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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Wilhelmina International, Inc.exh_311.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Wilhelmina International, Inc.exh_321.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Wilhelmina International, Inc.exh_322.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Wilhelmina International, Inc.exh_312.htm

UNITED STATES

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 June 30, 2015

 

 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 0-28536

 

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 74-2781950
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

200 Crescent Court, Suite 1400, Dallas, Texas 75201
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(214) 661-7488
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
n/a
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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.  [x] Yes   [  ] No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). [x] Yes   [  ] No

 

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

 

  Large accelerated filer  [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
  Non-accelerated filer [  ] Smaller reporting company [x]
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   [  ] Yes  [x] No

 

As of August 13, 2014 the registrant had 5,843,621 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 1 

 

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
     
  Item 1. Financial Statements 3
     
    Consolidated Balance Sheets – June 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014 3
     
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations - for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 4
     
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 5
     
    Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 6
     
  Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 11
     
  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 18
     
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures 18
     
PART II OTHER INFORMATION 19
     
  Item 1. Legal Proceedings 19
     
  Item 1.A. Risk Factors 19
     
  Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 19
     
  Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 19
     
  Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 19
     
  Item 5. Other Information 19
     
  Item 6. Exhibits 20
     
SIGNATURES 21

 

 2 

 

PART I

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

ASSETS      
   (Unaudited)
June 30,
 2015
  December 31, 
2014
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $3,057   $5,869 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $667 and $679   16,090    12,482 
Deferred tax asset   1,877    1,986 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   448    252 
Total current assets   21,472    20,589 
           
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $879 and $762, respectively   1,707    1,333 
           
Trademarks and trade names with indefinite lives   8,467    8,467 
Other intangibles with finite lives, net of accumulated amortization of $8,352 and $8,222   380    115 
Goodwill   13,192    12,563 
Other assets   190    136 
           
Total assets  $45,408   $43,203 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $4,321   $4,310 
Due to models   10,915    10,011 
Total current liabilities   15,236    14,321 
           
Long term liabilities          
Contingent consideration to seller (Note 3)   171    - 
Deferred tax liability   2,685    2,332 
Total long-term liabilities   2,856    2,332 
           
Total liabilities   18,092    16,653 
           
Shareholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 12,500,000 shares authorized; 5,852,322 and 5,869,220 share issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014    65    65 
Treasury stock, 619,716 and 602,818 shares, respectively, at cost   (1,740)   (1,643)
Additional paid-in capital   86,884    86,778 
Accumulated deficit   (57,904)   (58,650)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   11    - 
Total shareholders’ equity   27,316    26,550 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $45,408   $43,203 

 

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

 

 3 

 

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

    Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
          
   June 30,
2015
  June 30,
2014
  June 30,
2015
  June 30,
2014
Revenues                    
Revenues  $21,538   $19,528   $42,489   $37,664 
License fees and other income   132    100    229    200 
Total revenues   21,670    19,628    42,718    37,864 
                     
Model costs   15,643    14,206    30,545    26,963 
                     
Revenues net of model costs   6,027    5,422    12,173    10,901 
                     
Operating expenses                    
Salaries and service costs   3,758    3,249    7,485    6,354 
Office and general expenses   1,125    1,083    2,299    2,178 
Amortization and depreciation   125    110    252    370 
Corporate overhead   262    374    542    653 
Total operating expenses   5,270    4,816    10,578    9,555 
Operating income   757    606    1,595    1,346 
                     
Other income (expense):                    
Foreign exchange loss   (21)   -    (98)   - 
Gain (loss) from an unconsolidated affiliate   9    5    (15)   (15)
Interest income   -    2    -    4 
Interest expense   -    -    -    (8)
    (12)   7    (113)   (19)
                     
Income before provision for income taxes   745    613    1,482    1,327 
                     
Provision for income taxes:                    
Current   (145)   (54)   (351)   (191)
Deferred   (227)   (168)   (385)   (413)
    (372)   (222)   (736)   (604)
                     
                     
 Net income  $373   $391   $746   $723 
                     
Other comprehensive income                    
Foreign currency translation income   9    -    11      
Total comprehensive income   382    391    757    723 
                     
Basic net income per common share  $0.06   $0.07   $0.13   $0.12 
Diluted net income per common share  $0.06   $0.07   $0.13   $0.12 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic   5,852    5,870    5,852    5,870 
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted   5,955    5,968    5,955    5,942 

 

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

 

 4 

 

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(In thousands)

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2015  2014
       
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $746   $723 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Amortization and depreciation   252    370 
Share based payment expense   106    107 
Deferred taxes   385    413 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts Receivable   (3,253)   (2,654)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (240)   (139)
Due to models   393    922 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (357)   1,431 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (1,968)   1,173 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Cash paid for business acquisition, net of cash acquired (Note 3)   (282)   - 
Purchase of property and equipment   (476)   (251)
Net cash used in investing activities   (758)   (251)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Repayment of Amegy line of credit   -    (800)
Purchase of treasury stock   (97)   - 
Net cash used in financing activities   (97)   (800)
           
Foreign currency effect on cash flows   11    - 
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (2,812)   122 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   5,869    2,776 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $3,057   $2,898 
           
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
          
Issuance of contingent consideration to seller
  $171   $- 
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information          
Cash paid for interest  $-   $8 
Cash paid for income taxes  $105   $239 

 

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

 

 5 

 

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

 

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Wilhelmina International, Inc. (“Wilhelmina” or the “Company”) and subsidiaries without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Although certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, all adjustments considered necessary in order to make the consolidated financial statements not misleading have been included.  In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, of a normal recurring nature, that are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods.  It is recommended that these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, as amended.  Results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or the full fiscal year.

