The Orange County Register today named Plutos Sama a winner of the 2018 Top Workplaces award for Orange County, based on research performed by Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools.
“Top Workplaces is more than just recognition,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. “Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottom-line results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy workplace culture that supports employee engagement.”
“Becoming a Top Workplace isn’t something organizations can buy,” Claffey said. “It’s an achievement that organizations have worked for and a distinction that gives them a competitive advantage. It’s a big deal.”
About Plutos Sama
PlutosSama is a Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”) with the benefits of administrative Services Organization (“ASO”) specializing in the residential mortgage finance and legal vertical. We provide back-end services to banks, mortgage banks, law firms, hedge funds, mortgage servicers to handle accounting, human resources, information technology, benefits, and other back-office functions to allow the client to focus on their core operations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Lidia Kantarowska
Email: lkantarowska@wkbllp.com
The board of directors and all directors of the company guarantee that there are no false records, misleading statements or major omissions in the contents of this announcement, and bear individual and joint responsibility for the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the contents.
Shanghai Fukong Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Company” and “Fukong Interactive”) issued the “Prompt Announcement of Shanghai Fukong Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd. on the Planning of the Sale of Major Assets” on January 23, 2019. Announcement No.: Pro 2019-019), Shanghai Hongtou Network Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Hongtou Network”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, intends to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, Jagex Limited (hereinafter referred to as “ Jagex”) 100% equity (hereinafter referred to as “target asset 1”).
On February 20, 2019, the company issued the “Shanghai Fukong Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd. Announcement on the Progress of Planning the Sale of Major Assets and the Announcement of the Prospective Transferee of the Public Offering” (Announcement No.: Pro 2019-038), Hongtou The network intends to jointly 100% equity of Jagex together with 100% equity of Hongtou Network (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Hongtou Hong Kong”) (hereinafter referred to as “Target Asset 2”, the underlying assets and the underlying assets 2 are collectively referred to as “target assets”. Packaged for sale (hereinafter referred to as “this transaction” or “this major asset sale” or “this sale”), the company intends to openly collect the intended transferee.
I. The latest progress of this major asset restructuring:
The company has publicly collected the intended transferee and publicly invited the transferee to make quotations and other procedures. As of the disclosure date of this announcement, the progress of this major asset restructuring is as follows:
Beginning on April 15, 2019, the company began to conduct business negotiations on the contents and terms of the equity transfer agreement with a number of proposed transferees who submitted the quotation application materials and confirmed by the company’s evaluation team. On May 3, based on the negotiations with the proposed transferee, the company finally determined Platinum Fortune, LP as the ultimate transferee of the major asset sale. The transferee is a limited partnership established by PlatosSama Holdings, Inc. for the transaction. Founded by leading American lawyers and financial professionals, Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc. is involved in global M&A transactions, intellectual property litigation, international trade disputes, corporate finance, M&A financing, real estate investment, non-performing asset acquisition and management. Its main partner-controlled company now has offices in several US states as well as the UK, Germany, Poland and the Middle East. The earliest investment management business within the corporate system controlled by its main partner began in 1978. Its main partners control hundreds of employees.
At present, the company has basically reached an agreement with the ultimate transferee on the entire contents and terms of the Equity Transfer Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “this Agreement”). It mainly includes: Hongtou Network agrees to transfer its underlying assets to Platinum Fortune, LP in accordance with the terms and conditions of this agreement. Platinum Fortune, LP agrees to pay the transaction consideration to Honghong Network in cash in accordance with the terms and conditions of this agreement. To transfer the underlying asset. After the transaction is completed, Platinum Fortune, LP will directly hold the underlying assets. Within 40 working days from the effective date of this agreement, the counterparty shall pay all the transaction considerations to the escrow account (the bank account established by the third party law firm recognized by all parties) in full cash, and complete the payment at the counterparty. At the same time, both parties to the transaction completed the transfer of the underlying assets.
The consideration of this transaction has not been finalized. After the final confirmation of the two parties, the company will fulfill its information disclosure obligations in a timely manner.
