EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 876883
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 876883_10-K_2021_0000876883-21-000016.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
MDC PARTNERS INC.
MDC is a corporation governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act. MDC’s registered address is located at 33 Draper Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2M3, and its head office address is located at One World Trade Center, Floor 65, New York, New York 10017. MDC is not a “foreign private issuer” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Recent Developments
On December 21, 2020, MDC and Stagwell Media LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Stagwell”), announced that they entered into a definitive transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) providing for the combination of MDC with the subsidiaries of Stagwell that own and operate a portfolio of marketing services companies (the “Stagwell Entities”). Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the combination between MDC and the Stagwell Entities will be effected using an “Up-C” partnership structure. Through a series of steps and transactions (collectively, the “Transactions”), including the domestication of MDC to a Delaware corporation and the merger of MDC Delaware with one of its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries (the “MDC Merger”), MDC Delaware will become a direct subsidiary (from and after the merger, “OpCo”) of a newly-formed, Delaware-organized, NASDAQ-listed corporation (“New MDC”). Following the MDC Merger, (i) OpCo will convert into a limited liability company that will hold MDC’s operating assets and to which Stagwell will contribute the equity interests of the Stagwell Entities (the “Stagwell Contribution”) in exchange for 216,250,000 common membership interests of OpCo (the “Stagwell OpCo Units”), and (ii) Stagwell will contribute to New MDC an aggregate amount of cash equal to $100 in exchange for shares of a new Class C series of voting-only common stock (the “New MDC Class C Stock”) equal in number to the Stagwell OpCo Units. On a pro forma basis, without giving effect to any outstanding preference shares of MDC, the existing holders of MDC’s Class A and Class B shares would receive interests equal to approximately 26% of the combined company and Stagwell would be issued New MDC Class C Stock equivalent to approximately 74% of the voting rights of the combined company and exchangeable, together with Stagwell OpCo Units, into Class A shares of New MDC on a one-for-one basis at Stagwell’s election. The number of Stagwell OpCo Units and shares of New MDC Class C Stock that Stagwell will receive in the Transactions, and the percentage of the combined company that Stagwell will hold following the consummation of the Transactions, will be reduced, and the percentage of the combined company that existing MDC shareholders will hold will be proportionally increased, if Stagwell is unable to effect certain restructuring transactions prior to the closing of the Transactions.
On December 21, 2020, MDC and Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs (“Broad Street”), entered into a letter agreement, pursuant to which Broad Street consented to the Transactions subject to entry with MDC into a definitive agreement reflecting revised terms of MDC’s issued and outstanding Series 4 convertible preference shares (the “Goldman Letter Agreement”). The revised terms of the Series 4 convertible preference shares would (subject to the closing of the Transactions) reduce the conversion price from $7.42 to $5.00 and extend accretion for two years beyond the date on which accretion would have otherwise ceased, at a reduced rate of 6%. In connection with the closing of the Transactions, Broad Street will have the right to redeem up to $30 million of its preference shares in exchange for a $25 million subordinated note or loan with a 3-year maturity (i.e., exchange at an approximately 17% discount to face value). The $25 million note or loan will accrue interest at 8.0% per annum and is, pre-payable any time at par without penalty.
On December 21, 2020, MDC entered into consent and support agreements (the “Consent and Support Agreements”) with holders of more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes to consent to the consummation of the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities. Pursuant to the Consent and Support Agreements, MDC agreed to increase the interest rate on the Senior Notes by 1% per annum effective as of the date of the Consent and Support Agreements and to pay a consent fee of 2% to all holders of Notes upon a successful consent solicitation, or 3% if a supplemental indenture with the waivers and amendments is executed and becomes operative and the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities is consummated. On February 5, 2021, MDC announced it had received and accepted consents from holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes, and on February 8, 2021, MDC entered into a supplemental indenture providing for waivers and amendments in connection with the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities.
On February 8, 2021, MDC filed a proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4, which describes the Transaction Agreement, the Transactions, and ancillary agreements related thereto in more detail.
About Us
MDC Partners is a leading global marketing and communications network, providing marketing and business solutions that realize the potential of combining data and creativity. Through its network of agencies, MDC delivers a broad range of client services, including (1) global advertising and marketing, (2) data analytics and insights, (3) mobile and technology experiences, (4) media buying, planning and optimization, (5) direct marketing, (6) database and customer relationship management, (7)
business consulting, (8) sales promotion, (9) corporate communications, (10) market research, (11) corporate identity, design and branding services, (12) social media strategy and communications, (13) product and service innovation, and (14) e-commerce management. These marketing, communications, and consulting agencies (or “Partner Firms”) provide a wide range of service offerings both domestically and globally. While in some cases the firms provide the same or similar service offerings, the core or principal service offering is the key factor that distinguishes the Partner Firms from one another.
Market Strategy
MDC’s strategy is to build, grow and acquire market-leading businesses that deliver the modern suite of services that marketers need to thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment. MDC’s differentiation lies in its best-in-class creative roots and proven entrepreneurial leaders, which together with innovations in technology and data, bring transformational marketing, activation, communications and strategic consulting services to clients. To be the modern marketing company of choice, MDC leverages its range of services in an integrated manner, offering strategic, creative and innovative solutions that are technologically forward and media-agnostic. The Company’s work is designed to challenge the industry status quo, realize outsized returns on investment, and drive transformative growth and business performance for its clients and stakeholders.
The MDC model is driven by:
Data + Creativity. MDC creates solutions that aim to realize the potential of data and creativity, bringing the network’s award-winning creativity to modern solutions in mobile, digital experiences, and all methods of marketing communications. This is reinforced by MDC's horizontal data offering, the venture investments the Company makes in technology solutions, and the proprietary technologies, solutions, and digital products the Company builds from the ground up.
Talent + Entrepreneurialism. The entrepreneurial spirit of both MDC and its firms is optimized through (1) its model that incentivizes senior-level ambition, including the creation of multi-agency networks that enable proven leaders to steward increasingly scaled platforms and provide growth opportunities for talent at all levels, (2) best-in-class shared resources within the corporate group that allow individual firms to focus on client business and company growth, and (3) the formation of the Global Affiliates program, which fosters partnerships with like-minded agencies in key international markets to scale the creative, performance, media and technology capabilities that brands need to thrive in today's global economy.
Collaboration. MDC values collaboration as manifested through (1) MDC’s creation of customized solutions for clients across disciplines that foster the integration of complementary disciplines, driving better results for clients, and in turn, growth for its firms, (2) the growing Integrated Client Solutions group at MDC corporate that operationalizes these cross-discipline offerings, and (3) the creation of multi-agency networks that drive greater opportunity for individual firms to benefit from the scale of the holding company as well as resources of like-minded agencies within the group, and create fewer cost centers.
Impact of COVID-19
The novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic that has altered how society interacts across the world. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the measures put in place to reduce its transmission, such as the imposition of social distancing and orders to work-from-home, stay-at-home and shelter-in-place, have adversely impacted the global economy. We took various actions to address the pandemic. The Company implemented comprehensive controls and procedures to protect our employees, families, clients, and their communities. This included implementing a world-wide work-from-home policy and stress-testing our infrastructure to ensure that all employees had the tools and resources to work virtually. Our leadership and business continuity teams also proactively took thorough measures to ensure the highest level of continued service and partnership for our clients. Our Partner Firms altered how they work and respond to client challenges around the world, generating impactful creative work, rapid pivots, and inventive business solutions for brands in every sector. Early in 2020, the Company aligned operating expenses with changes in revenue. We implemented freezes on hiring, staff reductions, furloughs, salary reductions, benefit reductions and a significant reduction in discretionary spending. In addition to expense reductions, we tightened capital expenditures where possible to preserve our cash flow.
We discuss the actions taken by the Company in response to COVID-19 and the negative impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows in more detail in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Reporting Segments
MDC has three reportable segments as of December 31, 2020. These reportable segments are as follows:
“Integrated Networks - Group A,” “Integrated Networks - Group B” and the “Media & Data Network.” In addition, the Company combines and discloses operating segments that do not meet the aggregation criteria as “All Other.” The Company also reports corporate expenses, as further detailed below, as “Corporate.” All segments follow the same basis of presentation and accounting policies as those described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
•The Integrated Networks - Group A reportable segment is comprised of the Anomaly Alliance (Anomaly, Concentric Partners, Hunter, Mono, Y Media Labs) and Colle McVoy operating segments.
•The Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment is comprised of the Constellation (72andSunny, CPB, Instrument and Redscout) and Doner Partner Network (6degrees, Doner, KWT, Union, Veritas and Yamamoto) operating segments.
The operating segments aggregated within the Integrated Networks - Group A and B reportable segments provide a range of services for their clients, primarily including strategy, creative and production for advertising campaigns across a variety of platforms (print, digital, social media, television broadcast) as well as public relations and communications services, experiential, social media and influencer marketing. These operating segments share similar characteristics related to (i) the nature of their services; (ii) the type of clients and the methods used to provide services; and (iii) the extent to which they may be impacted by global economic and geopolitical risks. In addition, these operating segments compete with each other for new business and from time to time have business move between them. While the operating segments are similar in nature, the distinction between the Integrated Networks - Group A and B is the aggregation of operating segments that have the most similar historical average long-term profitability.
•The Media & Data Network reportable segment is comprised of a single operating segment that combines media buying and planning across a range of platforms (out-of-home, paid search, social media, lead generation, programmatic, television broadcast) with technology and data capabilities.
•All Other consists of the Company’s remaining operating segments that provide a range of services including advertising, public relations and marketing communication services, but generally do not have similar services offerings or financial characteristics as those aggregated in the reportable segments. The All Other category includes Allison & Partners, Bruce Mau, Forsman & Bodenfors, Hello, Team and Vitro.
•Corporate consists of corporate office expenses incurred in connection with the strategic resources provided to the operating segments, as well as certain other centrally managed expenses that are not fully allocated to the operating segments. These office and general expenses include (i) salaries and related expenses for corporate office employees, including employees dedicated to supporting the operating segments, (ii) occupancy expenses relating to properties occupied by all corporate office employees, (iii) other office and general expenses including professional fees for the financial statement audits and other public company costs, and (iv) certain other professional fees managed by the corporate office. Additional expenses managed by the corporate office that are directly related to the operating segments are allocated to the appropriate reportable segment and the All Other category.
For further information relating to the Company’s segments, including financial information, see Note 20 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Ownership Information
MDC maintains a majority or 100% ownership position in substantially all of its Partner Firms with management of the Partner Firms owning the remaining equity. MDC generally has rights to increase ownership of non-wholly owned subsidiaries to 100% over a defined period of time. Below are the companies reflecting our reporting structure.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE OF REPORTING COMPANIES
Year of Initial
Company Investment Locations
Integrated Networks - Group A:
Anomaly Alliance:
Anomaly 2011 New York, Los Angeles, Venice, CA, Playa Vista, Netherlands, Canada, UK, China, Germany
Concentric Partners 2011 New York
Hunter 2014 New York
Mono Advertising 2004 Minneapolis
Y Media Labs 2015 Redwood City, India, Indianapolis, Atlanta
Colle Network:
Colle McVoy 1999 Minneapolis
Integrated Networks - Group B:
Constellation:
72andSunny 2010 Los Angeles, New York, Netherlands, Australia, Singapore
Crispin Porter + Bogusky 2001 Boulder, Santa Monica, UK, Brazil
Instrument 2018 Portland, New York
Redscout 2007 New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles
Doner Network:
6degrees Communications 1993 Canada
Doner 2012 Detroit, Southfield, Los Angeles, Norwalk, Atlanta, Cleveland, Pennsylvania
KWT Global 2010 New York, UK
Union 2013 Canada
Veritas 1993 Canada
Yamamoto 2000 Minneapolis, Chicago
Media & Data:
Gale Partners 2014 Canada, New York, India
Kenna 2010 Canada
MDC Media Partners 2010 New York, Los Angeles, Century City, Austin
Northstar Research Partners 1998 Canada, UK
All Other:
Allison & Partners 2010 Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Washington, Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, Portland, Dallas, Seattle, China, Singapore, Thailand, UK, Japan, Germany
Bruce Mau Design 2004 Canada
Forsman & Bodenfors 2016 Sweden, New York, Canada, China, Singapore
Hello Design 2004 Los Angeles
TEAM 2010 Ft. Lauderdale, Miramar
Vitro 2004 San Diego, Austin
Competition
MDC operates in a highly competitive and fragmented industry. MDC Partner Firms compete for business and talent with the operating subsidiaries of large global holding companies such as Omnicom Group Inc., Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., WPP plc, Publicis Groupe SA, Dentsu Inc. and Havas SA, as well as with numerous independent agencies that operate in multiple markets. Our Partner Firms also face competition from consultancies, like Accenture and Deloitte, tech platforms, media companies and other services firms that offer related services. MDC’s Partner Firms must compete with all of these other companies to maintain and grow existing client relationships and to obtain new clients and assignments.
MDC’s Partner Firms compete at this level by providing clients with innovative marketing solutions that leverage the full power of data, technology, and superior creativity. MDC also benefits from cooperation among its entrepreneurial Partner Firms, which enables MDC to service the full range of global clients’ varied marketing needs through custom integrated solutions. Additionally, MDC’s maintenance of separate, independent operating companies enables MDC to effectively manage potential conflicts of interest by representing competing clients across its network.
Industry Trends
There are several recent economic and industry trends that affect or may be expected to affect the Company’s results of operations, most notably the business and consumer behavior changes driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, advertising has been the primary service provided by the marketing communications industry. However, as clients aim to establish one-to-one relationships with customers, and more accurately measure the effectiveness of their marketing expenditures, specialized and digital communications services as well as data and analytics services are consuming a growing portion of marketing dollars. Over the last year, digital transformation has been meaningfully accelerated, with businesses across all categories relying on the strength of their e-commerce and digital experiences. The Company believes these accelerated changes in the way consumers interact with media and brands are increasing the demand for a broader range of non-advertising marketing communications services (i.e., user experience design, digital products, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, product innovation, direct marketing, sales promotion, interactive, mobile, strategic communications, research, and public relations), which we expect could have a positive impact on our results of operations. In addition, the rise of technology and data solutions have rendered scale less crucial than it once was in areas such as media buying, creating significant opportunities for agile and modern players. Global marketers now demand breakthrough and integrated creative ideas, and no longer require traditional brick-and-mortar communications partners in every market to optimize the effectiveness of their marketing efforts. Combined with the fragmentation of the media landscape, these factors provide new opportunities for small to mid-sized communications companies like those in the MDC network. In addition, marketers now require even greater speed-to-market to drive financial returns on their marketing and media investment, causing them to turn to more nimble, entrepreneurial and collaborative communications firms like MDC’s Partner Firms.
Clients
MDC serves a large base of clients across the full spectrum of industry verticals. In many cases, we serve the same clients in various geographic locations, across multiple disciplines, and through multiple Partner Firms. Representation of a client rarely means that MDC handles marketing communications for all brands or product lines of the client in every geographical location. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have a client that accounted for 5% or more of revenues. In addition, MDC’s ten largest clients (measured by revenue generated) accounted for approximately 21%, 23% and 23% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
MDC’s agencies have written contracts with many of their clients. As is customary in the industry, these contracts generally provide for termination by either party on relatively short notice. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Executive Overview” for a further discussion of MDC’s arrangements with its clients.
Employees
As of December 31, 2020, we employed 4,866 people worldwide. The following table provides a breakdown of full time employees across MDC’s three reportable segments, the All Other category, and Corporate:
Segment Total
Integrated Networks - Group A 1,529
Integrated Networks - Group B 1,506
Media & Data Network 703
All Other 1,060
Corporate 68
Total 4,866
Because of the personal service character of the marketing and communications business, our personnel are of critical importance to our success. Human capital management strategies are developed by senior management, including the management teams of our Partner Firms, and are overseen at the holding company level. Our human capital management priorities include providing competitive wages and benefits, professional development, promoting diversity and inclusion and implementing codes of conduct and business ethics throughout the Company. At the corporate center, centralized human capital management processes include development of human resources governance and policy, executive compensation for senior leaders across the Company, benefits programs, and succession planning focusing on the performance, development and retention of the Company’s senior-most executives and key roles in the Partner Firms.
Seasonality
Historically, with some exceptions, we generate the highest quarterly revenues during the fourth quarter in each year. The fourth quarter has historically been the period in the year in which the highest volumes of media placements and retail-related consumer marketing occur. See Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for information relating to the Company’s quarterly results.
Regulatory Environment
The marketing and communications services that our agencies provide are subject to laws and regulations in all of the jurisdictions in which we operate. These include laws and regulations that affect the form and content of marketing and communications activities that we produce for our clients and, for our digital services, laws and regulations concerning user privacy, use of personal information, data protection and online tracking technologies. We are also subject to laws and regulations that govern whether and how we can receive, transfer or process data that we use in our operations, including data shared between countries in which we operate. Our international operations are also subject to broad anti-corruption laws. While these laws and regulations could impact our operations, compliance in the normal course of the Company’s business did not significantly impact the services we provide and did not have a material effect on our business, results of operations or financial position. Additional information regarding the impact of laws and regulations on our business is included in Item 1A. Risk Factors under the heading “MDC is subject to regulations and litigation risk that could restrict our activities or negatively impact our revenues.”
Available Information
Information regarding the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available, free of charge, at the Company’s website at https://www.mdc-partners.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such reports with or furnishes them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, the Company’s website is for information purposes only and is included as an inactive textual reference. It should not be relied upon for investment purposes, nor is it incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company’s filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below, as well as the other information contained in this Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or those we currently view to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The following risk factors are not necessarily presented in order of relative importance and should not be considered to represent a complete set of all potential risks that could affect our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations
MDC competes for clients in highly competitive industries.
The Company operates in a highly competitive environment in an industry characterized by numerous advertising and marketing agencies of varying sizes, with no single advertising and marketing agency or group of agencies having a dominant position in the marketplace. MDC is, however, smaller than several of its larger industry competitors. Competitive factors include creative reputation, management, personal relationships, quality and reliability of service and expertise in particular niche areas of the marketplace. In addition, because an agency’s principal asset is its people, barriers to entry are minimal, and relatively small agencies are, on occasion, able to take all or some portion of a client’s business from a larger competitor.
While many of MDC’s client relationships are long-standing, companies put their advertising and marketing services businesses up for competitive review from time to time, including at times when clients enter into strategic transactions or experience senior management changes. To the extent that the Company fails to maintain existing clients or attract new clients, MDC’s business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows may be affected in a materially adverse manner.
MDC’s business could be adversely affected if it loses key clients.
MDC’s strategy has been to acquire ownership stakes in diverse marketing communications businesses to minimize the effects that might arise from the loss of any one client. The loss of one or more clients could materially affect the results of the individual agencies and MDC as a whole.
Our ten largest clients (measured by revenue generated) accounted for approximately 21% of our revenue for the three-year period ended December 31, 2020. A significant reduction in spending on our services by our largest clients, or the loss of several of our largest clients, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.
MDC’s ability to generate new business from new and existing clients may be limited.
To increase its revenues, MDC needs to obtain additional clients or generate demand for additional services from existing clients. MDC’s ability to generate initial demand for its services from new clients and additional demand from existing clients is subject to such clients’ and potential clients’ requirements, pre-existing vendor relationships, financial conditions, strategic plans and internal resources, as well as the quality of MDC’s employees, services and reputation and the breadth of its services. To the extent MDC cannot generate new business from new and existing clients due to these limitations, MDC’s ability to grow its business and to increase its revenues will be limited.
MDC’s business and results of operations have been adversely affected and could in the future be materially adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely impacting, and is expected to continue to adversely impact, our business and results of operations.
As part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, governmental authorities have imposed various restrictions, such as travel bans, stay-at-home orders and quarantines, social distancing measures and temporary business closures. COVID-19 and the actions taken by governments, businesses and individuals in response to the pandemic have resulted in, and are expected to continue to result in, a substantial curtailment of business activities, weakened economic conditions, and significant economic uncertainty.
Many clients have responded to weak economic and financial conditions by reducing their marketing budgets, thereby decreasing the market and demand for our services. This is adversely impacting and is expected to continue to adversely impact our business and results of operations.
We are also facing increased operational challenges as we take measures to support and protect employee health and safety, including limiting employee travel, closing offices, and implementing work-from-home policies for employees. In particular, our remote work arrangements, coupled with stay-at-home orders and quarantines, pose new challenges for our employees and our IT systems and extended periods of remote work arrangements could strain our business continuity plans and introduce operational risk, including but not limited to cybersecurity and IT systems management risks.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may also limit the resources afforded to or delay the implementation of our strategic initiatives and make it more difficult to develop and market innovative services. If our strategic initiatives are delayed or otherwise modified, such initiatives may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits, which could adversely impact our competitive position, business, results of operations and financial condition.
MDC’s business could be adversely affected if it loses or fails to attract or retain key executives or employees.
Employees, including creative, research, analytics, media, technology development, account and practice group specialists, and their skills and relationships with clients, are among MDC’s most important assets. An important aspect of MDC’s competitiveness is its ability to retain key employee and management personnel. Compensation for these key employees is an essential factor in attracting and retaining them, and MDC may not offer a level of compensation sufficient to attract and retain these key employees. If MDC fails to hire and retain a sufficient number of these key employees, it may not be able to compete effectively. Management succession at our operating units is very important to the ongoing results of MDC because, as in any service business, the success of a particular agency is dependent upon the leadership of key executives and management. If key executives were to leave our operating units, the relationships that MDC has with its clients could be adversely affected.
MDC is exposed to the risk of client defaults.
MDC’s agencies often incur expenses on behalf of their clients for productions and in order to secure a variety of media time and space, in exchange for which they receive a fee. The difference between the gross production costs and media purchases and the revenue earned by us can be significant. While MDC takes precautions against default on payment for these services (such as credit analysis, advance billing of clients, and in some cases acting as an agent for a disclosed principal) and has historically had a very low incidence of default, MDC is still exposed to the risk of significant uncollectible receivables from our clients. The risk of a material loss could significantly increase in periods of severe economic downturn. Such a loss could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
MDC is subject to regulations and litigation risk that could restrict our activities or negatively impact our revenues.
Advertising and marketing communications businesses are subject to government regulation, both domestic and foreign. There has been an increasing trend in the United States for advertisers to resort to litigation and self-regulatory bodies to challenge comparative advertising on the grounds that the advertising is false and deceptive. Moreover, there has recently been an expansion of specific rules, prohibitions, media restrictions, labeling disclosures, and warning requirements with respect to advertising for certain products. Proposals have been made to ban the advertising of specific products and to impose taxes on or deny deductions for advertising which, if successful, may have an adverse effect on advertising expenditures and consequently, on MDC’s revenues.
Certain of MDC’s agencies produce software and e-commerce tools for their clients, and these product offerings have become increasingly subject to litigation based on allegations of patent infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. As we expand these product offerings, the possibility of an intellectual property claim against MDC grows. Any such claim, with or without merit, could result in costly litigation and distract management from day-to-day operations. If we are not successful in defending such claims, we could be required to stop offering these services, pay monetary damages, enter into royalty or licensing arrangements, or satisfy indemnification obligations that we have with some of our clients. Such arrangements may cause our operating margins to decline.
In addition, laws and regulations related to consumer privacy, use of personal information and digital tracking technologies have been proposed or enacted in the United States and certain international markets (including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, or “GDPR,” the proposed European Union “ePrivacy Regulation” and the recently enacted California Consumer Privacy Act, or “CCPA”). We face increasing costs of compliance in an uncertain regulatory environment and any failure to comply with these legal requirements could result in regulatory penalties or other legal ability. Furthermore, these laws and regulations may impact the efficacy and profitability of certain digital marketing and analytics services we provide to clients, making it difficult to achieve our clients’ goals. These and other related factors could affect our business and reduce demand for certain of our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
Compliance with data privacy laws requires ongoing investment in systems, policies and personnel and will continue to impact our business in the future by increasing legal, operational and compliance costs. While we have taken steps to comply with data privacy laws, we cannot guarantee that our efforts will meet the evolving standards imposed by data protection authorities. In the event that we are found to have violated data privacy laws, we may be subject to additional potential private consumer, business partner or securities litigation, regulatory inquiries, governmental investigations and proceedings and we may incur damage to our reputation. Any such developments may subject us to material fines and other monetary penalties and damages, divert management’s time and attention, and lead to enhanced regulatory oversight all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Some of MDC’s Partner Firms rely upon signatory service companies to employ union performers in commercials.
Some of MDC’s creative agencies that have not entered into the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract have traditionally used signatory service companies, which are parties to the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract, to employ SAG-AFTRA union performers appearing in television, new media, and other commercials produced by those agencies. SAG-AFTRA has recently persuaded the principal signatory service companies to change the way such signatory service companies do business. These changes will make it more cumbersome and expensive for advertising agencies which have not entered into the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract to produce advertisements using SAG-AFTRA members, and in some cases may preclude the use of SAG-AFTRA members in a production. If a Partner Firm is unable to produce a commercial using a union performer, it may reduce the amount of business conducted by such Partner Firm. Accordingly, if SAG-AFTRA’s recent restrictions on signatory service companies are not modified, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.
We rely extensively on information technology systems and cybersecurity incidents could adversely affect us.
We rely on information technologies and infrastructure to manage our business, including digital storage of client marketing and advertising information and developing new business opportunities. Increased cybersecurity threats and attacks, which are becoming more sophisticated, pose a risk to our systems and networks. Security breaches, improper use of our systems and unauthorized access to our data and information by employees and others may pose a risk that sensitive data may be exposed to unauthorized persons or to the public. We also have access to sensitive or personal data or information that is subject to privacy laws and regulations. Our systems and processes to protect against, detect, prevent, respond to and mitigate cybersecurity incidents and our organizational training for employees to develop an understanding of cybersecurity risks and threats may be unable to prevent material security breaches, theft, modification or loss of data, employee malfeasance and additional known and unknown threats. In addition, we use third-party service providers, including cloud providers, to store, transmit and process data. Any breakdown or breach in our systems or data-protection policies, or those of our third-party service providers, could adversely affect our reputation or business.
MDC is consolidating its real estate footprint and may incur significant costs in doing so.
In 2020, MDC consolidated the real estate occupancy of its advertising and marketing agencies in New York City, in order to lower our leasing costs and improve collaboration among our agencies. In consolidation, many of MDC’s legacy properties will be or have been subleased or abandoned. In 2020, MDC incurred a charge of $22.7 million associated with the impairment of right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements and the acceleration of variable lease expenses relating to these and similar actions. In addition, MDC is exploring opportunities for real estate consolidation in other markets. MDC may not be able to sublease its vacated office spaces on expected terms or at all. If we fail to sublet on expected terms the vacated leased offices, there could be a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Our Financial Condition and Results
Future economic and financial conditions could adversely impact our financial condition and results.
Advertising, marketing and communications expenditures are sensitive to global, national and regional macroeconomic conditions, as well as specific budgeting levels and buying patterns. Adverse developments including heightened economic uncertainty could reduce the demand for our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
a. As a marketing services company, our revenues are highly susceptible to declines as a result of unfavorable economic conditions.
Global economic conditions affect the advertising and marketing services industry more severely than other industries. In the past, some clients have responded to weakening economic conditions with reductions to their marketing budgets, which include discretionary components that are easier to reduce in the short term than other operating expenses. This pattern may recur in the future. Decreases in our revenue would negatively affect our financial results, including a reduction of our estimates of free cash flow from operations.
b. If our clients experience financial distress, their weakened financial position could negatively affect our own financial position and results.
We have a diverse client base, and at any given time, one or more of our clients may experience financial difficulty, file for bankruptcy protection or go out of business. Unfavorable economic and financial conditions in the global economy could increase client financial difficulties resulting in reduced demand for our services, reduced revenues, delayed payments by clients, and increased write offs of accounts receivable.
c. Conditions in the credit markets could adversely impact our results of operations and financial position.
Turmoil in the credit markets or a contraction in the availability of credit would make it more difficult for businesses to meet their capital requirements and could lead clients to change their financial relationship with their vendors, including us. If that were to occur, it could materially adversely impact our results of operations and financial position.
If our available liquidity is insufficient, our financial condition could be adversely affected and we may be unable to fund contingent deferred acquisition liabilities, and any put options if exercised.
MDC maintains a committed $211.5 million senior secured revolving credit agreement due February 3, 2022 (the “Credit Agreement”), together with cash flow from operations, to fund its working capital needs and to fund the exercise of put option obligations and contingent deferred acquisition payments. If MDC is not able to renew or replace its Credit Agreement on favorable terms or at all, or if credit were otherwise unavailable or insufficient under the Credit Agreement, MDC’s liquidity could be adversely affected and MDC’s ability to fund its working capital needs and any contingent obligations with respect to put options or contingent deferred acquisition payments could be adversely affected. MDC has made acquisitions for which it has deferred payment of a portion of the purchase price, with the deferred acquisition consideration generally payable based on achievement of certain thresholds of future earnings of the acquired company. In addition, a noncontrolling shareholder in an acquired business often has the right to require MDC to purchase all or part of its interest, either at specified dates or upon the termination of such shareholder’s employment with the subsidiary or death (put rights). Payments to be made by the Company in respect of deferred acquisition consideration and noncontrolling shareholder put rights may be significantly higher than the amounts estimated by MDC because the actual obligation adjusts based on the performance of the acquired businesses over time.
