PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated May 14, 1999)
400,400 SHARES
ACXIOM CORPORATION
Common Stock
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy
of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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The date of this prospectus supplement is May 19, 1999.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT PROSPECTUS
Recent Developments..............S-3 RISK FACTORS.........................1
ACXIOM...............................2
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS..................3
USE OF PROCEEDS BY ACXIOM............3
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND
DIVIDENDS..........................3
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS.................4
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.................4
LEGAL MATTERS........................6
EXPERTS..............................6
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT ACXIOM...........6
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you
with information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus. The selling shareholders are offering to sell the
common stock and seeking offers to buy the common stock only in jurisdictions
where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the
date of this prospectus supplement regardless of the time of delivery of this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any sale of the common
stock.
Recent Developments
On May 11, 1999, Acxiom issued a press release highlighting its financial
results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999. Consolidated revenues were
$729,984,000, up 28% over the $569,020,000 reported for 1998. Before special
charges recorded in the second and third quarters, net earnings were
$65,497,000, or $.78 diluted earnings per share. This was up 34% from the
earnings before special charges in the previous year of $49,016,000, or $.61
diluted earnings per share. The net loss after special charges was $16,430,000,
or $.22 diluted loss per share. This was compared to earnings in the previous
year of $46,055,000, or $.57 diluted earnings per share.
For the quarter ended March 31, 1999, revenues from the Services, Data,
and Information Technology Management business segments were $125 million, $50
million and $45 million, respectively, and increased by 36%, 16%, and 30%,
respectively. For the full year, revenues from the Services, Data, and
Information Technology Management business segments were $420 million, $187
million and $164 million, respectively, and increased 36%, 20% and 28%,
respectively.
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400,400 SHARES
ACXIOM CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
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The selling shareholders, as described on page 4, offer for sale
400,400 shares of Acxiom common stock.
Acxiom's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System
under the symbol "ACXM." On May 12, 1999, the closing sale price of Acxiom
common stock on Nasdaq was $28-13/16 per share.
Risk factors associated with this offering of Acxiom common stock are
discussed at page 1.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
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The date of this Prospectus is May 14, 1999.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
RISK FACTORS ................................................................1
ACXIOM.......................................................................2
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS..........................................................3
USE OF PROCEEDS BY ACXIOM....................................................3
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS....................................3
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS.........................................................4
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.........................................................4
LEGAL MATTERS................................................................6
EXPERTS......................................................................6
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACXIOM.............................6
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No one has been authorized to give you any information about this
offering that is not contained in this prospectus. You should rely only on the
information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy in any jurisdiction in which
it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
RISK FACTORS
The following are factors that should be considered by anyone
contemplating an investment in Acxiom common stock.
Legislation Relating to Consumer Privacy May Affect Acxiom's Ability to Collect
Data
There could be a material adverse impact on Acxiom's direct marketing
and data sales business due to the enactment of legislation or industry
regulations arising from the increase in public concern over consumer privacy
issues. Restrictions upon the collection and use of information which is
currently legally available could be adopted, in which case the cost to Acxiom
of collecting certain kinds of data might be increased materially. It is also
possible that Acxiom could be prohibited from collecting or disseminating
certain types of data, which could in turn materially adversely affect Acxiom's
ability to meet its customers' requirements.
Postal Rate Increases Could Lead to Reduced Volume of Business
The direct marketing industry has been negatively impacted from time to
time during past years by postal rate increases. Any future increases will, in
Acxiom's opinion, force direct mailers to mail fewer pieces and to target their
prospects more carefully. This sort of response by direct mailers could affect
Acxiom by decreasing the amount of processing services purchased from Acxiom,
which could result in lower revenues, net income and earnings per share.
Data Suppliers Might Withdraw Data from Acxiom Leading to Acxiom's Inability to
Provide Products and Services
Acxiom could suffer a material adverse effect if owners of the data
used by Acxiom were to withdraw the data from Acxiom. Data providers may
withdraw data from Acxiom if the data suppliers deem Acxiom to be competitive,
legislation is passed restricting the use of the data or the data supplier
becomes insolvent. If a substantial number of data suppliers were to remove
their data, Acxiom's ability to provide products and services to its customers
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may be materially adversely impacted resulting in decreased revenue, net income
and earnings per share.
Short-term Contracts Affect Predictability of Revenues
While approximately 54% of Acxiom's total revenue is currently derived
from long-term customer contracts of over three years, the remainder is not.
With respect to that portion of the business which is not under long-term
contract, revenues are less predictable, and Acxiom must consequently engage in
continual sales efforts to maintain its revenue stability and future growth.
