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Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended December 27, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number(s) – 1-11112

 


 

AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC.

(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   59-2094424
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (IRS Employee Identification No.)
1000 American Media Way, Boca Raton, Florida   33464
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (561) 997-7733

 


 

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 whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

As of February 9, 2005 there were 7,507 shares of common stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

December 27, 2004

 

    Page(s)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION    

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) -

   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

  3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

  4-5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  6-7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  8

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  9-15

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  16 – 21

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  22

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

  23
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION    

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

  24

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  24

Signatures

  25

 

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Table of Contents

AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in 000’s, except share information)

 

    

March 29,

2004


   

December 27,

2004


 
ASSETS                 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 22,192     $ 15,414  

Receivables, net

     66,907       60,862  

Inventories

     34,518       21,109  

Prepaid expenses and other

     11,391       16,099  
    


 


Total Current Assets

     135,008       113,484  
    


 


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:

                

Land and buildings

     4,580       4,361  

Machinery, fixtures and equipment

     41,003       42,802  

Display racks

     46,810       52,544  
    


 


       92,393       99,707  

Less – accumulated depreciation

     (47,340 )     (58,864 )
    


 


       45,053       40,843  
    


 


LONG TERM NOTE RECEIVABLE, net

     1,384       1,384  
    


 


DEFERRED DEBT COSTS, net

     24,996       21,634  
    


 


OTHER LONG TERM ASSETS

     1,459       1,993  
    


 


GOODWILL, net of accumulated amortization of $74,757

     661,639       661,639  
    


 


OTHER INTANGIBLES

     627,937       617,138  
    


 


     $ 1,497,476     $ 1,458,115  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Current portion of term loan

   $ 5,734     $ 5,795  

11.625% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2004

     740       —    

Accounts payable

     42,076       37,812  

Accrued expenses

     59,395       45,730  

Deferred revenues

     39,614       26,342  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     147,559       115,679  
    


 


TERM LOAN AND REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT, net of current portion

     433,918       419,606  
    


 


SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS:

                

10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009

     400,000       400,000  

Bond Premium on 10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009

     530       452  

8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011

     150,000       150,000  
    


 


       550,530       550,452  
    


 


DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     158,323       162,227  
    


 


STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY:

                

Common stock, $.20 par value; 7,507 shares issued and outstanding

     2       2  

Additional paid-in capital

     281,857       281,757  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (28 )     (63 )

Accumulated deficit

     (74,685 )     (71,545 )
    


 


TOTAL STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

     207,146       210,151  
    


 


     $ 1,497,476     $ 1,458,115  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in 000’s)

 

    

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

December 29,
2003


   

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

December 27,

2004


 

REVENUES:

                

Circulation

   $ 241,362     $ 253,252  

Advertising

     105,344       123,148  

Other

     23,473       23,002  
    


 


Total revenues

     370,179       399,402  
    


 


OPERATING EXPENSES:

                

Editorial

     42,887       44,115  

Production

     98,892       119,659  

Distribution, circulation and other cost of sales

     55,734       60,261  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     62,149       74,202  

Loss on insurance settlement

     200       —    

Restructuring expense

     2,739       —    

Depreciation and amortization

     30,325       33,164  
    


 


Total operating expenses

     292,926       331,401  
    


 


OPERATING INCOME

     77,253       68,001  

INTEREST EXPENSE, net

     (57,743 )     (62,173 )

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net

     (123 )     (109 )
    


 


INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     19,387       5,719  

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     (7,375 )     (2,579 )
    


 


NET INCOME

   $ 12,012     $ 3,140  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

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AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

(in 000’s)

 

    

Fiscal

Quarter Ended

Dec. 29, 2003


   

Fiscal

Quarter Ended

Dec. 27, 2004


 

REVENUES:

                

Circulation

   $ 81,546     $ 84,165  

Advertising

     29,176       37,700  

Other

     7,610       7,528  
    


 


Total revenues

     118,332       129,393  
    


 


OPERATING EXPENSES:

                

Editorial

     13,780       14,929  

Production

     33,970       38,532  

Distribution, circulation and other cost of sales

     17,057       20,384  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     22,072       23,526  

Restructuring expense

     34       —    

Depreciation and amortization

     10,114       11,089  
    


 


Total operating expenses

     97,027       108,460  
    


 


OPERATING INCOME

     21,305       20,933  

INTEREST EXPENSE, net

     (20,054 )     (21,198 )

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net

     (63 )     (8 )
    


 


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     1,188       (273 )

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     (496 )     (8 )
    


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 692     $ (281 )
    


 


 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

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AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in 000’s)

 

    

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

December 29,

2003


  

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

December 27,

2004


 

Net income

   $ 12,012    $ 3,140  
    

  


Other comprehensive income (loss)

               

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     70      (35 )
    

  


Other comprehensive income (loss)

     70      (35 )
    

  


Comprehensive income

   $ 12,082    $ 3,105  
    

  


 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

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AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in 000’s)

 

    

Fiscal

Quarter

Ended

Dec. 29, 2003


  

Fiscal

Quarter

Ended

Dec. 27, 2004


 

Net income (loss)

   $ 692    $ (281 )
    

  


Other comprehensive income (loss)

               

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     165      (10 )
    

  


