DEFA14A 1 tm2035804-1_defa14a.htm DEFA14A

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

¨Definitive Proxy Statement

 

¨Definitive Additional Materials

 

xSoliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-12

 

MOUNTAIN CREST ACQUISITION CORP

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

  

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

xNo fee required.

 

¨Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) (1) and 0-11.

 

(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

(5)Total fee paid:

 

¨Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

(1)Amount Previously Paid:

 

(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.

 

(3)Filing Party:

 

(4)Date Filed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Information and Where To Find It

 

In connection with the proposed business combination described herein (the “Business Combination”), Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp. (“MCAC”) intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, which includes the preliminary proxy statement filed on November 10, 2020 with the SEC, and a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, when available. Promptly after filing its definitive proxy statement with the SEC, MCAC will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the Business Combination. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF MCAC ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION THAT MCAC WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MCAC, PEI (AS DEFINED BELOW) AND THE TRANSACTION. The definitive proxy statement, the preliminary proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the Business Combination n (when they become available), and any other documents filed by MCAC with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or by visiting the investor relations section of www.mcacquisition.com.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

MCAC and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from MCAC’s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in MCAC, and additional information regarding the interests of such participants are included in the preliminary proxy statement for the proposed Business Combination and is available at www.sec.gov. Information about MCAC’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of MCAC common stock is set forth in MCAC’s prospectus, dated June 4, 2020, and in the preliminary proxy statement, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such filing. Other information regarding the interests of the participants in the proxy solicitation is included in the preliminary proxy statement pertaining to the proposed Business Combination. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

 

Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (“PEI”) and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of MCAC in connection with the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed Business Combination is included in the preliminary proxy statement for the proposed Business Combination.

 

   

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The foregoing script contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “shall,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “would,” “positioned,” “future,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements made in script regarding the proposed transactions contemplated by the agreement and plan of merger, dated as of September 30, 2020, by and among MCAC, PEI, MCAC Merger Sub Inc. and Suying Liu (as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), including the benefits of the Business Combination, integration plans, expected synergies and revenue opportunities, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, the expected management and governance of the combined company, and the expected timing of the Business Combination. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on MCAC’s and PEI’s managements’ current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (1) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against MCAC and PEI following the announcement of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of MCAC and PEI, certain regulatory approvals, or satisfy other conditions to closing in the Merger Agreement; (4) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement or could otherwise cause the transaction to fail to close; (5) the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on PEI’s business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the proposed Business Combination; (6) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of MCAC’s shares of Common Stock on Nasdaq following the proposed Business Combination; (7) the risk that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination; (8) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of PEI to grow and manage growth profitably, and retain its key employees; (9) costs related to the proposed Business Combination; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (11) the possibility that MCAC or PEI may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (12) risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to PEI; (13) risks related to the organic and inorganic growth of PEI’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; (14) the amount of redemption requests made by MCAC’s stockholders; and (15) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of MCAC for its initial public offering dated June 4, 2020 filed with the SEC and the preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on November 10, 2020 relating to the proposed Business Combination, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in MCAC’s other filings with the SEC. MCAC cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. MCAC and PEI caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. MCAC and PEI do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its their expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

 

 

  

PLAYBOY INVESTS IN DIGITAL COMMERCE EXPANSION WITH SENIOR HIRES

 

Two Strategic Leaders Tapped to Enhance Company’s Data and Digital Presence

 

LOS ANGELES – November 12, 2020 – Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company” or “Playboy”), which recently announced it would return to the public markets via a merger with Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: MCAC) (“Mountain Crest”), a special purpose acquisition company, has recently made two strategic hires – AJ Saltzman, Vice President, Digital Product, and Tittu Nellimoottil, Senior Vice President, Data, to enhance and expand the Company’s growing digital commerce platform.

 

“On behalf of the entire Playboy organization, I am delighted to welcome AJ and Tittu to the team,” said Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy. “AJ and Tittu will be pivotal in the development of our digital commerce experience as we build towards our goal of creating the leading pleasure and leisure lifestyle platform for men and women around the world.”

 

AJ Saltzman, VP Digital Product

 

Saltzman’s strategy to build out the Company’s e-commerce destinations is not to approach them solely as places where commercial transactions are made, but as experiences that envelop a consumer in the Playboy lifestyle of sophisticated fun and pleasure. Her belief is that everything should be done through the lens of the consumer and works to ensure users feel they have an unparalleled online experience when they visit the site. Prior to joining Playboy, Saltzman was Senior Director of Digital Product Management at GOAT, and held similar roles at Who What Wear, Ticketmaster and NASA.

