UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 



 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

 



 

For the transition period from __________________ to ______________________.

 

Commission file number 001-37656

 

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 



 

601 West 26th Street, 9th Floor

New York, New York 10001

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

(646) 564-2577

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 



 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.



 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.



 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.



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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).



 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.       ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.



 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).



 

The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2017, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $156,660,120 (based on the closing sales price of the registrant's common stock on that date).

 

At February 28, 2018, the registrant had 63,347,124 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on June 8, 2018 are incorporated by reference in Items 10 through 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 







 

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SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-K

 



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PART I

 

Unless otherwise noted, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the “Sequential Brands Group”, “Company,” “our Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar pronouns refer to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to other companies may include their trademarks, which are the property of their respective owners.

 

This 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We use words such as “future,” “seek,” “could,” “can,” “predict,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimate,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: (i) risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports that the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (ii) general economic, market or business conditions; (iii) the Company’s ability to identify suitable targets for acquisitions and to obtain financing for such acquisitions on commercially reasonable terms; (iv) the Company’s ability to timely achieve the anticipated results of recent acquisitions and any potential future acquisitions; (v) the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into its ongoing business; (vi) the potential impact of the consummation of recent acquisitions or any potential future acquisitions on the Company’s relationships, including with employees, licensees, customers and competitors; (vii) the Company’s ability to achieve and/or manage growth and to meet target metrics associated with such growth; (viii) the Company’s ability to successfully attract new brands and to identify suitable licensees for its existing and newly acquired brands; (ix) the Company’s substantial level of indebtedness, including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect the Company’s future cash flows, results of operations and financial condition and decrease its operating flexibility; (x) the Company’s ability to achieve its guidance; (xi) continued market acceptance of the Company’s brands; (xii) changes in the Company’s competitive position or competitive actions by other companies; (xiii) licensees’ ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company; (xiv) concentrations of the Company’s licensing revenues with a limited number of licensees and retail partners; and (xv) other circumstances beyond the Company’s control.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on current expectations and assumptions. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to such or other forward-looking statements.





 

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Corporate Overview

 

We own a portfolio of consumer brands in the home, active and fashion categories, including Martha Stewart, Jessica Simpson,  AND1, Avia,  Joe’s Jeans,  GAIAM and Heelys. We aim to maximize the value of our brands by promoting, marketing and licensing the brands through various distribution channels, including to retailers, wholesalers and distributors in the United States and in certain international territories. Our core strategy is to enhance and monetize the global reach of our existing brands, and to pursue additional strategic acquisitions to grow the scope of and diversify our portfolio of brands.

 

Our business is designed to maximize the value of our brands through license agreements with partners that are responsible for manufacturing and distributing our licensed products and, with the exception of our Martha Stewart brand, primarily responsible for the design of such licensed products. Our brands are licensed for a broad range of product categories, including apparel, footwear, eyewear, fashion accessories and home goods, as well as, with respect to our Martha Stewart brand, food, wine and a variety of media related assets, such as magazines, books and other print and digital content. We seek to select licensees who have demonstrated the ability to produce and sell quality products in their respective licensed categories and have the capability to meet or exceed the minimum sales thresholds and guaranteed minimum royalty payments that we generally require.

 

We license our brands to both wholesale and direct-to-retail licensees. In a wholesale license, a wholesale supplier is granted rights (typically on an exclusive basis) to a single or small group of related product categories for a particular brand for sale to multiple accounts within an approved channel of distribution and territory. In a direct-to-retail license, a single retailer is granted the right (typically on an exclusive basis) to sell branded products in a broad range of product categories through its brick and mortar stores and e-commerce sites. As of December 31, 2017, we had more than one-hundred fifty licensees, with wholesale licensees comprising a significant majority.

 

Strategy

 

We own, manage, and maximize the long-term value of a diversified portfolio of global consumer brands. We aim to acquire well-known consumer brands with high potential for growth and strong brand awareness. We additionally seek to diversify our portfolio by evaluating the strength of targeted brands and the expected viability and sustainability of future royalty streams. Upon the acquisition of a brand, we partner with leading wholesalers and retailers to drive incremental value and maximize brand equity. We focus on certain key initiatives in our licensing and brand management business. These initiatives include:

 







Licensing Relationships

  

Our license agreements typically require a licensee to pay us royalties based upon net sales and, in most cases, contain guaranteed minimum royalties. Our license agreements also require licensees to support the brands by either paying or spending contractually guaranteed minimum amounts for the marketing and advertising of the respective licensed brands. As of February 28, 2018, we had contractual rights to receive an aggregate of $379.5 million in minimum royalty and marketing and advertising revenue from our licensees through the balance of the current terms of such licenses, excluding any renewals.

 

Our license agreements stipulate specific geographical territories and distribution channels in which the licensed products may be sold. Currently, the majority of our revenues are from license agreements with stipulated distribution territories in the United States. As we grow our existing brands and acquire new brands, we intend to increase the share of our international revenue, primarily through additional licenses, partnerships and other arrangements.

 

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We believe our business model enables us to use our brand management expertise to continue to grow our portfolio of brands and generate new revenue streams without significantly changing our infrastructure. We believe our business model provides numerous benefits, including:

 









Our licensing revenues are concentrated with certain licensees and retail partners. During the year ended December 31, 2017, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue, each accounting for 11% of the Company’s net revenue. For additional information, see “Risk Factors Risks Related to our Business - A substantial portion of our licensing revenue is concentrated with a limited number of licensees and retail partners, such that the loss of a licensee or retail partner could materially decrease our revenue and cash flows” in Item 1A.

 

Description of Our Brands

 

Martha Stewart

 

In December 2015, we acquired the Martha Stewart brand through the acquisition of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (“MSLO”). MSLO was founded in 1997 by Martha Stewart, an Emmy Award-winning television show host, entrepreneur, bestselling author of 90 books, and America’s most trusted lifestyle expert and teacher. Millions of people rely on Martha Stewart as a source of useful "how-to" information for all aspects of everyday living - cooking, entertaining, gardening, home renovating, collecting, organizing, crafting, holidays, healthy living and pets. The Martha Stewart brand reaches approximately 100 million consumers across all media and merchandising platforms each month. Her branded products are found in over 70 million households and have a growing retail presence in thousands of locations. We currently license the Martha Stewart brand to various licensees, including retailers such as Macy's, The Home Depot, Staples and Michaels. In the third quarter of 2017, we launched the Martha Stewart brand on QVC in four categories—apparel, skin care, garden, and food—with several additional categories planned for 2018.  Additionally, we initiated our direct-to-retail partnership with Michaels in the fourth quarter of 2017 beginning with Halloween products, followed by the development of the full line planned to be in stores for spring 2018.  The Martha Stewart wine and meal kit delivery partnerships, both direct-to-consumer online business models, successfully completed their first full year of operation. 



Jessica Simpson

 

In April 2015, we acquired a majority interest in the Jessica Simpson brand, including the Jessica Simpson Collection master license and other rights. Founded in 2005, the Jessica Simpson Collection is a signature lifestyle concept inspired by and designed in collaboration with Jessica Simpson. The growing brand offers multiple product categories including footwear, apparel, fragrance, fashion accessories, maternity apparel, girls’ clothing and home products. The brand is supported by best-in-class licensees and has strong department store distribution through Dillard's, Macy's, Belk, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom, among other independent retailers. We have a license agreement with Camuto Group to manufacture and distribute footwear under the Jessica Simpson Collection. The Jessica Simpson Collection is currently available in over 3,000 points of distribution worldwide.

 

AND1

 

We acquired the AND1 brand in August 2014 as part of the Galaxy transaction.  Founded in 1993, AND1 prides itself on being the original street basketball brand focusing on the everyday player.  Key licensees for the AND1 brand include E.S. Originals, Inc. (“ESO”) for footwear and High Life, LLC for apparel. In addition, the AND1 brand is licensed in product categories, such as hosiery, underwear, off-court/casual footwear and other accessories.  The AND1 brand is offered through Wal-Mart stores, sporting goods retailers and related e-commerce sites in the United States and has a strong distribution network reaching over 20 countries. In 2017, AND1 introduced an innovative line of graffiti street basketballs and continued the expansion of the AND1 sock program at Walmart.

 

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Avia

 

We acquired the Avia brand in August 2014 as part of the Galaxy transaction.  Founded in 1979, Avia is best known for running and activewear products designed to unite performance and function for athletes of every level.  Since we acquired Avia, we have expanded its licensed product categories to include wearable fitness accessories, hosiery, sports bags and various other accessory products.  The Avia brand is primarily offered through Wal-Mart stores in the United States, with additional distribution through specialty retailers and related e-commerce sites, such as Modell’s Sporting Goods, as well as globally in numerous countries. In 2017, Avia strengthened its share within Walmart and initiated international partnerships in Argentina and Central America.

 

GAIAM

 

We acquired the GAIAM brand on July 1, 2016. Founded in 1996 as an eco-living catalog company, GAIAM evolved into a yoga brand by producing and distributing yoga videos and related products through multiple channels of distribution. GAIAM has since expanded to include a full line of apparel, yoga mats, yoga mat bags, yoga blocks and straps, yoga and fitness props, balance balls, bags, active sitting products, including our balance ball chair, fitness kits and various other accessories. GAIAM is dedicated to making yoga, fitness and wellness accessible to all through a wide distribution network that consists of approximately 38,000 retail doors, 19,000 store-within-a-stores, 5,000 category management locations, e-commerce, and a mobile platform which features Yoga Studio, a leading paid app for Apple, mobile and tablet devices with over 1 million downloads to date. We currently license the GAIAM brand to various licensees, including Fit For Life, LLC for yoga sporting goods and High Life, LLC for apparel.  In 2017, we signed an agreement with Jessica Biel to serve as the brand ambassador for the Gaiam brand.  In addition to generating brand awareness, this agreement includes the development of an “upstairs” line of apparel for distribution at better department stores and through online channels.  Also in 2017, Gaiam successfully executed a yoga studio experiential concept in the Lord & Taylor flagship store in New York City, with plans to expand that program to other stores in 2018, and continued our relationship with Rodney Yee, America’s premiere yoga instructor. 



Joe’s Jeans

 

In September 2015, we acquired the Joe’s Jeans brand. Founded in 2001, Joe's Jeans is a casual chic global lifestyle brand synonymous with classic, modernized wardrobe staples ranging from premium denim to handcrafted collection pieces, and from contemporary accessories to footwear. Concurrently with the acquisition, we entered into a long-term license agreement for the brand's core categories with GBG USA Inc. Joe's Jeans branded products are available at better department stores and specialty boutiques in the United States and internationally. In 2017, we expanded our offerings with kids apparel, intimate apparel and men’s belts and small leather goods.  Joe’s Jeans marketing campaigns featured top model Taylor Hill for the women’s business and Julian Edelman for the men’s business.  Also in 2017, the brand continued to expand internationally in Japan and Mexico.