Other comprehensive income (loss)

     165      (10 )
    

  


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 857    $ (291 )
    

  


 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

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AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in 000’s)

 

    

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

Dec. 29, 2003


   

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

Dec. 27, 2004


 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

                

Net income

   $ 12,012     $ 3,140  
    


 


Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -

                

Gain on sale of fixed assets

     (57 )     (149 )

Bond premium amortization

     (78 )     (78 )

Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets

     30,325       33,164  

Deferred debt cost amortization

     4,757       4,844  

Non-cash compensation charge

     66       —    

Decrease (increase) in -

                

Receivables

     6,470       6,045  

Inventories

     (16,045 )     13,409  

Prepaid expenses and other

     (3,388 )     (4,708 )

Other long term assets

     —         (534 )

Increase (decrease) in -

                

Accounts payable

     (3,893 )     (4,264 )

Accrued expenses

     (326 )     (1,453 )

Accrued interest

     (6,146 )     (5,049 )

Accrued income taxes

     (6,084 )     (3,258 )

Deferred revenues

     (8,512 )     (13,272 )
    


 


Total adjustments

     (2,911 )     24,697  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     9,101       27,837  
    


 


Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

                

Capital expenditures

     (18,023 )     (18,192 )

Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets

     199       185  

Payment received on long term note receivable

     31       —    

Acquisition of business

     (8,421 )     —    
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (26,214 )     (18,007 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

                

Term loan and revolving credit commitment principal repayments, net of borrowings

     (7,710 )     (14,991 )

Capital contribution

     6,138       —    

Return of capital contribution

     —         (100 )

Payment of deferred debt costs

     (736 )     (1,482 )
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (2,308 )     (16,573 )
    


 


Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

     70       (35 )
    


 


Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (19,351 )     (6,778 )

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

     40,475       22,192  
    


 


Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

   $ 21,124     $ 15,414  
    


 


Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

                

Cash paid during the period for -

                

Income taxes

   $ 6,043     $ 542  

Interest

     60,941       60,398  

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

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AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 27, 2004

(000’s omitted in all tables)

(unaudited)

 

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. There has been no material change in the information disclosed in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Media Operations, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Media, Inc.) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2004.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included herein. Operating results for the fiscal period ended December 27, 2004, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(2) ACQUISITIONS

 

On January 23, 2003, the Company and EMP Group LLC, the owner of 100% of the common stock of American Media, Inc. (“Media”), acquired Weider Publications LLC (the “Weider Acquisition”), a newly formed company to which the magazine business of Weider Publications, Inc. and Weider Interactive Networks, Inc. had been contributed by Weider Health and Fitness LLC and Weider Interactive Networks, Inc. The aggregate purchase price was $357.3 million, which includes a post-closing working capital adjustment of $7.3 million.

 

(3) REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Substantially all publication sales, except subscriptions, are made through unrelated distributors. Issues, other than special topic issues, are placed on sale approximately one week prior to the issue date for our weekly publications. Revenues and related expenses for our weekly publications and special topic issues are recognized for financial statement purposes after delivery has occurred and all services have been rendered, which coincides with the on-sale date. Monthly issues revenue and related expenses are recognized at the date the copies are received by our third party wholesalers. On or about the date each issue is placed on sale, we receive a percentage of the issue’s estimated newsstand sales proceeds for our publications as an advance from the distributors. All of our publications are sold with full return privileges.

 

The three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004 include 40 issues of our weekly publications versus 39 issues for the prior year’s comparable three fiscal quarters due to a change in the scheduled delivery dates of the weekly publications. The delivery of these publications generally moved to a pre-weekend schedule during the quarter ended September 27, 2004. The net impact on revenues was an increase of $7.1 million.

 

Revenues from copy sales are net of reserves provided for expected sales returns, which are established in accordance with GAAP, after considering such factors as sales history and available market information. We continually monitor the adequacy of the reserves and make adjustments when necessary. Revenues are also net of product placement costs (“retail display allowances”) paid to the retailers.

 

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Subscriptions received in advance of the issue date are recognized as income over the term of the subscription as they are fulfilled and mailed to the subscriber.

 

Deferred revenues are comprised of the following:

 

    

March 29,

2004


  

December 27,

2004


Single Copy

   $ 5,590    $ —  

Subscriptions

     32,850      26,109

Advertising

     1,174      233
    

  

     $ 39,614    $ 26,342
    

  

 

Other revenues, primarily from marketing services performed for third parties by Distribution Services, Inc. (“DSI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, are recognized when the service is performed.

 

(4) INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method of valuation. Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

    

March 29,

2004


  

December 27,

2004


Raw materials – paper

   $ 27,070    $ 19,487

Finished product - paper, production and distribution costs of future issues

     7,448      1,622
    

  

     $ 34,518    $ 21,109
    

  

 

(5) SUBSCRIPTION ACQUISITION COSTS

 

Subscription acquisition costs are expensed the first time the advertising takes place, except for certain direct-response advertising, the primary purpose of which is to elicit sales from customers who can be shown to have responded specifically to the advertising and that result in probable future economic benefits. Direct-response advertising consists of television advertising for subscriptions, product promotional mailings, magazine insert cards, telemarketing and subscription promotions. These direct-response advertising costs are capitalized as assets and amortized over the estimated period of future benefit. The direct-response advertising costs are amortized over the related one-year subscription period. At March 29, 2004 and December 27, 2004, $1,786,000 and $4,209,000, respectively, of subscription acquisition advertising was reported as assets. Amortization expense related to subscription acquisition advertising for the three quarters ended December 27, 2004, was $4,479,000.

