SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Filed Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): OCTOBER 22, 1997
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
-------------------
(On October 14, 1997, the registrant changed its name from
NFO Research, Inc. to NFO Worldwide, Inc.)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-21460 06-1327424
- ---------------------------- ------------------------\ ---------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Identification Number)
2 Pickwick Plaza
Greenwich, CT 06830
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 629-8888
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
INDEX
Page
Number
------
ITEM 5 - OTHER EVENTS..........................................................3
ITEM 7 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Supplemental Selected Financial Data......................................4
Supplemental Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations..................................................5
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................................10
Report of the Auditors to the Shareholders
of The MBL Group plc..................................................11
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets.................................12
Supplemental Consolidated Income Statements..............................13
Supplemental Consolidated Statements
Of Stockholders' Equity...............................................14
Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.......................15
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements..................16
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated
Balance Sheets (Unaudited)............................................31
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated
Statements Of Income (Unaudited)......................................32
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated
Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited)..................................33
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated
Statement Of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited).........................36
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
INDEX
(Continued)
Page
Number
------
Notes to Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial
Statements (Unaudited)................................................37
Supplemental Quarterly Management's Discussion And
Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations.............39
SIGNATURE.....................................................................40
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 23.1 - Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.......................43
Exhibit 23.2 - Consent of Soteriou Banerji,
Chartered Accountants................................44
<PAGE>
NFO Worldwide, Inc.
Item 5. Other Events
On July 11, 1997, NFO Worldwide, Inc. (the "Company" or "NFO") acquired 100
percent of the outstanding stock of The MBL Group plc ("MBL"), a company
incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, from John and Mary Goodyear.
MBL is a leading international market research firm with 27 offices in 15
countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The acquisition was
effected through the issuance of 2,046,363 shares (adjusted for 3 for 2 stock
split effective October 15, 1997) of NFO Common Stock. This transaction has been
accounted for as a pooling of interests.
In Item 7 attached herein, the Company has filed supplemental 1996 Form 10-K
financial information (5 year Income Summary, Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Consolidated Balance
Sheets, Income Statements, Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Cash Flows and
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) combining NFO and MBL.
3
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Item 7. Financial Statements
Supplemental Selected Financial Data
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income Statement Data(3)
Revenues $154,943 $113,095 $ 90,435 $ 76,738 $ 70,231
Operating Income 21,377 16,469 13,123 10,295 8,208
Net Income 10,616 9,159 7,671 4,992 3,030
Earnings per Share(1) $ 0.51 $ 0.48 $ 0.41
Pro Forma Earnings per Share(2) $ 0.29 $ 0.21
Balance Sheet Data(3)
Working Capital $ 19,650 $ 15,681 $ 7,918 $ 7,028 $ 1,434
Total Assets 125,443 86,781 75,465 60,438 58,463
Total Debt 5,300 2,664 4,656 6,359 25,104
</TABLE>
(1) Adjusted to reflect 3 for 2 stock splits effected on April 5, 1994,
February 5, 1996, and October 15, 1997.
(2) Adjusted to reflect the above stock splits, and assumes the Common Stock
issued in connection with the Company's initial public offering in April
1993 was outstanding for the entire period.
(3) For discussion of acquisitions, see Footnote 18 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
4
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
Background
The Company and its subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively referred to as "NFO")
are leading providers of custom and syndicated marketing information services to
some of the largest companies both in the United Sates and internationally
using, among other things, a proprietary panel (the "NFO Panel") of
pre-recruited consumer households.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain income
statement data for the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Increase
Supplemental (Decrease)
Income Statements 1996 1995
Years Ended December 31, Over Over
1996 1995 1994 1995 1994
--------- --------- --------- -------- --------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 154,943 $ 113,095 $ 90,435 37.0% 25.1%
Cost of Revenues 66,693 48,431 37,367 37.7 29.6
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses 61,591 44,167 36,391 39.5 21.4
Amortization Expense 2,926 2,203 2,071 32.8 6.4
Depreciation Expense 2,356 1,825 1,483 29.1 23.1
--------- --------- --------- ---- ----
Operating Income 21,377 16,469 13,123 29.8 25.5
Interest Expense, Net 38 (142) 31 (126.8) (558.1)
Other Expenses (17) -- 258 -- --
Equity Interest in Net Loss (Income) of
Affiliated Companies 335 (186) (118) (280.1) 57.6
--------- --------- --------- ---- ----
Income Before Income Taxes and
Minority Interest 21,021 16,797 12,952 25.1 29.7
Provision for Income Taxes 8,983 6,172 4,299 45.5 43.6
--------- --------- --------- ---- ----
Net Income Before Minority Interest 12,038 10,625 8,653 13.3 22.8
Minority Interest 1,422 1,466 982 (3.0) 49.3
--------- --------- --------- ---- ----
Net Income $ 10,616 $ 9,159 $ 7,671 15.9% 19.4%
--------- --------- --------- ---- ----
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding(1) 20,862 19,179 18,860 8.8% 1.7%
--------- --------- --------- ---- ----
Earnings per Share(1) $ .51 $ .48 $ .41 6.3% 17.1%
--------- --------- --------- ---- ----
</TABLE>
(1) Adjusted to reflect 3 for 2 stock splits effected on April 5, 1994, February
5, 1996, and October 15, 1997.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
As certain of the statements made in this report are "forward-looking
statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995), they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include,
among others, clients' timing of new product introductions and reformulations,
clients' marketing budgets, industry and economic conditions, changes in
management or ownership of a client, the effect of the Company's competition on
client purchasing decisions, the strategic decisions of the Company's management
team, the extent to which the Company is successful in developing and marketing
its interactive market research techniques and other factors referenced in this
report. In addition, the success of the Company's European expansion efforts is
dependent in part upon a productive joint venture relationship and upon the
successful application of NFO's methodologies to different business and consumer
environments.
5
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations (continued)
Acquisitions
On January 3, 1996, the Company acquired Migliara/Kaplan & Associates, Inc.
("M/K"), Chesapeake Surveys, Inc. ("CSI"), and Plog Research, Inc. ("Plog"). M/K
is one of the nation's leading full-service health care marketing information
companies with offices in Baltimore, MD and Princeton, NJ. CSI provides data
collection and survey services, such as focus groups and random telephone
interviews. Plog is the nation's leading travel industry marketing research
organization. On August 15, 1996, the Company acquired The SPECTREM Group, Inc.
("Spectrem"). Spectrem provides niche consulting and acquisition and divestiture
advisory services in the trust and investment products sectors. These
acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method.
On April 1, 1997, the Company acquired 100 percent of the stock of
Prognostics, a leading provider of survey-based quantitative customer
satisfaction research to information technology companies worldwide. The Company
issued 2,589,720 (adjusted for 3 for 2 stock split effective October 15, 1997)
shares of NFO Common Stock. The acquisition was accounted for as a pooling of
interests.
On July 11, 1997, the Company acquired The MBL Group plc ("MBL"), a leading
international market research firm with 27 offices in 15 countries throughout
the UK, the Middle East, and Asia. The Company issued 2,046,363 (adjusted for 3
for 2 stock split effective October 15, 1997) shares of NFO Common Stock. The
acquisition was accounted for as a pooling of interests. The accompanying
supplemental consolidated financial statements reflect the combined results of
NFO, Prognostics, and MBL for all periods presented. The Company also entered
into agreements with minority shareholder employees of the various MBL operating
subsidiaries to repurchase a portion of the minority shares during 1997 and the
remainder in three years. The purchase of the minority interests in MBL's
subsidiaries will be accounted for using the purchase method.
1996 Compared to 1995
The Company's revenues increased 37 percent to $154.9 million from $113.1
million the previous year. The acquisitions of M/K, CSI, and Plog in January
1996, and Spectrem in August 1996 contributed $28 million to this increase.
Revenues in the Company's remaining businesses increased by 12 percent, led by
strong showings in its financial services, packaged goods sectors, and the
Company's international businesses.
Costs of revenues increased 38 percent to $66.7 million from $48.4 million a
year ago. The increase was primarily the result of the first time inclusion of
M/K, CSI, Plog and Spectrem ($12.5 million), while remaining costs of revenues
increased $5.8 million, or 9.5 percent which is in line with revenue increases.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 40 percent to $61.6
million from $44.2 million in the previous year. The first time inclusion of
M/K, CSI, Plog and Spectrem accounted for $9.6 million, while other principal
contributing factors included increased staffing caused by increased business
activity in both the U.S., Europe, and Asia Pacific, development of the
Company's new online interactive research capabilities, and inflationary
increases.
Operating income in 1996 increased 30 percent to $21.4 million from $16.5
million in the previous year. This increase is primarily the result of the items
discussed above. Operating margins for 1996 were 13.8 percent compared to 14.6
percent a year ago. The decrease in operating margins reflects the Company's
investment in interactive research capabilities and expansion of its business
activity worldwide.
Income tax expense reflects the Company's combined U.S. Federal and State
statutory tax rate of approximately 39 percent, plus the effects of
non-deductible expenses (primarily goodwill) and taxes on the Company's
international subsidiaries. The increase in the effective tax rate from 36.7
percent to 42.7 percent was largely due to the effect of the acquisitions
mentioned above and a higher effective tax rate for the Company's international
operations.
The result of the items discussed above is that net income increased 15.9
percent to $10.6 million from $9.2 million in the previous year. Earnings per
share increased to $.51 from $.48 a year ago. The increase in earnings per share
was primarily due to increased earnings and occurred in spite of a greater
number of outstanding shares caused primarily by the issuance of additional
shares in connection with the recent acquisitions. The earnings per share have
been adjusted for the stock splits effected on February 5, 1996 and October 15,
1997.
6
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations (continued)
1995 Compared to 1994
The Company's revenues increased 25 percent to $113.1 million from $90.4
million the previous year. All of the Company's domestic business units grew at
double-digit rates for the year. The Company's telecommunications business unit,
as well as its financial services, HealthMed, and packaged goods businesses
experienced strong growth in 1995.