 

Ellen Tracy

 

We acquired the Ellen Tracy brand in March 2013.  Founded in 1949, Ellen Tracy is a leading fashion lifestyle brand focusing on polished and sophisticated style for modern women.  The Ellen Tracy brand is known for quality tailoring, timeless silhouettes and classic signature prints.  Product offerings currently include apparel, outerwear, sleepwear, intimate apparel, hosiery, eyewear, fragrance, fashion accessories, swimwear and luggage.  Licensees for the Ellen Tracy brand include GBG USA Inc. for sportswear and dresses, Amerex for outerwear and swimwear, and Komar for sleepwear and intimate apparel.  In addition, the Ellen Tracy brand has been licensed for jewelry, bath and body gifts, cosmetics and home.  The Ellen Tracy brand is offered in premium and regional department and specialty stores throughout the United States as well as globally.  In 2017, Ellen Tracy expanded its offerings with handbags and continued its collaboration with top model Irina Shayk, featuring her in the marketing campaigns and jointly creating a limited edition apparel collection. 



Emeril Lagasse

 

In December 2015, we acquired the Emeril Lagasse brand through the acquisition of MSLO. Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of 12 restaurants throughout the United States, and the best-selling author of 19 cookbooks. As a national TV personality, he has hosted more than 2,000 shows on the Food Network, is the food correspondent for ABC’s “Good Morning America”, appeared as a guest judge on Bravo’s hit food series, “Top Chef” and in 2017 entered his fifth season of “Emeril’s Florida” on the Cooking Channel.  Licensees for the Emeril Lagasse brand primarily include various food and kitchen preparation manufacturers for product categories such as cookware, cutlery and food and coffee products. Emeril Lagasse branded products are available in department stores, supermarkets and specialty stores within the United States, as well as through QVC.  In 2017, the Emeril Lagasse brand expanded its cutlery and cookware product categories with key retailers, including Costco and Sam’s Club.    



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William Rast

 

Conceptualized and founded by Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala in 2005, the William Rast brand is a lifestyle fashion brand rounded in the iconography of biker culture with designs that embody the “new America” sensibility and deliver an edgy yet tailored collection of premium denim, ready to wear and outerwear for both men and women. Product offerings include denim, sportswear, tailored apparel, fashion accessories, outerwear and hosiery.  Licensees for the William Rast brand include One Jeanswear for men’s and women’s apparel, Level 8 Apparel LLC for outerwear and Marr International for eyewear.  Distribution includes Macy’s, Dillard’s and other regional department stores.



Heelys

 

We acquired the Heelys brand in January 2013.  Founded in 1999, the Heelys brand has been a breakout success in the world of action sports among children and teens with its innovative, patented dual-purpose wheeled footwear, featuring a stealth removable wheel in the heel.  Heelys continues to grow into the ultimate kids’ active lifestyle brand.  The primary licensee for the Heelys brand is BBC International LLC for wheeled footwear and related accessories. The Heelys brand is offered through department stores, sporting goods retailers, related e-commerce sites, as well as Heelys’ own e-commerce site in the United States and over 75 additional countries. 

 

Revo

 

We acquired the Revo brand in August 2013.  Revo is a performance eyewear brand designed for the active consumer and has been the leader in polarized lens technology since it was founded in 1985.  Revo sunglasses were first created by utilizing lens technology developed by NASA as solar protection for satellites.  The Revo brand has continued to build on its tradition of technology and innovation by offering the clearest and most advanced high-contrast polarized sunglasses available. The Revo brand is licensed on a worldwide basis to B. Robinson Optical, Inc. for sunglasses and related categories and is distributed through retail locations.

 

Caribbean Joe

 

We acquired the Caribbean Joe brand in March 2013 as part of the Brand Matter Acquisition. Founded in 1999, the Caribbean Joe brand is a casual, island inspired, lifestyle brand. Originally rooted in apparel, Caribbean Joe’s product offerings have expanded to include swimwear, accessories, and home textiles. Licensees for the Caribbean Joe brand include the Moret Group for women’s apparel and Mainstream for women’s sportswear. The Caribbean Joe brand is distributed in the United States through mid-tier department stores, specialty stores, e-commerce sites and off-price retailers as well as internationally through specialty retailers and distributors.

 

DVS

 

We acquired a 65% interest in the DVS brand in June 2012 through a joint venture with Elan Polo International, Inc. (“Elan Polo”), a global organization which designs, sources and delivers men's, women's and children's shoes to retailers around the world.  The DVS brand is a footwear brand dedicated to inspiring youth to have fun and always push forward and is best known for its great style, technical features and input of some of the best action sports athletes in the world.   Product offerings for the brand currently include footwear, backpacks and accessories.  The primary licensee for the DVS brand is Elan Polo for footwear, with distribution through specialty street skating and other specialty stores in the United States and internationally. 

 

The Franklin Mint

 

We acquired The Franklin Mint brand in November 2013.  Founded in 1964, The Franklin Mint is acknowledged as the “Gold Standard” in the collectible and gift giving arena.  The Franklin Mint brand has been licensed in multiple categories, including coins, models, jewelry, games, décor, giftables, seasonal, and co-branded products through license agreements.   The Franklin Mint brand is currently offered via the franklinmint.com website.  

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Linens N Things

 

We acquired the Linens N Things brand in August 2014 as part of the Galaxy transaction.  Founded in 1975, Linens N Things grew to be one of North America’s largest retailers of home textiles, housewares and decorative home accessories. Today home products featuring the Linens N Things brand are distributed via various retail locations.

 

SPRI

 

We acquired the SPRI brand in July 2016 as part of the GAIAM transaction.  Founded in 1983 as the Sports Performance Rehabilitative Institute, SPRI pioneered a line of rubber resistance products in the fitness & training category. Over the past 30 years, SPRI has grown to be a leading cross fit training brand, offering a full line of fitness accessories, training tools and educational materials. The SPRI brand today focuses on distribution in both the commercial fitness (gyms, fitness clubs and hotels) and retail fitness channels.  The SPRI brand continues to show growth through expansion at Target with the “Ignite” by SPRI collection.



Nevados

 

We acquired the Nevados brand in August 2014 as part of the Galaxy transaction.  Founded in 1990, the Nevados brand was inspired by the 17,000- foot Los Nevados National Natural Park in the Colombian Andes Mountains range. With a dedication to comfort and durability, Nevados offers hiking boots and outdoor shoes to make sure you see the great outdoors, and enjoy every step of the way. Today the brand is distributed through Amazon, as well as select specialty stores in the United States and internationally.

 

FUL

 

We acquired the FUL brand in November 2014. Founded in 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee the FUL brand’s objective is to provide comfortable, functional bags with a fashion edge using the music world as inspiration. Today the FUL brand offers a full line of luggage sets, bags, backpacks, tech items and travel gear. Distribution for the brand focuses mostly within the mass market, clubs, and digital commerce channels of distribution.

 

Business Segment

 

We have a single operating and reportable segment, as described more fully in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Reportable Segment” in Item 7. See Item 6 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for measures of our net revenues, consolidated net income (loss) and total assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

 

Corporate Organization/Information

 

We were formed on June 5, 2015, for the purpose of effecting the merger of Singer Merger Sub, Inc. with and into SQBG, Inc. (previously known as Sequential Brands Group, Inc.) (SEC File No. 001-36082) (“Old Sequential”) and the merger of Madeline Merger Sub, Inc. with and into MSLO (SEC File No. 001-15395), with Old Sequential and MSLO each surviving the merger as wholly owned subsidiaries of us (the “Mergers”). Prior to the Mergers, we did not conduct any activities other than those incidental to its formation and the matters contemplated in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2015, as amended, by and among MSLO, Old Sequential, us, Singer Merger Sub, Inc. and Madeline Merger Sub, Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”). On December 4, 2015, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Old Sequential and MSLO completed the strategic combination of their respective businesses and became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Old Sequential was the accounting acquirer in the Mergers; therefore, the historical consolidated financial statements for Old Sequential for periods prior to the Mergers are considered to be the historical financial statements of Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and thus, our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2015 reflect Old Sequential’s consolidated financial statements for period from January 1, 2015 through December 4, 2015, and Sequential Brand Group Inc.’s thereafter.

 

Old Sequential’s common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker “SQBG” on September 24, 2013, and we succeeded to Old Sequential’s listing on December 7, 2015.

 

Old Sequential was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1982. In the second half of 2011, Old Sequential transitioned its business model to focus on licensing and brand management. Prior to this, Old Sequential designed, marketed and provided, on a wholesale basis, branded apparel and apparel accessories, as well as operated retail stores to sell our branded products. In the second half of 2011, Old Sequential discontinued its wholesale distribution of branded apparel and apparel accessories, liquidated its existing inventory and closed its remaining retail stores. To reflect its business transition, in March 2012, Old Sequential changed its corporate name from People’s Liberation, Inc. to Sequential Brands Group, Inc.

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Competition

 

We operate in a highly competitive market, both for our individual brands and for the Company as a whole.

 

Our brands are subject to extensive competition from various domestic and foreign brands. Each of our brands has a number of competitors within its specific product categories and distribution channels that compete with the product categories and distribution channels in which our brands’ products are sold. Our brands also compete within the retail stores and other distribution channels that carry such brand’s product lines with other products offered by these retail stores and distribution channel in the respective product categories, including with products sold under our partners' private labels. We also compete with the e-commerce businesses of these stores and other websites that sell similar retail goods. Competitive factors include design, style, quality, price, name recognition, service and advertising.

 

In addition, we face competition in establishing and maintaining licensee relationships for our existing brands. Competitors may seek to enter into brand licensing arrangements with our current or potential licensees, which may inhibit our ability to enter into or maintain licensing arrangements. In addition, the retailers that currently sell our branded products may develop their own brands or acquire brands rather than purchase products from our licensees, which could make it more difficult for our licensees to achieve their sales targets.

 

We also compete with traditional apparel and consumer brand companies, as well as other brand management companies, for acquisitions of accretive brands, particularly brands with high consumer awareness, broad appeal and applicability to a wide range of product categories.