MDC’s business strategy includes ongoing efforts to engage in acquisitions of ownership interests in entities in the marketing communications services industry and other strategic transactions.
The success of acquisitions or strategic investments depends on the effective integration of newly acquired businesses into MDC’s current operations. Such integration is subject to risks and uncertainties, including realization of anticipated synergies and cost savings, the ability to retain and attract executives and clients, the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, and undisclosed or potential legal liabilities of the acquired company. MDC’s failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and other strategic transactions could cause MDC to fail to realize their anticipated benefits, incur unanticipated liabilities and harm MDC’s business generally. MDC’s acquisitions and other strategic transactions could also result in dilutive issuances of the Company’s equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses, or impairment of goodwill and/or purchased long-lived assets, and restructuring charges, any of which could harm its financial condition or operating results. Furthermore, the anticipated benefits or value of MDC’s acquisitions and other strategic transactions may not materialize.
MDC’s results of operations are subject to currency fluctuation risks.
Although MDC’s financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, a portion of its revenues and operating costs are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and other currencies, particularly the Canadian dollar, may affect MDC’s financial results and competitive position.
Goodwill, intangible assets and right-of-use assets may become impaired.
We have recorded a significant amount of goodwill and intangible assets in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP resulting from our acquisition activities, which principally represent the specialized know-how of the workforce at the agencies we have acquired. We test, at least annually, the carrying value of goodwill for impairment, as discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. The estimates and assumptions about future results of operations and cash flows made in connection with the impairment testing could differ from future actual results of operations and cash flows. If MDC concludes that any intangible asset and goodwill values are impaired, any resulting non-cash impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on goodwill and intangible asset impairment recorded in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
In addition, we have recorded a significant amount of right-of-use assets in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP as a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification, Leases (“ASC 842”). Upon a triggering event, we test the right-of-use assets for impairment, as discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. If a right-of-use asset is impaired, the charge could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on lease impairments recorded related to right-of-use assets.
We may be subject to adverse tax consequences such as those related to changes in tax laws or tax rates or their interpretations, and the related application of judgment in determining our global provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities or other tax liabilities given the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.
We are a Canada-domiciled multinational company subject to tax in multiple U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our global provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities and in evaluating our tax positions on a worldwide basis. While we believe our tax positions are consistent with the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business, it is possible that jurisdictional tax authorities may take a contrary view, which may have a significant impact on our global provision for income taxes.
Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. The U.S. recently enacted significant tax reform, and certain provisions of the new law may adversely affect us. In addition, governmental tax authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the tax positions of companies. Many countries in the European Union, as well as a number of other countries and organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, are actively considering changes to existing tax laws that, if enacted, could increase our tax obligations in countries where we do business. If U.S. or other foreign tax authorities change applicable tax laws, our overall taxes could increase, and our business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely impacted.
Risks Relating to Our Class A Shares
Future issuances of equity securities, which may include securities that would rank senior to our Class A shares, may cause dilution to our existing shareholders and adversely affect the market price of our Class A shares.
The market price of our Class A shares could decline as a result of sales of a large number of our Class A shares in the market, or the sale of securities convertible into a large number of our Class A shares. The perception that these sales could occur may also depress the market price of our Class A shares. On March 7, 2017, we issued 95,000 Series 4 convertible preference shares (the “Series 4 Preference Shares”) with an initial aggregate liquidation preference of $95.0 million, which will be convertible into Class A shares or our Series 5 convertible preference shares at a current conversion price of $7.42 per share. Pursuant to the Goldman Letter Agreement, the conversion price would (subject to the closing of the Transactions) be reduced to $5.00 per share, subject to entry into definitive documentation between MDC and the holder. On March 14, 2019, we issued 50,000 Series 6 convertible preference shares (the “Series 6 Preference Shares” and, together with the Series 4 Preference Shares, the “Preference Shares”) with an initial aggregate liquidation preference of $50.0 million, which will be convertible into Class A shares or our Series 7 convertible preference shares at an initial conversion price of $5.00 per share. The terms of the Preference Shares provide that the conversion price may be reduced, which would result in the Preference Shares being convertible into additional Class A shares upon certain events, including distributions on our Class A shares or issuances of additional Class A shares or equity-linked securities, at a price less than the then-applicable conversion price. The issuance of Class A Shares upon conversion of the Preference Shares would result in immediate and substantial dilution to the interests of our Class A shareholders. In addition, the holders of the Preference Shares may ultimately receive and sell all of the shares issuable in connection with the conversion of such Preference Shares, which could result in a decline in the market price of our Class A shares. The market price of our Class A shares may also be affected by factors, such as whether the market price is near or above the conversion price, that could make conversion of the Preference Shares more likely.
Further, the Preference Shares rank senior to the Class A shares, which could affect the value of the Class A shares on liquidation or, as a result of contractual provisions, on a change in control transaction. For example, pursuant to the related purchase agreements, the Company has agreed, with certain exceptions, not to become party to certain change in control transactions that are approved by the Board other than a qualifying transaction in which holders of Preference Shares are entitled to receive cash or qualifying listed securities with a value equal to the then-applicable liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding the Series 4 Preference Shares and the Series 6 Preference Shares.
Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Class A shares, and may result in dilution to owners of our Class A shares. Because our decision to issue additional debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future issuances. Also, we cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances of our Class A shares on the market price of our Class A shares.
Our shares of common stock are thinly traded and our stock price may be volatile.
The market price of our Class A Shares has been subject to wide fluctuations, and this volatility may continue. Among the factors that could affect the price of our Class A Shares are the risks described in this “Risk Factors” section and other factors, including:
•developments or announcements related to the Proposed Transactions;
•quarterly variations in our operating results compared to market expectations;
•changes in expectations as to our future financial performance;
•a lack of liquidity in the market for our Class A Shares;
•actual or expected sales of our Class A Shares by our shareholders;
•general market conditions; and
•domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors, including the effect of COVID-19 on these factors.
Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness
The indenture governing the Senior Notes and the Credit Agreement governing our secured line of credit contain various covenants that limit our discretion in the operation of our business.
MDC has Senior Notes due 2024 outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $870.3 million. The indenture governing the Senior Notes and the Credit Agreement governing our lines of credit contain various provisions that limit our discretion in the operation of our business by restricting our ability to:
•sell assets;
•pay dividends and make other distributions;
•redeem or repurchase our capital stock;
•incur additional debt and issue capital stock;
•create liens;
•consolidate, merge or sell substantially all of our assets;
•enter into certain transactions with our affiliates;
•make loans, investments or advances;
•repay subordinated indebtedness;
•undergo a change in control;
•enter into certain transactions with our affiliates;
•engage in new lines of business; and
•enter into sale and leaseback transactions.
These restrictions on our ability to operate our business in our discretion could seriously harm our business by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate opportunities. The Credit Agreement is subject to various additional covenants, including a senior leverage ratio, a total leverage ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio, and a minimum EBITDA level (as defined per the Credit Agreement). Events beyond our control could affect our ability to meet these financial tests, and we cannot assure you that they will be met.
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our cash flow and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations, including the Senior Notes.
The net carrying value of MDC’s indebtedness was $843.2 million, net of debt issuance costs, as of December 31, 2020. In addition, we expect to make additional drawings under the Credit Agreement from time to time. As a holding company, our ability to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness is dependent on the generation of cash flow by and distributions from our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries’ business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet MDC’s debt service and other obligations. If we are unable to meet our expenses and debt service obligations, we may need to obtain additional debt, refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity, sell assets or raise equity. We may not be able to obtain additional debt, refinance any of our indebtedness, sell assets or raise equity on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could cause us to default on our obligations and impair our liquidity. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, to obtain additional debt or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, we currently receive senior unsecured and long-term debt and corporate quality ratings from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investor Service Inc. Our ratings are subject to periodic review, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our current or any future ratings. If our ratings are reduced from their current levels, this could further adversely affect our liquidity and our business, financial condition and results of operation.
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and, as a result, our debt holders could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable; the lenders under the Credit Agreement could terminate their commitments to loan us money and foreclose against the assets securing our borrowings; and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. Our level of indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:
•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Senior Notes;
•make it difficult for us to meet our obligations with respect to our contingent deferred acquisition payments;
•limit our ability to increase our ownership stake in our Partner Firms;
•increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital and other activities;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the advertising industry, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
•limit, particularly in concert with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness, our ability to borrow additional funds or take other actions.
Despite our current debt levels, we may be able to incur substantially more indebtedness, which could further increase the risks associated with our leverage.
We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of our Credit Agreement and the indenture governing the 7.50% Notes permit us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness subject to certain limitations. If we or our subsidiaries incur additional indebtedness, the related risks that we face could increase.
We are a holding company dependent on our subsidiaries for our ability to service our debt.
MDC is a holding company with no operations of our own. Consequently, our ability to service our debt is dependent upon the earnings from the businesses conducted by our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Although our operating subsidiaries have generally agreed to allow us to consolidate and “sweep” cash, subject to the timing of payments due to noncontrolling interest holders, any distribution of earnings to us from our subsidiaries is contingent upon the subsidiaries’ earnings and various other business considerations. Also, our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders of common stock to participate in those assets, will be structurally subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors. In addition, even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any indebtedness of our subsidiaries senior to that held by us.
Risks Relating to the Proposed Transactions
The Proposed Transactions may give rise to taxable income in the United States for the Company and its subsidiaries, and there can be no assurances that material adverse tax consequences will not result from the Proposed Transactions or related transactions in Canada, the U.S., or other jurisdictions. Any such adverse tax consequences could adversely affect the Combined Company or its share price, following completion of the Proposed Transactions.
The Redomiciliation should qualify as a “reorganization” under section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, the Redomiciliation should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as if the Company (i) transferred all of its assets and liabilities to a new U.S. corporation (MDC Delaware) in exchange for all of the outstanding stock of MDC Delaware and (ii) then distributed the stock of MDC Delaware that the Company received in the transaction to the Company’s shareholders in liquidation of the Company. Additionally, the Company expects the Business Combination to be treated as a deemed transfer by New MDC of its assets to OpCo and an assumption of New MDC’s liabilities by OpCo in a transaction intended to qualify as a contribution to OpCo in exchange for OpCo Common Units or OpCo Preferred Units under section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor provision of U.S. federal law (the “Code”), and that Stagwell’s contributions of its businesses to OpCo is similarly intended to be subject to section 721 of the Code. Certain elements of the structure can be expected to give rise to corporate taxable income for the Combined Company. Additionally, because setting up the Up-C structure in the Business Combination involves a contribution by New MDC of its assets to OpCo, and an assumption by OpCo of New MDC’s liabilities, the flexibility of the Company, MDC Delaware, New MDC and OpCo to incur certain liabilities or fund certain expenses outside of the ordinary course of their businesses prior to effecting the Proposed Transactions will be significantly limited, including certain liabilities incurred in connection with implementing the Proposed Transactions, as such liabilities could trigger unanticipated tax costs for New MDC in connection with the implementation of the Proposed Transactions. To the extent that liabilities assumed by OpCo as part of the Proposed Transactions are viewed as non-ordinary course liabilities, such assumption may give rise to U.S. corporate taxable income for New MDC resulting from the assumption. Additionally, to the extent OpCo is treated as assuming such a liability, under relevant U.S. tax rules a portion of OpCo’s other liabilities may also be recharacterized and give rise to additional corporate taxable income for New MDC.
There can be no assurances that material additional adverse U.S. tax consequences will not result from the Proposed Transactions, and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with or not otherwise challenge the Company’s position on the tax treatment of the Proposed Transactions or of internal restructuring transactions undertaken prior
to, after, or in connection with the Proposed Transactions, which could result in higher U.S. federal tax costs for the Combined Company than currently anticipated, including a reduction in the net operating loss carryforwards of Maxxcom Inc. (which will become tax attributes of the Combined Company as a result of the Proposed Transactions).
The Company has not applied for a ruling related to the Proposed Transactions and does not intend to do so. Any adverse tax consequences resulting from the Proposed Transactions or the operations of the Combined Company after the Proposed Transactions could adversely affect the Combined Company or its share price following the completion of the Proposed Transactions. Moreover, U.S. tax laws significantly limit the Combined Company’s ability to redomicile outside of the U.S. once the Proposed Transactions are complete.
The Redomiciliation may give rise to significant Canadian corporate tax.
As a result of the Redomiciliation, the Company expects to incur Canadian corporate tax liability in the amount of approximately $21 million. However, such amount is only an estimate and the actual amount of Canadian corporate tax liability may be significantly higher than the Company’s estimate.
For purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, the Company’s taxation year will be deemed to have ended immediately prior to it ceasing to be a resident of Canada as a result of the Redomiciliation. Immediately prior to the time of this deemed year end, the Company will be deemed to have disposed of each of its properties for proceeds of disposition equal to the fair market value of such properties at that time and will be deemed to have reacquired such properties for a cost amount equal to that fair market value. The Company will be subject to income tax under Part I of the Canadian Tax Act on any income and net taxable capital gains which arise as a result of this deemed disposition (after the utilization of any available capital losses or non-capital losses). The Company will also be subject to “emigration tax” under Part XIV of the Canadian Tax Act on the amount by which the fair market value, immediately before the Company’s deemed year end, of all of its properties exceeds the total of certain of its liabilities and the paid-up capital, determined for purposes of that emigration tax, of all the issued and outstanding shares of the Company immediately before such deemed year end.
The quantum of Canadian federal income tax payable by the Company as a result of the Redomiciliation will depend upon a number of considerations including the fair market value of its properties, the amount of its liabilities, the Canada-U.S. dollar exchange rate, its shareholder composition, as well as certain Canadian tax attributes, accounts and balances of the Company, each as of the time the Redomiciliation becomes effective on the Redomiciliation Effective Date (the “Redomiciliation Effective Time”). Prior to the Redomiciliation Effective Time, there is no certainty that the fair market value of the properties of the Company will not increase, and there is no certainty that the estimated fair market value of the properties of the Company or the amounts of its relevant tax attributes will be accepted by Canadian federal tax authorities, which may result in additional taxes payable as a result of the Redomiciliation. The Company has not applied to the Canadian federal tax authorities for an advance tax ruling relating to the Redomiciliation and does not intend to do so. Additionally, it is possible that valuations and implied valuations of the Company’s property are made available which may be relevant in assessing the potential Canadian tax costs of the Redomiciliation. As a result, the quantum of Canadian tax payable by the Company may significantly exceed the Company’s estimates that are reflected in the Form S-4. Any such adverse tax consequences could adversely affect the Combined Company and its share price.
If the IRS does not agree with the Company’s determination of the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to the Company’s shares, certain U.S. Holders may owe a higher than anticipated amount of U.S. federal income taxes as a result of the Proposed Transactions (and specifically, the Redomiciliation).
Subject to the potential application of the passive foreign investment company (as defined under Section 1297 of the Code) rules, certain beneficial owners of the Company’s Class A Shares or Class B Shares that are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) individual citizens or residents of the United States; (ii) corporations created or organized in the United States or in any state thereof; (iii) estates the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or (iv) trusts if (a) a court within the United States can exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust or (b) they have a valid election in place to be treated as a United States person and one or more United States persons has authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust (each such person, a “U.S. Holder”) that, at the time of the Redomiciliation, (i) own shares of the Company with a fair market value of $50,000 or more and (ii) would otherwise recognize taxable gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to their shares of the Company in connection with the Proposed Transactions (and specifically, the Redomiciliation), may make the “all earnings and profits” election with respect to their shares of the Company in lieu of recognizing such taxable gain. A U.S. Holder that validly makes such “all earnings and profits” election will be required to include in income, as a deemed dividend, the “all earnings and profits amount” (as defined under applicable Treasury Regulations) that is attributable, under U.S. tax principles, to such U.S. Holder’s shares of the Company. Additionally, U.S. persons that own directly, indirectly or constructively (under specified attribution rules), 10% or more of the total combined voting power or of the total value of all classes of the Company’s equity (each such person, a “10% U.S. Shareholder”) may be subject to special rules which depend on the Company’s calculation of its earnings and profits.
The Company is currently in the process of determining its historical earnings and profits and also expects to determine its earnings and profits for the taxable year of the Redomiciliation ending with the date of the closing of the Redomiciliation (the “Redomiciliation Effective Date”). Although the Company will not complete this determination until after completion of the Proposed Transactions, the Company currently expects to have a significant amount of earnings and profits for the taxable year of the Redomiciliation. The calculation of “all earnings and profits” depends on the applicable shareholder’s period of ownership and the outcome may differ based on the particular shareholder. At this stage, there can be no assurances regarding the “all earnings and profits amount.” In general, the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to the shares of the Company held by a particular U.S. Holder should depend on the Company’s accumulated earnings and profits from the date that the shares of the Company were acquired by such U.S. Holder through the Redomiciliation Effective Date. The determination of the Company’s earnings and profits is a complex determination and may be impacted by numerous factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with the Company’s determination of such earnings and profits.
If the IRS does not agree with the Company’s determination of the amount, timing or source of its earnings and profits, the earnings and profits of the Company may be greater than anticipated, and the effect of such earnings and profits on shareholder taxation may be greater than anticipated. In such case, a U.S. Holder that makes an “all earnings and profits” election or a 10% U.S. Shareholder could have a greater than anticipated “all earnings and profits amount” in respect of such U.S. Holder’s MDC shares and thereby recognize greater taxable income. In addition, MDC shareholders who receive “all earnings and profits” data from the Company may bring suit against the Company if such data is successfully disputed by the IRS.
U.S. Holders are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Proposed Transactions to them in their particular circumstances, including whether they would be considered 10% U.S. Shareholders, whether to make the “all earnings and profits” election where applicable, and the appropriate filing requirements with respect to this election
Additionally, special rules apply to 10% U.S. Shareholders. 10% U.S. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal and other applicable tax consequences of the Proposed Transactions to them in light of their particular circumstances.
Completion of the Proposed Transactions may affect the timing of audit or reassessments by tax authorities.
The determination of income and other tax liabilities of the Company and its subsidiaries requires interpretation of complex domestic and foreign laws and regulations that are subject to change. The Company’s interpretation of taxation law may differ from the interpretation of the tax authorities. There are tax matters under review for which the timing of resolution is uncertain. While the Company believes that the provision for income taxes is adequate, completion of the Proposed Transactions may affect the timing of audit and reassessment of taxes by certain tax authorities, which reassessments may be without technical merit and possibly material.
The Company will allocate time and resources to effecting the Proposed Transactions and incur non-recurring costs related to the Proposed Transactions.
The Company and its management have allocated and will continue to be required to allocate time and resources to effecting the completion of the Proposed Transactions and related and incidental activities, including preparing the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to the shares of the Company, which data certain U.S. Holders may request. There is a risk that the challenges associated with managing these various initiatives may have a business impact and that consequently the underlying businesses will not perform in line with expectations. This could have an adverse effect on the reputation, business, financial condition or results of operations of the Combined Company.
In addition, the Company expects to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with the Proposed Transactions, including taxes, legal fees, advisor fees, proxy solicitor fees, filing fees, mailing expenses, financial printing expenses and other fees. There can be no assurance that the actual costs will not exceed those estimated and the actual completion of the Proposed Transactions may result in additional and unforeseen expenses. Many of these costs will be payable whether or not the Proposed Transactions are completed. While it is expected that benefits of the Proposed Transactions achieved by the Combined Company will offset these transaction costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the short-term or at all, particularly if the Proposed Transactions are delayed or do not happen at all. These combined factors could adversely affect the business, results of operations or financial condition of the Combined Company.
The calculation of the number of Stagwell OpCo Units and the Stagwell Class C Shares to be issued will not be adjusted if there is a change in the value of Stagwell or its assets or the value of MDC before the Proposed Transactions are completed.
The calculation of the number of the Stagwell OpCo Units and the Stagwell Class C Shares to be issued to Stagwell in the Proposed Transactions will not be adjusted (i) if the value of the business or assets of Stagwell increases prior to the consummation of the Proposed Transactions or the value of MDC decreases prior to the Proposed Transactions, or (ii) if the value of the business or assets of Stagwell declines prior to the consummation of the Proposed Transactions or the value of MDC
increases prior to the Proposed Transactions. MDC may not be permitted to terminate the Transaction Agreement because of changes in the value of Stagwell’s assets.
The Proposed Transactions may not be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all, as MDC and Stagwell may be unable to satisfy the conditions or obtain the approvals required to complete the Proposed Transactions or such approvals may contain material restrictions or conditions.
Completion of the Proposed Transactions is subject to numerous conditions, including the occurrence of, among other things, receipt of approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions, including (i) the receipt of the required shareholder approvals, and (ii) with respect to the Redomiciliation, authorization of the director duly appointed (the “Director”) under Section 260 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”). Although the Company is diligently applying its efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to obtain the requisite approvals, there can be no assurance that these conditions will be fulfilled or that the Proposed Transactions will be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all. MDC has and will continue to expend time and resources and incur expenses related to the Proposed Transactions. Many of these expenses must be paid regardless of whether the Proposed Transactions are consummated. Governmental agencies may not approve the Proposed Transactions, may impose conditions to the approval of the Proposed Transactions or require changes to the terms of the Proposed Transactions. Any such conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying completion of the Proposed Transactions, imposing costs on or limiting the revenues of the Combined Company following the Proposed Transactions or otherwise reducing the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transactions.
Completion of the Proposed Transactions may trigger certain provisions in agreements to which the Company or a Stagwell Entity is a party.
The completion of the Proposed Transactions may trigger certain change in control, right of first offer, notice, consent, assignment or other provisions in agreements to which the Company or its subsidiaries are a party. In addition, while the Proposed Transactions will not result in an effective change of control of any Stagwell Entity, the completion of the Proposed Transactions may trigger certain technical provisions in agreements to which a Stagwell Entity is a party. If such Stagwell Entity is unable to assert that such provisions should not apply, or the Company or such Stagwell Entity are unable to comply with or negotiate waivers of those provisions, the counterparties may exercise their rights and remedies under the agreements, including potentially terminating such agreements or seeking monetary damages. Even if the Company or the applicable Stagwell Entity is able to negotiate waivers, the counterparties may require a fee for such waivers or seek to renegotiate the agreements on terms less favorable to the Combined Company.
Failure to complete the Proposed Transactions could adversely affect the market price of the Company’s Class A Shares as well as its business, financial condition and results of operations.
If the Proposed Transactions are not completed for any reason, the price of the Class A Shares may decline, or MDC’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be impacted to the extent that the market price of MDC’s shares reflects positive market assumptions that the Proposed Transactions will be completed and the related expected benefits will be realized; based on significant expenses, such as legal, advisory and financial services which generally must be paid regardless of whether the Proposed Transactions are completed; based on potential disruption of the business of MDC and distraction of its workforce and management team; and the requirement in the Transaction Agreement that, under certain limited circumstances, MDC must pay Stagwell a termination fee of $5,855,000.
Investors holding the Company’s shares prior to the completion of the Proposed Transactions will, in the aggregate, have a significantly reduced ownership and voting interest in the Combined Company after the Proposed Transactions and will exercise less influence over management.
Investors holding the Company’s shares prior to the completion of the Proposed Transactions will, in the aggregate, own a significantly smaller percentage of the Combined Company after the completion of the Proposed Transactions. On a pro forma basis (and (i) without giving effect to the conversion of any Combined Company Preferred Shares and (ii) including unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units of MDC), following the completion of the Proposed Transactions, it is anticipated that the existing holders of Class A Shares (including Stagwell) and Class B Shares will receive Combined Company Class A Common Shares and Combined Company Class B Common Shares equal to approximately 26% of the common equity of the Combined Company and Stagwell would be issued an amount of Combined Company Class C Common Shares equivalent to approximately 74% of the voting rights of the Combined Company and exchangeable, together with Stagwell OpCo Units, for Combined Company Class A Common Shares on a one-for-one basis at Stagwell’s election following a six-month holding period. Consequently, the Company’s shareholders, collectively, will be able to exercise less influence over the management and policies of the Combined Company than they will be able to exercise over the Company’s management and policies prior to the completion of the Proposed Transactions. However, the number of Stagwell OpCo Units, the number of Stagwell Class C Shares and the percentage of the Combined Company that Stagwell will hold following the consummation of the Proposed Transactions
will each be reduced, and the percentage of the Combined Company that existing Company shareholders will hold will be proportionally increased, if Stagwell is unable to effect the certain restructuring transactions prior to the closing of the Proposed Transactions.
The announcement and pendency of the Proposed Transactions could have an adverse effect on the stock price of the Class A Shares as well as the business, financial condition, results of operations or business prospects of MDC and Stagwell.
The announcement and pendency of the Proposed Transactions could disrupt MDC’s and Stagwell’s businesses in negative ways. For example, customers and other third-party business partners of MDC or Stagwell may seek to terminate and/or renegotiate their relationships with MDC or Stagwell as a result of the Proposed Transactions, whether pursuant to the terms of their existing agreements with MDC and/or Stagwell or otherwise. In addition, current and prospective employees of MDC and Stagwell may experience uncertainty regarding their future roles with the Combined Company, which might adversely affect MDC’s and Stagwell’s ability to retain, recruit and motivate key personnel. Should they occur, any of these events could adversely affect the stock price of the Class A Shares, or harm the financial condition, results of operations or business prospects of, MDC or Stagwell.
Some of MDC’s directors and executive officers have interests in seeing the Proposed Transactions completed that may be different from, or in addition to, those of other MDC Canada Shareholders.
Certain of MDC’s directors and executive officers have interests in the Proposed Transactions that may differ from, or be in addition to, those of the Company’s shareholders generally. These interests may present such executive officers and directors with actual or potential conflicts of interest. These interests include, but are not limited to, the continued service of certain directors of MDC as directors of the Combined Company following the Proposed Transactions, the continued employment of all of MDC’s current executive officers by the Combined Company following the Proposed Transactions, the treatment in the Proposed Transactions of equity awards, and with respect to Mark Penn, potential receipt of distributions as a result of the Proposed Transactions and the ownership of interests in Stagwell. The members of the MDC Special Committee and the MDC Board of Directors (with the interested directors abstaining) were aware of these interests and considered them, among others, in their approval and adoption of the Transaction Agreement and the Proposed Transactions and their recommendation that the Company’s shareholders adopt the Transaction Agreement and approve the Proposed Transactions.
MDC and Stagwell may have difficulty attracting, motivating and retaining executives and other employees in light of the Proposed Transactions.
MDC and Stagwell may have difficulty attracting, motivating and retaining executives and other employees in light of the Proposed Transactions. Uncertainty about the effect of the Proposed Transactions on the employees of MDC and Stagwell may have an adverse effect on MDC and Stagwell. This uncertainty may impair MDC’s and Stagwell’s ability to attract, retain and motivate personnel until the Proposed Transactions are completed. Employee retention may be particularly challenging during the pendency of the Proposed Transactions, as employees may feel uncertain about their future roles with MDC or Stagwell after their combination. If employees of MDC or Stagwell depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty or perceived difficulties of integration or a desire not to become employees of MDC after the Proposed Transactions are consummated, MDC’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transactions could be reduced.
Litigation relating to the Transactions could result in an injunction preventing the completion of the Transactions and/or substantial costs to MDC.
Securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies that have entered into acquisition, merger or other business combination agreements like the Transaction Agreement. Following the filing of our registration statement on Form S-4, dated February 8, 2021, three securities lawsuits have been filed against us and our directors relating to alleged omissions of material information in the Form S-4 with respect to the Transaction. Defending against these and any additional claims can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources. An adverse judgment in any current or future claim could result in monetary damages, which could have a negative impact on MDC's liquidity and financial condition. The lawsuits that have been filed to date seek, and any additional lawsuits could also seek, among other things, injunctive relief or other equitable relief, including a request enjoin the parties from consummating the Proposed Transactions. One of the conditions to the closing of the Proposed Transaction is that no injunction by any governmental entity having jurisdiction over MDC has been entered and continues to be in effect and no law has been adopted, in either case that prohibits the closing of the Proposed Transactions. Consequently, if a plaintiff is successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting completion of the Proposed Transactions, that injunction may delay or prevent the mergers from being completed within the expected time frame or at all, which may adversely affect MDC's business, financial position and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that any of the defendants will be successful in the outcome of the existing or any potential future lawsuits. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time the mergers are completed may adversely affect MDC's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an economic crisis which may delay or prevent the consummation of the Proposed Transactions.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. The coronavirus has spread throughout the world and has resulted in unprecedented restrictions and limitations on operations of many businesses, educational institutions and governmental entities, including in the United States and Canada. Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the COVID-19 crisis, it is difficult to predict the impact on the business of MDC and Stagwell, and there is no guarantee that efforts by MDC and Stagwell to address any adverse impact of COVID-19 will be effective. If MDC or Stagwell is unable to recover from a business disruption on a timely basis, the Proposed Transactions and the Combined Company’s business and financial conditions and results of operations following the completion of the Proposed Transactions would be adversely affected. The Proposed Transactions may also be delayed and adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak, and become more costly. Each of MDC and Stagwell may also incur additional costs to remedy damages caused by such disruptions, which could adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations.
