10-K: Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)
Published on February 21, 2012
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x | Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011,
or
¨ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number 1-32663
CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 86-0812139 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
200 East Basse Road San Antonio, Texas |
78209 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(210) 832-3700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class |
Name of Exchange on Which Registered |
|
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES ¨ NO x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. YES ¨ NO x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | x | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ¨ NO x
As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of the common stock beneficially held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $518.7 million based on the closing sales price of the Class A common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
On January 31, 2012, there were 41,048,463 outstanding shares of Class A common stock (excluding 109,755 shares held in treasury) and 315,000,000 outstanding shares of Class B common stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting, expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end, are incorporated by reference into Part III.
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CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOLDINGS, INC.
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Table of Contents
The Company
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (the Company), a Delaware corporation, provides clients with advertising opportunities through billboards, street furniture displays, transit displays and other out-of-home advertising displays, such as wallscapes, spectaculars, neons and mall displays, which we own or operate in key markets worldwide. Our business consists of two reportable operating segments: Americas and International. As of December 31, 2011, we owned or operated more than 750,000 advertising displays worldwide. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated consolidated revenue of approximately $3.0 billion, with $1.3 billion and $1.7 billion from our Americas and International segments, respectively.
Our History
We were incorporated in August 1995 under the name Eller Media Company. In 1997, Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (Clear Channel Communications), our parent company, entered the outdoor advertising industry with its acquisition of Eller Media Company. We changed our name to Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. in August 2005.
On November 11, 2005, we became a publicly traded company through an initial public offering, or IPO, in which we sold 10%, or 35.0 million shares, of our Class A common stock. Prior to our IPO, we were an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications. As of December 31, 2011, Clear Channel Communications owned all of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock and 1,553,971 shares of our Class A common stock, collectively representing approximately 89% of the outstanding shares of our common stock and approximately 99% of the total voting power of our common stock.
Prior to or at the time of our IPO, we entered into agreements with Clear Channel Communications that govern the relationship between Clear Channel Communications and us and provide for, among other things, the provision of services by Clear Channel Communications to us and the allocation of employee benefit, tax and other liabilities and obligations attributable to our operations. These agreements include the Master Agreement, Corporate Services Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement and Tax Matters Agreement. All of the agreements relating to our ongoing relationship with Clear Channel Communications were made in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship and the terms of these agreements may be more or less favorable to us than if they had been negotiated with unaffiliated third parties.
Clear Channel Communications has the right to terminate these agreements in various circumstances. As of the date of the filing of this report, no notice of termination of any of these agreements has been received from Clear Channel Communications.
As long as Clear Channel Communications continues to own shares of our common stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock, it will have the ability to direct the election of all members of our Board of Directors and, therefore, to exercise a controlling influence over our business and affairs, including any determinations with respect to mergers or other business combinations, our acquisition or disposition of assets, our incurrence of indebtedness, our issuance of any additional common stock or other equity securities, our repurchase or redemption of common stock or any preferred stock, if applicable, and our payment of dividends. Similarly, Clear Channel Communications will have the power to determine the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the power to prevent an acquisition or any other change in control, and to take other actions that might be favorable to Clear Channel Communications.
On July 30, 2008, Clear Channel Communications completed its merger with a subsidiary of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (CC Media Holdings), a company formed by a group of private equity funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. Clear Channel Communications is now owned indirectly by CC Media Holdings.
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You can find more information about us at our Internet website located at www.clearchanneloutdoor.com. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge through our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The contents of our website are not deemed to be part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any of our other filings with the SEC.
Our principal executive offices are located at 200 East Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209 (telephone: 210-832-3700).
Our Business Segments
We have two reportable business segments, Americas outdoor advertising (Americas) and International outdoor advertising (International), which represented 44% and 56% of our 2011 revenue, respectively.
We are a leading global outdoor advertising company providing clients with advertising opportunities through billboards, street furniture displays, transit displays and other out-of-home advertising displays. Through our extensive display inventory, we have the ability to deliver innovative, effective marketing campaigns for advertisers and marketing, creative and strategic partners in communities across the Americas and internationally.
We are focused on building the leadership position of our diverse global assets and maximizing our financial performance while serving our local communities. We intend to continue to execute upon our long-standing outdoor advertising strategies, while closely managing expenses and focusing on achieving operating efficiencies throughout our businesses. Part of our long-term strategy is to pursue the technology of digital displays, including flat screens, LCDs and LEDs, as alternatives to traditional methods of displaying our clients advertisements. We are currently installing these technologies in certain markets, both domestically and internationally.
For more information about our revenue, gross profit and assets by segment and our revenue and long-lived assets by geographic area, see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements located in
Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Americas Outdoor Advertising
We are the largest outdoor advertising company in the Americas (based on revenues), which includes the United States, Canada and Latin America. Approximately 89%, 89% and 91% of our revenue in our Americas segment was derived from the United States for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. We own or operate approximately 125,000 display structures in our Americas segment with operations in 48 of the 50 largest markets in the United States, including all of the 20 largest markets.
Our Americas assets consist of billboards, street furniture and transit displays, airport displays, mall displays, and wallscapes and other spectaculars, which we own or operate under lease management agreements. Our Americas advertising business is focused on metropolitan areas with dense populations.
Strategy
We seek to capitalize on our Americas network and diversified product mix to maximize revenue. In addition, by sharing best practices among our business segments, we believe we can quickly and effectively replicate our successes in other markets in which we operate. Our outdoor strategy focuses on leveraging our diversified product mix and long-standing presence in many of our existing markets, which provides us with the ability to launch new products and test new initiatives in a reliable and cost-effective manner.
Promote Outdoor Media Spending. Given the attractive industry fundamentals of outdoor media and our depth and breadth of relationships with both local and national advertisers, we believe we can drive outdoor advertisings share of total media spending by utilizing our dedicated national sales team to highlight the value of outdoor advertising relative to other media. Outdoor advertising only represented 4% of total dollars spent on advertising in the United States in 2010. We have made and continue to make significant investments in research
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tools that enable our clients to better understand how our displays can successfully reach their target audiences and promote their advertising campaigns. Also, we are working closely with clients, advertising agencies and other diversified media companies to develop more sophisticated systems that will provide improved audience metrics for outdoor advertising. For example, we have implemented the EYES ON audience measurement system which: (1) separately reports audiences for each of the nearly 400,000 units of inventory across the industry in the United States, (2) reports those audiences using the same demographics available and used by other media permitting reach and frequency measures, (3) provides the same audience measures across more than 200 markets, and (4) reports which advertisement is most likely to be seen. We believe that measurement systems such as EYES ON will further enhance the attractiveness of outdoor advertising for both existing clients and new advertisers and further foster outdoor media spending growth.
Continue to Deploy Digital Displays. Digital outdoor advertising provides significant advantages over traditional outdoor media. Our electronic displays are linked through centralized computer systems to instantaneously and simultaneously change advertising copy on a large number of displays, allowing us to sell more slots to advertisers. The ability to change copy by time of day and quickly change messaging based on advertisers needs creates additional flexibility for our customers. Although digital displays require more capital to construct compared to traditional bulletins, the advantages of digital allow us to penetrate new accounts and categories of advertisers as well as serve a broader set of needs for existing advertisers. Digital displays allow for high-frequency, 24-hour advertising changes in high traffic locations and allow us to offer our clients optimal flexibility, distribution, circulation and visibility. We expect this trend to continue as we increase our quantity of digital inventory. As of December 31, 2011, we have deployed more than 850 digital billboards in 37 markets in the United States.
Sources of Revenue
Americas generated 44%, 46% and 46% of our revenue in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Americas revenue is derived from the sale of advertising copy placed on our digital displays and our traditional displays. Our display inventory consists primarily of billboards, street furniture displays and transit displays. The margins on our billboard contracts, including those related to digital billboards, tend to be higher than those on contracts for other displays, due to their greater size, impact and location along major roadways that are highly trafficked. Billboards comprise approximately two-thirds of our display revenues. The following table shows the approximate percentage of revenue derived from each category for our Americas advertising inventory:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Billboards: |
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Bulletins |
53% | 53% | 51% | |||||||||
Posters |
13% | 14% | 14% | |||||||||
Street furniture displays |
7% | 6% | 5% | |||||||||
Transit displays |
16% | 15% | 17% | |||||||||
Other displays (1) |
11% | 12% | 13% | |||||||||
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Total |
100% | 100% | 100% | |||||||||
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(1) | Includes spectaculars, mall displays and wallscapes. |
Our Americas segment generates revenues from local, regional and national sales. Our advertising rates are based on a number of different factors including location, competition, size of display, illumination, market and gross ratings points. Gross ratings points are the total number of impressions delivered, expressed as a percentage of a market population, of a display or group of displays. The number of impressions delivered by a display is measured by the number of people passing the site during a defined period of time. For all of our billboards in the United States, we use independent, third-party auditing companies to verify the number of impressions delivered by a display. Reach is the percent of a target audience exposed to an advertising message at least once during a specified period of time, typically during a period of four weeks. Frequency is the average number of exposures an individual has to an advertising message during a specified period of time. Out-of-home frequency is typically measured over a four-week period.
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While location, price and availability of displays are important competitive factors, we believe that providing quality customer service and establishing strong client relationships are also critical components of sales. In addition, we have long-standing relationships with a diversified group of advertising brands and agencies that allow us to diversify client accounts and establish continuing revenue streams.
Billboards
Our billboard inventory primarily includes bulletins and posters.
| Bulletins. Bulletins vary in size, with the most common size being 14 feet high by 48 feet wide. Digital bulletins display static messages that resemble standard printed bulletins when viewed, but also allow advertisers to change messages throughout the course of a day. Our electronic displays are linked through centralized computer systems to instantaneously and simultaneously change advertising copy as needed. Because of their greater size, impact, high-frequency and 24-hour advertising changes, we typically receive our highest rates for digital bulletins. Almost all of the advertising copy displayed on traditional bulletins is computer printed on vinyl and transported to the bulletin where it is secured to the display surface. Bulletins generally are located along major expressways, primary commuting routes and main intersections that are highly visible and heavily trafficked. Our clients may contract for individual bulletins or a network of bulletins, meaning the clients advertisements are rotated among bulletins to increase the reach of the campaign. Our client contracts for bulletins, either traditional or digital, generally have terms ranging from four weeks to one year. |
| Posters. Digital posters are available in addition to the traditional 30-sheet or 8-sheet displays. Similar to digital bulletins, digital posters display static messages that resemble standard printed posters when viewed, and are linked through centralized computer systems to instantaneously and simultaneously change messages throughout the course of a day. The traditional 30-sheet posters are approximately 11 feet high by 23 feet wide, and the traditional 8-sheet posters are approximately 5 feet high by 11 feet wide. Advertising copy for traditional 30-sheet posters is digitally printed on a single piece of polyethylene material that is then transported and secured to the poster surfaces. Advertising copy for traditional 8-sheet posters is printed using silk screen, lithographic or digital process to transfer the designs onto paper that is then transported and secured to the poster surfaces. Posters generally are located in commercial areas on primary and secondary routes near point-of-purchase locations, facilitating advertising campaigns with greater demographic targeting than those displayed on bulletins. Our poster rates typically are less than our bulletin rates, and our client contracts for posters generally have terms ranging from four weeks to one year. Premiere displays, which consist of premiere panels and squares, are innovative hybrids between bulletins and posters that we developed to provide our clients with an alternative for their targeted marketing campaigns. The premiere displays utilize one or more poster panels, but with vinyl advertising stretched over the panels similar to bulletins. Our intent is to combine the creative impact of bulletins with the additional reach and frequency of posters. |
Street Furniture Displays
Our street furniture displays include advertising surfaces on bus shelters, information kiosks, freestanding units and other public structures, are available in both traditional and digital formats, and are primarily located in major metropolitan areas and along major commuting routes. Generally, we own the street furniture structures and are responsible for their construction and maintenance. Contracts for the right to place our street furniture displays in the public domain and sell advertising space on them are awarded by municipal and transit authorities in competitive bidding processes governed by local law. Generally, these contracts have terms ranging from 10 to 20 years. As compensation for the right to sell advertising space on our street furniture structures, we pay the municipality or transit authority a fee or revenue share that is either a fixed amount or a percentage of the revenue derived from the street furniture displays. Typically, these revenue sharing arrangements include payments by us of minimum guaranteed amounts. Client contracts for street furniture displays typically have terms ranging from four weeks to one year, and are typically for network packages of multiple street furniture displays.
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Transit Displays
Our transit displays are advertising surfaces on various types of vehicles or within transit systems, including on the interior and exterior sides of buses, trains, trams, and within the common areas of rail stations and airports, and are available in both traditional and digital formats. Similar to street furniture, contracts for the right to place our displays on such vehicles or within such transit systems and to sell advertising space on them generally are awarded by public transit authorities in competitive bidding processes or are negotiated with private transit operators. Generally, these contracts have terms ranging up to nine years. Our client contracts for transit displays generally have terms ranging from four weeks to one year.
Other Inventory
The balance of our display inventory consists of spectaculars, wallscapes and mall displays. Spectaculars are customized display structures that often incorporate video, multidimensional lettering and figures, mechanical devices and moving parts and other embellishments to create special effects. The majority of our spectaculars are located in Times Square in New York City, Dundas Square and the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto, Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas, Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas and across from the Target Center in Minneapolis. Client contracts for spectaculars typically have terms of one year or longer. A wallscape is a display that drapes over or is suspended from the sides of buildings or other structures. Generally, wallscapes are located in high-profile areas where other types of outdoor advertising displays are limited or unavailable. Clients typically contract for individual wallscapes for extended terms. We also own displays located within the common areas of malls on which our clients run advertising campaigns for periods ranging from four weeks to one year.
Advertising Inventory and Markets
As of December 31, 2011, we owned or operated approximately 125,000 display structures in our Americas segment with operations in 48 of the 50 largest markets in the United States, including all of the 20 largest markets. Therefore, no one property is material to our overall operations. We believe that our properties are in good condition and suitable for our operations. During 2011, we conformed our methodology for counting airport displays to be consistent with the remainder of our domestic inventory.
Our displays are located on owned land, leased land or land for which we have acquired permanent easements. The majority of the advertising structures on which our displays are mounted require permits. Permits are granted for the right to operate an advertising structure as long the structure is used in compliance with the laws and regulations of the applicable jurisdiction.
Production
In a majority of our markets, our local production staff performs the full range of activities required to create and install advertising copy. Production work includes creating the advertising copy design and layout, coordinating its printing and installing the copy on displays. We provide creative services to smaller advertisers and to advertisers not represented by advertising agencies. National advertisers often use preprinted designs that require only installation. Our creative and production personnel typically develop new designs or adopt copy from other media for use on our inventory. Our creative staff also can assist in the development of marketing presentations, demonstrations and strategies to attract new clients.
Construction and Operation
We typically own the physical structures on which our clients advertising copy is displayed. We build some of the structures at our billboard fabrication business in Illinois and erect them on sites we either lease or own or for which we have acquired permanent easements. The site lease terms generally range from one to 20 years. In addition to the site lease, we must obtain a permit to build the sign. Permits are typically issued in perpetuity by the state or local government and typically are transferable or renewable for a minimal, or no, fee. Traditional bulletin
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and poster advertising copy is either printed with computer generated graphics on a single sheet of vinyl or placed on lithographed or silk-screened paper sheets supplied by the advertiser. These advertisements are then transported to the site and in the case of vinyl, wrapped around the face of the site, and in the case of paper, pasted and applied like wallpaper to the site. The operational process also includes conducting visual inspections of the inventory for display defects and taking the necessary corrective action within a reasonable period of time.
Client Categories
In 2011, the top five client categories in our Americas segment were retail, business services, banking and financial services, media and telecommunications.
Competition
The outdoor advertising industry in the Americas is fragmented, consisting of several larger companies involved in outdoor advertising, such as CBS and Lamar Advertising Company, as well as numerous smaller and local companies operating a limited number of displays in a single market or a few local markets. We also compete with other advertising media in our respective markets, including broadcast and cable television, radio, print media, direct mail, the Internet and other forms of advertisement.
Outdoor advertising companies compete primarily based on ability to reach consumers, which is driven by location of the display.
International Outdoor Advertising
Our International segment includes our operations in Asia, Australia and Europe, with approximately 34%, 37%, and 39% of our revenue in this segment derived from France and the United Kingdom for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, we owned or operated more than 630,000 displays across 30 countries.
Our International assets consist of street furniture and transit displays, billboards, mall displays, Smartbike schemes, wallscapes and other spectaculars, which we own or operate under lease agreements. Our International business is focused on metropolitan areas with dense populations.
Strategy
Similar to our Americas business, we believe our International business has attractive industry fundamentals including a broad audience reach and a highly cost effective media for advertisers as measured by cost per thousand persons reached compared to other traditional media. Our International business focuses on the following strategies:
Promote Overall Outdoor Media Spending. Our strategy is to promote growth in outdoor advertisings share of total media spending by leveraging our international scale and local reach. We are focusing on developing and implementing better and improved outdoor audience delivery measurement systems to provide advertisers with tools to determine how effectively their message is reaching the desired audience.
Capitalize on Product and Geographic Opportunities. We are also focused on growing our business internationally by working closely with our advertising customers and agencies in meeting their needs, and through new product offerings, optimization of our current display portfolio and selective investments targeting promising growth markets. We have continued to innovate and introduce new products in international markets based on local demands. Our core business is our street furniture business and that is where we plan to focus much of our investment. We plan to continue to evaluate municipal contracts that may come up for bid and will make prudent investments where we believe we can receive attractive returns. We will also continue to invest in markets such as China, Turkey and Poland, where we believe there is high growth potential.
Continue to Deploy Digital Display Networks. Internationally, digital out-of-home displays are a dynamic medium which enables our customers to engage in real-time, tactical, topical and flexible advertising. We will continue our focused and dedicated digital strategy as we remain committed to the digital development of out-of-home communication solutions internationally. Through our new international digital brand, Clear Channel Play,
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we are able to offer networks of digital displays in multiple formats and multiple environments including bus shelters, airports, transit, malls and flagship locations. We seek to achieve greater consumer engagement and flexibility by delivering powerful, flexible and interactive campaigns that open up new possibilities for advertisers to engage with their target audiences. With digital network launches in Sweden, Belgium and the U.K. accelerating our expansion program during 2011, we had more than 2,900 digital displays in twelve countries across Europe and Asia as of December 31, 2011.
Sources of Revenue
Our International segment generated 56%, 54% and 54% of our revenue in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. International revenue is derived from the sale of traditional advertising copy placed on our display inventory and electronic displays which are part of our network of digital displays. Our International display inventory consists primarily of street furniture displays, billboards, transit displays and other out-of-home advertising displays, such as neon displays. The following table shows the approximate percentage of revenue derived from each inventory category of our International segment:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Street furniture displays |
43% | 42% | 40% | |||||||||
Billboards (1) |
27% | 30% | 32% | |||||||||
Transit displays |
9% | 8% | 8% | |||||||||
Other (2) |
21% | 20% | 20% | |||||||||
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Total |
100% | 100% | 100% | |||||||||
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(1) | Includes revenue from posters and neon displays. |
(2) | Includes advertising revenue from mall displays, other small displays, and non-advertising revenue from sales of street furniture equipment, cleaning and maintenance services, operation of Smartbike schemes and production revenue. |
Our International segment generates revenues worldwide from local, regional and national sales. Similar to our Americas business, advertising rates generally are based on the gross ratings points of a display or group of displays. The number of impressions delivered by a display, in some countries, is weighted to account for such factors as illumination, proximity to other displays and the speed and viewing angle of approaching traffic.
While location, price and availability of displays are important competitive factors, we believe that providing quality customer service and establishing strong client relationships are also critical components of sales. Our entrepreneurial culture allows local management to operate their markets as separate profit centers, encouraging customer cultivation and service.
Street Furniture Displays
Our International street furniture displays, available in traditional and digital formats, are substantially similar to their Americas street furniture counterparts, and include bus shelters, freestanding units, various types of kiosks, benches and other public structures. Internationally, contracts with municipal and transit authorities for the right to place our street furniture in the public domain and sell advertising on such street furniture typically provide for terms ranging from 10 to 15 years. The major difference between our International and Americas street furniture businesses is in the nature of the municipal contracts. In our International business, these contracts typically require us to provide the municipality with a broader range of metropolitan amenities such as bus shelters with or without advertising panels, information kiosks and public wastebaskets, as well as space for the municipality to display maps or other public information. In exchange for providing such metropolitan amenities and display space, we are authorized to sell advertising space on certain sections of the structures we erect in the public domain. Our International street furniture is typically sold to clients as network packages of multiple street furniture displays, with contract terms ranging from one to two weeks. Client contracts are also available with terms of up to one year.
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Billboards
The sizes of our International billboards are not standardized. The billboards vary in both format and size across our networks, with the majority of our International billboards being similar in size to our posters used in our Americas business (30-sheet and 8-sheet displays). Our International billboards are sold to clients as network packages with contract terms typically ranging from one to two weeks. Long-term client contracts are also available and typically have terms of up to one year. We lease the majority of our billboard sites from private landowners. Billboards include posters and our neon displays, and are available in traditional and digital formats. Defi Group SAS, our International neon subsidiary, is a global provider of neon signs with approximately 296 displays in 16 countries worldwide. Client contracts for International neon displays typically have terms of approximately five years.
Transit Displays
Our International transit display contracts are substantially similar to their Americas transit display counterparts, and typically require us to make only a minimal initial investment and few ongoing maintenance expenditures. Contracts with public transit authorities or private transit operators typically have terms ranging from three to seven years. Our client contracts for transit displays, either traditional or digital, generally have terms ranging from one week to one year, or longer.
Other International Inventory and Services
The balance of our revenue from our International segment consists primarily of advertising revenue from mall displays, other small displays and non-advertising revenue from sales of street furniture equipment, cleaning and maintenance services and production revenue. Internationally, our contracts with mall operators generally have terms ranging from five to ten years and client contracts for mall displays generally have terms ranging from one to two weeks, but are available for periods up to six months. Our International inventory includes other small displays that are counted as separate displays since they form a substantial part of our network and International revenue. We also have a Smartbike bicycle rental program which provides bicycles for rent to the general public in several municipalities. In exchange for providing the bike rental program, we generally derive revenue from advertising rights to the bikes, bike stations, additional street furniture displays, or fees from the local municipalities. In several of our International markets, we sell equipment or provide cleaning and maintenance services as part of a billboard or street furniture contract with a municipality.
Advertising Inventory and Markets
As of December 31, 2011, we owned or operated more than 630,000 displays in our International segment, with operations across 30 countries. Our International display count includes display faces, which may include multiple faces on a single structure. As a result, our International display count is not comparable to our Americas display count, which includes only unique displays. No one property is material to our overall operations. We believe that our properties are in good condition and suitable for our operations.
Production
The majority of our International clients are advertisers targeting national audiences whose business generally is placed with us through advertising agencies. These agencies often provide our International clients creative services to design and produce both the advertising copy and the physical printed advertisement. Traditional advertising copy, both paper and vinyl, is shipped to centralized warehouses operated by us. The copy is then sorted and delivered to sites where it is installed on our displays.
