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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 For The Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2001
OR
[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For The Transition Period From
.................... To ....................
Commission File Number 0-11071
________________________________________
IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________
California 84-0685613
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
9333 Oso Avenue, Chatsworth, California 91311
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(818) 407-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock,
no par value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES (x) NO ( )
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 the 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. [_]
At June 1, 2001, 15,801,649 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, and
the aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock held by the
registrant's nonaffiliates was approximately $25,895,553 (based upon the closing
price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market System on such date),
excluding shares of Common Stock held by the registrant's directors, executive
officers and 5% or more shareholders. Their holdings have been excluded in that
such persons may be deemed affiliates. This determination of affiliate status
is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III - Proxy Statement for Registrant's 2001 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be filed within 120 days of fiscal year-end.
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IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Form 10-K Annual Report
For The Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I................................................................................... 1
ITEM 1. Business................................................................ 1
ITEM 2. Properties.............................................................. 11
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings....................................................... 11
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders................................................................. 12
PART II.................................................................................. 14
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters... 14
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data................................................. 15
ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations........................................................... 16
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.............. 32
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data............................. 33
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.................................................... 58
PART III................................................................................. 58
ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant...................... 58
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation.................................................. 58
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.......... 58
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.......................... 58
PART IV.................................................................................. 59
ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K......... 59
SIGNATURES............................................................................... 61
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PART I
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
--------
GENERAL
Image Entertainment, Inc. ("Image") was incorporated in Colorado in April
1975 as Key International Film Distributors, Inc. Image's present name was
adopted in June 1983. In November 1989, Image reincorporated in California.
Image's principal executive offices are located at 9333 Oso Avenue, Chatsworth,
California 91311. Image's telephone number is (818) 407-9100. Within this
document, the "Company" collectively shall mean: Image; its wholly-owned
subsidiary DVDPlanet.com, Inc., a California corporation (formerly known as
Image Newco, Inc., doing business as Ken Crane's DVD/Laserdisc and
DVDPlanet.com, Inc. ("DVDPlanet")); and Image's 50%-owned joint venture, Aviva
International, LLC, a California limited liability company ("Aviva").
The Company is primarily engaged in the business of licensing and
distributing DVD format entertainment programming in the home video market. The
Company distributes programming exclusively and nonexclusively. In addition to
the DVD format, the Company distributes some of its exclusive titles in the VHS
home video format. The Company also secures and exploits broadcast rights for
certain of its exclusive titles. Broadcast rights may include exploitation via
television, cable, satellite and radio media. Image has begun to secure Internet
streaming and digital downloading rights for certain of its exclusive titles.
The Company's business strategy is to actively pursue, secure and exploit
exclusive rights to entertainment programming in as many home video formats and
broadcast media as possible, and in as many territories as possible, for the
longest term possible. To this end, Image has expanded its business and
operations to produce its own entertainment programming, with an emphasis on
music programming.
Some of the exclusive titles currently available or soon to be released by
Image include, by genre, the following:
Concerts & Music Videos
-----------------------
Santana: Supernatural Live
Barry Manilow: Live
Steely Dan: 2 Against Nature
Phish: Bittersweet Motel (Semi-documentary)
Eagles: Hell Freezes Over*
Cheap Trick: Silver 25/th/ Anniversary Homecoming Concert
Music In High Places (music series including
Alanis Morissette and other major artists)
Christina Aguilera: My Reflection
Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club
Don Henley: Live Inside Job
My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs
BET on Jazz (music series including Chaka Khan and other major artists)
Operas & Classical Music Cult Feature Films Special Interest/Classic Films
------------------------ ------------------ ------------------------------
La Boheme directed by Baz Luhrmann Black Sunday IMAX: Adventures in Wild California
Lohengrin with Placido Domingo Dreamscape IMAX: Super Speedway
Bizet's Carmen from Covent Garden Nosferatu The Sorrow and the Pity
Short Circuit Of Mice and Men
The Slipper & The Rose
A Room with a View
* to date, the industry's best selling DVD music title
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Image Entertainment, Inc. 1
Television Direct-to-Video Feature Films Foreign Films
---------- ----------------------------- -------------
The Twilight Zone Killing Obsession The Bicycle Thief
The Howdy Doody Show Ms. 45 Chushingura
I Spy Beyond the Clouds
Mature Audience programming Animation Children's programming
--------------------------- --------- ----------------------
Caligula Record of Lodoss War (1 - 6) Davey & Goliath
Penthouse Pet of the Year 2001 Creature Comforts Beany & Cecil
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company has three business segments:
. Program Licensing & Production/Domestic Wholesale Distribution.
. Direct-to-Consumer Retail Distribution.
. International Wholesale Distribution/Broadcast Rights Exploitation.
Operation of the program licensing & production/domestic wholesale
distribution ("Domestic Wholesale Distribution") segment is conducted by Image.
Operation of the direct-to-consumer retail distribution ("Retail Distribution")
segment is conducted by DVDPlanet in conjunction with Image. Operation of the
international wholesale distribution/broadcast rights exploitation
("International Wholesale Distribution") segment is conducted by Aviva in
conjunction with Image. Each of these segments is discussed in greater detail
below.
The following table presents consolidated net revenues by reportable
business segment for the periods presented:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
---------------------
2001 2000 % Change
---------- -------- --------
Net revenues: (in thousands)
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $ 77,222 $68,767 12.3%
Retail Distribution 16,886 15,837 6.6
International Wholesale Distribution 6,662 250 *
---------- -------- ------
Consolidated $ 100,770 $ 84,854 18.8%
========== ======== ======
______________________
* not meaningful
Domestic Wholesale Distribution Segment.
The Company distributes entertainment programming on both an exclusive and
nonexclusive basis. The exclusive product distributed by the Company (mainly DVD
format product) is typically produced, marketed and sold by the Company pursuant
to an exclusive grant of rights -- typically a licensing arrangement but
sometimes pursuant to an exclusive distribution agreement. The nonexclusive
product distributed by the Company (DVD and other formats) is purchased directly
from suppliers in final, finished and packaged form.
Under Image's exclusive deals, Image often secures the right for the
Company to distribute entertainment programming in a range of home video and
entertainment formats, which may include all or any combination of the
following: DVD, VHS, CD, and other formats. The distribution territory for
exclusive product has traditionally been the United States and Canada; however,
Image has been actively pursuing and securing exclusive international
distribution rights. Increasingly, for exclusive programming, Image has also
been securing exclusive broadcast rights which could include exploitation via
all or any combination of the following media: television, cable, satellite,
pay-per-view, radio and other broadcast media. Rights acquired may also
encompass Internet streaming and digital downloading.
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2 Image Entertainment, Inc.
For a discussion regarding the Company's exploitation of international wholesale
distribution and broadcast rights, see "International Wholesale Distribution
---
Segment" below.
Although the Company is beginning to expand on its strategy of securing and
exploiting a broader grant of rights than exclusive domestic distribution of DVD
format programming, domestic DVD distribution nonetheless continues to be
Image's and DVDPlanet's core business. According to industry estimates, there
are currently nearly 10,000 DVD titles available in the domestic market.
Virtually all of these DVD titles can be purchased from Image and DVDPlanet,
thereby making the Company a leading "one-stop" provider of DVD product. Image
releases an average of 48 new exclusive DVD titles each month, adding to Image's
existing catalogue of over 1,500 exclusive releases. Image's exclusive DVD
titles are typically licensed from independent program suppliers (although Image
had licensed a limited number of catalogue DVD titles from Orion Home
Entertainment Corp. and Universal Studios Home Video, Inc. for which the
Company's "sell-off period" expired March 31, 2001 and March 13, 2001,
respectively). The balance of the Company's DVD offerings are purchased by
Image directly from major motion picture studios and other program suppliers for
distribution on a nonexclusive basis.
The following table sets forth the percentage of consolidated net revenues
derived from the distribution of exclusive and nonexclusive programming by
format for the periods indicated:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Exclusive Programming:
DVD 58.7% 51.3% 31.8%
Laserdisc 0.7 6.2 28.0
VHS 4.1 2.9 2.2
Broadcast/Sublicense 3.0 0.1 --
----- ----- -----
66.5 60.5 62.0
----- ----- -----
Nonexclusive Programming:
DVD 30.8 33.7 28.1
Laserdisc 1.1 3.3 7.0
CD 0.4 0.8 1.8
----- ----- -----
32.3 37.8 36.9
----- ----- -----
Other 1.2 1.7 1.1
----- ----- -----
TOTAL 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
===== ===== =====
When Image licenses programming, its rights are generally exclusive. In
return, Image pays royalties to the licensor. Royalties are expressed as a
percentage of the Company's wholesale net revenues from program sales.
Typically, Image must pay royalty advances which are recouped against royalties
earned on a title-by-title basis or, if "cross-collateralized," against all or
certain groups of licensed titles. Generally, Image's license agreements
provide for a minimum term of five years, however, certain of Image's license
agreements contain provisions for an extension of the term if Image meets
certain specified performance targets. Traditionally, Image has sought and
obtained domestic rights; however, Image now also actively pursues and secures
international rights.
In furtherance of Image's strategy of securing the broadest range of rights
possible while ensuring an ongoing supply of quality programming for exclusive
distribution, Image has begun to finance the production of entertainment
programming. To date, the programs produced by Image are generally one-time,
special event live music concerts, produced and filmed for the express purpose
of exclusive exploitation by the Company in home video and/or broadcast markets.
The distribution rights retained by Image in connection with its self-financed
productions generally cover all territories and all now known or hereafter
devised home video formats (including DVD), as well as a wide array of broadcast
rights. Image sometimes also retains exclusive audio, Internet streaming and
digital downloading rights. Image's exclusive rights typically span a minimum
term of five years, and the territory is typically the world.
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Image Entertainment, Inc. 3
When Image licenses rights, it provides a variety of value-added services
relative to the licensed programs, such as creation of the packaging, DVD
authoring, compression and menu design, video master quality control,
manufacturing (contracted through third party), marketing, sales, warehousing
and distribution, and, in certain instances, the addition of enhancements such
as separate audio tracks, commentaries, foreign language tracks, and other
similar ancillary materials. All of these activities are typically performed by
Image in-house, with the exception of the manufacturing and packaging of the
finished product, which is performed by third party vendors.
Manufacturing. Under a typical license agreement, a program master and art
-------------
work are delivered to Image. Image's in-house post-production facility creates a
submaster with specifications for the necessary format. Image's in-house
authoring and compression facility then typically also performs the work
necessary to prepare a DVD master for manufacturing, as well as creating on-
screen menus for each title. Occasionally, Image may use an outside facility to
perform such services. Image's in-house graphic artists create the necessary
packaging. Image currently engages Warner Advanced Media Operations (WAMO) to
manufacture and package its domestic and international DVD programming.
Commencing on August 1, 2001, Image will shift all such manufacturing work to
MRT Technology, LLC, doing business as Ritek Global Media ("Ritek"). See "Item
---
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources --New Disc Manufacturing Agreement
and Revolving Loan Commitment."
Marketing. Image's marketing efforts, which are directed toward consumers
---------
and video software and hardware retailers, involve point-of-sale advertising,
advertising in trade and consumer publications, national television and radio
advertising campaigns, dealer incentive programs, trade show exhibits and
bulletins featuring new releases and catalogue promotions. Image has also
instituted account-specific marketing programs under which Image works directly
with retailers to optimize and customize print advertising and other advertising
programs aimed at promoting Image's exclusive product. The creation of
specialized in-store displays and the sponsorship of celebrity appearances are
other examples of account-specific programs. Image also implements Internet
promotional activities which include product tie-ins, sweepstakes and give-aways
associated with online retail customers, and the creation of genre-specific
"boutiques" within direct-to-consumer Web sites.
The Company spent approximately $1,108,000 for advertising in trade and
consumer publications in fiscal 2001 (approximately $467,000 of which represents
expenditures by the Retail Distribution and International Wholesale Distribution
segments) and approximately $741,000 for advertising in trade and consumer
publications in fiscal 2000. Additionally, the market development expenditures
for account-specific and other marketing programs was approximately $616,000 for
fiscal 2001 and approximately $321,000 for fiscal 2000.
Image maintains a Web site on the Internet at www.image-entertainment.com.
The Web site includes information regarding Image's exclusive titles,
information of general interest to the home video consumer, and Company press
releases. For a discussion of the Company's online retail Web sites,
www.DVDPlanet.com and www.kencranes.com, see "Retail Distribution Segment"
---
below.
Sales & Customers. Image sells its product to retail customers (including
-----------------
Internet retailers), distributors and via alternative distribution (which
includes direct-to-consumer print catalogues, direct response campaigns and
other non-traditional sales channels). DVDPlanet sells product directly to the
consumer. See "Retail Distribution Segment" below. In fiscal 2001 and 2000,
---
DVDPlanet's sales accounted for 16.8% and 18.7%, respectively, of the
consolidated net revenues of the Company. Some of Image's key customers include
Amazon.com, Best Buy, Ingram Entertainment, Musicland Group, Tower Records &
Video, and Transworld Entertainment. None of these customers accounted for net
revenues individually in excess of 8.5% of Image's total net revenues for fiscal
2001 and 2000. Domestic delivery of all of the Company's product is effected
through the Company's distribution and fulfillment facility in Las Vegas,
Nevada. See "International Wholesale Distribution Segment" below for
---
information regarding international distribution by the Company.
Although sales are generally considered final, Image allows customers to
return a portion of their stock on a quarterly basis. Generally, this allowance
is non-cumulative based on the customer's purchases during the prior quarter and
limited on an individual-title basis. Image reserves for estimated returns as
sales are recorded. Stock returns, other
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4 Image Entertainment, Inc.
than for defective product, amounted to approximately 8.6% of net revenues in
fiscal 2001, approximately 7.3% of net revenues in fiscal 2000, and
approximately 4.9% of net revenues in fiscal 1999. Returns of defective product
have been minimal and are generally covered by manufacturers' warranties.
As of June 11, 2001, Image had approximately $3.8 million of backlog orders
(91% from DVD product). Image expects to fill 100% of the backlog orders within
the current fiscal year. As of June 1, 2000, Image had approximately $3.7
million of backlog orders (93% from DVD product).
Retail Distribution Segment.
Image's Retail Distribution segment operations are conducted exclusively by
Image's wholly-owned subsidiary, DVDPlanet. DVDPlanet has been in operation
since January 1999.
DVDPlanet specializes in DVD software retailing through its
www.DVDPlanet.com and www.kencranes.com Web sites and via mail order. DVDPlanet
also owns and operates a DVD retail store in Westminster, California. DVDPlanet
is Image's largest customer and makes all of its purchases from Image. DVDPlanet
sells every DVD title sold by Image (approximately 10,000 titles).
In March 2000, DVDPlanet launched a completely redesigned e-commerce Web
site under the name "DVDPlanet.com." The site provides proprietary information
about DVD releases, including titles, synopses, supplemental features, technical
details and MPAA ratings. Further, the site features a search engine that
assists consumers in finding product and features genre-specific "boutiques"
within the Web site.
DVDPlanet sells its product at a standard discount from the suggested
retail price. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
---
Condition and Results of Operations --Liquidity and Capital Resources --
Management's Plan to Improve Fiscal 2002 DVDPlanet Operating Results." Purchases
can only be effected through use of a major credit card. The site includes
secure payment systems which protect the customer's name, address and credit
card number.
DVDPlanet has established an Internet affiliate program whereby other Web
sites can refer customers to the DVDPlanet site and receive a referral fee based
on sales generated. Finally, DVDPlanet provides customers with weekly email
updates on product releases and sponsors promotions on other entertainment
content Web sites.
DVDPlanet's fulfillment operations are conducted at the Company's
distribution and fulfillment facility located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
International Wholesale Distribution Segment.
The Company's International Wholesale Distribution segment activities are
conducted by Image in conjunction with Aviva, a joint venture owned 50% by Image
and 50% by home video veteran Michael Lopez, formed in June 1999. See "Item 7.
---
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Fiscal 2000 Formation of Joint Venture -- Aviva International,
LLC."
The term of the joint venture currently runs through December 31, 2002,
with an option to renew for an additional two year period upon mutual agreement
of Image and Mr. Lopez. Mr. Lopez serves as Manager of Aviva and supervises the
day-to-day operation of Aviva. All other actions require the consent of Image.
The titles released by the Company internationally during fiscal year 2001
include Santana: Supernatural Live, Eagles: Hell Freezes Over, Barry Manilow:
Live, Steely Dan: 2 Against Nature, and the classic television series The
Twilight Zone. In fiscal year 2002, the Company expects to release
internationally titles which include Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club,
Christina Aguilera: My Reflection, Randy Travis Live: It Was Just A Matter Of
Time, and MTV's 20/th/ Anniversary. When Image licenses rights for
international distribution such rights often include all home
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Image Entertainment, Inc. 5
video rights, all broadcast rights, and Internet and digital download rights
throughout the world. Like broadcast air dates, release dates in the various
home video formats vary by territory.
The Company does not employ personnel outside of the United States.
International distribution of home video product is achieved either through
local distributors or through the sublicensing of international rights to local
licensees. For each territory, Aviva determines whether it will use a local
distributor or whether it will sublicense product. Aviva then identifies the
appropriate third party distributors and sublicensees, and negotiates and
secures, on Image's behalf, the terms of the respective relationships. Aviva
receives a percentage of the net distribution revenues generated by Aviva's
exploitation of Image's rights. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and
---
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Fiscal 2000
Formation of Joint Venture -- Aviva International, LLC."
Local distributors represent Image's product in most major foreign
territories. These distributors provide marketing, sales, collection and
physical distribution services. Image maintains direct control over the
manufacturing of the home video units as well as the pricing, inventory levels,
release schedule and overall marketing expenditures associated with such units.
Image's in-house production facility creates the international masters used to
replicate the programs and Image's in-house creative services department
provides the appropriate marketing and packaging template artwork. In Europe,
which is currently the largest international market for Image's programming, DVD
manufacturing is currently contracted through WAMO and the units are packaged
and shipped by a WAMO affiliate in Germany which holds inventory for shipment to
the international distributors. Image's European VHS duplication is contracted
through a Netherlands entity which inventories and ships product to the
international distributors. The DVD manufacturing and related services will
shift to Ritek in fiscal year 2002.
In smaller foreign markets, rather than engage the services of a local
distributor, the Company typically enters into sublicense agreements with local
sublicensees. Such agreements are negotiated, facilitated and managed by Aviva,
and contain terms and conditions similar to the terms which typically govern
Image's underlying rights agreements. The sublicensee is then responsible for
the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of the sublicensed program
in their territory.
Aviva also exploits, on Image's behalf, Image's broadcast rights both
domestically and abroad. All broadcast arrangements are negotiated, facilitated
and managed directly by Aviva. The buyer is typically a cable or satellite
broadcaster, but is sometime a terrestrial (free) television or Internet
broadcaster. The typical broadcast license involves the payment of a fixed,
one-time fee for up to a two year term with a specified number of airings.
Image's obligation is usually only to provide a broadcast master of the program.
The Company's domestic and international broadcast exploitation of programming
has included titles such as Barry Manilow's Live concert filmed in Nashville,
Peter Frampton's Live in Detroit concert, and Santana's Supernatural Live
concert. Titles projected for broadcast during fiscal year 2002 include Britney
Spears Live, Christina Aguilera: My Reflection and Steely Dan: 2 Against Nature.
TRADEMARKS
The Company has obtained Federal registration of the trademark "Image" and
the service mark "DVDPlanet" from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Additionally, the Company has pending applications for Federal registration of
the trademark "DVDPlanet" and registration of the trademark and servicemark
"DVDPlanet Your Online Source!" It is the Company's policy that it will seek to
fully protect and vigorously defend its trademark rights in all applicable
classes of goods and services.
