<PAGE>
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE)
|X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the period ended September 30, 1998
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number 1-6715
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware 13-2658741
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Jurisdiction of Incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Organization)
15821 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, California 91436
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (818) 461-6400
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes |X| No |_|
There were 25,466,937 issued and outstanding shares of the registrant's common
stock, par value $.01 per share, at October 31, 1998, net of 874,044 shares of
common stock held in treasury as of such date.
<PAGE>
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Facing Sheet .....................................................................................................1
Index.............................................................................................................2
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1998 and March 31, 1998..................3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
three months ended September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997..................................4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
six months ended September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997 ...................................5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
six months ended September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997................................... 6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements............................................7
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations................................................13
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings .............................................................................27
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...............................................................27
Signatures.......................................................................................................28
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, March 31,
1998 1998
--------------- ---------------
(Unaudited) (See Note Below)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents...................................................... $ 16,516 $ 17,915
Restricted cash ............................................................... 356 400
Accounts receivable, net ...................................................... 29,315 37,285
Income tax receivable.......................................................... - 341
Inventories, net............................................................... 12,630 21,228
Prepaid media ................................................................. 2,480 1,872
Prepaid show production ....................................................... 2,584 4,845
Deferred costs ................................................................ 7,596 4,191
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ..................................... 2,049 2,014
Deferred income taxes ......................................................... 2,835 2,835
------------ ------------
Total current assets ........................................................ 76,361 92,926
Property and equipment, net ...................................................... 10,426 12,338
Excess of cost over net assets of acquired businesses and other intangible assets,
net............................................................................... 34,771 35,877
Other assets ..................................................................... 1,544 1,950
------------ ------------
Total assets .................................................................. $ 123,102 $ 143,091
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable .............................................................. $ 22,641 $ 21,167
Accrued expenses .............................................................. 24,026 29,598
Deferred revenue .............................................................. 154 115
Income taxes payable .......................................................... 275 -
Deferred income taxes ......................................................... 1,792 1,792
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations................ 31,615 30,812
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities ................................................... 80,503 83,484
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations ..................................... 179 469
Deferred income taxes ............................................................ 1,043 1,043
Other liabilities ................................................................ 3,505 3,768
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued 81,250
shares Series B convertible preferred stock, and 19,900 and 20,000 shares Series
D convertible preferred stock, respectively.................................... 1 1
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares;
issued 26,340,981 and 26,262,716 shares, respectively ....................... 263 263
Additional paid-in capital .................................................... 155,105 156,975
Retained earnings ............................................................. (98,090) (85,891)
------------ ------------
57,279 71,348
Treasury stock, 874,044 and 887,229 shares respectively, at cost .............. (6,701) (6,802)
Notes receivable, officers..................................................... (684) (139)
Foreign currency translation adjustment ....................................... (12,022) (10,080)
------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity .................................................. 37,872 54,327
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity .................................. $ 123,102 $ 143,091
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
</TABLE>
Note: The balance sheet at March 31, 1998 has been derived from the audited
financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information
and footnotes required under generally accepted accounting principles for
complete financial statements.
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
<PAGE>
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended September 30,
---------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Product sales .................................................. $ 85,159 $ 53,756
Sales commissions and other revenues ........................... 1,493 807
------------ ----------
Net revenues .......................................... 86,652 54,563
Operating costs and expenses:
Media purchases ................................................ 30,664 17,582
Direct costs ................................................... 51,959 36,887
Selling, general and administrative ............................ 10,206 11,780
Depreciation and amortization .................................. 1,419 1,901
Interest expense ............................................... 1,256 764
------------ ----------
Total operating costs and expenses .................... 95,504 68,914
------------ ----------
Loss before income taxes ......................................... (8,852) (14,351)
Income taxes...................................................... 105 7
------------ ----------
Net loss ......................................................... $ (8,957) $ (14,358)
------------ ----------
------------ ----------
Net loss per common share - Basic and Diluted....................... $ (0.37) $ (0.58)
------------ ----------
------------ ----------
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
Basic and Diluted.......................................................... 25,470 24,965
------------ ----------
------------ ----------
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
<PAGE>
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months ended September 30,
-------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Product sales .................................................. $ 166,904 $ 119,777
Retail royalties ............................................... 52 -
Sales commissions and other revenues ........................... 2,863 1,941
------------- -------------
Net revenues .......................................... 169,819 121,718
Operating costs and expenses:
Media purchases ................................................ 59,135 40,800
Direct costs ................................................... 98,258 78,115
Selling, general and administrative ............................ 20,265 24,935
Depreciation and amortization .................................. 2,827 3,515
Write-off of merger related costs .............................. 676 -
Executive compensation.......................................... (1,875) -
Interest expense ............................................... 2,502 1,389
------------- -------------
Total operating costs and expenses .................... 181,788 148,754
------------- -------------
Loss before income taxes ......................................... (11,969) (27,036)
Income taxes...................................................... 230 311
------------- -------------
Net loss ......................................................... $ (12,199) $ (27,347)
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
Net loss per common share - Basic and Diluted....................... $ (0.48) $ (1.12)
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
Basic and Diluted.......................................................... 25,443 24,460
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
<PAGE>
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months ended September 30,
-------------------------------------
1998 1997
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss ........................................................................... $ (12,199) $ (27,347)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization .................................................. 2,827 3,515
Amortization of loan discount .................................................. 444 209
Non-cash executive compensation ................................................ (1,875) -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities..................................... 10,022 6,885
Other .......................................................................... 455 5,070
---------- ---------
Net cash used in operating activities .............................................. (326) (11,668)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment .............................................. (300) (1,356)
Proceeds from sale of common stock investment .................................... - 1,025
------------ --------
Net cash used in investing activities .............................................. (300) (331)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock .................................... - 19,813
Proceeds from long-term debt ..................................................... 1,500 8,759
Payments on long-term debt, notes payable and capital lease obligations........... (1,431) (956)
Exercise of stock options and warrants ........................................... - 1,602
Loan to officer................................................................... (545) -
---------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ................................ (476) 29,218
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents ....................... (297) 450
---------- ---------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ......................... (1,399) 17,669
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ................................... 17,915 4,058
---------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ......................................... $ 16,516 $ 21,727
---------- ---------
---------- ---------
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
<PAGE>
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
September 30, 1998
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of
National Media Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company") have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company's management,
all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring accruals) considered necessary
for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and
six month periods ended September 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the
results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 1999. For further
information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes
thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
March 31, 1998.
New Accounting Standards
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No.
131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information ("SFAS
No. 131")". SFAS No. 131 requires disclosure of certain information about
operating segments, products and services, geographic areas of operations and
major customers. The Company is required to adopt this statement as of the end
of the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999. The Company is evaluating the effects
of SFAS No. 131 on its financial statement disclosures. SFAS No. 131 will have
no effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, capital
resources or liquidity.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to confirm to current
presentation.
2. Per Share Amounts
In 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
"Earnings Per Share ("SFAS No. 128")", which replaced the primary and fully
diluted earnings per share measures with basic and diluted earnings per share.
Basic earnings per share are computed based upon the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share
are computed based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding during
the period plus the dilutive effect of stock options, warrants to purchase
common stock, and convertible preferred stock. Earnings per share amounts for
all periods have been presented, and where necessary, restated to conform with
SFAS No. 128. In computing per share net loss amounts, deemed dividends on
preferred stock and certain warrants have been deducted from net income to
arrive at net income applicable to common shareholders.
