By Chris Wack
$SeaChange International(SEAC.US)$ said it is merging with Triller Hold Co LLC, or TrillerVerz, in order to take the AI company public.
The proposed business combination is expected to ultimately result in a value of the combined company at approximately $5 billion.
SeaChange share were halted at $1.75 in premarket trading.
After completing the transaction SeaChange will change its name to TrillerVerz Corp., and change its ticker symbol to ILLR from SEAC.
TrillerVerz has built an extensible platform for marketing, advertising, and e-commerce engagement enabling brands to construct and optimize the entire customer journey from awareness to purchase process to loyalty.
The boards of both TrillerVerz and SeaChange have approved the proposed business combination. It is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.
Upon closing, the combined company would be led by TrillerVerz's chief executive, Mahi de Silva, who would also become chairman of the board. Peter Aquino, President and CEO of SeaChange, would join the TrillerVerz team.
In addition to other contemplated transactions, the parties anticipate that TrillerVerz would conduct an offering of convertible notes prior to the closing in an amount in excess of $100 million, and the charter of the surviving company would provide for two classes of common stock, consisting of Class A common stock ("Buyer Class A Common Stock") and Class B common stock.
Write to Chris Wack at chris.wack@wsj.com