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Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. - Annual Report: 2018 (Form 10-K)

Annual Report

 



 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

þ

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

Or

 

¨

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number: 001-38331

 

DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida

 

86-0787790

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

2151 Le Jeune Road, Suite 150-Mezzanine, Coral Gables, FL

 

33134

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number (305) 774-0407

 

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

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.015 par value per share

 

The Nasdaq Capital Market

Warrants to purchase Common Stock, $0.015 par value per share

 

The Nasdaq Capital Market


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

None

 

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by a check mark if 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. þ Yes ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, 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 such files). þ Yes ¨ No

 

Indicate by a 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 a check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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:

 

Large accelerated filer ¨

 

Accelerated filer ¨

 

Non-accelerated filer þ

 

Smaller reporting company þ

 

Emerging Growth Company ¨

 

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 Act.) ¨ Yes þ No

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $15,699,925

 

Number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of April 4, 2019: 14,394,562

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, which proxy statement will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are hereby incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 




 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

Page

PART I

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

1

 

 

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

5

 

 

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

18

 

 

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

 

19

 

 

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

19

 

 

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

19

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES  

 

20

 

 

 

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

20

 

 

 

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  

 

20

 

 

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

38

 

 

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

39

 

 

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE  

 

39

 

 

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

38

 

 

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

41

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

41

 

 

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

41

 

 

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS  

 

41

 

 

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

41

 

 

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

41

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

42

 

 

 

Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

45

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

46



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PART I


Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “we”, “us”, “our, “Dolphin” and the “Company” refer to Dolphin Entertainment, Inc., a Florida corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.


ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

Overview

We are a leading independent entertainment marketing and premium content development company. Through our subsidiaries, 42West LLC (“42West”) and The Door Marketing Group LLC (“The Door”), we provide expert strategic marketing and publicity services to many of the top brands, both individual and corporate, in the entertainment and hospitality industries.  The Door and 42West are both recognized global leaders in the PR services for the industries they serve. Our recent acquisition of Viewpoint Computer Animation Incorporated (“Viewpoint”) has added full-service creative branding and production capabilities to our marketing group.  Dolphin’s legacy content production business, founded by Emmy-nominated Chief Executive Officer, Bill O’Dowd, has produced multiple feature films and award-winning digital series, primarily aimed at the family and young adult markets.

We were first incorporated in the State of Nevada on March 7, 1995 and domesticated in the State of Florida on December 4, 2014.  Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “DLPN”.

We currently operate in two reportable segments:  our entertainment publicity and marketing segment and our content production segment. The entertainment publicity and marketing segment is composed of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint and provides clients with diversified services, including public relations, entertainment content marketing, strategic communications, social media marketing, creative branding, and the production of marketing video content. The content production segment is composed of Dolphin Films, Inc. (“Dolphin Films”) and Dolphin Digital Studios, which produce and distribute feature films and digital content.

With respect to our entertainment publicity and marketing segment, we currently see a favorable environment for organic growth.  The original content budgets of many large studios and streaming services have grown considerably the past few years, and are expected to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.  Furthermore, 2019 and 2020 are scheduled to see the entrance, or large-scale expansion, of streaming services from Disney, Warner Bros., NBC Universal and Apple, all to compete with Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. We believe that the foremost differentiating factor for all of these platforms will be original programming and, consequently, it is anticipated that there will be an increase of billions of dollars in programming spend across the market.  We also believe that each of these original shows will need substantial public relations and marketing campaigns to drive consumer awareness of both the show themselves and the respective platforms on which to find them.

Additionally, we have endeavored to create a “marketing super group”, combining marketing, public relations, branding, and digital production, that will serve as a platform for organic growth via the cross-selling of services among our subsidiaries.  By way of example, both 42West and The Door have identified the ability to create content for clients as a “must have” for public relations campaigns in today’s environment, which relies so heavily on video clips to drive social media awareness and engagement. Thus, we believe that our acquisition of Viewpoint provides a critical competitive advantage in the acquisition of new clients in the entertainment and lifestyle marketing space, and has the potential to fuel topline revenue growth as the average revenue per client increases with the cross-selling of video content creation services.

Finally, we believe that 42West and our existing portfolio of public relations and marketing companies will continue to attract future acquisitions. We believe that our “marketing super group” is unique in the industry, as a collection of best-in-class service providers across a variety of entertainment and lifestyle verticals. We further believe that with each new acquisition in this space, our portfolio will increase its breadth and depth of services and, therefore, be able to offer an even more compelling opportunity for other industry leaders to join, and enjoy the benefits of cross-selling to a wide variety of existing and potential clients. Thus, we believe we can continue to grow both revenues and profits through future acquisitions into our entertainment publicity and marketing segment.



