Openwave Names Mike Mulica as CEO

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--()--Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OPWV) a global software innovator delivering all-Internet Protocol (all-IP) mediation and messaging solutions, today announced that Mike Mulica has been appointed as Openwave’s chief executive officer, effective October 6. Anne Brennan, who served as interim CEO, will continue in her role as Chief Financial Officer.

Mulica has been a leader in the wireless industry for many years and has extensive executive leadership experience in high-tech companies. In 2007 the World Economic Forum named him a Technology Pioneer, reflecting his 25 years in the technology and communications industry – including four years as a top sales executive with Openwave and its predecessor firm Phone.com.

“Mike is a proven leader with a track record of delivering strong financial performance and value to shareholders,” said Peter Feld, Openwave’s Chairman of the Board. “Both the Board and our management team firmly believe he has the leadership skills and industry expertise needed to oversee a successful turnaround at Openwave. We look forward to Mike’s leadership as we further our product strategy, continue to work to monetize our rich portfolio of intellectual property, and tightly control our costs to drive towards future profitability.”

Mr. Mulica served as an executive at Openwave’s predecessor firm Phone.com and at Openwave from 1999 to 2003. As a senior vice president at Phone.com, he helped lead the $9-billion acquisition of Software.com, which led to the formation of Openwave.

“I’m excited to re-join Openwave and to lead the company as we strive to deliver improved value to shareholders. My focus will be to quickly determine how Openwave’s product and intellectual property portfolio can help maximize its value to our customers, partners and the broader industry. We must continue to manage costs to drive towards future profitability and take advantage of the broad portfolio of intellectual property that is foundational to the mobile Internet,” said Mulica.

Prior to joining Openwave, Mulica served as President and Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at Synchronoss, a leading provider of transaction management, cloud enablement and mobile connectivity services for connected devices. He played a leading role at Synchronoss as it redesigned its product and go-to-market strategies, completed several acquisitions, as well as a $124 million public offering. The improving revenues and profitability helped increase the company’s market capitalization by $600 million during Mulica’s tenure. Mulica joined Synchronoss after the July 2010 acquisition of FusionOne, a leader in mobile content portability of which he was CEO.

Mulica also served as President and CEO of Bridgeport Networks, a leader in mobile-to-Voice-Over-IP. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business from Marquette University, and a Graduate Certificate in International Business from Copenhagen Business School.

About Openwave

Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OPWV) is a global software innovator delivering all-Internet Protocol (all-IP) mediation and messaging solutions that enable communication service providers to create and deliver smarter services.

Building on its mobile data heritage, Openwave mobilizes the Internet with data-driven solutions that comprehensively enhance IP traffic and increase the value of the mobile network. Openwave arms its customers with a 360-degree view of network activity plus the tools to help them proactively optimize network resources (Congestion Control), react to user behavior with smarter data plans and services (Price Plan Innovation), and deliver a contextually relevant messaging experience (Converged Messaging).

Openwave is a global company with a blue chip customer base spanning North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Openwave is headquartered in Redwood City, California.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statement

The statements in this press release in Mr. Feld’s and Mr. Mulica’s quotes with respect to future events or expectations are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1943 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. These forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Notwithstanding changes that may occur with respect to matters relating to any forward looking statements, Openwave assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this press release.

In particular, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected: (a) the current economic climate may impede the growth of wireless data demand, which could impede customer trials and the ability of Openwave to monetize its intellectual property portfolio; (b) Openwave may not be able to make changes in business strategy, development plans and product offerings to respond to any changes in wireless demand needs of its customers; and (c) Openwave’s cost cutting measures may not result in the cost reductions Openwave expects, or may have an unexpected negative effect on Openwave’s ability to service its customers, either of which would have an adverse effect on Openwave’s operating results.

For a detailed discussion of these and other factors that may cause these forward looking statements not to come true, please refer to the risk factors discussed in Openwave’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, filed with the SEC on September 6, 2011. These documents are available through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov or from Openwave's website at www.openwave.com.

Contacts

Openwave Systems Inc.
Mike Bishop, 650-480-4461
Investor Relations
investor@openwave.com
Vikki Herrera, 650-480-6753
Public Relations
Vikki.Herrera@openwave.com

Contacts

Openwave Systems Inc.
Mike Bishop, 650-480-4461
Investor Relations
investor@openwave.com
Vikki Herrera, 650-480-6753
Public Relations
Vikki.Herrera@openwave.com