Cendant

Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) is a New York-based provider of business and consumer services, primarily within the real estate and travel sectors. The current CEO of Cendant is Henry Silverman.

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In 1996, Cendant purchased Sierra Online and Davidson & Associates for $2.2 billion. However, following the fraud debacle they encountered in 1998, they have since sold off their entire interactive software branch for $1 billion to Havas Interactive, a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal.

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On September 15, 2004, Cendant purchased the Ramada International Hotels & Resorts unit from Marriott International. At the time, Ramada was primarily a franchised brand of 204 hotels operating in 26 countries and territories. Earlier in 2004, Cendant acquired the trademark rights to the Ramada brand in the United States, where there are 819 franchised properties. It also owns the Canadian rights. http://www.thestreet.com/_tsclsii/markets/marketfeatures/10183077.html

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On September 29, 2004, Cendant purchased Orbitz for $1.2 billion. http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=48800113

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In early 2005, Cendant purchased ebookers for just under ?190 million.

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1996: 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty....

Sierra Online: :For the company formerly known as Sierra On-Line, see Sierra Entertainment....

Fraud: In the broadest sense, a fraud is a deception made for personal gain, although it has a more specific legal meaning, the exact details varying between jurisdictions. Many hoaxes are fraudulent, although those not made for personal gain are not best described in this way. Not all frauds are hoaxes - ...