report builder - ask jeeves, inc. - hoover's...

Hoover's Online Report BuilderAsk Jeeves, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASKJ)

Copyright 2004, Hoover's, Inc.

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Table of ContentsThe Basics...............................................................................................................................................................................1

Key Numbers.............................................................................................................................................................1Financial Overview....................................................................................................................................................1Officers & Employees................................................................................................................................................1Board Members..........................................................................................................................................................2Industry Information..................................................................................................................................................2SIC Codes...................................................................................................................................................................3NAICS Codes.............................................................................................................................................................3Top Competitors.........................................................................................................................................................3All Competitors..........................................................................................................................................................3Subsidiaries/Affiliates Covered By Hoover's Online.................................................................................................3

Biographies............................................................................................................................................................................4 A. George (Skip) Battle, Age 60...............................................................................................................................4 Steven (Steve) Berkowitz, Age 44............................................................................................................................4 Steven J. (Steve) Sordello, Age 34............................................................................................................................5 Tuoc Luong...............................................................................................................................................................5 James (Jim) Diaz.......................................................................................................................................................6 Paul Gardi..................................................................................................................................................................6 Claudio Pinkus, Age 46.............................................................................................................................................7 Heather J. Staples, Age 31........................................................................................................................................7 James (Jim) Lanzone.................................................................................................................................................7 Adrian Cox, Age 44..................................................................................................................................................8 Brett M. Robertson, Age 42......................................................................................................................................8 Paul Wehrley.............................................................................................................................................................8 David S. Carlick, Age 53..........................................................................................................................................9 Joshua C. (Josh) Goldman, Age 37...........................................................................................................................9 Garrett Gruener, Age 49..........................................................................................................................................10 James D. (Jim) Kirsner, Age 60..............................................................................................................................10 Geoffrey Y. (Geoff) Yang, Age 44.........................................................................................................................10

Overview..............................................................................................................................................................................12

History..................................................................................................................................................................................13

Products/Operations...........................................................................................................................................................14

Other Resources Available On Hoover's Online..............................................................................................................15Other Resources.......................................................................................................................................................15Related Products From Our Trusted Partners..........................................................................................................15

Annual Financials................................................................................................................................................................16Historical Auditors...................................................................................................................................................17

Quarterly Financials...........................................................................................................................................................19

Historical Financials & Employees....................................................................................................................................22Historical Auditors...................................................................................................................................................23

Report Builder − Ask Jeeves, Inc. − Hoover's Online

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Table of ContentsMarket Data.........................................................................................................................................................................24

Comparison Data.................................................................................................................................................................25

Competitive Landscape.......................................................................................................................................................27

IPO Information..................................................................................................................................................................29

Report Builder − Ask Jeeves, Inc. − Hoover's Online

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The Basics

5858 Horton St., Ste. 350Emeryville, CA 94608 (Map)http://www.ask.com

Phone: 510−985−7400Fax: 510−985−7412

If you'd rather NOT use Boolean logic OR key words AND want a different way to search the Internet, you might want toAsk Jeeves. High−tech butler Ask Jeeves is called into service by nearly 30 million curious Web searchers through itsvarious search engines (Ask.com, Ask.co.uk, and AJKids.com). Ask Jeeves offers a question−and−answer search formatthat lets users pose questions in plain language, instead of using key words and Boolean logic. Its Ask Jeeves for Kids site(AJKids.com) screens objectionable material from results. The firm also syndicates its search technology and offers paidsearch advertising services. Created by David Warthen and Garrett Gruener in 1996, the site went online in 1997.

Key Numbers

Company Type Public (NASDAQ: ASKJ)

Fiscal Year−End December

2003 Sales (mil.) $107.3

1−Year Sales Growth 44.8%

2003 Net Income (mil.) $26.1

2003 Employees 306

1−Year Employee Growth (11.8%)

Auditor Ernst & Young LLP

Financial Overview

Last Close 10−Mar−2004 $27.72

52−Week High $30.28

52−Week Low $6.05

Basic EPS $0.48

Price/Earnings Ratio 57.75

Current Ratio 8.27

R&D Expenditures (mil.) −−

Ad Expenditures (mil.) 6.30

% Owned by Institutions 97.90%

Officers & Employees

Title Name Age Salary Bonus

Chairman A. George (Skip) Battle 60 $250,000

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(prior to title change)

CEO and Director Steven (Steve) Berkowitz 44 $275,000(prior to promotion)

CFO Steven J. (Steve) Sordello 34 $200,000

SVP, Engineering andTechnology

Tuoc Luong

SVP, Sales and BusinessDevelopment

James (Jim) Diaz

SVP, Strategy and GrowthInitiatives

Paul Gardi

VP, Business Development Claudio Pinkus 46 $275,000 $448,680

VP, Marketing Heather J. Staples 31

VP, Product Management James (Jim) Lanzone

CEO, Ask Jeeves UK and Ireland Adrian Cox 44 $218,443 $75,189

General Counsel Brett M. Robertson 42

Director, Corporate Development Paul Wehrley

Director, SyndicationManagement

Chris Damsen

Investor Relations Manager Derrick Nueman

Public Relations Manager Coby Zintl

Board Members

Title Name Age

Chairman A. George (Skip) Battle 60

CEO and Director Steven (Steve) Berkowitz 44

Director David S. Carlick 53

Director Joshua C. (Josh) Goldman 37

Director Garrett Gruener 49

Director James D. (Jim) Kirsner 60

Director Geoffrey Y. (Geoff) Yang 44

Industry Information

MediaInternet Searching Services & Portals (primary)♦ Information Collection & Delivery♦ Internet Content Providers♦