Costs of revenues increased 30 percent to $48.4 million from $37.4 million a
year ago. The increase was primarily due to the overall increase in business
volume, a slight change in product mix, and an increase in postal rates. Postal
rates increased January 1, 1995 and the Company passed through, without its
normal markup, any incremental postage charges on projects performed in the
first quarter of 1995 that were sold prior to January 1, 1995.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 1995 increased 21 percent to
$44.2 million from $36.4 million in 1994. The principal contributing factors
were the first-time inclusion of Advanced Marketing Solutions Corp. ("AMS"),
acquired in December 1994 ($.7 million), increases at PSI related to the opening
of a new office in London, England and the expansion of its existing offices in
Tampa, Florida, new product development ($.5 million), increases at MBL related
to the opening of offices in China, Malaysia, and Vietnam in 1994, as well as
the expansion of existing offices in the UK, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong
Kong ($3.5 million), increases in marketing expenses and product development
costs of $.7 million and general inflationary increases.
Operating income in 1995 increased 26 percent to $16.5 million from $13.1
million in the prior year. This increase was primarily the result of the items
discussed above. Operating margins increased by .1 percent to 14.6 from 14.5
percent in 1994. Minority interest in earnings increased by $.5 million to $1.5
million in 1995 from $1.0 million in 1994. This minority interests increase is
due to the increased earnings of the applicable MBL subsidiaries.
The result of the items discussed above is that net income increased 19
percent to $9.2 million from $7.7 million in the prior year. Earnings per share
increased 17.1 percent to $.48 from $.41 a year ago. The earnings per share
amounts have been adjusted for the stock splits effected on April 5, 1994,
February 5, 1996 and October 15, 1997. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working capital as of December 31, 1996 was $19.7 million, an increase of
$4.0 million from December 31, 1995. The primary reason for the change in
working capital was an increase in accounts receivable partially offset by an
increase in accrued expenses and customer billings in excess of revenues earned.
The Company has a credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with three major
U.S. banks. The Credit Facility provides NFO with a credit availability of $45
million which declines to $35 million and $25 million on December 29, 1997 and
1998, respectively. The Company may borrow under this facility at rates based on
specific margins above the Eurodollar base rate, the Federal Fund Rate or the
Prime Rate, at the Company's option. At December 31, 1996, the Company had loans
outstanding of $4 million under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility includes covenants which require the Company to maintain
certain ratios and net worth levels and place certain restrictions on
investments, sales of assets, issuance of new debt, payment of dividends,
incurring of liens and the guarantee of obligations of third parties. The
Company believes that none of these restrictions will have a significant impact
on its business or operations as presently contemplated.
During the year, the Company made capital expenditures of approximately $4.5
million. Capital expenditures in 1997 are expected to be substantially higher
than this level due to the planned expansion of the Company's operations
capacity.
The Company anticipates that existing cash, together with internally
generated funds and its credit and stock availabilities, will provide the
Company with the resources that are needed to satisfy potential acquisitions,
capital expenditures, and the Company's growing working capital requirements in
fiscal 1997 and subsequent years. The timing and magnitude of future
acquisitions will be the single most important factor in determining the
Company's long-term capital needs. Inflation
Inflation has historically had only a minor effect on the Company's results
of operations and its internal and external sources of liquidity and working
capital because the Company has generally been able to increase prices to
reflect cost increases resulting from inflation.
7
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations (continued)
Seasonality
The Company's business activity has traditionally reflected a modest
seasonality factor with slightly higher revenues in the Company's fourth
quarter. This seasonality reflects increased research spending in the fourth
quarter by clients seeking to complete research studies prior to the holiday
season and the close of their fiscal year. Also, the Company generally initiates
several large-scale annual projects and tracking programs during the fourth
quarter of each year.
Over the past two years, the fourth quarter has represented 29 percent of the
Company's annual revenues. Each of the remaining three quarters ranged between
22 percent and 25 percent of the annual total.
Future Required Accounting Changes
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Account Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share (SFAS No. 128). This
statement introduces new methods for calculating earnings per share. The
adoption of this standard will not impact results from operations, financial
condition, or long-term liquidity, but will require the Company to restate
earnings per share reported in prior periods to conform with this statement. The
Company is required to adopt the new standard for periods ending after December
15, 1997. The Company believes that the adoption of this standard will result in
higher earnings per share when comparing the current primary and fully diluted
earnings per share calculations to the calculations of basic and diluted
earnings per share by FAS No. 128.
On June 10, 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (SFAS
No. 130). This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of
comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. The adoption of
this standard will not impact results from operations, financial condition, or
long-term liquidity, but will require the Company to classify items of other
comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and display the
accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately in the equity
section of the balance sheet. The Company is required to adopt the new standard
for periods beginning after December 15, 1997.
8
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Stock Information
The Company's Common Stock has traded on the Nasdaq National Market tier of
the Nasdaq Stock Market since its initial public offering was completed in
April, 1993. The Company's stock symbol is "NFOR."
The Company did not declare or pay any cash dividends during 1996, 1995 or
1994 except cash dividends paid to the stockholders of MBL prior to the merger.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, its high and low
sales prices per share as reported on the Nasdaq.
The stock prices have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to 3 for 2
stock splits effected on February 5, 1996 and October 15, 1997.
Sales Price
High Low
------ ------
Calendar Year 1996
First Quarter $17.00 $11.67
Second Quarter 16.83 13.17
Third Quarter 16.17 14.17
Fourth Quarter 16.17 14.33
Calendar Year 1995
First Quarter $ 8.67 $ 6.33
Second Quarter 9.22 7.78
Third Quarter 10.45 8.67
Fourth Quarter 11.78 9.55
9
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Report of Independent Public Accountants
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of NFO Worldwide, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying supplemental consolidated balance sheets of NFO
Worldwide, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the related supplemental consolidated statements of income,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996. The supplemental consolidated statements give
retroactive effect to the merger with The MBL Group plc on July 11, 1997, which
has been accounted for as a pooling of interests as described in Note 2. These
supplemental financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these supplemental
financial statements based on our audits.
We did not audit the financial statements of The MBL Group plc, included in the
supplemental consolidated financial statements of NFO Worldwide, Inc., which
statements reflect total assets and total revenues of 15 percent and 25 percent,
respectively, in 1996, total assets and total revenues of 19 percent and 31
percent, respectively, in 1995, and total revenues of 28 percent in 1994, of the
related supplemental consolidated totals, after adjustment to reflect
translation into U.S. dollars and generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States. The financial statements of The MBL Group plc, prior to those
adjustments, were audited by other auditors whose report thereon has been
furnished to us, and our opinion expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the
amounts included for The MBL Group plc, is based solely upon the report of the
other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the supplemental consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the supplemental
consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall supplemental consolidated financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based upon our audits and the report of the other auditors, the
supplemental consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of NFO Worldwide, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1996, after giving retroactive effect to the merger with The
MBL Group plc as described in Note 2, all in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
August 4, 1997.
10
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Report Of The Auditors To The Shareholders Of The MBL Group plc
We have audited the financial statements of The MBL Group plc as of December 31,
1996 and 1995 and for each of the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994,
which have been prepared under historical cost convention and generally accepted
accounting principles applicable in the United Kingdom.
Respective Responsibilities of Directors and Auditors
The Company's directors are responsible for the preparation of financial
statements. It is our responsibility to form an independent opinion, based on
our audit, on those statements and to report our opinion to you.
Basis of Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Auditing Standards issued by the
Auditing Practices Board which are substantially the same as those followed in
the United States. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence
relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also
includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the
directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the
accounting policies are appropriate to the Company's circumstances, consistently
applied and adequately disclosed.
We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and
explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with
sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other
irregularity or error. In forming our opinion, we also evaluated the overall
adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state
of affairs of the company and of the group as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and
of the group's profit and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995, and 1994 and have been properly prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United Kingdom.
/s/ SOTERIOU BANERJI
Soteriou Banerji
Registered Auditors and Chartered Accountants
253 Gray's Inn Road
London, WC1X 8QT
Dated August 4, 1997
11
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 9,579 $ 10,530
Receivables:
Trade, Less Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
of $447 and $247 in 1996 and 1995, respectively 37,231 24,587
Unbilled Receivables 3,963 3,188
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Note 8) 6,487 4,554
--------- ---------
Total Current Assets 57,260 42,859
--------- ---------
Property and Equipment, Net (Note 3) 12,966 10,156
--------- ---------
Customer Lists, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Notes 2 and 4) 50,192 27,364
--------- ---------
Other Assets
Deferred Income Taxes (Note 8) 1,498 4,137
Other (Note 19) 3,527 2,265
--------- ---------
Total Other Assets 5,025 6,402
--------- ---------
Total Assets (Note 5) $ 125,443 $ 86,781
========= =========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Note 5) $ 459 $ 643
Accounts Payable 5,164 3,691
Accrued Liabilities (Note 6) 18,761 12,477
Customer Billings in Excess of Revenues Earned 13,226 10,367
--------- ---------
Total Current Liabilities 37,610 27,178
--------- ---------
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion (Note 5) 4,841 2,021
Accrued Pension, Postretirement Benefits and Other (Notes 9 and 10) 4,718 3,429
--------- ---------
Total Long-Term Liabilities 9,559 5,450
--------- ---------
Total Liabilities 47,169 32,628
--------- ---------
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 7, 16, 18, and 19)
Minority Interest 3,877 2,927
Stockholders' Equity (Note 11)
Serial Preferred Stock, Par Value $.01 per Share;
5,000 Shares Authorized; None Issued
Common Stock, Par Value $.01 per Share; 60,000 shares
authorized; 20,055 and 18,777 shares issued and
outstanding at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively 134 94
Additional Paid-In Capital 40,662 27,343
Retained Earnings 33,540 24,374
Additional Minimum Liability, Net of Income Taxes (Note 9) (323) (669)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment 384 84
--------- ---------
Total Stockholders' Equity 74,397 51,226
--------- ---------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 125,443 $ 86,781
========= =========
</TABLE>
See notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.
