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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-K

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(Mark One)

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⌧   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

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◻   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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For the transition period from __________________ to ______________________.

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Commission file number 001-37656

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SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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1407 Broadway, 38^th Floor

New York, New York 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

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(646) 564-2577

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

None

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

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

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

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).

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

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Emerging growth company ◻

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

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

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

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The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2020, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $9,808,087 (based on the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock on that date).

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At April 13, 2021, the registrant had 1,656,865 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on June 4, 2021 are incorporated by reference in Items 10 through 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-K

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PART I

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

This 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We use words such as “future,” “seek,” “could,” “can,” “predict,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimate,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: (i) risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports that the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (ii) general economic, market or business conditions; (iii) the Company’s substantial level of indebtedness, including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect the Company’s future cash flows, results of operations and financial condition, and decrease its operating flexibility; (iv) the Company’s ability to extend the Waiver (as defined herein); (v) uncertainties around the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including adverse effects on the Company's business, financial position, cash flows, ability to comply with its debt covenants and related uncertainty around the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; (vi) uncertainties related to the timing, proposals or decisions arising from the Company’s strategic review, including the divestiture of one or more existing brands or a sale of the Company; (vii) the Company’s ability to achieve and/or manage growth and to meet target metrics associated with such growth; (viii) the Company’s ability to successfully attract new brands and to identify suitable licensees for its existing and newly acquired brands; (ix) the Company’s ability to achieve any guidance it provides; (x) continued market acceptance of the Company’s brands; (xi) changes in the Company’s competitive position or competitive actions by other companies; (xii) licensees’ ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company; (xiii) concentrations of the Company’s licensing revenues with a limited number of licensees and retail partners; (xiv) the Company’s ability to identify suitable targets for acquisitions and to obtain financing for such acquisitions on commercially reasonable terms; (xv) the Company’s ability to timely achieve the anticipated results of its acquisitions and any potential future acquisitions; (xvi) the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into its ongoing business; (xvii) the potential impact of the consummation of its acquisitions or any potential future acquisitions on the Company’s relationships, including with employees, licensees, customers and competitors; (xviii) adverse effects on the Company and its licensees due to natural disasters, pandemic disease and other unexpected events; (xix) uncertainties surrounding the Company and its legal proceedings; and (xx) other circumstances beyond the Company's control.

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

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Item 1.  Business

Corporate Overview

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

Our business is designed to maximize the value of our brands through license agreements with partners that are responsible for manufacturing and distributing our licensed products. Our brands are licensed for a broad range of product categories, including apparel, footwear, fashion accessories and home goods. We seek to select licensees who have demonstrated the ability to produce and sell quality products in their respective licensed categories and have the capability to meet or exceed the minimum sales thresholds and guaranteed minimum royalty payments that we generally require.

We license our brands to both wholesale and direct-to-retail licensees. In a wholesale license, a wholesale supplier is granted rights (typically on an exclusive basis) to a single or small group of related product categories for a particular brand for sale to multiple accounts within an approved channel of distribution and territory. In a direct-to-retail license, a single retailer is granted the right (typically on an exclusive basis) to sell branded products in a broad range of product categories through its brick and mortar stores and e-commerce sites. As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately one hundred licensees, with wholesale licensees comprising a significant majority.

Strategy

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

Licensing Relationships

Our license agreements typically require a licensee to pay us royalties based upon net sales and, in most cases, contain guaranteed minimum royalties. Our license agreements also require licensees to support the brands by either paying or spending contractually guaranteed minimum amounts for the marketing and advertising of the respective licensed brands. As of April 13, 2021, we had contractual rights to receive an aggregate of $194.8 million in minimum royalty and marketing and advertising revenue from our licensees through the balance of the current terms of such licenses, excluding any renewals.

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

Our licensing revenues are concentrated with certain licensees and retail partners. During the year ended December 31, 2020, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue, accounting for 19%, 18% and 15% of the Company’s net revenue from continuing operations. For additional information, see “Risk Factors Risks Related to our Business - A substantial portion of our licensing revenue is concentrated with a limited number of licensees and retail partners, such that the loss of a licensee or retail partner could materially decrease our revenue and cash flows” in Item 1A.

Description of Our Brands

Jessica Simpson

We acquired a majority ownership interest in the Jessica Simpson brand, including the Jessica Simpson Collection master license and other rights, in 2015. Founded in 2005, the Jessica Simpson Collection is a signature lifestyle concept inspired by and designed in collaboration with Jessica Simpson. The growing brand offers multiple product categories including footwear, apparel, fragrance, fashion accessories, maternity apparel, girls’ clothing and home products. The brand is supported by best-in-class licensees and has strong department store and online distribution through Dillard’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Zappos.com, and DSW, among other independent retailers. We have a license agreement with Camuto Group to manufacture and distribute footwear under the Jessica Simpson Collection. The Jessica Simpson Collection is distributed worldwide.

AND1

We acquired the AND1 brand in 2014, which was founded in 1993 and prides itself on being the original street basketball brand focusing on the everyday player. Key licensees for the AND1 brand include Galaxy Active for footwear and High Life, LLC for apparel. In addition, the AND1 brand is licensed in product categories, such as hosiery, underwear, off-court/casual footwear and other accessories. The AND1 brand is offered through Wal-Mart stores, sporting goods retailers and related e-commerce sites in the United States and has a strong distribution network reaching over 20 countries.

Avia

We acquired the Avia brand in 2014, which was founded in 1979 and is best known for running and activewear products designed to unite performance and function for athletes of every level. Since we acquired Avia, we have expanded its licensed product categories to include wearable fitness accessories, hosiery, sports bags and various other accessory products. The Avia brand is primarily offered through Wal-Mart stores in the United States, with additional distribution through specialty retailers and related e-commerce sites as well as globally in numerous countries including an international partnership in China.  

GAIAM

We acquired the GAIAM brand in 2016. Founded in 1996 as an eco-living catalog company, GAIAM evolved into a yoga brand by producing and distributing yoga videos and related products through multiple channels of distribution. GAIAM has since expanded to include a full line of apparel, yoga mats, yoga mat bags, yoga blocks and straps, yoga and fitness props, balance balls, bags, active sitting products, including our balance ball chair, fitness kits and various other accessories. GAIAM is dedicated to making yoga, fitness and wellness accessible to all through a wide distribution network that consists of approximately 38,000 retail doors, 19,000 store-within-a-stores, 5,000 category management locations and e-commerce. We currently license the GAIAM brand to various licensees, including Fit For Life, LLC for yoga sporting goods and High Life, LLC for apparel.

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Joe’s

We acquired the Joe’s brand in 2015. Founded in 2001, Joe’s is a casual chic global lifestyle brand synonymous with classic, modernized wardrobe staples ranging from premium denim to handcrafted collection pieces, and from contemporary accessories to footwear. Joe’s has since expanded to include kid’s apparel and footwear, intimate apparel, sleepwear, fragrance, men’s belts and hosiery.  Concurrently with the acquisition, we entered into a long-term license agreement for the brand’s core categories with Centric Brands, Inc. Joe’s branded products are available at better department stores and specialty boutiques in the United States and internationally.

Ellen Tracy

We acquired the Ellen Tracy brand in 2013, which was founded in 1949 and is a leading fashion lifestyle brand focusing on polished and sophisticated style for modern women. The Ellen Tracy brand is known for quality tailoring, timeless silhouettes and classic signature prints. Product offerings currently include apparel, outerwear, sleepwear, intimate apparel, hosiery, eyewear, fragrance, fashion accessories, swimwear, handbags and luggage. Licensees for the Ellen Tracy brand include GBG USA Inc. for sportswear and dresses, Weatherproof for outerwear, Amerex for swimwear, and Komar for sleepwear and intimate apparel. In addition, the Ellen Tracy brand has been licensed for jewelry, bath and body gifts, cosmetics and home. The Ellen Tracy brand is offered in premium and regional department and specialty stores throughout the United States as well as globally.