COMPETITION
With respect to sale of its exclusive product, Image faces competition from
major motion picture studios for limited retail shelf space and limited retail
budgeted purchase dollars. Most of these studios are subsidiaries of media
conglomerates that have far greater resources than Image and generally have more
popular titles available for sale. With respect to the sale of its nonexclusive
product, Image faces competition from other distributors such as Ingram
Entertainment, Valley Media, Inc. and Baker & Taylor who carry the same
nonexclusive product. Image believes that to some extent it has a competitive
advantage over certain of its competition in its nonexclusive product business
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6 Image Entertainment, Inc.
because Image also affords retailers the opportunity to purchase Image's
exclusive titles on a direct basis, therefore giving the retailers the ability
to purchase both exclusive and nonexclusive titles from a single source.
DVDPlanet faces competition from online retailers and traditional retailers,
including mail-order houses, video clubs and "brick and mortar" retailers.
Finally, Image faces competition in securing exclusive license rights.
Image believes that it is able to successfully compete to obtain such rights
because of the quality of its reputation and relationships, the quality of its
product, its in-house services, and its ability to make advance payments against
revenues to its suppliers. Management also believes that Image's status as an
independent program supplier that can exploit programming in all home video and
broadcast formats on a worldwide basis is also attractive to potential
licensors. See "Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors" below.
---
EMPLOYEES
As of June 1, 2001, Image had 158 full-time employees and 6 part-time
employees, DVDPlanet had 29 full-time employees and 37 part-time employees, and
Aviva had 7 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements
which Image believes are within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are based on the beliefs of Image's management as well as assumptions
made by and information currently available to Image's management. When used in
this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "may," "estimate," "expect"
and similar expressions, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms
as they relate to Image or its management are intended to identify such forward-
looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current
expectations and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Image's actual results, performance or
achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any
such forward-looking statements.
The Company has made forward-looking statements in this Item 1 and
subsequent Items (including but not limited to Item 7) of this Annual Report
concerning, among other things, (1) that the Company's international revenues
should grow if DVD player-households grow internationally, (2) that DVDPlanet
revenues will benefit from the closing of certain Internet retailers, (3) that
Image should replace revenue lost from the expiration of license agreements with
Orion Home Entertainment Corp. and Universal Studios Home Video, Inc. during
fiscal 2002 with revenue from new and existing licensing agreements, (4) that
cost savings under the Ritek manufacturing agreement which begins August 1, 2001
should result in a lower cost structure (lower manufacturing and production
costs) and accordingly, both increase gross margins and decrease production cost
amortization as a percentage of net revenues beginning in the quarter ending
December 31, 2001, (5) that implementation of management's action plan to
improve fiscal 2002 DVDPlanet operating results along with a continuing review
of cost savings opportunities should improve DVDPlanet's cash flows and
operating results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002 as compared to
fiscal 2001 (improved operating results would include (i) improved gross margins
as a percentage of segment revenues and (ii) reduced selling expenses), and (6)
that the Company can work with its international subdistributors to reduce
future segment advertising and promotional expenses as a percentage of segment
revenues. The inclusion of such forward-looking information should not be
regarded as a representation by the Company, its management or any other person
that the future events, plans or expectations contemplated by the Company will
be achieved. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no
obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such forward-
looking statements that may reflect events or circumstances occurring after the
date of this Annual Report. Important factors that could cause or contribute to
such material differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below
and those described under the heading "Competition" above. You are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only
as of their dates.
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Image Entertainment, Inc. 7
If We Cannot Maintain Relationships with Our Program Suppliers and Vendors,
Our Business May Be Adversely Affected. We receive a significant amount of our
revenues from the distribution of those DVDs for which we have exclusive
agreements with program suppliers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to
renew these exclusive rights as the existing agreements with each program
supplier expire. For example, we were unable to renew our existing license
agreements with Orion Home Entertainment Corp. and Universal Studios Home Video,
Inc. when they expired in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001. We also cannot
assure you that our current program suppliers will continue to support the DVD
format in accordance with our exclusive agreements. In addition, we cannot
assure you that our current program suppliers will continue to license titles to
us on the current terms or that we will be able to establish new program
supplier relationships to ensure acquisition of titles in a timely and efficient
manner or on an exclusive basis. If any of the foregoing occurs we could suffer
a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and
results of operations.
If We Cannot Continue to Secure DVD License and Distribution Rights, Our
Business May Be Materially Adversely Affected. We cannot assure you that we
will be able to continue to secure DVD and other license and distribution rights
on terms acceptable to us. No major motion picture studio has granted exclusive
DVD licenses for its new releases and most popular catalogue titles. Instead,
the major motion picture studios sell this programming directly to retailers and
other distributors including us. We also compete with independent licensing and
distribution entities from the VHS sector of the home video market. We expect
to be able to purchase DVD titles on a nonexclusive wholesale basis from all
participating program suppliers for sale to our customers but we cannot assure
you that we will be able to continue to do so if DVD program suppliers elect to
sell directly to retailers, increase the number of entities distributing their
programming or limit our access to their programming. In addition, our success
will continue to be dependent upon our ability to identify and secure rights to
programming which is appealing to consumers.
If DVD Cannot Compete Successfully with Other Forms of In-Home
Entertainment, Our Future Revenues May Be Negatively Impacted. The DVD format
competes with other forms of in-home entertainment, such as VHS, network,
syndicated, cable and pay-per-view television and home satellite systems. The
DVD format also competes with new and emerging technologies in the entertainment
industry, such as entertainment programming on the Internet, video-on-demand,
high-definition television, digital videotape and optical discs with greater
storage capacity. These alternate forms of leisure-time entertainment and novel
means of video delivery could negatively impact the overall market for DVD sales
and us. In addition, emerging technology may allow consumers to download audio
or video programming directly to the consumer's home computer, or television
set-top recording device, from the Internet (or other broadband delivery system)
and store such products on a recordable disc or hard-drive. The development and
advancement of such technology into a viable alternative to purchasing DVDs
could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of
operations and financial condition.
Our Results of Operations Fluctuate Based on Seasonality and Variability.
We have generally experienced higher sales of DVDs in the quarters ended
December 31 and March 31 due to increased consumer spending associated with the
year-end holidays and because most sales of a title occur in the first few
months after its release. Accordingly, our revenues and results of operations
may vary significantly from period to period, and the results of any one period
may not be indicative of the results of any future periods. This seasonality
also causes our revenues to be concentrated in the last two quarters of the
fiscal year. In addition to seasonality issues, other factors have contributed
to variability in our DVD net revenues on a quarterly basis. These factors
include:
. the popularity of exclusive titles in release during the quarter;
. our marketing and promotional activities;
. our rights and distribution activities;
. the extension, termination or non-renewal of existing license and
distribution rights; and
. general economic changes affecting the buying habits of our customers,
particularly those changes affecting consumer demand for home
entertainment hardware and software.
If Our Key Personnel Leave Us, Our Business May Be Adversely Affected. Our
success greatly depends on the efforts of our executive management, including
the President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Image Entertainment, Inc.
Officer and Chief Financial Officer. In addition, our ability to operate our
wholly-owned DVDPlanet.com subsidiary successfully depends significantly on the
services and contributions of Ken Crane, Jr. Our business and operations may be
adversely affected if the services of one or more of such key executives or Mr.
Crane were unavailable for any reason.
If Our Joint Venture with Aviva International LLC is Not Renewed, Our
Ability to Exploit Broadcast Rights and International Home Video Rights May Be
Adversely Affected. We cannot assure you that the Aviva joint venture agreement
will be renewed when the term expires on December 31, 2002. Further, our ability
to successfully operate our International Wholesale Distribution operations
depends significantly on the services and contributions of Michael Lopez. The
business and operations of this segment may be adversely affected if the joint
venture is not continued or if Mr. Lopez's services were unavailable for any
reason.
We Face Risks in Distributing Our Programming Internationally. These risks
include: changes in laws and policies affecting international trade (including
taxes), credit risk, fluctuating foreign exchange rates, changing retailer and
consumer tastes and preferences with regard to our programming and potential
instability of foreign economies and governments.
We Face Risks Associated with Ritek's Performance under Our New
Manufacturing Services Agreement. Effective August 1, 2001, we are shifting our
optical disc manufacturing to Ritek from WAMO. Any failure of Ritek to timely
manufacture and deliver our product worldwide of the same consistent quantity
and quality that we and our customers are accustomed to may adversely affect our
revenues and profits. Although we believe we have the ability to shift our
product manufacturing and packaging from Ritek to another facility should the
need arise, we may be adversely affected for the period needed to effectively
shift production requirements.
If We Cannot Compete Successfully in the Internet Commerce Industry, Our
Retail Sales May Be Adversely Affected. We cannot assure you that the DVDPlanet
Web site will be able to compete successfully against current or future online
and traditional retailers. The market for commerce over the Internet is evolving
and competitive and very few online retailers had achieved profitability. We
compete with a variety of other companies for sales of DVDs over the Internet.
Some of these competitors can devote substantial resources to Internet commerce.
The DVDPlanet Web site also competes with traditional retailers of DVDs.
We believe that the principal competitive factors we face in selling DVDs
through the DVDPlanet Web site are price, selection, availability, brand
recognition, customer service, effectiveness of advertising, technical
expertise, convenience, accessibility, quality of search tools, quality of
editorial and site content, and reliability and speed of fulfillment. Some of
the current and potential competitors of DVDPlanet have large customer bases,
greater brand recognition and significantly greater financial, marketing and
other resources than DVDPlanet has. In addition, some competitors may be able to
obtain merchandise from vendors on more favorable terms, devote greater
resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing
or inventory availability policies, and devote more resources to Web site and
systems development than we can. The DVDPlanet Web site could suffer reduced
operating margins and market share and brand recognition as a result of
increased competition.
If We Cannot Keep Pace with Rapid Technological Change, Our Retail Sales
May Be Adversely Affected. We cannot assure you that we will successfully use
new technologies effectively or adapt the DVDPlanet Web site or its systems to
customer requirements or emerging industry standards. The technology used in
Internet commerce changes rapidly. This rapid change results in the availability
of many new products and services, new
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 9
industry standards and frequent changes in user and customer requirements and
preferences. The success of the DVDPlanet Web site depends, in part, on our
ability to do the following:
. license leading technologies useful in the Internet revenues business;
. enhance the DVDPlanet Web site's existing services;
. develop new services and technology that address the increasingly
sophisticated and varied needs of our customers; and
. respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and
practices on a cost-effective and timely basis.
If Internet Commerce Does Not Continue to Grow, Our Internet Sales Business
May Be Adversely Affected. We cannot assure you that acceptance and use of the
Internet and World Wide Web will continue to develop or that a sufficiently
broad base of consumers will adopt and use the Internet and World Wide Web as a
medium of commerce. Potential future revenues and profits from sales over the
Internet substantially depend on the widespread acceptance and use of the
Internet as an effective medium of commerce by consumers. Rapid growth in the
use of and interest in the World Wide Web, the Internet and other on-line
services is a recent phenomenon. For the DVDPlanet Web site to be successful,
consumers who have historically used traditional means of commerce to purchase
merchandise must accept and utilize novel ways of conducting business and
exchanging information.
If the Internet and other online services continue to experience
significant growth in the number of users, the frequency of use or bandwidth
requirements, the infrastructure for the Internet could be adversely affected by
capacity constraints. In addition, the Internet could lose its viability due to
delays in the development or adoption of new standards and protocols required to
handle increased levels of service activity. Changes in or insufficient
availability of telecommunications services to support the Internet also could
result in slower response times and could adversely affect usage of the
Internet. Our business, prospects, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially adversely affected if use of the Internet does
not continue to grow or grows more slowly than expected, if the infrastructure
for the Internet does not effectively support growth that may occur or if the
Internet does not become a viable commercial marketplace.
We Face Security Risks in Selling Product over the Internet. Secure
transmission of confidential information over public networks is a significant
barrier to Internet commerce. Advances in computer capabilities, new
discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments could compromise
the security measures we employ to protect customer transaction data. In
addition, concerns over the security of transactions conducted on the Internet
and the privacy of users in general may inhibit the growth of Internet commerce.
To the extent that our activities or the activities of third-party contractors
involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information, such as credit
card numbers, security breaches could damage our reputation and expose us to a
risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. We may be required to expend
significant capital and other resources to protect against such security
breaches or to alleviate security-related problems and we cannot assure you that
our security measures will prevent security breaches. Any compromise of our
security systems could have a material adverse effect on our reputation,
business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We May Experience Capacity Constraints and Other System Development
Problems Relating to the Operation of the DVDPlanet Web Site. A key element of
our business strategy is to generate a high level of use of the DVDPlanet Web
site. We believe that the satisfactory performance, reliability and availability
of the DVDPlanet Web site and the related transaction-processing systems and
network infrastructure are critical to our reputation and our ability to attract
and retain customers and to maintain adequate customer service levels. While we
believe that we will be able to upgrade or install new hardware and software
that will be sufficient to accommodate the anticipated traffic on the DVDPlanet
Web site, we cannot assure you that periodic system interruptions will not occur
even after any such upgrade or installation. Any substantial increase in the
volume of traffic on the DVDPlanet Web site or the number of orders placed by
customers will require us to further expand and upgrade our technology,
transaction-processing systems and network infrastructure. In addition, we are
dependent upon Web browser companies and Internet service providers for access
to our products and services. Viewers have experienced and may in the future
experience difficulties due to system or software failures or incompatibilities
not within our control. Any system interruptions that result in the
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Image Entertainment, Inc.
unavailability of the DVDPlanet Web site or reduced order fulfillment
performance would reduce the volume of goods sold and the attractiveness of our
product and service offerings and could have a material adverse effect on us.
Laws Restricting Internet Commerce Could Adversely Affect Our Business. We
could be materially adversely affected by any new legislation or regulation or
by the application or interpretation of existing laws to the Internet. Federal,
state and foreign governmental organizations are currently considering many such
legislative and regulatory proposals. If a government authority were to adopt
laws or regulations that cover Internet-related issues such as user privacy,
pricing and characteristics and quality of products and services provided, the
growth of the Internet could be adversely affected. This could lead to a
decrease in demand for products offered over the Internet, including those that
the DVDPlanet Web site offers, and could increase the cost of doing business on
the Internet. In addition, it is currently unclear how existing laws governing
issues such as property ownership, copyright, trade secret, libel and personal
privacy will be applied to the rapidly-changing Internet.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
----------
Image's headquarters are located in two adjacent buildings in Chatsworth,
California (containing 30,080 and 15,440 square feet, respectively), leased from
the same landlord. Both leases terminate on April 30, 2004. The monthly rent for
the larger building is approximately $18,000 (subject to annual adjustment based
on increases in the consumer price index). The monthly rent for the smaller
building is approximately $11,000 (with scheduled yearly increases).
Image owns approximately 8.4 acres of real property in Las Vegas, Nevada
(the "Las Vegas Property") on which Image's 76,000 square foot warehouse and
distribution facility is located. Architectural plans prepared for Image
provide for expanding the facility by an additional 74,000 square feet should
the need arise. In August 2000, the Company sold 4.7 acres of land adjacent to
the Las Vegas Property. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
---
Financial Condition and Results of Operation -- Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -- Other Items."
DVDPlanet leases approximately 8,102 square feet of combined office, retail
and warehouse space in Westminster, California. The lease provides for monthly
rent of approximately $15,000 (subject to annual adjustment based on increases
in the consumer price index) and will expire on November 22, 2002. As of April
2001, DVDPlanet subleased additional office space of approximately 6,541 square
feet in Huntington Beach, California for monthly rent of approximately $11,000
(subject to annual adjustment based on increases in the consumer price index).
Such sublease will expire on August 31, 2002. DVDPlanet holds an option to enter
into a direct lease for its current subleased premises effective September 1,
2002.
Aviva leases approximately 2,325 square feet of office space in Belmont,
California. The lease provides for monthly rent of $4,000 and expires on October
31, 2003.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
-----------------
On November 16, 2000, Universal Studios Home Video, Inc. ("USHV") filed a
Complaint (the "USHV Complaint") against Image in Los Angeles Superior Court
(Case No. BC240429), alleging causes of action for breach of contract and breach
of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. USHV's claims arise out of a 3
year license agreement (the "USHV License Agreement") between the parties
pursuant to which USHV licensed to Image the exclusive right to distribute
within the United States and Canada 52 delineated motion picture (the
"Pictures") in the DVD format for the term September 15, 1997 to March 13, 2000.
In the USHV Complaint, USHV alleges , inter alia, that, by reducing the
wholesale price and suggested retail price of the Pictures, Image breached the
USHV License Agreement. In the USHV Complaint, USHV prays for "compensatory
damages according to proof but reasonably believed to be in excess of
$5,000,000," reasonable attorney's fees and costs of suit. On January 10, 2001,
Image filed its Answer to the USHV Complaint, denying all of USHV's material
allegations and asserting numerous affirmative defenses. The parties are
currently engaged in pre-trial discovery. A trial setting conference has been
set by the court for October 4, 2001; no trial date has been set. Image intends
to vigorously defend itself in this action.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 11
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to proceedings,
lawsuits and other claims, including proceedings under government laws and
regulations relating to employment and tax matters. While it is not possible to
predict the outcome of these matters, it is the opinion of management, based on
consultations with legal counsel, that the ultimate disposition of known
proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial
position, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
---------------------------------------------------
None.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 Image Entertainment, Inc.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Executive officers serve at the pleasure of Image's board of directors. There
is no family relationship between any executive officer or director. The
following table sets forth the position and age of Image's executive officers at
June 1, 2001 and their business experience for at least the prior five years:
Executive Officer Age Position & Background
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin W. Greenwald 59 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President since April 1981, and Treasurer since
January 1988.
David A. Borshell 36 Chief Operating Officer since July 2000; Senior
Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Operations
from December 1994 to June 2000. Prior to 1994,
Mr. Borshell has held various positions at Image
since starting as an Account Executive in February
1986. Mr. Borshell is a member of the DVD
Entertainment Group, an industry trade association
devoted to fostering consumer awareness of the DVD
format.
Jeff M. Framer 40 Chief Financial Officer since April 1993;
Controller from September 1990 to March 1993;
Senior Manager, KPMG LLP, from July 1989 to
September 1990; and Manager, KPMG LLP, from July
1988 to June 1989. Mr. Framer received his B.S.
degree in Business Administration and Accounting
Theory and Practice from California State
University at Northridge in 1984. Mr. Framer is a
Certified Public Accountant.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Image's common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol
DISK. Image's common stock has been included on the Nasdaq National Market since
February 19, 1991. The table below presents the quarterly high and low closing
prices on the Nasdaq National Market during the past two fiscal years.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2001 High Low
-------------------------------- ------- ------
Quarter ended June 30, 2000 $ 5.250 $3.500
Quarter ended September 30, 2000 $ 4.438 $3.500
Quarter ended December 31, 2000 $ 4.281 $3.094
Quarter ended March 31, 2001 $ 3.500 $2.125
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2000 High Low
-------------------------------- ------- -------
Quarter ended June 30, 1999 $11.469 $6.500
Quarter ended September 30, 1999 $ 7.938 $4.563
Quarter ended December 31, 1999 $ 7.000 $3.563
Quarter ended March 31, 2000 $ 6.688 $4.438
As of June 1, 2001 there were 1,503 holders of record of Image's common
stock.
Image has never paid a cash dividend on its common stock and presently
intends to retain any future earnings for business development. In addition,
Image is party to loan agreements which prohibit Image's payment of dividends.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Image Entertainment, Inc.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
-----------------------
The selected financial data presented below was derived from the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements, the notes thereto and the other
financial information included therein.