 

Note 2.  Business Activity

 

Overview

 

The primary business of Wilhelmina is fashion model management, which is headquartered in New York City.  The Company’s predecessor was founded in 1967 by Wilhelmina Cooper, a renowned fashion model, and is one of the oldest, best known and largest fashion model management companies in the world.  Since its founding, Wilhelmina has grown to include operations located in Los Angeles, Miami and London, as well as a growing network of licensees comprising leading modeling agencies in various local markets across the U.S. as well as in Thailand, Dubai, Vancouver and Tokyo.  Wilhelmina provides traditional, full-service fashion model and talent management services, specializing in the representation and management of models, entertainers, artists, athletes and other talents to various customers and clients, including retailers, designers, advertising agencies, print and catalog companies.

 

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Note 3.  Business Acquisition

 

In January 2015, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Union Models Management Ltd. in London and renamed it Wilhelmina London Limited (“London”). The strategic acquisition of London establishes a footprint for the Company and the brand in Western Europe. It will also serve as a base of operations to service the Company’s European clients, and as a new talent development office for European models and artists.

 

The purchase price includes the discounted value of contingent consideration assuming London achieves certain performance benchmarks during the post-closing period. These amounts are due to the former seller in the post-closing period subject to achieving these performance benchmarks.

 

Under the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the net tangible, intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on the preliminary fair value of the assets and liabilities of London in accordance with ASC 805.

 

The intangible assets acquired include intangible assets with finite lives, such as customer relationships and talent relationships, and the remainder of any intangible assets not meeting the above criteria has been allocated to goodwill. The goodwill is non-amortizable. Other assets such as customer relationships and talent relationships are being amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives with range from 2 to 8 years.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of completion of the London transaction:

 

(in thousands)   
Fair value of operating assets acquired:     
Cash  $868 
Accounts receivable   355 
Other current assets   10 
Equipment   15 
Total operating assets acquired   1,248 
Fair value of intangible assets acquired:     
Other intangible assets with finite lives   400 
Goodwill   629 
Total intangible assets acquired   1,029 
 Total assets acquired   2,277 
Fair value of liabilities assumed:     
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   360 
Due to models   511 
Indemnification seller basket   8 
Deferred income tax liability   77 
Total liabilities assumed   956 
Total net assets acquired  $1,321 

 

The results of operations for London are included in the Company’s consolidated results from the effective date of the acquisition.

 

Note 4.  Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional currency of the wholly owned subsidiary, London, is the Pound Sterling. Its assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date, revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates and resulting translation gains or losses are accumulated in other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

 

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Note 5.  Line of Credit

 

On July 31, 2014, the Company executed and closed the third amendment (the “Third Credit Agreement Amendment”) to its revolving facility with Amegy Bank National Association (“Amegy”). The terms of the Third Credit Agreement Amendment are essentially the same as those set forth in the Second Credit Agreement Amendment with the exception of the ability to issue up to $300 of standby letters of credit. Outstanding letters of credit will reduce the Company’s availability under the facility.

 

Under the terms of the Third Credit Agreement Amendment, (1) total availability under the revolving credit facility is $5,000 (2) the borrowing base is derived from 75% of eligible accounts receivable (as defined) and (3) the Company’s minimum net worth covenant is $22,000. In addition, the maturity date of the facility is October 15, 2015. The Company’s obligation to repay advances under the amended facility is evidenced by a second amended and restated promissory note (the “Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note”).  Under the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Promissory Note, the interest rate on borrowings is prime rate plus 1%.

 

As of August 13, 2015, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

 

Note 6.  Commitments and Contingencies

 

On May 2, 2012, Sean Patterson, the former President of the Company’s subsidiary, Wilhelmina International, Ltd. (“Wilhelmina International”), filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, against the Company, Wilhelmina International and Mark Schwarz, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, asserting claims for alleged breach of Mr. Patterson’s expired employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Wilhelmina International, defamation, and declaratory relief with respect to the alleged invalidity and unenforceability of the Employment Agreement’s non-competition and non-solicitation provisions.  The Company and Wilhelmina International asserted counterclaims against Mr. Patterson for breach of the Employment Agreement, breach of fiduciary duty, and injunctive relief.  On May 23, 2014, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss Mr. Patterson’s defamation claim, and granted Mr. Patterson’s cross-motion for leave to file an amended defamation claim.  Patterson filed an Amended Complaint on May 15, 2014, repeating the claims for alleged breach of contract and declaratory relief, and filing and amended defamation claim.  The Company and Wilhelmina International filed an Answer to the Amended Complaint on June 17, 2014, and again asserted counterclaims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and for injunctive relief.  Patterson replied to those counterclaims on June 27, 2014. Discovery has now been completed, and the case is on the trial calendar.  The parties have been ordered to engage in a second mediation.  The Company believes Mr. Patterson's claims are without merit, and, in the event the case is not settled in the mediation or otherwise, intends to continue to vigorously defend itself and pursue the counterclaims.