If the Proposed Transactions are consummated, the Combined Company will be subject to certain risks, including tax-related risks.
As more fully discussed in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on February 8, 2021 (the “Form S-4”), the Combined Company will be subject to certain risks, including risks related to the proposed Up-C structure, tax-related risks, risks that the expected benefits of the Proposed Transactions may not be realized, and risks related to the business of the Combined Company.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s lease commitments and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for the impact of occupancy costs on the Company’s operating expenses.
The Company maintains office space in many cities in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. This space is primarily used for office and administrative purposes by the Company’s employees in performing professional services. This office space is in suitable and well-maintained condition for MDC’s current operations. All of the Company’s materially important office space is leased from third parties with varying expiration dates. Certain of these leases are subject to rent reviews or contain various escalation clauses and certain of our leases require our payment of various operating expenses, which may also be subject to escalation. In addition, leases related to the Company’s non-U.S. businesses are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars and are therefore subject to changes in foreign exchange rates.
The table below provides a brief description of all locations in which office space is maintained and the related reportable segment.
Reportable Segment Office Locations
Integrated Networks - Group A Los Angeles, Venice, CA, Playa Vista, Redwood City, New York, Netherlands, Canada, UK, China, Germany, Minneapolis, New Jersey, Atlanta, Indianapolis, India
Integrated Networks - Group B Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Francisco, New York, Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, UK, Boulder, Brazil, China, Portland, Canada, Detroit, Cleveland, Norwalk, Atlanta, Pennsylvania, Chicago, Minneapolis
Media & Data Services New York, Canada, India, Los Angeles, Austin, Century City, UK
All Other Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, Miramar, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Seattle, Washington, China, Singapore, Thailand, UK, Tokyo, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Virginia
Corporate New York, Washington D.C.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various legal proceedings. We currently do not expect that these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information and Holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares
The principal market on which the Company’s Class A subordinate voting shares are traded is the Nasdaq Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) (symbol: “MDCA”). There is no established public trading market for our Class B voting shares. As of February 25, 2021, the approximate number of registered holders of our Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B voting shares, including those whose shares are held in nominee name, was 264 and 87, respectively.
Dividend Practice
The Company has not declared a dividend for the three-year period ending December 31, 2020.
The payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of MDC’s board of directors and will depend upon limitations under applicable law and contained in our Credit Agreement and the indenture governing the Senior Notes, future earnings, capital requirements, our general financial condition and general business conditions.
Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company made no open market purchases of its Class A shares or its Class B shares. Pursuant to its Credit Agreement and the indenture governing the Senior Notes, the Company is currently limited from repurchasing its shares in the open market.
During 2020, the Company’s employees surrendered Class A shares in connection with the required tax withholding resulting from the vesting of restricted stock. The Company paid these withholding taxes on behalf of the related employees. These Class A shares were subsequently retired and no longer remain outstanding as of December 31, 2020. The following table details those shares withheld during the fourth quarter of 2020:
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
10/1/2020 - 10/31/2020 20,014 $ 2.21 - -
11/1/2020 - 11/30/2020 - - - -
12/1/2020 - 12/31/2020 - - - -
Total 20,014 $ 2.21 - -

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not Applicable.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Unless otherwise indicated, references to the “Company” or “MDC” mean MDC Partners Inc. and its subsidiaries, and references to a “fiscal year” means the Company’s year commencing on January 1 of that year and ending December 31 of that year (e.g., fiscal 2020 means the period beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020).
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In addition, the Company has included non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, which management uses to operate the business, which it believes provide useful supplemental information to both management and readers of this report in making period-to-period comparisons in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of the Company. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and should not be construed as an alternative to other titled measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures included are “organic revenue growth” or “organic revenue decline” and “Adjusted EBITDA.”
Organic revenue growth or organic revenue decline refer to the positive or negative results, respectively, of subtracting both the foreign exchange and acquisition (disposition) components from total revenue growth. The acquisition (disposition) component is calculated by aggregating the prior period revenue for any acquired businesses, less the prior period revenue of any businesses that were disposed of in the current period. The organic revenue growth (decline) component reflects the constant currency impact (a) of the change in revenue of the Partner Firms which the Company has held throughout each of the comparable periods presented and (b) “non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net.” Non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net
consists of (i) for acquisitions during the current year, the revenue effect from such acquisition as if the acquisition had been owned during the equivalent period in the prior year and (ii) for acquisitions during the previous year, the revenue effect from such acquisitions as if they had been owned during that entire year or same period as the current reportable period, taking into account their respective pre-acquisition revenues for the applicable periods and (iii) for dispositions, the revenue effect from such disposition as if they had been disposed of during the equivalent period in the prior year. The Company believes that isolating the impact of acquisition activity and foreign currency impacts is an important and informative component to understand the overall change in the Company’s consolidated revenue. The change in the consolidated revenue that remains after these adjustments illustrates the underlying financial performance of the Company’s businesses. Specifically, it represents the impact of the Company’s management oversight, investments and resources dedicated to supporting the businesses’ growth strategy and operations. In addition, it reflects the network benefit of inclusion in the broader portfolio of firms that includes, but is not limited to, cross-selling and sharing of best practices. This approach isolates changes in performance of the business that take place under the Company’s stewardship, whether favorable or unfavorable, and thereby reflects the potential benefits and risks associated with owning and managing a talent-driven services business.
Accordingly, during the first twelve months of ownership by the Company, the organic growth measure may credit the Company with growth from an acquired business that is dependent on work performed prior to the acquisition date, and may include the impact of prior work in progress, existing contracts and backlog of the acquired businesses. It is the presumption of the Company that positive developments that may have taken place at an acquired business during the period preceding the acquisition will continue to result in value creation in the post-acquisition period.
While the Company believes that the methodology used in the calculation of organic revenue change is entirely consistent with our closest U.S. competitors, the calculations may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies in other industries. Additional information regarding the Company’s acquisition activity as it relates to potential revenue growth is provided in this Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under “Certain Factors Affecting our Business.”
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders plus or minus adjustments to Operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred acquisition consideration adjustments, distributions from non-consolidated affiliates, and other items, net. Distributions from non-consolidated affiliates includes (i) cash received for profit distributions from non-consolidated affiliates, and (ii) consideration from the sale of ownership interests in non-consolidated affiliates less contributions to date plus undistributed earnings (losses). Other items include items such as impairment charges, fees associated with the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities, severance expense and other restructuring expenses, including costs for leases that will either be terminated or sublet in connection with the centralization of our New York real estate portfolio.
Direct costs represent billable or non-billable internal and third-party expenses that are directly tied to providing services to our clients where we are principal in the arrangement. Direct costs exclude staff costs, which are presented separately.
All amounts are in dollars unless otherwise stated. Amounts reported in millions herein are computed based on the amounts in thousands. As a result, the sum of the components, and related calculations, reported in millions may not equal the total amounts due to rounding.
The percentage changes included in the tables herein Item 7 that are not considered meaningful are presented as “NM”.
Recent Developments
On December 21, 2020, MDC and Stagwell Media LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Stagwell”), announced that they entered into a definitive transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) providing for the combination of MDC with the subsidiaries of Stagwell that own and operate a portfolio of marketing services companies (the “Stagwell Entities”). Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the combination between MDC and the Stagwell Entities will be effected using an “Up-C” partnership structure. Through a series of steps and transactions (collectively, the “Transactions”), including the domestication of MDC to a Delaware corporation and the merger of MDC Delaware with one of its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries (the “MDC Merger”), MDC Delaware will become a direct subsidiary (from and after the merger, “OpCo”) of a newly-formed, Delaware-organized, NASDAQ-listed corporation (“New MDC”). Following the MDC Merger, (i) OpCo will convert into a limited liability company that will hold MDC’s operating assets and to which Stagwell will contribute the equity interests of the Stagwell Entities (the “Stagwell Contribution”) in exchange for 216,250,000 common membership interests of OpCo (the “Stagwell OpCo Units”), and (ii) Stagwell will contribute to New MDC an aggregate amount of cash equal to $100 in exchange for shares of a new Class C series of voting-only common stock (the “New MDC Class C Stock”) equal in number to the Stagwell OpCo Units. On a pro forma basis, without giving effect to any outstanding preference shares of MDC, the existing holders of MDC’s Class A and Class B shares would receive interests equal to approximately 26% of the combined company and Stagwell would be issued New MDC Class C Stock equivalent to approximately 74% of the voting rights of the combined company and exchangeable, together with Stagwell OpCo Units, into Class A shares of New MDC on a one-for-one basis at Stagwell’s election. The number of Stagwell OpCo Units and shares of New MDC Class C Stock that Stagwell will receive in
the Transactions, and the percentage of the combined company that Stagwell will hold following the consummation of the Transactions, will be reduced, and the percentage of the combined company that existing MDC shareholders will hold will be proportionally increased, if Stagwell is unable to effect certain restructuring transactions prior to the closing of the Transactions.
On December 21, 2020, MDC and Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs (“Broad Street”), entered into a letter agreement, pursuant to which Broad Street consented to the Transactions subject to entry with MDC into a definitive agreement reflecting revised terms of MDC’s issued and outstanding Series 4 convertible preference shares (the “Goldman Letter Agreement”). The revised terms of the Series 4 convertible preference shares would (subject to the closing of the Transactions) reduce the conversion price from $7.42 to $5.00 and extend accretion for two years beyond the date on which accretion would have otherwise ceased, at a reduced rate of 6%. In connection with the closing of the Transactions, Broad Street will have the right to redeem up to $30 million of its preference shares in exchange for a $25 million subordinated note or loan with a 3-year maturity (i.e., exchange at an approximately 17% discount to face value). The $25 million note or loan will accrue interest at 8.0% per annum and is, pre-payable any time at par without penalty.
On December 21, 2020, MDC entered into consent and support agreements (the “Consent and Support Agreements”) with holders of more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes to consent to the consummation of the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities. Pursuant to the Consent and Support Agreements, MDC agreed to increase the interest rate on the Senior Notes by 1% per annum effective as of the date of the Consent and Support Agreements and to pay a consent fee of 2% to all holders of Notes upon a successful consent solicitation, or 3% if a supplemental indenture with the waivers and amendments is executed and becomes operative and the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities is consummated. On February 5, 2021, MDC announced it had received and accepted consents from holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes, and on February 8, 2021, MDC entered into a supplemental indenture providing for waivers and amendments in connection with the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities.
On February 8, 2021, MDC filed a proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4, which describes the Transaction Agreement, the Transactions, and ancillary agreements related thereto in more detail.
Executive Summary
The novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic that has altered how society interacts across the world. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the measures put in place to reduce its transmission, such as the imposition of social distancing and orders to work-from-home, stay-at-home and shelter-in-place, have adversely impacted the global economy. We took various actions to address the pandemic. The Company implemented comprehensive controls and procedures to protect our employees, families, clients, and their communities. This included implementing a world-wide work-from-home policy and stress-testing our infrastructure to ensure that all employees had the tools and resources to work virtually. Our leadership and business continuity teams also proactively took thorough measures to ensure the highest level of continued service and partnership for our clients. Our Partner Firms altered how they work and respond to client challenges around the world, generating impactful creative work, rapid pivots, and inventive business solutions for brands in every sector. Early in 2020, the Company aligned operating expenses with changes in revenue. We implemented freezes on hiring, staff reductions, furloughs, salary reductions, benefit reductions and a significant reduction in discretionary spending. In addition to expense reductions, we tightened capital expenditures where possible to preserve our cash flow. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted our results of operations, financial position and cash flows in 2020. While it is difficult to predict the continued impact of the pandemic, we anticipate that its negative impact on our revenue will continue through the first half of 2021. If the impact of the pandemic is prolonged beyond our expectation, the Company believes it is well positioned through the actions taken in 2020 to successfully work through the effects of COVID-19 in 2021.
MDC conducts its business through its network of Partner Firms, which provide marketing and business solutions that realize the potential of combining data and creativity. MDC’s strategy is to build, grow and acquire market-leading businesses that deliver the modern suite of services that marketers need to thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment. MDC’s differentiation lies in its best-in-class creative roots and proven entrepreneurial leaders, which together with innovations in technology and data, bring transformational marketing, activation, communications and strategic consulting services to clients. MDC leverages its range of services in an integrated manner, offering strategic, creative and innovative solutions that are technologically forward and media-agnostic. The Company’s work is designed to challenge the industry status quo, realize outsized returns on investment, and drive transformative growth and business performance for its clients and stakeholders.
MDC manages its business by monitoring several financial and non-financial performance indicators. The key indicators that we focus on are revenues, operating expenses, capital expenditures and non-GAAP measures described above. Revenue growth is analyzed by reviewing a mix of measurements, including (i) growth by major geographic location, (ii) growth by client industry vertical, (iii) growth from existing clients and the addition of new clients, (iv) growth by primary discipline, (v) growth from currency changes, and (vi) growth from acquisitions. In addition to monitoring the foregoing financial indicators, the Company assesses and monitors several non-financial performance indicators relating to the business performance of our Partner Firms. These indicators may include a Partner Firm’s recent new client win/loss record; the depth and scope of a
pipeline of potential new client account activity; the overall quality of the services provided to clients; and the relative strength of the Partner Firm’s next generation team that is in place as part of a potential succession plan to succeed the current senior executive team.
Effective in 2020, the Company reorganized its management structure resulting in the aggregation of certain Partner Firms into integrated groups (“Networks”). Mark Penn, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company, appointed key agency executives, that report directly into him, to lead each Network. In connection with the reorganization, we reassessed our reportable segments to align our external reporting with how we operate the Networks under our new organizational structure. Prior periods presented have been recast to reflect the change in reportable segments. See Notes 1 and 20 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for a description of each of our reportable segments, the All Other category, as well as information regarding a change in reportable segments between the first and second quarter of 2020.
The three reportable segments that result from our assessment are as follows: “Integrated Networks - Group A,” “Integrated Networks - Group B” and the “Media & Data Network.” In addition, the Company combines and discloses operating segments that do not meet the aggregation criteria as “All Other.” The Company also reports corporate expenses, as further detailed below, as “Corporate.” All segments follow the same basis of presentation and accounting policies as those described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
In addition, MDC reports its corporate office expenses incurred in connection with the strategic resources provided to the Partner Firms, as well as certain other centrally managed expenses that are not fully allocated to the operating segments as Corporate, including interest expense and public company overhead costs. Corporate provides client and business development support to the Partner Firms as well as certain strategic resources, including accounting, administrative, financial, real estate, human resource and legal functions.
Significant Factors Affecting our Business and Results of Operations. In addition to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic discussed above, the most significant factors include national, regional and local economic conditions, our clients’ profitability, mergers and acquisitions of our clients, changes in top management of our clients and our ability to retain and attract key employees. New business wins and client losses occur due to a variety of factors. The two most significant factors are (i) our clients’ desire to change marketing communication firms, and (ii) the creative product that our Partner Firms offer. A client may choose to change marketing communication firms for a number of reasons, such as a change in top management and the new management wants to retain an agency that it may have previously worked with. In addition, if the client is merged or acquired by another company, the marketing communication firm is often changed. Another factor in a client changing firms is the agency’s campaign or work failing to meet the client’s expected financial or other measures.
Acquisitions and Dispositions. The Company’s strategy includes acquiring ownership stakes in well-managed businesses with world class expertise and strong reputations in the industry. The Company provides post-acquisition support to Partner Firms in order to help accelerate growth, including in areas such as business and client development (including cross-selling), corporate communications, corporate development, talent recruitment and training, procurement, legal services, human resources, financial management and reporting, and real estate utilization, among other areas. Integration is typically implemented promptly, and new Partner Firms can begin to tap into the full range of MDC’s resources immediately.
Seasonality. Historically, the Company typically generates the highest quarterly revenues during the fourth quarter in each year. The fourth quarter has historically been the period in the year in which the highest volumes of media placements and retail related consumer marketing occur. See Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for information relating to the Company’s quarterly results.
Results of Operations:
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenue: (Dollars in Thousands)
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 379,648 $ 392,101 $ 393,890
Integrated Networks - Group B 435,589 531,717 551,317
Media & Data Network 139,015 161,451 183,287
All Other 244,759 330,534 346,594
Total Revenue $ 1,199,011 $ 1,415,803 $ 1,475,088
Operating Income (Loss):
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 14,297 $ 35,230 $ 59,130
Integrated Networks - Group B 34,581 61,417 34,659
Media & Data Network (7,724) 2,376 (51,441)
All Other (23,021) 26,205 14,243
Corporate (63,890) (45,768) (55,157)
Total Operating Income (Loss) $ (45,757) $ 79,460 $ 1,434
Other Income (Expenses):
Interest expense and finance charges, net $ (62,163) $ (64,942) $ (67,075)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) (982) 8,750 (23,258)
Other, net 20,500 (2,401) 230
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (88,402) 20,867 (88,669)
Income tax expense 116,555 10,316 29,615
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (204,957) 10,551 (118,284)
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (2,240) 352 62
Net income (loss) (207,197) 10,903 (118,222)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest (21,774) (16,156) (11,785)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. (228,971) (5,253) (130,007)
Accretion on and net income allocated to convertible preference shares (14,179) (12,304) (8,355)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (243,150) $ (17,557) $ (138,362)
Adjusted EBITDA:
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 79,793 $ 74,822 $ 75,609
Integrated Networks - Group B 84,297 84,568 74,091
Media & Data Network 9,707 7,746 12,205
All Other 30,755 37,618 38,307
Corporate (27,220) (30,601) (38,761)
Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 177,332 $ 174,153 $ 161,451
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Capital expenditures:
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 1,087 $ 5,934 $ 8,228
Integrated Networks - Group B 987 9,270 6,352
Media & Data Network 569 627 1,632
All Other 966 2,729 3,985
Corporate 33,694 36 67
Total $ 37,303 $ 18,596 $ 20,264
Corporate’s capital expenditures in 2020 are primarily for leasehold improvements at its new headquarters at One World Trade Center in connection with the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $12,993 of capital expenditures that were incurred in the current year, but not yet paid.
The following tables reconcile Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. The adjustments from Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders to Operating income (loss) are detailed in the table above.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
Integrated Networks - Group A Integrated Networks - Group B Media & Data Network All Other Corporate Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $(243,150)
Adjustments 197,393
Operating income (loss) $14,297 $34,581 $(7,724) $(23,021) $(63,890) $(45,757)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 6,467 17,204 4,376 7,478 1,380 36,905
Impairment and other losses 6,391 31,784 11,760 45,335 1,129 96,399
Stock-based compensation 7,580 3,191 122 304 2,982 14,179
Deferred acquisition consideration adjustments 44,073 (2,706) 375 445 - 42,187
Distributions from non-consolidated affiliates - - - - 2,175 2,175
Other items, net 985 243 798 214 29,004 31,244
Adjusted EBITDA $79,793 $84,297 $9,707 $30,755 $(27,220) $177,332
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
Integrated Networks - Group A Integrated Networks - Group B Media & Data Network All Other Corporate Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (17,557)
Adjustments 97,017
Operating income (loss) $ 35,230 $ 61,417 $ 2,376 $ 26,205 $ (45,768) $ 79,460
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 8,559 15,904 4,303 8,695 868 38,329
Impairment and other losses 4,879 1,933 929 11 847 8,599
Stock-based compensation 24,420 4,303 63 374 1,880 31,040
Deferred acquisition consideration adjustments 1,734 1,261 75 2,333 - 5,403
Distributions from non-consolidated affiliates - (250) - - 2,298 2,048
Other items, net - - - - 9,274 9,274
Adjusted EBITDA $ 74,822 $ 84,568 $ 7,746 $ 37,618 $ (30,601) $ 174,153
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
Integrated Networks - Group A Integrated Networks - Group B Media & Data Network All Other Corporate Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (138,362)
Adjustments 139,796
Operating income (loss) $ 59,130 $ 34,659 $ (51,441) $ 14,243 $ (55,157) $ 1,434
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 9,602 19,032 3,820 12,980 762 46,196
Impairment and other losses - 17,828 59,188 7,871 2,317 87,204
Stock-based compensation 5,792 6,890 320 755 4,659 18,416
Deferred acquisition consideration adjustments 1,085 (4,318) 318 2,458 - (457)
Distributions from non-consolidated affiliates - - - - 779 779
Other items, net - - - - 7,879 7,879
Adjusted EBITDA $ 75,609 $ 74,091 $ 12,205 $ 38,307 $ (38,761) $ 161,451
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
Consolidated Results of Operations
Revenues
Revenue was $1.20 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to revenue of $1.42 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 representing a decrease of $216.8 million, or 15.3%.
The components of the fluctuations in revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:
Total United States Canada Other
$ % $ % $ % $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 2019 $ 1,415,803 $ 1,116,045 $ 105,067 $ 194,691
Components of revenue change:
Foreign exchange impact (1,014) (0.1) % - - % (600) (0.6) % (414) (0.2) %
Non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net (18,312) (1.3) % (14,607) (1.3) % (3,705) (3.5) % - - %
Organic revenue (197,466) (13.9) % (141,802) (12.7) % (18,832) (17.9) % (36,832) (18.9) %
Total Change (216,792) (15.3) % (156,409) (14.0) % (23,137) (22.0) % (37,246) (19.1) %
December 31, 2020 $ 1,199,011 $ 959,636 $ 81,930 $ 157,445
The negative foreign exchange impact of $1.0 million, or 0.1%, was attributable to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, Swedish Króna, Euro and British Pound.
The Company utilizes non-GAAP metrics called organic revenue growth (decline) and non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net, as defined above. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, organic revenue decreased by $197.5 million or 13.9%. The decline in revenue from existing Partner Firms was primarily attributable to reduced spending by clients in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The change in revenue was primarily driven by a decline in categories including food and beverage, communications, technology, transportation, financials and automotive, partially offset by growth in healthcare.
The table below provides a reconciliation between the revenue from acquired/disposed businesses in the Statements of Operations to non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020:
Acquisition (Dispositions) Revenue Reconciliation All Other
(Dollars in Thousands)
GAAP revenue from 2019 and 2020 acquisitions $ -
Foreign exchange impact (248)
Contribution to non-GAAP organic revenue (growth) decline (411)
Prior year revenue from dispositions (17,653)
Non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net $ (18,312)
The geographic mix in revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019
United States 80.1 % 78.8 %
Canada 6.8 % 7.4 %
Other 13.1 % 13.8 %
Impairment and Other Losses
The Company recognized a charge of $96.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 consisting of an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of $61.7 million and $12.1 million, respectively, as well as a charge of $22.7 million associated with the impairment of right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements and the acceleration of variable lease expenses. The lease charge was primarily in connection with the exit of properties in New York as part of the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $45.8 million compared to income of $79.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, representing a change of $125.2 million. The operating loss in 2020 was impacted by the impairment and other losses of $96.4 million as compared to operating income in 2019 being impacted by an impairment and other losses of $8.6 million in connection with a write-down of the carrying value of goodwill and right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements. In addition, the decline in revenues more than offset by the reduction in operating expenses also drove the change in operating income (loss).
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $177.3 million, compared to $174.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, representing an increase of $3.2 million, principally resulting from a reduction in operating expenses that more than offset the decline in revenues.
Interest Expense and Finance Charges, Net
Interest expense and finance charges, net, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $62.2 million compared to $64.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, representing a decrease of $2.8 million, primarily driven by a decline in the average amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and a lower amount of Senior Notes outstanding due to a partial repurchase of Notes in 2020.
Foreign Exchange Transaction Gain (Loss)
The foreign exchange loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $1.0 million compared to a gain of $8.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The change in foreign exchange was primarily attributable to the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, in connection with a U.S. dollar denominated indebtedness that is an obligation of our Canadian parent company.
Other, Net
Other, net, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was income of $20.5 million compared to loss of $2.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. In 2020, we recognized a gain of $16.8 million related to the sale of Sloane and Company LLC (“Sloane”), an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Additionally, the Company repurchased $29.7 million of Senior Notes, which resulted in a gain of $7.4 million, partially offset by a loss of $3.7 million related to other investments.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $116.6 million (on pre-tax loss of $88.4 million resulting in a negative effective tax rate of 131.8%) compared to $10.3 million (on pre-tax income of $20.9 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 49.4%) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.
The negative effective tax rate in 2020 was driven by the recognition of a valuation allowance of $128.9 million to establish a reserve primarily for U.S. deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate in 2019 was driven by the taxation of foreign operations, base erosion and anti-abuse tax, and non-deductible stock compensation for which a tax benefit was not recognized.
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Non-Consolidated Affiliates
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-consolidated affiliates represents the income or losses attributable to equity method investments. The Company recorded $2.2 million of loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to $0.4 million of income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.
Noncontrolling Interests
The effect of noncontrolling interests for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $21.8 million compared to $16.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, attributable to an increase in operating results at Partner Firms with a noncontrolling interest.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to MDC Partners Inc. Common Shareholders
As a result of the foregoing and the impact of accretion on and net income allocated to convertible preference shares, the net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $243.2 million, or $3.34 per diluted loss per share, compared to a net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders of $17.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted loss per share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.
Integrated Networks - Group A
The change in operating results in the Integrated Networks - Group A reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
Integrated Networks - Group A $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 379,648 $ 392,101 $ (12,453) (3.2) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 248,902 65.6 % 283,421 72.3 % (34,519) (12.2) %
Office and general expenses 103,591 27.3 % 60,012 15.3 % 43,579 72.6 %
Depreciation and amortization 6,467 1.7 % 8,559 2.2 % (2,092) (24.4) %
Impairment and other losses 6,391 1.7 % 4,879 1.2 % 1,512 31.0 %
365,351 96.2 % 356,871 91.0 % 8,480 2.4 %
Operating income $ 14,297 3.8 % $ 35,230 9.0 % $ (20,933) (59.4) %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 79,793 21.0 % $ 74,822 19.1 % $ 4,971 6.6 %
Revenue decline was primarily attributable to lower spending by clients in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decline in operating income was attributable to a decline in revenue and higher operating expenses, as outlined below.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the Integrated Networks - Group A reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
Integrated Networks - Group A $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 58,289 15.4 % $ 51,794 13.2 % $ 6,495 12.5 %
Staff costs 204,433 53.8 % 221,456 56.5 % (17,023) (7.7) %
Administrative 38,118 10.0 % 44,029 11.2 % (5,911) (13.4) %
Deferred acquisition consideration 44,073 11.6 % 1,734 0.4 % 42,339 NM
Stock-based compensation 7,580 2.0 % 24,420 6.2 % (16,840) (69.0) %
Depreciation and amortization 6,467 1.7 % 8,559 2.2 % (2,092) (24.4) %
Impairment and other losses 6,391 1.7 % 4,879 1.2 % 1,512 31.0 %
Total operating expenses $ 365,351 96.2 % $ 356,871 91.0 % $ 8,480 2.4 %
The increase in direct costs was associated with higher revenue from public relations services which grew in 2020 as compared to 2019.
The decline in staff costs was attributable to a reduction in staff to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business.
Administrative costs were lower due to a decline in spending resulting from the orders to work-from-home given the COVID-19 pandemic and related cost containment initiatives.
The increase in deferred acquisition consideration for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to the favorable performance of a Partner Firm achieving certain contractual targets.
Stock-based compensation expense declined in 2020 compared to 2019, which reflected the recognition of expense associated with performance based awards granted in the prior year.
The impairment and other losses in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 included an impairment charge of $6.4 million to reduce the carrying value of right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements as well as the acceleration of the variable lease expenses primarily associated with the exit of properties in New York as part of the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an impairment charge of $4.9 million was attributable to the write-down of the carrying value of goodwill.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA grew in 2020 principally from a reduction in operating expenses that more than offset the decline in revenues.