Years Ended March 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
------------- ------------- ------- ------- -----------
Income Statement Data:
- ---------------------
Net revenues/(4)/............................ $ 100,770 $ 84,854 $77,188 $75,791 $ 85,874
Operating costs and expenses/(4)/............ 95,078 83,192 74,510 84,880 83,623
Earnings (loss) from operations.............. 5,692 1,662 2,678 (9,089) 2,251
Interest expense, net........................ 1,724 1,562 882 544 184
Other expense (income)....................... (468) (1,315)/(1)/ -- -- 662/(2)/
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and
and extraordinary item..................... 4,436 1,415 1,796 (9,633) 1,405
Income tax expense (benefit)................. (3,996)/(5)/ -- 90 (52) 433
Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item.... 8,432 1,415 1,706 (9,581) 972
Extraordinary item, net of taxes............. -- -- -- -- (127)/(3)/
Net earnings (loss).......................... $ 8,432 $ 1,415 $ 1,706 $(9,581) $ 845
Earnings (loss) per share:
Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item
Basic................................... $ .52 $ .09 $ .12 $ (.71) $ .07
Diluted................................. $ .50 $ .09 $ .12 $ (.71) $ .07
Net earnings (loss)
Basic................................... $ .52 $ .09 $ .12 $ (.71) $ .06
Diluted................................. $ .50 $ .09 $ .12 $ (.71) $ .06
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic................................... 16,257 16,452 14,185 13,471 13,504
Diluted................................. 17,637 16,490 14,309 13,471 13,836
March 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
------------- ------------- ------- ------- -----------
Balance Sheet Data:
- ------------------
Total assets................................. $ 74,261 $ 65,395 $56,445 $33,781 $ 46,448
Total liabilities............................ 41,786 39,554 32,113 25,116 28,397
Net shareholders' equity..................... 32,475 25,841 24,332 8,665 18,051
- ---------------------
(1) Includes $899,000 in proceeds from settlements of litigation.
(2) Other expense represents a non-recurring charge composed primarily of legal
and accounting fees associated with the termination of acquisition
negotiations.
(3) Extraordinary item is composed of costs associated with early retirement of
debt, net of related taxes of $56,000.
(4) Net revenues and Operating costs and expenses have been restated to reflect
the guidelines of the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-10 "Accounting
for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs." Net revenues and Operating costs
and expenses have each been increased from what was previously reported as
follows: $1,185,000 for 2000, $462,000 for 1999, $275,000 for 1998 and
$224,000 for 1997.
(5) Income tax benefit reflects the elimination of the valuation allowance
recorded against deferred tax assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 15
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
---------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
---------------------
The following discussion and analysis should be read together with "Item 6.
Selected Financial Data" and the Company's consolidated financial statements and
the related notes thereto and other financial information contained elsewhere in
this Form 10-K.
General
The Company is primarily engaged in the business of licensing and distributing
DVD format entertainment programming in the domestic and international home
video markets. The Company distributes programming for which it has exclusive
distribution rights, and other programming on a nonexclusive basis. In addition
to the DVD format, the Company also distributes some of its exclusive titles in
the VHS home video format. The Company also secures and exploits broadcast
rights for certain of its exclusive titles. Broadcast rights may include
exploitation via television, cable, satellite and radio media. Image has begun
to secure Internet streaming and digital downloading rights for certain of its
exclusive titles.
The Company's three reportable business segments are program licensing and
production/domestic wholesale distribution ("Domestic Wholesale Distribution"),
direct-to-consumer retail distribution ("Retail Distribution") and international
wholesale distribution/broadcast rights exploitation ("International Wholesale
Distribution").
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2001 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2000
The following tables present consolidated net revenues by format and net
revenues by format as a percentage of total consolidated net revenues for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000. The information in the table below
does not represent segment data, but rather is presented for purposes of
explaining certain trends within net revenues:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2001 2000 % Change
-------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Net revenues:
DVD:
Exclusive $59,182 $43,512 36.0%
Nonexclusive 31,023 28,595 8.5
------- ------- -----
Total 90,205 72,107 25.1
Laserdisc 1,794 8,020 (77.6)
VHS/CD 4,527 3,131 44.6
Broadcast/Sublicense 2,985 147 *
Other 1,259 1,449 (13.1)
------- ------- -------
$100,770 $84,854 18.8%
======== ======= =======
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 Image Entertainment, Inc.
As a percentage of consolidated net revenues:
DVD:
Exclusive 58.7% 51.3% 7.4%
Nonexclusive 30.8 33.7 (2.9)
------- ------- -----
Total 89.5 85.0 4.5
Laserdisc 1.8 9.5 (7.7)
VHS/CD 4.5 3.7 0.8
Broadcast/Sublicense 3.0 0.1 2.9
Other 1.2 1.7 (0.5)
------- ------- -----
100.0% 100.0% --%
======= ======= =====
_________________
* Not meaningful
The following table presents consolidated net revenues by reportable
business segment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2001 2000 % Change
-------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Net revenues:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $ 77,222 $68,767 12.3%
Retail Distribution 16,886 15,837 6.6
International Wholesale Distribution 6,662 250 *
-------- ------- --------
Consolidated $100,770 $84,854 18.8%
======== ======= ========
__________________
* Not meaningful
Consolidated net revenues for all segments for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2001 increased 18.8% to $100,770,000 from $84,854,000, for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2000. The Company experienced continued growth in its sales of
DVD programming domestically and internationally driven by the Company's
continued licensing of exclusive programming and the continued growth in DVD
player-household penetration. Image is licensing exclusive worldwide rights to
much of its programming and expects that projected international growth of DVD
player-households should increase the Company's international revenues.
Management believes that further revenue growth will be primarily dependent upon
Image's ability to continue to license new exclusive programming as well as
renew existing license agreements upon their expiration. Image was unable to
renew its exclusive domestic distribution agreements with Orion Home
Entertainment Corp. (12 catalogue titles for which the Company's "sell-off
period" expired March 31, 2001) and Universal Studios Home Video, Inc. (52
catalogue titles for which the Company's "sell-off period" expired March 13,
2001). Revenue generated from these two agreements totaled $12,924,000 in 2001,
$9,143,000 in 2000 and $8,801,000 in 1999. Management believes that revenue
generated from new and existing licensing should replace these lost revenue
sources during fiscal 2002, but there can be no assurance that this will occur.
Net revenues for the Company's Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment for
fiscal 2001 increased 12.3% to $77,222,000 from net revenues of $68,767,000 for
fiscal 2000. Net revenues of the Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment for
fiscal 2001 and 2000 are reflected after elimination of $14,027,000 and
$11,729,000, respectively, in inter-segment sales from the Domestic Wholesale
Distribution segment to the Retail Distribution segment. During fiscal 2001,
Image released 576 exclusive DVD titles domestically, a 14.3% increase from 504
exclusive DVD titles released during fiscal 2000.
Net revenues for DVDPlanet, the Company's Retail Distribution segment, for
fiscal 2001 increased 6.6% to $16,886,000 from $15,837,000 for fiscal 2000. Net
revenues of DVD programming for the Company's Retail Distribution segment were
up 44.3% to $15,098,000, or 89.4% of segment net revenues, for fiscal 2001 from
$10,461,000, or 66.1% of segment net revenues, for fiscal 2000. Net revenues of
DVD programming via Internet/mail order increased 47.7% to $11,034,000 for
fiscal 2001 from $7,469,000 for fiscal 2000. DVDPlanet is benefitting from
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 17
consolidation in the DVD Internet retailing sector as well as the growing
popularity of the DVD format. With Reel.com closing and Express.com filing for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, management expects DVDPlanet revenues to
benefit from fewer Internet DVD retailers. Although comparative annual net
revenues of DVD programming were up 44.3%, or $4,637,000, comparative net
revenues for laserdisc programming were down 77.9%, or $3,361,000. Net revenues
of laserdisc programming were $955,000 for fiscal 2001 versus $4,316,000 for
fiscal 2000. While DVDPlanet continues to sell-off its laserdisc inventory,
laserdisc sales are expected to decline further in the future. DVDPlanet has
increased its selling prices to customers as well as shipping fees charged
customers as part of management's plan to improve fiscal 2002 operating results.
See "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Management's Plan to Improve Fiscal 2002
- ---
DVDPlanet Operating Results."
Net revenues for the Company's International Wholesale Distribution segment
for fiscal 2001 were $6,662,000 compared to $250,000 for fiscal 2000. This
segment was formed in June 1999. Approximately $5,299,000, or 79.5% of segment
revenues, was derived from International Wholesale Distribution of Image's
licensed DVD and VHS programming, either through international subdistribution
or international sublicensees. Approximately $1,363,000, or 20.5% of segment
revenues, was derived from international broadcast exploitation of the Image's
licensed programming. Management anticipates this segment will continue to grow
in fiscal 2002.
The following tables present consolidated cost of sales by reportable
business segment and as a percentage of related segment net revenues for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2001 2000
------- -------
(in thousands)
Cost of sales:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $51,007 $49,215
Retail Distribution 15,014 13,876
International Wholesale Distribution 4,630 152
------- -------
Consolidated $70,651 $63,243
======= =======
As a percentage of segment net revenues: % Change
--------
Domestic Wholesale Distribution 66.1% 71.6% (5.5)%
Retail Distribution 88.9 87.6 1.3
International Wholesale Distribution 69.5 60.8 8.7
------- ------- --------
Consolidated 70.1% 74.5% (4.4)%
======= ======= ========
Consolidated cost of sales for fiscal 2001 was $70,651,000, or 70.1% of net
revenues, compared to $63,243,000, or 74.5% of net revenues for fiscal 2000.
Accordingly, consolidated gross profit margin improved to 29.9% for fiscal 2001
from 25.5% for fiscal 2000. The increase in gross profit margin primarily
reflects the growth in the Company's exclusive DVD programming revenues, the
continued shift in sales mix from laserdisc to higher-profit margin DVD
programming and lower DVD replication costs. Additionally, the fiscal 2001
lower of cost or market inventory writedowns were $148,000, substantially lower
than $1,010,000 in fiscal 2000, contributing to a lower comparative gross profit
margin in fiscal 2000.
In general, the Company's cost of sales, as a percentage of net revenues,
can vary period to period depending upon the sales mix of higher-margin
exclusive programming and lower-margin nonexclusive programming. The sales mix
of exclusive and nonexclusive programming and the cost of sales within each
category will vary with the availability of and the demand for new and catalogue
exclusive and nonexclusive programming. The Company's cost of sales for
exclusive programming will vary depending upon specific royalty rates or
distribution fees paid to program suppliers and will vary for nonexclusive
programming depending upon the cost of the programming from the program
suppliers.
Gross margins for the wholesale distribution segment, as a percentage of
segment net revenues, improved 5.5% to 33.9% for fiscal 2001 from 28.4% for
fiscal 2000. The 5.5% increase was primarily due to the factors described
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Image Entertainment, Inc.
above. Beginning in the quarter ending December 31, 2001, management
anticipates that its segment gross margins will improve as a result of expected
manufacturing cost savings to be realized under the Ritek manufacturing
agreement. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- New Disc Manufacturing
---
Agreement and Revolving Loan Commitment." Manufacturing under the agreement
begins August 1, 2001.
Gross margins for the Retail Distribution segment, as a percentage of
segment net revenues, declined 1.3% to 11.1% for fiscal 2001 from 12.4% for
fiscal 2000. The 1.3% reduction is primarily due to the sales mix of
programming sold during the period as well as a less favorable ratio of shipping
income included in revenues and shipping expenses included in cost of sales for
fiscal 2001 compared to fiscal 2000. Management anticipates that its segment
gross profit margin will benefit in future periods from the March 1, 2001
selling price and shipping fee increases implemented by DVDPlanet as well as
efficiencies obtained from fulfillment of shipping activities out of the
Company's Las Vegas distribution facility. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources
---
- -- Management's Plan to Improve Fiscal 2002 DVDPlanet Operating Results."
Gross margins for the international distribution segment, as a percentage
of segment net revenues, declined 8.7% to 30.5% for fiscal 2001 from 39.2% for
fiscal 2000. Fiscal 2001 represents the first full year of revenue generating
operations for this segment. Beginning in the quarter ending December 31, 2001,
management anticipates that its segment gross margins will benefit from expected
lower international disc manufacturing costs to be realized under the Ritek
manufacturing agreement. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- New Disc
---
Manufacturing Agreement and Revolving Loan Commitment."
The following tables present consolidated selling expenses by reportable
business segment and as a percentage of related segment net revenues for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
------------------
2001 2000 % Change
------ ------ --------
(in thousands)
Selling expenses:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $4,914 $3,986 23.3%
Retail Distribution 2,506 2,266 10.6
International Wholesale Distribution 1,536 567 170.9
------ ------ -----
Consolidated $8,956 $6,819 31.3%
====== ====== =====
As a percentage of segment net revenues:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution 6.4% 5.8% 0.6%
Retail Distribution 14.8 14.3 0.5
International Wholesale Distribution 23.1 * *
------ ------ -----
Consolidated 8.9% 8.0% 0.9%
------ ------ -----
___________________
* Not meaningful
Consolidated selling expenses for fiscal 2001 increased 31.3% to $8,956,000
from $6,819,000 for fiscal 2000. As a percentage of consolidated net revenues,
consolidated selling expenses for fiscal 2001 increased to 8.9% from 8.0% for
fiscal 2000. Factors that led to the increase in consolidated selling expenses
for fiscal 2001 as compared to fiscal 2000 are detailed below.
Selling expenses for the Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment were up
23.3% to $4,914,000 for fiscal 2001 from $3,986,000 for fiscal 2000. As a
percentage of segment net revenues, selling expenses for fiscal 2001 were 6.4%,
up from 5.8% for fiscal 2000. Image incurred comparatively higher promotional
and advertising expenditures (higher by $543,000) during fiscal 2001. During
fiscal 2001, Image increased the level of market development advertising funds
provided to its customers to help advertise and promote Image's exclusive DVD
and VHS programming. In an effort to drive exclusive sales, Image's incurred
higher expenditures during fiscal 2001 for specific
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 19
title and line of programming promotions. Management expects to increase
advertising and promotion expense in future periods to grow its revenues of
exclusive programming. Additionally, as compared to fiscal 2000, fiscal 2001
included comparatively higher sales commissions and personnel costs (higher by
$262,000). Image's fiscal 2001 sales commission policy was instituted to grow
exclusive revenues.
Selling expenses for the Retail Distribution segment increased 10.6% to
$2,506,000 for fiscal 2001 from $2,266,000 for fiscal 2000. As a percentage of
segment net revenues, selling expenses for fiscal 2001 were 14.8%, up from 14.3%
for fiscal 2000. Fiscal 2001 included comparatively higher personnel costs
(higher by $552,000). This was offset by lower promotional expenses of
$335,000. Management expects selling expenses for this segment will decrease as
a percentage of segment net revenues based upon a staffing redeployment and
operational changes initiated prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.
See "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Management's Plan to Improve Fiscal 2002
- ---
DVDPlanet Operating Results."
Selling expenses for the International Wholesale Distribution segment
increased 170.9% to $1,536,000 for fiscal 2001 from $567,000 for fiscal 2000.
Selling expenses for the International Wholesale Distribution segment, as a
percentage of segment revenues, were 23.1% for fiscal 2001. Fiscal 2001 had
comparatively higher increased expenditures for advertising and promotion
(higher by $764,000) and personnel (higher by $96,000). Additionally, fiscal
2001 had comparatively higher costs attributable to international travel and
trade shows (higher by $89,000). With a full fiscal year of segment operational
experience, management believes it can work with its international
subdistributors to reduce future segment advertising and promotion expenses as a
percentage of segment net revenues without negatively affecting expected segment
revenue growth.
The following tables present consolidated general and administrative
expenses by reportable business segment and as a percentage of related segment
net revenues for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2001 2000 % Change
------- ------ --------
(in thousands)
General and administrative expenses:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $ 7,937 $7,229 9.8%
Retail Distribution 1,557 1,242 25.4
International Wholesale Distribution 601 164 266.5
------- ------ -----
Consolidated $10,095 $8,635 16.9%
======= ====== =====
As a percentage of segment net revenues:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution 10.3% 10.5% (0.2)%
Retail Distribution 9.2 7.8 1.4
International Wholesale Distribution 9.0 65.6 (56.6)
------- ------ -----
Consolidated 10.0% 10.2% (0.2)%
======= ====== =====
Consolidated general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2001 increased
16.9% to $10,095,000 from $8,635,000 for fiscal 2000. As a percentage of
consolidated net revenues, consolidated general and administrative expenses for
fiscal 2001 were 10.0%, down from 10.2% for fiscal 2000. Factors that led to
the increase in consolidated general and administrative expenses in absolute
dollars for fiscal 2001 as compared to fiscal 2000 are detailed below.
General and administrative expenses for the Domestic Wholesale Distribution
segment for fiscal 2001 were up 9.8% to $7,937,000 from $7,229,000 for fiscal
2000. As a percentage of segment net revenues, general and administrative
expenses for fiscal 2001 were 10.3%, down from 10.5% for fiscal 2000. The
increase in absolute dollar general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2001
results, in part, from higher personnel costs, including performance-based
bonuses, annual raises and amortization of restricted stock units (higher by
$638,000). Additionally, for fiscal 2001, Image incurred higher depreciation and
amortization expense (higher by $261,000) relating to increased capital
expenditures; accrued compensation costs, including salary, severance and bonus
under an executive employment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Image Entertainment, Inc.
agreement totaling $196,000, and a higher provision for potential uncollectible
accounts receivable (higher by $146,000) related to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of
Internet retailer Express.com. These increases were offset by a $300,000
reduction in accrued legal settlement costs and reduced shareholder relations
costs (lower by $192,000).
General and administrative expenses for the Retail Distribution segment
increased 25.4% to $1,557,000 for fiscal 2001 from $1,242,000 for fiscal 2000.
As a percentage of segment net revenues, general and administrative expenses for
fiscal 2001 were 9.2%, up from 7.8% for fiscal 2000. The increase in general
and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher depreciation and
amortization expenses relating to increased capital expenditures (higher by
$166,000) and higher personnel costs (higher by $71,000) for fiscal 2001.
General and administrative expenses for the International Wholesale
Distribution segment increased 266.5% to $601,000 for fiscal 2001 from $164,000
for fiscal 2000. As a percentage of sales, general and administrative expenses
was 9.0% for fiscal 2001. Fiscal 2001 represented the first full fiscal year of
revenue generating operations for the International Wholesale Distribution
segment.
Amortization of production costs for fiscal 2001 increased 21.9% to
$4,867,000, or 4.8% of consolidated net revenues, from $3,992,000, or 4.7% of
consolidated net revenues, for fiscal 2000 resulting from an increase in
exclusive titles, primarily international versions, released and amortized
during fiscal 2001 compared to fiscal 2000. Amortization of production costs for
fiscal 2001 included $647,000 attributable to the International Wholesale
Distribution segment. The Company anticipates that amortization of production
costs will decrease as a percentage of net revenues, beginning in the quarter
ending December 31, 2001, as a result of expected production cost savings to be
realized under the Ritek manufacturing agreement. See "Liquidity and Capital
---
Resources -- New Disc Manufacturing Agreement and Revolving Loan Commitment."
Production services under the manufacturing agreement begin August 1, 2001.
Interest expense, net of interest income, for fiscal 2001 increased 10.4%
to $1,724,000, or 1.7% of consolidated net revenues, from $1,562,000, or 1.8% of
consolidated net revenues, for fiscal 2000. The increase is attributable
primarily to higher weighted average interest rate levels during fiscal 2001 as
compared to fiscal 2000.
Other income for fiscal 2001 was $468,000 consisting of gain on sale of
land of $499,000, net of the minority interest in the net earnings of Aviva of
$31,000. Other income for fiscal 2000 of $1,315,000 consisted primarily of
proceeds from settlements in connection with Image's litigation against LEI
Partners, L.P. totaling $899,000 and the minority interest in the net loss of
Aviva of $383,000.
