Reports To: | Board of Directors |
Location: | Arlington, VA |
Website: | http://www.rosettastone.com/ |
“After four months of using Rosetta Stone, I am the most confident that I have ever been in my ability to engage in conversation in French… Thanks to Rosetta Stone (and in particular thanks to the practice in the Studio sessions)… I will feel confident in my ability to field questions about my research in French.”
“My son was living in Sydney at the time; we went to visit. He's now living in Auckland, New Zealand, with a lovely young woman he met through work while in Sydney. Even when he transferred to Copenhagen, Denmark, they stayed in touch and visited when they could. Their relationship is the reason I'm learning German...When they marry, the ceremony will be in her hometown in the Bavarian region of Germany...I believe we'll get closer to understanding each other if I learn official German... I really enjoy the course... thank you for Rosetta Stone!”
“I chose to sing opera and classical music. Then learning languages - Italian, French, German - had purpose and became fun... Fast forward to about 5 years ago - I no longer sing professionally, and had not needed much of any foreign language for several years... Then 4 years ago I went to Lugano, Switzerland for a conference, and couldn't put a sentence together. It was time to re-learn... Rosetta Stone suits me perfectly: studying when I want, for as long as I want, and easily showing me what mistakes I make. I love the sounds of different languages and now want to study a new one each year.”
Rosetta Stone Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2015 Results
Rosetta Stone's "Learn Languages" Android Tablet App Recognized with 2015 Tabby Award
Students Complete Record Number of Reading Skills Activities on Lexia Reading Core5
Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Read on...
Overview
Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE: RST) is dedicated to changing people's lives through the power of language and literacy education. The company's innovative, personalized language and reading programs drive positive learning outcomes in thousands of schools, businesses, government organizations and for millions of individual learners around the world.
Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stone pioneered the use of interactive software to accelerate language learning and is widely recognized today as the industry leader in providing effective language programs. The company's cloud-based programs allow users to learn online or on-the-go via tablet or smartphone, whether in a classroom, in a corporate setting, or in a personal learning environment. Rosetta Stone is also a leader in the literacy education space, helping millions of students build fundamental reading skills through its Lexia Learning division. Additionally, Fit Brains business offers personalized brain training programs developed by neuroscientists and award-winning game designers to be fun and help keep brains sharp.
History
Rosetta Stone began with one man's quest for a better way to learn a language. Allen Stoltzfus began studying Russian in the 1980s, but became frustrated with his slow progress. Fortunately, he knew there was a better way to learn a language, through immersion, which he had experienced years earlier while studying in Germany. Allen's command of German was a direct result of being a part of the culture and the world of Germany, instead of sitting in a classroom. He immersed himself in the language, and discovered German the way he had acquired his first language…naturally and without translation.
And so, an idea was born. Allen envisioned using computer technology to simulate the way that people learn their native language—with pictures and sounds in context, and with no translation. Allen went to his brother-in-law, John Fairfield, who had a Ph.D. in computer science, to explore the possibilities. John loved the idea, but he and Allen had to wait until technology caught up with their vision.
That time came in 1992 when Fairfield Language Technologies was founded in Harrisonburg, Va. Allen, the company's Chairman and President, recruited his brother, Eugene Stoltzfus, from the world of architecture to be the company's first Executive Vice President. Eugene also lent design expertise to the structural and visual components of the program, which quickly went from a dream to a reality.
In another flash of brilliance, Allen, John and Eugene called their product "Rosetta Stone," named after the artifact that had unlocked the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphics for linguists. The name certainly fits, as Rosetta Stone's products now unlock learning success for millions of users worldwide. Allen passed away in 2002, but his legacy of achievement and innovation inspires the company to this very day. Eugene filled the role of President and Chairman until the end of 2005. Tom Adams was named CEO in 2003 and with his innovative leadership and passion for language-learning, took Rosetta Stone global, establishing offices in Europe, Japan and Korea. In 2006, the company was sold to investment firms ABS Capital Partners and Norwest Equity Partners, and was renamed after its signature product. Rosetta Stone Inc. (RST) became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2009, and has since continued to provide language-learning solutions in over 30 different languages in more than 150 countries.
Steve Swad, previously the company's CFO, took over as CEO in 2012 and led Rosetta Stone's transformation to a cloud-based business model that goes beyond language learning and deeper into education technology. Under Steve's leadership, the company expanded to Brazil, the Middle East, and, in 2013, acquired four companies: the creators of the popular Fit Brains Trainer, Vivity Labs Inc.; one of the world's largest online language-learning communities, Livemocha; international language company Tell Me More; and the premier reading technology company, Lexia Learning. These critical acquisitions further propelled Rosetta Stone as the leader in education technology.