 

Trademarks

 

Our trademarks and associated marks are registered or pending registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in block letter and/or logo formats, as well as in combination with a variety of ancillary marks for use with respect to a broad range of product categories, including footwear, eyewear, apparel, fragrance, handbags, backpacks, watches, home goods and various other goods and services. We intend to renew these registrations as appropriate prior to their expiration. In addition, we register our trademarks in other countries and regions around the world. We also have domestic, foreign and international intellectual property coverage for the technology and designs for several brands, for Heelys wheeled footwear and certain Gaiam yoga-related products.  We own the rights to 62 U.S. issued patents and 57 foreign issued patents within 24 territories, along with several pending U.S. and foreign patent applications and industrial designs.   Further, in connection with the acquisition of the Martha Stewart brand, we are also the owners of domestic and international design and utility patents covering certain Martha Stewart Crafts paper punches.

 

We monitor on an ongoing basis unauthorized use and filings of our trademarks and patents and rely primarily upon a combination of federal, state and local laws, as well as contractual restrictions, to protect our intellectual property rights, both domestically and internationally.

 

Seasonality

 

Our business is affected by seasonality in the businesses of many of our licensees. Historically, this can result in higher revenues during our third and fourth quarters, which includes the holiday retail season in the United States. We recognized 23% and 27% of our annual revenues during the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. We recognized 28% and 29% of our annual revenues during the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our seasonality may change as we continue to grow our business.

 

Employees

 

As of February 28, 2018, we had a total of 144 employees and area-specific consultants working to support our continuing operations. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.

 

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Available Information

 

Our corporate website address is www.sequentialbrandsgroup.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this report. We file our annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. These reports, and any amendments to these reports, are made available on our website and can be viewed and downloaded free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may also obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, which is available at www.sec.gov.



 





 

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, prospects and/or the trading price of our common stock. Although the risks and uncertainties listed below are those that we consider significant, material risks and uncertainties that are not presently known to us may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In evaluating our business and an investment in our securities, you should consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information presented in this report, as well as the other reports we file from time to with the SEC:

 

Risks Related to Our Acquisitions

 

If we are unable to identify and successfully acquire additional brands or to finance the acquisition of such brands, our rate of growth may be reduced and, even if additional trademarks are acquired, we may not realize anticipated benefits due to integration or licensing difficulties.

 

A key component of our growth strategy is the acquisition of additional brands. In 2016, we acquired GAIAM, and in 2015, we acquired Jessica Simpson,  Joe’s Jeans,  Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse and are continually exploring new acquisition opportunities. However, we face extensive competition for new brand acquisitions, both from other brand management companies as well as traditional consumer brand companies, retailers and private equity groups, which could increase the price of the acquisitions and make it more difficult for us to find suitable acquisition targets. In addition, even if we successfully acquire additional brands or the rights to use additional brands, we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability levels that justify our investment in, or realize planned benefits with respect to, those additional brands.

 

Although we seek to temper our acquisition risks, all acquisitions, whether they are of additional intellectual property assets or of the companies that own them, entail numerous risks, any of which could detrimentally affect our results of operations and/or the value of our equity. These risks include, among others:

 

















 

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In the event we acquire intellectual property assets or the companies that own them, our due diligence reviews are subject to inherent uncertainties and may not reveal all potential risks.  We may therefore fail to discover or inaccurately assess undisclosed or contingent liabilities, including liabilities for which we may have responsibility as a successor to the seller or the target company.  In addition, as a successor, we may be responsible for any past or continuing violations of law by the seller or the target company.  Although we generally attempt to seek contractual protections through representations, warranties and indemnities, we cannot be sure that we will obtain such provisions in our acquisitions or that such provisions will fully protect us from all unknown, contingent or other liabilities or costs.  Finally, claims against us relating to any acquisition may necessitate our seeking claims against the seller for which the seller may not, or may not be able to, indemnify us or that may exceed the scope, duration or amount of the seller’s indemnification obligations.

 

Acquiring additional brands could also have a significant effect on our financial condition and could cause substantial fluctuations in our liquidity, cash balances and quarterly and yearly results of operations. Acquisitions could result in the recording of significant goodwill and intangible assets on our financial statements, the amortization or impairment of which would reduce our reported earnings in subsequent years. We cannot make assurances with respect to the timing, likelihood or financial or business effect of any possible transaction. Moreover, our ability to grow through the acquisition of additional brands will also depend on the availability of capital to complete the necessary acquisition arrangements. We may elect to pursue acquisitions through debt financing or the issuance of shares of our common stock or convertible securities. The use of equity as transaction consideration could dilute our common stock, reduce our earnings per share or reduce the market price of our common stock. We cannot guarantee that our stockholders will achieve greater returns as a result of any future acquisitions we complete.

 

We may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of our completed acquisitions or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected.

 

Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions depends, to a large extent, on our ability to implement changes to acquired businesses in a manner that facilitates growth opportunities and realizes anticipated synergies. We will be required to devote significant management attention, resources and costs to realigning the business practices and operations of acquired businesses to our brand management model. We  generally expect to benefit from operational synergies from our acquisitions resulting from the consolidation of capabilities and elimination of redundancies, as well as greater efficiencies from increased scale and market integration. However, this process may preclude or impede realization of the benefits expected from acquisitions and could adversely affect current revenues and investments in future growth, which could adversely affect our results of operations. We cannot be certain that we will not be required to implement further realignment activities, make additions or other changes to our workforce based on other cost reduction measures or changes in the markets and industry in which we compete. In addition, future business conditions and events may impact our ability to continue to realize any benefits of these initiatives. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions, including the Mergers, may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

 

The failure to successfully integrate certain businesses and operations as a result of our acquisitions in the expected time frame may adversely affect our future results.

 

Historically, our acquired businesses have operated as independent companies. We may face significant challenges in consolidating certain businesses and functions of these businesses, integrating their organizations, procedures, policies and operations, addressing differences in the business cultures and retaining key personnel. The integration process and other disruptions resulting from the business combinations mentioned above may also disrupt each company’s ongoing businesses or cause inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our relationships with employees, business partners, customers and others with whom we have business or other dealings, or limit our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Mergers. In addition, difficulties in integrating the businesses mentioned above could harm our reputation.

 

If we are not able to successfully combine our businesses in an efficient, effective and timely manner, the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the acquisitions may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, and the value of our common stock may be affected adversely.

 

Our success depends in part on the continued success of the Martha Stewart brands and the reputation and popularity of Ms. Martha Stewart. Any adverse reactions to publicity relating to Ms. Stewart, or the loss of her services, could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations as well as our ability to maintain or generate a consumer base.

 

We believe that maintaining and enhancing the Martha Stewart brand is critical to our business, financial condition and results of operations. The Martha Stewart brand may be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including the reputation of its content and products, the uniqueness and relevance of Martha Stewart branded content, and the reputation and popularity of Ms. Stewart. If we fail to maintain and enhance the Martha Stewart brand, or if excessive expenses are incurred in an effort to do so, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

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Moreover, we believe Ms. Stewart’s image, reputation, popularity and talent are material to our success. While Ms. Stewart is a member of our board of directors, has been named Chief Creative Officer and has entered into an employment agreement and certain license agreements with us, we cannot assure that she will be able to, or will continue to, serve in those capacities for any specific period. An extended or permanent loss of her services or any repeated or sustained negative shifts in public or industry perceptions of her could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, significant transaction costs in connection with our acquisitions.

 

In connection with our acquisitions, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs and expenses, including financial advisory, legal, accounting, consulting and other advisory fees and expenses, reorganization and restructuring costs, litigation defense costs, severance/employee benefit-related expenses, filing fees, printing expenses and other related charges. There are also a large number of processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems that must be integrated in connection with our acquisitions. While we assumed that a certain level of expenses would be incurred in connection with the acquisitions, there are many factors beyond our control that could affect the total amount or timing of the integration and implementation expenses. There may also be additional unanticipated significant costs in connection with acquisitions that we may not recoup. These costs and expenses could reduce the benefits and income we expect to achieve from our acquisitions.

  

Risks Related to Our Business

 

The failure of our licensees to fulfill their financial obligations with respect to royalty payments under their license agreements or to otherwise adequately produce, market and sell products bearing our brand names in their license categories could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our revenues are almost entirely dependent on royalty payments made to us pursuant to license agreements entered into with licensees of our brands. These license agreements often require that licensees advance payment to us of a portion of the sales royalty payments due thereunder and, in most cases, provide for guaranteed minimum royalty payments. The failure of our licensees to satisfy their financial obligations under these agreements, or their inability to operate successfully or at all, could result in a breach of an agreement, early termination of an agreement, non-renewal of an agreement or an amendment of an agreement to reduce the guaranteed minimum royalty payments or sales royalties due thereunder, each of which could eliminate some or all of that revenue stream. A decrease or elimination of revenue could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

 

During the term of a license agreement, our revenues and the value of our brands substantially depend upon our licensee’s ability to maintain the quality and marketability and market acceptance of the branded products licensed to such licensee and their failure to do so could negatively affect consumer perception of our brands and harm our future growth and prospects. Further, the failure of our licensees to meet their production, manufacturing and distribution requirements, or a weak economy or softness in the retail, apparel or home goods sectors, could cause our licensees to default on their obligations to make guaranteed minimum royalty payments to us or cause a decline in their sales and potentially decrease the amount of royalty payments in excess of guaranteed minimum royalty payments due to us. In addition, our licensees’ inability to maintain market acceptance of our brands or our failure to monitor our licensees’ compliance with their license agreements or take appropriate corrective action when necessary may subject our intellectual property assets to cancellation, loss of rights or devaluation and any devaluation of our trademarks or other intellectual property could cause a material impairment in the carrying value of such intellectual property, potentially resulting in a charge as an expense to our results of operations. If such developments occur or our licensees are otherwise not successful, the value and recognition of our brands, as well as our business, financial condition and results of operations, could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our business depends on continued market acceptance of our brands and the products bearing these brands.

 

The retail industry is highly susceptible to changes in consumer preferences and continued market acceptance of our brands and our licensees’ products, as well as market acceptance of any future products bearing our brands and is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. In order to generate revenues and profits, our licensees must develop product offerings that appeal to consumers. We generally retain rights to monitor the products our licensee’s design and produce and may retain the right to preview and approve such products, we cannot assure you that licensees will develop, market and sell products that appeal to consumers. Any significant changes in consumer preferences or any inability on our licensees’ part to anticipate or react to such changes could reduce demand for our branded products and erode the competitiveness of such products, which would negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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The continued success of our brands and branded products and market acceptance of new products and product categories also depend on our ability to continually improve the effectiveness of our marketing efforts. We devote significant resources and expenditures to promoting our brands and new product launches, but there can be no assurance as to our continued ability to effectively execute our marketing programs. To the extent our licensees misjudge the market for our brands and branded products, or our marketing efforts are unsuccessful, our business, results of operations and prospects will be adversely affected.