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SIC Codes

7375 Information retrieval service

7379 Computer related services, necs

NAICS Codes

516110 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting

51811 Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals

518112 Web Search Portals

519190 All Other Information Services

Top Competitors

America Online• Google• Yahoo!•

All Competitors

About• America Online• FindWhat.com• Google• InfoSpace• LookSmart• Microsoft• Terra Lycos• Yahoo!•

Subsidiaries/Affiliates Covered By Hoover's Online

Teoma•


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Biographies

A. George (Skip) Battle, Age 60

Chairman, $250,000 salary (prior to title change)

Other Company Affiliations

Company Title Salary Bonus

Fair Isaac Corporation Chairman

PeopleSoft, Inc. DirectorRecent Work Highlights

Ask Jeeves, Inc.2000: CEO and Director, $16,250 salary♦ Title held until 2004: CEO and Director♦

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Biography

A. George (Skip) Battle served as the CEO of Ask Jeeves from December 2000−2003. Mr. Battle retired from AndersenConsulting in 1995, having joined the firm in 1968 and served as a partner since 1978. From 1982 he held a series ofmanagement positions in the firm including worldwide managing partner market development and managing partner U.S.operations and planning. Battle was also a member of the firm's Executive Committee, Global Management Council andPartner Income Committee. Mr. Battle is a member of the Boards of Directors of PeopleSoft, Inc., Barra, Inc. and FairIsaac and Company, Incorporated, as well as a director of Masters Select Equity Fund and Masters Select International,registered investment companies.

Source: Company Web Site, 2004

Steven (Steve) Berkowitz, Age 44

CEO and Director, $275,000 salary (prior to promotion)

Recent Work Highlights

Ask Jeeves, Inc.2003 − 2003, President, Web Properties♦ Title held until 2004: President♦ Title held until 2002: President, Ask Jeeves Web Properties♦

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Biography

Berkowitz was previously the president of the Company's Web Properties division. He has played an integral role in theturnaround of the division, which experienced 66 percent revenue growth in the last year. Berkowitz's accomplishmentsinclude the strategic acquisition of Teoma, Inc. in September of 2001, and its successful integration into Ask Jeeves.Teoma is heralded as one of the most sophisticated search technologies on the Web. He also led the acquisition andintegration of Ask Jeeves' UK partnership into the Company in February of 2002. Under Berkowitz's management, Ask




Jeeves' traffic and user frequency has steadily increased, and user satisfaction is now at an all−time high. Prior to joiningAsk Jeeves, Berkowitz served as the president and COO of IDG Books where he was responsible for supervising allcompany functions. He was also responsible for helping expand the 'Dummies' series of book titles, growing it from aproduct line solely focused on technical computer support to a celebrated consumer brand that addresses diverse consumerinterests. In addition, he was responsible for the acquisition and integration of many companies including such brands asCliffsNotes(TM), Frommer's(TM) travel guides, J.K. Lasser's(TM) tax guides and Betty Crocker's® cookbooks.

Source: Company Press Release, July 22, 2003

Steven J. (Steve) Sordello, Age 34

CFO, $200,000 salary


Ask Jeeves, Inc.2000: CFO♦

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Biography

As CFO of Ask Jeeves, Sordello is responsible for financial planning and forecasting, accounting, treasury, investorrelations, human resources, and information systems at Ask Jeeves. Sordello held the position of Vice President ofFinancial Planning and Analysis at the company prior to his appointment as CFO. Sordello brings a wide range ofexperience in implementing financial planning and management control systems from his time as Senior Director ofFinancial Planning at Adobe Systems, Inc. Prior to Adobe, he held a series of finance and accounting positions at SyntexCorporation. Sordello holds a BA and MBA in Finance and Management from the University of Santa Clara and is aCertified Management Accountant. He has been with Ask Jeeves since June 1999.


Tuoc Luong

SVP, Engineering and Technology


Octopus, Inc.Last position held, VP of Engineering♦

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Biography

As Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technology, Tuoc Luong oversees all engineering and technology issues forthe Company. Luong, who joined Ask Jeeves in February 2002, is responsible for the overall direction, resource allocationand operations of Ask Jeeves' engineering and technology groups across the Unites States and internationally. Luongbrings extensive technology background, market sensitivity, vision and pursuit of technology excellence. Prior to AskJeeves, Luong was general manager for Microsoft's BackOffice, and Hosted Service. He was one of the key executivesleading the effort for Microsoft's Software as Services initiative and built the company's first Hosted Knowledge WorkerMegaService. Before joining Microsoft, Luong was vice president of research for Baan Company where he wasresponsible for Baan's future technology architecture. Luong also served as VP of Development at Borland, where he was


responsible for the entire Delphi client/server product line. Luong has held management positions with PyramidTechnology, Oracle Corporation and Informix Software. The 18th employee at Informix, Luong was the original author ofthe company's internationalization technology and one of three original authors of Informix−Turbo, now calledOnline.Luong holds a Master's in engineering management from Santa Clara University and a Bachelor's in computerscience from University of California, Berkeley. Luong is the author of the book, ``Internationalization, DevelopingSoftware for the Global Market,'' published in 1995.


James (Jim) Diaz

SVP, Sales and Business Development

Biography

As Senior Vice President of Sales & Business Development, Jim Diaz leads an integrated deal team charged with allrevenue and client service−associated activities within Ask Jeeves Web Properties. Diaz, with 20−plus years of mediasales, database marketing and business development experience, uses his broad skill set to establish Ask Jeeves as a leaderin the fast growing industry of search engine marketing. Prior to joining Ask Jeeves in late 2001, Diaz served as VicePresident of Media Sales & Marketing Business Development for Excite@Home, having joined Excite at start−up. Beforegoing online, Diaz spent 14 years in media sales within the television industry. Diaz received his B.A. in EnglishLiterature from Syracuse University.


