WebMD: CEO Wayne T.
Gattinella Resigns - Talks with Potential Acquirers Terminated
January 10, 2012
Wayne
T. Gattinella has resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer
and President of the Company and as a member of its Board of Directors.
Anthony Vuolo, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Operating Officer, will serve as Interim CEO while the Board conducts a
search to fill the position on a permanent basis. Mr. Vuolo will be
supported, with respect to the operations and strategic priorities of
WebMD's public portals, by a newly-formed Management Committee
consisting of Gregory Mason, Executive Vice President - Consumer
Services; William Pence, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer; Steven Zatz, M.D., Executive Vice President - Professional
Services; and Dorothy Gemmell, Senior Vice President -- Sales. The
responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer position will be assumed
by certain members of the Management Committee. Mr. Vuolo will continue
to serve as Chief Financial Officer of WebMD. These management changes
are effective immediately.
Martin J. Wygod, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented: "We
thank Wayne for his contributions in making WebMD the leader in health
information services. With my support and that of the Management
Committee, I am confident that Tony will lead a smooth transition as the
Board conducts a search for a new CEO."
Financial Guidance for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 WebMD expects
that its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011
will be consistent with the financial guidance it provided in its press
release issued November 2, 2011. Preliminarily, WebMD expects revenue
and earnings to be between the low-end and midpoint of its financial
guidance range. WebMD's expectations exclude any costs related to the
evaluation of strategic alternatives discussed below.
2012 Preliminary Outlook
WebMD's preliminary outlook for 2012
is that revenue may be as much as 2% to 8% lower than 2011 revenue, with
revenues declining more in the first half of the year and improving in
the second half of the year.
WebMD's fourth quarter sales activity for advertising and sponsorship
products was less than anticipated and reflects a challenging business
environment for certain pharmaceutical company customers and a more
competitive landscape in the consumer products markets.
WebMD anticipates it will experience lower revenues in 2012 as certain
of its pharmaceutical company customers manage the effects of their
products losing patent exclusivity. The loss of patent exclusivity is
not only impacting the marketing expenditures related to the products
facing the loss of patent protection, but it is also having a greater
than previously anticipated impact on marketing expenditures across
entire product portfolios of some pharmaceutical companies. WebMD
anticipates an increase in the number of new branded pharmaceutical
product introductions as a result of regulatory approvals expected
during 2012. However, the approval and launch of these products are
anticipated to begin in the second half of 2012. Any marketing
commitments that WebMD may receive from such products are not likely to
contribute significantly to revenue for 2012.
Additionally, WebMD expects to face a more competitive landscape in its
consumer products market in 2012, primarily resulting from a variety of
ad networks and social sites. This increasingly competitive environment
could continue to impact the marketing commitments and related revenues
from consumer products customers.
Although the preliminary revenue outlook for 2012 is lower than 2011 for
the reasons discussed above, WebMD anticipates that its expenses will
increase by as much as 5% to 8% in 2012 as compared to last year. The
Company intends to continue to make investments in areas that are
important to its long term growth, such as personalization, mobile,
social, international, new content areas and new advertiser products and
services. As a result, WebMD expects that its 2012 Adjusted EBITDA and
net income will be significantly lower than 2011.
"While
we face near-term challenges, I am confident that there is significant
growth opportunity ahead for WebMD," said Mr. Wygod. "I believe that the
pressures facing the pharmaceutical industry will ultimately prove to be
the strong catalyst for a meaningful shift by them to digital marketing
solutions. WebMD offers a cost-effective, efficient and highly
measurable alternative to traditional detailing to physicians and mass
media to consumers."
The Company anticipates providing additional guidance regarding 2012
when it reports its year end results in February. WebMD will release its
results for the year ended December 31, 2011 on February 23, 2012.
WebMD also said that, in late 2011,
the independent directors of its Board of Directors commenced a process
to consider strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value. In
connection with such process, the Board of Directors formed a Special
Committee of independent directors, which was advised by independent
financial and legal advisors. The Special Committee, with its advisers,
had discussions with several potential acquirers of the Company. The
Company allowed such potential acquirers to conduct a due diligence
investigation of the Company's business. The Special Committee has
terminated these discussions with potential acquirers and its process to
review a potential sale of the Company.