Dick Parsons
Dick Parsons
pleased reached understanding
We are very pleased to have reached an understanding with Mr. Icahn.
businesses closely commitment managing maximize strategy
This transaction also underscores our commitment to a strategy of managing closely related, industry-leading businesses to maximize shareholder returns.
company continues counsel forward individual major move steve wise
As Steve is one of our major individual shareholders, we'll look forward to his wise counsel as the company continues to move forward.
business cable couple midst next position puts
We like the cable business, ... We think that's a business that's going to be a consolidating business over the next couple of years and we'd like to be in a position to play in that consolidation. And I think this puts us right in the midst of it as we speak.
award belief bond giving high honored ideals improve jewish laura life ourselves pledge receive shared strive
One of the things that has strengthened the bond between Laura and me over the years is our shared belief in giving of ourselves to improve the life of our community. We are honored to receive this award and pledge to always strive to live up to the high ideals of its namesake and those of The Jewish Theological Seminary.
aol currently gets happening integrated internet order point space
Right now AOL is currently integrated into our operations, ... But if it gets to the point where consolidation is happening in the Internet space and, in order to play most efficiently, we need...our own currency, the possibility (of an IPO) is out there.
committed fulfilling
We're committed to cooperating with the independent examiner as well as fulfilling all of our other obligations under the settlement,
concerns secular stock trends weighed
Secular concerns that have weighed on our stock are overblown. Secular trends warrant us accelerating the program.
position till time
We're now in a position to do the things that I didn't think we'd be able to do till the 2005 time frame,
advantage based cable company currency dial further given industry move needs ownership point separately view
We wanted to move to a place where our cable company is separately structured, so we'd have cable-based currency to take advantage of further consolidation in the cable space, ... And we wanted to be able to dial up or down our ownership of cable, based on our view of the industry and of the needs of the company at a given point in time.
acting avoid behind believe best clearly costs interest matters outcome protracted serves
By acting now to put these matters behind us, we avoid the costs and distractions of protracted litigation, an outcome we clearly believe serves the best interest of our shareholders,
advertising aol business cable currency local looks publishing somewhat start tv
If (the portal strategy) works, this business looks like our publishing business, it looks like our TV business, it looks like our local cable advertising business, ... If this doesn't work, then you start to think about AOL much differently. You start to think about AOL in somewhat the same way I think about the cable company...it would have its own currency to go out and do acquisitions or other deals.
advantages businesses cable company continue extend fourth fuel growth
In the fourth quarter, we'll continue to extend the competitive advantages of our cable company and our other businesses to fuel growth in 2006 and beyond.
active chairman continue director experience forward pleased steps steve unique valued vision
I have valued partnering with Steve and am pleased he will continue to be active as a director even after he steps down as chairman in May. His extraordinary vision and unique experience will be invaluable, and I look forward to working with him for years to come.