 

On October 24, 2013, a purported class action lawsuit brought by former Wilhelmina model Alex Shanklin and others (the “Shanklin Litigation”), naming the Company’s subsidiaries Wilhelmina International and Wilhelmina Models, Inc. (the “Wilhelmina Subsidiary Parties”), was initiated in New York State Supreme Court (New York County) by the same lead counsel who represented plaintiffs in the prior, now-dismissed action brought by Louisa Raske (the “Raske Litigation”). The claims in the Shanklin Litigation include breach of contract and unjust enrichment and are alleged to arise out of matters relating to those matters involved in the Raske Litigation, such as the handling and reporting of funds on behalf of models and the use of model images.  Other parties named as defendants in the Shanklin Litigation include other model management companies, advertising firms, and certain advertisers. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself and its subsidiaries.  On January 6, 2014, the Wilhelmina Subsidiary Parties moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint in the Shanklin Litigation for failure to state a cause of action upon which relief can be granted and other grounds, and other defendants have also filed motions to dismiss. The court has stayed all discovery in the case pending resolution of these motions.  On March 3, 2014, the judge assigned to the Shanklin Litigation wrote the Office of the New York Attorney General bringing the case to its attention, generally describing the claims asserted therein against the model management defendants, and stating that the case “may involve matters in the public interest.”  The judge’s letter also enclosed a copy of his decision in the Raske Litigation, which dismissed that case. Plaintiffs have retained substitute counsel, who has filed a Second Amended Complaint.  Plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint asserts causes of action for alleged breaches of the plaintiffs' management contracts with the defendants, conversion, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment.  In addition, the Second Amended Complaint alleges that the plaintiff models were at all relevant times employees, and not independent contractors, of Wilhelmina and the model management defendants, and that defendants violated the New York Labor Law in several respects, including, among other things, by allegedly failing to pay the models the minimum wages and overtime pay required thereunder, not maintaining accurate payroll records, and not providing plaintiffs with full explanations of how their wages and deductions therefrom were computed.  The Second Amended Complaint seeks certification of the action as a class action, damages in an amount to be determined at trial, plus interest, costs, attorneys’ fees, and such other relief as the court deems proper. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the Second Amended Complaint.

 

In July 2015, an action was commenced against Wilhelmina Models, Inc. by a model previously under contract to Wilhelmina, Kimberly Forbes, claiming  that Wilhelmina had authorized the re-use of certain of her photos, allegedly without her authorization, without paying her; asserting that the IRS had asserted claims against her arising out of an IRS Form 1099 issued by Wilhelmina with respect to payments she had not received; and seeking  an unspecified amount in compensatory damages and $1,000 in exemplary damages.   When the model informally brought the matter to its attention prior to commencing litigation, Wilhelmina acknowledged owing her compensation she had not received because of her change of address, and offered to pay her in full and reimburse her for related costs (although the exact amount has not been calculated, it is not a material amount).  Despite that fact, this action was thereafter commenced.  The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against the action to the extent it seeks in excess of the amount the Company offered to Ms. Forbes.

 

In addition to the legal proceedings disclosed herein, the Company is also engaged in various legal proceedings that are routine in nature and incidental to its business. None of these routine proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, are believed, in the Company's opinion, to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or its results of operations.

 

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As of June 30, 2015, a number of the Company’s employees were covered by employment agreements that vary in length from one to three years. As of June 30, 2015, total compensation payable under the remaining contractual term of these agreements was approximately $4,042. In addition, the employment agreements contain non-compete provisions ranging from six months to one year following the term of the applicable agreement. Therefore, subject to certain exceptions, as of June 30, 2015, invoking the non-compete provisions would require the Company to compensate additional amounts to the covered employees during the non-compete period in the amount of approximately $4,693. During the three six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company paid $16 and $0 compensation cost in connection with certain non-compete and contractual arrangements of former employees, respectively.

 

Note 7.  Share Capital

 

The Company has a shareholder’s rights plan (the “Rights Plan”). The Rights Plan provides for a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"). The terms of the Rights and the Rights Plan are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2006, as amended, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., now known as The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agreement”).

 

The Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Rights Plan to protect shareholder value by protecting the Company’s ability to realize the benefits of its net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”). In general terms, the Rights Plan imposes a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock without the prior approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. Shareholders that own 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) may acquire up to an additional 1% of the outstanding Common Stock without penalty so long as they maintain their ownership above the 5% level (such increase subject to downward adjustment by the Company’s Board of Directors if it determines that such increase will endanger the availability of the Company’s NOLs). In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors has exempted Newcastle Partners, L.P. (“Newcastle”), the Company’s largest shareholder, and may exempt any person or group that owns 5% or more if the Board of Directors determines that the person’s or group’s ownership will not endanger the availability of the Company’s NOLs. A person or group that acquires a percentage of Common Stock in excess of the applicable threshold is called an “Acquiring Person”. Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person are void and may not be exercised. The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the issuance of one Right per each share of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date. If the Rights become exercisable, each Right would allow its holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of the Company’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 (the “Preferred Stock”), for a purchase price of $10.00. Each fractional share of Preferred Stock would give the shareholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as does one share of Common Stock. Prior to exercise, however, a Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.

