Creatd, Inc. - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒    ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2017

or

☐   TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 000-51872

JERRICK MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

202 S Dean Street

Englewood, NJ 07631

(Address of principal executive offices)

(201) 258-3770

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐    No ☒ 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐   No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒   No ☐ 

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

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

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

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2017, based on a closing price of $0.1622 was $3,853,263. As of May 15, 2018, the registrant had 40,524,432 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.

Documents Incorporated By Reference: None. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are “forward-looking” statements, as well as historical information. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including matters described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” Forward-looking statements include those that use forward-looking terminology, such as the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “project,” “plan,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” and similar expressions, including when used in the negative. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable and achievable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties and we cannot assure you that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect events or circumstances after the date initially filed or published, to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.

PART I

Item 1. Business.  

Corporate History and Overview

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc. (“we,” “us,” the “Company,” or “Jerrick Media” or “Jerrick”) (formerly Great Plains Holdings, Inc. or “GTPH”) was incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada on December 30, 1999 under the name LILM, Inc. The Company changed its name on December 3, 2013 to Great Plains Holdings, Inc. as part of its plan to diversify its business through the acquisition and operation of commercial real estate, including, but not limited to, self-storage facilities, apartment buildings, 55+ senior manufactured home communities, and other income producing properties. Historically, the Company principally engaged in the manufacture and marketing of the LiL Marc, a plastic boys’ toilet-training device, which we discontinued as of December 31, 2014.

On February 5, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), GTPH, GPH Merger Sub, Inc., a Nevada corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of GTPH (“Merger Sub”), and Jerrick Ventures, Inc., a privately-held Nevada corporation headquartered in New Jersey (“Jerrick”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which the Merger Sub was merged with and into Jerrick, with Jerrick surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTPH (the “Merger”). GTPH acquired, through a reverse triangular merger, all of the outstanding capital stock of Jerrick in exchange for issuing Jerrick’s shareholders (the “Jerrick Shareholders”), pro-rata, a total of 28,500,000 shares of GTPH’s common stock. GTPH assumed 33,415 shares of Jerrick’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Jerrick Series A Preferred”) and 8,064 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Jerrick Series B Preferred”).

In connection with the Merger, on the Closing Date, GTPH and Kent Campbell entered into a Spin-Off Agreement (the “Spin-Off Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Campbell purchased from GTPH (i) all of GTPH’s interest in Ashland Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and (ii) all of GTPH’s interest in Lil Marc, Inc., a Utah corporation, in exchange for the cancellation of 781,818 shares of GTPH’s Common Stock held by Mr. Campbell. In addition, Mr. Campbell assumed all debts, obligations and liabilities of GTPH, including any existing prior to the Merger, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Spin-Off Agreement.

Effective February 28, 2016, GTPH entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Statutory Merger Agreement”) with Jerrick, pursuant to which GTPH became the parent company of Jerrick Ventures, LLC, a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Jerrick (the “Statutory Merger”).

Upon closing of the Merger on February 5, 2016, the Company changed its business plan to that of Jerrick Media.

On February 28, 2016, GTPH changed its name to Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc. to better reflect its new business strategy.

Jerrick Media Business

Jerrick Media Holdings Inc. develops technology-based solutions designed to solve for challenges that have resulted from disruption and evolution within the broad digital media and content generation environment. Its flagship product Vocal is a long-form, digital publishing platform focused on supporting content creators with content management tools that are embedded within digital communities. Vocal is architected to enable targeted marketing of branded content and e-commerce opportunities in long-form content. Vocal’s community sites are moderated by a dedicated team with a primary focus on creating healthy communities and identifying monetization opportunities within them. Vocal serves as a versatile home for content creators. The platform supports multiple forms of content such as: short videos, podcasts, music, and written word. This activity is expected to increase at a rapid pace. A fraction of creators achieve meaningful visibility for their content, and even fewer are rewarded financially. Jerrick Media Holdings’ product Vocal provides a solution for the creative community.

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc. partners with content creators and brands that recognize difficulties inherent in the digital advertising space and are looking to capitalize on the branded content marketing opportunities available on publishing platforms like Vocal.

Through 2017 content creation continue to accelerate exponentially. Audiences continued to shift from traditional digital media to independent creator content. Traditional advertising business models continue to be threatened. The intrusive nature of display ads, which led to over 680 million ad-blockers installed and, is causing accelerated margin compression at the largest digital advertisers. Because of these tightening spreads, excessive traffic is required to successfully monetize content. Jerrick’s business model continues to view this opportunistically.

While management expects legacy assets that were acquired prior to the launch of Vocal to continue to contribute to revenues and generate strong margins we expect that the majority of revenues going forward will be generated by the Company’s technology. Jerrick’s diversified portfolio combines technology, data analytics and media related products to generate shareholder value. In addition to transactional revenues directly attributed to the long-form social platform, Jerrick will continue to monetize its core library of media assets as well as consult for brands and agencies through its suite of quantitative and fundamental analytics.

Our Strategy

We have developed a proprietary patent-pending technology platform, Vocal, designed to develop and cost-effectively acquire content that reaches audiences through our portfolio of genre-specific communities, as well as through other social and digital distribution channels. In addition to providing relevant and refreshing content, our technology is centered on efficiency and scalability in both input of content across a growing variety of topics, and output through a growing number of distribution methods. We believe our content-to-commerce model is an integral part of digital monetization. We focus on distribution of content through the Vocal platform that optimizes user-generated content through an algorithmically derived moderation process. Through the moderation process, we reduce manpower costs, and simultaneously increase our ability to publish content and rapidly produce genre-specific websites driven by usage data. Through these genre-specific websites, we are able to provide advertisers with a more transparent and targeted community for their brands, which we believe offers a very high value proposition. The Vocal platform and its proprietary technology can be white-labeled or licensed, to provide seamless integration to independent media companies and brands. We also use the Vocal platform for distribution and monetization of a substantial inventory of content featuring unpublished photographs, negatives, trademarks, videos, scripts, short stories, and articles across various genres. We believe we have a competitive advantage in the ownership of merchandising rights of such content which allows us to sell or license these properties.

