. Operating lease obligations expire at various dates with the latest maturity in 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, we recorded rental expense of $4 million, $4 million and $6 million, respectively.

The following table presents our estimated future minimum rental payments under operating leases with noncancelable lease terms that expire after December 31, 2010, in thousands:

 

2011

   $ 3,240   

2012

     3,290   

2013

     2,896   

2014

     2,479   

2015

     826   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 12,731   
  

 

 

 

Purchase Commitments

As of December 31, 2010, we had minimum purchase commitments with certain of our vendors of approximately $2 million in 2011, $2 million in 2012 and $1 million in 2013. We expect to utilize these purchases in the ordinary course of business.

NOTE 11: SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have one reportable segment: TripAdvisor. We determined our segment based on how our chief operating decision maker manages our business, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance. Our primary operating metric for evaluating segment performance is Operating Income Before Amortization (“OIBA”). Amortization of intangible assets and any related impairment, as well as stock-based compensation expense and other items are excluded from OIBA. Such amounts are detailed in our segment reconciliation below.

 

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The following table is a reconciliation of OIBA to operating income and net income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011:

 

    Year ended December 31,     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2008     2009     2010     2010     2011     2010     2011  
    (In thousands)  

OIBA

  $ 141,604      $ 187,889      $ 248,092      $ 69,995      $ 87,973      $ 134,997      $ 165,878   

Amortization of intangible assets

    (11,161     (13,806     (14,609     (2,864     (1,132     (6,242     (3,249

Stock-based compensation

    (5,560     (5,905     (7,183     (1,554     (1,968     (3,721     (4,442

Spin-off costs

    —          —          —          —          (1,054     —          (1,054
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    124,883        168,178        226,300        65,577        83,819        125,034        157,133   

Related-party interest income (expense), net

    (4,035     (978     (241     (70     217        (148     315   

Other, net

    (1,738     (660     (1,644     (1,359     457        (2,674     1,422   

Provision for income taxes

    (46,788     (64,325     (85,461     (24,073     (30,383     (44,723     (57,389

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

    49        212        (178     (13     (46     (54     (139
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

  $ 72,371      $ 102,427      $ 138,776      $ 40,062      $ 54,064      $ 77,435      $ 101,342   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents revenue by geographic area, the United States, the United Kingdom and all other countries, based on the geographic location of our websites for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2008      2009      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Revenue

        

United States

   $ 245,593       $ 246,865       $ 297,830   

United Kingdom

     22,737         41,852         69,721   

All other countries

     29,916         63,372         117,084   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 298,246       $ 352,089       $ 484,635   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents property and equipment, net for the United States and all other countries based on the geographic location of the assets, as of December 31, 2009 and 2010:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2009      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Property and equipment, net

     

United States

   $ 23,189       $ 27,812   

All other countries

     1,356         2,932   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 24,545       $ 30,744   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 12: VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

The following table presents the changes in our valuation and qualifying accounts:

 

Description

   Balance at
Beginning of
Year
     Charges to
Earnings
     Deductions     Balance at
End
of Year
 
     (In thousands)  

2008

          

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 2,034       $ 1,679       $ (811   $ 2,902   

2009

          

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 2,902       $ 1,423       $ (632   $ 3,693   

2010

          

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 3,693       $ 3,209       $ (1,718   $ 5,184   

NOTE 13: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31      June 30      September 30      December 31  
     (In thousands)  

Year ended December 31, 2009

           

Revenue

   $ 85,502       $ 90,075       $ 96,866       $ 79,646   

Operating income

     40,935         45,808         50,562         30,873   

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

     24,600         27,898         31,149         18,780   

Year ended December 31, 2010

           

Revenue

   $ 113,582       $ 125,409       $ 139,319       $ 106,325   

Operating income

     59,457         65,577         66,600         34,666   

Net income attributable to TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC

     37,373         40,062         42,914         18,427   

NOTE 14: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Relationship Between Expedia and TripAdvisor After the Spin-Off

For purposes of governing certain of the ongoing relationships between TripAdvisor and Expedia at and after the spin-off, and to provide for an orderly transition, TripAdvisor and Expedia will enter into various agreements, including, among others, a separation agreement; a tax sharing agreement; an employee matters agreement; a transition services agreement; and commercial agreements.

Separation Agreement

The separation agreement is expected to provide generally that (i) immediately prior to the spin-off, Expedia will contribute or otherwise transfer to TripAdvisor all of the subsidiaries and assets comprising the TripAdvisor’s businesses, (ii) TripAdvisor will assume all of the liabilities related to Expedia’s TripAdvisor Media Group-related businesses, (iii) each party will indemnify the other and its respective affiliates, current and former directors, officers and employees for any losses arising out of any breach of any of the spin-off Agreements and (iv) TripAdvisor will indemnify Expedia for its failure to assume and perform any assumed liabilities and any liabilities relating to TripAdvisor, financial and business information included in the SEC documentation filed with respect to the spin-off, as well as such other terms as to which Expedia and TripAdvisor mutually agree.

Tax Sharing Agreement

The tax sharing agreement will govern Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the spin-off with respect to various tax matters. Generally, the tax sharing agreement provides that although Expedia will remit taxes payable with respect to the TripAdvisor income included on its

 

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consolidated returns, pre-distribution taxes that are attributable to the business of one party, including audit adjustments with respect to consolidated periods, will be borne solely by that party. Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement, Expedia will prepare and file the federal consolidated return, and any other income tax returns that include TripAdvisor with respect to any taxable period ending on or prior to, or including, the distribution date with the appropriate tax authorities and will remit any taxes relating thereto to the relevant tax authority. TripAdvisor will prepare and file all separate company tax returns for TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries, and pay all taxes due with respect to such tax returns for all taxable periods. In general, Expedia controls all audits and administrative matters relating to the consolidated return of the Expedia group.

Under the tax sharing agreement TripAdvisor generally (i) may not take (or fail to take) any action that would cause any representations, information or covenants in the separation documents or documents relating to the tax opinion concerning the spin-off to be untrue, (ii) may not take (or fail to take) any action that would cause the spin-off to lose its tax free status, (iii) may not sell, issue, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity securities (or equity securities of members of its group), except in specified transactions for a period of 25 months following the spin-off and (iv) may not, other than in the ordinary course of business, sell or otherwise dispose of a substantial portion of its assets, liquidate, merge or consolidate with any other person for a period of 25 months following the spin-off. During that period, TripAdvisor may take some actions prohibited by these covenants if it provides Expedia with an Internal Revenue Service ruling or an unqualified opinion of counsel to the effect that these actions will not affect the tax free nature of the spin-off, in each case satisfactory to Expedia in its sole and absolute discretion. Notwithstanding the receipt of any such Internal Revenue Service ruling or opinion, TripAdvisor must indemnify Expedia for any taxes and related losses resulting from (i) any act or failure to act described in the covenants above, (ii) any acquisition of equity securities or assets of TripAdvisor or any member of its group, and (iii) any breach by TripAdvisor or any member of its group of representations in the separation documents between Expedia and TripAdvisor or the documents relating to the tax opinion concerning the spin-off.

Under U.S. federal income tax laws, Expedia and TripAdvisor are severally liable for all of Expedia’s federal income taxes attributable to the periods prior to and including the current taxable year of Expedia, which ends on December 31, 2011. Thus, if Expedia fails to pay the taxes attributable to it under the tax sharing agreement for periods prior to and including the current taxable year of Expedia, TripAdvisor may be responsible for these tax liabilities.

Employee Matters Agreement

The employee matters agreement covers a wide range of compensation and benefit issues related to the spin-off. In general, under the employee matters agreement Expedia will assume or retain (i) all liabilities with respect to Expedia employees, former Expedia employees and their dependents and beneficiaries under all Expedia employee benefit plans, and (ii) all liabilities with respect to the employment or termination of employment of all Expedia employees, former Expedia employees and other service providers. TripAdvisor will assume or retain (i) all liabilities under its employee benefit plans, and (ii) all liabilities with respect to the employment or termination of employment of all TripAdvisor employees, former employees and other service providers.

Subject to a transition period through the end of 2011 with respect to benefits under the Expedia health and welfare plans and flexible benefits plan, after the spin-off, TripAdvisor will no longer participate in such Expedia employee benefit plans, but will have established its own employee benefit plans that are currently expected to be substantially similar to the plans sponsored by Expedia prior to the spin-off. Through the end of 2011, Expedia will continue to provide benefits under the Expedia health and welfare plans and flexible benefits plan to TripAdvisor employees and TripAdvisor will bear the cost of this coverage with respect to its employees. Assets and liabilities from the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan relating to the accounts of TripAdvisor employees will be transferred to the comparable TripAdvisor plan as soon as practicable following the spin-off.

 

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Transition Services Agreement

Under the transition services agreement, beginning on the date of the completion of the spin-off, Expedia will provide to TripAdvisor on an interim, transitional basis, various services, which are expected to relate primarily to public company and operational matters, and such other services as to which Expedia and TripAdvisor mutually agree. The agreed upon charges for these services will generally allow Expedia to recover fully the allocated costs of providing the services, plus all out-of-pocket costs and expenses. TripAdvisor may terminate the agreement with respect to one or more particular services upon prior written notice.

Commercial Agreements

Following the spin-off, Expedia and TripAdvisor will continue to work together pursuant to various commercial agreements between subsidiaries of Expedia, on the one hand, and subsidiaries of TripAdvisor, on the other hand. Expedia and TripAdvisor believe that these agreements have been negotiated at arm’s length between the applicable counterparties. The various commercial agreements include click-based advertising agreements, a content sharing agreement and display-based and other advertising agreements and have terms of up to one year.

Financing Transactions

In August 2011, we entered into a commitment letter whereby certain lenders have agreed to provide, in connection with and prior to the spin-off, a five-year, $400 million senior term loan to us and, in conjunction with TripAdvisor, Inc. and certain of our subsidiaries, a senior revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $200 million and a term of five years. The term loan will be repayable in quarterly installments equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount in year 2012 and 2.5% of the original principal amount in each year thereafter with the balance due on the final maturity date. Immediately after consummation of the spin-off, the term loan and loans under the revolving credit facility will bear interest per annum at LIBOR plus 175 bps, which, as of June 30, 2011 and assuming a 1-month interest period, would have been 1.94% per annum, and undrawn amounts will be subject to a commitment fee of 30 bps.

 

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ANNEX F

FORM OF

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

by and between

EXPEDIA, INC.

and

TripAdvisor, Inc.

Dated as of [], 20[11]

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I    INTERPRETATION      F-2   
            1.01.    Definitions      F-2   
            1.02.    Schedules      F-11   
ARTICLE II    THE SEPARATION      F-11   
            2.01.    Separation      F-11   
            2.02.    Implementation      F-11   
            2.03.    Transfer of Separated Assets; Assumption of Assumed Liabilities      F-11   
            2.04.    Separated Assets      F-11   
            2.05.    Deferred Separated Assets      F-12   
            2.06.    Excluded Assets      F-12   
            2.07.    Liabilities      F-12   
            2.08.    Third Party Consents and Government Approvals      F-13   
            2.09.    Preservation of Agreements      F-14   
            2.10.    Ancillary Agreements      F-14   
            2.11.    Resignations      F-14   
            2.12.    Cooperation      F-14   
            2.13.    Intercompany Accounts Between the Expedia Group and the TripAdvisor Group      F-14   
            2.14.    Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties      F-14   
ARTICLE III    DEFERRED SEPARATION TRANSACTIONS      F-15   
            3.01.    Deferred Transfer Assets      F-15   
            3.02.    Unreleased Liabilities      F-15   
            3.03.    No Additional Consideration      F-16   
ARTICLE IV    TREATMENT OF OLD EXPEDIA WARRANTS IN THE SEPARATION      F-16   
            4.01.    Old Expedia Warrants      F-16   
            4.02.    Stock Certificates and Related Matters      F-17   
ARTICLE V    COVENANTS      F-17   
            5.01.    General Covenants      F-17   
            5.02.    Covenants of TripAdvisor      F-18   
            5.03.    Cash Balance True Up      F-18   
ARTICLE VI    THE RECLASSIFICATION      F-18   
            6.01.    Conditions to the Reclassification      F-18   
            6.02.    Actions in Connection with the Reclassification      F-19   
ARTICLE VII    MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION      F-20   
            7.01.    Release of Pre-Separation Claims      F-20   
            7.02.    Indemnification by TripAdvisor      F-21   
            7.03.    Indemnification by Expedia      F-22   
            7.04.    Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims      F-22   
            7.05.    Procedures for Indemnification of Direct Claims      F-23   
            7.06.    Adjustments to Liabilities      F-23   
            7.07.    Payments      F-24   
            7.08.    Contribution      F-24   
            7.09.    Remedies Cumulative      F-24   
            7.10.    Survival of Indemnities      F-24   
            7.11.    Shared Liabilities      F-24   
ARTICLE VIII    INSURANCE      F-25   
            8.01.    Insurance Matters      F-25   

 

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ARTICLE IX    EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY      F-26   
            9.01.    Agreement for Exchange of Information; Archives      F-26   
            9.02.    Ownership of Information      F-27   
            9.03.    Compensation for Providing Information      F-27   
            9.04.    Record Retention      F-27   
            9.05.    Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information      F-27   
            9.06.    Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation      F-27   
            9.07.    Confidentiality      F-28   
            9.08.    Protective Arrangements      F-28   
            9.09.    Disclosure of Third Party Information      F-29   
ARTICLE X    DISPUTE RESOLUTION      F-29   
            10.01.    Interpretation; Agreement to Resolve Disputes      F-29   
            10.02.    Dispute Resolution; Mediation      F-29   
            10.03.    Arbitration      F-30   
            10.04.    Costs      F-30   
            10.05.    Continuity of Service and Performance      F-30   
ARTICLE XI    FURTHER ASSURANCES      F-30   
            11.01.    Further Assurances      F-30   
ARTICLE XII    CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS      F-31   
            12.01.    Auditors and Audits; Annual and Quarterly Financial Statements and Accounting      F-31   
ARTICLE XIII    SOLE DISCRETION OF EXPEDIA; TERMINATION      F-33   
            13.01.    Sole Discretion of Expedia      F-33   
            13.02.    Termination      F-33   
ARTICLE XIV    MISCELLANEOUS      F-33   
            14.01.    Limitation of Liability      F-33   
            14.02.    Counterparts      F-33   
            14.03.    Entire Agreement      F-33   
            14.04.    Construction      F-34   
            14.05.    Signatures      F-34   
            14.06.    Assignability      F-34   
            14.07.    Third Party Beneficiaries      F-34   
            14.08.    Payment Terms      F-35   
            14.09.    Governing Law      F-35   
            14.10.    Notices      F-35   
            14.11.    Severability      F-36   
            14.12.    Publicity      F-36   
            14.13.    Survival of Covenants      F-36   
            14.14.    Waivers of Default; Conflicts      F-36   
            14.15.    Amendments      F-36   

 

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FORM OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AGREEMENT, dated as of [], 20[11], is entered into by and between Expedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Expedia”), and TripAdvisor, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia (“TripAdvisor”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Expedia (“Expedia Board”) has determined it is in the best interests of Expedia and its stockholders to separate Expedia and TripAdvisor into two publicly-traded companies by separating the businesses comprising Expedia’s TripAdvisor media group from Expedia’s remaining businesses by way of Expedia and its Subsidiaries effecting the Separation Transactions (as defined below), and thereafter implementing a reclassification of the capital stock of Expedia pursuant to the Spin-Off Charter Amendments (as defined below);

WHEREAS, following the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia with and into Expedia on [], 20[11], the outstanding shares of capital stock of Expedia consist solely of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Expedia (“Old Expedia Common Stock”) and Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Expedia (“Old Expedia Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Old Expedia Common Stock, the “Old Expedia Capital Stock”);

WHEREAS, the Expedia Board has adopted a resolution approving amendments to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Spin-Off Charter Amendments”) and recommended that the holders of Expedia capital stock approve and adopt the Spin-Off Charter Amendments pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), whereby, among other matters, the Old Expedia Common Stock and the Old Expedia Class B Common Stock will be reclassified (the “Reclassification”) as follows:

Each then issued and outstanding share of Old Expedia Common Stock will be reclassified into (a) one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Expedia (“New Expedia Common Stock”) and (b) 1/100th of a share of Series 1 Mandatory Exchangeable preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Expedia (the “New Expedia Series 1 Preferred Stock”), which 1/100th of a share of New Expedia Series 1 Preferred Stock shall, pursuant to its terms, automatically and immediately exchange into one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of TripAdvisor (“TripAdvisor Common Stock”);

Each then issued and outstanding share of Old Expedia Class B Common Stock will be reclassified into (a) one share of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Expedia and (b) 1/100th of a share of Series 2 Mandatory Exchangeable preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Expedia (the “New Expedia Series 2 Preferred Stock”), which 1/100th of a share of New Expedia Series 2 Preferred Stock shall, pursuant to its terms, automatically and immediately exchange into one share of Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of TripAdvisor (“TripAdvisor Class B Common Stock”);

WHEREAS, at a meeting of stockholders of Expedia held on [], 2011, the holders of Old Expedia Capital Stock and the holders of formerly outstanding shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Expedia approved, by the requisite votes, the Spin-Off Charter Amendments and an amendment to Expedia’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation pursuant to which Expedia will implement a one-for-two reverse stock split with respect to the Old Expedia Common Stock and Old Expedia Class B Common Stock prior to implementing the Reclassification (the “Reverse Stock Split”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to their terms, the warrants to purchase shares of Old Expedia Common Stock set forth on Schedule 1.01(a) (the “Old Expedia Warrants”) will be converted into (a) warrants to purchase shares of New Expedia Common Stock (“New Expedia Warrants”) and (b) warrants to purchase shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock (“TripAdvisor Warrants”);

 

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WHEREAS, in connection with the separation of Expedia and TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor and its Subsidiaries will, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, enter into credit facilities separate from those of Expedia, the net cash proceeds of borrowings under which will be distributed by TripAdvisor Holdings to Expedia prior to the Contribution (as hereinafter defined) and the Reclassification;

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to set forth in this Agreement the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, they intend to implement the measures described above; and

WHEREAS, Expedia and TripAdvisor intend that the Separation (as defined below) and the Reclassification will qualify for United States federal income tax purposes as transactions that are generally tax free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and hereby adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants and other provisions set forth in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

INTERPRETATION

1.01. Definitions. The capitalized words and expressions and variations thereof used in this Agreement or in its schedules, unless a clearly inconsistent meaning is required under the context, shall have the meanings set forth below:

20[11] Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(b).

AAA” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.03.

Accounts Receivable” means in respect of any Person, (a) all trade accounts and notes receivable and other rights to payment from customers and all security for such accounts or rights to payment, including all trade accounts receivable representing amounts receivable in respect of goods shipped or products sold or otherwise disposed of or services rendered to customers, (b) all other accounts and notes receivable and all security for such accounts or notes, and (c) any claim, remedy or other right relating to any of the foregoing.

Action” means any demand, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by any Person or any Governmental Authority or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.

Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such first Person as of the date on which or at any time during the period for when such determination is being made. For purposes of this definition, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02.

Agreement” means this Separation Agreement, including all of the Schedules hereto.

Ancillary Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Applicable Law” means any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority or any outstanding order, judgment, injunction, ruling or decree by any Governmental Authority.

 

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Appurtenances” means, in respect of any Land, all privileges, rights, easements, servitudes, hereditaments and appurtenances and similar interests belonging to or for the benefit of such Land, including all easements and servitudes appurtenant to and for the benefit of any Land (a “Dominant Parcel”) for, and as the primary means of, access between, the Dominant Parcel and a public way, or for any other use upon which lawful use of the Dominant Parcel for the purposes for which it is presently being used is dependent, and all rights existing in and to any streets, alleys, passages and other rights-of-way included therein or adjacent thereto.

Asset-Related Claims” means, in respect of any Asset, all claims of the owner against Third Parties relating to such Asset, whether choate or inchoate, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, disclosed or non-disclosed.

Assets” means assets, properties and rights (including goodwill), wherever located (including in the possession of owners or Third Parties or elsewhere), whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, movable or immovable, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of a Person, including the following:

(a) Real Property;

(b) Tangible Personal Property;

(c) Inventories;

(d) Accounts Receivable;

(e) Contractual Assets;

(f) Governmental Authorizations;

(g) Business Records;

(h) Intangible Property Rights;

(i) Insurance Benefits;

(j) Asset-Related Claims; and

(k) Deposit Rights.

Assumed Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07.

Business Concern” means any corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association or any other form of association.

Business Day” means any day excluding (a) Saturday, Sunday and any other day which, in New York City is a legal holiday or (b) a day on which banks are authorized by Applicable Law to close in New York City.

Business Records” means, in respect of any Person, all data and Records relating to such Person, including client and customer lists and Records, referral sources, research and development reports and Records, cost information, sales and pricing data, customer prospect lists, customer and vendor data, production reports and Records, service and warranty Records, equipment logs, operating guides and manuals, financial and accounting Records, personnel Records (subject to Applicable Law), creative materials, advertising materials, promotional materials, studies, reports, correspondence and other similar documents and records.

Claim Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(b).

Code” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

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Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(a).

Consent” means any approval, consent, ratification, waiver or other authorization.

Contract” means any contract, agreement, lease, purchase and/or commitment, license, consensual obligation, promise or undertaking (whether written or oral and whether express or implied) that is legally binding on any Person or any part of its property under Applicable Law, including all claims or rights against any Person, choses in action and similar rights, whether accrued or contingent with respect to any such contract, agreement, lease, purchase and/or commitment, license, consensual obligation, promise or undertaking, but excluding this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement save as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement.

Contractual Asset” means, in respect of any Person, any Contract of, or relating to, such Person, any outstanding offer or solicitation made by, or to, such Person to enter into any Contract, and any promise or undertaking made by any other Person to such Person, whether or not legally binding.

Contribution” means the contribution by Expedia of all of the outstanding equity interests in TripAdvisor Holdings to TripAdvisor.

Deferred Beneficiary” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).

Deferred Excluded Asset” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

Deferred Separated Asset” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

Deferred Transactions” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a)(ii).

Deferred Transfer Asset” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

Deposit Rights” means rights relating to deposits and prepaid expenses, claims for refunds and rights of set-off in respect thereof.

DGCL” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08.

Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02(a).

Dispute Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02(a).

Effective Date” means [], 20[11].

Effective Date Cash Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03.

Effective Time” means [], Eastern time, on the Effective Date.

EHS Liabilities” means any Liability arising from or under any Environmental Law or Occupational Health and Safety Law.

Employee Matters Agreement” means the Employee Matters Agreement among the Parties to be dated as of even date herewith.

Encumbrance” means, with respect to any asset, mortgages, liens, hypothecations, pledges, charges, security interests or encumbrances of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under Applicable Law.

 

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Environmental Law” means any Applicable Law from any Governmental Authority (a) relating to the protection of the environment (including air, water, soil and natural resources) or (b) the use, storage, handling, release or disposal of Hazardous Substances.

Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Excluded Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a).

Expedia” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Expedia’s Auditors” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(a).

Expedia Board” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Expedia Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(b).

Expedia Group” means Expedia, its Subsidiaries (other than any member of the TripAdvisor Group) and their respective domestic and international businesses, assets and liabilities.

Expedia Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02.

Expedia Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(a).

Expedia Releasors” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(b).

Expedia Warrant Factor” means [], which equals (x) (a) $[], the closing per-share price of Old Expedia Common Stock trading “regular way” on [], 20[11], as listed on the Nasdaq as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, minus (b) $[], 0.5 times the closing per-share price of TripAdvisor Common Stock in the “when issued market” on [], 20[11], as listed on the Nasdaq as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, divided by (y) $[], the closing per-share price of Old Expedia Common Stock trading “regular way” on [], 20[11], as listed on the Nasdaq as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.

GAAP” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(d).

Governmental Authority” means any court, arbitration panel, governmental or regulatory authority, agency, stock exchange, commission or body.

Governmental Authorization” means any Consent, license, certificate, franchise, registration or permit issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by, or under the authority of, any Governmental Authority or pursuant to any Applicable Law.

Ground Lease” means any long-term lease (including any emphyteutic lease) of Land in which most of the rights and benefits comprising ownership of the Land and the Improvements thereon or to be constructed thereon, if any, and the Appurtenances thereto for the benefit thereof, are transferred to the tenant for the term thereof.

Ground Lease Property” means, in respect of any Person, any Land, Improvement or Appurtenance of such Person that is subject to a Ground Lease.

Group” means the Expedia Group or the TripAdvisor Group, as the context requires.

Hazardous Substance” means any substance to the extent presently listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic or radioactive under any applicable Environmental Law, including petroleum and any derivative or by-products thereof.

 

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Improvements” means, in respect of any Land, all buildings, structures, plants, fixtures and improvements located on such Land, including those under construction.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(a).

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(b).

Information” means any information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, test procedures, research, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, manufacturing techniques, manufacturing variables, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, products, product plans, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software, marketing plans, customer information, customer services, supplier information, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data.

Insurance Benefits” means, in respect of any Asset or Liability, all insurance benefits, including rights to Insurance Proceeds, arising from or relating to such Asset or Liability.

Insurance Proceeds” means those monies (in each case net of any costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof and net of any applicable premium adjustments (including reserves and retrospectively rated premium adjustments)):

(a) received by an insured from an insurance carrier; or

(b) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of the insured.

Intangible Property Rights” means, in respect of any Person, all intangible rights and property of such Person, including IT Assets, going concern value and goodwill.

Intercompany Accounts” means all balances related to indebtedness, including any intercompany indebtedness, loan, guaranty, receivable, payable or other account between a member of the Expedia Group, on the one hand, and a member of the TripAdvisor Group, on the other hand.

Inventories” means, in respect of any Person, all inventories of such Person wherever located, including all finished goods, (whether or not held at any location or facility of such Person or in transit to or from such Person), work in process, raw materials, spare parts and all other materials and supplies to be used or consumed by the Person in production of finished goods.

IRS Ruling” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(a).

IT Assets” means computers, computer software, firmware, middleware, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, data communications lines, all other information technology equipments and all associated documentation.

Land” means, in respect of any Person, all parcels and tracts of land in which the Person has an ownership interest.

Liability” means, with respect to any Person, any and all losses, claims, charges, debts, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages, obligations, payments, costs and expenses, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, specialties, indemnities and similar obligations, exoneration covenants, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises, doings, omissions, variances, guarantees, make whole agreements and

 

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similar obligations, and other liabilities and requirements, including all contractual obligations, whether absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, joint or several, whenever arising, and including those arising under any Applicable Law, Action, threatened or contemplated Action (including the costs and expenses of demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and attorneys’ fees and any and all costs and expenses, whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any such Actions or threatened or contemplated Actions) or Order of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitrator or mediator of any kind, and those arising under any contract, commitment or undertaking, in each case, whether or not recorded or reflected or otherwise disclosed or required to be recorded or reflected or otherwise disclosed, on the books and records or financial statements of any Person, including any Specified Financial Liability, EHS Liability or Liability for Taxes.

Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Stock Market.

New Expedia Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

New Expedia Series 1 Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

New Expedia Series 2 Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

New Expedia Warrants” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Notice Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(b).

Occupational Health and Safety Law” means any Applicable Law designed to provide safe and healthful working conditions and to reduce occupational safety and health hazards, and any program, whether governmental or private (such as those promulgated or sponsored by industry associations and insurance companies), designed to provide safe and healthful working conditions.

Old Expedia Capital Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Old Expedia Class B Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Old Expedia Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Old Expedia Warrants” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Order” means any order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, assessment or arbitration award of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator.

Ordinary Course of Business” means any action taken by a Person that is in the ordinary course of the normal, day-to-day operations of such Person and is consistent with the past practices of such Person.

Parties” together and each “Party” individually, means the parties to this Agreement and, in the singular, means either of them.

Person” means any individual, Business Concern or Governmental Authority.

Potential Contributor” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.06(a).

Prime Rate” means the rate which [JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.] (or any successor thereto or other major money center commercial bank agreed to by the Parties hereto) announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time.

 

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Prospectus” means the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

Providing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08.

Real Property” means any Land and Improvements and all Appurtenances thereto and any Ground Lease Property.

Reclassification” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form S-4 first filed by Expedia and TripAdvisor with the SEC on July 27, 2011 (together with all amendments thereto) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of New Expedia Common Stock, the shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock, the New Expedia Warrants and the TripAdvisor Warrants.

Regulation S-K” means Regulation S-K of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act.

Remaining Expedia Businesses” means all Expedia businesses other than the Separated Businesses.

Remaining Expedia Entity” means any Business Concern that is a member of the Expedia Group on and after the Effective Time.

Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants or attorneys.

Requesting Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01(a).

Response” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02(a).

Retained Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07.

Retaining Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).

Reverse Stock Split” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Senior Party Representatives” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02(a).

Separated Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04.

Separated Businesses”(a) the businesses and operations of TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries as described in the Prospectus, (b) any other business conducted primarily through the use of the Separated Assets prior to the Effective Time and (c) the businesses and operations of the Business Concerns acquired or established by or for TripAdvisor or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement.

Separated Entities” means those Business Concerns which are identified on Schedule 2.04(b) and which on and after the Effective Time shall form part of the TripAdvisor Group.

 

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Separation” means the transfer of the Separated Entities and Separated Businesses, directly or indirectly, from Expedia to TripAdvisor.

Separation Transactions” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

Shared Liability” means any Liability from, relating to, arising out of, or derivative of any matter, claim or litigation, whether actual or potential, associated with any securities law litigation relating to any public disclosure (or absence of public disclosure) with respect to the Separated Businesses or the Separated Entities made by Expedia prior to the Effective Time, including the fees and expenses of outside counsel retained by Expedia in connection with the defense and/or settlement of any such matter. For purposes of this definition, the phrase “securities law litigation” shall include claims alleging any untrue statement or omission to state a material fact in alleged violation of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any similar state law and any claims premised on, related to or derivative of such alleged statements, omissions or violations, whether payable to any current, past or future holders of Expedia or TripAdvisor securities, to any of the co-defendants in such action or to any Governmental Authority. For the avoidance of doubt, Shared Liability shall include those matters set forth on Schedule 2.07(c). Notwithstanding anything in Section 7.06 to the contrary, the amount of any Shared Liability shall be net of any insurance proceeds actually recovered by or on behalf of any member of the Expedia Group or any member of the TripAdvisor Group.

Specified Financial Liabilities” means, in respect of any Person, all liabilities, obligations, contingencies, instruments and other Liabilities of a financial nature with Third Parties of, or relating to, such Person, including any of the following:

(a) foreign exchange contracts;

(b) letters of credit;

(c) guarantees of Third Party loans;

(d) surety bonds (excluding surety for workers’ compensation self-insurance);

(e) interest support agreements on Third Party loans;

(f) performance bonds or guarantees issued by Third Parties;

(g) swaps or other derivatives contracts;

(h) recourse arrangements on the sale of receivables or notes; and

(i) indemnities for damages for any breach of, or any inaccuracy in, any representation or warranty or any breach of, or failure to perform or comply with, any covenant, undertaking or obligation.

