Exhibit
99.1
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AVP,
Inc. Announces Completion of $3.5 Million
Financing
and Hiring of New COO/CFO
LOS
ANGELES, September 9, 2008 — AVP, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AVPI) (“the
Company”), a lifestyle sports entertainment company focused on professional
beach volleyball, announced today the completion of a $3.5 million private
placement financing from RJSM Partners, LLC. RJSM Partners, LLC is an investment
company specializing in sports and entertainment with a focus in high value
content properties. The new funds will be primarily used for working capital
and
the continued expansion of the Company’s lifestyle sports entertainment
offerings in professional beach volleyball.
The
financing consists of approximately $2.8 million in aggregate principal amount
of the Company’s convertible debt, convertible into common stock at $.50 per
share, and 50,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock (which
convert into more than one common share). Interest earned on the convertible
debt represents a liquidation preference and is payable only upon a liquidation
event. Upon full conversion of both instruments, RJSM will beneficially own
approximately 7 million shares of common stock, all of which they can vote
upon
closing. In connection with its investment RJSM will be entitled to appoint
two
directors.
The
Company also announced that the number of members on its board of directors
will
be reduced from nine to five and the resignation of five of the Company’s
directors. Effective at the closing of the financing, the Company’s board of
directors will consist of Leonard Armato (Chairman), Jason Hodell, Nick Toor,
Mike Pearce, and Justin Kamm.
The
Company also announced the permanent hiring of director Jason Hodell as its
COO
and CFO. Mr. Hodell is a West Point and Wharton Business School graduate. He
has
experience as an Army Infantry Officer, M&A investment banker with J.P.
Morgan, corporate turnaround executive, and hedge fund manager. He joined the
Company’s board of directors on May 5, 2008 and has previously served as
Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Hodell has also competed in AVP
events.
“The
AVP
is a unique, valuable, and immensely exciting sport seen or experienced by
millions of people annually,” said Nick Lewin, managing member of RJSM Partners,
LLC. “We’re delighted to be investing in AVP to expand the reach and the breadth
of this tremendous property.”
“We
are
delighted to close this round of financing with RJSM. Not only will this provide
AVP with required working capital but RJSM includes a number of investors who
will be of great strategic value to AVP”, said Leonard Armato, AVP Chairman, CEO
and Commissioner. “Coming off the momentum of the Olympic Games, and the
unprecedented success that beach volleyball and our AVP Gold Medalists enjoyed,
AVP looks forward to our future with tremendous optimism. I am also pleased
to
have an executive the caliber of Jason Hodell join us as we look to make our
business model even more efficient while capitalizing upon our increased
momentum.”
“Volleyball
has been a special part of my life and I am thrilled to be joining the AVP
at an
exciting time,” said Jason Hodell, COO/CFO. “This financing comes on the heels
of Olympic success and leaves the AVP with terrific opportunities to grow the
sport and our franchise.”
Additional
details on the transaction will be provided in an upcoming Form 8-K filing
with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About
AVP, Inc.
AVP,
Inc.
is a leading lifestyle sports entertainment company focused on the production,
marketing and distribution of professional beach volleyball events worldwide.
One of the fastest growing entities in the sports world, the AVP operates two
of
the industry's most prominent national outdoor touring series, the AVP Pro
Beach
Volleyball Tour (1983) and the AVP Hot Winter Nights Indoor Tour (launched
in
2008). The AVP is set to stage more than 35 events throughout the United States
in 2008 and features more than 150 of the top men and women competitors in
the
sport. AVP athletes won both the women’s and men’s gold medals at the 2008 Games
in Beijing. AVP is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., and the company’s stock
trades under the symbol AVPI on the OTC Bulletin Board. For more information,
please visit www.avp.com.
Forward
Looking Statements
Some
of
the information in this press release may contain projections or other
forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial
performance of the Company. We wish to caution you that these statements involve
risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from those
in
the forward-looking statements, if we receive less sponsorship and advertising
revenue than anticipated, or if attendance is adversely affected by unfavorable
weather. Event-related expenses, such as for the stadium, transportation and
accommodations, or security might be greater than expected; or marketing or
administrative costs might be increased by our hiring, not currently planned,
of
a particularly qualified prospect. Additional factors have been detailed in
the
Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our
recent filings on Forms 10-KSB and 10-QSB.
AVP,
Inc.
Investor
Relations
(310)
426-7177
Media
Contact:
AVP
/ Brener Zwikel & Associates
Crystal
Fukumoto
818.462.5605/Crystalf@bzapr.com
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