As part of our strategy, we develop transmedia assets internally, in collaboration with other production and media companies, as well as with our expanding user base. The transmedia assets we produce, such as film, television, digital shorts, books, and comic series can be leveraged beyond digital media and can be distributed across multiple platforms and formats.

Our Website Communities

We are developing an ever-increasing number of genre-specific websites, designed to create self-sustaining communities, with each revolving around a specific topic or theme. The creation of these websites is driven by two factors: (i) the potential for monetization opportunities, and (ii) by the topical content provided by our users. All of these sites are powered by Vocal, our proprietary long-form digital publishing and content distribution platform.

Intellectual Property

We regard our technology and other proprietary rights as essential to our business. We rely on trade secrets, confidentiality procedures, contract provisions, and trademark law to protect our technology and intellectual property. We have also entered into confidentiality agreements with our consultants and corporate partners and intend to control access to and distribution of our products, documentation, and other proprietary information.

Protecting our Content from Copyright Theft

The theft of pictures, video and other entertainment content presents a significant challenge to our industry, and we have taken many steps to address this concern. Where possible, we make use of technological protection tools, such as encryption, to protect our content. Notwithstanding these efforts and the many legal protections that exist to combat piracy, the proliferation of content theft and technological tools with which to carry it out continue to escalate. The failure to obtain enhanced legal protections and enforcement tools could make it more difficult for us to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could negatively impact its value.

Competition

We face significant competition from many other websites. We face formidable competition in every aspect of our business, and particularly from other companies that seek to connect people with information on the web similar to ours, and provide them with relevant advertising. Although we face severe competition, we believe we have a competitive advantage in that the majority of our content is timeless, as opposed to many of our competitors, who focus mainly on providing timely content that has a limited lifespan, and therefore negligible long term monetization value. Competitive factors include:

We may be unable to compete successfully against current and future competitors. Some current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, larger user bases and greater brand recognition in other internet sectors than we do. Other online sites with similar business models may be acquired by, receive investments from, or enter into other commercial relationships with well-established and well-financed companies. As a result, some of our competitors with other revenue sources may be able to devote more resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote more resources to website, mobile platforms and applications and systems development than we can.

In addition, we compete with internet advertising companies, particularly in the areas of pay-for-performance and keyword-targeted internet advertising. Also, we may compete with companies that sell products and services online because these companies, like us, are trying to attract users to their websites to search for information about products and services and content like ours.

We also compete with destination websites that seek to increase their search-related traffic. These destination websites may include those operated by internet access providers, such as cable and DSL service providers. Because our users need to access our services through internet access providers, they have direct relationships with these providers. If an access provider or a computer or computing device manufacturer offers online services that compete with ours, the user may find it more convenient to use the services of the access provider or manufacturer. In addition, the access provider or manufacturer may make it hard to access our services by not listing them in the access provider’s or manufacturer’s own menu of offerings. Also, because the access provider gathers information from the user in connection with the establishment of a billing relationship, the access provider may be more effective than we are in tailoring services and advertisements to the specific tastes of the user. 

There has been a trend toward industry consolidation among our competitors, and so smaller competitors today may become larger competitors in the future. If our competitors are more successful than we are at generating traffic, our revenues may decline.

Where You Can Find More Information

Our corporate website address is located at https://jerrick.media/. We do not intend our website address to be an active link or to otherwise incorporate by reference the contents of the website into this Report. The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0030. The SEC maintains an Internet website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

RISK FACTORS

RISKS RELATED TO JERRICK MEDIA’S BUSINESS

Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing.

As reflected in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements, the Company had a net loss of approximately $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and a working capital deficit and accumulated deficit of approximately $4.0 million and approximately $22.2 respectively, at December 31, 2017. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The ability of the Company to continue its operations is dependent on management’s plans, which include the raising of capital through debt and/or equity markets with some additional funding from other traditional financing sources, including term notes, until such time that funds provided by operations are sufficient to fund working capital requirements. The Company may need to incur liabilities with certain related parties to sustain the Company’s existence.

The Company will require additional funding to finance the growth of its current and expected future operations as well as to achieve its strategic objectives. The Company believes its current available cash, along with anticipated revenues, may be insufficient to meet its cash needs for the near future. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.

In response to these problems, management has taken the following actions:

In their report dated May 17, 2018, our independent auditors stated that our financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2017, were prepared assuming that we would continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

We are not profitable and may never be profitable.

From inception through the present, we have been dependent on raising capital to support our working capital needs. During this same period, we have recorded net accumulated losses and are yet to achieve profitability. Our ability to achieve profitability depends upon many factors, including our ability to develop and commercialize our websites. There can be no assurance that we will ever achieve any significant revenues or profitable operations. 

Our operating expenses exceed our revenues and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

We are in the early stage of our development and we have not generated sufficient revenues to offset our operating expenses. Our operating expenses will likely continue to exceed our operating income for the foreseeable future, until such time as we are able to monetize our brands and generate substantial revenues, particularly as we undertake payment of the increased costs of operating as a public company.

Our Operating subsidiary has a limited operating history.

Our operating subsidiary has been in existence for approximately three years. Our limited operating history means that there is a high degree of uncertainty in our ability to: (i) develop and commercialize our products; (ii) achieve market acceptance; or (iii) respond to competition. Additionally, even if we do implement our business plan, we may not be successful. No assurances can be given as to exactly when, if at all, we will be able to recognize profits high enough to sustain our business. We face all the risks inherent in a new business, including the expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays frequently encountered in connection with conducting operations, including capital requirements. Given our limited operating history, we may be unable to effectively implement our business plan, which would result in a loss of your investment. 

WE have assumed A significant amount of debt and our operations may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our debt obligations, which could reduce our financial flexibility and adversely impact our operations.

Currently the Company has considerable convertible notes, related party notes and lines of credit outstanding with various debtors. Our ability to make payments on such indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash flow. The Company may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to enable us to repay this indebtedness and to fund other liquidity needs, including capital expenditure requirements. Such indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including:

A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the principal or interest on our debt. If we cannot service or refinance our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling significant assets, seeking additional equity financing (which will result in additional dilution to stockholders) or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. If we do not have sufficient funds and are otherwise unable to arrange financing, our assets may be foreclosed upon which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We will need additional capital, which may be difficult to raise as a result of our limited operating history or any number of other reasons.

