0 million in
additional consideration based on achievement of certain financial performance
targets for 2007 and 2008. Not only does the acquisition connect RSVP's
trusted gay and lesbian travel marketing platform with PlanetOut's print
properties, it also addresses advertisers' desire to target the LGBT market
with multi-media, multi-platform marketing and sponsorship programs. RSVP is headquartered in Minneapolis and is marketed through travel
agencies dedicated to the gay and lesbian community as well as through direct
sales.
PlanetOut Inc.com site, in English, French, German, Italian , Portuguese and Spanish.
PlanetOut brands also include The Advocate (http://www.com), as well as other publishing, direct marketing and
e-commerce properties, including Alyson Publications, SpecPub , Inc.

* More than two-thirds (69%) say they are at least likely to consider
purchasing services, such as legal advice or banking services, from
companies that market directly to gays and lesbians over competing
brands that do not.

* Nearly half (48%) of all GLB respondents say they find it most important
or very important -- when considering products or services -- to see
advertising that is clearly tailored to a gay audience with gay imagery ,
people or copy that speaks to them as a gay person and that appears in
both mainstream publications and gay publications.

* The most common ways GLB adults become aware of a company 's reputation
for gay-friendliness is by word of mouth (45%), gay websites (29%) or
gay magazines or newspapers (29%). I tend to
upgrade to the latest model or version of a product. Please rank in
order of importance the factor that most influences your likelihood to
consider that company's products or services, when you see an advertisement.
In theory , with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95
percent certainty that the results for the overall sample have a sampling
error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Unfortunately,
there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that
are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. queried gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) self-identified respondents. In April 2003, American
Demographics magazine identified Bob Witeck and Wes Combs as two of 25 experts
over the last 25 years who have made significant contributions to the fields
of demographics, market research, media and trendspotting for their
pathbreaking work on the gay and lesbian market.com), the 15th
largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world, is a Rochester,
N.com), a
Reston, Virginia-based research and consultancy firm ranked 25th largest in
the world, and through an independent global network of affiliate market
research companies.harrispollonline.

gay x

PlanetOut Inc. Acquires RSVP Vacations

com, as well as the travel
magazine , The OUT Traveler.
Established in 1985, RSVP was the originator of the gay and lesbian cruise
concept, and offers distinctive travel packages designed for gay and lesbian
travelers. More than 80,000 men and women have participated in RSVP's big and
small ship cruises, riverboat cruises, land tours, and resort vacations.
Planned destinations in 2006 include the Caribbean, Central America , the Czech
Republic, Austria, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, French Polynesia, Peru and
Thailand. is the leading global media and entertainment company
exclusively serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
community. PlanetOut's brands include Gay.com,
Kleptomaniac.com); Out
(http://www.hivplusmag. and
Triangle Marketing Services. ROCHESTER, N., According to a recent nationwide
online survey, one in four (24%) gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) adults report
that they always or often "like to keep up with the latest styles and trends,"
compared with 17 percent of heterosexual adults.S." One-third (33%) of gay adults
also agreed with the statement that they trust brands more if they incorporate
gay or lesbian images into their advertising. Understandably , gays like to
spend their money with companies that treat their gay employees equitably,
value them as customers and represent them openly and accurately in marketing
initiatives."

Base: All Adults
GLB Heterosexuals
% %
Always/often (NET) 24 17
Always 3 3
Often 21 14
Sometimes 42 48
Rarely/never (NET) 34 35
Rarely 24 29
Never 10 6


TABLE 2
KEEPING UP WITH LATEST PRODUCTS
"Now , we'd like to you to tell us how often you do the following.. Sampling errors for GLB adults
aged 18 and over (107) is plus or minus 10 percentage points. It is impossible to quantify the errors that may
result from these factors. With over nine years experience
in this unique market, Witeck -Combs Communications has developed respected
relationships throughout the community and serves as a bridge between
corporate America and gay and lesbian consumers.

(1) Harris Interactive (R) conducted this online survey in the U. Sampling
error is plus or minus 2 percentage points .

gay lesbian


(Nasdaq: LGBT), the leading media and entertainment company exclusively
serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, today
announced that it has completed its planned acquisition of substantially all
of the assets of RSVP Productions, Inc. (RSVP), a leading marketer of gay and
lesbian travel events, for $6.
RSVP joins PlanetOut and its established audience of LGBT consumers served
by the company's award-winning travel content, including dedicated channels on
its flagship Web sites Gay.

About PlanetOut Inc.com); and, HIVPlus
(http://www. For more information, please
visit http://www. Additional information concerning
factors that could affect PlanetOut's future business and financial results is
included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and other public filings filed from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at the SEC's
website at http://www. Seventeen percent of GLB
adults also state that they always or often "tend to upgrade to the latest
model or version of a product," while 15 percent of their heterosexual
counterparts do the same. adults, of
whom 107 have self-identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Half (51%) of GLB respondents
also report they are extremely or very likely to consider brands that support
nonprofits and/or causes that are important to them as GLB people.
Please rank the statements from 1 to 5 where 1 is most important and 5 is
least important.

