<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-23-239714.txt : 20230921
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-23-239714.hdr.sgml : 20230921
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20230921172455
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-23-239714
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DFAN14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
FILED AS OF DATE:		20230921
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20230921

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SPLUNK INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001353283
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
		IRS NUMBER:				861106510
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DFAN14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-35498
		FILM NUMBER:		231269824

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		270 BRANNAN STREET
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94107
		BUSINESS PHONE:		415-848-8400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		270 BRANNAN STREET
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94107

FILED BY:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000858877
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3576]
		IRS NUMBER:				770059951
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0729

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DFAN14A

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		170 WEST TASMAN DR
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134-1706
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4085264000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		170 WEST TASMAN DR
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134-1706

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CISCO SYSTEMS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DFAN14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d348796ddfan14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DFAN14A
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>DFAN14A</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE" STYLE="line-height:Normal">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-101)</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section&nbsp;14(a) of the </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Amendment No. ) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:16pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filed by the
Registrant&#8194;&#9744; &#8195;&#8195;&#8195;&#8195;&#8195;&#8195;&#8195;Filed by a Party other than the Registrant&#8194;&#9746; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate
box: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>

<TD WIDTH="5%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="5"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="5" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Preliminary Proxy Statement</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><B>Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-6(e)(2))</FONT></B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Definitive Proxy Statement</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Definitive Additional Materials</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9746;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Soliciting Material Pursuant to &#167; <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14a-12</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:22pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Splunk Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Cisco Systems, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:16pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9746;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">No fee required </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item&nbsp;25(b) per Exchange Act Rules&nbsp;14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
</P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Filed by Cisco Systems, Inc. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Pursuant to Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-12</FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Subject Company: Splunk Inc. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Commission File No.: <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">001-35498</FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following is an email message on behalf of Chuck Robbins, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco Systems, Inc., forwarded to employees of Splunk Inc.
by Gary Steele, President and Chief Executive Officer of Splunk Inc. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">September&nbsp;21, 2023 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Splunkers,</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">I know that today&#146;s announcement about
Cisco&#146;s intent to acquire Splunk comes as big news, and I wanted to reach out to share why I&#146;m so excited about our companies coming together. Joining Cisco and Splunk brings together two powerful innovation engines and creates one of the
largest software companies globally. Our complementary capabilities in AI, security, networking, observability, and data will help make organizations of all sizes more digitally resilient. I&#146;m also excited to share that upon the closing of the
acquisition, your CEO, Gary, will join Cisco&#146;s Executive Leadership Team reporting to me. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Since Splunk&#146;s founding 20 years ago, you all have
been helping organizations access, drive insights, and take action from their data. Your solutions have helped keep the world&#146;s leading organizations&#146; digital systems secure and reliable. At Cisco, our strategy is simple &#150; to securely
connect everything to make anything possible. We believe that combined, we can help further the missions of both companies even more. This union will allow for greater investments in new solutions, accelerated innovation, and increased global scale
to support the needs of customers of all sizes. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In today&#146;s hyperconnected world, data is everywhere, and every organization relies on it to run
their business and make mission-critical decisions. However, this explosion of data creates a level of complexity that is unlike anything we&#146;ve seen &#150; particularly when you add in AI, expanding threat surfaces, and multiple cloud
environments. Organizations need a better way to manage, protect, and unlock data&#146;s true value and stay digitally resilient, and Cisco and Splunk will address these challenges head on. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Another thing that we both share is the pride in our great culture. Both Splunk and Cisco have been named &#147;Great Places to Work.&#148; This is something
we work very hard to achieve, and I&#146;m incredibly proud that this year we were named the top &#147;Great Place to Work&#148; in the United States. We also have been named number one in over 16 countries around the world. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Our culture and the positive environment we create for our employees is critically important to us, and listening to our teams is so much of what helps us be
better. I&#146;m excited that Cisco and Splunk have values and cultures that are deeply aligned. We share a profound passion for customer success, game-changing innovation, and building an inclusive future. At Cisco, we have a shared culture of
trust, transparency, respect, and innovation that makes me proud to work here every day. Simply put, we believe we can be better together. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As we move
forward, I want to assure you that we are working closely with your leadership team to ensure a seamless transition. We expect this acquisition to close by the end of the third quarter of calendar 2024, and during this time, we will continue to
operate as separate, independent businesses. In the weeks ahead, we will build an integration planning team comprising leaders from each company. We will also continue to build on the conversation we start today with additional sessions where we
will listen and help you get to know Cisco. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a first step, I look forward to seeing you and taking your questions at the Town Hall soon. While there
may be questions we can&#146;t answer due to legal and regulatory constraints, we will be open and transparent where we can to help you understand what&#146;s happening now, and what&#146;s to come. </P>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All of us at Cisco look forward to welcoming you, learning from you, and building incredible innovation for
our collective customers. I&#146;m confident that together we will chart a path for a very bright future ahead! </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">I&#146;m excited for you to join the
Cisco family! </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">