We expect that we will have adequate financing for the next 6 months. However, in the event that we exceed our expected growth, we would need to raise additional capital. There is no assurance that additional equity or debt financing will be available to us when needed, on acceptable terms or even at all. Our limited operating history makes investor evaluation and an estimation of our future performance substantially more difficult. As a result, investors may be unwilling to invest in us or such investment may be on terms or conditions which are not acceptable. In the event that we are not able to secure financing, we may have to scale back our growth plans or cease operations.

We depend on our key management personnel and the loss of their services could adversely affect our business.

We place substantial reliance upon the efforts and abilities of Jeremy Frommer, our Chief Executive Officer, and our other executive officers and directors. Though no individual is indispensable, the loss of the services of these executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, revenues or prospects. We do not currently maintain key man life insurance on the lives of these individuals.

We have not adopted various corporate governance measures, and as a result stockholders may have limited protections against interested director transactions, conflicts of interest and similar matters.

Recent Federal legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has resulted in the adoption of various corporate governance measures designed to promote the integrity of corporate management and the securities markets. Because our securities are not yet listed on a national securities exchange, we are not required to adopt these corporate governance measures and have not done so voluntarily in order to avoid incurring the additional costs associated with such measures. Among these measures is the establishment of independent committees of the Board of Directors. However, to the extent a public market develops for our securities, such legislation will require us to make changes to our current corporate governance practices. Those changes may be costly and time-consuming. Furthermore, the absence of the governance measures referred to above with respect to our Company may leave our shareholders with more limited protection in connection with interested director transactions, conflicts of interest and similar matters.

We face intense competition. If we do not provide digital content that is useful to users, we may not remain competitive, and our potential revenues and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our business is rapidly evolving and intensely competitive, and is subject to changing technologies, shifting user needs, and frequent introductions of new products and services. Our ability to compete successfully depends heavily on providing digital content that is useful and enjoyable for our users and delivering our content through innovative technologies in the marketplace.

We have many competitors in the digital content creation industry and media companies. Our current and potential competitors range from large and established companies to emerging start-ups. Established companies have longer operating histories and more established relationships with customers and users, and they can use their experience and resources in ways that could affect our competitive position, including by making acquisitions, investing aggressively in research and development, aggressively initiating intellectual property claims (whether or not meritorious) and competing aggressively for advertisers and websites. Emerging start-ups may be able to innovate and provide products and services faster than we can.

Additionally, our operating results would suffer if our digital content is not appropriately timed with market opportunities, or if our digital content is not effectively brought to market. As technology continues to develop, our competitors may be able to offer user experiences that are, or that are seen to be, substantially similar to or better than ours. This may force us to compete in different ways and expend significant resources in order to remain competitive. If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing compelling content or in attracting and retaining users and advertisers, our revenues and operating results could be adversely affected.

We face competition from traditional media companies, and we may not be included in the advertising budgets of large advertisers, which could harm our operating results.

In addition to internet companies, we face competition from companies that offer traditional media advertising opportunities. Most large advertisers have set advertising budgets, a very small portion of which is allocated to internet advertising. We expect that large advertisers will continue to focus most of their advertising efforts on traditional media. If we fail to convince these companies to spend a portion of their advertising budgets with us, or if our existing advertisers reduce the amount they spend on our programs, our operating results would be harmed.

Our business depends on strong brands and relationships, and if we are not able to maintain our relationships and enhance our brands, our ability to expand our base of users, advertisers and affiliates will be impaired and our business and operating results could be harmed.

We believe that maintaining and enhancing the “Filthy Media”, “OMNI”, “Geeks”, “Longevity”, and “Potent” brands is critical to expanding our base of users, advertisers and affiliates. Maintaining and enhancing our brands’ profiles may require us to make substantial investments and these investments may not be successful. If we fail to promote and maintain the “Filthy Media”, “OMNI”, “Geeks”, “Longevity”, and “Potent” brands’ profiles, or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our business and operating results could be harmed. We anticipate that, as our market becomes increasingly competitive, maintaining and enhancing our brands’ profiles may become increasingly difficult and expensive. Maintaining and enhancing our brands will depend largely on our ability to be a technology leader and to continue to provide attractive products and services, which we may not do successfully.

We need to manage growth in operations to maximize our potential growth and achieve our expected revenues and our failure to manage growth will cause a disruption of our operations, resulting in the failure to generate revenue.

In order to maximize potential growth in our current and potential markets, we believe that we must expand our marketing operations. This expansion will place a significant strain on our management and our operational, accounting, and information systems. We expect that we will need to continue to improve our financial controls, operating procedures, and management information systems. We will also need to effectively train, motivate, and manage our employees. Our failure to manage our growth could disrupt our operations and ultimately prevent us from generating the revenues we expect.

In order to achieve the general strategies of our company we need to maintain and search for hard-working employees who have innovative initiatives, while at the same time, keep a close eye on any and all expanding opportunities in our marketplace.

We plan to generate a significant portion of our revenues from advertising and affiliate sales relationships, and a reduction in spending by or loss of advertisers and general decrease in online spending could adversely harm our business.

We plan to generate a substantial portion of our revenues from advertisers. Our advertisers may be able to terminate prospective contracts with us at any time. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if their investment in advertising with us does not generate sales leads, and ultimately customers, or if we do not deliver their advertisements in an appropriate and effective manner. If we are unable to remain competitive and provide value to our advertisers, they may stop placing ads with us, which would adversely affect our revenues and business. In addition, expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions and budgeting and buying patterns. Our advertising and e-commerce revenues may be affected by the strength of advertising markets and general economic conditions and may fluctuate depending on the success of our content, as measured by the number of people visiting our websites at any given time.  Adverse macroeconomic conditions can also have a material negative impact on the demand for advertising and cause our advertisers to reduce the amounts they spend on advertising, which could adversely affect our revenues and business.

Security breaches could harm our business.