Construction and Operation
The International manufacturing process largely consists of two elements: the manufacture and installation of advertising structures and the weekly preparation of advertising posters for distribution throughout our networks. Generally, we outsource the manufacturing of advertising structures to third parties and regularly seek competitive bids. We use a wide range of suppliers, located in each of our markets. The design of street furniture structures
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(such as bus shelters, bicycle racks and kiosks) is typically done in conjunction with a third party design or architectural firm. These street furniture designs then form the basis of a competitive bidding process to select a manufacturer. Our street furniture sites are posted by our own employees or subcontractors who also clean and maintain the sites. The decision to use our own employees or subcontractors is made on a market-by-market basis taking into consideration the mix of products in the market and local labor costs.
Client Categories
In 2011, the top five client categories in our International segment, based on International revenue derived from these categories, were retail, food and food products, telecommunications, automotive, and fashion and apparel.
Competition
The international outdoor advertising industry is fragmented, consisting of several larger companies involved in outdoor advertising, such as JCDecaux and CBS, as well as numerous smaller and local companies operating a limited number of displays in a single market or a few local markets. We also compete with other advertising media in our respective markets, including broadcast and cable television, radio, print media, direct mail, the Internet and other forms of advertisement.
Outdoor companies compete primarily based on ability to reach consumers, which is driven by location of the display.
Employees
As of January 31, 2012, we had approximately 2,000 domestic employees and approximately 5,800 international employees, of which approximately 1,740 were employed in corporate related activities. Approximately 150 of our employees in the United States and approximately 265 of our employees outside the United States are subject to collective bargaining agreements in their respective countries. We are a party to numerous collective bargaining agreements, none of which represent a significant number of employees. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good.
Seasonality
Required information is located within Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Regulation of our Business
The outdoor advertising industry in the United States is subject to governmental regulation at the Federal, state and local levels. These regulations may include, among others, restrictions on the construction, repair, maintenance, lighting, upgrading, height, size, spacing and location of and, in some instances, content of advertising copy being displayed on outdoor advertising structures. In addition, international regulations have a significant impact on the outdoor advertising industry. International regulation of the outdoor advertising industry can vary by municipality, region and country, but generally limits the size, placement, nature and density of out-of-home displays. Other regulations may limit the subject matter and language of out-of-home displays.
From time to time, legislation has been introduced in both the United States and foreign jurisdictions attempting to impose taxes on revenue from outdoor advertising or for the right to use outdoor advertising assets. Several jurisdictions have already imposed such taxes as a percentage of our outdoor advertising revenue in that jurisdiction. In addition, some jurisdictions have taxed our personal property and leasehold interests in advertising locations using various valuation methodologies. While these taxes have not had a material impact on our business and financial results to date, we expect U.S. and foreign jurisdictions to continue to try to impose such taxes as a way of increasing revenue. In recent years, outdoor advertising also has become the subject of targeted taxes and fees. These laws may affect prevailing competitive conditions in our markets in a variety of ways. Such laws may reduce our expansion opportunities or may increase or reduce competitive pressure from other members of the outdoor advertising industry. No assurance can be given that existing or future laws or regulations, and the enforcement thereof, will not materially and adversely affect the outdoor advertising industry. However, we contest laws and regulations that we believe unlawfully restrict our constitutional or other legal rights and may adversely impact the growth of our outdoor advertising business.
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In the United States, Federal law, principally the Highway Beautification Act (HBA), regulates outdoor advertising on Federal-Aid Primary, Interstate and National Highway Systems roads within the United States (controlled roads). The HBA regulates the size and placement of billboards, requires the development of state standards, mandates a states compliance program, promotes the expeditious removal of illegal signs and requires just compensation for takings.
To satisfy the HBAs requirements, all states have passed billboard control statutes and regulations that regulate, among other things, construction, repair, maintenance, lighting, height, size, spacing and the placement and permitting of outdoor advertising structures. We are not aware of any state that has passed control statutes and regulations less restrictive than the prevailing federal requirements, including the requirement that an owner remove any non-grandfathered, non-compliant signs along the controlled roads, at the owners expense and without compensation. Local governments generally also include billboard control as part of their zoning laws and building codes regulating those items described above and include similar provisions regarding the removal of non-grandfathered structures that do not comply with certain of the local requirements. Some local governments have initiated code enforcement and permit reviews of billboards within their jurisdiction challenging billboards located within their jurisdiction, and in some instances we have had to remove billboards as a result of such reviews.
As part of their billboard control laws, state and local governments regulate the construction of new signs. Some jurisdictions prohibit new construction, some jurisdictions allow new construction only to replace existing structures and some jurisdictions allow new construction subject to the various restrictions discussed above. In certain jurisdictions, restrictive regulations also limit our ability to relocate, rebuild, repair, maintain, upgrade, modify or replace existing legal non-conforming billboards.
U.S. Federal law neither requires nor prohibits the removal of existing lawful billboards, but it does mandate the payment of compensation if a state or political subdivision compels the removal of a lawful billboard along the controlled roads. In the past, state governments have purchased and removed existing lawful billboards for beautification purposes using Federal funding for transportation enhancement programs, and these jurisdictions may continue to do so in the future. From time to time, state and local government authorities use the power of eminent domain and amortization to remove billboards. Thus far, we have been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for our billboards purchased or removed as a result of these types of governmental action, although there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future.
We have introduced and intend to expand the deployment of digital billboards that display static digital advertising copy from various advertisers that change up to several times per minute. We have encountered some existing regulations in the U.S. and across some international jurisdictions that restrict or prohibit these types of digital displays. However, since digital technology for changing static copy has only recently been developed and introduced into the market on a large scale, and is in the process of being introduced more broadly in our international markets, existing regulations that currently do not apply to digital technology by their terms could be revised to impose greater restrictions. These regulations may impose greater restrictions on digital billboards due to alleged concerns over aesthetics or driver safety.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our results have been in the past, and could be in the future, adversely affected by economic uncertainty or deteriorations in economic conditions
Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting economic conditions and budgeting and buying patterns. Periods of a slowing economy or recession, or periods of economic uncertainty, may be accompanied by a decrease in advertising. The global economic downturn that began in 2008 resulted in a decline in advertising and marketing by our customers, which resulted in a decline in advertising revenues across our businesses. This reduction in advertising revenues had an adverse effect on our revenue, profit margins, cash flow and liquidity. Although we believe that global economic conditions are improving, economic conditions remain uncertain. If economic conditions do not continue to improve, economic uncertainty increases or economic conditions deteriorate
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again, global economic conditions may once again adversely impact our revenue, profit margins, cash flow and liquidity. Furthermore, because a significant portion of our revenue is derived from local advertisers, our ability to generate revenues in specific markets is directly affected by local and regional conditions, and unfavorable regional economic conditions also may adversely impact our results. In addition, even in the absence of a downturn in general economic conditions, an individual business sector or market may experience a downturn, causing it to reduce its advertising expenditures, which also may adversely impact our results.
We performed impairment tests on our goodwill and other intangible assets during the fourth quarter of 2011 and 2010 and recorded non-cash impairment charges of $7.6 million and $11.5 million, respectively. Additionally, we performed impairment tests in 2008 and 2009 on our indefinite-lived assets and goodwill and, as a result of the global economic downturn and the corresponding reduction in our revenues, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $3.2 billion and $890.7 million, respectively. Although we believe we have made reasonable estimates and used appropriate assumptions to calculate the fair value of our billboard permits and reporting units, it is possible a material change could occur. If actual market conditions and operational performance for the respective reporting units underlying the intangible assets were to deteriorate, or if facts and circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived assets or goodwill for these reporting units below their adjusted carrying amounts, we may also be required to recognize additional impairment charges in future periods, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
To service our debt obligations and to fund capital expenditures, we will require a significant amount of cash to meet our needs, which depends on many factors beyond our control
Our ability to service our debt obligations and to fund capital expenditures for display construction or renovation will require a significant amount of cash. Our primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operations. Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and conditions in our markets, we believe that cash on hand as well as cash flow from operations will enable us to meet our working capital, capital expenditure, debt service and other funding requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, our ability to fund our working capital needs, debt service and other obligations and to comply with the financial covenants under our financing agreements depends on our future operating performance and cash flow, which are in turn subject to prevailing economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our future operating performance does not meet our expectation or our plans materially change in an adverse manner or prove to be materially inaccurate, we may need additional financing. In addition, the purchase price of possible acquisitions, capital expenditures for deployment of digital billboards and/or other strategic initiatives could require additional indebtedness or equity financing on our part. Adverse securities and credit market conditions, such as those experienced during 2008 and 2009, could significantly affect the availability of equity or credit financing. Consequently, there can be no assurance that such financing, if permitted under the terms of our financing agreements, will be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. The inability to obtain additional financing in such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and on our ability to meet our obligations or pursue strategic initiatives. Additional indebtedness could increase our leverage and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and may limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures.
Downgrades in our credit ratings may adversely affect our borrowing costs, limit our financing options, reduce our flexibility under future financings and adversely affect our liquidity, and also may adversely impact our business operations
Our and Clear Channel Communications corporate credit ratings by Standard & Poors Ratings Services and Moodys Investors Service are speculative-grade and have been downgraded and upgraded at various times during the past several years. Any reductions in our credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs, reduce the availability of financing to us or increase the cost of doing business or otherwise negatively impact our business operations.
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Our financial performance may be adversely affected by many factors beyond our control
Certain factors that could adversely affect our financial performance by, among other things, leading to decreases in overall revenues, the numbers of advertising customers, advertising fees, or profit margins include:
| unfavorable economic conditions, which may cause companies to reduce their expenditures on advertising; |
| an increased level of competition for advertising dollars, which may lead to lower advertising rates as we attempt to retain customers or which may cause us to lose customers to our competitors who offer lower rates that we are unable or unwilling to match; |
| unfavorable fluctuations in operating costs, which we may be unwilling or unable to pass through to our customers; |
| technological changes and innovations that we are unable to successfully adopt or are late in adopting that offer more attractive advertising alternatives than what we offer, which may lead to a loss of advertising customers or to lower advertising rates; |
| changes in governmental regulations and policies and actions of regulatory bodies, including changes to restrictions on rebuilding non-conforming structures, which could increase our taxes or other costs, restrict the advertising media that we employ or restrict some or all of our customers that operate in regulated areas from using certain advertising media or from advertising at all; |
| unfavorable shifts in population and other demographics, which may cause us to lose advertising customers as people migrate to markets where we have a smaller presence or which may cause advertisers to be willing to pay less in advertising fees if the general population shifts into a less desirable age or geographical demographic from an advertising perspective; and |
| unfavorable changes in labor conditions, which may impair our ability to operate or require us to spend more to retain and attract key employees. |
We face intense competition in the outdoor advertising business
We operate in a highly competitive industry, and we may not be able to maintain or increase our current advertising and sales revenues. We compete for advertising revenue with other outdoor advertising businesses, as well as with other media, such as radio, newspapers, magazines, television, direct mail, smart mobile phones, satellite radio and Internet-based media, within their respective markets. Market shares are subject to change, which could have the effect of reducing our revenue in that market. Our competitors may develop services or advertising media that are equal or superior to those we provide or that achieve greater market acceptance and brand recognition than we achieve. It also is possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share in any of our business segments. An increased level of competition for advertising dollars may lead to lower advertising rates as we attempt to retain customers or may cause us to lose customers to our competitors who offer lower rates that we are unable or unwilling to match.
Our business is dependent on our management team and other key individuals
Our business is dependent upon the performance of our management team and other key individuals. A number of key individuals have joined us over the past two years, including Robert W. Pittman, who became our Executive Chairman on October 2, 2011. Although we have entered into agreements with some members of our management team and certain other key individuals, we can give no assurance that all or any of our management team and other key individuals will remain with us. Competition for these individuals is intense and many of our key employees are at-will employees who are under no legal obligation to remain with us, and may decide to leave for a variety of personal or other reasons beyond our control. If members of our management or key individuals decide to leave us in the future, or if we are not successful in attracting, motivating and retaining other key employees, our business could be adversely affected.
Government regulation of outdoor advertising may restrict our outdoor advertising operations
U.S. Federal, state and local regulations have a significant impact on the outdoor advertising industry and our business. One of the seminal laws is the HBA, which regulates outdoor advertising on Federal-Aid Primary, Interstate and National Highway Systems roads in the United States. The HBA regulates the size and location of billboards, mandates a state compliance program, requires the development of state standards, promotes the expeditious removal of illegal signs and requires just compensation for takings. Construction, repair, maintenance, lighting, upgrading, height, size, spacing, the location and permitting of billboards and the use of new technologies for changing displays, such as digital displays, are regulated by federal, state and local governments. From time to
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time, states and municipalities have prohibited or significantly limited the construction of new outdoor advertising structures. Changes in laws and regulations affecting outdoor advertising at any level of government, including laws of the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate, could have a significant financial impact on us by requiring us to make significant expenditures or otherwise limiting or restricting some of our operations. Due to such regulations, it has become increasingly difficult to develop new outdoor advertising locations.
From time to time, certain state and local governments and third parties have attempted to force the removal of our displays under various state and local laws, including zoning ordinances, permit enforcement, condemnation and amortization. Amortization is the attempted forced removal of legal non-conforming billboards (billboards which conformed with applicable laws and regulations when built, but which do not conform to current laws and regulations) or the commercial advertising placed on such billboards after a period of years. Pursuant to this concept, the governmental body asserts that just compensation is earned by continued operation of the billboard over time. Amortization is prohibited along all controlled roads and generally prohibited along non-controlled roads. Amortization has, however, been upheld along non-controlled roads in limited instances where provided by state and local law. Other regulations limit our ability to rebuild, replace, repair, maintain and upgrade non-conforming displays. In addition, from time to time third parties or local governments assert that we own or operate displays that either are not properly permitted or otherwise are not in strict compliance with applicable law. For example, court rulings have upheld regulations in the City of New York that have impacted our displays in certain areas within the city. Such regulations and allegations have not had a material impact on our results of operations to date, but if we are increasingly unable to resolve such allegations or obtain acceptable arrangements in circumstances in which our displays are subject to removal, modification or amortization, or if there occurs an increase in such regulations or their enforcement, our operating results could suffer.
A number of state and local governments have implemented or initiated taxes, fees and registration requirements in an effort to decrease or restrict the number of outdoor signs and/or to raise revenue. From time to time, legislation also has been introduced in foreign jurisdictions attempting to impose taxes on revenue from outdoor advertising or for the right to use outdoor advertising assets. In addition, a number of jurisdictions, including the City of Los Angeles, have implemented legislation or interpreted existing legislation to restrict or prohibit the installation of new digital billboards. While these measures have not had a material impact on our business and financial results to date, we expect these efforts to continue. The increased imposition of these measures, and our inability to overcome any such measures, could reduce our operating income if those outcomes require removal or restrictions on the use of preexisting displays. In addition, if we are unable to pass on the cost of these items to our clients, our operating income could be adversely affected.
International regulation of the outdoor advertising industry can vary by municipality, region and country, but generally limits the size, placement, nature and density of out-of-home displays. Other regulations limit the subject matter and language of out-of-home displays. Our failure to comply with these or any future international regulations could have an adverse impact on the effectiveness of our displays or their attractiveness to clients as an advertising medium and may require us to make significant expenditures to ensure compliance. As a result, we may experience a significant impact on our operations, revenue, international client base and overall financial condition.
Additional restrictions on outdoor advertising of tobacco, alcohol and other products may further restrict the categories of clients that can advertise using our products
Out-of-court settlements between the major U.S. tobacco companies and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and four other U.S. territories include a ban on the outdoor advertising of tobacco products. Other products and services may be targeted in the U.S. in the future, including alcohol products. Most European Union countries, among other nations, also have banned outdoor advertisements for tobacco products and legislation regulating alcohol advertising has been introduced in a number of European countries in which we conduct business and could have a similar impact. Any significant reduction in alcohol-related advertising or advertising of other products due to content-related restrictions could cause a reduction in our direct revenues from such advertisements and an increase in the available space on the existing inventory of billboards in the outdoor advertising industry.
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Environmental, health, safety and land use laws and regulations may limit or restrict some of our operations
As the owner or operator of various real properties and facilities, we must comply with various foreign, federal, state and local environmental, health, safety and land use laws and regulations. We and our properties are subject to such laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, disposal, emission and release of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and employee health and safety as well as zoning restrictions. Historically, we have not incurred significant expenditures to comply with these laws. However, additional laws which may be passed in the future, or a finding of a violation of or liability under existing laws, could require us to make significant expenditures and otherwise limit or restrict some of our operations.
Doing business in foreign countries exposes us to certain risks not found when doing business in the United States
Doing business in foreign countries carries with it certain risks that are not found when doing business in the United States. These risks could result in losses against which we are not insured. Examples of these risks include:
| potential adverse changes in the diplomatic relations of foreign countries with the United States; |
| hostility from local populations; |
| the adverse effect of foreign exchange controls; |
| government policies against businesses owned by foreigners; |
| investment restrictions or requirements; |
| expropriations of property without adequate compensation; |
| the potential instability of foreign governments; |
| the risk of insurrections; |
| risks of renegotiation or modification of existing agreements with governmental authorities; |
| difficulties collecting receivables and otherwise enforcing contracts with governmental agencies and others in some foreign legal systems; |
| withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries; |
| changes in tax structure and level; and |
| changes in laws or regulations or the interpretation or application of laws or regulations. |
In addition, because we own assets in foreign countries and derive revenues from our International operations, we may incur currency translation losses due to changes in the values of foreign currencies and in the value of the U.S. dollar. We cannot predict the effect of exchange rate fluctuations upon future operating results.
Our International operations involve contracts with, and regulation by, foreign governments. We operate in many parts of the world that experience corruption to some degree. Although we have policies and procedures in place that are designed to promote legal and regulatory compliance (including with respect to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010), our employees, subcontractors and agents could take actions that violate applicable anticorruption laws or regulations. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
The success of our street furniture and transit products is dependent on our obtaining key municipal concessions, which we may not be able to obtain on favorable terms
Our street furniture and transit products businesses require us to obtain and renew contracts with municipalities and other governmental entities. Many of these contracts, which require us to participate in competitive bidding processes at each renewal, typically have terms ranging from three to 20 years and have revenue share and/or fixed payment components. Our inability to successfully negotiate, renew or complete these contracts due to governmental demands and delay and the highly competitive bidding processes for these contracts could affect our ability to offer these products to our clients, or to offer them to our clients at rates that are competitive to other forms of advertising, without adversely affecting our financial results.
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Future acquisitions and other strategic transactions could pose risks
We frequently evaluate strategic opportunities both within and outside our existing lines of business. We expect from time to time to pursue additional acquisitions and may decide to dispose of certain businesses. These acquisitions or dispositions could be material. Our acquisition strategy involves numerous risks, including:
| our acquisitions may prove unprofitable and fail to generate anticipated cash flows; |
| to successfully manage our large portfolio of outdoor advertising and other properties, we may need to: |
| recruit additional senior management as we cannot be assured that senior management of acquired businesses will continue to work for us and we cannot be certain that any of our recruiting efforts will succeed, and |
| expand corporate infrastructure to facilitate the integration of our operations with those of acquired businesses, because failure to do so may cause us to lose the benefits of any expansion that we decide to undertake by leading to disruptions in our ongoing businesses or by distracting our management; |
| we may enter into markets and geographic areas where we have limited or no experience; |
| we may encounter difficulties in the integration of operations and systems; and |
| our managements attention may be diverted from other business concerns. |
Additional acquisitions by us may require antitrust review by federal antitrust agencies and may require review by foreign antitrust agencies under the antitrust laws of foreign jurisdictions. We can give no assurances that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Federal Trade Commission or foreign antitrust agencies will not seek to bar us from acquiring additional outdoor advertising businesses in any market where we already have a significant position. The DOJ actively reviews proposed acquisitions of outdoor advertising businesses. In addition, the antitrust laws of foreign jurisdictions will apply if we acquire international outdoor advertising businesses.
Risks Related to Our Relationship with Clear Channel Communications
Because Clear Channel Communications controls substantially all of the total voting power of our common stock, investors will not be able to affect the outcome of any stockholder vote
As of December 31, 2011, Clear Channel Communications indirectly owned (1) all of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock and (2) 1,553,971 shares of our Class A common stock, collectively representing approximately 89% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Each share of our Class B common stock entitles its holder to 20 votes and each share of our Class A common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote. As a result, as of December 31, 2011, Clear Channel Communications controlled approximately 99% of the total voting power of our common stock.
As long as Clear Channel Communications continues to own shares of our common stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock, it will have the ability to direct the election of all members of our Board of Directors and, therefore, to exercise a controlling influence over our business and affairs, including any determinations with respect to mergers or other business combinations, our acquisition or disposition of assets, our incurrence of indebtedness, our issuance of any additional common stock or other equity securities, our repurchase or redemption of common stock or preferred stock, if applicable, and our payment of dividends. Similarly, Clear Channel Communications will have the power to determine the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the power to prevent an acquisition or any other change in control. Because Clear Channel Communications interests as our controlling stockholder may differ from other stockholders interests, actions taken by Clear Channel Communications with respect to us may not be favorable to all stockholders.
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We have entered into agreements with Clear Channel Communications that impose obligations on us with respect to cash management and other corporate services, financing activities, acquisitions and other business activities
We have entered into a Master Agreement, a Corporate Services Agreement, a Tax Matters Agreement, a Trademark License Agreement and a number of other agreements with Clear Channel Communications setting forth various matters governing our relationship with Clear Channel Communications while it remains a significant stockholder in us. These agreements govern our relationship with Clear Channel Communications and allow Clear Channel Communications to retain control over many aspects of our operations. We are not able to terminate these agreements or amend them in a manner we deem more favorable so long as Clear Channel Communications continues to own shares of our common stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock.
Pursuant to the Corporate Services Agreement, we are obligated to use various corporate services provided by Clear Channel Communications and its affiliates, including treasury, payroll and other financial services, certain executive officer services, human resources and employee benefit services, legal services, information systems and network services and procurement and sourcing support. Also pursuant to the Corporate Services Agreement, substantially all of the cash generated from our domestic Americas operations is transferred daily into accounts of Clear Channel Communications (after satisfying our controlled disbursement accounts and the funding requirements of the trustee account under the senior notes issued in December 2009 by Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of ours), where funds of ours and of Clear Channel Communications are commingled, and recorded as Due from/to Clear Channel Communications on the consolidated balance sheet. Net amounts owed between us and Clear Channel Communications are evidenced by revolving promissory notes. We do not have a commitment from Clear Channel Communications to advance funds to us, and we have no access to the cash transferred from us to Clear Channel Communications. If Clear Channel Communications were to become insolvent, we would be an unsecured creditor of Clear Channel Communications. In such event, we would be treated the same as other unsecured creditors of Clear Channel Communications and, if we were not entitled to the cash previously transferred to Clear Channel Communications, or could not obtain such cash on a timely basis, we could experience a liquidity shortfall. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the asset recorded in Due from Clear Channel Communications on the consolidated balance sheet was $656.0 million and $383.8 million, respectively.