Spin-Off Charter Amendments” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, partnership, limited liability entity, joint venture or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which a majority of the total voting power of capital stock or other interests entitled (without the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof, is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

Tangible Personal Property” means, in respect of any Person, all machinery, equipment, tools, furniture, office equipment, supplies, materials, vehicles and other items of tangible personal or movable property (other than Inventories and IT Assets) of every kind and wherever located that are owned or leased by the Person, together with any express or implied warranty by the manufacturers, sellers or lessors of any item or component part thereof and all maintenance Records and other documents relating thereto.

 

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Tax” or “Taxes” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement.

Tax Sharing Agreement” means the Tax Sharing Agreement among the Parties to be dated as of even date herewith.

Third Party” means a Person (a) that is not a Party to this Agreement, other than a member of the Expedia Group or a member of the Trip Advisor Group, and (b) that is not an Affiliate thereof.

Third Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(b).

Third Party Consent” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08.

Transfer Impediment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

Transition Services Agreement” means the Transition Services Agreement among the Parties to be dated as of even date herewith.

TripAdvisor Annual Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(d).

TripAdvisor’s Auditors” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(a).

TripAdvisor Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(a). “TripAdvisor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

TripAdvisor Class B Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

TripAdvisor Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

TripAdvisor Group” means the Separated Entities, the domestic and international businesses, Subsidiaries and investments owned, operated and/or managed thereby and the assets and liabilities contained therein.

TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet” means the combined balance sheet of “TripAdvisor Holdings” as of [], 20[], substantially in the form attached as Schedule 1.01(b).

TripAdvisor Holdings” means TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Expedia.

TripAdvisor Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03.

TripAdvisor Opening Balance Sheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(e).

TripAdvisor Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(b).

TripAdvisor Releasors” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(a).

TripAdvisor Warrant Factor” means [], which equals (x) $[], 0.5 times the closing per-share price of TripAdvisor Common Stock in the “when issued market” on [], 20[11], as listed on the Nasdaq as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, divided by (y) $[], the closing per-share price of Old Expedia Common Stock trading “regular way” on [], 20[11], as listed on the Nasdaq as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Unreleased Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.

Unreleased Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.

 

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1.02. Schedules. The following schedules are attached to this Agreement and form a part hereof:

 

Schedule 1.01(a)

   Old Expedia Warrants

Schedule 1.01(b)

   TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet

Schedule 2.02(a)

   Separation Transactions

Schedule 2.04(a)

   Separated Assets

Schedule 2.04(b)

   Separated Entities

Schedule 2.06(a)

   Excluded Assets

Schedule 2.07(a)

   Assumed Liabilities

Schedule 2.07(b)

   Retained Liabilities

Schedule 2.07(c)

   Shared Liabilities

ARTICLE II

THE SEPARATION

2.01. Separation. To the extent not already complete, Expedia and TripAdvisor agree to implement the Separation and to cause the Separated Businesses to be transferred to TripAdvisor and its Subsidiaries and the Remaining Expedia Businesses to be held by Expedia and its Subsidiaries (other than TripAdvisor or its Subsidiaries) as of the Effective Time, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that the Separation is intended to result in TripAdvisor, directly or indirectly, operating the Separated Businesses, owning the Separated Assets and assuming the Assumed Liabilities as set forth in this Article II.

2.02. Implementation. The Separation shall be completed in accordance with the agreed general principles, objectives and other provisions set forth in this Article II and shall be implemented in the following manner:

(a) through the completion of the steps described on Schedule 2.02(a) (the “Separation Transactions”);

(b) through the transfer from time to time following the Effective Time of the Deferred Transfer Assets as described in Article III;

(c) through the completion from time to time following the Effective Time of the Deferred Transactions, as described in Section 11.01(a); and

(d) through the performance by the Parties of all other provisions of this Agreement.

2.03. Transfer of Separated Assets; Assumption of Assumed Liabilities. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in furtherance of the Separation, with effect as of the Effective Time:

(a) To the extent not already complete, Expedia agrees to cause the Separated Assets to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered, directly or indirectly, to TripAdvisor and TripAdvisor agrees to accept from Expedia all of the Separated Assets and all of Expedia’s rights, title and interest in and to all Separated Assets, except with respect to the Deferred Separated Assets and Unreleased Liabilities, if any.

(b) TripAdvisor agrees to accept, assume and faithfully perform, discharge and fulfill all of the Assumed Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms.

2.04. Separated Assets. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Separated Assets” shall mean, without duplication, those Assets whether now existing or hereinafter acquired prior to the Effective Time, used or contemplated to be used or held for use exclusively or primarily in the ownership, operation or conduct of the Separated Businesses or relating exclusively or primarily to the Separated Businesses or to a Separated Entity including the following:

(a) all Assets expressly identified in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement or in any Schedule or Exhibit hereto or thereto, including those, if any, listed on Schedule 2.04(a), as Assets to be transferred to, or retained by, TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group;

 

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(b) the outstanding capital stock, units or other equity interests of the Separated Entities as listed on Schedule 2.04(b) and the Assets owned by such Separated Entities;

(c) all Assets properly reflected on the TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet, excluding Assets disposed of by Expedia or any other Subsidiary or entity controlled by Expedia subsequent to the date of the TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet;

(d) all Assets that have been written off, expensed or fully depreciated by Expedia or any Subsidiary or entity controlled by Expedia that, had they not been written off, expensed or fully depreciated, would have been reflected on the TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”);

(e) all Assets acquired by Expedia or any Subsidiary or entity controlled by Expedia after the date of the TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet and that would be reflected on the balance sheet of TripAdvisor as of the Effective Date (the “TripAdvisor Opening Balance Sheet”), if such balance sheet were prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(f) all Assets transferred to TripAdvisor or any member of the TripAdvisor Group pursuant to Section 11.01(a); provided, however, that any such transfer shall take effect under Section 11.01(a) and not under this Section 2.04.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be excluded from the definition of Assets under this Section 2.04 Business Records to the extent they are included in or primarily relate to any Excluded Asset or Retained Liability or Remaining Expedia Business or their transfer is prohibited by Applicable Law or pursuant to agreements between Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group and Third Parties or otherwise would subject Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group to liability for such transfer. Access to such excluded Business Records shall be governed by Article IX.

2.05. Deferred Separated Assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.04 or elsewhere in this Agreement, Separated Assets shall not include any Deferred Separated Assets. The transfer to TripAdvisor (or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group) of any such Deferred Separated Asset shall only be completed at the time, in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Article III.

2.06. Excluded Assets. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.04 or elsewhere in this Agreement, the following Assets of Expedia (or of any other relevant member of the Expedia Group) shall not be transferred to TripAdvisor (or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group), shall not form part of the Separated Assets and shall remain the exclusive property of Expedia or the relevant member of the Expedia Group on and after the Effective Time (the “Excluded Assets”):

(i) any Asset expressly identified on Schedule 2.06(a); and

(ii) any Asset transferred to Expedia or to any other relevant member of the Expedia Group pursuant to Section 11.01(a); provided, however, that any such transfers shall take effect under Section 11.01(a) and not under this Section 2.06.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Excluded Assets shall not include Deferred Excluded Assets. The transfer to Expedia (or to the relevant member of the Expedia Group) of any such Asset shall be completed at the time, in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Article III.

2.07. Liabilities. For the purposes of this Agreement, Liabilities shall be identified as “Assumed Liabilities” or as “Retained Liabilities” under the following principles:

(a) any Liability which is expressly identified on Schedule 2.07(a) is an Assumed Liability;

(b) any Liability which is expressly identified on Schedule 2.07(b) is a Retained Liability;

 

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(c) 50% of any Shared Liability shall be an Assumed Liability and 50% of any Shared Liability shall be a Retained Liability;

(d) any Liability of a Separated Entity, whether arising or accruing prior to, on or after the Effective Time and whether the facts on which it is based occurred on, prior to or after the Effective Time and whether or not reflected on the TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet or on the TripAdvisor Opening Balance Sheet, is an Assumed Liability, unless it is expressly identified in this Agreement (including on any Schedule) or in any Ancillary Agreement as a Liability to be assumed or retained by Expedia (or any other member of the Expedia Group), in which case it is a Retained Liability;

(e) any Liability relating to, arising out of, or resulting from the conduct of, a Separated Business (as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time) or relating to a Separated Asset or a Deferred Separated Asset and whether arising or accruing prior to, on or after the Effective Time and whether the facts on which it is based occurred on, prior to or after the Effective Time and whether or not reflected on the TripAdvisor Balance Sheet or the TripAdvisor Opening Balance Sheet, is an Assumed Liability, unless it is expressly identified in this Agreement (including on any Schedule) or in any Ancillary Agreement as a Liability to be assumed or retained by Expedia (or any other member of the Expedia Group), in which case it is a Retained Liability;

(f) any Liability which is reflected or otherwise disclosed as a liability or obligation of the TripAdvisor Group on the TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet is an Assumed Liability;

(g) any Liability which would be reflected or otherwise disclosed on the TripAdvisor Group Balance Sheet, if such balance sheet were prepared under GAAP, is an Assumed Liability;

(h) any Liability pursuant to contracts entered into by Expedia and/or any member of the Expedia Group (i) in connection with the acquisition, by Expedia and/or any member of the Expedia Group, of any Separated Entity and/or Separated Business or (ii) otherwise relating primarily to a Separated Entity and/or the conduct of a Separated Business is an Assumed Liability, unless it is expressly identified in this Agreement (including on any Schedule) or in any Ancillary Agreement as a Liability to be assumed or retained by Expedia (or any other member of the Expedia Group), in which case it is a Retained Liability;

(i) any Liability of a Remaining Expedia Entity, whether arising or accruing prior to, on or after the Effective Time and whether the facts on which it is based occurred on, prior to or after the Effective Time, is a Retained Liability, unless it is determined to be an Assumed Liability pursuant to clause (a) or (c) - (h) above, in which case it is an Assumed Liability;

(j) any Liability relating to, arising out of, or resulting from the conduct of, a Remaining Expedia Business (as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time) or relating to an Excluded Asset and whether arising or accruing prior to, on or after the Effective Time and whether the facts on which it is based occurred on, prior to or after the Effective Time, is a Retained Liability, unless it is determined to be an Assumed Liability pursuant to clause (a) or (c) - (h) above, in which case it is an Assumed Liability; and

(k) any Liability of TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement is an Assumed Liability and any Liability of Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement is a Retained Liability.

2.08. Third Party Consents and Government Approvals. To the extent that the Separation or any transaction contemplated thereby requires a Consent from any Third Party (a “Third Party Consent”) or any Governmental Authorization, the Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such Third Party Consents and Governmental Authorizations prior to the Effective Time. If the Parties fail to obtain any such Third Party Consent or Governmental Authorization prior to the Effective Time, the matter shall be dealt with in the manner set forth in Article III.

 

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2.09. Preservation of Agreements. Expedia and TripAdvisor agree that all written agreements, arrangements, commitments and understandings between any member or members of the TripAdvisor Group, on the one hand, and any member or members of the Expedia Group, on the other hand, shall remain in effect in accordance with their terms from and after the Effective Time, unless otherwise terminated by the Parties.

2.10. Ancillary Agreements. On or prior to the Effective Date, the Parties shall execute and deliver or, as applicable, cause the appropriate members of their respective Groups to execute and deliver, each of the following agreements (collectively, the “Ancillary Agreements”):

(a) the Employee Matters Agreement;

(b) the Tax Sharing Agreement;

(c) the Transition Services Agreement; and

(d) such other agreements and instruments as may relate to or be identified in any of the foregoing agreements.

2.11. Resignations. (a) Expedia agrees to cause each Person who is a director or an officer of any Separated Entity and who will not be or become an employee of the TripAdvisor Group (or any member thereof) on the Effective Date to resign from such position with effect as of the Effective Date.

(b) TripAdvisor agrees to cause each Person who is a director or an officer of a Remaining Expedia Entity and who will become an employee of the TripAdvisor Group (or any member thereof) on the Effective Date to resign from such position with effect as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that this Section 2.11(b) shall not apply to Mr. Barry Diller.

(c) Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor agrees to obtain all such letters of resignation or other evidence of such resignations as may be necessary or desirable in performing their respective obligations under this Section 2.11.

2.12. Cooperation. The Parties shall cooperate in all aspects of the Separation and shall sign all such documents and perform all such other acts as may be necessary or desirable to give full effect to the Separation; and each of Expedia and TripAdvisor shall cause each other member of its respective Group to do likewise.

2.13. Intercompany Accounts Between the Expedia Group and the TripAdvisor Group. From and after the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided in any Ancillary Agreement, TripAdvisor agrees to cause any Intercompany Account payable by any member of the TripAdvisor Group to any member of the Expedia Group to be satisfied in full when due. From and after the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided in any Ancillary Agreement, Expedia agrees to cause any Intercompany Account payable by any member of the Expedia Group to any member of the TripAdvisor Group to be satisfied in full when due.

2.14. Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties. (a) Each of the Parties (on behalf of itself and each other member of its respective Group) understands and agrees that, except as expressly set forth herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, no Party to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding any of the Separated Assets, Separated Entities, Separated Businesses, Excluded Assets, Assumed Liabilities or Retained Liabilities including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, or any representation or warranty regarding any Consents or Governmental Authorizations required in connection therewith or their transfer, regarding the value or freedom from Encumbrances of, or any other matter concerning, any Separated Asset or Excluded Asset, or regarding the absence of any defense or right of setoff or freedom from counterclaim with respect to any claim or other Separated Asset or Excluded Asset, including any Account Receivable of either Party, or as to the legal sufficiency of any assignment, document or instrument delivered hereunder to convey title to any Separated Asset or Excluded Asset upon the execution, delivery and filing hereof or thereof.

 

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(b) Except as may expressly be set forth herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, all Separated Assets and Excluded Assets are being transferred on an “as is, where is” basis, at the risk of the respective transferees without any warranty whatsoever on the part of the transferor, formal or implicit, legal, statutory or conventional.

ARTICLE III

DEFERRED SEPARATION TRANSACTIONS

3.01. Deferred Transfer Assets. (a) If the transfer to, or retention by, any member of the TripAdvisor Group of any Asset that would otherwise constitute a Separated Asset (a “Deferred Separated Asset”) or the transfer to, or retention by, any member of the Expedia Group of any Asset that would otherwise constitute an Excluded Asset (a “Deferred Excluded Asset,” and together with a Deferred Separated Asset, a “Deferred Transfer Asset”) cannot be accomplished without giving rise to a violation of Applicable Law, or without obtaining a Third Party Consent or a Governmental Authorization (collectively, a “Transfer Impediment”), and any such Third Party Consent or Governmental Authorization has not been obtained prior to the Effective Time, then such Asset shall be dealt with in the manner described in this Section 3.01.

(b) Pending removal of such Transfer Impediment, the Person holding the Deferred Transfer Asset (the “Retaining Person”) shall hold such Deferred Transfer Asset for the use and benefit, insofar as reasonably possible, of the Party to whom the transfer of such Asset could not be made at the Effective Time (the “Deferred Beneficiary”). The Retaining Person shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve such Asset and its right, title and interest therein and take all such other action as may reasonably be requested by the Deferred Beneficiary (in each case, at such Deferred Beneficiary’s expense) in order to place such Deferred Beneficiary, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as it would be in if such Asset had been transferred to it or retained by it with effect as of the Effective Time and so that, subject to the standard of care set forth above, all the benefits and burdens relating to such Deferred Transfer Asset, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain, enforcement of rights against third parties and dominion, control and command over such Asset, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to such Deferred Beneficiary and the members of its Group. The provisions set forth in this Article III contain all the obligations of the Retaining Person vis-à-vis the Deferred Beneficiary with respect to the Deferred Transfer Asset and the Retaining Person shall not be bound vis-à-vis the Deferred Beneficiary by any other obligations under Applicable Law.

(c) The Parties shall continue on and after the Effective Time to use commercially reasonable efforts to remove all Transfer Impediments; provided, however, that neither Party shall be required to make any unreasonable payment or assume any material obligations therefor. As and when any Transfer Impediment is removed, the relevant Deferred Transfer Asset shall forthwith be transferred to its Deferred Beneficiary at no additional cost and in a manner and on terms consistent with the relevant provisions of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including Section 2.14(b) hereof, and any such transfer shall take effect as of the date of its actual transfer.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of Applicable Law, a Retaining Person shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money in respect of a Deferred Transfer Asset unless the necessary funds are advanced by the Deferred Beneficiary of such Deferred Transfer Asset, other than reasonable attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by the Deferred Beneficiary of such Deferred Transfer Asset.

3.02. Unreleased Liabilities. If at any time on or after the Effective Time, any member of the Expedia Group shall remain obligated to any Third Party in respect of any Assumed Liability or any member of the TripAdvisor Group shall remain obligated to any Third Party in respect of any Retained Liability, the following provisions shall apply. The Liabilities referred to in this Section 3.02 are hereinafter referred to as the “Unreleased Liabilities” and the Person remaining obligated for such Liability in a manner contrary to what is intended under this Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the “Unreleased Person.”

 

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(a) Each Unreleased Person shall remain obligated to Third Parties for such Unreleased Liability as provided in the relevant Contract, Applicable Law or other source of such Unreleased Liability and shall pay and perform such Liability as and when required, in accordance with its terms.

(b) Expedia shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each TripAdvisor Indemnified Party that is an Unreleased Person against any Liabilities arising in respect of each Unreleased Liability of such Person; and TripAdvisor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Expedia Indemnified Party that is an Unreleased Person against any Liabilities arising in respect of each Unreleased Liability of such Person. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall take, and shall cause the members of their respective Groups to take, such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the other in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement in order to place Expedia and TripAdvisor, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as they would be in if such Unreleased Liability had been fully contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, and delivered to, and accepted and assumed or retained, as applicable, by the other Party (or any relevant member of its Group) with effect as of the Effective Time and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Unreleased Liability, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Unreleased Liability, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to the member or members of the Expedia Group or the TripAdvisor Group, as the case may be.

(c) The Parties shall continue on and after the Effective Time to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Unreleased Person to be released from each of its Unreleased Liabilities.

(d) If, as and when it becomes possible to delegate, novate or extinguish any Unreleased Liability in favor of an Unreleased Person, the Parties shall promptly sign all such documents and perform all such other acts, and shall cause each member of their respective Groups, as applicable, to sign all such documents and perform all such other acts, as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to such delegation, novation, extinction or other release without payment of any further consideration by the Unreleased Person.

3.03. No Additional Consideration. For the avoidance of doubt, the transfer or assumption of any Assets or Liabilities under this Article III shall be effected without any additional consideration by either Party hereunder.

ARTICLE IV

TREATMENT OF OLD EXPEDIA WARRANTS IN THE SEPARATION

4.01. Old Expedia Warrants.

(a) At the Effective Time, the Old Expedia Warrants will be adjusted based upon the following principles:

(i) the number of shares of New Expedia Common Stock subject to each New Expedia Warrant will equal the number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock underlying the Old Expedia Warrant immediately prior to the Reclassification (it being understood that prior to the Reclassification the Reverse Stock Split will result in an adjustment to the number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock underlying the Old Expedia Warrant as identified on Schedule 1.01(a)) ;

(ii) the per warrant exercise price of the New Expedia Warrant (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) will equal the per warrant exercise price of the Old Expedia Warrant prior to the Reclassification multiplied by the Expedia Warrant Factor.

(iii) the number of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to the TripAdvisor Warrant will equal the number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock underlying the Old Expedia Warrant immediately prior to the Reclassification (it being understood that prior to the Reclassification the Reverse Stock Split will result in an adjustment to the number of shares of Old Expedia Common Stock underlying the Old Expedia Warrant as identified on Schedule 1.01(a)); and

 

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(iv) the per warrant exercise price of the TripAdvisor Warrant (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) will equal the per warrant exercise price of the Old Expedia Warrant prior to the Reclassification multiplied by the TripAdvisor Warrant Factor.

(b) Expedia shall be responsible for all obligations with respect to the New Expedia Warrants. TripAdvisor shall be responsible for all obligations with respect to the TripAdvisor Warrants. The warrant agreement that currently governs the Old Expedia Warrants shall continue to govern the New Expedia Warrants, as adjusted in accordance with the terms hereof and Expedia shall be responsible for the obligations arising thereunder. To memorialize and satisfy its obligations hereunder, TripAdvisor shall enter into a warrant agreement with respect to the TripAdvisor Warrants with the agent for such TripAdvisor Warrants and TripAdvisor shall be responsible for the obligations arising under any such agreement. The failure of TripAdvisor to enter into any such agreement shall not relieve TripAdvisor of its obligations with respect to the TripAdvisor Warrants.

4.02. Stock Certificates and Related Matters. Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI hereof, Expedia and TripAdvisor (as applicable) shall deliver to the applicable agent or depositary (such agent or depositary, as the case may be, the “Agent”) cash and securities (either in certificated or electronic book-entry form at the option of Expedia) representing all of the securities to be issued in connection with the Reclassification and the transactions contemplated by Section 4.01 (except to the extent that Expedia determines in its sole discretion that currently outstanding certificates representing Old Expedia Capital Stock and/or Old Expedia Warrants, following the Effective Time, shall represent the securities into which such Old Expedia Capital Stock and/or Old Expedia Warrants are convertible in the Reclassification and related transactions), and shall instruct the Agent to distribute, on or as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, such securities to holders of record of Old Expedia Capital Stock and Old Expedia Warrants on the Effective Date. TripAdvisor agrees to provide all share certificates or other similar documentation and any information that the Agent shall require in order to effect the distributions contemplated by this Section 4.02. All securities of Expedia and TripAdvisor issued in connection with the Reclassification shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Expedia and/or TripAdvisor may require that holders of Old Expedia Capital Stock and/or Old Expedia Warrants return any certificates or instruments representing such securities prior to Expedia and/or TripAdvisor issuing new certificates or instruments (if any) representing the new securities into which such Old Expedia Capital Stock and/or Old Expedia Warrants are convertible in the Reclassification and related transactions.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

5.01. General Covenants. Each Party covenants with and in favor of the other Party that it shall, subject, in the case of Expedia, to Article XIII:

(a) do and perform all such acts and things, and execute and deliver all such agreements, assurances, notices and other documents and instruments as may reasonably be required of it to facilitate the carrying out of the intent and purpose of this Agreement;

(b) cooperate with and assist the other Party, both before and after the Effective Time, in dealing with transitional matters relating to or arising from the Separation, the Reclassification, this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements; and

(c) cooperate in preparing and filing all documentation (i) to effect all necessary applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents; and (ii) to obtain as promptly as reasonably practicable all Consents and Governmental Authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any Third Party and/or any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including all approvals required under any applicable antitrust laws).

 

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5.02. Covenants of TripAdvisor. In addition to the covenants of TripAdvisor provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, TripAdvisor covenants and agrees with and in favor of Expedia that it shall:

(a) use commercially reasonable efforts and do all things reasonably required of it to cause the Separation and the Reclassification to be completed, including cooperating with Expedia to obtain: the approval for the listing of the TripAdvisor Common Stock on the Nasdaq or such other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system as is reasonably acceptable to Expedia;

(b) use its commercially reasonable efforts to take all such action as may be necessary or desirable under applicable state securities and blue sky laws of the United States (and any comparable laws under any foreign jurisdictions) in connection with the Separation and Reclassification;

(c) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any member of the Expedia Group to be released, as soon as reasonably practicable, from any guarantees given by any member of the Expedia Group for the benefit of any Separated Entity and (to the extent necessary to secure such releases) to cause itself or one or more members of the TripAdvisor Group to be substituted in all respects for any member of the Expedia Group in respect of such guarantees, provided, that in the event that, notwithstanding the commercially reasonable efforts of TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor is unable to obtain such guarantee releases, TripAdvisor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Expedia and the other members of the Expedia Group harmless from and against all Liabilities incurred by them in connection with, arising out of or resulting from such guarantees; and

(d) perform and, as applicable, cause each member of the TripAdvisor Group to perform each of its and their respective obligations under each Ancillary Agreement.

5.03. Cash Balance True-Up. In the event that, after review and reconciliation, the amount of cash and cash equivalents reflected on the TripAdvisor Opening Balance Sheet plus the balance as of the Effective Time of any note or notes of any member of the Expedia Group held by any member of the TripAdvisor Group less the balance as of the Effective Time of any note or notes of any member of the TripAdvisor Group held by any member of the Expedia Group (the “Effective Date Cash Balance”) is greater than $165 million, TripAdvisor shall make one or more payments to Expedia as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date, but in no event more than ninety (90) days after the Effective Date, totaling an amount equal to the excess of the Effective Date Cash Balance over $165 million. In the event that, after review and reconciliation, the Effective Date Cash Balance is less than $165 million, Expedia shall make one or more payments to TripAdvisor as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date, but in no event more than ninety (90) days after the Effective Date, totaling an amount equal to the excess of $165 million over the Effective Date Cash Balance. Notwithstanding Section 14.08, payments pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall not bear any interest.

ARTICLE VI

THE RECLASSIFICATION

6.01. Conditions to the Reclassification. (a) In addition to, and without in any way limiting, Expedia’s rights under Section 13.01, completion of the Reclassification is subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions:

(i) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the SEC;

(ii) the TripAdvisor Common Stock to be distributed pursuant to the Reclassification and related transactions shall have been accepted for listing on the Nasdaq or such other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system as is reasonably acceptable to Expedia, subject to compliance with applicable listing requirements;

(iii) the Nasdaq shall have confirmed that the New Expedia Common Stock will continue trading in the same manner as the Old Expedia Common Stock following the Effective Date;

 

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(iv) no Order or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Reclassification or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, including the transactions to effect the Separation, shall be threatened, pending or in effect;

(v) any material Consents and Governmental Authorizations necessary to complete the Separation and the Reclassification shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect;

(vi) the Expedia Board shall have approved the Separation and Reclassification and shall not have abandoned, deferred or modified the Separation or the Reclassification at any time prior to the Effective Date;

(vii) each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and shall be in effect;

(viii) the Expedia Board shall have received a written solvency opinion in a form acceptable to the Expedia Board from [] regarding solvency matters in connection with the Separation and Reclassification and other transactions contemplated hereby, which opinion shall not have been withdrawn or modified;

(ix) the Expedia Board shall have received an opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, in form and substance satisfactory to the Expedia Board, to the effect that the Separation and the Reclassification will qualify as transactions that are generally tax free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (to the extent such qualification is not addressed by an Internal Revenue Service private letter ruling (the “IRS Ruling”) received by Expedia), which opinion (and, in the event Expedia shall have received the IRS Ruling, the IRS Ruling) shall not have been withdrawn or modified; and

(x) the Expedia Board shall have received such other opinions or reports as the Expedia Board may reasonably request in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Expedia Board.

(b) The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Expedia and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of Expedia or the Expedia Board to waive or not to waive such conditions or in any way limit Expedia’s right to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Article XIII or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in such Article XIII. Any determination made by Expedia prior to the Separation and the Reclassification concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in this Section  6.01 shall be final and conclusive.

6.02. Actions in Connection with the Reclassification. (a) TripAdvisor shall file such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement as Expedia may reasonably request, and such amendments as may be necessary in order to cause the same to become and remain effective as required by Applicable Law, including filing such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement as may be required by the SEC or federal, state or foreign securities laws. Expedia shall mail to the holders of Old Expedia Common Stock and Old Expedia Class B Common Stock and others as appropriate, at such appropriate time as Expedia shall determine, the proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement, as well as any other information concerning TripAdvisor, its business, operations and management, the Separation and such other matters as Expedia shall reasonably determine are necessary and as may be required by Applicable Law.

(b) TripAdvisor shall also cooperate with Expedia in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective registration statements or amendments thereof which are required to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit and other plans necessary or appropriate in connection with the Separation or other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. Promptly after receiving a request from Expedia, to the extent requested, TripAdvisor shall prepare and, in accordance with Applicable Law, file with the SEC any such documentation that Expedia determines is necessary or desirable to effectuate the Reclassification, and Expedia and TripAdvisor shall each use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the SEC with respect thereto as soon as practicable.

(c) Nothing in this Section 6.02 shall be deemed, by itself, to shift Liability for any portion of the Registration Statement or any Prospectus to Expedia.

 

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ARTICLE VII

MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

7.01. Release of Pre-Separation Claims. (a) Except as provided in Section 7.01(c), effective as of the Effective Time, TripAdvisor does hereby, on behalf of itself and each other member of the TripAdvisor Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the Expedia Group), successors and assigns, and all Persons that at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders (other than any member of the Expedia Group), directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the TripAdvisor Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such) (the “TripAdvisor Releasors”), unequivocally, unconditionally and irrevocably release and discharge each of Expedia, the other members of the Expedia Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the TripAdvisor Group), successors and assigns, and all Persons that at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Expedia Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns (the “Expedia Parties”), from any and all Actions, causes of action, choses in action, cases, claims, suits, debts, dues, damages, judgments and liabilities, of any nature whatsoever, in law, at equity or otherwise, whether direct, derivative or otherwise, which have been asserted against an Expedia Party or which, whether currently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, fixed or contingent, and whether or not concealed or hidden, the TripAdvisor Releasors ever could have asserted or ever could assert, in any capacity, whether as partner, employer, agent or otherwise, either for itself or as an assignee, heir, executor, trustee, administrator, successor or otherwise for or on behalf of any other Person, against the Expedia Parties, relating to any claims or transactions or occurrences whatsoever, up to but excluding the Effective Time, including in connection with the transactions and all activities to implement the Separation and the Reclassification (the “TripAdvisor Claims”); and the TripAdvisor Releasors hereby unequivocally, unconditionally and irrevocably agree not to initiate proceedings with respect to, or institute, assert or threaten to assert, any TripAdvisor Claim.

(b) Except as provided in Section 7.01(c), effective as of the Effective Time, Expedia does hereby, on behalf of itself and each other member of the Expedia Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the TripAdvisor Group), successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Expedia Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such) (the “Expedia Releasors”), unequivocally, unconditionally and irrevocably release and discharge each of TripAdvisor, the other members of the TripAdvisor Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the Expedia Group), successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders (other than any member of the Expedia Group), directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the TripAdvisor Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns (the “TripAdvisor Parties”), from any and all Actions, causes of action, choses in action, cases, claims, suits, debts, dues, damages, judgments and liabilities, of any nature whatsoever, in law, at equity or otherwise, whether direct, derivative or otherwise, which have been asserted against a TripAdvisor Party or which, whether currently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, fixed or contingent, and whether or not concealed or hidden, the Expedia Releasors ever could have asserted or ever could assert, in any capacity, whether as partner, employer, agent or otherwise, either for itself or as an assignee, heir, executor, trustee, administrator, successor or otherwise for or on behalf of any other Person, against the TripAdvisor Parties, relating to any claims or transactions or occurrences whatsoever, up to but excluding the Effective Time including in connection with the transactions and all activities to implement the Separation and the Reclassification (the “Expedia Claims”); and the Expedia Releasors hereby unequivocally, unconditionally and irrevocably agree not to initiate proceedings with respect to, or institute, assert or threaten to assert, any Expedia Claim.