Paul Gardi

SVP, Strategy and Growth Initiatives



Teoma General Manager and VP, SearchBiography

As Senior Vice President of Strategy & Growth Initiatives, Paul Gardi is responsible leading the development,communication, implementation and measurement of Ask Jeeves' strategic business plan for the United States andinternationally. He is also responsible for Ask Jeeves external communications regarding search technology. Prior to thisnew position, Gardi was senior vice president of search and general manager of Teoma. In this role he was responsible forguiding Ask Jeeves' search technology as well as the development, growth and integration of Teoma Technologies intoAsk Jeeves, Inc. Gardi served as president of Teoma Technologies prior to Ask Jeeves' acquisition of the company.Afterspending time in brand management at Procter & Gamble, where he launched liquid Gain, Gardi worked with two EastCoast venture capital firms and several high−tech startups, including e−Exchange. A native of South Africa, Gardireceived his BA and MBA from Harvard University.




Claudio Pinkus, Age 46

VP, Business Development, $275,000 salary, $448,680 bonus


Ask Jeeves, Inc.2000 − 2002, President, Jeeves Solutions♦

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Biography

Claudio Pinkus was previously President of Jeeves Solutions and CEO of Ask Jeeves International. As Vice President ofBusiness Development for Ask Jeeves, he is now charged with defining the strategic direction of the company throughnew business opportunities. In the past, Mr. Pinkus founded two information technology companies and served as CEO ofBrowne Global Solutions, a leading provider of localization services.


Heather J. Staples, Age 31

VP, Marketing

Biography

Staples serves as Ask Jeeves' chief brand steward and oversees all marketing efforts. She has responsibility for marketingcommunications, public relations, advertising, marketing partnerships and brand strategy. Since joining Ask Jeeves inMarch 1999, Staples has helped build Ask Jeeves into becoming the Web's second most popular search engine. Stapleshas 10 years of experience in the communications disciplines, including public relations, investor relations, marketingcommunications and employee and customer communications.Staples joined Ask Jeeves from Copithorne & Bellows, aleading high−tech public relations firm acquired by Porter Novelli. During her tenure at the agency Staples worked withclients as diverse as Oracle, Iomega, Infocus, Baan and CheckPoint Software. Staples started her career at AuspexSystems, a provider of enterprise−class network servers, where she was responsible for various marketingcommunications activities.


James (Jim) Lanzone

VP, Product Management

Biography

As the Vice President of Product Management, Jim Lanzone is responsible for overseeing Ask Jeeves Web Properties'stable of search sites including Ask Jeeves (Ask.com), Teoma.com and AJKids.com. Lanzone also leads the developmentand management of all Ask Jeeves advertising and paid inclusion products. Additionally he is charged with evolving AskJeeves' information delivery services. The former President and Chief Marketing Officer of eTour, Inc., which wasacquired by Ask Jeeves in 2001, Lanzone oversaw sales, marketing, product management and editorial. He received hisBA from UCLA and JD/MBA from Emory University.



Adrian Cox, Age 44

CEO, Ask Jeeves UK and Ireland, $218,443 salary, $75,189 bonus

Biography

Adrian Cox has served as Chief Executive Officer, Ask Jeeves UK Division since February 2002 when we acquired fullownership of Ask Jeeves UK and integrated our previous joint venture into our Web Properties division. Prior to suchtime, Adrian served as CEO of the Ask Jeeves UK joint venture since October 2001. Mr. Cox had joined the joint venturein March 2000, initially serving as Vice President of Marketing until he was promoted to Senior Vice PresidentCommercial in December 2000. From February 1994 to February 2000, Mr. Cox served as Divisional Manager andMarketing Director of St. Ivel Group, a manufacturer of chilled food items.

Source: 10K, March 12, 2003

Brett M. Robertson, Age 42

General Counsel

Biography

As General Counsel for Ask Jeeves, Inc., Robertson oversees all legal matters for the Company. Robertson, who joinedAsk Jeeves in December 2002, brings a broad base of legal and technology business experience to the senior managementteam, including experience as a venture capitalist with Telegraph Hill Partners, and as a senior executive at Critical Path,Inc., where she served as General Counsel and Vice President of Strategic Development. Robertson also co−foundedNeurogesx, a biopharmaceutical company, and served as Associate General Counsel and then General Counsel forBroderbund Software for five years. Robertson received a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D.from the University of Virginia School of Law.


Paul Wehrley

Director, Corporate Development

Biography

As the Director of Corporate Development, Paul Wehrley is charged with overseeing all corporate business developmentdeals as well as the formation of strategic partnerships. A specialist in mergers and acquisitions, Wehrley has completed 8acquisitions since joining the company, including Teoma Technologies and Octopus Software. Prior to joining AskJeeves, Wehrley was a financial analyst in the mergers and acquisitions group of Volpe Brown Whelan and Company, aSan Francisco−based technology investment bank. At Volpe, Wehrley helped create business development relationshipswith leading Internet companies and completed transactions including strategic advisory, private placement, and publicequity offerings. Wehrley earned a BA in Economics from Stanford University. He has been with Ask Jeeves since March1999.