In addition, the Master Agreement includes restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:
| issue any shares of capital stock or securities convertible into capital stock; |
| incur additional indebtedness; |
| make certain acquisitions and investments; |
| repurchase our stock; |
| dispose of certain assets; and |
| merge or consolidate. |
The rights of Clear Channel Communications under these agreements may allow Clear Channel Communications to delay or prevent an acquisition of us that our other stockholders may consider favorable. In addition, the restrictions contained in these agreements limit our ability to finance operations and capital needs, make acquisitions or engage in other business activities, including our ability to grow and increase our revenue or respond to competitive changes.
The terms of our arrangements with Clear Channel Communications may be more favorable than we would be able to obtain from an unaffiliated third party, and we may be unable to replace the services Clear Channel Communications provides us in a timely manner or on comparable terms
We negotiated our arrangements with Clear Channel Communications in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship prior to the initial public offering of our Class A common stock. Although Clear Channel Communications is contractually obligated to provide us with services during the term of the Corporate Services Agreement, we cannot assure you these services will be sustained at an appropriate level, or that we will be able to replace these services in a timely manner or on comparable terms. In addition, we cannot provide assurance that the
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amount we pay Clear Channel Communications for the services will be as favorable to us as that which may be available for comparable services provided by unrelated third parties. Other agreements with Clear Channel Communications also govern our relationship with Clear Channel Communications and provide for the allocation of employee benefit, tax and other liabilities and obligations attributable to our operations. The agreements also contain terms and provisions that may be more favorable than terms and provisions we might have obtained in arms length negotiations with unaffiliated third parties. If Clear Channel Communications ceases to provide services to us pursuant to those agreements, our costs of procuring those services from third parties may increase.
Conflicts of interest may arise between Clear Channel Communications and us that could be resolved in a manner unfavorable to us
Questions relating to conflicts of interest may arise between Clear Channel Communications and us in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships. Clear Channel Communications is owned indirectly by CC Media Holdings. Three of our directors serve as directors of CC Media Holdings. Three of our other directors are affiliated with CC Media Holdings and its stockholders. In addition, five of our executive officers serve as executive officers of CC Media Holdings.
Areas in which conflicts of interest between Clear Channel Communications and us could arise include, but are not limited to, the following:
| Cross officerships, directorships and stock ownership. The ownership interests of our directors or executive officers in the common stock of CC Media Holdings or service as a director or officer of both CC Media Holdings and us could create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest when directors and executive officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for the two companies. For example, these decisions could relate to: (1) the nature, quality and cost of services rendered to us by Clear Channel Communications; (2) disagreement over the desirability of a potential acquisition opportunity; (3) employee retention or recruiting; or (4) our capital structure, including our level of indebtedness and our dividend policy. |
| Intercompany transactions. From time to time, Clear Channel Communications or its affiliates may enter into transactions with us or our subsidiaries or other affiliates. Although the terms of any such transactions will be established based upon negotiations between employees of Clear Channel Communications and us and, when appropriate, subject to the approval of the independent directors on our Board or a committee of disinterested directors, there can be no assurance the terms of any such transactions will be as favorable to us or our subsidiaries or affiliates as may otherwise be obtained in arms length negotiations. |
| Intercompany agreements. We have entered into certain agreements with Clear Channel Communications pursuant to which it provides us certain management, administrative, accounting, tax, legal and other services, for which we reimburse Clear Channel Communications on a cost basis. In addition, we entered into a number of intercompany agreements covering matters such as tax sharing and our responsibility for certain liabilities previously undertaken by Clear Channel Communications for certain of our businesses. Pursuant to the Corporate Services Agreement between Clear Channel Communications and us, we are contractually obligated to utilize the services of certain executive officers of Clear Channel Communications as our executive officers until Clear Channel Communications owns shares of our common stock representing less than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock, or we provide Clear Channel Communications with six months prior written notice of termination. The terms of these agreements were established while we were a wholly owned subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications and were not the result of arms length negotiations. In addition, conflicts could arise in the interpretation or any extension or renegotiation of these existing agreements. |
If Clear Channel Communications engages in the same type of business we conduct or takes advantage of business opportunities that might be attractive to us, our ability to successfully operate and expand our business may be hampered
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to any contractual provision to the contrary, Clear Channel Communications will have no obligation to refrain from:
| engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; or |
| doing business with any of our clients, customers or vendors. |
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In addition, the corporate opportunity policy set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation addresses potential conflicts of interest between our company, on the one hand, and Clear Channel Communications or CC Media Holdings and its officers and directors who are officers or directors of our company, on the other hand. The policy provides that if Clear Channel Communications or CC Media Holdings acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both Clear Channel Communications and us, we will have renounced our interest in the corporate opportunity. It also provides that if one of our directors or officers who is also a director or officer of Clear Channel Communications or CC Media Holdings learns of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both Clear Channel Communications and us, we will have renounced our interest in the corporate opportunity, unless that opportunity is expressly offered to that person in writing solely in his or her capacity as our director or officer.
If one of our officers or directors, who also serves as a director or officer of Clear Channel Communications or CC Media Holdings, learns of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both Clear Channel Communications and us, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the director or officer will have no duty to communicate or present that corporate opportunity to us and will not be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty by reason of Clear Channel Communications actions with respect to that corporate opportunity.
This policy could result in Clear Channel Communications having rights to corporate opportunities in which both we and Clear Channel Communications have an interest.
We are a controlled company within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules and, as a result, qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that may not provide as many protections as those afforded to stockholders of other companies
Clear Channel Communications owns shares of our common stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock and, as a result, we have elected to be treated as a controlled company under the NYSE corporate governance standards. As a controlled company, we are exempt from the provisions of the NYSEs corporate governance standards requiring that: (1) a majority of our Board consists of independent directors; (2) we have a nominating and governance committee composed entirely of independent directors and governed by a written charter addressing the nominating and governance committees purpose and responsibilities; and (3) we have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the compensation committees purpose and responsibilities. Although we currently have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the compensation committees purpose and responsibilities, we currently do not have a nominating and governance committee and a majority of our Board of Directors currently does not consist of independent directors. We intend to continue using certain of these exemptions and, as a result: (1) we may not create or maintain a nominating and governance committee; (2) the nominating and governance committee (if one is created) and the compensation committee may not consist entirely of independent directors; and (3) our Board of Directors may not consist of a majority of independent directors. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.
We do not have control over our tax decisions and could be liable for income taxes owed by Clear Channel Communications
As long as Clear Channel Communications continues to own shares of our common stock representing at least 80% of the total voting power and value of our common stock, we and certain of our subsidiaries will be included in Clear Channel Communications consolidated group for U.S. federal income tax purposes for all pre-merger periods and CC Media Holdings consolidated group for post-merger periods. In addition, we or one or more of our subsidiaries may be included in the combined, consolidated or unitary tax returns of Clear Channel Communications for pre-merger periods and CC Media Holdings for post-merger periods or one or more of its subsidiaries for foreign, state and local income tax purposes. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we pay to Clear
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Channel Communications the amount of federal, foreign, state and local income taxes that we would be required to pay to the relevant taxing authorities if we and our subsidiaries filed combined, consolidated or unitary tax returns and were not included in the consolidated, combined or unitary tax returns of Clear Channel Communications or its subsidiaries. In addition, by virtue of its controlling ownership and the Tax Matters Agreement, Clear Channel Communications effectively controls all of our tax decisions. The Tax Matters Agreement provides that Clear Channel Communications has the sole authority to respond to and conduct all tax proceedings (including tax audits) relating to us, to file all income tax returns on our behalf and to determine the amount of our liability to (or entitlement to payment from) Clear Channel Communications under the Tax Matters Agreement. This arrangement may result in conflicts of interest between Clear Channel Communications and us. For example, under the Tax Matters Agreement, Clear Channel Communications is able to choose to contest, compromise, or settle any adjustment or deficiency proposed by the relevant taxing authority in a manner that may be beneficial to Clear Channel Communications and detrimental to us.
Moreover, notwithstanding the Tax Matters Agreement, federal law provides that each member of a consolidated group is liable for the groups entire tax obligation. Thus, to the extent Clear Channel Communications or other members of the group fail to make any United States federal income tax payments required by law, we would be liable for the shortfall. Similar principles may apply for foreign, state and local income tax purposes where we file combined, consolidated or unitary returns with Clear Channel Communications or its subsidiaries for federal, foreign, state and local income tax purposes.
If Clear Channel Communications spins off our Class B common stock to the CC Media Holdings stockholders, we have agreed in the Tax Matters Agreement to indemnify Clear Channel Communications for its tax-related liabilities in certain circumstances
If Clear Channel Communications spins off our Class B common stock to the CC Media Holdings stockholders in a distribution intended to be tax-free under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to herein as the Code, we have agreed in the Tax Matters Agreement to indemnify Clear Channel Communications and its affiliates against any and all tax-related liabilities if such a spin-off fails to qualify as a tax-free distribution (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) due to actions, events or transactions relating to our stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or covenants made by us in the Tax Matters Agreement. If neither we nor Clear Channel Communications is responsible under the Tax Matters Agreement for any such spin-off not being tax-free under Section 355 of the Code, we and Clear Channel Communications have agreed to each be responsible for 50% of the tax-related liabilities arising from the failure of such a spin-off to so qualify.
Any deterioration in the financial condition of Clear Channel Communications could adversely affect our access to the credit markets and increase our borrowing costs
As long as Clear Channel Communications maintains significant control over us, a deterioration in the financial condition of Clear Channel Communications could have the effect of increasing our borrowing costs or impairing our access to the capital markets because of our reliance on Clear Channel Communications for availability under our Due from Clear Channel Communications account and its revolving credit facility. To the extent we do not pass on our increased borrowing costs to our clients, our profitability, and potentially our ability to raise capital, could be materially affected. Also, until the first date Clear Channel Communications owns shares of our common stock representing less than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock, pursuant to the Master Agreement between us and Clear Channel Communications, Clear Channel Communications will have the ability to limit our ability to incur debt or issue equity securities, among other limitations, which could adversely affect our ability to meet our liquidity needs or to grow our business.
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Risks Related to Our Class A Common Stock
Our stock ownership by Clear Channel Communications, provisions in our agreements with Clear Channel Communications and our corporate governance documents and Delaware law may delay or prevent an acquisition of us that our other stockholders may consider favorable, which could decrease the value of your shares of Class A common stock
As long as Clear Channel Communications continues to own shares of our common stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock, it will have the ability to control decisions regarding an acquisition of us by a third party. As a controlled company, we are exempt from some of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE, including the requirement that our Board of Directors be comprised of a majority of independent directors. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors. These provisions include restrictions on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors, supermajority voting requirements for stockholders to amend our organizational documents, restrictions on a classified board of directors and limitations on action by our stockholders by written consent. Some of these provisions, such as the limitation on stockholder action by written consent, only become effective once Clear Channel Communications no longer controls us. In addition, our Board of Directors has the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer. Delaware law also imposes certain restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. These restrictions under Delaware law do not apply to Clear Channel Communications while it retains at least 15% or more of our Class B common stock. Although we believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics and thereby provide for an opportunity to receive a higher bid by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders.
If Clear Channel Communications spins off our Class B common stock to the CC Media Holdings stockholders and such shares do not convert into Class A common stock upon a sale or other transfer subsequent to such distribution, the voting rights of our Class A common stock will continue to be disproportionately lower than the voting rights of our Class B common stock
In connection with any distribution of shares of our Class B common stock to CC Media Holdings common stockholders in a spin-off, Clear Channel Communications may elect in its sole discretion whether our Class B common stock so distributed will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock upon a transfer or sale by the recipient subsequent to the spin-off or whether the Class B common stock will continue as Class B common stock after the distribution. In the event the Class B common stock does not convert into Class A common stock upon a sale or transfer subsequent to a spin-off, the voting rights of Class A common stock will continue to be disproportionately lower than the voting rights of our Class B common stock. Therefore, the holders of our Class B common stock will continue to be able to direct the election of all the members of our Board of Directors and exercise a controlling influence over our business and affairs.
An increase in the concentration of our stock ownership by Clear Channel Communications could depress the market price for shares of our Class A common stock
As a result of the significant concentration of our stock ownership, we have a relatively small public float compared to the number of our shares outstanding, which may adversely affect the trading price for our Class A common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling stockholders. On August 9, 2010, Clear Channel Communications, our indirect parent entity, announced a stock purchase program under which Clear Channel Communications or its subsidiaries may purchase up to an aggregate of $100 million of our Class A common stock and/or the Class A common stock of CC Media Holdings, Inc. As of December 31, 2011, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications purchased 1,553,971 shares of our Class A common stock through open market purchases. Future stock purchases under this program would result in additional concentration of our stock ownership and further reduce our public float.
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Future sales or distributions of our shares by Clear Channel Communications could depress the market price for shares of our Class A common stock
Clear Channel Communications may sell all or part of the shares of our common stock it owns or distribute those shares to the CC Media Holdings stockholders, including pursuant to demand registration rights described in the Registration Rights Agreement between us and Clear Channel Communications. Sales or distributions by Clear Channel Communications of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market or to the CC Media Holdings stockholders could adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Class A common stock. Clear Channel Communications has advised us it currently intends to continue to hold all of our common stock it owns. However, Clear Channel Communications is not subject to any contractual obligation that would prohibit it from selling, spinning off, splitting off or otherwise disposing of any shares of our common stock. Consequently, we cannot assure you Clear Channel Communications will maintain its ownership of our common stock.
We currently do not pay dividends on our Class A common stock
To date, we have never paid dividends on our Class A common stock and are subject to restrictions on our ability to pay dividends should we seek to do so in the future. We are a holding company with no independent operations and no significant assets other than the stock of our subsidiaries. We therefore are dependent upon the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries to pay dividends. In addition, our senior notes contain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. If we elect not to pay dividends in the future or are prevented from doing so, the price of our Class A common stock must appreciate in order to realize a gain on your investment. This appreciation may not occur.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. At December 31, 2011, we had $2.55 billion of total indebtedness outstanding, including: (1) $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc. Senior Notes; and (2) $45.9 million outstanding of other debt. This large amount of indebtedness could have negative consequences for us, including, without limitation:
| requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to the payment of principal and interest on indebtedness, thereby reducing cash available for other purposes, including to fund operations and capital expenditures, invest in new technology and pursue other business opportunities; |
| limiting our liquidity and operational flexibility and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; |
| limiting our ability to adjust to changing economic, business and competitive conditions; |
| requiring us to defer planned capital expenditures, reduce discretionary spending, sell assets, restructure existing indebtedness or defer acquisitions or other strategic opportunities; |
| limiting our ability to refinance any of our indebtedness or increasing the cost of any such financing in any downturn in our operating performance or decline in general economic conditions; |
| making us more vulnerable to a downturn in our operating performance or a decline in general economic or industry conditions; and |
| making us more susceptible to changes in credit ratings, which could impact our ability to obtain financing in the future and increase the cost of such financing. |
If compliance with our debt obligations materially hinders our ability to operate our business and adapt to changing industry conditions, we may lose market share, our revenue may decline and our operating results may suffer.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.
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If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to take any of these actions, and these actions may not be successful or permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Furthermore, these actions may not be permitted under the terms of our existing or future debt agreements.
Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and increase our debt service obligations and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness we will be in default under one or more of our debt agreements and, as a result we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Because we derive a substantial portion of operating income from our subsidiaries, our ability to repay our debt depends upon the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to dividend or distribute funds to us
We derive a substantial portion of operating income from our subsidiaries. As a result, our cash flow and the ability to service our indebtedness depend on the performance of our subsidiaries and the ability of those entities to distribute funds to us. We cannot assure you that our subsidiaries will be able to, or be permitted to, pay to us the amounts necessary to service our debt.
The documents governing our indebtedness contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business
Our material financing agreements contain various covenants restricting, among other things, our ability to:
| make acquisitions or investments; |
| make loans or otherwise extend credit to others; |
| incur indebtedness or issue shares or guarantees; |
| create liens; |
| sell, lease, transfer or dispose of assets; |
| merge or consolidate with other companies; and |
| make a substantial change to the general nature of our business. |
These restrictions could affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to react to market conditions or take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. For example, such restrictions could adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, make strategic acquisitions, investments or alliances, restructure our organization or finance our capital needs. Additionally, our ability to comply with these covenants and restrictions may be affected by events beyond our control. These include prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If we breach any of these covenants or restrictions, we could be in default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, and as a result we would be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Except for the historical information, this report contains various forward-looking statements which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including, without limitation, our future operating and financial performance, our ability to comply with the covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness and the availability of capital and the terms thereof. Statements expressing expectations and projections with respect to future matters are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to many variables which could impact our future performance. These
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statements are made on the basis of managements views and assumptions, as of the time the statements are made, regarding future events and performance. There can be no assurance, however, that managements expectations will necessarily come to pass. We do not intend, nor do we undertake any duty, to update any forward-looking statements.
A wide range of factors could materially affect future developments and performance, including:
| risks associated with a global economic downturn and its impact on capital markets; |
| other general economic and political conditions in the United States and in other countries in which we currently do business, including those resulting from recessions, political events and acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts; |
| industry conditions, including competition; |
| the level of expenditures on advertising; |
| legislative or regulatory requirements; |
| fluctuations in operating costs; |
| technological changes and innovations; |
| changes in labor conditions and management; |
| capital expenditure requirements; |
| risks of doing business in foreign countries; |
| fluctuations in exchange rates and currency values; |
| the outcome of pending and future litigation; |
| changes in interest rates; |
| taxes and tax disputes; |
| shifts in population and other demographics; |
| access to capital markets and borrowed indebtedness; |
| our ability to implement our business strategies; |
| the risk that we may not be able to integrate the operations of acquired businesses successfully; |
| the risk that our cost savings initiatives may not be entirely successful or that any cost savings achieved from those initiatives may not persist; |
| the impact of our substantial indebtedness, including the effect of our leverage on our financial position and earnings; |
| our relationship with Clear Channel Communications; |
| the impact of the above and similar factors on Clear Channel Communications, our primary direct or indirect external source of capital; and |
| certain other factors set forth in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
This list of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative and is not intended to be exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
Our worldwide corporate headquarters is in San Antonio, Texas, where Clear Channel Communications owns an approximately 55,000 square foot executive office building and an approximately 123,000 square foot data and administrative service center. The headquarters of our Americas operations is in Phoenix, Arizona, and the headquarters of our International operations is in London, England. The types of properties required to support each of our outdoor advertising branches include offices, production facilities and structure sites. An outdoor branch and production facility is generally located in an industrial or warehouse district. In addition, certain of our executive offices are located in New York, New York.
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With respect to each of the Americas and International segments, we primarily lease our outdoor display sites and own or have acquired permanent easements for relatively few parcels of real property that serve as the sites for our outdoor displays. Our leases generally range from month-to-month to year-to-year and can be for terms of 10 years or longer, and many provide for renewal options.
There is no significant concentration of displays under any one lease or subject to negotiation with any one landlord. We believe that an important part of our management activity is to negotiate suitable lease renewals and extensions. For additional information regarding our CCME and outdoor properties, see Item 1. Business.
We currently are involved in certain legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and, as required, have accrued an estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of those claims for which the occurrence of loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings. Additionally, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
On or about July 12, 2006 and April 12, 2007, two of our operating businesses (L&C Outdoor Ltda. (L&C) and Publicidad Klimes São Paulo Ltda. (Klimes), respectively) in the São Paulo, Brazil market received notices of infraction from the state taxing authority, seeking to impose a value added tax (VAT) on such businesses, retroactively for the period from December 31, 2001 through January 31, 2006. The taxing authority contends that these businesses fall within the definition of communication services and as such are subject to the VAT.
L&C and Klimes have filed separate petitions to challenge the imposition of this tax. L&Cs challenge in the administrative courts was unsuccessful at the first level, but successful at the second administrative level. The state taxing authority filed an appeal to the third and final administrative level, which required consideration by a full panel of 16 administrative law judges. On September 27, 2010, L&C received an unfavorable ruling at this final administrative level, which concluded that the VAT applied. On December 15, 2011, a Special Chamber of the administrative court considered the reasonableness of the amount of the penalty assessed against L&C and significantly reduced the penalty. With the reduction, the amounts allegedly owed by L&C are approximately $8.6 million in taxes, approximately $4.3 million in penalties and approximately $18.4 million in interest (as of December 31, 2011 at an exchange rate of 0.534). On January 27, 2012, L&C filed a writ of mandamus in the 8th lower public treasury court in São Paulo, State of São Paulo, appealing the administrative courts decision that the VAT applies. On that same day, L&C filed a motion for an injunction barring the taxing authority from collecting the tax, penalty and interest while the appeal is pending. The court denied the motion on January 30, 2012. L&C filed a motion for reconsideration, and in early February 2012, the court granted that motion and issued an injunction.
Klimes challenge was unsuccessful at the first level of the administrative courts, and denied at the second administrative level on or about September 24, 2009. On January 5, 2011, the administrative law judges at the third administrative level published a ruling that the VAT applies but significantly reduced the penalty assessed by the taxing authority. With the penalty reduction, the amounts allegedly owed by Klimes are approximately $9.7 million in taxes, approximately $4.8 million in penalties and approximately $20.1 million in interest (as of December 31, 2011 at an exchange rate of 0.534). In late February 2011, Klimes filed a writ of mandamus in the 13th lower public treasury court in São Paulo, State of São Paulo, appealing the administrative courts decision that the VAT applies. On that same day, Klimes filed a motion for an injunction barring the taxing authority from collecting the tax, penalty and interest while the appeal is pending. The court denied the motion in early April 2011. Klimes filed a motion for reconsideration with the court and also appealed that ruling to the São Paulo State Higher Court, which affirmed in late April 2011. On June 20, 2011, the 13th lower public treasury court in São Paulo reconsidered its prior ruling and granted Klimes an injunction suspending any collection effort by the taxing authority until a decision on the merits is obtained at the first judicial level.
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On August 8, 2011, Brazils National Council of Fiscal Policy (CONFAZ) published a rule authorizing a general amnesty to sixteen states, including the State of São Paulo, to reduce the principal amount of VAT allegedly owed for communications services and reduce or waive related interest and penalties. The State of São Paulo ratified the amnesty in late August 2011. However, in late 2011, the State of São Paulo decided not to pursue the general amnesty, but it has indicated that it would be willing to consider a special amnesty for the out-of-home industry. Klimes and L&C are actively exploring this opportunity but do not know whether the State ultimately will offer a special amnesty or what the terms of any special amnesty might be. Accordingly, the businesses continue to vigorously pursue their appeals in the lower public treasury court.