 

We have incurred a substantial amount of indebtedness in connection with our acquisitions, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2017, we had outstanding net indebtedness of $630.6 million, as described more fully in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements. 

 

Our high level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay when due the principal of, interest on or other amounts due in respect of such indebtedness. In addition, we may incur additional debt from time to time to finance strategic acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or for other purposes, subject to the restrictions contained in the documents that govern our indebtedness. If we incur additional debt, the risks associated with our leverage, including our ability to service debt, would increase.

 

Our increased level of indebtedness could have other important consequences, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

 













 

We cannot be certain that our earnings will be sufficient to allow us to pay principal and interest on our debt and meet our other obligations. If we do not have sufficient earnings, we may be required to seek to refinance all or part of our then existing debt, sell assets, make additional borrowings or sell more securities, none of which we can guarantee that we will be able to do and which, if accomplished, may adversely affect us.

 

We are subject to a number of restrictive covenants under our debt arrangements, including customary operating restrictions and customary financial covenants. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to maintain compliance with such covenants.

 

Our outstanding debt is generally guaranteed jointly and severally by each of our domestic subsidiaries. Our and our subsidiaries’ obligations under the July 2016 Debt Facilities (as defined in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements) and the associated guarantees are secured, in each case, by first priority liens (subject, in the case of the Amended GSO Credit Agreement, to the liens under the Amended BoA Credit Agreement on, and security interests in, substantially all of the present and after acquired assets of us and each of our subsidiaries, subject to certain customary exceptions). The July 2016 Debt Facilities contain a number of restrictive covenants, representations and warranties, including representations relating to the intellectual property owned by us and our subsidiaries and the status of our material license agreements. In addition, the July 2016 Debt Facilities include covenants and events of default, including, in the case of the Amended BoA Credit Agreement, requirements that we (i) maintain a positive net income, (ii) satisfy a maximum loan to value ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended BoA Credit Agreement) and (iii) satisfy a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended BoA Credit Amendment), and, in the case of the Amended GSO Credit Agreement, to satisfy (i) a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended GSO Credit Agreement) and (ii) a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended GSO Credit Agreement).

 

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If our business, financial condition or results of operations are adversely affected by one or more of the risk factors described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or elsewhere in our filings with the SEC, we may be unable to maintain compliance with these financial covenants. If we fail to comply with such covenants, our lenders could demand immediate payment of amounts outstanding. Under such circumstances, we would need to seek alternative financing sources to fund our ongoing operations and to repay amounts outstanding and satisfy our other obligations under our existing borrowing and financing arrangements. Such financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. Consequently, we may be restricted in how we fund ongoing operations and strategic initiatives and deploy capital and in our ability to make acquisitions. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be further adversely affected if we are unable to maintain compliance with our debt covenants.

 

We may require additional capital to finance the acquisition of additional brands, and our inability to raise such capital on beneficial terms or at all could limit our growth.

 

We may, in the future, require additional capital to help fund all or part of potential acquisitions. If, at the time required, we do not have sufficient cash to finance those additional capital needs, we will need to raise additional funds through equity and/or debt financing. We cannot guarantee that, if and when needed, additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If additional capital is needed and is either unavailable or cost prohibitive, our growth may be limited as we may need to change our business strategy to slow the rate of, or eliminate, our expansion plans. In addition, any additional financing we undertake could impose additional covenants upon us that restrict our operating flexibility, and, if we issue equity securities to raise capital, our existing stockholders may experience dilution or the new securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock.

 

We have experienced rapid growth in recent years. If we fail to manage this or any future growth, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected.

 

We have grown dramatically in recent years, principally as a result of acquisitions. For example, our revenues were $88.3 million in 2015, $155.5 million in 2016 and $167.5 million in 2017. During this period, we have acquired several brands (or rights to use those brands and trademarks) and increased our total number of licensees to over one-hundred fifty. Furthermore, we continue to evaluate and pursue appropriate acquisition opportunities to the extent we believe that such opportunities would be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders. This significant growth has placed considerable demands on our management and other resources and continued growth could place additional demands on such resources. Our ability to compete effectively and to manage future growth, if any, will depend on the sufficiency and adequacy of our current resources and infrastructure and our ability to continue to identify, attract and retain personnel to manage our brands and the businesses we may acquire. We cannot assure you that our personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our operations and properly oversee our brands. The failure to support our operations effectively and properly oversee our brands could cause harm to our brands and have a material adverse effect on our brands’ fair values and our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may be unable to leverage our core competencies in managing apparel brands to managing brands in new product categories or other businesses we may acquire.

 

We or our licensees may not be able to continue to compete successfully because of intense competition within our licensees’ markets, the strength of some of their competitors or other factors.

 

Our trademark licenses are for products primarily in the apparel, footwear, eyewear, fashion and home accessories markets, in which our licensees face intense competition. Competitive factors in these markets include design, quality, price, style, name recognition, service and advertising. Changing customer preferences and the limited availability of shelf space can adversely affect the competitive position of our licensees’ products. Many of our licensees’ competitors have greater financial, distribution, marketing and other resources than our licensees and have achieved significant name recognition for their brands. Our licensees may be unable to successfully compete in the markets for their products, which would adversely affect our revenues and cash flows, and we may not be able to continue to compete successfully with respect to our licensing arrangements.

 

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We and our licensees are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to operating outside of the United States, foreign manufacturing and the price, availability and quality of raw materials, which could result in interruptions to their operations or increase their operating costs, thereby affecting their ability to deliver goods to the market, reducing or delaying their sales and decreasing our revenues.

 

We market and license our brands outside the United States, and many of our licensees operate outside the United States. We face numerous risks in doing business outside the United States, including: (i) unusual or burdensome foreign laws or regulatory requirements or unexpected changes to those laws or requirements; (ii) tariffs, trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements, trade embargoes, sanctions and other trade barriers; (iii) competition from foreign companies; (iv) less effective and less predictable protection and enforcement of our intellectual property; (v) changes in the political or economic condition of a specific country or region (including, without limitation, as a result of political unrest), particularly in emerging markets; (vi) fluctuations in the value of foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar and the cost of currency exchange; (vii) potentially adverse tax consequences; and (viii) cultural differences in the conduct of business. Any one or more of such factors could impact current or future international sales of our brands or inhibit our ability to expand internationally. In addition, our business practices in international markets are subject to the requirements of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and all other applicable anti-bribery laws, any violation of which could subject us to significant fines, criminal sanctions and other penalties.

 

Further, a significant portion of the products sold by our licensees are manufactured overseas. There are substantial risks associated with foreign manufacturing, including (i) changes in laws relating to quotas, and the payment of tariffs and duties, (ii) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) shipping delays and (iv) international political, regulatory and economic developments. Further, our licensees may experience fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of fabrics and raw materials used by them in their manufactured apparel or purchased finished goods.  Any of these risks could increase our licensees’ operating costs. Our licensees also import finished products and assume all risk of loss and damage with respect to these goods once they are shipped by their suppliers. If these goods are destroyed or damaged during shipment, the revenues of our licensees could be reduced as a result of our licensees’ inability to deliver or their delay in delivering their products. A reduction in the revenues generated by our licensees would reduce the amount of our royalty revenues in excess of guaranteed minimum royalty payments and, in extreme circumstances, result in failures to make guaranteed minimum royalty payments to us.

 

A substantial portion of our licensing revenue is concentrated with a limited number of licensees and retail partners, such that the loss of a licensee or retail partner could materially decrease our revenue and cash flows.

 

Our licensing revenues are concentrated with a limited number of licensees and retail partners. During the year ended December 31, 2017, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue, each accounting for 11% of the Company’s net revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2016, one licensee represented at least 10% of net revenue, accounting for 11% of the Company’s net revenue. Our revenue and cash flows would be materially and adversely affected if any of them were to have financial difficulties affecting their ability to make payments, elected not to renew or extend any existing license agreements or arrangements with us or significantly reduced their sales of these licensed products under any of these license agreements or arrangements, and we were not able to replace the revenue generated by such licensees.

 

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, which could compromise our competitive position and decrease the value of our brands.

 

We own, through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, U.S. federal trademark registrations and foreign trademark registrations for our brands that are vital to the success and further growth of our business. In addition, we own domestic, foreign and international intellectual property registrations for the technology and designs incorporated into Martha Stewart Crafts paper punches, Heelys wheeled footwear, Gaiam yoga products and Revo eyewear. The loss of or inability to enforce our proprietary rights could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition. For instance, if any third party independently develops similar products to those marketed and distributed by our licensees or manufactures knock-offs of such products, it may harm the reputation of our brands, decrease their value or cause a decline in our licensees’ sales and thus our revenues. Additionally, the laws of foreign countries may provide inadequate protection for intellectual property rights, making it difficult to enforce such rights in those countries.

 

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We may need to bring legal claims to enforce or protect our intellectual property rights. Any litigation, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs and diversions of resources and negatively impact our business operations. In addition, notwithstanding the rights we have secured in our intellectual property, third parties may bring claims against us or our licensees alleging that we or our licensees have infringed on their intellectual property rights or that our or our licensees’ intellectual property rights are not valid. Any claims against us or our licensees, with or without merit, could be time consuming and costly to defend or litigate and therefore could adversely affect our business. In addition, to the extent that any of our intellectual property assets is deemed to violate the proprietary rights of third parties in any litigation or proceeding or as a result of any claim, then we and our licensees may be prevented from using it, which could cause a breach or termination of license agreements. If our licensees are prevented from using the intellectual property we have licensed to them, the revenues of our licensees will be reduced with respect to those intellectual property assets, and the related royalty payments we receive could be reduced. Litigation with respect to our intellectual property or breaches of our license agreements could result in a judgment or monetary damages.

 

We depend upon the services of our key executives, including our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Karen Murray. If we lose the services of Ms. Murray or other key executives, we may not be able to fully implement our business plan and future growth strategy, which would harm our business and prospects.

 

Our success is largely dependent upon the expertise and knowledge of our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Karen Murray, and other key members of the executive team, whom we rely upon to formulate our business strategies. Our key executives leadership and experience in the licensing industry is important to the successful implementation of our business and marketing strategy. We do not carry key person life insurance covering our key executives, with the exception of Ms. Martha Stewart. The loss of the services of our key executives could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

 

Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly, which may make it difficult to predict our performance and result in volatility in our stock price.