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Growth Opportunities and Strategies

We are focused on driving growth through the following:

Expand and grow 42West to serve more clients with a broad array of interrelated services. As a result of 42West’s acquisition by Dolphin and enhanced by the recent acquisition of Viewpoint, 42West has the ability to create promotional and marketing content for clients, a critical service for celebrities and marketers alike in today’s digital world. We believe that by the addition of content creation to 42West’s capabilities, we can capitalize on unique synergies to drive organic growth, which we expect will allow us to both attract new clients and broaden our offering of billable services to existing ones. We also believe that the skills and experience of our 42West business in entertainment PR are readily transferable to related business sectors, such as sports. The growing involvement in non-entertainment businesses by many of our existing entertainment clients has allowed 42West to establish a presence and develop expertise outside its traditional footprint. Using this as a foundation, we are now working to expand our involvement in these new areas.

We also expect to continue to grow 42West’s current business divisions. For example:

·

In the Entertainment Marketing division, several of our large key clients have announced increased movie marketing budgets over the next several years that we expect will drive growth of our revenue and profits;


·

In the Talent division, we expect to continue to drive significant growth through the hiring of additional individuals or teams whose existing books of business and talent rosters can be accretive to revenues and profits of the business; and


·

In the Strategic Communications division, we believe that growth will be driven by increasing demand for these services by traditional and non-traditional media clients over the next three to five years as they expand their activities in the content production, branding, and consumer products sectors. We believe that this growth could result in the Strategic Communications division significantly increasing its contribution to revenue and profit, as this division typically generates higher profit margins than the other 42West divisions.

Expand and grow The Door through the expansion of Consumer Products PR business.  The Door’s market-leading position in both the food and hospitality verticals, with many clients which have consumer-facing products and the need for attendant marketing campaigns, has provided the Company with the requisite experience for a successful entry into the high-margin consumer products PR business with potential clients outside of the food and hospitality verticals. We plan to significantly increase the number of consumer products PR accounts at The Door through the hiring of a dedicated team of experienced professionals for this new business line.  Such accounts often generate higher monthly fees and longer-term engagements than any other customer vertical.

Diversify Viewpoint’s Client Base.  Viewpoint is a leading creative branding agency and promotional video content producer for the television industry, with long-term clients such as HBO, Discovery Networks, Showtime and AMC.  Through 42West and The Door, Viewpoint can offer its best-in-class services to several new verticals, including motion picture production and distribution companies, restaurant groups, the hospitality and travel industry and the marketers of consumer products. The ability for Viewpoint to reach clients of 42West and The Door provides Viewpoint with the opportunity to diversity its client base, while allowing 42West and The Door to increase their service offerings to, existing and future clients, potentially driving increased revenues.

Opportunistically grow through complementary acquisitions. We plan to selectively pursue acquisitions to further enhance our competitive advantages, scale our revenues, and increase our profitability. Our acquisition strategy is based on identifying and acquiring companies that complement our existing entertainment publicity services businesses. We believe that complementary businesses, such as digital and social media marketing, event planning and PR firms in other entertainment verticals, can create synergistic opportunities that may increase profits and operating cash flow. We intend to complete at least one acquisition during the next year, although there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.

Build a portfolio of premium film, television and digital content. We intend to grow and diversify our portfolio of film and digital content by capitalizing on demand for high quality digital media and film content throughout the world marketplace. We plan to balance our financial risks against the probability of commercial success for each project. We believe that our strategic focus on content and creation of innovative content distribution strategies will enhance our competitive position in the industry, ensure optimal use of our capital, build a diversified foundation for future growth and generate long-term value for our shareholders. Finally, we believe that marketing strategies that will be developed by 42West will drive our creative content, thus creating greater potential for profitability.



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Entertainment Publicity and Marketing

42West

Through 42West, an entertainment public relations agency, we offer talent publicity, entertainment (motion picture and television) marketing and strategic communications services. Prior to its acquisition, 42West grew to become one of the largest independently-owned public relations firms in the entertainment industry. As such, we believe that 42West has served, and will continue to serve, as an “acquisition magnet” for us to acquire new members of our marketing “super group,” which has the ability to provide synergistic new members with the opportunity to grow revenues and profits through 42West’s access, relationships and experience in the entertainment industry.