(c) Nothing contained in Section 7.01(a) or 7.01(b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding that is contemplated by Section 2.09 or any other agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding that is entered

 

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into after the Effective Time between any member of the TripAdvisor Group, on the one hand, and any member of the Expedia Group, on the other hand, nor shall anything contained in those sections be interpreted as terminating as of the Effective Time any rights under any such agreements, contracts, commitments or understandings. For purposes of clarification, nothing contained in Section 7.01(a) or 7.01(b) shall release any Person from:

(i) any Liability provided in or resulting from this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

(ii) any Liability provided in or resulting from any agreement among any members of the Expedia Group or the TripAdvisor Group that is contemplated by Section 2.09 (including for greater certainty, any Liability resulting or flowing from any breaches of such agreements that arose prior to the Effective Time);

(iii) any Liability provided in or resulting from any other agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding that is entered into after the Effective Time between any member of the TripAdvisor Group, on the one hand, and any member of the Expedia Group, on the other hand;

(iv) (A) with respect to TripAdvisor, any Assumed Liability and (B) with respect to Expedia, any Retained Liability;

(v) any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to Article III of this Agreement or this Article VII for Third Party Claims;

(vi) any Liability for unpaid Intercompany Accounts; or

(vii) any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to this Section 7.01.

In addition, nothing contained in Section 7.01(a) or (b) hereof shall release any Party from honoring its existing obligations to indemnify any director, officer or employee of either Group who was a director, officer or employee of such Party on or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent that such director, officer or employee becomes a named defendant in any litigation involving such Party and was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to then existing obligations.

(d) TripAdvisor shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the TripAdvisor Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against Expedia or any member of the Expedia Group or any other Person released pursuant to Section 7.01(a), with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 7.01(a). Expedia shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the Expedia Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group or any other Person released pursuant to Section 7.01(b), with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 7.01(b).

7.02. Indemnification by TripAdvisor. Except as provided in Sections 7.04 and 7.05 and subject to Section 14.01, TripAdvisor shall, and shall cause the other members of the TripAdvisor Group to, fully indemnify, defend and hold harmless Expedia, each other member of the Expedia Group and each of their respective current and former directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Expedia Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all Liabilities of the Expedia Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following items (without duplication):

(a) any Separated Business, any Separated Entity, any Separated Asset, any Assumed Liability or, subject to Article III, any Deferred Separated Asset;

(b) any breach of, or failure to perform or comply with, any covenant, undertaking or obligation of, this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, by TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group, subject to any limitation on liability set forth in any Ancillary Agreement for any such breach or failure to perform or comply with any covenant, undertaking or obligation under such Ancillary Agreement; and

 

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(c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent relating to the TripAdvisor Group contained in the Registration Statement or any other filings made with the SEC in connection with the Separation and Reclassification.

7.03. Indemnification by Expedia. Except as provided in Sections 7.04 and 7.05 and subject to Section 14.01, Expedia shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless TripAdvisor, each other member of the TripAdvisor Group and each of their respective current and former directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “TripAdvisor Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all Liabilities of the TripAdvisor Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following items (without duplication):

(a) the Excluded Assets, any Remaining Expedia Business or any Retained Liability;

(b) any breach of, or failure to perform or comply with, any covenant, undertaking or obligation of, this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, by Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group, subject to any limitation on liability set forth in any Ancillary Agreement for any such breach or failure to perform or comply with any covenant, undertaking or obligation under such Ancillary Agreement; and

(c) except to the extent set forth in Section 7.02(c), any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading contained in the Registration Statement.

7.04. Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims. (a) All claims for indemnification relating to a Third Party Claim by any indemnified party (an “Indemnified Party”) hereunder shall be asserted and resolved as set forth in this Section 7.04.

(b) In the event that any written claim or demand for which an indemnifying party (an “Indemnifying Party”) may have liability to any Indemnified Party hereunder, is asserted against or sought to be collected from any Indemnified Party by a Third Party (a “Third Party Claim”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly, but in no event more than ten (10) days following such Indemnified Party’s receipt of a Third Party Claim, notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of such Third Party Claim, the amount or the estimated amount of damages sought thereunder to the extent then ascertainable (which estimate shall not be conclusive of the final amount of such Third Party Claim), any other remedy sought thereunder, any relevant time constraints relating thereto and, to the extent practicable, and any other material details pertaining thereto (a “Claim Notice”); provided, however, that the failure to timely give a Claim Notice shall affect the rights of an Indemnified Party hereunder only to the extent that such failure has a material prejudicial effect on the defenses or other rights available to the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Third Party Claim. The Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days (or such lesser number of days set forth in the Claim Notice as may be required by court proceeding in the event of a litigated matter) after receipt of the Claim Notice (the “Notice Period”) to notify the Indemnified Party whether it desires to defend the Indemnified Party against such Third Party Claim.

(c) In the event that the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the Notice Period that it desires to defend the Indemnified Party against a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend the Indemnified Party by appropriate proceedings and shall have the sole power to direct and control such defense, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party at the Indemnifying Party’s expense. Once the Indemnifying Party has duly assumed the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in any such defense and to employ separate counsel of its choosing. The Indemnified Party shall participate in any such defense at its expense, provided that such expense shall be the responsibility of the Indemnifying Party if (i) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party are both named parties to the proceedings and the Indemnified Party shall have reasonably concluded that representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in which case the Indemnifying Party shall not be responsible for expenses in respect of

 

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more than one counsel for the Indemnified Party in any single jurisdiction), or (ii) the Indemnified Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim after the Indemnifying Party has failed to diligently defend a Third Party Claim it has assumed the defense of, as provided in the first sentence of this Section 7.04(c). The Indemnifying Party shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, settle, compromise or offer to settle or compromise any Third Party Claim on a basis that would result in (i) the imposition of a consent order, injunction or decree that would restrict the future activity or conduct of the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates, (ii) a finding or admission of a violation of Applicable Law or violation of the rights of any Person by the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates or (iii) a finding or admission that would have an adverse effect on other claims made or threatened against the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates.

(d) If the Indemnifying Party (i) elects not to defend the Indemnified Party against a Third Party Claim, whether by not giving the Indemnified Party timely notice of its desire to so defend or otherwise or (ii) after assuming the defense of a Third Party Claim, fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently such Third Party Claim within ten (10) days after receiving written notice from the Indemnified Party to the effect that the Indemnifying Party has so failed, the Indemnified Party shall have the right but not the obligation to assume its own defense; it being understood that the Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification for a Third Party Claim shall not be adversely affected by assuming the defense of such Third Party Claim. The Indemnified Party shall not settle a Third Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(e) The Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall cooperate in order to ensure the proper and adequate defense of a Third Party Claim, including by providing access to each other’s relevant business records and other documents, and employees; it being understood that the reasonable costs and expenses of the Indemnified Party relating thereto shall be Liabilities, subject to indemnification.

(f) The Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid production of confidential information (consistent with Applicable Law), and to cause all communications among employees, counsel and others representing any party to a Third Party Claim to be made so as to preserve any applicable attorney-client or work-product privileges.

7.05. Procedures for Indemnification of Direct Claims. Any claim for indemnification made directly by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party that does not result from a Third Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice from the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party specifically claiming indemnification hereunder. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of 45 days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such 45-day period, such Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have accepted responsibility to make payment and shall have no further right to contest the validity of such claim. If such Indemnifying Party does respond within such 45-day period and rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnified Party shall be free to pursue resolution as provided in Article X.

7.06. Adjustments to Liabilities. (a) If an Indemnified Party receives any payment from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liabilities and the Indemnified Party could have recovered all or a part of such Liabilities from a Third Party (a “Potential Contributor”) based on the underlying claim or demand asserted against such Indemnifying Party, such Indemnified Party shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, assign such of its rights to proceed against the Potential Contributor as are necessary to permit such Indemnifying Party to recover from the Potential Contributor the amount of such payment.

(b) If notwithstanding Section 7.06(a) an Indemnified Party receives an amount from a Third Party in respect of a Liability that is the subject of indemnification hereunder after all or a portion of such Liability has been paid by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall promptly remit to the Indemnifying Party the excess (if any) of (i) the amount paid by the Indemnifying Party in respect of such Liability, plus the amount received from the Third Party in respect thereof, over (ii) the full amount of the Liability.

 

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(c) An insurer who would otherwise be obligated to pay any claim shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or, solely by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof, have any subrogation rights with respect thereto, it being expressly understood and agreed that no insurer or any other Third Party shall be entitled to a “wind-fall” (i.e., a benefit they would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification provisions) by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof.

7.07. Payments. The Indemnifying Party shall pay all amounts payable pursuant to this Article VII by wire transfer of immediately available funds, promptly following receipt from an Indemnified Party of a bill, together with all accompanying reasonably detailed backup documentation, for a Liability that is the subject of indemnification hereunder, unless the Indemnifying Party in good faith disputes the Liability, in which event it shall so notify the Indemnified Party. In any event, the Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the amount of any Liability for which it is liable hereunder no later than three (3) days following any final determination of such Liability and the Indemnifying Party’s liability therefor. A “final determination” shall exist when (a) the parties to the dispute have reached an agreement in writing, (b) a court of competent jurisdiction shall have entered a final and non-appealable order or judgment, or (c) an arbitration or like panel shall have rendered a final non-appealable determination with respect to disputes the parties have agreed to submit thereto.

7.08. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Article VII shall, for any reason, be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any Liability, then each Indemnifying Party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Liability, in such proportion as shall be sufficient to place the Indemnified Party in the same position as if such Indemnified Party were indemnified hereunder, the Parties intending that their respective contributions hereunder be as close as possible to the indemnification under Sections 7.02 and 7.03. If the contribution provided for in the previous sentence shall, for any reason, be unavailable or insufficient to put the Indemnified Party in the same position as if it were indemnified under Section 7.02 or 7.03, as the case may be, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Liability, in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by and the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other hand with respect to the matter giving rise to the Liability.

7.09. Remedies Cumulative. The remedies provided in this Article VII shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnified Party of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

7.10. Survival of Indemnities. The rights and obligations of each of Expedia and TripAdvisor and their respective Indemnified Parties under this Article VII shall survive the distribution, sale or other transfer by any Party of any Assets or the delegation or assignment by it of any Liabilities.

7.11. Shared Liabilities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement:

(a) In order to facilitate the defense of any Shared Liability, the Parties agree that (i) the Parties shall cooperate in the defense of any Shared Liability; (ii) each Party shall be responsible for the costs of its own in-house counsel and other internal personnel in the defense of any Shared Liability; (iii) Expedia shall be entitled to control the defense and/or settlement of any Shared Liability, although TripAdvisor shall be entitled to observe with counsel of its own selection and at its own expense; provided, however, that after the Effective Time Expedia shall not settle all or any portion of any Shared Liability unless any remaining Liability of TripAdvisor and its Affiliates and their respective current and former officers and directors relating to the Shared Liability will be fully released as a result of such settlement.

(b) The Parties agree to act in good faith and to use their reasonable best efforts to preserve and maximize the insurance benefits due to be provided under all policies of insurance and to cooperate with one another as necessary to permit each other to access or obtain the benefits under those policies; provided, however, that

 

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nothing hereunder shall be construed to prevent any party or any other Person from asserting claims for insurance benefits or accepting insurance benefits provided by the policies. The Parties agree to exchange information upon reasonable request of the other Party regarding requests that they have made for insurance benefits, notices of claims, occurrences and circumstances that they have submitted to the insurance companies or other entities managing the policies, responses they have received from those insurance companies or entities, including any payments they have received from the insurance companies and any agreements by the insurance companies to make payments, and any other information that the Parties may need to determine the status of the insurance policies and the continued availability of benefits thereunder.

(c) If any Party receives notice or otherwise learns of the assertion by any person or entity (including a Governmental Authority) of a Shared Liability, that Party shall give the other Party written notice of such Shared Liability, providing notice of such Shared Liability in reasonable detail. The failure to give notice under this subsection shall not relieve any Party of its Liability for any Shared Liability except to the extent the Party is actually prejudiced by the failure to give such notice. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall be deemed to be on notice of any Shared Liability pending prior to the Effective Time.

ARTICLE VIII

INSURANCE

8.01. Insurance Matters. (a) TripAdvisor does hereby, for itself and each other member of the TripAdvisor Group, agree that no member of the Expedia Group or any Expedia Indemnified Party shall have any liability whatsoever as a result of the insurance policies and practices of Expedia and its Affiliates as in effect at any time prior to the Effective Time, including as a result of the level or scope of any such insurance, the creditworthiness of any insurance carrier, the terms and conditions of any policy, the adequacy or timeliness of any notice to any insurance carrier with respect to any claim or potential claim or otherwise; provided this Section 8.01(a) shall not negate Expedia’s agreement under Section 8.01(b).

(b) Expedia agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the interest and rights of TripAdvisor and the other members of the TripAdvisor Group as of the Effective Time as insureds or beneficiaries or in any other capacity under occurrence-based insurance policies and programs (and under claims-made policies and programs to the extent a claim has been submitted prior to the Effective Time) of Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group in respect of periods prior to the Effective Time to survive the Effective Time for the period for which such interests and rights would have survived without regard to the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent permitted by such policies, and Expedia shall continue to administer such policies and programs on behalf of TripAdvisor and the other members of the TripAdvisor Group, subject to TripAdvisor’s reimbursement to Expedia and the other relevant members of the Expedia Group for the actual out-of-pocket costs of such ongoing administration and the internal costs (based on the proportion of the amount of time actually spent on such matter to such employee’s normal working time) of any employee or agent of Expedia of any other relevant member of the Expedia Group who will be required to spend at least ten percent of his or her normal working time over any ten (10) Business Days working with respect to any such matter. Any proceeds received by Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group after the Effective Time under such policies and programs in respect of TripAdvisor and the other members of the TripAdvisor Group shall be for the benefit of TripAdvisor and the other members of the TripAdvisor Group.

(c) This Agreement is not intended as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of the Expedia Group in respect of any insurance policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.

(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to restrict any member of the TripAdvisor Group from acquiring at its own expense any other insurance policy in respect of any Liabilities or covering any period.

 

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ARTICLE IX

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

9.01. Agreement for Exchange of Information; Archives. (a) Without limiting any rights or obligations under any Ancillary Agreement between the Parties and/or any other member of their respective Groups relating to confidentiality, each of Expedia and TripAdvisor agrees to provide, and to cause its Representatives, its Group members and its respective Group members’ Representatives to provide, to the other Group and any member thereof (a “Requesting Party”), at any time before, on or after the Effective Date, subject to the provisions of Section 9.04 and as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor, any Information within the possession or under the control of such Party or one of such Persons which the Requesting Party reasonably needs (i) to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements imposed on the Requesting Party (including under applicable securities laws) by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Requesting Party, (ii) for use in any other judicial, regulatory, administrative or other proceeding or in order to satisfy audit, accounting, claims, regulatory, litigation or similar requirements of the Requesting Party, in each case other than claims or allegations that one Party to this Agreement or any of its Group members has or brings against the other Party or any of its Group members, or (iii) subject to the foregoing clause (ii) above, to comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that any Party determines that any such provision of Information could be commercially detrimental, violate any Applicable Law or agreement, or waive any attorney-client privilege, the Parties shall take all reasonable measures to permit the compliance with such obligations in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. More particularly, and without limitation to the generality of the foregoing sentence, the Parties agree that the provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement shall govern with respect to the sharing of Information relating to Tax.

(b) After the Effective Time, TripAdvisor and the other members of TripAdvisor Group shall have access during regular business hours (as in effect from time to time), and upon reasonable advance notice, to the documents and objects of historical significance that relate to the Separated Businesses, the Separated Assets or the Separated Entities and that are located in archives retained or maintained by Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group. TripAdvisor and the other members of the TripAdvisor Group may obtain copies (but not originals) of documents for bona fide business purposes and may obtain objects for exhibition purposes for commercially reasonable periods of time if required for bona fide business purposes, provided that TripAdvisor shall cause any such objects to be returned promptly, at TripAdvisor’s expense, in the same condition in which they were delivered to TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group and TripAdvisor and the other members of the TripAdvisor Group shall comply with any rules, procedures or other requirements, and shall be subject to any restrictions (including prohibitions on removal of specified objects), that are then applicable to Expedia or such other member of the Expedia Group. In any event, the foregoing shall not be deemed to restrict the access of Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group to any such documents or objects. Nothing herein shall be deemed to impose any Liability on Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group if documents or objects referred to in this Section 9.01 are not maintained or preserved by Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group. Alternatively, Expedia, acting reasonably, may request from TripAdvisor and any other member of the TripAdvisor Group that they provide it, with reasonable advance notice, with a list of the requested Information that relates to the Separated Businesses, the Separated Assets or the Separated Entities and Expedia shall use, and shall cause the other members of the Expedia Group that are in possession of the Information requested to use, commercially reasonable efforts to locate all requested Information that is owned or possessed by Expedia or any of its Group members or Representatives. Expedia will make available all such Information for inspection by TripAdvisor or any other relevant member of the TripAdvisor Group during normal business hours at the place of business reasonably designated by Expedia. Subject to such confidentiality or security obligations as Expedia or the other relevant members of its Group may reasonably deem necessary, TripAdvisor and the other relevant members of the TripAdvisor Group may have all requested Information duplicated. Alternatively, Expedia or the other relevant members of the Expedia Group may choose to deliver to TripAdvisor, at TripAdvisor’s expense, all requested Information in the form reasonably requested by TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group. At Expedia’s request, TripAdvisor shall cause such Information when no longer needed to be returned to Expedia at TripAdvisor’s expense.

 

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9.02. Ownership of Information. Any Information owned by a Party or any of its Group members and that is provided to a Requesting Party pursuant to Section 9.01 shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing party. Unless specifically set forth herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such Information.

9.03. Compensation for Providing Information. The Party requesting Information agrees to reimburse the other Party for the reasonable costs, if any, of creating, gathering and copying such Information, to the extent that such costs are incurred for the benefit of the Requesting Party. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, in the Ancillary Agreements, or in any other agreement between the Parties, such costs shall be computed in accordance with the providing Party’s standard methodology and procedures.

9.04. Record Retention. To facilitate the possible exchange of Information pursuant to this Article IX and other provisions of this Agreement after the Effective Time, the Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to retain, and to cause the members of their respective Group to retain, all Information in their respective possession or control at the Effective Time in accordance with the policies of the Expedia Group as in effect at the Effective Time or such other policies as may be reasonably adopted by the appropriate Party after the Effective Time. No Party will destroy, or permit any member of its Group to destroy, any Information which the other Party or any member of its Group may have the right to obtain pursuant to this Agreement prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Time without first notifying the other Party of the proposed destruction and giving the other Party the opportunity to take possession of such Information prior to such destruction.

9.05. Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information. The rights and obligations granted or created under this Article IX are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange, retention or confidential treatment of Information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.

9.06. Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation. (a) After the Effective Time, but only with respect to a Third Party Claim, each Party hereto shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, and shall cause the other relevant members of its Group to use commercially reasonable efforts to, make available to the Requesting Party or any member of the Requesting Party’s Group, upon written request, its then former and current Representatives (and the former and current Representatives of its respective Group members) as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control (or that of its respective Group members) or which it (or its respective Group members) otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such Representatives) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any Action in which the Requesting Party may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder. The Requesting Party shall bear all costs and expenses in connection therewith.

(b) If a Party, being entitled to do so under this Agreement, chooses to defend or to seek to settle or compromise any Third Party Claim, the other Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to such Party, upon written request, its then former and current Representatives and those of its respective Group members as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control (or that of its respective Group members) or which it (or its respective Group members) otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such Person (giving consideration to business demands of such Representatives) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise, as the case may be, and shall otherwise cooperate in such defense, settlement or compromise, as the case may be.

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties shall cooperate and consult, and shall cause their respective Group members to cooperate and consult, to the extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions (except in the case of an Action by one Party against the other).

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inventors and other employees without regard to whether the witness or the employer of the witness could assert a possible business conflict (subject to the limitation set forth in the first sentence of Section 9.06(a) regarding Third Party Claims).

(e) In connection with any matter contemplated by this Section 9.06, the Parties will enter into, and shall cause all other relevant members of their respective Groups to enter into, a mutually acceptable joint defense agreement so as to maintain to the extent practicable any applicable attorney-client privilege or work-product privileges of any member of any Group.

9.07. Confidentiality. (a) Subject to Section 9.08, each of Expedia and TripAdvisor shall hold, and shall cause its respective Group members and its respective Affiliates (whether now an Affiliate or hereafter becoming an Affiliate) and its Representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to Expedia’s confidential and proprietary Information pursuant to policies in effect as of the Effective Time, all confidential and proprietary Information concerning the other Group (or any member thereof) that is either in its possession (including Information in its possession prior to the date hereof) or furnished by the other Group (or any member thereof) or by any of its Affiliates (whether now an Affiliate or hereafter becoming an Affiliate) or their respective Representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (any such Information referred to herein as “Confidential Information”), and shall not use, and shall cause its respective Group members, Affiliates and Representatives not to use, any such Confidential Information other than for such purposes as shall be expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include Information that is or was (i) in the public domain other than by the breach of this Agreement or by breach of any other agreement relating to confidentiality between or among the Parties and/or their respective Group members, their respective Affiliates or Representatives, (ii) lawfully acquired by such Party (or any member of the Group to which such Party belongs or any of such Party’s Affiliates) from a Third Party not bound by a confidentiality obligation, or (iii) independently generated or developed by Persons who do not have access to, or descriptions of, any such confidential or proprietary Information of the other Party (or any member of the Group to which such Party belongs).

(b) Each Party shall maintain, and shall cause its respective Group members to maintain, policies and procedures, and develop such further policies and procedures as will from time to time become necessary or appropriate, to ensure compliance with Section 9.07(a).

(c) Each Party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any Confidential Information of the other Party to any other Person, except its Representatives who need to know such Confidential Information (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such Confidential Information), except in compliance with Section 9.08. Without limiting the foregoing, when any Information furnished by the other Party after the Effective Time pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, each Party will promptly, after request of the other Party and at the election of the Party receiving such request, destroy or return to the other Party all such Information in a printed or otherwise tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon), and use reasonable best efforts to delete all Information in an electronic or otherwise intangible form and certify to the other Party that it has destroyed such Information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that to the extent some Information to be destroyed or returned is retained as data or records for the purpose of business continuity planning or is otherwise not accessible in the Ordinary Course of Business, such data or records shall be destroyed in the Ordinary Course of Business in accordance, if applicable, with the business continuity plan of the applicable Party.

9.08. Protective Arrangements. In the event that any Party or any member of its Group or any Affiliate of such Party or any of their respective Representatives either determines that it is required to disclose any Confidential Information (the “Disclosing Party”) pursuant to Applicable Law or receives any demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide Confidential Information of the other

 

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Party (or any member of the Group to which such Party belongs) (the “Providing Party”), the Disclosing Party shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, promptly notify the other Party prior to the Disclosing Party disclosing or providing such Confidential Information and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Providing Party so that the Providing Party may seek any reasonable protective arrangements or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with this Section 9.08. All expenses reasonably incurred by the Disclosing Party in seeking a protective order or other remedy will be borne by the Providing Party. Subject to the foregoing, the Disclosing Party may thereafter disclose or provide such Confidential Information to the extent (but only to the extent) required by such Applicable Law (as so advised by legal counsel) or by lawful process or by such Governmental Authority and shall promptly provide the Providing Party with a copy of the Confidential Information so disclosed, in the same form and format as disclosed, together with a list of all Persons to whom such Confidential Information was disclosed.

9.09. Disclosure of Third Party Information. TripAdvisor acknowledges that it and the other members of the TripAdvisor Group may have in its or their possession confidential or proprietary Information of Third Parties that was received under confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements with such Third Party while part of the Expedia Group. TripAdvisor will hold, and will cause the other members of its Group and its and their respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence the confidential and proprietary Information of Third Parties to which TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group has access, in accordance with the terms of any agreements entered into prior to the Effective Time between one or more members of the Expedia Group (whether acting through, on behalf of, or in connection with, the Separated Businesses) and such Third Parties.

ARTICLE X

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

10.01. Interpretation; Agreement to Resolve Disputes. Except as otherwise specifically provided in any Ancillary Agreement, the procedures for discussion, negotiation and dispute resolution set forth in this Article X shall apply to all disputes, controversies or claims (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise) that may arise out of or relate to, or arise under or in connection with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including all actions taken in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby on or prior to the date hereof), or the commercial or economic relationship of the Parties relating hereto or thereto, between or among any member of the Expedia Group on the one hand and the TripAdvisor Group on the other hand. Each Party agrees on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group that the procedures set forth in this Article X shall be the sole and exclusive procedures in connection with any dispute, controversy or claim relating to any of the foregoing matters and irrevocably waives any right to commence any Action in or before any Governmental Authority, except as otherwise required by Applicable Law.

10.02. Dispute Resolution; Mediation.

(a) Either Party may commence the dispute resolution process of this Section 10.02 by giving the other Party written notice (a “Dispute Notice”) of any controversy, claim or dispute of whatever nature arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforceability or validity thereof (a “Dispute”) which has not been resolved in the normal course of business. The Parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any Dispute by negotiation between executives of each Party hereto (“Senior Party Representatives”) who have authority to settle the Dispute and who are at a higher level of management than the persons who have direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement. Within 15 days after delivery of the Dispute Notice, the receiving Party shall submit to the other a written response (the “Response”). The Dispute Notice and the Response shall include (i) a statement setting forth the position of the Party giving such notice and a summary of arguments supporting such position and (ii) the name and title of such Party’s Senior Party Representative and any other persons who will accompany the Senior Party Representative at the meeting at which the Parties will

 

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attempt to settle the Dispute. Within 30 days after the delivery of the Dispute Notice, the Senior Party Representatives of both Parties shall meet at a mutually acceptable time and place, and thereafter as often as they reasonably deem necessary, to attempt to resolve the Dispute. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith with respect to any reasonable requests for exchanges of information regarding the Dispute or a Response thereto.

(b) If the Dispute has not been resolved within 60 days after delivery of the Dispute Notice, or if the Parties fail to meet within 30 days after delivery of the Dispute Notice as hereinabove provided, the Parties shall make a good faith attempt to settle the Dispute by mediation pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.02 before resorting to arbitration contemplated by Section 10.03 or any other dispute resolution procedure that may be agreed by the Parties.

(c) All negotiations, conferences and discussions pursuant to this Section 10.02 shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations. Nothing said or disclosed, nor any document produced, in the course of such negotiations, conferences and discussions that is not otherwise independently discoverable shall be offered or received as evidence or used for impeachment or for any other purpose in any current or future arbitration.

(d) Unless the Parties agree otherwise, the mediation shall be conducted in accordance with the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution Model Procedure for Mediation of Business Disputes in effect on the date of this Agreement by a mediator mutually selected by the Parties.

(e) Within 30 days after the mediator has been selected as provided above, both Parties and their respective attorneys shall meet with the mediator for one mediation session of at least four hours, it being agreed that each Party representative attending such mediation session shall be a Senior Party Representative with authority to settle the Dispute. If the Dispute cannot be settled at such mediation session or at any mutually agreed continuation thereof, either Party may give the other and the mediator a written notice declaring the mediation process at an end.

10.03. Arbitration. If the Dispute has not been resolved by the dispute resolution process described in Section 10.02, the Parties agree that any such Dispute shall be settled by binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in Wilmington, Delaware pursuant to the Commercial Rules of the AAA. Any arbitrator(s) selected to resolve the Dispute shall be bound exclusively by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its choice of law rules. Any decisions of award of the arbitrator(s) will be final and binding upon the Parties and may be entered as a judgment by the Parties hereto. Any rights to appeal or review such award by any court or tribunal are hereby waived to the extent permitted by law.

10.04. Costs. The costs of any mediation or arbitration pursuant to this Article X shall be shared equally between the Parties.

10.05. Continuity of Service and Performance. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties will continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article X with respect to all matters not subject to such dispute, controversy or claim.

ARTICLE XI

FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

  11.01. Further Assurances. (a) Each Party covenants with and in favor of the other Party as follows:

(i) except as provided in Section 13.01, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, each Party hereto shall, and shall cause the other relevant members of its Group to, cooperate with the other Party, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party, to execute, acknowledge and deliver, or

 

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use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, assurances or documents, including instruments of conveyance, assignments and transfers, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all consents, approvals or authorizations of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument (including any Consents or Governmental Authorizations), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party hereto (or any member of its Group) from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to give effect to the provisions, obligations and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the transfers of the Separated Businesses and of the Separated Assets and the assignment and assumption of the Assumed Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and

(ii) to the extent that Expedia or TripAdvisor discovers at any time following the Effective Time any Asset that was intended to be transferred to TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group pursuant to this Agreement was not so transferred at the Effective Time, Expedia shall, or shall cause the other relevant members of its Group to promptly, assign and transfer to TripAdvisor or any other member of the TripAdvisor Group reasonably designated by TripAdvisor such Asset and all right, title and interest therein in a manner and on the terms consistent with the relevant provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 2.14(b). Similarly, to the extent that Expedia or TripAdvisor discovers at any time following the Effective Time any Asset that was intended to be retained by Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group was not so retained at the Effective Time, TripAdvisor shall, or shall cause the other relevant members of its Group to promptly to, assign and transfer to Expedia or any other member of the Expedia Group reasonably designated by Expedia such Asset and all right, title and interest therein in a manner and on the terms consistent with the relevant provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 2.14(b). For the avoidance of doubt, the transfer of any Assets under this paragraph (a) shall be effected without any additional consideration by either Party hereunder (such deferred transfers being referred to as “Deferred Transactions”).

(b) On or prior to the Effective Time, Expedia and TripAdvisor, in their respective capacities as direct and indirect parent companies of the members of their respective Groups, shall each approve or ratify any actions of the members of their respective Groups as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(c) Prior to the Effective Time, if a Party identifies any commercial or other service that is needed to assure a smooth and orderly transition of the businesses in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and that is not otherwise governed by the provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Parties will cooperate in determining whether there is a mutually acceptable arms’ length basis on which the other Party can provide such service.

ARTICLE XII

CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS

12.01. Auditors and Audits; Annual and Quarterly Financial Statements and Accounting. Each Party agrees that during the one hundred and eighty (180) days following the Effective Time and in any event solely with respect to the preparation and audit of each of Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 20[11], the printing, filing and public dissemination of such financial statements, the audit of Expedia’s internal control over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof and management’s assessment of Expedia’s disclosure controls and procedures, in each case made as of December 31, 20[11]:

(a) Date of Auditors’ Opinion. TripAdvisor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enable TripAdvisor’s auditors (“TripAdvisor’s Auditors”) to complete their audit such that they will date their opinion on TripAdvisor’s audited annual financial statements on the same date that Expedia’s auditors

 

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(“Expedia’s Auditors”) date their opinion on Expedia’s audited annual financial statements (except to the extent an earlier date is necessary to comply with SEC rules), and to enable Expedia to meet its timetable for the printing, filing and public dissemination of Expedia’s annual financial statements.