William Rast

The William Rast brand is a lifestyle fashion brand rounded in the iconography of biker culture with designs that embody the “new America” sensibility and deliver an edgy yet tailored collection of premium denim, fragrance and jewelry for both men and women. Product offerings include denim and jewelry. Licensees for the William Rast brand include Omega Apparel for men’s denim and Millennial Apparel Group for women’s denim, Yoki Fashions Inc. for footwear and Bellevue Brands Inc. for fragrance. Distribution includes several national retailers including Macy’s, Dillard’s, Belk, and Amazon.  

Heelys

We acquired the Heelys brand in 2013, which was founded in 1999 and has been a breakout success in the world of action sports among children and teens with its innovative, patented dual-purpose wheeled footwear, featuring a stealth removable wheel in the heel. Heelys continues to grow into the ultimate kids’ active lifestyle brand. The primary licensee for the Heelys brand is BBC International LLC for wheeled footwear and related accessories. The Heelys brand is offered through department stores, sporting goods retailers, related e-commerce sites, as well as Heelys’ own e-commerce site in the United States and over 70 additional countries.

Caribbean Joe

We acquired the Caribbean Joe brand in 2013, which was founded in 1999 and is a casual, island inspired, lifestyle brand. Originally rooted in apparel, Caribbean Joe’s product offerings have expanded to include swimwear, fashion accessories and home textiles.  Licensees for the Caribbean Joe brand include Levy Group Inc. for all apparel and women’s swimwear and the Bentex Group for women’s sleepwear, loungewear as well as men’s and kid’s swimwear.  The Caribbean Joe brand is distributed in the United States through mid-tier department stores, specialty stores, e-commerce sites and Club retailers.

DVS

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

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Elan Polo for footwear, with distribution through specialty street skating and other specialty stores in the United States and internationally.

SPRI

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

Business Segment

We have a single operating and reportable segment, as described more fully in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Corporate Organization/Information

We were formed in June 2015 in connection with a strategic combination resulting in our predecessors, Sequential Brands Group, Inc. (“Old Sequential”) and MSLO, becoming our wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Mergers”).  Old Sequential was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1982 as People’s Liberation, Inc. and changed its name to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. in 2012.  Old Sequential's common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker “SQBG” on September 24, 2013, and we succeeded to Old Sequential’s listing on December 7, 2015.

On June 10, 2019, we completed the sale of MSLO, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, for $166 million in cash consideration, plus additional amounts in respect of pre-closing accounts receivable that are received after the closing, subject to certain adjustments, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement with the Buyer entered into on April 16, 2019.  In addition, the Purchase Agreement provides for an earnout of up to $40,000,000 payable to Sequential if certain performance targets are achieved during the three calendar years ending December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022. The performance targets were not met for the year ended December 31, 2020. MSLO and its subsidiaries were engaged in the business of promoting, marketing and licensing the Martha Stewart and the Emeril Lagasse brands through various distribution channels.

Due to the sale of MSLO during the second quarter of 2019 (see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K), in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205, Discontinued Operations, we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.  Additionally, the related assets and liabilities directly associated with MSLO are classified as held for disposition from discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.  All amounts included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relate to continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Competition

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

Our brands are subject to extensive competition from various domestic and foreign brands. Each of our brands has a number of competitors within its specific product categories and distribution channels that compete with the product categories and distribution channels in which our brands’ products are sold. Our brands also compete within the retail stores and other distribution channels that carry such brand’s product lines with other products offered by these retail stores and distribution channel in the respective product categories, including with products sold under our partners’ private labels. Due to various business factors as well as COVID-19, there has been a consequential effect of retailers going out of business and store closures which has led to increased competition within the retailers that are still open. Furthermore,

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products and brands that were previously selling in their own retail stores or department stores are now expanding to serve their business to a larger market, through discount stores and warehouses clubs. In this new environment, our brands have less shelf space to sell their goods and an ever-growing market of new brands hitting the market. We also compete with the e-commerce businesses of these stores and other websites that sell similar retail goods. As more customer demand shifts to digital commerce, our brands face more competition from new and up and coming brands whose launch and advertising strategies are through digital media platforms. Competitive factors include design, style, quality, price, name recognition, service and advertising.

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

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

Trademarks

Our trademarks and associated marks are registered or pending registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in block letter and/or logo formats, as well as in combination with a variety of ancillary marks for use with respect to a broad range of product categories, including footwear, apparel, fragrance, handbags, backpacks, watches, home goods and various other goods and services. We intend to renew these registrations as appropriate prior to their expiration. In addition, we register our trademarks in other countries and regions around the world. We also have domestic, foreign and international intellectual property coverage for the technology and designs for several brands including for Heelys wheeled footwear and certain Gaiam yoga-related products and SPRI products. We own the rights to 21 U.S. issued patents and 22 foreign issued patents within 12 territories.

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

Employees

As of April 13, 2021, we had a total of 19 employees working to support our operations. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.

Available Information

Our corporate website address is www.sequentialbrandsgroup.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this report. We file our annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. These reports, and any amendments to these reports, are made available on our website and can be viewed and downloaded free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, which is available at www.sec.gov.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, prospects and/or the trading price of our common stock. Although the risks and uncertainties listed below are those that we consider significant, material risks and uncertainties that are not presently known to us may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In

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evaluating our business and an investment in our securities, you should consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information presented in this report, as well as the other reports we file from time to with the SEC:

Risks Related to Our Business

We have incurred a substantial amount of indebtedness in connection with our acquisitions, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding net indebtedness of $452.3 million, as described more fully in Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As more fully described below and in our other public filings, we obtained amendments and waivers of our indebtedness multiple times during 2020 and 2021 and expect to need one or more additional amendments or waivers in the future.

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

Our substantial level of indebtedness and concerns around our ability to comply with the covenants in our indebtedness has important consequences, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

We cannot be certain that we will be able to pay principal and interest on our debt and meet our other obligations or that we will be able to continue as a going concern. In particular, we do not know at this time what the effects will be of the coronavirus pandemic, including the effects of our licensees requesting delaying payments or failing to make payments to us. We expect that we will be required to sell assets, refinance all or part of our debt, make additional borrowings or sell more securities, none of which we can guarantee that we will be able to do and which, if accomplished, may adversely affect us.

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We are subject to a number of restrictive covenants under our debt arrangements, including operating restrictions and financial covenants, and our lenders have a right to appoint an independent majority of our board of directors. Our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected if we continue to be unable to maintain compliance with such covenants.

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Our outstanding debt is generally guaranteed jointly and severally by each of our domestic subsidiaries. Our and our subsidiaries’ obligations under the Debt Facilities (as defined in Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and the associated guarantees are secured, in each case, by first priority liens (subject, in the case of the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement, to the liens under the Amended BoA Credit Agreement on, and security interests in, substantially all of the present and after acquired assets of us and each of our subsidiaries, subject to certain customary exceptions). The Debt Facilities contain a number of restrictive covenants, representations and warranties, including representations relating to the intellectual property owned by us and our subsidiaries and the status of our material license agreements. In addition, the Debt Facilities include covenants and events of default, including, in the case of the Amended BoA Credit Agreement, requirements that we (i) maintain a positive net income (as defined), (ii) satisfy a maximum loan to value ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended BoA Credit Agreement) and (iii) satisfy a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended BoA Credit Amendment), and, in the case of the Amended Wilmginton Credit Agreement, to satisfy (i) a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement) and (ii) a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio (as calculated pursuant to the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement). We have been unable to comply with such covenants in recent fiscal quarters and have needed to obtain amendments of and waivers under our Debt Facilities. If we continue to be unable to comply with such covenants, our lenders could demand immediate payment of amounts outstanding.