TABLE 5
AWARENESS OF GAY-FRIENDLINESS
"If you wish to be aware about a company's reputation for gay-friendliness,
where do you look?"

Base: GLB Respondents
%
Word of mouth 45
Gay websites 29
Gay magazines or newspapers 29
Close friends 27
Gay and lesbian nonprofit organizations 20
Mainstream news sources 11
Advertisements by the company 7
Other general interest websites 7
Personal customer experience 5
Gay and lesbian chambers of commerce 5
Family members 5
Other 5

Note: Multiple-response question.
Figures for age, sex, race , education, region and income were weighted where
necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the
population.

Additional Note: Previous research conducted by Harris Interactive in
conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. Although we
remain interested in the consumer attitudes and characteristics of
transgendered individuals, for accuracy and consistency we distinguish sexual
orientation from gender identity.

About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive Inc.S.

x top

5 million in cash plus up to $3.com and PlanetOut.rsvpvacations.com.com , PlanetOut.advocate.outtraveler. PlanetOut, based in San Francisco with additional
offices in New York, Los Angeles, London and Buenos Aires, offers FORTUNE 1000
and Global 500 advertisers access to what it believes to be the most extensive
network of gay and lesbian people in the world. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company
to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements .Y., a strategic public relations and marketing
communications firm with special expertise in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender market.
Seven in 10 (70%) GLB respondents say they are extremely or very likely to
consider a brand that is known to provide equal workplace benefits for all of
their employees, including gays and lesbians.
These latest findings corroborate what earlier studies by Witeck-Combs
Communications and Harris Interactive revealed -- particularly research
conducted in May 2001 which concluded that 48 percent of GLB respondents
"trust brands more if they are manufactured by companies that have progressive
policies towards gay and lesbian employees.

"For several years, in-depth research has allowed us to measure consumer
decision -making and to test what factors may truly influence gay consumers,"
said Jake Stafford, senior marketing strategist at Witeck-Combs
Communications."


TABLE 1
KEEPING UP WITH STYLES AND TRENDS
"Now, we'd like to you to tell us how often you do the following. I like to
keep up with the latest styles and trends ."

Base: All Adults
GLB Heterosexual
% %
Always/often (NET) 17 15
Always 7 2
Often 10 13
Sometimes 57 59
Rarely/never (NET) 27 26
Rarely 25 23
Never 2 3


TABLE 3
ORDERING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY BRAND NAME
"When you order mixed drinks away from home, do you purchase or order a
specific brand of alcohol, or do you just mix or order the drink you want
without regard to the brand?"

Base: Adults aged 21 and over
GLB Heterosexual
% %
Often/Always order alcoholic beverage
by brand name (NET) 36 28
With mixed drinks, I always order an
alcoholic beverage by brand name 28 18
With mixed drinks, I often order an
alcoholic beverage by brand name 9 10
Sometimes/Never order alcoholic beverage
by brand name (NET) 43 41
With mixed drinks, I sometimes order an
alcoholic beverage by brand name 17 20
With mixed drinks, I never order an
alcoholic beverage by brand name 26 21
I do not consume alcoholic beverages 21 31


TABLE 3
INFLUENCE ON DECISION MAKING
"Assume you have an interest in a specific product or service.harrisinteractive .S. offices and wholly owned
subsidiaries: London-based HI Europe (http://www.novatris.com), Tokyo -based Harris Interactive Japan,
through newly acquired WirthlinWorldwide (http://www.wirthlinworldwide .

x society


RSVP is among the world's largest and most respected gay and lesbian tour
operators and marketers offering distinctive travel packages, including big
and small ship cruises, riverboat cruises, land tours and resort vacations
geared toward a gay and lesbian audience.com, and OUT+ABOUT Travel, as well as localized versions of the
Gay. Such factors include,
among others, the company's limited operating history and variability of
operating results; the company's ability to attract and retain subscribers and
advertisers; the company's ability to integrate the acquired assets of RSVP;
competition; timing of product launches; and the company's dependence on
technology infrastructure and the Internet .sec.'s extrapolation of five
percent (based on the national population figures) of the annual $1 .
These are a few highlights of a nationwide survey of 2,092 U.(1)
The findings from this most recent Witeck Combs/Harris Interactive survey
also suggest that gay-specific marketing practices can influence how GLB
people connect with brands and form purchasing decisions:

* Almost two-thirds (64%) of GLB respondents say they are at least likely
to consider purchasing everyday household products and services from
companies that market directly to gays and lesbians over competing
brands that do not.

* Half (51%) of the GLB people polled find advertising that is
informative, funny or witty and includes images of gay and lesbian
people either the most important or a very important factor that
influences their likelihood to consider a company's products or
services. "These new data confirm that a company's internal and external
behaviors matter very much to gay households. ?"