Security breaches have become more prevalent in the technology industry. We believe that we take reasonable steps to protect the security, integrity and confidentiality of the information we collect, use, store and disclose, but there is no guarantee that inadvertent (e.g., software bugs or other technical malfunctions, employee error or malfeasance, or other factors) or unauthorized data access or use will not occur despite our efforts. Although we have not experienced any material security breaches to date, we may in the future experience attempts to disable our systems or to breach the security of our systems. Techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to personal information, confidential information and/or the systems on which such information is stored and/or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target. As a result, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures.

If an actual or perceived security breach occurs, the market perception of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose sales and customers and/or suffer other negative consequences to our business. A security breach could adversely affect the digital content experience and cause the loss or corruption of data, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Any failure to maintain the security of our infrastructure could result in loss of personal information and/or other confidential information, damage to our reputation and customer relationships, early termination of our contracts and other business losses, indemnification of our customers, financial penalties, litigation, regulatory investigations and other significant liabilities. In the event of a major third-party security incident, we may incur losses in excess of their insurance coverage.

Moreover, if a high profile security breach occurs with respect to us or another digital entertainment company, our customers and potential customers may lose trust in the security of our business model generally, which could adversely impact our ability to retain existing customers or attract new ones.

The laws and regulations concerning data privacy and data security are continually evolving; our or our platform providers’ actual or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could harm our business.

Customers view our content online, using third-party platforms and networks and on mobile devices. We collect and store significant amounts of information about our customers—both personally identifying and non-personally identifying information. We are subject to laws from a variety of jurisdictions regarding privacy and the protection of this player information. For example, the European Union (EU) has traditionally taken a broader view than the United States and certain other jurisdictions as to what is considered personal information and has imposed greater obligations under data privacy regulations. The U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) also regulates the collection, use and disclosure of personal information from children under 13 years of age. While none of our content is directed at children under 13 years of age, if COPPA were to apply to us, failure to comply with COPPA may increase our costs, subject us to expensive and distracting government investigations and could result in substantial fines.

Data privacy protection laws are rapidly changing and likely will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The U.S. government, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce, is continuing to review the need for greater regulation over the collection of personal information and information about consumer behavior on the Internet and on mobile devices and the EU has proposed reforms to its existing data protection legal framework. Various government and consumer agencies worldwide have also called for new regulation and changes in industry practices. In addition, in some cases, we are dependent upon our platform providers to solicit, collect and provide us with information regarding our players that is necessary for compliance with these various types of regulations.

Customer interaction with our content is subject to our privacy policy and terms of service. If we fail to comply with our posted privacy policy or terms of service or if we fail to comply with existing privacy-related or data protection laws and regulations, it could result in proceedings or litigation against us by governmental authorities or others, which could result in fines or judgments against us, damage our reputation, impact our financial condition and harm our business. If regulators, the media or consumers raise any concerns about our privacy and data protection or consumer protection practices, even if unfounded, this could also result in fines or judgments against us, damage our reputation, and negatively impact our financial condition and damage our business.

In the area of information security and data protection, many jurisdictions have passed laws requiring notification when there is a security breach for personal data or requiring the adoption of minimum information security standards that are often vaguely defined and difficult to implement. Our security measures and standards may not be sufficient to protect personal information and we cannot guarantee that our security measures will prevent security breaches. A security breach that compromises personal information could harm our reputation and result in a loss of confidence in our products and ultimately in a loss of customers, which could adversely affect our business and impact our financial condition. This could also subject us to liability under applicable security breach-related laws and regulations and could result in additional compliance costs, costs related to regulatory inquiries and investigations, and an inability to conduct our business.

If any of our relationships with internet search websites terminate, if such websites’ methodologies are modified or if we are outbid by competitors, traffic to our websites could decline.

We depend in part on various internet search websites, such as Google.com, Bing.com, Yahoo.com and other websites to direct a significant amount of traffic to our websites. Search websites typically provide two types of search results, algorithmic and purchased listings. Algorithmic listings generally are determined and displayed as a result of a set of unpublished formulas designed by search engine companies in their discretion. Purchased listings generally are displayed if particular word searches are performed on a search engine. We rely on both algorithmic and purchased search results, as well as advertising on other internet websites, to direct a substantial share of visitors to our websites and to direct traffic to the advertiser customers we serve. If these internet search websites modify or terminate their relationship with us or we are outbid by our competitors for purchased listings, meaning that our competitors pay a higher price to be listed above us in a list of search results, traffic to our websites could decline. Such a decline in traffic could affect our ability to generate advertising revenue and could reduce the desirability of advertising on our websites.

Our business involves risks of liability claims arising from our media content, which could adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and could increase our operating expenses.

As a distributor of media content, we face potential liability for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, obscenity, violation of rights of publicity and/or obscenity laws and other claims based on the nature and content of the materials distributed. These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against broadcasters, publishers, online services and other disseminators of media content. Any imposition of liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, measures to reduce our exposure to liability in connection with content available through our internet websites could require us to take steps that would substantially limit the aesthetic of our internet websites and/or their availability in certain geographic areas, which could adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and could increase our operating expenses.

Intellectual property litigation could expose us to significant costs and liabilities and thus negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to claims of infringement of third party patents and trademarks and other violations of third party intellectual property rights. Intellectual property disputes are generally time-consuming and expensive to litigate or settle, and the outcome of such disputes is uncertain and difficult to predict. The existence of such disputes may require us to set-aside substantial reserves, and has the potential to significantly affect our overall financial standing. To the extent that claims against us are successful, they may subject us to substantial liability, and we may have to pay substantial monetary damages, change aspects of our business model, and/or discontinue any of our services or practices that are found to be in violation of another party’s rights. Such outcomes may severely restrict or hinder ongoing business operations and impact the value of our business. Successful claims against us could also result in us having to seek a license to continue our practices. Under such conditions, a license may or may not be offered or otherwise made available to us. If a license is made available to us, the cost of the license may significantly increase our operating burden and expenses, potentially resulting in a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Although we have been and are currently involved in multiple areas of commerce, internet services, and high technology where there is a substantial risk of future patent litigation, we have not obtained insurance for patent infringement losses. If we are unsuccessful in resolving pending and future patent litigation in a reasonable and affordable manner, it could disrupt our business and operations, including by negatively impacting areas of commerce or putting us at a competitive disadvantage.