As described elsewhere in this filing, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected our projected long-term revenues, earnings, liquidity and cash flows. We obtained multiple waivers of the covenants in the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement during 2020, and our current waiver expires on April 19, 2021. We plan to work with our lenders under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement to address the financial covenants in the Loan Agreements in response to the current economic environment. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to reach any agreement with such lenders. If we are unable to comply with our debt covenants as modified, a default under the Loan Agreements would be triggered and our obligations under the Loan Agreements may be accelerated.  As a result, we would need to seek alternative financing sources to fund our ongoing operations and to repay amounts outstanding and satisfy our other obligations under our existing borrowing and financing arrangements. Such financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. Non-compliance with our debt covenants creates a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt with respect to our ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not reflect the adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities that would be necessary if we were unable to realize our assets and settle our liabilities as a going concern in the normal course of operations. In addition, as previously disclosed in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, we have agreed with the lenders under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement (“the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties”) that, if the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties continue to be lenders as of April 1, 2021, they have the right to appoint an independent majority of our Board of Directors (inclusive of Ms. Mazzucchelli and Mr. Dionne, who currently serve as directors of the Company). As disclosed in our Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2021, the Wilmington Lenders continue to be our lenders as of April 1, 2021, and furthermore, we received resignations from four directors and the Board currently consists of Mr. William Sweedler, Mr. Aaron Hollander, Ms. Mazzucchelli and Mr. Dionne. The Company’s bylaws provide that, effective April 1, 2021, the Board may not increase the number of directors to more than five members.

We expect to incur significant costs in connection with our waivers related to our compliance under the Amended Wilmington agreement as well as costs related to any dispositions or divestitures of our brands.

We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs and expenses in connection with past and future waivers related to our compliance with and amendments to our debt arrangements, including lender fees, third party advisory costs and legal costs.  There are many factors beyond our control that could affect the total amount or timing of similar expenses in the future.

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We are engaged in a broad strategic review, which may substantially change our operations and may result in the divestiture of one or more existing brands or a sale of the Company.

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We are engaged in a broad exploration of strategic alternatives available to the Company to best position, manage or repay its indebtedness. Such strategic alternatives may include the divestiture of one or more existing brands or a sale of the Company. Stifel is the exclusive financial advisor for the process. We cannot assure you that the review of strategic alternatives will result in any transaction, and the process of exploring strategic alternatives has involved, and will continue to involve, the dedication of significant resources and the incurrence of significant costs and expenses.  In addition, speculation and uncertainty regarding the strategic review process may cause or result in disruption of our business; distraction of our employees; difficulty in recruiting, hiring, motivating, and retaining talented and skilled personnel; difficulty in maintaining or negotiating and consummating new business or strategic relationships or transactions; and increased stock price volatility.  If we are unable to mitigate these or other potential risks related to the uncertainty caused by the strategic review process, it will adversely affect our business or adversely impact our net sales, operating results, and financial condition.

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The recent coronavirus outbreak has had an adverse effect on our business, financial position, cash flows and on the value of our intangible assets.

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COVID-19 has spread rapidly across the globe, including the U.S. The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the U.S. economy as federal, state and local governments react to this public health crisis, which has created significant uncertainties. These uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the potential adverse effect of the pandemic on the economy, our licensees, customer sentiment in general, and temporary closing of stores containing our brands. As the pandemic continues to grow, consumer fear about becoming ill with the virus and recommendations and/or mandates from federal, state and local authorities to avoid large gatherings of people or self-quarantine may continue to increase, which has already affected, and may continue to affect, retailers, as well as our licensees who sell to these retailers. We are unable to predict when retailers who have temporarily closed stores will reopen or if additional periods of store closures will be needed or mandated, including the spread of COVID-19. Continued impacts of the pandemic have and may continue to materially adversely affect our near-term and long-term revenues, earnings, liquidity and cash flows as certain licensees have requested temporary relief, delayed or not made scheduled payments. COVID-19 is adversely impacting sales in the apparel and accessories industry. Diminished sales of products bearing our brands have had an adverse effect on the estimated fair value of our intangible assets, including our trademarks, which has resulted in material non-cash impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2020. No triggering events were identified that would require additional reassessment of the Company’s intangible assets at December 31, 2020. As we disclosed previously, we are involved in a strategic review of our brands which includes evaluating potential divestitures of our brands. We may or may not execute a transaction; however, if we do we would re-examine our indefinite-lived intangible asset valuations at that time which may or may not result in a potential impairment. The extent of the future impact of the pandemic on our business and financial results will depend largely on future developments, including the duration of the spread of the outbreak within the U.S., the impact on capital and financial markets and the related impact on consumer confidence and spending, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. There can be no guarantee that consumer demand will recover. This situation is changing rapidly, and additional adverse impacts may arise that we are not aware of currently. The potential impact of COVID-19 intensifies the business and operating risks that we face and should be considered when reading the additional risk factors below.

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Natural disasters, public health crises, political crises, and other catastrophic events or other events outside of our control may damage the facilities of our licensees on which we depend and could impact consumer spending.

If any of our licensees facilities, including manufacturing, finishing or distribution facilities, or the facilities of our suppliers, third-party service providers, or customers, is affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, power shortages or outages, floods or monsoons, public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics, political crises, such as terrorism, war, political instability or other conflict, or other events outside of our control, it could have an adverse effect on our business. Disasters occurring at our licensees’ facilities also could impact our reputation and our consumers’ perception of our brands. Moreover, these types of events could negatively impact consumer spending in the impacted regions or depending upon the severity, globally, which could adversely impact our results of operations. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a global pandemic.  Certain licensees have been

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and may continue to be adversely impacted by the coronavirus outbreak due to manufacturing facility closures, store closures and a decrease in consumer traffic. Although the coronavirus outbreak is an ongoing phenomenon with uncertain scale, to date the outbreak has had severe global macroeconomic and financial market impacts.  The impact of the coronavirus on consumer demand and on our results of operations remain uncertain; however, such impacts may be significant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our licensing revenues are concentrated with a limited number of licensees and retail partners. During the year ended December 31, 2020, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue, accounting for 19%, 18% and 15% of the Company’s net revenue from continuing operations. During the year ended December 31, 2019, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue, accounting for 19%, 16% and 14% of the Company’s net revenue from continuing operations. Our revenue and cash flows would be materially and adversely affected if any of them were to have financial difficulties affecting their ability to make payments, elected not to renew or extend any existing license agreements or arrangements with us or significantly reduced their sales of these licensed products under any of these license agreements or arrangements, and we were not able to replace the revenue generated by such licensees.

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

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

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

The effects of recent or prospective changes in our management, including changes in our board, create uncertainties around our business and prospects.

Four of our directors recently resigned from our board of directors, specifically Mr. Al Gossett, Mr. Gary Johnson, Mr. Stewart Leonard, Jr. and Ms. Martha Stewart. Our board now consists of Mr. William Sweedler, Mr. Aaron Hollander, Ms. Silvia Mazzucchelli and Mr. John Dionne.  Ms. Mazzucchelli and Mr. Dionne are both relatively recent additions to our board, having joined on August 11, 2020 and November 13, 2020, respectively.  As disclosed elsewhere, because the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties continue to be our lenders, they currently have the right under our debt documentation to appoint an independent majority of our board, inclusive of Ms. Mazzucchelli and Mr. Dionne.  We do not know whether or when the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties may appoint an additional director to our board.

In addition, our success is largely dependent upon the expertise and knowledge of our Executive Chairman, Mr. William Sweedler, and other key members of the executive team, whom we rely upon to formulate our business strategies. Our key executives’ leadership and experience in the licensing industry is important to the successful implementation of our business and marketing strategy. We do not carry key person life insurance covering our key executives. Changes in management, including changes to our board, may create uncertainities around or adversely affect our business or prospects.  We do not know, and cannot assure you as to, the effects of such changes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The publicly traded shares of our common stock have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant price fluctuations, ranging between $4.47 and $80.40 during our last two fiscal years. Future decreases or volatility in our stock price could reduce demand for our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. The trading price of our common stock could also change significantly over short periods of time in response to write-downs or actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly results of operations, announcements by us, our licensees or our respective competitors, factors affecting our licensees’ markets generally or changes in national or regional economic conditions.

