The privately-held company operates a number of social-networking sites, including FriendFinder.com and AdultFriendFinder.com. Bell says FriendFinder operates more than 30,000 Web sites overall with 140 million unique visitors each month.
"With all the traffic we have and all the consumers, just adding Playboy into our portfolio gives us a huge marketing push for their global brand," says Bell, adding that the value in acquiring Playboy is not as a magazine, but as a brand.
"We're buying a brand that has a global reach, but a small online presence and we're experts at building out online communities," says Bell. "So our goal is to take that Playboy community and really expand it globally online."
When Bell meets with the Playboy Enterprises board Wednesday, his first order of business is to find out what Hefner wants.
"We'd love to have him as part of our business going forward," says Bell, adding that he's open to allowing Hefner to continue to have editorial control over Playboy and reside in the infamous Mansion.
There is, however, some skepticism as to whether FriendFinder can afford an acquisition of Playboy, notes host Melissa Lee. But Bell says he's comfortable taking leverages in volume.
Watch the full interview with Bell here.
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TAKE YOUR POSITION: APPLE
Once again the traders are keeping a close eye on Apple after the company said it will hold a press conference tomorrow to discuss growing concerns about receptions problems with the new iPhone 4.
What’s the trade?
Apple is smart, says Patty Edwards. I expect they have a solution to the problem or they wouldn’t have the press conference. I think after the event the stock goes higher.
I’m seeing a lot of institutional investors buying 10% out of the money puts in Apple, says Jon Najarian. That’s negative and it suggests to me that big money is nervous.
If you’re been waiting for a pull back, I’d close my eyes and buy the stock around $230 and hope for better days, says Guy Adami.
What do you think? We want to know!
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TAKE YOUR POSITION: VIVUS
Shares of biopharmaceutical company Vivus have halted, as the US Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to weigh Qnexa—the first US prescription weight-loss pill in more than a decade—and could decide whether the product moves closer to market Thursday.