Income tax benefit of $3,996,000 for fiscal 2001 reflects the elimination
of the valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets. In March
2001, Image entered into a new disc manufacturing agreement that it expects will
result in a lower future cost structure beginning in the quarter ending December
31, 2001. In addition, in March 2001, management implemented an action plan to
improve DVDPlanet's future operating results. Based on these factors and
projections for future taxable income, management has concluded that it was more
likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient
taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate is
subject to on going review by management on a regular basis. The Company did
not record an income tax expense for fiscal 2000 due to the availability of net
operating loss carryforwards to offset taxable income and no net change in the
net deferred tax asset position.
Consolidated net earnings for fiscal 2001 and 2000 was $8,432,000 and
$1,415,000, respectively, or $.50 and $.09 per diluted share, respectively.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2000 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1999
The following tables present consolidated net revenues by format and net
revenues by format as a percentage of total consolidated net revenues for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999. The information in the table below
does not represent segment data, but rather is presented for purposes of
explaining certain trends within total revenues:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 21
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
------------------
2000 1999 % Change
------- ------- --------
Net revenues: (in thousands)
DVD:
Exclusive $43,512 $24,573 77.1%
Nonexclusive 28,595 21,652 32.1
------- ------- --------
Total 72,107 46,225 56.0
Laserdisc 8,020 27,006 (70.3)
VHS/CD 3,131 3,095 1.2
Other 1,596 862 85.2
------- ------- --------
$84,854 $77,188 9.9%
======= ======= ========
As a percentage of net revenues:
DVD:
Exclusive 51.3% 31.8% 19.5%
Nonexclusive 33.7 28.1 5.6
------- ------- -------
Total 85.0 59.9 25.1
Laserdisc 9.5 35.0 (25.5)
VHS/CD 3.7 4.0 (0.3)
Other 1.8 1.1 0.7
------- ------- -------
100.0% 100.0% --%
======= ======= =======
The following table presents consolidated net revenues by reportable
business segment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
------------------
2000 1999 % Change
------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Net revenues:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $68,767 $73,208 (6.1)%
Retail Distribution 15,837 3,980 *
International Wholesale Distribution 250 -- *
------- ------- --------
Consolidated $84,854 $77,188 9.9%
======= ======= ========
____________________
* not meaningful
Consolidated net revenues for all segments for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2000 increased 9.9% to $84,854,000 from $77,188,000, for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1999. The increase resulted from growth in DVD programming net
revenues partially offset by declining laserdisc net revenues. The growth in
the Company's DVD revenues in fiscal 2000 was attributable to an increase in the
number of exclusive DVD titles released by Image, continued sales from a growing
catalog of previously released DVD programming and the continued growth in DVD
player sales to consumers.
Image's continued licensing of DVD programming contributed to Image's
release of a greater number of exclusive DVD titles. During fiscal 2000, Image
released 504 exclusive DVD titles, an 85.3% increase from 272 exclusive DVD
titles released during fiscal 1999.
Net revenues for the Company's Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment for
fiscal 2000 increased 1.4% to $68,767,000 from pro forma net revenues of
$67,797,000 for fiscal 1999. Net revenues of the Domestic Wholesale
Distribution segment for fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999 are reflected after
elimination of $11,729,000 and $8,038,000, respectively, in inter-segment sales
from the Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment to the Retail Distribution
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Image Entertainment, Inc.
segment. The fiscal 1999 Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment net revenue and
inter-segment revenue elimination are shown for comparative purposes on an
unaudited pro forma basis and reflect the elimination of sales to DVDPlanet for
all of fiscal 1999, including the period prior to the January 1999 acquisition.
The increase in net revenues was due to the aforementioned growth in DVD
programming offset by the declining laserdisc market.
Net revenues for the Company's Retail Distribution segment were
$15,837,000, down approximately 2.4% from $16,232,000 for fiscal 1999 which
includes the period prior to the January 1999 acquisition for comparative
purposes on an unaudited pro forma basis. Although comparative net revenues for
DVDPlanet were down due to declining laserdisc sales, DVD sales were
significantly higher. Net revenues of DVD programming for fiscal 2000 were up
59.9% to $10,461,000, or 66.1% of segment net revenues, from $6,541,000, or
40.3% of segment net revenues, for fiscal 1999. Net revenues of DVD programming
via Internet/mail-order increased 54.9% to $7,469,000 for fiscal 2000 from
$4,823,000 for fiscal 1999.
The following tables present consolidated cost of sales by reportable
business segment and as a percentage of related segment net revenues for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999.:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
--------------------------
2000 1999
------- --------
(in thousands)
Cost of sales:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $ 49,215 $56,601
Retail Distribution 13,876 3,474
International Wholesale Distribution 152 --
-------- --------
Consolidated $ 63,243 $ 60,075
======== ========
As a percentage of segment net revenues: % Change
---------
Domestic Wholesale Distribution 71.6% 77.3% (5.7)%
Retail Distribution 87.6 87.3 0.3
International Wholesale Distribution 60.8 -- *
-------- -------- --------
Consolidated 74.5% 77.8% (3.3)%
======== ======== ========
_________________________
* not meaningful
Consolidated cost of sales for fiscal 2000 was $63,243,000, or 74.5% of
consolidated net revenues, compared to $60,075,000, or 77.8% of consolidated net
revenues for fiscal 1999. Accordingly, consolidated gross profit margin improved
to 25.5% for fiscal 2000 from 22.2% for fiscal 1999. The increase in gross
profit margin primarily reflects the shift in sales mix from exclusive laserdisc
programming to exclusive higher-profit margin DVD programming, the incremental
gross profit margin contributed by the Retail Distribution segment, lower DVD
replication costs and reduced lower of cost or market inventory writedowns in
fiscal 2000 as compared to fiscal 1999. The increase in gross profit margin was
partially offset by comparatively higher labor costs associated with the
commencement of operations of the Las Vegas, Nevada warehouse and distribution
facility during the first half of fiscal 2000. These higher costs included
expenses associated with expedited order processing, necessitated by
difficulties encountered implementing the software required to operate the
facility.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 23
The following tables present consolidated selling expenses by reportable
business segment and as a percentage of related segment net revenues for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
------------------------------
2000 1999 % Change
------------ ---------- ----------
(in thousands)
Selling expenses:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $ 3,986 $ 3,873 2.9%
Retail Distribution 2,266 378 *
International Wholesale Distribution 567 -- *
------------- ---------- ---------
Consolidated $ 6,819 $ 4,251 60.4%
============= ========== =========
As a percentage of segment net revenues:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution 5.8% 5.3% 0.5%
Retail Distribution 14.3 9.5 4.8
International Wholesale Distribution * -- *
------------- ---------- ---------
Consolidated 8.0% 5.5% 2.5%
============= ========== =========
______________________
*not meaningful
Consolidated selling expenses for fiscal 2000 increased 60.4% to $6,819,000
from $4,251,000 for fiscal 1999. As a percentage of consolidated net revenues,
consolidated selling expenses for fiscal 2000 increased to 8.0% from 5.5% for
fiscal 1999. The increase in consolidated selling expenses in absolute dollars
and as a percentage of consolidated net revenues was primarily due to higher
selling expenses of the Retail Distribution and International Wholesale
Distribution segments incurred during their start-up phases. DVDPlanet was
acquired during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999 and Aviva was formed
subsequent to fiscal 1999.
Selling expenses for the Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment were up
2.9% to $3,986,000 for fiscal 2000 from $3,873,000 for fiscal 1999. As a
percentage of segment net revenues, selling expenses were up 0.5% to 5.8% for
fiscal 2000 from 5.3% for fiscal 1999. The 2.9% increase in absolute dollar
selling expenses resulted primarily from higher compensation expenses (higher by
$322,000), offset, in part, by lower trade advertising costs (lower by
$195,000).
The Retail Distribution segment incurred selling expenses of $2,266,000, or
14.3% of segment net revenues, for fiscal 2000, consisting primarily of
compensation and promotional expenses. Included during fiscal 2000 was a net
$366,000 one-time charge related to free goods distributed and other promotional
expenses incurred in connection with a joint national DVD hardware promotion
with Thomson Consumer Electronics. DVDPlanet added marketing personnel to build
DVDPlanet awareness and increase traffic to the Web site with on-line and off-
line promotions, enhancement of the DVDPlanet Web site and creation of affiliate
marketing relationships. Fiscal 1999 includes primarily DVDPlanet selling
expenses of $339,000 for the 79-day period post-acquisition and $99,000 in
selling expenses from the Company's former subsidiary, U.S. Laser, which was
winding down its operations through its closure in July 1998. The International
Wholesale Distribution segment, in its start-up phase during fiscal 2000,
incurred selling expenses of $567,000, composed primarily of compensation,
international convention and travel expenses.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 Image Entertainment, Inc.
The following tables present consolidated general and administrative
expenses by reportable business segment and as a percentage of related segment
net revenues for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999:
Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
-------------------------------
2000 1999 % Change
------------ ----------- ----------
(in thousands)
General and administrative expenses:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $ 7,229 $ 5,662 27.7%
Retail Distribution 1,242 354 *
International Wholesale Distribution 164 -- *
------------- ----------- -----------
Consolidated $ 8,635 $ 6,016 43.5%
============= =========== ===========
As a percentage of segment net revenues:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution 10.5% 7.7% 2.8%
Retail Distribution 7.8 8.9 (1.1)
International Wholesale Distribution 65.6 -- *
------------- ----------- -----------
Consolidated 10.2% 7.8% 2.4%
============= =========== ===========
______________________________
* not meaningful
Consolidated general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2000 increased
43.5% to $8,635,000 from $6,016,000 for fiscal 1999. As a percentage of
consolidated net revenues, consolidated general and administrative expenses for
fiscal 2000 increased to 10.2% from 7.8% for fiscal 1999. The increase in
consolidated general and administrative expenses in absolute dollars and as a
percentage of consolidated net revenues was primarily due to higher general and
administrative expenses for the Domestic Wholesale Distribution segment as
discussed below and the general and administrative expenses of the Retail
Distribution and International Wholesale Distribution segments. DVDPlanet was
acquired during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999 and Aviva was formed
subsequent to fiscal 1999.
General and administrative expenses for the Domestic Wholesale Distribution
segment for fiscal 2000 were up 27.7% to $7,229,000 from $5,662,000 for fiscal
1999. As a percentage of segment net revenues, general and administrative
expenses for fiscal 2000 were up 2.8% to 10.5% from 7.7% for fiscal 1999. The
27.7% increase in absolute dollar general and administrative expenses for fiscal
2000 resulted primarily from higher depreciation and amortization expense
associated with the Las Vegas distribution facility and in-house authoring and
compression equipment (higher by $822,000), higher compensation expense
(including higher performance-based executive bonuses and amortization of
restricted stock units) (higher by $380,000) and a one-time $300,000 charge for
settlement including estimated legal fees of Image's adversary proceeding in
connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Alliance Entertainment Corp.
General and administrative expenses for the Retail Distribution segment of
$1,242,000, or 7.8% of segment net revenues, consisted primarily of compensation
expense, bank credit card servicing fees, depreciation expense and management
information systems expenses. Fiscal 1999 includes DVDPlanet general and
administrative expenses of $226,000 and $128,000 in general and administrative
expenses from the Company's former subsidiary U.S. Laser, which was winding down
its operations through its closure in July 1998.
Amortization of production costs for fiscal 2000 decreased 1.6% to
$3,992,000, or 4.7% of consolidated net revenues, from $4,057,000, or 5.3% of
consolidated net revenues, for fiscal 1999. The decrease in amortization costs
for fiscal 2000 was attributable to lower comparative per-title DVD authoring
and compression costs (much of this DVD process was performed in-house during
fiscal 2000) as well as other operational efficiencies attained by the creative
services and production departments offset, in part, by the increased number of
exclusively licensed programs placed into production during fiscal 2000 compared
to fiscal 1999.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 25
Interest expense, net of interest income, for fiscal 2000 increased 77.1%
to $1,562,000, or 1.8% of net revenues, from $882,000, or 1.1% of net revenues,
for fiscal 1999. The increase was attributable primarily to higher weighted
average debt levels during fiscal 2000 as compared to fiscal 1999.
For fiscal 2000, other income of $1,315,000 consisted primarily of proceeds
from settlements in connection with the Image's litigation against LEI Partners,
L.P. totaling $899,000 and the minority interest in Aviva of $383,000.
Consolidated net earnings for fiscal 2000 was $1,415,000, or $.09 per basic
and diluted share, as compared to consolidated net earnings of $1,706,000, or
$.12 per basic and diluted share, for fiscal 1999. The principal reason for this
decline was due to post-acquisition/formation losses of $2,300,000 (net of
inter-segment eliminations and minority interest but including goodwill
amortization of $503,000) in the Retail Distribution and International Wholesale
Distribution segments.
Fiscal 2000 Formation of Joint Venture -- Aviva International, LLC
In June 1999, Image formed Aviva with Michael Lopez, President of
International Consulting & Business Management. Aviva is 50% owned by each of
Image and Mr. Lopez. Aviva acts as international sales agent for Image's
licensed programming for which it holds distribution rights for worldwide
broadcast and international home video. Mr. Lopez serves as Manager of Aviva and
supervises the day-to-day operation of Aviva. All other actions require the
consent of Image. Both Image and Mr. Lopez have contributed funds to Aviva in
the form of interest-bearing loans to be used for working capital. Mr. Lopez
remains contingently liable for his share of the obligations of Aviva. Image
will continue to loan Aviva funds for working capital, if needed, until Aviva
can solely fund its operations. Loans to Aviva from Image totaled approximately
$732,000 at March 31, 2001. Loans from Image and Mr. Lopez will be repaid by
Aviva prior to any profit distributions to Image or Mr. Lopez. Although Image
owns 50% of the joint venture, it has the ability to exercise control over the
operations of Aviva. Accordingly, Aviva's operating loss, since its formation,
is consolidated with the Company's consolidated statements of earnings for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000; and a minority interest representing
Mr. Lopez's share of profits and losses is reflected in the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
Royalties and distribution fees payable by Image to program suppliers in
connection with international distribution revenues generated by Aviva's sales
agency efforts are generally used to recoup advance royalties and distribution
fees paid by Image to program suppliers for exclusive international distribution
rights.
Inflation
Management believes that inflation is not a material factor in the
operation of the Company's business at this time.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Effective April 1, 2000, the Company adopted the Securities and Exchange
Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in
Financial Statements." The SAB provides guidance on the recognition,
presentation and disclosure of revenue in financial statements, including
certain criteria for gross versus net recording of sales transactions. The
adoption of SAB No. 101 did not materially impact the Company's results of
operations.
In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue 00-10
"Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs," the Company has
classified amounts billed to customers for shipping fees as revenue, and
classified costs related to shipping as cost of sales in the accompanying
statements of operations. All prior periods presented have been reclassified to
comply with the guidelines of this Issue. Previously, the Company had
classified shipping fee income as an offset to freight out expense, a component
of selling expenses in the statement of earnings. The following adjustments
have been made to consolidated revenues and cost of sales in accordance with the
guidelines of this Issue. Net revenues were increased $1,071,000, $1,185,000
and $462,000 for fiscal years ended 2001, 2000 and 1999,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 Image Entertainment, Inc.
respectively. Cost of sales were increased $3,262,000, $3,087,000 and $1,650,000
for fiscal years ended 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Selling expenses were
reduced $2,191,000, $1,902,000 and $1,888,000, for fiscal years ended 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively.
The Company adopted the EITF Issue No. 00-02, "Accounting for Web Site
Development Costs," in 2000. This Issue provides guidance on accounting for
costs incurred to develop a Web site. The adoption of this Issue did not have a
material impact on the Company's financial statements.
In June 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS
No. 139, which, effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2000, rescinds SFAS No. 53. The companies that were
previously subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 53 are now to follow the
guidance in American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of
Position ("SOP") 00-2, "Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films,"
issued in June 2000. SOP 00-2 establishes new accounting and reporting standards
for all producers and distributors that own or hold the rights to distribute or
exploit films. SOP 00-2 provides that the cumulative effect of changes in
accounting principles caused by its adoption should be included in the
determination of net earnings in conformity with Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 20, "Accounting Changes." The Company adopted SOP 00-2 on April 1,
2001. The adoption of SOP 00-2 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 137, "Deferral of
the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," and by SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an Amendment to SFAS No. 133,"
which is effective for all quarters of the fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2000. This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in
other contracts, and for hedging activities. The Company adopted SFAS No. 133
on April 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 133 is not expected to materially
impact its consolidated results of operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's working capital requirements vary primarily with the level of
its licensing, production and distribution activities. The principal recurring
uses of working capital in operations are for program licensing costs (i.e.,
royalty payments, including advances, to program suppliers), distribution fee
advances, manufacturing and production costs, costs of acquiring finished
product for wholesale and retail distribution and selling, general and
administrative expenses. Working capital has historically been provided by cash
flows from operations, private and public sales of common stock, notes
representing short- and long-term debt and bank borrowings.
Sources and Uses of Working Capital, Fiscal 2001 and 2000.
Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2001 was $5,078,000
compared to net cash used in operating activities of $5,843,000 for fiscal 2000.
The major factors contributing to the significant increase in net cash provided
by operating activities for fiscal 2001 are as follows: (i) fiscal 2001 provided
pretax earnings of $4,436,000, significantly higher than net earnings of
$1,415,000 for fiscal 2000; (ii) fiscal 2001 had a higher comparative
depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and improvements,
production costs and restricted stock units than fiscal 2000; (iii) fiscal 2001
had a higher comparative increase in accounts payable, accrued royalties and
liabilities than fiscal 2000; and (iv) fiscal 2001 had a comparative decrease in
prepaid assets versus a higher comparative increase in prepaid assets in fiscal
2000.
Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2001 increased 70.2% to
$2,121,000 compared to $1,246,000 for fiscal 2000. Fiscal 2001 included
increased capital expenditures incurred to upgrade the Company's distribution
facility in Las Vegas, Nevada to allow for direct-to-consumer order fulfillment
as well as upgrade and modernize the Company's in-house production facility.
Offsetting these expenditures, the Company received net proceeds of
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 27
approximately $1,399,000 and $1,823,000 from the sale of the excess vacant land
adjacent to its Las Vegas, Nevada distribution facility in fiscal 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 2001 was $3,883,000
compared to net cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2000 of
$7,069,000. The increased use of cash is primarily due to net repayment of
interest-bearing debt during fiscal 2001 compared to net borrowings for fiscal
2000. Additionally, Image spent $2,300,000 related to its stock repurchase
program during fiscal 2001.
New Disc Manufacturing Agreement and Revolving Loan Commitment.
In March 2001, Image entered into an Optical Disc Replication and Loan
Agreement (the "Agreement") with MRT Technology LLC, doing business as Ritek
Global Media ("Ritek"), a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Ritek Global Corporation.
The five-year term of the Agreement will commence August 1, 2001, upon
expiration of Image's current replication agreement. Under the Agreement, Ritek
will be the exclusive provider of manufacturing services associated with the
Image's DVD, DVD-audio and compact disc programming as well as Image's
programming on all future home entertainment storage mediums then-serviced by
Ritek. Ritek, with manufacturing facilities throughout the world, will also
manufacture goods, order printed components, manage inventory, package and
fulfill orders for Image's optical disc-based programming to international
territories on behalf of Aviva.
The provisions of the Agreement are expected to reduce Image's current
optical disc manufacturing costs and related production service costs on a per-
disc basis for Image's exclusive domestic and international releases. The
Company expects to see the benefits of these reduced costs in the form of
increased gross profit margins and lower production cost expenditures beginning
in the Company's third quarter ending December 31, 2001.