The validity of this agreement, the confidentiality clause and the dispute settlement clause shall become effective after the establishment of this agreement. The other clauses shall become effective after satisfying all the following conditions: (1) The transaction is decided by the executive directors and shareholders of Hongtou Network; 2) The transaction was reviewed and approved by the board of directors of Fukong Interactive; (3) The transaction was reviewed and approved by the Fukong Interactive Shareholders’ Meeting.
At present, the relevant transfer work for the final transferee is underway. After the completion of the relevant work of the company, the “Equity Transfer Agreement” will be signed with the ultimate transferee, and the board of directors will review the “Equity Transfer Agreement” and the “Significant Assets Sale Report (Draft)” and other proposals related to this major asset restructuring.
At present, the company and related parties are continuing to promote various tasks related to this major asset restructuring. The company will promptly perform the internal and external decision-making procedures required for this major asset restructuring, and timely fulfill its information disclosure obligations in accordance with the progress of major asset restructuring.
2. Disclosure of the previous major asset restructuring:
On January 23, 2019, the company issued the “Prompt Announcement of Shanghai Fukong Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd. on the Planning of the Sale of Major Assets” (Announcement No.: Pro 2019-019).
On February 20, 2019, the company issued the “Shanghai Fukong Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd. Announcement on the Progress of Planning the Sale of Major Assets and the Announcement of the Transferee of the Pre-Open Call for Intention” (Announcement No.: Pro 2019-038) The intention to transfer the intention to the transferee in advance.
On March 2, 2019, the company issued the “Announcement of Shanghai Fukong Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd. on the sale of the transferee of the equity of the overseas Sun company” (see company announcement: Pro 2019-047), in the previous pre-collection announcement On the basis of the disclosure of the relevant background and purpose of the sale of the underlying assets, clear the deadlines and data requirements of the proposed transferee to submit the application materials and other related matters.
IRVINE, CA, January 4, 2019 – Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc. (“Plutos”) is proud to announce that as of January 3rd, 2019, Vapiano SE has signed an agreement to sell Vapiano Holdings USA, LLC to Plutos[1]. In connection with the sale, Plutos has entered into certain development agreements to open 75 franchise restaurants in the United States while adding unique first-in-class services related to eSports and gaming generally to all locations.
Plutos has entered into a Joint Development Agreement with PlayAPI, Inc. (“PlayAPI”) where PlayAPI will develop an Application Program Interface (“API”) within its gaming systems to allow gamers to order food from the gaming environment. In other words, if a gamer gets hungry while engaging in a quest online, gamers can stop their character, order a meal for delivery within the game environment and resume their trek without leaving the world created by the independent publisher.
Gamers Drive Multiple Revenue Streams
Cross-selling is becoming more important to a company’s bottom line as antiquated agency models are being replaced with dynamic direct-to-consumer interactions driven by more accurate, real-time consumer data. For example, companies have recently started expanding direct-to-consumer channels through robust digital offerings related to gaming to sell their own products or services instead of relying on obtaining exclusivity contracts with developers or publishers to promote those offerings.
To illustrate, over 10 years ago, product placement in video games were all the craze. It created a new agency model. Gamers would stroll through Bright Falls in the popular game Alan Wake and see Verizon ads on in-game billboards. Today, companies like Discord or Twitch offer gamers the ability to do more with their gaming experience by providing services for online chats, the ability to gain followers, generate unique user videos and connect with social media accounts, all while allowing the gamer to continue interacting with their digital environment unimpeded. By providing these services, these companies obtain real-time metrics on the behavior of their users, effectively enabling them to deliver tailored promotions with higher conversion rates because the data is more accurate and relevant.
Plutos and PlayAPI’s new interface is poised to capitalize on this direct-to-consumer channel by rewarding gamers with in-game content while offering gamers physical services such as meal delivery and good food.