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

As of March 31, 2021, Tengram Capital Partners Gen2 Fund, L.P. (“Tengram”) beneficially owns approximately 11.5% and Ms. Martha Stewart beneficially owns approximately 12.5% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Mr. William Sweedler, Executive Chairman of our board of directors, is a principal of Tengram and Ms. Martha Stewart became a director in connection with the closing of the Mergers and was a director post the sale of MSLO until her resignation, effective March 26, 2021. As a result, Tengram is able to exercise substantial influence over our board of directors and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate actions, such as mergers and other business combination transactions.

Circumstances may occur in which the interests of these stockholders could conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. The voting power of these stockholders also could discourage others from seeking to acquire control of us, which may reduce the market price of our common stock. In addition, as previously disclosed in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, we have agreed with the lenders that, if the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties continue

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to be lenders as of April 1, 2021, they have the right to appoint an independent majority of our Board of Directors (inclusive of Ms. Mazzucchelli and Mr. Dionne, who currently serve as directors of the Company). As of April 1, 2021, the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties continue to be our lenders and, therefore, they have the right to appoint an independent majority of our Board of Directors. The Company’s bylaws provide that, effective April 1, 2021, the Board may not increase the number of directors to more than five members.

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

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

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

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

We do not foresee paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

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

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

As of December 31, 2020, intangible assets represented $485 million, or 85.8% of our total consolidated assets. Under current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are subject to impairment evaluation based on related estimated fair values, with such testing to be done at least annually. Our trademarks are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Any write-down of intangible assets resulting from future periodic evaluations would, as applicable, either decrease our net income or increase our net loss and those decreases or increases could be material. We recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million in the first quarter of 2020 and

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$33.1 million in the third quarter of 2019 for indefinite-lived intangible assets for certain brands; the impairments arose due to reduced growth expectations and the impact of licensee transitions for these brands.

Our use of certain tax attributes may be limited.

We have significant net operating losses (“NOLs”), some of which do not expire. A valuation allowance has been provided as of December 31, 2020 on all deferred tax assets that have a definite life. Indefinite-lived net operating losses have been recognized to the extent we believe they can be utilized against indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities. As of December 31, 2020, we have federal NOLs available to carryforward to future periods of $181 million which begin expiring in 2025 and we have state NOLs available to carryforward to future periods of $158.0 million which begin expiring in 2021. We have experienced several changes of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) which place various limitations on the use of NOLs. The limitation on NOLs is calculated using a formula provided under Section 382 of the Code that is based on the company’s fair market value and the prevailing interest rates at the time of the ownership change. An “ownership change” is generally a 50% increase in ownership over a three-year period by stockholders who directly or indirectly own at least five percent of a company’s stock. The limitations on the use of the NOLs under Section 382 could affect our ability to offset future taxable income.

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

From time to time, we may be made a party to litigation in the normal course of business. For example, as the owner of a trademark, we may be named as a defendant in a lawsuit relating to a product designed and manufactured by a licensee of that trademark. If we are alleged to have infringed the intellectual property rights of another party, any resulting litigation could be costly and could damage our reputation. Litigation also diverts the time and resources of management, regardless of the merits of the claim. In most cases, our licensees under the existing license agreements are obligated to defend and indemnify us, as licensor, and our affiliates with respect to such litigation. In the past year we have been subject to litigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission and a third party relating to accounting decisions in 2016 and 2017.  There has been a demand regarding a derivative action related to the same facts as well.  There could be other federal or state actions brought regarding the facts surrounding this matter or other accounting or disclosure decisions made by the Company subsequently, including a federal class action that has been filed. We also maintain insurance for certain risks, but it is not possible to obtain insurance to protect against all possible liabilities. Although historically the litigation involving us has not been material to our financial position or our liquidity, any litigation has an element of uncertainty and if any such litigation were to be adversely determined and/or a licensee were to fail to properly indemnify us and/or we did not have appropriate insurance coverage, such litigation could affect our financial position and liquidity.

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

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

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Changes in the U.S. trade environment, including the imposition of import tariffs, could adversely affect the amount or timing of our revenues, results of operations or cash flows.  

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The current political climate has introduced uncertainty with respect to trade policies, tariffs and government regulations impacting trade between the United States and other countries. It remains unclear what the new U.S. Administration or foreign governments will or will not do with respect to tariffs already imposed, additional tariffs that may be imposed, or international trade agreements and policies.  These tariffs, which do not apply directly to our branding business, may materially and adversely affect our licensees by imposing tariffs on goods they import.  The imposition of tariffs may negatively affect key licensees or the suppliers, manufacturers and customers of goods produced under our trademarks.  For example, tariffs may result in or have resulted in increasing our licensees’ costs to produce goods and decrease their sales and gross margins and demand for their products.  Such outcomes could adversely affect the amount or timing of our revenues, results of operations or cash flows, and continuing uncertainty about changes in the U.S. trade environment could cause our licensees to experience sales volatility, price fluctuations or supply shortages or advances or delays in the manufacture and sale of products produced under our trademarks.

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Changes in the method for determining LIBOR and the potential replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate could increase our borrowing costs.

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Some of our borrowings bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR. In July 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), a regulator of financial services firms and financial markets in the United Kingdom, stated that it will plan for a phase out of regulatory oversight of LIBOR interest rates indices. On March 5, 2021, ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the authorized administrator of LIBOR, announced its intention to cease the publication of the one week and two month USD LIBOR after December 31, 2020 and the overnight and twelve month after June 30, 2023. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee has proposed the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its recommended alternative to LIBOR, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing SOFR rates in April 2018. SOFR is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.

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We are evaluating the potential impact of the eventual replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, including the possibility of SOFR as the dominant replacement. Introduction of an alternative rate also may introduce additional basis risk for market participants as an alternative index is utilized along with LIBOR. There can be no guarantee that SOFR will become widely used and that alternatives may or may not be developed with additional complications. We are not able to predict whether LIBOR will cease to be available after 2021, whether SOFR will become a widely accepted benchmark in place of LIBOR, or what the impact of such a possible transition to SOFR may have on our results of operations. As of December 31, 2020, we have adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”).

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Risks Related to Our Acquisitions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions depends, to a large extent, on our ability to implement changes to acquired businesses in a manner that facilitates growth opportunities and realizes anticipated synergies. We will be required to devote significant management attention, resources and costs to realigning the business

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

The failure to successfully integrate new businesses and operations as a result of acquisitions may adversely affect our future results.

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

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

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

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

Moreover, we believe our celebrity’s image, reputation, popularity and talent are material to the success of their brand.  Any repeated or sustained negative shifts in public or industry perceptions of this celebrity could have a material adverse effect on these brands and, consequently, our business.

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

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

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We expect to incur transaction costs in connection with our acquisitions.

We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs and expenses in connection with past and future acquisitions, including financial advisory, legal, accounting, consulting and other advisory fees and expenses, reorganization and restructuring costs, litigation defense costs, severance/employee benefit-related expenses, filing fees, printing expenses and other related charges. There are also a large number of processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems that must be integrated in connection with our acquisitions. There are many factors beyond our control that could affect the total amount or timing of the integration and implementation expenses. These costs and expenses could reduce the benefits and income we expect to achieve from our acquisitions.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.  Properties

Our principal office is located at 1407 Broadway, 38^th Floor, New York, New York 10018, and our telephone number is (646) 564-2577.