In addition to the lower pricing, under the terms of the Agreement, Ritek
has provided Image with a commitment to provide title development funding in the
form of a series of advances under an unsecured, non-interest bearing loan. The
purpose of Ritek's loan commitment to Image is to assist Image in funding the
acquisition of entertainment programming for exclusive United States and/or
worldwide distribution, whether through a license or exclusive distribution
agreement. Outstanding balances under the loan are subordinate to all of Image's
obligations to BankAmerica Leasing and Capital Corporation, Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association of Nevada, Foothill Capital Corporation
and Image Investors Co and all replacements and refinancings of such debt.
Initial Advance. Although Ritek's manufacturing services will not begin
---------------
until August 1, 2001, on March 20, 2001, Ritek made an initial advance under the
loan to Image of $6,500,000. Image's current banking structure requires that
proceeds from these advances reduce any outstanding obligations to Foothill
Capital Corporation. Image will then draw down on its revolving credit facility
to fund programming acquisitions.
Additional Advances. In addition to the initial advance, on or before
-------------------
September 1 of each year during the term (other than September 1, 2001 and
September 1, 2005), Ritek is required to make an additional advance under the
loan to Image in an amount equal to the sum of $1.00 for each DVD and $.50 for
each CD ordered by Image from Ritek during the immediately preceding August 1 to
July 31 period, minus the then-current outstanding balance of the loan; provided
that in no event shall the amount of any advance exceed the sum of $10,000,000.
The advance to be made on September 1, 2005 is limited to $5,000,000. In the
event Image fails to meet certain minimum order requirements, as defined in the
Agreement, Ritek shall have the option to renegotiate new terms and conditions
of future advances under the loan.
Repayment of Advances. Image will repay the loan (other than the advance
---------------------
in the last year of the term) to Ritek in an amount equal to $1.00 for each DVD
and $.50 for each CD ordered from Ritek under the Agreement, which amounts shall
be payable at the same time payment is due for such discs ordered under the
Agreement. Repayment of the initial advance will begin in October 2001, with
subsequent repayments based upon the quantity and timing of Image's optical disc
replication services provided by Ritek. Image shall not be obligated to repay
more than $2,500,000 of the outstanding balance of the loan in any calendar
quarter. The advance in the last year of the term (i.e., August 1,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28 Image Entertainment, Inc.
2005 through July 31, 2006) shall be repaid in equal quarterly installments
payable on October 31, 2005 and January 31, April 30 and July 31, 2006.
At March 31, 2001, $6,500,000 was outstanding under the loan from Ritek. As
outstanding amounts are non-interest bearing, the Company imputed interest
expense of $18,699 for the period outstanding during fiscal 2001 at 8.75%,
Image's incremental borrowing rate at March 31, 2001.
Financing Activities.
Revolving Loan Facility - Disc Manufacturer. In March 2001, Image borrowed
--------------------------------------------
$6,500,000 from Ritek. The proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding
borrowings with Foothill Capital Corporation. See "New Disc Manufacturing
---
Agreement and Revolving Loan Commitment" above.
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility. In November 1999, Image and
---------------------------------------
Foothill Capital Corporation amended the December 28, 1998 Loan and Security
Agreement (the "Foothill Agreement") to increase the maximum revolving advance
limit from $12,000,000 to $15,000,000. The Foothill Agreement provides for
revolving advances and the issuance and guaranty of standby letters of credit
under a $15,000,000 revolving credit facility and a series of term loans under a
$500,000 capital expenditure term loan facility. The term of the Foothill
Agreement is three years, renewable automatically thereafter for successive one-
year periods.
Borrowings under the Foothill Agreement are limited to the "borrowing
base," as defined therein, are secured by substantially all of Image's assets
and bear interest at the lender's prime rate plus .75% (8.75% at March 31,
2001), payable monthly. At March 31, 2001, Image had a total of $2,210,000 and
$393,000, respectively, outstanding under the revolving credit and term loan
facilities and had borrowing availability under its revolving credit facility of
$12,405,000, net of amounts utilized for outstanding letters of credit, and
borrowing availability of $107,000 under its capital expenditure term loan
facility.
Real Estate Credit Facility. Image has a revolving line of credit with
---------------------------
Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association of Nevada. Under the
revolving line, Image may repay and reborrow principal amounts provided the
outstanding borrowings do not exceed the maximum available commitment of
$3,004,000 at March 31, 2001, which is reduced quarterly by $43,000. The
revolving line expires January 31, 2008. Image has the option under the
revolving line to borrow at the bank's prime rate plus 1.25% or for fixed
periods at LIBOR plus either 2.25% or 2.65% depending on the level of Image's
debt service coverage ratio, as defined in the loan agreement. At March 31,
2001, $3,004,000 in borrowings were outstanding under this line. Borrowings
currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% (7.86% at March 31, 2001).
Distribution Equipment Lease Facility. Image's Lease Intended as Security
-------------------------------------
Agreement with BankAmerica Leasing and Capital Corporation provided for advances
to purchase distribution machinery and equipment utilized in the Company's Las
Vegas, Nevada warehouse and distribution facility. There were $1,061,000 in
borrowings outstanding under the lease at March 31, 2001. Outstanding
borrowings are repaid in quarterly installments through October 1, 2003, down to
a $1 purchase option, bearing a fixed implicit rate, as defined in this
agreement, of 7.719%.
Equipment Line of Credit. On June 28, 2000, Image entered into a Business
------------------------
Loan Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. in Nevada for an equipment line of
credit of up to $1,000,000. The line is available for borrowing through August
30, 2001. Outstanding borrowings are to be repaid in 42 successive equal monthly
installments beginning September 30, 2001 through the line's expiration on
February 28, 2005. Image has the option to borrow at the bank's prime rate plus
1.25% or LIBOR plus 2.50%, subject to a minimum borrowing requirement. Interest
is payable monthly. Outstanding borrowings are secured by the equipment
purchased by Image with the proceeds of the advances. Image had $647,000
outstanding under this line at March 31, 2001, all of which bore interest at
LIBOR plus 2.50% (ranging from 7.65% to 9.22% at March 31, 2001).
Convertible Subordinated Note Payable. At March 31, 2001, Image had
-------------------------------------
$5,000,000 outstanding under the convertible subordinated note payable to Image
Investors Co. ("IIC") with interest payable quarterly at 8.0% per annum,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 29
and principal due September 29, 2002. The loan is convertible at IIC's election
into Image's common stock at any time during the term at a conversion price of
$3.625 per share.
Other Obligations.
At March 31, 2001, Image had future license obligations for royalty
advances, minimum guarantees and other fees of $8,366,000 due during fiscal 2002
and $80,000 due during fiscal 2003. These advances and guarantees are recoupable
against royalties and distribution fees earned (in connection with Company
revenues) by the licensors and program suppliers, respectively. Depending upon
the competition for license and exclusive distribution rights, Image may have to
pay increased advances, guarantees and/or royalty rates in order to acquire or
retain such rights in the future.
At March 31, 2001, Image had $450,000 of outstanding standby letters of
credit issued by Foothill of which $300,000 expires on June 30, 2001 and
$150,000 expires on November 18, 2001. These letters of credit secure trade
payables due to program suppliers.
Other Items.
In August 2000, Image sold the remaining approximate 4.7 acres of excess
vacant land owned by Image adjacent to the Company's 8.4 acre warehouse and
distribution facility site in Las Vegas, Nevada for net proceeds of
approximately $1,399,000 and recorded a gain of $499,000 for the year ended
March 31, 2001.
Under Image's reinstated stock repurchase program announced in August 2000,
Image has repurchased approximately 696,000 common shares through June 1, 2001
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2,413,000 (average price of
approximately $3.47 per share), including brokerage commissions. At June 1,
2001, there were approximately 138,000 common shares remaining for repurchase
under the January 1995 Board of Directors' authorized program to repurchase up
to 2.5 million common shares. Under the program, Image may purchase shares from
time to time in the open market and/or through privately negotiated transactions
based upon current market conditions and other factors.
Management's Plan to Improve Fiscal 2002 DVDPlanet Operating Results.
In July 1999, the Company began expanding the DVDPlanet employee base in
anticipation of growth in DVD revenues through direct-to-consumer distribution
via the Internet. The majority of the new employees hired were based in Image's
Chatsworth, California corporate headquarters and not at DVDPlanet's retail
store and shipping facility in Westminster, California. From mid-calendar 1999
and throughout calendar 2000, competing Internet retailers offered DVD
programming to consumers at deep discounts, often at or below their actual cost,
in an effort to capture new customers. Management believes that profitability
for these Internet retailers was ultimately sacrificed to obtain rapid revenue
growth during this period. Although DVDPlanet did lower its pricing to consumers
with an additional discount from the suggested retail price, it did not
eliminate its entire gross profit margin to match its competitors' pricing.
Management believes, in large part because of its of competitors' pricing
policies, DVDPlanet's revenue growth has been below management's expectations.
During the Company's third quarter ended December 31, 2000, the financial
difficulties and related attrition experienced by certain Internet DVD retailers
led to generally increased pricing to consumers by the remaining Internet DVD
retailers. Management believes this recent overall pricing increase by
DVDPlanet's competitors has positively impacted recent DVDPlanet Internet-based
revenues, because the disparity in pricing between DVDPlanet and its competitors
has narrowed.
With lower than expected revenue growth and a significant increase in
operating expenses, DVDPlanet has sustained upwardly trending quarterly losses.
In response to this continued negative trend in the operating results of
DVDPlanet, management has developed an action plan (the "Action Plan") to
improve the operating results of DVDPlanet with the goal of achieving positive
cash flows and profitability. The Action Plan principally involves (a)
initiatives which have been implemented in March 2001 and (b) initiatives which
will be implemented during the quarter ending June 30, 2001, and is described in
more detail below:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 Image Entertainment, Inc.
(a) Initiatives implemented in March 2001:
-------------------------------------
1. Achieved 100% fulfillment of DVDPlanet's orders out of the Company's
Las Vegas warehouse and distribution facility. Prior to mid-March
2001, all DVDPlanet orders were shipped out of DVDPlanet's
Westminster, California location. DVDPlanet has reduced shipping
personnel as a result of the consolidation of shipping activities.
See Item (b)1. below.
---
2. Increased pricing to customers, effective March 1, 2001. Management
estimates that this will positively impact overall segment gross
profit margins by 3% to 5%; however, given the dynamic nature of
Internet retailer DVD pricing, this new pricing policy will be
subject to ongoing review by management and may be revised as
necessary in the future.
3. Increased DVDPlanet's shipping charges to consumers, effective March
1, 2001. Management estimates this change could increase annual
segment shipping revenues by approximately $140,000 based upon
historical segment shipping levels. Management further believes
DVDPlanet's new shipping charge policy is competitive with the
current Internet retailing competition.
4. Decreased segment selling expenses by eliminating publication of the
monthly The Source solicitation mailer, which was primarily used by
----------
DVDPlanet's mail order customers. Information contained in The
---
Source, which included upcoming DVD release information as well as
------
product specials and highlights, is available on-line at
DVDPlanet.com. Management estimates the related annual savings
(printing and postage, net of advertising income received) will be
approximately $200,000.
5. Decreased segment payroll expenses by reducing DVDPlanet staff. In
late January 2001, DVDPlanet reduced its staff by three full-time
employees and one part-time employee. Management estimates the
related annual savings will be approximately $138,000 in salary and
benefits. Additionally, seven full-time employees of DVDPlanet were
transferred to the Company's Domestic Wholesale Distribution
segment, eliminating that segment's immediate need to increase
staffing in the areas of production, selling and business-to-
business Web site development for the Domestic Wholesale
Distribution segment. Management estimates the savings to the
DVDPlanet segment by moving these employees will be approximately
$390,000 in annual salary and benefits. Consolidated payroll expense
will not be affected by this inter-segment transfer of employees.
(b) Initiatives to be implemented during the first quarter ending June 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2001:
----
1. Realignment of all customer service, retail sales and shipping
functions at the Westminster facility. DVDPlanet expects to
significantly reduce staff levels and working hours of certain part-
time personnel as a result of this realignment, with an estimated
segment salary and benefits savings totaling approximately $212,000
(reduced from $230,000 range of savings minimum disclosed in Form
10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2000).
2. Change class of shipping on majority of shipments from United States
Postal Service "Priority" to "First Class" mail. Management
estimates the related annual segment shipping expense savings will
be approximately $200,000 based upon historical segment shipping
activity. Management further believes that this class of service is
competitive with the current Internet retailing competition.
Management believes that the implementation of this Action Plan, as well as
a continuing review of cost savings opportunities, will improve DVDPlanet's cash
flows and operating results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002 as
compared to the results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 included
herein. There can be no assurance
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 31
that DVDPlanet's operating results will improve as a result of implementing
these initiatives or that the goal of achieving positive cash flows and
profitability will be reached.
Summary.
Management believes that its projected cash flows from operations,
borrowing availability under its lender revolving lines of credit, cash on hand
and trade credit will provide the necessary capital to meet its projected cash
requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, any projections of
future cash needs and cash flows are subject to substantial uncertainty.
If future cash flows to be generated from operations, future borrowing
availability under its lender revolving lines of credit, its disc manufacturer
revolving credit commitment and future cash on hand are insufficient to satisfy
Image's continuing licensing and acquisition of exclusive DVD programming which
require significant advance royalty or distribution fee payments, the Company
will need to seek additional debt and/or equity financing. Failure to obtain
this additional financing could significantly restrict the Company's growth
plans. There can be no assurance that additional financing would be available
in amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
----------------------------------------------------------
Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market
rates and prices, such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
Changes in interest rates and, in the future, changes in foreign currency
exchange rates have and will have an impact on the Company's consolidated
results of operations.
Interest Rate Fluctuations. At March 31, 2001, approximately $6,254,000 of the
Company's outstanding borrowings were subject to changes in interest rates;
however, the Company does not use derivatives to manage this risk. This
exposure is linked to the prime rate and LIBOR. The Company believes that
moderate changes in the prime rate or LIBOR would not materially affect the
operating results or financial condition of the Company. For example, a 1%
change in interest rates would result in an approximate $63,000 annual impact on
pretax income based upon those outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2001 subject
to interest rate fluctuations.
Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuations. At March 31, 2001, approximately $1,229,000
of the Company's accounts receivables related to international distribution and
denominated in foreign currencies were subject to foreign exchange rate risk in
the future. The Company distributes certain of its licensed DVD and VHS
programming internationally through international subdistributors.
Additionally, the Company exploits international broadcast rights to its
licensed entertainment programming. The Company believes that moderate changes
in foreign exchange rates will not materially affect the operating results or
financial condition of the Company. For example, a 10% change in exchange rates
would result in an approximate $123,000 impact on pretax income based on those
outstanding receivables at March 31, 2001. To date, the Company has not entered
into foreign currency exchange contracts.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32 Image Entertainment, Inc.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
-------------------------------------------
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Page
Independent Auditors' Report........................................................................ 34
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2001 and 2000.............................................. 35
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999............... 37
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999... 38
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999............. 39
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................... 42
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999... 60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 33
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
----------------------------
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Image Entertainment, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Image
Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In
connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also
have audited the accompanying financial statement schedule, as listed in the
accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Image Entertainment,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2001 and 2000 and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended March 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related
financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all
material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Los Angeles, California
June 1, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34 Image Entertainment, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2001 and 2000
ASSETS
(In thousands) 2001 2000
------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 606 $ 1,532
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of
$4,470 - 2001; $3,664 - 2000 14,393 13,457
Inventories (Note 4) 18,622 17,881
Royalty and distribution fee advances 12,879 8,868
Prepaid expenses and other assets 2,442 2,576
Deferred tax assets (Note 11) 4,254 --
Property, equipment and improvements, net (Notes 5, 6 and 7) 14,559 14,067
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of
$1,123 - 2001; $614 - 2000 6,506 7,014
------- -------
$74,261 $65,395
======= =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 35
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2001 and 2000
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data) 2001 2000
------- -------
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $18,511 $15,606
Accrued royalties and distribution fees 4,460 3,550
Revolving credit and term loan facility (Note 6) 2,603 10,790
Revolving loan facility - disc manufacturer (Note 2) 6,500 --
Real estate credit facility (Note 6) 3,004 3,176
Distribution equipment lease facility (Note 7) 1,061 1,432
Convertible subordinated note payable (Note 6) 5,000 5,000
Equipment line of credit (Note 6) 647 --
------- -------
Total liabilities 41,786 39,554
------- -------
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 9):
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 3,366,000 shares authorized;
none issued and outstanding -- --
Common stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized;
15,849,000 and 16,462,000 issued and outstanding
in 2001 and 2000, respectively 29,765 31,819
Additional paid-in capital 3,320 3,064
Accumulated deficit (610) (9,042)
------- -------
Net shareholders' equity 32,475 25,841
------- -------
$74,261 $65,395
======= =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36 Image Entertainment, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the Years Ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
(In thousands, except per share data) 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
NET REVENUES $100,770 $84,854 $77,188
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of sales 70,651 63,243 60,075
Selling expenses 8,956 6,819 4,251
General and administrative expenses 10,095 8,635 6,016
Amortization of production costs 4,867 3,992 4,057
Amortization of goodwill 509 503 111
-------- ------- -------
95,078 83,192 74,510
-------- ------- -------
EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS 5,692 1,662 2,678
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense, net 1,724 1,562 882
Other (Note 3) (468) (1,315) --
-------- ------- -------
1,256 247 882
-------- ------- -------
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 4,436 1,415 1,796
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) (Notes 11 and 12) (3,996) -- 90
-------- ------- -------
NET EARNINGS $ 8,432 $ 1,415 $ 1,706
======== ======= =======
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 10):
Basic $ .52 $ .09 $ .12
======== ======= =======
Diluted $ .50 $ .09 $ .12
======== ======= =======
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 16,257 16,452 14,185
Diluted 17,637 16,490 14,309
======== ======= =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment. Inc. 37
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Notes 9 and 11)
For the Years Ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Common Stock Additional
----------------------- Paid-In Accumulated
(In thousands) Shares Amount Capital Deficit
------------- -------- ----------- ------------
BALANCES, March 31, 1998 13,493 $17,764 $ 3,064 $(12,163)
Exercise of options 266 1,404 -- --
Issuance of common stock 2,658 12,557 -- --
Net earnings -- -- -- 1,706
------ ------- ---------- ----------
BALANCES, March 31, 1999 16,417 31,725 3,064 (10,457)
Exercise of options 34 60 -- --
Issuance of restricted stock units 11 76 -- --
Other -- (42) -- --
Net earnings -- -- -- 1,415
------ ------- ---------- ----------
BALANCES, March 31, 2000 16,462 31,819 3,064 (9,042)
Issuance of restricted stock units 35 246 -- --
Repurchase of common stock (648) (2,300) -- --
Elimination of valuation allowance --
stock option compensation -- -- 256 --
Net earnings -- -- -- 8,432
------ ------- ---------- ----------
BALANCES, March 31, 2001 15,849 $29,765 $ 3,320 $ (610)
====== ======= ========== ==========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38 Image Entertainment, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
================================================================================
(In thousands) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings $ 8,432 $ 1,415 $ 1,706
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Amortization of production costs 4,867 3,992 4,057
Amortization of goodwill 509 503 111
Depreciation and other amortization 2,128 1,696 725
Amortization of restricted stock units 255 215 89
Provision for estimated doubtful accounts receivable 555 384 144
Provision for lower of cost or
market inventory writedowns 148 1,010 1,831
Gain on sale of land (499) (23) --
Deferred tax benefit (3,998) -- --
Changes in assets and liabilities
associated with operating activities, net of
acquired business:
Accounts receivable (1,491) (1,887) (5,121)
Inventories 169 (678) (4,867)
Royalty and distribution fee advances, net (4,011) (5,695) 1,393
Production cost expenditures (5,925) (5,257) (5,734)
Prepaid expenses and other assets 134 (1,769) 306
Accounts payable, accrued royalties
and liabilities 3,805 251 2,709
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities 5,078 (5,843) (2,651)
------- ------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (3,520) (3,069) (2,928)
Net proceeds from sale of land 1,399 1,823 --
Payments for business acquired -- -- (5,318)
------- ------- -------
Net cash used in investing activities (2,121) (1,246) (8,246)
------- ------- -------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 39
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
For the Years Ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
================================================================================
(In thousands) 2001 2000 1999
--------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Advances under revolving credit and term loan facility $ 95,555 $ 90,363 $ 33,572
Repayment of advances under revolving
credit and term loan facility (103,742) (81,447) (34,013)
Advances under revolving loan facility - disc manufacturer 6,500 -- --
Advances under equipment line of credit 647 -- --
Repayment of advances under real estate
credit facility (172) (172) (86)
Repayment of note payable -- (1,350) --
Principal payments under lease facility (371) (343) --
Repurchase of common stock (2,300) -- --
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock -- 10,557
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options -- 60 1,404
Other -- (42) --
--------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities (3,883) 7,069 11,434
--------- -------- --------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (926) (20) 537
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,532 1,552 1,015
--------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 606 $ 1,532 $ 1,552
========= ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH
FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 1,704 $ 1,457 $ 1,049
========= ======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Image Entertainment, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
For the Years Ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
================================================================================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
In January 2001, the Company issued 6,720 shares of common stock to directors in
connection with the vesting of restricted stock units. The Company increased
common stock in January 2001 by approximately $31,000, the value of the total
vested shares as of the grant date.