(b) Annual Financial Statements. (i) Expedia shall provide to TripAdvisor on a timely basis all Information reasonably required to meet TripAdvisor’s schedule for the preparation, printing, filing, and public dissemination of its annual financial statements and for management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with Item 307 of Regulation S-K and (ii) TripAdvisor shall provide to Expedia on a timely basis all Information reasonably required to meet Expedia’s schedule for its report on internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Item 308 of Regulation S-K and its auditor’s audit of its internal control over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the SEC’s and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s rules and auditing standards thereunder (such assessments and audit being referred to as the “20[11] Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, TripAdvisor will provide all required financial and other Information with respect to TripAdvisor and its Subsidiaries to TripAdvisor’s Auditors in a sufficient and reasonable time and in sufficient detail to permit TripAdvisor’s Auditors to take all steps and perform all reviews necessary to provide sufficient assistance to Expedia’s Auditors with respect to Information to be included or contained in Expedia’s annual financial statements and to permit Expedia’s Auditors and Expedia’s management to complete the 20[11] Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments.

(c) Access to Personnel and Books and Records. TripAdvisor shall authorize TripAdvisor’s Auditors to make available to Expedia’s Auditors both the personnel who performed or are performing the annual audits of TripAdvisor and work papers related to the annual audits of TripAdvisor, in all cases within a reasonable time prior to TripAdvisor’s Auditors’ opinion date, so that Expedia’s Auditors are able to perform the procedures they consider necessary to take responsibility for the work of TripAdvisor’s Auditors as it relates to Expedia’s Auditors’ report on Expedia’s financial statements, all within sufficient time to enable Expedia to meet its timetable for the printing, filing and public dissemination of Expedia’s annual financial statements. Similarly, Expedia shall authorize Expedia’s Auditors to make available to TripAdvisor’s Auditors both the personnel who performed or are performing the annual audits of Expedia and work papers related to the annual audits of Expedia, in all cases within a reasonable time prior to Expedia’s Auditors’ opinion date, so that TripAdvisor’s Auditors are able to perform the procedures they consider necessary to take responsibility for the work of Expedia’s Auditors as it relates to TripAdvisor’s Auditors’ report on TripAdvisor’s financial statements, all within sufficient time to enable TripAdvisor to meet its timetable for the printing, filing and public dissemination of TripAdvisor’s annual financial statements. TripAdvisor shall make available to Expedia’s Auditors and Expedia’s management TripAdvisor’s personnel and TripAdvisor books and records in a reasonable time prior to Expedia’s Auditors’ opinion date and Expedia’s management’s assessment date so that Expedia’s Auditors and Expedia’s management are able to perform the procedures they consider necessary to conduct the 20[11] Internal Control Audit and Management Assessments.

(d) TripAdvisor Annual Report. TripAdvisor will deliver to Expedia a substantially final draft, as soon as the same is prepared, of the first report to be filed with the SEC that includes TripAdvisor’s audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 20[11] (the “TripAdvisor Annual Report”); provided, however, that TripAdvisor may continue to revise such TripAdvisor Annual Report prior to the filing thereof, which changes will be delivered to Expedia as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that Expedia’s and TripAdvisor’s personnel will actively consult with each other regarding any changes which TripAdvisor may consider making to the TripAdvisor Annual Report and related disclosures prior to the anticipated filing with the SEC, with particular focus on any changes which would have an effect upon Expedia’s financial statements or related disclosures.

Nothing in this Section 12.01 shall require either party to violate any agreement with any Third Party regarding the confidentiality of confidential and proprietary Information relating to that Third Party or its

 

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business; provided, however, that in the event that a Party is required under this Section 12.01 to disclose any such Information, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain such Third Party Consent to the disclosure of such Information.

ARTICLE XIII

SOLE DISCRETION OF EXPEDIA; TERMINATION

13.01. Sole Discretion of Expedia. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, until the occurrence of the Effective Time, Expedia shall have the sole and absolute discretion:

(a) to determine whether to proceed with all or any part of the Separation, including any Separation Transaction, or the Reclassification, and to determine the timing of and any and all conditions to the completion of the Separation and the Reclassification or any part thereof or of any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement; and

(b) to amend or otherwise change, delete or supplement, from time to time, any term or element of the Separation, including any Separation Transaction, or the Reclassification or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

13.02. Termination. This Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole and absolute discretion of Expedia without the approval of TripAdvisor or of the stockholders of Expedia. In the event of such termination, no Party shall have any liability of any kind to the other Party or any other Person. After the Effective Date, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties.

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS

14.01. Limitation of Liability. In no event shall any member of the Expedia Group or the TripAdvisor Group be liable to any member of the other Group for any special, consequential, indirect, collateral, incidental or punitive damages or lost profits or failure to realize expected savings or other commercial or economic loss of any kind, however caused and on any theory of liability (including negligence) arising in any way out of this Agreement, whether or not such Person has been advised of the possibility of any such damages; provided, however, that the foregoing limitations shall not limit either Party’s indemnification obligations for Liabilities with respect to Third Party Claims as set forth in Article VII. The provisions of Article X shall be the Parties’ sole recourse for any breach hereof .

14.02. Counterparts. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties thereto and delivered to the other party or parties.

14.03. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and the Schedules and Exhibits hereto and thereto and the specific agreements contemplated hereby or thereby contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all previous agreements, oral or written, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter. No agreements or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof or thereof exist between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

 

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14.04. Construction. In this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements, unless a clear contrary intention appears:

(a) the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;

(b) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are not prohibited by this Agreement or the relevant Ancillary Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually;

(c) reference to any gender includes each other gender;

(d) reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, modified, supplemented or restated, and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof subject to compliance with the requirements set forth herein or in the relevant Ancillary Agreement;

(e) reference to any Applicable Law means such Applicable Law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any Applicable Law means that provision of such Applicable Law from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of such section or other provision;

(f) “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import shall be deemed references to this Agreement or to the relevant Ancillary Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other provision hereof or thereof;

(g) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term;

(h) the Table of Contents and headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation hereof or thereof;

(i) with respect to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including” and “to” means “to but excluding;” and

(j) references to documents, instruments or agreements shall be deemed to refer as well to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto.

14.05. Signatures. Each Party acknowledges that it and the other Party (and the other members of their respective Groups) may execute certain of the Ancillary Agreements by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature made in its respective name (or that of the applicable member of its Group) as if it were a manual signature, agrees that it will not assert that any such signature is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and agrees that at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time it will as promptly as reasonably practicable cause each such Ancillary Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof).

14.06. Assignability. Except as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and thereto, respectively, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that except as specifically provided in any Ancillary Agreement, no Party hereto or thereto may assign its respective rights or delegate its respective obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto or thereto.

14.07. Third Party Beneficiaries. Except for the indemnification rights under this Agreement of any Expedia Indemnified Party or any TripAdvisor Indemnified Party in their respective capacities as such and for the release

 

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under Section 7.01 of any Person provided therein and except as specifically provided in any Ancillary Agreement, (a) the provisions of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement are solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and are not intended to confer upon any Person, except the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies hereunder and (b) there are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; and neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary Agreement shall provide any Third Party with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

14.08. Payment Terms. (a) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount to be paid or reimbursed by one Party to the other under this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed hereunder within thirty (30) days after presentation of an invoice or a written demand therefor and setting forth, or accompanied by, reasonable documentation or other reasonable explanation supporting such amount.

(b) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement (and any amount billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that is not paid within thirty (30) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus 2% (or the maximum legal rate, whichever is lower), calculated for the actual number of days elapsed, accrued from the date on which such payment was due up to the date of the actual receipt of payment.

14.09. Governing Law. Except as set forth in Article X, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement, shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware, as to all matters, including matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

14.10. Notices. All notices or other communications under this Agreement and, unless expressly provided therein, each Ancillary Agreement, shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given when delivered in person or successfully transmitted by facsimile, addressed as follows:

If to Expedia, to:

Expedia, Inc.

333 108th Avenue NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (425) 679-7200

with a copy to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Andrew J Nussbaum, Esq.

Fax: (212) 403-2000

If to TripAdvisor, to:

TripAdvisor, Inc.

141 Needham Street

Newton, MA 02464

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (617) 670-6300

Any Party may, by notice to the other Party as set forth herein, change the address or fax number to which such notices are to be given.

 

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14.11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, as the case may be, is not affected in any manner adverse to any party hereto or thereto. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

14.12. Publicity. Prior to the Effective Time, Expedia shall be responsible for issuing any press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect to this Agreement, the Separation, the Reclassification or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and TripAdvisor shall not make such statements without the prior written consent of Expedia. Prior to the Effective Time, Expedia and TripAdvisor shall each consult with the other prior to making any filings with any Governmental Authority with respect thereto.

14.13. Survival of Covenants. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, any covenants, representations or warranties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall survive the Separation and Reclassification and shall remain in full force and effect.

14.14. Waivers of Default; Conflicts. (a) Waiver by any Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

(b) Each Party acknowledges that each of the Parties and each member of their respective Group are all currently represented by members of Expedia’s legal department and Expedia’s outside counsel. Each of Expedia (on behalf of itself and every member of its Group), on the one hand, and TripAdvisor (on behalf of itself and every member of its Group), on the other hand, waives any conflict with respect to such common representation that may arise before, at or after the Effective Time.

14.15. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole and absolute discretion of Expedia without the approval of TripAdvisor or of the stockholders of Expedia. After the Effective Time, no provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by any Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Separation Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.

 

EXPEDIA, INC.
By:    

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

TRIPADVISOR, INC.
By:    

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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ANNEX G

FORM OF

TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

by and between

EXPEDIA, INC.

and

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

Dated as of

[], 20[11]

 

 

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TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

This TAX SHARING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [], 20[11], by and between Expedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and TripAdvisor, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“SpinCo”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Parent and SpinCo have entered into a Separation Agreement, dated as of [], 20[11] (the “Separation Agreement”), providing for the Separation of the Parent Group from the SpinCo Group;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, Parent will contribute all of the Separated Assets to SpinCo and its Subsidiaries and will cause SpinCo and its Subsidiaries to assume the Assumed Liabilities;

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes, it is intended that the Contribution and the Spin-Off shall qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

WHEREAS, at the close of business on the Distribution Date, the taxable year of SpinCo shall close for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to provide for the payment of Taxes and entitlement to Refunds thereof, allocate responsibility and provide for cooperation in connection with the filing of returns in respect of Taxes, and provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the representations, covenants and agreements herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, Parent and SpinCo hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Separation Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Actually Realized” or “Actually Realizes” shall mean, for purposes of determining the timing of the incurrence of any Spin-Off Tax Liability, Income Tax Liability or Other Tax Liability or the realization of a Refund (or any related Tax cost or benefit), whether by receipt or as a credit or other offset to Taxes payable, by a Person in respect of any payment, transaction, occurrence or event, the time at which the amount of Taxes paid (or Refund realized) by such Person is increased above (or reduced below) the amount of Taxes that such Person would have been required to pay (or Refund that such Person would have realized) but for such payment, transaction, occurrence or event.

Aggregate Spin-Off Tax Liabilities” shall mean the sum of the Spin-Off Tax Liabilities with respect to each Taxing Jurisdiction.

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Carryback” shall mean the carryback of a Tax Attribute (including, without limitation, a net operating loss, a net capital loss or a tax credit) by a member of the SpinCo Group from a Post-Distribution Taxable Period to a Pre-Distribution Taxable Period during which such member of the SpinCo Group was included in a Combined Return filed for such Pre-Distribution Taxable Period.

Cash Acquisition Merger” shall mean a merger of a newly formed Subsidiary of SpinCo with a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, general partnership or joint venture (in each case, not previously owned directly or indirectly by SpinCo) pursuant to which SpinCo acquires such

 

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corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, general partnership or joint venture solely for cash and no Equity Securities of SpinCo or any SpinCo Subsidiary are issued, sold, redeemed or acquired, directly or indirectly.

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Combined Return” shall mean a consolidated, combined or unitary Income Tax Return or Other Tax Return that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group together with one or more members of the SpinCo Group (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Income Tax Return that is a consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Return of the Parent Consolidated Group).

Contribution” shall mean those certain capital contributions to SpinCo by Parent made in connection with the Spin-Off.

Distribution Date” shall mean the date on which the Spin-Off is completed.

Distribution-Related Proceeding” shall mean any Proceeding in which the IRS, another Tax Authority or any other party asserts a position that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Tax-Free Status of the Spin-Off Transactions.

EMA” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement by and between Parent and SpinCo dated as of [], 20[11].

Equity Securities” shall mean any stock or other securities treated as equity for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes, options, warrants, rights, convertible debt, or any other instrument or security that affords any Person the right, whether conditional or otherwise, to acquire stock or to be paid an amount determined by reference to the value of stock.

Expedia Service Provider” shall mean any “Expedia Employee” as such term is defined in the EMA or any other provider of services to any member of the Parent Group.

Final Determination” shall mean the final resolution of liability for any Tax, which resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for a taxable period, (a) by IRS Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the laws of any Taxing Jurisdiction, except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for Refund or the right of the Tax Authority to assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such taxable period (as the case may be); (b) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (c) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of any Taxing Jurisdiction; (d) by any allowance of a Refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such Refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the Taxing Jurisdiction imposing such Tax; or (e) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or by mutual agreement of the parties.

IAC Tax Sharing Agreement” shall mean the Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2005, by and between IAC/InterActiveCorp, a Delaware corporation, and Parent.

Income Taxes” (a) shall mean (i) any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments that are based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to (A) net income or profits (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, gross receipts, or minimum tax, and any tax on items of tax preference, but not including sales, use, value added, real property gains, real or personal property, transfer or similar taxes), (B) multiple bases (including, but not limited to, corporate franchise, doing business or occupation taxes), if one or more of the bases upon which such tax may be based, by which it may be measured, or with respect to which it may be calculated is described in clause (a)(i)(A) of this definition, or (C) any net worth, franchise or similar tax, in each case together with (ii) any interest and

 

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any penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Tax Authority with respect thereto and (b) shall include any transferee or successor liability in respect of an amount described in clause (a) of this definition.

Income Tax Benefit” shall mean, with respect to the effect of any Carryback on the Income Tax Liability of Parent or the Parent Group for any taxable period, the excess of (a) the hypothetical Income Tax Liability of Parent or the Parent Group for such taxable period, calculated as if such Carryback had not been utilized but with all other facts unchanged over (b) the actual Income Tax Liability of Parent or the Parent Group for such taxable period, calculated taking into account such Carryback (and treating a Refund as a negative Income Tax Liability, for purposes of such calculation).

Income Tax Liabilities” shall mean all liabilities for Income Taxes.

Income Tax Return” shall mean any return, report, filing, statement, questionnaire, declaration or other document required to be filed with a Tax Authority in respect of Income Taxes.

Indemnified Party” shall mean any Person seeking indemnification pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

Indemnifying Party” shall mean any party hereto from which any Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

IRS” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

Losses” shall mean any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, obligations, payments, costs and expenses, matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, known or unknown (including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of any and all Actions, threatened Actions, demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and attorneys’ fees and any and all expenses whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any such Actions or threatened Actions).

Option” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the EMA.

Other Tax Liabilities” shall mean all liabilities for Other Taxes.

Other Tax Returns” shall mean any return, report, filing, statement, questionnaire, declaration or other document required to be filed with a Tax Authority in respect of Other Taxes.

Other Taxes” shall mean any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments of any nature whatsoever, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include superfund, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, occupancy, transfer, recording, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, occupation, premium or property taxes (in each case, together with any related interest, penalties and additions to tax, or additional amounts imposed by any Tax Authority thereon); provided, however, that Other Taxes shall not include any Income Taxes.

Parent Combined Return Taxes” shall mean any Taxes (or estimated Taxes) due or required to be paid with respect to or required to be reported on any consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Return of the Parent Consolidated Group or any other Combined Tax Return that are attributable to any member of the Parent Group.

Parent Consolidated Group” shall mean the affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the exclusions in Section 1504(b)(1) through (8)) of which Parent is the common parent (and any predecessor or successor to such affiliated group).

Parent Group” shall mean (a) Parent and each Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Parent (including any Subsidiary of Parent that is disregarded for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes (or for purposes of any state, local, or foreign tax law)) immediately after the Spin-Off after giving effect to the Spin-Off Transactions, (b) any corporation (or other Person) that shall have merged or liquidated into Parent or any such Subsidiary and (c) any predecessor or successor to any Person otherwise described in this definition.

 

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Parent Separate Return” shall mean any Separate Return required to be filed by Parent or any member of the Parent Group.

Permitted Transaction” shall mean any transaction that satisfies the requirements of Section 4(c).

Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or similar entity or a governmental authority or any department or agency or other unit thereof.

Post-Distribution Taxable Period” shall mean a taxable period that, to the extent it relates to a member of the SpinCo Group, begins after the Distribution Date.

Pre-Distribution Taxable Period” shall mean a taxable period that, to the extent it relates to a member of the SpinCo Group, ends on or before the Distribution Date.

Private Letter Ruling” shall mean (a) any private letter ruling issued by the IRS in connection with the Spin-Off Transactions or (b) any similar ruling issued by any other Tax Authority in connection with the Spin-Off Transactions.

Private Letter Ruling Documents” shall mean (a) any Private Letter Ruling, any request for a Private Letter Ruling submitted to the IRS (including the request for rulings submitted by Parent to the IRS on July 26, 2011), together with the appendices and exhibits thereto and any supplemental filings or other materials subsequently submitted to the IRS in connection with the Spin-Off Transactions, or (b) any similar filings submitted to any other Tax Authority in connection with any such request for a Private Letter Ruling.

Proceeding” shall mean any audit or other examination, or judicial or administrative proceeding relating to liability for, or Refunds or adjustments with respect to, Taxes.

Refund” shall mean any refund of Taxes, including any reduction in Tax Liabilities by means of a credit, offset or otherwise.

Representative” shall mean with respect to a Person, such Person’s officers, directors, employees and other authorized agents.

Restriction Period” shall mean the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the twenty five (25) month anniversary of the Distribution Date.

RSU” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the EMA.

Separate Return” shall mean (a) in the case of any Tax Return required to be filed by any member of the SpinCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the Parent Group and (b) in the case of any Tax Return required to be filed by any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the SpinCo Group.

Separation Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

SpinCo Adjustment” shall mean an adjustment of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit attributable to any member of the SpinCo Group (including, in the case of any state or local consolidated, combined or unitary income or franchise Taxes, a change in one or more apportionment factors of members of the SpinCo Group) pursuant to a Final Determination for a Pre-Distribution Taxable Period.

SpinCo Business” shall mean each trade or business actively conducted (within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code) by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group immediately after the Spin-Off, as set forth in the Private Letter Ruling Documents and the Tax Opinion Documents.

SpinCo Combined Return Taxes” shall mean any Taxes (or estimated Taxes) due or required to be paid with respect to or required to be reported on any consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Return of the Parent Consolidated Group or any other Combined Tax Return that are attributable to any member of the SpinCo Group.

 

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SpinCo Consolidated Group” shall mean the affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the exclusions in Section 1504(b)(1) through (8)) of which SpinCo is the common parent, determined immediately after the Spin-Off (and any predecessor or successor to such affiliated group other than the Parent Consolidated Group).

SpinCo Group” shall mean (a) SpinCo and each Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of SpinCo (including any Subsidiary of SpinCo that is disregarded for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes (or for purposes of any state, local, or foreign tax law)) immediately after the Spin-Off after giving effect to the Spin-Off Transactions, (b) any corporation (or other Person) that shall have merged or liquidated into SpinCo or any such Subsidiary and (c) any predecessor or successor to any Person otherwise described in this definition.

SpinCo Separate Return” shall mean any Separate Return required to be filed by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, including, without limitation, (a) any consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Return of the SpinCo Consolidated Group required to be filed with respect to a Post-Distribution Taxable Period and (b) any consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Return for any group of which any member of the SpinCo Group was the common parent.

SpinCo Tax Benefit” shall mean, with respect to any Taxing Jurisdiction, any decrease in Tax Liability (or increase in a Refund) Actually Realized with respect to a Combined Return that is attributable to a SpinCo Adjustment.

SpinCo Tax Liability” shall mean, with respect to any Taxing Jurisdiction, any increase in Tax Liability (or reduction in a Refund) Actually Realized with respect to a Combined Return that is attributable to a SpinCo Adjustment.

Spin-Off” shall mean the distribution of TripAdvisor Common Stock and TripAdvisor Class B Common Stock pursuant to the Reclassification.

Spin-Off Transactions” shall mean the Contribution together with the Spin-Off.

Spin-Off Tax Liabilities” shall mean, with respect to any Taxing Jurisdiction, the sum of (a) any increase in Tax Liability (or reduction in a Refund) Actually Realized as a result of any corporate-level gain or income recognized with respect to the failure of the Spin-Off Transactions to qualify for Tax-Free Status under the Income Tax Laws of such Taxing Jurisdiction pursuant to any settlement, Final Determination, judgment, assessment, proposed adjustment or otherwise, (b) interest on such amounts calculated pursuant to such Taxing Jurisdiction’s laws regarding interest on Tax Liabilities at the highest Underpayment Rate for corporations in such Taxing Jurisdiction from the date such additional gain or income was recognized until full payment with respect thereto is made pursuant to Section 3 hereof (or in the case of a reduction in a Refund, the amount of interest that would have been received on the foregone portion of the Refund but for the failure of the Spin-Off Transactions to qualify for Tax-Free Status), and (c) any penalties actually paid to such Taxing Jurisdiction that would not have been paid but for the failure of the Spin-Off Transactions to qualify for Tax-Free Status in such Taxing Jurisdiction.

Tax Attribute” shall mean a consolidated, combined or unitary net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment credit, unused foreign tax credit, or excess charitable contribution (as such terms are used in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1502-79 and 1.1502-79A or comparable provisions of foreign, state or local tax law), or a minimum tax credit or general business credit.

Tax Authority” shall mean a governmental authority (foreign or domestic) or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including, without limitation, the IRS).

Tax Benefits” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

Tax Counsel” shall mean tax counsel of recognized national standing that is acceptable to Parent.

Taxes” shall mean Income Taxes and Other Taxes.

Tax-Free Status” shall mean the qualification of the Contribution and the Spin-Off, taken together, (a) as a reorganization described in Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, (b) as a transaction in

 

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which the stock distributed thereby is “qualified property” for purposes of Sections 355(d), 355(e) and 361(c) of the Code, and (c) as a transaction in which Parent, SpinCo and the shareholders of Parent recognize no income or gain for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes pursuant to Sections 355, 361 and 1032 of the Code other than, in the case of Parent and SpinCo, intercompany items or excess loss accounts taken into account pursuant to the Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 1502 of the Code.

Taxing Jurisdiction” shall mean the United States and every other government or governmental unit having jurisdiction to tax Parent or SpinCo or any of their respective Affiliates.

Tax Liabilities” shall mean any liabilities for Taxes.

Tax Opinion” shall mean any tax opinion issued by Tax Counsel in connection with the Spin-Off Transactions.

Tax Opinion Documents” shall mean the Tax Opinion and the information and representations provided by, or on behalf of, Parent or SpinCo to Tax Counsel in connection therewith.

Tax-Related Losses” shall mean:

(a) the Aggregate Spin-Off Tax Liabilities,

(b) all accounting, legal and other professional fees, and court costs incurred in connection with any settlement, Final Determination, judgment or other determination with respect to such Aggregate Spin-Off Tax Liabilities, and

(c) all costs, expenses and damages associated with stockholder litigation or controversies and any amount paid by Parent or SpinCo in respect of the liability of shareholders, whether paid to shareholders or to the IRS or any other Tax Authority payable by Parent or SpinCo or their respective Affiliates, in each case, resulting from the failure of the Spin-Off Transactions to qualify for Tax-Free Status.

Tax Returns” shall mean Income Tax Returns and Other Tax Returns.

Tax Sharing Arrangement” shall mean all Tax sharing, indemnification and similar agreements, arrangements or policies, written or unwritten, between any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and any member of the SpinCo Group, on the other hand.

TripAdvisor Service Provider” shall mean any “TripAdvisor Employee” as such term is defined in the EMA or any other provider of services to any member of the SpinCo Group.

Underpayment Rate” shall mean the annual rate of interest described in Section 6621(c) of the Code for large corporate underpayments of Income Tax (or similar provision of state, local, or foreign Income Tax law, as applicable), as determined from time to time.

Unqualified Tax Opinion” shall mean an unqualified opinion of Tax Counsel on which Parent may rely to the effect that a transaction (a) will not disqualify the Spin-Off Transactions from having Tax-Free Status, assuming that the Spin-Off Transactions would have qualified for Tax-Free Status if such transaction did not occur, and (b) will not adversely affect any of the conclusions set forth in the Private Letter Ruling or the Tax Opinion; provided, that any tax opinion obtained in connection with a proposed acquisition of Equity Securities of SpinCo (or any entity treated as a successor to SpinCo) entered into during the Restriction Period shall not qualify as an Unqualified Tax Opinion unless such tax opinion concludes that such proposed acquisition will not be treated as “part of a plan (or series of related transactions),” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, that includes the Spin-Off.

2. Tax Returns; Payment of Taxes.

(a) Filing of Tax Returns; Payment of Taxes.

(i) Parent Consolidated Returns; Other Combined Returns. Parent shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed (A) all consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Returns of the Parent Consolidated Group and

 

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(B) all other Combined Returns. Except as provided in Section (2)(a)(ii) [or Section (2)(a)(iii)], Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, and shall be responsible for, any and all Taxes due or required to be paid with respect to or required to be reported on any such Tax Return; provided, that, prior to the Spin-Off, SpinCo shall reimburse Parent for any such Taxes (or estimated Taxes) that are SpinCo Combined Return Taxes in accordance with past practice under the Tax Sharing Arrangement.

(ii) SpinCo Adjustments. SpinCo shall pay, or cause to be paid, and shall be responsible for, any SpinCo Tax Liabilities and shall be entitled to all SpinCo Tax Benefits.

(iii) [Post-Distribution Combined Returns. In the event that any Combined Return is required to be filed pursuant to applicable law in any Taxing Jurisdiction for any Post-Distribution Taxable Period, Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, and shall be responsible for, any and all Taxes due or required to be paid with respect to or required to be reported on any such Tax Return that are Parent Combined Return Taxes and SpinCo shall pay, or cause to be paid, and shall be responsible for, any and all Taxes due or required to be paid with respect to or required to be reported on any such Tax Return that are SpinCo Combined Return Taxes.]

(iv) Parent Separate Returns. Parent shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed all Parent Separate Returns. Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, and shall be responsible for, any and all Taxes due or required to be paid with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax Liabilities attributable to a Final Determination).

(v) SpinCo Separate Returns. SpinCo shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed all SpinCo Separate Returns. SpinCo shall pay, or cause to be paid, and shall be responsible for, any and all Taxes due or required to be paid with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax Liabilities attributable to a Final Determination).

(b) Preparation of Tax Returns.

(i) Parent (or its designee) shall determine the entities to be included in any Combined Return and make or revoke any Tax elections, adopt or change any Tax accounting methods, and determine any other position taken on or in respect of any Tax Return required to be prepared and filed by Parent pursuant to Section 2(a)(i). Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, any Tax Return filed by Parent pursuant to Section 2(a)(i) with respect to any Pre-Distribution Taxable Period shall, to the extent relating to SpinCo or the SpinCo Group, be prepared in good faith. For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Return of the Parent Consolidated Group for any taxable year that includes the Spin-Off, Parent shall determine in its sole discretion whether to elect ratable allocation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-76. SpinCo shall, and shall cause each member of the SpinCo Group to, take all actions necessary to give effect to such election. SpinCo shall, and shall cause each member of the SpinCo Group to, prepare and submit at Parent’s request (but in no event later than ninety (90) days after such request), at SpinCo’s expense, all information that Parent shall reasonably request, in such form as Parent shall reasonably request, including any such information requested to enable Parent to prepare any Tax Return required to be filed by Parent pursuant to Section 2(a)(i). Parent shall make any such Tax Return and related workpapers available for review by SpinCo to the extent such Tax Return relates to Taxes for which SpinCo would reasonably be expected to be liable or with respect to which SpinCo would reasonably be expected to have a claim. If practicable, Parent shall make any such Tax Return available for review sufficiently in advance of the due date for filing such Tax Return to provide SpinCo an opportunity to analyze and comment on such return. Parent and SpinCo shall attempt in good faith to resolve any issues arising out of the review of any such Tax Return.

(ii) Except as required by applicable law or as a result of a Final Determination, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall (nor shall cause or permit any members of the Parent Group or SpinCo Group, respectively, to) take any position that is either inconsistent with the treatment of the Spin-Off Transactions as having Tax-Free Status (or analogous status under state, local or foreign law) or, with respect to a specific item of income, deduction,

 

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gain, loss, or credit on any Tax Return, treat such specific item in a manner which is inconsistent with the manner such specific item is reported on a Tax Return prepared or filed by Parent pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof (including, without limitation, the claiming of a deduction previously claimed on any such Tax Return).

3. Indemnification for Taxes.

(a) Indemnification by Parent. From and after the Distribution Date, except as otherwise provided in Section 3(b), Parent and each member of the Parent Group shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless SpinCo and each member of the SpinCo Group and each of their respective Representatives and Affiliates (and the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of them) from and against, without duplication, (i) all Spin-Off Tax Liabilities incurred by any member of the Parent Group, (ii) all Tax Liabilities that any member of the Parent Group is responsible for pursuant to Section 2 (but not, for the absence of doubt, any Taxes for which SpinCo has reimbursed Parent pursuant to Section 2(a)(i)), and (iii) all Tax Liabilities, Spin-Off Tax Liabilities and Tax-Related Losses incurred by any member of the Parent Group or SpinCo Group by reason of the breach by Parent or any member of the Parent Group of any of Parent’s representations or covenants hereunder or made in connection with the Private Letter Ruling or the Tax Opinion and, in each case, any related costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses); provided, however, that neither Parent nor any member of the Parent Group shall have any obligation to indemnify, defend or hold harmless any Person pursuant to this Section 3(a) to the extent that such indemnification obligation is otherwise attributable to any breach by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group of any of SpinCo’s representations or covenants hereunder (including any representations made in connection with the Private Letter Ruling or the Tax Opinion). If the indemnification obligation of Parent or any member of the Parent Group under this Section 3(a) (or the adjustment giving rise to such indemnification obligation) results in (i) increased deductions, losses, or credits, or (ii) decreases in income, gains or recapture of Tax credits (“Tax Benefits”) to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, which would not, but for the indemnification obligation (or the adjustment giving rise to such indemnification obligation), be allowable, then SpinCo shall pay Parent the amount by which such Tax Benefit actually reduces, in cash, the amount of Tax that SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group would have been required to pay and bear (or increases, in cash, the amount of a Refund to which SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group would have been entitled) but for such indemnification obligation (or adjustment giving rise to such indemnification obligation). SpinCo shall pay Parent for such Tax Benefit no later than five (5) Business Days after such Tax Benefit is Actually Realized.