We lease the following properties as of December 31, 2020:

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On November 13, 2020, we entered into a lease termination agreement for our former corporate headquarters in New York, NY and the existing office in New York, NY became our current corporate headquarters. We believe that the facilities we utilize are well maintained, in good operating condition and adequate to meet our current and foreseeable needs.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

General Legal Matters

On December 11, 2020, the SEC filed a lawsuit against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York titled Securities and Exchange Commission v. Sequential Brands Group, Inc. The SEC alleges that the Company delayed a goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of 2016 and first three quarters of 2017 at a time the SEC asserts there was evidence of likely impairment.  In the fourth quarter of 2017, we impaired all of our goodwill, resulting in an impairment charge of $304.1 million.  The SEC also alleges there were related deficiencies in internal accounting controls.  The case seeks injunctive relief and civil monetary penalties. In February 2021, the Company filed its motion to dismiss the complaint, which is currently pending.  The Company strongly disagrees with the SEC and believes it acted reasonably.  It will be vigorously defending itself. The Company cannot predict the duration or outcome of this matter. Costs related to this matter may be significant.

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On January 20, 2021, a shareholder derivative complaint, titled Delmonico v. Shmidman, et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court of Delaware.  The case names the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors as defendants.  The complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties and violation of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act. The allegations in the complaint are based principally on the allegations in the SEC’s complaint and the Company’s alleged failure to disclose such matters in its 2020 proxy statement. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, injunctive relief and damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims. Litigation costs in this matter may be significant.

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On March 16, 2021, a class action lawsuit, titled D’Arcy v. Sequential Brands Group Inc. et al., was filed by a purchaser of the Company’s securities, and prospectively on behalf of all other purchasers of the Company’s publicly traded securities between November 3, 2016 and December 11, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.  The complaint names the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors as defendants.  The complaint alleges violations of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The allegations in the complaint are based principally on the allegations in the SEC’s complaint filed on December 11, 2020. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, class certification and damages.   While it is not uncommon for a lawsuit to be filed promptly after an SEC complaint, it should be noted that even the SEC action did not allege fraud under Section 10(b), so this action seeks relief far beyond what the SEC had any basis to allege under the facts and the law. The Company plans to defend itself vigorously. Litigation costs in this matter may be significant.

On May 2, 2019, Plaintiff Delta Galil USA, Inc. (“Plaintiff”) commenced an action against Defendants Sequential Brands Group, Inc. (“SQBG”) and American Sporting Goods Corporation (“ASG”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (the “Action”).  Plaintiff asserts claims for (1) breach of a license agreement against SQBG and ASG seeking monetary damages, and (2) breach of a guaranty against SQBG seeking monetary damages. On December 2, 2019, ASG filed counterclaims against Plaintiff in the Action for breach of the license agreement seeking monetary damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims and pursue it counterclaims. Litigation costs in this matter may be significant.

On February 7, 2020, Wenger S.A. (“Plaintiff”) sued Galaxy Brands LLC and Olivet International, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York asserting claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition and copyright infringement against the use of the Galaxy SWISSTECH and related cross design marks on backpacks and luggage.  Plaintiff seeks an injunction preventing use of the SWISSTECH marks, cancellation of Galaxy’s federal registrations for the SWISSTECH marks, damages, and attorney fees.  Galaxy and Olivet filed counterclaims for a declaration canceling the Plaintiff’s trademark registrations, and finding them invalid and unenforceable. We intend to vigorously defend against these claims and pursue our counterclaims. Litigation costs in this matter may be significant.

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On June 19, 2020, Payless Holdings, LLC and its affiliates (“Plaintiff”), reorganized debtors under a bankruptcy plan, commenced an adversary proceeding in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri by the filing of a complaint against Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (n/k/a Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, L.P.) (“Defendant”).   The complaint seeks the return of a payment received in January 2019 as a preferential transfer.   On February 17, 2021, Plaintiff filed an amended complaint that seeks the return of an additional payment received in August 2018 (together with the January 2019 payment), as either a preferential transfer or a fraudulent conveyance.   On or about February 23, 2021, Defendant filed an application for an administrative claim, which, if allowed, may setoff amounts sought by Plaintiff in the adversary proceeding.  Pursuant to a certain Equity Purchase Agreement, dated April 16, 2019, the Company is indemnifying Defendant for the claims in the adversary proceeding. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims and pursue it counterclaims. Litigation costs in this matter may be significant.

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

With respect to our outstanding legal matters, based on our current knowledge, we believe that the amount or range of reasonably possible loss will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations or cash flows. However, the outcome of such legal matters is

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inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. Further, regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.  

Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock Trading

Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SQBG”.  As of April 13, 2021, there were approximately 395 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

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

Equity Compensation Plan

The table below sets forth the information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2020:

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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

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

Common Stock Repurchase Programs

During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, we repurchased 5,433 shares of our common stock from employees for income tax withholdings related to the vesting of restricted stock units. We do not currently have in place a repurchase program with respect to our common stock.

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this Item 6.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the disclosures about forward-looking statements in Item 1 and the section “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A. This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity and cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are based upon judgments concerning various factors that are beyond our control.

Licensing and Brand Management Business

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

We aim to acquire well-known consumer brands with high potential for growth and strong brand awareness. We additionally seek to diversify our portfolio by evaluating the strength of targeted brands and the expected viability and sustainability of future royalty streams. Upon the acquisition of a brand, we partner with leading wholesalers and retailers

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to drive incremental value and maximize brand equity. We focus on certain key initiatives in our licensing and brand management business. These initiatives include:

Our business is designed to maximize the value of our brands through license agreements with partners that are responsible for manufacturing and distributing our licensed products. Our brands are licensed for a broad range of product categories, including apparel, footwear and accessories. We seek to select licensees who have demonstrated the ability to produce and sell quality products in their respective licensed categories and have the capability to meet or exceed the minimum sales thresholds and guaranteed minimum royalty payments that we generally require.

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We license our brands to both wholesale and direct-to-retail licensees. In a wholesale license, a wholesale supplier is granted rights (typically on an exclusive basis) to a single or small group of related product categories for a particular brand for sale to multiple accounts within an approved channel of distribution and territory. In a direct-to-retail license, a single retailer is granted the right (typically on an exclusive basis) to sell branded products in a broad range of product categories through its brick and mortar stores and e-commerce sites. As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately one hundred licensees, with wholesale licensees comprising a significant majority.

Our license agreements typically require a licensee to pay us royalties based upon net sales and, in most cases, contain guaranteed minimum royalties. Our license agreements often require licensees to support the brands by either paying or spending contractually guaranteed minimum amounts for the marketing and advertising of the respective licensed brands. As of April 13, 2021, we had contractual rights to receive an aggregate of $194.8 million in minimum royalty and marketing and advertising revenue from our licensees through the balance of the current terms of such licenses, excluding any renewal option periods.  

Reverse Stock Split and Reclassification of Prior Periods

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On July 27, 2020, the Company’s previously announced 1 share-for-40 shares (1:40) reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share became effective.  All share and per share amounts in this Form 10-K have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.  The stated capital attributable to common stock on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 was reduced proportionately to the Reverse Stock Split ratio, and the additional paid-in capital account was credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced.  Prior periods in this Form 10-K have been reclassified to reflect this change.

On June 10, 2019, we completed the sale of MSLO, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, for $166 million in cash consideration, plus additional amounts in respect of pre-closing accounts receivable that are received after the closing, subject to certain adjustments, pursuant to an equity purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Marquee Brands LLC (the “Buyer”) entered into on April 16, 2019.  In addition, the Purchase Agreement provides for an earnout of up to $40,000,000 payable to Sequential if certain performance targets are achieved during the three calendar years ending December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022.  The performance targets were not met for the year ended December 31, 2020. MSLO and its subsidiaries were engaged in the business of promoting, marketing and licensing the Martha Stewart and the Emeril Lagasse brands through various distribution channels.  