 

One for Twenty Reverse Stock Split

 

The Company's Board of Directors approved the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split and the applicable ratio of one-for-twenty on July 7, 2014. On July 11, 2014, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Company's restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) which affected the Reverse Stock Split. The Company's stockholders previously approved the granting of authority to the Company’s Board of Directors to affect a reverse stock split at a ratio between one-for-ten and one-for-forty at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on September 26, 2013. The Certificate of Amendment provided that, effective as of 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on July 11, 2014, every twenty outstanding shares of Common Stock were combined automatically into one share of Common Stock. Fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split were cancelled and stockholders otherwise entitled to a fractional share received a cash payment in lieu of the fractional share based on the average of the last reported sales price of the Common Stock as quoted on the OTCBB for the five business days prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split (which average price was $.30). The Certificate of Amendment also proportionally reduced the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock from 250,000,000 shares to 12,500,000 shares. The rights and privileges of the holders of the Common Stock are unaffected by the Reverse Stock Split.

 

Trading of the Common Stock on a split-adjusted basis began at the opening of trading on July 14, 2014. In September 2014, the Company began trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol WHLM.

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Note 8.  Income Taxes

 

Generally, the Company’s combined effective tax rate is high relative to reported net income as a result of certain amounts of amortization expense and corporate overhead not being deductible or attributable to states in which it operates. Currently, the majority of taxes being paid by the Company are state taxes, not federal taxes. The Company operates in three states which have relatively high tax rates: California, New York and Florida. The Company’s combined (federal and state) effective tax rate would be even higher if it were not for federal net operating loss carryforwards available to offset current federal taxable income. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had federal income tax loss carryforwards of approximately $900 which begin expiring in 2019. A portion of the Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards were utilized to offset federal taxable income generated during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. Realization of the Company’s carryforwards is dependent on future taxable income. As defined in the Internal Revenue Code, ownership changes may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income.

 

Note 9. Treasury Stock

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program, whereby the Company could repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its outstanding Common Stock. During August 2013, the Board of Directors renewed and extended the Company’s share repurchase authority to enable it to repurchase up to an additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

The shares may be repurchased from time-to-time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions at prices the Company deems appropriate. The program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of Common Stock and the program may be modified or suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. The stock repurchase plan will be funded through the Company’s cash on hand and the Second Credit Agreement Amendment.

 

In total, the Company has repurchased 619,716 shares of Common Stock at an average price of approximately $2.81 per share, for a total of approximately $1,740 under the foregoing stock repurchase program. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, 16,898 shares were repurchased at an average price of $5.85 per share.

 

Note 10. Related Parties

 

As of June 30, 2015, Mark Schwarz, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager of Newcastle Capital Management, L.P.

(“NCM”) held the Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman positions with the Company. NCM is the General Partner of Newcastle, which owns 2,430,726 shares of Common Stock. Clinton Coleman (Managing Director at NCM) and James Dvorak (Managing Director at NCM) also serve as directors of the Company.

 

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located at 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1400, Dallas, Texas 75201, which are also the offices of NCM. The Company occupies a portion of NCM space on a month-to-month basis at $2.5 per month, pursuant to a services agreement entered into between the parties. Pursuant to the services agreement, the Company receives the use of NCM’s facilities and equipment and accounting, legal and administrative services from employees of NCM. The Company incurred expenses pursuant to the services agreement totaling approximately $7.5 for the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The Company owed NCM $0 as of June 30, 2015 and 2014, under the services agreement.

 

The Company has an agreement with an unconsolidated affiliate to provide management and administrative services, as well as sharing of space. Management fee and rental income from the unconsolidated affiliate amounted to approximately $27.5 for the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.

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

 

The following is a discussion of the interim unaudited consolidated financial condition and results of operations for the Company and its subsidiaries for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.  It should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company, the notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this report, and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as amended.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking” statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries that are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management as well as information currently available to the Company’s management.  When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar import, as they relate to the Company or its subsidiaries or Company management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, competitive factors, general economic conditions, the interest rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, changes in industry practices, one-time events and other factors described herein and in other filings made by the Company with the SEC.  Based upon changing conditions, should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements.  As a result, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

The Company’s primary business is fashion model management, which is headquartered in New York City. The Company’s predecessor was founded in 1967 by Wilhelmina Cooper, a renowned fashion model, and is one of the oldest, best known and largest fashion model management companies in the world. Since its founding, it has grown to include operations located in Los Angeles, Miami and London, as well as a growing network of licensees comprising leading modeling agencies in various local markets across the U.S., as well as in Thailand, Dubai, Vancouver and Tokyo. The Company provides traditional, full-service fashion model and talent management services, specializing in the representation and management of models, entertainers, artists, athletes and other talent to various customers and clients, including retailers, designers, advertising agencies and catalog companies.

 

The business of talent management firms, such as Wilhelmina, depends heavily on the state of the advertising industry, as demand for talent is driven by Internet, print and TV advertising campaigns for consumer goods and retail clients.

 

Wilhelmina believes it has strong brand recognition which enables it to attract and retain top agents and talent to service a broad universe of clients. In order to take advantage of these opportunities and support its continued growth, the Company will need to continue to successfully allocate resources and staffing in a way that enhances its ability to respond to these new opportunities. The Company continues to focus on cutting costs, recruiting top agents when available and scouting and developing new talent.