At December 31, 2011, the range of reasonably possible loss is from zero to approximately $31.2 million in the L&C matter and is from zero to approximately $34.6 million in the Klimes matter. The maximum loss that could ultimately be paid depends on the timing of the final resolution at the judicial level and applicable future interest rates. Based on our review of the law, the outcome of similar cases at the judicial level and the advice of counsel, we have not accrued any costs related to these claims and believe the occurrence of loss is not probable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following information with respect to our executive officers is presented as of February 15, 2012:
Name |
Age |
Position |
||
Robert W. Pittman | 58 | Executive Chairman and Director | ||
C. William Eccleshare | 56 | Chief Executive Officer | ||
Jonathan D. Bevan | 40 | Managing Director and Chief Operating OfficerClear Channel International | ||
Thomas W. Casey | 49 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Scott D. Hamilton | 42 | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Secretary | ||
Franklin G. Sisson, Jr. | 59 | Chief Revenue Officer | ||
Robert H. Walls, Jr. | 51 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
The officers named above serve until the next Board of Directors meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified, in each case unless the officer sooner dies, resigns or is removed. We expect to retain the individuals named above as our executive officers at such next Board of Directors meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Robert W. Pittman was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and a director of CC Media Holdings and Clear Channel Communications and as Executive Chairman and a director of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings on October 2, 2011. Prior thereto, Mr. Pittman served as Chairman of Media and Entertainment Platforms for CC Media Holdings and Clear Channel Communications since November 2010. He has been a member of, and an investor in, Pilot Group Manager, LLC, Pilot Group GP, LLC, and Pilot Group LP, a private equity partnership, since April 2003, and Pilot Group II GP, LLC, and Pilot Group II LP, a private equity partnership, since 2006. Mr. Pittman was formerly Chief Operating Officer of AOL Time Warner, Inc. from May 2002 to July 2002. He also served as Co-Chief Operating Officer of AOL Time Warner, Inc. from January 2001 to May 2002, and earlier, as President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online, Inc. from February 1998 to January 2001. Mr. Pittman serves on the boards of numerous charitable organizations, including the Alliance for Lupus Research, the New York City Ballet, Public Theater, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, where he has served as past Chairman.
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C. William Eccleshare was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer and as Chief Executive OfficerOutdoor of CC Media Holdings and Clear Channel Communications on January 24, 2012. Prior thereto, he served as our Chief Executive OfficerInternational since September 1, 2009. He also served as Chief Executive OfficerClear Channel OutdoorInternational of CC Media Holdings and Clear Channel Communications from February 17, 2011 until January 24, 2012. Previously, he was Chairman and CEO of BBDO EMEA from 2005 to 2009. Prior thereto, he was Chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam EMEA since 2002.
Jonathan D. Bevan was appointed as our Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Clear Channel International on February 1, 2012. Prior thereto, he served as our Chief Operating Officer International since October 2009. He served as our Chief Financial Officer International and Director of Corporate Development from November 2006 to November 2009. Prior thereto, he served as our Chief Financial Officer International from January 2006 to November 2006.
Thomas W. Casey was appointed as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CC Media Holdings and Clear Channel Communications, effective as of January 4, 2010. On March 31, 2011, Mr. Casey was appointed to serve in the newly-created Office of the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., Clear Channel Communications and CC Media Holdings, in addition to his existing offices. Mr. Casey served in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Communications and CC Media Holdings until October 2, 2011, and served in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. until January 24, 2012. Prior to January 4, 2010, Mr. Casey served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Washington Mutual, Inc. from November 2002 until October 2008. Washington Mutual, Inc. filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in September 2008. Prior to November 2002, Mr. Casey served as Vice President of General Electric Company and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GE Financial Assurance since 1999.
Scott D. Hamilton was appointed as our Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Secretary, and as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Secretary of CC Media Holdings and Clear Channel Communications, on April 26, 2010. Previously, Mr. Hamilton served as Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Avaya Inc. (Avaya), a multinational telecommunications company, from October 2008 to April 2010. Prior thereto, Mr. Hamilton served in various accounting and finance positions at Avaya, beginning in October 2004. Prior thereto, Mr. Hamilton was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers from September 1992 until September 2004.
Franklin G. Sisson, Jr. was appointed Chief Revenue Officer on February 1, 2012. Prior thereto, he served as our Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing since 2001.
Robert H. Walls, Jr. was appointed as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of CC Media Holdings and Clear Channel Communications on January 1, 2010. On March 31, 2011, Mr. Walls was appointed to serve in the newly-created Office of the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., Clear Channel Communications and CC Media Holdings, in addition to his existing offices. Mr. Walls served in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Communications and CC Media Holdings until October 2, 2011, and served in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. until January 24, 2012. Mr. Walls was a founding partner of Post Oak Energy Capital, LP and served as Managing Director through December 31, 2009, and remains an advisor to and a partner of Post Oak Energy Capital, LP. Prior thereto, Mr. Walls was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Enron Corp., and a member of its Chief Executive Office since 2002. Prior thereto, he was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Enron Global Assets and Services, Inc. and Deputy General Counsel of Enron Corp.
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ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Our Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol CCO. There were 79 shareholders of record as of January 31, 2012. This figure does not include an estimate of the indeterminate number of beneficial holders whose shares may be held of record by brokerage firms and clearing agencies. The following table sets forth, for the calendar quarters indicated, the reported high and low sales prices of our Class A common stock as reported on the NYSE:
Class A | Class A | |||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock Market Price |
Common Stock Market Price |
|||||||||||||||||||
High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||||||||||
2011 |
2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
$15.47 | $12.80 | First Quarter | $12.10 | $9.00 | |||||||||||||||
Second Quarter |
15.38 | 12.70 | Second Quarter | 13.25 | 8.43 | |||||||||||||||
Third Quarter |
13.67 | 9.31 | Third Quarter | 11.99 | 8.08 | |||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
12.60 | 8.66 | Fourth Quarter | 14.46 | 10.97 |
There is no established public trading market for our Class B common Stock. There were 315,000,000 Class B common shares outstanding on January 31, 2012. Clear Channel Communications indirectly holds all of the shares of Class B common stock outstanding, representing approximately 89% of the shares outstanding and approximately 99% of the voting power. The holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock have identical rights, except holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B common stock are entitled to 20 votes per share. The Class B shares of common stock are convertible, at the option of the holder at any time or upon any transfer, into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain limited exceptions.
Dividend Policy
To date, we have never paid dividends on our Class A common stock and our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is subject to restrictions should we seek to do so in the future. We are a holding company with no independent operations and no significant assets other than the stock of our subsidiaries. We, therefore, are dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries to pay dividends. In addition, the indenture governing our Series B senior notes contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. If we were to declare and pay cash dividends in the future, holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock would share equally, on a per share basis, in any such cash dividend. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources Sources of Capital Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Senior Notes and Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
We did not sell any equity securities during 2011 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
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Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth the purchases made during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 by us or on our behalf or by or on behalf of an affiliated purchaser of shares of our Class A common stock registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:
Period |
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) |
Average Price Paid per Share |
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
||||||||||||
October 1 through October 31 |
394 | $ 10.84 | | (2 | ) | |||||||||||
November 1 through November 30 |
555,721 | $ 10.35 | 555,721 | (2 | ) | |||||||||||
December 1 through December 31 |
15,581 | $ 11.66 | | (2 | ) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
571,696 | $ 10.38 | 555,721 | $ 83,627,310 (2 | ) |
(1) | The shares indicated consist of (a) 15,975 shares tendered by employees to us during the three months ended December 31, 2011 to satisfy the employees tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting and release of restricted shares, which are repurchased by us based on their fair market value on the date the relevant transaction occurs and (b) 555,721 shares of our Class A common stock purchased pursuant to a stock purchase program, as described in footnote (2) below. |
(2) | On August 9, 2010, Clear Channel Communications announced that its board of directors approved a stock purchase program under which Clear Channel Communications or its subsidiaries may purchase up to an aggregate of $100 million of our Class A common stock and/or the Class A common stock of CC Media Holdings. No shares of the Class A common stock of CC Media Holdings were purchased under the stock purchase program during the three months ended December 31, 2011. However, during the three months ended December 31, 2011, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications purchased $5,749,343 of our Class A common stock (555,721 shares) through open market purchases, which, together with previous purchases under the program, leaves an aggregate of $83,627,310 available under the stock purchase program to purchase the Class A common stock of CC Media Holdings and/or our Class A common stock. The stock purchase program does not have a fixed expiration date and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time at Clear Channel Communications discretion. |
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth our summary historical consolidated financial and other data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The summary historical financial data are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for future periods. Acquisitions and dispositions impact the comparability of the historical consolidated financial data reflected in this schedule of Selected Financial Data.
The summary historical consolidated financial and other data should be read in conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto located within Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 is comprised of two periods: post-merger and pre-merger. We applied purchase accounting adjustments to the opening balance sheet on July 31, 2008 as the merger occurred at the close of business on July 30, 2008. The merger resulted in a new basis of accounting beginning on July 31, 2008.
(In thousands) | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 (1) | ||||||||||||||||
Post-Merger | Post-Merger | Post-Merger | Combined | Pre-Merger | ||||||||||||||||
Results of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 3,003,874 | $ | 2,797,994 | $ | 2,698,024 | $ | 3,289,287 | $ | 3,281,836 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
1,638,801 | 1,559,972 | 1,625,083 | 1,882,136 | 1,734,845 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
540,872 | 494,656 | 484,404 | 606,370 | 537,994 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate expenses |
90,205 | 107,596 | 65,247 | 71,045 | 66,080 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
432,035 | 413,588 | 439,647 | 472,350 | 399,483 | |||||||||||||||
Impairment charges (2) |
7,614 | 11,493 | 890,737 | 3,217,649 | | |||||||||||||||
Other operating income (expense) net |
8,591 | (23,753 | ) | (8,231 | ) | 15,848 | 11,824 | |||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
302,938 | 186,936 | (815,325 | ) | (2,944,415 | ) | 555,258 | |||||||||||||
Interest expense net (including interest on debt with Clear Channel Communications) |
196,976 | 219,993 | 154,195 | 161,650 | 157,881 | |||||||||||||||
Loss on marketable securities |
(4,827 | ) | (6,490 | ) | (11,315 | ) | (59,842 | ) | | |||||||||||
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
6,029 | (9,936 | ) | (31,442 | ) | 68,733 | 4,402 | |||||||||||||
Other income (expense) net |
(649 | ) | (5,335 | ) | (9,368 | ) | 25,479 | 10,113 | ||||||||||||
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|
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|
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
106,515 | (54,818 | ) | (1,021,645 | ) | (3,071,695 | ) | 411,892 | ||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
(43,296 | ) | (21,599 | ) | 149,110 | 220,319 | (146,641 | ) | ||||||||||||
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|
|
|
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|
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|
|
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Consolidated net income (loss) |
63,219 | (76,417 | ) | (872,535 | ) | (2,851,376 | ) | 265,251 | ||||||||||||
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
20,273 | 11,106 | (4,346 | ) | (293 | ) | 19,261 | |||||||||||||
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|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |
$ | 42,946 | $ | (87,523 | ) | $ | (868,189 | ) | $ | (2,851,083 | ) | $ | 245,990 | |||||||
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(In thousands, except per share data) | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 (1) | ||||||||||||||||
Post-Merger | Post-Merger | Post-Merger | Combined | Pre-Merger | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company per common share: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.11 | $ | (0.26) | $ | (2.46) | $ | (8.03) | $ | 0.69 | ||||||||||
Weighted average common shares |
355,907 | 355,568 | 355,377 | 355,233 | 354,838 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.11 | $ | (0.26) | $ | (2.46) | $ | (8.03) | $ | 0.69 | ||||||||||
Weighted average common shares |
356,528 | 355,568 | 355,377 | 355,233 | 355,806 | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 (1) | ||||||||||||||||
Post-Merger | Post-Merger | Post-Merger | Post-Merger | Pre-Merger | ||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
$ | 1,453,728 | $ | 1,550,493 | $ | 1,640,545 | $ | 1,554,652 | $ | 1,607,107 | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment net |
2,246,710 | 2,297,724 | 2,440,638 | 2,586,720 | 2,244,108 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets |
7,088,185 | 7,076,565 | 7,192,422 | 8,050,761 | 5,935,604 | |||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
720,983 | 765,936 | 771,093 | 791,865 | 921,292 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, including current maturities |
2,545,909 | 2,563,809 | 2,608,878 | 2,601,854 | 2,682,021 | |||||||||||||||
Shareholders equity |
2,740,227 | 2,708,055 | 2,761,377 | 3,543,823 | 2,198,594 |
(1) | Effective January 1, 2007, we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, codified in ASC 740-10. In accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-10, the effects of adoption were accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the balance of retained earnings on the date of adoption. |
(2) | We recorded non-cash impairment charges of $7.6 million and $11.5 million during 2011 and 2010, respectively. We also recorded non-cash impairment charges of $890.7 million in 2009 and $3.2 billion in 2008 as a result of the global economic downturn which adversely affected advertising revenues across our businesses. Our impairment charges are discussed more fully in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
Clear Channel Communications Merger
On July 30, 2008, Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (Clear Channel Communications), our parent company, completed its merger with a subsidiary of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (CC Media Holdings), a company formed by a group of private equity funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (together, the Sponsors). Clear Channel Communications is now owned indirectly by CC Media Holdings. The merger was accounted for as a purchase business combination in conformity with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations, and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 88-16, Basis in Leveraged Buyout Transactions. ASC 805-50-S99-1 requires the application of push down accounting in situations where the ownership of an entity has changed. As a result, the post-merger financial statements reflect a new basis of accounting. A portion of the consideration paid was allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired at their respective fair values at July 30, 2008. The remaining portion was recorded at the continuing shareholders basis, due to the fact that certain shares of Clear Channel Communications were exchanged for shares of CC Media Holdings Class A common stock. Excess consideration after this allocation was recorded as goodwill.
Format of Presentation
Managements discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. Our discussion is presented on both a consolidated and segment basis. Our reportable operating segments are Americas outdoor advertising (Americas) and International outdoor advertising (International). Our Americas and International segments provide outdoor advertising services in their respective geographic regions using various digital and traditional display types.
We manage our operating segments primarily focusing on their operating income, while Corporate expenses, Impairment charges, Other operating income (expense) - net, Interest expense, Loss on marketable securities, Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates, Other income (expense) net and Income tax benefit (expense) are managed on a total company basis and are, therefore, included only in our discussion of consolidated results.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.
Description of Our Business
Our revenue is derived from selling advertising space on the displays we own or operate in key markets worldwide, consisting primarily of billboards, street furniture and transit displays. Part of our long-term strategy is to pursue the technology of digital displays, including flat screens, LCDs and LEDs, as alternatives to traditional methods of displaying our clients advertisements. We are currently installing these technologies in certain markets, both domestically and internationally.
We own the majority of our advertising displays, which typically are located on sites that we either lease or own or for which we have acquired permanent easements. Our advertising contracts with clients typically outline the number of displays reserved, the duration of the advertising campaign and the unit price per display.
Management typically monitors our business by reviewing the average rates, average revenue per display, or yield, occupancy, and inventory levels of each of our display types by market.
The significant expenses associated with our operations include (i) direct production, maintenance and installation expenses, (ii) site lease expenses for land under our displays and (iii) revenue-sharing or minimum guaranteed amounts payable under our billboard, street furniture and transit display contracts. Our direct production, maintenance and installation expenses include costs for printing, transporting and changing the advertising copy on our displays, the related labor costs, the vinyl and paper costs, electricity costs and the costs for cleaning and maintaining our displays. Vinyl and paper costs vary according to the complexity of the advertising
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copy and the quantity of displays. Our site lease expenses include lease payments for use of the land under our displays, as well as any revenue-sharing arrangements or minimum guaranteed amounts payable that we may have with the landlords. The terms of our site leases and revenue-sharing or minimum guaranteed contracts generally range from one to 20 years.
Americas
Our advertising rates are based on a number of different factors including location, competition, size of display, illumination, market and gross ratings points. Gross ratings points are the total number of impressions delivered by a display or group of displays, expressed as a percentage of a market population. The number of impressions delivered by a display is measured by the number of people passing the site during a defined period of time. For all of our billboards in the United States, we use independent, third-party auditing companies to verify the number of impressions delivered by a display.
Client contract terms typically range from four weeks to one year for the majority of our display inventory in the United States. Generally, we own the street furniture structures and are responsible for their construction and maintenance. Contracts for the right to place our street furniture and transit displays and sell advertising space on them are awarded by municipal and transit authorities in competitive bidding processes governed by local law or are negotiated with private transit operators. Generally, these contracts have terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.
International
Similar to our Americas business, advertising rates generally are based on the gross ratings points of a display or group of displays. The number of impressions delivered by a display, in some countries, is weighted to account for such factors as illumination, proximity to other displays and the speed and viewing angle of approaching traffic. In addition, because our International operations are conducted in foreign markets, primarily Europe and Asia, management reviews the operating results from our foreign operations on a constant dollar basis. A constant dollar basis allows for comparison of operations independent of foreign exchange movements.
Our International display inventory is typically sold to clients through network packages, with client contract terms typically ranging from one to two weeks with terms of up to one year available as well. Internationally, contracts with municipal and transit authorities for the right to place our street furniture and transit displays typically provide for terms ranging from three to 15 years. The major difference between our International and Americas street furniture businesses is in the nature of the municipal contracts. In our International business, these contracts typically require us to provide the municipality with a broader range of metropolitan amenities in exchange for which we are authorized to sell advertising space on certain sections of the structures we erect in the public domain. A different regulatory environment for billboards and competitive bidding for street furniture and transit display contracts, which constitute a larger portion of our business internationally, may result in higher site lease costs in our International business. As a result, our margins are typically lower in our International business than in the Americas.
Macroeconomic Indicators
Our advertising revenue for our Americas and International segments is highly correlated to changes in gross domestic product (GDP) as advertising spending has historically trended in line with GDP. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, estimated U.S. GDP growth for 2011 was 1.7%. Internationally, our results are impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates as well as the economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we have operations.
Executive Summary
The key highlights of our business for the year ended December 31, 2011 are summarized below:
| Consolidated revenue increased $205.9 million during 2011 compared to 2010. |
| Americas revenue increased $46.6 million during 2011 compared to 2010, driven by revenue growth across our bulletin, airport and shelter displays, particularly digital displays. During 2011, we deployed 242 digital billboards in the United States, compared to 158 for 2010. We continue to see opportunities to invest in digital displays and expect our digital display deployments will continue throughout 2012. |
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| International revenue increased $159.3 million during 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as a result of increased street furniture revenues and the effects of movements in foreign exchange. The weakening of the U.S. Dollar throughout 2011 has significantly contributed to revenue growth in our International business. The revenue increase attributable to movements in foreign exchange was $82.0 million for 2011. |
The key highlights of our business for the year ended December 31, 2010 are summarized below:
| Consolidated revenue increased $100.0 million during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily as a result of improved economic conditions. |
| Americas revenue increased $51.9 million during 2010 compared to 2009, driven by revenue growth across our advertising inventory, particularly digital. |
| International revenue increased $48.1 million during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily as a result of increased revenue from street furniture across most countries, partially offset by a decrease from movements in foreign exchange of $10.3 million. |
| During 2010, we received $51.0 million in Federal income tax refunds. |
| On October 15, 2010, we transferred our interest in our Branded Cities operations to our joint venture partner, The Ellman Companies. We recorded a loss of $25.3 million in Other operating income (expense) net related to the transfer. |
Relationship with Clear Channel Communications
There are several agreements which govern our relationship with Clear Channel Communications including the Master Agreement, Corporate Services Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement and Tax Matters Agreement. Clear Channel Communications has the right to terminate these agreements in various circumstances. As of the date of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, no notice of termination of any of these agreements has been received from Clear Channel Communications. Our agreements with Clear Channel Communications continue under the same terms and conditions subsequent to Clear Channel Communications merger.
In accordance with the Master Agreement, our branch managers follow a corporate policy allowing Clear Channel Communications to use, without charge, Americas displays they believe would otherwise be unsold. Our sales personnel receive partial revenue credit for that usage for compensation purposes. This partial revenue credit is not included in our reported revenue. Clear Channel Communications bears the cost of producing the advertising and we bear the costs of installing and removing this advertising. In 2011, we estimated this discounted revenue would have been less than 1% of our Americas revenue.
Under the Corporate Services Agreement, Clear Channel Communications provides management services to us. These services are charged to us based on actual direct costs incurred or allocated by Clear Channel Communications based on headcount, revenue or other factors on a pro rata basis. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded approximately $26.4 million, $38.1 million and $28.5 million, respectively, as a component of corporate expenses for these services.
On August 9, 2010, Clear Channel Communications announced that its board of directors approved a stock purchase program under which Clear Channel Communications or its subsidiaries may purchase up to an aggregate of $100 million of our Class A common stock and/or the Class A common stock of CC Media Holdings. No shares of the Class A common stock of CC Media Holdings were purchased under the stock purchase program during the year ended December 31, 2011. However, during the year ended December 31, 2011, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications purchased $16.4 million of our Class A common stock (1,553,971 shares) through open market purchases, leaving an aggregate of $83.6 million available under the stock purchase program to purchase the Class A common stock of CC Media Holdings and/or our Class A common stock. The stock purchase program does not have a fixed expiration date and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time at Clear Channel Communications discretion.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Results of Operations
The comparison of our historical results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 to the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % | ||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | Change | ||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 3,003,874 | $ | 2,797,994 | 7 | % | ||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
1,638,801 | 1,559,972 | 5 | % | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
540,872 | 494,656 | 9 | % | ||||||||
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
90,205 | 107,596 | (16 | %) | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
432,035 | 413,588 | 5 | % | ||||||||
Impairment charges |
7,614 | 11,493 | ||||||||||
Other operating income (expense) net |
8,591 | (23,753 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Operating income |
302,938 | 186,936 | ||||||||||
Interest expense |
242,435 | 239,453 | ||||||||||
Interest income on Due From Clear Channel Communications |
45,459 | 19,460 | ||||||||||
Loss on marketable securities |
(4,827 | ) | (6,490 | ) | ||||||||
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
6,029 | (9,936 | ) | |||||||||
Other expense net |
(649 | ) | (5,335 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
106,515 | (54,818 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax expense |
(43,296 | ) | (21,599 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Consolidated net income (loss) |
63,219 | (76,417 | ) | |||||||||
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
20,273 | 11,106 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |
$ | 42,946 | $ | (87,523 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Revenue
Our consolidated revenue increased $205.9 million during 2011 compared to 2010. Americas revenue increased $46.6 million, driven by increases in revenue across bulletin, airport and shelter displays, particularly digital displays, as a result of our continued deployment of new digital displays and increased rates. Our International revenue increased $159.3 million, primarily from increased street furniture revenue across our markets and an $82.0 million increase from the impact of movements in foreign exchange.
Consolidated Direct Operating Expenses
Direct operating expenses increased $78.8 million during 2011 compared to 2010. Americas direct operating expenses increased $18.6 million, primarily due to increased site lease expense associated with higher airport and bulletin revenue, particularly digital displays, and the increased deployment of digital displays. Direct operating expenses in our International segment increased $60.2 million, primarily from a $52.0 million increase from movements in foreign exchange.
Consolidated Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses
SG&A expenses increased $46.2 million during 2011 compared to 2010. SG&A expenses increased $6.4 million in our Americas segment, which was primarily as a result of increased commission expense associated with the increase in revenue. Our International SG&A expenses increased $39.8 million primarily due to a $15.9 million increase from movements in foreign exchange, a $6.5 million increase related to the unfavorable impact of litigation and increased selling and marketing expenses associated with the increase in revenue.