David S. Carlick, Age 53

Director



eUniverse, Inc. DirectorBiography

David Carlick joined Ask Jeeves' Board of Directors in September 2001. Carlick brings more than 25 years of marketingand management experience to the Ask Jeeves Board. In 1980 Carlick founded Carlick Advertising and Carlick DatabaseMarketing which helped launch notable technology companies such as Toshiba Portable Computers and Silicon Graphicsbefore merging with Poppe Tyson in 1993. Carlick helped lead the growth of Poppe Tyson in traditional and Internetmedia, with clients including Chrysler, Netscape, Johnson & Johnson, and the White House. Poppe Tyson was mergedwith Modem Media and is public (NASDAQ MMPT). While at Poppe Tyson, Carlick helped found DoubleClick(NASDAQ DCLK). He was a founding director of International Network Services (NASDAQ INSS) sold to Lucent in1999. Carlick is currently a Fellow at Vantage Point Venture Partners. He also serves on the boards of SatMetrix Systems,(private), and Artmachine (private).


Joshua C. (Josh) Goldman, Age 37

Director



Blue Falcon Networks, Inc. CEOBiography

Joshua Goldman joined Ask Jeeves' Board of Directors in April 2002. Goldman brings more than 14 years of experienceto Ask Jeeves' management. In 1999, Goldman became president and chief executive officer of mySimon, Inc. Under hisleadership, mySimon grew to become the largest and most successful comparison shopping service on the Internet,culminating in its sale to CNet Networks for $730 million in February, 2000. In October 2000, while continuing to serveas president of the mySimon unit within CNet, Goldman was selected to lead the Consumer Division of CNET Networks,Inc. Previously, Goldman served as vice president of marketing for mySimon and as partner and vice president ofBusiness Solutions at USWeb, Inc. Goldman has a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science from TuftsUniversity and an MBA from Harvard University. In addition to serving on Ask Jeeves' board, Goldman is a member ofthe board of directors and the audit committee of Synaptics, Inc., a publicly−held developer and supplier ofcustom−designed interface solutions for personal computers, consumer electronics and embedded systems. Currently,Goldman is the Entrepreneur−in−Residence with Sprout Group, a venture capital firm located in Menlo Park, California.





Garrett Gruener, Age 49

Director

Biography

Mr. Gruener is a founding general partner of Alta Partners, a venture capital firm. Prior to forming Alta Partners, Mr.Gruener was a general partner of venture capital firm Burr, Egan, Deleage & Co. In addition to his corporate developmentexperience, Mr. Gruener has more than a decade of experience in the fields of software development and systemsengineering. In addition to co−founding Ask Jeeves, Mr. Gruener was also a founder and CEO of Virtual Microsystems, anetworking company, which was merged into Atlanta−based Ross Systems Inc.Mr. Gruener has served on the Ask Jeevesboard since 1996.


James D. (Jim) Kirsner, Age 60

Director



Bank of Marin DirectorBiography

Jim Kirsner has served as a director of Ask Jeeves since January 2001. He brings more than 30 years of businessexperience to the Ask Jeeves Board. Most recently he was with BARRA, Inc., a leading provider of investment analyticsand trading solutions, where he served as head of BARRA Ventures, a collection of wholly owned subsidiaries and jointventures and Barra's Chief Financial Officer. Prior to BARRA, Jim was a partner at Arthur Andersen LLP in the Auditand Business Advisory Practice. Kirsner spent more than 25 years at Arthur Andersen providing audit and consultingservices to top management and boards of directors on accounting and reporting, mergers and acquisitions, regulatorymatters, strategic direction and other business issues. In addition to Ask Jeeves, he serves as a director of the Bank ofMarin and the New Century Chamber Orchestra. Jim has both undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics andaccounting respectively, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and he attended the London Schoolof Economics as a general course student.


Geoffrey Y. (Geoff) Yang, Age 44

Director



Redpoint Ventures Founding Partner




TiVo Inc. DirectorRecent Work Highlights

Octopus, Inc.Last position held, Director♦

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Turnstone Systems, Inc.Last position held, Director♦

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Biography

Mr. Yang has served as a director of Ask Jeeves since February 1999. Since June 1989, Mr. Yang has been a generalpartner of Institutional Venture Partners, a venture capital firm. In October 1999, he became a founding partner of theventure capital firm Redpoint Ventures. He is a director of Excite, Inc., an online portal company, and MMC Networks,Inc., a developer of network processors.




Overview

If you'd rather NOT use Boolean logic OR key words AND want a different way to search the Internet, you might want toAsk Jeeves. High−tech butler Ask Jeeves is called into service by nearly 30 million curious Web searchers through itsvarious search engines (Ask.com, Ask.co.uk, and AJKids.com). Ask Jeeves offers a question−and−answer search formatthat lets users pose questions in plain language, instead of using key words and Boolean logic. Its Ask Jeeves for Kids site(AJKids.com) screens objectionable material from results. The firm also syndicates its search technology and offers paidsearch advertising services. Created by David Warthen and Garrett Gruener in 1996, the site went online in 1997.

Named after the helpful butler in P.G. Wodehouse novels, the company uses technology that breaks down questions bygrammar and word meaning and fits them into templates. Ask Jeeves then searches its knowledge base of about 7.5million Web pages and calls up other possible answers on leading search engines. Editors monitor the company's site,seeking answers for questions on which Ask Jeeves misses the mark.

The company has stocked up on Web−technology with a number of acquisitions, including the 2001 purchase ofrelevance technology search provider Teoma. Ask Jeeves licenses its technologies to third−parties such as Excite, HotBot,and InfoSpace. Internationally, the company has an Ask.co.uk site in the UK and Ireland, as well as a joint venture inJapan. It previously terminated a Spanish−language version of its service.