 

Although Wilhelmina has a large and diverse client base, it is not immune to global economic conditions. Wilhelmina closely monitors economic conditions, client spending and other factors and continually looks for ways to reduce costs, manage working capital and conserve cash. There can be no assurance as to the effects on Wilhelmina of future economic circumstances, client spending patterns, client credit worthiness and other developments and whether, or to what extent, Wilhelmina’s efforts to respond to them will be effective.

 

Trends and Opportunities

 

The Company expects that the combination of Wilhelmina’s main operating base in New York City, the industry’s capital, with the depth and breadth of its talent pool and client roster and its diversification across various talent management segments, together with its geographical reach should make Wilhelmina’s operations more resilient to industry changes and economic swings than those of many of the smaller firms operating in the industry. Similarly, in the segments where the Company competes with other leading full service agencies, Wilhelmina competed successfully during the second quarter of 2015.

 

With 2015 total advertising expenditures on major media (newspapers, magazines, television, cinema, outdoor and Internet) expecting to exceed approximately $189 billion, North America is by far the world’s largest advertising market. For the fashion talent management industry, including Wilhelmina, advertising expenditures on magazines, television, Internet and outdoor are of particular relevance. 

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Strategy

 

Management’s strategy is to increase value to shareholders through the following initiatives:

 

Develop Wilhelmina into a global brand;

 

Expand the women’s high end fashion board;

 

Expand celebrity endorsements;

 

Strategic acquisitions;

 

License the “Wilhelmina” name to leading model management agencies;

 

License the “Wilhelmina” brand in connection with consumer products, cosmetics and other beauty products; and

 

Promote model search contests, and events and partnering on media projects (television, film, books, etc.).

 

Due to the increasing ubiquity of the Internet as a standard business tool, the Company has increasingly sought to harness the opportunities of the Internet and other digital media to improve its communications with clients and to facilitate the effective exchange of fashion model and talent information. The Company continues to make significant investments in technology (including developing in-house art and social media departments) in pursuit of gains in efficiency and better communications with customers. At the same time, the Internet presents challenges for the Company, including (i) the cannibalization of traditional print advertising business and (ii) pricing pressures with respect to photo shoots and client engagements.

 

In January 2015, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Union Models Management Ltd. in London and renamed it Wilhelmina London Limited (“London”). The strategic acquisition of London establishes a footprint for the Company and the brand in Western Europe. It will also serve as a base of operations to service the Company’s European clients, and as a new talent development office for European models and artists.

 

The key financial indicators that the Company reviews to monitor the business are revenues, model costs, operating expenses and cash flows.

 

The Company analyzes revenue by reviewing the mix of revenues generated by the different “boards” (each a specific division of the fashion model management operations which specializes by the type of model it represents (Women, Men, Select, Media, Runway, Curve, Lifestyle, Kids, etc.)) of the business, revenues by geographic locations and revenues from significant clients. Wilhelmina has three primary sources of revenue: revenues from principal relationships whereby the gross amount billed to the client is recorded as revenue, when the revenues are earned and collectability is reasonably assured; revenues from agent relationships whereby the commissions paid by models as a percentage of their gross earnings are recorded as revenue when earned and collectability is reasonably assured; and separate service charges, paid by clients in addition to the booking fees, which are calculated as a percentage of the models’ booking fees and are recorded as revenues when earned and collectability is reasonably assured. See Critical Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition is an important business metric that ultimately drive revenues, profits and cash flows.

 

Because Wilhelmina provides professional services, salary and service costs represent the largest part of the Company’s operating expenses. Salary and service costs are comprised of payroll and related costs and T&E (travel, meals and entertainment) to deliver the Company’s services and to enable new business development activities. 

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 Analysis of Consolidated Statements of Operations

 (in thousands)

 

   Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended   
   June 30  June 30  % Change  June 30  June 30  % Change
   2015  2014  2015 vs 2014  2015  2014  2015 vs 2014
                   
Revenues   21,538    19,528    10.3%   42,489    37,664    12.8%
License fees and other income   132    100    32.0%   229    200    14.5%
TOTAL REVENUES   21,670    19,628    10.4%   42,718    37,864    12.8%
Model costs   15,643    14,206    10.1%   30,545    26,963    13.3%
REVENUES NET OF MODEL COSTS   6,027    5,422    11.2%   12,173    10,901    11.7%
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN   27.8%   27.6%        28.5%   28.8%     
Salaries and service costs   3,758    3,249    15.7%   7,485    6,354    17.8%
Office and general expenses   1,125    1,083    3.9%   2,299    2,178    5.6%
Amortization and depreciation   125    110    13.6%   252    370    (31.9)%
Corporate overhead   262    374    (29.9)%   542    653    (17.0)%
OPERATING INCOME   757    606    24.9%   1,595    1,346    8.5%
OPERATING MARGIN   3.5%   3.1%        3.47%   3.6%     
Foreign exchange loss   (21)   -         (98)   -      
Interest income   -    2         -    4      
Interest expense   -    -         -    (8)     
Equity Earnings (loss) in affiliate   9    5         (15)   (15)     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   745    613    (21.5)%   1,482    1,327    11.7%
Income taxes expense   (372)   (222)   67.6%   (736)   (604)   21.9%
Effective tax rate   49.9%   36.2%        49.7%   45.5%     
NET INCOME   373    391    (4.6)%   746    723    (3.2)%

 

Revenues

 

Generally, the Company’s revenues fluctuate in response to its clients’ willingness to spend on advertising and the Company’s ability to have the desired talent available.