<IMG SRC="g348796g0922004431242.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chuck Robbins </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chair and CEO
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Cisco </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Forward-Looking Statements </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This letter contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words &#147;will,&#148; &#147;believes,&#148; &#147;plans,&#148; &#147;anticipates,&#148;
&#147;expects,&#148; &#147;estimates,&#148; &#147;strives,&#148; &#147;goal,&#148; &#147;intends,&#148; &#147;may,&#148; &#147;endeavors,&#148; &#147;continues,&#148; &#147;projects,&#148; &#147;seeks,&#148; &#147;targets,&#148; or the negative of
these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions) are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. For example, statements
regarding integration plans and the expected benefits to Cisco, Splunk, and their respective customers from completing the transaction are forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include those described in the press release
announcing our proposed transaction with Splunk and in Cisco&#146;s SEC reports (including but not limited to its most recent report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> filed with the SEC on September&nbsp;7, 2023, respectively).
These documents are available free of charge at the SEC&#146;s website at <U>www.sec.gov</U> or by going to Cisco&#146;s Investor Relations website at <U>https://investor.cisco.com</U>. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of
these assumptions proves incorrect, Cisco&#146;s results could differ materially from its expectations in these statements. Cisco undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This letter contains &#147;forward-looking statements&#148; within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section&nbsp;27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section&nbsp;21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on Splunk&#146;s current expectations, estimates and projections about the expected date of
closing of the proposed transaction and the potential benefits thereof, its business and industry, management&#146;s beliefs and certain assumptions made by Splunk and Cisco, all of which are subject to change. In this context, forward-looking
statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as &#147;expect,&#148; &#147;anticipate,&#148; &#147;intend,&#148; &#147;plan,&#148; &#147;believe,&#148;
&#147;could,&#148; &#147;seek,&#148; &#147;see,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; &#147;may,&#148; &#147;would,&#148; &#147;might,&#148; &#147;potentially,&#148; &#147;estimate,&#148; &#147;continue,&#148; &#147;expect,&#148; &#147;target,&#148; similar
expressions or the negatives of these words or other comparable terminology that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. All forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond our control, and are not guarantees of future results, such as statements about the consummation of the proposed transaction and the anticipated benefits thereof. These and other forward-looking statements, including the failure to consummate
the proposed transaction or to make or take any filing or other action required to consummate the transaction on a timely matter or at all, are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and,
therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i)&nbsp;the
completion of the proposed transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining shareholder and regulatory approvals, anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings,
synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of Splunk&#146;s business and other conditions to the completion of the
transaction; (ii)&nbsp;the impact of the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">COVID-19</FONT> pandemic on Splunk&#146;s business and general economic conditions; (iii)&nbsp;Splunk&#146;s ability to implement its business strategy; (iv)&nbsp;significant
transaction costs associated with the </P>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
proposed transaction; (v)&nbsp;potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction; (vi)&nbsp;the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction will harm Splunk&#146;s business,
including current plans and operations; (vii)&nbsp;the ability of Splunk to retain and hire key personnel; (viii)&nbsp;potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed
transaction; (ix)&nbsp;legislative, regulatory and economic developments affecting Splunk&#146;s business; (x)&nbsp;general economic and market developments and conditions; (xi)&nbsp;the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes under which Splunk