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Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses decreased by $17.4 million during 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to a decrease in bonus expense related to our variable compensation plans and general corporate infrastructure support services being offset by an increase in divisional corporate expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $18.4 million during 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to increases in accelerated depreciation and amortization related to the removal of various structures, including the removal of traditional billboards in connection with the continued deployment of digital billboards. In addition, movements in foreign exchange contributed an increase of $7.4 million during 2011.
Impairment Charges
We performed our annual impairment test on October 1, 2011 on our goodwill, billboard permits and other intangible assets and recorded impairment charges of $7.6 million. We also performed our annual impairment test on October 1, 2010 and recorded impairment charges of $11.5 million. Please see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further description of the impairment charges.
Other Operating Income (Expense) Net
Other operating income of $8.6 million in 2011 primarily related to proceeds received from condemnations of bulletins.
Other operating expense of $23.8 million for 2010 primarily related to a $25.3 million loss recorded as a result of the transfer of our interest in our Branded Cities business.
Interest Income on Due From Clear Channel Communications
Interest income increased $26.0 million during 2011 compared to 2010 due to the increase in the Due from Clear Channel Communications during 2011. In connection with the issuance of the Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Notes (CCWH Notes) in 2009 described elsewhere in this MD&A, we and Clear Channel Communications modified the terms of the revolving promissory notes (recorded as Due from/to Clear Channel Communications account on the consolidated balance sheets) to change the interest rate on each revolving promissory note to equal the interest rate on the CCWH Notes, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.25% per annum.
Loss on Marketable Securities
The loss on marketable securities of $4.8 million and $6.5 million during 2011 and 2010, respectively, primarily related to the impairment of Independent News & Media PLC (INM). The fair value of INM was below cost for an extended period of time. As a result, we considered the guidance in ASC 320-10-S99 and reviewed the length of the time and the extent to which the market value was less than cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer. After this assessment, we concluded that the impairment at each date was other than temporary and recorded non-cash impairment charges to our investment in INM, as noted above.
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Nonconsolidated Affiliates
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated affiliates of $9.9 million for 2010 included an $8.3 million impairment related to an equity investment in our International segment.
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Other Expense Net
Other expense recorded for 2011 and 2010 primarily related to foreign exchange transaction gains/losses on short-term intercompany accounts.
Income Tax Expense
Our operations are included in a consolidated income tax return filed by Clear Channel Communications for pre-merger periods and CC Media Holdings for post-merger periods. However, for our financial statements, our provision for income taxes was computed as if we file separate consolidated Federal income tax returns with our subsidiaries.
Our effective tax rate for 2011 was 40.6%, primarily impacted by the Companys inability to benefit losses in certain foreign jurisdictions as well as additional tax expense recorded for interest on uncertain tax positions. The effects of the items mentioned above were partially offset by a reduction in tax expense recorded during 2011 related to the settlement of U.S. Federal and state tax examinations during the year.
Our effective tax rate for 2010 was (39.4%), primarily impacted by the Companys inability to benefit from tax losses in certain foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of the ability to utilize those losses in future years. In addition, we recorded a valuation allowance of $13.6 million in 2010 against deferred tax assets related to capital allowances in foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of the ability to realize those assets in future periods.
Americas Results of Operations
Our Americas operating results were as follows:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,336,592 | $ | 1,290,014 | 4% | |||||
Direct operating expenses |
607,210 | 588,592 | 3% | |||||||
SG&A expenses |
225,217 | 218,776 | 3% | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
222,554 | 209,127 | 6% | |||||||
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|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income |
$ | 281,611 | $ | 273,519 | 3% | |||||
|
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|
|
Our Americas revenue increased $46.6 million during 2011 compared to 2010, driven primarily by revenue increases from bulletin, airport and shelter displays, and particularly digital displays. Bulletin revenues increased primarily due to digital growth driven by the increased number of digital displays, in addition to increased rates. Airport and shelter revenues increased primarily on higher average rates.
Direct operating expenses increased $18.6 million, primarily due to increased site lease expense associated with higher airport and bulletin revenue, particularly digital displays, and the increased deployment of digital displays. SG&A expenses increased $6.4 million, primarily as a result of increased commission expense associated with the increase in revenue.
Depreciation and amortization increased $13.4 million, primarily due to increases in accelerated depreciation and amortization related to the removal of various structures, including the removal of traditional billboards in connection with the continued deployment of digital billboards.
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International Results of Operations
Our International operating results were as follows:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, |
% Change |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,667,282 | $ | 1,507,980 | 11% | |||||
Direct operating expenses |
1,031,591 | 971,380 | 6% | |||||||
SG&A expenses |
315,655 | 275,880 | 14% | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
208,410 | 204,461 | 2% | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income |
$ | 111,626 | $ | 56,259 | 98% | |||||
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|
|
International revenue increased $159.3 million during 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as a result of increased street furniture revenue across most of our markets. Improved yields and additional displays contributed to the revenue increase in China, and improved yields in combination with a new contract drove the revenue increase in Sweden. The increases from street furniture were partially offset by declines in billboard revenue across several of our markets, primarily Italy and the U.K. Foreign exchange movements resulted in an $82.0 million increase in revenue.
Direct operating expenses increased $60.2 million, attributable to a $52.0 million increase from movements in foreign exchange. In addition, increased site lease expense of $10.7 million associated with the increase in revenue was partially offset by an $8.8 million decline in restructuring expenses. SG&A expenses increased $39.8 million primarily due to a $15.9 million increase from movements in foreign exchange, a $6.5 million increase related to the unfavorable impact of litigation and higher selling expenses associated with the increase in revenue.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The comparison of our historical results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 to the year ended December 31, 2009 is as follows:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Change | ||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 2,797,994 | $ | 2,698,024 | 4% | |||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
1,559,972 | 1,625,083 | (4%) | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
494,656 | 484,404 | 2% | |||||||
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
107,596 | 65,247 | 65% | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
413,588 | 439,647 | (6%) | |||||||
Impairment charges |
11,493 | 890,737 | ||||||||
Other operating expense net |
(23,753 | ) | (8,231 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income (loss) |
186,936 | (815,325 | ) | |||||||
Interest expense |
239,453 | 154,919 | ||||||||
Interest income on Due From Clear Channel Communications |
19,460 | 724 | ||||||||
Loss on marketable securities |
(6,490 | ) | (11,315 | ) | ||||||
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated affiliates |
(9,936 | ) | (31,442 | ) | ||||||
Other expense net |
(5,335 | ) | (9,368 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(54,818 | ) | (1,021,645 | ) | ||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
(21,599 | ) | 149,110 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Consolidated net loss |
(76,417 | ) | (872,535 | ) | ||||||
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
11,106 | (4,346 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to the Company |
$ | (87,523 | ) | $ | (868,189 | ) | ||||
|
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|
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Consolidated Revenue
Consolidated revenue increased $100.0 million during 2010 compared to 2009. Americas revenue increased $51.9 million, driven by revenue increases across most of our advertising inventory, particularly digital. Our International revenue increased $48.1 million, primarily due to revenue growth from street furniture across most countries, partially offset by a $10.3 million decrease from the effects of movements in foreign exchange.
Consolidated Direct Operating Expenses
Direct operating expenses decreased $65.1 million during 2010 compared to 2009. Americas direct operating expenses decreased $19.5 million, primarily as a result of the disposition of our taxi advertising business (as described in the Disposition of Taxi Business section within this MD&A), partially offset by an increase in site lease expenses associated with the increase in revenue. Direct operating expenses in our International segment decreased $45.6 million, primarily as a result of a $20.4 million decline in expenses incurred in connection with our restructuring program in addition to decreased site lease expenses associated with cost savings from our restructuring program, and included an $8.2 million decrease from movements in foreign exchange.
Consolidated SG&A Expenses
Our SG&A expenses increased $10.3 million during 2010 compared to 2009. SG&A expenses increased $16.6 million in our Americas segment, primarily as a result of increased selling and marketing costs associated with the increase in revenue in addition to the unfavorable impact of litigation. Our International SG&A expenses decreased $6.3 million, primarily as a result of a decrease in business tax related to a change in French tax law, and included a $2.3 million decrease from movements in foreign exchange.
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Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses increased $42.3 million during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to increases in bonus expense from improved operating performance and increases related to headcount from centralization efforts and the expansion of corporate capabilities.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization decreased $26.1 million during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily as a result of assets in our International segment that became fully amortized during 2009.
Impairment Charges
We performed our annual impairment test on October 1, 2010 on our goodwill, billboard permits and other intangible assets and recorded impairment charges of $11.5 million. We also performed impairment tests in 2009 on our goodwill, billboard permits and other intangible assets and recorded impairment charges of $890.7 million. Please see the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further description of the impairment charges.
A rollforward of our goodwill balance from December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2009 by reporting unit is as follows:
(In thousands) |
Balances
as of December 31, 2008 |
Acquisitions | Dispositions | Foreign Currency |
Impairment | Adjustments | Balances as of December 31, 2009 |
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United States Outdoor Markets |
$ | 824,730 | $ | 2,250 | $ | | $ | | $ | (324,892 | ) | $ | 69,844 | $ | 571,932 | |||||||||||||
Switzerland |
56,885 | | | 1,276 | (7,827 | ) | | 50,334 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ireland |
14,285 | | | 223 | (12,591 | ) | | 1,917 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Baltics |
10,629 | | | | (10,629 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Americas Mexico |
8,729 | | | 7,440 | (10,085 | ) | (442 | ) | 5,642 | |||||||||||||||||||
Americas Chile |
3,964 | | | 4,417 | (8,381 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Americas Peru |
45,284 | | | | (37,609 | ) | | 7,675 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Americas Brazil |
4,971 | | | 4,436 | (9,407 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
All Others International |
205,744 | 110 | | 15,913 | (42,717 | ) | 45,042 | 224,092 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Americas Canada |
4,920 | | | | | (4,920 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 1,180,141 | $ | 2,360 | $ | | $ | 33,705 | $ | (464,138 | ) | $ | 109,524 | $ | 861,592 | ||||||||||||||
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Other Operating Expense Net
Other operating expense of $23.8 million for 2010 primarily related to a $25.3 million loss recorded as a result of the transfer of our interest in our Branded Cities business.
Other operating expense for 2009 was $8.2 million and primarily related to a loss of $20.9 million on the sale of our taxi advertising business. The loss was partially offset by a $10.1 million gain on the sale of Americas and International assets.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $84.5 million during 2010 compared to 2009. The increase was primarily attributable to the issuance by our subsidiary, Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (CCWH), of $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes in December 2009 (the CCWH Notes), which bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.25% per annum. The senior notes were issued at a higher interest rate than the $2.5 billion note to Clear Channel Communications, which was prepaid and retired in December 2009.
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Interest Income on Due From Clear Channel Communications
Interest income increased $18.7 million during 2010 compared to 2009. In connection with the issuance of the CCWH Notes described elsewhere in this MD&A, we and Clear Channel Communications modified the terms of the revolving promissory notes (recorded as Due from/to Clear Channel Communications account on the consolidated balance sheets) to change the interest rate on each revolving promissory note to equal the interest rate on the CCWH Notes, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.25% per annum. Prior to the amendment of the revolving promissory notes in December 2009, interest on the revolving promissory note owed by Clear Channel Communications accrued on the daily net positive cash position based upon the average one-month generic treasury bill rate.
Loss on Marketable Securities
The loss on marketable securities of $6.5 million and $11.3 million for 2010 and 2009, respectively, primarily related to the impairment of INM. The fair value of INM was below cost for an extended period of time. As a result, we considered the guidance in ASC 320-10-S99 and reviewed the length of the time and the extent to which the market was less than cost and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. After this assessment, we concluded that the impairment at each date was other than temporary and recorded non-cash impairment charges to our investment in INM, as noted above.
Equity in Loss of Nonconsolidated Affiliates
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated affiliates in 2010 included an $8.3 million impairment related to an equity investment in our International segment. Equity in loss of nonconsolidated affiliates of $31.4 million for 2009 primarily related to a $22.9 million impairment of equity investments in our International segment.
Other Expense Net
Other expense recorded for 2010 and 2009 primarily related to foreign exchange transaction gains/losses on short-term intercompany accounts.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
Our effective tax rate for 2010 was (39.4%), primarily impacted by the Companys inability to benefit from tax losses in certain foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of the ability to utilize those losses in future years. In addition, we recorded a valuation allowance of $13.6 million in 2010 against deferred tax assets related to capital allowances in foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of the ability to realize those assets in future periods.
Our effective tax rate for 2009 was 14.6% primarily due to the goodwill impairment charge, which is not deductible for tax purposes, along with our inability to benefit from tax losses in certain foreign jurisdictions as discussed above.
Americas Results of Operations
Disposition of Taxi Business
On December 31, 2009, our subsidiary, Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. (CCOI), disposed of Clear Channel Taxi Media, LLC (Taxis), our taxi advertising business. For the year ended December 31, 2009, Taxis contributed $41.5 million in revenue, $39.8 million in direct operating expenses and $10.5 million in SG&A expenses.
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Our Americas operating results were as follows:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change |
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2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,290,014 | $ | 1,238,171 | 4% | |||||
Direct operating expenses |
588,592 | 608,078 | (3%) | |||||||
SG&A expenses |
218,776 | 202,196 | 8% | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
209,127 | 210,280 | (1%) | |||||||
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Operating income |
$ | 273,519 | $ | 217,617 | 26% | |||||
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Our Americas revenue increased $51.9 million during 2010 compared to 2009 as a result of revenue growth across most of our advertising inventory, particularly digital. The increase was driven by increases in both occupancy and rate. Partially offsetting the revenue increase was the decrease in revenue related to the sale of Taxis.
Our Americas direct operating expenses decreased $19.5 million during 2010 compared to 2009. The decline in direct operating expenses was due to the disposition of Taxis, partially offset by a $20.2 million increase in site-lease expenses associated with the increase in revenue. SG&A expenses increased $16.6 million as a result of a $6.3 million increase primarily related to the unfavorable impact of litigation, a $4.7 million increase in consulting costs and a $6.2 million increase primarily due to bonus and commission expenses associated with the increase in revenue, partially offset by the disposition of Taxis.
International Results of Operations
Our International operating results were as follows:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, |
% Change |
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2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,507,980 | $ | 1,459,853 | 3% | |||||
Direct operating expenses |
971,380 | 1,017,005 | (4%) | |||||||
SG&A expenses |
275,880 | 282,208 | (2%) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
204,461 | 229,367 | (11%) | |||||||
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Operating income (loss) |
$ | 56,259 | $ | (68,727 | ) | 182% | ||||
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Our International revenue increased $48.1 million during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily as a result of revenue growth from street furniture across most countries, partially offset by the exit from the businesses in Greece and India. Foreign exchange movements negatively impacted revenue by $10.3 million.
Direct operating expenses in our International segment decreased $45.6 million during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily as a result of a $20.4 million decrease in expenses incurred in connection with our restructuring program and a $15.6 million decline in site-lease expenses associated with cost savings from our restructuring program. Also contributing to the decreased expenses was the exit from the businesses in Greece and India and an $8.2 million decrease from movements in foreign exchange. SG&A expenses decreased $6.3 million during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily as a result of a $5.4 million decrease in business tax related to a change in French tax law and a $2.3 million decrease from movements in foreign exchange.
Depreciation and amortization decreased $24.9 million during 2010 compared to 2009 primarily as a result of assets that became fully amortized during 2009.
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Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss) to Consolidated Operating Income (Loss)
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Americas |
$ | 281,611 | $ | 273,519 | $ | 217,617 | ||||||
International |
111,626 | 56,259 | (68,727) | |||||||||
Impairment charges |
(7,614) | (11,493) | (890,737) | |||||||||
Corporate (1) |
(91,276) | (107,596) | (65,247) | |||||||||
Other operating income (expense) net |
8,591 | (23,753) | (8,231) | |||||||||
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Consolidated operating income (loss) |
$ | 302,938 | $ | 186,936 | $ | (815,325) | ||||||
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(1) | Corporate expenses include expenses related to our Americas and International operating segments. |
Share-Based Compensation Expense
As of December 31, 2011, there was $18.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements that will vest based on service conditions. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years.
The following table indicates non-cash compensation costs related to share-based payments for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Americas |
$ | 7,927 | $ | 9,207 | $ | 7,977 | ||||||
International |
2,839 | 2,746 | 2,412 | |||||||||
Corporate |
147 | 384 | 1,715 | |||||||||
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Total share-based compensation expense |
$ | 10,913 | $ | 12,337 | $ | 12,104 | ||||||
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following discussion highlights cash flow activities during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Cash Flows
(In thousands) | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Cash provided by (used for): |
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Operating activities |
$ | 517,218 | $ | 525,217 | $ | 441,264 | ||||||
Investing activities |
$ | (298,934 | ) | $ | (198,705 | ) | $ | (162,864 | ) | |||
Financing activities |
$ | (298,744 | ) | $ | (314,463 | ) | $ | 231,656 |
Operating Activities
2011
The decrease in cash flows from operations in 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily driven by declines in working capital and was partially offset by improved profitability, including a 7% increase in revenue. Our net income, adjusted for $453.7 million of non-cash items, provided positive cash flows of $516.9 million in 2011. Cash generated by higher operating income in 2011 compared to 2010 was offset by the decrease in accrued expenses in 2011 as a result of higher variable compensation payments in 2011 associated with our employee incentive programs based on 2010 operating performance. In addition, in 2010 we received $51.0 million in U.S. Federal income tax refunds that increased cash flow from operations in 2010.
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Non-cash items affecting our net income include depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, gain or loss on disposal of operating assets, provision for doubtful accounts, share-based compensation, equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates, amortization of deferred financing charges - net and other reconciling items - net as presented on the face of the statement of cash flows.
2010
The increase in cash flows from operations in 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily driven by improved profitability, including a 4% increase in revenue and a 3% decrease in direct operating and SG&A expenses. Our cash paid for interest increased $81.1 million primarily due to the December 2009 issuance of $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes at a higher rate than the $2.5 billion note to Clear Channel Communications, which was prepaid and retired in December 2009. Partially offsetting the increased interest was the receipt of $51.0 million of Federal income tax refunds during the third quarter of 2010.
2009
The decline in cash flow from operations in 2009 compared to 2008 was primarily driven by an 18% decline in consolidated revenues associated with the weak economy and challenging advertising markets. Our net loss adjusted for non-cash items of $1.3 billion provided positive cash flows of $411.8 million. Changes in working capital provided an additional $29.4 million in operating cash flows for 2009.
Investing Activities
2011
Cash used for investing activities during 2011 primarily reflected capital expenditures of $291.1 million. We spent $131.1 million in our Americas segment primarily related to the construction of new digital billboards and $160.0 million in our International segment primarily related to new billboard and street furniture contracts and renewals of existing contracts.
2010
Cash used for investing activities during 2010 primarily reflected capital expenditures of $195.3 million, partially offset by proceeds of $7.8 million from the sale of International and Americas assets. We spent $96.7 million in our Americas segment primarily related to the construction of new digital billboards and $98.6 million in our International segment primarily related to new billboard and street furniture contracts and renewals of existing contracts.
2009
In 2009, we spent $84.4 million in our Americas segment for the purchase of property, plant and equipment mostly related to the construction of new billboards and $91.5 million in our International segment for the purchase of property, plant and equipment related to new billboard and street furniture contracts and renewals of existing contracts. We also received proceeds of $11.3 million from the sale of International assets and $6.8 million from the sale of Americas assets.
Financing Activities
2011
Cash used for financing activities of $298.7 million for 2011 primarily reflected payments on credit facilities and long-term debt of $4.2 million and $20.1 million, respectively, and net transfers to Clear Channel Communications of $272.3 million. The net transfers of cash to Clear Channel Communications represent the activity in the Due from/to Clear Channel Communications account. This activity primarily relates to working capital.
2010
Cash used for financing activities of $314.5 million for 2010 primarily reflected payments on credit facilities and long-term debt of $47.1 million and $13.2 million, respectively, and net transfers to Clear Channel Communications of $260.5 million.
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2009
Cash provided by financing activities of $231.7 million for 2009 primarily reflected the $2.5 billion proceeds from issuance of senior notes in addition to the $500.0 million repayment by Clear Channel Communications on the Due from Clear Channel Communications account offset by the prepayment and retirement of the $2.5 billion intercompany note due to Clear Channel Communications. In addition, we purchased the remaining 15% interest in our fully consolidated subsidiary, Paneles Napsa S.A., for $13.0 million, and acquired an additional 5% interest in our fully consolidated subsidiary, Clear Channel Jolly Pubblicita SPA, for $12.1 million.
Clear Channel Communications Merger
Clear Channel Communications capitalization, liquidity and capital resources substantially changed due to the consummation of its merger on July 30, 2008. Upon the closing of the merger, Clear Channel Communications incurred additional debt and became highly leveraged. We are not borrowers or guarantors under Clear Channel Communications credit agreements other than for direct borrowings by certain of our International subsidiaries pursuant to the $145.0 million sub-limit included in Clear Channel Communications $1.9 billion revolving credit facility and we are not a guarantor of any of Clear Channel Communications debt. The obligations of these International subsidiaries that are borrowers under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of our material wholly-owned subsidiaries, and secured by substantially all of the assets of such borrowers and guarantors, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions. As of December 31, 2011, we had no outstanding borrowings under the $145.0 million sub-limit facility. Clear Channel Communications had borrowed the entire sub-limit capacity as of December 31, 2011.
The interest rate on outstanding balances under the revolving credit facility is based upon LIBOR or, for Euro denominated borrowings, EURIBOR, plus, in each case, a margin. See discussion below under Liquidity and Capital Resources Sources of Capital Bank Credit Facility. A deterioration in the financial condition of Clear Channel Communications or borrowings by Clear Channel Communications under the $145.0 million sub-limit could also further increase our borrowing costs or impair our access to the capital markets because of our reliance on Clear Channel Communications for availability under this revolving credit facility.
We have a revolving promissory note issued by Clear Channel Communications to us in the amount of $656.0 million as of December 31, 2011 described more fully below under Liquidity and Capital Resources Sources of Capital Promissory Notes with Clear Channel Communications. We are an unsecured creditor of Clear Channel Communications with respect to the revolving promissory note.
Also, so long as Clear Channel Communications maintains a significant interest in us, pursuant to the Master Agreement between Clear Channel Communications and us, Clear Channel Communications will have the option to limit our ability to incur debt or issue equity securities, among other limitations, which could adversely affect our ability to meet our liquidity needs.
Anticipated Cash Requirements
Our primary source of liquidity is cash on hand and cash flow from operations and the revolving promissory note with Clear Channel Communications. Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and conditions in our markets, we believe that cash on hand, cash flows from operations and borrowing capacity under or repayment of the revolving promissory note with Clear Channel Communications will enable us to meet our working capital, capital expenditure, debt service and other funding requirements for at least the next 12 months. In addition, we expect to be in compliance with the covenants governing our indebtedness in 2012. However, our anticipated results are subject to significant uncertainty and there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants. In addition, our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions.