If we are unable to obtain or maintain key website addresses, our ability to operate and grow our business may be impaired.

Our website addresses, or domain names, are critical to our business. We currently own more than 388 domain names. However, the regulation of domain names is subject to change, and it may be difficult for us to prevent third parties from acquiring domain names that are similar to ours, that infringe our trademarks or that otherwise decrease the value of our brands. If we are unable to obtain or maintain key domain names for the various areas of our business, our ability to operate and grow our business may be impaired.

We may have difficulty scaling and adapting our existing network infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic and technology advances or changing business requirements, which could cause us to incur significant expenses and lead to the loss of users and advertisers.

To be successful, our network infrastructure has to perform well and be reliable. The greater the user traffic and the greater the complexity of our products and services, the more computer power we will need. We could incur substantial costs if we need to modify our websites or our infrastructure to adapt to technological changes. If we do not maintain our network infrastructure successfully, or if we experience inefficiencies and operational failures, the quality of our products and services and our users’ experience could decline. Maintaining an efficient and technologically advanced network infrastructure is particularly critical to our business because of the pictorial nature of the products and services provided on our websites. A decline in quality could damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential users and advertisers. Cost increases, loss of traffic or failure to accommodate new technologies or changing business requirements could harm our operating results and financial condition.

Because some of our brands contain adult content, companies providing products and services on which we rely may refuse to do business with us.

Many companies that provide products and services we need are concerned that associating with us could lead to their becoming the target of negative publicity campaigns by public interest groups and boycotts of their products and services. As a result of these concerns, these companies may be reluctant to enter into or continue business relationships with us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our existing business relationships with the companies, domestic or international, that currently provide us with services and products. Our inability to maintain such business relationships, or to find replacement service providers, would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We could be forced to enter into business arrangements on terms less favorable to us than we might otherwise obtain, which could lead to our doing business with less competitive terms, higher transaction costs and more inefficient operations than if we were able to maintain such business relationships or find replacement service providers.

Our business is exposed to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud.

Consumer concerns over the security of transactions conducted on the internet or the privacy of users may inhibit the growth of the internet and online commerce. To transmit confidential information such as customer credit card numbers securely, we rely on encryption and authentication technology. Unanticipated events or developments could result in a compromise or breach of the systems we use to protect customer transaction data. Furthermore, our servers may also be vulnerable to viruses and other attacks transmitted via the internet.  As a payment processor, we are required to comply with PCI DSS and a credit card information breach could subject us to penalties or fines, litigation, regulatory investigation or regulatory action. While we proactively check for intrusions into our infrastructure, a new and undetected virus could cause a service disruption. Under current credit card practices, we may be held liable for fraudulent credit card transactions and other payment disputes with customers. A failure to control fraudulent credit card transactions adequately would adversely affect our business.

Risk Factors Related to our Potent Media Brand 

Cannabis remains illegal under Federal law.

Our Potent Media brand is a website devoted to exploring the history of marijuana, the cannabis culture and its effect on pop culture today. The site keeps its user base informed on all things involving cannabis culture including movies, tv and books and festivals, conventions and politics. However, despite the development of a legal cannabis industry under the laws of certain states, these state laws legalizing medical and adult cannabis use are in conflict with the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which classifies cannabis as a schedule-I controlled substance and makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Federal government has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes, and thus Federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis preempts state laws that legalize its use. Although the Obama Administration determined that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct Federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state laws allowing the use and distribution of medical and recreational cannabis. The Trump administration has made statements implying that it could change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws strongly, though no specific measures have yet been implemented other than revocation of the Cole Memo and two others. Any negative material change in the Federal government’s policy on enforcement of these laws could potentially cause damage to the Potent brand, but should not cause significant financial damage to the Company and/or our shareholders.  

As the possession and use of cannabis is illegal under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, we may be deemed to be aiding and abetting illegal activities through the services that we provide to users. As a result, we may be subject to enforcement actions by law enforcement authorities, which would materially and adversely affect our business.

Under Federal law, and more specifically the Federal Controlled Substances Act, the possession, use, cultivation, and transfer of cannabis is illegal. Our business provides services to customers that are engaged in the business of possession, use, cultivation, and/or transfer of cannabis. As a result, law enforcement authorities, in their attempt to regulate the illegal use of cannabis, may seek to bring an action or actions against us, including, but not limited, to a claim of aiding and abetting another’s criminal activities. The Federal aiding and abetting statute provides that anyone who “commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal.” 18 U.S.C. §2(a). As a result of such an action, we may be forced to cease operation of our Potent Media brand. Such an action could have a material negative effect on our business and operations.

Federal enforcement practices could change with respect to services provided to participants in the cannabis industry, which could adversely impact us. If the Federal government were to change its practices, or were to expend its resources on enforcement actions against service providers in the cannabis industry, such actions could have a materially adverse effect on our operations, our customers, or the sales of our products.

It is possible that additional Federal or state legislation could be enacted in the future that would prohibit our advertisers from selling cannabis and cannabis related products, and, if such legislation were enacted, such advertisers may discontinue the use of our services, our potential source of customers would be reduced, and our revenues would decline. Further, additional government disruption in the cannabis industry could cause potential customers and users to be reluctant use and advertise on our products, which would be detrimental to the Company. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our business.

Operating a network open to all internet users may result in legal consequences. 

Our Terms and Conditions clearly state that our network and services are only to be used by users who are over 13 years old. However, it is impractical to independently verify that all activity occurring on our network fits into this description. As such, we run the risk of federal and state law enforcement prosecution.

Although the Obama Administration has determined that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct Federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those following certain state laws allowing for the use and distribution of medical and recreational cannabis, there can be no assurance that the administration, or future administrations, will not change its stated policy and begin enforcement of the Federal laws against us or users of our website. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we will not face criminal prosecution from states where the use of cannabis is permitted for the use of cannabis in ways which do not fall under the state law. Finally, even if we attempt to prevent the use of our website or digital communities in states where cannabis use is not permitted under state law, use of our websites by those in such states may still occur and state authorities may still bring an action against us for the promotion of cannabis related material by those residing in such states.