In return, Plutos and PlayAPI will pioneer and connect multiple revenue streams on the most popular platform on the planet because gaming is now the world’s favorite form of entertainment. The gaming industry generated more revenue in 2017 than television, movies and music and is expected to increase at an annual rate of 10.7% to 14% per year[2].
eRewards and a New Meaning to In-App-Purchases
Microtransactions have permeated almost every aspect of gaming to subsidize developer and publisher costs while consumers bear the brunt of paying more for in-game content. However, that business model has suffered numerous blowbacks lately ranging from legislation following loot box controversies to outright consumer revolt resulting from paywalls requiring gamers to play for over 40 hours just to access their favorite character in an online multi-player match.
Through PlayAPI’s new GrubHub-like interface, instead of paying for digital content outright, gamers will receive eRewards for using the food ordering service in the form of special or upgraded in-game content. Strictly speaking, order some spaghetti and you might receive that new limited edition digital skin for your favorite tank.
Forward-Looking Statements
“We are thrilled to have partnered with PlayAPI to build a GrubHub-like interface for the hundreds of stores worldwide,” said Matthew C. Browndorf, Chief Executive Officer of Pluto Sama Holdings, Inc. “PlayAPI’s platform is so powerful that we believe it to be a direct threat to the monopoly of services like GrubHub and history has shown that the pioneers of disruptive, innovative business models thrive. We aim to capitalize on the intersection of good food, good delivery service and good gaming experiences.”
“We are excited to be involved with a fast-growing influential company like Plutos and even more excited to develop an API that will create a special way for gamers to interact with their digital environment to order food and earn exclusive rewards,” said Ted Owen, Chief Executive Officer of PlayAPI, Inc. “Gaming is in our DNA. It’s a lifestyle. Just like choosing what and where to eat is a lifestyle. Ordering good food through your favorite interactive gaming environment and having it delivered to you should be an ultimate and harmonious expression of those lifestyles. We could have done this with anybody, but we chose Vapiano and Plutos because they understand the importance of interactive expression.”
“Our goal has always been to provide quality Italian cuisine in a frictionless atmosphere to our guests, who control their own experience. What Plutos and PlayAPI are developing will augment Vapiano USA’s vision of allowing guests to control that experience by extending it to our off-site patrons using a blend of modern technology and innovative interfaces,” said Carlos Politano, Chief Executive Officer of Vapiano USA. “We see huge potential and a positive outlook for the year ahead.”
“Ted Owen CEO of PlayAPI, Inc. with Jacob Browndorf, eGamer and Twitch video personality under the name “Wolfz” and son of Matthew Browndorf CEO of Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc.”
“That’s incredible…I can see people not wanting to leave their game to order food, and the fact that you’ll get eRewards for purchases is nuts and so cool!”
– Jacob Browndorf
Ted Owen
Mr. Owen’s background in digital recreation is extensive. After graduating from Duke University, he started an investment banking company named Owen, Diaz and Altschul based in NYC, which focused on investing in early stage gaming companies such as Spectrum Holobyte and 3-DO as well as numerous other successful gaming companies. He was the first mover in the multi-billion-dollar industry of eSports through one of his first groundbreaking companies, Global Gaming League, launched in 1999. Known as the “Father of eSports” his bringing video gaming as an exhibition sport to the Beijing Olympics paved the way for video gaming to become a medal sport in the 2020 Olympic games. Finally, Mr. Owen was named a top 20 entrepreneur by Stuff Magazine and included in Maxim Magazine’s list of 10 individuals changing the world in digital media[3].
PlayAPI, Inc.
PlayAPI is an innovative technology company focused on aggregating data across all video gaming platforms and publishers to identify centers of influence, track social values to provide highly actionable insights and monetization opportunities while increasing player engagement and acquisition. The Company was founded by Ted Owen[4].