Today, while Rosetta Stone still calls Virginia home, the company has offices all over the U.S.— including Boulder, CO, San Francisco, CA, Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, and Boston, MA—and the world.
Business Segments
Rosetta’s business is organized into three operating segments: North America Consumer, Rest of World (ROW) Consumer, and Global Enterprise & Education.
The North America Consumer and ROW Consumer segments derive revenues from sales to individuals and retail partners. The North America Consumer segment includes sales made within the U.S. and Canada; the ROW Consumer segment includes sales made in countries other than the U.S. and Canada. The Global Enterprise & Education segment derives revenues from sales to educational institutions, government agencies, and corporations worldwide.
Products and Services
Global Enterprise & Education
Rosetta Stone also offers a series of technology-based interactive language-learning solutions for schools, businesses and other organizations as well as reading and literacy solutions for schools. Rosetta Stone also offers administrator tools for performance monitoring and custom solutions to ensure that organizations achieve desired outcomes. Through the company’s professional services, it can provide expert implementation and training services to drive critical business solutions.
Language-Learning Solutions: Rosetta Stone provides web-based language-learning solutions that are primarily available online. The core language-learning suite offers courses and practice applications in multiple languages, each leveraging the company’s proprietary immersion methodology and innovative technology features. Available in 24 languages and designed for beginner to intermediate language learners, Rosetta Stone Foundations builds fundamental language skills using proprietary context-based, immersion methodology and innovative technology features.
Rosetta Stone Advantage is available for all proficiency levels in 9 of the 24 languages and focuses on improving everyday and business language skills. The company’s Advanced English for Business solution serves multinational companies seeking to build their employees’ English language proficiency so they are able to communicate and operate in a global business environment. Specifically designed for use with Rosetta’s language-learning solutions, Global Enterprise & Education customers may also purchase its audio practice products to enhance the learning experience.
Literary Solutions: Lexia Learning solutions provide explicit, systematic, personalized reading instruction for students of all abilities in grades pre-K through 5 and a reading intervention program designed for remedial students in grades 6 and above. Lexia's solutions deliver norm-referenced performance data and analysis to enable teachers to monitor and modify their instruction to address specific student needs. These literacy solutions are provided under web-based subscriptions.
Global Enterprise & Education
Rosetta Stone offers a broad portfolio of technology-based learning products for personal use to the global consumer. Powered by the company’s widely recognized brand, and building on its 22-year heritage in language-learning, the interactive learning solutions include a portfolio of language-learning, kids literacy and brain fitness solutions.
Many of the Rosetta Stone consumer products and services are also available in flexible and convenient formats for tablets and smartphones. Mobile apps enable learners to continue their lessons on the go and may be available for download through the Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore for Android, and Windows Store.
Rosetta Stone Language-Learning Solutions: Rosetta Stone provides intuitive, easy-to-use learning programs that are available under a web-based software subscription and in perpetual formats including digital download and CD. The company’s language-learning suite offers courses and practice applications in multiple languages, each leveraging Rosetta’s proprietary immersion methodology and innovative technology features. Beginner to intermediate language-learning products are available in 30 languages to build fundamental language skills. Advanced language-learning products are available in 9 of the 30 languages and focus on improving everyday and business language skills. Also offered are online services to enhance and augment learners' capabilities.
Rosetta Studio is an online service that provides conversational coaching sessions with native speakers to practice skills and experience direct interactive dialogue. Rosetta World is an online service that provides a world-wide community for users around the world with games, online chat, and other features to improve language skills. Its perpetual language-learning packages include access to Rosetta Studio. Almost all of Rosetta’s language-learning offerings for consumers include access to Rosetta World. The current suite of mobile language-learning apps includes companions to its computer-based language-learning solutions, as well as a series of introductory language apps for travelers and a high-tech Spanish language-learning game called Rosetta Stone Arcade Academy.
Rosetta Stone Fit Brains: Rosetta Stone Fit Brains solutions are designed by neuroscientists to enhance memory, concentration, thinking and problem-solving skills using brain training exercises that are exciting and challenging. The company’s brain fitness solutions include a web-based subscription and several brain training apps that feature more than 60 scientifically designed brain training games. Included in a Rosetta Stone Fit Brains subscription are performance tracking tools to view training progress.