During fiscal 2001, the Company recorded an increase in additional paid in
capital of $256,000 which represents the benefit from net operating loss
carryforwards created by the exercise of non-qualified stock options previously
exercised.
On June 30, 2000 and 1999, the Company issued 28,674 and 11,407 shares of common
stock, respectively, to officers (net of shares withheld for payment of related
income taxes) in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units. The
Company increased common stock at June 30, 2000 and 1999 by approximately
$215,000 and $76,000, respectively, the value of the total vested shares as of
the respective grant dates less the value of shares withheld for payment of
related income taxes on the vesting dates.
In January 1999, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain
liabilities of the Internet/direct-to-consumer DVD and laserdisc software
business of Ken Crane's Magnavox City, Inc. for $4,919,000 in cash, adjusted
pursuant to the purchase agreement, and 258,370 shares of the Company's common
stock valued at $2,000,000 ($7.74 per share).
(In thousands)
Fair value of assets acquired $ 1,287
Excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired recorded as goodwill 7,628
Cash paid for net assets acquired, as adjusted (4,919)
Stock issued for net assets acquired (2,000)
Expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition (333)
-------
Liabilities assumed $ 1,663
=======
During fiscal 1999, the Company borrowed $3,064,000, to fund costs relating to
the construction of the Company's Las Vegas, Nevada warehouse and distribution
facility.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 41
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying
- -----------------------------------------------------
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Image Entertainment,
Inc. ("Image"), its wholly-owned subsidiary DVDPlanet.com, Inc. (formerly known
as Image Newco, Inc., doing business as Ken Crane's DVD/Laserdisc and
DVDPlanet.com, Inc. ("DVDPlanet")), and Image's controlled 50%-owned joint
venture, Aviva International, LLC ("Aviva") (collectively, the Company"). All
significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation. DVDPlanet was acquired in January 1999 and Aviva was formed in
June 1999.
Business. The Company is engaged primarily in the worldwide distribution of a
- --------
broad range of entertainment programming on DVD under exclusive distribution
agreements. To a lesser extent, the Company also distributes DVD and other
types of home entertainment programming on a nonexclusive basis domestically.
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements. The preparation of the
- -------------------------------------------------------
Company's consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. The
significant areas requiring the use of management estimates are related to
provisions for lower of cost or market inventory writedowns, doubtful accounts
receivables, unrecouped royalty and distribution fee advances and sales returns.
Although these estimates are based on management's knowledge of current events
and actions management may undertake in the future, actual results may
ultimately differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts reflected in the
- -----------------------------------
Company's consolidated balance sheets for all financial instruments approximate
their respective fair values.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments
- -------------------------
purchased with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
Inventories. Inventories consist primarily of finished products for sale (which
- -----------
are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined on an
average cost basis) and unamortized capitalized production costs.
Accounting for Production Costs. The costs to produce licensed programming for
- -------------------------------
domestic and international distribution include the cost of converting film
prints or tapes into the optical disc format. Costs also include menu design,
authoring, compression, subtitling, closed captioning, service charges related
to disc manufacturing, ancillary material production, product packaging design
and related services and the overhead of the Company's creative services and
production departments. A percentage of the capitalized production costs is
amortized to expense each month based upon (i) a projected revenue stream
resulting from distribution of new and previously released exclusive programming
related to such production costs and (ii) management's estimate of the ultimate
net realizable value of the production costs. Estimates of future revenues are
reviewed periodically and amortization of production costs is adjusted
accordingly. If estimated future revenues are not sufficient to recover the
unamortized balance of production costs, such costs are reduced to their
estimated net realizable value.
Royalty and Distribution Fee Advances. Royalty and distribution fee advances
- -------------------------------------
represent fixed minimum payments made to program suppliers for exclusive
programming distribution rights. A program supplier's share of exclusive
program distribution revenues is retained by the Company until the share equals
the advance(s) paid to the program supplier. Thereafter, any excess is paid to
the program supplier. In the event of an excess, the Company records, as a cost
of sales, an amount equal to the program supplier's share of the net
distribution revenues. Royalty and distribution fee advances are charged to
operations as revenues are earned, and are stated at the lower of unamortized
cost or estimated net realizable value on an individual-title or exclusive
distribution-agreement basis. If estimated future revenues on an individual-
title or agreement basis are not sufficient to recover the unamortized balance
of royalty and distribution fee advances, such estimated loss is recorded as
cost of sales in the period when the loss is estimated.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42 Image Entertainment, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and Amortization. Property, equipment and improvements are stated
- -----------------------------
at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major renewals and
improvements are capitalized; minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are
charged to current operations. Depreciation and amortization are computed by
applying the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
building (25 years) and machinery, equipment and software (3 - 7 years).
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the
improvement or the life of the related lease. Goodwill, which is the excess
purchase price over the value of the net assets acquired, is amortized on a
straight-line basis over 15 years.
Interest costs on the construction of the Las Vegas, Nevada warehouse and
distribution facility were capitalized as part of the cost of the facility.
Certain costs in developing the DVDPlanet Web site were capitalized pursuant to
the AICPA's Accounting Standards Executive Committee's Statement of Position 98-
1, Accounting for Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal
Use.
Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized upon shipment of product. The
- -------------------
Company's return policy allows customers to return a percentage of programming
purchased on a quarterly basis. The Company provides for estimated sales
returns when product is shipped to customers.
Major Customers. On a consolidated basis, there were no customers which
- ---------------
accounted for greater than 10% of net revenues in fiscal 2001, 2000 or 1999.
Long-Lived Assets. The Company reviews for the impairment of long-lived and
- -----------------
certain identifiable intangible assets whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash
flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition
is less than its carrying amount. No impairment charge has been recorded at
March 31, 2001 and 2000.
Shipping Income and Expenses. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force
- ----------------------------
("EITF") Issue 00-10 "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs," the
Company has classified amounts billed to customers for shipping fees as revenue,
and classified costs related to shipping as cost of sales in the accompanying
statements of earnings. All prior periods presented have been reclassified to
comply with the guidelines of this Issue. Previously, the Company had
classified shipping fee income as an offset to freight out expense, a component
of selling expenses in the statement of earnings. The following adjustments
have been made to consolidated net revenues and cost of sales in accordance with
the guidelines of this Issue. Net revenues were increased $1,071,000,
$1,185,000 and $462,000 for fiscal years ended 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. Cost of sales were increased $3,262,000, $3,087,000 and
$1,650,000 for fiscal years ended 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Selling
expenses were reduced $2,191,000, $1,902,000 and $1,888,000, for fiscal years
ended 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation. Foreign currency denominated transactions are
- ----------------------------
recorded at the exchange rate in effect at the time of occurrence, and the gains
or losses resulting from subsequent translation at current exchange rates are
included in the accompanying statements of earnings.
Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provisions
- ------------
of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," whereby deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases and the future tax benefits
derived from operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company provides
a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets when there is an uncertainty
regarding their future realizability.
Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted
- ------------------
average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings
per share is computed using the combination of dilutive common share equivalents
and the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 43
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income is the change in equity of a
- --------------------
business enterprise during a period resulting from transactions and all other
events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company did not have
components of comprehensive income other than net earnings, during the three
years ended March 31, 2001.
Stock Options. The Company accounts for its stock options in accordance with
- -------------
provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25. As such,
compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current
market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. The Company
has provided the pro forma disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards. Effective April 1, 2000, the Company
- ------------------------------------
adopted the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB")
No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements." The SAB provides
guidance on the recognition, presentation and disclosure of revenue in financial
statements, including certain criteria for gross versus net recording of sales
transactions. The adoption of SAB No. 101 did not materially impact the
Company's consolidated results of operations.
The Company adopted EITF Issue No. 00-02, "Accounting for Web Site Development
Costs" in 2000. This Issue provides guidance on accounting for costs incurred
to develop a Web site. The adoption of this Issue did not have a material
impact on the Company's financial statements.
In June 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No.
139, which, effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2000, rescinds SFAS No. 53. The companies that were previously
subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 53 are now to follow the guidance in
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position ("SOP")
00-2, "Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films," issued in June 2000.
SOP 00-2 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for all producers
and distributors that own or hold the rights to distribute or exploit films.
SOP 00-2 provides that the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
caused by its adoption should be included in the determination of net earnings
in conformity with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, "Accounting
Changes." The Company adopted SOP 00-2 beginning April 1, 2001. The adoption
of SOP 00-2 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 137, "Deferral of
the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," and by SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an Amendment to SFAS No. 133,"
which is effective for all quarters of the fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2000. This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in
other contracts, and for hedging activities. The Company adopted SFAS No. 133
on April 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 133 is not expected to have a
material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations.
Reclassifications. Certain fiscal 2000 and 1999 balances have been reclassified
- -----------------
to conform with the fiscal 2001 presentation.
Note 2. New Disc Manufacturing Agreement and Revolving Loan Commitment.
In March 2001, Image entered into an Optical Disc Replication and Loan Agreement
(the "Agreement") with MRT Technology, LLC, doing business as Ritek Global Media
("Ritek"), a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Ritek Global Corporation. The five-year
term of the Agreement will commence August 1, 2001, upon expiration of Image's
current replication agreement. Under the Agreement, Ritek will be the exclusive
provider of manufacturing services associated with Image's DVD, DVD-audio and CD
programming as well as Image's programming on all future home entertainment
storage mediums then-serviced by Ritek. Ritek, with manufacturing facilities
throughout the world, will also
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44 Image Entertainment, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
manufacture goods, order printed components, manage inventory, package and
fulfill orders for Image's optical disc-based programming to international
territories on behalf of Aviva.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Ritek has provided Image with a commitment to
provide title development funding in the form of a series of advances under an
unsecured, non-interest bearing loan. The purpose of Ritek's loan commitment to
Image is to assist Image in funding the acquisition of entertainment programming
for exclusive United States and/or worldwide distribution, whether through a
license or exclusive distribution agreement. Outstanding balances under the
loan are subordinate to all of Image's obligations to BankAmerica Leasing and
Capital Corporation, Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association of
Nevada, Foothill Capital Corporation and Image Investors Co. and all
replacements and refinancings of such debt.
Initial Advance. Although Ritek's manufacturing services will not begin until
- ---------------
August 1, 2001, on March 20, 2001, Ritek made an initial advance under the loan
to Image of $6,500,000. Image's current banking structure requires that
proceeds from these advances reduce any outstanding obligations to Foothill
Capital Corporation. Image will draw down on its revolving credit facility to
fund programming acquisitions.
Additional Advances. In addition to the initial advance, on or before September
- -------------------
1 of each year during the term (other than September 1, 2001 and September 1,
2005), Ritek is required to make an additional advance under the loan to Image
in an amount equal to the sum of $1.00 for each DVD and $.50 for each CD ordered
by Image from Ritek during the immediately preceding August 1 to July 31 period,
minus the then-current outstanding balance of the loan; provided that in no
event shall the amount of any advance exceed the sum of $10,000,000. The
advance to be made on September 1, 2005 is limited to $5,000,000. In the event
Image fails to meet certain minimum order requirements, as defined in the
Agreement, Ritek shall have the option to renegotiate new terms and conditions
of future advances under the loan.
Repayment of Advances. Image will repay the loan (other than the advance in the
- ---------------------
last year of the term) to Ritek in an amount equal to $1.00 for each DVD and
$.50 for each CD ordered from Ritek under the Agreement, which amounts shall be
payable at the same time payment is due for such discs ordered under the
Agreement. Repayment of the initial advance will begin in October 2001, with
subsequent repayments based upon the quantity and timing of Image's optical disc
replication services provided by Ritek. Image shall not be obligated to repay
more than $2,500,000 of the outstanding balance of the loan in any calendar
quarter. The advance in the last year of the term (i.e., August 1, 2005 through
July 31, 2006) shall be repaid in equal quarterly installments payable on
October 31, 2005 and January 31, April 30 and July 31, 2006.
At March 31, 2001, $6,500,000 was outstanding under the loan from Ritek. As
outstanding amounts are non-interest bearing, the Company imputed interest
expense of $19,000 for the period outstanding during fiscal 2001 at 8.75%,
Image's incremental borrowing rate at March 31, 2001.
Note 3. Fiscal 2000 Formation of Joint Venture -- Aviva International, LLC.
In June 1999, Image formed Aviva International, LLC with Michael Lopez,
President of International Consulting & Business Management. Aviva is 50% owned
by each of Image and Mr. Lopez. Aviva acts as international sales agent for
Image's licensed programming for which it holds distribution rights for
worldwide broadcast and international home video. Mr. Lopez serves as Manager
of Aviva and supervises the day-to-day operations of Aviva. All other actions
require the consent of Image. Both Image and Mr. Lopez have contributed funds
to Aviva in the form of interest-bearing loans to be used for working capital.
Mr. Lopez remains contingently liable for his share of the obligations of Aviva.
Image will continue to loan Aviva funds for working capital, if needed, until
Aviva can solely fund its operations. Loans to Aviva from Image totaled
approximately $732,000 at March 31, 2001. Loans from Image and Mr. Lopez will
be repaid by Aviva prior to any profit distributions to Image or Mr. Lopez.
Although Image owns 50% of the joint venture, it has the ability to exercise
control over the operations of Aviva. Accordingly, Aviva's operating loss,
since its formation, is consolidated with the Company's consolidated statements
of earnings for the fiscal years ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 45
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, 2001 and 2000; and a minority interest representing Mr. Lopez's share
of profits and losses is reflected in the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In April 2000, Image and Mr. Lopez amended the joint venture operating agreement
retroactively (to the date of formation) to change the sales agency fees to be
retained by Aviva and the allocation of the joint venture profits and losses.
Joint venture profits and losses, which were to be allocated 50% to each of Mr.
Lopez and Image were amended to change the allocation to 60% to Mr. Lopez and
40% to Image up to $750,000 in cumulative profits. The next $750,000 in
cumulative profits are allocated 55% to Mr. Lopez and 45% to Image and
cumulative profits over $1,500,000 are allocated 50% to each. Accordingly,
other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, reflects
minority interests of ($31,000) and $383,000, respectively, representing 60% of
Aviva's operating income of ($52,000) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001
and 60% of Aviva's operating loss of $639,000 for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2000. The joint venture operating agreement has been renewed for an
additional two years through December 31, 2002.
Royalties and distribution fees payable by the Company to program suppliers in
connection with international distribution revenues generated by Aviva's sales
agency efforts are generally used to recoup advance royalties and distribution
fees paid by Image to program suppliers for exclusive international distribution
rights.
Note 4. Inventories.
Inventories at March 31, 2001 and 2000 are summarized as follows:
(In thousands) 2001 2000
------- -------
DVD $13,104 $12,989
laserdisc and other 1,197 6,339
------- -------
14,301 19,328
Reserve for lower of cost or market inventory writedowns:
DVD (915) (767)
laserdisc and other (720) (5,578)
------- -------
(1,635) (6,345)
------- -------
12,666 12,983
Production costs, net 5,956 4,898
------- -------
$18,622 $17,881
======= =======
Production costs are net of accumulated amortization of $10,607,000 and
$6,701,000 at March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Company expects to
amortize substantially all of the March 31, 2001 production costs by March 31,
2005.
Note 5. Property, Equipment and Improvements.
Property, equipment and improvements at March 31, 2001 and 2000 are summarized
as follows:
(In thousands) 2001 2000
------- -------
Land $ 2,044 $ 2,044
Building 4,680 4,493
Machinery, equipment and software 14,062 10,961
Leasehold improvements 730 501
Land held for sale -- 900
Other 361 358
------- -------
21,877 19,257
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 7,318 5,190
------- -------
$14,559 $14,067
======= =======
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46 Image Entertainment, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In August 2000, the Company sold the remaining approximately 4.7 acres of excess
vacant land adjacent to the Company's 8.4 acre warehouse and distribution
facility site in Las Vegas, Nevada for net proceeds of approximately $1,399,000.
The resulting pretax gain on sale of $499,000 was recorded as other income in
the accompanying consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended March 31,
2001. The remaining 8.4 acres of land, on which the warehouse and distribution
facility is located, is recorded at the lower of cost or fair market value.
In December 1999, the Company sold approximately 3.8 acres of excess vacant land
also adjacent to the Company's Las Vegas warehouse and distribution facility
site for net proceeds of approximately $1,823,000. The resulting gain on sale
of $23,000 was recorded as other income in the accompanying statement of
earnings for the year ended March 31, 2000.
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and improvements was
$2,128,000, $1,696,000 and $725,000 for fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. Web site development costs capitalized during fiscal 2000 were
$146,000. The Company did not capitalize Web site development costs during
fiscal 2001.
Note 6. Debt.
Revolving Loan Facility - Disc Manufacturer. In March 2001, Image borrowed
- -------------------------------------------
$6,500,000 from Ritek. The proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding
borrowings with Foothill Capital Corporation. See "Note 2. New Disc
---
Manufacturing Agreement and Revolving Loan Commitment" for a detailed
discussion.
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility. In November 1999, Image and Foothill
- ---------------------------------------
Capital Corporation amended the December 28, 1998 Loan and Security Agreement
(the "Foothill Agreement") to increase the maximum revolving advance limit from
$12,000,000 to $15,000,000. The Foothill Agreement provides for revolving
advances and the issuance and guaranty of standby letters of credit under a
$15,000,000 revolving credit facility and a series of term loans under a
$500,000 capital expenditure term loan facility. The term of the Foothill
Agreement is three years, renewable automatically thereafter for successive one-
year periods.
Borrowings under the Foothill Agreement are limited to the "borrowing base," as
defined therein, are secured by substantially all of Image's assets and bear
interest at the lender's prime rate plus .75% (8.75% at March 31, 2001), payable
monthly. At March 31, 2001, Image had a total of $2,210,000 and $393,000,
respectively, outstanding under the revolving credit and term loan facilities
and had borrowing availability under its revolving credit facility of
$12,405,000, net of amounts utilized for outstanding letters of credit, and
borrowing availability of $107,000 under its capital expenditure term loan
facility. At March 31, 2000, Image had a total of $10,290,000 and $500,000,
respectively, outstanding under the revolving credit and term loan facilities.