(b) Indemnification by SpinCo. From and after the Distribution Date, SpinCo and each member of the SpinCo Group shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent and each member of the Parent Group and each of their respective Representatives and Affiliates (and the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of them) from and against, without duplication, (i) all Tax Liabilities (including, all SpinCo Tax Liabilities), Spin-Off Tax Liabilities and Tax-Related Losses that SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group is responsible for under Section 2 or Section 4 (including, without limitation, any Tax Liabilities, Spin-Off Tax Liabilities or Tax-Related Losses arising with respect to a Permitted Transaction for which SpinCo is liable pursuant to Section 4(e)(i)), (ii) all indemnity payments required to made by any member of the Parent Group pursuant to the IAC Tax Sharing Agreement to the extent relating to Taxes attributable to any member of the SpinCo Group and (iii) all Tax Liabilities, Spin-Off Tax Liabilities and Tax-Related Losses incurred by any member of the Parent Group or SpinCo Group by reason of the breach by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group of any of SpinCo’s representations or covenants hereunder (including any representations made in connection with the Private Letter Ruling or the Tax Opinion (irrespective of whether Parent made the same representation on behalf of, or with respect to SpinCo)) and, in each case, any related costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses). If the indemnification obligation of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group under this Section 3(b) (or the adjustment giving rise to such indemnification obligation) results in a Tax Benefit to Parent or any member of the Parent Group, which would not, but for the Tax which is the subject of the indemnification obligation (or the adjustment giving rise to such indemnification obligation), be allowable, then Parent shall pay SpinCo the amount by which such Tax Benefit actually reduces, in cash, the amount of Tax that Parent or any member of the Parent Group would have been

 

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required to pay and bear (or increases, in cash, the amount of a Refund to which Parent or any member of the Parent Group would have been entitled) but for such indemnification (or adjustment giving rise to such indemnification obligation). Parent shall pay SpinCo for such Tax Benefit no later than five (5) Business Days after such Tax Benefit is Actually Realized.

(c) Timing of Indemnification. Any payment and indemnification made pursuant to this Section 3 (other than a payment for any Tax Benefit, the timing of which is provided in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) above) shall be made by the Indemnifying Party promptly, but, in any event, no later than:

(i) in the case of an indemnification obligation with respect to any Tax Liabilities (including any SpinCo Tax Liabilities and any Spin-Off Tax Liabilities), the later of (A) five (5) Business Days after the Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party and (B) five (5) Business Days prior to the date the Indemnified Party is required to make a payment of Taxes, interest, or penalties to the applicable Tax Authority (including a payment with respect to an assessment of a Tax deficiency by any Taxing Jurisdiction or a payment made in settlement of an asserted Tax deficiency) or realizes a reduced Refund; and

(ii) in the case of any payment or indemnification of any Losses not otherwise described in clause (i) of this Section 3(c) (including, but not limited to, any Losses described in clause (b) or (c) of the definition of Tax-Related Losses, attorneys’ fees and expenses and other indemnifiable Losses), the later of (A) five (5) Business Days after the Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party and (B) five (5) Business Days prior to the date the Indemnified Party makes a payment thereof.

4. Spin-Off Related Matters.

(a) Representations.

(i) Private Letter Ruling and Tax Opinion Documents. SpinCo hereby represents and warrants that (A) it has examined the Private Letter Ruling Documents and the Tax Opinion Documents (including, without limitation, the representations to the extent that they relate to the plans, proposals, intentions, and policies of SpinCo, its Subsidiaries, the SpinCo Business, or the SpinCo Group) and (B) to the extent in reference to SpinCo, its Subsidiaries, the SpinCo Business, or the SpinCo Group, the facts presented and the representations made therein are true, correct and complete.

(ii) Tax-Free Status. SpinCo hereby represents and warrants that it has no plan or intention of taking any action, or failing to take any action or knows of any circumstance, that could reasonably be expected to (A) cause the Spin-Off Transactions not to have Tax-Free Status or (B) cause any representation or factual statement made in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the Private Letter Ruling Documents, the Tax Opinion Documents or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be untrue.

(iii) Plan or Series of Related Transactions. SpinCo hereby represents and warrants that during the two-year period ending on the Distribution Date, there was no “agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations or discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the SpinCo Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding an acquisition of all or a significant portion of the Equity Securities of SpinCo (and any predecessor); provided, that no representation or warranty is made by SpinCo regarding any “agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations or discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of Parent.

(b) Covenants.

(i) Actions Consistent with Representations and Covenants. Neither Parent nor SpinCo shall take any action or permit any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, respectively, to take any action, or

 

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shall fail to take any action or permit any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, respectively, to fail to take any action, where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material information, covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the Private Letter Ruling Documents, the Tax Opinion Documents or any of the Ancillary Agreements.

(ii) Preservation of Tax-Free Status; SpinCo Business. SpinCo shall not (A) take any action (including, but not limited to, any cessation, transfer or disposition of all or any portion of any SpinCo Business, payment of extraordinary dividends and acquisitions or issuances of stock) or permit any member of the SpinCo Group to take any such action, and SpinCo shall not fail to take any such action or permit any member of the SpinCo Group to fail to take any such action, in each case, unless such action or failure to act could not reasonably be expected to cause the Spin-Off Transactions to fail to have Tax-Free Status or could not require Parent or SpinCo to reflect a liability or reserve for Taxes with respect to the Spin-Off Transactions in its financial statements, and (B) until the first day after the Restriction Period, engage in any transaction (including, without limitation, any cessation, transfer or disposition of all or any portion of any SpinCo Business) that could reasonably be expected to result in it or any member of the SpinCo Group ceasing to be a company engaged in any SpinCo Business.

(iii) Sales, Issuances and Redemptions of Equity Securities. Until the first day after the Restriction Period, none of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group shall, or shall agree to, sell or otherwise issue to any Person, or redeem or otherwise acquire from any Person, any Equity Securities of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group; provided, however, that (A) the adoption by SpinCo of a shareholder rights plan shall not constitute a sale or issuance of such Equity Securities, (B) SpinCo and the members of the SpinCo Group may repurchase such Equity Securities to the extent that such repurchases meet the requirements of Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30, (C) SpinCo may issue such Equity Securities to the extent such issuances satisfy Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a person’s performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(d), and (D) members of the SpinCo Group other than SpinCo may issue or sell Equity Securities to other members of the SpinCo Group, and may redeem or purchase Equity Securities from other members of the SpinCo group, in each case, to the extent not inconsistent with the Tax-Free Status of the Spin-Off Transactions.

(iv) Tender Offers; Other Business Combination Transactions. Until the first day after the Restriction Period, none of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group shall (A) solicit any Person to make a tender offer for, or otherwise acquire or sell, the Equity Securities of SpinCo, (B) participate in or support any unsolicited tender offer for, or other acquisition, issuance or disposition of, the Equity Securities of SpinCo or (C) approve or otherwise permit any proposed business combination or any transaction which, in the case of clauses (A), (B) or (C), individually or in the aggregate, together with any transaction occurring within the four-year period beginning on the date which is two years before the Distribution Date and any other transaction which is part of a plan or series of related transactions (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) that includes the Spin-Off, could result in one or more Persons acquiring (except for acquisitions that otherwise satisfy Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a person’s performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(d)) directly or indirectly stock representing a 40% or greater interest, by vote or value, in SpinCo (or any successor thereto). In addition, none of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group shall at any time, whether before or subsequent to the expiration of the Restriction Period, engage in any action described in clauses (A), (B) or (C) of the preceding sentence if it is pursuant to an arrangement negotiated (in whole or in part) prior to the first anniversary of the Spin-Off, even if at the time of the Spin-Off or thereafter such action is subject to various conditions.

(v) Dispositions of Assets. Until the first day after the Restriction Period, none of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group shall sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or agree to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets (including, for such purpose, any shares of capital stock of a Subsidiary and any transaction treated for tax purposes as a sale, transfer or disposition) that, in the aggregate, constitute more than 30% of the

 

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consolidated gross assets of SpinCo or the SpinCo Group. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) sales, transfers, or dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business, (B) any cash paid to acquire assets from an unrelated Person in an arm’s-length transaction, (C) any assets transferred to a Person that is disregarded as an entity separate from the transferor for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes or (D) any mandatory or optional repayment (or pre-payment) of any indebtedness of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group. The percentages of gross assets or consolidated gross assets of SpinCo or the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, shall be based on the fair market value of the gross assets of SpinCo and the members of the SpinCo Group as of the Distribution Date. For purposes of this Section 4(b)(v), a merger of SpinCo or one of its Subsidiaries with and into any Person shall constitute a disposition of all of the assets of SpinCo or such Subsidiary.

(vi) Liquidations, Mergers, Reorganizations. Until the first day after the Restriction Period, neither SpinCo nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, or shall agree to, voluntarily dissolve or liquidate (including by converting into an entity that is treated as a “disregarded entity” or partnership for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes) or engage in any transaction involving a merger (except for a Cash Acquisition Merger), consolidation or other reorganization; provided, that, mergers of direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of SpinCo solely with and into SpinCo or with other direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of SpinCo, and liquidations of SpinCo’s subsidiaries are not subject to this Section 4(b)(vi) to the extent not inconsistent with the Tax-Free Status of the Spin-Off Transactions.

(c) Permitted Transactions.

Notwithstanding the restrictions otherwise imposed by Sections 4(b)(iii) through 4(b)(vi), during the Restriction Period, SpinCo may (i) issue, sell, redeem or otherwise acquire (or cause a member of the SpinCo Group to issue, sell, redeem or otherwise acquire) Equity Securities of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group in a transaction that would otherwise breach the covenant set forth in Section 4(b)(iii), (ii) approve, participate in, support or otherwise permit a proposed business combination or transaction that would otherwise breach the covenant set forth in Section 4(b)(iv), (iii) sell or otherwise dispose of the assets of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group in a transaction that would otherwise breach the covenant set forth in Section 4(b)(v), or (iv) merge SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group with another entity without regard to which party is the surviving entity in a transaction that would otherwise breach the covenant set forth in Section 4(b)(vi), if and only if such transaction would not violate Section 4(b)(i) or Section 4(b)(ii) and prior to entering into any agreement contemplating a transaction described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), and prior to consummating any such transaction, SpinCo shall request that Parent obtain a private letter ruling (or, if applicable, a supplemental private letter ruling) from the IRS and/or any other applicable Tax Authority in accordance with Section 4(d)(ii) of this Agreement to the effect that such transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status of the Spin-Off Transactions and Parent shall have received such private letter ruling, in form and substance satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion, exercised in good faith; provided, that to the extent (A) such private letter ruling cannot be obtained from the IRS under Rev. Proc. 2011-3, 2011-1 I.R.B. 111 (as amended from time to time) (or from any other applicable Tax Authority under any analogous procedure of such Tax Authority) or (B) Parent determines in its sole and absolute discretion not to seek to obtain such private letter ruling, in lieu of such private letter ruling (1) SpinCo shall obtain Parent’s written consent (which may be withheld at Parent’s sole discretion) or (2) SpinCo shall provide Parent with an Unqualified Tax Opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion, exercised in good faith (and in determining whether an opinion is satisfactory, Parent may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions and management’s representations if used as a basis for the opinion).

(d) Private Letter Rulings and Restrictions on SpinCo.

(i) Private Letter Ruling at Parent’s Request. Parent shall have the right to obtain a private letter ruling from the IRS and/or any other applicable Tax Authority (or, if applicable, a supplemental private letter ruling) in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith. If Parent determines to obtain any such private letter ruling,

 

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SpinCo shall (and shall cause each member of the SpinCo Group to) cooperate with Parent and take any and all actions reasonably requested by Parent in connection with obtaining such private letter ruling (including, without limitation, by making any representation or covenant or providing any materials or information requested by any Tax Authority; provided, that SpinCo shall not be required to make (or cause any member of the SpinCo Group to make) any representation or covenant that is inconsistent with historical facts or as to future matters or events over which it has no control). In connection with obtaining a private letter ruling pursuant to this Section 4(d)(i), (A) Parent shall, to the extent practicable, consult with SpinCo reasonably in advance of taking any material action in connection therewith; (B) Parent shall (1) reasonably in advance of the submission of any documents relating to such private letter ruling, provide SpinCo with a draft copy thereof, (2) reasonably consider SpinCo’s comments on such draft copy, and (3) provide SpinCo with a final copy; and (C) Parent shall provide SpinCo with notice reasonably in advance of, and SpinCo shall have the right to attend and participate in, any formally scheduled meetings with any Tax Authority (subject to the approval of the Tax Authority) that relate to such private letter ruling.

(ii) Private Letter Rulings at SpinCo’s Request. Parent agrees that at the reasonable request of SpinCo pursuant to Section 4(c), Parent shall (and shall cause each member of the Parent Group to) cooperate with SpinCo and use its reasonable best efforts to seek to obtain, as expeditiously as possible, a private letter ruling from the IRS and/or any other applicable Tax Authority (or, if applicable, a supplemental private letter ruling) for the purpose of confirming compliance on the part of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group with its obligations under Section 4(b) of this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall Parent be required to file any request for a private letter ruling under this Section 4(d)(ii) unless SpinCo represents that (A) it has read the request for such private letter ruling and any materials, appendices and exhibits submitted or filed therewith, and (B) all information and representations, if any, relating to any member of the SpinCo Group, contained in the related private letter ruling documents are true, correct and complete in all material respects. SpinCo shall reimburse Parent for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Parent Group in obtaining a private letter ruling requested by SpinCo within ten (10) Business Days after receiving an invoice from Parent therefor. SpinCo hereby agrees that Parent shall have sole and exclusive control over the process of obtaining any private letter ruling, and that only Parent shall apply for any private letter ruling. In connection with obtaining a private letter ruling pursuant to this Section 4(d)(ii), (A) Parent shall, to the extent practicable, consult with SpinCo reasonably in advance of taking any material action in connection therewith; (B) Parent shall (1) reasonably in advance of the submission of any related private letter ruling documents, provide SpinCo with a draft copy thereof, (2) reasonably consider SpinCo’s comments on such draft copy, and (3) provide SpinCo with a final copy; and (C) Parent shall provide SpinCo with notice reasonably in advance of, and SpinCo shall have the right to attend and participate in, any formally scheduled meetings with any Tax Authority (subject to the approval of the Tax Authority) that relate to such private letter ruling.

(iii) Prohibition on SpinCo. SpinCo hereby agrees that, except to the extent permitted by Section 4(d)(ii), neither it nor any member of the SpinCo Group shall seek any guidance from the IRS or any other Tax Authority (whether written, verbal or otherwise) concerning the Spin-Off Transactions (or the impact of any transaction on the Spin-Off Transactions).

(e) Liability of SpinCo for Undertaking Certain Actions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, SpinCo and each member of the SpinCo Group shall be responsible for any and all Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to, or result from:

(i) any act or failure to act by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, which action or failure to act breaches any of the covenants described in Section 4(b)(i) through 4(b)(vi) of this Agreement (determined without regard to the exceptions or provisos set forth in such provisions or in Section 4(c), so that SpinCo and each member of the SpinCo Group shall be responsible for any and all Tax-Related Losses even if such Tax-Related Losses are attributable to or result from any act or failure to act pursuant to an exception or proviso described in Section 4(b)(i) through 4(b)(vi) or in Section 4(c)), expressly including, for this purpose, any Permitted Transaction and any act or failure to act that breaches Section 4(b)(i) or 4(b)(ii), regardless of whether such act or failure to act is permitted by Section 4(b)(iii) through 4(b)(vi);

 

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(ii) any acquisition of Equity Securities of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group by any Person or Persons (including, without limitation, as a result of an issuance of SpinCo Equity Securities or a merger of another entity with and into SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group) or any acquisition of assets of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group (including, without limitation, as a result of a merger) by any Person or Persons; and

(iii) any breach by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group of a representation or covenant made in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the Ancillary Agreement, any Private Letter Ruling Documents or any Tax Opinion Documents.

(f) Cooperation.

(i) Without limiting the prohibition set forth in Section 4(d)(iii), until the first day after the Restriction Period, SpinCo shall furnish Parent with a copy of any private letter ruling request that any member of the SpinCo Group may file with the IRS or any other Tax Authority and any opinion received that in any respect relates to, or otherwise reasonably could be expected to have any effect on, the Tax-Free Status of the Spin-Off Transactions.

(ii) Parent shall reasonably cooperate with SpinCo in connection with any request by SpinCo for an Unqualified Tax Opinion pursuant to Section 4(c).

(iii) Until the first day after the Restriction Period, SpinCo will provide adequate advance notice to Parent in accordance with the terms of Section 4(f)(iv) of any action described in Sections 4(b)(i) through 4(b)(vi) within a period of time sufficient to enable Parent to seek injunctive relief pursuant to Section 4(g) in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(iv) Each notice required by Section 4(f)(iii) shall set forth the terms and conditions of any such proposed transaction, including, without limitation, (A) the nature of any related action proposed to be taken by the board of directors of SpinCo, (B) the approximate number of Equity Securities (and their voting and economic rights) of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group (if any) proposed to be sold or otherwise issued, (C) the approximate value of SpinCo’s assets (or assets of any member of the SpinCo Group) proposed to be transferred, and (D) the proposed timetable for such transaction, all with sufficient particularity to enable Parent to seek such injunctive relief. Promptly, but in any event within thirty (30) days, after Parent receives such written notice from SpinCo, Parent shall notify SpinCo in writing of Parent’s decision to seek injunctive relief pursuant to Section 4(g).

(v) From and after the Distribution Date until the first day after the Restriction Period, neither SpinCo nor any member of the SpinCo Group shall take (or refrain from taking) any action to the extent that such action or inaction would have caused a representation given by SpinCo in connection with the Private Letter Ruling and/or the Tax Opinion to have been untrue as of the relevant representation date, had SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group intended to take (or refrain from taking) such action on the relevant representation date.

(g) Enforcement. The parties hereto acknowledge that irreparable harm would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Section 4 were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. The parties hereto agree that, in order to preserve the Tax-Free Status of the Spin-Off Transactions, injunctive relief is appropriate to prevent any violation of the foregoing covenants; provided, however, that injunctive relief shall not be the exclusive legal or equitable remedy for any such violation.

5. Refunds. Parent shall be entitled to all Refunds in respect of Taxes paid with respect to any Tax Return for which Parent or any member of the Parent Group is responsible pursuant to Section 2, except to the extent such Refunds are solely attributable to SpinCo Tax Benefits. SpinCo shall be entitled to all Refunds in respect of

 

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Taxes paid with respect to any Tax Return for which SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group is responsible pursuant to Section 2 (but not, for the absence of doubt, any Taxes for which SpinCo has reimbursed Parent pursuant to Section 2(a)(i)) or which are solely attributable to SpinCo Tax Benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a party obtains a Refund of Taxes for which it was indemnified by another party (but not, for the absence of doubt, any Taxes for which SpinCo has reimbursed Parent pursuant to Section 2(a)(i)), the indemnifying party shall be entitled to such Refund. For the absence of doubt, a party entitled to a Refund pursuant to this Section 5 shall also be entitled to (and the party receiving such Refund shall pay over to such other party) any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority, or, in the case of any Combined Return, the amount of any interest thereon that would have been received from such Tax Authority had such Refund related to a hypothetical Tax Return that did not include the other party or any member of such other party’s group but with all other facts unchanged. A party receiving a Refund to which another party is entitled pursuant to this Section 5 shall pay the amount to which such other party is entitled (including interest in accordance with the preceding sentence) within fifteen (15) Business Days after such Refund is Actually Realized. Each of Parent and SpinCo shall cooperate with the other party in connection with any claim for Refund in respect of any Tax for which any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, is responsible pursuant to Section 2.

6. Tax Contests.

(a) Notification. Each of Parent and SpinCo shall notify the other party in writing of any communication with respect to any pending or threatened Proceeding in connection with any Tax Liability (or any issue related thereto) of Parent or any member of the Parent Group, or SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, respectively, for which a member of the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, respectively, may be responsible pursuant to this Agreement within ten (10) Business Days of receipt; provided, however, that in the case of any Distribution-Related Proceeding (whether or not SpinCo or Parent may be responsible thereunder), such notice shall be provided no later than ten (10) Business Days after Parent or SpinCo, as the case may be, first receives written notice from the IRS or other Tax Authority of such Distribution-Related Proceeding). Each of Parent and SpinCo shall include with such notification a true, correct and complete copy of any written communication, and an accurate and complete written summary of any oral communication, received by Parent or a member of the Parent Group, or SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group, respectively. The failure of Parent or SpinCo timely to forward such notification in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall not relieve SpinCo or Parent, respectively, of any obligation to pay such Tax Liability or indemnify Parent and the members of the Parent Group, or SpinCo and the members of the SpinCo Group, respectively, and their respective Representatives, Affiliates, successors and assigns therefor, except to the extent that the failure timely to forward such notification actually prejudices the ability of SpinCo or Parent to contest such Tax Liability or increases the amount of such Tax Liability.

(b) Representation with Respect to Tax Disputes. Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) shall have the sole right to represent the interests of the members of the Parent Group and the members of the SpinCo Group and to employ counsel of its choice at its expense in any Proceeding (including any Distribution-Related Proceeding) relating to (i) any consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Returns of the Parent Consolidated Group, (ii) any other Combined Returns and (iii) any Parent Separate Returns. SpinCo (or such member of the SpinCo Group as SpinCo shall designate) shall have the sole right to represent the interests of the members of the SpinCo Group and to employ counsel of its choice at its expense in any Proceeding relating to SpinCo Separate Returns.

(c) Power of Attorney. Each member of the SpinCo Group shall execute and deliver to Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) any power of attorney or other document requested by Parent (or such designee) in connection with any Proceeding described in the first sentence of Section 6(b).

(d) Distribution-Related Proceedings, Proceedings with Respect to SpinCo Tax Liabilities.

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Losses and with respect to which Parent has the right to represent the interests of the members of the Parent Group and/or the members of the SpinCo Group pursuant to Section 6(b) above, (A) Parent shall consult with SpinCo reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Proceeding, (B) Parent shall consult with SpinCo and offer SpinCo a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Proceeding, (C) Parent shall defend such Proceeding diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Proceeding, and (D) Parent shall provide SpinCo copies of any written materials relating to such Proceeding received from the relevant Tax Authority. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding sentence to the contrary, the final determination of the positions taken, including with respect to settlement or other disposition, in (i) any Distribution-Related Proceeding, or (ii) any other Proceeding relating to a SpinCo Tax Liability, which other Proceeding would not reasonably be expected to result in a liability for additional Taxes in an amount exceeding five (5) million dollars for a single Tax year, shall be made in the sole discretion of Parent and shall be final and not subject to the dispute resolution provisions of Section 9 (and Article X of the Separation Agreement). With respect to any Proceeding relating to a SpinCo Tax Liability (other than any Distribution-Related Proceeding), which could reasonably be expected to result in a liability for additional Taxes in an amount exceeding five (5) million dollars for a single Tax year, SpinCo shall be entitled to participate in such Proceeding, and Parent shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Proceeding without obtaining the prior written consent of SpinCo, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(ii) In the event of any Distribution-Related Proceeding with respect to any SpinCo Separate Return, (A) SpinCo shall consult with Parent reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Proceeding, (B) SpinCo shall consult with Parent and offer Parent a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Proceeding, (C) SpinCo shall defend such Proceeding diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Proceeding, (D) Parent shall be entitled to participate in such Proceeding and receive copies of any written materials relating to such Proceeding received from the relevant Tax Authority, and (E) SpinCo shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Proceeding without obtaining the prior written consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

7. Apportionment of Tax Attributes; Carrybacks.

(a) Apportionment of Tax Attributes.

(i) If the Parent Consolidated Group has a Tax Attribute, the portion, if any, of such Tax Attribute apportioned to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Consolidated Group and treated as a carryover to the first Post-Distribution Taxable Period of SpinCo (or such member) shall be determined by Parent in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1502-21, 1.1502-21T, 1.1502-22, 1.1502-79 and, if applicable, 1.1502-79A.

(ii) No Tax Attribute with respect to consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax of the Parent Consolidated Group, other than those described in Section 7(a)(i), and no Tax Attribute with respect to consolidated, combined or unitary state, local, or foreign Income Tax, in each case, arising in respect of a Combined Return shall be apportioned to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, except as Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) determines is otherwise required under applicable law.

(iii) Parent (or its designee) shall determine the portion, if any, of any Tax Attribute which must (absent a Final Determination to the contrary) be apportioned to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group in accordance with this Section 7(a) and applicable law, and the amount of tax basis and earnings and profits to be apportioned to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group in accordance with applicable law, and shall provide written notice of the calculation thereof to SpinCo as soon as practicable after the information necessary to make such calculation becomes available to Parent.

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applicable law or pursuant to a Final Determination, SpinCo shall not take any position (whether on a Tax Return or otherwise) that is inconsistent with the information contained in the written notice delivered by Parent pursuant to Section 7(a)(iii).

(b) Carrybacks. Except to the extent otherwise consented to by Parent or prohibited by applicable law, SpinCo shall elect to relinquish, waive or otherwise forgo all Carrybacks. In the event that SpinCo (or the appropriate member of the SpinCo Group) is prohibited by applicable law to relinquish, waive or otherwise forgo a Carryback (or Parent consents to a Carryback), (i) Parent shall cooperate with SpinCo, at SpinCo’s expense, in seeking from the appropriate Tax Authority such Refund as reasonably would result from such Carryback, and (ii) SpinCo shall be entitled to any Income Tax Benefit Actually Realized by a member of the Parent Group (including any interest thereon received from such Tax Authority), to the extent that such Refund is directly attributable to such Carryback, within fifteen (15) Business Days after such Refund is Actually Realized; provided, however, that SpinCo shall indemnify and hold the members of the Parent Group harmless from and against any and all collateral Tax consequences resulting from or caused by any such Carryback, including (but not limited to) the loss or postponement of any benefit from the use of Tax attributes generated by a member of the Parent Group or an Affiliate thereof if (x) such Tax attributes expire unutilized, but would have been utilized but for such Carryback, or (y) the use of such Tax attributes is postponed to a later taxable period than the taxable period in which such Tax attributes would have been utilized but for such Carryback. If there is a Final Determination that results in any change to or adjustment of an Income Tax Benefit Actually Realized by a member of the Parent Group that is directly attributable to a Carryback, then Parent (or its designee) shall make a payment to SpinCo, or SpinCo shall make a payment to Parent (or its designee), as may be necessary to adjust the payments between SpinCo and Parent (or its designee) to reflect the payments that would have been made under this Section 7(b) had the adjusted amount of such Income Tax Benefit been taken into account in computing the payments due under this Section 7(b).

8. Cooperation and Exchange of Information.

(a) Cooperation and Exchange of Information. Each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and each member of the Parent Group and the SpinCo Group, respectively, agrees to provide the other party (or its designee) with such cooperation or information as such other party (or its designee) reasonably shall request in connection with the determination of any payment or any calculations described in this Agreement, the preparation or filing of any Tax Return or claim for Refund, or the conduct of any Proceeding. Such cooperation and information shall include, without limitation, upon reasonable notice (i) promptly forwarding copies of appropriate notices and forms or other communications (including, without limitation, information document requests, revenue agent’s reports and similar reports, notices of proposed adjustments and notices of deficiency) received from or sent to any Tax Authority or any other administrative, judicial or governmental authority, (ii) providing copies of all relevant Tax Returns, together with accompanying schedules and related workpapers, documents relating to rulings or other determinations by any Tax Authority, and such other records concerning the ownership and tax basis of property, or other relevant information, (iii) the provision of such additional information and explanations of documents and information provided under this Agreement (including statements, certificates, forms, returns and schedules delivered by either party) as shall be reasonably requested by Parent (or its designee) or SpinCo (or its designee), as the case may be, (iv) the execution of any document that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with the filing of any Tax Return, a claim for a Refund, or in connection with any Proceeding, including such waivers, consents or powers of attorney as may be necessary for Parent or SpinCo, as the case may be, to exercise its rights under this Agreement, and (v) the use of Parent’s or SpinCo’s, as the case may be, reasonable efforts to obtain any documentation from a governmental authority or a third party that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with any of the foregoing. It is expressly the intention of the parties to this Agreement to take all actions that shall be necessary to establish Parent as the sole agent for Tax purposes of each member of the SpinCo Group with respect to all Combined Returns. Upon reasonable notice, each of Parent and SpinCo shall make its, or shall cause the members of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, as applicable, to make their, employees and facilities available on a mutually convenient basis to provide explanation of any documents or information provided hereunder. Any information

 

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obtained under this Section 8 shall be kept confidential, except as otherwise reasonably may be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or claims for Refund or in conducting any Proceeding.

(b) Retention of Records. Each of Parent and SpinCo agrees to retain all Tax Returns, related schedules and workpapers, and all material records and other documents as required under Section 6001 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and any similar provision of state, local, or foreign law) existing on the date hereof or created in respect of (i) any taxable period that ends on or before or includes the Distribution Date or (ii) any taxable period that may be subject to a claim hereunder until the later of (A) the expiration of the statute of limitations (including extensions) for the taxable periods to which such Tax Returns and other documents relate and (B) the Final Determination of any payments that may be required in respect of such taxable periods under this Agreement. From and after the end of the period described in the preceding sentence of this Section 8(b), if a member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group wishes to dispose of any such records and documents, then Parent or SpinCo, as the case may be, shall provide written notice thereof to the other party and shall provide the other party the opportunity to take possession of any such records and documents within ninety (90) days after such notice is delivered; provided, however, that if such other party does not, within such 90-day period, confirm its intention to take possession of such records and documents, Parent or SpinCo, as the case may be, may destroy or otherwise dispose of such records and documents.

(c) Remedies. Each of Parent and SpinCo hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the failure of any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, to comply with the provisions of this Section 8 may result in substantial harm to the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, including the inability to determine or appropriately substantiate a Tax Liability (or a position in respect thereof) for which the Parent Group (or a member thereof) or the SpinCo Group (or a member thereof), as applicable, would be responsible under this Agreement or appropriately defend against an adjustment thereto by a Tax Authority, (ii) the remedies available to the Parent Group for the breach by a member of the SpinCo Group of its obligations under this Section 8 shall include (without limitation) the indemnification by SpinCo of the Parent Group for any Tax Liabilities incurred or any Tax Benefit lost or postponed by reason of such breach and the forfeiture by the SpinCo Group of any related rights to indemnification by Parent and (iii) the remedies available to the SpinCo Group for the breach by a member of the Parent Group of its obligations under this Section 8 shall include (without limitation) the indemnification by Parent of the SpinCo Group for any Tax Liabilities incurred or any Tax Benefit lost or postponed by reason of such breach and the forfeiture by the Parent Group of any related rights to indemnification by SpinCo.

(d) Reliance by Parent. If any member of the SpinCo Group supplies information to a member of the Parent Group in connection with a Tax Liability and an officer of a member of the Parent Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the Parent Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of SpinCo (or his or her designee) shall certify in writing that to his knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete. SpinCo agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Parent Group and its directors, officers and employees from and against any fine, penalty, or other cost or expense of any kind attributable to a member of the SpinCo Group having supplied, pursuant to this Section 8, a member of the Parent Group with inaccurate or incomplete information in connection with a Tax Liability.

