Orbitz Appoints Marc Andreessen to Its Board of Directors
Internet Pioneer Becomes Independent Board Member at Leading Travel Website
CHICAGO, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orbitz, Inc. , a leading online
travel company, announced today that Marc Andreessen, 32, has been appointed to
its Board of Directors.
Mr. Andreessen is an Internet pioneer who while attending the University of
Illinois created the first Internet browser with a team of students and staff at
the University's National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). Their
technology developments remain the principal tool for all Internet commerce.
Jeffrey G. Katz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orbitz,
said, "As an Internet visionary, Marc will be a valuable addition to our Board.
Few people possess as much Internet commerce and technology experience as Marc.
His insight will help us continue to deliver innovative products and services to
Orbitz users. We are delighted to add such a talented and renowned individual
to our Board and look forward to benefiting from his expertise." Marc Andreessen said, "Orbitz has established itself as a high-growth leader in
the online travel industry. I look forward to working with the Board and
management team to extend its technical lead as well as build and strengthen its
industry position." Mr. Andreessen is the Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Opsware Inc. (NASDAQ:OPSW), the leading provider of data center automation software.
In 1994 Mr. Andreessen co-founded Netscape, the first Web browser company, and
served as its Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Products. During that time, he guided Netscape's growth and technological direction.
After America Online acquired Netscape in 1999, he became the Chief Technology
Officer of this world leading interactive services and Internet company,
responsible for guiding its overall technological direction.
The addition of Mr. Andreessen to the Orbitz Board brings the total number of
directors to eight. As an independent director, Mr. Andreessen will be a member
of the Board's Audit Committee.
Mr. Andreessen also currently serves as a director of Blue Coat Systems
(NASDAQ:BCSI), a provider of secure proxy appliances that control user
communications and content over the Internet.
Mr. Andreessen received his undergraduate degree from the University of
Illinois.
About Orbitz Orbitz is a leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for
and purchase a broad array of travel products, including airline tickets,
lodging, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Since launching its
website in June 2001, Orbitz has become the third largest online travel site
based on gross travel bookings. On the Orbitz website, consumers can search
more than 455 airlines as well as rates at over 45,000 lodging properties and at
23 car rental companies. For more information, please visit
http://www.orbitz.com/ Statements in this press release regarding Orbitz that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements and are subject to risks, assumptions and
uncertainties that could cause such statements to differ materially from actual
future events or results. Any such forward-looking statements are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The following factors, among others, could cause Orbitz' actual results
to differ materially from those described in a forward-looking statement:
Orbitz' ability to retain and attract customers on a cost-effective basis;
increasing competition from existing or new competitors; relationships with
Orbitz' controlling stockholders and with other travel suppliers; limitations
that could affect the expansion of our Supplier Link business; risks relating to
our ability to expand our business generally; specific risks that could affect
our ability to achieve growth plans for portions of our business, such as
hotels; rapid technological change affecting our industry; risks associated with
litigation or government regulation; declines, disruptions or events affecting
the travel industry; potential fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that
could cause actual results to differ. Readers are referred to the reports and
documents filed from time to time by Orbitz with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for a discussion of these and other important risk factors. Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which
are made as of the date of this press release. Orbitz undertakes no obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or any other reason. DATASOURCE: Orbitz, Inc.
CONTACT: Carol Jouzaitis of Orbitz, Inc., +1-312-894-4774; or Ann Hance, or Carina Thate, both of the Abernathy MacGregor Group, +1-212-371-5999, for Orbitz, Inc. |