 

We have in the past experienced substantial variations in our revenue and results of operations from quarter to quarter, and we expect to continue to experience such substantial variations. This variability is affected by numerous factors, including:

 











 

Because of these fluctuations in our revenues, operating expenses and cash flows it may be difficult to make period-to-period comparisons of our result of operations and liquidity and it may be difficult for securities analysts and investors to predict our performance. As a result, our results of operations in any particular quarter may be below the expectations of securities analysts or investors. Fluctuations in our performance and the failure to meet analyst expectations could cause declines or volatility in our stock price.

 

Demand for our brands and branded products may be materially and adversely affected by reductions in disposable income, which in turn depends on general economic conditions and the global economy.

 

Our performance is subject to worldwide economic conditions and their impact on levels of consumer spending that affect not only the ultimate consumer, but also retailers and distributors, who license our brands. Consumer spending has fluctuated significantly and may become depressed or be subject to deterioration in the near future. The worldwide apparel and consumer products industries are heavily influenced by general economic cycles. Purchases of apparel, footwear, eyewear and accessories tend to decline in periods of recession or uncertainty regarding future economic prospects, as disposable income declines. During periods of recession or economic uncertainty, our licensees may not be able to maintain or increase sales of our branded products to existing customers, make sales to new customers, open or operate new retail stores or maintain sales levels at existing stores. As a result, our results of operations may be adversely and materially affected by downward trends in the United States or global economy. 

 

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The market price of our common stock has declined significantly and may be volatile, which could reduce the demand for our common stock.

 

The publicly traded shares of our common stock have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant price fluctuations, ranging between $9.14 and $1.36 during our last two fiscal years. Due to the continued, sustained decline in our stock price, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $304.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for further information on our goodwill impairment.  Future decreases or volatility in our stock price could reduce demand for our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. The trading price of our common stock could also change significantly over short periods of time in response to write-downs or actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly results of operations, announcements by us, our licensees or our respective competitors, factors affecting our licensees’ markets generally or changes in national or regional economic conditions.

 

Our largest stockholders control a significant percentage of our common stock and are represented on our board of directors, which may enable such stockholders, alone or together with our other significant stockholders, to exert influence over corporate transactions and other matters affecting the rights of our stockholders.

 

As of February 28, 2018, Tengram Capital Partners Gen2 Fund, L.P. (“Tengram”) beneficially owns approximately 12.0%, Carlyle Galaxy Holdings, L.P. (“Carlyle”) beneficially owns approximately 10.1% and Ms. Martha Stewart beneficially owns approximately 12.7% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Mr. William Sweedler, chairman of our board of directors, is a principal of Tengram, Mr. Rodney Cohen is a director and managing director of Carlyle, and Ms. Martha Stewart became a director in connection with the closing of the Mergers. As a result, each of Tengram, Carlyle and Ms. Martha Stewart, individually or collectively, are able to exercise substantial influence over our board of directors and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate actions, such as mergers and other business combination transactions.

 

Circumstances may occur in which the interests of these stockholders could conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. The voting power of these stockholders also could discourage others from seeking to acquire control of us, which may reduce the market price of our common stock.

 

We may be deemed a former shell company and therefore resales of shares of our restricted common stock in reliance on Rule 144 may be subject to additional requirements and Rule 144 may be unavailable at all if we fail to comply with our reporting obligations.

 

From time to time we have issued shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from registration requirements, and such shares are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144.  Rule 144 generally permits the resale, subject to various terms and conditions, of restricted securities after they have been held for six months.  However, one of our predecessors was a former shell company and, as a result, securities laws also might deem us to be a former shell company.  If we are deemed a former shell company,  Rule 144 may be unavailable for resales of our restricted common stock unless we have satisfied certain reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), for the twelve months preceding the time of sale.  However, we cannot assure you that future reports or other materials will be filed as necessary to maintain the availability of the exemption under Rule 144.  If we are deemed a former shell company and we fail to comply with our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, Rule 144 will be unavailable to holders of our restricted common stock, which may limit the holders’ ability to sell such restricted shares.  In addition, because of the on-going reporting requirements under Rule 144, restrictive legends on certificates for shares of our common stock cannot be removed except in connection with an actual sale that is subject to an effective registration statement under, or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of, the Securities Act.

 

While we audit our licensees from time to time in the ordinary course, we otherwise rely on the accuracy of our licensees’ retail sales reports for reporting and collecting our revenues, and if these reports are untimely or incorrect, our revenue could be delayed or inaccurately reported.

 

Under our existing agreements, our licensees pay us licensing fees based in part on the retail value of products sold. We rely on our licensees to accurately report the retail sales in collecting our license fees, preparing our financial reports, projections, budgets, and directing our sales and marketing efforts. All of our license agreements permit us to audit our licensees. If any of our licensee reports understate the retail sales of products they sell, we may not collect and recognize revenue to which we are entitled, or may endure significant expense to obtain compliance.



We do not foresee paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We have not paid dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Instead, we plan to retain any earnings to maintain and expand our existing licensing operations, further develop our brands and finance the acquisition of additional brands.

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 We have a significant amount of intangible assets, including our trademarks, recorded on our balance sheet. As a result of changes in market conditions and declines in the estimated fair value of these assets, we have been required to write-down all of our goodwill and a portion of our other intangible assets and may be required to record impairments of our intangible assets in the future which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2017, intangible assets represented $1.0 billion, or 90.7% of our total consolidated assets. Under current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are subject to impairment evaluation based on related estimated fair values, with such testing to be done at least annually. Our trademarks are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Any write-down of intangible assets resulting from future periodic evaluations would, as applicable, either decrease our net income or increase our net loss and those decreases or increases could be material.    We recorded non-cash impairment charges of $36.5 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets for certain brands in the third quarter of 2017; the impairments arose due to reduced contractual minimums or reduced sales forecasts in key distribution channels for these brands.    Due to the continued, sustained decline in our stock price, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $304.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  See Note 7 and Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for further information on these impairment charges.

 

Our use of certain tax attributes may be limited.

 

We have significant net operating losses (“NOLs”). A valuation allowance has been provided as of December 31, 2017 which primarily relates to state net operating losses and capital loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 2017, we have federal NOLs available to carryforward to future periods of $195.6 million which begin expiring in 2024 and we have state NOLs available to carryforward to future periods of $205.7 million which begin expiring in 2018. We have foreign tax credits available to carryforward to future periods of $1.6 million as of December 31, 2017 which began expiring in 2017. We have experienced several changes of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) which place various limitations on the use of NOLs. The limitation on NOLs is based upon a formula provided under Section 382 of the Code that utilizes the fair market value of us and prevailing interest rates at the time of the ownership change. An “ownership change” is generally a 50% increase in ownership over a three-year period by stockholders who directly or indirectly own at least five percent of a company’s stock. The limitations on the use of the NOLs under Section 382 could affect our ability to offset future taxable income. 

 

We may be a party to litigation in the normal course of business, which could affect our financial position and liquidity.

 

From time to time, we may be made a party to litigation in the normal course of business. For example, as the owner of a trademark, we may be named as a defendant in a lawsuit relating to a product designed and manufactured by a licensee of that trademark. If we are alleged to have infringed the intellectual property rights of another party, any resulting litigation could be costly and could damage our reputation. Litigation also diverts the time and resources of management, regardless of the merits of the claim. In most cases, our licensees under the existing license agreements are obligated to defend and indemnify us, as licensor, and our affiliates with respect to such litigation. We also maintain insurance for certain risks, but it is not possible to obtain insurance to protect against all possible liabilities. Although historically the litigation involving us has not been material to our financial position or our liquidity, any litigation has an element of uncertainty and if any such litigation were to be adversely determined and/or a licensee were to fail to properly indemnify us and/or we did not have appropriate insurance coverage, such litigation could affect our financial position and liquidity.

 

Our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer in the event of security breaches, cyber-attacks or unauthorized disclosures of personal information.

 

In conducting their business, including their e-commerce business, our licensees and retail partners obtain and transmit confidential information about their customers, including credit card information, through their websites and their information technology systems. To the best of our knowledge, our licensees and retail partners have not experienced any material misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential or personally identifiable information as a result of a security breach or cyber-attack. If our licensees or retail partners experience such a security breach or cyber-attack, it could adversely affect their business and operations, including damaging their reputation and their relationships with their customers, exposing them to risks of litigation and liability, all of which could have a material adverse effect on their ability to meet their minimum net sales requirements and to make guaranteed minimum royalty payments to us in accordance with the terms of their respective license agreements. We cannot assure you that our licensees and retail partners will not experience any future security breaches, cyber-attacks or unauthorized disclosures. In addition, as a result of recent security breaches at a number of prominent retailers, the media and public scrutiny of information security and privacy has become more intense and the regulatory environment has become more uncertain. As a result, our licensees and retail partners may incur significant costs to comply with laws regarding the protection and unauthorized disclosure of personal information, which could also negatively affect their ability to generate sales and make royalty payments to us, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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None.

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Our principal offices are located at 601 West 26th Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10001, and our telephone number is (646) 564-2577.

 

We lease the following properties as of December 31, 2017:

 





 

On February 21, 2017, the Company amended the lease of its corporate headquarters which extends the lease through December 31, 2033 and effective in February 2018, lowers the rented square footage to approximately 63,000 square feet of corporate office space and 7,000 square feet of other rentable space.  On January 12, 2018, the Company amended the lease of its corporate headquarters,  effective in February 2018, to increase the rented square footage by approximately 12,300 square feet.

 

We believe that the facilities we utilize are well maintained, in good operating condition and adequate to meet our current and foreseeable needs.