Integrated Networks - Group B
The change in operating results in the Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
Integrated Networks - Group B $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 435,589 $ 531,717 $ (96,128) (18.1) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 257,524 59.1 % 328,165 61.7 % (70,641) (21.5) %
Office and general expenses 94,496 21.7 % 124,298 23.4 % (29,802) (24.0) %
Depreciation and amortization 17,204 3.9 % 15,904 3.0 % 1,300 8.2 %
Impairment and other losses 31,784 7.3 % 1,933 0.4 % 29,851 NM
401,008 92.1 % 470,300 88.4 % (69,292) (14.7) %
Operating income $ 34,581 7.9 % $ 61,417 11.6 % $ (26,836) NM
Adjusted EBITDA $ 84,297 19.4 % $ 84,568 15.9 % $ (271) (0.3) %
The decline in revenue was primarily attributable to lower spending by clients in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The change in operating income was attributable to a decline in revenue, partially offset by lower operating expenses, as outlined below.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
Integrated Networks - Group B $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 48,806 11.2 % $ 73,776 13.9 % $ (24,970) (33.8) %
Staff costs 249,963 57.4 % 306,549 57.7 % (56,586) (18.5) %
Administrative 52,766 12.1 % 66,574 12.5 % (13,808) (20.7) %
Deferred acquisition consideration (2,706) (0.6) % 1,261 0.2 % (3,967) NM
Stock-based compensation 3,191 0.7 % 4,303 0.8 % (1,112) (25.8) %
Depreciation and amortization 17,204 3.9 % 15,904 3.0 % 1,300 8.2 %
Impairment and other losses 31,784 7.3 % 1,933 0.4 % 29,851 NM
Total operating expenses $ 401,008 92.1 % $ 470,300 88.4 % $ (69,292) (14.7) %
Direct costs declined in connection with the reduction in revenue as discussed above.
The decline in staff costs was attributable to a reduction in staff to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business.
Administrative costs were lower due to a decline in spending resulting from the orders to work-from-home given the COVID-19 pandemic and related cost containment initiatives.
Deferred acquisition consideration change for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to the aggregate performance of certain Partner Firms in 2020 relative to the previously projected expectations.
The decrease in stock-based compensation expense was primarily driven by awards that fully vested in 2020.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the impairment and other losses charge of $31.8 million was attributable to a $16.1 million charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill, a $9.1 million charge to reduce the carrying value of an intangible asset and a $6.6 million impairment to reduce the carrying value of right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements as well as the acceleration of the variable lease expenses associated with the exit of properties in New York as part of the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an impairment charge of $1.9 million was attributable to an impairment in connection with the sublet of a leased property, to reduce the carrying value of a right-of-use lease asset and related leasehold improvements.
Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 remained flat compared to 2019 as the decline in revenue was offset by the reduction in operating expenses.
Media & Data Network
The change in operating results in the Media & Data Network reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
Media & Data Network $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 139,015 $ 161,451 $ (22,436) (13.9) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 98,633 71.0 % 118,189 73.2 % (19,556) (16.5) %
Office and general expenses 31,970 23.0 % 35,654 22.1 % (3,684) (10.3) %
Depreciation and amortization 4,376 3.1 % 4,303 2.7 % 73 1.7 %
Impairment and other losses 11,760 8.5 % 929 0.6 % 10,831 NM
146,739 105.6 % 159,075 98.5 % (12,336) (7.8) %
Operating income (loss) $ (7,724) (5.6) % $ 2,376 1.5 % $ (10,100) NM
Adjusted EBITDA $ 9,707 7.0 % $ 7,746 4.8 % $ 1,961 25.3 %
The decrease in revenue was primarily attributable to lower spending by clients in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The change in operating income (loss) was attributable to the decline in revenue, partially offset by lower operating expenses, as outlined below.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the Media & Data Network reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
Media & Data Network $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 35,864 25.8 % $ 43,232 26.8 % $ (7,368) (17.0) %
Staff costs 72,204 51.9 % 85,627 53.0 % (13,423) (15.7) %
Administrative 22,038 15.9 % 24,846 15.4 % (2,808) (11.3) %
Deferred acquisition consideration 375 0.3 % 75 - % 300 NM
Stock-based compensation 122 0.1 % 63 - % 59 93.7 %
Depreciation and amortization 4,376 3.1 % 4,303 2.7 % 73 1.7 %
Impairment and other losses 11,760 8.5 % 929 0.6 % 10,831 NM
Total operating expenses $ 146,739 105.6 % $ 159,075 98.5 % $ (12,336) (7.8) %
Direct costs declined in connection with the reduction in revenue.
The decline in staff costs was attributable to a reduction in staff to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business.
Administrative costs were lower due to a decline in spending resulting from the orders to work-from-home given the COVID-19 pandemic and related cost containment initiatives.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the impairment and other losses included an $11.8 million charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and a $5.3 million charge for the acceleration of variable lease expenses of $6.5 million associated with the exit of a property in New York as part of the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an impairment charge of $0.9 million was recognized, in connection with the sublet of a leased property, to reduce the carrying value of a right-of-use lease asset and related leasehold improvements.
Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 remained was higher compared to 2019 as the decline in operating expenses more than offset the decline in revenue.
All Other
The change in operating results in the All Other category for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
All Other $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 244,759 $ 330,534 $ (85,775) (26.0) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 164,840 67.3 % 231,301 70.0 % (66,461) (28.7) %
Office and general expenses 50,127 20.5 % 64,322 19.5 % (14,195) (22.1) %
Depreciation and amortization 7,478 3.1 % 8,695 2.6 % (1,217) (14.0) %
Impairment and other losses 45,335 18.5 % 11 - % 45,324 NM
267,780 109.4 % 304,329 92.1 % (36,549) (12.0) %
Operating income (loss) $ (23,021) (9.4) % $ 26,205 7.9 % $ (49,226) NM
Adjusted EBITDA $ 30,755 12.6 % $ 37,618 11.4 % $ (6,863) (18.2) %
The decrease in revenue was primarily attributable to lower spending by clients due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduction in revenues in connection with the sale of Sloane in 2020.
The change in operating income (loss) was attributable to a decline in revenue, partially offset by lower operating expenses, as outlined below.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the All Other category for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
All Other $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 44,098 18.0 % $ 67,868 20.5 % $ (23,770) (35.0) %
Staff costs 141,514 57.8 % 186,785 56.5 % (45,271) (24.2) %
Administrative 28,606 11.7 % 38,263 11.6 % (9,657) (25.2) %
Deferred acquisition consideration 445 0.2 % 2,333 0.7 % (1,888) (80.9) %
Stock-based compensation 304 0.1 % 374 0.1 % (70) (18.7) %
Depreciation and amortization 7,478 3.1 % 8,695 2.6 % (1,217) (14.0) %
Impairment and other losses 45,335 18.5 % 11 - % 45,324 NM
Total operating expenses $ 267,780 109.4 % $ 304,329 92.1 % $ (36,549) (12.0) %
Direct costs declined in line with the reduction in revenues.
The decline in staff costs was primarily attributable to a reduction in staff to combat the impact on the business from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Administrative costs were lower due to a decline in spending resulting from the orders to work-from-home given the COVID-19 pandemic and other cost containment initiatives.
Deferred acquisition consideration change for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to the aggregate performance of certain Partner Firms in 2020 relative to the previously projected expectations.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the impairment and other losses charge of $45.3 million was attributable to a $40.2 million charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill, a $3.0 million impairment to reduce the carrying value of an intangible asset and a charge of $2.1 million to reduce the carrying value of right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements as well as the acceleration of the variable lease expenses associated with the exit of properties in New York as part of the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio.
Adjusted EBITDA declined in 2020 compared to 2019 as a result of the decline in revenue, partially offset by the reduction of operating expenses.
Corporate
The change in operating expenses for Corporate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
2020 2019 Change
Corporate $ $ $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Staff costs $ 23,817 $ 29,434 $ (5,617) (19.1) %
Administrative 34,582 12,739 21,843 NM
Stock-based compensation 2,982 1,880 1,102 58.6 %
Depreciation and amortization 1,380 868 512 59.0 %
Impairment and other losses 1,129 847 282 33.3 %
Total operating expenses $ 63,890 $ 45,768 $ 18,122 39.6 %
Adjusted EBITDA $ (27,220) $ (30,601) $ 3,381 (11.0) %
The reduction in staff costs is primarily driven by a severance charge in 2019 not repeated in 2020.
Administrative costs were higher primarily due to costs, primarily professional fees, associated with the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities.
The increase in stock-based compensation expense was driven by favorable operating results in connection with awards tied to performance and the grant of new awards in 2020.
The impairment was recognized to write-down the carrying value of a right-of-use lease asset to its fair value.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA is a result of the change in operating expenses, and the exclusion of professional fees associated with restructuring activities and the occupancy costs associated with the centralization of our New York real estate portfolio.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018
Consolidated Results of Operations
Revenues
Revenue was $1.42 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to revenue of $1.48 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 representing a decrease of $59.3 million, or 4.0%.
The components of the fluctuations in revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 were as follows:
Total United States Canada Other
$ % $ % $ % $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 2018 $ 1,475,088 $ 1,152,399 $ 124,001 $ 198,688
Components of revenue change:
Foreign exchange impact (12,697) (0.9) % - - % (2,390) (1.9) % (10,307) (5.2) %
Non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net (1,563) (0.1) % 11,339 1.0 % (15,483) (12.5) % 2,581 1.3 %
Non-GAAP organic revenue growth (decline) (45,025) (3.1) % (47,693) (4.1) % (1,061) (0.9) % 3,729 1.9 %
Total Change (59,285) (4.0) % (36,354) (3.2) % (18,934) (15.3) % (3,997) (2.0) %
December 31, 2019 $ 1,415,803 $ 1,116,045 $ 105,067 $ 194,691
The negative foreign exchange impact of $12.7 million or 0.9% was attributable to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, Swedish Króna, Euro and British Pound.
The Company utilizes non-GAAP metrics called organic revenue growth (decline) and non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net, as defined above. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, organic revenue decreased by $45.0 million or 3.1%. The decline in revenue from existing Partner Firms was attributable to client losses and a reduction in spending by certain clients, partially offset by new client wins and higher spending by other clients. The change in revenue was primarily driven by a decline in categories including healthcare, food and beverage and automotive, partially offset by growth in transportation, communications, and travel/lodging and technology.
The table below provides a reconciliation between the revenue from acquired/disposed businesses in the statement of operations to non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019:
Integrated Networks - Group B All Other Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
GAAP revenue from 2018 and 2019 acquisitions $ 17,882 $ 4,163 $ 22,045
Foreign exchange impact - 222 222
Contribution to non-GAAP organic revenue growth (decline) (6,547) (1,780) (8,327)
Prior year revenue from dispositions - (15,503) (15,503)
Non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net $ 11,335 $ (12,898) $ (1,563)
The geographic mix in revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018
United States 78.8 % 78.1 %
Canada 7.4 % 8.4 %
Other 13.8 % 13.5 %
Impairment and Other Losses
The Company recognized an impairment of goodwill and other assets charge of $8.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to $87.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The impairment consisted of the write-down of $4.9 million goodwill equal to the excess carrying value above the fair value of one reporting unit within the Integrated Networks - Group A, and a charge of $3.7 million to reduce the carrying value of right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $79.5 million, compared to $1.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, representing a change of $78.0 million. The improvement was driven by a lower impairment charge in 2019 of $8.6 million associated with the write-down of the carrying value of goodwill, right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements compared to $87.2 million in 2018 primarily in connection with a write-down of goodwill. In addition, the decline in revenues more than offset by the reduction in operating expenses also drove the change in operating income.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $174.2 million, compared to $161.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $12.7 million, principally resulting from a reduction in operating expenses that more than offset the decline in revenues.
Interest Expense and Finance Charges, Net
Interest expense and finance charges, net, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $64.9 million compared to $67.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $2.2 million, primarily driven by a decline in the average amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility in 2019.
Foreign Exchange Transaction Gain (Loss)
The foreign exchange gain for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $8.8 million compared to loss of $23.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The change in foreign exchange was primarily attributable to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, in connection with a U.S. dollar denominated indebtedness that is an obligation of our Canadian parent company.
Other, Net
Other, net for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was a loss of $2.4 million compared to income of $0.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. In 2019, we recognized a loss of $4.3 million primarily on the sale of Kingsdale Partners LP and Kingsdale Shareholder Services US LLC (collectively, “Kingsdale”), partially offset by a gain of $2.3 million primarily related to the sale of certain investments.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $10.3 million (on income of $20.9 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 49.4%), driven by the taxation of foreign operations, base erosion and anti-abuse tax, and non-deductible stock compensation for which a tax benefit was not recognized. Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $29.6 million (on a loss of $88.7 million resulting in an effective tax rate of negative 33.4%), driven by an increase in valuation allowance primarily attributed to Canada and non-deductible impairments.
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Non-Consolidated Affiliates
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-consolidated affiliates represents the income or losses attributable to equity method investments. The Company recorded $0.4 million of income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to $0.1 million of income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.
Noncontrolling Interests
The effect of noncontrolling interests for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $16.2 million compared to $11.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, attributable to an increase in operating results at Partner Firms with a noncontrolling interest.
Net Loss Attributable to MDC Partners Inc. Common Shareholders
As a result of the foregoing, and the impact of accretion on and net income allocated to convertible preferences shares, the net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $17.6 million or $0.25 diluted loss per share, compared to a net loss of $138.4 million, or $2.42 diluted loss per share reported for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.
Integrated Networks - Group A
The change in operating results in the Integrated Networks - Group A reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
Integrated Networks - Group A $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 392,101 $ 393,890 $ (1,789) (0.5) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 283,421 72.3 % 263,005 66.8 % 20,416 7.8 %
Office and general expenses 60,012 15.3 % 62,153 15.8 % (2,141) (3.4) %
Depreciation and amortization 8,559 2.2 % 9,602 2.4 % (1,043) (10.9) %
Impairment and other losses 4,879 1.2 % - - % 4,879 - %
356,871 91.0 % 334,760 85.0 % 22,111 6.6 %
Operating income $ 35,230 9.0 % $ 59,130 15.0 % $ (23,900) (40.4) %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 74,822 19.1 % $ 75,609 19.2 % (787) (1.0) %
Revenue decline was primarily attributable to client losses and a reduction in spending by certain clients, partially offset by new client wins and higher spending by other clients of $0.2 million, or 0.0%, and unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of $2.0 million, or 0.5%.
The change in operating income was attributable to a decline in revenue, and higher operating expenses, as outlined below.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the Integrated Networks - Group A reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
Integrated Networks - Group A $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 51,794 13.2 % $ 50,830 12.9 % $ 964 1.9 %
Staff costs 221,456 56.5 % 220,197 55.9 % 1,259 0.6 %
Administrative 44,029 11.2 % 47,254 12.0 % (3,225) (6.8) %
Deferred acquisition consideration 1,734 0.4 % 1,085 0.3 % 649 59.8 %
Stock-based compensation 24,420 6.2 % 5,792 1.5 % 18,628 NM
Depreciation and amortization 8,559 2.2 % 9,602 2.4 % (1,043) (10.9) %
Impairment and other losses 4,879 1.2 % - - % 4,879 - %
Total operating expenses $ 356,871 91.0 % $ 334,760 85.0 % $ 22,111 6.6 %
The decrease in administrative costs was driven by lower spending across various categories in connection with savings initiatives.
The increase in stock-based compensation expense was driven by favorable operating results in connection with awards tied to performance.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an impairment charge of $4.9 million was primarily attributable to the write-down of goodwill equal to the excess carrying value above the fair value of a reporting unit.
Adjusted EBITDA in 2019 remained flat compared to 2018 as the decline in revenue was offset by the reduction in operating expenses.
Integrated Networks - Group B
The change in operating results in the Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
Integrated Networks - Group B $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 531,717 $ 551,317 $ (19,600) (3.6) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 328,165 61.7 % 355,346 64.5 % (27,181) (7.6) %
Office and general expenses 124,298 23.4 % 124,452 22.6 % (154) (0.1) %
Depreciation and amortization 15,904 3.0 % 19,032 3.5 % (3,128) (16.4) %
Impairment and other losses 1,933 0.4 % 17,828 3.2 % (15,895) (89.2) %
470,300 88.4 % 516,658 93.7 % (46,358) (9.0) %
Operating income $ 61,417 11.6 % $ 34,659 6.3 % $ 26,758 77.2 %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 84,568 15.9 % $ 74,091 13.4 % $ 10,477 14.1 %
Revenue decline was primarily attributable to client losses and a reduction in spending by certain clients, partially offset by new client wins and higher spending by other clients of $26.2 million, or 4.8% and unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of $4.7 million, or 0.9%, offset by a contribution of $11.3 million, or 2.1%, from an acquired Partner Firm.
The change in operating income was attributable to a decline in revenue, more than offset by lower operating expenses, as outlined below.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
Integrated Networks - Group B $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 73,776 13.9 % $ 56,755 10.3 % $ 17,021 30.0 %
Staff costs 306,549 57.7 % 345,853 62.7 % (39,304) (11.4) %
Administrative 66,574 12.5 % 74,618 13.5 % (8,044) (10.8) %
Deferred acquisition consideration 1,261 0.2 % (4,318) (0.8) % 5,579 NM
Stock-based compensation 4,303 0.8 % 6,890 1.2 % (2,587) (37.5) %
Depreciation and amortization 15,904 3.0 % 19,032 3.5 % (3,128) (16.4) %
Impairment and other losses 1,933 0.4 % 17,828 3.2 % (15,895) (89.2) %
Total operating expenses $ 470,300 88.4 % $ 516,658 93.7 % $ (46,358) (9.0) %
Direct costs were higher, inclusive of higher billable costs for client arrangements accounted for as principal.
The decrease in staff costs was attributable to staffing reductions at certain Partner Firms in connection with the decline in revenue and cost savings initiatives.
The decrease in administrative costs was driven by lower spending across various categories in connection with savings initiatives.
Deferred acquisition consideration change for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to the aggregate performance of certain Partner Firms in 2019 relative to the previously projected expectations.
The decrease in stock-based compensation expense was driven by operating results in connection with awards tied to performance.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an impairment charge of $1.9 million was attributable to an impairment in connection with the sublet of a leased property, to reduce the carrying value of a right-of-use lease asset and related leasehold improvements.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, an impairment charge of $17.8 million primarily attributable to the write-down of goodwill equal to the excess carrying value above the fair value of a reporting unit.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA in 2019 principally from a reduction in operating expenses that more than offset the decline in revenues.
Media & Data Network
The change in operating results in the Media & Data Network reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
Media & Data Network $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 161,451 $ 183,287 $ (21,836) (11.9) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 118,189 73.2 % 129,296 70.5 % (11,107) (8.6) %
Office and general expenses 35,654 22.1 % 42,424 23.1 % (6,770) (16.0) %
Depreciation and amortization 4,303 2.7 % 3,820 2.1 % 483 12.6 %
Impairment and other losses 929 0.6 % 59,188 32.3 % (58,259) (98.4) %
159,075 98.5 % 234,728 128.1 % (75,653) (32.2) %
Operating income (loss) $ 2,376 1.5 % $ (51,441) (28.1) % $ 53,817 NM
Adjusted EBITDA $ 7,746 4.8 % $ 12,205 6.7 % $ (4,459) (36.5) %
The decrease in revenue was primarily attributable to client losses and a reduction in spending by certain clients.
The change in operating income (loss) was attributable to a decline in revenue, more than offset by lower operating expenses.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the Media & Data Network reportable segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
Media & Data Network $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 43,232 26.8 % $ 43,363 23.7 % $ (131) (0.3) %
Staff costs 85,627 53.0 % 101,267 55.3 % (15,640) (15.4) %
Administrative 24,846 15.4 % 26,452 14.4 % (1,606) (6.1) %
Deferred acquisition consideration 75 - % 318 0.2 % (243) (76.4) %
Stock-based compensation 63 - % 320 0.2 % (257) (80.3) %
Depreciation and amortization 4,303 2.7 % 3,820 2.1 % 483 12.6 %
Impairment and other losses 929 0.6 % 59,188 32.3 % (58,259) (98.4) %
Total operating expenses $ 159,075 98.5 % $ 234,728 128.1 % $ (75,653) (32.2) %
The decrease in staff costs was attributable to staffing reductions in connection with client losses.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an impairment charge of $0.9 million was recognized, in connection with the sublet of a leased property, to reduce the carrying value of a right-of-use lease asset and related leasehold improvements.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, an impairment charge of $59.2 million was recognized, primarily attributable to the write-down of goodwill equal to the excess carrying value above the fair value of reporting unit.
The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to the reduction in revenue, partially offset by lower operating expense.
All Other
The change in operating results in the All Other category for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
All Other $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenue $ 330,534 $ 346,594 $ (16,060) (4.6) %
Operating expenses
Cost of services sold 231,301 70.0 % 243,568 70.3 % (12,267) (5.0) %
Office and general expenses 64,322 19.5 % 67,932 19.6 % (3,610) (5.3) %
Depreciation and amortization 8,695 2.6 % 12,980 3.7 % (4,285) (33.0) %
Impairment and other losses 11 - % 7,871 2.3 % (7,860) (99.9) %
304,329 92.1 % 332,351 95.9 % (28,022) (8.4) %
Operating income $ 26,205 7.9 % $ 14,243 4.1 % $ 11,962 84.0 %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 37,618 11.4 % $ 38,307 11.1 % $ (689) (1.8) %
The change in revenue included contributions of $3.3 million, or 1.0%, and revenue from existing Partner Firms of $1.8 million, or 0.5%, more than offset by a negative revenue impact of $16.2 million, or 4.7%, from the disposition of a Partner Firm and unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of $4.9 million, or 1.4%. In addition, revenue from existing Partner Firms increased $1.8 million, or 0.5%, at certain Partner Firms.
The change in operating income was attributable to a decline in revenue, partially offset by lower operating expenses, as outlined below.
The change in the categories of expenses as a percentage of revenue in the All Other category for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
All Other $ % of
Revenue $ % of
Revenue $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Direct costs $ 67,868 20.5 % $ 62,406 18.0 % $ 5,462 8.8 %
Staff costs 186,785 56.5 % 205,142 59.2 % (18,357) (8.9) %
Administrative 38,263 11.6 % 40,739 11.8 % (2,476) (6.1) %
Deferred acquisition consideration 2,333 0.7 % 2,458 0.7 % (125) (5.1) %
Stock-based compensation 374 0.1 % 755 0.2 % (381) (50.5) %
Depreciation and amortization 8,695 2.6 % 12,980 3.7 % (4,285) (33.0) %
Impairment and other losses 11 - % 7,871 2.3 % (7,860) (99.9) %
Total operating expenses $ 304,329 92.1 % $ 332,351 95.9 % $ (28,022) (8.4) %
The decrease in staff costs was primarily attributable to staff reductions and the disposition of a Partner Firm.
The decrease in administrative costs was driven by lower spending across various categories in connection with savings initiatives.
The decrease in deferred acquisition consideration was primarily attributable to the aggregate performance of certain Partner Firms in 2019 relative to the previously projected expectations.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the impairment charge was recognized in connection with the sublet of a leased property, to reduce the carrying value of a right-of-use lease asset and related leasehold improvements.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the impairment charge was primarily attributable to the write-down of goodwill equal to excess carrying value above the fair value of a reporting unit.
Adjusted EBITDA in 2019 remained flat compared to 2018 as the decline in revenue was offset by the reduction in operating expenses.
Corporate
The change in operating expenses for Corporate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
2019 2018 Change
Corporate $ $ $ %
(Dollars in Thousands)
Staff costs $ 29,434 $ 30,179 $ (745) (2.5) %
Administrative 12,739 17,240 (4,501) (26.1) %
Stock-based compensation 1,880 4,659 (2,779) (59.6) %
Depreciation and amortization 868 762 106 13.9 %
Impairment and other losses 847 2,317 (1,470) (63.4) %
Total operating expenses $ 45,768 $ 55,157 $ (9,389) (17.0) %
Adjusted EBITDA $ (30,601) $ (38,761) $ 8,160 (21.1) %
Staff costs declined in connection with a reduction in staff.
The decrease in administrative costs was primarily related to lower professional fees and various other costs in connection with cost savings initiatives.
Stock-based compensation was lower in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 due to the reversal of expense previously recognized in connection with the forfeiture of a performance-based equity award.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA is a result of the change in operating expenses and the exclusion of professional fees associated with restructuring activities and the occupancy costs associated with the centralization of our New York real estate portfolio.
Liquidity and Capital Resources:
Liquidity
The following table provides summary information about the Company’s liquidity position:
2020 2019 2018
(Dollars in Thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 32,559 $ 86,539 $ 17,280
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $ (8,287) $ 115 $ (50,431)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ (73,426) $ (11,729) $ 21,434
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the Company’s cash flows in 2020. The Company took various actions to combat the impact of COVID-19 as discussed in the Executive Summary section above. While it is difficult to predict the continued impact of the pandemic, the Company believes it is well positioned through the actions taken in 2020 to successfully work through the effects of COVID-19 in 2021.
The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $60.8 million and $106.9 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Company intends to maintain sufficient cash and/or available borrowings to fund operations for the next twelve months. The Company has historically been able to maintain and expand its business using cash generated from operating activities, funds available under its Credit Agreement, and other initiatives, such as obtaining additional debt and equity financing. At December 31, 2020, the Company had no borrowings outstanding and $192.8 million available under the Credit Agreement.
The Company’s obligations extending beyond twelve months primarily consist of deferred acquisition payments, capital expenditures, scheduled lease obligation payments, and interest payments on borrowings under the Company’s 7.50% Notes due 2024. Based on the current outlook, the Company believes future cash flows from operations, together with the Company’s existing cash balance and availability of funds under the Company’s Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s anticipated cash needs for the next twelve months. The Company’s ability to make scheduled deferred acquisition payments, principal and interest payments, to refinance indebtedness or to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on future performance, which is subject to general economic conditions, the competitive environment and other factors, including those described in this 2020 Form 10-K and in the Company’s other SEC filings.
Working Capital
At December 31, 2020, the Company had a working capital deficit of $204.1 million compared to a deficit of $197.7 million at December 31, 2019. The Company’s working capital is impacted by seasonality in media buying, amounts spent by clients, and timing of amounts received from clients and subsequently paid to suppliers. Media buying is impacted by the timing of certain events, such as major sporting competitions and national holidays, and there can be a quarter to quarter lag between the time amounts received from clients for the media buying are subsequently paid to suppliers. The Company intends to maintain sufficient cash or availability of funds under the Credit Agreement at any particular time to adequately fund working capital should there be a need to do so from time to time.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $32.6 million, primarily driven by cash flows from earnings, partially offset by unfavorable working capital requirements, primarily driven by media and other supplier payments.
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $86.5 million, primarily driven by cash flows from earnings, accompanied by nominal unfavorable working capital requirements.
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $17.3 million, primarily reflecting unfavorable working capital requirements, driven by media and other supplier payments, and deferred acquisition consideration payments.
Investing Activities
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, cash flows used in investing activities was $8.3 million, which primarily consisted of proceeds of $19.6 million from the sale of the Company’s equity interest in Sloane, offset by $24.3 million of capital expenditures and $1.8 million paid for acquisitions.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, cash flows provided by investing activities was $0.1 million, which primarily consisted of proceeds of $23.1 million from the sale of the Company’s equity interest in Kingsdale, partially offset by $18.6 million of capital expenditures and $4.8 million paid for acquisitions.
During December 31, 2018, cash flows used in investing activities was $50.4 million, primarily consisting of cash paid of $32.7 million for acquisitions and capital expenditures of $20.3 million.
Financing Activities
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, cash flows used in financing activities was $73.4 million, primarily driven by $35.4 million in deferred acquisition consideration payments, $22.0 million for the purchase of a portion of the Company’s Senior Notes and $16.0 million in distribution payments.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, cash flows used in financing activities was $11.7 million, primarily driven by $98.6 million in proceeds, net of fees, from the issuance of common and preferred shares, more than offset by $68.1 million in net repayments under the Credit Agreement, $30.2 million in deferred acquisition consideration payments and $12.0 million in distribution payments.
During December 31, 2018, cash flows provided by financing activities was $21.4 million, primarily driven by $68.1 million in net borrowing under the Credit Agreement, offset by $32.2 million of deferred acquisition consideration payments and $14.5 million in distribution payments.
Total Debt
Debt, net of debt issuance costs, was $843.2 million as of December 31, 2020 as compared to $887.6 million outstanding at December 31, 2019. The decline of $44.4 million was primarily a result of the repurchase of a portion of the Company’s Senior Notes and the capitalization of consent fees due to all holders of the Senior Notes in connection with the consent to the
consummation of the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s $870.3 million aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes and $211.5 million senior secured revolving credit agreement due February 3, 2022 (the “Credit Agreement”).
The Company is in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, and management believes, based on its current financial projections, that the Company will continue to be in compliance with its covenants over the next twelve months.
If the Company loses all or a substantial portion of its lines of credit under the Credit Agreement, or if the Company uses the maximum available amount under the Credit Agreement, it will be required to seek other sources of liquidity. If the Company were unable to find these sources of liquidity, for example through an equity offering, access to the capital markets or asset sales, the Company’s ability to fund its working capital needs and any contingent obligations with respect to acquisitions and redeemable noncontrolling interests would be adversely affected.