Vapiano USA
The Italian lifestyle brand Vapiano founded in 2002 an innovative “Fresh Casual Dining” concept that established a new category in system catering, combining elements of “fast casual” and “casual dining”. The restaurant concept centers around quality, uncompromisingly fresh ingredients, and transparency. Pasta, pizza dough, sauces, dressings and dolci are all made fresh every day on site at each Vapiano. Food is prepared “à la minute” directly in front of the guests and “customized” to the guests’ special requests. The cosmopolitan ambiance is also part of the success story. Vapiano stands for self-determination and individuality allowing each guest to choose between different guest journeys. Guests can order their food from the Vapianisti, at the terminal, or via the Vapiano app, and pay for it by chipcard or app. Alternatively, the company offers take-away and delivery services at a growing number of its restaurants, allowing guests to enjoy Vapiano anytime, anyplace, anywhere. From its origins in Hamburg/Germany, the Vapiano idea spread quickly to the world.
For further details, please go to www.vapiano.com.
Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc.
Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc. is a private equity company in the business of taking control positions in residential and commercial real estate ventures, micro-lending, securitizations, law firms, restaurants, mortgage servicing platforms, and eSports.
For more information, visit www.plutosholdings.com.
Media Contact
Danny Kim
Chief Marketing Officer
Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc.
1. Sanac, Dafne. “Vapiano SE signs agreement to sell Vapiano Holding USA LLC to Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc.,” archive at dgap.de, last modified January 3, 2019, http://ir.vapiano.com/websites/vapiano/English/1210/news-detail.html?newsID=1745939.
2. OppenheimerFunds, “Investing in the Soaring Popularity of Gaming,” Reuters.com, last modified June 13, 2018, https://www.reuters.com/sponsored/article/popularity-of-gaming.
3. Owen, Ted, “Ted Owen Launches PlayAPI,” PRnewswire.com, last modified May 19, 2017, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ted-owen-launches-playapi-300460795.html.
4. Longano, Nicholas, “PlayAPI Introduces Data Technology That Supports Turner Broadcasting’s Call to Retire Nielsen Ratings,” BusinessWire.com, last modified August 6, 2018, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180806005203/en/PlayAPI%E2%84%A2-Introduces-Data-Technology-Supports-Turner-Broadcasting%E2%80%99s.
03-Jan-2019 / 17:44 CET/CEST
Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP – a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Cologne, January 3, 2019 – Vapiano SE (ISIN: DE000A0WMNK9, ticker symbol: VAO) has signed an agreement to sell its shares in Vapiano Holding USA LLC. and seven of its subsidiaries in the USA to Plutos Sama Holdings Inc., Irvine, California (USA) (Plutos Sama).
Under the purchase agreement signed today, Plutos Sama will acquire 100% of the shares of Vapiano Holding USA LLC. for a cash consideration of 15 million dollars.
In connection with the sale, five “Development Agreements” will be signed to open 75 additional franchise restaurants in Illinois, Washington D.C., Virginia, New York and New Jersey, from which Vapiano SE will receive one-time development fees totaling five million dollars.
This move enables Vapiano SE to grow less capital intensive by franchise cooperations in the USA.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions as well as the financing for the purchase price by Plutos Sama.
Investor Relations
Dafne Sanac
Direct: +49 221 67001 303
E-Mail: d.sanac@vapiano.eu
Financial and Business Press
Dariusch Manssuri, IR.on AG
Direct: +49 221 9140 975
E-Mail: dariusch.manssuri@ir-on.com
Plutos Sama Holdings
Danny Kim
Chief Marketing Officer
Direct: (949) 247 7774
E-Mail: dkim@plutossama.com
See original press release here:
http://ir.vapiano.com/websites/vapiano/English/1210/news-detail.html?newsID=1745939
The top bid for assets of troubled Polish debt collector GetBack SA this month was relegated to a backup offer by the company and a creditors group overseeing its restructuring, according to two sources familiar.
A consortium of distressed debt investors including Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc., Vion Investments and Schottentor Capital bid PLN 1.3bn (USD 341.3m) for Polish NPLs sold as part of the planned restructuring of GetBack, which has been dogged this year by corporate bond defaults, losses and alleged corruption by executives, the first source said. Fortress Investment Group also had an interest in the bid, the source said.
The group bid, which promised about PLN 700m upon closing, was passed over for a PLN 1.2bn offer from Stockholm-based NPL buyer Hoist Finance, the first source familiar said. Hoist was said to have promised PLN 950m of the offer within two years, a commitment that apparently swayed GetBack’s creditors, the source said.
