425

Filed by Spark Networks, Inc.

Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Subject Company: Spark Networks, Inc.

Commission File No.: 001-32750

August 7, 2017

 

 

LOGO

 

SPARK NETWORKS® REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2017 RESULTS

LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 7, 2017 — Spark Networks, Inc. (NYSE MKT: LOV) today reported results for the second quarter of 2017.

“With our recent relaunch of JDate on our new technology platform we reached a major strategic milestone, and are well on our way toward completing the launch of Christian Mingle later this quarter,” said Danny Rosenthal, Chief Executive Officer of Spark Networks. “We expect that the release of the new platform will quickly translate into operational cost savings and increased marketing efficiency and effectiveness.

“In Q2, we saw our second consecutive quarter of revenue stability within the Jewish Networks. These results, when combined with our new platform, position us to make the data-driven marketing investments necessary to drive future growth and value creation.”

As previously announced on May 2, 2017, Spark Networks, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement with Affinitas GmbH (“EliteSingles”), which operates premium online dating platforms EliteSingles, eDarling and Attractive World to combine in a stock-for-stock merger. Spark continues to expect the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2017, subject to Spark shareholder approval and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions.

In light of the pending merger, Spark will not host a conference call to review its second quarter 2017 results.

Key Quarterly Metrics

 

     Q2 2017      Q1 2017      Q2 2016  

Revenue

     $6.6 Million        $7.3 Million        $9.1 Million  

Contribution1

     $6.0 Million        $5.8 Million        $7.6 Million  

Net Loss

     $(2.5) Million        $(2.1) Million        $329 Thousand  

Adjusted EBITDA2

     $1.2 Million        $131 Thousand        $1.4 Million  

Cash Balance

     $9.8 Million        $10.8 Million        $3.1 Million  

Period Ending Subs3

     111,371        119,540        183,678  

Avg. Paying Subs3

     114,925        130,441        189,938  

ARPU

     $19.11        $18.38        $15.70  


Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Revenue: For the second quarter of 2017, total revenue was $6.6 million, a decrease of 27% compared to the year ago period, and a 9% decrease from the prior quarter. The year over year and sequential decreases were primarily driven by a decrease in average paying subscribers, reflecting reduced direct marketing investment in the Jewish and Christian Networks. These decreases were partially offset by year over year and sequential increases in ARPU of 22% and 4%, respectively.

Contribution: Contribution was $6.0 million in the quarter, a decrease of 22% compared to the year ago period, and a 2% increase from the prior quarter. Our contribution margin increased to 90% from 80% in the prior quarter and increased from 84% in the year ago period. Total direct marketing expenses decreased 53% to $690,000 in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $1.5 million in the prior year period.

Net Loss: Net Loss was $(2.5) million in the quarter, compared to Net Income of $329,000 in the year ago period and a Net Loss of $(2.1) million in the prior quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA: For the second quarter of 2017, Adjusted EBITDA was $1.2 million, a decrease of $(283,000) versus the year ago period and an increase of $1.0 million from the prior quarter.

Cash: Cash used in operating activities in the second quarter was $440,000. At June 30, 2017, the Company had $9.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $10.8 million at the end of the prior quarter. At quarter end, the Company had no outstanding debt.


SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

SEGMENT4 RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS

(in thousands except subscriber and ARPU information)

 

     Q2 2017     Q1 2017      Q4 2016      Q3 2016      Q2 2016      Q2 ’17 v.
Q2 ’16
    Q2 ’17 v.
Q1 ’17
 

Revenue

                  

Jewish Networks

   $ 3,137     $ 3,148      $ 3,136      $ 3,322      $ 3,628        -13.5     -0.4

Christian Networks

     3,371       3,813        4,262        4,673        5,044        -33.2     -11.6

Other Networks

     134       286        335        385        413        -67.6     -53.2

Offline & Other Businesses

     (2     17        10        11        13        -115.7     -111.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 6,640     $ 7,264      $ 7,743      $ 8,391      $ 9,098        -27.0     -8.6

Direct Mktg. Exp.