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Due to the sale of MSLO during the second quarter of 2019 (see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K), in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205, Discontinued Operations, we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.  Additionally, the related assets and liabilities directly associated with MSLO are classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.  All amounts included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relate to continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

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

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

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

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

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 606, (See Notes 2 and 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for related disclosures). ASC 606 requires a five-step approach to determine the appropriate method of revenue recognition for each contractual arrangement:

Step 1: Identify the Contract(s) with a Customer  

Step 2: Identify the Performance Obligation(s) in the Contract  

Step 3: Determine the Transaction Price  

Step 4: Allocate the Transaction Price to the Performance Obligation(s) in the Contract  

Step 5: Recognize Revenue when (or as) the Entity Satisfies a Performance Obligation  

We have entered into various license agreements for our owned trademarks.  Under ASC 606, our agreements are generally considered symbolic licenses, which contain the characteristics of a right-to-access license since the customer is simultaneously receiving the intellectual property (“IP”) and benefiting from it throughout the license period.  We assess each license agreement at inception and determine the performance obligation(s) and appropriate revenue recognition method. As part of this process, we apply judgments based on historical trends when estimating future revenues and the period over which to recognize revenue.

We generally recognize revenue for license agreements under the following methods:

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Payments received as consideration for the grant of a license or advanced royalty payments are recorded as deferred revenue at the time payment is received and recognized into revenue under the methods described above.

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Contract assets represent unbilled receivables and are presented within accounts receivable, net on the consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities represent unearned revenues and are presented within the current portion of deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets.

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We disaggregate revenue into two categories: licensing agreements and other, which is comprised of revenue from sources such as sales commissions and vendor placement commissions.

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Commission revenues and vendor placement commission revenue`s are recorded in the period the commission is earned.

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Intangible Assets. Intangible assets represent trademarks, customer agreements and patents related to our brands. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are subject to impairment evaluation. On an annual basis (October 1^st) and as needed, we test indefinite lived trademarks for impairment through the use of discounted cash flow models. Assumptions used in our discounted cash flow models include: (i) discount rates; (ii) projected annual revenue growth rates; and (iii) projected long-term growth rates. Our estimates also factor in economic conditions and expectations of management, which may change in the future based on period-specific facts and circumstances.  Other intangibles with determinable lives, including certain trademarks, customer agreements and patents, are evaluated for the possibility of impairment when certain indicators are present, and are otherwise amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (currently ranging from 2 to 15 years).

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

The Company performed its most recent test as October 1, 2020 and did not identify any impairments. Based upon the results of its annual impairment test performed as of October 1, 2020, Joe’s indefinite-lived intangible asset’s estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value by less than 2%.  Management considers the assumptions used in its analysis to be its best estimates across a range of possible outcomes based on available evidence at the time of its annual impairment test. While the Company concluded no impairment triggers existed at December 31, 2020, the Joe’s indefinite-lived intangible asset is at risk of future impairment in the event of significant unexpected changes in the Company’s forecasted future results and cash flows for the Joe’s trademark. As the Company disclosed previously, it is involved in a strategic review of its brands which includes evaluating potential divestitures of its brands. The Company may or may not execute a transaction; however, if it does, the Company would re-examine its intangible asset valuations at that time which may or may not result in a potential impairment. During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment.

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Due to the identification of impairment indicators during the quarter ended September 30, 2019, specifically the impairment of certain tradenames due to reduced growth expectations and the impact of licensee transitions for these brands, we performed impairment testing of our indefinite-lived assets at September 30, 2019, which replaced our October 1^st annual test. As a result of our testing, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $33.1 million consisting of $28.5 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark and $4.6 million related to the Joe’s trademark.

Income Taxes. Current income taxes are based on the respective periods’ taxable income for federal, foreign and state income tax reporting purposes. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, using statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. In accordance with ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, all deferred income taxes are reported and classified as non-current. A valuation allowance is required if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The Company increased its valuation allowance due to the expected full year net loss and the inability to rely on future forecasted operations due to the volatility in the economic environment caused by COVID-19. See Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the increase to our valuation allowance.

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On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law.  The CARES Act contains several new or changed income tax provisions, including but not limited to the following: increased limitation threshold for determining deductible interest expense for corporate taxpayers from 30% of adjustable taxable income to 50% of adjustable taxable income for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020, class life changes to qualified improvement property (in general, from 39 years to 15 years), acceleration of the ability for corporate taxpayers to recover alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credits, suspension of 80% of taxable income limitation on the use of NOLs for tax years beginning before January 1, 2021 and the ability to carry back NOLs incurred from tax years 2018 through 2020 up to the five preceding tax years.  As a result of the CARES Act, it is anticipated that the Company will fully utilize all interest expense that was deferred beginning in 2018 with no additional disallowed interest expense in 2020. The Company had accrued for an AMT credit of less than $0.1 million which was recorded as a receivable as of December 31, 2019; payment of this AMT credit was received during the year ended December 31, 2020.

We apply the FASB guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with other authoritative GAAP and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The guidance also addresses derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not have any reserves or accrued interest and penalties recorded through current income tax expense in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, are recorded in income tax expense. Tax years that remain open for assessment for federal and state tax purposes include the years ended December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2020.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in state-government mandated store closures and social distancing measures throughout most of the U.S.  As states continue to relax and then tighten restrictions, we are unsure when retail stores will be ordered to close, at what capacity, or how long such periods of store closures will be needed or mandated.   For the year ended December 31, 2020, COVID-19 caused a significant reduction in retail stores that remained open, as well as a change in consumer purchasing behavior for specific types of products.  Both have led to a reduction in orders from retailers for certain types of products bearing some of our brands, as discussed in Item 1. Even as the vaccines are widely administered, we cannot predict when government restrictions and mandates will be imposed or lifted, or how quickly, if at all, retail stores and customers will return to their pre-COVID-19 purchasing behaviors, so we cannot predict how long our results of operations and financial performance will be impacted. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected our fiscal year 2020 and our projected long-term revenues, earnings, liquidity and cash flows. However, the situation is dynamic, and we are not currently able to predict the full impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations and cash flows.  In response to COVID-19, we have taken the following actions:

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On November 16, 2020, the Company modified the covenants in, and obtained a waiver through December 31, 2020 of defaults under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreements. The amendments, among other matters, waive existing defaults under the Credit Agreement through December 31, 2020; limit the Company’s ability to conduct certain dispositions and make certain restricted payments and investments without the consent of the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties’; prohibit the repayment of existing indebtedness, the incurrence of new indebtedness of the creation of liens in each case without the consent of the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties; and provide certain information rights and other assurances to the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties, including with respect to the Company’s ongoing strategic review process. The amendments also provide that, if the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement continue to be lenders as of April 1, 2021, the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement shall have the right to appoint an independent majority of the Company’s Board of Directors (inclusive of Ms. Mazzucchelli and Mr. Dionne, who currently serve as directors of the Company). As of April 1, 2021, the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties continue to be our lenders and, therefore, they have the right to appoint an independent majority of our Board of Directors. The Company’s bylaws provide that, effective April 1, 2021, the Board may not increase the number of directors to more than five members. The Company extended its waiver through April 19, 2021. However, as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is not currently forecasted to be able to comply, in the next twelve months, with certain of the financial covenants under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement. If the Company fails to comply with its financial covenants, as modified, a default under the Loan Agreements would be triggered and the Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreements may be accelerated. The risk of non-compliance creates a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt with respect to our ability to continue as a going concern.  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  These consolidated financial statements do not reflect the adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities that would be necessary if we were unable to realize our assets and settle our liabilities as a going concern in the normal course of operations.  

During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows.