A telephone inquiry to Hoist was referred to a company email. Emails to the company’s general address and its spokesperson were not returned. A GetBack spokesperson declined to comment.
Sales of the assets would be a large step in the restructuring of GetBack, a company formed in 2012 by Polish billionaire Lescek Czarnecki and later acquired by Abris Capital Partners. The company, which funded NPL purchases with billions of zloty raised through unsecured corporate bond sales, became embroiled in scandal after missing debt payments, delaying an earnings report and then reporting a larger-than-expected PLN 1.3bn loss for 2017.
GetBack’s unfolding story comes against a backdrop of growing local and international interest in profiting from Eastern European NPLs. GetBack was a significant player in what had become a “very hectic” market where domestic companies were jockeying with foreign servicers and distressed funds for the assets, said Lech Gilicinski, head of the K&L Gates’ banking, finance and restructuring practice in Warsaw.
In Poland alone, NPLs could be PLN 30bn–40bn, “or even more than that,” Gilicinski estimated. He declined to comment on GetBack’s restructuring.
GetBack targeted NPLs aggressively. It became Poland’s fastest growing accounts receivable manager with total nominal value of assets quadrupling to PLN 19.4bn in the three years through 2016, its website shows. Among notable acquisitions with PRA Group, a US-based debt collector, was a portfolio with a nominal value of PLN 2bn from Getin Noble Bank, where GetBack founder Czarnecki is chairman, according to the website.
But GetBack accumulated NPLs at prices at above-market prices, according to news reports and the first source familiar. In one example, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna reported on 8 November that GetBack paid Bank Pekao PLN 148m for a nominal PLN 1.2bn NPL package that it had previously valued at PLN 66m.
Hoist’s acquisition is subject to the approval of a settlement plan by GetBack’s creditors, Hoist said in a 7 November statement. The cash would cover secured debts of approximately PLN 700m but fall far short for unsecured creditors holding more than twice that amount, the first source familiar said.
The US-based investor consortium left its GetBack bid on the table should there be any issues with Hoist’s offer, the source said. GetBack also bought Romanian NPLs and those assets may be sold in a separate auction, the source said.
by Al Yoon
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, November 16, 2018 – Plutos Investment Capital, LLC is pleased to announce that Rick Moos has joined the firm as Managing Director in our San Antonio office.
“Rick will have an immediate impact on our business and I couldn’t be more excited that he has joined us,” said Matthew C. Browndorf, Chief Executive Officer of the Plutos Sama family of companies. “His values and business strategies are in line with our group and will continue to build on our focus to provide the best products for each individual, creating investment strategies that meet their unique goals.”
“There are many reasons why I chose to join Plutos Capital,” said Mr. Moos. “First, Plutos Investment Capital gives me a great sense of independence which will allow me to offer my clients greater flexibility and choice in the solutions they need to reach their financial goals. The firm also has investment banking capabilities and several unique offerings that focus on interest income, providing cashflow with equity-like returns, these give my clients access to investments usually reserved for hedge funds and other institutional investors. Most importantly, I had wanted to join a firm that shared similar values as I have and one that always has the interests of clients as a top priority.”
Mr. Moos will focus on building out the San Antonio office and offer individual investors, independent advisors and corporate accounts sound investment advice. The PIC advisor team will work with investors across the US and determine key financial objectives based on each client’s needs, recommend strategies the client can use to achieve their desired financial objectives, as well as researching the marketplace and providing clients with current information on new and existing products and services to benefit their portfolios.
ABOUT PLUTOS INVESTMENT CAPITAL
Plutos Investment Capital is a boutique, independent financial services company providing a flexible investment platform for private individuals, international family offices, institutions, and independent advisors. The firm is focused on serving customers with integrity, honesty, and attentiveness while helping individuals manage wealth by creating, implementing and overseeing family success plans that incorporate both financial and life goals. To learn more, visit our website at www.pic.plutoscapital.com.
Media Contact
Danny Kim