Base: GLB Respondents

Extremely Very Likely Somewhat Not At
Likely Likely Likely All
Likely
Consider brands that support
nonprofits and/or causes
that are important to you
as a gay, lesbian, bisexual
or transgender person % 28 22 14 28 7

Consider a brand that is
known to provide equal
workplace benefits for all
of their employees, including
gay and lesbian employees % 41 29 16 12 2

Consider purchasing everyday
household products and
services from companies that
market directly to gays and
lesbians over competing
brands that do not % 15 22 28 24 11

Consider purchasing services
such as legal advice or
banking services from
companies that market
directly to gays and
lesbians over competing
brands that do not % 23 20 25 20 11

Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Methodology
Harris Interactive(R) conducted the study online within the United States
between December 8 and 15, 2004, among a nationwide cross section of 2,092
adults, of whom 107 self-identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB). Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for
respondents' propensity to be online.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National
Council on Public Polls.

About Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc.witeckcombs.Y.com. between
May 3 and 16, 2001 among 2,692 adults aged 18 and over, of whom 128
self-identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender .


Press Contacts:

Nancy Wong
Harris Interactive
585-214-7316
nwong@harrisinteractive.

bisexual x

Acquisition Substantially Increases PlanetOut's Position in the Estimated
$65 Billion Gay and Lesbian Travel Market

SAN FRANCISCO, PlanetOut Inc. A pioneer in the travel industry
since 1985, RSVP has hosted more than 80,000 guests from all over the world.

About RSVP Productions, Inc.com.

Note: The estimated $65-billion -a-year gay and lesbian travel market
projection is based on Community Marketing, Inc.3 trillion
U .


National Survey Shows Gay-Specific Marketing Practices May Influence Brand Loyalty and Purchase Decisions of Gays Lesbians and Bisexuals

When ordering mixed drinks, 36 percent of GLB
respondents aged 21 and over say they always or often specify the alcoholic
brand name, contrasted with 28 percent of non-gay respondents aged 21 and
over. Specifically, when making purchasing decisions,
they were asked how likely they were to consider a company's nondiscrimination
and benefit policies, its advertising strategy, and other forms of corporate
outreach."

Percentages represent combined "1" and "2" responses

Base: GLB Respondents
%
The advertisement is informative, funny or witty and
includes images of gay and lesbian people 51

The very same advertisement, which is clearly tailored
to a gay audience with gay imagery, people or copy
that speaks to me as a gay person, appears in both
mainstream publications and in gay publications 48

The very same advertisement, which is not tailored
to a gay audience, appears in both mainstream publications
and in gay publications 44

The advertisement is informative, funny or witty but
does not speak to me specifically as a gay person 38

The advertisement is informative, funny or witty, but only uses
advertising copy to speak specifically to me as a gay person 18

TABLE 4
LIKELIHOOD OF CONSIDERING BRANDS OR PRODUCTS
"How likely are you to . This online sample is not a probability sample. In addition, given the low incidence of
response from transgendered individuals, it is extremely difficult to draw
conclusions from the data captured.com) is the
nation 's premier strategic marketing communications firm, specializing in
reaching the gay and lesbian consumer market. (http://www.-based global research company that blends premier strategic consulting
with innovative and efficient methods of investigation, analysis and
application.hieurope. EOE M/F/D/V
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to
participate in future online surveys, visit http://www.com

Kelly Gullo
Harris Interactive
585-214-7172
kgullo@harrisinteractive.com

Jake Stafford
Witeck-Combs Communications
202 -887-0500 ext.

top society

For more information, please visit http://www.planetoutinc.

Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to the historical information contained herein, this press
release contains forward-looking statements, including the impact of
PlanetOut's acquisition of RSVP, as well as statements containing the words
"believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar words.
gov.S. travel industry as stated by the Travel Industry Association of America. The survey was
conducted online between December 8 and 15, 2004 by Harris Interactive(R), a
worldwide market research and consulting firm, in conjunction with Witeck-
Combs Communications, Inc.
The online survey also presented factors that would most influence GLB's
loyalty to consumer brands..
They include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and
question order and weighting.
Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. (http://www. Known for The Harris Poll(R) and for pioneering Internet -based
research methods, Harris Interactive conducts proprietary and public research
to help its clients achieve clear, material and enduring results.
Harris Interactive combines its intellectual capital, databases and
technology to advance market leadership through U.com), Paris-based
Novatris (http://www. 16 or (cell) 202-215-2210
jstafford@witeckcombs.com


lesbian top

 You Are Here:  > Start > Cultural > Gay-_Lesbian-_and_Bisexual > People > X    ( Viewing: Main Section )
Working overtime to stay the Web's best reference!
Search the Web
 
-> Show SiteSeek's List of Web Sites For This Topic (Not Yet Peer Reviewed)

- -
kjjkjk


Loading...

(Note: These pages use the Atlas Content Safeguard System (ACSS) and require that Javascript is enabled for viewing.)