 

The increase in revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 of 10.3% and 12.8% when compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 were driven by an expanded developed talent pool and our customers’ increased interest in booking the Company's talent. The Company’s expanded talent pool continues to be driven by an emphasis on scouting and relationships with mother agencies around the world. All boards of the core modeling business experienced positive growth during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 when compared to the corresponding period of the prior year.

 

License Fees and Other Income

 

License fees and other income include management and administrative services from an unconsolidated affiliate and franchise revenues from independently owned model agencies that use the Wilhelmina trademark name and various services provided by the Company. License fees remained materially unchanged when compared to the corresponding period of the prior year.

 

 13 

 

Gross Profit Margin

 

Fluctuations in gross profit margin, between periods, are predominantly due to the following:

 

The mix of revenues being derived from talent relationships, which require the reporting of revenues gross (as a principal) versus net (as an agent). Model costs consist of costs associated with relationships with models where the key indicators suggest that the Company acts as a principal.  

 

An increase or decrease in mother agency fees, relative to model costs.

 

An increase or decrease in the rate of recovery of advances to models (for the cost of producing initial portfolios and other out-of-pocket costs). These costs are expensed as incurred and repayments of such costs are credited to model costs in the period received.

 

Inclusion of the London operations.

 

Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, when compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, remained relatively unchanged. All of the components of gross margin increased proportionally with the increase in revenue.

 

Salaries and Service Costs

 

Salaries and service costs consist of payroll and related costs and T&E (travel, meals and entertainment) costs required to deliver the Company’s services to its customers and talent.

 

The Company continues to recruit agents when available and invest in scouting and development activities. The Company believes these investments are necessary to support its continued growth. Additional cost increases are due to the inclusion of London and the accounting system upgrade project

 

Salaries and service costs increases include the cost of additional resources to support the increase in revenues along with increased administration salaries associated with the systems and technology upgrade

 

Office and General Expenses

 

Office and general expenses consist of office and equipment rents, advertising and promotion, insurance expenses, administration and technology cost.  These costs are less directly linked to changes in the Company’s revenues than are salaries and service costs. 

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, office and general expenses increased by 3.9% and 5.6%, when compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, due to costs associated with London partially offset by a decline in legal fees.

 

Amortization and Depreciation

 

Depreciation and amortization expense is incurred with respect to certain assets, including computer hardware, software, office equipment, furniture, and other intangibles.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $125 and $252 (of which $68 and $135 relates to amortization of intangibles acquired in connection with the Wilhelmina Acquisition), compared to $110 and $370 of depreciation and amortization expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 (of which $44 and $245 relates to amortization of intangibles acquired in connection with the Wilhelmina Acquisition).  Fixed asset purchases (mostly related to technology) totaled approximately $476 and $251 during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

 

 

Corporate Overhead

 

Corporate overhead expenses include public company costs, director and executive officer compensation, directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal, audit and professional fees, corporate office rent and travel.  The decline in corporate overhead of 29.9% and 17.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, when compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 is primarily associated with a reduction in corporate salaries partially offset by the increase in costs associated with being listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

 

 14 

 

Operating Margin

 

Operating margins for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were relatively consistent when compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year. The operating income increased despite the increases in salaries and service costs in connection with the administration of the Company.

 

Asset Impairment Charge

 

Each reporting period, the Company assesses whether events or circumstances have occurred which indicate that the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value.  If the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an asset impairment charge will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. No asset impairment charges were incurred during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company realized $21 and $98 of foreign currency exchange loss during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. Fluctuations in currencies from Latin America and the Euro caused $23 and $84 of the loss and the acquisition of London resulted in $14 of the foreign currency exchange loss.

 

Interest Expense

 

There was no interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to a small interest expense the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, both associated with a decline in the average borrowings under the Third Credit Agreement Amendment to zero.

 

Income Taxes

 

Generally, the Company’s combined effective tax rate is high relative to reported net income as a result of certain amounts of amortization expense and corporate overhead not being deductible or attributable to states in which it operates. Currently, the majority of taxes being paid by the Company are state taxes, not federal taxes. The Company operates in three states which have relatively high tax rates: California, New York and Florida. The Company’s combined (federal and state) effective tax rate would be even higher if it were not for federal net operating loss carryforwards available to offset current federal taxable income. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had federal income tax loss carryforwards of approximately $900 which begin expiring in 2019. A portion of the Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards were utilized to offset federal taxable income generated during the three months ended June 30, 2015. Realization of the Company’s carryforwards is dependent on future taxable income. As defined in the Internal Revenue Service’s Code, ownership changes may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income.

 

 15 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s cash balance decreased to $3,057 at June 30, 2015, from $5,869 at December 31, 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, cash balances decreased as a result of cash flows used by operations of approximately $1,968 and $758 used by investing activities, including $282 to purchase the stock of Wilhelmina London and approximately $476 of capital expenditures. Cash flows from operating activities include the use of cash due to an increase in accounts receivables driven by increased revenues. The increase in revenues usually negatively impact cash flows as typically, the collection of customer receivables averages greater than 60 days, while the Company incurs significant operating expenses with shorter payment terms.