 

  

MSLO Stockholder Complaint

 

In connection with the merger of MSLO in December 2015, the following 13 putative stockholder class action lawsuits have been filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware: (1) David Shaev Profit Sharing Plan f/b/o David Shaev v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on June 25, 2015; (2) Malka Raul v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on June 26, 2015; (3) Daniel Lisman v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on June 29, 2015; (4) Matthew Sciabacucchi v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on July 2, 2015; (5) Harold Litwin v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on July 5, 2015; (6) Richard Schiffrin v. Martha Stewart, filed on July 7, 2015; (7) Cedric Terrell v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on July 8, 2015; (8) Dorothy Moore v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on July 8, 2015; (9) Paul Dranove v. Pierre De Villemejane. et. al., filed on July 8, 2015; (10) Phuc Nguyen v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on July 10, 2015; (11) Kenneth Steiner v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. et. al., filed on July 16, 2015; (12) Karen Gordon v. Martha Stewart et. al., filed on July 27, 2015 against the MSLO Board of Directors, Sequential, Madeline Merger Sub, Singer Merger; and (13) Anne Seader v. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. et. al., filed on July 28, 2015.  All of the 13 class action lawsuits name the Old Sequential, MSLO, the MSLO board of directors, Madeline Merger Sub, Inc., Singer Merger Sub, Inc. and the Company as defendants and allege that (a) members of the MSLO board of directors breached their fiduciary duties and (b) Old Sequential, MSLO, Madeline Merger Sub, Inc., Singer Merger Sub Inc. and the Company aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by the MSLO board of directors. On August 18, 2015, the Delaware Chancery Court issued an order consolidating these actions for all purposes under the caption In re Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., et. al. to be the operative complaint in the consolidated action.  On January 12, 2016, after the consummation of the Mergers, the plaintiffs filed a Verified Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint, naming Ms. Martha Stewart, the Company, Old Sequential, Madeline Merger Sub, Inc. and Singer Merger Sub, Inc. and alleging that (a) Ms. Stewart breached her fiduciary duties to MSLO's stockholders and (b) the Company, Old Sequential, Madeline Merger Sub, Inc. and Singer Merger Sub, Inc. aided and abetted Ms. Stewart's breach of her fiduciary duties.  On April 4, 2016, Ms. Stewart and the Sequential defendants filed respective motions to dismiss the Verified Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint.  On June 15, 2016, Lead Plaintiffs sought leave to amend the complaint and file the Verified Second Amended Class Action Complaint, which Judge Slights granted on July 14, 2016.  On July 18, 2016, Lead Plaintiffs filed the Verified Second Amended Class Action Complaint against Defendants, asserting that Ms. Stewart breached her fiduciary duties and asserting that Sequential, Madeline Merger Sub, Singer Merger Sub, and Holdings aided and abetted the alleged breach of fiduciary duties.  On July 28, 2016, Ms. Stewart and the Sequential defendants filed respective motions to dismiss the Verified Second Amended Class Action Complaint.  On October 26, 2016, Lead Plaintiffs filed their opposition to Defendants’ motions to dismiss.  On November 29, 2016, Ms. Stewart and the Sequential Defendants filed reply briefs in further supports of their motions to dismiss the Verified Second Amended Class Action Complaint.  Oral argument on the motions to dismiss occurred on March 22, 2017.  In August 2017, the Court ruled in favor of Ms. Stewart and the Sequential defendants on the motions to dismiss.  The Lead Plaintiffs did not appeal the ruling.  This matter is resolved.

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General Legal Matters

 

From time to time, we are involved in legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. While we believe that such matters are currently not material, there can be no assurance that matters arising in the ordinary course of business for which we are, or could be, involved in litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Contingent liabilities arising from potential litigation are assessed by management based on the individual analysis of these proceedings and on the opinion of our lawyers and legal consultants.

 

With respect to our outstanding legal matters, based on our current knowledge, we believe that the amount or range of reasonably possible loss will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, the outcome of such legal matters is inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. Further, regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 



 

Not applicable.

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PART II

 



 

Common Stock

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the common stock, as determined from quotations on Nasdaq.

 





 

On February 28, 2018, the closing sales price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq was $1.98 per share. As of February 28, 2018, there were approximately 1,168 holders of record of our common stock.

 

Dividends

 

We have not paid or declared cash distributions or dividends on our common stock during the last two fiscal years or any subsequent interim period. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the near future. We currently intend to retain all earnings, if and when generated, to finance our operations. The declaration of cash dividends in the future will be determined by the Board based upon our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual obligations which may prohibit the payment of dividends, including our current or any future indebtedness, and other relevant factors. Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock and repurchase our common stock is restricted by certain of our current indebtedness and may be restricted or prohibited under future indebtedness.

 

Equity Compensation Plan

 

The table below sets forth the information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2017:

 



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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

There were no sales of unregistered securities during the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that were not previously disclosed in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Common Stock Repurchase Programs

 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, we repurchased 9,146 shares of our common stock from employees for income tax withholdings related to the vesting of restricted stock. We do not currently have in place a repurchase program with respect to our common stock.

 

 





 



 

Stock Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock during the period beginning on December 31, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2017 with the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index (“S&P 500”) and a Custom Peer Group, which includes Carter’s Inc., Cherokee, Inc., Columbia Sportswear Company, Perry Ellis International, Inc., Guess ? Inc., Hanesbrands, Inc., Iconix Brand Group Inc., PVH Corp. and Xcel Brands Inc. The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2012 in our common stock, S&P 500 and Custom Peer Group. The stock performance shown on the graph should not be considered indicative of future performance.

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The following table presents our selected historical financial data for the periods indicated. The selected historical financial data has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements referred to under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that appear elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" set forth in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The historical consolidated financial statements for Old Sequential for periods prior to the Mergers are considered to be the historical financial statements of Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and thus, our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2015 reflect Old Sequential’s consolidated financial statements for the period from January 1, 2015 through December 4, 2015 and for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 and Sequential Brand Group Inc.’s thereafter. For more information see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Items Affecting Comparability of Period Presented” set forth in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have not declared dividends during the periods presented below.

 



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The following discussion and analysis should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the disclosures about forward-looking statements in Item 1 and the section “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A. This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity and cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are based upon judgments concerning various factors that are beyond our control.

Licensing and Brand Management Business

 

We own a portfolio of consumer brands in the home, active and fashion categories, including Martha Stewart, Jessica Simpson,  AND1, Avia and Joe’s Jeans,  GAIAM and Heelys. We aim to maximize the value of our brands by promoting, marketing and licensing the brands through various distribution channels, including to retailers, wholesalers and distributors in the United States and in certain international territories. Our core strategy is to enhance and monetize the global reach of our existing brands, and to pursue additional strategic acquisitions to grow the scope of and diversify our portfolio of brands.

 

We aim to acquire well-known consumer brands with high potential for growth and strong brand awareness. We additionally seek to diversify our portfolio by evaluating the strength of targeted brands and the expected viability and sustainability of future royalty streams. Upon the acquisition of a brand, we partner with leading wholesalers and retailers to drive incremental value and maximize brand equity. We focus on certain key initiatives in our licensing and brand management business. These initiatives include:

 





 

Our business is designed to maximize the value of our brands through license agreements with partners that are responsible for manufacturing and distributing our licensed products and, with the exception of our Martha Stewart brand, primarily responsible for the design of such licensed products. Our brands are licensed for a broad range of product categories, including apparel, footwear, eyewear, fashion accessories and home goods, as well as, with respect to our Martha Stewart brand, food, wine, and a variety of media related assets, such as magazines, books and other print and digital content. We seek to select licensees who have demonstrated the ability to produce and sell quality products in their respective licensed categories and have the capability to meet or exceed the minimum sales thresholds and guaranteed minimum royalty payments that we generally require.

 

We license our brands to both wholesale and direct-to-retail licensees. In a wholesale license, a wholesale supplier is granted rights (typically on an exclusive basis) to a single or small group of related product categories for a particular brand for sale to multiple accounts within an approved channel of distribution and territory. In a direct-to-retail license, a single retailer is granted the right (typically on an exclusive basis) to sell branded products in a broad range of product categories through its brick and mortar stores and e-commerce sites. As of December 31, 2017, we had more than one-hundred fifty licensees, with wholesale licensees comprising a significant majority.

 

Our license agreements typically require a licensee to pay us royalties based upon net sales and, in most cases, contain guaranteed minimum royalties. Our license agreements also require licensees to support the brands by either paying or spending contractually guaranteed minimum amounts for the marketing and advertising of the respective licensed brands. As of February 28, 2018 we had contractual rights to receive an aggregate of $379.5 million in minimum royalty and marketing and advertising revenue from our licensees through the balance of the current terms of such licenses, excluding any renewals.

 

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Items Affecting Comparability of Periods Presented

 

We were formed on June 5, 2015, for the purpose of effecting the merger of Singer Merger Sub, Inc. with and into SQBG, Inc. (previously known as Sequential Brands Group, Inc.) (SEC File No. 001-36082) (“Old Sequential”) and the merger of Madeline Merger Sub, Inc. with and into MSLO (SEC File No. 001-15395), with Old Sequential and MSLO each surviving the merger as wholly owned subsidiaries of us (the “Mergers”). Prior to the Mergers, we did not conduct any activities other than those incidental to its formation and the matters contemplated in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2015, as amended, by and among MSLO, Old Sequential, us, Singer Merger Sub, Inc., and Madeline Merger Sub, Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”). On December 4, 2015, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Old Sequential and MSLO completed the strategic combination of their respective businesses and became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Old Sequential was the accounting acquirer in the Mergers; therefore, the historical consolidated financial statements for Old Sequential for period prior to the Mergers are considered to be the historical financial statements of Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and thus, our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2015 reflect Old Sequential’s consolidated financial statements for period from January 1, 2015 through December 4, 2015, and Sequential Brands Group Inc.’s thereafter.



Recently Issued Accounting Standards



Refer to “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.

 

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to exercise its judgment. We exercise considerable judgment with respect to establishing sound accounting policies and in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, our recognition of revenues and expenses, and our disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the financial statements. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments. We base our estimates and judgments on a variety of factors, including our historical experience, knowledge of our business and industry and current and expected economic conditions, that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We periodically re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions with respect to these judgments and modify our approach when circumstances indicate that modifications are necessary. While we believe that the factors we evaluate provide us with a meaningful basis for establishing and applying sound accounting policies, we cannot guarantee that the results will always be accurate. Since the determination of these estimates requires the exercise of judgment, actual results could differ from such estimates.

 

 A description of significant accounting policies that require us to make estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is as follows:

 

Revenue Recognition. We have entered into various license agreements that provide revenues based on guaranteed minimum royalty payments and advertising/marketing fees with additional royalty revenues based on a percentage of defined sales. Guaranteed minimum royalty payments and advertising/marketing revenue are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of each contract year, as defined in each license agreement. Royalty payments exceeding the guaranteed minimum royalty payments are recognized as income during the period corresponding to the licensee’s sales. Payments received as consideration for the grant of a license are recorded as deferred revenue at the time payment is received and recognized ratably as revenue over the term of the license agreement. Advanced royalty payments are recorded as deferred revenue at the time payment is received and recognized as revenue when earned. Revenue is not recognized unless collectability is reasonably assured.

 

If license agreements are terminated prior to the original licensing period, we recognize revenue in the amount of any contractual termination fees, unless such amounts are deemed non-recoverable.