Risks Related to FILTHY MEDIA

Changes in laws regulating adult content could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Our brand, Filthy Media, presents content related to culture of erotic art. Regulation, investigations and prosecutions of adult content could prevent us from making such content available in certain jurisdictions and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Government officials may also place additional restrictions on adult content affecting the way people interact on the internet. The governments of some countries, such as China and India, have sought to limit the influence of other cultures by restricting the distribution of products deemed to represent foreign or “immoral” influences. Regulation aimed at limiting minors’ access to adult content both in the United States and abroad could also increase our cost of operations and introduce technological challenges by requiring development and implementation of age verification systems. U.S. government officials could amend or construe and seek to enforce more broadly or aggressively the adult content recordkeeping and labeling requirements set forth in 18 U.S.C. Section 2257 and its implementing regulations in a manner that is unfavorable to our business. Court rulings may place additional restrictions on adult content affecting how people interact on the internet, such as mandatory web labeling.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK 

The price of our Common Stock may be subject to wide fluctuations.

Even though we have our shares quoted on the OTCQB, a consistently active trading market for our Common Stock may not exist.  You may not be able to sell your shares quickly or at the current market price if trading in our stock is not active.  You may lose all or a part of your investment.  The market price of our Common Stock may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors and risks, many of which are beyond our control.  In addition to the risks noted elsewhere in this prospectus, some of the other factors affecting our stock price may include:

For these reasons, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on past results as an indication of future performance.  In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against the public company.  Regardless of its outcome, this type of litigation could result in substantial costs to us and a likely diversion of our management’s attention. You may not receive a positive return on your investment when you sell your shares and you may lose the entire amount of your investment.

We may, in the future, issue additional SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, which would reduce investors’ percent of ownership and dilute our share value.

Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Currently the Company has issued 31,581 shares of Series A Preferred, 8,063 shares of Series B Preferred and 0 of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred”). Additionally, the Company has issued warrants to purchase 46,211,279 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $0.25. As of May 15, 2018, the Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred, are convertible into 233,496 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment. In addition, the Company has convertible notes outstanding that convert into 23,282,046 shares of the Company’s common stock at conversion rates between $0.20 - $0.30. Assuming all of the Company’s currently outstanding preferred stock be converted and all outstanding warrants be exercised, the Company would have to issue an additional 190,769,997 shares of common stock representing 175% of our current issued and outstanding common stock. The future issuance of this Common Stock would result in substantial dilution in the percentage of our Common Stock held by our then existing shareholders. We may value any Common Stock issued in the future on an arbitrary basis. The issuance of Common Stock for future services or acquisitions or other corporate actions may have the effect of diluting the value of the shares held by our investors, and might have an adverse effect on any trading market for our Common Stock.

OUR COMMON SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO THE “PENNY STOCK” RULES OF THE SEC AND THE TRADING MARKET IN OUR SECURITIES IS LIMITED, WHICH MAKES TRANSACTIONS IN OUR STOCK CUMBERSOME AND MAY REDUCE THE VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR STOCK.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.

For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require:

In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must: (a) obtain financial information and investment experience objectives of the person; and (b) make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks.

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the Commission relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form: (a) sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination, and (b) that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction. Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our Common shares and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.

Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.

LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS FOR BREACH OF DUTY OF CARE IS LIMITED.

According to Nevada law (NRS 78.138(7)), all Nevada corporations limit the liability of directors and officers, including acts not in good faith. Our stockholders’ ability to recover damages for fiduciary breaches may be reduced by this statute. In addition, we are obligated to indemnify our directors and officers regarding stockholder suits which they successfully defend (NRS 78.7502).

BECAUSE WE DO NOT INTEND TO PAY ANY CASH DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON STOCK, OUR STOCKHOLDERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE A RETURN ON THEIR SHARES UNLESS THEY SELL THEM.

We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Unless we pay dividends, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them. There is no assurance that stockholders will be able to sell shares when desired.

WE MAY ISSUE ADDITIONAL SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK IN THE FUTURE THAT MAY ADVERSELY IMPACT YOUR RIGHTS AS HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock in various classes. As of December 31, 2017 there are 39,520,682 outstanding shares of common stock. Currently, the Company has issued 31,581 shares of Series A Preferred, 8,063 shares of Series B Preferred and 0 shares of Series D Preferred stock outstanding. As of May 15, 2018, our outstanding preferred stock is convertible into 233,496 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Our board of directors will have the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred shares, as well as the authority to issue additional shares, without further stockholder approval. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders preferred rights to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividends before dividends are declared to holders of our Common Stock, and the right to the redemption of such preferred shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of the Common Stock. To the extent that we do issue such additional shares of preferred stock, your rights as holders of Common Stock could be impaired thereby, including, without limitation, dilution of your ownership interests in us. In addition, shares of preferred stock could be issued with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control or make removal of management more difficult, which may not be in your interest as a holder of Common Stock.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties.

As of May 15, 2018, our corporate headquarters which houses operations and support personnel, is located at 202 S Dean Street, Englewood, NJ 07631, an office consisting of a total of 12,000 square feet. The current lease term is effective from January 8, 2014 through May 1, 2018 (the “Term”) with monthly rent of $8,500 until December 31, 2015 and $14,165 for each subsequent year of the Term thereafter. Because the Term expired May 1, 2018, the Company is currently operating on a month-to-month basis at the same monthly rent of $14,165.

We will be relocating our corporate headquarters as soon as the construction on our new office is complete. We recently signed a lease for the new corporate headquarters consisting of a total of 2,300 square feet. The lease term is effective upon the later of May 1, 2018 or substantial completion of the landlord’s work and ends five years and one month after the lease commences with monthly rent of $5,612.00 for the first year and increases at a rate of 3% for each subsequent year thereafter.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are not currently involved in any litigation that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of our Company our subsidiary, threatened against or affecting our Company, our common stock, our subsidiary or of our Company’s or our Company’s subsidiary’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, in which an adverse decision could have a material adverse effect.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

PART II

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

(a) Market Information

Our shares of Common Stock are quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “JMDA”. Prior to March 3, 2016, our shares of Common Stock were quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “GTPH”. The OTCQB is a quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last-sale prices, and volume information in over-the-counter (“OTC”) equity securities. An OTCQB equity security is not listed or traded on a national securities exchange.