Furthermore, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2012, Clear Channel Communications stated that it expects to be in compliance with the covenants in its material financing agreements in 2012. Clear Channel Communications similarly stated in such Annual Report that its anticipated results are also
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subject to significant uncertainty and there can be no assurance that actual results will be in compliance with the covenants. Moreover, Clear Channel Communications stated in such Annual Report that its ability to comply with the covenants in its material financing agreements may be affected by events beyond its control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. As discussed therein, the breach of any covenants set forth in Clear Channel Communications financing agreements would result in a default thereunder, and an event of default would permit the lenders under a defaulted financing agreement to declare all indebtedness thereunder to be due and payable prior to maturity. Moreover, as discussed therein, the lenders under the revolving credit facility under Clear Channel Communications senior secured credit facilities would have the option to terminate their commitments to make further extensions of revolving credit thereunder. In addition, Clear Channel Communications stated in such Annual Report that if Clear Channel Communications is unable to repay its obligations under any secured credit facility, the lenders could proceed against any assets that were pledged to secure such facility. Finally, Clear Channel Communications stated in such Annual Report that a default or acceleration under any of its material financing agreements could cause a default under other obligations that are subject to cross-default and cross-acceleration provisions. If Clear Channel Communications were to become insolvent, we would be an unsecured creditor of Clear Channel Communications. In such event, we would be treated the same as other unsecured creditors of Clear Channel Communications and, if we were not entitled to the cash previously transferred to Clear Channel Communications, or could not obtain such cash on a timely basis, we could experience a liquidity shortfall.
For so long as Clear Channel Communications maintains significant control over us, a deterioration in the financial condition of Clear Channel Communications could have the effect of increasing our borrowing costs or impairing our access to capital markets. As of December 31, 2011, Clear Channel Communications had $1.2 billion recorded as Cash and cash equivalents on its consolidated balance sheets.
We frequently evaluate strategic opportunities both within and outside our existing lines of business. We expect from time to time to pursue additional acquisitions and may decide to dispose of certain businesses. These acquisitions or dispositions could be material.
Our ability to fund our working capital needs, debt service and other obligations depends on our future operating performance and cash flow. If our future operating performance does not meet our expectations or our plans materially change in an adverse manner or prove to be materially inaccurate, we may need additional financing. We may not be able to secure any such additional financing on terms favorable to us or at all.
Sources of Capital
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had the following debt outstanding, net of cash and cash equivalents and amounts due from Clear Channel Communications:
(In millions) | As of December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
CCWH Senior Notes |
$ | 2,500.0 | $ | 2,500.0 | ||||
Other debt |
45.9 | 63.8 | ||||||
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Total debt |
2,545.9 | 2,563.8 | ||||||
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
524.7 | 624.0 | ||||||
Less: Due from Clear Channel Communications |
656.0 | 383.8 | ||||||
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$ | 1,365.2 | $ | 1,556.0 | |||||
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We may from time to time repay our outstanding debt or seek to purchase our outstanding equity securities. Such transactions, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors.
Bank Credit Facility ($145.0 million sub-limit within Clear Channel Communications $1.9 billion revolving credit facility)
In addition to cash flows from operations, another potential source of liquidity to us is through borrowings under a $145.0 million sub-limit included in Clear Channel Communications multicurrency $1.9 billion revolving credit facility with a maturity in July 2014. Certain of our International subsidiaries may borrow under the sub-limit
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to the extent Clear Channel Communications has not already borrowed against this capacity and is in compliance with its covenants under the credit facility. The obligations of these International subsidiaries that are borrowers under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of our material wholly-owned subsidiaries, and secured by substantially all of the assets of such borrowers and guarantors, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions. As of December 31, 2011, we had no outstanding borrowings under the $145.0 million sub-limit facility. Clear Channel Communications had borrowed the entire sub-limit capacity as of December 31, 2011.
Promissory Notes with Clear Channel Communications
As part of the day-to-day cash management services provided by Clear Channel Communications, we maintain accounts that represent net amounts due to or from Clear Channel Communications, which is recorded as Due from/to Clear Channel Communications on the consolidated balance sheet. The accounts represent our revolving promissory note issued by us to Clear Channel Communications and the revolving promissory note issued by Clear Channel Communications to us in the face amount of $1.0 billion, or if more or less than such amount, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all advances. The accounts accrue interest and are generally payable on demand. Included in the accounts are the net activities resulting from day-to-day cash management services provided by Clear Channel Communications. As a part of these services, we maintain collection bank accounts swept daily into accounts of Clear Channel Communications (after satisfying the funding requirements of the Trustee Account). In return, Clear Channel Communications funds our controlled disbursement accounts as checks or electronic payments are presented for payment. Our claim in relation to cash transferred from our concentration account is on an unsecured basis and is limited to the balance of the Due from Clear Channel Communications account. If Clear Channel Communications were to become insolvent, we would be an unsecured creditor of Clear Channel Communications with respect to the revolving promissory note issued by Clear Channel Communications to us. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the asset recorded in Due from Clear Channel Communications on the consolidated balance sheet was $656.0 million and $383.8 million, respectively. The net interest income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $45.5 million, $19.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively. At December 31, 2011, the fixed interest rate on the Due from Clear Channel Communications account was 9.25%. At December 31, 2011, we had no borrowings under the revolving promissory note to Clear Channel Communications.
Unlike the management of cash from our U.S. based operations, the amount of cash, if any, which is transferred from our foreign operations to Clear Channel Communications is determined on a basis mutually agreeable to us and Clear Channel Communications, and not on a pre-determined basis. In arriving at such mutual agreement, the reasonably foreseeable cash needs of our foreign operations are evaluated before a cash amount is considered as an excess or surplus amount for transfer to Clear Channel Communications.
Our working capital requirements and capital for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures, may be provided to us by Clear Channel Communications, in its sole discretion, pursuant to a revolving promissory note issued by us to Clear Channel Communications. Without the opportunity to obtain financing from Clear Channel Communications, we may need to obtain additional financing from banks, or through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity, strategic relationships or other arrangements at some future date. As stated above, we may be unable to successfully obtain additional debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms or at all.
As long as Clear Channel Communications maintains a significant interest in us, pursuant to the Master Agreement between Clear Channel Communications and us, Clear Channel Communications will have the option to limit our ability to incur debt or issue equity securities, among other limitations, which could adversely affect our ability to meet our liquidity needs. Under the Master Agreement with Clear Channel Communications, we are limited in our borrowing from third parties to no more than $400.0 million (including borrowings under the $145.0 million sub-limit of Clear Channel Communications $1.9 billion revolving credit facility).
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Senior Notes
CCWH has outstanding $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Series A Senior Notes due 2017 (the Series A Notes) and $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Series B Senior Notes due 2017 (the Series B Notes and together with the Series A Notes, the CCWH Notes). The CCWH Notes are guaranteed by us, CCOI, and certain of our other direct and indirect subsidiaries.
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The CCWH Notes bear interest on a daily basis and contain customary provisions, including covenants requiring us to maintain certain levels of credit availability and limitations on incurring additional debt.
The CCWH Notes are senior obligations that rank pari passu in right of payment to all unsubordinated indebtedness of CCWH and the guarantees of the CCWH Notes rank pari passu in right of payment to all unsubordinated indebtedness of the guarantors.
The indentures governing the CCWH Notes require CCWH to maintain at least $100 million in cash or other liquid assets or have cash available to be borrowed under committed credit facilities consisting of (i) $50.0 million at the issuer and guarantor entities (principally the Americas segment) and (ii) $50.0 million at the non-guarantor subsidiaries (principally the International segment) (together the Liquidity Amount), in each case under the sole control of the relevant entity. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, or similar proceeding of Clear Channel Communications for the period thereafter that is the shorter of such proceeding and 60 days, the Liquidity Amount shall be reduced to $50.0 million, with a $25.0 million requirement at the issuer and guarantor entities and a $25.0 million requirement at the non-guarantor subsidiaries.
In addition, interest on the CCWH Notes accrues daily and is payable into an account established by the trustee for the benefit of the bondholders (the Trustee Account). Failure to make daily payment on any day does not constitute an event of default so long as (a) no payment or other transfer by us or any of our subsidiaries shall have been made on such day under the cash management sweep with Clear Channel Communications and (b) on each semiannual interest payment date the aggregate amount of funds in the Trustee Account is equal to at least the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the CCWH Notes.
The indenture governing the Series A Notes contains covenants that limit our and our restricted subsidiaries ability to, among other things:
| incur or guarantee additional debt to persons other than Clear Channel Communications and its subsidiaries or issue certain preferred stock; |
| create liens on our restricted subsidiaries assets to secure such debt; |
| create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to ourselves from our restricted subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes; |
| enter into certain transactions with affiliates; |
| merge or consolidate with another person, or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; |
| sell certain assets, including capital stock of our subsidiaries, to persons other than Clear Channel Communications and its subsidiaries; and |
| purchase or otherwise effectively cancel or retire any of the Series A Notes if after doing so the ratio of (a) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series A Notes to (b) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series B Notes shall be greater than 0.250. |
In addition, the indenture governing the Series A Notes provides that if CCWH (i) makes an optional redemption of the Series B Notes or purchases or makes an offer to purchase the Series B Notes at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof, then CCWH shall apply a pro rata amount to make an optional redemption or purchase a pro rata amount of the Series A Notes or (ii) makes an asset sale offer under the indenture governing the Series B Notes, then CCWH shall apply a pro rata amount to make an offer to purchase a pro rata amount of Series A Notes.
The indenture governing the Series A Notes does not include limitations on dividends, distributions, investments or asset sales.
The indenture governing the Series B Notes contains covenants that limit our and our restricted subsidiaries ability to, among other things:
| incur or guarantee additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; |
| redeem, repurchase or retire our subordinated debt; |
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| make certain investments; |
| create liens on our or our restricted subsidiaries assets to secure debt; |
| create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to ourselves from our restricted subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the CCWH Notes; |
| enter into certain transactions with affiliates; |
| merge or consolidate with another person, or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; |
| sell certain assets, including capital stock of our subsidiaries; |
| designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; |
| pay dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock or make other restricted payments; and |
| purchase or otherwise effectively cancel or retire any of the Series B Notes if after doing so the ratio of (a) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series A Notes to (b) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series B Notes shall be greater than 0.250. This stipulation ensures, among other things, that as long as the Series A Notes are outstanding, the Series B Notes are outstanding. |
The Series A Notes indenture and the Series B Notes indenture restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness but permit us to incur additional indebtedness based on an incurrence test. In order to incur additional indebtedness under this test, our debt to adjusted EBITDA ratios (as defined by the indentures) must be lower than 6.5:1 and 3.25:1 for total debt and senior debt, respectively. The indentures contain certain other exceptions that allow us to incur additional indebtedness. The Series B Notes indenture also permits us to pay dividends from the proceeds of indebtedness or the proceeds from asset sales if our debt to adjusted EBITDA ratios (as defined by the indentures) are lower than 6.0:1 and 3.0:1 for total debt and senior debt, respectively. The Series A Notes indenture does not limit our ability to pay dividends. The Series B Notes indenture contains certain exceptions that allow us to incur additional indebtedness and pay dividends, including a $500 million exception for the payment of dividends. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2011.
Consolidated leverage, defined as total debt divided by EBITDA for the preceding four quarters was 3.2:1 at December 31, 2011, and senior leverage, defined as senior debt divided by EBITDA for the preceding four quarters was also 3.2:1 at December 31, 2011. Our adjusted EBITDA of $807.7 million is calculated as operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization, impairment charges and other operating income (expense) net, plus non-cash compensation, and is further adjusted for the following: (i) an increase of $32.0 million for non-cash items; (ii) an increase of $21.0 million related to costs incurred in connection with the closure and/or consolidation of facilities, retention charges, consulting fees and other permitted activities; and (iii) an increase of $9.7 million for various other items.
Prior to the date of the closing of the CCWH Notes offering, we made a demand for and received repayment of $500.0 million on the Due from Clear Channel Communications account. Following such repayment, we contributed $500.0 million to the capital of CCOI, which used the proceeds received by it to prepay $500.0 million of the Debt with Clear Channel Communications account. Subsequent to this repayment, the outstanding balance of the Debt with Clear Channel Communications account was $2.0 billion.
A portion of the proceeds of the CCWH Notes offering were used to (i) pay the fees and expenses of the offering, (ii) fund $50.0 million of the Liquidity Amount (the $50.0 million Liquidity Amount of the non-guarantor subsidiaries was satisfied) and (iii) make a voluntary prepayment of the remaining $2.0 billion outstanding balance (which is equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Series B Notes) under the note due to Clear Channel Communications and subsequently retire the Debt with Clear Channel Communications, with the balance of the proceeds available to CCOI for general corporate purposes.
In this regard, CCOI could use all of the remaining proceeds to pay dividends to us. In turn, we could declare a dividend to our shareholders, of which Clear Channel Communications would receive its proportionate share. Payment of such dividends would not be prohibited by the terms of the CCWH Notes or any of our or CCOIs loan agreements or credit facilities.
In connection with the CCWH Notes offering, we and Clear Channel Communications modified the terms of the revolving promissory notes (recorded as Due from/to Clear Channel Communications on the consolidated balance sheets) to extend the maturity of each revolving promissory note to coincide with the maturity date of the CCWH Notes. In addition, the terms were modified to change the interest rate on each revolving promissory note to a fixed per annum rate equal to 9.25%.
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Other debt
Other debt consists primarily of loans with international banks. At December 31, 2011, approximately $45.9 million was outstanding as other debt.
Debt Covenants
The Clear Channel Communications $1.9 billion revolving credit facility contains a significant financial covenant which requires Clear Channel Communications to comply on a quarterly basis with a financial covenant limiting the ratio of its consolidated secured debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, to consolidated EBITDA for the preceding four quarters (maximum of 9.5:1). The financial covenant becomes more restrictive over time beginning in the second quarter of 2013. In its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2012, Clear Channel Communications stated that it was in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2011.
In addition, we were in compliance with the covenants contained in the Series A Notes indenture and the Series B Notes indenture as of December 31, 2011.
Clear Channel Communications Refinancing Transactions
During the first six months of 2011 Clear Channel Communications amended its senior secured credit facilities and its receivables based credit facility (the Amendments) and issued $1.75 billion aggregate principal amount of 9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes due 2021 (the 9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes). In February 2011, Clear Channel Communications issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes (the February 2011 Offering), and in June 2011, Clear Channel Communications issued $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes (the June 2011 Offering). Clear Channel Communications used a portion of the proceeds from the February 2011 Offering to prepay $500.0 million of the indebtedness outstanding under its senior secured credit facilities. As a result of the prepayment, the revolving credit commitments under Clear Channel Communications revolving credit facility were permanently reduced from $2.0 billion to $1.9 billion and the sub-limit under which certain of our international subsidiaries may borrow (to the extent that Clear Channel Communications has not already borrowed against this capacity) was reduced from $150.0 million to $145.0 million. The Amendments, among other things, provide greater flexibility for us and our subsidiaries to incur new debt, provided that the net proceeds distributed to Clear Channel Communications from the issuance of such new debt are used to pay down senior secured credit facility indebtedness.
Dispositions and Other
On October 15, 2010, we transferred our interest in our Branded Cities operations to our joint venture partner, The Ellman Companies. We recognized a loss of $25.3 million in Other operating income (expense) net related to this transfer.
During 2010, our International segment sold its outdoor advertising business in India, resulting in a loss of $3.7 million included in Other operating income (expense) net.
During 2009, we sold International assets for $11.3 million resulting in a gain of $4.4 million in Other operating income (expense) net. In addition, we sold assets for $6.8 million in our Americas segment and recorded a gain of $4.9 million in Other operating income (expense) net. We sold our taxi advertising business and recorded a loss of $20.9 million in our Americas segment included in Other operating income (expense) net.
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Uses of Capital
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were as follows:
(In millions) | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Total capital expenditures |
$ | 291.1 | $ | 195.3 | $ | 176.0 |
Our capital expenditures are not of significant size individually and primarily relate to the ongoing deployment of digital displays and recurring maintenance.
Part of our long-term strategy is to pursue the technology of digital displays, including flat screens, LCDs and LEDs, as alternatives to traditional methods of displaying our clients advertisements. We are currently installing these technologies in certain markets. We believe cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund these expenditures because we expect enhanced margins through: (i) lower cost of production as the advertisements will be digital and controlled by a central computer network, (ii) decreased down time on displays because the advertisements will be digitally changed rather than manually posted paper or vinyl on the face of the display, and (iii) incremental revenue through more targeted and time specific advertisements.
Acquisitions
During 2011, our International segment acquired Brouwer & Partners, a street furniture business in Holland, for $12.5 million.
Purchases of Additional Equity Interests
During 2009, our Americas segment purchased the remaining 15% interest in our consolidated subsidiary, Paneles Napsa S.A., for $13.0 million and our International segment acquired an additional 5% interest in our consolidated subsidiary, Clear Channel Jolly Pubblicita SPA, for $12.1 million.
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
We are currently involved in certain legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and, as required, have accrued our estimate of the probable costs for resolution of those claims for which the occurrence of loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings. Please see Item 3. Legal Proceedings within Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our short and long term cash requirements include minimum annual guarantees for our street furniture contracts and operating leases. Noncancelable contracts and operating lease requirements are included in our direct operating expenses, which historically have been satisfied by cash flows from operations. For 2012, we are committed to $403.0 million and $283.1 million for minimum annual guarantees and operating leases, respectively. Our long-term commitments for minimum annual guarantees, operating leases and capital expenditure requirements are included in Contractual and Other Obligations, below.
Certain agreements relating to acquisitions provide for purchase price adjustments and other future contingent payments based on the financial performance of the acquired companies generally over a one to five year period. The aggregate of these contingent payments, if performance targets are met, would not significantly impact our financial position or results of operations.
In addition to the scheduled maturities on debt issued by CCWH, we have future cash obligations under various types of contracts. We lease office space, certain equipment and the majority of the land occupied by our advertising structures under long-term operating leases. Some of our lease agreements contain renewal options and annual rental escalation clauses (generally tied to the consumer price index), as well as provisions for our payment of utilities and maintenance.
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We have minimum franchise payments associated with non-cancelable contracts that enable us to display advertising on such media as buses, trains, bus shelters and terminals. The majority of these contracts contain rent provisions that are calculated as the greater of a percentage of the relevant advertising revenue or a specified guaranteed minimum annual payment.
The scheduled maturities of the $2.5 billion CCWH Notes and other debt outstanding, and our future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable lease agreements, minimum payments under other non-cancelable contracts, capital expenditure commitments and other long-term obligations as of December 31, 2011, are as follows:
(In thousands) |
Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations | Total | 2012 | 2013-2014 | 2015-2016 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||
CCWH Senior Notes: |
||||||||||||||||||||
9.25% Series A Senior Notes Due 2017 |
$ | 500,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 500,000 | ||||||||||
9.25% Series B Senior Notes Due 2017 |
2,000,000 | | | | 2,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
Other debt |
45,909 | 23,806 | 20,929 | 120 | 1,054 | |||||||||||||||
Interest payments on long-term debt(1) |
1,392,209 | 233,557 | 464,366 | 462,662 | 231,624 | |||||||||||||||
Non-cancelable contracts |
1,875,807 | 402,974 | 553,317 | 400,747 | 518,769 | |||||||||||||||
Non-cancelable operating leases |
2,037,132 | 283,104 | 455,911 | 362,511 | 935,606 | |||||||||||||||
Capital expenditure commitments |
148,878 | 67,879 | 39,220 | 34,858 | 6,921 | |||||||||||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits (2) |
43,746 | 1,650 | | | 42,096 | |||||||||||||||
Employment contracts |
10,372 | 6,545 | 3,779 | 48 | | |||||||||||||||
Other long-term obligations(3) |
92,626 | 71 | 1,168 | 1,028 | 90,359 | |||||||||||||||
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Total (4) |
$ | 8,146,679 | $ | 1,019,586 | $ | 1,538,690 | $ | 1,261,974 | $ | 4,326,429 | ||||||||||
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(1) | Interest payments on long-term debt consist primarily of interest on the 9.25% CCWH Senior Notes. |
(2) | The non-current portion of the unrecognized tax benefits is included in the Thereafter column as we cannot reasonably estimate the timing or amounts of additional cash payments, if any, at this time. For additional information, see Note 9 included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
(3) | Other long-term obligations consist of $47.5 million related to asset retirement obligations recorded pursuant to ASC 410-20, which assumes the underlying assets will be removed at some period over the next 50 years. Also included in the table is $40.1 million related to retirement plans and $4.9 million related to other long-term obligations with a specific maturity. |
(4) | Excluded from the table is $147.1 million related to various obligations with no specific contractual commitment or maturity. |
SEASONALITY
Typically, both our Americas and International segments experience their lowest financial performance in the first quarter of the calendar year, with International historically experiencing a loss from operations in that period. Our International segment typically experiences its strongest performance in the second and fourth quarters of the calendar year. We expect this trend to continue in the future.
MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk arising from changes in market rates and prices, including movements in equity security prices and foreign currency exchange rates.
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Equity Price Risk
The carrying value of our available-for-sale equity securities is affected by changes in their quoted market prices. It is estimated that a 20% change in the market prices of these securities would change their carrying value and our comprehensive income at December 31, 2011 by $0.7 million.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We have operations in countries throughout the world. Foreign operations are measured in their local currencies. As a result, our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we have operations. We believe we mitigate a small portion of our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations with a natural hedge through borrowings in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Our foreign operations reported a net income of $60.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. We estimate a 10% increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies would have increased our net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 by approximately $6.0 million and that a 10% decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies would have decreased our net income by a corresponding amount.
Our earnings are also affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to foreign currencies as a result of our equity method investments in various countries. It is estimated that the result of a 10% fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to these foreign currencies at December 31, 2011 would change our equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates by $0.6 million and would change our net income by approximately $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
This analysis does not consider the implications that such currency fluctuations could have on the overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment in the United States or the foreign countries or on the results of operations of these foreign entities.
Inflation
Inflation is a factor in the economies in which we do business and we continue to seek ways to mitigate its effect. Inflation has affected our performance in terms of higher costs for wages, salaries and equipment. Although the exact impact of inflation is indeterminable, we believe we have offset these higher costs by increasing the effective advertising rates of most of our outdoor display faces.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments in this ASU change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in this ASU to result in a change in the application of the requirements in Topic 820. Some of the amendments clarify the FASBs intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. Other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-04 to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This ASU improves the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders equity. The amendments require that all nonowner changes in stockholders equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The changes apply for interim and annual financial statements and should be applied retrospectively, effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. We currently comply with the provisions of this ASU by presenting the components of comprehensive income in a single continuous financial statement within our consolidated statement of operations for both interim and annual periods.
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In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. Under the revised guidance, entities testing goodwill for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit (i.e., step 1 of the goodwill impairment test). If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. The ASU does not change how goodwill is calculated or assigned to reporting units, nor does it revise the requirement to test goodwill annually for impairment. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. We early adopted the provisions of this ASU as of October 1, 2011 with no material impact to our financial position or results of operations. Please refer to Note 2 included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further discussion of our impairment testing.