7
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per
share (in thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------- -------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss...................................................... $ (8,957) $(14,358) $(12,199) $(27,347)
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock
and warrants.................................................. (424) (43) (1) 13 (43)
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Adjusted net loss for Basic and Diluted earnings per share.... $ (9,381) $(14,401) $(12,186) $(27,390)
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic and Diluted....... 25,470 24,965 25,443 24,460
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Loss per share - Basic and Diluted............................ $ (0.37) $ (0.58) $ (0.48) $ (1.12)
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
</TABLE>
(1) Represents reversal of previously recorded accrued premium on Series C
Preferred Stock of $690 net of the current premium earned on Series D
Preferred Stock and Series B Warrants of $677.
Convertible preferred stock to purchase 19,746,472 and 4,212,830 shares of
common stock, and stock options and warrants to purchase 14,472,317 and
10,878,894 shares of common stock for the three months and six months ended
September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, were not included in the computation
of diluted earnings per share as a result of the net losses incurred by the
Company during those periods, the effect of which would be antidilutive. The
above amounts do not include shares issuable upon conversion of any accrued
premium on convertible preferred stock.
Diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended September
30, 1998 does not include 9,318,580 shares of common stock which would be
issuable in the event that the Company was unable to repay the principal due
under the ValueVision International, Inc. ("ValueVision") loan due on January 1,
1999.
Subsequent to September 30, 1998 diluted earnings per share may include
approximately 13,333,333 shares related to the issuance of the Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock, and 3,762,500 warrants connected with the
transaction described in Note 8 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements and 2,099,505 additional warrants to purchase common stock
issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provision of Series B Preferred Stock
warrants.
3. Write-off of Merger Related Costs
In June 1998, the Company wrote-off $676,000 of capitalized costs related to the
termination of a proposed merger with ValueVision.
4. Executive Compensation
The Company had previously recorded $1,875,000 in compensation expense in
connection with 750,000 stock options issued to the Company's chief executive
officer and two other executive officers in fiscal 1998. These stock options
contained provisions that, upon the occurrence of certain triggering events
(such as a sale or merger of the Company, or a significant investment) by June
30, 1998, could have resulted in a reduction in the exercise price of the stock
options. This compensation expense was reversed in the first quarter of fiscal
1999 as no triggering events occurred as of the June 30, 1998 expiration date.
5. Income Taxes
The Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $105,000 and $230,000
for the three and six months ended September 30, 1998, respectively, due to tax
liabilities associated with its Asian and South Pacific operations. Income tax
benefits on domestic and European losses and loss carryovers have been fully
reserved until realized.
8
<PAGE>
6. Comprehensive Income
In April 1998, the Company adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income ("SFAS No. 130")".
Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity from transactions and
other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments
by owners and distributions to owners. For the Company, the difference between
net income and comprehensive income results from foreign currency translation
adjustments.
Comprehensive income for the three and six months ended September 30, 1998 and
1997 is as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------- -------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss.......................................................... $(8,957) $(14,358) $(12,199) $(27,347)
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation adjustments...................... (813) (1,613) (1,942) (1,041)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Total comprehensive income....................................... $(9,770) $(15,971) $(14,141) $(28,388)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
</TABLE>
7. Commitments and Contingencies
WWOR Litigation
In March 1997, WWOR-TV filed a breach of contract action in the United States
District Court for New Jersey against one of the Company's operating
subsidiaries alleging that the subsidiary wrongfully terminated a contract for
the purchase of media time, seeking in excess of $1,000,000 in compensatory
damages. The Company is contesting the action. At this time, the Company cannot
predict the outcome of this matter; however, even if plaintiffs were to succeed
on all of their claims, the Company does not believe that such result would have
a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition.
Regulatory Matters
As a result of prior settlements with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC"), the
Company has agreed to two consent orders. Prior to the Company's acquisition of
Positive Response Television, Inc. ("PRTV"), PRTV and its Chief Executive
Officer, also agreed to a consent order with the FTC. Among other things, such
consent orders require PRTV and its Chief Executive Officer to submit compliance
reports to the FTC. In June 1996, the Company received a request from the FTC
for additional information regarding certain of the Company's infomercials in
order to determine whether the Company was operating in compliance with the
consent orders referred to above. The FTC later advised the Company that it
believed the Company had violated one of the consent orders by allegedly failing
to substantiate certain claims made in one of its infomercials which it no
longer airs in the United States. The Company has provided information to the
FTC to demonstrate substantiation. If the Company's substantiation is deemed to
be insufficient by the FTC, the FTC has a variety of enforcement mechanisms
available to it, including, but not limited to, monetary penalties. While no
assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any remedies that it
may become subject to will have a material adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations or financial condition.
The FTC more recently notified the Company that it had concerns about claims
being made in one of the Company's infomercials and also raised questions
concerning certain aspects of the Company's pricing practices in certain of
its infomercials. The Company is responding to these FTC's inquiries.
9
<PAGE>
In addition, in Spring 1997, in accordance with applicable regulations, the
Company notified the Consumer Products Safety Commission ("CPSC") of breakages
which were occurring in its Fitness Strider product. The Company also notified
the CPSC of its replacement of certain parts of the product with upgraded
components. The CPSC reviewed the Company's test results in order to assess the
adequacy of the upgraded components. The CPSC also undertook its own testing of
the product and, in November 1997, informed the Company that the CPSC compliance
staff had made a preliminary determination that the Fitness Strider product and
upgraded component present a substantial product hazard, as defined under
applicable law. The Company and the CPSC staff have discussed voluntary action
to address the CPSC's concerns, including replacement of the affected
components. At present, management of the Company does not anticipate that any
action agreed upon, or action required by the CPSC, will have any material
adverse impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
The Company has also been contacted by Australian consumer protection regulatory
authorities regarding the safety and fitness of the Fitness Strider product and
an exercise rider product marketed only in Australia and New Zealand. At this
point, the Company cannot predict whether the outcome of these matters regarding
the Fitness Strider will have a material adverse impact upon the Company's
results of operations or financial condition.
In August 1998, the Company received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") that the Company did not meet the NYSE's standards for continued
listing criteria. The NYSE also requested that the Company provide information
regarding any actions taken or proposed by the Company to restore the Company to
compliance with the NYSE standards. The Company has responded to the NYSE
notification, and in November 1998, the Company received a verbal notice from
the NYSE that while the NYSE intends to monitor the Company's compliance with
the NYSE listing standards, no action will be taken with respect to this matter
at this time.
Other Matters
The Company, in the normal course of business, is a party to litigation relating
to trademark and copyright infringement, product liability, contract-related
disputes, and other actions. It is the Company's policy to vigorously defend all
such claims and enforce its rights in these matters. The Company does not
believe any of these actions, either individually or in the aggregate, will have
a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition. The Company has also received letters and telephone calls from
persons purporting to be stockholders of the Company, concerning their stated
intention to commence legal action against the Company and its officers and
directors with respect to the Company's financial performance over the recent
past as well as the decline in the market price of the Company's common stock
and various other matters.
8. Subsequent Events
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
On October 23, 1998, the Company announced stockholder approval and consummation
of a transaction pursuant to which operational control of the Company was
acquired by an investor group led by Stephen C. Lehman. The Company's
stockholders approved, among other things, the sale to the investor group of
$20.0 million of newly issued shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
("Series E Preferred Stock") by the Company. The Series E Preferred Stock
provides for a 4.0% coupon for one year and is convertible into shares of the
Company's common stock at a fixed conversion price of $1.50 per share (subject
to standard anti-dilution adjustments). Based upon the $1.50 per share fixed
conversion price, the Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into 13,333,333
shares of the Company's common stock. Upon consummation of the transaction,
the Series D shareholders agreed to certain limitations regarding the sale of
the Series D Preferred Stock and the Company's common stock issuable upon
conversion and/or exercise of the Series D Preferred Stock and warrants
("Series D Securities"). This includes an agreement not to sell more than
fifty percent of the Series D Securities held by them prior to October 23,
1999.