 

With respect to editorial content for books, we receive advance payments from our publishers and recognize revenue when manuscripts are delivered to and accepted by the publishers. Revenue is also earned from book publishing when sales on a unit basis exceed the advanced royalty.

 

Television sponsorship revenues are generally recorded ratably across the period when new episodes initially air.



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We entered into a transaction with a media company for which we receive advertising credits as part of the consideration exchanged for trademark licensing rights.  This transaction is recorded at the estimated fair value of the advertising credits received, as their fair value is deemed more readily determinable than the fair value of the trademark licensing right provided by the Company, in accordance with ASC 845, Nonmonetary Transactions. The fair value of the advertising credits are recorded as revenue and in other assets when earned, and expensed when the advertising credits are utilized.   We recorded revenue of $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to the advertising credits earned.  We did not record any expense related to the advertising credits as they have not yet been utilized.



Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis (on October 1st) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company considers its market capitalization and the carrying value of its assets and liabilities, including goodwill, when performing its goodwill impairment test.  In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors considered include, for example, macroeconomic and industry conditions, overall financial performance, and other relevant entity-specific events. If we bypass the qualitative assessment, or conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we then perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment to be recognized, if any.    If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount of that excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to our consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

Intangible assets represent trademarks, customer agreements and patents related to our brands and a favorable lease. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are subject to impairment evaluation. The carrying value of intangible assets and other finite-lived assets is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis (on October 1st)  and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable.



When conducting its impairment assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets,  we initially perform a qualitative evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. If it is determined by a qualitative evaluation that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, we then test the asset for recoverability. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to its future discounted net cash flows.  If the carrying amount of such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.  Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. 



Assumptions used in our fair value estimates are as follows: (i) discount rates; (ii) projected annual revenue growth rates; and (iii) projected long-term growth rates.  Our estimates also factor in economic conditions and expectations of management which may change in the future based on period-specific facts and circumstances. 



Due to the identification of impairment indicators during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, specifically the impairment of certain tradenames due to reduced contractual minimums or reduced sales forecasts in key distribution channels, the Company performed impairment testing of its goodwill and indefinite-lived assets at September 30, 2017, which replaced its October 1st annual test.  As a result of its testing, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $36.5 million relating to its indefinite-lived intangible assets during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. 



Due to the identification of impairment indicators during the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company performed impairment testing of its goodwill and indefinite-lived assets at December 31, 2017.  As a result of its testing, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $304.1 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we changed our annual impairment testing date from December 31 to October 1. We believe this new date is preferable because it allows for more timely completion of the annual impairment test prior to the end of our annual financial reporting period. This change in accounting principle did not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. We have determined that it would be impracticable to objectively determine projected cash flow and related valuation estimates that would have been used as of each October 1 of prior reporting periods without the use of hindsight. As such, we applied the change in annual impairment testing date prospectively beginning October 1, 2016.

 

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Income Taxes. Current income taxes are based on the respective periods’ taxable income for federal, foreign and state income tax reporting purposes. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, using statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. In accordance with ASU No. 2015-17 “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, all deferred income taxes are reported and classified as non-current. A valuation allowance is required if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.    Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on consideration of these items and new tax provisions under the Tax Act, primarily the new limitation on interest expense deductions, management has determined that enough certainty exists to warrant the release of the valuation allowance recorded against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017.  See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements for further information on the release of the our valuation allowance.

 

The Company applies the FASB guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with other authoritative GAAP and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The guidance also addresses derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any reserves or accrued interest and penalties recorded through current income tax expense in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”).  During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company released its $0.3 million reserve of certain unrecognized tax benefits along with $0.3 million of accrued interest and penalties through current income tax expense in accordance with ASC 740.  Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, are recorded in income tax expense. Tax years that remain open for assessment for federal and state tax purposes include the years ended December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2017.

 

Stock-Based Compensation. We account for stock-based compensation under ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, which requires companies to measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value. Compensation cost for restricted stock is measured using the quoted market price of our common stock at the date the common stock is granted. For restricted stock and restricted stock units, for which restrictions lapse with the passage of time (“time-based restricted stock”), compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period between the issue date and the date that restrictions lapse. Time-based restricted stock is included in total shares of common stock outstanding upon the lapse of applicable restrictions. For restricted stock, for which restrictions are based on performance measures (“performance stock units” or “PSUs”), restrictions lapse when those performance measures have been deemed achieved. Compensation cost for PSUs is recognized on a straight-line basis during the period from the date on which the likelihood of the PSUs being earned is deemed probable and (x) the end of the fiscal year during which such PSUs are granted or (y) the date on which awards of such PSUs may be approved by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Compensation Committee”) on a discretionary basis, as applicable. PSUs are included in total shares of common stock outstanding upon the lapse of applicable restrictions. PSUs are included in total diluted shares of common stock outstanding when the performance measures have been deemed achieved but the PSUs have not yet been issued.

 

Fair value cost for stock options and warrants, in accordance with accounting for stock-based payment under GAAP, is calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on awards ultimately expected to vest and expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the grant.  The Company elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-09 and reduces compensation cost for actual forfeitures as they occur. Prior to the adoption to ASU 2016-09, the Company’s estimated forfeiture rate utilized in calculating compensation cost was zero percent based on the Company’s limited historical forfeiture experience.  

 

At each subsequent reporting period prior to the lapse of restrictions on warrants, time-based restricted stock and PSUs granted to non-employees, the Company remeasures the aggregate compensation cost of such grants using the Company’s fair value at the end of such reporting period and revises the straight-line recognition of compensation cost in line with such remeasured amount.

 

Contingent Consideration. We recognize the acquisition-date fair value of contingent consideration as part of the consideration transferred in exchange for the acquiree or assets of the acquiree in a business combination.  The contingent consideration is classified as either a liability or equity in accordance with ASC 480-10, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity.  If classified as a liability, the liability is remeasured to fair value at each subsequent reporting date until the contingency is settled.  Increases in fair value are recorded as losses, while decreases are recorded as gains.  If classified as equity, contingent consideration is not remeasured and subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.

 

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Reportable Segment. An operating segment, in part, is a component of an enterprise whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance. Operating segments may be aggregated only to a limited extent. Our CODM, the Chief Executive Officer, reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, we have determined that we have a single operating and reportable segment. In addition, we have no foreign operations or any assets in foreign locations. Nearly all of our operations consist of a single revenue stream, which is the licensing of our trademark portfolio, with an immaterial portion of revenues derived from television, book, café operations and certain commissions.

  

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years indicated and is derived from our consolidated financial statements:

 



 

Net Revenue. The increase in net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 is primarily attributable to the acquisition of GAIAM, Inc. during the third quarter of 2016 and increased revenues in the Avia,  Joe’s Jeans, and Ellen Tracy brands offset by decreased revenues in the Martha Stewart brand.  Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 consists primarily of licensing revenue earned from our license agreements relating to the Martha Stewart,  Jessica Simpson, GAIAM,  Avia, AND1,  Joe’s Jeans and Ellen Tracy brands. Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 consists primarily of licensing revenue earned from our license agreements relating to the Martha Stewart,  Jessica Simpson, Avia, AND1,  GAIAM,  Ellen Tracy and Joe’s Jeans brands.

 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $79.4 million compared to $85.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in restructuring costs of $3.2 million, stock-based compensation costs of $1.8 million, professional fees of $3.2 million, deal advisory costs of $3.0 million, advertising costs of $2.8 million, and rent costs of $1.7 million, partially offset by increased stock-based compensation and severance of $6.7 million in connection with the Company’s CEO transition, increased compensation costs of $1.2 million, $1.0 million of higher expenses related to the Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party show, and increased contributions of $0.9 million.

 

Impairment charges.  During the year ended December 31, 2017 we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $304.1 related to our goodwill and $36.5 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the trademarks of five of our non-core brands: Caribbean Joe,  Revo,  Franklin Mint,  Nevados, and FUL.  Fair value for each trademark was determined based on estimates of future discounted cash flows.  The trademark impairments arose due to reduced contractual minimums or reduced sales forecasts in key distribution channels for these brands. The goodwill impairment was triggered in the fourth quarter of 2017 by the continued decline of our stock price and the related decline in our market capitalization. During the fourth quarter of 2017, our stock price and market capitalization declined approximately 41%, consistent with the decline in market capitalization of similar companies in our sector.



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Other expense. Other expense during the year ended December 31, 2017 consists of a $1.9 million loss recorded in connection with the sale of available-for-sale securities and other immaterial items partially offset by MSLO pre-acquisition sales tax refunds of $0.1 million and other immaterial items.  Other expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 consists of the impairment of our available-for-sale securities of $4.4 million partially offset by other immaterial items.

 

Interest expense, net. The year-over-year increase in net interest expense of $9.4 million is primarily due to an increase in interest incurred under our loan agreements. Interest expense, net during the year ended December 31, 2017 includes interest incurred under our loan agreements of $55.1 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $3.9 million and non-cash interest of $0.9 million related to the accretion of the present value of guaranteed contractual payments assumed through certain of the Company’s acquisitions. Interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 includes interest incurred under our loan agreements and interest rate caps of $46.2 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $2.8 million and the write-off of $0.3 million of deferred financing costs as a result of an extinguishment a portion of the BoA Credit Agreement in accordance with ASC 470 – Debt in connection with the Company’s entry into the Amended BoA Credit Agreement. Additionally, we expensed non-cash interest of $1.2 million related to the accretion of the present value of guaranteed contractual payments assumed through certain of the Company’s acquisitions in 2015.

 

Income taxes. The benefit from income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily represents a tax benefit recognized due to the decrease in deferred tax liabilities as a result of the reduction in the future corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and the release of the valuation allowance recorded against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets prior to December 31, 2017, offset by the non-tax deductible goodwill impairment.    The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2016 represents the non-cash deferred tax expense created by the amortization of certain acquired trademarks for tax but not book purposes and taxes for state, local and foreign jurisdictions. The 2016 effective tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate primarily due to benefits from taxes attributable to noncontrolling interest, changes in valuation allowance, change in state tax rates and a reversal of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

Noncontrolling interest.  Noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2017 represents net income allocations of $5.8 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between us and Jessica Simpson), $0.6 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC, and $(2.2) million to JALP, LLC, a member of FUL IP Holdings, LLC. Noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2016 represents net income allocations of $6.5 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between us and Jessica Simpson), $0.6 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC, and $0.4 million to JALP, LLC, a member of FUL IP Holdings, LLC.

