January
25, 2006
Mr.
Robert Telewicz
Staff
Accountant
Division
of Corporation Finance
United
States Securities and Exchange Commission
450
Fifth
Street N.W.
Washington,
D.C. 20549
| Re: |
a21, Inc. |
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Form 10K for the year ended December
31,
2004 |
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File no.
000-17602 |
Dear
Mr.
Telewicz:
We
have
received your letter dated November 28, 2005 in reference to the above noted
filing. We respectively submit the following responses to the questions raised
in your letter:
Note
C
- Acquisition of Superstock, Inc., page F-11
1)
S.E.C.
Staff: “Given the preferred stock was issued by Superstock, the acquired entity,
subsequent to the business combination we are still unsure how you determined
the preferred stock represents a cost of the acquisition”.
a21
response:
The
issuance of the preferred stock occurred essentially simultaneously, but
technically immediately prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated
by
the stock purchase and recapitalization agreement. Although Section 2.3(a)
of
the sales and purchase agreement, inadvertently (and incorrectly) states that
the preferred stock will be issued post-closing, it is clear from Section 7.1
and 7.3 of the stock purchase and recapitalization agreement that the
recapitalization transaction, including the issuance of the preferred stock,
was
a condition precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by
the agreement. Since the preferred stock was issued immediately prior to the
closing of the acquisition and was a condition precedent to the consummation
of
the acquisition, we accounted for the preferred stock as a cost of the
acquisition.
7660
Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
904.565.0066
| info@a21group.com | www.a21group.com
The
value
for the preferred stock issued to sellers is based on the immediate
convertibility of such preferred stock into a21 common stock granted by a21.
The
sellers sold the non-controlling interest of SuperStock common stock in to
a21,
via recapitalization, for consideration of the issuance of the preferred stock
in SuperStock. As discussed in EITF 98-5 the conversion feature representing
consideration is accounted for and valued at fair value.
2)
S.E.C.
Staff: “Please advise us why the subsequent transaction was not accounted for as
a recapitalization, a treasury stock transaction or an acquisition of
noncontrolling interests as described in paragraphs A5-A7 of SFAS
141”.
a21
response:
As
discussed above, the issuance of preferred shares and the granting of the
convertibility to s21 common was substantive occurring simultaneous and
precedent to the total transaction. SFAS 141 proscribes for purchase accounting
to applied to acquisition of noncontrolling interests. A21 has accounted for
the
purchase transaction by aggregation. The recapitalization transaction effected
by the issuance of the preferred shares was negotiated together with other
elements of the greater transaction. The substantive and economic purpose of
the
vehicle of preferred issuance in the acquired entity afforded selling
shareholders some residual liquidation preference for that component of
equity.
Additional
Statements:
a21
acknowledges that it is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the
disclosures in the filings.
a21
acknowledges that SEC staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to
staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with
respect to the filings.
a21
acknowledges that it may not assert staff comments as a defense in any
proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal
securities laws of the United States.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ Thomas
Costanza |
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Thomas
Costanza |
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Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer |
7660
Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
904.565.0066
| info@a21group.com | www.a21group.com