 

(6) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization had a carrying value of $557,365,000 as of March 29, 2004 and December 27, 2004, and consist of tradenames with indefinite lives.

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization after the adoption of SFAS No. 142 consist of the following:

 

     March 29, 2004

   December 27, 2004

     Range of
Lives


   Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net

   Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net

Covenants not to compete

   5-10    $ 22,500    $ (7,466 )   $ 15,034    $ 22,500    $ (9,652 )   $ 12,848

Subscriber lists

   3-15      66,238      (24,308 )     41,930      66,171      (30,110 )     36,061

Advertising relationships

   3      7,750      (2,865 )     4,885      7,750      (4,697 )     3,053

Non-subscriber customer relationships

   8      10,150      (1,427 )     8,723      10,150      (2,339 )     7,811
         

  


 

  

  


 

          $ 106,638    $ (36,066 )   $ 70,572    $ 106,571    $ (46,798 )   $ 59,773
         

  


 

  

  


 

 

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Amortization expense of intangible assets for the three fiscal quarters ended December 29, 2003 and December 27, 2004, was $10.6 million and $10.8 million, respectively.

 

Goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. The Company uses the beginning of its fiscal fourth quarter as the date for its annual impairment tests. The Company performed its annual impairment test for fiscal 2004 as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 and found no impairment.

 

Based on the carrying value of identified intangible assets recorded at December 27, 2004, and assuming no subsequent impairment of the underlying assets, annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is expected to be as follows:

 

Fiscal Year


    

2005

   $ 14,204

2006

     12,122

2007

     8,269

2008

     8,114

2009

     7,466
    

Total

   $ 50,175
    

 

(7) INCOME TAXES

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. The provision for income taxes includes deferred income taxes resulting from items reported in different periods for income tax and financial statement purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the expected future tax consequences of the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The effects of changes in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

(8) CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

The Company’s bank credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) is comprised of three separate term loan commitments and a $60 million revolving credit commitment. As of December 27, 2004, the Company had $425.4 million of borrowings under the term loan commitments and there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit commitment. The revolving credit commitment, which expires in April 2006, allows funds to be borrowed and repaid from time to time with permanent reductions in the revolving credit commitment permitted at our option. We are required to pay a commitment fee ranging from 3/8% to 1/2% of the unused portion of the revolving commitment.

 

The Credit Agreement requires the Company to be in compliance with certain maintenance covenants which include but are not limited to, maintaining a total leverage ratio covenant of 6.95 through March 2005, 6.75 from June 2005 through March 2006 and 6.50 from June 2006 and thereafter. In addition, the Company must maintain an interest coverage ratio of 1.75 through the maturity of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also contains certain covenants that, among others, restrict paying cash dividends, incurring additional indebtedness, entering into certain mergers or consolidations, making capital expenditures and selling or otherwise disposing of assets. We are also required to satisfy certain financial tests relating to operating cash flow and debt coverage ratios in addition to those mentioned above. As of December 27, 2004, the Company was in compliance with all of these covenants and conditions.

 

Borrowings under the term loan commitments are payable in varying quarterly installments through April of 2007. We are required to make Excess Cash Flow payments (as defined), which will be applied ratably to the then outstanding term loans. There were no required Excess Cash Flow payments for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2004.

 

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Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by all of our subsidiaries and by Media. The obligations and such guarantees are secured by (i) a pledge by the Company of all of the capital stock of its subsidiaries, (ii) a pledge of all of the capital stock of the Company and (iii) a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

The effective interest rate under the Credit Agreement, including amounts borrowed under the term loan commitments and revolving credit commitment, as of December 27, 2004 was 4.9% and the weighted average effective interest rates for the three fiscal quarters ended December 29, 2003 and December 27, 2004 were 4.1% and 4.4%, respectively.

 

(9) SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS

 

On May 7, 1999, the Company issued $250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes, which mature on May 1, 2009. Interest on these notes is payable in semi-annual installments on May 1st and November 1st of each year. These notes are redeemable at our option at prices ranging from 105.125% to 100% of their face amount after April 2004. The indenture under which the notes were issued includes certain restrictive covenants that prohibit payment of dividends and limit, among other things, our ability to incur indebtedness, give guarantees, make investments, sell assets and merge or consolidate. The notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by all our current subsidiaries.

 

On February 14, 2002, the Company issued $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 through a private placement. The gross proceeds from the offering were $150,750,000 including a premium on the notes of $750,000. The Company used the gross proceeds of the offering (a) to make a $75,375,000 distribution to EMP Group LLC, (b) to prepay $68,375,000 of the term loans under the Credit Agreement and (c) to pay transaction costs. The notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all our existing and future senior indebtedness. The notes rank equally with all our existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness. The notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by all our current subsidiaries.