 

“It isn’t enough just to have a website where users can browse a catalog of products, enter their shipping address, and pay,” said Saltzman. “Playboy’s rich history and iconic status as a brand gives us an incredible opportunity to create an innovative, personalized, immersive digital experience where users can not only shop but also explore the world of Playboy – past, present and future. And as a consumer at heart with a deep respect for the Playboy brand, I’m personally very excited for what we can do.”

 

Tittu Nellimoottil, SVP Data

 

Nellimoottil brings a modern growth hacking mentality to Playboy and will be working with his team to digitize, consolidate and leverage the nearly seven decades of data that Playboy and its subsidiary Yandy owns, ushering it into the new age of AI-driven, personalized e-commerce. Nellimoottil and his team will build data tools to enable teams across Playboy to make efficient, data-driven decisions at all areas and levels of the business. Prior to Playboy, Nellimoottil served as the Director of Data Science at FabFitFun, was the Technical Lead for Marketplace Data Science at Bird and worked on business credit scores at PayPal. He also holds a PhD in computational biology from the University of Southern California.

 

“We are a company that is sitting on nearly 70 years of data in many formats, and that is creating millions of connections with consumers every day,” said Nellimoottil. “It’s a goldmine for a data leader like myself, and it poses an immense opportunity and an exciting challenge with a huge reward – utilizing all of that raw data to inform our product innovation, distribution and marketing to better serve consumers today.”

 

About Playboy

Playboy is one of the largest and most recognizable global lifestyle platforms in the world, with a strong consumer business focused on four categories comprising The Pleasure Lifestyle: Sexual Wellness, Style & Apparel, Gaming & Lifestyle and Beauty & Grooming. Under its mission of Pleasure for All, the 67-year-old Playboy brand drives more than $3 billion in global consumer spend and sells products across 180 countries. Playboy is one of the most iconic brands in history.

 

 

 

 

About Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp

Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp's efforts to identify a prospective target business was not limited to a particular industry or geographic region, although the Company focused on operating businesses in North America. Visit https://www.mcacquisition.com/.

 

Important Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It

 

In connection with the proposed business combination, Mountain Crest intends to file relevant materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes the preliminary proxy statement filed on November 10, 2020 with the SEC, and a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, when available. Mountain Crest’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the preliminary proxy statement and the amendments thereto and, when available, the definitive proxy statement and documents incorporated by reference therein filed in connection with the proposed business combination, as these materials will contain important information about Playboy, Mountain Crest, and the proposed business combination. Promptly after filing its definitive proxy statement relating to the proposed business combination with the SEC, Mountain Crest will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting on the business combination and the other proposals. STOCKHOLDERS OF MOUNTAIN CREST ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION THAT MOUNTAIN CREST FILES WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MOUNTAIN CREST, PLAYBOY, AND THE BUSINESS COMBINATION. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement, the definitive proxy statement, and other relevant materials filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by visiting the investor relations section of https://www.mcacquisition.com/.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

Mountain Crest and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Mountain Crest’s stockholders with respect to the business combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in Mountain Crest , and additional information regarding the interests of such participants are included in the preliminary proxy statement for the proposed business combination available at www.sec.gov. Information about Mountain Crest’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Mountain Crest common stock is set forth in Mountain Crest’s prospectus, dated June 4, 2020 and in the preliminary proxy statement, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such filings. Other information regarding the interests of the participants in the proxy solicitation is included in the preliminary proxy statement pertaining to the proposed business combination. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

 

Playboy and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Mountain Crest in connection with the proposed business combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed business combination is included in the preliminary proxy statement for the proposed business combination.

 

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Mountain Crest’s and Playboy’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Mountain Crest’s and Playboy’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the proposed business combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed business combination, and the timing of the Mountain Crest shareholders meeting and completion of the proposed business combination.

 

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside Mountain Crest’s and Playboy’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement (the “Agreement”); (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Mountain Crest and Playboy following the announcement of the Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the proposed business combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Mountain Crest, certain regulatory approvals, or satisfy other conditions to closing in the Agreement; (4) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement or could otherwise cause the transaction to fail to close; (5) the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Playboy’s business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the proposed business combination; (6) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of Mountain Crest’s shares of common stock on Nasdaq following the proposed business combination; (7) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination; (8) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of Playboy to grow and manage growth profitably, and retain its key employees; (9) costs related to the proposed business combination; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (11) the possibility that Mountain Crest or Playboy may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (12) risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Playboy; (13) risks related to the organic and inorganic growth of Playboy’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; (14) the amount of redemption requests made by Mountain Crest’s stockholders; and (15) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of Mountain Crest for its initial public offering and the proxy statement relating to the proposed business combination, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in Mountain Crest’s other filings with the SEC. Mountain Crest cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Mountain Crest and Playboy caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Mountain Crest and Playboy do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

 

Contact:

Matthew Frappier, ICR for Playboy

203.982.9171

PlayboyPR@icrinc.com