| April 13, 2000 |
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If you work in a Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL), building changes are you'll be receiving broadband access from Urban Media, Inc. Under a strategic partnership agreement announced this week, Urban Media will introduce free broadband access and other paid services and content to building owners across JLL's 400 million square-foot U.S. portfolio. Urban Media also announced the completion of its second round of financing. The startup claims to enable building owners and managers to increase revenue while reducing tenant turnover. Offered as a standard building amenity, each tenant desktop computer is provided free access to the Internet at speeds permitting remotely hosted applications, e-commerce transactions, content and video conferencing through the Urban Media e-Toolbar. Tenants also receive free e-mail and free Web hosting as part of their building lease. Here's where a major benefit to tenants come in: these services are typically available within 24-48 hours of occupancy, rather than the eight weeks typically required for small businesses to be up-and-running with traditional service providers. And thanks to deregulation, tenants have the option to purchase additional value-added services, such as e-commerce applications, additional bandwidth, local and long distance calling and expanded e-mail and Web hosting services. “This affiliation demonstrates that tenants are demanding not only high-speed access, but content and business-to-business e-commerce solutions as well," said Sean Doherty, president and CEO of Urban Media. The alliance includes a minor equity investment from Jones Lang LaSalle, coupled with venture capital from leading Silicon Valley firms SOFTBANK Venture Capital and Accel Partners. To date, Urban Media has raised a total of $31 million. In other news, today we introduce another installment of As JDN Turns. Embattled JDN Realty Corporation (NYSE: JDN) announced Wednesday that it will restate its financial statements for the years 1994 through 1998, reducing net income and funds from operations. The company originally expected to restate its financial for 1998 and 1999 after being accused of concealing more than $5 million in executive compensation, engaging in at least 21 undisclosed related-party transactions and overstating net income by at least $5 million. This little problem had caused the company's stock to nosedive more than 40 percent, resulting in several shareholder lawsuits. The most recent announcement forced yet another drop of $3 per share to just above $9 ½, erasing recent gains and bringing shares near their year-low of $8. Restatement of financial results for the five-year period is because of leases with JDN's two largest tenants – Wal-Mart and Lowe's. “Discrepancies” were found regarding these transactions, “potentially exposing the company to claims from these two tenants,” a statement from JDN reads. Expect more lawsuits to hit by next week. |
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