12
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Consolidated Income Statements
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues (Notes 2 and 15) $ 154,943 $ 113,095 $ 90,435
Costs and Expenses
Cost of Revenues 66,693 48,431 37,367
Selling, General and Administrative 61,591 44,167 36,391
Amortization of Intangible Assets 2,926 2,203 2,071
Depreciation 2,356 1,825 1,483
--------- --------- ---------
Operating Income 21,377 16,469 13,123
Interest Expense (Income), Net (Note 12) 38 (142) 31
Other (Income) Expenses (Note 4) (17) -- 258
Equity Interest in Net Loss (Income) of Affiliated Companies
(Note 19) 335 (186) (118)
--------- --------- ---------
Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest 21,021 16,797 12,952
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 8) 8,983 6,172 4,299
--------- --------- ---------
Net Income Before Minority Interest 12,038 10,625 8,653
Minority Interest 1,422 1,466 982
--------- --------- ---------
Net Income $ 10,616 $ 9,159 $ 7,671
========= ========= =========
Earnings per Share (Note 13) $ .51 $ .48 $ .41
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.
13
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Foreign
Additional Additional Currency Total
Common Common Paid-In Retained Minimum Translation Stockholders'
Shares Stock Capital Earnings Liability Adjustment Equity
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993,
as previously reported 14,955 $50 $23,233 $5,947 $(511) $-- $28,719
Acquisition of MBL,
Accounted for as a Pooling of Interests
(Note 18) 2,046 14 137 1,597 (35) 1,713
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1993, as restated 17,001 $64 $23,370 $7,544 $(511) $(35) $30,432
Acquisition (Note 18) 402 1 2,400 2,401
Stock Split (Note 11) 21 (21)
Other Issuances 69 324 324
Issuance of Prognostics Shares in
Exchange for Non-Recourse Notes
(Note 11) 900 6 (6)
Reduction of Additional Minimum Liability,
Net of Income Taxes (Note 9) 178 178
Translation Adjustments 174 174
Net Income 7,671 7,671
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1994 18,372 $92 $26,067 $15,215 $(333) $139 $41,180
Acquisition (Note 18) 41 361 361
Other Issuances 130 1 916 917
Issuance of Prognostics Shares in
Exchange for Non-Recourse Notes
(Note 11) 234 1 (1)
Accrual of Additional Minimum Liability,
Net of Income Taxes (Note 9) (336) (336)
Translation Adjustments (55) (55)
Net Income 9,159 9,159
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1995 18,777 $94 $27,343 $24,374 $(669) $84 $51,226
Acquisitions (Note 18) 1,128 8 12,077 12,085
Stock Split (Note 11) 31 (31)
Other Issuances 117 1 1,132 1,133
Reduction of Additional Minimum Liability,
Net of Income Taxes (Note 9) 346 346
Conversion of Note Payable (Notes 5 and 18) 33 141 141
Translation Adjustments 300 300
Dividends to Former Stockholders of the MBL
Group Prior to Merger (Note 11) (1,450) (1,450)
Net Income 10,616 10,616
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1996 20,055 $134 $40,662 $33,540 $(323) $384 $74,397
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The shares presented reflect 3 for 2 stock splits effected on April 5, 1994,
February 5, 1996, and October 15, 1997 (Note 11).
See notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.
14
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Income $10,616 $9,159 $7,671
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided
by Operating Activities:
Minority Interest 1,422 1,466 982
Amortization of Intangible Assets 2,926 2,203 2,071
Depreciation 2,356 1,825 1,483
Write-off of Debt Issuance Costs 258
Deferred Income Taxes 430 (188) 418
Equity Interest in Net Loss (Income) of Affiliated Companies 335 (186) (118)
Dividends Paid to Minority Interest (695) (620) (256)
Other 65 234 (95)
------- ------- -------
Subtotal 17,455 13,893 12,414
Change in Assets and Liabilities that Provided (Used) Cash,
Net of Effects of Acquisitions:
Trade Receivables (7,044) (5,575) (2,596)
Unbilled Receivables (478) (2,834) (18)
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (1,645) (956) (1,612)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities 2,435 3,251 (1,707)
Customer Billings in Excess of Revenues Earned (684) (176) 3,335
Other, Net (514) (151) (274)
------- ------- -------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 9,525 7,452 9,542
------- ------- -------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Acquisitions (Net of Cash Acquired) (7,258) (361) (1,999)
Capital Expenditures (Net of Minor Disposals) (4,460) (3,023) (1,988)
Purchase of Intangible Assets (70) (255) (113)
Investments in Affiliated Companies (872) (110)
------- ------- -------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (12,660) (5,046) (4,210)
------- ------- -------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Issuance of Common Stock (Net of Expenses) 769 687 324
Payments on Long-Term Debt (12,124) (1,816) (3,009)
Principal Payments on Capital Lease Obligations (127) (191) (183)
Dividends Paid to Shareholders (Note 11) (472)
Proceeds from Line of Credit 14,000
------- ------- -------
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities 2,046 (1,320) (2,868)
------- ------- -------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash 138 (58) 85
------- ------- -------
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents (951) 1,028 2,549
Cash And Cash Equivalents, Beginning Of Period 10,530 9,502 6,953
------- ------- -------
Cash And Cash Equivalents, End Of Period $9,579 $10,530 $9,502
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
See notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.
15
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
1. Business
NFO Worldwide, Inc. together with its subsidiaries (the "Company") is a
leading provider of custom and syndicated marketing information to some of the
largest companies both in the United Sates and internationally using, among
other things, a proprietary panel (the "NFO Panel") of pre-recruited consumer
households.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation -- The supplemental consolidated financial statements
of the Company have been prepared to give retroactive effect to the merger with
The MBL Group plc on July 11, 1997, accounted for as a pooling of interests (see
Note 18). These financial statements will become the historical consolidated
financial statements of NFO Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries after results of
operations for periods subsequent to the date of consummation of the business
combination are issued.
Consolidation -- The supplemental consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Revenue Recognition -- The Company recognizes revenue on projects, which are
substantially all short-term, by generally applying recent historical
contribution margins to project costs as incurred. A provision for anticipated
losses is recorded in the period in which they first become determinable.
Cash and Cash Equivalents -- The Company considers all investments with a
maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Depreciation -- The Company provides depreciation over the estimated useful
lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method.
Intangible Assets -- The Company provides amortization of these assets using
the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit or contractual
life, principally as follows:
Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Customer Lists 15-20
Customized Software 5
Debt Issuance Costs 5
Goodwill 5-30
The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of goodwill and other
intangible assets by assessing whether the unamortized intangible assets can be
recovered from undiscounted future cash flows from operations.
Panel -- The Company enhances and rebuilds its Panel on a continuous basis,
and the related costs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company expensed
$1,347,000, $933,000, and $1,061,000 on Panel enhancing and rebuilding in 1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively. Income Taxes -- Deferred income taxes are recorded
to reflect the tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of the
Company's assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each
balance sheet date.
Investments in Affiliated Companies -- Investments in affiliated companies
are accounted for using the equity method, under which the Company's share of
earnings of these affiliates is reflected in income as earned and dividends are
credited against the investment in affiliated companies when received.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments -- The following methods and assumptions
were used to estimate the fair value of each category of the Company's financial
instruments:
Cash and Short-Term Financial Instruments -- The carrying amount
approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
Long-Term Financial Instruments -- The fair value has been estimated using
the expected future cash flows discounted at market interest rates as
adjusted for conversion privileges. Fair value of long-term debt exceeded the
carrying amounts by approximately $170,000 and $400,000 at December 31, 1996
and 1995, respectively.
Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
16
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
3. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, including equipment held under capital leases (Note 5),
consists of the following at December 31, 1996 and 1995 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Estimated
Useful Lives 1996 1995
------------ -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Land $1,663 $933
Buildings and Leasehold Improvements 10-40 years 5,678 5,352
Data Processing and Communications Equipment 3-5 years 7,772 5,877
Furniture and Other Equipment 4-8 years 6,939 4,826
------------ -------- --------
Total $22,052 $16,988
Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization (9,086) (6,832)
-------- --------
Total $12,966 $10,156
======== ========
</TABLE>
4. Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following at December 31, 1996 and 1995 (in
thousands):
1996 1995
------- -------
Customer Lists, Net of Amortization of $6,548 and
$5,299 in 1996 and 1995, respectively $14,789 $10,440
Customized Software, Net of Amortization of $1,731 and
$1,490 in 1996 and 1995, respectively 3 234
Debt Issuance and Other costs, Net of Amortization of $338
and $224 in 1996 and 1995, respectively 332 386
Goodwill, Net of Amortization of $3,903 and $2,551 in 1996
and 1995, respectively 35,068 16,304
------- -------
Total $50,192 $27,364
======= =======
The Company wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $258,000 in 1994 in
conjunction with the replacement of an existing debt agreement with a new one.