In connection with certain agreements related to the transaction, a management
company of which Mr. Lehman and two of his associates are managing members was
granted a five year option to purchase up to 212,500 shares of the Company's
common stock, subject to certain vesting requirements, at an exercise price of
$1.32 per share and warrants to purchase up to 3,762,500 shares of the Company's
common stock at exercise prices ranging from $1.32 to $3.00 per share. One
million of these warrants may not be transferred to Mr. Lehman, his associates
or any employee of the management company. Approximately $16.2 million of the
proceeds from the sale of the Series E Preferred Stock was used to repay the
Company's outstanding indebtedness to its principal lender at a twenty-five
percent discount. The resulting gain on extinguishment of debt of approximately
$4.9 million will be recorded in the Company's statement of operations for the
period ended December 31, 1998. The remaining proceeds will be
10
<PAGE>
used for certain expenses related to the transaction and for working capital
purposes. The Company is currently in dispute with its former investment advisor
regarding a fee of approximately $1.9 million related to this transaction. The
payment, if any, of this fee will be recorded as a reduction of stockholder's
equity as a cost of the transaction. In connection with this transaction, three
executive officers of the Company waived the change of control provisions in
their employment agreements in exchange for the repricing and one year extension
on exercise of certain stock options, and in the case of one officer a
consulting agreement and payment of one-time bonus. The Company will record a
charge for these items in its operating results for the period ended December
31, 1998.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Warrants
In addition, the anti-dilution provisions of the Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock Warrants ("Series B Warrants") have been triggered resulting in an
increase in the adjusted total of outstanding Series B Warrants to approximately
9.5 million and a decrease in the exercise price to approximately $2.37 per
share.
Restructuring Charge
As a result of, among other matters, the change in operational control, the
Company is presently in the process of reviewing its strategic opportunities
for the purpose of restructuring its business operations. The Company has
identified and/or is in the process of implementing various restructuring
initiatives including, among others, the closure of its Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania corporate headquarters and relocation to its offices in Encino,
California, the consolidation of its New Zealand and Far East business
offices, the closure of unprofitable retail stores in Australia and New
Zealand, the closure of certain unprofitable Asian and Eastern European
markets and/or transfer to licensee agreements; the restructuring of its
North American operations and reductions in other direct and overhead costs
and operations. Accordingly, the Company anticipates that it will recognize
during the quarter ending December 31, 1998 a restructuring charge in an
amount ranging from $10.0 million to $20.0 million with respect to the above
initiatives.
Authorized Common Stock
On October 23, 1998 the Company's shareholders approved an amendment of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation increasing the authorized number of
shares of common stock of the Company to 150,000,000 shares.
11
<PAGE>
CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report contains "forward-looking" statements regarding potential future
events and developments affecting the business of the Company. Such
statements relate to, among other things, (i) future operations of the
Company, including the impact of any Year 2000 issues encountered by the
Company; (ii) the development of new product sales and media, including
electronic commerce; (iii) competition for customers for the Company's
products; (iv) the uncertainty of developing or obtaining rights to new
products that will be accepted by the market and the timing of the
introduction of new products into the market; (v) the limited market life of
the Company's products; and (vi) other statements about the Company or the
direct response or electronic commerce industries.
Forward-looking statements may be indicated by the words "expects," "estimates,"
"anticipates," "intends," "predicts," "believes" or other similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Report and
include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the
Company and its directors and officers with respect to numerous aspects of the
Company and its business. The Company's ability to predict results or the effect
of any pending events on the Company's operating results is inherently subject
to various risks and uncertainties, including the risks attendant to competition
for products, customers and media access; the risks of doing business abroad;
the uncertainty of developing or obtaining rights to new products that will be
accepted by the market; the limited market life of the Company's products; and
the effects of government regulations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
12
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
General
The Company is engaged in the direct marketing of consumer products, primarily
through infomercials and electronic commerce worldwide. Domestically, the
Company has historically been dependent on a limited number of successful
products to generate a significant portion of its net revenues. The Company's
strategies for future periods are designed to reduce the risk associated with
relying on a limited number of successful products for a disproportionate amount
of its revenues, expand the Company's leverage of its media expenditures and
tailoring the Company's domestic operations to more efficiently deal with the
cyclical nature of the Company's business. These strategies include the more
effective utilization and leveraging of its global presence and media access,
the continued development and marketing of innovative products to enhance its
existing infomercial programs, and engineering the most efficient business model
for the Company's future operations. International expansion over the last five
years has resulted in approximately one-half of the Company's revenues being
generated outside of North America. The Company takes advantage of product
awareness created by its infomercials and also extends the sales life of its
products through non-infomercial distribution channels. These channels include
retail arrangements, as well as continuity sales programs; and internet
marketing, among others.
THe Company's revenues vary throughout the year. The Company's revenues have
historically been highest in its third and fourth fiscal quarters and lower
in its first and second fiscal quarters due to fluctuations in the number of
television viewers. These seasonal trends have been and may continue to be
affected by the timing and success of new product offerings and the potential
growth in the Company's electronic commerce businesses.
In the discussion and analysis set forth below, the Company discusses its
"EBITDA" and "EBITDA Margin." EBITDA consists of net income before interest,
provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA Margin is
EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue. EBITDA does not represent cash flows as
defined by generally accepted accounting principles and does not necessarily
indicate that cash flows are sufficient to fund all of the Company's liquidity
requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute
for net income, cash from operating activities or other measures of liquidity
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The
Company believes that EBITDA is a measure of financial performance widely used
in the media and internet/electronic commerce industries, and is useful to
investors as a measure of the Company's financial performance.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth operating data of the Company as a percentage of
net revenues for the periods indicated below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
--------------------------- ---------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
Net revenues 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Operating costs and expenses:
Media purchases 35.4 32.2 34.8 33.5
Direct costs 60.0 67.6 57.9 64.2
Selling, general and administrative 11.8 21.6 11.9 20.5
Depreciation and amortization 1.6 3.5 1.7 2.9
Write-off of merger related costs - - 0.4 -
Executive compensation - - (1.1) -
Interest expense 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.1
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total operating costs and expenses 110.2 126.3 107.1 122.2
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Loss before income taxes (10.2) (26.3) (7.1) (22.2)
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Net loss (10.3)% (26.3)% (7.2)% (22.5)%
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
Three Months Ended September 30, 1998 As Compared to September 30, 1997
Net Revenues
Net revenues were $86.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 1998,
as compared to $54.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 1997, an
increase of $32.1 million or 58.8%.
Domestic net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 1998 were $55.9
million as compared to $15.6 million for the three months ended September 30,
1997, an increase of $40.3 million or 258.4%. This increase was primarily
attributable to a greater number of successful shows and products being
distributed during the current period. The current three month period included
five shows with net revenues of $5.0 million or higher, including three shows
each of which comprised over 15% of total domestic revenues. The prior year
three month period included only one show with net revenues of $5.0 million or
higher and only two shows each of which comprised over 15% of total domestic
revenues. During the 1997 period, the Great North American Slim Down show
generated approximately 43.7% of total domestic net revenues. In the three
months ended September 30, 1998 the Red Devil Grill show generated approximately
28.2% of total domestic net revenues.
International net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 1998 were
$30.8 million as compared to $39.0 million for the three months ended September
30, 1997, a decrease of $8.2 million or 20.9%. The decrease was primarily
attributable to a 37.5% decline in net revenues generated in Japan, of which
approximately 11.5% of such decline was due directly to currency devaluation.