operates; (xii)&nbsp;potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during the pendency of the merger that could affect Splunk&#146;s financial performance; (xiii)&nbsp;restrictions during the pendency of the
proposed transaction that may impact Splunk&#146;s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; and (xiv)&nbsp;unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or
outbreak of war or hostilities, as well as Splunk&#146;s response to any of the aforementioned factors. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the proposed transaction, are more fully discussed in the Proxy Statement to be filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the proposed transaction. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors presented in the Proxy Statement will be, considered representative, no such list should be
considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as
compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on Splunk&#146;s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. Splunk does not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Additional
Information and Where to Find It </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the proposed transaction and required stockholder approval, Splunk will file with the SEC a
preliminary proxy statement and a definitive proxy statement. The proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of Splunk. <B>Splunk&#146;s stockholders are urged to carefully read the proxy statement (including all amendments, supplements and
any documents incorporated by reference therein) and other relevant materials filed or to be filed with the SEC and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction and the
parties to the transaction. </B>Investors may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC at its website at <U>http://www.sec.gov</U>. In addition, investors may obtain free copies of the
documents filed with the SEC by Splunk by going to Splunk&#146;s Investor Relations page on its corporate website at <U>https://investors.splunk.com</U> or by contacting Splunk Investor Relations at <U>ir@splunk.com</U>. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Participants in the Solicitation </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Splunk and its
executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Splunk&#146;s stockholders with respect to the transaction. Information about Splunk&#146;s directors and executive officers, including their
ownership of Splunk securities, is set forth in the proxy statement for Splunk&#146;s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May&nbsp;9, 2023, Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed with the SEC on
September&nbsp;21, 2023, and Splunk&#146;s other filings with the SEC. Investors may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of Splunk and its respective executive officers and directors in the transaction, which
may be different than those of Splunk stockholders generally, by reading the preliminary and definitive proxy statements regarding the transaction, which will be filed with the SEC. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, Cisco and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to have participated in the solicitation of proxies from Splunk&#146;s stockholders
in favor of the approval of the transaction. Information concerning Cisco&#146;s directors and executive officers is set forth in Cisco&#146;s proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on
October&nbsp;18, 2022, annual report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> filed with the SEC on September&nbsp;7, 2023, Forms <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed with the SEC on February&nbsp;21, 2023, July&nbsp;19,
2023, and September&nbsp;21, 2023, and Cisco&#146;s other filings with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC&#146;s website at <U>www.sec.gov</U> or by going to Cisco&#146;s Investor Relations website at
<U>https://investor.cisco.com</U>. </P>
</DIV></Center>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>GRAPHIC
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>g348796g0922004431242.jpg
<DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
<TEXT>
begin 644 g348796g0922004431242.jpg
M_]C_X  02D9)1@ ! 0$ 8 !@  #_VP!#  @&!@<&!0@'!P<)"0@*#!0-# L+
M#!D2$P\4'1H?'AT:'!P@)"XG("(L(QP<*#<I+# Q-#0T'R<Y/3@R/"XS-#+_
MVP!# 0D)"0P+#!@-#1@R(1PA,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R
M,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C+_P  1"  T %X# 2(  A$! Q$!_\0
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M;"2\O)-D,>,X&2Q)P% ')))  '4FK1(4$D@ <DFN:TI/^$EU!->N 3I\)/\
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A3TS71T44 %%%% !1110 4444 %%%% !1110 4444 ?_9

end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