The Foothill Agreement imposes restrictions on such items as encumbrances and
liens, payment of dividends, other indebtedness, stock repurchases and capital
expenditures. The Foothill Agreement also requires the Company to comply with
certain financial and operating covenants. At March 31, 2001, the Company was
not in compliance with the covenant establishing the maximum amount of capital
expenditures the Company could make during fiscal 2001. The Company exceeded the
maximum limit of $2,500,000 for fiscal 2001 by $992,000. However, at the
Company's request, Foothill waived the Company's compliance with that covenant
for fiscal 2001. At March 31, 2001, the Company was in compliance with all
other financial and operating covenants.
Real Estate Credit Facility. Image has a revolving line of credit with Bank of
- ---------------------------
America National Trust and Savings Association of Nevada. Under the revolving
line, Image may repay and reborrow principal amounts provided the outstanding
borrowings do not exceed the maximum available commitment of $3,004,000 at March
31, 2001, which is reduced quarterly by $43,000. The revolving line expires
January 31, 2008. Image has the option under the revolving line to borrow at
the bank's prime rate plus 1.25% or for fixed periods at LIBOR plus either 2.25%
or 2.65% depending on the level of the Company's debt service coverage ratio, as
defined in the loan agreement. There were $3,004,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 47
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and $3,176,000 in borrowings were outstanding under this line at March 31, 2001
and 2000, respectively. Borrowings currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%
(7.86% at March 31, 2001).
Borrowings under the revolving line are secured by a deed of trust on the
approximate 8.4 acres of land in Las Vegas, Nevada used for the Company's
distribution operations. The revolving line requires the Company to comply with
certain quarterly financial and operating covenants. At March 31, 2001, the
Company was in compliance with all such financial and operating covenants.
Equipment Line of Credit. On June 28, 2000, Image entered into a Business Loan
- ------------------------
Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. in Nevada for an equipment line of credit
of up to $1,000,000. The line is available for borrowing through August 30,
2001. Outstanding borrowings are to be repaid in 42 successive equal monthly
installments beginning September 30, 2001 through the line's expiration on
February 28, 2005. Image has the option to borrow at the bank's prime rate plus
1.25% or LIBOR plus 2.50%, subject to a minimum borrowing requirement. Interest
is payable monthly. Outstanding borrowings are secured by the equipment
purchased by Image with the proceeds of the advances. The loan agreement
contains the same covenants as Image's other loan agreements with Bank of
America. At March 31, 2001, the Company was in compliance with all such
financial and operating covenants. The Company has $647,000 outstanding under
this line at March 31, 2001, all of which bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%
(ranging from 7.65% to 9.22% at March 31, 2001).
Convertible Subordinated Note Payable. Image entered into a Credit Agreement
- -------------------------------------
with Image Investors Co. ("IIC"), a principal stockholder of Image owned and
controlled by John W. Kluge and Stuart Subotnick, dated as of September 29,
1997, pursuant to which Image borrowed $5,000,000 from Image Investors Co, with
interest payable quarterly at 8.0% per annum, and principal due in five years.
The loan is unsecured and subordinated to any obligations to Foothill and is
convertible at IIC's election into Image's common stock at any time during the
term at a conversion price of $3.625 per share, the closing price of Image's
common stock on September 29, 1997.
The following is a schedule by year of required minimum debt principal payments
and maturities under the Company's debt agreements above:
(In thousands)
Fiscal Amount
------ ------
2002 $ 6,215
2003 8,749
2004 301
2005 172
2006 172
Thereafter 2,145
--------
$ 17,754
========
Note 7. Distribution Equipment Lease Facility.
Image's Lease Intended as Security Agreement with BankAmerica Leasing and
Capital Corporation provided for advances to purchase distribution machinery and
equipment utilized in the Company's Las Vegas, Nevada warehouse and distribution
facility. There were $1,061,000 and $1,432,000 in borrowings outstanding under
the lease at March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Outstanding borrowings are
repaid in quarterly installments through October 1, 2003, down to a $1 purchase
option, bearing a fixed implicit rate, as defined in this agreement, of 7.719%.
The lease is accounted for as a capital lease.
Borrowings under this agreement are secured by the underlying equipment leased.
The lease contains cross-default provisions with other borrowing agreements and
early termination charges. This agreement requires the Company to meet the same
quarterly financial and operating covenants contained in the revolving line with
Bank of America
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48 Image Entertainment Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Trust and Savings Association above. At March 31, 2001, the Company was
in compliance with all such financial and operating covenants.
Machinery and equipment under capital leases at March 31, 2001 and 2000 are
summarized as follows:
(In thousands) 2001 2000
-------- --------
Machinery and equipment $ 1,775 $ 1,775
Less accumulated amortization 486 232
-------- --------
$ 1,289 $ 1,543
======== ========
Future minimum lease payments by year at March 31, 2001 for property under
capital leases are as follows:
(In thousands)
Fiscal Amount
------ --------
2002 $ 471
2003 471
2004 235
--------
Total minimum lease payments 1,177
Less amount representing interest at 7.719% 116
--------
Present value of minimum lease payments $ 1,061
========
Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies.
Operating Leases. Image's headquarters are located in two adjacent buildings in
- ----------------
Chatsworth, California (containing 30,080 and 15,440 square feet, respectively),
leased from the same landlord. Both leases terminate on April 30, 2004. The
monthly rent for the larger building is approximately $18,000 (subject to annual
adjustment based on increases in the consumer price index). The monthly rent
for the smaller building is approximately $11,000 (with scheduled yearly
increases).
Effective May 16, 1999, Image relocated its warehousing and distribution
operations from 48,300 square feet of leased space in Chatsworth, California to
75,000 square feet of owned spaced in Las Vegas, Nevada.
DVDPlanet leases approximately 8,102 square feet of combined office, retail and
warehouse space in Westminster, California. The lease provides for monthly rent
of approximately $15,000 (subject to annual adjustment based on increases in the
consumer price index) and will expire on November 22, 2002. As of April 2001,
DVDPlanet subleased additional office space of approximately 6,541 square feet
in Huntington Beach, California for monthly rent of approximately $11,000
(subject to annual adjustment based on increases in the consumer price index).
Such sublease will expire on August 31, 2002. DVDPlanet holds an option to
enter into a direct lease for its current subleased premises effective September
1, 2002.
Aviva leases approximately 2,325 square feet of office space in Belmont,
California. The lease provides for monthly rent of $4,000 and expires on
October 31, 2003.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 49
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future minimum annual rental payments by year under operating leases at March
31, 2001 are approximately as follows:
Fiscal Amount
------ -------------
(In thousands)
2002 $ 713
2003 548
2004 378
2005 29
-----------
$ 1,668
===========
Rent expense was $472,000, $409,000 and $487,000 for fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively.
Other. At March 31, 2001, the Company's future obligations by year for royalty
- -----
advances, minimum royalty guarantees and exclusive distribution fee guarantees
under the terms of Image's existing licenses and exclusive distribution
agreements, respectively, are as follows:
Fiscal Amount
------ -------------
(In thousands)
2002 $ 8,366
2003 80
------------
$ 8,446
============
At March 31, 2001, Image had $450,000 of outstanding standby letters of credit
issued by Foothill of which $300,000 expires on June 30, 2001 and $150,000
expires on November 18, 2001. These letters of credit secure balances due to
program suppliers.
Note 9. Stock Awards, Options and Warrants.
In September 1998, Image's shareholders approved a new incentive plan (the "1998
Plan") pursuant to which approximately 1,160,000 shares of Image's common stock
were made available for awards, including options, thereunder. No new options
will be granted under Image's other plans. The 1998 Plan provides for awards to
employees and directors of Image. Options (incentive as well as nonqualified),
restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance share awards,
stock bonuses, cash bonuses and stock units can be awarded under the 1998 Plan.
The 1998 Plan requires that the exercise price for any nonqualified option be at
least 85% of the closing price of Image's common stock on the date such option
is granted. The maximum term allowed for an option is 10 years and a stock unit
shall either vest or be forfeited not more than 10 years from the date of grant.
The 1998 Plan contemplates annual automatic grants of restricted stock units
payable in shares of Image's common stock to certain directors of Image in lieu
of the 15,000 share option grants under the existing directors' stock option
plan. The 1998 Plan terminates on June 30, 2008.
In July 1999 and 1998 an aggregate 91,662 and 88,359, respectively, stock units
were granted to officers of Image under the 1998 Plan. These grants vest
annually in increments of 20% over the five-year period commencing June 30, 2000
and 1999, respectively. There were no restricted stock units granted to
officers in fiscal 2001. Accelerated vesting may occur if certain fiscal
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization targets are
achieved. The number of stock units awarded to officers was determined by
multiplying a specified percentage of base salary by the officer's base salary
as of the beginning of the period and dividing the results by the average
trading price of the stock determined as of the date of grant ($6.78 per share
in fiscal 2000 and $6.70 per share in fiscal 1999) to determine the number of
stock units. These stock units are payable solely in shares. The Company
amortizes the total value of the stock units on the date of grant ($622,000 for
the fiscal 2000 grant and $592,000 for the fiscal 1999 grant) ratably over the
5-year vesting period as compensation expense. Compensation expense relating to
these stock units for fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999 was approximately $227,000,
$200,000 and $89,000, respectively.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 Image Entertainment, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In October 2000 and 1999, the automatic annual awards to directors aggregating
6,720 stock units for each year were granted. These grants vest on a pro rata
basis over a one-year period commencing on the grant date. These stock units are
payable solely in shares. The Company amortizes the total value of the stock
units on the date of the grant ratably over the one year vesting period as
compensation expense. Compensation expense relating to these stock units for
fiscal 2001 and 2000 was approximately $28,000 and $15,000, respectively.
Stock option transactions, including Image's former plans, for the three years
ended March 31, 2001 are as follows:
Weighted
Per Share Per Share Average Price
(In thousands, except per share data) Shares Price Range Per Share
------------- ------------ ---------
Outstanding, March 31, 1998 1,417 $ .743-10.25 $ 6.364
Granted 60 7.94 7.940
Exercised (266) .743-7.25 5.274
Surrendered (99) 4.16 4.160
Canceled (30) .743-7.94 6.182
------------- ---------
Outstanding, March 31, 1999 1,082 .817-10.25 6.824
Granted 152 4.938-6.668 6.523
Exercised (34) .817-5.625 1.787
Canceled (33) .817-7.25 6.134
------------- ---------
Outstanding, March 31, 2000 1,167 3.25-10.25 6.950
Granted 382 3.75 3.750
Canceled (47) 4.938-7.191 6.043
------------- ---------
Outstanding, March 31, 2001 1,502 $ 3.25-10.25 $ 6.164
============= =========
Of the options reflected as outstanding on March 31, 2001, options to purchase
approximately 1,185,000 shares of common stock were exercisable. At March 31,
2001, there were approximately 415,000 shares of common stock available for new
awards, including stock options, to directors and employees of Image.
The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable
options at March 31, 2001:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Range of Shares Remaining Exercise Shares Exercise
Exercise Prices (In thousands) Life (Years) Price (In thousands) Price
- ----------------- -------------- ------------ -------- ------------- --------
under $4.00 397 9.1 $ 3.731 157 $ 3.702
$4.01 to $6.00 208 1.9 5.546 204 5.540
$6.01 to $8.00 799 4.8 7.204 726 7.258
$8.01 to $10.00 85 3.0 8.647 85 8.647
over $10.00 13 0.8 10.250 13 10.250
-------------- ------------
1,502 1,185
============== ============
A December 29, 1987 stock purchase agreement , as amended (the "1987
Agreement"), between Image and an investor group including IIC provides for the
grant of antidilution rights to various investors in connection with certain
issuances of common stock. The 1987 Agreement will expire in July 2002.
Upon the exercise of certain options outstanding as of December 29, 1987
(referred to in the 1987 Agreement as the "Management Options"), each investor
was granted rights to purchase shares of common stock pursuant to a formula
based in part on the percentage of the total outstanding shares of common stock
owned by the investor on December 29, 1987. As of March 31, 1999, all rights to
purchase 507,016 shares had been granted (the maximum allowable upon exercise of
all the Management Options), rights to purchase 503,273 shares had been
exercised (as to
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 51
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26,664 shares in fiscal 2000 and 4,521 shares in fiscal 1999, at per-share
exercise prices ranging from $.74 to $1.07). The remaining rights to purchase
3,743 shares expired prior to March 31, 2000, accordingly, there were no
outstanding rights to purchase shares as of March 31, 2001.
Upon certain issuances of shares of common stock other than pursuant to the
exercise of Management Options, the investors will be granted additional rights
so that the equity interest represented by the 1987 Agreement shares held by the
investor (excluding the shares purchased upon the exercise of the antidilution
rights issued in connection with the exercise of Management Options) will not be
diluted. As of March 31, 2001, other rights granted to purchase approximately
851,616 shares of common stock had been exercised (none of which were exercised
during the three years ended March 31, 2001).
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its stock option plans,
and accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock options
in the consolidated financial statements. Had the Company determined
compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock
options under SFAS No. 123, the Company's consolidated net earnings and net
earnings per share would have been decreased to the pro forma amounts indicated
below for the three years ended March 31, 2001:
(In thousands, except per share data) 2001 2000 1999
------ ------ ------
Consolidated net earnings:
As reported $8,432 $1,415 $1,706
Pro forma $7,932 $1,106 $1,382
====== ====== ======
Consolidated net earnings per share:
As reported
Basic $ .52 $ .09 $ .12
====== ====== ======
Diluted $ .50 $ .09 $ .12
====== ====== ======
Pro forma
Basic $ .49 $ .07 $ .10
====== ====== ======
Diluted $ .47 $ .07 $ .10
====== ====== ======
The weighted-average fair value of options granted during fiscal 2001, 2000 and
1999 was $2.50, $4.22 and $4.49, respectively, using the Black-Scholes option-
pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Fiscal 2001,
2000 and 1999 -- expected volatility of 60% - 78%, risk-free interest rates of
5.25% - 6.5%, no expected dividends and an expected life of three to five years.
Pro forma consolidated net earnings and net earnings per share reflects only
options granted in fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999. Therefore, the full impact of
calculating compensation cost for stock options under SFAS No. 123 is not
reflected in the pro forma consolidated net earnings and net earnings per share
amounts presented above because compensation cost is reflected over the option
vesting periods of up to five years and compensation cost for options granted
prior to April 1, 1998 are not considered.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52 Image Entertainment, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 10. Net Earnings per Share Data.
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in
computing basic and diluted net earnings per share for the three years ended
March 31, 2001:
(In thousands, except per share data) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
Net earnings -- basic $ 8,432 $ 1,415 $ 1,706
------- ------- -------
Interest, net of taxes, on assumed conversion
of dilutive security 400 -- --
------- ------- -------
Net earnings -- diluted $ 8,832 $ 1,415 $ 1,706
======= ======= =======
Weighted average common shares outstanding -- basic 16,257 16,452 14,185
------- ------- -------
Effect of dilutive securities 1,380 38 124
------- ------- -------
Weighted average common shares outstanding -- diluted 17,637 16,490 14,309
======= ======= =======
Net earnings per share:
Basic $ .52 $ .09 $ .12
======= ======= =======
Diluted $ .50 $ .09 $ .12
======= ======= =======
Outstanding common stock options not included in the computation of diluted net
earnings per share totaled 1,487,000, 927,000 and 800,000, respectively, for the
years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999. The stock options were excluded
because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the
common stock for the respective periods and the assumed exercise would be
antidilutive. The 1,379,000 common shares underlying the convertible
subordinated note payable were excluded in fiscal 2000 and 1999 because the
assumed conversion for the respective periods would be antidilutive.
Note 11. Income Taxes.
Income tax expense (benefit) for the three years ended March 31, 2001, all
current, are summarized as follows:
(In thousands) 2001 2000 1999
--------- ------- -------
Current
-------
Federal $ 1 $ -- $ 88
State 1 -- 2
--------- -------- -------
2 -- 90
--------- -------- -------
Deferred
--------
Federal (3,163) -- --
State (835) -- --
--------- -------- -------
(3,998) -- --
--------- -------- -------
Total
-----
Federal (3,162) -- 88
State (834) -- 2
--------- -------- -------
$ (3,996) $ -- $ 90
========= ======== =======
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 53
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to a significant portion
of the deferred tax assets at March 31, 2001 and 2000 are presented below:
(In thousands) 2001 2000
------ -------
Deferred tax assets:
Provision for lower of cost or market inventory writedowns $ 613 $ 2,538
Net operating loss carryforwards 2,242 2,296
Sales returns reserve 446 376
Tax credits 329 329
Reserve for doubtful accounts receivable 382 221
Royalty reserves 240 13
Other 2 618
------ -------
Deferred tax assets 4,254 6,391
Less valuation allowance -- (6,391)
------ -------
Net deferred tax assets $4,254 $ --
====== =======
The Company provides a valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets where
there is uncertainty regarding their future realizability. In assessing the
realizability of deferred tax assets, management considered whether it is more
likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be
realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary
differences become deductible. Management considers the projected future
taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. In March
2001, Image entered into a new disc manufacturing agreement that it expects will
result in a lower future cost structure. In addition, in March 2001, management
implemented an action plan to improve DVDPlanet's future operating results.
Based on these factors and projections for future taxable income for the periods
in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company has eliminated the
valuation allowance for all deductible differences. Management believes that it
is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate
sufficient taxable income to realize the net deferred tax assets. The events
and projections giving rise to this decision occurred during the Company's
fiscal fourth quarter.
The change in the valuation allowance for the year ended March 31, 2001 was
$6,391,000 of which $6,135,000 reduced income tax expense for the year. The
remaining $256,000 was credited to additional paid-in capital which was the
amount attributable to net operating losses created by the exercise of stock
options previously unrecognized.
As of March 31, 2001, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for
Federal and state income tax purposes of $6,178,000 and $2,421,000,
respectively, which are available to offset future taxable income through 2020
and 2005, respectively.
Expected income tax expense based on Federal statutory rates for the three years
ended March 31, 2001 differed from actual tax expense as follows:
(In thousands) 2001 2000 1999
------- ----- -----
Expected income tax expense $ 1,508 481 626
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit 552 89 73
Change in valuation allowance (6,135) (582) (675)
Other 79 12 66
------- ----- -----
$(3,996) $ -- $ 90
======= ===== =====
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54 Image Entertainment, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 12. Other Items - Statements of Operations.
Fourth Quarter Adjustments.
- --------------------------
Fiscal 2001. On February 23, 2000, Image terminated its employment agreement
- -----------
with its Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, "without cause" as
defined therein. The Company has accrued $196,000 at March 31, 2001, for
remaining compensation (including salary, severance and bonus) due under the
employment agreement as of the date of termination.
The Company eliminated the valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax
assets in the fourth quarter. (See "Note 11. Income Taxes").
---
Fiscal 2000. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, Image reached a final
- -----------
settlement relating to its on-going litigation with LEI Partners, L.P. and a
number of related entities and individuals. The Company recorded a pretax gain
of $709,000 during the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2000 relating to certain
settlements and a pretax gain of $899,000 for the year ended March 31, 2000
covering all settlements relating to this litigation. The gain on settlements
is included as a component of other income in the accompanying consolidated
statement of earnings for the year ended March 31, 2000. A receivable related
to this settlement of $540,000 is included as a component of prepaid expenses
and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31,
2000. The receivable was collected in full by May 31, 2000. Total principal,
interest and settlement payments received by Image over the years relating to
the December 1990 sale of a business segment totaled $2,240,000, net of related
legal fees.
In June 2000, Image reached a settlement, subject to court approval, in
connection with certain alleged preferential transfers relating to the Chapter
11 bankruptcy of Alliance Entertainment Corp. During the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2000, the Company accrued a $300,000 settlement charge, including
estimated legal fees, as a component of general and administrative expenses in
the accompanying consolidated statement of earnings for fiscal 2000. Image paid
$285,000 in settlement charges and legal fees in July 2000 and reversed the
remaining accrual.
