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Baidu focuses on providing customers with cost-effective and targeted marketing solutions. Baidu's pay-for-performance ("P4P") paid search platform enables its customers to reach users who search for information related to their products or services. Customers may use Baidu's automated online tools to create text-based descriptions of their web pages and bid on keywords that trigger the display of their links and web page information.
China Central Television ("CCTV"), the largest state-owned television
network in China, reported in its program "News in 30 Minutes" on
Shortly after the CCTV program was broadcast, Baidu initiated dialogue with CCTV regarding this matter. At the same time, Baidu removed paid search listings of certain customers, particularly medical and pharmaceutical customers without licenses on file with Baidu. Baidu will allow these customers to resume access to Baidu's P4P paid search platform once their relevant licenses are provided to and reviewed by Baidu. These customers account for approximately 10-15% of Baidu's total revenues. Baidu believes this immediate measure is the most prudent way to protect the interests of Baidu's users. Currently, it is difficult to estimate how many removed customers will provide relevant licenses to Baidu and when they will do so. Baidu will work closely with customers to ensure those customers with proper licenses will be able to access Baidu's services again quickly. While Baidu is currently uncertain about the near term financial impact of this prudent measure, Baidu does not believe it would have significant impact on Baidu's results in the long term.
On
Separately, Baidu would like to affirm that Baidu has never excluded websites of any customers because they did not pay for keywords, and Baidu does not tolerate such practices.
Baidu is committed to playing a leading role in shaping the standards for China's Internet industry. Baidu strives to further strengthen its operational systems and infrastructure. With a more mature operation, Baidu will grow even better able to serve increasing numbers of small and medium- sized enterprises ("SMEs"), the backbone of the Chinese economy.
Conference Call Information
Baidu will hold a live analyst conference call at
Dial-in details for the conference call are as follows: US: + 1-617-213-8842 UK: + 44-207-365-8426 Hong Kong: + 852-3002-1672 Passcode for all regions: 88779261
A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following
number until
International: + 1-617-801-6888 Passcode: 48434960
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.baidu.com .
About Baidu
Baidu.com, Inc. is the leading Chinese language Internet search provider. As a technology-based media company, Baidu aims to provide the best way for people to find information. In addition to serving individual Internet search users, Baidu provides an effective platform for businesses to reach potential customers. Baidu's ADSs, each of which represents one Class A ordinary share, are currently trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BIDU."
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements
are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be
identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future,"
"intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar
statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements
about Baidu's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-
looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is
included in our annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press
release is as of
For investor inquiries please contact: China Linda Sun Baidu.com, Inc. Tel: +86-10-8262-1188 Email: ir@baidu.com Derek Mitchell Ogilvy Financial, Beijing Tel: +86-10-8520-6284 Email: derek.mitchell@ogilvy.com U.S. Thomas Smith Ogilvy Financial, New York Tel: +1-212-880-5269 Email: thomas.smith@ogilvypr.com For media inquiries please contact: Ceren Wende Ogilvy Financial, Beijing Tel: +86-10-8520-6514 Email: ceren.wende@ogilvy.com
SOURCE Baidu.com, Inc.