After the slowdown in the market for traditional advertising on the Web, Ask Jeeves jumped on the paid searchbandwagon. The bulk of the company's revenue comes from its paid placement products, which provide clients withtargeted keyword−based advertising services. The company also launched a site redesign, dropping banner ads from itssite and adopting the more minimalist approach of competitors such as Yahoo! and Google. Ask Jeeves sold off itsenterprise software unit, Jeeves Solutions, in 2003. The following year it announced plans to purchase Interactive SearchHoldings (whose properties include My Way, My WebSearch, iWon, Excite and MaxOnline) for $343 million in a stockand cash deal.





History

After brainstorming about how to provide a "more human approach" to Internet information gathering, computer scientistDavid Warthen and venture capitalist Garrett Gruener founded Ask Jeeves in Berkeley, California, in 1996. They put thesite online in 1997, and a few months later received a $5.5 million infusion from venture capitalist Roda Group. RogerStrauch, chairman of Roda Group, became chairman of Ask Jeeves (he was replaced as chairman of Ask Jeeves byGruener in 2001). Also in 1997 Ask Jeeves began licensing its search technology to other Web sites, including InfoSpaceand Infonautics (now Tucows).

In 1998 Ask Jeeves hired Robert Wrubel, a former executive with Cendant's Knowledge Adventure education softwareunit, as president and CEO. That year Ask Jeeves launched a children's version of the site; Ask Jeeves for Kids screens outmaterial inappropriate for youngsters. The company's Corporate Question Answering Service licensing program began totake off, attracting big−name clients such as Dell Computer, which used Ask Jeeves' technology to create Ask Dudley, abespectacled, ponytailed character who helps users find their way around Dell's customer support site. Compaq Computerbought a stake in Ask Jeeves, and in late 1998 Ask Jeeves licensed its plain language technology to Compaq's AltaVistasearch engine (Internet investment firm CMGI bought an 83% stake in AltaVista in 1999).

Ask Jeeves received a $25 million investment in 1999, primarily from Highland Capital Partners and Institutional VenturePartners. The company went public in 1999. Later that year, its Ask Jeeves International unit began developingcountry−specific versions of its Web site (starting with the UK). It bought Net Effects Systems, Web−based live helpservices, in late 1999.

In early 2000 the company bought search engine firm Direct Hit Technologies, which provides popularity−based searchresults, and The Evergreen Project, a Web−based provider of educational content. It also launched a line of Ask Jeevesbooks. However, a slowdown in advertising on its Web site aggravated operating losses further, and Wrubel resigned asCEO. Board member A. George Battle was named CEO. The company also cut its workforce by 25%.

In 2001 the company bought the assets of eTour, an online marketing company. The next year the company purchasedOctopus, a software company that would help Jeeves add transactional abilities to its service. Ask Jeeves launched a siteredesign the following year. Also in 2003 Chairman Garrett Gruener announced plans to resign (but to remain on theboard). President Steve Berkowitz was named CEO, and Battle was named executive chairman.









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Products/Operations

Ask Jeeves has US offices in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. It has international operations inIreland, Japan, and the UK.

2003 Sales

$ mil. % of total

US 70.0 65

Europe 32.7 31

Japan 4.5 4

Total 107.3 100

2003 Sales

$ mil. % of total

Paid placement 77.1 72

Branded advertising 23.4 22

Licensing 4.5 4

Paid inclusion 2.3 2

Total 107.3 100

Selected Web sites and Operations

Ask Jeeves• Ask.com• Ask.co.uk• Ask Jeeves for Kids• AJKids.com• Teoma.com (search technology)•

Archived Charts

2002 Sales $ mil. % of totalWeb properties 58.8 80Jeeves solutions 15.3 20

Total 74.1 100


Other Resources Available On Hoover's Online

News for Ask Jeeves (last 90 days)

Company Press Release Archive

Other Resources

Headquarters Map• SEC Filings

10−K Filings♦ •

Stock Quote• Stock Chart• Earnings Estimates• ValuEngine Analysis• Annual Report • Investor Relations • Financial Data Definitions• Market Data Definitions• Comparison Data Definitions• Historical Financials & Employees Definitions•

Related Products From Our Trusted Partners

Buy Reports and Books

D&B Business/Credit Reports: Ask Jeeves, Inc.(D&B, Feb 1, 2004, Business Reports)

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Ask Jeeves, Inc.: Company Profile(Datamonitor, Feb 1, 2004, Business Reports)

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Quantitative Report for ASKJ(ValuEngine, Inc., Jan 1, 2004, Business Reports)

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Entertainment En Masse: An Overview of Media Conglomerates(Hoover's, Inc., Feb 1, 2004, Business Reports)

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Visionaries Invade the 2003 Search Engine Magic Quadrant(Gartner, Inc., Apr 24, 2003, Business Reports)

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Financial Performance Scorecard First Quarter 2002: Worse Than AnemicGrowth Challenged Outsell 60(SM) Companies(Outsell, Inc., Jul 17, 2002, Business Reports)

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Information Collection & Delivery: Financial Analysis Profiles(BizMiner, Dec 23, 2003, Business Reports)

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Cable and Other Program Distribution in the US(IBISWorld, Jan 26, 2004, Business Reports)

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Additional 3rd Party Libraries

Additional Research On Ask Jeeves

Corporate Hierarchy •


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Annual Financials

All amounts in millions of US Dollars

Income Statement Dec 03 Dec 02 Dec 01

Revenue 107.3 74.1 66.6

Cost of Goods Sold 12.3 11.4 11.7

Gross Profit 95.0 62.7 54.9

Gross Profit Margin 88.5% 84.6% 82.4%

SG&A Expense 65.7 70.1 84.4

Depreciation & Amortization 9.6 11.0 38.8

Operating Income 19.7 (18.4) (68.3)