 

On January 23, 2003, the Company issued $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 through a private placement. The net proceeds from the offering were $145,875,000, including a discount on the notes of $4,125,000. We used the net proceeds of the offering to (a) fund the acquisition of Weider Publications LLC, and (b) pay the transaction costs. These notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all our existing and future senior indebtedness. The notes rank equally with all our existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness. The notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by all our current subsidiaries.

 

American Media Operations, Inc. has no material assets or operations other than the investments in our subsidiaries. The subordinated notes are unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior subordinated basis, by all of our domestic subsidiaries. Each domestic subsidiary that will be organized in the future by us, unless such subsidiary is designated as an unrestricted subsidiary, will jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the subordinated notes on a senior subordinated basis. Subordinated note guarantees are joint and several, full and unconditional and general unsecured obligations of the note guarantors. The note guarantors are our subsidiaries. At present, the note guarantors comprise all of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries. Note guarantees are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt of the note guarantors, including the credit facility, and are also effectively subordinated to all secured obligations of note guarantors to the extent of the assets securing such obligations, including the credit facility. Furthermore, the subordinated note indentures permit note guarantors to incur additional indebtedness, including senior debt, subject to certain limitations. We have not presented separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning each of the note guarantors, as these disclosures are not applicable under SEC rules and regulations.

 

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Table of Contents

(10) RECAPITALIZATION OF EQUITY

 

On April 17, 2003, the Company completed a series of transactions whereby principals and affiliates of Evercore Partners LLP (“Evercore”) and Thomas H. Lee Company (“T.H. Lee”), David J. Pecker, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, other members of management and certain other investors contributed approximately $434.6 million in cash and existing ownership interests valued at approximately $73.3 million, of EMP Group LLC, our ultimate parent, to a merger entity which was then merged with and into EMP Group LLC in exchange for newly issued ownership interests of EMP Group LLC.

 

Upon completion of the merger, EMP Group LLC’s existing limited liability company agreement was amended and restated in its entirety. Under the new agreement, the board of managers of EMP Group LLC consists of three designees of Evercore, three designees of T.H. Lee, one of whom is subject to Evercore’s prior approval, and the Chief Executive Officer of American Media, Inc., who is subject to the approval of Evercore and T.H. Lee. While Evercore and T.H. Lee jointly control EMP Group LLC, the new limited liability company agreement requires that certain significant actions of EMP Group LLC be approved by David J. Pecker and a majority of the other investors of EMP Group LLC.

 

In addition, in connection with the merger, David J. Pecker and American Media, Inc. entered into a new employment agreement, which governs the terms of David J. Pecker’s employment as Chief Executive Officer of American Media, Inc. for a term of five years. Also, American Media, Inc., THL Managers V, L.L.C., an affiliate of T.H. Lee, and Evercore Advisors L.P., an affiliate of Evercore, have entered into a Management Agreement pursuant to which THL Managers V, L.L.C. and Evercore Advisors L.P. provide certain management and advisory services to American Media, Inc. for an annual fee of $1.0 million each. The fee of this Management Agreement is amortized to expense by the Company over the annual period. Additionally, $2.3 million of management bonuses were granted as part of the recapitalization. These bonuses were charged to expense by the Company during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2003. Additionally, the intercompany payable to American Media, Inc. was eliminated as a result of the recapitalization.

 

(11) DEFERRED DEBT COSTS

 

Certain costs incurred in connection with the issuance of our long-term debt have been deferred and are amortized as part of interest expense over periods from 1 to 10 years. For the three fiscal quarters ended December 29, 2003 and December 27, 2004, amortization of deferred debt costs, which is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income, totaled approximately $4.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively.

 

In connection with the Company’s issuance of $150 million of 10.25% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 on February 14, 2002, $7.0 million of issuance costs have been deferred and are being amortized as part of interest expense over the life of the notes. In connection with our issuance of $150 million of 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 on January 23, 2003, $7.9 million of issuance costs have been deferred and are being amortized as part of interest expense over the life of the notes. In connection with an increase in the term loan amount of the Credit Agreement of $140 million on January 23, 2003, $3.5 million of debt costs have been deferred and are being amortized as part of interest expense over the life of the Credit Agreement. In connection with our Credit Agreement amendment on February 17, 2004, $260,000 of debt costs have been deferred and were amortized as part of interest expense over the life of the amendment. This amendment provided for an increase in the leverage ratio from 6.25 to 6.50 for the fiscal quarters ended December 29, 2003 and March 29, 2004. Additionally, in connection with our Credit Agreement amendment on June 25, 2004, $1.3 million of debt costs have been deferred and are being amortized as part of interest expense over the life of the amendment. This amendment changed the Company’s total leverage ratio covenant and certain interest coverage ratio covenants through June 2006. As a result of the amendment, the total leverage ratio covenant is 6.95 through March 2005, 6.75 from June 2005 to March 2006 and 6.50 from June 2006 and thereafter. The interest coverage ratio remains at 1.75 from March 2004 and thereafter.