The Company believes that the decline in Japan was primarily attributable to the
current economic turmoil being experienced in that country. In addition, the
Company's South Pacific operations continued to experience the negative
impact of the economic downturn being experienced throughout that region,
which resulted in a significant decline in consumer spending. In addition to
the aforementioned impact of the economy, revenues in this region were
negatively effected by a lack of successful new shows. The Company's South
Pacific revenues for the three months ended September 30, 1998 as compared
to the three months ended September 30, 1997 decreased approximately $4.6
million or 40.2%. Approximately 14.6% of the decline was a result of currency
devaluation. All of these factors are expected to have a continuing impact on
third quarter revenues in these regions.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Total operating costs and expenses were $95.5 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to $68.9 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1997, an increase of $26.6 million or 38.6%. This was principally
due to the 58.8% increase in net revenues. This increase was partially offset by
reductions in direct costs which declined as a percentage of net revenues and
selling, general and administrative expenses.
Media Purchases
Media purchases were $30.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 1998
as compared to $17.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 1997, an
increase of $13.1 million or 74.4%. The Company's worldwide ratio of media
purchases to net revenues increased to 35.4% for the three months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to 32.2% for the three months ended September 30,
1997. The increase in media purchases as a percentage of net revenues was
principally due to the increased proportion of domestic revenues to foreign
revenues, which domestic revenues carry greater media costs. Domestic net
revenues represented 64.4% of total net revenues for the three months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to 28.5% for the three months ended June 30,
1997. In addition, the Company experienced an increase in international media
purchases as a percentage of net sales due to an increase in advertising costs
in the European region. This increase was due to costs associated with the
Company's lease of the newly launched Eutelstat Satellite. Recent trends
indicate an increase in international media costs in total and as a percentage
of net revenues due to increased competition and a trend towards minimum
guarantees of media purchases. During the second quarter the Company started the
process of converting certain of its Asian markets to licensee arrangements.
This will reduce future media costs in this region as the licensee will be
responsible for media costs.
14
<PAGE>
Direct Costs
Direct costs are principally variable and consist of materials, fulfilllment,
program production amortization, commissions and royalties, in-bound
telemarketing, credit card charges, warehousing and profit participation
payments. Direct costs were $52.0 million for the three months ended September
30, 1998 as compared to $36.9 million for the three months ended September 30,
1997, an increase of $15.1 million or 40.9%. The increase was primarily
attributable to the 58.8% increase in net revenues. As a percentage of net
revenues, direct costs were 60.0% for the three months ended September 30, 1998
as compared to 67.6% for the three months ended September 30, 1997. The decrease
was attributable to the significant reduction in domestic direct costs as a
percentage of net revenues which more than offset an increase in international
direct costs as a percentage of net revenues. Domestically, the Company realized
significant benefits from increased net revenues which offset the impact of
certain fixed costs associated with the Company's Phoenix fulfillment facility,
which reduced the average cost of fulfillment. Production expense as a
percentage of net revenue declined due to the higher success rate of shows and
the positive effect of the Company's continuity programs.
Internationally, the increase in direct costs as a percentage of net revenues
was due to an increase in the Asian and South Pacific region direct costs as
a percentage of net revenues which more than offset a decline in direct costs
as a percentage of net revenues in the European region. The decrease in the
European region direct costs as a percentage of net revenues was a result of
increased revenues and higher average selling prices which caused a reduction
in the average fulfillment and telemarketing costs. The Asian and South
Pacific regions continue to be negatively impacted by poor economic
conditions affecting consumers' purchasing power in these regions, resulting
in lower sales volume, and therefore a larger negative impact from certain
fixed and semi-fixed costs. In addition, due to the aforementioned factors
and a revised operational strategy, the Company recorded a $1.9 million
write-down of inventory and a $800,000 write-off of prepaid production costs
related to assets held in the Asian and South Pacific regions during the
three months ended September 30, 1998. The Company also wrote down $500,000
of inventory purchased for a certain customer in its Latin American market.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $10.2 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to $11.8 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1997, a decrease of $1.6 million or 13.4%. The
decrease was attributable to the Company's continued cost reduction efforts.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues
decreased from 21.6% for the three months ended September 30, 1997 to 11.8% for
the three months ended September 30, 1998, due to the impact of the cost
reductions combined with a 58.8% increase in net revenues.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $1.4 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1997, a decrease of $500,000, or 25.4%. The decrease in
depreciation and amortization was attributable to the write-off of goodwill and
other intellectual properties associated with the Company's PRTV subsidiary that
was recognized during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 1998,
as compared to $800,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1997, an
increase of $500,000. This increase was attributable to an increase in the
Company's average outstanding indebtedness from approximately $27.0 million
during the quarter ended September 30, 1997 to approximately $31.8 million
during the quarter ended September 30, 1998. In addition, the interest rate on
the Company's loan from its principal lender was approximately three percentage
points higher during the current period.
15
<PAGE>
Income Taxes
The Company recorded income tax expense of $105,000 and $7,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, attributable to
certain Asian and/or South Pacific operations. Income tax benefits have not
been recorded during the respective periods on domestic and European losses.
These benefits will be recorded when realized, reducing the effective tax
rate on future domestic and European earnings if any.
Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
EBITDA deficit was $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 1998 as
compared to an EBITDA deficit of $11.7 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1997, an improvement of $5.5 million, or 47.1%. EBITDA margin was
(7.1)% and (21.4)% during the three month periods ended September 30, 1998 and
1997, respectively. The improvements in EBITDA and EBITDA margin were primarily
attributable to the improvement in the Company's North American and European
results of operations.
Net Income
The Company incurred a net loss of $9.0 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1998, as compared to a net loss of $14.4 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1997. Net income for the current quarter reflects
an improvement in the Company's North American and European operations and
the reduction in overhead expenses. The improvement has been offset, in part,
by the negative impact of the economic downturn in the Asian and South
Pacific countries on the Company's international revenues and margins.
Six Months Ended September 30, 1998 As Compared to September 30, 1997
Net Revenues
Net revenues were $169.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 1998, as
compared to $121.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 1997, an
increase of $48.1 million or 39.5%.
Domestic net revenues for the six months ended September 30, 1998 were $105.1
million as compared to $42.2 million for the six months ended September 30,
1997, an increase of $62.9 million or 148.8%. This increase was primarily
attributable to a greater number of successful shows and products during the
current period. The current six month period included three shows each of which
comprised over 15% of total domestic net revenues including five shows which
generated in excess of $10.0 million of net revenues. The prior year six month
period included only one show which comprised over 15% of total domestic net
revenues and which generated in excess of $10.0 million of net revenues. During
the 1997 period, the Great North American Slim Down show generated approximately
45.3% of the domestic net revenues. In the six months ended September 30, 1998,
the Red Devil Grill and Larry North II shows generated approximately 23.3% and
20.9%, of total domestic net revenues, respectively.
International net revenues for the six months ended September 30, 1998 were
$64.7 million as compared to $79.5 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1997, a decrease of $14.8 million or 18.6%. The decrease was
attributable to a 42.2% decline in net revenues in Japan, of which
approximately 9.2% was attributable to currency devaluation. The Company
believes that the decline was attributable to the current economic turmoil in
Japan. In addition, the Company's operations in the South Pacific continued
to experience the negative impact of the economic downturn throughout that
region, which resulted in a significant decline in consumer spending. This
region also suffered from a lack of successful new shows. The Company's South
Pacific revenues for the six months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to
the six months ended September 30, 1997 decreased approximately $8.5 million
or 36.7%. Approximately 14.9% of the decline was a result of currency
devaluation. All of these factors are expected to have a continuing impact on
third quarter net revenues in these regions.
16
<PAGE>
Operating Costs
Total operating costs and expenses were $181.8 million for the six months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to $148.8 million for the six months ended
September 30, 1997, an increase of $33.0 million or 22.2%. The increase was
principally attributable to the increase in net revenue of 39.5% which was
partially offset by a reduction in direct costs as a percentage of net revenues
and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Media Purchases
Media purchases were $59.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 1998
as compared to $40.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 1997, an
increase of $18.3 million or 44.9%. The Company's worldwide ratio of media
purchases to net revenues increased slightly to 34.8% for the six months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to 33.5% for the six months ended September 30,
1997. The increase in media purchases as a percentage of net revenues was
principally due to the increased proportion of domestic revenues in relation to
foreign revenues, which domestic revenues carry greater media costs. Domestic
net revenues represented 61.9% of total net revenues for the six months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to only 34.7% for the six months ended September
30, 1997. In addition, the Company experienced a slight increase in its
international advertising to sales ratio primarily in its South Pacific
operations due to the decline in revenues.