Rosetta Stone Kids: <em mobile apps provide technology-based learning solutions for children that focus on early childhood language and literacy. In 2013, the company launched Rosetta Stone Kids Lingo Letter Sounds and Rosetta Stone Kids Lingo Word Builder apps for children aged 3-6 that provide blended learning solutions to introduce kids to both basic literacy skills and a foreign language. In November 2014, it launched the Rosetta Stone Kids Reading app aimed to teach children aged 3-7 how to read using engaging self-paced interactive games, and activities that introduce and reinforce core reading skills.
Distribution Channels
Global Enterprise & Education:
The company’s Global Enterprise & Education language-learning distribution channel is focused on targeted sales activity primarily through a direct sales force in five markets: K-12 schools, colleges and universities, federal government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations. The company’s Educational Institutions include primary and secondary schools and colleges and universities.
Consumer:
The company’s global consumer distribution channel comprises a mix of Rosetta’s call centers, websites, third party e-commerce websites, home shopping networks, consignment distributors, select retail resellers, and daily deal partners. The company believes these channels complement each other, as consumers who have seen Rosetta’s direct-to-consumer advertising may purchase at the firm’s retailers, and vice versa.
Direct to consumer. Sales generated through either the company’s call centers and on its website.
Direct to consumer. Sales generated through arrangements with third-party e-commerce websites such as Digital River and Apple App Store, home shopping networks such as GS Home Shopping in Korea, and consignment distributors such as Wynit Distribution and Software Packaging Associates.
Retailers. Rosetta Stone’s retailers enable it to provide additional points of contact to educate consumers about the company’s solutions, expand its presence beyond Rosetta’s own websites, and further strengthen and enhance its brand image. The company’s retail relationships include Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Target, Best Buy, Books-a-Million, Sam's Club, Costco, Staples, and others in and outside of the U.S. The company also partners with daily deal resellers such as Groupon.
Home School. Rosetta Stone promotes interest in the language-learning market through advertising in publications focused on home schooling, attending local trade shows, seminars and direct mailings.
Employees
As of December 31, 2014, Rosetta had 1,292 total employees, consisting of 957 full-time and 335 part-time employees.
Rosetta Stone is facing a complex challenge. The consumer business for which the company is so well known is facing real headwinds (e.g., free learning apps, a legacy of discounting to meet quotas, etc.). And while the Enterprise and Education businesses have long-term market potential, they have yet to consistently and profitably capture those opportunities. Focusing the company and allocating capital on the right narrow set of growth opportunities is not easy—both identifying the right growth areas and making sure that the organization can successfully execute.
The next CEO of Rosetta Stone must first help pivot the company, making difficult near- term decisions about what the company must do (and what the company must not do) and helping inspire the broader employee base. The CEO must also quickly identify the right set of strategic growth options (e.g., Lexia Learning, better products for multi-national corporates), and then appropriately focus time, attention, resources, and capital to help build products, market effectively, and sell to the right customer segments. Getting the strategy right, building the right team to support that strategy, and then vigorously executing will allow the team to achieve the overall financial goals. The new CEO should also be open to and adept at navigating potential transactional opportunities for maximizing shareholder value.
While the specific targets will be tied to the strategy, the board believes that the business should be able to, as a baseline, achieve $250M in revenue by 2018 with a better, more profitable and faster growing mix of customers and products.
Based in Arlington VA and reporting directly to the Board of Director, the new CEO of Rosetta Stone will focus on these outcomes—
The ideal candidate currently is CEO, President, Group President, General Manager, or other senior executive for a public (ideal) or private company in the K-12 Education or Corporate eLearning/Training/HR Software and Services sector with revenues >$100 million. He or she has demonstrated through his/her career the ability to create and implement realistic financial targets based on optimizing opportunities across multiple business segments to maximize overall business growth.
Specifically, this individual will have experience—
Compensation will include a competitive salary, performance bonus, and significant equity commensurate with the individual’s experience.
Travel will be in no more than 20% in a year.
Rosetta Stone has an Employment Application, Work History and Background Check (provided to candidates). The background check includes compensation verification, professional references, employment and education verifications, state and federal criminal history reports, and drug screen.
Resume should be sent as a Word document to Ralph Protsik and Claire Theriault, and also posted on the BSG website, www.bsgtv.com. No phone calls please.