FTDI Ftd (MM)

FTD, Inc. Announces Stockholder Approval of Merger DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FTD, Inc. today announced that, at a meeting of its stockholders held today, over 90% of the voting stock of FTD, Inc. ("FTD") voted in favor of the proposal to adopt the agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated October 5, 2003, among FTD, Mercury Man Holdings Corporation ("Mercury") and Nectar Merger Corporation ("Nectar"). Mercury and Nectar are wholly-owned subsidiaries of an affiliate of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. ("Leonard Green & Partners"). Subject to the satisfaction of all other terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the parties expect to consummate the transaction within the next 48 hours. Assuming the closing occurs, FTD will merge with and into Nectar, FTD will cease to be a publicly-traded company and the FTD stockholders will be entitled to receive $24.85 per share in cash. About FTD FTD, supported by its worldwide FTD brand, is a leading provider of floral services and products. FTD's Florist Business primarily markets floral products and services to approximately 20,000 FTD members and other retail locations offering floral products in the U.S. and Canada and connects approximately 29,000 additional florists through affiliated or related organizations in 150 countries outside of North America. FTD's Consumer Business is a direct marketer of flowers and specialty gifts, primarily through the http://www.ftd.com/ Web site and 1-800-SEND-FTD telephone number. Additional information about FTD is available at its Web site, http://www.ftdi.com/ . About Leonard Green & Partners Leonard Green & Partners is a private Los Angeles-based merchant banking firm specializing in organizing, structuring and sponsoring management buy- outs, going-private transactions and recapitalizations of established public and private companies. Leonard Green & Partners has significant investments in Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., Rite Aid Corporation, VCA Antech, Inc., Rand McNally, The Sports Authority, Inc., Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., Leslie's Poolmart, Inc. and Varsity Brands, Inc. Leonard Green & Partners is the largest private equity firm in Southern California managing in excess of $3.6 billion of private equity capital. DATASOURCE: FTD, Inc. CONTACT: Investor, Carrie Wolfe, Chief Financial Officer, +1-630-724-6512, , Investor-Media, Lisa Witek, Director of IR, +1-630-719-6174, , both of FTD, Inc. Web site: http://www.ftd.com/ http://www.ftdi.com/

Copyright