Exhibit
99.1
a21,
Inc. Announces January 12, 2009, as Deadline for Initial Bids and January 16,
2009, as Date of Bankruptcy Court Administered Auction of Assets
Jacksonville, FL – (PR Newswire) – December
22, 2008 – a21,
Inc. (ATWOE.OB) today announced that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, has set the deadline for bids
and the date of the auction of the U.S. assets of SuperStock, Inc., the stock of
SuperStock’s U.K. subsidiary, and the assets of ArtSelect, Inc. a21,
Inc., Superstock, Inc., and ArtSelect, Inc. are currently being operated under
the supervision of the bankruptcy court consistent with their December 4, 2008
voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code.
Both the
bidding and the auction are being conducted pursuant to separate motions filed
by a21, Inc. to sell the U.S. assets of SuperStock, Inc. to Masterfile
Corporation, and to sell the assets of ArtSelect, Inc. to Metaverse
Corporation. These sales are free of liens and encumbrances pursuant
to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, but are subject to higher and better bids
at the auction.
The
bankruptcy court has set Monday, January 12, 2009 as the last date to submit
initial bids consistent with the instructions for bidders previously issued by
the court. The bankruptcy court has also set Friday, January 16, 2009
at 9:00 AM Eastern Time as the date of the auction of the aforementioned assets
by interested bidders that meet the January 12, 2009 deadline. The
auction of assets will be held at the United States Courthouse Building, 300
North Hogan Street, Courtroom 4-A, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.
In
addition to the auction of assets on January 16, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court will
also have a hearing to approve the companies’ disclosure statement and combined
plan of liquidation.
The
Company is represented in the bankruptcy filing by Gardner Davis and Michael
Kirwan of Foley & Lardner LLP.
The
Company has established an internet website, http://www.a21group.com/bank.html,
to provide information regarding the bankruptcy case, including copies of major
pleadings and information for potential purchasers regarding the ArtSelect, Inc.
business assets, the SuperStock, Inc. business assets, the bidding rules, and
the auction process.
About
a21
a21
(www.a21group.com) is
a leading online digital content company. Through SuperStock (www.superstock.com;
www.mediamagnet.com;
www.superstock.co.uk;
and www.purestockx.com),
and ArtSelect (www.artselect.com;
www.postersetc.com),
a21 delivers high quality images, art framing, and exceptional customer service.
a21 and its companies, with offices in Florida, Iowa, and London, provide
valuable and viable choices to key business partners and customers in the stock
image, art and wall decor industries.
The
statements contained in this press release contain certain forward-looking
statements, including statements regarding a21, Inc.’s expectations, intentions,
strategies, and beliefs regarding the future. All statements contained herein
are based upon information available to a21, Inc.’s management as of the date
hereof and actual results may vary based upon future events, both within and
without the control of a21, Inc.’s management.