Direct Costs
Direct costs were $98.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 1998 as
compared to $78.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 1997, an
increase of $20.2 million or 25.8%. This increase was primarily attributable to
the increase in net revenues. As a percentage of net revenues, direct costs were
57.9% for the six months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to 64.2% for the
six months ended September 30, 1997. The decrease as a percentage of net
revenues was attributable to a significant reduction in domestic direct costs
which were more than offset an increase in international direct costs.
Domestically, the Company realized the benefits from increased sales volume
which offset the impact of certain fixed costs associated with the Company's
Phoenix fulfillment facility, which reduced the average cost of fulfillment.
Production expense as a percentage of net revenue decreased due to the higher
success rate of shows. Internationally, the increase in direct costs as a
percentage of net revenues was attributable to an increase in the Asian and
South Pacific region direct costs as a percentage of net revenues which more
than offset a decline in the European region direct costs as a percentage of
net revenues. The European region benefited from higher sales volume and an
increase in the average selling price of products which enabled the Company
to leverage certain fixed fulfillment and telemarketing costs. Direct costs
as a percentage of net revenues increased in the Asian and South Pacific
regions due to the effect of lower sales volume in relation to certain fixed
and semi-fixed costs. The lower sales volume is a result of the economic
conditions that are negatively impacting consumers' purchasing power in this
region.
Write-Off of Merger Related Costs
Results for the six months ended September 30, 1998 include the write-off of
capitalized costs of $676,000 related to the termination of a proposed merger of
the Company with ValueVision.
Executive Compensation
The Company had previously recorded $1,875,000 in compensation expense in
connection with 750,000 stock options issued to the Company's chief executive
officer and two other executive officers in fiscal 1998. These stock options
contained provisions that, upon the occurrence of certain triggering events
prior to June 30, 1998, the officers could realize a reduction in the exercise
price of the stock options. The recorded expense was reversed in the first
quarter of fiscal 1999 as no triggering events occurred as of the June 30, 1998
expiration date.
17
<PAGE>
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $20.3 million for the six
months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to $24.9 million for the six months
ended September 30, 1997, a decrease of $4.6 million or 18.7%. The decrease in
costs reflects the Company's continued cost reduction efforts. Selling, general
and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased from 20.5%
for the six months ended September 30, 1997 to 11.9% for the six months ended
September 30, 1998, principally due to the Company's cost reduction efforts
combined with a 39.5% increase in net revenues.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $2.8 million for the six months ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to $3.5 million for the six months ended
September 30, 1997, a decrease of $700,000, or 19.6%. The decrease in
depreciation and amortization was attributable to the write-off of goodwill
and other intellectual properties associated with the Company's PRTV
subsidiary that was recognized during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $2.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 1998,
as compared to $1.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 1997, an
increase of $1.1 million. This increase was attributable to an increase in the
Company's average outstanding indebtedness from approximately $24.8 million
during the six months ended September 30, 1997 to approximately $31.8 million
during the six months ended September 30, 1998. In addition, the interest rate
on the Company's loan from its principal lender was approximately three
percentage points higher during the current period.
Income Taxes
The Company recorded income tax expense of $230,000 and $311,000 for the six
months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, attributable to its
Asian and/or South Pacific Rim operations. Income tax benefits have not been
recorded during the respective periods on domestic and European losses. These
benefits will be recorded when realized, reducing the effective tax rate on
future domestic and European earnings.
Earnings Before Interest, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
EBITDA deficit was $6.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 1998 as
compared to an EBITDA deficit of $22.1 million for the six months ended
September 30, 1997, an improvement of $15.5 million or 70.0%. EBITDA margin was
(3.9)% and (18.2)% for the six months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The improvements in EBITDA and EBITDA margin were primarily
attributable to the improvement in the Company's North American and European
results of operations.
Net Income
The Company incurred a net loss of $12.2 million for the six months ended
September 30, 1998, compared to a net loss of $27.3 million for the six months
ended September 30, 1997. The current six month period reflects the improvement
in the Company's North American and European operations and the reduction in
overhead expenses. The improvement has been offset, in part, by the negative
impact of the economic downturn in the Asian and South Pacific regions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's working capital deficit was $4.1 million at September 30, 1998 as
compared to a working capital surplus of $9.4 million at March 31, 1998, a
decrease of $13.5 million. The Company met its current period cash needs
primarily through the liquidation of accounts receivables and inventory.
Operating activities for the six months ended September 30, 1998 resulted in a
use of cash of $326,000. The Company's cash flow from operations during the six
months ended September 30, 1998 was adversely affected by the net loss of
approximately $12.2 million.
18
<PAGE>
Consolidated accounts receivable decreased by $8.0 million, or 21.4%, primarily
due to a decrease in both international and domestic accounts receivables. This
decrease was principally attributable to a decrease in net revenue for the month
of September as compared to the month of March for all regions. March has
historically been one of the Company's stronger revenue months. Consolidated
inventories decreased $8.6 million or 40.5%. This was due to a $4.1 million or
48.6% decrease in domestic inventory, which decrease resulted from higher
domestic sales volume and increased inventory turnover. International
inventories decreased $4.5 million or 35.1% due to the Company's continued
efforts to reduce global inventory levels and a write-down of certain Asian,
South Pacific Rim and Latin American inventories.
Deferred costs increased from $4.2 million at March 31, 1998 to $7.6 million at
September 30, 1998 principally due to the inclusion of $2.5 million of deferred
costs associated with $3.7 million of net revenues that have been deferred in
connection with the Company's 30 day free trial offer for its Larry North II and
Give Me Five products. Revenues related to the 30 day free trial offer are
recorded upon expiration of the trial period. The increase in the domestic
backlog from $5.1 million at March 31, 1998 to $7.7 million at September 30,
1998 also contributed to the increase in deferred costs.
On October 23, 1998 the Company received approximately $19.1 million in net
proceeds from the sale of $20.0 million face amount of Series E Convertible
Preferred Stock to an investor group, as more fully described in Note 8 to
the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company is
currently in dispute with a former financial advisor regarding a $1.9 million
fee related to this transaction. Amounts paid, if any, related to this fee
would be recorded as a reduction of stockholder's equity. The Series E
Preferred Stock carries a 4.0% coupon for one year and is convertible into
13,333,333 shares of the Company's common stock based on a fixed conversion
price of $1.50 per share (subject to adjustment). As part of this transaction
, the Company issued a five year option and warrants to purchase up to
212,500 and 3,762,500 shares of the Company's common stock, respectively, at
exercise prices ranging from $1.32 to $3.00 per share. Approximately $16.2
million of the proceeds from the issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock was
used to repay the Company's outstanding indebtedness to its principle lender
at a twenty-five percent discount. The repayment of debt resulted in a gain
on extinguishment of approximately $4.9 million which will be recorded in the
Company's statement of operations for the period ended December 31, 1998. The
remaining proceeds will be used for costs related to the transaction and for
working capital purposes.
As a result of the October 23, 1998 transactions, the Company's only
significant debt currently outstanding is a $10.0 million loan from
ValueVision which is due on January 1, 1999, and in certain cases of default,
is convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a price of
$1.073125 per share. The Company is currently in the process of finalizing a
new revolving credit facility with a committment of $15.0 - $20.0 million.
This facility will be used to repay the aforementioned ValueVision loan and
for working capital purposes.
