Lightspan Expands Distribution Channels in Key School Markets
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ —
Lightspan, Inc. (Nasdaq: LSPN) announced today that it has launched an initiative to expand its distribution channels to improve overall field efficiencies and reduce its fixed selling costs. The first such arrangement is with Sussman Sales Company, one of the most highly-respected independent sales organizations in New York City, to provide Lightspan products to New York City area schools.
Lightspan Chairman and CEO John T. Kernan said: “Lightspan is proud to partner with Sussman Sales Company, whose representatives have built relationships and earned the trust and respect of New York City school officials for over 32 years. This new association will allow Lightspan to reduce our fixed costs of sales and maximize efficiencies, while more than doubling the number of sales representatives who will be serving current and prospective school customers in New York City and surrounding areas. We plan to add other independent representatives in key school markets across the country in the near future.”
Representatives from Sussman Sales Company will provide the complete line of Lightspan products, including Lightspan Achieve Now, The Lightspan Network, and Lightspan eduTest Assessment, to schools in New York City, Long Island, and surrounding counties.
Sussman Sales Company President Joe Sussman stated: “Our representatives have been consulting with New York City area schools for over three decades. They know how to assess school district needs and provide customized solutions. Lightspan’s proven technology will be a very strong addition to the offerings our representatives present to their customers.”
About Lightspan
Lightspan(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: LSPN), provides curriculum-based educational software and online products and services that increase student achievement and enhance teacher professional development. These products are used in schools and homes and align to all key federal education reform initiatives, offering school districts a complete solution to assess, align, instruct and evaluate, as a comprehensive achievement and accountability system. More than 900 independent studies prove that Lightspan products enhance student achievement, improve teacher effectiveness and help build stronger connections with families. Lightspan offers products in the following areas: early reading (the Lightspan Early Reading Program(TM) and the Lightspan Reading Center(TM)), K-8 interactive curriculum (Lightspan Achieve Now(TM)), K-12 online teacher resources and professional development (The Lightspan Network(R)), assessment (Lightspan eduTest Assessment(TM) and Lightspan Assessment Builder(TM)), and secondary and higher education (Interactive Mathematics, Interactive English, and academic.com). For more information, visit our Web site at www.lightspan.com .
About Sussman Sales Company
Sussman Sales Company, Inc. provides a wide variety of educational solutions to the New York City metropolitan area. Since 1971, area schools have relied on their knowledge of local curriculum, standards and assessments. Sussman Sales Company offers print- and software-based solutions for the K-12 market. The most effective solutions have been customized products created to meet local needs. President and CEO Joe Sussman (32 years experience) oversees a sales team of seven, including sons Ron (8 years experience) and Steve (9 years experience).
“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward looking statements, including statements related to the expansion of distribution channels in New York and elsewhere, the expected benefits from the Company’s association with Sussman Sales Company, and anticipated benefits from the Sussman and other similar relationships, including reductions in the cost of sales, improvements in efficiencies and increases in the number of sales representatives. Such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties, and actual circumstances, events, or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include, but are not limited to the risk that the Company may not be able to expand its distribution channels as expected, the risk that anticipated benefits from the Sussman and other similar relationships will not be realized, changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market areas; changes in policies by regulatory agencies and educational organizations; the volatility of the Company’s expenses and operating results; market acceptance of the Company’s curriculum based software and Internet products; changes in funding for public schools and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
SOURCE Lightspan, Inc.02/12/2003
CONTACT: Robert S. Scheid, toll free, +1-866-251-6694, or Michael A. Sicuro, +1-858-824-8370, both of Lightspan, Inc.
Web site: http://www.lightspan.com /
(LSPN)