(e) Reliance by SpinCo. If any member of the Parent Group supplies information to a member of the SpinCo Group in connection with a Tax Liability and an officer of a member of the SpinCo Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the SpinCo Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of Parent (or his or her designee) shall certify in writing that to his knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete. Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the SpinCo Group and its directors, officers and employees from and against any fine, penalty, or other cost or expense of any kind attributable to a member of

 

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the Parent Group having supplied, pursuant to this Section 8, a member of the SpinCo Group with inaccurate or incomplete information in connection with a Tax Liability.

9. Resolution of Disputes. The provisions of Article X of the Separation Agreement (Dispute Resolution) shall apply to any dispute arising in connection with this Agreement; provided, however, that in the case of disputes arising under this Agreement, Parent and SpinCo shall jointly select the arbitrator, who shall be an attorney or accountant who is generally recognized in the tax community as a qualified and competent tax practitioner with experience in the tax area involved in the issue or issues to be resolved.

10. Payments.

(a) Method of Payment. All payments required by this Agreement shall be made by (i) wire transfer to the appropriate bank account as may from time to time be designated by the parties for such purpose; provided, that on the date of such wire transfer, notice of the transfer is given to the recipient thereof in accordance with Section 11, or (ii) any other method agreed to by the parties. All payments due under this Agreement shall be deemed to be paid when available funds are actually received by the payee.

(b) Interest. Any payment required by this Agreement that is not made on or before the date required hereunder shall bear interest, from and after such date through the date of payment, at the Underpayment Rate.

(c) Characterization of Payments. For all Income Tax purposes, the parties hereto agree to treat, and to cause their respective Affiliates to treat, (i) any payment required by this Agreement or by the Separation Agreement, as either a contribution by Parent to SpinCo or a distribution by SpinCo to Parent, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Spin-Off and (ii) any payment of interest or non-federal Income Taxes by or to a Tax Authority, as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case, except as otherwise mandated by applicable law or a Final Determination; provided, that in the event it is determined (A) pursuant to applicable law that it is more likely than not, or (B) pursuant to a Final Determination, that any such treatment is not permissible (or that an Indemnified Party nevertheless suffers an Tax detriment as a result of such payment), the payment in question shall be adjusted to place the Indemnified Party in the same after-Tax position it would have enjoyed absent such applicable law or Final Determination.

11. Compensatory Equity Interests Treatment.

(a) Deductions. To the extent permitted by law, (i) Parent (or the appropriate member of the Parent Group) shall claim all Income Tax deductions arising by reason of (x) exercises of Options or compensatory warrants held by any Expedia Service Provider to acquire Parent common stock or SpinCo common stock, (y) payments made with respect to Parent RSUs held by any Expedia Service Provider, or (z) payments made with respect to SpinCo RSUs held by Mr. Dara Khosrowshahi and (ii) SpinCo (or the appropriate member of the SpinCo Group) shall claim all Income Tax deductions arising by reason of (x) exercises of Options or compensatory warrants held by any TripAdvisor Service Provider to acquire Parent common stock or SpinCo common stock or (y) payments made with respect to SpinCo RSUs held by any TripAdvisor Service Provider. For purposes of this Section 11, Mr. Barry Diller shall be treated as an Expedia Service Provider only with respect to his Options to acquire Parent common stock and his Parent RSUs and as a TripAdvisor Service Provider only with respect to his Options to acquire SpinCo common stock and his SpinCo RSUs; provided, however, (i) if there is a Final Determination that Parent and not SpinCo is entitled to a deduction with respect to any such SpinCo Options or SpinCo RSUs held by Mr. Barry Diller, Parent shall pay to SpinCo, when Actually Realized, any Tax Benefit relating thereto and (ii) if there is a Final Determination that SpinCo and not Parent is entitled to a deduction with respect to any such Parent Options or Parent RSUs held by Mr. Barry Diller, SpinCo shall pay to Parent, when Actually Realized, any Tax Benefit relating thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Dara Khosrowshahi shall be treated as an Expedia Service Provider for all Tax purposes, including with respect to his Parent RSUs and SpinCo RSUs, and Parent shall claim all Income Tax deductions arising by reason

 

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of payments made with respect to such Parent RSUs and SpinCo RSUs; provided, however, if there is a Final Determination that SpinCo and not Parent is entitled to a deduction with respect to any such SpinCo RSUs held by Mr. Khosrowshahi, SpinCo shall pay to Parent, when Actually Realized, any Tax Benefit relating thereto.

(b) Withholding and Reporting. Parent shall, to the extent required by law, withhold applicable Taxes and satisfy applicable Tax reporting obligations with respect to (x) exercises of Options or compensatory warrants held by Expedia Service Providers to acquire Parent common stock or SpinCo common stock. (y) payments made with respect to Parent RSUs held by Expedia Service Providers and (z) payments made with respect to SpinCo RSUs held by Mr. Dara Khosrowshahi. SpinCo shall, to the extent required by law, withhold applicable Taxes and satisfy applicable Tax reporting obligations with respect to (x) exercises of Options or compensatory warrants held by TripAdvisor Service Providers to acquire Parent common stock or SpinCo common stock and (y) payments made with respect to SpinCo RSUs held by TripAdvisor Service Providers. Unless otherwise determined by Parent in its sole discretion, Tax withholding and reporting with respect to exercises of Options or compensatory warrants described in this Section 11(b) shall be conducted in a manner consistent with past practice of Parent (including as historically conducted by Morgan Stanley on behalf of Parent with respect to analogous exercises of Options or compensatory warrants to acquire Parent common stock or IAC/InterActiveCorp common stock in connection with the spin-off of Parent from IAC/InterActiveCorp).

12. Notices. Notices, requests, permissions, waivers, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon (a) a transmitter’s confirmation of a receipt of a facsimile transmission (but only if followed by confirmed delivery of a standard overnight courier the following Business Day or if delivered by hand the following Business Day), or (b) confirmed delivery of a standard overnight courier or delivered by hand, to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

If to Parent, to:

  

Expedia, Inc.

333 108th Avenue NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

Attention: General Counsel

Telecopier: (425) 679-7200

With a copy to:

  

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 W. 52nd St.

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Andy Nussbaum

Telecopier: (212) 403-2000

If to SpinCo to:

  

TripAdvisor, Inc.

141 Needham Street

Newton, MA 02464

Attention: General Counsel

Telecopier: (617) 670-6300

Such names and addresses may be changed by notice given in accordance with this Section 12.

13. Designation of Affiliate. Each of Parent and SpinCo may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, respectively, as it shall designate; provided, however, that no such assignment shall relieve Parent or SpinCo, respectively, of any obligation hereunder, including any obligation to make a payment hereunder to SpinCo or Parent, respectively, to the extent such designee fails to make such payment.

14. Miscellaneous. Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Article XIV (Miscellaneous) of the Separation Agreement to the extent set forth therein.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

EXPEDIA, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

TRIPADVISOR, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

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ANNEX H

FORM OF

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

by and between

EXPEDIA, INC.

and

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

Dated as of [                    ], 2011


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I

  

DEFINITIONS

     H-1   

ARTICLE II

  

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

     H-6   

2.1

  

Employment of TripAdvisor Employees

     H-6   

2.2

  

Assumption and Retention of Liabilities; Related Assets

     H-6   

2.3

  

TripAdvisor Participation in Expedia Benefit Plans

     H-6   

2.4

  

Terms of Participation by TripAdvisor Employees in TripAdvisor Benefit Plans

     H-6   

2.5

  

Commercially Reasonable Efforts

     H-6   

2.6

  

Regulatory Compliance

     H-7   

2.7

  

Approval by Expedia as Sole Stockholder

     H-7   

ARTICLE III

  

SAVINGS PLANS

     H-7   

3.1

  

Savings Plan

     H-7   

3.2

  

Stock Considerations

     H-7   

ARTICLE IV

  

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

     H-8   

4.1

  

U.S. Health and Welfare Plans

     H-8   
  

(a)    Transition Period

     H-8   
  

(b)    Establishment of TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans

     H-8   
  

(c)    Flexible Benefit Plan

     H-9   
  

(d)    COBRA and HIPAA Compliance

     H-9   

4.2

  

Non-U.S. Health and Welfare Plans

     H-9   

4.3

  

Retention of Sponsorship and Liabilities

     H-9   

4.4

  

Vendor Contracts

     H-10   
  

(a)    Third-Party ASO Contracts, Group Insurance Policies and HMOs

     H-10   
  

(b)    Effect of Change in Rates

     H-10   

4.5

  

Workers’ Compensation Liabilities

     H-10   

4.6

  

Payroll Taxes and Reporting of Compensation

     H-10   

ARTICLE V

  

EXECUTIVE BENEFITS AND OTHER BENEFITS

     H-10   

5.1

  

Assumption of Obligations

     H-10   

5.2

  

Expedia Incentive Plans

     H-11   
  

(a)    TripAdvisor Bonus Awards

     H-11   
  

(b)    Expedia Bonus Awards

     H-11   

5.3

  

Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan

     H-11   
  

(a)    Vested Expedia Options

     H-11   
  

(b)     Unvested Expedia Options Held by Expedia Employees (other than Barry Diller) and Former Expedia Employees

     H-12   
  

(c)     Unvested Expedia Options Held by TripAdvisor Employees (other than Barry Diller) and Former TripAdvisor Employees

     H-12   
  

(d)    Unvested Expedia Options Held by Barry Diller

     H-13   
  

(e)     Expedia RSUs Held by Expedia Employees (other than Expedia RSUs Held by Barry Diller and other than the DK Performance-Based Expedia RSUs) and Former Expedia Employees and Expedia RSUs Awarded in Respect of Service as an Expedia Director

     H-13   
  

(f)      Expedia RSUs Held by TripAdvisor Employees (other than Barry Diller) and Former TripAdvisor Employees

     H-14   
  

(g)    Expedia RSUs Held by Barry Diller

     H-14   
  

(h)    DK Performance-Based Expedia RSUs

     H-14   
  

(i)     Foreign Grants/Awards

     H-15   

 

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(j)     Miscellaneous Option and Other RSU Terms

     H-15   
  

(k)    Waiting Period for Exercisability of Options and Grant of Options and RSUs

     H-15   
  

(l)     Equity Plan Administrator

     H-15   

5.4

  

Restrictive Covenants

     H-15   

5.5

  

Employment Agreements

     H-16   

5.6

  

Registration Requirements

     H-16   

5.7

  

Expedia Executive DC Plan

     H-16   

5.8

  

Severance

     H-16   

ARTICLE VI

  

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

     H-17   

6.1

  

Sharing of Participant Information

     H-17   

6.2

  

Reasonable Efforts/Cooperation

     H-17   

6.3

  

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

     H-17   

6.4

  

Audit Rights With Respect to Information Provided

     H-17   

6.5

  

Fiduciary Matters

     H-18   

6.6

  

Consent of Third Parties

     H-18   

ARTICLE VII

  

MISCELLANEOUS

     H-18   

7.1

  

Effect If Effective Time Does Not Occur

     H-18   

7.2

  

Relationship of Parties

     H-18   

7.3

  

Affiliates

     H-18   

7.4

  

Notices

     H-19   

7.5

  

Incorporation of Separation Agreement Provisions

     H-19   

 

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Table of Contents

FORM OF EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

This Employee Matters Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of [                    ], 2011, with effect as of the Effective Time, is entered into by and between Expedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Expedia”), and TripAdvisor, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TripAdvisor,” and together with Expedia, the “Parties”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, Expedia and TripAdvisor have entered into a Separation Agreement pursuant to which the Parties have set out the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, they wish to implement the Separation (as defined in the Separation Agreement) (such agreement, as amended, restated or modified from time to time, the “Separation Agreement”).

WHEREAS, in connection therewith, Expedia and TripAdvisor have agreed to enter into this Agreement to allocate between them assets, liabilities and responsibilities with respect to certain employee compensation, pension and benefit plans, programs and arrangements and certain employment matters.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants and other provisions set forth in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, capitalized words and expressions and variations thereof used in this Agreement or in its Appendices have the meanings set forth below. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Separation Agreement.

1.1 “2011 H&W Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(ii).

1.2 “2011 H&W Fees” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(ii).

1.3 “Affiliate” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.4 “Agreement” means this Employee Matters Agreement, including all the Schedules hereto.

1.5 “Ancillary Agreements” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.6 “Approved Leave of Absence” means an absence from active service (a) due to an individual’s inability to perform his or her regular job duties by reason of illness or injury and resulting in eligibility to receive benefits pursuant to the terms of the Expedia Short-Term Disability Plan or the Expedia Long-Term Disability Plan, or (b) pursuant to an approved leave policy with a guaranteed right of reinstatement.

1.7 “ASO Contract” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

1.8 “Auditing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).

1.9 “Benefit Plan” means, with respect to an entity or any of its Subsidiaries, (a) each “employee welfare benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) and all other employee benefits arrangements, policies or payroll practices (including, without limitation, severance pay, sick leave, vacation pay, salary continuation, disability, retirement, deferred compensation, bonus, stock option or other equity-based compensation,

 

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hospitalization, medical insurance or life insurance) sponsored or maintained by such entity or by any of its Subsidiaries (or to which such entity or any of its Subsidiaries contributes or is required to contribute) and (b) all “employee pension benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), occupational pension plan or arrangement or other pension arrangements sponsored, maintained or contributed to by such entity or any of its Subsidiaries (or to which such entity or any of its Subsidiaries contributes or is required to contribute). For the avoidance of doubt, “Benefit Plans” includes Health and Welfare Plans and Executive Benefit Plans. When immediately preceded by “Expedia,” Benefit Plan means any Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by Expedia or an Expedia Entity or any Benefit Plan with respect to which Expedia or an Expedia Entity is a party. When immediately preceded by “TripAdvisor,” Benefit Plan means any Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by TripAdvisor or any TripAdvisor Entity or any Benefit Plan with respect to which TripAdvisor or a TripAdvisor Entity is a party.

1.10 “COBRA” means the continuation coverage requirements for “group health plans” under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and as codified in Code § 4980B and ERISA §§ 601 through 608.

1.11 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor federal income tax law. Reference to a specific Code provision also includes any proposed, temporary or final regulation in force under that provision.

1.12 “Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).

1.13 “DK Performance-Based Expedia RSUs” means the 800,000 Expedia RSUs granted to Dara Khosrowshahi on March 7, 2006.

1.14 “Effective Date” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.15 “Effective Time” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.16 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Reference to a specific provision of ERISA also includes any proposed, temporary or final regulation in force under that provision.

1.17 “Expedia” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

1.18 “Expedia Allocation Factor” means the quotient obtained by dividing the Expedia Post-Separation Stock Value by the sum of the Expedia Post-Separation Stock Value and the TripAdvisor Stock Value.

1.19 “Expedia Common Stock” means, with respect to periods prior to the Separation, shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Expedia, and with respect to periods following the Separation, shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Expedia.

1.20 “Expedia Director DC Plan” means the Expedia, Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, in effect as of the time relevant to the applicable provision of this Agreement.

1.21 “Expedia Employee” means any individual who, immediately prior to the Effective Time, is either actively employed by, or then on Approved Leave of Absence from, any Expedia Entity.

1.22 “Expedia Entities” means the members of the Expedia Group, as defined in the Separation Agreement, and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates, excluding any business or operations (whether current or historical, regardless of whether discontinued or sold) that are included in the Separated Businesses.

 

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Table of Contents

1.23 “Expedia Executive Benefit Plans” means the executive benefit and nonqualified plans, programs, agreements, and arrangements established, sponsored, maintained, or agreed upon, by any Expedia Entity for the benefit of employees and former employees of any Expedia Entity before the Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, “Expedia Executive Benefit Plans” includes the Expedia Executive DC Plan.

1.24 “Expedia Executive DC Plan” means the Expedia Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, in effect as of the time relevant to the applicable provision of this Agreement.

1.25 “Expedia Flexible Benefit Plan” means the flexible benefit plan maintained by Expedia as in effect as of the time relevant to the applicable provision of this Agreement.

1.26 “Expedia Incentive Plans” means any of the annual or short term incentive plans of Expedia, all as in effect as of the time relevant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement.

1.27 “Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan” means the Amended and Restated Expedia, Inc. 2005 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan.

1.28 “Expedia Post-Separation Stock Value” means the closing per-share price of Expedia Common Stock in the “when issued market” on the trading day immediately preceding the Separation, as listed on the NASDAQ as of 4:00 P.M. New York City time.

1.29 “Expedia Ratio” means the quotient obtained by dividing the Expedia Stock Value by the Expedia Post-Separation Stock Value.

1.30 “Expedia Retirement Savings Plan” means the Expedia, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan as in effect as of the time relevant to the applicable provision of this Agreement.

1.31 “Expedia Stock Value” means the closing per-share price of Expedia Common Stock trading “regular way with due bills” on the trading day immediately preceding the Separation, as listed on the NASDAQ as of 4:00 P.M., New York City time.

1.32 “Former Expedia Employee” means any individual who as of the Effective Time is a former employee of the Expedia Group or the TripAdvisor Group, and whose last employment with the Expedia Group or TripAdvisor Group, was with an Expedia Entity.

1.33 “Former TripAdvisor Employee” means any individual who as of the Effective Time is a former employee of the TripAdvisor Group or the Expedia Group, and whose last employment with the TripAdvisor Group or Expedia Group, was with a TripAdvisor Entity.

1.34 “Former TripAdvisor U.S. Employee” means any Former TripAdvisor Employee whose last employment was with a TripAdvisor Entity located in the U.S.

1.35 “Group Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

1.36 “Health and Welfare Plans” means any plan, fund or program which was established or is maintained for the purpose of providing for its participants or their beneficiaries, through the purchase of insurance or otherwise, medical (including PPO, EPO and HDHP coverages), dental, prescription, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, life and AD&D, employee assistance, group legal services, wellness, cafeteria (including premium payment, health flexible spending account and dependent care flexible spending account components), travel reimbursement, transportation, or other benefits in the event of sickness, accident, disability, death or unemployment, or vacation benefits, apprenticeship or other training programs or day care centers, scholarship funds, or prepaid legal services, including any such plan, fund or program as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA.

 

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Table of Contents

1.37 “HIPAA” means the health insurance portability and accountability requirements for “group health plans” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended.

1.38 “HMO” means a health maintenance organization that provides benefits under the Expedia Medical Plans or the TripAdvisor Medical Plans.

1.39 “HMO Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

1.40 “H&W Transition Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i).

1.41 “Immediately after the Effective Date” means on the first moment of the day after the Effective Date.

1.42 “Liabilities” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.43 “Medical Plan” when immediately preceded by “Expedia,” means the Benefit Plan under which medical benefits are provided to Expedia Employees established and maintained by Expedia. When immediately preceded by TripAdvisor, Medical Plan means the Benefit Plan under which medical benefits are provided to TripAdvisor Employees to be established by TripAdvisor pursuant to Article IV.

1.44 “NASDAQ” means the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. Automated Quotation System.

1.45 “Non-parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b).

1.46 “Option” when immediately preceded by “Expedia” means an option (either nonqualified or incentive) to purchase shares of Expedia Common Stock pursuant to the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan. When immediately preceded by “TripAdvisor,” Option means an option (either nonqualified or incentive) to purchase shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock following the Effective Time pursuant to the TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan.

1.47 “Participating Company” means (a) Expedia and (b) any other Person (other than an individual) that participates in a plan sponsored by any Expedia Entity.

1.48 “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

1.49 “Person” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.50 “Plan Asset Transfer Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

1.51 “RSU” (a) when immediately preceded by “Expedia,” means units issued under an Expedia Benefit Plan representing a general unsecured promise by Expedia to pay the value of shares of Expedia Common Stock in cash or shares of Expedia Common Stock and, (b) when immediately preceded by “TripAdvisor,” means units issued under a TripAdvisor Benefit Plan representing a general unsecured promise by TripAdvisor to pay the value of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock in cash or shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock.

1.52 “Reverse Stock Split” means the one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia Common Stock that Expedia will complete immediately prior to the Effective Time.

1.53 “Separated Businesses” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.54 “Separation” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

 

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1.55 “Separation Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

1.56 “Subsidiaries” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.57 “Transition Services Agreement” means the Transition Services Agreement entered into as of the date hereof between Expedia and TripAdvisor.

1.58 “TripAdvisor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

1.59 “TripAdvisor Allocation Factor” means the quotient obtained by dividing the TripAdvisor Stock Value by the sum of the Expedia Post-Separation Stock Value and the TripAdvisor Stock Value.

1.60 “TripAdvisor Common Stock” has the meaning given that term in the Separation Agreement.

1.61 “TripAdvisor Employee” means any individual who, immediately prior to the Effective Time, is either actively employed by, or then on Approved Leave of Absence from, a TripAdvisor Entity.

1.62 “TripAdvisor Entities” means the TripAdvisor Group as defined in the Separation Agreement and any business or operations (whether current or historical regardless of whether discontinued or sold) included in the Separated Businesses.

1.63 “TripAdvisor Executive Benefit Plans” means the executive benefit and nonqualified plans, programs, and arrangements established, sponsored, maintained, or agreed upon, by any TripAdvisor Entity for the benefit of employees and former employees of any TripAdvisor Entity before the Effective Time.

1.64 “TripAdvisor Flexible Benefit Plan” means the flexible benefit plan to be established by TripAdvisor pursuant to Section 4.1(c) of this Agreement as in effect as of the time relevant to the applicable provision of this Agreement.

1.65 “TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan” means the long-term incentive plan or program to be established by TripAdvisor, effective immediately prior to the Effective Date, in connection with the treatment of Options and RSUs as described in Article V.

1.66 “TripAdvisor Non-U.S. Employee” means a TripAdvisor Employee whose principal place of employment or engagement is outside the U.S.

1.67 “TripAdvisor Ratio” means the quotient obtained by dividing the Expedia Stock Value by the TripAdvisor Stock Value.

1.68 “TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan” means the 401(k) and profit sharing plan to be established by TripAdvisor pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement, as in effect as of the time relevant to the applicable provision of this agreement.

1.69 “TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan Trust” means a trust relating to the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) and be exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code.

1.70 “TripAdvisor Stock Value” means the closing per-share price of TripAdvisor Common Stock trading in the “when issued market” on the trading day immediately preceding the Separation, as listed on the NASDAQ as of 4:00 P.M., New York City time.

1.71 “TripAdvisor U.S. Employee” means a TripAdvisor Employee whose principal place of employment or engagement is in the U.S.

1.72 “U.S.” means the 50 United States of America and the District of Columbia.

 

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ARTICLE II

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

2.1 Employment of TripAdvisor Employees. All TripAdvisor Employees shall continue to be employees of TripAdvisor or another TripAdvisor Entity, as the case may be, immediately after the Effective Time.

2.2 Assumption and Retention of Liabilities; Related Assets.

(a) As of the Effective Date, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Expedia Entities shall assume or retain and Expedia hereby agrees to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full (i) all Liabilities under all Expedia Benefit Plans with respect to all Expedia Employees, Former Expedia Employees and their dependents and beneficiaries, (ii) all Liabilities with respect to the employment or termination of employment of all Expedia Employees, Former Expedia Employees, and other service providers (including any individual who is, or was, an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or nonpayroll worker of any Expedia Entity or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement, or relationship with any Expedia Entity), in each case to the extent arising in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services to any Expedia Entity, and (iii) any other Liabilities expressly assigned to Expedia under this Agreement. All assets held in trust to fund the Expedia Benefit Plans and all insurance policies funding the Expedia Benefit Plans shall be Expedia Assets (as defined in the Separation Agreement), except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement.

(b) From and after the Effective Date, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor Entities shall assume or retain, as applicable, and TripAdvisor hereby agrees to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full, (i) all Liabilities under all TripAdvisor Benefit Plans, (ii) all Liabilities with respect to the employment or termination of employment of all TripAdvisor Employees, Former TripAdvisor Employees, and other service providers (including any individual who is, or was, an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or nonpayroll worker of TripAdvisor or any TripAdvisor Entity or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement, or relationship with TripAdvisor or a TripAdvisor Entity), in each case to the extent arising in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services to any TripAdvisor Entity, and (iii) any other Liabilities expressly assigned to TripAdvisor or any TripAdvisor Entity under this Agreement.

2.3 TripAdvisor Participation in Expedia Benefit Plans. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, TripAdvisor and each other TripAdvisor Entity shall cease to be a Participating Company in any Expedia Benefit Plan, and Expedia and TripAdvisor shall take all necessary action before the Effective Date to effectuate such cessation as a Participating Company.

2.4 Terms of Participation by TripAdvisor Employees in TripAdvisor Benefit Plans. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall agree on methods and procedures, including, without limitation, amending the respective Benefit Plan documents, to prevent TripAdvisor Employees from receiving duplicative benefits from the Expedia Benefit Plans and the TripAdvisor Benefit Plans. With respect to TripAdvisor Employees, each TripAdvisor Benefit Plan shall provide that all service, all compensation and all other benefit-affecting determinations that, as of the Effective Time, were recognized under the corresponding Expedia Benefit Plan shall, as of Immediately after the Effective Date or any subsequent effective date for such TripAdvisor Benefit Plan, receive full recognition, credit and validity and be taken into account under such TripAdvisor Benefit Plan to the same extent as if such items occurred under such TripAdvisor Benefit Plan, except to the extent that duplication of benefits would result or for benefit accrual under any defined benefit pension plan.

2.5 Commercially Reasonable Efforts. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (a) enter into any necessary agreements to accomplish the assumptions and transfers contemplated by this Agreement; and (b) provide for the maintenance of the necessary participant records, the appointment of the

 

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trustees and the engagement of recordkeepers, investment managers, providers, insurers, and other third parties reasonably necessary to maintaining and administering the Expedia Benefit Plans and the TripAdvisor Benefit Plans.

2.6 Regulatory Compliance. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall, in connection with the actions taken pursuant to this Agreement, reasonably cooperate in making any and all appropriate filings required under the Code, ERISA and any applicable securities laws, implementing all appropriate communications with participants, transferring appropriate records and taking all such other actions as the requesting party may reasonably determine to be necessary or appropriate to implement the provisions of this Agreement in a timely manner.

2.7 Approval by Expedia as Sole Stockholder. Prior to the Effective Time, Expedia shall cause TripAdvisor to adopt the TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan.

ARTICLE III

SAVINGS PLANS

3.1 Savings Plan. Effective as of the Effective Date or such other date to which Expedia and TripAdvisor mutually agree, TripAdvisor shall establish the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan and the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan Trust. As soon as practical on or after the establishment of the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan and the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan Trust (the “Plan Asset Transfer Date”), Expedia shall cause the accounts of the TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees to be transferred to the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan and the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan Trust in cash or such other assets as mutually agreed by Expedia and TripAdvisor, and TripAdvisor shall cause the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan to assume and be solely responsible for all Liabilities for plan benefits under the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan to or relating to TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees whose accounts are transferred from the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Expedia Common Stock that is held in the accounts of TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees and any outstanding participant loans to TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees whose accounts are transferred under the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan shall be transferred to the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan in kind (unless the parties mutually agree otherwise) and shall thereafter be treated in the manner set forth in Section 3.2, as applicable. Expedia and TripAdvisor agree to cooperate in making all appropriate filings and taking all reasonable actions required to implement the provisions of this Section 3.1; provided that TripAdvisor acknowledges that it will be responsible for complying with any requirements and applying for any IRS determination letters with respect to the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan.

3.2 Stock Considerations. To the extent that Expedia Employees or Former Expedia Employees receive shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock in connection with the Separation with respect to Expedia Common Stock held under the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan, such shares will be deposited in a TripAdvisor Common Stock Fund under the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan, subject to such limitations, or the removal of the TripAdvisor Common Stock Fund, in each case, as determined solely by Expedia or the applicable fiduciary of the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan. To the extent that TripAdvisor Employees or Former TripAdvisor Employees hold shares of Expedia Common Stock in their Expedia Common Stock Fund under the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan following the transfer, if any, from the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan to the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan set forth in Section 3.1, the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan shall permit such employees to continue to hold such shares in an Expedia Common Stock Fund under the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan following such transfer, subject to such limitations, or the removal of the Expedia Common Stock Fund, in each case, as determined solely by TripAdvisor or the applicable fiduciary of the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan. Following the Effective Date, TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees shall not be permitted to acquire shares of Expedia Common Stock in the Expedia Common Stock Fund under the TripAdvisor Retirement Savings Plan and Expedia Employees and Former Expedia Employees shall not be permitted to acquire shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock in the TripAdvisor Common Stock Fund

 

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under the Expedia Retirement Savings Plan. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall assume sole responsibility for ensuring that their respective savings plans are maintained in compliance with applicable laws with respect to holding shares of their respective common stock and common stock of the other entity.

ARTICLE IV

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

4.1 U.S. Health and Welfare Plans

(a) Transition Period.

(i) Expedia will cause the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans in effect on the Effective Date to provide coverage to TripAdvisor U.S. Employees and Former TripAdvisor U.S. Employees (and, in each case, their beneficiaries and dependents) from and after the Effective Date until December 31, 2011 (such period, the “H&W Transition Period”) on the same basis as immediately prior to the Effective Date and in accordance with the terms of Expedia’s Health and Welfare Plans. Following the Effective Date, TripAdvisor shall pay to Expedia fees in respect of Expedia covering TripAdvisor U.S. Employees and Former TripAdvisor U.S. Employees under the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans, such fees to be based on the per-employee budgeted rates set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement. The fees contemplated by this Section 4.1(a)(i) shall be payable in advance each month (i.e., not later than the first day of any month during which coverage applies) during the H&W Transition Period and shall be based on the prior month’s enrollment, with appropriate, subsequent adjustments in each succeeding month to reflect actual enrollment; provided, however, that the fees relating to the period from and including the first day of the month during which the Effective Date occurs through the end of the month during which the Effective Date occurs shall be payable no later than the fifth business day following the Effective Date. In the event that TripAdvisor fails to pay in a timely manner the fees contemplated by this Section 4.1(a)(i), Expedia shall have no obligation to provide the coverage contemplated by this Section 4.1(a)(i) to TripAdvisor U.S. Employees and Former TripAdvisor U.S. Employees.

(ii) Following the H&W Transition Period, but not later than May 31, 2012, Expedia shall calculate in good faith the total costs and expenses of the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans for 2011 (including without limitation claims paid and administration fees and Expedia’s good faith estimate of claims incurred in 2011 but not reported (such estimate to be prepared based on historical claims reporting patterns and history)) (the “2011 H&W Expenses”), and Expedia promptly shall provide to TripAdvisor the 2011 H&W Expenses following such calculation. To the extent 2011 H&W Expenses (A) exceed the aggregate fees paid by Expedia and TripAdvisor in respect of coverage during 2011 of Expedia Employees and Former Employees and TripAdvisor U.S. Employees and Former TripAdvisor U.S. Employees (the “2011 H&W Fees”), TripAdvisor shall be required to pay to Expedia by wire transfer TripAdvisor’s ratable portion (calculated on the basis of the number of TripAdvisor U.S. Employees relative to the total number of Expedia Employees and TripAdvisor U.S. Employees taken together) of the fees deficit, and (B) is less than the 2011 H&W Fees, Expedia shall pay to TripAdvisor TripAdvisor’s ratable portion (calculated on the basis of the number of TripAdvisor Employees relative to the total number of Expedia Employees and TripAdvisor Employees taken together) of the excess fees collected, any such payments pursuant to clause (A) or clause (B) to be made no later than July 15, 2012. Any calculations made by Expedia pursuant to this Section 4.1(b) shall be final and binding upon TripAdvisor.