In June 1998, the Company announced the termination of its proposed merger with
ValueVision. As a result, the maximum conversion price of the Company's Series D
preferred stock and the exercise price of the 1,489,413 warrants held by the
Series D investors were automatically adjusted to $1.073125 per share, 101% of
the closing bid price of the Company's common stock on the adjustment date.
As a result of the transactions described in Note 8 to the unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Series D conversion price
was fixed at $1.073125 per share. Based on such conversion price, the Series
D preferred stock is convertible into 18,543,972 shares of the Company's
common stock, not including shares of the Company's common stock issuable
upon conversion of any accrued premium. In addition, certain anti-dilution
provisions of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Warrants have been
triggered resulting in the number of Series B warrants outstanding increasing
to approximately 9.5 million and the exercise price being reduced to
approximately $2.37 per share.
19
<PAGE>
The Company's international revenues are subject to foreign exchange risk. To
the extent the Company incurs local currency expenses that are based on
locally denominated sales volume (order fulfillment and media costs), this
exposure is reduced significantly. The Company monitors exchange rate and/or
forward contracts when appropriate. The Company's ability to hedge its
foreign currency risks may be negatively impacted by its cash position and
loss of its foreign currency exchange line. As a result of all forward
contracts must be cash collateralized. In the long term, the Company has the
ability to change prices to a certain extent in a timely manner in order to
react to major currency fluctuations; which may reduce a portion of the risk
associated with local currency fluctuations. However, significant currency
devaluation and economic downturn being experienced in certain foreign
regions will have a negative impact on the Company's operating results and
cash flows in fiscal 1999. Currently, the Company's two major foreign
currencies are the German deutsch mark and the Japanese yen, each of which
has been subject to recent fluctuations. In addition, certain other
currencies utilized by the Company, especially the Australian and New Zealand
dollar, have experienced devaluation from the prior year.
The Company has reviewed the implications of Year 2000 compliance and is
presently undertaking the process to ensure that the Company's information
systems and software applications will manage dates beyond 1999. The Company
believes that it has allocated adequate resources for this purpose and those
planned software upgrades, which are underway and in the normal course of
business, will address the Company's internal Year 2000 needs. While the Company
expects that efforts on the part of current employees of the Company will be
required to monitor Year 2000 issues, no assurances can be given that these
efforts will be successful. The Company does not expect the cost of addressing
any Year 2000 issue to be a material event or uncertainty that would have a
material, adverse effect on future results of operations or financial condition.
The Year 2000 issue developed because most computer systems and programs were
designed to record years (e.g. "1998") as two-digit fields (e.g. "98"). When the
year 2000 begins, these systems may interpret "00" as the year 1900 and may stop
processing date-related computations or process them incorrectly. To prevent
this occurrence, the Company has begun examining its computer systems and
programs, correcting the problems and testing the results. The Company on or
before December 31, 1999 must achieve year 2000 compliance. Also, due to the
nature of the Company's time payment offers within its infomercials, certain
systems currently refer to dates beyond December 31, 1999 and, therefore,
require earlier compliance.
The Company, as with all direct marketing and electronic commerce companies, is
heavily dependent upon computer systems for all phases of its operations. For
this reason, it is aggressively addressing the Year 2000 issue to mitigate the
effect on software performance. During late fiscal 1998, the Company commenced a
comprehensive effort to identify and correct the Year 2000 programming issues.
By early fiscal 1999 the Company had identified all potential Year 2000 hardware
and software issues within both its mainframe processing systems and personal
computers worldwide. The Company has initiated a project to address all of the
identified Year 2000 issues within its systems, utilizing both internal and
external resources.
Also during early fiscal 1999, the Company formed a Year 2000 Compliance Task
Force to oversee the project, address all related business issues, and
facilitate communication with significant suppliers and service providers. The
project was divided into the following phases: (i) identification and
inventorying of all systems and software with potential Year 2000 problems; (ii)
evaluation of scope of Year 2000 issues and assignment of priorities to each
item based upon its importance in the Company's operations; (iii) rectification
of Year 2000 issues in accordance with assigned priorities, by correction,
upgrade, replacement, or retirement; and (iv) testing for and validation of Year
2000 compliance. Because the Company uses a variety of systems, internally
developed and third party provided software, and embedded chip equipment,
depending on the business function and location, various aspects of the
Company's Year 2000 efforts are in different phases and are proceeding parallel.
The Company's operations are also dependent on the Year 2000 readiness of third
parties that do business with the Company. In particular, the Company's systems
interact with automated clearing-houses to handle the transfer of cash relating
to the sale of the Company's receivables. The Company is also dependent on
third-party suppliers of such infrastructure elements as, but not limited to,
telephone services, electric power, and water. In addition, the Company depends
upon various vendors that manufacture its products, are responsible for in-bound
telemarketing, and fulfill customer orders.
The Company has identified and initiated formal communications with key
suppliers and merchandise vendors to determine the extent to which the Company
will be vulnerable to such parties' failures to address and resolve their Year
2000 issues. In addition, the Company now requires its vendors to provide
representations and warranties in all new contracts that there are no Year 2000
issues that could impact vendor performance, and the Company also obtains
indemnification for damages it may suffer due to a vendor's failure to comply
with Year 2000 requirements.
20
<PAGE>
Although the Company is not aware of any known third party problem that will not
be corrected, the Company has limited information concerning the Year 2000
readiness of third parties.
The Company estimates that its systems will be Year 2000 compliant by mid-1999.
Aggregate costs for work related to Year 2000 efforts are anticipated to range
from approximately $1 to $2 million. Operating costs related to the Year 2000
compliance project will be incurred over several quarters and will be expensed
as incurred. The Company incurred $300,000 and $400,000 in expense during the
three month and six month period ended September 30, 1998, respectively in
connection with its Year 2000 compliance efforts.
The Company expects to implement the changes necessary to address the Year 2000
issue for systems and equipment used within the Company. The Company presently
believes that, with modifications to existing software, conversions to new
software, and appropriate replacement of equipment, the Year 2000 issue is not
likely to pose significant operational problems. However, if unforeseen
difficulties arise or such modification, conversions and replacements are not
completed in a timely manner, or if the Company's vendors' or suppliers' systems
are not modified to become Year 2000 compliant, the Year 2000 issue may have a
material impact on the results of operations and financial condition of the
Company. The Company is presently unable to assess the likelihood that it will
experience significant operational problems due to unresolved Year 2000 problems
of third parties. The Company's estimates of the costs of achieving Year 2000
compliance and the date by which Year 2000 compliance will be achieved are based
on management's best estimates. These estimates are derived using numerous
assumptions about future events including the continued availability of
resources, third party modification plans and other factors. However, there can
be no assurance that these estimates will be achieved, and actual results could
differ materially from these estimates. Specific factors that might cause such
differences include, but are not limited to, the availability and cost of
personnel trained in Year 2000 issues, the ability to locate, correct, and test
all relevant computer codes, the success achieved by the Company's suppliers in
reaching year 2000 readiness, the timely availability of necessary replacement
equipment, and similar uncertainties.
The Company believes the most likely worst-case scenarios that it might
confront with respect to the Year 2000 issues have to do with the possible
failure in one or more geographic regions of third party systems over which
the Company has no control, such as, but not limited to, power and telephone
service, and vendors that supply manufactured products and services. The
Company is developing a Year 2000 contingency plan, which it expects
to complete during the first half of fiscal 2000.
The Company's cash position continues to be pressured by the losses incurred in
the first six months of fiscal 1999 and the continued downturn in its Asian and
South Pacific operations, however the Company's recent $20.0 million equity
infusion and corresponding repayment of its principle lender has greatly
improved the Company's liquidity position and ability to attract new financing.
The Company needs to continue to implement certain plans and actions designed to
rebuild its business, including the continued introduction of successful new
shows and products, more successfully leverage its media, return the Company to
profitability and to obtain new financing in order to continue as a going
concern. No assurance can be given that any of these actions will be successful.