Discontinued Operations

Due to the sale of MSLO during the second quarter of 2019 (see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our a consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. The related assets and liabilities directly associated with MSLO are classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO.  During the first quarter of 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $161.2 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse trademarks.  The impairments arose during the sale process for the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands due to the difference in the fair value as indicated by the sales price as compared to the carrying values of the intangible assets included in the transaction.  The sale of the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands was approved by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2019, to allow the Company to achieve one of its top priorities in significantly reducing

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its debt.  These charges are included in the loss from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations.  See Note 3, Note 4 and Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

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

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Net Revenue. Net revenue decreased $11.8 million to $89.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $101.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.  The decrease in net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 is primarily attributable to certain licensee transitions, lower contractual GMRs for Gaiam, licensee agreements that have expired, as well as the economic impact of COVID-19 which caused supply chain disruptions for our licensees and retail store closures.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $53.9 million compared to $61.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by the reversal of bad debt expense of $2.7 million; lower bad debt expense of $2.1 million driven by the absence of a write-off of an outstanding receivable balance from Tommie Copper in 2019; as well as decreases in marketing costs of $10.0 million due to the deferral of non-essential spending in response to COVID; compensation of $5.5 million due to lower headcount, the absence of CEO expense for the fourth quarter of 2020, and lower benefits related expenses; commissions of $1.4 million and business development costs of $0.1 million; legal costs and professional fees of $1.3 million; deal costs and management fees of $1.7 million and contributions of  $0.1 million. These decreases were offset by the increases in debt refinancing costs $1.6 million and amortization expense of $15.5 million due to reclassification of the Avia and Ellen Tracy trademarks from indefinite-lived to finite-lived intangible assets.

Impairment charges. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $33.1 million consisting of $28.5 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark and

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$4.6 million related to the Joe’s trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced growth expectations and the impact of licensee transitions for these brands.  Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows.  

Gain on sale of assets.  During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a gain on sale of asset of $0.9 million related to the sale of the Nevados trademark and a gain on sale of assets of $3.7 million related to the sale of the Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things trademarks.

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Other expense. Other expense was $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to other expense of $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to the loss on our interest rate swaps and loss on lease terminations of $2.9 million.

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Interest expense, net. Interest expense decreased $5.5 million compared to the prior year. Interest expense, net during the year ended December 31, 2020 includes interest incurred under our loan agreements of $42.6 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $6.7 million, and non-cash interest income of $1.0 million related to the accretion of the present value of certain payment arrangements. Interest expense, net during the year ended December 31, 2019 includes interest incurred under our loan agreements of $48.2 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $5.6 million, the expensing of $0.8 million of deferred financing costs as a result of a partial extinguishment on the Revolving and Term loans in accordance with ASC 470 – Debt and non-cash interest income of $0.8 million related to the accretion of the present value of certain payment arrangements.

Income taxes. The benefit from income taxes in continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 differs from the statutory rate primarily for state, local and foreign jurisdiction taxes offset by taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests and an increase to the valuation allowance. We increased our valuation allowance due to the expected full year net loss and the inability to rely on future forecasted operations due to the volatility caused by COVID-19. The benefit for income taxes in continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 differs from the statutory rate primarily for additional tax benefit attributable to noncontrolling interest offset by non-deductible compensation and an increase in the valuation allowance on state tax attributes.

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Noncontrolling interest. Noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2020 represents net loss allocations of $8.8 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between us and Jessica Simpson) and a net income allocation of $0.2 million to JALP, LLC, a member of FUL IP Holdings, LLC (“JALP, LLC”) and $0.6 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC (“DVS LLC”). Noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2019 represents net loss allocations of $6.2 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between us and Jessica Simpson) and $0.5 million to JALP, LLC, and a net income allocation of $0.7 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC.

Discontinued Operations. The Company completed the sale of MSLO during the year ended December 31, 2019.  As a result, we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. The related assets and liabilities directly associated with MSLO are classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.  See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for further discussion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our borrowings under the Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto and the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto.

As of December 31, 2020, we had cash on hand, including restricted cash, of $15.5 million and a net working capital balance (defined below) of $24.9 million. Additionally, we had outstanding debt obligations under our loan

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agreements of $470.8 million excluding $18.6 million of deferred financing fees. As of December 31, 2019, we had cash on hand, including restricted cash, of $8.3 million and a net working capital balance (defined below) of $11.5 million. Additionally, we had outstanding debt obligations under our loan agreements of $468.2 million excluding $22.2 million of deferred financing fees. Net working capital is defined as current assets minus current liabilities, excluding restricted cash and discontinued operations.  As of December 31, 2020, we were fully drawn down under the current revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of certain financing transactions consummated by us. See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements regarding certain subsequent events related to our indebtedness. See Item 1a. Risk Factors for further information.

At December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with the covenants included in the Amended BoA Credit Agreement. On November 16, 2020, due to the occurrence of certain events, the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver (the “Fifth Amendment”) with the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties.  The Fifth Amendment modified certain of the covenants in, and provided a waiver through December 31, 2020 of defaults under, the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement (the “Waiver”). The Company received several extensions of the Waiver in the first quarter of 2021. The current extension of the Waiver expires on April 19, 2021 and the Company is negotiating to further extend the Waiver. The Company is also not currently forecasted to be able to comply, in the next twelve months from the date of filing this Form 10-K, with certain of the financial covenants under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement. If the Company fails to comply with such financial covenants, or further extend the Waiver, an event of default under the Loan Agreements would be triggered and its obligations under the Loan Agreements may be accelerated. The Company continues to evaluate strategic alternatives, including the divestiture of one or more existing brands or a sale of the Company. The risk of non-compliance creates a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt with respect to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. Further, the Company is negotiating with its lenders to obtain a new waiver for the going concern disclosure included in the unqualified audit opinion for the year ended December 31, 2020 delivered by our independent registered public accounting firm for our annual audited financial statements. There are no material capital expenditure commitments as of December 31, 2020. Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there is significant uncertainty surrounding the potential impact on our results of operations and cash flows. We are proactively taking steps to increase available cash on hand including, but not limited to, targeted reductions in discretionary operating expenses, obtaining a PPP loan and utilizing funds available under our Revolving Credit Facility. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in state-government mandated store closures and social distancing measures throughout most of the U.S.  These actions have caused many retailers carrying our branded products to close in the first and second quarter of 2020, which has affected retailers, as well as our licensees who sell to these retailers. As states continue to relax and then tighten restrictions, we are unsure when retail stores will be ordered to close, at what capacity, or how long such periods of store closures will be needed or mandated. The impacts of COVID-19 have adversely affected our near-term and long-term revenues, earnings, liquidity and cash flows as certain licensees have requested temporary relief or deferred making their scheduled payments. Although there is significant uncertainty in the current economic environment, we currently believe that cash from operations and our currently available cash (as a result of borrowings under our existing financing arrangements, including under the PPP) will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated working capital requirements for at least twelve months from the date of filing this Form 10-K.

The CARES Act contains several new or changed income tax provisions, including but not limited to the following: increased limitation threshold for determining deductible interest expense for corporate taxpayers from 30% of adjustable taxable income to 50% of adjustable taxable income for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020, class life changes to qualified improvement property (in general, from 39 years to 15 years), acceleration of the ability for corporate taxpayers to recover alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credits, suspension of 80% of taxable income limitation on the use of NOLs for tax years beginning before January 1, 2021 and the ability to carry back NOLs incurred from tax years 2018 through 2020 up to the five preceding tax years. As a result of the CARES Act, it is anticipated that the Company will fully utilize all interest expense that was deferred beginning in 2018 with no additional disallowed interest expense in 2020.  The Company had accrued for an AMT credit of approximately $0.1 million which was recorded as a receivable as of December 31, 2019; payment of this AMT credit was accelerated under the CARES Act. The Company received the AMT refund as of September 30, 2020. On May 18, 2020, the Company received loan proceeds of $769,295 from a promissory note issued by Bank of America, N.A., under the PPP loan which was established under the CARES Act and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The term on the loan is two years and the annual interest rate is 1.00%.  Payments of principal and interest are deferred for the first six months of the loan.  The Company received consent from its lenders under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement to apply for the PPP loan.  Under the terms of the

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CARES Act, PPP loan recipients can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the loans granted under PPP. The Company filed for forgiveness on this loan on November 20, 2020 and believes that the loan will be forgiven. Such forgiveness will be determined based on the use of the loan proceeds for payroll costs, rent and utility expenses and the maintenance of workforce and compensation levels with certain limitations.  There is uncertainty around the standards and operation of the PPP, and no assurance is provided that the Company will obtain forgiveness in whole or in part.