(b) Establishment of TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans.

(i) Effective as of January 1, 2012, TripAdvisor shall adopt Health and Welfare Plans for the benefit of TripAdvisor U.S. Employees, and TripAdvisor shall be responsible for all Liabilities relating to, arising out

 

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of or resulting from health and welfare coverage (including COBRA continuation coverage) or claims incurred by or on behalf of TripAdvisor U.S. Employees, Former TripAdvisor U.S. Employees or their covered dependents under the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans prior to, on or after the Effective Date. No Expedia Health and Welfare Plan shall be required to make COBRA continuation coverage available to any TripAdvisor U.S. Employees, Former TripAdvisor U.S. Employees or their covered dependents after the H&W Transition Period.

(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any TripAdvisor U.S. Employee who becomes disabled under the terms of the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans and becomes entitled to receive long-term or short-term disability benefits prior to January 1, 2012, such TripAdvisor U.S. Employee shall receive long-term or short-term disability benefits under the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans on and after January 1, 2012 in accordance with the terms of the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans.

(c) Flexible Benefit Plan. TripAdvisor shall continue to participate in the Expedia Flexible Benefit Plan until December 31, 2011 for the benefit of TripAdvisor U.S. Employees. Effective as of January 1, 2012, TripAdvisor shall establish the TripAdvisor Flexible Benefit Plan.

(d) COBRA and HIPAA Compliance. Expedia shall be responsible for administering compliance with the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA, and the corresponding provisions of the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans with respect to Expedia Employees and Former Expedia Employees and their covered dependents who incur a COBRA qualifying event or loss of coverage under the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans at any time before, on or after the Effective Time. Until December 31, 2011, Expedia shall be responsible for administering compliance with the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA, and the corresponding provisions of the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans with respect to TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees and their covered dependents who incur a COBRA qualifying event or loss of coverage under the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans at any time through December 31, 2011. On and after January 1, 2011, TripAdvisor or another TripAdvisor Entity shall be responsible for administering compliance with the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA, and the corresponding provisions of the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans and/or the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans with respect to TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees and their covered dependents who incur a COBRA qualifying event or loss of coverage under the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans and/or the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans at any time before, on or after the Effective Time. The Parties hereto agree that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Separation Agreement shall not constitute a COBRA qualifying event for any purpose of COBRA.

4.2 Non-U.S. Health and Welfare Plans. Effective as of the Effective Date, TripAdvisor shall adopt Health and Welfare Plans for the benefit of TripAdvisor Non-U.S. Employees, and TripAdvisor shall be responsible for all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from health and welfare coverage or claims incurred by or on behalf of TripAdvisor Non-U.S. Employees or their covered dependents under the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans prior to, on or after the Effective Date.

4.3 Retention of Sponsorship and Liabilities. Following the Effective Date, Expedia shall retain:

(a) sponsorship of all Expedia Health and Welfare Plans and any trust or other funding arrangement established or maintained with respect to such plans, including any “voluntary employee’s beneficiary association,” or any assets held as of the Effective Date with respect to such plans; and

(b) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from health and welfare coverage or claims incurred by or on behalf of Expedia Employees or Former Expedia Employees or their covered dependents under the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans prior to, on or after the Effective Date.

Other than as contemplated by Section 4.1(a) with respect to the H&W Transition Period, Expedia shall not assume any Liability relating to health and welfare claims incurred by or on behalf of TripAdvisor Employees or

 

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Former TripAdvisor Employees or their respective covered dependents prior to, on or after the Effective Date, and such claims shall be satisfied pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(i) and Section 4.2.

4.4 Vendor Contracts.

(a) Third-Party ASO Contracts, Group Insurance Policies and HMOs. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obligate the third party administrator of each administrative-services-only contract with a third-party administrator that relates to any of the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans (an “ASO Contract”), each group insurance policy that relates to any of the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans (“Group Insurance Policies”) and each agreement with a Health Maintenance Organization that provides medical services under the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans (“HMO Agreements”), in each case, in existence as of the date of this Agreement that is applicable to TripAdvisor Employees, to enter into a separate ASO Contract, Group Insurance Policy and HMO Agreement, as applicable, with TripAdvisor providing for similar terms and conditions as are contained in the ASO Contracts, Group Insurance Policies and HMO Agreements, as applicable, to which Expedia is a party. Such terms and conditions shall include the financial and termination provisions, performance standards, methodology, auditing policies, quality measures and reporting requirements.

(b) Effect of Change in Rates. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of the insurance companies and third-party administrators providing services and benefits under the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans and the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans to maintain the premium and/or administrative rates based on the aggregate number of participants in both the Expedia Health and Welfare Plans and the TripAdvisor Health and Welfare Plans as of immediately prior to the Effective Date through the end of the year in which the Effective Date occurs. To the extent they are not successful in such efforts, Expedia and TripAdvisor shall each bear the revised premium or administrative rates attributable to the individuals covered by their respective Health and Welfare Plans.

4.5 Workers’ Compensation Liabilities. All workers’ compensation Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim by an Expedia Employee, Former Expedia Employee, TripAdvisor Employee and Former TripAdvisor Employee that results from an accident occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest, on or before the Effective Time shall be retained by Expedia. All workers’ compensation Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim by an Expedia Employee or Former Expedia Employee that results from an accident occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest, on or after the Effective Date shall be retained by Expedia. All workers’ compensation Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim by a TripAdvisor Employee or Former TripAdvisor Employee that results from an accident occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest, on or after the Effective Date shall be retained by TripAdvisor. For purposes of this Agreement, a compensable injury shall be deemed to be sustained upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits or at the time that an occupational disease becomes manifest, as the case may be. Expedia, TripAdvisor and the other TripAdvisor Entities shall cooperate with respect to any notification to appropriate governmental agencies of the effective time and the issuance of new, or the transfer of existing, workers’ compensation insurance policies and claims handling contracts.

4.6 Payroll Taxes and Reporting of Compensation. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall, and shall cause the other Expedia Entities and the other TripAdvisor Entities to, respectively, take such action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order to minimize Liabilities related to payroll taxes after the Effective Date. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall, and shall cause the other Expedia Entities and the other TripAdvisor Entities to, respectively, each bear its responsibility for payroll tax obligations and for the proper reporting to the appropriate governmental authorities of compensation earned by their respective employees after the Effective Time, including compensation related to the exercise of Options.

ARTICLE V

EXECUTIVE BENEFITS AND OTHER BENEFITS

5.1 Assumption of Obligations. Except as provided in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, TripAdvisor shall assume and be solely responsible for all Liabilities to or relating to TripAdvisor Employees

 

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and Former TripAdvisor Employees under all Expedia Executive Benefit Plans and TripAdvisor Executive Benefit Plans. The Parties hereto agree that none of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, including, without limitation, this Agreement, constitutes a “change in control,” “change of control” or similar term, as applicable, within the meaning of any Benefit Plan, the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan or the TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan.

5.2 Expedia Incentive Plans.

(a) TripAdvisor Bonus Awards. TripAdvisor shall be responsible for determining all bonus awards that would otherwise be payable under the Expedia Incentive Plans to TripAdvisor Employees for the year in which the Effective Time occurs. TripAdvisor shall also determine for TripAdvisor Employees (i) the extent to which established performance criteria (as interpreted by TripAdvisor, in its sole discretion) have been met, and (ii) the payment level for each TripAdvisor Employee. TripAdvisor shall assume all Liabilities with respect to any such bonus awards payable to TripAdvisor Employees for the year in which the Effective Time occurs and thereafter.

(b) Expedia Bonus Awards. Expedia shall retain all Liabilities with respect to any bonus awards payable under the Expedia Incentive Plans to Expedia Employees for the year in which the Effective Time occurs and thereafter.

5.3 Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions necessary or appropriate so that each outstanding Option and RSU granted under any Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan held by any individual shall be adjusted as set forth in this Article V. The adjustments set forth below shall be the sole adjustments made with respect to Expedia Options and Expedia RSUs in connection with the Reverse Stock Split and the other transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement. Following the Separation, for any award adjusted under this Section 5.3, any reference to a “change in control,” “change of control” or similar definition in an award agreement, employment agreement or the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan (x) with respect to post-Separation equity awards denominated in shares of Expedia Common Stock, such reference shall be deemed to refer to a “change in control,” “change of control” or similar definition as set forth in the applicable award agreement, employment agreement or the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, and (y) with respect to post-Separation equity awards denominated in shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock, such reference shall be deemed to refer to a “Change in Control” as defined in the TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan.

(a) Vested Expedia Options. As determined by the Compensation Committee of the Expedia Board of Directors (the “Committee”) pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, each Expedia Option that is vested as of the Effective Time shall be converted into both a TripAdvisor Option and an Expedia Option and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time:

(i) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such Expedia Option, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the Expedia Ratio by (B) the Expedia Allocation Factor by (C) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time,

(ii) the number of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such TripAdvisor Option, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the TripAdvisor Ratio by (B) the TripAdvisor Allocation Factor by (C) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time,

(iii) the per share exercise price of such Expedia Option, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the Expedia Ratio, and

 

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(iv) the per share exercise price of the TripAdvisor Option, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of the Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the TripAdvisor Ratio;

provided, further, however, that (x) the exercise price, the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock and TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such options and the terms and conditions of exercise of such options shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and (y) in the case of any Expedia Option to which Section 421 of the Code applies by reason of its qualification under Section 422 of the Code as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, the exercise price, the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock and TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

(b) Unvested Expedia Options Held by Expedia Employees (other than Barry Diller) and Former Expedia Employees. As determined by the Committee pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, each Expedia Option held by an Expedia Employee (other than Barry Diller) or a Former Expedia Employee that is unvested as of the Effective Time shall be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time:

(i) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such Expedia Option, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the Expedia Ratio, and

(ii) the per share exercise price of such Expedia Option, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the Expedia Ratio;

provided, further, however, that (x) the exercise price, the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and (y) in the case of any Expedia Option to which Section 421 of the Code applies by reason of its qualification under Section 422 of the Code as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, the exercise price, the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section  424(a) of the Code.

(c) Unvested Expedia Options Held by TripAdvisor Employees (other than Barry Diller) and Former TripAdvisor Employees. As determined by the Committee pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, each Expedia Option held by a TripAdvisor Employee (other than Barry Diller) or Former TripAdvisor Employee that is unvested as of the Effective Time shall be converted into a TripAdvisor Option and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time:

(i) the number of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such Option, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the TripAdvisor Ratio, and

(ii) the per share exercise price of such TripAdvisor Option, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the TripAdvisor Ratio;

 

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provided, further, however, that (x) the exercise price, the number of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and (y) in the case of any Expedia Option to which Section 421 of the Code applies by reason of its qualification under Section 422 of the Code as of the Effective Time, the exercise price, the number of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

(d) Unvested Expedia Options Held by Barry Diller. As determined by the Committee pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, each Expedia Option held by Barry Diller that is unvested as of the Effective Time shall be converted into both a TripAdvisor Option and an Expedia Option and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time:

(i) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such Expedia Option, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the Expedia Ratio by (B) the Expedia Allocation Factor by (C) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time,

(ii) the number of shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such TripAdvisor Option, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the TripAdvisor Ratio by (B) the TripAdvisor Allocation Factor by (C) the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock subject to the Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time,

(iii) the per share exercise price of such Expedia Option, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of such Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the Expedia Ratio, and

(iv) the per share exercise price of the TripAdvisor Option, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of the Expedia Option immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (B) the TripAdvisor Ratio;

provided, further, however, that the exercise price, the number of shares of Expedia Common Stock and TripAdvisor Common Stock subject to such options and the terms and conditions of exercise of such options shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Following the Effective Time, the satisfaction of conditions to vesting of Barry Diller’s Expedia Options governed by this Section 5.3(d) will be determined based on Barry Diller’s employment with Expedia, and the satisfaction of conditions to vesting of Barry Diller’s TripAdvisor Options governed by this Section  5.3(d) will be determined based on Barry Diller’s employment with TripAdvisor.

(e) Expedia RSUs Held by Expedia Employees (other than Expedia RSUs Held by Barry Diller and other than the DK Performance-Based Expedia RSUs) and Former Expedia Employees and Expedia RSUs Awarded in Respect of Service as an Expedia Director. As determined by the Committee pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan (or in the case of Expedia RSUs held under the Expedia Director DC Plan, by the Expedia Board of Directors pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Director DC Plan), Expedia RSUs held by an Expedia Employee or a Former Expedia Employee (other than Expedia RSUs held by Barry Diller and other than the DK Performance-Based Expedia RSUs) and Expedia RSUs awarded in respect of service as an Expedia director shall be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time, the number of Expedia RSUs, rounded to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (ii) the Expedia Ratio.

 

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(f) Expedia RSUs Held by TripAdvisor Employees (other than Barry Diller) and Former TripAdvisor Employees. As determined by the Committee pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Expedia RSUs held by a TripAdvisor Employee (other than Barry Diller) or a Former TripAdvisor Employee as of the Effective Time shall be converted into TripAdvisor RSUs, and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time, the number of TripAdvisor RSUs, rounded to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time by (ii)  the TripAdvisor Ratio.

(g) Expedia RSUs Held by Barry Diller. As determined by the Committee pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Expedia RSUs held by Barry Diller as of the Effective Time shall be converted into:

(i) Expedia RSUs, and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time, (A) the number of Expedia RSUs, rounded to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to one half the number of Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, and (B) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends, rounded to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, by (2) the Expedia Allocation Factor, and

(ii) TripAdvisor RSUs, and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time (A) the number of TripAdvisor RSUs, rounded to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to one half the number of Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, and (B) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends, rounded to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, by (2) the TripAdvisor Allocation Factor.

Following the Effective Time, the satisfaction of conditions to vesting of Barry Diller’s Expedia RSUs governed by this Section 5.3(g) will be determined based on Barry Diller’s employment with Expedia, and the satisfaction of conditions to vesting of Barry Diller’s TripAdvisor RSUs governed by this Section 5.3(g) will be determined based on Barry Diller’s employment with TripAdvisor.

(h) DK Performance-Based Expedia RSUs. As determined by the Committee pursuant to its authority under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, the DK Performance-Based Expedia RSUs that are outstanding as of the Effective Time shall be converted into:

(i) Expedia RSUs, and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time (A) the number of Expedia RSUs, rounded to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to one half the number of Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, (B) the vesting of such Expedia RSUs will be determined in accordance with the terms of an amended and restated award agreement between Dara Khosrowshahi and Expedia, and (C) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends, rounded to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, by (2) the Expedia Allocation Factor; and

(ii) TripAdvisor RSUs, and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the

 

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Effective Time; provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time (A) the number of TripAdvisor RSUs, rounded to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to one half the number of Expedia RSUs immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, (B) the vesting of such TripAdvisor RSUs will be determined in accordance with the terms of the award agreement between Dara Khosrowshahi and TripAdvisor, and (C) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends, rounded to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the amount of any corresponding accrued and unpaid dividends immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split and the Effective Time, by (2)  the TripAdvisor Allocation Factor.

(i) Foreign Grants/Awards. To the extent that any of the Expedia RSUs or any of the Expedia Options are granted to non-U.S. employees under any domestic or foreign equity-based incentive program sponsored by an Expedia Entity, Expedia and TripAdvisor shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to preserve, at and after the Effective Time, the value and tax treatment accorded to such Expedia Options and such Expedia RSUs granted to non-U.S. employees under any domestic or foreign equity-based incentive program sponsored by an Expedia Entity.

(j) Miscellaneous Option and Other RSU Terms. After the Effective Date, Expedia Options and Expedia RSUs (including any corresponding dividend equivalents) adjusted pursuant to Section 5.3, regardless of by whom held, shall be settled by Expedia pursuant to the terms of the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan, and TripAdvisor Options and TripAdvisor RSUs (including any corresponding dividend equivalents), regardless of by whom held, shall be settled by TripAdvisor pursuant to the terms of the TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan. Accordingly, it is intended that, to the extent of the issuance of such TripAdvisor Options and TripAdvisor RSUs in connection with the adjustment provisions of this Section 5.3, the TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan shall be considered a successor to the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan and to have assumed the obligations of the applicable Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan to make the adjustment of the Expedia Options and Expedia RSUs as set forth in this Section 5.3. The Effective Time shall not constitute a termination of employment for any TripAdvisor Employees for purposes of any Expedia Option or Expedia RSU and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, with respect to grants adjusted pursuant to this Section 5.3, employment with TripAdvisor shall be treated as employment with Expedia with respect to Expedia Options held by TripAdvisor Employees and employment with Expedia shall be treated as employment with TripAdvisor with respect to TripAdvisor Options and TripAdvisor RSUs held by Expedia Employees. Barry Diller shall be treated as (i) an Expedia Employee with respect to the vesting and exercisability of Expedia equity awards, and (ii) a TripAdvisor Employee with respect to the vesting and exercisability of TripAdvisor equity awards.

(k) Waiting Period for Exercisability of Options and Grant of Options and RSUs. The Expedia Options and TripAdvisor Options shall not be exercisable during a period beginning on a date prior to the Effective Date determined by Expedia in its sole discretion, and continuing until the Expedia Post-Separation Stock Value and the TripAdvisor Stock Value are determined after the Effective Time, or such longer period as Expedia, with respect to Expedia Options, and TripAdvisor, with respect to TripAdvisor Options, determines necessary to implement the provisions of this Section 5.3. The Expedia RSUs and TripAdvisor RSUs shall not be settled during a period beginning on a date prior to the Effective Date determined by Expedia in its sole discretion, and continuing until the Expedia Post-Separation Stock Value and the TripAdvisor Stock Value are determined immediately after the Effective Time, or such longer period as Expedia, with respect to Expedia RSUs, and TripAdvisor, with respect to TripAdvisor RSUs, determines necessary to implement the provisions of this Section 5.3.

(l) Equity Plan Administrator. Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor agrees that it will use Morgan Stanley Smith Barney to administer all employee equity awards that are outstanding immediately following the Effective Time (including all such equity awards that are adjusted in accordance with this Section 5.3).

5.4 Restrictive Covenants. Following the Effective Date, TripAdvisor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to monitor the TripAdvisor Employees and Former TripAdvisor Employees to determine whether any

 

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such TripAdvisor Employees or Former TripAdvisor Employees have breached any of the restrictive covenants in the agreements evidencing the terms of their Expedia Options and Expedia Awards. As soon as practicable following TripAdvisor’s reasonable belief that a TripAdvisor Employee or Former TripAdvisor Employee has breached any such covenant, TripAdvisor shall provide Expedia in writing with the name and address of such employee or former employee and a description of the breach that such employee or former employee is believed to have committed. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in any agreement evidencing the terms of any Expedia Options and Expedia Awards or otherwise to the contrary, it shall not be a violation of any Expedia non-competition or non-solicitation of clients or customers covenant for a TripAdvisor Employee to engage in acts on behalf of TripAdvisor or a TripAdvisor Entity that are otherwise prohibited by the terms of such non-competition or non-solicitation of clients or customers covenants and it shall not be a violation of any TripAdvisor non-competition or non-solicitation of clients or customers covenant for an Expedia Employee to engage in acts on behalf of Expedia or an Expedia Entity that are otherwise prohibited by the terms of such non-competition or non-solicitation of clients or customers covenants. In addition, following the Effective Time, the restrictive covenants (including, without limitation, any proprietary rights agreements or confidential information covenants) to which any TripAdvisor Employee or Former TripAdvisor Employee are party shall run in favor of TripAdvisor (and, to the extent relating to Expedia, shall run in favor of Expedia to the same extent that they ran in favor of Expedia immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, that the Effective Time shall be treated as a termination of employment from Expedia for purposes of the duration of Expedia’s ability to enforce the restrictive covenant) and the restrictive covenants to which any Expedia Employee or Former Expedia Employee are party shall run in favor of Expedia.

5.5 Employment Agreements. Any employment agreement between Expedia and a TripAdvisor Employee or Former TripAdvisor Employee shall as of the Effective Time be assigned by Expedia to TripAdvisor and assumed by TripAdvisor.

5.6 Registration Requirements. TripAdvisor agrees that it shall maintain on a continuous basis an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (and maintain the prospectus contained therein for its intended use) with respect to the shares of TripAdvisor Common Stock authorized for issuance under the TripAdvisor Long-Term Incentive Plan. Expedia agrees that, following the Effective Date, it shall use reasonable efforts to continue to maintain a Form S-8 Registration Statement with respect to and cause to be registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the shares of Expedia Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Expedia Long-Term Incentive Plan as required pursuant to such Act and any applicable rules or regulations thereunder.

5.7 Expedia Executive DC Plan. Expedia shall retain, or cause its Subsidiaries to retain, all Assets and all Liabilities arising out of or relating to the Expedia Executive DC Plan, and shall make payments to all participants in such plans who are TripAdvisor Employees or Former TripAdvisor Employees in accordance with the terms of the Expedia Executive DC Plan. Expedia and TripAdvisor acknowledge that none of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement will trigger a payment or distribution of compensation under the Expedia Executive DC Plan for any TripAdvisor Employee or Former TripAdvisor Employee and, consequently, that the payment or distribution of any compensation to which any TripAdvisor Employee or Former TripAdvisor Employee is entitled under the Expedia Executive DC Plan will occur upon such TripAdvisor Employee’s separation from service from TripAdvisor and its Subsidiaries or at such other time as provided in the Expedia Executive DC Plan or such TripAdvisor Employee’s or Former TripAdvisor Employee’s deferral election.

5.8 Severance. A TripAdvisor Employee shall not be deemed to have terminated employment for purposes of determining eligibility for severance benefits in connection with or in anticipation of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement. TripAdvisor shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities in respect of all costs arising out of payments and benefits relating to the termination or alleged termination of any TripAdvisor Employee or Former TripAdvisor Employee’s employment that occurs prior to, as a result of, in connection with or following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the

 

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Separation Agreement, including any amounts required to be paid (including any payroll or other taxes), and the costs of providing benefits, under any applicable severance, separation, redundancy, termination or similar plan, program, practice, contract, agreement, law or regulation (such benefits to include any medical or other welfare benefits, outplacement benefits, accrued vacation, and taxes).

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

6.1 Sharing of Participant Information. Expedia and TripAdvisor shall share, and Expedia shall cause each other Expedia Entity to share, and TripAdvisor shall cause each other TripAdvisor Entity to share with each other and their respective agents and vendors (without obtaining releases) all participant information necessary for the efficient and accurate administration of each of the TripAdvisor Benefit Plans and the Expedia Benefit Plans. Expedia and TripAdvisor and their respective authorized agents shall, subject to applicable laws, be given reasonable and timely access to, and may make copies of, all information relating to the subjects of this Agreement in the custody of the other Party, to the extent necessary for such administration. Until the Effective Time, all participant information shall be provided in the manner and medium applicable to Participating Companies in Expedia Benefit Plans generally, and thereafter through the end of the H&W Transition Period, all participant information shall be provided in a manner and medium as may be mutually agreed to by Expedia and TripAdvisor.

6.2 Reasonable Efforts/Cooperation. Each of the Parties hereto will use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Parties hereto shall cooperate fully on any issue relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the other Party seeks a determination letter or private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, an advisory opinion from the Department of Labor or any other filing (including, but not limited to, securities filings (remedial or otherwise)), consent or approval with respect to or by a governmental agency or authority in any jurisdiction in the U.S. or abroad.

6.3 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and is not intended to confer upon any other Persons any rights or remedies hereunder. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Expedia or any other Expedia Entity, at any time after the Effective Time, from amending, merging, modifying, terminating, eliminating, reducing, or otherwise altering in any respect any Expedia Benefit Plan, any benefit under any Benefit Plan or any trust, insurance policy or funding vehicle related to any Expedia Benefit Plan. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude TripAdvisor or any other TripAdvisor Entity, at any time after the Effective Time, from amending, merging, modifying, terminating, eliminating, reducing, or otherwise altering in any respect any TripAdvisor Benefit Plan, any benefit under any Benefit Plan or any trust, insurance policy or funding vehicle related to any TripAdvisor Benefit Plan.

6.4 Audit Rights With Respect to Information Provided.

(a) Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor, and their duly authorized representatives, shall have the right to conduct reasonable audits with respect to all information required to be provided to it by the other Party under this Agreement. The Party conducting the audit (the “Auditing Party”) may adopt reasonable procedures and guidelines for conducting audits and the selection of audit representatives under this Section 6.4. The Auditing Party shall have the right to make copies of any records at its expense, subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable laws and to any confidentiality provisions set forth in the Separation Agreement, which are incorporated by reference herein. The Party being audited shall provide the Auditing Party’s representatives with reasonable access during normal business hours to its operations, computer systems and paper and electronic files, and provide workspace to its representatives. After any audit is completed, the Party being audited shall have the right to review a draft of the audit findings and to comment on those findings in writing within thirty business days after receiving such draft.

 

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(b) The Auditing Party’s audit rights under this Section 6.4 shall include the right to audit, or participate in an audit facilitated by the Party being audited, of any Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the Party being audited and to require the other Party to request any benefit providers and third parties with whom the Party being audited has a relationship, or agents of such Party, to agree to such an audit to the extent any such Persons are affected by or addressed in this Agreement (collectively, the “Non-parties”). The Party being audited shall, upon written request from the Auditing Party, provide an individual (at the Auditing Party’s expense) to supervise any audit of a Non-party. The Auditing Party shall be responsible for supplying, at the Auditing Party’s expense, additional personnel sufficient to complete the audit in a reasonably timely manner. The responsibility of the Party being audited shall be limited to providing, at the Auditing Party’s expense, a single individual at each audited site for purposes of facilitating the audit.

6.5 Fiduciary Matters. It is acknowledged that actions required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to fiduciary duties or standards of conduct under ERISA or other applicable law, and no Party shall be deemed to be in violation of this Agreement if it fails to comply with any provisions hereof based upon its good faith determination that to do so would violate such a fiduciary duty or standard. Each Party shall be responsible for taking such actions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to comply with its own fiduciary responsibilities and shall fully release and indemnify the other Party for any Liabilities caused by the failure to satisfy any such responsibility.

6.6 Consent of Third Parties. If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of any third party (such as a vendor) and such consent is withheld, the Parties hereto shall use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the applicable provisions of this Agreement to the full extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, the Parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory manner. The phrase “commercially reasonable efforts” as used herein shall not be construed to require any Party to incur any non-routine or unreasonable expense or Liability or to waive any right.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 Effect If Effective Time Does Not Occur. If the Separation Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective Time, then this Agreement shall terminate and all actions and events that are, under this Agreement, to be taken or occur effective immediately prior to or as of the Effective Time, or Immediately after the Effective Date, or otherwise in connection with the Separation Transactions, shall not be taken or occur except to the extent specifically agreed by Expedia and TripAdvisor.

7.2 Relationship of Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any third party as creating the relationship of principal and agent, partnership or joint venture between the Parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained herein, and no act of the Parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between the Parties other than the relationship set forth herein.

7.3 Affiliates. Each of Expedia and TripAdvisor shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by another Expedia Entity or a TripAdvisor Entity, respectively.

 

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7.4 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given to a Party when (a) delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by nationally recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid); (b) sent by facsimile with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment; or (c) received or rejected by the addressee, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the following addresses and facsimile numbers and marked to the attention of the person (by name or title) designated below (or to such other address, facsimile number or person as a Party may designate by notice to the other Parties):

(a) if to Expedia:

Expedia, Inc.

333 108th Avenue NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile No.: (425) [            ]-[            ]

with a copy to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Andrew J. Nussbaum, Esq.

Facsimile No.: (212) 403-2000

(b) if to TripAdvisor:

TripAdvisor, Inc.

141 Needham Street

Newton, MA 02464

Attention: Office of the General Counsel

Facsimile No.: [(            )][            ]-[             ]

7.5 Incorporation of Separation Agreement Provisions. The following provisions of the Separation Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and unless otherwise expressly specified herein, such provisions shall apply as if fully set forth herein mutatis mutandis (references in this Section 7.5 to an “Article” or “Section” shall mean Articles or Sections of the Separation Agreement, and references in the material incorporated herein by reference shall be references to the Separation Agreement): Article VII (relating to Mutual Releases; Indemnification); Article IX (relating to Exchange of Information; Confidentiality); Article X (relating to Dispute Resolution); Article XI (relating to Further Assurances); Article XIII (relating to Sole Discretion of Expedia; Termination); and Article XIV (relating to Miscellaneous).

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Employee Matters Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

EXPEDIA, INC.

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT]


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ANNEX I

FORM OF

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

by and between

EXPEDIA, INC.

and

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

DATED AS OF [], 20[11]

 

 


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TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated as of [], 20[11] (this “Services Agreement”), is entered into by and between Expedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Expedia”), and TripAdvisor, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned Subsidiary of Expedia (“TripAdvisor”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in that certain Separation Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Expedia and TripAdvisor (the “Separation Agreement”).

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Expedia has determined it is appropriate and desirable to separate Expedia and TripAdvisor into two publicly-traded companies by separating the businesses comprising Expedia’s TripAdvisor media group from Expedia’s remaining businesses by way of Expedia and its Subsidiaries effecting the Separation Transactions, and thereafter effecting a reclassification of the capital stock of Expedia;

WHEREAS, Expedia and TripAdvisor expect to enter into the Separation Agreement on the date hereof, which sets forth, among other things, the assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of each of the Parties for purposes of effecting the separation of Expedia and TripAdvisor; and

WHEREAS, in connection with such separation, (a) TripAdvisor desires to procure certain services from Expedia, and Expedia is willing to provide such services to TripAdvisor, during a transition period commencing on the Effective Date, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Services Agreement; and (b) Expedia desires to procure certain services from TripAdvisor, and TripAdvisor is willing to provide such services to Expedia, during a transition period commencing on the Effective Date, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Services Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants and other provisions set forth in this Services Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

1.01. All terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE II

Agreement To Provide and Accept Services

2.01. Provision of Services.

(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, Expedia shall provide, or shall cause its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and their respective employees designated by Expedia (such designated Subsidiaries, Affiliates and employees, together with Expedia, being herein collectively referred to as the “Expedia Service Providers”) to provide, to TripAdvisor, the services (“Expedia Services”) listed on the Schedule of Services agreed upon and exchanged between the Parties on the date hereof (the “Services Schedule”) as being performed by Expedia. Subject to Section 3.01, any decisions as to which of the Expedia Service Providers (including the decisions to use third parties) shall provide the Expedia Services shall be made by Expedia in its sole discretion, except to the extent specified in the Services Schedule. Each Expedia Service shall be provided in exchange for the consideration set forth with respect to such Expedia Service on the Services Schedule or as the Parties may otherwise agree in writing. Each Expedia Service shall be provided and accepted in accordance with the terms, limitations and conditions set forth herein and on the Services Schedule.