17
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
5. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 1996 and 1995 (in
thousands):
1996 1995
------- ------
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds Due in Monthly
Installments of $37 Including Interest at 70 Percent
of the Prime Rate (effective rate of 5.8 Percent at
December 31, 1996 and 6.0 Percent at December 31,
1995) through September 1997. The Bonds Are
Collateralized by Real Estate with a Net Book Value
of $1,064 at December 31, 1996. $ 281 $ 672
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds Due in Monthly
Installments of $10, Plus Interest at 80 Percent of
the Prime Rate (effective rate of 6.6 Percent at
December 31, 1996 and 6.8 Percent at December 31,
1995) through January 2004. The Bonds Are
Collateralized by Real Estate with a Net Book Value
of $1,349 at December 31, 1996. 876 1,001
Note Payable to Banks under a Revolving Credit
Agreement Due December 31, 1999, with Interest
Ranging Between 6.3 Percent and 6.4 Percent. 4,000 --
Note Payable (Face Amount of $125 in 1996 and $375
in 1995) Due November 2004, with Interest Imputed at
7.0 Percent. Holder Has Option to Convert All or
Part of Note to Common Stock of the Company. 69 198
Notes Payable to Former Shareholders of The MBL
Group plc. 20 612
Obligations Under Long-Term Capital Leases, Due in
Monthly Installments of $13 through January 1997,
and $6 through October 1997, Interest Ranging
Between 9.6 Percent and 9.7 Percent. 54 181
------- ------
Total 5,300 2,664
Less Current Maturities (459) (643)
------- ------
Total $ 4,841 $2,021
======= ======
18
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
The Company has a revolving line of credit agreement with three major banks
which provides for borrowings up to $45 million. The agreement expires on
December 31, 1999, and is secured by substantially all assets of the Company. At
December 31, 1996, there was $4 million outstanding under this agreement. There
were no borrowings outstanding under this agreement at December 31, 1995.
The available line of credit under the revolving credit agreement was reduced
by $5,000,000 in December 1996, and will be reduced by $10,000,000 on December
29, 1997 and 1998. The credit agreement also has certain mandatory reductions
due to excess cash flow (as defined), asset sales in excess of specified amounts
and a portion of the net proceeds received from any public issuances of
securities of the Company.
Interest is payable quarterly on the outstanding balance at variable rates
depending on the Company's leverage ratio as defined in the agreement. The rates
are based on specified margins above the Eurodollar Rate, the Federal Funds Rate
or the Prime Rate, at the Company's option. Commitment fees are payable
quarterly at varying rates depending on the Company's leverage ratio (as defined
in the agreement).
The revolving credit agreement includes covenants which require the Company
to maintain certain financial ratios and net worth levels and place certain
restrictions on investments, sales of assets, issuance of new debt, payment of
dividends, incurring of liens and the guarantee of obligations of third parties.
Required principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
are as follows at December 31, 1996 (in thousands):
Capital
Debt Leases
------ ------
1997 $405 $56
1998 125
1999 4,125
2000 125
2001 125
Thereafter 397
------ ---
Total 5,302 56
Less Amount Representing Interest (56) (2)
------ ---
Present Value of Minimum Payments $5,246 $54
------ ---
6. Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consist of the following at December 31, 1996 and 1995
(in thousands):
1996 1995
------- -------
Accrued Compensation and Payroll Taxes $4,888 $2,779
Income Taxes Payable (Note 8) 2,412 2,162
Accrued Vacation 1,044 849
Purchase Price Payable (Note 18) 3,733 1,047
Accrued Pension (Note 9) 350 667
Accrued Profit Sharing (Note 9) 719 626
Other Accrued Liabilities 4,588 4,347
Dividends Payable (Note 11) 1,027 --
------- -------
Total $18,761 $12,477
------- -------
7. Operating Leases
The Company leases office space and equipment under noncancelable operating
leases that expire at various dates through 2002. Certain of these leases are
subject to rent review and contain escalation clauses. Future minimum annual
payments required under the noncancelable leases as of December 31, 1996, are as
follows (in thousands):
1997 $3,824
1998 3,591
1999 2,672
2000 2,308
2001 1,765
Thereafter 490
-------
Total $14,650
-------
Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
including leases on a month-to-month basis, was approximately $4,189,000,
$3,267,000, and $2,561,000, respectively.
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries rent space in office buildings owned or
partially owned by officers of the subsidiaries. Such rents, which are
approximately $.5 million in 1996, are believed to be consistent with arms
length transactions.
19
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
8. Income Taxes
The Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest is as follows for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 (in thousands):
1996 1995 1994
------- ------- -------
Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest:
U.S. $17,115 $11,853 $9,629
Foreign 3,906 4,944 3,323
------- ------- -------
Total $21,021 $16,797 $12,952
======= ======= =======
The provision for income taxes is as follows for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995, and 1994 (in thousands):
1996 1995 1994
------ ------ ------
Current Provision:
Federal $6,193 $4,120 $2,493
State and Local 1,150 1,140 753
Foreign 1,210 1,100 635
------ ------ ------
Total 8,553 6,360 3,881
------ ------ ------
Deferred Provision (Credit):
Federal 256 (160) 323
State and Local 46 (28) 95
Foreign 128 -- --
------ ------ ------
Total 430 (188) 418
Total Provision $8,983 $6,172 $4,299
====== ====== ======
Temporary differences giving rise to the recorded deferred income tax asset
and liability at December 31, 1996 and 1995, are as follows (in thousands):
1996 1995
------ ------
Asset:
Depreciation and Amortization $610 $2,997
Pension, Postretirement Benefits and
Deferred Compensation 907 1,047
Vacation 341 305
State and Local Taxes 364 282
Other 76 (28)
------ ------
Total Asset $2,298 $4,603
====== ======
Liability:
Dividends Payable $139 --
------ ------
A reconciliation between the Company's effective tax rate and the U.S.
statutory rate at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, is as follows:
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Statutory Rate 35.0% 34.7% 34.2%
Nondeductible Expenses 2.2 1.2 2.7
State and Local Income Taxes,
Net of Federal Benefit 3.8 4.3 4.4
Effect of Foreign Tax Rates Different
than U.S. Tax Rate (.3) (4.1) (4.0)
Section 197 Election (see below) -- -- (3.1)
Other 2.0 0.6 (1.0)
---- ---- ----
Effective Tax Rate 42.7% 36.7% 33.2%
==== ==== ====
In July 1994, the Company elected to adopt Section 197 of the Internal
Revenue Code, which relates to the amortization of intangible assets. This
election allows the Company to deduct some previously nondeductible
amortization, including some goodwill, for tax purposes. As a result, the
Company's effective tax rate for 1994 was reduced by 3.1 percent. Also as a
result of the election, the Company recorded a $2.7 million reduction of
goodwill and a reduction of tax expense of approximately $.5 million in 1994,
relating principally to the deductibility of previously nondeductible intangible
amortization for prior periods. In connection with the election, the Company
made tax payments related to changes in intangible asset tax lives for prior
periods of approximately $1 million during 1994. Those payments were provided
for in prior periods, and therefore had no impact on 1994 earnings.
As of December 31, 1996, the Company has not provided for withholding or
applicable foreign income taxes on approximately $4,400,000 of accumulated
undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries as they are considered by
management to be permanently reinvested. If these undistributed earnings were
not considered to be permanently reinvested, approximately $1,440,000 of
deferred income taxes would have been provided.
20
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
9. Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all its
employees. Benefits provided by the plan are based on salary and years of
service. The Company's funding policy is to contribute annually the maximum
amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are
intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also
for those expected to be earned in the future.
The following table sets forth the plan's funded status and amounts
recognized in the Company's balance sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 (in
thousands):
1996 1995
------ ------
Actuarial Present Value of Benefit
Obligations:
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
Including Vested Benefits of
$5,087 and $4,588 at December 31,
1996 and 1995, respectively $5,680 $5,135
====== ======
Projected Benefit Obligation for
Service Rendered to Date $5,908 $5,248
Plan Assets at Fair Value (Principally
Invested in Equity Securities and
Guaranteed Fixed Income
Insurance Contracts) 5,113 3,554
------ ------
Projected Benefit Obligation
in Excess of Plan Assets 795 1,694
Unrecognized Net Experience Differences (809) (1,286)
Prior Service Cost 34 40
Adjustment Required to Recognize
Minimum Liability before Income Taxes 547 1,133
------ ------
Accrued Pension Cost $567 $1,581
====== ======
The Company's required minimum funding amounts of $350,000 and $667,000,
which are included in the above accrued pension cost, are included in current
liabilities as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
21
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
Pension expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994
consists of the following (in thousands):
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Service Cost $502 $405 $410
Interest Cost on Projected
Benefit Obligation 411 347 303
Actual (Gain)/Loss on Assets (740) (488) 16
Net Amortization and Deferral 485 315 (180)
---- ---- ----
Net Periodic Pension Cost $658 $579 $549
==== ==== ====
Assumptions used in determining pension plan amounts were as follows:
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ---
Discount Rate 7.75% 7.75% 8.5%
Rate of Increase in
Compensation Levels 4.75 4.75 5.0
Expected Long-Term Rate
of Return on Assets 9.0 9.0 9.0
The Company maintains a profit sharing plan, established under Section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Code, which covers substantially all full-time
employees. Profit sharing contributions to the plan are at the discretion of the
Company's Board of Directors and are generally tied to annual profit
performance. The plan also contains a 401(k) feature whereby all eligible
employees may contribute up to 15 percent of their basic compensation. The
Company makes a matching contribution equal to 25 percent of the first 6 percent
of each participant's voluntary contribution. The Company's total contributions
related to the plan amounted to approximately $931,000, $801,000, and $700,000
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.
The Company has an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan for
certain key executives. The plan provides, among other things, for certain
deferred compensation to take effect on the employee's retirement, disability,
death or other termination of employment. Long-term liabilities include
approximately $692,000 and $314,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
representing the present value of the benefits expected to be provided based on
the employees' service to that date.
Certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries maintain benefit plans similar
to defined contribution plans for certain employees. The Company has no benefit
obligations beyond the contributions that are made by the Company. The Company's
total contributions related to these plans amounted to approximately $400,000,
$300,000, and $250,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994,
respectively.
10. Postretirement Benefit Programs
The Company sponsors two defined benefit postretirement programs that cover
salaried and nonsalaried employees. One program provides medical benefits, and
the other provides life insurance benefits. The postretirement healthcare
program is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually; the life
insurance program is noncontributory.