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. The ASU defers the requirement to present components of reclassifications of other comprehensive income on the face of the income statement in response to requests from some investors for greater clarity about the impact of reclassification adjustments on net income. The guidance in ASU 2011-05 called for reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to be measured and presented by income statement line item in net income and also in other comprehensive income. All other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by this Update. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-12 to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates that are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The result of these evaluations forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such difference could be material. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management believes that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require managements most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The following narrative describes these critical accounting estimates, the judgments and assumptions and the effect if actual results differ from these assumptions.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customers inability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what we believe will be collected. For all other customers, we recognize reserves for bad debt based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of revenue for each business unit, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the agings and changes in current economic conditions.
If our agings were to improve or deteriorate resulting in a 10% change in our allowance, we estimated that our bad debt expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have changed by approximately $4.1 million and our net income for the same period would have changed by approximately $2.6 million.
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Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangibles are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that depreciable and amortizable long-lived assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. When specific assets are determined to be unrecoverable, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair market value.
We use various assumptions in determining the current fair market value of these assets, including future expected cash flows, industry growth rates and discount rates, as well as future salvage values. Our impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows, including forecasting useful lives of the assets and selecting the discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows.
If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material to our results of operations.
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as our billboard permits, are reviewed annually for possible impairment using the direct valuation method as prescribed in ASC 805-20-S99. Under the direct valuation method, the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets was calculated at the market level as prescribed by ASC 350-30-35. Under the direct valuation method, it is assumed that rather than acquiring indefinite-lived intangible assets as a part of a going concern business, the buyer hypothetically obtains indefinite-lived intangible assets and builds a new operation with similar attributes from scratch. Thus, the buyer incurs start-up costs during the build-up phase which are normally associated with going concern value. Initial capital costs are deducted from the discounted cash flows model which results in value that is directly attributable to the indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Our key assumptions using the direct valuation method are market revenue growth rates, market share, profit margin, duration and profile of the build-up period, estimated start-up capital costs and losses incurred during the build-up period, the risk-adjusted discount rate and terminal values. This data is populated using industry normalized information representing an average asset within a market.
On October 1, 2011, we performed our annual impairment test in accordance with ASC 350-30-35 and recognized aggregate impairment charges of $6.5 million related to permits in one of our markets.
In determining the fair value of our billboard permits, the following key assumptions were used:
¡ | Industry revenue growth forecast at 7.8% was used for the initial four-year period; |
¡ | 3% revenue growth was assumed beyond the initial four-year period; |
¡ | Revenue was grown over a build-up period, reaching maturity by year 2; |
¡ | Operating margins gradually climb to the industry average margin of up to 52%, depending on market size, by year 3; and |
¡ | Assumed discount rate of 10%. |
While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and utilized appropriate assumptions to calculate the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, it is possible a material change could occur. If future results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates, we may be exposed to impairment charges in the future. The following table shows the decline in the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets that would result from a 100 basis point decline in our discrete and terminal period revenue growth rate and profit margin assumptions and a 100 basis point increase in our discount rate assumption:
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Description | Revenue growth rate | Profit margin | Discount rates | |||||||||
Billboard permits |
$ | (596,200) | $ | (129,200) | $ | (603,700) |
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The estimated fair value of our billboard permits at October 1, 2011 was $2.1 billion while the carrying value was $1.1 billion.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. We test goodwill at interim dates if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The fair value of our reporting units is used to apply value to the net assets of each reporting unit. To the extent that the carrying amount of net assets would exceed the fair value, an impairment charge may be required to be recorded.
The discounted cash flow approach we use for valuing goodwill as part of the two-step impairment testing approach involves estimating future cash flows expected to be generated from the related assets, discounted to their present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Terminal values are also estimated and discounted to their present value.
On October 1, 2011, we performed our annual impairment test in accordance with ASC 350-20-35. We utilized the option assess qualitative factors to determine whether it was more likely than not the that the fair value of our reporting units was less than their carrying amounts, including goodwill. As part of our qualitative assessment, we considered the following factors:
¡ | macroeconomic characteristics of the environment in which the reporting unit operates; |
¡ | any significant changes in the business products, operating model or laws or regulations; |
¡ | any significant changes in the business cost structure and/or margin trends; |
¡ | comparisons of current and prior year operating performance and forecast trends for future operating performance; |
¡ | changes in management, business strategy or customer base during the current year; |
¡ | sustained decreases in share price relative to our peers; and |
¡ | the excess of fair value over carrying value and the significance of recorded goodwill as of October 1, 2010. |
Generally, the qualitative factors for our reporting units indicated stable or continuing margins despite economic conditions, new contracts, no adverse business or management changes, favorable or stable forecasted economic conditions and the existence of excess fair value over carrying value for the majority of our reporting units. Based on our annual assessment using the qualitative factors described above, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units in our Americas segment was less than their carrying amounts, with the exception of one specific reporting unit. As a result, further testing of goodwill for impairment was required for one reporting unit in the Americas. Our assessment for the reporting units within our International outdoor segment required further testing for three countries. Further testing indicated that goodwill was impaired by $1.1 million in one country within our International segment in 2011.
We believe we have made reasonable estimates and utilized appropriate assumptions to evaluate whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units was less than their carrying values. If future results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates, we may be exposed to impairment charges in the future.
Tax Accruals
Our estimates of income taxes and the significant items giving rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and reflect our assessment of actual future taxes to be paid on items reflected in the financial statements, giving consideration to both timing and probability of these estimates. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or results from the final review of our tax returns by Federal, state or foreign tax authorities.
We use our judgment to determine whether it is more likely than not that we will sustain positions that we have taken on tax returns and, if so, the amount of benefit to initially recognize within our financial statements. We regularly review our uncertain tax positions and adjust our unrecognized tax benefits (UTBs) in light of changes in facts and circumstances, such as changes in tax law, interactions with taxing authorities and developments in case law. These adjustments to our UTBs may affect our income tax expense. Settlement of uncertain tax positions may require use of our cash.
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Litigation Accruals
We are currently involved in certain legal proceedings. Based on current assumptions, we have accrued an estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of those claims for which the occurrence of loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Future results of operations could be materially affected by changes in these assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings.
Managements estimates used have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies.
Asset Retirement Obligations
ASC 410-20 requires us to estimate our obligation upon the termination or nonrenewal of a lease, to dismantle and remove our billboard structures from the leased land and to reclaim the site to its original condition.
Due to the high rate of lease renewals over a long period of time, our calculation assumes all related assets will be removed at some period over the next 50 years. An estimate of third-party cost information is used with respect to the dismantling of the structures and the reclamation of the site. The interest rate used to calculate the present value of such costs over the retirement period is based on an estimated risk-adjusted credit rate for the same period. If our assumption of the risk-adjusted credit rate used to discount current year additions to the asset retirement obligation decreased approximately 1%, our liability as of December 31, 2011 would not be materially impacted. Similarly, if our assumption of the risk-adjusted credit rate increased approximately 1%, our liability would not be materially impacted.
Share-Based Compensation
Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718-10, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires assumptions and judgments about expected volatility and forfeiture rates, among other factors. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, our results of operations could be materially impacted.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Required information is located within Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
MANAGEMENTS REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto were prepared by and are the responsibility of management. The financial statements and related notes were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include amounts based upon managements best estimates and judgments.
It is managements objective to ensure the integrity and objectivity of its financial data through systems of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that all transactions are properly recorded in our books and records, that assets are safeguarded from unauthorized use and that financial records are reliable to serve as a basis for preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been audited by our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, to the extent required by auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and, accordingly, they have expressed their professional opinion on the financial statements in their report included herein.
The Board of Directors meets with the independent registered public accounting firm and management periodically to satisfy itself that they are properly discharging their responsibilities. The independent registered public accounting firm has unrestricted access to the Board, without management present, to discuss the results of their audit and the quality of financial reporting and internal accounting controls.
/s/ C. William Eccleshare
Chief Executive Officer
/s/Thomas W. Casey
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/Scott D. Hamilton
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
57
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows of the Company for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also include the financial statement schedule listed in the index as Item 15(a)2. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2011 and 2010, the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 21, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Antonio, Texas
February 21, 2012
58
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands) | As of December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
CURRENT ASSETS |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 542,655 | $ | 624,018 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $41,350 in 2011 and $49,032 in 2010 |
707,630 | 735,115 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
132,510 | 100,391 | ||||||
Other current assets |
70,933 | 90,969 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Current Assets |
1,453,728 | 1,550,493 | ||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
||||||||
Structures, net |
1,950,437 | 2,007,399 | ||||||
Other property, plant and equipment, net |
296,273 | 290,325 | ||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
||||||||
Definite-lived intangibles, net |
618,526 | 705,218 | ||||||
Indefinite-lived intangibles permits |
1,105,704 | 1,114,413 | ||||||
Goodwill |
857,193 | 862,242 | ||||||
OTHER ASSETS |
||||||||
Due from Clear Channel Communications |
656,040 | 383,778 | ||||||
Other assets |
150,284 | 162,697 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Assets |
$ | 7,088,185 | $ | 7,076,565 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 108,231 | $ | 100,540 | ||||
Accrued expenses |
498,966 | 523,045 | ||||||
Deferred income |
89,980 | 100,675 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
23,806 | 41,676 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Current Liabilities |
720,983 | 765,936 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
2,522,103 | 2,522,133 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
281,940 | 251,873 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability |
822,932 | 828,568 | ||||||
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 7) |
||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Noncontrolling interest |
231,530 | 209,794 | ||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding |
| | ||||||
Class A common stock, $.01 par value, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 41,138,735 and 40,886,923 shares issued in 2011 and 2010, respectively |
411 | 408 | ||||||
Class B common stock, $.01 par value, 600,000,000 shares authorized, 315,000,000 shares issued and outstanding |
3,150 | 3,150 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
6,684,497 | 6,677,146 | ||||||
Retained deficit |
(3,931,403) | (3,974,349) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(246,988) | (207,439) | ||||||
Cost of shares (109,755 in 2011 and 84,896 in 2010) held in treasury |
(970) | (655) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Shareholders Equity |
2,740,227 | 2,708,055 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
$ | 7,088,185 | $ | 7,076,565 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
59
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, except per share data) | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 3,003,874 | $ | 2,797,994 | $ | 2,698,024 | ||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
1,638,801 | 1,559,972 | 1,625,083 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
540,872 | 494,656 | 484,404 | |||||||||
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
90,205 | 107,596 | 65,247 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
432,035 | 413,588 | 439,647 | |||||||||
Impairment charges |
7,614 | 11,493 | 890,737 | |||||||||
Other operating income (expense) net |
8,591 | (23,753) | (8,231) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income (loss) |
302,938 | 186,936 | (815,325) | |||||||||
Interest expense |
242,435 | 239,453 | 154,919 | |||||||||
Interest income on Due from Clear Channel Communications |
45,459 | 19,460 | 724 | |||||||||
Loss on marketable securities |
(4,827) | (6,490) | (11,315) | |||||||||
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
6,029 | (9,936) | (31,442) | |||||||||
Other expense net |
(649) | (5,335) | (9,368) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
106,515 | (54,818) | (1,021,645) | |||||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
(43,296) | (21,599) | 149,110 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Consolidated net income (loss) |
63,219 | (76,417) | (872,535) | |||||||||
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
20,273 | 11,106 | (4,346) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |
42,946 | (87,523) | (868,189) | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(29,801) | 16,237 | 118,632 | |||||||||
Foreign currency reclassification adjustment |
| 3,437 | (523) | |||||||||
Unrealized loss on marketable securities |
(4,834) | (7,809) | (9,971) | |||||||||
Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on marketable securities included in net income (loss) |
3,787 | 6,490 | 11,315 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(30,848) | 18,355 | 119,453 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 12,098 | $ | (69,168) | $ | (748,736) | ||||||
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
8,918 | 7,617 | 8,050 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company |
$ | 3,180 | $ | (76,785) | $ | (756,786) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.11 | $ | (0.26) | $ | (2.46) | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
355,907 | 355,568 | 355,377 | |||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.11 | $ | (0.26) | $ | (2.46) | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
356,528 | 355,568 | 355,377 |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
60
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data) |
Controlling Interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Common Shares Issued |
Class B Common Shares Issued |
Non-controlling Interest |
Common Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Retained Deficit |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Treasury Stock |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2008 |
40,705,638 | 315,000,000 | $ | 211,813 | $ | 3,557 | $ | 6,676,714 | $ | (3,018,637 | ) | $ | (329,580 | ) | $ | (44 | ) | $ | 3,543,823 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(4,346 | ) | (868,189 | ) | (872,535 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options and other |
135,913 | (110 | ) | (110 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisitions |
(3,380 | ) | (9,720 | ) | (13,100 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based payments |
12,104 | 12,104 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(18,407 | ) | (9,851 | ) | (28,258 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
8,050 | 111,403 | 119,453 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2009 |
40,841,551 | 315,000,000 | 193,730 | 3,557 | 6,669,247 | (3,886,826 | ) | (218,177 | ) | (154 | ) | 2,761,377 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
11,106 | (87,523 | ) | (76,417 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options and other |
45,372 | 1 | (501 | ) | (500 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based payments |
12,337 | 12,337 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(2,659 | ) | (4,438 | ) | (7,097 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
7,617 | 10,738 | 18,355 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2010 |
40,886,923 | 315,000,000 | $ | 209,794 | $ | 3,558 | $ | 6,677,146 | $ | (3,974,349 | ) | $ | (207,439 | ) | $ | (655 | ) | $ | 2,708,055 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
20,273 | 42,946 | 63,219 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options and other |
251,812 | 3 | (315 | ) | (312 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based payments |
10,913 | 10,913 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(7,455 | ) | (3,562 | ) | 217 | (10,800 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
8,918 | (39,766 | ) | (30,848 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2011 |
41,138,735 | 315,000,000 | $ | 231,530 | $ | 3,561 | $ | 6,684,497 | $ | (3,931,403 | ) | $ | (246,988 | ) | $ | (970 | ) | $ | 2,740,227 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
61
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Consolidated net income (loss) |
$ | 63,219 | $ | (76,417) | $ | (872,535) | ||||||
Reconciling Items: |
||||||||||||
Impairment charges |
7,614 | 11,493 | 890,737 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
432,035 | 413,588 | 439,647 | |||||||||
Deferred taxes |
(1,393) | (14,362) | (132,341) | |||||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts |
5,977 | 8,868 | 17,580 | |||||||||
Share-based compensation |
10,913 | 12,337 | 12,104 | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of operating and fixed assets |
(8,591) | 23,753 | 8,231 | |||||||||
Loss on marketable securities |
4,827 | 6,490 | 11,315 | |||||||||
Other reconciling items net |
2,324 | 25,508 | 37,099 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: |
||||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable |
15,829 | (47,113) | 68,002 | |||||||||
Decrease in Federal income taxes receivable |
| 50,958 | | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses |
(35,302) | 45,603 | 8,664 | |||||||||
Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities |
48,911 | 5,120 | 3,093 | |||||||||
Decrease in deferred income |
(10,212) | (7,045) | (1,987) | |||||||||
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions |
(18,933) | 66,436 | (48,345) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
517,218 | 525,217 | 441,264 | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(291,050) | (195,273) | (175,953) | |||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of assets |
12,883 | 7,753 | 18,144 | |||||||||
Purchases of other operating assets |
(14,794) | (1,841) | (4,933) | |||||||||
Purchases of businesses |
(13,179) | | | |||||||||
Change in other net |
7,206 | (9,344) | (122) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used for investing activities |
(298,934) | (198,705) | (162,864) | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Draws on credit facilities |
| 4,670 | 7,125 | |||||||||
Payments on credit facilities |
(4,151) | (47,095) | (3,364) | |||||||||
Proceeds from long-term debt |
5,012 | 6,844 | 2,500,000 | |||||||||
Payments on long-term debt |
(20,099) | (13,212) | (2,505,913) | |||||||||
Net transfers (to) from Clear Channel Communications |
(272,262) | (260,470) | 319,401 | |||||||||
Deferred financing charges |
| | (60,330) | |||||||||
Purchases of noncontrolling interests |
(4,682) | | (25,153) | |||||||||
Change in other, net |
(2,562) | (5,200) | (110) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities |
(298,744) | (314,463) | 231,656 | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
(903) | 2,533 | 4,568 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(81,363) | 14,582 | 514,624 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
624,018 | 609,436 | 94,812 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
$ | 542,655 | $ | 624,018 | $ | 609,436 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES: |
||||||||||||
Cash paid during the year for interest |
$ | 233,979 | $ | 235,101 | $ | 154,027 | ||||||
Cash paid during the year for income taxes |
$ | 37,777 | $ | | $ | 26,543 |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
62
Table of Contents
CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Business
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (the Company) is an outdoor advertising company which owns or operates advertising display faces domestically and internationally. On November 11, 2005, the Company became a publicly traded company through an initial public offering (IPO), in which 10%, or 35.0 million shares, of the Companys Class A common stock was sold. Prior to the IPO, the Company was an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (Clear Channel Communications), a diversified media and entertainment company. As of December 31, 2011, Clear Channel Communications indirectly holds all of the 315.0 million shares of Class B common stock outstanding and 1,553,971 shares of Class A common stock, collectively representing approximately 89% of the shares outstanding and approximately 99% of the voting power. The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock have identical rights, except holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B common stock are entitled to 20 votes per share. The Class B shares of common stock are convertible, at the option of the holder at any time or upon any transfer, into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain limited exceptions.
The Company operates in the outdoor advertising industry by selling advertising on billboards, street furniture displays, transit displays and other advertising displays. The Company has two reportable business segments: Americas and International. The Americas segment primarily includes operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America; the International segment primarily includes operations in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Clear Channel Communications Merger
On July 30, 2008, Clear Channel Communications completed its merger with a subsidiary of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (CC Media Holdings), a company formed by a group of private equity funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (together, the Sponsors). Clear Channel Communications is now owned indirectly by CC Media Holdings. The purchase price was approximately $23.0 billion, including $94.0 million in capitalized transaction costs. The merger was accounted for as a purchase business combination in conformity with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations, and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 88-16, Basis in Leveraged Buyout Transactions. ASC 805-50-S99-1 requires the application of push down accounting in situations where the ownership of an entity has changed. As a result, the post-merger financial statements of the Company reflect the new basis of accounting.
Agreements with Clear Channel Communications
There are several agreements which govern the Companys relationship with Clear Channel Communications including the Master Agreement, Corporate Services Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement and Tax Matters Agreement. Clear Channel Communications has the right to terminate these agreements in various circumstances. As of the date of the filing of this report, no notice of termination of any of these agreements has been received from Clear Channel Communications.
Clear Channel Communications Revolving Credit Facility
Clear Channel Communications $1.9 billion revolving credit facility has a maturity in July 2014 and includes a $145.0 million sub-limit that certain of the Companys International subsidiaries may borrow against to the extent Clear Channel Communications has not already borrowed against this capacity and is in compliance with its covenants under the credit facility. The obligations of these International subsidiaries that at any time are borrowers under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of the Companys material wholly-owned subsidiaries, and secured by substantially all assets of such borrowers and guarantors, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the $145.0 million sub-limit facility. Clear Channel Communications had borrowed the entire sub-limit capacity as of December 31, 2011.
63
Table of Contents
CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes including, but not limited to, legal, tax and insurance accruals. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Also included in the consolidated financial statements are entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest or is the primary beneficiary. Investments in companies in which the Company owns 20 percent to 50 percent of the voting common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies of the Company are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where it is aware of a specific customers inability to meet its financial obligations, it records a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected. For all other customers, it recognizes reserves for bad debt based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of revenue for each business unit, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the agings and changes in current economic conditions. The Company believes its concentration of credit risk is limited due to the large number and the geographic diversification of its customers.
Purchase Accounting
The Company accounts for its business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The total cost of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying identifiable net assets, based on their respective estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires managements judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. Various acquisition agreements may include contingent purchase consideration based on performance requirements of the investee. The Company accounts for these payments in conformity with the provisions of ASC 805-20-30, which establish the requirements related to recognition of certain assets and liabilities arising from contingencies.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method at rates that, in the opinion of management, are adequate to allocate the cost of such assets over their estimated useful lives, which are as follows:
Buildings and improvements 10 to 39 years
Structures 5 to 40 years
Furniture and other equipment 3 to 20 years
Leasehold improvements shorter of economic life or lease term assuming renewal periods, if appropriate
64
Table of Contents
CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
For assets associated with a lease or contract, the assets are depreciated at the shorter of the economic life or the lease or contract term, assuming renewal periods, if appropriate. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, whereas expenditures for renewal and betterments are capitalized.
The Company tests for possible impairment of property, plant, and equipment whenever events and circumstances indicate that depreciable assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. When specific assets are determined to be unrecoverable, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair market value.
No impairments of property, plant and equipment were recognized during 2011. The Company impaired outdoor advertising structures in its Americas segment by $4.0 million during 2010. During 2009, the Company recorded a $21.0 million impairment to street furniture tangible assets in its International segment.
Land Leases and Other Structure Licenses
Most of the Companys advertising structures are located on leased land. Americas land leases are typically paid in advance for periods ranging from one to 12 months. International land leases are paid both in advance and in arrears, for periods ranging from one to 12 months. Most International street furniture display faces are operated through contracts with municipalities for up to 20 years. The leased land and street furniture contracts often include a percent of revenue to be paid along with a base rent payment. Prepaid land leases are recorded as an asset and expensed ratably over the related rental term and license and rent payments in arrears are recorded as an accrued liability.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Definite-lived intangible assets include primarily transit and street furniture contracts, site leases and other contractual rights, all of which are amortized over the shorter of either the respective lives of the agreements or over the period of time the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Companys future cash flows. The Company periodically reviews the appropriateness of the amortization periods related to its definite-lived intangible assets. These assets are recorded at cost.
The Company tests for possible impairment of definite-lived intangible assets whenever events and circumstances indicate that amortizable long-lived assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. When specific assets are determined to be unrecoverable, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair market value.
No impairments of definite-lived intangible assets were recognized during 2011. The Company impaired certain definite-lived intangible assets related to one airport contract in its Americas segment by $0.5 million during 2010. During 2009, the Company impaired definite-lived intangible assets related to certain street furniture and billboard contract intangible assets in its Americas and International segments by $55.3 million.
The Companys indefinite-lived intangible assets include billboard permits in its Americas segment. The Companys indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization, but are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company tests for possible impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as a significant reduction in operating cash flow or a dramatic change in the manner for which the asset is intended to be used indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.
The Company performs its annual impairment test for its permits using a direct valuation technique as prescribed in ASC 805-20-S99. The Company engages Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC (Mesirow Financial), a third party valuation firm, to assist the Company in the development of these assumptions and the Companys determination of the fair value of its permits.
The Company performed its annual impairment test on its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of October 1, 2011, which resulted in a non-cash impairment charge of $6.5 million related to permits in one specific market.
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The Company performed impairment tests during 2010 and 2009, which resulted in non-cash impairment charges of $4.8 million and $345.4 million, respectively, related to its indefinite-lived permits. See Note 2 for further discussion.