 

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(12) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The estimated fair value of our financial instruments is as follows:

 

     March 29, 2004

   December 27, 2004

 
    

Carrying

Amount


   Fair Value

  

Carrying

Amount


   

Fair

Value


 

Term loan, including current portion

   $ 439,652    $ 439,652    $ 425,401     $ 425,401  

Subordinated indebtedness

   $ 550,000    $ 561,875    $ 550,000     $ 581,062  

Interest rate swap receivable (payable)

   $ 2,813    $ 2,813    $ (454 )   $ (454 )

 

The fair value of our financial instruments is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rate offered to us for financial instruments of the same remaining maturities. The carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

 

Effective August 20, 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement, which effectively converted a portion of our fixed-rate debt to variable rate debt. The agreement is scheduled to expire in January 2007 and has a notional amount of $150 million. Under this agreement, we received a fixed rate of 8.875% and pay LIBOR in arrears plus a spread of 5.38% subject to a collar adjustment. As of December 27, 2004, the fair value of this swap was a liability of $454,000. The change in the fair value of the swap has been recognized as an addition to interest expense for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004. On January 15, 2004, we received $1,635,000 in connection with the interim settlement of this swap agreement. On July 15, 2004, we received $1,166,000 in connection with the interim settlement of this swap agreement. Additionally, on January 18, 2005, we received $213,000 in connection with the interim settlement of this swap agreement. The next reset date for this swap agreement is July 15, 2005. At each reset date the Company either receives or pays money based on the fair value of the swap as of that date.

 

(13) FRONTLINE MARKETING

 

On November 27, 2000, the Company sold its 80% owned subsidiary, Frontline Marketing Inc. (“FMI”), to the minority shareholder for a $2.5 million note receivable (the “FMI Note”). The FMI Note initially had a short-term component of $500,000, which amount has been paid in full, and a long-term component of $2,000,000 which is payable to us based on defined cash flow of FMI. The FMI Note bears interest at 9%. No gain or loss was initially recognized on this transaction. As of December 27, 2004, the FMI Note’s balance is $1.4 million.

 

(14) LITIGATION

 

Various suits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business have been instituted against us. We have insurance policies available to recover potential legal costs. We periodically evaluate and assess the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation independent from those associated with our potential claim for recovery from third party insurance carriers. During the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004, the Company provided $4 million related to legal charges. In the opinion of management, none of the suits and claims currently pending will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

(15) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

 

During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2004, the Company initiated a plan to relocate the Star and Mira! publications to New York City. The Company’s relocation plan involved the termination of 94 employees. This activity resulted in a charge of $2,600,000 for termination benefits and $139,000 for costs associated with the relocation of existing employees. Through December 27, 2004, the Company has paid all termination benefits and all costs associated with relocation of existing employees. The Company has completed this restructuring plan.

 

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The following summarizes the cumulative activity in the Company’s reserve related to this activity as of December 27, 2004 (in thousands):

 

     Restructuring
Expense


   Cash
Payments


   

Balances

December 27. 2004


Accrued liabilities:

                     

Severance

   $ 2,600    $ (2,600 )   $  —  

Relocation

     139      (139 )     —  
    

  


 

     $ 2,739    $ (2,739 )   $ —  
    

  


 

 

In connection with the relocation of Star magazine, the Company entered into an agreement to lease an additional 33,000 square feet in its One Park Avenue building in New York City. The lease term for this additional space is from November 2003 to March 2010. The annual base rent for this additional space is approximately $940,000.

 

(16) NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”), which was amended in December 2003. This Interpretation requires variable interest entities (commonly referred to as SPEs) to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if certain criteria are met. FIN 46 is effective immediately for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 must be applied for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this Interpretation did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This Statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This Statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity”. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 30, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”. This Statement revises FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. SFAS No. 123(R) focuses primarily on the accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to recognize in the statement of operations the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards (with limited exceptions). This Statement is effective as of the first reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, the Company will adopt SFAS 123(R) in its first quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 123(R) and has not yet determined the impact that this Statement will have on its results of operations or financial position.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Executive Summary

 

We are a nationally distributed publisher in the fields of weekly celebrity journalism and health and fitness magazines. We publish the following magazines: Star, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Shape en Espanol, National Enquirer, Globe, National Examiner, Weekly World News, Sun, Country Weekly and MIRA!, as well as other special topic magazines.

 

Due to a change in the scheduled delivery dates of our weekly publications, our three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004 include 40 issues of our weekly publications versus 39 issues for the prior year’s comparable three fiscal quarters. The net impact on revenues and operating expenses for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004 was an increase of $7.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively. The fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2004 and the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2003 each contained 13 issues of our weekly publications.

 

In April of 2004, we nationally re-launched the Star tabloid newspaper as a 100-page glossy magazine. Since its re-launch, the Star magazine has realized an increase in revenues and also an increase in operating costs relating to the publication of the magazine. Also since the re-launch of Star, we were able to increase its cover price as well as realize an increase in subscription and advertising revenues. Related to the re-launch of Star, revenues increased $6.4 million and $25.6 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 27, 2004, respectively. Also related to the re-launch of Star, operating expenses increased $7.4 million and $27.1 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 27, 2004, respectively. We believe that we will be able to increase future revenues relating to Star while maintaining a similar cost structure.