 

Amegy Credit Agreement

  

On October 24, 2012, the Company executed and closed the second amendment (the “Second Credit Agreement Amendment”) to its revolving facility with Amegy Bank National Association (“Amegy”). Borrowings under the facility are to be used for working capital and other general business purposes of the Company. Under the terms of the Second Credit Agreement Amendment, (1) total availability under the revolving credit facility is $5,000, (2) the borrowing base is derived from 75% of eligible accounts receivable (as defined) and (3) the Company’s minimum net worth covenant is $22,000. In addition, the maturity date of the facility is October 15, 2015. The Company’s obligation to repay advances under the amended facility is evidenced by a second amended and restated promissory note (the “Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note”). Under the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note, the interest rate on borrowings is prime rate plus 1%.

 

On July 31, 2014, the Company executed and closed the third amendment (the “Third Credit Agreement Amendment”) to its revolving facility with Amegy. The terms of the Third Credit Agreement Amendment are essentially the same as in the Second Credit Agreement Amendment with the exception of the ability to issue up to $300 of standby letters of credit. Issued letters of credit will reduce the Company’s availability under the facility. The Third Credit Agreement Amendment contains certain representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of an event of default. All indebtedness and other obligations of the Company under the Third Credit Agreement Amendment are secured by all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, provided, however, that the collateral does not include the intellectual property of the Company or the stock or equity interests in the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

As of August 13, 2015, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of March 31, 2014, the Company was responsible for $222 of restricted cash that served as collateral for an irrevocable standby letter of credit. In September 2014, the Company issued a replacement letter of credit and recovered the restricted cash of $222. This replacement letter of credit is secured by available and unused borrowing capacity under the Company’s existing line of credit with Amegy Bank. The letter of credit serves as additional security under the lease extension relating to the Company’s office space in New York City that expires February 2021.

 

Effect of Inflation

 

Inflation has not been a material factor affecting the Company’s business.  General operating expenses, such as salaries, employee benefits, insurance and occupancy costs, are subject to normal inflationary pressures.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) when reporting revenue gross as a principal versus net as an agent, the Company assesses whether it, the model or the talent is the primary obligor.  The Company evaluates the terms of its model, talent and client agreements as part of this assessment.  In addition, the Company gives appropriate consideration to other key indicators such as latitude in establishing price, discretion in model or talent selection and credit risk the Company undertakes.  The Company operates broadly as a modeling agency and in those relationships with models and talents where the key indicators suggest the Company acts as a principal, the Company records the gross amount billed to the client as revenue when earned and collectability is reasonably assured and the related costs incurred to the model or talent as model or talent costs.  In other model and talent relationships, where the Company believes the key indicators suggest it acts as an agent on behalf of the model or talent, the Company records revenue net of pass-through model or talent cost.

 

The Company also recognizes management fees as revenues for providing services to other modeling agencies as well as consulting income in connection with services provided to a television production network according to the terms of the contract.  The Company recognizes royalty income when earned based on terms of the contractual agreement.  Revenues received in advance are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method over periods pursuant to the related contract.

 

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The Company also records fees from licensees when the revenues are earned and collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Advances to models for the cost of producing initial portfolios and other out-of-pocket costs are expensed to model costs as incurred.  Any repayments of such costs are credited to model costs in the period received.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill and intangible assets consist primarily of goodwill and buyer relationships resulting from a business acquisition.  Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer subject to amortization, but rather to an annual assessment of impairment by applying a fair-value based test.

 

Management’s assessments of the recoverability and impairment tests of goodwill and intangible assets involve critical accounting estimates.  These estimates require significant management judgment, include inherent uncertainties and are often interdependent; therefore, they do not change in isolation.  Factors that management must estimate include, among others, the economic life of the asset, sales volume, prices, inflation, cost of capital, marketing spending, tax rates and capital spending.  These factors are even more difficult to predict when global financial markets are highly volatile.  When performing impairment tests, the Company estimates the fair values of the assets using management’s best assumptions, which it believes would be consistent with what a hypothetical marketplace participant would use.  Estimates and assumptions used in these tests are evaluated and updated as appropriate.  The variability of these factors depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events, and thus the accounting estimates may change from period to period.  If other assumptions and estimates had been used when these tests were performed, impairment charges could have resulted.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Wilhelmina International and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Accounts receivable are accounted for at fair value, do not bear interest and are short-term in nature.  The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability to collect on accounts receivable.  Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to the valuation allowance.  Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable.  The Company generally does not require collateral.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred income 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 operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  The Company continually assesses the need for a tax valuation allowance based on all available information.  As of June 30, 2015, and as a result of this assessment, the Company believes that its deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized.  In addition, the Company continuously evaluates its tax contingencies.

 

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements requires a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  Also, consideration should be given to de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.  There was no change to the net amount of assets and liabilities recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as a result of the Company’s tax positions.