Operating Margin 18.4% −− −−

Nonoperating Income 7.7 2.1 16.6

Nonoperating Expenses 0.0 0.0 0.0

Income Before Taxes 26.7 (21.4) (425.1)

Income Taxes 1.9 0.0 0.0

Net Income After Taxes 24.8 (21.4) (425.1)

Continuing Operations 24.8 (21.3) (425.3)

Discontinued Operations 1.3 0.0 0.0

Total Operations 26.1 (21.3) (425.3)

Total Net Income 26.1 (21.3) (425.3)

Net Profit Margin 24.3% −− −−

Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations ($) 0.45 (0.52) (11.48)

Diluted EPS from Discontinued Operations ($) 0.03 0.00 0.00

Diluted EPS from Total Operations ($) 0.48 (0.52) (11.48)

Diluted EPS from Total Net Income ($)

Dividends per Share 0.00 0.00 0.00

Balance Sheet Dec 03 Dec 02 Dec 01

Assets

Current Assets

Cash 36.7 27.6 33.1

Net Receivables 12.1 9.6 8.5

Inventories 0.0 0.0 0.0


Other Current Assets 147.3 19.5 36.7

Total Current Assets 196.0 56.6 78.2

Net Fixed Assets 10.9 11.3 17.1

Other Noncurrent Assets 5.3 4.2 16.0

Total Assets 212.3 72.2 111.3

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Dec 03 Dec 02 Dec 01

Current Liabilities

Accounts Payable 1.8 1.5 3.4

Short−Term Debt 0.0 11.6 11.9

Other Current Liabilities 22.0 29.5 47.0

Total Current Liabilities 23.7 42.6 62.3

Long−Term Debt 115.0 0.0 0.6

Other Noncurrent Liabilities 0.3 0.3 1.2

Total Liabilities 139.1 42.9 64.1

Shareholders' Equity

Preferred Stock Equity 0.0 0.0 0.0

Common Stock Equity 73.2 29.3 47.2

Total Equity 73.2 29.3 47.2

Shares Outstanding (mil.) 46.6 41.4 39.5

Cash Flow Statement Dec 03 Dec 02 Dec 01

Net Operating Cash Flow 28.3 (38.9) (25.7)

Net Investing Cash Flow (135.1) 32.3 6.1

Net Financing Cash Flow 113.5 0.5 11.2

Net Change in Cash 9.1 (5.5) (8.3)

Depreciation & Amortization 9.6 11.0 38.8

Capital Expenditures (7.9) (5.3) (8.8)

Cash Dividends Paid 0.0 0.0 0.0

Historical Auditors

Auditor Name Year

Ernst & Young LLP 2003



Data Definitions

Some financial information provided by Media General Financial Services, Inc. , Richmond, Virginia


http://www.mgfs.com

Quarterly Financials

All amounts in millions of US Dollars except per share amounts.

Income StatementQuarter

Ending Dec 03Quarter

Ending Sep 03Quarter

Ending Jun 03Quarter Ending

Mar 03Quarter

Ending Dec 02

Revenue 31.8 27.2 25.6 25.2 22.7

Cost of Goods Sold 3.5 2.8 3.0 3.7 2.4

Gross Profit 28.3 24.4 22.6 21.5 20.3

Gross Profit Margin 89.0% 89.7% 88.3% 85.3% 89.4%

SG&A Expense 18.4 17.3 15.3 16.8 14.7

Depreciation & Amortization 2.1 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.8

Operating Income 7.8 4.6 4.8 2.1 2.8

Operating Margin 24.5% 16.9% 18.8% 8.3% 12.3%

Nonoperating Income 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.3

Nonoperating Expenses 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Income Before Taxes 8.1 4.5 5.2 8.0 2.0

Income Taxes 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.0

Net Income After Taxes 7.6 3.8 4.9 7.7 2.0

Continuing Operations 7.6 3.8 4.9 7.7 2.0

Discontinued Operations 0.0 2.5 (0.5) 0.0 0.0

Total Operations 7.6 6.3 4.4 7.7 2.0

Total Net Income 7.6 6.3 4.4 7.7 2.0

Net Profit Margin 23.9% 23.2% 17.2% 30.6% 8.8%

Diluted EPS from ContinuingOperations ($)

0.13 0.07 0.09 0.16 0.06

Diluted EPS fromDiscontinued Operations ($)

0.01 0.04 (0.01) 0.00 0.00

Diluted EPS from TotalOperations ($)

0.14 0.11 0.08 0.16 0.06

Diluted EPS from Total NetIncome ($)

Dividends per Share 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Balance SheetQuarter

Ending Dec 03Quarter

Ending Sep 03Quarter

Ending Jun 03Quarter Ending

Mar 03Quarter

Ending Dec 02

Assets


Current Assets

Cash 36.7 82.8 143.0 31.8 27.6

Net Receivables 12.1 11.9 8.4 9.4 9.6

Inventories 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Other Current Assets 147.3 93.1 21.4 21.1 19.5

Total Current Assets 196.0 187.8 172.8 62.3 56.6

Net Fixed Assets 10.9 10.5 10.8 10.1 11.3

Other Noncurrent Assets 5.3 5.8 6.4 3.7 4.2

Total Assets 212.3 204.1 190.0 76.1 72.2

Liabilities andShareholders' Equity

QuarterEnding Dec 03

QuarterEnding Sep 03

QuarterEnding Jun 03

Quarter EndingMar 03


Current Liabilities

Accounts Payable 1.8 14.4 11.6 10.3 1.5

Short−Term Debt 0.0 0.0 0.0 11.0 11.6

Other Current Liabilities 22.0 12.3 17.0 15.0 29.5

Total Current Liabilities 23.7 26.7 28.6 36.4 42.6

Long−Term Debt 115.0 115.0 115.0 0.0 0.0

Other Noncurrent Liabilities 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Total Liabilities 139.1 142.0 143.9 36.6 42.9