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Cash Flows from Continuing Operations

Cash flows from continuing operations for operating, financing and investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the following table:

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Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations was less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations of $36.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The $36.8 million increase was primarily attributable to an increase in non-cash items of $110.6 million driven by deferred income taxes and impairment charges and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $0.7 million and other liabilities of $0.5 million, offset by an increase in net loss of $55.7 million, decrease in accounts receivable of $9.2 million, accounts payable and accrued expenses of $9.7 million, and deferred revenue of $0.4 million on a year-over-year basis.

Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was $7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $166.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The $158.3 million decrease was driven primarily by the absence of cash proceeds from the sale of MSLO of $165.9 million in 2019, offset by proceeds from sale of Nevados, Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things trademarks of $8.1 million in 2020.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $5.0 million, compared to $176.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we made principal repayments of $12.7 million for principal payments and $11.5 million for revolver under our loan agreements in accordance with contractual terms, additions of deferred financing costs of $1.5 million, received proceeds of $0.8 million from Paycheck Protection Program, repurchased of common stock of $0.2 million and made $0.1 million of distributions to certain noncontrolling interest partners. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we made principal repayments of $21.7 million under our loan agreements in accordance with contractual terms as well as repaid $154 million of principal in connection with the sale of MSLO, paid lender fees of $4.6 million related to loan amendments and made $5.4 million of distributions to certain noncontrolling interest partners.

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Debt

As of December 31, 2020, we were party to the Amended BoA Credit Agreement and the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement, referred to as our Loan Agreements.  Refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our borrowings and the terms of these debt facilities.  As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, our long-term debt, including current portion, was $470.8 million and $468.2 million, respectively, which is presented net

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of $18.6 million and $22.2 million of deferred financing fees, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2020, we were fully drawn down under the current revolving credit facility.  We may request an increase in (i) the Revolving Credit Facility and Tranche A Loans as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed 2.80:1.00 and (ii) the Tranche A-1 Loans, as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed (a) with respect to any increase, the proceeds of which will be used solely to finance an acquisition, 3.00:1.00 and (b) with respect to any other increase, 2.90:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Amended BoA Credit Agreement.  We may request one or more additional term loan facilities or the increase of term loan commitments under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement as would not cause the consolidated total leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such addition and increase, to exceed 6.00:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement.  We made $24.2 million of principal repayments under our Loan Agreements during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Going Concern and Future Capital Requirements

The Company is not currently forecasted to be able to comply, in the next twelve months, with certain of the financial covenants under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement. The Company has been unable to comply with such covenants in recent fiscal quarters and has needed to obtain amendments of and waivers under its Debt Facilities. The Company extended its waiver through April 19, 2021. The risk of non-compliance creates a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt with respect to the ability of the Company to continue as going concern.

We cannot assure you that our lenders would be willing to negotiate further changes to our financial covenants when necessary.  In those circumstances, our lenders could declare the outstanding principal of all of our debt to be due and payable.  In that circumstance, we may be required to seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws. Further, the Company is negotiating with its lenders to obtain a new waiver for the going concern disclosure included in the unqualified audit opinion for the year ended December 31, 2020 delivered by our independent registered public accounting firm for our annual audited financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As a result, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements including the respective expected dates of adoption and effects on financial conditions and results of operations.

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this Item 7A.

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Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Executive Chairman (who acts as our principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2020, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on, and as of the date of such evaluation, the Executive Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President of Finance have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020 such that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and co-principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Executive Chairman (who acts as our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, as issued in 2013. Based on this assessment, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020, based on those criteria.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report provided below.

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

Waivers

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On April 9, 2021, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries obtained waivers to extend the deadline for providing the Company’s annual audited financial statements, the audit report of our independent registered public accounting firm, and certain compliance certificates to Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto.  Further, the Company is negotiating with its lenders to obtain a new waiver for the going concern language disclosure included in the unqualified audit opinion for the year ended December 31, 2020, delivered by our independent registered public accounting firm for our annual audited financial statements, as the Company’s existing waiver that includes this specific covenant, expires on April 20, 2021.

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35

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Sequential Brands Group, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for each of the years in the two-year period December 31, 2020 and our report, which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, dated April 15, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion.  

Basis for Opinion

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

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

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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

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

/s/ CohnReznick LLP

New York, New York

April 15, 2021

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item will be contained under the captions “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Corporate Governance” in the definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on June 4, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2020, which information is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

Code of Ethics

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

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

Attn: Investor Relations

1407 Broadway, 38^th Floor

New York, New York 10018

Tel.: (646) 564-2577

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

Item 11. Executive Compensation

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

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

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

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

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

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

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

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

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

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

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EXHIBIT INDEX

39

40

41

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*     Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, the schedules to this agreement have been omitted. The Registrant undertakes to supplementally furnish a copy of the omitted schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

†     Each a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

+     Filed herewith.

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Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Sequential Brands Group, Inc.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated April 15, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion.

The Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

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The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has received a waiver for non-compliance with certain of its covenants under one of its debt agreements; however, there can be no assurance that future waivers for non-compliance would be agreed upon or approved by its lenders. As such, the risk of non-compliance creates a material uncertainty that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's evaluation of the events and conditions and management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2.   The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

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Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or

F-2

disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments.  The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Trademarks Impairment Testing

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As disclosed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, indefinite-lived trademarks are tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year unless an interim test is required due to the presence of indictors that the trademarks may not be fully recoverable. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company performed an interim impairment test which resulted in an impairment charge of $85,590,000 relating to indefinite-lived trademarks. The Company uses an income approach using a discounted cash flow model to value the indefinite-lived trademark(s), comparing its fair value to its carrying value to determine impairment.  If the carrying value of such assets is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds fair value.

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Finite-lived trademarks are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company uses the income approach using an undiscounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of the finite-lived tradename, comparing its estimated fair value to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, the Company will use a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value, and an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of finite-lived intangible asset exceeds fair value.

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As of December 31, 2020, the Company had indefinite-lived trademarks with an aggregate carrying value of $376,446,000 and finite-lived trademarks with an aggregate carrying value of $108,991,000.  

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We identified the Company’s trademarks impairment testing as a critical audit matter. Auditing the Company’s trademark impairment testing was complex and subjective due to the significant estimation required to determine the forecasted cash flows used in the Company’s testing. Specifically, the forecasted cash flows are sensitive to significant assumptions such as discount rates, projected annual revenue growth rates, projected long-term growth rates and residual or terminal values, all of which are affected by expected future market or economic conditions, including the effects of the global pandemic. In addition, our audit effort involved the use of a professional within our firm with specialized skill and knowledge in valuation methods and models.

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The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

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Going Concern

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As disclosed in Notes 2 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is party to the Fifth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wilmington Trust, National Association as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement”). The Company has obtained

F-3

multiple waivers of the covenants in the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement during 2020 and 2021, and the current waiver expires on April 19, 2021. However, the Company is not currently forecasted to be able to comply, in the next twelve months, with certain of the covenants under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement. If the Company continues to be unable to comply with such covenants, its lenders could demand immediate payment of amounts outstanding. This creates a material uncertainty on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

We identified the evaluation of whether the Company has the ability to continue as a going concern due to its forecasted inability to maintain compliance with its debt covenants under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement and its inability to meet its debt obligations in the event of non-compliance and acceleration of the amounts due under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement. Auditing management’s going concern analysis was complex and highly subjective due to the significant estimation required to forecast future operations and cash flows utilized in the Company’s covenant calculations that are affected by expected future market or economic conditions, including the effects of the global pandemic.

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The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

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/s/ CohnReznick LLP

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We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.

New York, New York

April 15, 2021

F-4

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SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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F-5

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SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-6

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SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands)

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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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F-7

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019

(in thousands, except share data)