 

 

 17 

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).  Based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the participation of management, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2015 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met.  In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.  Given these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only reasonable assurance that the Company’s controls will succeed in achieving their stated goals under all potential future conditions.  The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2015.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 18 

 

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

On May 2, 2012, Sean Patterson, the former President of the Company’s subsidiary, Wilhelmina International, Ltd. (“Wilhelmina International”), filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, against the Company, Wilhelmina International and Mark Schwarz, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, asserting claims for alleged breach of Mr. Patterson’s expired employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Wilhelmina International, defamation, and declaratory relief with respect to the alleged invalidity and unenforceability of the Employment Agreement’s non-competition and non-solicitation provisions.  The Company and Wilhelmina International asserted counterclaims against Mr. Patterson for breach of the Employment Agreement, breach of fiduciary duty, and injunctive relief.  On May 23, 2014, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss Mr. Patterson’s defamation claim, and granted Mr. Patterson’s cross-motion for leave to file an amended defamation claim.  Patterson filed an Amended Complaint on May 15, 2014, repeating the claims for alleged breach of contract and declaratory relief, and filing and amended defamation claim.  The Company and Wilhelmina International filed an Answer to the Amended Complaint on June 17, 2014, and again asserted counterclaims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and for injunctive relief.  Patterson replied to those counterclaims on June 27, 2014. Discovery has now been completed, and the case is on the trial calendar.  The parties have been ordered to engage in a second mediation.  The Company believes Mr. Patterson's claims are without merit, and, in the event the case is not settled in the mediation or otherwise, intends to continue to vigorously defend itself and pursue the counterclaims.

 

On October 24, 2013, a purported class action lawsuit brought by former Wilhelmina model Alex Shanklin and others (the “Shanklin Litigation”), naming the Company’s subsidiaries Wilhelmina International and Wilhelmina Models, Inc. (the “Wilhelmina Subsidiary Parties”), was initiated in New York State Supreme Court (New York County) by the same lead counsel who represented plaintiffs in the prior, now-dismissed action brought by Louisa Raske (the “Raske Litigation”). The claims in the Shanklin Litigation include breach of contract and unjust enrichment and are alleged to arise out of matters relating to those matters involved in the Raske Litigation, such as the handling and reporting of funds on behalf of models and the use of model images.  Other parties named as defendants in the Shanklin Litigation include other model management companies, advertising firms, and certain advertisers. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself and its subsidiaries.  On January 6, 2014, the Wilhelmina Subsidiary Parties moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint in the Shanklin Litigation for failure to state a cause of action upon which relief can be granted and other grounds, and other defendants have also filed motions to dismiss. The court has stayed all discovery in the case pending resolution of these motions.  On March 3, 2014, the judge assigned to the Shanklin Litigation wrote the Office of the New York Attorney General bringing the case to its attention, generally describing the claims asserted therein against the model management defendants, and stating that the case “may involve matters in the public interest.”  The judge’s letter also enclosed a copy of his decision in the Raske Litigation, which dismissed that case. Plaintiffs have retained substitute counsel, who has filed a Second Amended Complaint.  Plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint asserts causes of action for alleged breaches of the plaintiffs' management contracts with the defendants, conversion, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment.  In addition, the Second Amended Complaint alleges that the plaintiff models were at all relevant times employees, and not independent contractors, of Wilhelmina and the model management defendants, and that defendants violated the New York Labor Law in several respects, including, among other things, by allegedly failing to pay the models the minimum wages and overtime pay required thereunder, not maintaining accurate payroll records, and not providing plaintiffs with full explanations of how their wages and deductions therefrom were computed.  The Second Amended Complaint seeks certification of the action as a class action, damages in an amount to be determined at trial, plus interest, costs, attorneys’ fees, and such other relief as the court deems proper. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the Second Amended Complaint.

 

In July 2015, an action was commenced against Wilhelmina Models, Inc. by a model previously under contract to Wilhelmina, Kimberly Forbes, claiming  that Wilhelmina had authorized the re-use of certain of her photos, allegedly without her authorization, without paying her; asserting that the IRS had asserted claims against her arising out of an IRS Form 1099 issued by Wilhelmina with respect to payments she had not received; and seeking  an unspecified amount in compensatory damages and $1,000 in exemplary damages.   When the model informally brought the matter to its attention prior to commencing litigation, Wilhelmina acknowledged owing her compensation she had not received because of her change of address, and offered to pay her in full and reimburse her for related costs (although the exact amount has not been calculated, it is not a material amount).  Despite that fact, this action was thereafter commenced.  The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against the action to the extent it seeks in excess of the amount the Company offered to Ms. Forbes.

 

In addition to the legal proceedings disclosed herein, the Company is also engaged in various legal proceedings that are routine in nature and incidental to its business.  None of these routine proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, are believed, in the Company's opinion, to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or its results of operations.

 

Item 1.A. Risk Factors.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

 

 19 

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Form 10-Q:

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer in Accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer in Accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer in Accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
32.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer in Accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
101. INS XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema*
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase*
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase*
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase*
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase*

________________

* Filed herewith

 

 

 

 

 20 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC.  
  (Registrant)  
     
     
Date: August 13, 2015 By: /s/ David S. Chaiken  
  Name: David S. Chaiken  
  Title:

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 21 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer in Accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer in Accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer in Accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
32.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer in Accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.*
101. INS XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema*
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase*
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase*
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase*
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase*

________________

* Filed herewith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22