                  

Jewish Networks

   $ 259     $ 570      $ 316      $ 420      $ 372        -30.4     -54.6

Christian Networks

     405       803        316        750        1,001        -59.5     -49.6

Other Networks

     26       60        41        60        105        -75.2     -56.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Direct Mktg. Exp.

   $ 690     $ 1,433      $ 673      $ 1,230      $ 1,478        -53.3     -51.8

Contribution

                  

Jewish Networks

   $ 2,878     $ 2,578      $ 2,820      $ 2,902      $ 3,256        -11.6     11.6

Christian Networks

     2,966       3,009        3,946        3,923        4,043        -26.6     -1.4

Other Networks

     108       227        294        325        308        -64.9     -52.3

Offline & Other Businesses

     (2     17        10        11        13        -119.7     -114.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Contribution

   $ 5,950     $ 5,831      $ 7,070      $ 7,161      $ 7,620        -21.9     2.0

Period Ending Subs

                  

Jewish Networks

     47,487       47,236        51,519        52,952        59,868        -20.7     0.5

Christian Networks

     57,947       65,146        82,163        95,047        112,895        -48.7     -11.1

Other Networks

     5,937       7,158        8,690        10,234        10,915        -45.6     -17.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Period Ending Subs.

     111,371       119,540        142,372        158,233        183,678        -39.4     -6.8

Average Paying Subs.

                  

Jewish Networks

     47,278       48,823        52,493        57,684        61,732        -23.4     -3.2

Christian Networks

     60,972       73,627        88,774        105,108        117,024        -47.9     -17.2

Other Networks

     6,675       7,991        9,408        10,772        11,182        -40.3     -16.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Avg. Paying Subs.

     114,925       130,441        150,675        173,564        189,938        -39.5     -11.9

ARPU

                  

Jewish Networks

   $ 17.69     $ 18.59      $ 18.58      $ 18.79      $ 19.33        -8.5     -4.8

Christian Networks

     18.42       17.22        15.75        14.60        14.09        30.7     6.9

Other Networks

     6.54       11.91        11.55        11.69        12.15        -46.2     -45.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total ARPU5

   $ 19.11     $ 18.38      $ 16.89      $ 15.81      $ 15.70        21.7     4.0


Distribution of New Subscription Purchases6

 

     Q2 2017     Q1 2017     Q4 2016     Q3 2016     Q2 2016  

Jewish Networks

          

1 month plans

     54.7     51.6     45.7     32.6     28.2

3 month plans

     19.5     19.2     20.4     18.4     19.2

6 month plans

     25.8     29.2     33.9     49.0     52.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Christian Networks

          

1 month plans

     58.2     55.1     52.7     36.5     39.2

3 month plans

     24.8     25.0     27.0     22.4     25.7

6 month plans

     17.0     19.9     20.3     41.1     35.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Other Networks

          

1 month plans

     57.4     55.0     60.1     51.1     52.2

3 month plans

     11.3     12.2     10.5     9.5     10.8

6 month plans

     31.3     32.8     29.4     39.4     37.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Composition of Average Paying Subscriber Base7

 

     Q2 2017     Q1 2017     Q4 2016     Q3 2016     Q2 2016  

Jewish Networks

          

First Time Subscribers

     21.2     21.7     22.0     23.7     24.6

Winback Subscribers

     25.8     28.1     33.0     34.6     34.0

Renewal Subscribers

     53.0     50.2     44.9     41.7     41.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Christian Networks

          

First Time Subscribers

     32.7     35.2     37.2     39.9     42.0

Winback Subscribers

     21.0     21.4     25.1     26.4     26.0

Renewal Subscribers

     46.3     43.4     37.7     33.7     32.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Other Networks

          

First Time Subscribers

     27.0     28.0     29.8     32.7     33.0

Winback Subscribers

     22.6     21.6     22.2     22.9     22.4

Renewal Subscribers

     50.4     50.4     48.0     44.4     44.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0


Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Spark’s or EliteSingles’ or the combined company’s performance or achievements to be materially different from those of any expected future results, performance, or achievements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and neither Spark nor EliteSingles assumes any duty to update forward-looking statements. We caution readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected completion of the launch of Christin Mingle and the Company’s transition roadmap, statements about the Company’s positioning to make investments to drive future growth and value creation, statements about the anticipated timing of the closing of the Company’s pending business combination transaction with EliteSingles, statements about the expected benefits of such business combination transaction, including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: (i) the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (ii) changes in Spark’s share price before closing, including as a result of the financial performance of EliteSingles prior to closing, or more generally due to broader stock market movements, and the performance of peer group companies; (iii) the risk that the benefits from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Spark and EliteSingles operate; (iv) the ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Spark and EliteSingles; (v) the reaction to the transaction of the companies’ customers, employees and counterparties; (vi) diversion of management time on merger-related issues; (vii) lower-than-expected revenues, credit quality deterioration or a reduction in net earnings; and (viii) other risks that are described in Spark’s public filings with the SEC. For more information, see the risk factors described in Spark’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC.


How to Find Further Information

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law. This communication is being made in respect of the proposed business combination transaction between the Company and EliteSingles. The proposed transaction will be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for their consideration. In connection with the proposed transaction, the new entity and EliteSingles will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 that will include the proxy statement of the Company that also constitutes a prospectus of the Company. After the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to each Company stockholder entitled to vote at the Company’s stockholder meeting. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors may obtain copies of the proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and all other documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Investors may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from the Company’s website (www.spark.net) under the link “Investor Relations” and then under the tab “SEC Filings” or by directing request to investor@spark.net.

Participants in Solicitation

The Company and its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the Company’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interest, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. You can find information about the Company’s executive officers and directors in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017 and in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2017. You can also obtain free copies of these documents from the Company using the contact information above.

About Spark Networks, Inc.:

The Spark Networks portfolio of consumer Web sites includes, among others, JDate®.com (www.jdate.com), ChristianMingle®.com (www.christianmingle.com), JSwipe (www.jswipeapp.com), CROSSPATHS (www.crosspathsapp.com), LDSSingles (www.ldssingles.com), BlackSingles.com® (www.blacksingles.com), and SilverSingles®.com (www.silversingles.com).

For More Information

Investors:

Robert O’Hare

rohare@spark.net

 

1  “Contribution” is defined as revenue, net of credits and credit card chargebacks, less direct marketing.


2  The Company reports Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This non-GAAP measure is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, budget, forecast and compensate management. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a consistent view, period to period, of the core earnings generated from on-going operations and excludes the impact of: (i) non-cash items such as stock-based compensation, asset impairments, non-cash currency translation adjustments related to an inter-company loan and (ii) one-time items that have not occurred in the past two years and are not expected to recur in the next two years. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for net income (loss) (as determined in accordance with GAAP) for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance or financial position, as Adjusted EBITDA is not defined by GAAP. A reconciliation of the Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 can be found in the table below.

“Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangible and long-lived assets, non-cash currency translation adjustments for an inter-company loan and non-recurring legal and acquisition costs.

 

3 “Paying Subscribers” are defined as individuals who have paid a monthly fee for access to communication and website features beyond those provided to our members. Period ending subscribers for each quarter represent the paying subscriber count as of the last day of the period. Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and end of the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months in such period. The calculation excludes results from the Company’s HurryDate business due to its relative size.

 

4  In accordance with Segment Reporting guidance, the Company’s financial reporting includes detailed data on four separate operating segments. The Jewish Networks segment consists of JDate, JDate.co.il, JDate.fr, JDate.co.uk, and JSwipe. The Christian Networks segment consists of ChristianMingle, CrossPaths, ChristianMingle.co.uk, ChristianMingle.com.au, Believe.com, and Faith.com. The Other Networks segment consists of LDSSingles.com and related other general market websites as well as other properties which are primarily composed of sites targeted towards various religious, ethnic, geographic and special interest groups. The Offline & Other Businesses segment consists of revenue generated from offline activities and HurryDate events and subscriptions.