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company must comply with certain financial covenants including, among other things, covenants for (i) total senior leverage ratio, (ii) total leverage ratio, (iii) fixed charges ratio, and (iv) minimum earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, in each case as such term is specifically defined in the Credit Agreement. For the period ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s calculation of each of these covenants, and the specific requirements under the Credit Agreement, respectively, were calculated based on the trailing twelve months as follows:
December 31, 2020
Total Senior Leverage Ratio (0.02)
Maximum per covenant 2.00
Total Leverage Ratio 4.42
Maximum per covenant 6.25
Fixed Charges Ratio 2.52
Minimum per covenant 1.00
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (in millions) $ 190.1
Minimum per covenant (in millions) $ 120.0
These ratios and measures are not based on GAAP and are not presented as alternative measures of operating performance or liquidity. Some of these ratios and measures include, among other things, pro forma adjustments for acquisitions, one-time charges, and other items, as defined in the Credit Agreement. They are presented here to demonstrate compliance with the covenants in the Credit Agreement, as non-compliance with such covenants could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments
The following table provides a payment schedule of present and future obligations. Management anticipates that the obligations outstanding at December 31, 2020 will be repaid with new financing, equity offerings, asset sales and/or cash flow from operations:
Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations Total Less than
1 Year 1 - 3 Years 3 - 5 Years After
5 Years
(Dollars in Thousands)
Indebtedness (1)
$ 870,256 $ - $ - $ 870,256 $ -
Operating lease obligations 425,208 68,375 117,094 88,789 150,950
Interest on debt 227,225 64,053 130,538 32,634 -
Deferred acquisition consideration (2)
83,065 53,730 29,335 - -
Other long-term liabilities 5,185 2,870 2,315 - -
Total contractual obligations (3)
$ 1,610,939 $ 189,028 $ 279,282 $ 991,679 $ 150,950
(1)Indebtedness includes no borrowings under the Credit Agreement which is due in 2022.
(2)Deferred acquisition consideration excludes future payments with an estimated fair value of $3.1 million that are contingent upon employment terms as well as financial performance and will be expensed as stock-based compensation over the required retention period. The Company estimates all of the $3.1 million will be paid in 2022.
(3)Pension obligations of $17.5 million are not included since the timing of payments are not known.
Other-Balance Sheet Commitments
Media and Production
The Company’s agencies enter into contractual commitments with media providers and agreements with production companies on behalf of its clients at levels that exceed the revenue from services. Some of our agencies purchase media for clients and act as an agent on behalf of their clients. These commitments are included in Accruals and other liabilities when the media services are delivered by the media providers. MDC takes precautions against default on payment for these services and has historically had a very low incidence of default. MDC is still exposed to the risk of significant uncollectible receivables from our clients. The risk of a material loss could significantly increase in periods of severe economic downturn.
Deferred Acquisition Consideration
Deferred acquisition consideration on the balance sheet consists of deferred obligations related to contingent and fixed purchase price payments, and to a lesser extent, contingent and fixed retention payments tied to continued employment of specific personnel. See Notes 2 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding contingent deferred acquisition consideration.
The following table presents the changes in the deferred acquisition consideration by segment for the year ended December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020
Integrated Networks - Group A Integrated Networks - Group B Media & Data Network All Other Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
Beginning balance of contingent payments $ 36,124 $ 27,060 $ - $ 11,487 $ 74,671
Payments (28,538) (15,242) (375) (2,637) (46,792)
Additions - acquisitions and step-up transactions 5,227 2,476 - - 7,703
Redemption value adjustments (1)
44,073 (2,706) 375 445 42,187
Stock-based compensation (1)
1,195 1,611 - - 2,806
Other 2,179 52 - (4) 2,227
Ending balance of contingent payments 60,260 13,251 - 9,291 82,802
Fixed payments - 263 - - 263
$ 60,260 $ 13,514 $ - $ 9,291 $ 83,065
(1)Redemption value adjustments are fair value changes from the Company’s initial estimates of deferred acquisition payments and stock-based compensation charges are those that are tied to continued employment. Redemption value adjustments and stock-based compensation are recorded within Office and general expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
When acquiring less than 100% ownership of an entity, the Company may enter into agreements that give the Company an option to purchase, or require the Company to purchase, the incremental ownership interests under certain circumstances. Where the option to purchase the incremental ownership is within the Company’s control, the amounts are recorded as noncontrolling interests in the equity section of the Company’s balance sheet. Where the incremental purchase may be required of the Company, the amounts are recorded as redeemable noncontrolling interests in mezzanine equity. See Notes 2 and 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information.
The Company intends to finance the cash portion of these contingent payment obligations using available cash from operations, borrowings under the Credit Agreement (and refinancings thereof), and, if necessary, through the incurrence of additional debt and/or issuance of additional equity. The ultimate amount payable in the future relating to these transactions will vary because it is dependent on the future results of operations of the subject businesses and the timing of when these rights are exercised.
Guarantees
Generally, the Company has indemnified the purchasers of certain of its assets in the event that a third party asserts a claim against the purchaser that relates to a liability retained by the Company. These types of indemnification guarantees typically extend for a number of years. Historically, the Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amounts has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees. The Company continues to monitor the conditions that are subject to guarantees and indemnifications to identify whether it is probable that a loss has occurred, and would recognize any such losses under any guarantees or indemnifications in the period when those losses are probable and estimable.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
MDC has prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for reporting financial information on Form 10-K. Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the accompanying financial statements and footnotes. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting policies are those that are considered by management to require significant judgment, use of estimates and that could have a significant impact on our financial statements. An understanding of our critical accounting policies is necessary to analyze our financial results.
Our critical accounting policies include our accounting for revenue recognition, business combinations, deferred acquisition consideration, redeemable noncontrolling interests, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes and stock-based compensation. The financial statements are evaluated on an ongoing basis and estimates are based on historical experience, current conditions
and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results can differ from those estimates, and it is possible that the differences could be material.
Revenue Recognition. The Company’s revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our clients, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information.
Business Combinations. The Company has historically made, and may continue to make, selective acquisitions of marketing communications businesses. In making acquisitions, the price paid is determined by various factors, including service offerings, competitive position, reputation and geographic coverage, as well as prior experience and judgment. Due to the nature of advertising, marketing and corporate communications services companies, the companies acquired frequently have significant identifiable intangible assets, which primarily consist of customer relationships.
For each of the Company’s acquisitions, a detailed review is undertaken to identify other intangible assets and a valuation is performed for all such identified assets. The Company uses several market participant measurements to determine estimated value. This approach includes consideration of similar and recent transactions, as well as utilizing discounted expected cash flow methodologies. Like most service businesses, a substantial portion of the intangible asset value that the Company acquires is the specialized know-how of the workforce, which is treated as part of goodwill and is not required to be valued separately. The majority of the value of the identifiable intangible assets that the Company acquires is derived from customer relationships, including the related customer contracts, as well as trademarks.
Deferred Acquisition Consideration. Most acquisitions include an initial payment at the time of closing and provide for future additional contingent purchase price payments. Contingent purchase price obligations for these transactions is recorded as a deferred acquisition consideration liability, are derived from the performance of the acquired entity and are based on predetermined formulas. These various contractual valuation formulas may be dependent on future events, such as the growth rate of the earnings of the relevant subsidiary during the contractual period, and, in some cases, the currency exchange rate on the date of payment. The liability is adjusted quarterly based on changes in current information affecting each subsidiary’s current operating results and the impact this information will have on future results included in the calculation of the estimated liability. In addition, changes in various contractual valuation formulas as well as adjustments to present value impact quarterly adjustments. These adjustments are recorded in results of operations.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. Many of the Company’s acquisitions include contractual arrangements where the noncontrolling shareholders have an option to purchase, or may require the Company to purchase, such noncontrolling shareholders’ incremental ownership interests under certain circumstances and the Company has similar call options under the same contractual terms. The amount of consideration under these contractual arrangements is not a fixed amount, but rather is dependent upon various valuation formulas, such as the average earnings of the relevant subsidiary through the date of exercise or the growth rate of the earnings of the relevant subsidiary during that period. In the event that an incremental purchase may be required of the Company, the amounts are recorded as redeemable noncontrolling interests in mezzanine equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their acquisition date fair value and adjusted for changes to their estimated redemption value through Common stock and other paid-in capital (but not less than their initial redemption value), except for foreign currency translation adjustments. These adjustments will not impact the calculation of earnings (loss) per share if the redemption values are less than the estimated fair values.
Goodwill. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1st of each year or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. The Company performs its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value provided the loss recognized does not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
For the annual impairment testing, the Company has the option of assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value or performing a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Qualitative factors considered in the assessment include industry and market considerations, the competitive environment, overall financial performance, changing cost factors such as labor costs, and other factors specific to each reporting unit such as change in management or key personnel.
If the Company elects to perform the qualitative assessment and concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is more than its carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered impaired and the quantitative impairment test is not necessary. For reporting units for which the qualitative assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and for reporting units for which the qualitative assessment is not performed, the Company will perform the quantitative impairment test, which compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not considered impaired and additional analysis is not required. However, if the carrying amount of the net
assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the recognition of an impairment charge is required.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. For the 2020 annual impairment test, the Company used an income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method. The income approach requires the exercise of significant judgment, including judgment about the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, assumed terminal value and appropriate discount rates.
The DCF estimates incorporate expected cash flows that represent a spectrum of the amount and timing of possible cash flows of each reporting unit from a market participant perspective. The expected cash flows are developed from the Company’s long-range planning process using projections of operating results and related cash flows based on assumed long-term growth rates and demand trends and appropriate discount rates based on a reporting units weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as determined by considering the observable WACC of comparable companies and factors specific to the reporting unit. The terminal value is estimated using a constant growth method which requires an assumption about the expected long-term growth rate. The estimates are based on historical data and experience, industry projections, economic conditions, and the Company’s expectations. We performed the quantitative impairment test in 2020. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s impairment test and impairment charges recognized.
The Company utilized long-term growth rates and a WACC for the Company’s reporting units ranging from 0% to 3% and 11% to 21%, respectively, in our annual goodwill impairment test.
For the 2020 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company had 23 reporting units, all of which were subject to the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The excess of fair value over the carrying amount ("headroom") for the Company’s reporting units ranged from 2% to in excess of 100%. The Company performed a sensitivity analysis which included a 1% increase in the WACC, which resulted in a nominal impairment for one reporting with a headroom of 2%.
The Company believes the estimates and assumptions used in the calculations are reasonable. However, if there was an adverse change in the facts and circumstances, then an impairment charge may be necessary in the future. Specifically, as mentioned above, the fair value of one reporting unit, with goodwill of approximately $89 million, exceeded its carrying value by 2% and therefore is highly sensitive to adverse changes in the facts and circumstances that could result in a possible future impairment. Should the fair value of any of the Company’s reporting units fall below its carrying amount because of reduced operating performance, market declines, changes in the discount rate, or other conditions, charges for impairment may be necessary. The Company monitors its reporting units to determine if there is an indicator of potential impairment.
Income Taxes. The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Management evaluates on a quarterly basis all available positive and negative evidence considering factors such as the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, the character of the income tax asset, tax planning strategies, changes in tax laws and other factors. The periodic assessment of the net carrying value of the Company’s deferred tax assets under the applicable accounting rules requires significant management judgment. A change to any of these factors could impact the estimated valuation allowance and income tax expense.
Stock-based Compensation. The fair value method is applied to all awards granted, modified or settled. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at fair value at the date of grant and is expensed over the service period that is the award’s vesting period. Awards based on performance conditions are recorded as compensation expense when the performance conditions are expected to be met. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
From time to time, certain acquisitions and step-up transactions include an element of compensation related payments. The Company accounts for those payments as stock-based compensation.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Information regarding new accounting pronouncements can be found in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk related to interest rates, foreign currencies and impairment risk.
Debt Instruments: At December 31, 2020, the Company’s debt obligations consisted of amounts outstanding under its Credit Agreement and Senior Notes. The Senior Notes bear a fixed 7.50% interest rate. The Credit Agreement bears interest at variable rates based upon the Euro rate, U.S. bank prime rate and U.S. base rate, at the Company’s option. The Company’s ability to obtain the required bank syndication commitments depends in part on conditions in the bank market at the time of syndication. Given that there were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020, a 1.0% increase or decrease in the weighted average interest rate, which was 2.94% at December 31, 2020, would have no interest rate impact.
Foreign Exchange: While the Company primarily conducts business in markets that use the U.S. dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Euro and the British Pound, its non-U.S. operations transact business in numerous different currencies. The Company’s results of operations are subject to risk from the translation to the U.S. dollar of the revenue and expenses of its non-U.S. operations. The effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of the Company’s results of operations are discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Note 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the most part, revenues and expenses incurred related to the non-U.S. operations are denominated in their functional currency. This minimizes the impact that fluctuations in exchange rates will have on profit margins. Translation of intercompany debt, which is not intended to be repaid, is included in cumulative translation adjustments. Translation of current intercompany balances are included in net earnings (loss). The Company generally does not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
The Company is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations relating to its intercompany balances between the U.S. and Canada. For every one cent change in the foreign exchange rate between the U.S. and Canada, the impact to the Company’s financial statements would be approximately $2.0 million.
Impairment Risk: At December 31, 2020, the Company had goodwill of $668.2 million and other intangible assets of $33.8 million. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1st of each year or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. See the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section above and Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2020
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedules:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2020
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
MDC Partners Inc.
New York, New York
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MDC Partners Inc. (the “Company”) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and schedules presented in Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and subsidiaries at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated March 16, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Change in Accounting Principles
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for leases on January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification, Leases (“ASC 842”).
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue Recognition
As described in Notes 2 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company provides an extensive range of services to its clients offering a variety of marketing and communication capabilities. The determination of the Company’s performance obligations is specific to the services included within each revenue contract. Based on the services to be provided to a client within a contract, and how those services are provided, multiple services could represent separate performance obligations or be combined and considered as one performance obligation. Revenue is typically recognized based on the measure of progress of each distinct performance obligation, as services are performed. Revenue is typically recognized using input methods (including direct labor hours, materials and third-party costs) that correspond with efforts incurred to date in relation to total estimated efforts to complete the contract.
We identified the determination of the measure of progress of performance obligations as a critical audit matter. The determination of the total estimated cost and progress toward completion requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. A higher
degree of auditor judgment was required to evaluate the key assumptions used to estimate costs to complete the contracts, including the labor hours, materials, and third-party costs to complete the contracts. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the revenue recognized each period. Auditing these aspects involved especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit effort required to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s assumptions and estimates over the duration of these contracts.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
a.Testing the operating effectiveness of certain controls relating to management’s estimation of the measure of progress of each performance obligation within revenue contracts including: (i) development of contract budgets, (ii) ongoing assessment and revisions to contract budgets, and (iii) ongoing review of contract status including nature of activities to complete.
b.Assessing the reasonableness of management’s estimation of the measure of progress for a sample of contracts through: (i) corroborating measure of progress against relevant evidence outside the accounting function, (ii) performing retrospective review of the estimated costs to complete to assess the reasonableness of management’s judgments, (iii) testing a sample of revenue contracts and underlying documents to determine the accuracy of key cost inputs, such as labor hours, materials, and third-party costs, and (iv) assessing the reasonableness of the measure of progress of performance obligations through testing of a sample of costs incurred to date and estimated costs to complete.
Goodwill Impairment Assessment
As described in Notes 2 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 was $668.2 million. The Company tests for impairment annually on a reporting unit basis or more often when impairment indicators exist. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test in the second quarter of 2020 that resulted in a goodwill impairment charge of $13.4 million. In connection with the Company’s annual impairment assessment performed as of October 1, 2020 the Company recorded an additional impairment charge of $48.3 million. The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units using a discounted cash flow model. The determination of the fair value using the discounted cash flow model requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, assumed terminal values and appropriate discount rates.
We identified the valuation of certain reporting units during the impairment assessment of goodwill as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination are: (i) for certain reporting units, the deterioration of economic conditions led to an increased sensitivity to estimates due to the decline in the excess of fair value over book value as of the annual testing date of October 1, 2020, as such, the assumptions and judgments used were more sensitive to management’s estimates, and (ii) inherent uncertainties exist related to the Company’s forecasts and how various economic and other factors, including the projected impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, could affect the Company’s forecasted assumptions of future cash flows and the selection of the discount rate included in the income approach. Auditing these elements involved especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit effort required to address these matters, including the extent of specialized skill or knowledge needed.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
•Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s forecasts of future cash flows given the inherent uncertainty of COVID-19 through: (i) comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts and industry data, (ii) corroborating the consistency of assumptions utilized in management forecasts with other internal information and with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit such as reviewing historical operating results of the reporting unit and reviewing revenue contracts and supporting documentation for cost reductions such as headcount analysis to support future projections, (iii) performing sensitivity analyses of reporting units’ cash flow projections, and (iv) performing procedures to assess the completeness, accuracy and relevance of the underlying data used in the discounted cash flow analysis.
•Utilizing personnel with specialized knowledge and skill in valuation to assist in: (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the methodologies and the valuation models utilized by management to determine the fair values of the reporting units, and (ii) assessing the reasonableness of certain assumptions incorporated into the valuation models including terminal growth rates and discount rates.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2006.
New York, New York
March 16, 2021
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenue:
Services $ 1,199,011 $ 1,415,803 $ 1,475,088
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services sold 769,899 961,076 991,198
Office and general expenses 341,565 328,339 349,056
Depreciation and amortization 36,905 38,329 46,196
Impairment and other losses 96,399 8,599 87,204
1,244,768 1,336,343 1,473,654
Operating income (loss) (45,757) 79,460 1,434
Other Income (Expenses):
Interest expense and finance charges, net (62,163) (64,942) (67,075)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) (982) 8,750 (23,258)
Other, net 20,500 (2,401) 230
(42,645) (58,593) (90,103)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (88,402) 20,867 (88,669)
Income tax expense 116,555 10,316 29,615
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (204,957) 10,551 (118,284)
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-consolidated affiliates (2,240) 352 62
Net income (loss) (207,197) 10,903 (118,222)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest (21,774) (16,156) (11,785)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. (228,971) (5,253) (130,007)
Accretion on and net income allocated to convertible preference shares (14,179) (12,304) (8,355)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (243,150) $ (17,557) $ (138,362)
Loss Per Common Share:
Basic
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (3.34) $ (0.25) $ (2.42)
Diluted
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (3.34) $ (0.25) $ (2.42)
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic 72,862,178 69,132,100 57,218,994
Diluted 72,862,178 69,132,100 57,218,994
See notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(thousands of United States dollars)
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) $ (207,197) $ 10,903 $ (118,222)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment 9,092 (6,691) 3,158
Benefit plan adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit) of ($519) for 2020, ($740) for 2019 and $223 for 2018 (1,354) (1,911) 555
Other comprehensive income (loss) 7,738 (8,602) 3,713
Comprehensive income (loss) for the period (199,459) 2,301 (114,509)
Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests (22,504) (16,543) (8,824)
Comprehensive loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. $ (221,963) $ (14,242) $ (123,333)
See notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(thousands of United States dollars)
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 60,757 $ 106,933
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,473 and $3,304 374,892 449,288
Expenditures billable to clients 10,552 30,133
Other current assets 40,939 35,613
Total Current Assets 487,140 621,967
Fixed assets, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $136,166 and $129,579 90,413 81,054
Right-of-use assets - operating leases 214,188 223,622
Goodwill 668,211 731,691
Other intangible assets, net 33,844 54,893
Deferred tax assets 179 84,900
Other assets 17,339 30,179
Total Assets $ 1,511,314 $ 1,828,306
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS, AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 168,398 $ 200,148
Accruals and other liabilities 274,968 353,575
Advance billings 152,956 171,742
Current portion of lease liabilities - operating leases 41,208 48,659
Current portion of deferred acquisition consideration 53,730 45,521
Total Current Liabilities 691,260 819,645
Long-term debt 843,184 887,630
Long-term portion of deferred acquisition consideration 29,335 29,699
Long-term lease liabilities - operating leases 247,243 219,163
Other liabilities 82,065 25,771
Total Liabilities 1,893,087 1,981,908
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests 27,137 36,973
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Note 14)
Shareholders’ Deficit:
Convertible preference shares, 145,000 authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019 152,746 152,746
Common stock and other paid-in capital 104,367 101,469
Accumulated deficit (709,751) (480,779)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 2,739 (4,269)
MDC Partners Inc. Shareholders' Deficit (449,899) (230,833)
Noncontrolling interests 40,989 40,258
Total Shareholders' Deficit (408,910) (190,575)
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Shareholders' Deficit $ 1,511,314 $ 1,828,306
See notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(thousands of United States dollars)
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ (207,197) $ 10,903 $ (118,222)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation 14,179 31,040 18,416
Depreciation and amortization 36,905 38,329 46,196
Impairment and other losses 96,399 8,599 87,204
Adjustment to deferred acquisition consideration 42,187 5,403 (374)
Deferred income taxes (benefits) 108,556 4,791 21,585
Gain on sale of assets and other 771 (4,107) 22,451
Changes in working capital:
Accounts receivable 72,453 (37,763) 31,326
Expenditures billable to clients 19,581 12,236 (11,223)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,840 3,474 (17,189)
Accounts payable, accruals and other current liabilities (144,123) (14,077) (18,222)
Acquisition related payments (13,330) (5,223) (29,141)
Cash in trusts - - (656)
Advance billings (18,662) 32,934 (14,871)
Net cash provided by operating activities 32,559 86,539 17,280
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (24,310) (18,596) (20,264)
Proceeds from sale of assets 19,616 23,050 2,082
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1,816) (4,823) (32,713)
Other (1,777) 484 464
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (8,287) 115 (50,431)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility (550,135) (1,303,350) (1,625,862)
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility 550,135 1,235,205 1,694,005
Proceeds from issuance of common and convertible preference shares, net of issuance costs - 98,620 -
Acquisition related payments (35,391) (30,155) (32,172)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and other (16,036) (12,049) (14,537)
Repurchase of Bonds (21,999) - -
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (73,426) (11,729) 21,434
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and cash held in trusts 2,978 1 77
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and cash held in trusts including cash classified within assets held for sale (46,176) 74,926 (11,640)
Change in cash and cash equivalents held in trusts classified within held for sale - (3,307) (8,298)
Change in cash and cash equivalents classified within assets held for sale - 4,441 -
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (46,176) 76,060 (19,938)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 106,933 30,873 50,811
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 60,757 $ 106,933 $ 30,873
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (continued)
(thousands of United States dollars)
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash income taxes paid $ 7,946 $ 2,296 $ 3,836
Cash interest paid $ 57,752 $ 62,223 $ 64,012
See notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2020
Convertible Preference Shares Common Shares Common Stock and Other Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) MDC Partners Inc. Shareholders' Deficit Noncontrolling Interests Total Shareholder's Deficit
Shares Amount Shares
Balance at December 31, 2019 145,000 $ 152,746 72,154,603 $ 101,469 $ (480,779) $ (4,269) $ (230,833) $ 40,258 $ (190,575)
Net income attributable to MDC Partners Inc. - - - - (228,971) - (228,971) - (228,971)
Other comprehensive income - - - - - 7,008 7,008 730 7,738
Vesting of restricted awards - - 1,808,984 - - - - - -
Shares acquired and cancelled - - (430,739) (905) - - (905) - (905)
Stock-based compensation - - - 6,629 - - 6,629 - 6,629
Changes in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests - - - (2,800) - - (2,800) - (2,800)
Business acquisitions and step-up transactions, net of tax - - - 1,626 - - 1,626 - 1,626
Other - - - (1,652) (1) - (1,653) 1 (1,652)
Balance at December 31, 2020 145,000 $ 152,746 73,532,848 $ 104,367 $ (709,751) $ 2,739 $ (449,899) $ 40,989 $ (408,910)
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2019
Convertible Preference Shares Common Shares Common Stock and Other Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income MDC Partners Inc. Shareholders' Deficit Noncontrolling Interests Total Shareholder's Deficit
Shares Amount Shares
Balance at December 31, 2018 95,000 $ 90,123 57,521,323 $ 58,579 $ (475,526) $ 4,720 $ (322,104) $ 64,514 $ (257,590)
Net income attributable to MDC Partners Inc. - - - - (5,253) - (5,253) - (5,253)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - - - - - (8,989) (8,989) 387 (8,602)
Issuance of common and convertible preference shares 50,000 62,623 14,285,714 35,997 - - 98,620 - 98,620
Vesting of restricted awards - - 576,932 - - - - - -
Shares acquired and cancelled - - (229,366) (601) - - (601) - (601)
Stock-based compensation - - - 3,655 - - 3,655 - 3,655
Changes in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests - - - 3,160 - - 3,160 - 3,160
Business acquisitions and step-up transactions, net of tax - - - 1,911 - - 1,911 - 1,911
Changes in ownership interest - - - (91) - - (91) (24,642) (24,733)
Other - - - (1,141) - - (1,141) (1) (1,142)
Balance at December 31, 2019 145,000 $ 152,746 72,154,603 $ 101,469 $ (480,779) $ (4,269) $ (230,833) $ 40,258 $ (190,575)
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT - (continued)
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018
Convertible Preference Shares Common Shares Common Stock and Other Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income MDC Partners Inc. Shareholders' Deficit Noncontrolling Interests Total Shareholder's Deficit
Shares Amount Shares
Balance at December 31, 2017 95,000 $ 90,220 56,375,131 $ 38,191 $ (344,349) $ (1,954) $ (217,892) $ 58,030 $ (159,862)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. - - - - (130,007) - (130,007) - (130,007)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - - - - - 6,674 6,674 (2,961) 3,713
Expenses for convertible preference shares - (97) - - - - (97) - (97)
Vesting of restricted awards - - 243,529 - - - - - -
Shares acquired and cancelled - - (108,898) (776) - - (776) - (776)
Shares issued, acquisitions - - 1,011,561 7,030 - - 7,030 - 7,030
Stock-based compensation - - - 8,165 - - 8,165 - 8,165
Changes in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests - - - (4,171) - - (4,171) - (4,171)
Business acquisitions and step-up transactions, net of tax - - - 10,140 - - 10,140 15,410 25,550
Changes in ownership interest - - - - - - - (5,965) (5,965)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 606 - - - - (1,170) - (1,170) - (1,170)
Balance at December 31, 2018 95,000 $ 90,123 57,521,323 $ 58,579 $ (475,526) $ 4,720 $ (322,104) $ 64,514 $ (257,590)
See notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
1. Basis of Presentation and Recent Developments
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MDC Partners Inc. (the “Company” or “MDC”), its subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. MDC has prepared the consolidated financial statements included herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for reporting financial information on Form 10-K. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates about current and future results of operations and cash flows that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows in 2020. The Company took actions to address the impact of the pandemic, such as working closely with our clients, reducing our expenses and monitoring liquidity. The impact of the pandemic and the corresponding actions are reflected in our judgments, assumptions and estimates in the preparation of the financial statements. If the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is longer and the operational impact is greater than estimated, the judgments, assumptions and estimates will be updated and could result in different results in the future.
The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normally recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation, in all material respects, of the information contained therein.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial information to conform to the current year presentation.
The Company reorganized its management structure in 2020 which resulted in a change to our reportable segments. Prior periods presented have been recast to reflect the change in reportable segments. See Note 20 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Nature of Operations
MDC Partners Inc., incorporated under the laws of Canada, is a leading provider of global marketing, advertising, activation, communications and strategic consulting solutions. Through its Networks (and underlying agencies generally referred to as “Partner Firms”), MDC delivers a wide range of customized services in order to drive growth and business performance for its clients.
The Company operates in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia.