The health care program currently requires the retiree to pay 50 percent of
the cost of coverage for the retiree and dependents both before and after
attaining age 65. For those retiring on or after January 1, 1994, the co-pay
increases at age 65 to 75 percent of the cost of coverage for the retiree and
100 percent of the cost of coverage for dependents. In addition, an employee
must complete 10 years of service after age 45 to be eligible for postretirement
medical coverage. The Company does not fund its postretirement health care or
life insurance programs.
22
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
The following sets forth the programs' status reconciled with the amount
shown in the Company's balance sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 (in
thousands):
1996 1995
------- -------
Accumulated Postretirement
Benefit Obligation:
Retired Participants and Beneficiaries $392 $367
Fully Eligible Active Program Participants 417 324
Other Active Program Participants 309 228
------- -------
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit
Obligation in Excess of
Plan Assets 1,118 919
Unrecognized Net Loss (125) (21)
------- -------
Unfunded Accumulated Postretirement
Benefit Obligation, Included in
Long-Term Liabilities in the Accompanying
Balance Sheet $993 $898
======= =======
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1996, 1995, and 1994 includes
the following components (in thousands):
1996 1995 1994
----- ----- -----
Benefits Attributed to Service
During the Period $ 72 $ 46 $ 48
Interest Cost on Accumulated
Postretirement Benefit Obligation 76 61 50
Net Amortization and Deferral 4 (2)
----- ----- -----
Net Periodic Postretirement
Benefit Cost $152 $105 $98
===== ===== =====
23
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
The assumed discount rate used to measure the postretirement benefit
obligation is 7.5 percent, 7.5 percent, and 8.25 percent in 1996, 1995, and
1994, respectively.
The health care trend rates assumed in the above estimates include an initial
assumed rate of 10 percent, grading down to a level 5 percent over 8 years.
The effect of a 1 percent increase in the assumed healthcare trend rates
would be to increase the obligation at December 31, 1996, by approximately
$145,000, and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net
periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by approximately
$23,000. 11. Capital Stock Common Stock -- In September 1996, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation was amended to increase the number of authorized
shares of Common Stock to 60 million shares from 15 million shares.
Preferred Stock -- In connection with the initial public offering, the
Company authorized 5,000,000 shares of Serial Preferred Stock to be issued in
one or more series, with the Board of Directors to have the authority to fix
designations, preferences, powers and relative participating, optional or other
rights and restrictions thereof.
Dividends -- The Company did not declare or pay dividends to common
shareholders of NFO Worldwide, Inc. during 1996, 1995, or 1994. Dividends
reflected in the accompanying statements of stockholders' equity were paid to
shareholders of MBL prior to the merger (see Note 18).
Stock Splits -- On February 28, 1994, the Company's Board of Directors
authorized a 3 for 2 stock split of the Company's Common Stock effected on April
5, 1994, for stockholders of record on March 15, 1994. As a result,
approximately 2,063,000 additional shares were issued in 1994. Additionally, a 3
for 2 stock split was authorized on January 5, 1996, and effected on February 5,
1996, for stockholders of record on January 22, 1996. As a result, approximately
3,375,000 additional shares of NFO Common Stock were issued. Additionally, a 3
for 2 stock split was authorized on September 17, 1997, and effected on October
15, 1997, for stockholders of record on September 30, 1997. As a result,
approximately 6,850,000 additional shares of NFO Common Stock were issued. All
per share and share amounts in the accompanying supplemental consolidated
financial statements have been restated to reflect the above stock splits.
Stock Issued in Exchange for Non-Recourse Notes -- In December 1994,
Prognostics issued 10,000 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock (899,922 common
shares of NFO post-combination, footnote 18) to an employee. The Shares were
issued in exchange for a non-recourse promissory note in the amount of $40,000
secured by the issued shares. The note bears interest at 8 percent per annum
payable quarterly. The outstanding principal is due in December 1998. In August
1995, Prognostics issued 2,595 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock (233,529 common
shares of NFO post-combination) to certain employees. The shares were issued in
exchange for non-recourse promissory notes totaling $10,000 secured by the
issued shares. The notes bear interest at 8 percent per annum payable quarterly.
The outstanding principal is due in August 1999.
The Company has reflected the notes receivable as an offset to paid in
capital. The fair value of the stock on the date of sale, issued in exchange for
the non-recourse notes, was assumed to be equal to the face amount of the notes
and, accordingly, the Company has not recognized any compensation expense under
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations.
Stock Options -- The Company has adopted the NFO Worldwide, Inc. Stock Option
Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"), the Directors' Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors' Stock Option Plan"), and a Consultant's Plan. The Plans provide for
the grant of "nonqualified" options to purchase shares of Common Stock. The
exercise price of the options is the market value of the Company's Common Stock
on the date of the grant. The number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the Stock Option Plan, the Directors' Stock Option Plan, and the
Consultant's Plan is 2,812,500, 540,000, and 56,250 shares, respectively. If, as
to any number of shares, any option granted pursuant to the Plans shall expire
or terminate for any reason, such number of shares shall again be available for
grant under the Plans.
Under the Stock Option Plan, options become exercisable at such time or times
as determined at the date of grant and expire not more than 10 years from the
date of grant. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan generally become
exercisable over a three-year period at the rate of one-third of the shares
awarded each year.
24
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
The Directors' Stock Option Plan provides that options on 22,500 shares be
automatically granted to each nonemployee director upon initial election and
that options on 11,250 shares be granted upon each occasion thereafter that the
director is elected or reelected to such position. Under the Directors' Stock
Option Plan, options become exercisable at any time after the six-month
anniversary of the date the option was awarded and expire not more than five
years from the date of grant.Under the Consultant's Plan the options are
exercisable any time after the six-month anniversary of the date the option was
awarded and expire five years from the date of grant.
The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123
(SFAS 123) in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. In accordance
with SFAS 123, the Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
and related Interpretations for expense recognition. All stock options issued by
the Company are exercisable at a price equal to the market price at the date of
grant. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for any of the
options granted under the Plans.
A summary of the status of the Company's plans that issue options as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and changes during the years ending on those dates,
is presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number Weighted
of Shares Average Price
--------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1994 1,168,425 $5.30
Granted 425,250 9.80
Exercised (114,300) 4.75
Cancelled/Expired (31,500) 5.05
--------- -----
Outstanding at December 31, 1995 1,447,875 6.71
Granted 663,758 14.19
Exercised (99,825) 5.03
Cancelled/Expired (15,375) 7.57
--------- -----
Outstanding at December 31, 1996 1,996,433 $9.27
--------- -----
Exercisable at December 31, 1995 622,875 $5.75
Exercisable at December 31, 1996 1,014,671 $6.67
Weighted-average fair-value of options granted during 1995 $5.45
Weighted-average fair-value of options granted during 1996 $8.03
Available for Grant at December 31, 1996 1,138,118
</TABLE>
25
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at
December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Weighted-Average
Number ---------------- Number Weighted-
Range of Outstanding Remaining Exercise Exerciseable Average
Exercise Prices at 12/31/96 Contractual Life Price at 12/31/96 Exercise Prices
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
4.45 - 7.43 830,925 3.7 $ 5.26 700,425 $ 5.19
7.44 - 10.55 504,000 7.3 9.43 250,503 8.93
10.56 - 15.17 661,508 9.3 14.19 63,743 14.08
</TABLE>
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions by year:
1996 1995
--------- ---------
Risk-Free Interest Rate 6.1% 6.0%
Expected Life 6.8 years 6.6 years
--------- ---------
Expected Volatility 46% 46%
Had compensation cost for the Plans been determined based on the fair value
at the grant dates for awards and issuances under those Plans consistent with
the method described in SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, the
Company's net income and earnings per share, would have been reduced to the pro
forma amounts indicated below:
(in thousands of dollars, except per share data) 1996 1995
------- ------
Net Income
As Reported $10,616 $9,159
Pro Forma $ 8,937 $8,674
Earnings Per Share
As Reported $ .51 $ .48
Pro Forma $ .43 $ .45
The Company cautions that the pro forma net income and per share results in
the initial years of adoption are overstated due to the recognition of pro forma
compensation cost over the vesting period.
12. Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, consists of the following for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 (in thousands):
1996 1995 1994
----- ----- -----
Interest Income $(420) $(460) $(223)
Interest Expense 458 318 254
----- ----- -----
Total $ 38 $(142) $ 31
===== ===== =====
13. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share has been computed using the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during each year including Common Stock equivalents, when
dilutive, using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents include
stock options, contingent acquisition consideration and convertible debt.
Earnings per share have been restated to give effect to the Company's stock
splits.
14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995, and 1994 consists of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Paid During the Period for:
Interest $ 462 $ 307 $ 269
------ ------ ------
Income Taxes $7,813 $5,385 $4,727
------ ------ ------
Noncash Investing and Financing Information:
Increase in Goodwill Resulting from Contingent Purchase
Price Earned (Note 18) $3,733 $1,047 $ 722
------ ------ ------
Notes Payable Assumed in Acquisitions (Note 18) $1,018 -- $ 795
------ ------ ------
Capital Lease Obligation Incurred on Leases for New Equipment $ 173
------ ------ ------
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
15. Major Customers
Net revenues from one major long-standing customer were approximately
$12,843,000, $12,200,000, and $10,873,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995, and 1994, respectively.
16. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company has employment agreements with its principal executives and
certain other key employees. These agreements generally do not extend more than
three years and contain renewal options.
The Company has an agreement with a stockholder requiring the Company to
reimburse that stockholder $10,000 per month as a non-allocable expense
reimbursement.
17. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
Quarterly results were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First Second Third Fourth
------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1996:
Revenues $33,490 $37,696 $38,241 $45,516
Earnings before Taxes and Minority Interest 3,461 6,092 5,390 6,078
Net Income 1,785 2,934 2,868 3,029
Earnings per Share $ .09 $ .14 $ .14 $ .14
1995:
Revenues $24,826 $27,113 $28,552 $32,604
Earnings before Taxes and Minority Interest 2,804 4,288 4,506 5,199
Net Income 1,516 2,370 2,434 2,839
Earnings per Share $ .08 $ .12 $ .12 $ .15
</TABLE>
Earnings per share were computed giving effect to 3 for 2 stock splits
effected on February 5, 1996 and October 15, 1997 (Note 11).