21
<PAGE>
FACTORS THAT MAY EFFECT FUTURE PERFORMANCE
Recent Losses; Cash Flow
The Company incurred significant losses in four of its last five fiscal
years. The Company also reported a net loss of approximately $12.2 million
for the first six months of fiscal 1999. Because of the Company's financial
condition as well as other unfavorable conditions, including cash flow
problems, the Company's independent auditors stated, on June 29, 1998, that
substantial doubt exists as to the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. In response to these issues, the Company developed a business plan
and has begun implementing new initiatives designed to increase revenues,
reduce costs and return it to profitability; however, if the business plan
does not adequately address the circumstances and situations which resulted
in the Company's poor performance, the Company would be required to seek
alternative forms of financing, the availability of which is uncertain, or be
forced to go out of business.
Nature of the Direct Response Marketing and Electronic Commerce Industries
The Company experiences extreme competition for products, customers and media
access in the direct response marketing and electronic commerce industries.
Accordingly, to be successful, the Company must:
o Accurately predict consumer needs, market conditions and
competition;
o Introduce successful products;
o Produce compelling infomercials;
o Acquire appropriate amounts of media time;
o Manage its media time effectively;
o Fulfill customer orders timely and efficiently;
o Provide courteous and informative customer service;
o Maintain adequate vendor relationship and terms;
o Enhance successful products to generate additional sales;
o Expand the methods used to sell products;
o Expand in existing geographic markets; and
o Integrate acquired companies and businesses efficiently.
The Company's recent operating results were primarily caused by delays in
product introductions, a lack of successful products, failure to adequately
leverage its global spending and deteriorating economic conditions in the
Asian and South Pacific markets. The Company actively seeks out new products,
new sources of products and alternative distribution channels, including
retail and the Internet. The Company cannot be sure that inventors and
product manufacturers will select it to market their products. Significant
delays in product introductions or a lack of successful products could
prevent the Company from selling adequate amounts of its products and
otherwise have a negative effect on the Company's business.
Dependence on Foreign Sales
The Company markets products to consumers in over 70 countries. In recent
years the Company has derived approximately half of its net revenues from
sales to customers outside the United States and Canada. The Company's
largest international markets are Germany, Asia, primarily Japan and the
South Pacific. The economic downturn in the Asian and South Pacific regions
has had and, for the foreseeable future, is expected to have, an adverse
effect on the Company. The Company's international expansion has increased
its working capital requirements due to the additional time required to
deliver products abroad and receive payment from foreign countries.
While the Company's foreign operations have the advantage of airing
infomercials that have already proven successful in the United States, as
well as successful infomercials produced by other infomercial companies with
limited media access and distribution capabilities, there can be no assurance
that the Company's foreign operations will continue
22
<PAGE>
to generate similar revenues or operate profitability. Competition in the
international marketplace is increasing rapidly. In addition, the Company is
subject to many risks associated with doing business abroad, including:
o Adverse fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
o Transportation delays and interruptions;
o Political and economic disruptions;
o The imposition of tariffs and import and export controls;
and
o Increased customs or local regulations.
The occurrence of any of these risks could have a negative effect on the
Company's business.
Entering into New Markets
As the Company enters new markets, it is faced with the uncertainty of never
having done business in that country's particular commercial, political and
social environment. Accordingly, despite the Company's best efforts,
likelihood of success is unpredictable for reasons particular to each new
market. It is also possible that, despite the Company's apparently successful
entrance into a new market, some unforeseen circumstance could arise which
would limit the Company's ability to continue to do business, operate
profitably or to expand in that new market.
Dependence on Successful Products; Unpredictable Market Life; Inventory
Management and Product Returns
The Company is dependent on its continuing ability to introduce successful
new products to supplement or replace existing products as they mature
through their product life cycles. The Company's five most successful
products each year typically account for a substantial amount of the
Company's annual net revenues. Generally, the Company's successful products
change from year to year. Accordingly, the Company's future results of
operations depend on its ability to introduce successful products
consistently and to capture the full revenue potential of each product at all
stages of consumer marketing and distribution channel's during the product's
life cycle.
In addition to a supply of successful new products, the Company's revenues
and results of operations depend on a positive customer response to its
infomercials, the effective management of product inventory and other
factors. Customer response to infomercials depends on many variables,
including the appeal of the products being marketed, the effectiveness of the
infomercial, the availability of competing products and the timing and
frequency of airings. There can be no assurance that the Company's
infomercials will receive market acceptance.
The Company must have an adequate supply of inventory to meet consumer
demand. Most of the Company's products have a limited market life, so it is
extremely important that the Company generate maximum sales during this time
period. If production delays or shortages, poor inventory management or
inadequate cash flow prevent the Company from maintaining sufficient
inventory, the Company could lose potential product sales, which may never be
recouped. In addition, unanticipated obsolescence of a product may occur or
problems may arise regarding regulatory, intellectual property, product
liability or other issues which adversely affect future sales of a product
even though the Company may still hold a large quantity of the product in
inventory. Accordingly, the Company's ability to maintain systems and
procedures to effectively manage its inventory is of critical importance to
the Company's cash flow and results of operations.
The average domestic and international market life of a product is less than
two years. Generally, products generate their most significant revenues in
their first year of sales. In addition, the Company must adapt to market
conditions and competition as well as other factors which may cut short a
product's life cycle and adversely affect the Company's results of operations.
The Company offers a limited money-back guarantee on all of its products if
the customer is not fully satisfied. Accordingly, the Company's results of
operations may be adversely affected by product returns under the Company's
guarantee, its product warranty or otherwise. Although the Company
establishes reserves against product
23
<PAGE>
returns which it believes are adequate based on product mix and returns history,
there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience unexpectedly high
levels of product returns which exceed the reserves for that product. If product
returns do exceed reserves, the Company's results of operations would be
adversely affected.
Dependence on Third Party Manufacturers and Service Providers
Substantially all of the Company's products are manufactured by other
domestic and foreign companies. In addition, the Company sometimes uses other
companies to fulfill orders placed for the Company's products and to provide
telemarketing services. If the Company's suppliers are unable, either
temporarily or permanently, to deliver products to the Company in time to
fulfill sales orders, it could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations. Moreover, because the time from the initial
approval of a product by the Company's product development department until
the first sale of a product must be short, the Company must be able to cause
its product manufacturers to quickly produce high-quality, reasonably priced
products for the Company to sell. However, because the Company's primary
product manufacturers are foreign companies which require longer lead times
for products, any delay in production or delivery would adversely affect
sales of the product and the Company's results of operations. In addition,
utilization of foreign manufacturers further exposes the Company to the
general risks of doing business abroad.
Dependence on Media Access; Effective Management of Media Time
The Company must have access to media time to televise its infomercials on
cable and broadcast networks, network affiliates and local stations. The
Company purchases a significant amount of media time from cable television
and satellite networks, which assemble programming for transmission to cable
system operators. If demand for air time increases, cable system operators
and broadcasters may limit the amount of time available for these broadcasts.
Larger multiple cable system operators have begun selling "dark" time, (i.e.,
the hours during which a network does not broadcast its own programming) to
third parties which may cause prices for such media to rise. Significant
increases in the cost of media time or significant decreases in the Company's
access to domestic or international media time could negatively affect the
Company. In addition, periodic world events may limit the Company's access to
air time and reduce the number of persons viewing the Company's infomercials
in one or more markets, which would negatively affect the Company for these
periods.
Recently, international media suppliers have begun to negotiate for fixed
media rates and minimum revenue guarantees, each of which increase the
Company's cost of media and risk.