Note 13. Employee Benefit Plan.
The Company has a 401(k) savings plan covering substantially all of its
employees. Eligible employees may contribute through payroll deductions. The
Company matches employees' contributions at the rate of 50% of the first 4% of
salary contributed. The Company's 401(k) savings plan matching expenses for
fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999 were $112,000, $88,000 and $80,000, respectively.
Note 14. Segment Information.
In accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments
of and Enterprises and Related Information, selected financial information
regarding the Company's reportable business segments, program licensing and
production/domestic wholesale distribution ("Domestic Wholesale Distribution"),
direct-to-consumer retail distribution (through DVDPlanet) ("Retail
Distribution"), and international wholesale distribution/broadcast rights
exploitation (through Aviva) ("International Wholesale Distribution"), are
presented below. The largest business segment is Domestic Wholesale
Distribution of entertainment programming (primarily DVD). Management currently
evaluates segment performance based primarily on net revenues, operating costs
and expenses and income (loss) before income taxes. Interest income and expense
is evaluated on a consolidated basis and not allocated to the Company's business
segments.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 55
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the Year Ended March 31, 2001:
2001
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic International
Wholesale Retail Wholesale Inter-segment
(In thousands) Distribution Distribution Distribution Eliminations Consolidated
------------ ----------------- ------------------- -------------- ------------
NET REVENUES $ 91,249 $ 16,886 $ 6,662 $ (14,027) $ 100,770
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES 82,066 19,586 7,414 (13,988) 95,078
------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 9,183 (2,700) (752) (39) 5,692
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME) 1,225 -- -- 31 1,256
------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE
INCOME TAXES $ 7,958 $ (2,700) $ (752) $ (70) $ 4,436
============ ============= =============== ============== ============
For the Year Ended March 31, 2000:
2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic International
Wholesale Retail Wholesale Inter-segment
(In thousands) Distribution Distribution/(1)/ Distribution/(2)/ Eliminations Consolidated
------------ ----------------- ----------------- ------------- ------------
NET REVENUES $ 80,496 $15,837 $ 250 $(11,729) $ 84,854
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES 76,112/(3)/ 17,887 883 (11,690) 83,192/(3)/
------------ ------- ------ -------- ------------
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 4,384 (2,050) (633) (39) 1,662
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME) (630)/(4)/ -- -- (383) 247/(4)/
------------ ------- ------ -------- ------------
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE
INCOME TAXES $ 3,754 $(2,050) $ (633) $ 344 $ 1,415
============ ======= ====== ======== ============
____________________________________
(1) DVDPlanet was acquired in January 1999.
(2) Includes Aviva formed in June 1999.
(3) Includes $300,000 one-time charge for settlement of adversary proceeding.
(4) Includes $899,000 in proceeds from settlements of litigation.
For the Year Ended March 31, 1999:
1999
---------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic
Wholesale Retail Inter-segment
(In thousands) Distribution Distribution/(1)/ Eliminations Consolidated
------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------
NET REVENUES $75,835 $3,980 $(2,627) $77,188
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES 72,773 4,317 (2,580) 74,510
------- ------ ------- -------
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 3,062 (337) (47) 2,678
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 882 -- -- 882
------- ------ ------- -------
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE
INCOME TAXES $ 2,180 $ (337) $ (47) $ 1,796
======= ====== ======= =======
___________________________________
(1) DVDPlanet was acquired in January 1999.
As of March 31,
----------------------------
(In thousands) 2001 2000
------------ ----------
Total Assets:
Domestic Wholesale Distribution $67,376 $59,376
Retail Distribution 4,869 6,000
International Wholesale Distribution 4,369 1,264
Inter-segment eliminations (2,353) (1,245)
------- -------
Consolidated total assets $74,261 $65,395
======= =======
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56 Image Entertainment, Inc.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 15. Quarterly Financial Data. (Unaudited)
Summarized quarterly consolidated financial data for fiscal 2001 and 2000 is as
follows:
Quarter Ended
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data) June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31,
--------------------- ----------------------- ---------------- ----------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999 2000 1999 2001 2000
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----------- -------
Net revenues $23,967 $18,300 $25,580 $18,112 $25,028 $25,424 $ 26,195 $23,018
Earnings (loss) from operations 1,800 (633) 1,749 (527) 1,029 1,547 1,114 1,275
Net earnings (loss) 1,315 (714) 1,753 (842) 577 1,261 4,787/(2)/ 1,710
Net earnings (loss) per share/(1)/ --
Basic $ .08 $ (.04) $ .11 $ (.05) $ .04 $ .08 $ .30 $ .10
Diluted $ .08 $ (.04) $ .10 $ (.05) $ .04 $ .08 $ .28 $ .10
Shares used in computation of net
earnings (loss) per share --
Basic 16,462 16,431 16,479 16,457 16,224 16,459 15,858 16,462
Diluted 17,844 16,431 17,876 16,457 16,225 17,843 17,237 17,847
___________________________
(1) Net earnings (loss) per share are computed independently for each of the
quarters represented in accordance with SFAS No. 128. Therefore, the sum of
the quarterly net earnings (loss) per share may not equal the total computed
for the fiscal year or any cumulative interim period.
(2) Includes an income tax benefit of $4,109,000 primarily due to the
elimination of the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 57
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
---------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
--------------------
None.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART III
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
--------------------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
information contained under the caption entitled "Election of Directors" in the
Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2001 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. See also, Part I "Executive Officers of the Registrant."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
----------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the information contained under the caption entitled "Executive Compensation" in
the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2001 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
--------------------------------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the information contained under the caption entitled "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Company's definitive proxy
statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with the Company's 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
----------------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the information contained under the caption entitled "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" in the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's
2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58 Image Entertainment, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART IV
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
---------------------------------------------------------------
(a) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE FILED AS A PART OF THIS REPORT. Page
----
1. Financial Statements:
Independent Auditors' Report................................................... 34
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2001 and 2000......................... 35
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended
March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999........................................... 37
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999........................................... 38
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999........................................... 39
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................... 42
2. Financial Statement Schedule:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts................................ 60
3. Exhibits:
See the Exhibit Index on pages i - v.
---
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
None.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 59
SCHEDULE II
-- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts --
For the Years Ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
Charged to
Balance at (Recoveries of) Balance
Beginning Costs and Amounts at End
(In thousands) of Year Expenses Written-Off of Year
------------- -------------- ------------- ----------
For the Year Ended March 31, 2001: $ 551 $ 555 $ (86) $ 1,020
============= ============== ============= ==========
For the Year Ended March 31, 2000: $ 525 $ 384 $ (358) $ 551
============= ============== ============= ==========
For the Year Ended March 31, 1999: $ 404 $ 144 $ (23) $ 525
============= ============== ============= ==========
Allowance for Sales Returns
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
Balance at Charged to Balance
Beginning Costs and Amounts at End
(In thousands) of Year Expenses Written-Off of Year
------------- -------------- ------------- ----------
For the Year Ended March 31, 2001: $ 3,113 $ 9,011 $ (8,674) $ 3,450
============= ============== ============= ==========
For the Year Ended March 31, 2000: $ 2,950 $ 6,463 $ (6,300) $ 3,113
============= ============== ============= ==========
For the Year Ended March 31, 1999: $ 4,200 $ 3,146 $ (4,396) $ 2,950
============= ============== ============= ==========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 Image Entertainment, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.,
a California corporation
Dated: June 28, 2001 By: /s/ MARTIN W. GREENWALD
-----------------------------------------
MARTIN W. GREENWALD,
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, President & Treasurer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Dated: June 28, 2001 /s/ MARTIN W. GREENWALD
---------------------------------------------
MARTIN W. GREENWALD,
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, President & Treasurer
Dated: June 28, 2001 /s/ JEFF M. FRAMER
---------------------------------------------
JEFF M. FRAMER,
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
Dated: June 28, 2001 /s/ STUART SEGALL
---------------------------------------------
STUART SEGALL,
Vice President & Director
Dated: June 28, 2001 /s/ IRA EPSTEIN
---------------------------------------------
IRA EPSTEIN,
Director
Dated: June 28, 2001 /s/ M. TREVENEN HUXLEY
---------------------------------------------
M. TREVENEN HUXLEY,
Director
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Entertainment, Inc. 61
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT INDEX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 20, 1998, by and between
Image Newco, Inc. and Ken Crane's Magnavox City, Inc. Filed as
Exhibit 2.1 to Image's Registration Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-
65611), effective December 21, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
2.1(a) First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 3,
1998, by and between Image Newco, Inc. and Ken Crane's Magnavox City,
Inc. Filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Image's Registration Statement on Form
S-2 (No.333-65611), effective December 21, 1998, and incorporated by
reference herein.
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation. Filed as Exhibit 3.1 of Image's
Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995, and incorporated by
reference herein.
3.2 Bylaws. Filed as Exhibit 3.2 of Image's Form 10-K for the year ended
March 31, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
4.1 Specimen Common Stock certificate. Filed as Exhibit 4 to Image's
Registration Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-65611), effective December
21, 1998, and incorporated by reference herein.
4.2 Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note, dated October 29, 1997,
issued to Image Investors Co. pursuant to that certain Credit
Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1997, by and between Image and
Image Investors Co. Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Image's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.1 + Image's Restated 1989 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended. Filed
as Exhibit 10.1 of Image's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,
1992, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.2 + Image's 1990 Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit A of Image's Proxy
Statement dated December 27, 1990, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.3 + Image's Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit A of
Image's Proxy Statement dated September 9, 1994, and incorporated by
reference herein.
10.4 + Image's 1994 Eligible Directors Stock Option Plan and Form of Eligible
Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement. Filed as Exhibit 10.4
of Image's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.5 + Image's 1998 Incentive Plan. Filed as Exhibit A to Image's Notice of
Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated July 29, 1998, and
incorporated herein by this reference.
10.5(a) Form of Employee (Nonqualified) Stock Option Grant Agreement under
Image's 1998 Incentive Plan. Filed as Exhibit 10.5(a) to Image's Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, and incorporated by
reference herein.
10.6 + Eligible Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
July 22, 1998, between Image and Stuart Segall. Filed as Exhibit 10.9
to Image's Registration Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-65611),
effective December 21, 1998, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.7 + Eligible Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
September 17, 1998, between Image and Mark Trevenen Huxley. Filed as
Exhibit 10.10 to Image's Registration Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-
65611), effective December 21, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.8 + Form of Option Agreement, dated October 15, 1991, between Image and
Martin W. Greenwald. Filed as Exhibit 10.3 of Image's 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1991, and incorporated by reference
herein.
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Image Entertainment, Inc. i
10.9 + Form of Option granted August 13, 1992 by Image to Cheryl Lee. Filed
as Exhibit 10.12 of Image's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,
1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.10 + Form of Option granted May 19, 1994 to Jeff Framer, Cheryl Lee and
David Borshell. Filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Image's Form 10-K for the
year ended March 31, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.11 + Form of Termination Agreement between Image and each of Martin W.
Greenwald, Cheryl Lee, Jeff Framer and David Borshell (relating to the
termination of their former employment agreements). Filed as Exhibit
10.11 to Image's Registration Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-65611),
effective December 21, 1998, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.12 + Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1998, between Image and
Martin W. Greenwald. Filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Image's Registration
Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-65611), effective December 21, 1998, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.13 + Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1998, between Image and
David Borshell. Filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Image's Registration
Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-65611), effective December 21, 1998, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.14 + Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1998, between Image and Jeff
Framer. Filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Image's Registration Statement on
Form S-2 (No.333-65611), effective December 21, 1998, and incorporated
by reference herein.
10.15 + Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1998, between Image and
Cheryl Lee. Filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Image's Registration Statement
on Form S-2 (No.333-65611), effective December 21, 1998, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.16 + Form of 1998 Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (and
related General Provisions), between Image and each of Martin W.
Greenwald, Cheryl Lee, Jeff Framer and David Borshell (appended as
Exhibit A to Exhibits 10.12 through 10.15). Filed as Exhibit 10.16 to
Image's Registration Statement on Form S-2 (No.333-65611), effective
December 21, 1998, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.17 + Form of 1999 Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated
as of July 1, 1999 (and related 1999 General Provisions), between
Image and each of Martin W. Greenwald, Cheryl Lee, Jeff Framer and
David Borshell. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Image's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 1999, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.18 + Loan Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2000, by and between Image and
Martin W. Greenwald. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Image's Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 2000, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.19 + Form of Director Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of October 1,
1999, between Image and each of Ira Epstein, M. Trevenen Huxley and
Stuart Segall. Filed as Exhibit 10.18 to Image's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.20 + Form of Director Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of October 1,
2000, between Image and each of Ira Epstein, M. Trevenen Huxley and
Stuart Segall. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Image's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended December 31, 2000.
10.21 + Form of Indemnity Agreement between Image and its directors and
officers. Filed as Exhibit F of Image's Proxy Statement dated
September 5, 1989, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.22 Stock Purchase Agreement among Image, Directors of Image and various
Buyers dated December 29, 1987. Filed as Exhibit 4.3 of Image's Form
8-K dated December 29, 1987, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.22(a) Form of First Amendment, dated July 7, 1992, to the Stock Purchase
Agreement among Image, Directors of Image and various Buyers dated
December 29, 1987. Filed as Exhibit 10.5 of Image's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1992, and incorporated by reference
herein.
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ii Image Entertainment, Inc.
10.23 Stock Purchase Agreement among Image, Directors of Image and Image
Investors Co. dated June 27, 1990. Filed as Exhibit 10.53 of Image's
Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1990. Image and Image
Investors Co. are parties to Stock Purchase Agreements dated July 14,
1988, November 30, 1988, January 11, 1989, February 14, 1989, May 10,
1989 and June 20, 1990, which are virtually identical to this Exhibit
except for the number of shares of Common Stock purchased, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.24 Stock Purchase Agreement between Image and Image Investors Co. dated
December 30, 1992, including Warrant. Filed as Exhibit 10.6 of
Image's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1992, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.25 Standard Industrial Lease for 9333 Oso Avenue, Chatsworth, California,
dated December 1, 1993 and effective April 1, 1994, between Image and
P&R Investment Company. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 of Image's Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.25(a) First Amendment dated August 20, 1996 to Standard Industrial Lease for
9333 Oso Avenue, Chatsworth, California, dated December 1, 1993 and
effective April 1, 1994, by and between Image and P&R Investment
Company. Filed as Exhibit 10.24(a) to Image's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.25(b) Second Amendment dated March 1, 1999 to Standard Industrial Lease for
9333 Oso Avenue, Chatsworth, California, dated December 1, 1993 and
effective April 1, 1994, by and between Image and P&R Investment
Company. Filed as Exhibit 10.24(b) to Image's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.26 Standard Industrial Lease for 9349 Oso Avenue, Chatsworth, California,
dated March 1, 1999 and effective May 1, 1990, between Image and P&R
Investment Company. Filed as Exhibit 10.25 to Image's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.27 Business Loan Agreement between Image and Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association dated March 10, 1997. Filed as Exhibit
10.23 to Image's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
and incorporated by reference herein.
10.27(a) Amendment No. 1 dated as of February 4, 1998 to Business Loan
Agreement between Image and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association dated March 10, 1997. Filed as Exhibit 10.23(a) to
Image's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.27(b) Amendment No. 2, dated as of June 29, 1998, to Business Loan
Agreement, dated as of March 10, 1997, by and between Image and Bank
of America National Trust and Savings Association. Filed as Exhibit
10.3 to Image's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.27(c) Amendment No. 3, dated as of November 3, 1999, to Business Loan
Agreement, dated as of March 10, 1997, by and between Image and Bank
of America, NA, successor by merger to Bank of America National Trust
and Savings Association. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Image's Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, and incorporated by
reference herein.
10.28 Business Loan Agreement between Image and Bank of America, N.A. dated
June 28, 2000. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Image's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2000, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.29 Intercreditor Agreement between Bank of America, N.A. and Foothill
Capital Corporation dated June 28, 2000. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
Image's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, and
incorporated by reference herein.
10.30 Lease Intended as Security between Image and BA Leasing & Capital
Corporation dated March 19, 1997. Filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Image's
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated
by reference herein.
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Image Entertainment. Inc. iii
10.30(a) (First) Amendment, dated March 19, 1997, to Lease Intended as Security
between Image and BA Leasing & Capital Corporation dated March 19,
1997. Filed as Exhibit 10.24(a) to Image's Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.30(b) Second Amendment, dated February 8, 1998, to Lease Intended as
Security between Image and BA Leasing & Capital Corporation dated
March 19, 1997. Filed as Exhibit 10.24(b) to Image's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.30(c) Third Amendment, dated September 25, 1998, to Lease Intended as
Security between Image and BA Leasing & Capital Corporation dated
March 19, 1997. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Image's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.31 Loan Agreement between Image and Union Bank of California, N.A., dated
as of December 17, 1996. Filed as Exhibit 10.20 of Image's Form 10-K
for the year ended March 31, 1997, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.31(a) Amendment No. 1, dated as of February 5, 1997, to Loan Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.20.A of Image's Form 10-K for
the year ended March 31, 1997, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.31(b) Amendment No. 2, dated as of February 25, 1997, to Loan Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.20.B of Image's Form 10-K for
the year ended March 31, 1997, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.31(c) Amendment No. 3, dated as of September 27, 1997, to Loan Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.26(c) to Image's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.31(d) Amendment No. 4, dated as of October 31, 1997, to Loan Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.26(d) to Image's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.31(e) Amendment No. 5, dated as of January 28, 1998, to Loan Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.26(e) to Image's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.31(f) Amendment No. 6, dated as of June 18, 1998, to Loan Agreement, dated
as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.26(f) to Image's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.31(g) Amendment No. 7, dated as of July 13, 1998, to Loan Agreement, dated
as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Image's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 1998, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.31(h) Amendment No. 8, dated as of October 23, 1998, to Loan Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 1996, by and between Image and Union Bank of
California, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Image's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998, and incorporated by reference
herein.
10.32 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1997, by and between Image
and Image Investors Co. Filed as Exhibit 10.27 to Image's Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated by
reference herein.
10.33 Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 28, 1998, by and
between Image and Foothill Capital Corporation, including Capital
Expenditure Loan Note and Trademark Security Agreement. Filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to Image's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
1998, and incorporated by reference herein.
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iv Image Entertainment, Inc.
10.33(a) Amendment No. 1, dated as of November 1, 1999, to Loan and Security
Agreement, dated as of December 28, 1998, by and between Image and
Foothill Capital Corporation. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Image's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, and incorporated by
reference herein.
10.33(b) Amendment No. 2, dated as of February 8, 2000, to Loan and Security
Agreement, dated as of December 28, 1998, by and between Image and
Foothill Capital Corporation. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Image's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1999, and incorporated by
reference herein.
10.34 Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Aviva International,
LLC, dated as of June 21, 1999, by and between Image and Michael
Lopez. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Image's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 1999, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.34(a) First Amendment, dated as of April 28, 2000, to Limited Liability
Company Operating Agreement of Aviva International, LLC, dated as of
June 21, 1999, by and between Image and Michael Lopez. Filed as
Exhibit 10.30(a) to Image's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2000, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.35 * Optical Disc Replication and Loan Agreement dated March 13, 2001, by
and between Image and MRT Technology, LLC.
10.36 * Subordination Agreement dated March 13, 2001 by and between Image, MRT
Technology, LLC and Bank of America, N.A.
10.37 * Subordination Agreement dated March 13, 2001 by and between Image, MRT
Technology, LLC and Foothill Capital Corporation.
21 * Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23 * Consent Letter of KPMG LLP, Independent Certified Public Accountants.
__________________________________________________________
* Exhibit(s) not previously filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
+ Management Contracts, Compensatory Plans or Arrangements.
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Image Entertainment, Inc. v