Recent Developments
On December 21, 2020, MDC and Stagwell Media LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Stagwell”), announced that they entered into a definitive transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) providing for the combination of MDC with the subsidiaries of Stagwell that own and operate a portfolio of marketing services companies (the “Stagwell Entities”). Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the combination between MDC and the Stagwell Entities will be effected using an “Up-C” partnership structure. Through a series of steps and transactions (collectively, the “Transactions”), including the domestication of MDC to a Delaware corporation and the merger of MDC Delaware with one of its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries (the “MDC Merger”), MDC Delaware will become a direct subsidiary (from and after the merger, “OpCo”) of a newly-formed, Delaware-organized, NASDAQ-listed corporation (“New MDC”). Following the MDC Merger, (i) OpCo will convert into a limited liability company that will hold MDC’s operating assets and to which Stagwell will contribute the equity interests of the Stagwell Entities (the “Stagwell Contribution”) in exchange for 216,250,000 common membership interests of OpCo (the “Stagwell OpCo Units”), and (ii) Stagwell will contribute to New MDC an aggregate amount of cash equal to $100 in exchange for shares of a new Class C series of voting-only common stock (the “New MDC Class C Stock”) equal in number to the Stagwell OpCo Units. On a pro forma basis, without giving effect to any outstanding preference shares of MDC, the existing holders of MDC’s Class A and Class B shares would receive interests equal to approximately 26% of the combined company and Stagwell would be issued New MDC Class C Stock equivalent to approximately 74% of the voting rights of the combined company and exchangeable, together with Stagwell OpCo Units, into Class A shares of New MDC on a one-for-one basis at Stagwell’s election. The number of Stagwell OpCo Units and shares of New MDC Class C Stock that Stagwell will receive in the Transactions, and the percentage of the combined company that Stagwell will hold following the consummation of the Transactions, will be reduced, and the percentage of the combined company that existing MDC shareholders will hold will be proportionally increased, if Stagwell is unable to effect certain restructuring transactions prior to the closing of the Transactions.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
1. Basis of Presentation and Recent Developments - (continued)
On December 21, 2020, MDC and Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs (“Broad Street”), entered into a letter agreement, pursuant to which Broad Street consented to the Transactions subject to entry with MDC into a definitive agreement reflecting revised terms of MDC’s issued and outstanding Series 4 convertible preference shares (the “Goldman Letter Agreement”). The revised terms of the Series 4 convertible preference shares would (subject to the closing of the Transactions) reduce the conversion price from $7.42 to $5.00 and extend accretion for two years beyond the date on which accretion would have otherwise ceased, at a reduced rate of 6%. In connection with the closing of the Transactions, Broad Street will have the right to redeem up to $30 million of its preference shares in exchange for a $25 million subordinated note or loan with a 3-year maturity (i.e., exchange at an approximately 17% discount to face value). The $25 million note or loan will accrue interest at 8.0% per annum and is, pre-payable any time at par without penalty.
On December 21, 2020, MDC entered into consent and support agreements (the “Consent and Support Agreements”) with holders of more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes to consent to the consummation of the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities. Pursuant to the Consent and Support Agreements, MDC agreed to increase the interest rate on the Senior Notes by 1% per annum effective as of the date of the Consent and Support Agreements and to pay a consent fee of 2% to all holders of Notes upon a successful consent solicitation, or 3% if a supplemental indenture with the waivers and amendments is executed and becomes operative and the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities is consummated. On February 5, 2021, MDC announced it had received and accepted consents from holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes, and on February 8, 2021, MDC entered into a supplemental indenture providing for waivers and amendments in connection with the combination of MDC with the Stagwell Entities.
On February 8, 2021, MDC filed a proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4, which describes the Transaction Agreement, the Transactions, and ancillary agreements related thereto in more detail.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The Company’s significant accounting policies are summarized as follows:
Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MDC Partners Inc. and its domestic and international controlled subsidiaries that are not considered variable interest entities, and variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities including goodwill, intangible assets, contingent deferred acquisition consideration, redeemable noncontrolling interests, deferred tax assets, right-of-use assets and the amounts of revenue and expenses reported during the period. These estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates require the use of assumptions about future performance, which are uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual results differ from the assumptions used, results of operations and cash flows could be materially affected.
Fair Value. The Company applies the fair value measurement guidance for financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value and for non-financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including goodwill, right-of-use assets and other identifiable intangible assets. See Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information regarding fair value measurements.
Concentration of Credit Risk. The Company provides marketing communications services to clients who operate in most industry sectors. Credit is granted to qualified clients in the ordinary course of business. Due to the diversified nature of the Company’s client base, the Company does not believe that it is exposed to a concentration of credit risk. No client accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable as of December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. No sales to an individual client or country other than in the United States accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, or 2018. As the Company operates in foreign markets, it is always considered at least reasonably possible foreign operations will be disrupted in the near term.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalents are primarily comprised of investments in overnight interest-bearing deposits, money market instruments and other short-term investments with original maturity dates of three months or less at the time of purchase. The Company has a concentration of credit risk in that there are cash deposits in excess of federally insured amounts.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
2. Significant Accounting Policies - (continued)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Trade receivables are stated at invoiced amounts less allowances for doubtful accounts. The allowances represent estimated uncollectible receivables associated with potential customer defaults usually due to customers’ potential insolvency. The allowances include amounts for certain customers where a risk of default has been specifically identified. The assessment of the likelihood of customer defaults is based on various factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical experience and existing economic conditions.
Expenditures Billable to Clients. Expenditures billable to clients consist principally of outside vendor costs incurred on behalf of clients when providing services that have not yet been invoiced to clients. Such amounts are invoiced to clients at various times over the course of the production process.
Fixed Assets. Fixed assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Computers, furniture and fixtures are depreciated on a straight-line basis over periods of three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful life of the asset. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Leases. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification, Leases (“ASC 842”). As a result, the 2018 fiscal year has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 840, Leases. The Company recognizes on the balance sheet at the time of lease commencement a right-of-use lease asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. All right-of-use lease assets are reviewed for impairment. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information on leases.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets. A long-lived asset or asset group is tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. When such events occur, the Company compares the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group to the carrying amount of such asset or asset group. If this comparison indicates that there is an impairment, the amount of the impairment is typically calculated using discounted expected future cash flows where observable fair values are not readily determinable. The discount rate applied to these cash flows is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), risk adjusted where appropriate, or other appropriate discount rate.
Equity Method Investments. Equity method investments are investments in entities in which the Company has an ownership interest of less than 50% and has significant influence, or joint control by contractual arrangement, (i) over the operating and financial policies of the affiliate or (ii) has an ownership interest greater than 50%; however, the substantive participating rights of the noncontrolling interest shareholders preclude the Company from exercising unilateral control over the operating and financial policies of the affiliate. The Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of equity method investments is included in the results of operations and any dividends and distributions reduce the carrying value of the investments. The Company’s equity method investments, include various interests in investment funds. The carrying amount for these investments, which are included in Other assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $3,947 and $6,161, respectively. The Company’s management periodically evaluates these investments to determine if there has been a decline in value that is other than temporary.
Other Investments. From time to time, the Company makes investments in start-ups, such as advertising technology and innovative consumer product companies, where the Company does not exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. Non-marketable equity investments do not have a readily determinable fair value and are recorded at cost, less any impairment, adjusted for qualifying observable investment balance changes. The carrying amount for these investments, which are included in Other assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $7,257 and $9,854, respectively.
The Company is required to measure these other investments at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value within net income or loss. For investments that don’t have readily determinable fair values, and don’t qualify for certain criteria, an alternative for measurement exists. The alternative is to measure these investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The Company has elected to measure these investments under the alternative method. The Company performs a qualitative assessment to review these investments for impairment by identifying any impairment indicators, such as significant deterioration of earnings or significant change in the industry. If the qualitative assessment indicates an investment is impaired, the Company estimates the fair value and reduces the carrying value of the investment down to its fair value with the loss recorded within net income or loss.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
2. Significant Accounting Policies - (continued)
Goodwill. Goodwill (the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired) acquired as a result of a business combination which is not subject to amortization is tested for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually as of October 1st of each year, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist.
For the annual impairment test, the Company has the option of assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value or performing a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Qualitative factors considered in the assessment include industry and market considerations, the competitive environment, overall financial performance, changing cost factors such as labor costs, and other factors specific to each reporting unit such as change in management or key personnel.
If the Company elects to perform the qualitative assessment and concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is more than its carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered impaired and the quantitative impairment test is not necessary. For reporting units for which the qualitative assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and for reporting units for which the qualitative assessment is not performed, the Company will perform the quantitative impairment test, which compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not considered impaired. However, if the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than the carrying amount of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. For the 2020 annual impairment test, the Company used an income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method. The income approach requires the exercise of significant judgment, including judgment about the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, assumed terminal value and appropriate discount rates.
The DCF estimates incorporate expected cash flows that represent a spectrum of the amount and timing of possible cash flows of each reporting unit from a market participant perspective. The expected cash flows are developed from the Company’s long-range planning process using projections of operating results and related cash flows based on assumed long-term growth rates, demand trends and appropriate discount rates based on a reporting unit’s WACC as determined by considering the observable WACC of comparable companies and factors specific to the reporting unit. The terminal value is estimated using a constant growth method which requires an assumption about the expected long-term growth rate. The estimates are based on historical data and experience, industry projections, economic conditions, and the Company’s expectations. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information regarding the Company’s impairment test.
Definite Lived Intangible Assets. Definite lived intangible assets are subject to amortization over their useful lives. The method of amortization selected reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the specific intangible asset is consumed or otherwise used. If that pattern cannot be reliably determined, a straight-line amortization method is used over the estimated useful life. Intangible assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for potential impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For the 2020 annual impairment test, the Company used an income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information.
Business Combinations. Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method and accordingly, the assets acquired (including identified intangible assets), the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquired business are recorded at their acquisition date fair values.
For each acquisition, the Company undertakes a detailed review to identify other intangible assets and a valuation is performed for all such identified assets. The Company uses several market participant measurements to determine the estimated value. This approach includes consideration of similar and recent transactions, as well as utilizing discounted expected cash flow methodologies. A substantial portion of the intangible assets value that the Company acquires is the specialized know-how of the workforce, which is treated as part of goodwill and is not required to be valued separately. The majority of the value of the identifiable intangible assets acquired is derived from customer relationships, including the related customer contracts, as well as trademarks.
Deferred Acquisition Consideration. Most acquisitions include an initial payment at the time of closing and provide for future additional contingent purchase price payments. Contingent purchase price obligations for these transactions are recorded as deferred acquisition consideration liabilities, and are derived from the projected performance of the acquired entity and are
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
2. Significant Accounting Policies - (continued)
based on predetermined formulas. These various contractual valuation formulas may be dependent on future events, such as the growth rate of the earnings of the relevant subsidiary during the contractual period. Contingent purchase price obligations are recorded as deferred acquisition consideration on the balance sheet at the acquisition date fair value and are remeasured at each reporting period. The liability is adjusted quarterly based on changes in current information affecting each subsidiary’s current operating results and the impact this information will have on future results included in the calculation of the estimated liability. In addition, changes in various contractual valuation formulas as well as adjustments to present value impact quarterly adjustments. These adjustments are recorded in the results of operations.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. Many of the Company’s acquisitions include contractual arrangements where the noncontrolling shareholders have an option to purchase, or may require the Company to purchase, such noncontrolling shareholders’ incremental ownership interests under certain circumstances. The Company has similar call options under the same contractual terms. The amount of consideration under these contractual arrangements is not a fixed amount, but rather is dependent upon various valuation formulas, such as the average earnings of the relevant subsidiary through the date of exercise or the growth rate of the earnings of the relevant subsidiary during that period. In the event that an incremental purchase may be required by the Company, the amounts are recorded as redeemable noncontrolling interests in mezzanine equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their acquisition date fair value and adjusted for changes to their estimated redemption value through Common stock and other paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (but not less than their initial redemption value), except for foreign currency translation adjustments. These adjustments will not impact the calculation of earnings (loss) per share if the redemption values are less than the estimated fair values. See Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for detail on the impact on the Company’s earnings (loss) per share calculation.
Subsidiary and Equity Investment Stock Transactions. Transactions involving the purchase, sale or issuance of stock of a subsidiary where control is maintained are recorded as a reduction in the redeemable noncontrolling interests or noncontrolling interests, as applicable. Any difference between the purchase price and noncontrolling interest is recorded to Common stock and other paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In circumstances where the purchase of shares of an equity investment results in obtaining control, the existing carrying value of the investment is remeasured to the acquisition date fair value and any gain or loss is recognized in the results of operations.
Revenue Recognition. The Company’s revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our clients, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information.
Cost of Services Sold. Cost of services sold primarily consists of staff costs, and does not include depreciation charges for fixed assets.
Interest Expense. The Company uses the effective interest method to amortize deferred financing costs and any original issue premium or discount, if applicable. The Company also uses the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, to amortize the deferred financing costs on the Credit Agreement.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records associated interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense.The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Management evaluates on a quarterly basis all available positive and negative evidence considering factors such as the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, taxable income in eligible carryback years, projected future taxable income, the character of the income tax asset, tax planning strategies, changes in tax laws and other factors. The periodic assessment of the net carrying value of the Company’s deferred tax assets under the applicable accounting rules requires significant management judgment. A change to any of these factors could impact the estimated valuation allowance and income tax expense.
Stock-Based Compensation. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at fair value at the date of grant and is expensed over the service period, generally the award’s vesting period. The Company uses its historical volatility derived over the expected term of the award to determine the volatility factor used in determining the fair value of the award. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.
Stock-based awards that are settled in cash or equity at the option of the Company are recorded at fair value on the date of grant. The fair value measurement of the compensation cost for these awards is based on using the Black-Scholes option
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
2. Significant Accounting Policies - (continued)
pricing-model or other acceptable method and is recorded in Operating income over the service period, in this case the award’s vesting period.
The Company has adopted the straight-line attribution method for determining the compensation cost to be recorded during each accounting period. The Company commences recording compensation expense related to awards that are based on performance conditions under the straight-line attribution method when it is probable that such performance conditions will be met.
From time to time, certain acquisitions and step-up transactions include an element of compensation related payments. The Company accounts for those payments as stock-based compensation.
Retirement Costs. Several of the Company’s subsidiaries offer employees access to certain defined contribution retirement programs. Under the defined contribution plans, these subsidiaries, in some cases, make annual contributions to participants’ accounts which are subject to vesting. The Company’s contribution expense pursuant to these plans was $8,203, $11,909 and $11,136 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The Company also has a defined benefit pension plan. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on the defined benefit plan.
Income (Loss) per Common Share. Basic income (loss) per common share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted income (loss) per common share is based on the above, in addition, if dilutive, common share equivalents, which include outstanding options, stock appreciation rights, and unvested restricted stock units. In periods of net loss, all potentially issuable common shares are excluded from diluted net loss per common share because they are anti-dilutive.
The Company has 145,000 authorized and issued convertible preference shares. The two-class method is applied to calculate basic net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. per common share in periods in which shares of convertible preference shares are outstanding, as shares of convertible preference shares are participating securities due to their dividend rights. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information. The two-class method is an earnings allocation method under which earnings per share is calculated for common stock considering a participating security’s rights to undistributed earnings as if all such earnings had been distributed during the period. Either the two-class method or the if-converted method is applied to calculate diluted net income per common share, depending on which method results in more dilution. The Company’s participating securities are not included in the computation of net loss per common share in periods of net loss because the convertible preference shareholders have no contractual obligation to participate in losses.
Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar; however, it has decided to use U.S. dollars as its reporting currency for consolidated reporting purposes. Generally, the Company’s subsidiaries use their local currency as their functional currency. Accordingly, the currency impacts of the translation of the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company and its non-U.S. dollar based subsidiaries to U.S. dollar statements are included as cumulative translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Translation of intercompany debt, which is not intended to be repaid, is included in cumulative translation adjustments. Cumulative translation adjustments are not included in net earnings (loss) unless they are actually realized through a sale or upon complete, or substantially complete, liquidation of the Company’s net investment in the foreign operation. Translation of current intercompany balances are included in net earnings (loss). The balance sheets of non-U.S. dollar based subsidiaries are translated at the period end rate. The Consolidated Statements of Operation of the Company and its non-U.S. dollar based subsidiaries are translated at average exchange rates for the period.
Gains and losses arising from the Company’s foreign currency transactions are reflected in net earnings. Unrealized gains or losses arising on the translation of certain intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature (that is settlement is not planned or anticipated in the future) are included as cumulative translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.
3. New Accounting Pronouncement
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes, to simplify the accounting for income taxes, including amending the rules for performing intra-period tax allocations and calculating income taxes in interim periods, the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill, as well as other amendments. ASU 2019-12 is effective January 1, 2021. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have a material effect on our results of operations and financial position.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
4. Acquisitions and Dispositions
2020 Acquisition
On July 1, 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 10% ownership interest of Veritas it did not already own for an aggregate purchase price of $2,187, of which $1,087 was a deferred cash payment. As a result of the transaction, the Company reduced noncontrolling and redeemable noncontrolling interests by $2,651. The difference between the purchase price and the noncontrolling interest of $464 was recorded in Common stock and other paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On March 19, 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 22.5% ownership interest of KWT Global it did not already own for an aggregate purchase price of $2,118, comprised of a closing cash payment of $729 and contingent deferred acquisition payments with an estimated present value at the acquisition date of $1,389. The contingent deferred payments are based on the financial results of the underlying business from 2019 to 2020 with final payment due in 2021. As a result of the transaction, the Company reduced redeemable noncontrolling interests by $1,615. The difference between the purchase price and the redeemable noncontrolling interest of $503 was recorded in Common stock and other paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
2020 Disposition
On February 14, 2020, the Company sold substantially all the assets and certain liabilities of Sloane and Company LLC (“Sloane”), an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, to an affiliate of The Stagwell Group LLC (“Stagwell”), for an aggregate sale price of $26,696, consisting of cash received at closing plus contingent deferred payments expected to be paid over the next two years. The sale resulted in a gain of $16,827, which is included in Other, net within the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Sloane was included within Allison & Partners which is included within the All Other category.
2019 Acquisitions
On November 15, 2019, the Company acquired the remaining 35% ownership interest of Laird + Partners it did not own for an aggregate purchase price of $2,389, comprised of a closing cash payment of $1,588 and contingent deferred acquisition payments with an estimated present value at the acquisition date of $801. The contingent deferred payments are based on the financial results of the underlying business from 2018 to 2020 with final payment due in 2021. As a result of the transaction, the Company reduced redeemable noncontrolling interests by $5,045. The difference between the purchase price and the redeemable noncontrolling interest of $2,656 was recorded in common stock and other paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Effective April 1, 2019, the Company acquired the remaining 35% ownership interest of HPR Partners LLC (Hunter) it did not own for an aggregate purchase price of $10,234, comprised of a closing cash payment of $3,890 and additional contingent deferred acquisition payments with an estimated present value at the acquisition date of $6,344. The contingent deferred payments are based on the financial results of the underlying business from 2018 to 2020 with final payment due in 2021. As a result of the transaction, the Company reduced redeemable noncontrolling interests by $9,486. The difference between the purchase price and the noncontrolling interest of $745 was recorded in common stock and other paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
2019 Disposition
On March 8, 2019, the Company consummated the sale of Kingsdale, an operating segment with operations in Toronto and New York City that provides shareholder advisory services. As consideration for the sale, the Company received cash plus the assumption of certain liabilities totaling approximately $50,000 in the aggregate. The sale resulted in a loss of approximately $3,000, which was included in Other, net within the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
5. Revenue
The Company’s revenue recognition policies are established in accordance with ASC 606, and accordingly, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our clients, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The MDC network provides an extensive range of services to our clients offering a variety of marketing and communication capabilities including strategy, creative and production for advertising campaigns across a variety of platforms (print, digital, social media, television broadcast), public relations services including strategy, editorial, crisis support or issues
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
5. Revenue - (continued)
management, media training, influencer engagement and events management. We also provide media buying and planning across a range of platforms (out-of-home, paid search, social media, lead generation, programmatic, television broadcast), experiential marketing and application/website design and development.
The primary source of the Company’s revenue is from agency arrangements in the form of fees for services performed, commissions, and from performance incentives or bonuses, depending on the terms of the client contract. In all circumstances, revenue is only recognized when collection is reasonably assured. Certain of the Company’s contractual arrangements have more than one performance obligation. For such arrangements, revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. Stand-alone selling prices are determined based on the prices charged to clients or using expected cost plus margin.
The determination of our performance obligations is specific to the services included within each contract. Based on a client’s requirements within the contract, and how these services are provided, multiple services could represent separate performance obligations or be combined and considered one performance obligation. Contracts that contain services that are not significantly integrated or interdependent, and that do not significantly modify or customize each other, are considered separate performance obligations. Typically, we consider media planning, media buying, creative (or strategy), production and experiential marketing services to be separate performance obligations if included in the same contract as each of these services can be provided on a stand-alone basis, and do not significantly modify or customize each other. Public relations services and application/website design and development are typically each considered one performance obligation as there is a significant integration of these services into a combined output.
We typically satisfy our performance obligations over time, as services are performed. Fees for services are typically recognized using input methods (direct labor hours, materials and third-party costs) that correspond with efforts incurred to date in relation to total estimated efforts to complete the contract. Point in time recognition primarily relates to certain commission-based contracts, which are recognized upon the placement of advertisements in various media when the Company has no further performance obligation.
Revenue is recognized net of sales and other taxes due to be collected and remitted to governmental authorities. The Company’s contracts typically provide for termination by either party within 30 to 90 days. Although payment terms vary by client, they are typically within 30 to 60 days. In addition, the Company generally has the right to payment for all services provided through the end of the contract or termination date.
Within each contract, we identify whether the Company is principal or agent at the performance obligation level. In arrangements where the Company has substantive control over the service before transferring it to the client, and is primarily responsible for integrating the services into the final deliverables, we act as principal. In these arrangements, revenue is recorded at the gross amount billed. Accordingly, for these contracts the Company has included reimbursed expenses in revenue. In other arrangements where a third-party supplier, rather than the Company, is primarily responsible for the integration of services into the final deliverables, and thus the Company is solely arranging for the third-party supplier to provide these services to our client, we generally act as agent and record revenue equal to the net amount retained, when the fee or commission is earned. The role of MDC’s agencies under a production services agreement is to facilitate a client’s purchasing of production capabilities from a third-party production company in accordance with the client’s strategy and guidelines. The obligation of MDC’s agencies under media buying services is to negotiate and purchase advertising media from a third-party media vendor on behalf of a client to execute its media plan. We do not obtain control prior to transferring these services to our clients; therefore, we primarily act as agent for production and media buying services.
A small portion of the Company’s contractual arrangements with clients include performance incentive provisions, which allow the Company to earn additional revenues as a result of its performance relative to both quantitative and qualitative goals. Incentive compensation is primarily estimated using the most likely amount method and is included in revenue up to the amount that is not expected to result in a reversal of a significant amount of cumulative revenue recognized. We recognize revenue related to performance incentives as we satisfy the performance obligation to which the performance incentives are related.
Disaggregated Revenue Data
The Company provides a broad range of services to a large base of clients across the full spectrum of industry verticals on a global basis. The primary source of revenue is from agency arrangements in the form of fees for services performed, commissions, and from performance incentives or bonuses. Certain clients may engage with the Company in various geographic locations, across multiple disciplines, and through multiple Partner Firms. Representation of a client rarely means
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
5. Revenue - (continued)
that MDC handles marketing communications for all brands or product lines of the client in every geographical location. The Company’s Partner firms often cooperate with one another through referrals and the sharing of both services and expertise, which enables MDC to service clients’ varied marketing needs by crafting custom integrated solutions. Additionally, the Company maintains separate, independent operating companies to enable it to effectively manage potential conflicts of interest by representing competing clients across the MDC network.
The following table presents revenue disaggregated by client industry vertical for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Industry Reportable Segment 2020 2019 2018
Food & Beverage All $ 205,939 $ 280,094 $ 313,368
Retail All 148,293 148,851 152,552
Consumer Products All 165,105 167,324 162,524
Communications All 77,443 184,870 178,410
Automotive All 67,339 78,985 88,807
Technology All 181,057 118,169 104,479
Healthcare All 100,727 102,221 127,547
Financials All 91,438 112,351 110,069
Transportation and Travel/Lodging All 44,510 88,958 86,419
Other All 117,160 133,980 150,913
$ 1,199,011 $ 1,415,803 $ 1,475,088
MDC has historically largely focused where the Company was founded in North America, the largest market for its services in the world. The Company has expanded its global footprint to support clients looking for help to grow their businesses in new markets. MDC’s Partner Firms are located in the United States, Canada, and an additional eleven countries around the world. In the past, some clients have responded to weakening economic conditions with reductions to their marketing budgets, which included discretionary components that are easier to reduce in the short term than other operating expenses.
The following table presents revenue disaggregated by geography for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Geographic Location Reportable Segment 2020 2019 2018
United States All $ 959,636 $ 1,116,045 $ 1,152,399
Canada All 81,930 105,067 124,001
Other All 157,445 194,691 198,688
$ 1,199,011 $ 1,415,803 $ 1,475,088
Contract assets and liabilities
Contract assets consist of fees and reimbursable outside vendor costs incurred on behalf of clients when providing advertising, marketing and corporate communications services that have not yet been invoiced to clients. Unbilled service fees were $49,110 and $65,004 at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and are included as a component of Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Outside vendor costs incurred on behalf of clients which have yet to be invoiced were $10,552 and $30,133 at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Expenditures billable to clients. Such amounts are invoiced to clients at various times over the course of providing services.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
5. Revenue - (continued)
Contract liabilities consist of fees billed to clients in excess of fees recognized as revenue and are classified as Advance billings and within Accruals and other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. In arrangements in which we are acting as an agent, the revenue recognition related to the contract liability is presented on a net basis within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Advance billings at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $152,956 and $171,742, respectively. The decrease in the advance billings balance of $18,786 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was primarily driven by cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, offset by $152,361 of revenues recognized that were included in the advance billings balances as of December 31, 2019 and reductions due to the incurrence of third-party costs. Contract liabilities classified within Accruals and other liabilities at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $112,755 and $216,931, respectively. The decrease in the balance of $104,176 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was primarily driven by cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, offset by $210,078 of revenues recognized that were included in the balance as of December 31, 2019 and reductions due to the incurrence of third-party costs.
Changes in the contract asset and liability balances during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were not materially impacted by write offs, impairment losses or any other factors.
The majority of our contracts are for periods of one year or less. For those contracts with a term of more than one year, we had approximately $6,105 of unsatisfied performance obligations as of December 31, 2020, of which we expect to recognize approximately 92% in 2021, and 8% in 2022.
6. Income (Loss) Per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per common share:
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. $ (228,971) $ (5,253) $ (130,007)
Accretion on convertible preference shares (14,179) (12,304) (8,355)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (243,150) $ (17,557) $ (138,362)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding 72,862,178 69,132,100 57,218,994
Dilutive effect of equity awards - - -
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding 72,862,178 69,132,100 57,218,994
Basic $ (3.34) $ (0.25) $ (2.42)
Diluted $ (3.34) $ (0.25) $ (2.42)
Anti-dilutive stock awards 5,341,846 5,450,426 1,442,518
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards of 642,837, 135,386 and 1,012,637 as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively, are excluded from the computation of diluted loss per common share because the performance contingency necessary for vesting has not been met as of the reporting date. In addition, there were 145,000, 145,000, and 95,000 Preference Shares outstanding which were convertible into 28,853,621, 26,656,285, and 10,970,714 Class A common shares at December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. These Preference Shares were anti-dilutive for each period presented in the table above and are therefore excluded from the diluted loss per common share calculation.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
7. Fixed Assets
The following is a summary of the Company’s fixed assets as of December 31:
2020 2019
Cost Accumulated Depreciation Net Book Value Cost Accumulated Depreciation Net Book Value
Computers, furniture and fixtures
$ 93,850 $ (74,766) $ 19,084 $ 93,224 $ (69,687) $ 23,537
Leasehold improvements
132,729 (61,400) 71,329 117,409 (59,892) 57,517
$ 226,579 $ (136,166) $ 90,413 $ 210,633 $ (129,579) $ 81,054
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $24,598, $25,133 and $27,111, respectively.
8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
As of December 31, goodwill was as follows:
Goodwill Integrated Networks - Group A Integrated Networks -Group B Media & Data Network All Other Total
Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 139,452 $ 267,059 $ 101,768 $ 224,473 $ 732,752
Acquired goodwill - 1,025 - - 1,025
Impairment loss recognized (4,879) - - - (4,879)
Transfer of goodwill between segments (1)
- (120) 3,612 (3,492) -
Foreign currency translation - 423 217 2,153 2,793
Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 134,573 $ 268,387 $ 105,597 $ 223,134 $ 731,691
Acquired goodwill - - - - -
Disposition - - - (7,074) (7,074)
Impairment loss recognized - (16,137) (5,287) (40,237) (61,661)
Transfer of goodwill between segments - 19,696 4,546 (24,242) -
Foreign currency translation - 212 538 4,505 5,255
Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 134,573 $ 272,158 $ 105,394 $ 156,086 $ 668,211
(1) Transfers of goodwill relate to changes in segments.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $61,661 to write-down the carrying value of goodwill in excess of the fair value at four reporting units, one in the Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment, one in Media & Data Network reportable segment and two within the All Other category.
As of December 31, 2020, there were two reporting units with negative net asset carrying value in the Integrated Networks - Group A reportable segment and the All Other category. The goodwill allocated to these reporting units is $14,854 and $5,479, respectively.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $4,879 to write-down the carrying value of goodwill in excess of the fair value at one reporting unit within the Integrated Networks - Group A.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized an impairment of goodwill and other assets of $87,204 primarily to write-down the carrying value of goodwill in excess of the fair value at three reporting units, one in each of the Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment, the Media & Data Network reportable segment and within the All Other category.