18. Acquisitions
On January 3, 1996, the Company acquired Migliara/Kaplan Associates, Inc.
("M/K") and substantially all the net assets of Chesapeake Surveys, Inc.
("CSI"). M/K is a full-service health care marketing information company with
offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Princeton, New Jersey. CSI, a sister company
of M/K, provides data collection and survey services such as focus groups and
random telephone interviews. Of the total purchase price, approximately $11.45
million was paid at closing, approximately 31 percent of which was paid in cash
and 69 percent in newly issued shares of NFO Common Stock. Additional portions
of the purchase price are due based on M/K earnings, as defined, during the
three years following the date of acquisition and payable approximately 30
percent in cash and 70 percent in NFO Common Stock. For the year ended December
31, 1996, the amount of additional purchase price actually earned was
approximately $3.6 million.
On January 3, 1996, the Company acquired Plog Research, Inc. ("Plog"). Plog
supplies syndicated market research products, as well as marketing and
forecasting services to the travel and tourism industries. Of the total purchase
price, approximately $5 million was paid at closing, 50 percent in cash and 50
percent in newly issued shares of NFO Common Stock. Additional portions of the
purchase price are due based on Plog's earnings, as defined, during the three
years following the date of acquisition and payable equally in cash and the
Company's Common Stock. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the amount of
additional purchase price actually earned was approximately $.1 million.
On August 15, 1996, the Company acquired The SPECTREM Group, Inc.
("Spectrem"). Spectrem provides niche consulting and acquisition and divesture
advisory services in the trust and investment areas to U.S. banks. Of the total
purchase price, approximately $2.4 million was paid at closing, 50 percent in
cash and 50 percent in newly issued shares of NFO Common Stock. The remaining
purchase price is due based on Spectrem's earnings, as defined, during the three
years following the date of acquisition.
The 1996 acquisitions include allocations to goodwill and customer lists of
$20.1 and $5.6 million, respectively.
27
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
The unaudited consolidated results of operations on a pro forma basis as if
M/K, CSI, and Plog had been acquired as of the beginning of the Company's fiscal
year 1995 are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
1995
--------
Revenue $130,171
Net Income 9,209
Earnings per Share $ .45
The pro forma effects of Spectrem are not material, and therefore, are not
included.
Effective January 1, 1994, the Company acquired Payment Systems, Inc.
("PSI"), a syndicated market research provider to the financial services
industry. Of the total purchase price for PSI, $4.8 million was paid at closing
in equal proportions of cash and NFO Common Stock (402,239 post-split shares).
Additional portions of the purchase price were due based on PSI's earnings, as
defined, during the two years following the date of acquisition and payable
equally in cash and the Company's Common Stock. For the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1994, the amount of additional purchase price actually earned was
$1,047,000 and $722,000, respectively. The excess of the purchase price over the
fair market value of the net assets acquired resulted in allocations to goodwill
and other intangibles of approximately $5.8 million.
Effective November 30, 1994, the Company acquired Advanced Marketing
Solutions, Inc. ("AMS"), a provider of custom "expert" computer software systems
to the market research industry. Of the total purchase price for AMS, the
Company paid $875,000 in cash and issued a non-interest bearing convertible
subordinated note with a face value of $375,000 at closing. The note was
converted in 1996 into 33,186 shares of the Company's Common Stock and a new
non-interest bearing convertible subordinated note was issued with an eight-year
life and a face value of $125,000. In September 1997, this note was converted
into 16,593 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The note has been discounted
to a net present value of $69,000 in the accompanying financial statements. The
remainder of the purchase price is payable over the first three years after the
acquisition, approximately 57 percent in cash and 43 percent in non-interest
bearing convertible subordinated notes, subject to annual adjustments based on
AMS's actual earnings, as defined, each year. During 1996 and 1995, no
additional consideration was earned or payable. Substantially all of the
purchase price was allocated to goodwill based on the fair value of the net
assets acquired.
All of the acquisitions described above were accounted for as purchases and
their results of operations have been included in the accompanying supplemental
consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.
On April 1, 1997, the Company issued 2,589,720 shares of NFO Common Stock to
acquire 100% of the stock of Prognostics, a leading provider of survey-based
quantitative customer satisfaction research to information technology companies
worldwide. Founded in 1981, Prognostics is headquartered in Palo Alto,
California and has additional offices in Boston and London, as well as in Japan.
The acquisition was accounted for as a pooling of interests. The accompanying
financial statements have been restated to reflect the combined results of NFO
and Prognostics for all periods presented.
On July 11, 1997, the Company issued 2,046,363 shares of NFO Common Stock to
acquire all of the outstanding stock of The MBL Group plc, a leading
international market research firm with 27 offices in 15 countries throughout
the UK, the Middle East, and Asia. The supplemental consolidated financial
statements give retroactive effect to the merger, which has been accounted for
using the pooling-of-interests method and, as a result, the financial position,
results of operations and changes in financial position are presented as if the
combining companies had been consolidated for all periods presented. (As
required by generally accepted accounting principles, the supplemental
consolidated financial statements will become the historical financial
statements upon issuance of results of operations for the period that includes
the date of the merger.)
Separate results of operations for the periods prior to the mergers with
Prognostics and MBL are as follows:
1996 1995 1994
-------- -------- --------
Revenues
NFO $109,162 $ 73,098 $ 61,545
Prognostics 7,739 5,073 3,858
MBL 38,042 34,924 25,032
-------- -------- --------
Combined $154,943 $113,095 $ 90,435
-------- -------- --------
Net Income
NFO $ 9,016 $ 6,721 $ 5,581
Prognostics 454 60 384
MBL 1,146 2,378 1,706
-------- -------- --------
Combined $ 10,616 $ 9,159 $ 7,671
======== ======== ========
28
<PAGE>
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
19. Investments in Affiliates
At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had a 42 percent interest in Merac
WLL, a marketing research company based in Bahrain and the Company had a 40
percent interest in MBL Research and Consultancy Group (P), Ltd., a marketing
research company based in India.
The Company entered into agreements in 1995 with IPSOS, S.A. ("IPSOS"), a
major European marketing research firm, and LT Participants ("LT"), an IPSOS
affiliate, to launch access panel activities in Europe. Under the terms of the
agreements, the Company, IPSOS, and LT have agreed to launch joint venture
companies in five western European countries of which three are currently
operational. The Company initially will have approximately an 18 percent
interest in each joint venture but has the option, at its own discretion, to
increase its ownership interest to 50 percent during the next seven years by
purchasing LT's interest. LT has the right to sell its joint venture interests
to the Company anytime after three years. As part of these agreements, the
Company has purchased a comparable portion of IPSOS' existing access panel
businesses in Germany and France.
During 1996 and 1995, the Company invested approximately $999,000 and
$1,290,000 respectively, in these joint ventures. NFO's portion of the IPSOS
joint ventures' 1996 activities resulted in a loss of $453,000, which is
reflected in equity interest in net loss (income) of affiliated companies on the
supplemental consolidated income statements.
The Company's carrying amount of the above investments is reflected in other
assets in the accompanying supplemental consolidated balance sheets.
20. Segment Data
The Company operates in one industry segment, market research and three
geographic segments. The three geographic segments are: United States, Europe,
and Asia Pacific.
Intersegment sales are generally recorded at market or equivalent value. Net
income (loss) from operations by geographic segment consists of net sales less
related costs and expenses. Corporate operating expenses have been allocated
directly to the geographic segments. Identifiable assets by geographic segment
are those assets that are used in the Company's operations in each geographic
segment.
Geographic segment information is as follows for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995, and 1994 (in thousands):
1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- ---------
Revenues
United States $ 116,901 $ 78,171 $ 65,403
Europe 20,937 18,127 12,558
Asia Pacific 18,953 17,491 13,037
Eliminations (1,848) (694) (563)
--------- --------- ---------
Total Revenues $ 154,943 $ 113,095 $ 90,435
========= ========= =========
1996 1995 1994
-------- -------- --------
Net Income (Loss)
United States $ 9,470 $ 6,781 $ 5,965
Europe 758 700 529
Asia Pacific 1,721 2,253 1,530
Eliminations (1,333) (575) (353)
-------- -------- --------
Net Income $ 10,616 $ 9,159 $ 7,671
======== ======== ========
1996 1995
--------- ---------
Identifiable Assets at December 31
United States $ 106,133 $ 70,523
Europe 8,496 5,755
Asia Pacific 10,841 10,513
Eliminations (27) (10)
--------- ---------
Total Identifiable Assets $ 125,443 $ 86,781
========= =========
29
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes to Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
21. Subsequent Events
As discussed in Note 18 above, the Company acquired 100 percent of the
outstanding stock of The MBL Group plc ("MBL") on July 11, 1997. In addition,
the Company has or will shortly enter into agreements with the minority
shareholders of the various MBL subsidiaries to repurchase a portion of such
shareholders' minority shares during 1997. The consideration for this initial
purchase of the minority interests is expected to be $14.5 million, of which
$11.1 million is payable in cash and $3.4 million is payable via the issuance of
216,850 newly issued shares of NFO Common Stock. The remaining minority
interests will then be repurchased in three years based on the higher of (a) a
multiple of average profiles for three years ending December 31, 1999 or (b) the
original valuation. The purchase of the minority interests in MBL's subsidiaries
will be accounted for using purchase accounting.