Shareholders' Equity

Preferred Stock Equity 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Common Stock Equity 73.2 62.1 46.1 39.4 29.3

Total Equity 73.2 62.1 46.1 39.4 29.3

Shares Outstanding (mil.) 46.6 45.9 43.8 42.9 41.4

Cumulative Cash FlowStatement


QuarterEnding Sep 03

QuarterEnding Jun 03

Quarter EndingMar 03


Net Operating Cash Flow 28.3 20.2 15.8 5.4 (38.9)

Net Investing Cash Flow (135.1) (78.5) (4.4) (2.5) 32.3

Net Financing Cash Flow 113.5 112.6 103.4 1.5 0.5

Net Change in Cash 9.1 55.2 115.4 4.2 (5.5)

Depreciation & Amortization 2.1 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.8

Capital Expenditures (7.9) (5.9) (3.7) (0.8) (5.3)


Cash Dividends Paid 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Data Definitions



http://www.mgfs.com

Historical Financials & Employees

Income Statement

YearRevenue

($ mil.)Net Income

($ mil.)Net Profit

MarginEmployees

Dec 03 107.3 26.1 24.3% 306

Dec 02 74.1 (21.3) −− 347

Dec 01 66.6 (425.3) −− 416

Dec 00 95.7 (189.6) −− 565

Dec 99 22.0 (52.9) −− 416

Dec 98 0.6 (4.3) −− 200

Dec 97 0.0 (0.4) −− 100

Dec 96 0.0 (0.1) −− −−

Stock History

YearStock Price ($) P/E Per Share ($)

FYHigh

FYLow

FYClose

High Low Earns. Div.BookValue

Dec 03 22.8 2.4 18.1 47.4 5.0 0.5 0.0 1.6

Dec 02 3.9 0.9 2.6 −− −− (0.5) 0.0 0.7

Dec 01 5.4 0.8 3.4 −− −− (11.5) 0.0 1.2

Dec 00 139.8 1.9 2.4 −− −− (5.5) 0.0 12.9

Dec 99 190.5 22.1 112.9 −− −− (2.6) 0.0 1.5

Dec 98 −− −− −− −− −− (0.5) 0.0 0.5

Dec 97 −− −− −− −− −− −− −− −−

Dec 96 −− −− −− −− −− −− −− −−

2003 Year−End Financials

Debt ratio 157.1%

Return on equity 35.7%

Cash ($ mil.) 36.7

Current ratio 8.27

Long−term debt ($ mil.) 115.0

Shares Outstanding (mil.) 46.6

Dividend yield 0.0%

Dividend payout 0.0%

Market value ($ mil.) 844.7


Historical Auditors

Auditor Name Year









Data Definitions



http://www.mgfs.com

Market Data

Current Information

Last Close 10−Mar−2004 $27.72 Price/Sales Ratio 12.16

52−Week High $30.28 Price/Book Ratio 17.77

52−Week Low $6.05 Price/Earnings Ratio 57.75

60−Month Beta 4.8 Price/Cash Flow Ratio 36.47

Market Value (mil.) $1,303.6 Return on Assets 12.2%

Shares Outstanding (mil.) 47.0 Return on Equity 35.5%

Dividend Rate 0.00 Current Ratio 8.27

Dividend Yield 0.0% Long−Term Debt/Equity 1.57

# of Institutional Holders 341 % Owned by Institutions 97.9%

Latest Short Interest Ratio 2.70 Latest Net Insider Transactions (126,600.00)

Growth Rates 12 Month 36 Month 60 Month

Revenue Growth 44.8% 4.6% 130.3%

EPS Growth −− −− −−

Dividend Growth −− −− −−

Data Definitions



http://www.mgfs.com

Comparison Data

Profitability Company Industry 1 Market 2

Gross Profit Margin 88.54% 75.12% 47.92%

Pre−Tax Profit Margin 24.88% (5.14%) 5.80%

Net Profit Margin 24.23% (9.89%) 2.87%

Return on Equity 35.5% −− 5.7%

Return on Assets 12.2% (3.5%) 0.9%

Return on Invested Capital 13.8% (4.4%) 2.8%

Valuation Company Industry 1 Market 2

Price/Sales Ratio 12.16 11.09 1.43

Price/Earnings Ratio 57.75 −− 50.09

Price/Book Ratio 17.77 5.88 2.84

Price/Cash Flow Ratio 36.47 543.50 15.76

Operations Company Industry 1 Market 2

Days of Sales Outstanding 40.47 61.73 59.48

Inventory Turnover −− 577.4 7.5

Days Cost of Goods Sold in Inventory 0 0 48

Asset Turnover 0.8 0.4 0.3

Net Receivables Turnover Flow 9.9 7.0 6.2

Effective Tax Rate 7.1% −− −−

Financial Company Industry 1 Market 2

Current Ratio 8.27 2.47 1.39

Quick Ratio 8.1 2.2 1.0

Leverage Ratio 2.90 1.50 6.02

Total Debt/Equity 1.57 0.22 1.43

Interest Coverage −− (4.40) 2.00

Per Share Data ($) Company Industry 1 Market 2

Revenue Per Share 2.28 1.96 19.61

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Sharefrom Total Operations

0.48 (0.21) 0.56

Dividends Per Share 0.00 0.00 0.42

Cash Flow Per Share 0.76 0.04 1.78

Working Capital Per Share 3.66 1.39 2.14

Long−Term Debt Per Share 2.45 0.73 10.17

Book Value Per Share 1.56 3.70 9.89


Total Assets Per Share 4.51 5.56 59.58

Growth Company Industry 1 Market 2

12−Month Revenue Growth 44.8% 31.9% 4.3%

12−Month Net Income Growth −− −− 70.2%

12−Month EPS Growth −− −− 75.0%

12−Month Dividend Growth −− −− 2.4%

36−Month Revenue Growth 4.6% 2.1% 1.7%

36−Month Net Income Growth −− −− (18.9%)

36−Month EPS Growth −− −− (19.7%)

36−Month Dividend Growth −− −− 1.5%1Industry: Internet Info. ProvidersIndustry classifications are from Media General Financial Services, Inc. .

