Internet Expenses Cause Net Loss for InfoUSA: Revenue Up 46%
InfoUSA, Omaha, NE, had first quarter 2000 net sales of $81 million, up 46% from $55.5 million in first quarter 1999. For the quarter, the company had a net loss of $1.7 million, compared to net income of $6.3 million in 1999. The quarter ended March 31.
Much of the loss can be attributed to $14.2 million in Internet company expenses, which had no analog in 1999. The company also had $1.4 million in acquisition costs related to its bid to acquire the consumer database division of R.L. Polk, which was ultimately acquired by Equifax Inc., Atlanta.
Among its divisions, the large customer group, which consolidated the sales force and product groups of divisions Database America, Walter Karl and Donnelley Marketing under the Donnelley Marketing Banner, had revenue of $28.6 million, up from $18.3 million. The small business group had revenue of $33.2 million, up from $27.9 million, and the company had $8.7 million in non-Internet database licenses, compared with $1.4 million.
InfoUSA.com, an online white and yellow pages directory service used by numerous portals, had content sales of $1.3 million, and license revenue of $4.1 million.
The company also announced that it appointed Stormy Dean chief financial officer of InfoUSA. Dean had served as interim CFO since the resignation of Jack McGovern in December 1999.