30
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Balance Sheets
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
JUNE 30 DECEMBER 31
1997 1996
--------- ---------
ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
CURRENT ASSETS:
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $ 5,014 $ 9,579
RECEIVABLES:
TRADE 40,139 37,231
UNBILLED 7,425 3,963
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS 7,506 6,487
--------- ---------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 60,084 57,260
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 14,611 12,966
CUSTOMER LIST, GOODWILL AND
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 53,252 50,192
OTHER ASSETS 4,897 5,025
--------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 132,844 $ 125,443
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
CURRENT MATURITIES OF LONG-TERM DEBT $ 320 $ 459
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 5,078 5,164
ACCRUED EXPENSES 12,141 18,761
CUSTOMER BILLINGS IN EXCESS OF REVENUES EARNED 14,248 13,226
--------- ---------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 31,787 37,610
LONG-TERM DEBT 9,614 4,841
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 5,281 4,718
--------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 46,682 47,169
--------- ---------
MINORITY INTEREST 3,968 3,877
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE;
60,000 SHARES AUTHORIZED, 20,309 AND
20,055 ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING
IN 1997 AND 1996, RESPECTIVELY 136 134
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL 43,642 40,662
RETAINED EARNINGS 38,613 33,540
ADDITIONAL MINIMUM LIABILITY (323) (323)
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT 126 384
--------- ---------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 82,194 74,397
--------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 132,844 $ 125,443
========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
31
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements Of Income
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30 ENDED JUNE 30
------------- -------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES $ 47,025 $ 37,696 $ 89,045 $ 71,186
COST OF REVENUES 21,032 15,607 40,148 30,192
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 18,850 14,526 35,629 28,497
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 678 552 1,306 1,107
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE 722 783 1,472 1,567
-------- -------- -------- --------
OPERATING INCOME 5,743 6,228 10,490 9,823
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 63 12 72 27
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME) (81) (4) (90) (12)
EQUITY INTEREST IN NET LOSS
OF AFFILIATED COMPANIES 78 128 154 255
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
MINORITY INTEREST 5,683 6,092 10,354 9,553
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 2,568 2,626 4,469 4,190
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST 3,115 3,466 5,885 5,363
MINORITY INTEREST 393 532 812 644
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME $ 2,722 $ 2,934 $ 5,073 $ 4,719
======== ======== ======== ========
EARNINGS PER WEIGHTED AVERAGE
SHARE OUTSTANDING(a):
PRIMARY $ .13 $ .14 $ .25 $ .23
======== ======== ======== ========
FULLY DILUTED $ .13 $ .14 $ .24 $ .23
======== ======== ======== ========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
SHARES OUTSTANDING(a):
PRIMARY 20,657 20,705 20,582 20,592
======== ======== ======== ========
FULLY DILUTED 20,849 20,819 20,759 20,759
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
(a) For comparability, the earnings per share and share data reflect the
three-for-two stock splits effected on February 5, 1996 and October 15,
1997.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
32
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30 ENDED JUNE 30
-------------------- --------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET INCOME $ 2,722 $ 2,934 $ 5,073 $ 4,719
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE TO NET CASH
(USED IN)/PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
MINORITY INTEREST 393 532 812 644
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 678 552 1,306 1,107
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE 722 783 1,472 1,567
EQUITY INTEREST IN NET LOSS OF AFFILIATED
COMPANIES 78 128 154 255
DIVIDENDS PAID TO MINORITY INTEREST (721) (270) (721) (270)
------- ------- ------- -------
SUBTOTAL 3,872 4,659 8,096 8,022
CHANGE IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES THAT
PROVIDED (USED) CASH:
TRADE RECEIVABLES (4,231) (6,341) (2,738) (3,465)
UNBILLED RECEIVABLES (3,038) 1,153 (3,462) 58
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER
CURRENT ASSETS (313) 357 (1,011) 255
OTHER ASSETS (8) 170 224 156
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED AND
OTHER LIABILITIES (2,368) 1,216 (2,733) 1,753
CUSTOMER BILLINGS IN EXCESS OF
REVENUES EARNED 2,779 (1,179) 926 (980)
------- ------- ------- -------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY
OPERATING ACTIVITIES (3,307) 35 (698) 5,799
------- ------- ------- -------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (1,793) (1,475) (2,952) (2,134)
ACQUISITIONS (NET OF CASH ACQUIRED) (3,892) (523) (4,972) (6,218)
INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATED COMPANIES (69) (39) (251) (933)
PURCHASE OF LICENSE AGREEMENT AND
OTHER INTANGIBLES (138) (3) (469) (40)
------- ------- ------- -------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (5,892) (2,040) (8,644) (9,325)
------- ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
33
<PAGE>
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
(continued)
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30 ENDED JUNE 30
------------- -------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
PAYMENTS ON LONG-TERM DEBT (202) (450 (4,364) (4,181)
NET PROCEEDS FROM ISSUANCE OF STOCK 294 346 303 572
BORROWINGS ON LINE OF CREDIT 5,000 -- 9,000 5,000
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY
FINANCING ACTIVITIES 5,092 (104) 4,939 1,391
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 32 11 (162) 16
-------- -------- -------- --------
CHANGE IN CASH (4,075) (2,098 (4,565) (2,119)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
BEGINNING OF PERIOD 9,089 10,509 9,579 10,530
-------- -------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
END OF PERIOD $ 5,014 $ 8,411 $ 5,014 $ 8,411
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
34
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
(continued)
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30 ENDED JUNE 30
------------- -------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
------ ------ ------ ------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH
FLOW INFORMATION:
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
INTEREST $ 126 $ 64 $ 204 $ 160
INCOME TAXES $2,558 $2,919 $3,118 $3,306
------ ------ ------ ------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
35
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOREIGN
ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL CURRENCY
COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED MINIMUM TRANSLATION
SHARES STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS LIABILITY ADJUSTMENT
------ ----- ------- -------- --------- -\---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 1997,
AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED 18,009 $ 120 $40,525 $28,163 $ (323) $ --
ACQUISITION OF MBL,
ACCOUNTED FOR AS A POOLING
OF INTERESTS 2,046 14 137 5,377 384
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 1997,
AS RESTATED 20,055 $ 134 $40,662 $33,540 $ (323) $ 384
COMMON STOCK ISSUED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH
ACQUISITION EARNOUTS 198 1 2,678
EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS 56 1 302
TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT (258)
NET INCOME 5,073
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1997 20,309 $ 136 $43,642 $38,613 $ (323) $ 126
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
36
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes To Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements
(UNAUDITED)
Note 1. Financial Statements:
The supplemental condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements of NFO
Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") have been prepared to give
retroactive effect to the merger with The MBL Group plc on July 11, 1997,
accounted for as a pooling of interests (see Note 2). These financial statements
will become the historical condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements
of the Company after results of operations for periods subsequent to the date of
consummation of the business combination are issued.
These supplemental condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company, including its subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany amounts have been eliminated. In the opinion of the Company, the
accompanying unaudited supplemental condensed quarterly consolidated financial
statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company
as of June 30, 1997 and the results of its operations for the three and six
month periods ended June 30, 1997 and June 30, 1996, respectively.
The financial statements and related notes in the Company's Audited Supplemental
Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,
included elsewhere in the Company's Form 8-K herein, should be read in
conjunction with the accompanying supplemental condensed quarterly consolidated
financial statements. The information included herein may not be indicative of
the results to be expected for a full year.
Note 2. Acquisitions:
On April 1, 1997 the Company issued approximately 2,590,000 shares (adjusted for
the 3 for 2 stock split effective October 15, 1997) of NFO common stock to
acquire 100% of the stock of Prognostics, a leading provider of survey-based
quantitative customer satisfaction research to information technology companies
worldwide. The acquisition has been accounted for as a pooling of interests. The
accompanying financial statements have been restated to reflect the combined
results of NFO and Prognostics for all periods presented.
On July 11, 1997 the Company issued approximately 2,046,000 shares (adjusted for
the 3 for 2 stock split effective October 15, 1997) of NFO common stock to
acquire 100% of the outstanding stock of The MBL Group Plc, a leading
international market research firm. The acquisition of the MBL Group Plc has
been accounted for as a pooling of interests. The supplemental condensed
quarterly consolidated financial statements give retroactive effect to the
merger and, as a result, the financial position, results of operations and
changes in financial position are presented as if the combining companies had
been consolidated for all periods presented. (As required by generally accepted
accounting principles, the supplemental condensed quarterly consolidated
financial statements will become the historical financial statements upon
issuance of results of operations for the period that includes the date of the
merger.)
NFO has also entered into agreements with minority shareholder employees of the
various MBL Group operating companies whereby the Company has agreed to
repurchase a portion of the minority shares during 1997 and the remainder in
three years utilizing a combination of cash and NFO common stock. The
acquisitions of the MBL Group operating companies' minority shares will be
accounted for as purchases.
37
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Notes To Supplemental Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements
(continued)
(UNAUDITED)
Separate results of operations for the periods prior to the merger with MBL are
as follows:
(UNAUDITED), IN THOUSANDS
-----------------------------------------------------
SECOND SECOND FIRST SIX FIRST SIX
QUARTER QUARTER MONTHS MONTHS
1997 1996 1997 1996
------- ------- ------- -------
REVENUES
NFO $35,923 $27,827 $67,892 $53,426
MBL 11,102 9,869 21,153 17,760
------- ------- ------- -------
COMBINED $47,025 $37,696 $89,045 $71,186
======= ======= ======= =======
NET INCOME
NFO $ 2,534 $ 2,516 $ 4,614 $ 4,205
MBL 188 418 459 514
------- ------- ------- -------
COMBINED $ 2,722 $ 2,934 $ 5,073 $ 4,719
======= ======= ======= =======
On May 29, 1997, the Company acquired Access Research, Inc. ("Access"). Access
is a research based financial services consulting firm specializing in the
retirement market. Access is a leading source of quantitative and qualitative
research, consulting, and communications services addressing pension sales,
operations, and marketing issues, especially in the 401(k) market. The entire
purchase price of approximately $4.0 million was paid in cash at closing. The
Access acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and the accompanying
financial statements include the results of operations from the effective date
of the acquisition. The purchase price allocations are based on preliminary
estimates of Fair Market Value and are subject to revision. The results of
operations for Access are included in the Financial Statements for one month of
the second quarter of 1997 and the pro forma effects are not material to the
consolidated results of operations for the Company in 1997 and 1996.