The following table sets forth the high and low bid price for our common stock for each quarter during the 2017 and 2016 fiscal years and the first and second quarters of the 2018 fiscal year through May 16, 2018. The prices reflect inter-dealer quotations, do not include retail mark-ups, markdowns or commissions and do not necessarily reflect actual transactions.

(b) Holders of Common Equity

As of May 16, 2018, there were approximately 125 stockholders of record. An additional number of stockholders are beneficial holders of our Common Stock in “street name” through banks, brokers and other financial institutions that are the record holders.

(c) Dividend Information

We have not paid any cash dividends to our holders of common stock. The declaration of any future cash dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and depends upon our earnings, if any, our capital requirements and financial position, our general economic conditions, and other pertinent conditions. It is our present intention not to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, but rather to reinvest earnings, if any, in our business operations.

(d) Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

There are currently 17,649,990 outstanding options to purchase our securities with a weighted exercise price of $0.42 per option. Currently, the Company has 350,010 available options to issue under the plan.

Option Plan

Pursuant to the Merger, on February 5, 2016, the Company assumed Jerrick’s 2015 Stock Incentive and Award Plan (the “Plan”) which provides for the issuance of up to 18,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

The purpose of the Plan is to provide additional incentive to those officers, employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company and its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates whose contributions are essential to the growth and success of the Company’s business.

Eligible recipients of option awards are employees, officers, consultants or directors (including non-employee directors) of the Company or of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. Upon recommendation from the board or the Compensation Committee, the board has the authority to grant to any eligible recipient any options, restricted stock or other awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock.

The provisions of each option granted need not be the same with respect to each option recipient. Option recipients shall enter into award agreements with us, in such form as the board shall determine.

The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee consisting of two or more independent, non-employee and outside directors. In the absence of such a Committee, the board of the Company shall administer the Plan.

Each Option shall contain the following material terms:

Each award of Restricted Stock is subject to the following material terms:

(e) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we issued securities that were not registered under the Securities Act, and were not previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as listed below. All of the securities discussed in this Item 5(e) were issued in reliance on the exemption under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On February 7, 2017, the Company issued 1,767,633 shares of its restricted Common Stock to consultants in exchange for services at a fair value of $293,427.

In March of 2017, the Company issued 60,000 shares of Common Stock to ProActive Capital Resources Group, under an Advisory Agreement for their services as an Investor Relations group.

On April 25, 2017, the Company issued convertible notes to Arthur Rosen, totaling $25,000 (the “April Rosen Notes”). The April Rosen Notes accrue interest at 12% per annum and mature with interest and principal both due on September 1, 2017. In addition, in connection with the April Rosen Notes, the Company issued a five-year warrant to purchase 17,500 shares of Company common stock at a purchase price of $0.20 per share. On September 7, 2017, the April Rosen Notes and accrued interest was converted into the August 2017 Convertible Note Offering.

On April 25, 2017, the Company issued a convertible note to Chris Gordon, totaling $25,000 (the “April Gordon Notes”). The April Gordon Notes accrue interest at 12% per annum and matures with interest and principal both due on September 1, 2017. In addition, the Company issued a five-year warrant to purchase 17,500 shares of Company common stock at a purchase price of $0.20 per share. The April Gordon Notes and accrued interest were converted into the August 2017 Convertible Note Offering.

In November of 2017, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock to Arthur Rosen in consideration for the extension of an outstanding Promissory Note. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.20 and an expiration date of November 13, 2022.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

As a Smaller Reporting Company, the Company is not required to include the disclosure under this Item 6 Selected Financial Data.  

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

THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OF OUR PLAN OF OPERATION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS REPORT. THIS DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT RELATE TO FUTURE EVENTS OR OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. THESE STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE OUR ACTUAL RESULTS, LEVELS OF ACTIVITY, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS, LEVELS OF ACTIVITY, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THOSE LISTED UNDER “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” AND “RISK FACTORS” AND THOSE INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS REPORT.

Overview

Jerrick Media Holdings Inc. develops technology-based solutions designed to solve for challenges that have resulted from disruption and evolution within the broad digital media and content generation environment. Its flagship product Vocal is a long-form, digital publishing platform focused on supporting content creators with content management tools that are embedded within digital communities. Vocal is architected to enable targeted marketing of branded content and e-commerce opportunities in long-form content. Vocal’s community sites are moderated by a dedicated team with a primary focus on creating healthy communities and identifying monetization opportunities within them.

Vocal serves as a versatile home for content creators. The platform supports multiple forms of content such as: short videos, podcasts, music, and written word. This activity is expected to increase at a rapid pace. A fraction of creators achieve meaningful visibility for their content, and even fewer are rewarded financially. Jerrick Media Holdings’ product Vocal provides a solution for the creative community.

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc. partners with content creators and brands that recognize difficulties inherent in the digital advertising space and are looking to capitalize on the branded content marketing opportunities available on publishing platforms like Vocal.

During the remainder of the second quarter of 2018, Jerrick planned and plans to launch additional revenue lines, including brand subscriptions to access the platform and its community of creators as well as subscription revenues for creator upgrade tools. The Company believes that these new streams of revenue will contribute a meaningful portion of revenues in fiscal year 2018. The Company also intends to release further enhancements to the Vocal editor and introduce social features.

In the third and fourth quarters of 2018, the Company plans to introduce Software as a Service (SaaS) subscriptions to the Vocal platform. Additional features will include user analytics updates as well as iOS and Android applications.

Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table summarizes total current assets, liabilities and working capital at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016:

At December 31, 2017, we had a working capital deficit of $4,047,268, as compared to a working capital deficit of $3,360,502 at December 31, 2016, an increase of $686,766. The increase is primarily attributable to the decrease in cash, increase in accrued dividends, increase in notes payable and an increase in line of credit related party. These were offset by an increase in accounts receivable, decrease in convertible notes current, decrease in note payable related party and a decrease in line of credit.