 

Results of Operations

 

Fiscal Quarter Ended December 27, 2004 vs. Fiscal Quarter Ended December 29, 2003

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues were $129.4 million for the current fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2004. Revenues increased by $11.1 million, or 9.3%, from the prior year’s comparable fiscal quarter. This increase is primarily due to an increase in circulation revenues of $2.6 million and an increase in advertising revenues of $8.5 million. The increase in circulation revenues is primarily related to an increase in the cover price for the Star which resulted in an increase in circulation revenues of $7.3 million for the quarter. This increase in circulation revenues was partially offset by a 7.2% decline in circulation unit sales for AMI’s weekly publications, a decrease of $4.1 million for the quarter. Contributing to the decline in unit sales were factors including recent strong competition in the weekly magazine market. Advertising revenues increased $8.5 million or 29.2% when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. This increase in advertising revenues was primarily related to the Star and Shape magazines which increased 70% and 36%, respectively.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the current fiscal quarter increased by $11.4 million, or 11.8% versus the prior year’s comparable fiscal quarter. This increase was primarily due to increased operating expenses related to Star in the current fiscal quarter of $7.4 million. The increase in Star operating expenses included $2.5 million related to upgraded paper, $1.3 million related to an increase in subscription copies, $1.6 million related to subscription fulfillment and acquisition costs and $0.7 million related to promotional launch costs. The additional increase in operating expenses for the quarter were due to an increase in depreciation expense of $0.8 million, increased subscription fulfillment and acquisition costs for Shape and Men’s Fitness of $1.1 million and an increase in advertising sales costs of $1.7 million.

 

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Interest Expense

 

Interest expense increased for the current fiscal quarter by $1.1 million to $21.2 million compared to the prior year’s comparable fiscal quarter. Included in interest expense for the current fiscal quarter was an increase in interest expense of $0.8 million related to our interest rate swap agreement. Included in interest expense for the prior year’s comparable fiscal quarter was a decrease in interest expense of $0.2 million related to our interest swap agreement. Additionally, there was a higher effective interest rate during the current fiscal quarter of 4.4% as compared to 4.1% in the prior year’s comparable fiscal quarter.

 

Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes decreased for the current fiscal quarter by $488,000 to $8,000 compared to the prior year’s comparable fiscal quarter. This decrease was primarily due to the overall decrease in pre-tax income.

 

Three Fiscal Quarters Ended December 27, 2004 vs. Three Fiscal Quarters Ended December 29, 2003

 

Please note that our three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004 include 40 issues of our weekly publications versus 39 issues for the prior year’s comparable three fiscal quarters due to a change in the scheduled delivery dates of the weekly publications. The net impact on revenues and operating expenses for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004 was an increase of $7.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues were $399.4 million for the three current fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004. Revenues increased by $29.2 million, or 7.9%, over the prior year comparative period. This increase was primarily due to an increase in circulation revenues of $11.9 million and an increase in advertising revenues of $17.8 million, which includes the net impact of the issue delivery changes of $7.1 million as mentioned above. The increase in circulation revenues was primarily related to an increase in the cover price for the Star which resulted in an increase in circulation revenues of $23.4 million for the three current fiscal quarters. These increases in circulation revenues were partially offset by an 8.4% decline in circulation unit sales for AMI’s weekly publications, a decrease of $11.4 million for the three current fiscal quarters. Contributing to the decline in unit sales were factors including recent strong competition in the weekly magazine market. Advertising revenues increased $17.8 million or 16.9% when compared to the prior year period. This increase in advertising revenues was primarily related to the Star and Shape which increased 50.8% and 31.4%, respectively, when compared to the prior year period.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the three current fiscal quarters increased by $38.5 million, or 13.1%, when compared to the prior year. This increase was primarily due to an increase in operating expenses related to the Star for the three current fiscal quarters of $27.1 million. The increase in Star related expenses included $10.5 million related to upgraded paper, $4.1 million related to an increase in subscription copies, $2.7 million relating to subscription fulfillment and acquisition costs and promotional launch costs of $4.2 million. The additional increases in operating expenses were due to increased legal charges of $2.1 million, an increase in depreciation expense of $2.7 million, an increase in advertising sales costs of $4.3 million and additional issue delivery changes of $3.8 million as mentioned above. These increases were offset by a $2.7 million restructuring charge during the prior year’s comparable three fiscal quarter period.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense increased for the three current fiscal quarters by $4.4 million to $62.2 million compared to the prior year. This increase in interest expense relates to increased interest expense of $2.1 million for the three current fiscal quarters related to our interest rate swap agreement versus a decline of $1.7 million in the prior year’s results. Additionally, there was a higher effective interest rate during the current fiscal quarter of 4.4% as compared to 4.1% in the prior year’s comparable fiscal quarter.

 

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Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes decreased for the three current fiscal quarters by $4.8 million to $2.6 million compared to the prior year’s comparable three fiscal quarters. This decrease was primarily due to lowered pre-tax income. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 27, 2004 and December 29, 2003 was 45% and 38%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 27, 2004 increased from the prior year as a result of the impact of permanent deductions as a percentage of income before provision for income taxes being greater during the current period.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations and amounts available to be borrowed under our Credit Agreement. As of December 27, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents of $15.4 million, borrowing capacity of $60.0 million under the revolving credit facility and a working capital deficiency of $2.2 million. Our working capital deficiency resulted principally from our policy of using available cash to reduce borrowings under our Credit Agreement which are recorded as noncurrent liabilities, thereby reducing current assets without a corresponding reduction in current liabilities.

