NEWS RELEASE October 15, 2014 Tri-Stage to Establish Joint Venture in Thailand with Local Media Firms Tri-Stage Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Isao Senoo; TSE code: 2178; hereinafter “the Company”), a provider of direct marketing support services, announced today that it had commenced preparations for the establishment of ROSE STAGE CO., LTD., in November 2014 as a joint venture in Thailand with a local media firm. This move is part of the Company’s overseas market entry strategy. In December 2013, the Company began providing infomercial-type TV shopping support services in Thailand. In anticipation of further expansion in Thailand, the Company made the decision to embark on preparations for the establishment of its first overseas operating unit. The operation will take the form of a joint venture with Dr. Oraphan Monphichit Pavaravadhana (hereinafter “Rose”), who is CEO of ROSE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION CO., LTD. (hereinafter “Rose Entertainment”), a major local media firm. Rose Entertainment operates two TV channels in Thailand, an anime channel and a channel targeting female viewers. In addition, Rose Entertainment holds rights to 70% of the Japanese anime content broadcast in Thailand. By combining the abundant know-how in TV shopping support cultivated in Japan by Tri-Stage over many years with Rose Entertainment’s expertise in the Thai media business and TV program production, the Company aims to offer highly effective TV shopping support services in Thailand, and thereby build competitive advantage. The Company plans to establish the local Thai unit in November 2014 and commence operations in December 2014. It is planned that Rose will hold 50% of the joint venture’s equity, while the Company will hold 40%. The remaining 10% is planned to be held by VERTEX ASIA CO., LTD., which supports business development between Japan and countries in Asia. Initially, the new joint venture plans to provide not only TV shopping support services but also act as a marketing company itself, selling Japanese merchandise and developing and marketing cosmetics. The Company plans to offer ongoing support to Japanese companies in their overseas expansion activities and direct marketing support services in Thailand. Tri-Stage aims to expand its business in Thailand and work toward the development of the Thai direct marketing market. -1- Overview of the Joint Venture ■ Name: ROSE STAGE CO., LTD. ■ Address: 23/85 iGnite Space Building, Ladprao Soi 23, Ladprao Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand ■ Operations: Sales support services and sales operations in Thailand ■ Capital: 3,000,000 Thai bahts (equivalent to ¥10 million) ■ Establishment Date: November 2014 (tentative) ■ Shareholders: ORAPHAN MONPHICHIT PAVARAVADHANA 50% Tri-Stage Inc 40% VERTEX ASIA CO., LTD 10% About ROSE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION CO., LTD. Rose Entertainment operates two TV channels in Thailand, one focusing on anime and another targeting female viewers. It also holds rights to 70% of the Japanese anime content broadcast in Thailand. URL: http://www.rose.co.th/ About VERTEX ASIA CO., LTD. Vertex Asia was established in 2012 by Takahito Katsuta (Co-CEO), formerly of Mitsubishi Corporation, and Jirath Pavaravadhana (Co-CEO), as a support company for building businesses between Japan and other countries in Asia. Examples of its track record to date in business building include TOKYO RUNWAY MARKETING (an apparel select shop business in Thailand) and MANY ASIA (a travel service business between Japan and Asia). About Tri-stage Inc. Tri-Stage is a total solutions provider offering comprehensive support for direct marketing utilizing TV sales and other media. Tri-Stage provides effective and immediate solutions to create salable products and services. URL: http://www.tri-stage.jp/ Calling for companies to participate in TV shopping services in Thailand We are seeking enquiries from companies that are interested in TV shopping in Thailand. Please do not hesitate to contact Tri-Stage Inc. Inquiries: Corporate Planning Section Corporate Management Department, Tri-Stage Inc. Tel:03-5402-3237 / E-mail [email protected] -2-