 

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Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

 

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods indicated and is derived from our consolidated financial statements:

 





Net Revenue. The increase in net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 is primarily attributable to the acquisition of GAIAM, Inc. during the third quarter of 2016 and the acquisitions of the Martha Stewart,  Jessica Simpson, Joe’s Jeans and Emeril Lagasse brands which occurred between the second and fourth quarters of 2015. Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 consists primarily of licensing revenue earned from our license agreements relating to the Martha Stewart,  Jessica Simpson, Avia, AND1,  GAIAM,  Ellen Tracy and Joe’s Jeans brands. Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 consists of licensing revenue earned primarily from our license agreements related to our Jessica Simpson,  AND1, Avia,  Ellen Tracy and Martha Stewart brands.

 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $26.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $85.4 million compared to $58.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Excluding incremental costs incurred on a go forward basis after the Mergers of $33.6 million, operating expenses decreased $6.8 million. This decrease was primarily driven by lower acquisition related costs of $6.4 million and restructuring charges of $5.6 million, partially offset by higher compensation costs of $2.5 million and rent and office expenses of $1.8 million.

 

Other (expense) income. Other (expense) income during the year ended December 31, 2016 consists of the impairment of our available-for-sale securities of $4.4 million partially offset by other immaterial items. Other income during the year ended December 31, 2015 consists of a gain on the sale of the People’s Liberation brand of $0.7 million, and a purchase price adjustment of $0.4 million related to our acquisition of Galaxy Brand Holdings, Inc.

 

Interest expense, net. The year-over-year increase in net interest expense of $20.8 million is primarily due to an increase in interest incurred under our loan agreements. Interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 includes interest incurred under our loan agreements and interest rate swaps of $46.2 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $2.8 million and the write-off of $0.3 million of deferred financing costs as a result of an extinguishment a portion of the BoA Credit Agreement in accordance with ASC 470 – Debt in connection with the Company’s entry into the Amended BoA Credit Agreement. Additionally, we expensed non-cash interest of $1.2 million related to the accretion of the present value of guaranteed contractual payments assumed through certain of the Company’s acquisitions in 2015. Interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2015 includes interest incurred under our loan agreements and interest rate swaps of $21.9 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.5 million and the write-off of $2.1 million of deferred financing costs as a result of an extinguishment of debt in accordance with ASC 470 – Debt in connection with loan agreements entered into for the acquisition of With You LLC. In addition, the Company expensed $2.7 million of deferred financing costs as a result of an extinguishment of debt with ASC 470 – Debt in connection with the Company’s entry into the 2015 Term Loans. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded amortization of debt discount related to the Equity Issuance in the amount of $0.1 million within non-cash interest expense. Because the 2015 Term Loan Agreement with GSO was deemed an extinguishment, management determined that the remaining unamortized debt discount from the Existing Second Lien Credit Agreement was written off in accordance with ASC 470 Debt. The Company wrote off $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 within interest expense related to the debt discount. Additionally, we expensed non-cash interest of a de minimis amount related to the accretion of the present value of guaranteed contractual payments assumed through certain of the Company’s acquisitions in 2015.

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Income taxes. The provision for (benefit from) income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 represents the non-cash deferred tax expense created by the amortization of certain acquired trademarks for tax but not book purposes and taxes for state, local and foreign jurisdictions. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate primarily due to benefits from taxes attributable to noncontrolling interest, changes in valuation allowance, change in state tax rates and a reversal of unrecognized tax benefits. In conjunction with the acquisition of MSLO during 2015, our deferred tax rate decreased as a result of changes in our state tax rates which resulted in a benefit of $7.9 million.

 

Noncontrolling interest. The year-over-year increase in noncontrolling interest from continuing operations was primarily driven by our acquisition of the Jessica Simpson brand. Noncontrolling interest from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 represents net income allocations of $6.5 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between us and Jessica Simpson), $0.6 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC, and $0.4 million to JALP, LLC, a member of FUL IP Holdings, LLC. Noncontrolling interest from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 represents net income allocations to With You LLC of $4.7 million and Elan Polo International, Inc. of $0.6 million. 



Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity

 

As of December 31, 2017, we had cash on hand, including restricted cash, of $20.4 million and a net working capital balance (defined below) of $32.1 million. Additionally, we had outstanding debt obligations under our loan agreements of $644.7 million excluding $14.1 million of deferred financing fees. As of December 31, 2016, we had cash on hand, including restricted cash, of $20.7 million and a net working capital balance (defined below) of $26.8 million. Additionally, we had outstanding debt obligations under our loan agreements of $663.0 million excluding $18.0 million of deferred financing fees. Net working capital is defined as current assets minus current liabilities, excluding restricted cash and discontinued operations. We believe that cash from continuing operations and our currently available cash (including available borrowings under our existing financing arrangements) will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated working capital requirements for the foreseeable future. Overall, we do not expect any negative effects to our funding sources that would have a material effect on our liquidity. We intend to continue financing future brand acquisitions through a combination of cash from operations, bank financing and the issuance of additional equity and/or debt securities. See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements for a description of certain financing transactions consummated by us. There are no material capital expenditure commitments as of December 31, 2017.

 

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations

 

Cash flows from continuing operations for operating, financing and investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are summarized in the following table:

 



 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations decreased $15.4 million to $28.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to net cash provided by operations of $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The $15.4 million decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in net income of $188.2 million, decrease in deferred revenue of $25.5 million and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $8.7 million, partially offset by increases in non-cash items of $196.2 million, changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $5.2 million on a year-over-year basis and increases in accounts receivable of $3.9 million, other liabilities of $1.7 million.

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Investing Activities

 

Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations increased $155.8 million to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to net cash used in investing activities of  $(152.9) million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase is driven primarily by $147.6 million of cash used for acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to no cash used for acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2017.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, we sold our available-for-sales securities for $5.8 million and we purchased $3.1 million of property and equipment.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, we purchased $3.3 million of property and equipment and we deposited $1.5 million of cash with a financial institution required as collateral for the Company’s cash-collateralized letter of credit facilities.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 amounted to $31.3 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $87.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The primary driver for the change was the receipt of $132.0 million of loan proceeds to finance the acquisition of GAIAM, Inc. offset by $13.1 million of related financing fees and expenses paid during the year ended December 31, 2016 absent for the year ended December 31, 2017.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, we made principal payments of $28.3 million under our loan agreements in accordance with contractual terms, $7.4 million of distributions to certain noncontrolling interest partners, partially offset by additional borrowings of $10 million under our Revolving Loans.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, we made principal payments of $19.0 million under our loan agreements in accordance with contractual terms and $6.8 million of distributions to certain noncontrolling interest partners.    During the year ended December 31, 2017, we repurchased common stock from employees for tax withholding purposes related to the vesting of restricted stock of $1.2 million as compared to $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

Debt

 

As of December 31, 2017, we were party to a Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative and collateral agent and a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wilmington Trust, National Association as administrative agent and collateral agent, referred to as our loan agreements. Refer to Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our borrowings and the terms of these debt facilities. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our long-term debt, including current portion, was $644.7 million and $663.0 million, excluding $14.1 million and $18.0 million of deferred financing fees, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had $5.5 million and $9.0 million, respectively, of availability under the current revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), subject to meeting certain leverage ratios. We may request an increase in (i) the Revolving Credit Facility and Tranche A Loans as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed 2.33:1.00 and (ii) the Tranche A-1 Loans, as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed (a) with respect to any increase, the proceeds of which will be used solely to finance an acquisition, 2.50:100 and (b) with respect to any other increase, 2.40:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Amended BoA Credit Agreement. We may request one or more additional term loan facilities or the increase of term loan commitments under the GSO Credit Agreement as would not cause the consolidated total leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such addition and increase, to exceed 6.00:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the GSO Credit Agreement. We made $28.3 million of principal repayments under our loan agreements during the year ended December 31, 2017 and we had additional borrowings of $10 million under our Revolving Loans. 

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Contractual Obligations

 

Our material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:

 



 

Future Capital Requirements

 

We believe cash on hand and cash from operations will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements for the twelve months following the filing of these financial statements. We intend to continue financing future brand acquisitions through a combination of cash from operations, bank financing and the issuance of additional equity or debt securities. The extent of our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our results of operations and growth through the acquisition of additional brands, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain additional financing in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms in the near future, if at all.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As a result, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements including the respective expected dates of adoption and effects on financial conditions and results of operations.

 





 

We limit exposure to foreign currency fluctuations by requiring payment under the majority of our licenses to be denominated in U.S. dollars. One of our licenses is denominated in Canadian dollars. If there were an adverse change in the exchange rate from Canadian to U.S. dollars of 10%, the expected effect on net income would be immaterial.

 

Our earnings may also be affected by changes in LIBOR interest rates as a result of our loan agreements. As further discussed in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements, we have entered into interest rate caps to mitigate the effects of a change in LIBOR interest rates. An increase in LIBOR interest rates of one percent affecting the loan agreements would not have had a material effect on our results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.  

 

 

The financial statements and supplementary data required to be submitted in response to this Item 8 are set forth after Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference into this Item 8.

 

 

None.

 



 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2017, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on, and as of the date of such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017 such that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, as issued in 2013. Based on our management’s assessment, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017, based on those criteria.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. The effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 has been audited by CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report provided below.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Sequential Brands Group, Inc.

 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ (the Company’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United Stated) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, changes in equity and cash flows and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15 of the Company and our report dated March 16, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion. 

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

/s/ CohnReznick LLP

 

New York, NY 

March 16, 2018

 

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None.



PART III

 



 

The information required by this item will be contained under the captions “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Corporate Governance” in the definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on June 8, 2018 (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2017, which information is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to all members of our Board and to all of our employees and executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Code of Ethics constitutes a “code of ethics” as defined by applicable SEC rules and a “code of conduct” as defined by applicable Nasdaq rules. Our code of ethics is posted on our website located at www.sequentialbrandsgroup.com in the section titled “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.” You may also request a copy of the Code of Ethics by writing or calling us at:

 

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

 

Attn: Investor Relations

601 West 26th Street, 9th Floor

New York, New York 10001

Tel.: (646) 564-2577 

 

Any amendment or waiver of the Code of Ethics pertaining to a member of our Board or one of our executive officers will be disclosed on our website within four business days.

 



 

The information required by this item will be contained under the caption “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. 

 



 

The information required by this item will be contained under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. 

 



 

 The information required by this item will be contained under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

 



 

 The information required by this item will be contained under the caption “Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. 

 

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PART IV

  



 



 



 

See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, which appears on page F-1 hereof. The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed herewith in response to this Item.

 



 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is required to be filed by Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

All other schedules are omitted because the information is inapplicable or presented in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 



 



 







Not Applicable.