 

We believe that the net cash generated from operating activities and amounts available under the $60.0 million revolving credit facility will be sufficient to provide the liquidity necessary to meet our financial commitments for at least the next twelve months. As of December 27, 2004, there were no amounts outstanding on the revolving credit facility. We believe, however, that based upon our current level of operations and anticipated growth, it will be necessary to refinance the Credit Agreement by June 2006 and the subordinated notes upon their maturity. To the extent we make future acquisitions, we may require new sources of funding, including additional debt, equity financing or some combination thereof. There can be no assurances that such additional sources of funding will be available to us on acceptable terms.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $27.8 million for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004. Cash provided by operating activities for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004 benefited from our usage of existing paper inventories for the production of publications over the current three fiscal quarter period. Our inventory decreased from $34.5 million as of March 29, 2004 to $21.1 million as of December 27, 2004. Cash used in investing activities was $18.0 million for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004. During this three quarter period we used $14.2 million for capital expenditures related to rack acquisitions and $4.0 million related to all other capital expenditures.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $16.6 million for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004. During this three quarter period we made term loan repayments of $15.0 million and incurred deferred debt costs of $1.5 million. Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal and interest under the Credit Agreement and the subordinated notes, as well as our other obligations and liabilities, is subject to our future operating performance which is dependent upon general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors beyond our control.

 

At December 27, 2004, our outstanding indebtedness totaled $975.9 million, of which $425.4 million represented borrowings under the Credit Agreement and $0.5 million represents unamortized bond premium. At February 9, 2005, our outstanding indebtedness totaled $974.5 million, of which $424.0 million represented borrowings under the Credit Agreement. As of December 27, 2004, the Company’s effective interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Agreement was 4.9%. The effective rate for borrowings under the Credit Agreement averaged 4.4% for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004. The effective rate for borrowings under the Credit Agreement averaged 4.1% for the three fiscal quarters ended December 29, 2003.

 

The Company has no material assets or operations other than the investments in our subsidiaries. The subordinated notes are unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior subordinated basis, by all of our domestic

 

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subsidiaries. Each domestic subsidiary that will be organized in the future by us, unless such subsidiary is designated as an unrestricted subsidiary, will jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the subordinated notes on a senior subordinated basis. Subordinated note guarantees are joint and several, full and unconditional and general unsecured obligations of the note guarantors. The note guarantors are our subsidiaries. At present, the note guarantors comprise all of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries. Note guarantees are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt of the note guarantors, including the credit facility, and are also effectively subordinated to all secured obligations of note guarantors to the extent of the assets securing such obligations, including the credit facility. Furthermore, the subordinated note indentures permit note guarantors to incur additional indebtedness, including senior debt, subject to certain limitations. We have not presented separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning each of the note guarantors, as these disclosures are not applicable under SEC rules and regulations.

 

Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”)

 

The following table and discussion summarizes EBITDA for the three months and nine months ended December 29, 2003 and December 27, 2004 (dollars in 000’s). Adjusted EBITDA is presented to identify EBITDA add-backs and deductions as required under the terms of our Credit Agreement. Adjusted EBITDA is used to determine our compliance with our Credit Agreement covenant ratios. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA is presented as it is a meaningful measurement for our debt compliance.

 

    

Fiscal Quarter

Ended

December 29, 2003


  

Fiscal Quarter

Ended

December 27, 2004


   

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

December 29, 2003


  

Three Fiscal

Quarters

Ended

December 27, 2004


Net income (loss) (5)

   $ 692    $ (281 )   $ 12,012    $ 3,140

Add -

                            

Interest expense

     20,054      21,198       57,743      62,173

Income taxes

     496      8       7,375      2,579

Depreciation and Amortization

     10,114      11,089       30,325      33,164

Other (income) expense, net

     63      8       123      109
    

  


 

  

EBITDA (5)

     31,419      32,022       107,578      101,165

Management bonus (1)

     —        —         2,310      —  

Restructuring expense (2)

     —        —         2,705      —  

Management fees (3)

     500      500       1,500      1,500

Star re-launch and new titles launch expenses (4)

     731      1,109       1,266      7,444
    

  


 

  

Adjusted EBITDA (5)

   $ 32,650    $ 33,631     $ 115,359    $ 110,109
    

  


 

  


(1) Net income for the three fiscal quarters ended December 29, 2003 includes a $2.3 million bonus as an expense granted to certain members of management as part of the Company’s recapitalization on April 17, 2003. This bonus was funded with cash contributed as part of the recapitalization.
(2) Net income for the three fiscal quarters ended December 29, 2003 includes $2.7 million of severance and relocation expenses relating to the relocation of publications to our New York facility.
(3) The Company’s amended Credit Agreement allows for the add-back of management fees.
(4) The Company’s amended Credit Agreement allows for the add-back of certain non-recurring Star re-launch costs and expenses relating to the launch of new magazine titles to the extent such charges and expenses were incurred during such quarters.
(5) Includes $4.0 million for significant legal charges for the three fiscal quarters ended December 27, 2004.

 

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before extraordinary charges, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other income (expense). EBITDA is not a measure of performance defined by GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or cash flows from operating activities, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance, profitability or liquidity. We believe EBITDA provides useful information regarding our ability to service our debt, and we understand that such information is considered by certain investors to be an additional basis for evaluating a company’s ability to pay interest and repay debt. EBITDA is a widely used performance measure for publishing companies and is provided here as a supplemental measure of operating performance to operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP.