Acxiom Must Continue to Improve Technology to Remain Competitive
Maintaining technological competitiveness in its data products,
processing functionality, software systems and services is key to Acxiom's
continued success. Acxiom's ability to continually improve its current processes
and to develop and introduce new products and services is essential in order to
meet its competitors' technological developments and the increasingly
sophisticated requirements of its customers. If Acxiom failed to do so, Acxiom
could lose customers to current or future competitors resulting in decreased
revenue, net income and earnings per share.
Year 2000 Problems Could Affect Acxiom's Ability to Deliver Products and
Services
Many computer systems and equipment and instruments were designed to
only recognize the last two digits of the calendar year. With the arrival of the
Year 2000, these systems may encounter operating problems due to their inability
to distinguish years after 1999 from years preceding 1999. Acxiom believes that
with modifications to existing software and conversions of new software the Year
2000 issue can be mitigated. However, the systems of vendors on which Acxiom
relies may not be converted in a timely fashion or a vendor or customer may fail
to convert its systems to be Year 2000 compliant which could materially
adversely impact Acxiom's ability to deliver products and services to its
customers. Acxiom's efforts to address the Year 2000 risk are discussed in the
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 attached to this information
statement/prospectus as Annex D.
ACXIOM
Acxiom's traditional business is the provision of data processing and
related computer-based services to direct marketing organizations and to the
marketing departments of large corporations in the United States and the United
Kingdom. Since
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its inception in 1969, Acxiom has evolved into what management believes, based
on its knowledge of the industry, is a leading provider of computer-based
services to the direct marketing industry. Acxiom offers a broad range of
services to direct marketers and to other businesses that utilize direct
marketing techniques such as direct mail, advertising, database marketing and
mining of data warehouses. Acxiom assists its customers with the marketing
process, from project design, to list cleaning, list enhancement and list
production, to database creation and management, to fulfillment and consumer
response analysis.
Acxiom also offers outsourcing/facilities management and information
management services whereby it manages the data processing and information
systems functions for its customers. Such customers and prospects include
traditional direct marketing companies as well as companies that manage
information about households and businesses. Management anticipates that
delivery of data and information products will continue to expand during the
foreseeable future, and that such services will increasingly generate a greater
percentage of Acxiom's revenue.
Acxiom was incorporated in Delaware in 1983 and succeeded by merger to
the business of Conway Communications Exchange, Inc., an Arkansas corporation
incorporated in 1969 as Demographics, Inc., which thereafter changed its name to
Conway Communications Exchange, Inc. Effective upon the merger in 1983, the
entity operated as CCX Network, Inc. until 1988, when the name Acxiom
Corporation was adopted.
The executive offices of Acxiom are located at 301 Industrial Boulevard,
Conway, Arkansas 72032, telephone number: (501) 336-1000.
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On September 17, 1998, Acxiom acquired May & Speh, Inc. Acxiom
accounted for the transaction as a pooling of interests and described the
transaction in various documents it filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. On February 8, 1999, Acxiom filed a Current Report on Form 8-K to
report restated consolidated financial statements as a result of the
transaction. For information on how to receive copies of these documents see the
information under the heading "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
On December 31, 1998, Acxiom entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire Computer Graphics of Arizona, Inc. and all of its affiliated companies
in a stock-for-stock merger. Computer Graphics, a privately-held enterprise, is
a computer service bureau principally serving financial services direct
marketers since 1970. Computer Graphics is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
The transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of interests. Acxiom expects
the purchase price for Computer Graphics to be approximately $50 million.
USE OF PROCEEDS BY ACXIOM
Acxiom will not receive any proceeds from the offering described in
this prospectus.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS
The following table shows for the periods indicated the high and low
closing sales prices of Acxiom common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
Market System.
Fiscal Year Ended High Low
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March 31, 1998:
First Quarter $20-1/2 $12-1/8
Second Quarter 21-1/8 17-5/16
Third Quarter 19-1/4 15-1/8
Fourth Quarter 25-5/8 17
March 31, 1999:
First Quarter $25-5/8 $20-1/8
Second Quarter 28-1/8 20
Third Quarter 31 16-5/8
Fourth Quarter 29-5/8 21-15/16
March 31, 2000:
First Quarter
(Through May 12, 1999) $28-13/16 $23
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Acxiom has never paid cash dividends on its common stock. Acxiom
presently intends to retain earnings to provide funds for its business
operations and for the expansion of its business. Thus, it does not anticipate
paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Two selling shareholders are offering an aggregate of 400,400 shares of
Acxiom common stock in this prospectus. Trans Union L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company and the successor in interest to Trans Union Corporation, may
offer for sale up to 400,000 shares. Robert A. Pritzker, a director of both
Trans Union and Acxiom, may offer for sale up to 400 shares. Donees, pledgees,
transferees or other successors in interest who receive Acxiom shares from Trans
Union or Mr. Pritzker may offer those shares pursuant to this prospectus, but
the aggregate number of shares offered will not exceed 400,400.