Net Cash

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, was $3,852,552 and $2,517,113 respectively. The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $8,751,586 and $7,391,907, respectively. This change is primarily attributable to the net loss for the current period offset by the repayment of a deposit in the amount of $10,000, share-based payments in the amount of $1,262,377 to employees and consultants for services rendered, the accretion of debt discount and debt issuance costs of $1,828,027 due to the incentives given with debentures, and a loss on extinguishment of debt of $906,531 for the incentives given to amend or convert debt. These increases were offset by gain on settlement of the revenue based factoring agreement of $2,079, gain on settlement of vendor liabilities of $167,905 and a change in accounts receivable of $1,325.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $14,662 and $43,957 for the purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3,803,771 and $2,296,935. During the 2017 period, the Company was predominantly financed by issuance of notes and related party notes of $3,743,085 and $1,084,000, respectively to fund operations. These increases were offset by repayment of note payable and convertible notes of $100,000 and $477,777, respectively. The Company also paid $211,956 for debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2017. During the 2016 period, the Company was predominantly financed by issuance of notes and preferred stock.

Summary of Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

Net Revenue

Net revenue was $95,653 for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $ 223,927 for the comparable year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $128,274. The decrease in net revenue is primarily attributable to the Company’s transitioning its ecommerce business from direct sale of products and Company owned memorabilia, through various web-based distribution channels, toward generating revenue through native advertising, branded marketing, and affiliate sales, resulting from the creation of genre specific, user generated content community websites. As part of that transition, the Company focused its efforts throughout 2017 on the development of its proprietary Vocal software platform to support the scalability of its business model.

Gross Profit

Gross profit percentage was 100% during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Gross margin is primarily attributable to the Company’s higher margin advertising and branded content revenue resulting from increased traffic on its websites, as well as media sales with little to no associated cost. The Company expects its gross margins to fluctuate as its business model continues to evolve.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 were $5,657,981 as compared to $3,872,362 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase of $1,785,619 in operating expenses is a result of a $644,768 increase in General and Administrative expenses related to the continued development of the Vocal platform, including the launch of additional content, a $134,728 decrease in consulting and professional fees related to being a publicly traded company and a $345,912 increase in compensation.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $5,562,328 as compared to loss of $3,691,756 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in the loss from operations is primarily attributable to an increase in expenses related to the continued development of the Vocal platform, including the launch of additional content and operating as a publicly traded company and the decrease in sales.

Other Income (Expenses)

Other income (expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $(3,189,258), as compared to $(3,700,151) for the year ended December 31, 2016. Other expenses during the year ended December 31, 2017 was comprised of interest expense of $(477,005) on notes and related party notes, accretion of debt discount and issuance cost of $(1,828,027) due to the incentives given with debentures and loss on extinguishment of debt of $(906,531) for the incentives given to amend or convert debt. These expenses were offset by the gain on settlement of the revenue based factoring agreement of $2,079 as recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017. During year ended December 31, 2016, other expenses were comprised of interest expense of $(3,474,529) on notes and related party notes, accretion of debt discount and issuance cost of $(235,622) due to the incentives given with debentures. These expenses were offset by the gain on the sale of asset of $10,000 as recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Net Loss

Net loss attributable to common shareholder for year ended December 31, 2017, was $8,751,586, or loss per share of $0.23, as compared to a net loss of $7,391,907, or loss per share of $0.23, for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Inflation did not have a material impact on the Company’s operations for the applicable period. Other than the foregoing, management knows of no trends, demands, or uncertainties that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

As of December 31, 2017, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements. 

Critical Accounting Policies

We believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid you in fully understanding and evaluating this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.”

Use of Estimates

We use estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that could be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets are marked to bid prices and financial liabilities are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs. A fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined into the following three categories: 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

The Company recognizes income and expenses based on the accrual method of accounting.

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and the tax bases of the assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect, when the differences are expected to reverse. An allowance against deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that such tax benefits will not be realized.

Derivative Liability

The Company evaluates its debt and equity issuances to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for in accordance with paragraph 815-10-05-4 and Section 815-40-25 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the embedded derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as either an asset or a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as other income or expense. Upon conversion, exercise or cancellation of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the date of conversion, exercise or cancellation and then the related fair value is reclassified to equity.

In circumstances where the embedded conversion option in a convertible instrument is required to be bifurcated and there are also other embedded derivative instruments in the convertible instrument that are required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.

The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification are reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date. Derivative instrument liabilities will be classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument is expected within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

The Company adopted Section 815-40-15 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Section 815-40-15”) to determine whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to the Company’s own stock. Section 815-40-15 provides that an entity should use a two-step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions.  The Company changed its method of accounting for the debt and warrants through the early adoption of ASU 2017-11 during the three months ended December 31, 2017 on a retrospective basis.

The Company utilizes an option pricing model to compute the fair value of the derivative and to mark to market the fair value of the derivative at each balance sheet date. The Company records the change in the fair value of the derivative as other income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Stock Based Compensation

All stock-based payments to employees, non-employee consultants, and to nonemployee directors for their services as directors, including any grants of restricted stock and stock options, are measured at fair value on the grant date and recognized in the statements of operations as compensation or other expense over the relevant service period. Stock-based payments to nonemployees are recognized as an expense over the period of performance. Such payments are measured at fair value at the earlier of the date a performance commitment is reached or the date performance is completed. In addition, for awards that vest immediately and are non-forfeitable the measurement date is the date the award is issued.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company does not expect that the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We do not hold any derivative instruments and do not engage in any hedging activities.

Item 8. Financial Statements.

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc.

December 31, 2017 and 2016

Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Explanatory Paragraph Regarding Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Sadler, Gibb & Associates, LLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

Salt Lake City, UT

May 17, 2018

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016. Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc.’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the entity will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the entity has suffered recurring losses from operations that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ KLJ & Associates, LLP

KLJ & Associates, LLP

Edina, MN

March 31, 2017

5201 Eden Avenue

Suite 300

Edina, MN 55436

630.277.2330

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

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

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

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

Jerrick Media Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

For the Years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016