The total accumulated goodwill impairment charges as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, were $238,965 and $177,304, respectively.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets - (continued)
The gross and net amounts of acquired intangible assets other than goodwill as of December 31,
Intangible Assets 2020 2019
Trademark (indefinite life) $ - $ 14,600
Customer relationships - gross $ 52,594 $ 58,211
Less accumulated amortization (32,667) (32,671)
Customer relationships - net $ 19,927 $ 25,540
Trademarks (definite life) - gross $ 32,711 $ 28,695
Less accumulated amortization (18,794) (13,942)
Trademarks (definite life) - net $ 13,917 $ 14,753
Total intangible assets $ 85,305 $ 101,506
Less accumulated amortization (51,461) (46,613)
Total intangible assets - net $ 33,844 $ 54,893
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company reassessed its estimate of the useful life of a trademark in the amount of $14,600, acquired as a result of a business combination. The Company revised the useful life to five years from indefinite lived.
During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company recognized an impairment of two trademarks totaling $12,071, equal to the excess carrying value above the fair value for a reporting unit within the Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment and a reporting unit within the All Other category. The intangible assets impairment is included in Impairment and other losses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The weighted average amortization period for customer relationships is eight years and trademarks is nine years. In total, the weighted average amortization period is eight years. Amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $11,260, $11,828, and $17,290, respectively.
The estimated amortization expense for the five succeeding years is as follows:
Year Amortization
2021 $ 8,514
2022 8,062
2023 7,711
2024 4,558
Thereafter 4,999
9. Deferred Acquisition Consideration
Deferred acquisition consideration on the balance sheet consists of deferred obligations related to contingent and fixed purchase price payments, and to a lesser extent, contingent and fixed retention payments tied to continued employment of specific personnel. Contingent deferred acquisition consideration is recorded at the acquisition date fair value and adjusted at each reporting period through Operating income, for contingent purchase price payments, or net interest expense, for fixed purchase price payments. The Company accounts for retention payments, tied to continued employment, through Operating income as stock-based compensation over the required retention period.
The following table presents changes in contingent deferred acquisition consideration, which is measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, and a reconciliation to the amounts reported on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
9. Deferred Acquisition Consideration - (continued)
December 31,
2020 2019
Beginning balance of contingent payments $ 74,671 $ 82,598
Payments (46,792) (30,719)
Redemption value adjustments (1)
44,993 15,451
Additions - acquisitions and step-up transactions 7,703 7,145
Other 2,227 196
Ending balance of contingent payments $ 82,802 $ 74,671
Fixed payments 263 549
$ 83,065 $ 75,220
(1) Redemption value adjustments are fair value changes from the Company’s initial estimates of deferred acquisition payments and stock-based compensation charges relating to acquisition payments that are tied to continued employment. Redemption value adjustments are recorded within Office and general expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following table presents the impact to the Company’s Statements of operations due to the redemption value adjustments for the contingent deferred acquisition consideration for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
2020 2019
Loss attributable to fair value adjustments $ 42,187 $ 5,403
Stock-based compensation 2,806 10,048
Redemption value adjustments $ 44,993 $ 15,451
10. Leases
The Company leases office space in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. This space is primarily used for office and administrative purposes by the Company’s employees in performing professional services. These leases are classified as operating leases and expire between years 2021 through 2032. The Company’s finance leases are immaterial.
The Company’s leasing policies are established in accordance with ASC 842, and accordingly, the Company recognizes on the balance sheet at the time of lease commencement a right-of-use lease asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. Right-of-use lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. All right-of-use lease assets are reviewed for impairment. As the Company’s implicit rate in its leases is not readily determinable, in determining the present value of lease payments, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are comprised of noncancellable lease payments, payments based upon an index or rate, payments for optional renewal periods where it is reasonably certain the renewal period will be exercised, and payments for early termination options unless it is reasonably certain the lease will not be terminated early.
Lease costs are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful life of the asset.
Some of the Company’s leases contain variable lease payments, including payments based upon an index or rate. Variable lease payments based upon an index or rate are initially measured using the index or rate in effect at the lease commencement date and are included within the lease liabilities. Lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes in the index or rate, rather changes in these types of payments are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. In addition, some of our leases contain variable payments for utilities, insurance, real estate tax, repairs and maintenance, another variable operating expenses. Such amounts are not included in the measurement of the lease liability and are recognized in the period when the facts and circumstances on which the variable lease payments are based upon occur.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
10. Leases - (continued)
Some of the Company’s leases include options to extend or renew the lease through 2040. The renewal and extension options are not included in the lease term as the Company is not reasonably certain that it will exercise its option.
From time to time, the Company enters into sublease arrangements both with unrelated third parties and with our partner agencies. These leases are classified as operating leases and expire between 2021 through 2025. Sublease income is recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Currently, the Company subleases office space in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company has entered into three operating leases for which the commencement date has not yet occurred as the premises are in the process of being prepared for occupancy by the landlord. Accordingly, these three leases represent an obligation of the Company that is not reflected within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020. The aggregate future liability related to these leases is approximately $25,900.
The discount rate used for leases accounted for under ASC 842 is the Company’s collateralized credit adjusted borrowing rate.
The following table presents lease costs and other quantitative information for the twelve months ended December 31:
Twelve Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Lease Cost:
Operating lease cost $ 71,257 $ 67,044
Variable lease cost 14,640 18,879
Sublease rental income (11,329) (8,965)
Total lease cost $ 74,568 $ 76,958
Additional information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities for operating leases
Operating cash flows $ 70,277 $ 69,735
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities and other non-cash adjustments $ 45,663 $ 269,801
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) - Operating leases 7.2 5.3
Weighted average discount rate - Operating leases 10.6 8.6
In the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a charge of $22,667, of which $9,969 was to reduce the carrying value of its right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements of certain of its agencies within its Integrated Networks - Group A and Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segments and leased space of Corporate. The remaining $12,698 was related to the acceleration of the variable lease expenses associated with the exit of properties in New York as part of the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio. The Company evaluated the facts and circumstances related to the use of the assets which indicated that they may not be recoverable. Using adjusted quoted market prices to develop expected future cash flows, it was determined that the fair value of the assets were less than their carrying value. This impairment charge is included in Impairment and other losses within the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
In the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $3,700 to reduce the carrying value of four of its right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements.
Operating lease expense is included in Office and general expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company’s lease expense for leases with a term of 12 months or less is immaterial.
Rental expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $65,093, offset by $3,671, in sublease rental income.
The following table presents minimum future rental payments under the Company’s leases at December 31, 2020 and their reconciliation to the corresponding lease liabilities:
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
10. Leases - (continued)
Maturity Analysis
2021 $ 68,375
2022 60,252
2023 56,842
2024 49,909
2025 38,880
2026 and thereafter 150,950
Total 425,208
Less: Present value discount (136,757)
Lease liability $ 288,451
11. Debt
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s indebtedness was comprised as follows:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Revolving credit agreement $ - $ -
Senior Notes 870,256 900,000
Debt issuance costs (27,072) (12,370)
$ 843,184 $ 887,630
Interest expense related to long-term debt for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $59,147, $62,210 and $64,420, respectively.
The amortization of debt issuance costs included in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $3,529, $3,346 and 3,193, respectively.
The revolving credit agreement is a variable rate debt, the carrying value of which approximates fair value. The Company’s Senior Notes are a fixed rate debt instrument recorded at carrying value.
Senior Notes
On March 23, 2016, MDC entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) among MDC, its existing and future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee, are co-borrowers under, or grant liens to secure, the Credit Agreement (as defined below), as guarantors (the “Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, relating to the issuance by MDC of $900,000 aggregate principal amount of the senior notes due 2024 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were sold in a private placement in reliance on exceptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Senior Notes bear interest, payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1, at a rate of 7.50% per annum. The Senior Notes mature on May 1, 2024, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased.
In April 2020, the Company repurchased $29,744 of the Senior Notes, at a weighted average price equal to 73.9% of the principal amount totaling $21,999, and accrued interest of $946. As a result of the repurchase, we recognized an extinguishment gain of $7,388.
In connection with the Consent and Support Agreements, beginning December 21, 2020, the Company began to accrue interest at a rate of 7.50% and accrued $17.4 million for the 2% consent fees. The consent fees were capitalized as an offset to the carrying value of the Senior Notes and will be recognized through interest expense over the remaining maturity term of the Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of MDC’s existing and future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee, are co-borrowers under, or grant liens to secure, the Credit Agreement. The Senior Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of MDC and rank (i) equally in right of payment with all of MDC’s or any Guarantor’s existing and future senior indebtedness, (ii) senior in right of payment to MDC’s or any Guarantor’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness, (iii) effectively subordinated to all of MDC’s or any Guarantor’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
11. Debt - (continued)
extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness, including the Credit Agreement, and (iv) structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of MDC’s subsidiaries that are not Guarantors.
MDC may, at its option, redeem the Senior Notes in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at varying prices based on the timing of the redemption.
If MDC experiences certain kinds of changes of control (as defined in the Indenture), holders of the Senior Notes may require MDC to repurchase any Senior Notes held by them at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, if MDC sells assets under certain circumstances, it must apply the proceeds from such sale and offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The Indenture includes covenants that, among other things, restrict MDC’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; pay dividends on or redeem or repurchase the capital stock of MDC; make certain types of investments; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts from MDC’s restricted subsidiaries; sell assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; create liens; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of MDC’s assets to, another person. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. The Senior Notes are also subject to customary events of default, including a cross-payment default and cross-acceleration provision. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2020.
Revolving Credit Agreement
The Company is party to a $211,500 secured revolving credit facility due February 3, 2022. The Company had no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
On May 29, 2020, the Company, Maxxcom Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“Maxxcom”), and each of their subsidiaries party thereto entered into an amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the existing senior secured revolving credit facility, dated as of May 3, 2016 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, Maxxcom, each of their subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as agent (“Wells Fargo”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto. Advances under the Credit Agreement are to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.
The Second Amendment reduced the aggregate maximum amount of revolving commitments provided by the lenders to $211,500 from $250,000, extended the maturity date of the Credit Agreement from May 3, 2021 to February 3, 2022, and expanded the eligibility criteria for certain of the Company’s receivables to be included in the borrowing base.
Advances under the Credit Agreement, as amended by the Second Amendment, will bear interest as follows: (i) Non-Prime Rate Loans bear interest at the Non-Prime Rate plus the Non-Prime Rate Margin and (ii) all other Obligations bear interest at the Prime Rate, plus the Prime Rate Margin. The Non-Prime Rate Margin and Prime Rate Margin will range from 2.50% to 3.00% for Non-Prime Rate Loans and from 1.75% to 2.25% for Prime Rate Loans. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Credit Agreement, MDC is required to pay an unused revolver fee to lenders under the Credit Agreement in respect of unused commitments thereunder.
The Second Amendment increased the required minimum earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization from $105,000 to $120,000 measured on a trailing 12-month basis. The total leverage ratio applicable on each testing date through the period ending December 31, 2020 remained at 6.25:1.0. The total leverage ratio applicable on each testing date after December 31, 2020 will be 5.5:1.0.
The Credit Agreement, which includes financial and non-financial covenants, is guaranteed by substantially all of MDC’s present and future subsidiaries, other than immaterial subsidiaries and subject to customary exceptions, and collateralized by a portion of MDC’s outstanding receivable balance. The Company was in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of its Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020.
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had issued undrawn outstanding letters of credit of $18,651 and $4,836, respectively.
Future Principal Repayments
Future principal repayments on the Senior Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $870,256 are due in 2024.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
12. Employee Benefit Plans
A subsidiary of the Company, sponsors a defined benefit plan with benefits based on each employee’s years of service and compensation. The benefits under the defined benefit pension plan are frozen.
Net Periodic Pension Cost and Pension Benefit Obligation
Net periodic pension cost consists of the following components for the years ended December 31:
Pension Benefits
2020 2019 2018
Service cost $ - $ - $ -
Interest cost on benefit obligation 1,426 1,640 1,641
Expected return on plan assets (1,924) (1,604) (1,948)
Curtailment and settlements 2,333 626 1,039
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses 340 266 258
Net periodic benefit cost $ 2,175 $ 928 $ 990
The above costs are included within Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine net periodic costs at December 31:
Pension Benefits
2020 2019 2018
Discount rate 3.39 % 4.42 % 3.83 %
Expected return on plan assets 7.00 % 7.00 % 7.00 %
Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A N/A
The expected return on plan assets is a long-term assumption established by considering historical and anticipated returns of the asset classes invested in by the pension plan and the allocation strategy currently in place among those classes.
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligation recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following components for the years ended December 31:
Pension Benefits
2020 2019 2018
Current year actuarial (gain) loss $ 2,213 $ 2,917 $ (520)
Amortization of actuarial loss (340) (266) (258)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss 1,873 2,651 (778)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss $ 4,048 $ 3,579 $ 212
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
12. Employee Benefit Plans - (continued)
The following table summarizes the change in benefit obligations and fair values of plan assets for the years ended December 31:
2020 2019 2018
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, Beginning balance $ 43,012 $ 37,938 $ 43,750
Interest Cost 1,426 1,640 1,641
Actuarial (gains) losses 5,301 6,127 (3,522)
Benefits paid (6,728) (2,693) (3,931)
Benefit obligation, Ending balance 43,011 43,012 37,938
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, Beginning balance 27,206 23,181 27,977
Actual return on plan assets 2,678 4,188 (2,093)
Employer contributions 2,325 2,530 1,228
Benefits paid (6,728) (2,693) (3,931)
Fair value of plan assets, Ending balance 25,481 27,206 23,181
Unfunded status $ 17,530 $ 15,806 $ 14,757
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet at December 31 consist of the following:
Pension Benefits
2020 2019
Non-current liability $ 17,530 $ 15,806
Net amount recognized $ 17,530 $ 15,806
Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss before income taxes consists of the following components for the years ended December 31:
Pension Benefits
2020 2019
Accumulated net actuarial losses $ 17,403 $ 15,530
Amount recognized $ 17,403 $ 15,530
In 2021, the Company estimates that it will recognize $413 of amortization of net actuarial losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net into net periodic cost related to the pension plan.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31:
Pension Benefits
2020 2019
Discount rate 2.55 % 3.39 %
Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A
The discount rate assumptions at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were determined independently. The discount rate was derived from the effective interest rate of a hypothetical portfolio of high-quality bonds, whose cash flows match the expected future benefit payments from the plan as of the measurement date.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
12. Employee Benefit Plans - (continued)
Fair Value of Plan Assets and Investment Strategy
The fair value of the plan assets as of December 31, is as follows:
December 31, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Asset Category:
Money market fund - Short term investments $ 1,039 $ 1,039 $ - $ -
Mutual funds 24,442 24,442 - -
Total $ 25,481 $ 25,481 $ - $ -
December 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Asset Category:
Money market fund - Short term investments $ 1,275 $ 1,275 $ - $ -
Mutual funds 25,931 25,931 - -
Total $ 27,206 $ 27,206 $ - $ -
The pension plans weighted-average asset allocation for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Target Allocation Actual Allocation
2020 2020 2019
Asset Category:
Equity securities 65.0 % 69.0 % 66.7 %
Debt securities 30.0 % 27.0 % 28.6 %
Cash/cash equivalents and Short term investments 5.0 % 4.0 % 4.7 %
100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
The goals of the pension plan investment program are to fully fund the obligation to pay retirement benefits in accordance with the plan documents and to provide returns that, along with appropriate funding from the Company, maintain an asset/liability ratio that is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and assures timely payment of retirement benefits.
Equity securities primarily include investments in large-cap and mid-cap companies located in the United States. Debt securities are diversified across different asset types with bonds issued in the United States as well as outside the United States. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the preceding tables.
Cash Flows
The pension plan contributions are deposited into a trust, and the pension plan benefit payments are made from trust assets. During 2020, the Company contributed $2,325 to the pension plan. The Company estimates that it will make approximately $2,415 in contributions to the pension plan in 2021. Fluctuations in actual market returns as well as changes in general interest rates will result in changes in the market value of plan assets and may result in increased or decreased retirement benefit costs and contributions in future periods.
The following estimated benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the years ending December 31:
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
12. Employee Benefit Plans - (continued)
Period Amount
2021 $ 1,802
2022 1,769
2023 1,983
2024 2,231
2025 2,171
Thereafter 10,796
13. Noncontrolling and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
When acquiring less than 100% ownership of an entity, the Company may enter into agreements that give the Company an option to purchase, or require the Company to purchase, the incremental ownership interests under certain circumstances. Where the option to purchase the incremental ownership is within the Company’s control, the amounts are recorded as noncontrolling interests in the equity section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Where the incremental purchase may be required of the Company, the amounts are recorded as redeemable noncontrolling interests in mezzanine equity at their estimated acquisition date redemption value and adjusted at each reporting period for changes to their estimated redemption value through common stock and other paid-in capital (but not less than their initial redemption value), except for foreign currency translation adjustments. On occasion, the Company may initiate a renegotiation to acquire an incremental ownership interest and the amount of consideration paid may differ materially from the amounts recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in amounts due to noncontrolling interest holders included in Accruals and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Noncontrolling
Interests
Balance, December 31, 2018 $ 9,278
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests 16,156
Distributions made (11,392)
Other (14)
Balance, December 31, 2019 $ 14,028
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests 21,774
Distributions made (15,192)
Other 94
Balance, December 31, 2020 $ 20,704
Changes in the Company’s ownership interests in our less than 100% owned subsidiaries during the three years ended December 31, were as follows:
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
13. Noncontrolling & Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - (continued)
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. $ (228,971) $ (5,253) $ (130,007)
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Increase in MDC Partners Inc. paid-in capital for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 1,626 1,911 10,140
Net transfers from noncontrolling interests $ 1,626 $ 1,911 $ 10,140
Change from net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. and transfers to noncontrolling interests $ (227,345) $ (3,342) $ (119,867)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
The following table presents changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Beginning Balance $ 36,973 $ 51,546
Redemptions (12,289) (14,530)
Granted - -
Changes in redemption value 2,800 (3,163)
Currency translation adjustments (347) 3
Other - 3,117
Ending Balance $ 27,137 $ 36,973
The noncontrolling shareholders’ ability to exercise any such option right is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including conditions requiring notice in advance of exercise and specific employment termination conditions. In addition, these rights cannot be exercised prior to specified staggered exercise dates. The exercise of these rights at their earliest contractual date would result in obligations of the Company to fund the related amounts during 2021 to 2025. It is not determinable, at this time, if or when the owners of these rights will exercise all or a portion of these rights.
The redeemable noncontrolling interest of $27,137 as of December 31, 2020, consists of $17,184 assuming that the subsidiaries perform over the relevant future periods at their discounted cash flows earnings level and such rights are exercised, $9,953 upon termination of such owner’s employment with the applicable subsidiary or death and $0 representing the initial redemption value (required floor) recorded for certain acquisitions in excess of the amount the Company would have to pay should the Company acquire the remaining ownership interests for such subsidiaries.
These adjustments will not impact the calculation of earnings (loss) per share if the redemption values are less than the estimated fair values. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, there was no related impact on the Company’s loss per share calculation.
14. Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees
Legal Proceedings. The Company’s operating entities are involved in legal proceedings of various types. Significant judgment is required to determine both likelihood of there being and the estimated amount of a loss related to such matters. Additionally, while any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, the Company has no reason to believe that the outcome of such proceedings or claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
Deferred Acquisition Consideration and Options to Purchase. See Notes 9 and 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for information regarding potential payments associated with deferred acquisition consideration and the acquisition of noncontrolling shareholders’ ownership interest in subsidiaries.
Natural Disasters. Certain of the Company’s operations are located in regions of the United States which typically are subject to hurricanes. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 these operations did not incur any material costs related to damages resulting from hurricanes.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
14. Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees - (continued)
Guarantees. Generally, the Company has indemnified the purchasers of certain assets in the event that a third party asserts a claim against the purchaser that relates to a liability retained by the Company. These types of indemnification guarantees typically extend for a number of years. Historically, the Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees. The Company continues to monitor the conditions that are subject to guarantees and indemnifications to identify whether it is probable that a loss has occurred and would recognize any such losses under any guarantees or indemnifications in the period when those losses are probable and estimable.
Commitments. At December 31, 2020, the Company had $18,651 of undrawn letters of credit.
The Company entered into operating leases for which the commencement date has not yet occurred as of December 31, 2020. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information.
15. Share Capital
The authorized and outstanding share capital of the Company is as follows:
Series 6 Convertible Preference Shares
On March 14, 2019 (the “Series 6 Issue Date”), the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Stagwell Agency Holdings LLC (“Stagwell Holdings”), an affiliate of Stagwell, pursuant to which Stagwell Holdings agreed to purchase (i) 14,285,714 newly authorized Class A shares (the “Stagwell Class A Shares”) for an aggregate contractual purchase price of $50,000 and (ii) 50,000 newly authorized Series 6 convertible preference shares (“Series 6 Preference Shares”) for an aggregate contractual purchase price of $50,000. The Company received proceeds of approximately $98,620, net of fees and estimated expenses, which were primarily used to pay down existing debt under the Company’s credit facility and for general corporate purposes. The proceeds allocated to the Stagwell Class A Shares were $35,997 and to Series 6 Preference Shares were $62,623 based on their relative fair value calculated by utilizing a Monte Carlo Simulation model. In connection with the closing of the transaction, the Company increased the size of its Board and appointed two nominees designated by Stagwell Holdings. Except as required by law, the Series 6 Preference Shares do not have voting rights and are not redeemable at the option of Stagwell Holdings.
The holders of the Series 6 Preference Shares have the right to convert their Series 6 Preference Shares in whole at any time and from time to time, and in part at any time and from time to time, into a number of Class A Shares equal to the then-applicable liquidation preference divided by the applicable conversion price at such time (the “Conversion Price”). The initial liquidation preference per share of each Series 6 Preference Share is $1,000. The initial Conversion Price is $5.00 per Series 6 Preference Share, subject to customary adjustments for share splits and combinations, dividends, recapitalizations and other matters, including weighted average anti-dilution protection for certain issuances of equity or equity-linked securities.
The Series 6 Preference Shares’ liquidation preference accretes at 8.0% per annum, compounded quarterly until the five-year anniversary of the Series 6 Issue Date. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Series 6 Preference Shares accreted at a monthly rate of $7.54 and $6.96 per Series 6 Preference Share, for total accretion of $4,390 and $3,261, respectively, bringing the aggregate liquidation preference to $57,651 as of December 31, 2020. The accretion is considered in the calculation of net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders.
Holders of the Series 6 Preference Shares are entitled to dividends in an amount equal to any dividends that would otherwise have been payable on the Class A Shares issued upon conversion of the Series 6 Preference Shares. The Series 6 Preference Shares are convertible at the Company’s option (i) on and after the two-year anniversary of the Series 6 Issue Date, if the closing trading price of the Class A Shares over a specified period prior to conversion is at least 125% of the Conversion Price or (ii) after the fifth anniversary of the Issue Date, if the closing trading price of the Class A Shares over a specified period prior to conversion is at least equal to the Conversion Price.
Following certain change in control transactions of the Company in which holders of Series 6 Preference Shares are not entitled to receive cash or qualifying listed securities with a value at least equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends, (i) holders will be entitled to cash dividends on the liquidation preference at an increasing rate (beginning at 7%), and (ii) the Company will have a right to redeem the Series 6 Preference Shares for cash at the greater of their liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends or their as-converted value.
Series 4 Convertible Preference Shares
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
15. Share Capital - (continued)
On March 7, 2017 (the “Series 4 Issue Date”), the Company issued 95,000 newly created Preference Shares (“Series 4 Preference Shares”) to affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (collectively, the “Purchaser”) pursuant to a $95,000 private placement. The Company received proceeds of approximately $90,123, net of fees and estimated expenses, which were primarily used to pay down existing debt under the Company’s credit facility and for general corporate purposes. In connection with the closing of the transaction, the Company increased the size of its Board and appointed one nominee designated by the Purchaser. Except as required by law, the Series 4 Preference Shares do not have voting rights and are not redeemable at the option of the Purchaser. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding revised terms of the Series 4 Preference Shares subject to closing of the combination between MDC and the Stagwell Entities.
Subsequent to the ninetieth day following the Series 4 Issue Date, the holders of the Series 4 Preference Shares have the right to convert their Series 4 Preference Shares in whole at any time and from time to time and in part at any time and from time to time into a number of Class A Shares equal to the then-applicable liquidation preference divided by the applicable conversion price at such time (the “Conversion Price”). The initial liquidation preference per share of each Series 4 Preference Share is $1,000. The Conversion Price of a Series 4 Preference Share is subject to customary adjustments for share splits and combinations, dividends, recapitalizations and other matters, including weighted average anti-dilution protection for certain issuances of equity or equity-linked securities. In connection with the anti-dilution protection provision triggered by the issuance of equity securities to Stagwell Holdings, the Conversion Price per Series 4 Preference Share was reduced to $7.42 from the initial Conversion Price of $10.00.
The Series 4 Preference Shares’ liquidation preference accretes at 8.0% per annum, compounded quarterly until the five-year anniversary of the Series 4 Issue Date. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Series 4 Preference Shares accreted at a monthly rate of approximately $8.84 and $8.17 per Series 4 Preference Share, for total accretion of $9,789 and $9,043, respectively, bringing the aggregate liquidation preference to $128,539 as of December 31, 2020. The accretion is considered in the calculation of net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders.
Holders of the Series 4 Preference Shares are entitled to dividends in an amount equal to any dividends that would otherwise have been payable on the Class A Shares issued upon conversion of the Series 4 Preference Shares. The Series 4 Preference Shares are convertible at the Company’s option (i) on and after the two-year anniversary of the Issue Date, if the closing trading price of the Class A Shares over a specified period prior to conversion is at least 125% of the Conversion Price or (ii) after the fifth anniversary of the Series 4 Issue Date, if the closing trading price of the Class A Shares over a specified period prior to conversion is at least equal to the Conversion Price.
Following certain change in control transactions of the Company in which holders of Series 4 Preference Shares are not entitled to receive cash or qualifying listed securities with a value at least equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends, (i) holders will be entitled to cash dividends on the liquidation preference at an increasing rate (beginning at 7%), and (ii) the Company will have a right to redeem the Series 4 Preference Shares for cash at the greater of their liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends or their as-converted value.
Class A Common Shares (“Class A Shares”)
These are an unlimited number of subordinate voting shares, carrying one vote each, with a par value of $0, entitled to dividends equal to or greater than Class B Shares, convertible at the option of the holder into one Class B Share for each Class A Share after the occurrence of certain events related to an offer to purchase all Class B shares. There were 73,529,105 and 72,150,854 Class A Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Class B Common Shares (“Class B Shares”)
These are an unlimited number of voting shares, carrying twenty votes each, with a par value of $0, convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one Class A share for each Class B share. There were 3,743 and 3,749 Class B Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Shares-based Awards
As of December 31, 2020, a total of 18,150,000 shares have been authorized under our employee stock incentive plans, of which 5,108,583 remain available to be issued for future awards.
The following tables summarize share-based activity of awards authorized under our employee stock incentive plans and awards (such as inducement awards) and other share-based commitments that have met the requirements to be issued separate from shareholder-approved stock incentive plans.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
15. Share Capital - (continued)
The following table summarizes information about financial performance based and time based restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards:
Performance-Based Awards Time-Based Awards
Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair
Value Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2019 2,443,801 $ 3.11 568,960 $ 5.53
Granted 685,369 2.19 1,741,280 1.97
Vested (555,226) 2.96 (1,031,159) 3.39
Forfeited (336,950) 3.07 (141,821) 3.32
Balance at December 31, 2020 2,236,994 $ 3.37 1,137,260 $ 2.29
Performance based and time-based awards granted in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 had a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.08 and $2.54, respectively. Performance based and time-based awards granted in December 31, 2018 had a weighted average grant date fair value of $9.17 and $7.38, respectively. The vesting of the performance-based awards is contingent upon the Company meeting cumulative earnings targets over one to three years and continued employment through the vesting date. The term of the time-based awards is generally three years with vesting up to generally three years. The vesting period of the time-based and performance awards is generally commensurate with the requisite service period.
The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, which vested during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $5,138, $4,517 and $3,583, respectively. At December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining contractual life for time based and performance-based awards was 1.07 and 1.82 years, respectively.
At December 31, 2020, the unrecognized compensation expense for performance-based awards was $3,976 to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.82 years. At December 31, 2020, the unrecognized compensation expense for time-based awards was $570 to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.07 years.
The following table summarizes information about share option awards:
Share Option Awards
Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at December 31, 2019 111,866 $ 2.23 $ 4.85
Granted - - -
Forfeited (111,866) 2.23 4.85
Exercised - - -
Balance at December 31, 2020 - $ - $ -
We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted. No options were granted in 2020 and 2019.