 

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(b) On the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, TripAdvisor shall provide, or shall cause its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and their respective employees designated by it (such designated Subsidiaries, Affiliates and employees, together with TripAdvisor, being herein collectively referred to as the “TripAdvisor Service Providers” and together with the Expedia Service Providers, the “Service Providers”) to provide, to Expedia the services (“TripAdvisor Services” and together with the Expedia Services, the “Services”) listed on the Services Schedule as being performed by TripAdvisor. Subject to Section 3.01, any decisions as to which of the TripAdvisor Service Providers (including the decisions to use third parties) shall provide the TripAdvisor Services shall be made by TripAdvisor in its sole discretion, except to the extent specified on the Services Schedule. Each TripAdvisor Service shall be provided in exchange for the consideration set forth with respect to such Service on the Services Schedule or as the Parties may otherwise agree in writing. Each TripAdvisor Service shall be provided and accepted in accordance with the terms, limitations and conditions set forth herein and on the Schedule.

(c) As used in this Services Agreement, the term “Receiving Party” shall mean the Party receiving Services.

2.02. Books and Records; Availability of Information. Each Party shall create and maintain accurate books and records in connection with the provision of the Services performed or caused to be performed by it and, upon reasonable notice from the other Party, shall make available for inspection and copy by such other Party’s agents such books and records during reasonable business hours with such inspection occurring no more than one (1) time during the term in which the Service Provider has provided the applicable Service. Moreover, such inspection shall be conducted by the Receiving Party or its agents in a manner that will not unreasonably interfere with the normal business operations of the Service Provider. Each Party shall make available on a timely basis to the Service Providers all information and materials reasonably requested by such Service Providers to enable them to provide the Services. Each Receiving Party shall provide to the Service Providers reasonable access to such Receiving Party’s premises to the extent necessary for the purpose of providing the Services.

ARTICLE III

Services; Payment; Independent Contractors

3.01. Services To Be Provided. (a) Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties (including to the extent specified on the Services Schedule), (i) the Service Providers shall be required to perform the Services only in a manner, scope, nature and quality as provided by or within Expedia that is similar in all material respects to the manner in which such Services were performed immediately prior to the Effective Date, and (ii) the Services shall be used for substantially the same purposes and in substantially the same manner (including as to volume, amount, level or frequency, as applicable) as the Services have been used immediately prior to the Effective Date; provided, however, that the Services Schedule shall control the scope of the Service to be performed (to the extent provided therein), unless otherwise agreed in writing. Each Party and the Service Providers shall act under this Services Agreement solely as an independent contractor and not as an agent or employee of any other Party or any of such Party’s Affiliates. As an independent contractor, all overhead and personnel necessary to the Services required of the Service Providers hereunder shall be the Service Provider’s sole responsibility and shall be at the Service Provider’s sole cost and expense. No Service Provider shall have the authority to bind the Receiving Party by contract or otherwise.

(b) The provision of Services by Service Providers shall be subject to Article V hereof.

(c) Each Party agrees to use its reasonable efforts to reduce or eliminate its dependency on the Services as soon as is reasonably practicable; provided that a breach of this Section 3.01(c) shall not affect a Service Provider’s obligation to provide any Service through the term applicable to such Service.

3.02. The Parties will use good-faith efforts to reasonably cooperate with each other in all matters relating to the provision and receipt of Services. Such cooperation shall include obtaining all consents, licenses or approvals

 

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necessary to permit each Party to perform its obligations hereunder; provided, however, under no circumstances shall any Service Provider be required to make any payments to any third party in respect of any such consents, licenses or approvals nor shall any Service Provider be required to make any alternative arrangements in the event that any such consents, licenses or approvals are not obtained.

3.03. Additional Services.

(a) From time to time during the term, each of Expedia and TripAdvisor may request the other Party (i) to provide additional (including as to volume, amount, level or frequency, as applicable) or different services which the other Party is not expressly obligated to provide under this Agreement if such services are of the type and scope provided within Expedia during fiscal year 20[11] or (ii) expand the scope of any Service (such additional or expanded services, the “Additional Services”). The Party receiving such request shall consider such request in good faith and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such Additional Services; provided, no Party shall be obligated to provide any Additional Services if it does not, in its reasonable judgment, have adequate resources to provide such Additional Services or if the provision of such Additional Services would interfere with the operation of its business. The Party receiving the request for Additional Services shall notify the requesting Party within fifteen (15) days as to whether it will or will not provide the Additional Services.

(b) If a Party agrees to provide Additional Services pursuant to Section 3.03(a), then a representative of each party shall in good faith negotiate the terms of a supplement to the Services Schedule which will describe in detail the service, project scope, term, price and payment terms to be charged for the Additional Services. Once agreed to in writing, the supplement to the Services Schedule shall be deemed part of this Services Agreement as of such date and the Additional Services shall be deemed “Services” provided hereunder, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

3.04. Payments. Except as may be set forth on the Services Schedule, statements will be delivered to the Receiving Party within fifteen days after the end of each month by the Service Providers designated by each Party for Services provided to the Receiving Party during the preceding month, and each such statement shall set forth a brief description of such Services, the amounts charged therefor, and, except as the Parties may agree or as set forth on the Services Schedule, such amounts shall be due and payable by the Receiving Party within thirty (30) days after the date of such statement. Statements not paid within such 30-day period shall be subject to late charges, calculated at an interest rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus 2% (or the maximum legal rate, whichever is lower), and calculated for the actual number of days elapsed, accrued from the date on which such payment was due up to the date of the actual receipt of payment. Payments shall be made by wire transfer to an account designated in writing from time to time by Service Provider.

3.05. Disclaimer of Warranty. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT, THE SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED UNDER THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT ARE FURNISHED AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. In the event that the provision of any Service for the account of a Receiving Party by a Service Provider conflicts with such Service Provider’s provision of such Service for its own account, priority for the provision of such Service shall be allocated in an equitable manner on an aggregate basis, and in a manner consistent with the Receiving Party’s level of use of such Service during fiscal year 20[11] up to the Effective Date (or as described on the Services Schedule).

3.06. Taxes. In the event that any Tax is properly chargeable on the provision of the Services as indicated on the Services Schedule, the Receiving Party shall be responsible for and shall pay the amount of any such Tax in addition to and at the same time as the Service fees. All Service fees and other consideration will be paid free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any Tax, except as may be required by law.

3.07. Use of Services. The Receiving Party shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, resell any Services to any person whatsoever or permit the use of the Services by any person other than in connection with the conduct of the Receiving Party’s operations as conducted immediately prior to the Effective Date.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Term of Services

4.01. The provision of Services shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate no later than twelve (12) months after the date hereof or as of the date indicated for each such Service on the Services Schedule; provided, however, that subject to the Services Schedule, any Service may be cancelled or reduced in amount or any portion thereof by the Receiving Party upon ninety (90) days’ written notice thereof (or such other notice period if one is set forth for such Service on the Services Schedule) subject to the requirement that the Receiving Party pay to the Service Provider the actual out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Service Provider, as well as the actual incremental internal costs incurred by the Service Providers, in each case directly resulting from such cancellation (including employee severance and other termination costs), which out-of-pocket and internal costs shall be set forth in a written statement provided by the Service Provider to the Receiving Party; provided, further, that such costs shall not exceed amounts payable hereunder in respect of the applicable Service for the ninety (90) days prior to such termination. The foregoing notwithstanding and subject to Section 7.02, (i) a Service Provider may immediately terminate any individual Service provided to a Receiving Party in the event that the Receiving Party fails to make payments for such Service under Section 3.04 and has not cured such failure within thirty (30) days of written notice of such failure from the Service Provider, and (ii) upon ninety (90) days’ written notice, the Service Provider may terminate any Service provided to the Receiving Party at such time as the Service Provider no longer provides the same Service to itself for its own account.

4.02. In the event a Receiving Party requests an extension of the term applicable to the provision of Services, such request shall be considered in good faith by the Service Provider. Any terms, conditions or costs or fees to be paid by the Receiving Party for Services provided during an extended term will be on mutually acceptable terms. For the avoidance of doubt, under no circumstances shall a Service Provider be required to extend the term of provision of any Service if (i) the Service Provider does not, in its reasonable judgment, have adequate resources to continue providing such Services, (ii) the extension of the term would interfere with the operation of the Service Provider’s business or (iii) the extension would require capital expenditure on the part of the Service Provider or otherwise require the Service Provider to renew or extend any Contract with any third party.

ARTICLE V

Force Majeure

5.01. The Service Providers shall not be liable for any expense, loss or damage whatsoever arising out of any interruption of Service or delay or failure to perform under this Services Agreement that is due to acts of God, acts of a public enemy, acts of terrorism, acts of a nation or any state, territory, province or other political division thereof, changes in applicable law, fires, hurricanes, floods, epidemics, riots, theft, quarantine restrictions, freight embargoes or other similar causes beyond the reasonable control of the Service Providers. In any such event, the Service Providers’ obligations hereunder shall be postponed for such time as its performance is suspended or delayed on account thereof. Each Service Provider will promptly notify the recipient of the Service, either orally or in writing, upon learning of the occurrence of such event of force majeure. Upon the cessation of the force majeure event, such Service Provider will use commercially reasonable efforts to resume, or to cause any other relevant Service Provider to resume, its performance with the least practicable delay (provided that, at the election of the applicable Receiving Party, the applicable term for such suspended Services shall be extended by the length of the force majeure event).

ARTICLE VI

Liabilities

6.01. Consequential and Other Damages. None of the Service Providers shall be liable to the Receiving Party with respect to this Services Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence and strict liability)

 

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or otherwise, for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages whatsoever (except, in each case, to the extent any such amount is paid to third parties by a Receiving Party or its Affiliates) which in any way arise out of, relate to or are a consequence of, the performance or nonperformance by it hereunder or the provision of, or failure to provide, any Service hereunder, including with respect to loss of profits, business interruptions or claims of customers.

6.02. Limitations of Liability. Subject to Section 6.03 hereof, the liability of any Service Provider with respect to this Services Agreement or any act or failure to act in connection herewith (including, but not limited to, the performance or breach hereof), or from the sale, delivery, provision or use of any Service provided under or covered by this Services Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence and strict liability) or otherwise, shall be limited to actions or omissions resulting from intentional breach of this Services Agreement or gross negligence, and, in any event, such liability shall not exceed the fees previously paid to such Service Provider under this Services Agreement.

6.03. Obligation To Re-perform. In the event of any breach of this Services Agreement by any Service Provider resulting from any error or defect in the performance of any Service (which breach such Service Provider can reasonably be expected to cure by re-performance in a commercially reasonable manner), the Service Provider shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to correct in all material respects such error, defect or breach or re-perform in all material respects such Service upon receipt of the written request of the Receiving Party.

6.04. Indemnity. Except as otherwise provided in this Service Agreement (including the limitation of liability provisions in this Article VI), each Party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party from and against any Liability arising out of the intentional breach hereunder or gross negligence of the Indemnifying Party or its Affiliates, employees, agents, or contractors (including with respect to the performance or nonperformance of any Service hereunder). The procedures set forth in Sections 7.04 and 7.05 of the Separation Agreement shall apply to any claim for indemnification hereunder.

ARTICLE VII

Termination

7.01. Termination. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Services Agreement shall terminate, and the obligation of the Service Providers to provide or cause to be provided any Service shall cease, on the earliest to occur of (i) the last date indicated for the termination of any Service on the Services Schedule, as the case may be, (ii) the date on which the provision of all Services has been terminated or canceled pursuant to Article IV hereof, or (iii) the date on which this Services Agreement is terminated by TripAdvisor or Expedia, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of Section 7.02 hereof; provided that, in each case, no such termination shall relieve any Party of any liability for any breach of any provision of this Services Agreement prior to the date of such termination.

7.02. Breach of Services Agreement; Dispute Resolution. Subject to Article VI hereof, and without limiting a Party’s obligations under Section 4.01, if a Party shall cause or suffer to exist any material breach of any of its obligations under this Services Agreement, including any failure to make a payment within thirty (30) days after receipt of the statement describing the Services provided for pursuant to Section 3.04 with respect to more than one Service provided hereunder, and that Party does not cure such default in all material respects within 30 days after receiving written notice thereof from the non-breaching Party, the non-breaching Party shall have the right to terminate this Services Agreement immediately thereafter. In the event a dispute arises between the Parties regarding the terms of this Services Agreement, such dispute shall be governed by Article X of the Separation Agreement.

 

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7.03. Sums Due. In addition to any other payments required pursuant to this Services Agreement, in the event of a termination of this Services Agreement, the Service Providers shall be entitled to the immediate payment of, and the Receiving Party shall within three (3) Business Days, pay to the Service Providers, all accrued amounts for Services, Taxes and other amounts due under this Services Agreement as of the date of termination.

7.04. Effect of Termination. Section 2.02 hereof and Articles V, VI, VII and VIII hereof shall survive any termination of this Services Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous

8.01. Incorporation of Separation Agreement Provisions. The provisions of Article XIV of the Separation Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and unless otherwise expressly specified herein, such provisions shall apply as if fully set forth herein.

8.02. Ownership of Work Product. Subject to the terms of the Separation Agreement, (i) each Service Provider acknowledges and agrees that it will acquire no right, title or interest (including any license rights or rights of use) to any work product resulting from the provision of Services hereunder for the Receiving Party’s exclusive use and such work product shall remain the exclusive property of the Receiving Party and (ii) each Receiving Party acknowledges and agrees that it will acquire no right, title or interest (other than a non-exclusive, worldwide right of use) to any work product resulting from the provision of Services hereunder that is not for the Receiving Party’s exclusive use and such work product shall remain the exclusive property, subject to license, of the Service Provider.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Services Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.

 

EXPEDIA, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

TRIPADVISOR, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:


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ANNEX J

FORM OF PREFERRED STOCK MERGER AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of                 , 2011 (this “Agreement”), by and between Expedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Expedia Preferred Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires that Merger Sub merge with and into the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (the “Merger”), in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Merger Sub by a duly adopted resolution has approved the terms of this Agreement and of the Merger, declared the advisability of this Agreement and of the Merger and determined them to be fair to and in the best interests of Merger Sub and its sole stockholder and directed the submission of this Agreement to its sole stockholder for approval; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company by a duly adopted resolution has approved the terms of this Agreement and of the Merger, declared the advisability of this Agreement and of the Merger and determined them to be fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and directed the submission of this Agreement to its stockholders for approval.

NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE MERGER

SECTION 1.1 The Merger. (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined below), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company in accordance with the DGCL, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”).

(b) On the Closing Date (as defined below) and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall file a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and make all other filings or recordings required by the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the certificate of merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as is specified in the certificate of merger (the “Effective Time”).

(c) At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects set forth in the DGCL. Without limiting the foregoing and subject thereto, from and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises and be subject to all of the restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub, all as provided under the DGCL.

 

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SECTION 1.2 Effect on Capital Stock.

At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Merger Sub or the holders of any securities of the Company or Merger Sub:

(a) Each share of common stock, par value $        per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically cancelled and cease to exist, without any conversion thereof.

(b) Each share of Common Stock, par value $0.001, of the Company (“Common Stock”) and each share of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001, of the Company (“Class B Common Stock”) issued and outstanding or held in the treasury of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding or held in the treasury of the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, and shall be unaffected by the Merger.

(c) Each share of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001, of the Company (“Series A Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Dissenting Shares (as defined below)) shall, by virtue of the Merger, be automatically converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $        plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends on such share to the Effective Time (the “Merger Consideration”). Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be automatically cancelled and cease to exist; and each holder of a certificate (“Certificate”) or book-entry share (“Book-Entry Share”) representing prior to the Effective Time any such share of Series A Preferred Stock shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such share, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration in respect thereof in accordance with this Agreement or, in the case of a Dissenting Stockholder (as defined below), the rights set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL.

SECTION 1.3 Payment for Shares.

(a) Prior to the Effective Time, a bank, trust company or other Person or Persons shall be designated by the Company to act as paying agent (the “Paying Agent”) for payment of the Merger Consideration. For purposes of this Agreement, “Person” means any natural person, firm, individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, joint venture, company, business trust, trust or any other entity or organization whether incorporated or unincorporated, including a government or political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

(b) As of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall deposit, or cause to be deposited with the Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, an amount of cash equal to the Merger Consideration multiplied by the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

(c) Promptly following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying Agent to mail (and to make available for collection by hand) to each holder of record of a Certificate or Book-Entry Share, which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented an outstanding share or shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (i) a letter of transmittal or similar transmittal form (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to each Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share to the Paying Agent and which shall be in the form and have such other provisions as the Surviving Corporation may specify) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of each Certificate or Book-Entry Share in exchange for the Merger Consideration into which each share of Series A Preferred Stock previously represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall have been converted pursuant to this Agreement (which instructions shall provide that at the election of the surrendering holder, such Certificate or Book-Entry Share may be surrendered, and the Merger Consideration in exchange therefor collected, by hand delivery). If payment of any Merger Consideration is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that (A) the Certificate so registered shall be properly endorsed or shall otherwise be in proper form for transfer and (B) the Person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer and other taxes required by reason of the payment of such Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate surrendered or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such tax either has been paid or is not applicable. Upon surrender of a Certificate or Book-Entry Share for cancellation to the Paying Agent, together with a letter of transmittal duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall, subject to consummation of the Merger, be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration for each share of Series A Preferred Stock formerly represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Share, and the Certificate or Book-Entry Share so surrendered shall be forthwith cancelled. The Paying Agent shall accept such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares upon compliance with such reasonable terms and conditions as the Paying Agent may impose to effect an orderly exchange therefor in accordance with normal exchange practices. No interest shall be paid or accrued for the benefit of holders of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares on the Merger Consideration payable upon the surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares.

 

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(d) If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such Person of a bond in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration with respect to the shares formerly represented thereby.

(e) Any portion of the Merger Consideration deposited with the Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 1.3 (the “Payment Fund”) which remains undistributed to the holders of Certificates for six months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and any holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock prior to the Merger who have not theretofore complied with this Article I shall thereafter look for payment of their claim, as general creditors thereof, only to the Surviving Corporation for their claim for the Merger Consideration.

(f) None of the Surviving Corporation, Merger Sub or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any Person in respect of any cash held in the Payment Fund (and any cash, dividends and other distributions payable in respect thereof) delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

(g) The Paying Agent shall invest any cash included in the Payment Fund, as directed by the Surviving Corporation, on a daily basis. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to, and solely for the account of, the Surviving Corporation.

(h) The Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock such amounts as the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority by the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, as the case may be, in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent.

(i) The Surviving Corporation shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to direct the Paying Agent to round up or down in calculating amounts of cash payable pursuant to Section 1.2.

SECTION 1.4 Dissenting Shares.

(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each share of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a Person (a “Dissenting Stockholder”) who is entitled to seek an appraisal of such shares under Delaware law and who complies with all the requirements of Delaware law to exercise and perfect appraisal rights (“Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration but shall instead become the right to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due to such Dissenting Stockholder pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL. If, after the Effective Time, such Dissenting Stockholder withdraws his or her demand for appraisal or fails to perfect or otherwise loses his or her right of appraisal, in any case pursuant to the DGCL, the shares of such Dissenting Stockholder shall be deemed to be converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (without any interest thereon).

(b) Nothing contained in this Agreement, including Section 1.4(a) hereof, shall limit the right of the Surviving Corporation to take the position at any time, including in any litigation or appraisal or other proceeding, and in any manner, that stockholders, or that particular groups of stockholders, are not entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL.

SECTION 1.5 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable law) of the conditions set forth in Article III hereof, the closing of the Merger shall take place at such place as the Company shall determine, at such time as is, in the judgment of the Company, as soon as reasonably practicable following such satisfaction or waiver, unless another time or place is established by the Company.

 

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ARTICLE II

THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

SECTION 2.1 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. At the Effective Time, (a) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and (b) the By-Laws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation.

SECTION 2.2 Directors and Officers. From and after the Effective Time, the directors and officers of the Company at the Effective Time shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable law, the Company’s By-Laws and its Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

SECTION 3.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and Merger Sub. The respective obligations of the Company and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of, or (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the waiver by the Company of, each of the following conditions:

(a) the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, shall have voted in favor of the adoption of this Agreement; and

(b) no laws shall have been adopted or promulgated, and no temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by a court or other supranational, national, state, municipal, local or foreign government, any instrumentality, subdivision, administrative agency or commission or other authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory, taxing, importing or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority (a “Governmental Entity”) of competent jurisdiction shall be in effect having the effect of making the Merger illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Merger and no proceeding challenging this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or seeking to prohibit, alter, prevent or delay the Merger shall have been instituted by any or before any Governmental Entity which would cause the Board of Directors of the Company to determine that the consummation of the Merger is no longer advisable.

ARTICLE IV

TERMINATION

SECTION 4.1 Termination. To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, this Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger and the other actions herein provided for may be abandoned, by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding any approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of either or both of the Company or Merger Sub.

SECTION 4.2 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect with no liability on the part of any party hereto.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 5.1 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that no party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other party hereto.

SECTION 5.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of the conflicts of laws.

 

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SECTION 5.3 Amendment and Waiver. To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, this Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of the Company and Merger Sub, and any provision hereof may be waived by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced, at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding any approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of either or both of the Company or Merger Sub.

SECTION 5.4 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts hereof signed by the other party hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

EXPEDIA, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
EXPEDIA PREFERRED MERGER SUB, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

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ANNEX K

APPRAISAL RIGHTS UNDER SECTION 262 OF THE

DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

§ 262. Appraisal rights.

(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder’s shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word “stockholder” means a holder of record of stock in a corporation; the words “stock” and “share” mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words; and the words “depository receipt” mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in 1 or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.

(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263 or § 264 of this title:

(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in § 251(f) of this title.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to §§ 251, 252, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:

a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof;

b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;

c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a. and b. of this section; or

d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a., b. and c. of this section.

(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 or § 267 of this title is not owned by the parent immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.

(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation or the sale of all

 

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or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.

(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:

(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for notice of such meeting (or such members who received notice in accordance with § 255(c) of this title) with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section and, if 1 of the constituent corporations is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become effective; or

(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to § 228, § 253, or § 267 of this title, then either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger or consolidation or the surviving or resulting corporation within 10 days thereafter shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section and, if 1 of the constituent corporations is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the appraisal of such holder’s shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder’s shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder’s shares in accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.

(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) of this section hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a

 

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determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party shall have the right to withdraw such stockholder’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) of this section hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days after such stockholder’s written request for such a statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) of this section hereof, whichever is later. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of such stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may, in such person’s own name, file a petition or request from the corporation the statement described in this subsection.

(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.

(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.

(h) After the Court determines the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the appraisal proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding the Court shall determine the fair value of the shares exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. Unless the Court in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest from the effective date of the merger through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger and the date of payment of the judgment. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the stockholders entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has submitted such stockholder’s certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.

(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares represented

 

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by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing such stock. The Court’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.

(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.

(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such stockholder’s demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just; provided, however that this provision shall not affect the right of any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such stockholder’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, as set forth in subsection (e) of this section.

(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.

 

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PART II—INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Each Registrant’s certificate of incorporation limits, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law, the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a director. Each Registrant’s bylaws provide mandatory indemnification to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law with respect to actions, suits, or proceedings that a person is party to, or threatened to be made a party to or otherwise involved in, by reason of the fact that he/she or a person of whom he/she is the legal representative is or was a director or officer of such Registrant, or by reason of the fact that he/she is or was a director or officer of such Registrant and serving in certain other capacities; provided that any such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law described below and that, with certain exceptions relating to suits to enforce rights to indemnification, such persons will be indemnified with respect to actions or suits initiated by such persons only if such action was first approved by the board of directors. Each Registrant’s bylaws include within this right to indemnification the right to be paid by such Registrant the expenses incurred in defending such a proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided that, in certain circumstances, the person provides an undertaking to such Registrant to repay such expenses, if it is ultimately determined that such party was not entitled to indemnity by such Registrant. From time to time, each Registrant’s officers and directors may be provided with indemnification agreements that are consistent with or greater than the foregoing provisions. Each Registrant has policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which insure directors and officers against the costs of defense, settlement and/or payment of judgment under certain circumstances. Each Registrant believes that these agreements and arrangements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

Each Registrant is incorporated in the State of Delaware. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of certain other entities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that with respect to proceedings by or in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, (a) a corporation may only indemnify such a person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action and (b) no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery, or such other court, shall deem proper.

The spinoff-related agreements filed or to be filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement may contain provisions regarding indemnification of the Registrants’ directors and officers against certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and regarding contribution with respect to payments that may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

  (a) Exhibits

The Exhibit Index filed herewith is incorporated herein by reference.

 

  (b) Financial Statement Schedules

 

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All schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

  (c) Reports, Opinions or Appraisals

To be filed by pre-effective amendment if applicable.

Item 22. Undertakings.

Each undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of Regulation C of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Rule 424(b)”) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent, no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.)

and that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(b) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(c) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(d) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such

 

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purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(e) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(f) That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

(g) That every prospectus: (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (b) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(h) To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in the documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

(i) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

(Insofar as indemnification by the Registrant for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.)

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the co-Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Bellevue, State of Washington, on November 1, 2011.

 

EXPEDIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Dara Khosrowshahi

  Name:   

Dara Khosrowshahi

  Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities as of November 1, 2011.

 

Signature

  

Title

*

(Barry Diller)

  

Director
(Executive Chairman of the Board)

*

(Dara Khosrowshahi)

  

President and Chief Executive
Officer, Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

*

(Mark D. Okerstrom)

  

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

*

(Lance A. Soliday)

  

Chief Accounting Officer and
Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

*

(Victor A. Kaufman)

  

Director
(Vice Chairman)

*

(A. George Battle)

  

Director

*

(Craig A. Jacobson)

  

Director

*

(Jonathan L. Dolgen)

  

Director

 

(William R. Fitzgerald)

  

Director

*

(José A. Tazón)

  

Director

*

(Peter M. Kern)

  

Director

*

(John C. Malone)

  

Director

 

*By:   /s/ Dara Khosrowshahi  
  Dara Khosrowshahi,
attorney-in-fact
 


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the co-Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Newton, State of Massachusetts on November 1, 2011.

 

TRIPADVISOR, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Kaufer

  Name:    Stephen Kaufer
  Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities as of November 1, 2011.

 

Signature

  

Title

   

*

(Stephen Kaufer)

  

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

*

(Mark D. Okerstrom)

  

Director, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

 

*

(Lance A. Soliday)

  

Director, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

*By:   /s/ Dara Khosrowshahi
  Dara Khosrowshahi, attorney-in-fact


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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  2.1    Form of Separation Agreement (included as Annex F to the proxy statement/prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement)
  2.2    Form of Preferred Stock Merger Agreement (included as Annex J to the proxy statement/prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement)
  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Expedia, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Expedia, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 15, 2005)
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Expedia, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Expedia, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 15, 2005)
  3.3   

Form of Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Expedia, Inc. (re: Reverse Stock Split)*

  3.4   

Form of Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Expedia, Inc. (re: Reclassification)*

  3.5    Form of Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Expedia, Inc. (re: Corporate Opportunity Amendments)*
  3.6    Certificate of Incorporation of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
  3.7    Bylaws of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
  3.8    Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
  3.9    Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
  4.1    Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement between Expedia, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Equity Warrant Agent, dated as of October 25, 2011*
  4.2    Form of Warrant Agreement between TripAdvisor, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Equity Warrant Agent*
  4.3    Certificate of Designations of Expedia, Inc. Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Expedia, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 15, 2005)
  4.4    Form of Certificate of Designations for Expedia, Inc. Series 1 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock*
  4.5    Form of Certificate of Designations for Expedia, Inc. Series 2 Mandatory Exchangeable Preferred Stock*
  4.6    Specimen TripAdvisor, Inc. Common Stock Certificate*
  4.7    Form of TripAdvisor, Inc. Warrant Certificate (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2—Form of TripAdvisor, Inc. Warrant Agreement between TripAdvisor, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Equity Warrant Agent)
  5.1    Opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, as to the validity of the securities being registered, dated as of October 31, 2011*
  8.1    Opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, as to certain material U.S. federal tax matters, dated as of October 31, 2011*
10.1    Form of Tax Sharing Agreement (included as Annex G to the proxy statement/prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement)
10.2    Form of Employee Matters Agreement (included as Annex H to the proxy statement/prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement)
10.3    Form of Transition Services Agreement (included as Annex I to the proxy statement/prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement)


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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

10.4    Form of TripAdvisor, Inc. Stock and Annual Incentive Plan*
10.5    Governance Agreement, by and among Expedia, Inc., Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) and Barry Diller, dated August 9, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Expedia, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on November 14, 2005).
10.6    First Amendment to Governance Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2007, among Expedia, Inc., Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) and Barry Diller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Expedia, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 19, 2007)
10.7    Stockholders Agreement, by and between Liberty Interactive Corporation (formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) and Barry Diller, dated as of August 9, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Expedia, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 14, 2005)
10.12    Sublease between Newton Technology Park LLC and TripAdvisor LLC, dated as of October 31, 2007*
10.13    First Amendment to Sublease between Newton Technology Park LLC and TripAdvisor LLC, dated as of June 15, 2009*
10.14    Employment Agreement between TripAdvisor LLC and Julie Bradley, effective as of October 3, 2011*
10.15    Executive Release of Claims Agreement between Expedia, Inc. (Washington) and Michael Adler, dated as of September 28, 2011*
10.16    Form of TripAdvisor, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors*
10.17   

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Expedia, Inc. and Mark D. Okerstrom, effective as of October 20, 2011*

10.18   

Employment Agreement between TripAdvisor LLC and Seth Kalvert, effective as of October 19, 2011*

21.1    Subsidiaries of Expedia, Inc.*
21.2    Subsidiaries of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
23.1    Consent of independent registered public accounting firm for Expedia, Inc.*
23.2    Consent of independent registered public accounting firm for TripAdvisor, Inc.*
23.3    Consent of independent registered public accounting firm for TripAdvisor Holdings, LLC*
24.1    Powers of Attorney*
24.2    Power of Attorney executed by Lance A. Soliday*
24.3    Power of Attorney executed by Mark D. Okerstrom*
99.1    Form of Proxy Card*
99.2    Consent of Jonathan F. Miller to be named as director of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
99.3    Consent of Jeremy Philips to be named as director of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
99.4    Consent of Robert S. Wiesenthal to be named as director of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
99.5    Consent of Michael P. Zeisser to be named as director of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
99.6    Consent of Sukhinder Singh Cassidy to be named as a director of TripAdvisor, Inc.*
99.7    Consent of William R. Fitzgerald to be named as a director of TripAdvisor, Inc.*

 

* Previously filed.