 

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New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”), which was amended in December 2003. This Interpretation requires variable interest entities (commonly referred to as SPEs) to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if certain criteria are met. FIN 46 is effective immediately for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 must be applied for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this Interpretation did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This Statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This Statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity”. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 30, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”. This Statement revises FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. SFAS No. 123(R) focuses primarily on the accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to recognize in the statement of operations the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards (with limited exceptions). This Statement is effective as of the first reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, the Company will adopt SFAS 123(R) in its first quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 123(R) and has not yet determined the impact that this Statement will have on its results of operations or financial position.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

During the fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2004, there were no significant changes related to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2004.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Some of the information presented in this Form 10-Q constitutes forward-looking statements, including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. We caution you that a variety of factors could cause business conditions and results to differ materially from what is contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, including, among other things:

 

    our high degree of leverage and significant debt service obligations,

 

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    our ability to refinance existing debt,

 

    our ability to increase circulation and advertising revenues,

 

    market conditions for our publications,

 

    our ability to develop new publications and services,

 

    outcomes of pending and future litigation,

 

    the effects of terrorism, including bio-terrorism, on our business,

 

    increasing competition by media companies,

 

    lower than expected valuations associated with cash flows and revenues may result in the inability to realize the value of recorded intangibles and goodwill,

 

    changes in the costs of paper used by us,

 

    any future changes in management,

 

    general risks associated with the publishing industry,

 

    declines in spending levels by advertisers and consumers,

 

    the ability in a challenging environment to continue to develop new sources of circulation,

 

    increased costs and business disruption resulting from diminished service levels from our wholesalers,

 

    our ability to increase future revenues relating to Star while maintaining a similar cost structure, and

 

    the introduction and increased popularity over the long term of alternative technologies for the provision of news and information.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial statements. We are subject to interest risk on our credit facilities and any future financing requirements. Our fixed rate debt consists primarily of senior subordinated notes.

 

Interest rate changes result in increases or decreases in our income before taxes and cash provided from operating activities. A 1% change in our weighted interest rate on our variable debt would have resulted in a change of $1.4 million in our interest expense for the fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2004.

 

Effective August 20, 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement, which effectively converted a portion of our fixed-rate debt to variable rate debt. The agreement is scheduled to expire in January 2007 and has a notional amount of $150 million. Under this agreement, we received a fixed rate of 8.875% and pay LIBOR in arrears plus a spread of 5.38% subject to a collar adjustment. As of December 27, 2004, the fair value of this swap was a liability of $454,000. The change in the fair value of the swap has been recognized as an addition to interest expense for the fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2004. On January 15, 2004, we received $1,635,000 in connection with the interim settlement of this swap agreement. On July 15, 2004, we received $1,166,000 in connection with the interim settlement of this swap agreement. Additionally, on January 18, 2005, we received $213,000 in connection with the interim settlement of this swap agreement. The next reset date for this swap agreement is July 15, 2005. At each reset date the Company either receives or pays money based on the fair value of the swap as of that date.

 

Our primary market risk exposures relate to (1) the interest rate risk on long-term and short-term borrowings, (2) our ability to refinance our senior subordinated notes at maturity at market rates, (3) the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to meet interest expense requirements and comply with financial covenants and (4) the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to obtain adequate financing to fund acquisitions. We manage the interest rate risk on our outstanding long-term and short-term debt through our use of fixed and variable rate debt. While we cannot predict or manage our ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our ability to refinance existing debt, we continue to evaluate our financial position on an ongoing basis.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures:

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:

 

During the three month period ended December 27, 2004, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

See footnote 14 of Part I, Item I.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

*Exhibit 10.1 Agreement dated June 11, 2002, by and between American Media, Inc. (“AMI”) and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (“Donnelley”).

 

*Exhibit 10.2 Contract Change No. 1 made as of November 10, 2004 and entered into on November 18, 2004, by and between AMI and Donnelley.

 

*Exhibit 10.3 Printing Agreement dated as of December 2, 2004, between AMI and Quad/Graphics, Inc.

 

Exhibit 10.4 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Thomas E. Severson, Jr. dated December 15, 2004.

 

Exhibit 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Exhibit 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Exhibit 32 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


* Portions of the above exhibits have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Registrant

 

Date: February 9, 2005

 

/s/ DAVID J. PECKER


David J. Pecker

Chairman of the Board, President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: February 9, 2005

 

/s/ THOMAS E. SEVERSON, JR


Thomas E. Severson

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: February 9, 2005

 

/s/ MARK J. BROCKELMAN


Mark J. Brockelman

Vice President of Finance

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description


*Exhibit 10.1   Agreement dated June 11, 2002, by and between American Media, Inc. (“AMI”) and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (“Donnelley”).
*Exhibit 10.2   Contract Change No. 1 made as of November 10, 2004 and entered into on November 18, 2004, by and between AMI and Donnelley.
*Exhibit 10.3   Printing Agreement dated as of December 2, 2004, between AMI and Quad/Graphics, Inc.
Exhibit 10.4   Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Thomas E. Severson, Jr. dated December 15, 2004.
Exhibit 31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Portions of the above exhibits have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

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