 

5  ARPU is defined as average revenue per user per month. Total ARPU excludes results from the Company’s HurryDate business due to its relative size.

 

6  One month plans may also include a small amount of two month plans. Three month plans may include a small amount of four month plans. Six month plans may include a small amount of twelve month plans.

 

7  Represents the composition of average paying subscribers in the period. First Time Subscribers are defined as those subscribers that have never purchased a subscription from the Company for that reporting segment. Winback Subscribers are defined as those individuals who have purchased a subscription from the Company for that reporting segment, allowed their subscription to lapse, and subsequently purchased a subscription from the Company for that reporting segment. Renewal Subscribers are defined as those subscribers that have auto-renewed a subscription from the Company for that reporting segment. Figures exclude results from JSwipe and CrossPaths.


SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     June 30,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9,808     $ 11,360  

Restricted cash

     380       454  

Accounts receivable

     438       525  

Prepaid expenses and other

     540       1,408  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     11,166       13,747  

Property and equipment, net

     2,221       4,494  

Goodwill

     11,136       10,523  

Intangible assets, net

     2,840       2,950  

Deposits and other assets

     90       103  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 27,453     $ 31,817  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,158     $ 819  

Accrued liabilities

     2,858       2,590  

Deferred revenue

     3,143       4,005  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     7,159       7,414  

Deferred tax liability - non-current

     2,274       2,092  

Other liabilities

     98       246  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     9,531       9,752  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized, $0.001 par value, 450,000 of which are designated as Series C Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, with no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding

     —         —    

100,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized, $0.001 par value, with 32,176,023 and 31,983,545 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

     32       32  

Additional paid-in-capital

     87,543       87,198  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     869       713  

Accumulated deficit

     (70,522     (65,878
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     17,922       22,065  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 27,453     $ 31,817  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Revenue

   $ 6,640     $ 9,098     $ 13,904     $ 18,957  

Cost and expenses:

        

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

     1,684       2,653       4,038       8,882  

Sales and marketing

     561       1,380       1,211       2,832  

Customer service

     586       840       1,221       1,833  

Technical operations

     280       305       499       602  

Development

     904       1,180       1,619       2,210  

General and administrative

     3,664       2,004       6,898       4,515  

Depreciation

     1,666       746       3,374       1,458  

Amortization of intangible assets

     49       78       98       156  

Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets

     15       52       24       91  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost and expenses

     9,409       9,238       18,982       22,579  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (2,769     (140     (5,078     (3,622

Interest (income) expense and other, net

     (111     114       (342     (27
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax benefit

     (2,658     (254     (4,736     (3,595

Income tax benefit

     (139     (583     (92     (516
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (2,519     329       (4,644     (3,079

Net (loss) earnings per share - basic and diluted

   $ (0.08   $ 0.01     $ (0.14   $ (0.12
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic

     32,098       25,908       32,051       25,885  

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

     32,098       25,975       32,051       25,855  

Stock-based compensation:

        

Sales and marketing

   $ 15     $ 67     $ 16     $ 95  

Customer service

     2       4       5       4  

Technical operations

     2       24       4       44  

Development

     16       7       12       12  

General and administrative

     150       242       308       511  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation

   $ 185     $ 344     $ 345     $ 666  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

        

Net (loss) income

   $ (2,519   $ 329     $ (4,644   $ (3,079

Interest expense

     56       19       78       33  

Income tax benefit

     (139     (583     (92     (516

Depreciation

     1,666       746       3,374       1,458  

Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets

     15       52       24       91  

Amortization of intangible assets

     49       78       98       156  

Non-cash currency translation adjustments

     (170     90       (423     (64

Stock-based compensation

     185       344       345       666  

Non-recurring legal and acquisition costs

     2,016       367       2,530       431  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 1,159     $ 1,442     $ 1,290     $ (824