In addition to acquiring adequate amounts of media time, the Company's
business depends on its ability to manage efficiently its acquisitions of
media time, by analyzing the need for, and making purchases of, long term
media and spot media. The Company must also properly allocate its available
air time among its current library of infomercials. Whenever the Company
makes advance purchases and commitments to purchase media time, it must
manage the media time effectively, because the failure to do so could
negatively affect the Company's business. If the Company cannot use all of
the media time it has acquired, it attempts to sell its excess media time to
others. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
use or sell all of its media time.
The Company's long-term media agreement with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. regarding
media time in Japan will terminate on January 1, 1999. The Company and Mitsui
are negotiating to restructure their relationships in Japan and Asia in order
to address changes which have taken place in those markets. If the Company is
unable to extend its agreement with Mitsui or any of its other long-term
media agreements on reasonable terms as they expire, or to purchase
replacement media time at favorable prices, the Company's business could be
negatively affected.
In April 1998, the Company began leasing a twenty-four hour transponder on a
newly-launched Eutelstat satellite, the "Hotbird IV," which broadcasts across
Europe. The Company has incurred significant start-up costs in connection
with the transponder lease. If the Company is unable to use effectively or
sell the transponder media time, the Company's business could be negatively
affected.
24
<PAGE>
Litigation and Regulatory Actions
There have been many lawsuits against companies in the infomercial industry.
In recent years, the Company has been involved in significant legal
proceedings and regulatory actions by the Federal Trade Commission and
Consumer Product Safety Commission, which have resulted in significant costs
and charges to the Company. In addition, the Company, its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Positive Response Television, Inc. and its chief executive
officer, Michael Levey, are subject to FTC consent orders which require them
to submit periodic compliance reports to the FTC. Any additional FTC or CPSC
violations or significant new litigation could have a negative effect on the
Company's business.
In August 1998, the Company received notice from the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") that it did not meet the NYSE's standards for continued listing.
Representatives from the Company met with the NYSE staff and proposed actions
to the NYSE designed to restore its compliance with the listing standards.
The NYSE reviewed the Company's compliance plan and informed the Company
that, while it would continue to monitor the Company's compliance plan and
performance, no action by the NYSE was presently contemplated. If the
Company's common stock is delisted from trading on the NYSE, it would have
severe negative effects on the Company and its stockholders.
Product Liability Claims
Products sold by the Company may expose it to potential liability from
damages claims by users of the products. In certain instances, the Company is
able to obtain contractual indemnification rights against these liabilities
from the manufacturers of the products. In addition, the Company generally
requires its manufacturers to carry product liability insurance. However,
National Media cannot be certain that manufacturers will maintain this
insurance or that their coverage will be adequate to cover all claims. In
addition, the Company cannot be certain that it will be able to maintain its
insurance coverage or obtain additional coverage on acceptable terms, or that
its insurance will provide adequate coverage against all claims.
Competition
The Company competes directly with companies which generate sales from
infomercials and other direct marketing and electronic commerce companies.
The Company also competes with a large number of consumer product retailers,
many of which have substantially greater financial, marketing and other
resources than the Company. Some of these retailers have recently begun, or
indicated that they intend to begin, selling products through direct response
marketing methods, including sales in various e-commerce channels, such as
via the Internet. The Company also competes with companies that make
imitations of the Company's products at substantially lower prices, which may
be sold in department stores, pharmacies, general merchandise stores and
through magazines, newspapers, direct mail advertising, catalogs and the
Internet.
Dependence on Key Personnel
The Company's executive officers have substantial experience and expertise in
direct response sales and marketing, electronic commerce and media. In
particular, the Company is highly dependent on certain of its employees
responsible for product development and production of infomercials. If any of
these individuals leave the Company, the Company's business could be
negatively affected. Steven Lehman, the Company's Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, Eric Weiss, the Company's Vice Chairman of the Board
and Chief Operating Officer and Daniel Yukelson, the Company's Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer are currently compensated pursuant to
the terms of a consulting agreement. While the Company expects to enter into
employment agreements with each of Messrs. Lehman, Weiss and Yukelson, the
loss of any of them would negatively affect the Company's business.
Year 2000 Issues
The operation of the Company's business is dependent on its computer
hardware, software programs and operating systems. Computer technology is
used in several key areas of the Company's business, including merchandise
purchasing, inventory management, pricing, sales, shipping and financial
reporting, as well as in various administrative functions. The Company has
been evaluating its computer technology to identify potential Year 2000
compliance
25
<PAGE>
problems and has begun an implementation process with respect thereto. It is
anticipated that modification or replacement of some of the Company's computer
technology will be necessary to enable the Company's computers to recognize the
Year 2000. The Company does not expect that the costs associated with achieving
Year 2000 compliance will have a significant effect on its business. In
addition, the Company is also dependent on third-party suppliers and vendors
and will be vulnerable to such parties' failures to address and resolve their
Year 2000 issues. While the Company is not aware of any known third party
problems that will not be corrected, the Company has limited information
concerning the Year 2000 readiness of third parties. If management is
incorrect, Year 2000 problems could have a negative effect on the Company and
its business.
Seasonality
The Company's revenues vary throughout the year. The Company's revenues have
historically been highest in its third and fourth fiscal quarters and lower
in its first and second fiscal quarters due to fluctuations in the number of
television viewers. These seasonal trends have been and may continue to be
affected by the timing and success of new product offerings and the potential
growth in the Company's electronic commerce businesses.
Convertible Securities; Shares Eligible for Future Sale
Sales of a substantial number of shares of the Company's common stock in the
public market could adversely affect the market price of the Company's common
stock. There are currently 25,466,937 shares of the Company's common stock
outstanding, nearly all of which are freely tradeable. In addition,
approximately 63.3 million shares of the Company's common stock are currently
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants,
the conversion of convertible preferred stock and the possible repayment of
the ValueVision loan in connection with an event of default. For example,
approximately 18.5 million shares of common stock will be issued to holders
of the Company's Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (based on a conversion
price of $1.073125 per share) and approximately 13.3 million shares of common
stock will be issued to holders of the Company's Series E Convertible
Preferred Stock (based on a conversion price of $1.50 per share).
26
<PAGE>
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information contained in Note 7 (Contingent Matters) to the unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this report is
incorporated herein by reference. All of the matters referred to in Note 7
("Commitments and Contingencies") have been the subject of disclosure in prior
reports on Form 10-Q and/or Form 10-K.
Other Matters
The Company, in the normal course of business, is a party to litigation relating
to trademark and copyright infringement, product liability, contract-related
disputes, and other actions. It is the Company's policy to vigorously defend all
such claims and enforce its rights in these areas. The Company does not believe
any of these actions either individually or in the aggregate, will have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition. The Company has also received letters and telephone calls from
persons purporting to be stockholders of the Company, concerning their stated
intention to commence legal action against the Company and its officers and
directors with respect to the Company's financial performance over the recent
past as well as the decline in the market price of the Company's common stock
and various other matters.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following exhibits are included herein:
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
(b) The Company filed the following Current Reports on Form 8-K during the
three month period ended September 30, 1998:
(i) Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 17, 1998.
The Company filed the foregoing Current Report on Form 8-K
reporting, under Item 5, execution of a letter of intent
related to certain transactions (the "Transactions") with
NM Acquisition Co., LLC, the holders of the Company's
Series D Preferred Stock, ValueVision and the Company's
principal lender. The transactions are described more
fully under Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of
Operations.
(ii) Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 13, 1998.
The Company filed the foregoing Current Report on Form 8-K
reporting, under Item 5, the execution of definitive
documents regarding the Transactions.
27
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
NATIONAL MEDIA CORPORATION
Date: November 16, 1998 /s/ Stephen C. Lehman
-----------------------------------------------------
Stephen C. Lehman
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 16, 1998 /s/ Daniel M. Yukelson
-----------------------
Daniel M. Yukelson
Executive Vice President/Finance and Chief Financial
Officer, and Secretary
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