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Gator Files for IPO to Raise $150 Million
michalas writes "Wired reports on the IPO filing of adware/spyware kings Claria who have recently changed their name from Gator.
Claria on Thursday filed for an initial public offering to raise $150 million to continue developing its 'behavioral marketing platform.' Claria had a net income of $35 million on revenues of $90 million in 2003. In addition, Claria said it has 43 million active users and 425 advertisers."
They are now Claria, that is so much less predatory than Gator. They were just misunderstood.
Claria said it has 43 million active users
...of those 43 million "active users" only three are actually aware that they are running Claria's "product".
Of which 7 know they are.
What a coincidence, as I'm starting an IPO shortly, too! We're hoping to raise $150 million, which will be metered out as payment for the head of each Claira investor.
DRM = Digitally Restricted Media. This is a viral sig, pass it on.
Here's what they're saying about Gator stock:
"I love the way Gator takes my money and saves it for a rainey day!"
"Gator stock is so stable, I can't imagine investing with out it!"
"I love the way my income depends on Gator stock it make me feel secure!"
||| I still can't believe Parkay's not butter.
"In addition, Claria said it has 43 million active users and 425 advertisers."
Don't forget the 71 million ticked off ex-users.
Also, Claria said their certificates represent "the latest in investor-tracking technology." Claria's executives plan to use the small audio monitoring devices embedded in each certificate to learn valuable insider information about upcoming shifts in the stock market. "This represents a new direction in the stock market. Never before have companies used their stock certificates as a way to gather valuable investor information," said Claria's CEO in a press release today extolling the virtues of Claria's new business venture.
Addressing privacy concerns, he also mentioned that, "Anyone buying this stock knows exactly what they're getting into. We fully disclose all information about our monitoring technologies to anyone who bothers to break into our company's vault and read the encrypted data therein. Anyone who claims they were misled about privacy simply hasn't done the proper espionage expected of both parties entering into any contract. After all, if you don't catch us spying on you, it's your fault."
That's it. I'm no longer part of Team Sanity.
That would be like Hepatitis C Inc., boasting about their 500 million customers. This reminds me of Mel Brook's radio skit about the LMNOP Advertising Agency: "We just got the Cholesterol account. We're trying to move Cholesterol into the American heart. It's going to be tough, but we'll win. Advertising is a lot stronger than life."
Calling the Gator software GAIN was just an attempt to try to associate themselves with a clean, fresh scent.
Man, someone needs to go Steve Irwin on that gator's ass...
You can't take the sky from me...
Claria take their name from Chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection that many people do not know they carry. Someone in the advertising/PR department must have had a bit of fun with that one ;)
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Claria said it has 43 million active users and 425 advertisers
Er, no. Try again. How about:
Claria said it has 43 million active victims and 425 parasites
that the company now has $150 million that can be targeted by the enterprising trial lawyers. Let the litigation begin!
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
1. Build up spyware company and infect millions of clueless people's PCs with your crappy software.
2. Change name and then sell stock, ranting about how many "active users" your product services.
3. Flee the country with ill-gotten gains.
4. Profit! (Assuming you picked a country without good extradition treaties with the U.S.)
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
same here
HI, MY NAME IS ISAAC.
They wanted SCUM but were told that a small company from Lindon, Utah has dibs on that one...
Consultancy: If you're not part of the solution, there's money to be made in prolonging the problem
I think you should be very wary of buying their stock, and if you do, read the small print on the stock purchase agreement. It may be that by buying their stock and installing it into your 401k, you agree to allow them to make modifications to your 401k, withdraw money from time to time, and present you with personalized advertising every time you use your ATM card...
You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.