Trans Union currently owns 4,003,000 shares of Acxiom common stock.
Following the sale of the 400,000 shares offered by Trans Union, Trans Union
will own 3,603,000 shares, which will represent approximately 4.6% of the
outstanding shares of Acxiom common stock.
Robert A. Pritzker, with his wife, currently owns 4,000 shares of
Acxiom common stock. Following the sale of the 400 shares offered by Mr.
Pritzker, Mr. Pritzker and his wife will own 3,600 shares, which will represent
less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Acxiom common stock. Mr. Pritzker is a
director and the chairman of Trans Union. Additionally, pursuant to an agreement
between Trans Union and Acxiom, Mr. Pritzker is one of two individuals
designated by Trans Union to serve as directors on the Acxiom board of
directors.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Acxiom is registering these shares of Acxiom common stock on behalf of
the selling shareholders. The selling shareholders may offer shares from time to
time in one or more of the following ways:
* through brokers, acting as principal or agent
* in sales to underwriters acquiring the stock for their own account or for
resale in negotiated transactions or to the public at a fixed offering
price
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* in private sales at negotiated prices
* by pledge to secure debts, financing arrangements and other obligations
* by the writing (sale) of put or call options on the shares
* in block trades, in which a broker or dealer attempts to sell shares as
agent but may position and resell a portion of the shares as principal to
facilitate the sale
* in hedge transactions and in settlement of other transactions in
standardized or over-the-counter options
* any other legally available means
The shares of Acxiom common stock covered by this prospectus also may
be sold in private transactions pursuant to Section 4(1) or Rule 144 of the
Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
If underwriters or other agents are used in an offering, they may
receive underwriting discounts and commissions. Brokers or agents participating
in such transactions may receive commissions or fees.
If necessary, this prospectus will be supplemented to show the specific
terms of a particular offering. These terms may include the following:
* number of shares involved in that offering
* purchase price
* name of any underwriter, dealer or agent
* commissions paid or discounts or selling concessions granted to
participating underwriters or brokers
Expenses generated in connection with the offering of shares outlined
in this prospectus will be paid in the following manner:
* Acxiom will pay all expenses, including filing fees, relating to
preparation of the registration statement, Acxiom's attorneys' fees and
Acxiom's accountant's fees
* Trans Union will pay its own attorneys' fees
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* Mr. Pritzker will pay his own attorneys' fees
* Trans Union will pay any underwriter's or broker's fees or commissions
arising in an offering made on its behalf
* Mr. Pritzker will pay any underwriter's or broker's fees or commissions
arising in an offering made on his behalf
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for Acxiom by Catherine L. Hughes, Esq., General Counsel of Acxiom.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Acxiom Corporation, which are
included in the Acxiom current report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 1999
incorporated by reference into this registration statement, except as they
relate to May & Speh, Inc. as of September 30, 1996 and for the years ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent
accountants, and as they relate to May & Speh, Inc. as of September 30, 1996 and
for the years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent accountants, whose reports appear in the Form 8-K. These financial
statements have been incorporated by reference into this registration statement
in reliance on the reports of these independent accountants given on the
authority of these firms as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT ACXIOM
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information filed with
them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you directly to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be a part of this prospectus. In addition, information we file
with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information
contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 until all of the shares of common stock described in this prospectus
are sold:
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(i) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, as
amended by the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A dated July 29, 1998 and the
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A dated August 4, 1998;
(ii) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 1998,
September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1998;
(iii)Current Reports on Form 8-K dated June 4, 1998, September 18, 1998 and
February 8, 1999;
(iv) The description of Acxiom capital stock contained in the registration
statement on Form 8-A of CCX Network, Inc. (now known as Acxiom
Corporation) dated February 4, 1985, and any amendments or updates to that
form filed by Acxiom;
(v) The description of Acxiom preferred stock purchase rights contained in the
registration statement on Form 8-A/A dated June 4, 1998.
Acxiom will provide you with free copies of any of these documents,
without exhibits, unless an exhibit is incorporated into the document by
reference, if you write us or call us at: Acxiom Corporation, 301 Industrial
Boulevard, Conway, Arkansas 72032, Attention: Catherine L. Hughes, telephone
(501) 336-1000.
Acxiom is subject to the information requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and, pursuant to such act, files reports and other
information with the SEC. Acxiom has also filed a registration statement on Form
S-3 with the SEC relating to this offering of Acxiom common stock by the selling
shareholders. Such reports, proxy statements, registration statement and other
information can be inspected and copied at the public reference room of the SEC
at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain
information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. Acxiom's filings with the SEC also are available to the public
at the SEC's web site: "http://www.sec.gov."
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