At least annually, the Company performs its impairment test for each reporting units goodwill. Beginning with its annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company utilized the option to assess qualitative factors under ASC 350-20-35 to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units was less than their carrying amounts, including goodwill. The Company has identified its reporting units in accordance with ASC 350-20-55. The Companys U.S. outdoor advertising markets are aggregated into a single reporting unit for purposes of the goodwill impairment test. The Company also determined that within its Americas segment, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil constitute separate reporting units and each country in its International segment constitutes a separate reporting unit.
If, after the qualitative approach, further testing is required, the Company uses a discounted cash flow model to determine if the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $1.1 million to reduce goodwill in one country within its International segments for 2011, which is further discussed in Note 2.
The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2010, and recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $2.1 million related to a specific reporting unit in its International segment. See Note 2 for further discussion.
The Company performed impairment tests during 2009 and recognized non-cash impairment charges of $419.5 million. See Note 2 for further discussion.
Nonconsolidated Affiliates
In general, investments in which the Company owns 20 percent to 50 percent of the common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over the investee are accounted for under the equity method. The Company does not recognize gains or losses upon the issuance of securities by any of its equity method investees. The Company reviews the value of equity method investments and records impairment charges in the statement of operations as a component of Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates for any decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary.
No non-cash impairment charges of nonconsolidated affiliates were recognized during 2011. For 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $8.3 million and $22.9 million, respectively, related to certain equity investments in its International segment.
Other Investments
Other investments are composed primarily of equity securities. These securities are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices. Securities are carried at historical value when quoted market prices are unavailable. The net unrealized gains or losses on the available-for-sale securities, net of tax, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of shareholders equity. In addition, the Company holds investments that do not have quoted market prices. The Company periodically assesses the value of available-for-sale and non-marketable securities and records impairment charges in the statement of operations for any decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary. The average cost method is used to compute the realized gains and losses on sales of equity securities.
The Company periodically assesses the value of its available-for-sale securities. Based on these assessments, the Company concluded that other-than-temporary impairments existed at December 31, 2011 and 2010 and recorded non-cash impairment charges of $4.8 million and $6.5 million, respectively, during each of these years. Such charges are recorded on the statement of operations in Loss on marketable securities.
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Financial Instruments
Due to their short maturity, the carrying amounts of accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings approximated their fair values at December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Asset Retirement Obligation
ASC 410-20 requires the Company to estimate its obligation upon the termination or non-renewal of a lease to dismantle and remove its advertising structures from the leased land and to reclaim the site to its original condition. The Companys asset retirement obligation is reported in Other long-term liabilities. The Company records the present value of obligations associated with the retirement of its advertising structures in the period in which the obligation is incurred. When the liability is recorded, the cost is capitalized as part of the related advertising structures carrying amount. Over time, accretion of the liability is recognized as an operating expense and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the expected useful life of the related asset.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting bases and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances if the Company believes it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire asset will not be realized. As all earnings from the Companys foreign operations are permanently reinvested and not distributed, the Companys income tax provision does not include additional U.S. taxes on foreign operations. It is not practical to determine the amount of Federal income taxes, if any, that might become due in the event that the earnings were distributed.
The operations of the Company are included in a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return filed by CC Media Holdings. However, for financial reporting purposes, the Companys provision for income taxes has been computed on the basis that the Company files separate consolidated U.S. Federal income tax returns with its subsidiaries.
Revenue Recognition
The Companys advertising contracts cover periods of a few weeks up to one year, and are generally billed monthly. Revenue for advertising space rental is recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Advertising revenue is reported net of agency commissions. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for the Companys operations. Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred income.
Advertising Expense
The Company records advertising expense as it is incurred. Advertising expenses were $14.7 million, $12.0 million and $11.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718-10, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. For awards that vest based on service conditions, this cost is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. For awards that will vest based on market or performance conditions, this cost will be recognized when it becomes probable that the performance conditions will be satisfied. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires assumptions and judgments about expected volatility and forfeiture rates, among other factors. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, the Companys results of operations could be materially impacted.
Foreign Currency
Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries and foreign equity investees are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates during the year. The assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries and investees are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The related translation adjustments are recorded in a separate component of shareholders equity, Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in operations.
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New Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments in this ASU change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in this ASU to result in a change in the application of the requirements in Topic 820. Some of the amendments clarify the FASBs intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. Other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-04 to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This ASU improves the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders equity. The amendments require that all nonowner changes in stockholders equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The changes apply for interim and annual financial statements and should be applied retrospectively, effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently complies with the provisions of this ASU by presenting the components of comprehensive income in a single continuous financial statement within its consolidated statement of operations for both interim and annual periods.
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. Under the revised guidance, entities testing goodwill for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit (i.e., step 1 of the goodwill impairment test). If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. The ASU does not change how goodwill is calculated or assigned to reporting units, nor does it revise the requirement to test goodwill annually for impairment. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted the provisions of this ASU as of October 1, 2011 with no material impact to its financial position or results of operations. Please refer to Note 2 for additional discussion.
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. The ASU defers the requirement to present components of reclassifications of other comprehensive income on the face of the income statement in response to requests from some investors for greater clarity about the impact of reclassification adjustments on net income. The guidance in ASU 2011-05 called for reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to be measured and presented by income statement line item in net income and also in other comprehensive income. All other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by this Update. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-12 to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.
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NOTE 2 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
Property, Plant and Equipment
The Companys property, plant and equipment consisted of the following classes of assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively:
(In thousands) |
December 31, 2011 |
December 31, 2010 |
||||||
Land, buildings and improvements |
$ | 204,543 | $ | 206,355 | ||||
Structures |
2,783,434 | 2,623,561 | ||||||
Furniture and other equipment |
111,481 | 86,417 | ||||||
Construction in progress |
57,504 | 53,550 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
3,156,962 | 2,969,883 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
910,252 | 672,159 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
$ | 2,246,710 | $ | 2,297,724 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Definite-lived Intangible Assets
The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of definite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively:
(In thousands) | December 31, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
|||||||||||||
Transit, street furniture, and |
$ | 773,238 | $ | 329,563 | $ | 789,867 | $ | 256,685 | ||||||||
Other |
176,779 | 1,928 | 173,549 | 1,513 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 950,017 | $ | 331,491 | $ | 963,416 | $ | 258,198 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets was $101.7 million, $104.8 million and $101.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
As acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, amortization expense may vary. The following table presents the Companys estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for definite-lived intangible assets:
(In thousands) | ||||
2012 |
$ | 79,958 | ||
2013 |
73,413 | |||
2014 |
65,410 | |||
2015 |
46,799 | |||
2016 |
38,916 |
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Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill
The Companys indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of billboard permits in its Americas segment. The Companys billboard permits are granted for the right to operate an advertising structure at the specified location as long as the structure is in compliance with the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction. The Companys permits are located on owned land, leased land or land for which we have acquired permanent easements. In cases where the Companys permits are located on leased land, the leases typically have initial terms of between 10 and 20 years and renew indefinitely, with rental payments generally escalating at an inflation-based index. If the Company loses its lease, the Company will typically obtain permission to relocate the permit or bank it with the municipality for future use. Due to significant differences in both business practices and regulations, billboards in the International segment are subject to long-term, finite contracts unlike the Companys permits in the United States and Canada. Accordingly, there are no indefinite-lived intangible assets in the International segment.
The impairment tests for indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of a comparison between the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset at the market level with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the indefinite-lived asset is its new accounting basis. The fair value of the indefinite-lived asset is determined using the direct valuation method as prescribed in ASC 805-20-S99. Under the direct valuation method, the fair value of the indefinite-lived assets is calculated at the market level as prescribed by ASC 350-30-35. The Company engaged Mesirow Financial, a third-party valuation firm, to assist it in the development of the assumptions and the Companys determination of the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets.
The application of the direct valuation method attempts to isolate the income that is properly attributable to the indefinite-lived intangible asset alone (that is, apart from tangible and identified intangible assets and goodwill). It is based upon modeling a hypothetical greenfield build-up to a normalized enterprise that, by design, lacks inherent goodwill and whose only other assets have essentially been paid for (or added) as part of the build-up process. The Company forecasts revenue, expenses, and cash flows over a ten-year period for each of its markets in its application of the direct valuation method. The Company also calculates a normalized residual year which represents the perpetual cash flows of each market. The residual year cash flow was capitalized to arrive at the terminal value of the permits in each market.
Under the direct valuation method, it is assumed that rather than acquiring indefinite-lived intangible assets as part of a going concern business, the buyer hypothetically develops indefinite-lived intangible assets and builds a new operation with similar attributes from scratch. Thus, the buyer incurs start-up costs during the build-up phase which are normally associated with going concern value. Initial capital costs are deducted from the discounted cash flow model which results in value that is directly attributable to the indefinite-lived intangible assets.
The key assumptions using the direct valuation method are market revenue growth rates, market share, profit margin, duration and profile of the build-up period, estimated start-up capital costs and losses incurred during the build-up period, the risk-adjusted discount rate and terminal values. This data is populated using industry normalized information representing an average billboard permit within a market.
Annual Impairment Test to Billboard Permits
The Company performs its annual impairment test on October 1 of each year.
The aggregate fair value of the Companys permits on October 1, 2011 and 2010 increased approximately 12% and 58% from the fair value at October 1, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in fair value resulted primarily from improvements to general market conditions leading to increased advertising spending and higher revenues for the industry.
During 2011, the Company recognized a $6.5 million impairment charge related to billboard permits in one market due to significant declines in permit value resulting from flat revenues, a slight decline in margin and increased capital expenditures within the market. During 2010, although the aggregate fair value of billboard permits increased, certain markets experienced continuing declines. As a result, impairment charges were recorded in 2010 for billboard permits of $4.8 million.
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Interim Impairments to Billboard Permits
The Company performed an interim impairment tests on its billboard permits as of June 30, 2009 as a result of the poor economic environment during the period. In determining the fair value of the Companys billboard permits, the following key assumptions were used:
¡ | Industry revenue growth of negative 16% during the one year build-up period; |
¡ | Cost structure reached a normalized level over a three year period and the operating margins gradually grew over that period to the industry average margins of 45%. The margin in year three was the lower of the industry average margin or the actual margin for the market; |
¡ | Industry average revenue growth of 3% beyond the discrete build-up projection; and |
¡ | A discount rate of 10%. |
The discount rate used in the June 30, 2009 impairment model increased approximately 50 basis points over the discount rate used to value the permits at December 31, 2008. Industry revenue forecasts declined 8% through 2013 compared to the forecasts used in the 2008 impairment test. These market driven changes were primarily responsible for the decline in fair value of the billboard permits below their carrying value. As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge at June 30, 2009 in all but five of its markets in the United States and Canada, which totaled $345.4 million.
Annual Impairment Test to Goodwill
The Company performs its annual impairment test on October 1 of each year. Each of the Companys advertising markets are components. The U.S. advertising markets are aggregated into a single reporting unit for purposes of the goodwill impairment test using the guidance in ASC 350-20-55. The Company also determined that within its Americas segment, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil constitute separate reporting units and each country in its International segment constitutes a separate reporting unit.
Beginning with its annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company utilized the option to assess qualitative factors under ASC 350-20-35 to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units was less than their carrying amounts, including goodwill. Based on a qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that no further testing of goodwill for impairment was required for all of the reporting units within its Americas segment, with the exception of one country, for which further testing was required. Further testing was also required for three of the countries within its International segment.
If further testing of goodwill for impairment is required after assessing qualitative factors, the Company follows the two-step impairment testing approach in accordance with ASC 350-20-35. The first step, used to screen for potential impairment, compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If applicable, the second step, used to measure the amount of the impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.
Each of the Companys reporting units is valued using a discounted cash flow model which requires estimating future cash flows expected to be generated from the reporting unit, discounted to their present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Terminal values were also estimated and discounted to their present value. Assessing the recoverability of goodwill requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates based on its budgets, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and managements judgment in applying these factors.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge to goodwill of $1.1 million due to a decline in the fair value of one country within the Companys International segment.
The fair value of the Companys reporting units on October 1, 2010 increased from the fair value at October 1, 2009. The increase in the fair value of the Companys Americas reporting unit was primarily the result of a $638.6 million increase related to forecast revenues and operating margins. As a result of increase in fair value across the Companys Americas reporting unit, no goodwill impairment was recognized in this segment. Within the Companys International segment, one country experienced a decline in fair value which resulted in a $2.1 million non-cash impairment to goodwill recorded for the year ended December 31, 2010.
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The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill in each of the Companys reportable segments. The provisions of ASC 350-20-50-1 require the disclosure of cumulative impairment. As a result of the merger, a new basis in goodwill was recorded in accordance with ASC 805-10. All impairments shown in the table below have been recorded subsequent to the merger and, therefore, do not include any pre-merger impairment.
(In thousands) | Americas | International | Total | |||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2009 |
$ | 585,249 | $ | 276,343 | $ | 861,592 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation |
285 | 3,299 | 3,584 | |||||||||
Impairment |
| (2,142) | (2,142) | |||||||||
Adjustments |
| (792) | (792) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2010 |
$ | 585,534 | $ | 276,708 | $ | 862,242 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation |
(670) | (6,228) | (6,898) | |||||||||
Impairment |
| (1,146) | (1,146) | |||||||||
Acquisitions |
| 2,995 | 2,995 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2011 |
$ | 584,864 | $ | 272,329 | $ | 857,193 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The balance at December 31, 2009 is net of cumulative impairments of $2.7 billion and $247.2 million in the Companys Americas and International segments, respectively.
Interim Impairment Test to Goodwill
The discounted cash flow model indicated that the Company failed the first step of the impairment test for certain of its reporting units as of June 30, 2009, which required it to compare the implied fair value of each reporting units goodwill with its carrying value.
As of June 30, 2009, the Company calculated the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of 12.5% and 13.5% for each of the reporting units in the Americas and International segments, respectively. The Company also utilized the market approach to provide a test of reasonableness to the results of the discounted cash flow model. The market approach can be estimated through the quoted market price method, the market comparable method, and the market transaction method. The three variations of the market approach indicated that the fair value determined by the Companys discounted cash flow model was within a reasonable range of outcomes.
The Company forecasted revenue, expenses, and cash flows over a ten-year period for each of its reporting units. The revenue forecasts for 2009 declined 7% and 9% for Americas and International, respectively, compared to the forecasts used in the 2008 impairment test primarily as a result of the revenues realized during the first six months of 2009. These market driven changes were primarily responsible for the decline in fair value of the reporting units below their carrying value. As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge to reduce its goodwill of $419.5 million at June 30, 2009.
NOTE 3 BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
On October 14, 2011, the Companys International segment acquired Brouwer & Partners, a street furniture business in Holland, for $12.5 million.
During 2009, the Companys Americas segment purchased the remaining 15% interest in its consolidated subsidiary, Paneles Napsa S.A., for $13.0 million and the Companys International segment acquired an additional 5% interest in its consolidated subsidiary, Clear Channel Jolly Pubblicita SPA, for $12.1 million.
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NOTE 4 INVESTMENTS
The Companys most significant investments in nonconsolidated affiliates are listed below:
Alessi
The Company owns a 36.75% interest in Alessi, an Italian outdoor advertising company.
Buspak
The Company owns a 50% interest in Buspak, an outdoor advertising company in Hong Kong.
Summarized Financial Information
The following table summarizes the Companys investments in nonconsolidated affiliates:
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Alessi | Buspak | All Others | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2009 |
$ | 9,041 | $ | 9,532 | $ | 4,781 | $ | 23,354 | ||||||||
Equity in net earnings (loss) |
(8,453 | ) | 439 | (1,922 | ) | (9,936 | ) | |||||||||
Other, net |
| (2,231 | ) | 3,042 | 811 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(588 | ) | (21 | ) | 175 | (434 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2010 |
$ | | $ | 7,719 | $ | 6,076 | $ | 13,795 | ||||||||
Equity in net earnings (loss) |
| 1,884 | 4,145 | 6,029 | ||||||||||||
Dispositions of investments, net |
| | (6,316 | ) | (6,316 | ) | ||||||||||
Other, net |
| (1,701 | ) | (929 | ) | (2,630 | ) | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| 9 | 281 | 290 | ||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2011 |
$ | | $ | 7,911 | $ | 3,257 | $ | 11,168 |
The investments in the table above are not consolidated, but are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, whereby the Company records its investments in these entities in the balance sheet as Other assets. The Companys interests in their operations are recorded in the statement of operations as Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates.
Other Investments
Other investments of $3.3 million and $8.2 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, primarily represent marketable equity securities.
(In thousands) | December 31, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments | Cost | Gross Unrealized Losses |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Fair Value |
Cost | Gross Unrealized Losses |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Fair Value |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for sale |
$ | 3,188 | | 74 | $ | 3,262 | $ | 8,016 | | 82 | $ | 8,098 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other cost investments |
$ | 70 | | | $ | 70 | $ | 77 | | | $ | 77 |
The Companys available-for-sale security, Independent News & Media PLC (INM), was in an unrealized loss position for extended periods of time throughout 2009 through 2011. As a result, the Company considered the guidance in ASC 320-10-S99 and reviewed the length of the time and the extent to which the market value was less than cost and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. After this assessment, the Company concluded that the impairment was other than temporary and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $4.8 million, $6.5 million and $11.3 million in Loss on marketable securities for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Other cost investments include various investments in companies for which there is no readily determinable market value.
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NOTE 5 ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
The Companys asset retirement obligation is reported in Other long-term liabilities with the current portion recorded in Accrued liabilities and relates to its obligation to dismantle and remove its advertising displays from leased land and to reclaim the site to its original condition upon the termination or non-renewal of a lease. When the liability is recorded, the cost is capitalized as part of the related long-lived assets carrying value. Due to the high rate of lease renewals over a long period of time, the calculation assumes that all related assets will be removed at some period over the next 50 years. An estimate of third-party cost information is used with respect to the dismantling of the structures and the reclamation of the site. The interest rate used to calculate the present value of such costs over the retirement period is based on an estimated risk adjusted credit rate for the same period.
The following table presents the activity related to the Companys asset retirement obligation:
(In thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Beginning balance |
$ | 48,263 | $ | 51,301 | ||||
Adjustment due to change in estimate of related costs |
(2,851 | ) | (5,295 | ) | ||||
Accretion of liability |
4,536 | 4,822 | ||||||
Liabilities settled |
(2,414 | ) | (2,565 | ) | ||||
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Ending balance |
$ | 47,534 | $ | 48,263 | ||||
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NOTE 6 LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:
(In thousands) | As of December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Senior Notes: |
||||||||
9.25% Series A Senior Notes Due 2017 |
$ | 500,000 | $ | 500,000 | ||||
9.25% Series B Senior Notes Due 2017 |
2,000,000 | 2,000,000 | ||||||
Other debt |
45,909 | 63,809 | ||||||
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|
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2,545,909 | 2,563,809 | |||||||
Less: current portion |
23,806 | 41,676 | ||||||
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Total long-term debt |
$ | 2,522,103 | $ | 2,522,133 | ||||
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The aggregate market value of the Companys debt based on quoted market prices for which quotes were available was approximately $2.7 billion and $2.8 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Bank Credit Facility
In connection with the merger, Clear Channel Communications entered into a multi-currency revolving credit facility with a maturity in July 2014. Certain of the Companys International subsidiaries may borrow under a $145.0 million sub-limit within this $1.9 billion credit facility, to the extent Clear Channel Communications has not already borrowed against this capacity and is in compliance with its covenants under the credit facility. This sub-limit allows for borrowings in various foreign currencies, which are used to hedge net assets in those currencies and provide funds to the Companys International operations for certain working capital needs. The obligations of these International subsidiaries that are borrowers under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of the Companys material wholly-owned subsidiaries, and secured by substantially all assets of such borrowers and guarantors, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions. The interest rate is based upon LIBOR or, for Euro denominated borrowings, EURIBOR, plus, in each case, a margin. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the $145.0 million sub-limit facility. Clear Channel Communications had borrowed the entire sub-limit capacity as of December 31, 2011.
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CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2011, the Companys subsidiary, Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (CCWH), had outstanding $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Series A Senior Notes due 2017 (the Series A Notes) and $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Series B Senior Notes due 2017 (the Series B Notes and together with the Series A Notes, the CCWH Notes). The CCWH Notes are guaranteed by the Company, Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. (CCOI), the Companys wholly-owned subsidiary, and certain of the Companys other direct and indirect subsidiaries.
The CCWH Notes bear interest on a daily basis and contain customary provisions, including covenants requiring CCWH to maintain certain levels of credit availability and limitations on incurring additional debt.
The CCWH Notes are senior obligations that rank pari passu in right of payment to all unsubordinated indebtedness of CCWH and the guarantees of the CCWH Notes rank pari passu in right of payment to all unsubordinated indebtedness of the guarantors.
The indentures governing the CCWH Notes require CCWH to maintain at least $100 million in cash or other liquid assets or have cash available to be borrowed under committed credit facilities consisting of (i) $50.0 million at the issuer and guarantor entities (principally the Americas segment) and (ii) $50.0 million at the non-guarantor subsidiaries (principally the International segment) (together the Liquidity Amount), in each case under the sole control of the relevant entity. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, or similar proceeding of Clear Channel Communications, for the period thereafter that is the shorter of such proceeding and 60 days, the Liquidity Amount shall be reduced to $50.0 million, with a $25.0 million requirement at the issuer and guarantor entities and a $25.0 million requirement at the non-guarantor subsidiaries.
In addition, interest on the CCWH Notes accrues daily and is payable into an account established by the trustee for the benefit of the bondholders (the Trustee Account). Failure to make daily payment on any day does not constitute an event of default so long as (a) no payment or other transfer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall have been made on such day under the cash management sweep with Clear Channel Communications, and (b) on each semiannual interest payment date the aggregate amount of funds in the Trustee Account is equal to at least the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the CCWH Notes.
The indenture governing the Series A Notes contains covenants that limit the Company and its restricted subsidiaries ability to, among other things:
| incur or guarantee additional debt to persons other than Clear Channel Communications and its subsidiaries or issue certain preferred stock; |
| create liens on its restricted subsidiaries assets to secure such debt; |
| create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to the Company from its restricted subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes; |
| enter into certain transactions with affiliates; |
| merge or consolidate with another person, or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets; |
| sell certain assets, including capital stock of its subsidiaries, to persons other than Clear Channel Communications and its subsidiaries; and |
| purchase or otherwise effectively cancel or retire any of the Series A Notes if after doing so the ratio of (a) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series A Notes to (b) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series B Notes shall be greater than 0.250. |
In addition, the indenture governing the Series A Notes provides that if CCWH (i) makes an optional redemption of the Series B Notes or purchases or makes an offer to purchase the Series B Notes at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof, then CCWH shall apply a pro rata amount to make an optional redemption or purchase a pro rata amount of the Series A Notes or (ii) makes an asset sale offer under the indenture governing the Series B Notes, then CCWH shall apply a pro rata amount to make an offer to purchase a pro rata amount of Series A Notes.
The indenture governing the Series A Notes does not include limitations on dividends, distributions, investments or asset sales.
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CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
The indenture governing the Series B Notes contains covenants that limit the Company and its restricted subsidiaries ability to, among other things:
| incur or guarantee additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; |
| redeem, repurchase or retire the Companys subordinated debt; |
| make certain investments; |
|