2 Public companies trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, and the NASDAQ National Market.

Data Definitions



http://www.mgfs.com/html/products/resource_center/industry_groups/definitions.shtml

http://www.mgfs.com/

http://www.mgfs.com

Competitive Landscape

KEY: Best of Group. Companies listed are Top Competitors.

Key Numbers Ask Jeeves America Online 1 Google 1 Yahoo!

Annual Sales ($mil.) 107.3 9,094.0 900.0 1,625.1

Employees 306 18,000 1,300 5,500

Market Value ($mil.) 1,303.6 −− −− 27,737.2

Profitability Ask Jeeves America Online 1 Google 1 Yahoo! Industry 2 Market 3

Gross Profit Margin 88.54% −− −− 84.44% 75.12% 47.92%

Pre−Tax Profit Margin 24.88% −− −− 24.05% (5.14%) 5.80%

Net Profit Margin 24.23% −− −− 14.64% (9.89%) 2.87%

Return on Equity 35.5% −− −− 5.5% −− 5.7%

Return on Assets 12.2% −− −− 4.0% (3.5%) 0.9%

Return on Invested Capital 13.8% −− −− 4.7% (4.4%) 2.8%

Valuation Ask Jeeves America Online 1 Google 1 Yahoo! Industry 2 Market 3

Price/Sales Ratio 12.16 −− −− 17.09 11.09 1.43

Price/Earnings Ratio 57.75 −− −− 112.70 −− 50.09

Price/Book Ratio 17.77 −− −− 6.36 5.88 2.84

Price/Cash Flow Ratio 36.47 −− −− 69.50 543.50 15.76

Operations Ask Jeeves America Online 1 Google 1 Yahoo! Industry 2 Market 3

Days of Sales Outstanding 40.47 −− −− 62.56 61.73 59.48

Inventory Turnover −− −− −− −− 577.4 7.5

Days Cost of Goods Sold in Inventory 0 −− −− 0 0 48

Asset Turnover 0.8 −− −− 0.4 0.4 0.3

Net Receivables Turnover Flow 9.9 −− −− 8.2 7.0 6.2

Effective Tax Rate 7.1% −− −− 37.6% −− −−

Financial Ask Jeeves America Online 1 Google 1 Yahoo! Industry 2 Market 3

Current Ratio 8.27 −− −− 2.43 2.47 1.39

Quick Ratio 8.1 −− −− 2.2 2.2 1.0

Leverage Ratio 2.90 −− −− 1.36 1.50 6.02

Total Debt/Equity 1.57 −− −− 0.17 0.22 1.43

Interest Coverage −− −− −− −− (4.40) 2.00

Per Share Data ($) Ask Jeeves America Online 1 Google 1 Yahoo! Industry 2 Market 3

Revenue Per Share 2.28 −− −− 2.44 1.96 19.61

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Sharefrom Total Operations

0.48 −− −− 0.37 (0.21) 0.56




















Dividends Per Share 0.00 −− −− 0.00 0.00 0.42

Cash Flow Per Share 0.76 −− −− 0.60 0.04 1.78

Working Capital Per Share 3.66 −− −− 1.52 1.39 2.14

Long−Term Debt Per Share 2.45 −− −− 1.13 0.73 10.17

Book Value Per Share 1.56 −− −− 6.56 3.70 9.89

Total Assets Per Share 4.51 −− −− 8.92 5.56 59.58

Growth Ask Jeeves America Online 1 Google 1 Yahoo! Industry 2 Market 3

12−Month Revenue Growth 44.8% −− −− 70.5% 31.9% 4.3%

12−Month Net Income Growth −− −− −− 122.5% −− 70.2%

12−Month EPS Growth −− −− −− 105.6% −− 75.0%

12−Month Dividend Growth −− −− −− −− −− 2.4%

36−Month Revenue Growth 4.6% −− −− 15.3% 2.1% 1.7%

36−Month Net Income Growth −− −− −− −− −− (18.9%)

36−Month EPS Growth −− −− −− −− −− (19.7%)

36−Month Dividend Growth −− −− −− −− −− 1.5%

1 Data unavailable.2 Industry: Internet Info. ProvidersIndustry classifications are from Media General Financial Services, Inc. .3 Public companies trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, and the NASDAQ National Market.

Data Definitions






http://www.mgfs.com/html/products/resource_center/industry_groups/definitions.shtml

http://www.mgfs.com/

http://www.mgfs.com

IPO Information

Date Went Public Jul 1, 1999

Filing Date Apr 30, 1999

Proposed Offer Price $12.00 to $13.00

Actual Offer Price $14.00

First Day Open $72.00

First Day Close $64.94

Shares Offered (mil.) 3.00

Offering Amount (mil.) $42.00

Post−offering shares (mil.) 24.30

UnderwritersMorgan Stanley Dean WitterBancBoston Robertson StephensHambrecht & Quist

Copyright 2004, Hoover's, Inc.


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