38
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Quarterly Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial
Condition And Results Of Operations
The following information should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
supplemental condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto included herein.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain operating
statement data for the Company, expressed as a percentage of revenues, and the
percentage change in such items compared to amounts for the prior year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPLEMENTAL
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
REVENUES PERCENTAGE REVENUES PERCENTAGE
--------------------- CHANGE FROM --------------------- CHANGE FROM
1997 1996 PRIOR YEAR 1997 1996 PRIOR YEAR
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES 100.0% 100.0% 24.7% 100.0% 100.0% 25.1%
COST OF REVENUES 44.7 41.4 34.8 45.0 42.4 33.0
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 40.1 38.5 29.8 40.0 40.0 25.0
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 1.4 1.5 22.8 1.5 1.6 18.0
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE 1.5 2.1 (7.8) 1.7 2.2 (6.1)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
OPERATING INCOME 12.2 16.5 (7.8) 11.8 13.8 6.8
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 0.1 0.0 425.0 0.1 0.0 166.7
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME) (0.2) 0.0 1,925.0 (0.1) 0.0 650.0
EQUITY INTEREST IN NET LOSS
OF AFFILIATED COMPANIES 0.2 0.3 (39.1) 0.2 0.4 (39.6)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
MINORITY INTEREST 12.1 16.2 (6.7) 11.6 13.4 8.4
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 5.5 7.0 (2.2) 5.0 5.9 6.7
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
NET INCOME BEFORE MINORITY
INTEREST 6.6 9.2 (10.1) 6.6 7.5 9.7
MINORITY INTEREST 0.8 1.4 (26.1) 0.9 0.9 26.1
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
NET INCOME 5.8% 7.8% (7.2)% 5.7% 6.6% 7.5%
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
39
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Quarterly Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial
Condition And Results Of Operations (continued)
OPERATIONS
Effective April 1, 1997, the Company acquired Prognostics and on July 11, 1997,
the Company acquired MBL. Both transactions were accounted for as pooling of
interests. Accordingly, all of the accompanying financial information has been
restated to include the combined financial results of NFO, Prognostics and MBL
for all periods presented.
The Company's revenues for the three months ended June 30, 1997 increased 25% to
$47.0 million from $37.7 million for the same period last year. Revenues in the
second quarter increased $9.3 million over the same period last year, led by
strong performance in the Company's domestic financial services, healthcare and
packaged goods and foods business units where revenues grew by over 20% in each
sector. Additionally, the Company's international business sectors grew at a
double-digit rate compared to the same period last year. For the six months
ended June 30, 1997, revenues increased 25% to $89.0 million from $71.2 million
in the same period last year, with these same sectors as well as the Company's
hi-tech/telecommunications business unit all growing at double digit rates for
the six month period. The SPECTREM Group, acquired in August 1996, and Access
Research, acquired in May 1997, contributed $1.6 million to the quarter's
increase in revenues, and $3.0 million to the six month increase.
Cost of revenues increased 35% in the second quarter to $21.0 million from $15.6
million a year ago. This increase is primarily due to overall increased business
volume, the first time inclusion of Spectrem and Access Research ($.8 million),
the Company's interactive initiatives, a slight shift in product mix and
inflationary increases. For the six months ended June 30, 1997 cost of revenues
increased 33% to $40.1 million from $30.2 million last year, primarily due to
overall increased business volume, the late 1996 and 1997 acquisitions ($1.5
million) and the Company's interactive initiatives.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 30% in the second quarter
to $18.9 million from $14.5 million in the same period last year. The major
factors for the increase were: transaction costs associated with the acquisition
of Prognostics ($.4 million), the inclusion of Spectrem and Access Research ($.7
million), increased costs due to increased business activity and headcount,
especially in the Company's pharmaceutical/HealthMed business units ($.8
million), the expenses relating to the Company's interactive initiatives ($.4
million) and inflationary increases. For the six month period ended June 30,
1997 selling, general and administrative expenses increased 25% to $35.6 million
from $28.5 million last year. The primary reasons for the increase were the
inclusion of the new acquisitions ($1.3 million), transaction costs associated
with the acquisition of Prognostics ($.4 million), increased staffing caused by
increased business activity, the costs associated with the Company's new office
in China, the development of on-line interactive research activities, and
inflationary increases.
As a result of the items above operating income for the quarter ended June 30,
1997 decreased 8% to $5.7 million from $6.2 million, and for the first six
months of 1997 increased 7% to $10.5 million from $9.8 million, compared to the
same periods a year ago. Excluding the transaction expenses associated with the
acquisition of Prognostics and a temporary shift in the timing of work flow in
the Company's Hong Kong operations ($.5 million), operating income increased 9%
and 16% for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 1997, respectively,
compared to the prior year.
Net operating losses associated with NFO's European joint venture activities
equaled $.1 million for the quarter and $.2 million for the six month period,
$.1 million below the year ago level.
The Company's effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 was 45.2%
compared to 43.1% for the same period last year. The increase in the quarter's
effective tax rate was primarily the result of the non-deductibility of the
transaction costs related to the Prognostics acquisition partially offset by
lower state and local income taxes attributed to several tax savings strategies
implemented in late 1996. For the six month period ended June 30, 1997 the
effective tax rate was 43.2% compared to 43.9% in the same period last year. The
decrease was primarily the result of the 1996 tax savings strategies partially
offset by the nondeductible transaction costs related to the Prognostics
acquisition.
40
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Quarterly Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial
Condition And Results Of Operations (continued)
Net income for the second quarter of 1997 decreased 7% to $2.7 million. Primary
earnings per share, including the $.02 per share relating to transaction costs
associated with the acquisition of Prognostics, were $.13, down $.01 from the
same period last year, but up $.01 or 7% ahead of the prior year when this
charge is excluded. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 1997 increased
8% to $5.1 million from $4.7 million a year ago. Net income, excluding the $.4
million charge for the transaction costs of Prognostics, increased 17% over the
same six month period a year ago. Primary earnings per share for the six month
period, including the $.02 charge for the acquisition, were $.25 compared to
$.23 for the same period last year. Excluding the $.02 charge, primary earnings
per share were $.27, a 17% increase compared to the first six months of 1996.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Working capital as of June 30, 1997 was $28.3 million compared to $19.7 million
at December 31, 1996. The increase in working capital resulted primarily from
the results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and payments in
cash (financed by long term debt) and stock of previously accrued acquisition
related liabilities. Offsetting these increases were capital expenditures ($3.0
million) and investments in European Joint Ventures ($.3 million).
As of June 30, 1997 the Company had $9.0 million outstanding on its $45.0
million credit facility with three major U.S. banks.
Capital expenditures for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 were $1.8 million
compared to $1.5 million for the same period last year. For the six months ended
June 30, 1997 capital expenditures were $3.0 million compared to $2.1 million a
year ago. Capital expenditures for 1997 are anticipated to be approximately $10
million including approximately $4 million due to planned expansion of the
Company's operations capacity.
The Company has reviewed the changes to its systems required to be made to
convert to the year 2000 and believes these changes will not have a material
effect on the Company's cash requirements in the next several years.
The Company anticipates that existing cash, together with internally generated
funds and its credit and stock availabilities will provide the Company with the
resources that are needed to satisfy potential acquisitions, capital
expenditures and the Company's growing working capital requirements. The timing
and magnitude of future acquisitions will be the single most important factor in
determining the Company's long term capital needs.
FUTURE REQUIRED ACCOUNTING CHANGES
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share (SFAS No. 128). This
statement introduces new methods for calculating earnings per share. The
adoption of this standard will not impact results from operations, financial
condition, or long-term liquidity, but will require the Company to restate
earnings per share reported in prior periods to conform with this statement. The
Company is required to adopt the new standard for periods ending after December
15, 1997. The Company believes that the adoption of this standard will result in
higher earnings per share when comparing the current primary and fully diluted
earnings per share calculations to the calculations of basic and diluted
earnings per share required by SFAS No. 128.
41
<PAGE>
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
Supplemental Quarterly Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial
Condition And Results Of Operations (continued)
On June 30, 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (SFAS No.
130). This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of
comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. The adoption of
this standard will not impact results from operations, financial condition, or
long-term liquidity, but will require the Company to classify items of other
comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and display the
accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately in the equity
section of the balance sheet. The Company is required to adopt the new standard
for periods beginning after December 15, 1997.
42
<PAGE>
Signature
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.
NFO WORLDWIDE, INC.
-------------------
(Registrant)
Dated: October 22, 1997 /s/ Patrick G. Healy
--------------------
Patrick G. Healy,
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer of
Registrant and
Principal Financial Officer)
Exhibit 23.1
Consent Of Independent Public Accountants
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference of our report dated August 4, 1997, on the supplemental consolidated
financial statements of NFO Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and for each of the years in the three year period ended December
31, 1996, included in NFO Worldwide, Inc.'s current report on Form 8-K dated
October 22, 1997, into NFO Worldwide, Inc.'s previously filed Registration
Statements, File Nos. 33-73516, 33-83002, 33-91936, 333-24297 and 333-24299.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
October 20, 1997
Exhibit 23.2
Consent Of Registered Auditors And Chartered Accountants
As registered auditors and chartered accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference of our report dated August 4, 1997, on the financial
statements of The MBL Group Plc as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each
of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1996, included in NFO
Worldwide, Inc.'s current report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 1997, into NFO
Worldwide, Inc.'s previously filed Registration Statements, File Nos. 33-73516,
33-83002, 33-91936, 333-24297 and 333-24299.
/s/ SOTERIOU BANERJI
SOTERIOU BANERJI
London, England
October 20, 1997