The grant date fair value of the options granted in 2018 was determined to be $2.23. The assumptions for the model were as follows: expected life of 4.9 years, risk free interest rate of 2.9%, expected volatility of 52.9% and dividend yield of 0%. Options granted in 2018 vest in 3 years. The term of these awards is 5 years. The vesting period of these awards is generally commensurate with the requisite service period. These awards were all forfeited in 2020.
No options were exercised during 2020, 2019 and 2018. There are no options outstanding as of December 31, 2020. No options vested in 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The following table summarizes information about stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) awards:
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
15. Share Capital - (continued)
SAR Awards
Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at December 31, 2019 2,325,800 $ 1.14 $ 3.07
Granted - - -
Forfeited (250,000) 0.73 5.00
Exercised - - -
Balance at December 31, 2020 2,075,800 $ 1.19 $ 2.84
We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of the SAR awards. No SAR awards were granted in 2020. SAR awards granted in 2019 vest in equal installments on each of the first 3 anniversaries of the grant date and have grant date fair values ranging from $0.68 to $1.41. The assumptions for the model were as follows: expected life of 3 to 4 years, risk free interest rate of 1.8% to 2.3%, expected volatility of 62.5% to 67.1% and dividend yield of 0%. The term of these awards is 5 years. The vesting period of awards granted is generally commensurate with the requisite service period.
No SAR awards were granted in 2018.
As of December 31, 2020, 775,800 SAR awards vested and were exercisable. The aggregate intrinsic value of the SAR awards outstanding as of December 31, 2020 is $480. No SAR awards were exercised during 2020, 2019 and 2018. No SAR awards vested in 2019 and 2018. At December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining contractual life for the SAR awards was 0.8 years.
At December 31, 2020, the unrecognized compensation expense for these awards was $402 to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.8 years.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, $5,774, $2,460, and $5,892 was recognized in stock compensation related to all stock compensation awards, respectively. The related income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $0, $643, and $472, respectively.
16. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the twelve months ended December 31 were:
Defined
Benefit
Pension Foreign Currency Translation Total
Balance December 31, 2018 $ (13,101) $ 17,821 $ 4,720
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications - (7,078) (7,078)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $740) (1,911) - (1,911)
Other comprehensive income (1,911) (7,078) (8,989)
Balance December 31, 2019 $ (15,012) $ 10,743 $ (4,269)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications - 8,362 8,362
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $519) (1,354) - (1,354)
Other comprehensive loss (1,354) 8,362 7,008
Balance December 31, 2020 $ (16,366) $ 19,105 $ 2,739
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
17. Income Taxes
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act includes provisions relating to delaying certain payroll tax payments, refundable payroll tax credits, net operating loss carryback periods, modifications to the net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to the tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The tax law changes in the CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company’s income tax provision.
The components of the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates by taxing jurisdiction for the years ended December 31, were:
2020 2019 2018
Income (Loss):
U.S. $ (73,227) $ (17,491) $ (76,960)
Non-U.S. (15,175) 38,358 (11,709)
$ (88,402) $ 20,867 $ (88,669)
The provision (benefit) for income taxes by taxing jurisdiction for the years ended December 31, were:
2020 2019 2018
Current tax provision
U.S. federal $ 3,016 $ 2,638 $ 444
U.S. state and local 742 12 2
Non-U.S. 4,241 2,875 7,584
7,999 5,525 8,030
Deferred tax provision (benefit):
U.S. federal 75,686 4,635 (10,817)
U.S. state and local 34,404 1,130 (3,476)
Non-U.S. (1,534) (974) 35,878
108,556 4,791 21,585
Income tax expense (benefit) $ 116,555 $ 10,316 $ 29,615
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
17. Income Taxes - (continued)
A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) using the U.S. federal income tax rate compared with actual income tax expense for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
2020 2019 2018
Income (loss) before income taxes, equity in non-consolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest $ (88,402) $ 20,867 $ (88,669)
Statutory income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
Tax expense (benefit) using U.S. statutory income tax rate (18,564) 4,382 (18,621)
State and foreign taxes (3,486) 1,496 (3,944)
Non-deductible stock-based compensation 1,162 3,823 1,512
Global intangible low-taxed income 1,363 1,147 710
Base erosion and anti-abuse tax 4,697 2,504 389
Other non-deductible expense 1,043 273 1,388
Change to valuation allowance 128,938 (2,830) 49,482
Effect of the difference in U.S. federal and local statutory rates 67 1,422 (152)
Noncontrolling interests (4,649) (3,566) (2,674)
Other impacts of foreign operations 1,160 2,724 612
Impact of goodwill impairments 10,158 436 8,703
Adjustments to accrued taxes in previous periods 4,641 (3,544) 1,192
Adjustment to deferred tax balances* (9,999) 1,920 (8,845)
Other, net 24 129 (137)
Income tax expense (benefit) $116,555 $10,316 $29,615
Effective income tax rate (131.8)% 49.4% (33.4)%
*Adjustments to deferred tax balances in 2020 are primarily offset by changes to valuation allowance.
Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $116,555 (associated with a pre-tax loss of $88,402) compared to an income tax expense of $10,316 (associated with pre-tax income of $20,867) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Income tax expense in 2020 included the impact of increasing valuation allowance primarily associated with U.S. deferred tax assets and the impact of non-deductible goodwill impairments of foreign operations. Income tax expense in 2019 included the impact of base erosion and anti-abuse tax and non-deductible stock compensation offset by a reduction in valuation allowance primarily associated with Canadian deferred tax assets.
Income taxes receivable were $1,480 and $5,025 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and were included in other current assets on the balance sheet. Income taxes payable were $9,238 and $11,722 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and were included in accrued and other liabilities on the balance sheet. It is the Company’s policy to classify interest and penalties arising in connection with unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
17. Income Taxes - (continued)
The tax effects of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, were as follows:
2020 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Accounting reserves and other $ 20,831 $ 10,987
Net operating loss carryforwards 47,139 60,705
Interest deductions 20,819 16,797
Refinancing charge - 669
Goodwill and intangibles 122,045 117,421
Stock compensation 1,693 1,736
Pension plan 4,856 4,414
Unrealized foreign exchange 11,995 11,373
Capital loss carryforwards 13,657 13,081
Lease liabilities 77,870 76,397
Gross deferred tax asset 320,905 313,580
Less: valuation allowance (198,452) (65,649)
Net deferred tax assets 122,453 247,931
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right-of-use assets $ (57,890) $ (67,613)
Refinancing charge (1,675) -
Withholding taxes (475) (546)
Capital assets (1,893) (382)
Goodwill amortization (88,326) (98,677)
Total deferred tax liabilities (150,259) (167,218)
Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (27,806) $ 80,713
Deferred tax assets $ 179 $ 84,900
Deferred tax liabilities (27,985) (4,187)
$ (27,806) $ 80,713
The Company has net operating loss carryforwards of $229,224 which expire in years 2021 through 2040. These definite lived net operating loss carryforwards consist of $1,533 relating to U.S. federal, $132,655 relating to U.S. states, and $95,036 relating to non-U.S. The Company also has indefinite net operating loss carryforwards of $122,299. These indefinite loss carryforwards consist of $42,003 relating to the U.S. federal, $69,967 relating to U.S. states, and $10,329 relating to non-U.S. In addition, the Company has indefinite capital loss carryforwards of $103,074 in Canada and foreign tax credit carryforwards in the U.S. of $5,460 which expire in years 2024 through 2027.
The Company maintained a valuation allowance of $198,452 as of December 31, 2020 relating to both U.S. and foreign deferred tax assets, and $65,649 as of December 31, 2019 relating to foreign deferred tax assets.
The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Management evaluates all positive and negative evidence and considers factors such as the reversal of taxable temporary differences, taxable income in eligible carryback years, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. A change to these factors could impact the estimated valuation allowance and income tax expense.
In 2020, the Company’s evaluation resulted in the recognition of a valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets. Given a three-year U.S. cumulative pre-tax loss as of December 31, 2020 and other factors, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that such U.S. deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2020
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
17. Income Taxes - (continued)
included a charge of approximately $129 million in connection with the change in the valuation allowance, which primarily relates to the U.S.
The Company has historically asserted that its unremitted foreign earnings are permanently reinvested except for certain international entities. The Company has provided $475 and $546 as an estimate of the tax costs of repatriation with respect to $4,745 and $5,462 of undistributed foreign earnings from certain international entities that are not subject to the permanent reinvestment assertion as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. We have not changed our permanent reinvestment assertion with respect to any other international entities as we intend to use the related historical earnings and profits to fund international operations and investments, and therefore have not recorded income taxes on such amounts.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits as well as applicable penalties and interest in the amount of $1,066 and $1,107, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, accrued penalties and interest included in unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $135 and $111, respectively. If these unrecognized tax benefits were to be recognized, it would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.
2020 2019 2018
A reconciliation of the change in unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
Unrecognized tax benefit - Beginning Balance $ 996 $ 887 $ 1,433
Current year positions 581 275 -
Prior period positions - - 7
Settlements - - (314)
Lapse of statute of limitations (170) (166) (239)
Unrecognized tax benefits - Ending Balance $ 1,407 $ 996 $ 887
The Company has presented $477 of the unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2020 as a reduction to the deferred tax asset.
It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by a range of $400 to $500 in the next twelve months as a result of expiration of certain statute of limitations.
The Company is subject to taxation and files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations for tax years prior to 2017 are closed for U.S. federal purposes. The statute of limitations for tax years prior to 2010 have also expired in non-U.S. jurisdictions.
18. Fair Value Measurements
A fair value measurement assumes a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. The hierarchy for observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels are described below:
•Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
•Level 2 - Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
•Level 3 - Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
Financial Liabilities that are not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table presents certain information for our financial liability that is not measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
18. Fair Value Measurements - (continued)
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Carrying
Amount Fair Value Carrying
Amount Fair Value
Liabilities:
Senior Notes $ 870,256 $ 883,580 $ 900,000 $ 812,250
Our long-term debt includes fixed rate debt. The fair value of this instrument is based on quoted market prices in markets that are not active. Therefore, this debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Non-financial Assets and Liabilities that are not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Certain non-financial assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, primarily goodwill, intangible assets (Level 3 fair value assessment) and right-of-use lease assets (Level 2 fair value assessment). Accordingly, these assets are not measured and adjusted to fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to periodic evaluations for potential impairment. The Company recognized an impairment of goodwill of $61,661 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to an impairment of goodwill of $4,879 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The Company also recognized an impairment of intangible assets of $12,071 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. See Notes 2 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the measurement of the fair value of goodwill.
In the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a charge of $22,667, of which $9,969 was to reduce the carrying value of right-of-use lease assets and related leasehold improvements. The remaining $12,698 was related to the acceleration of the variable lease expenses associated with the exit of properties in New York as part of the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio.
Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Contingent deferred acquisition consideration (Level 3 fair value measurement) is recorded at the acquisition date fair value and adjusted at each reporting period. The estimated liability is determined in accordance with various contractual valuation formulas and is dependent upon significant assumptions, such as the growth rate of the earnings of the relevant subsidiary during the contractual period and the discount rate. These growth rates are consistent with the Company’s long-term forecasts. As of December 31, 2020, the discount rate used to measure these liabilities was 5.1%.
As these estimates require the use of assumptions about future performance, which are uncertain at the time of estimation, the fair value measurements presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are subject to material uncertainty.
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information regarding contingent deferred acquisition consideration.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximated their fair value because of their short-term maturity.
19. Related Party Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into transactions with related parties, including Stagwell and its affiliates. The transactions may range in the nature and value of services underlying the arrangements. Below are the related party transactions that are significant in nature:
In October 2019, a Partner Firm of the Company entered into an arrangement with a Stagwell affiliate, in which the Stagwell affiliate and the Partner Firm will collaborate to provide various services to a client of the Partner Firm. The Partner Firm and the Stagwell affiliate pitched and won this business together, with the client ultimately determining the general scope of work for each agency. Under the arrangement, which was structured as a sub-contract due to client preference, the Partner Firm is expected to pay the Stagwell affiliate, for services provided by the Stagwell affiliate in connection with serving the client, approximately $2,000 which has been fully recognized as of December 2020. As of December 31, 2020, $1,200 was owed to the affiliate.
During 2020, a Partner Firm of the Company entered into an arrangement with certain Stagwell affiliates to perform media planning, buying and reporting services. Under the arrangement, the Partner Firm is expected to receive from the Stagwell affiliates approximately $56,700, which has been fully recognized as of December 2020. As of December 31, 2020, $110 was due from the affiliates.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
19. Related Party Transactions - (continued)
In January 2020, a Partner Firm of the Company entered into an arrangement with a Stagwell affiliate to develop advertising technology for the Partner Firm. Under the arrangement the Partner Firm recorded approximately $483, of which $2 was owed to the affiliate as of December 31, 2020. This transaction has been completed.
In August 2020, the Company entered into an arrangement with a Stagwell affiliate to provide audience and brand research, concept testing and landscape related to the ongoing new business pitches for clients of the Company. Under the arrangement the Company is expected to pay the Stagwell affiliate approximately $145, which has been fully recognized as of October 2020. As of December 31, 2020, $63 was owed to the affiliate.
In November 2020, a Partner Firm of the Company entered into an arrangement with a certain Stagwell affiliate to perform event management services. Under the arrangement, the Partner Firm is expected to receive from the Stagwell affiliate approximately $457, which is expected to be recognized through March of 2021. As of December 31, 2020, $67 was due from the affiliate.
On February 14, 2020, Sloane sold substantially all its assets and certain liabilities to an affiliate of Stagwell. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to this transaction.
The Company entered into an agreement commencing on January 1, 2020 to sublease office space through July 2021 to a company whose chairman is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2020, the total future rental income related to the sublease is approximately $122.
20. Segment Information
The Company determines an operating segment if a component (i) engages in business activities from which it earns revenues and incurs expenses, (ii) has discrete financial information, and is (iii) regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), who is Mark Penn, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, to make decisions regarding resource allocation for the segment and assess its performance. Once operating segments are identified, the Company performs an analysis to determine if aggregation of operating segments is applicable. This determination is based upon a quantitative analysis of the expected and historic average long-term profitability for each operating segment, together with a qualitative assessment to determine if operating segments have similar operating characteristics.
The CODM uses Adjusted EBITDA (defined below) as a key metric, to evaluate the operating and financial performance of a segment, identify trends affecting the segments, develop projections and make strategic business decisions. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders plus or minus adjustments to Operating income (loss), plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred acquisition consideration adjustments, distributions from non-consolidated affiliates and other items. Distributions from non-consolidated affiliates includes (i) cash received for profit distributions from non-consolidated affiliates, and (ii) consideration from the sale of ownership interests in non-consolidated affiliates, less contributions to date, plus undistributed earnings (losses). Other items, net includes items such as severance expense and other restructuring expenses, including costs for leases that will either be terminated or sublet in connection with the centralization of our New York real estate portfolio.
Effective in the first quarter of 2020, the Company reorganized its management structure resulting in the aggregation of certain Partner Firms into integrated groups (“Networks”). Mr. Penn appointed key agency executives, that report directly into him to lead each Network. In connection with the reorganization, we reassessed our reportable segments to align our external reporting with how we operate the Networks under our new organizational structure. Prior periods presented have been recast to reflect the change in reportable segments.
The three reportable segments that resulted from our reassessment are as follows: “Integrated Networks - Group A,” “Integrated Networks - Group B” and the “Media & Data Network.” In addition, the Company combines and discloses operating segments that do not meet the aggregation criteria as “All Other.” The Company also reports corporate expenses, as further detailed below, as “Corporate.” All segments follow the same basis of presentation and accounting policies as those described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
•The Integrated Networks - Group A reportable segment is comprised of the Anomaly Alliance (Anomaly, Concentric Partners, Hunter, Mono, Y Media Labs) and Colle McVoy operating segments.
•The Integrated Networks - Group B reportable segment is comprised of the Constellation (72andSunny, CPB, Instrument and Redscout) and Doner Partner Network (6degrees, Doner, KWT, Union, Veritas and Yamamoto) operating segments.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
20. Segment Information - (continued)
The operating segments aggregated within the Integrated Networks - Group A and B reportable segments provide a range of services for their clients, primarily including strategy, creative and production for advertising campaigns across a variety of platforms (print, digital, social media, television broadcast) as well as public relations and communications services, experiential, social media and influencer marketing. These operating segments share similar characteristics related to (i) the nature of their services; (ii) the type of clients and the methods used to provide services; and (iii) the extent to which they may be impacted by global economic and geopolitical risks. In addition, these operating segments compete with each other for new business and from time to time have business move between them. While the operating segments are similar in nature, the distinction between the Integrated Networks - Group A and B is the aggregation of operating segments that have the most similar historical and expected average long-term profitability.
•The Media & Data Network reportable segment is comprised of a single operating segment that combines media buying and planning across a range of platforms (out-of-home, paid search, social media, lead generation, programmatic, television broadcast) with technology and data capabilities.
•All Other consists of the Company’s remaining operating segments that provide a range of services including advertising, public relations and marketing communication services, but generally do not have similar services offerings or financial characteristics as those aggregated in the reportable segments. The All Other category includes Allison & Partners, Bruce Mau, Forsman & Bodenfors, Hello, Team and Vitro.
•Corporate consists of corporate office expenses incurred in connection with the strategic resources provided to the operating segments, as well as certain other centrally managed expenses that are not fully allocated to the operating segments. These office and general expenses include (i) salaries and related expenses for corporate office employees, including employees dedicated to supporting the operating segments, (ii) occupancy expenses relating to properties occupied by all corporate office employees, (iii) other office and general expenses including professional fees for the financial statement audits and other public company costs, and (iv) certain other professional fees managed by the corporate office. Additional expenses managed by the corporate office that are directly related to the operating segments are allocated to the appropriate reportable segment and the All Other category.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
20. Segment Information - (continued)
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenue:
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 379,648 $ 392,101 $ 393,890
Integrated Networks - Group B 435,589 531,717 551,317
Media & Data Network 139,015 161,451 183,287
All Other 244,759 330,534 346,594
Total $ 1,199,011 $ 1,415,803 $ 1,475,088
Adjusted EBITDA:
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 79,793 $ 74,822 $ 75,609
Integrated Networks - Group B 84,297 84,568 74,091
Media & Data Network 9,707 7,746 12,205
All Other 30,755 37,618 38,307
Corporate (27,220) (30,601) (38,761)
Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 177,332 $ 174,153 $ 161,451
Depreciation and amortization $ (36,905) $ (38,329) $ (46,196)
Impairment and other losses (96,399) (8,599) (87,204)
Stock compensation expense (14,179) (31,040) (18,416)
Deferred acquisition consideration expense/(income) (42,187) (5,403) 457
Loss on investments (2,175) (2,048) (779)
Other expense (31,244) (9,274) (7,879)
Total Operating Income (Loss) $ (45,757) $ 79,460 $ 1,434
Other Income (Expenses):
Interest expense and finance charges, net $ (62,163) $ (64,942) $ (67,075)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) (982) 8,750 (23,258)
Other, net 20,500 (2,401) 230
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (88,402) 20,867 (88,669)
Income tax expense 116,555 10,316 29,615
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (204,957) 10,551 (118,284)
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (2,240) 352 62
Net income (loss) (207,197) 10,903 (118,222)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest (21,774) (16,156) (11,785)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. (228,971) (5,253) (130,007)
Accretion on and net income allocated to convertible preference shares (14,179) (12,304) (8,355)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders $ (243,150) $ (17,557) $ (138,362)
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
20. Segment Information - (continued)
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Depreciation and amortization: (Dollars in Thousands)
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 6,467 $ 8,559 $ 9,602
Integrated Networks - Group B 17,204 15,904 19,032
Media & Data Network 4,376 4,303 3,820
All Other 7,478 8,695 12,980
Corporate 1,380 868 762
Total $ 36,905 $ 38,329 $ 46,196
Stock-based compensation:
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 7,580 $ 24,420 $ 5,792
Integrated Networks - Group B 3,191 4,303 6,890
Media & Data Network 122 63 320
All Other 304 374 755
Corporate 2,982 1,880 4,659
Total $ 14,179 $ 31,040 $ 18,416
Capital expenditures:
Integrated Networks - Group A $ 1,087 $ 5,934 $ 8,228
Integrated Networks - Group B 987 9,270 6,352
Media & Data Network 569 627 1,632
All Other 966 2,729 3,985
Corporate 33,694 36 67
Total $ 37,303 $ 18,596 $ 20,264
A summary of the Company’s long-lived assets, comprised of fixed assets, goodwill and intangibles, net, by geographic region at December 31, is set forth in the following table.
United States Canada Other Total
Long-lived Assets
2020 $ 80,447 $ 3,461 $ 6,505 $ 90,413
2019 $ 68,497 $ 4,475 $ 8,082 $ 81,054
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
2020 $ 614,168 $ 51,267 $ 36,620 $ 702,055
2019 $ 659,584 $ 64,842 $ 62,158 $ 786,584
The Company’s CODM does not use segment assets to allocate resources or to assess performance of the segments and therefore, total segment assets have not been disclosed.
Corporate’s capital expenditures in 2020 are primarily for leasehold improvements at its new headquarters at One World Trade Center in connection with the centralization of the Company’s New York real estate portfolio. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $12,993 of capital expenditures that were incurred in the current year, but not yet paid.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
20. Segment Information - (continued)
A summary of the Company’s revenue by geographic region at December 31 is set forth in the following table.
United States Canada Other Total
Revenue:
2020 $ 959,636 $ 81,930 $ 157,445 $ 1,199,011
2019 $ 1,116,045 $ 105,067 $ 194,691 $ 1,415,803
2018 $ 1,152,399 $ 124,001 $ 198,688 $ 1,475,088
21. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s consolidated unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts.
Quarters
First Second Third Fourth
Revenue:
2020 $ 327,742 $ 259,678 $ 283,423 $ 328,168
2019 $ 328,791 $ 362,130 $ 342,907 $ 381,975
Cost of services sold:
2020 $ 222,693 $ 165,632 $ 172,531 $ 209,043
2019 $ 237,154 $ 240,749 $ 222,448 $ 260,725
Net Income (loss):
2020 $ 1,794 $ 2,508 $ 14,804 $ (226,303)
2019 $ 316 $ 7,333 $ 5,513 $ (2,259)
Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc.:
2020 $ 1,003 $ (593) $ 4,076 $ (233,457)
2019 $ (113) $ 4,290 $ (1,752) $ (7,678)
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic
2020 $ (0.03) $ (0.06) $ (0.07) $ (3.23)
2019 $ (0.04) $ 0.01 $ (0.07) $ (0.15)
Diluted
2020 $ (0.03) $ (0.06) $ (0.07) $ (3.23)
2019 $ (0.04) $ 0.01 $ (0.07) $ (0.15)
The above revenue, cost of services sold, and income (loss) have primarily been affected by acquisitions and divestitures.
Historically, with some exceptions, the Company’s fourth quarter generates the highest quarterly revenues in a year. The fourth quarter has historically been the period in the year in which the highest volumes of media placements and retail related consumer marketing occur.
Income (loss) has been affected as follows:
•The fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019 included a foreign exchange gain of $6,274 and a gain of $4,349, respectively.
•The fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019 included stock-based compensation charges of $3,611 and $18,408, respectively.
•The fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019 included changes in deferred acquisition resulting in income of $41,672 and $9,030, respectively.
MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
21. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) - (continued)
•The fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019 included goodwill, intangible asset, right-of-use asset, related leasehold improvement impairment charges, and expenses to accelerate the variable costs associated with certain leases of $77,240 and goodwill, right-of-use assets and related leasehold improvement impairment charges of $6,655, respectively.
•The fourth quarter of 2020 included income tax expense of approximately $129 million, related to the increase in the valuation allowance primarily for U.S. deferred tax assets.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
Not Applicable.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be included in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the applicable time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who is our principal executive officer, and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), who is our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. However, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurances of achieving our control objectives.
We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO, CFO and management Disclosure Committee, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2020.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
•provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and
•provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management (with the participation of our CEO and CFO) conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by BDO USA LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, management identified a material weakness over the accounting for income taxes, principally related to the deferred tax accounts (liabilities, assets, and provision). In response to the material weakness, management has implemented the following remediation actions during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020: i) hired a Senior Vice President of Global Tax with extensive experience in ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and a Tax Manager to assist in the global tax compliance process, ii) designed and implemented a comprehensive process to collect information critical to calculation of the tax provision, iii) developed supplemental schedules to support, analyze and validate the tax provision, iv) implemented enhanced review procedures over the accounting for income taxes including the proper application of ASC 740, critical calculations, adequacy of valuation and other income tax reserves and the appropriateness of financial statement disclosures. Management has determined as of December 31, 2020, that the remediation actions discussed above result in controls that are effective in design and operation and enables management to conclude that the material weakness has been remediated.
We have given consideration to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and have concluded that there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
MDC Partners Inc.
New York, New York
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited MDC Partners Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and schedules presented in Item 15 and our report dated March 16, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
New York, New York
March 16, 2021

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item, and not set forth below, will be included in the sections captioned “Election of Directors,” “Information About the Board and Corporate Governance - Audit Committee,” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Executive Officers of MDC Partners
The executive officers of MDC Partners as of February 28, 2021 are:
Name Age Office
Mark Penn 67 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
Frank Lanuto 58 Chief Financial Officer
David C. Ross 40 Executive Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development, General Counsel and Secretary
Vincenzo DiMaggio 46 Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
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There is no family relationship among any of the executive officers or directors.
Mr. Penn joined MDC Partners in March 2019 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Penn has been acting as the Managing Partner and President at the Stagwell Group since 2015. Prior thereto, Mr. Penn served as Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer and held Chief Executive Officer position in multiple strategic public relation firms.
Mr. Lanuto joined MDC partners in June 2019 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining MDC Partners, Mr. Lanuto served as Vice President, Corporate Controller at Movado Group, Inc. since August 2015. Before Movado Group, he spent over 17 years overseeing global financial functions and operations activities in the advertising, marketing and media services industries.
Mr. Ross joined MDC Partners in 2010 and currently serves as General Counsel, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development. Prior to joining MDC Partners, Mr. Ross was an attorney at Skadden Arps LLP where he represented global clients in a wide range of capital markets offerings, M&A transactions, and general corporate matters.
Mr. DiMaggio joined MDC Partners in 2018 as Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining MDC Partners, he served as the Senior Vice President, Global Controller & Chief Accounting Officer at Endeavor, from 2017 to 2018. Prior thereto, he worked at Viacom Inc. from 2012 to 2017 as Senior Vice President, Deputy Controller and at the New York Times Company from 1999 to 2012 ultimately serving as its Vice President, Assistant Corporate Controller.
Code of Conduct
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct, which applies to all directors, officers (including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company’s policy is to not permit any waiver of the Code of Conduct for any director or executive officer, except in extremely limited circumstances. Any waiver of this Code of Conduct for directors or officers of the Company must be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Amendments to and waivers of the Code of Conduct will be publicly disclosed as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Code of Conduct is available free of charge on the Company’s website at https://www.mdc-partners.com, or by writing to MDC Partners Inc., One World Trade Center, Floor 65, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Investor Relations. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendments to, or waivers from, certain provisions of the Code of Conduct that apply to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer by posting such information on its website, at the address and location specified above.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be included in the sections captioned “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2020,” and “Report of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item will be included in the sections captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by this item will be included in the sections captioned “Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions” and “Election of Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be included in the section captioned “Appointment of Auditors and Authorizing the Audit Committee to Determine its Remuneration” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Financial Statement Schedules
The Financial Statements and Schedules listed in the accompanying Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 are filed as part of this report. Schedules not included in the Index have been omitted because they are not applicable.
Schedule II - 1 of 2
MDC PARTNERS INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Three Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F
Description Balance at
Beginning
of Period Charged to
Costs and
Expenses Removal of Uncollectible Receivables Translation Adjustments
Increase
(Decrease) Balance at
the End of
Period
Valuation accounts deducted from assets to which they apply - allowance for doubtful accounts:
December 31, 2020 $ 3,304 $ 3,487 $ (1,305) $ (13) $ 5,473
December 31, 2019 $ 1,879 $ 2,996 $ (1,377) $ (194) $ 3,304
December 31, 2018 $ 2,453 $ 1,538 $ (1,795) $ (317) $ 1,879
Schedule II - 2 of 2
MDC PARTNERS INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Three Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F
Description Balance at
Beginning
of Period Charged to
Costs and
Expenses Other Translation Adjustments
Increase
(Decrease) Balance at
the End of
Period
Valuation accounts deducted from assets to which they apply - valuation allowance for deferred income taxes:
December 31, 2020 $ 65,649 $ 128,938 $ 2,436 $ 1,429 $ 198,452
December 31, 2019 $ 68,479 $ (2,830) $ - $ - $ 65,649
December 31, 2018 $ 19,032 $ 49,447 $ - $ - $ 68,479
(b) Exhibits
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibits Index are filed as a part of this report.