Our public relations and marketing professionals at 42West develop and execute marketing and publicity strategies for dozens of movies and television shows annually, as well as for individual actors, filmmakers, recording artists, and authors. Through 42West, we provide services in the following areas:

Talent Publicity

We focus on creating and implementing strategic communication campaigns for performers and entertainers, including television and film stars, recording artists, authors, models and theater actors. Our talent roster includes Oscar- and Emmy-winning actors and Grammy-nominated singers and musicians and New York Times best-selling authors. Our services in this area include ongoing strategic counsel, media relations, studio, network, charity, corporate liaison and event and tour support.

Entertainment Marketing

We provide marketing direction, public relations counsel and media strategy for productions (including theatrical films, DVD and VOD releases, television programs, and online series) as well as content producers, ranging from individual filmmakers and creative artists to production companies, film financiers, DVD distributors, and other entities. Our capabilities include worldwide studio releases, independent films, television programming and web productions. We provide entertainment marketing services in connection with film festivals, awards campaigns, event publicity and red carpet management.

Strategic Communications

Our strategic communications team advises high-profile individuals and companies faced with sensitive situations or looking to raise, reposition, or rehabilitate their public profiles. We also help studios and filmmakers deal with controversial movies.

Much of the activities of our strategic communications team involves orchestrating high-stakes communications campaigns in response to sensitive, complex situations where clients seek to rehabilitate their public profiles. We also help companies define objectives, develop messaging, create brand identities, and construct long-term strategies to achieve specific goals, as well as manage functions such as media relations or internal communications on a day-to-day basis. The strategic communications team focuses on strategic communications counsel, corporate positioning, brand enhancement, media relations, reputation and issues management, litigation support and crisis management and communications. Our clients include major studios and production companies, record labels, media conglomerates, technology companies, philanthropic organizations, talent guilds, and trade associations, as well as a wide variety of high-profile individuals, ranging from major movie and pop stars to top executives and entrepreneurs.

The Door

Through The Door, a hospitality, lifestyle and consumer products public relations agency, we offer traditional public relations services, as well as social media marketing, creative branding, and strategic counsel. Prior to its acquisition by us, The Door was widely considered the leading independent public relations firm in the hospitality and lifestyle industries. Among other benefits, The Door acquisition has expanded our entertainment verticals through the addition of celebrity chefs and their restaurants, as well as with live events, such as some of the most prestigious food and wine festivals.

Our public relations and marketing professionals at The Door develop and execute marketing and publicity strategies for dozens of restaurant and hotel groups annually, as well as for individual chefs, live events, and consumer-facing corporations.



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Viewpoint

Viewpoint is a full-service, boutique creative branding and production agency that has earned a reputation as one of the top producers of promotional brand-support videos for a wide variety of leading cable networks in the television industry.  Viewpoint’s capabilities run the full range of creative branding and production, from concept creation to final delivery, and include:  brand strategy, concept and creative development, design & art direction, script & copywriting, live action production & photography, digital development, video editing & composite, animation, audio mixing & engineering, project management and technical support.

Content Production

Dolphin Films

Dolphin Films is a content producer of motion pictures. We own the rights to several scripts that we intend to produce at a future date.

Our pipeline of feature films includes:

·

Youngblood, an updated version of the 1986 hockey classic;

·

Out of Their League, a romantic comedy pitting husband against wife in the cut-throat world of fantasy football; and

·

Ask Me, a teen comedy in which a high-school student starts a business to help her classmates create elaborate “promposals”.

We have completed development of each of these feature films, which means that we have completed the script and can begin pre-production if and when financing is obtained.  We also own several other scripts that we may determine to produce as digital content if online distribution is secured.

Dolphin Digital Studios

Dolphin Digital Studios creates original content to premiere online in the form of web series, sources financing for our digital media projects and distributes our web series through a variety of distribution partners depending on the demographic served.

Competition

The businesses in which we engage are highly competitive. Through 42West and The Door, we compete against other public relations and marketing communications companies, as well as independent and niche agencies to win new clients and maintain existing client relationships. Through Viewpoint, we compete against other creative branding agencies, as well as in-house creative teams at many of our clients.  Our content production business faces competition from companies within the entertainment business and from alternative forms of leisure entertainment, such as travel, sporting events, video games and computer-related activities. We are subject to competition from other digital media and motion production companies, as well as from large, well-established companies within the entertainment industry that have significantly greater development, production, distribution and capital resources than us. We compete for the acquisition of literary properties and for the services of producers, directors, actors and other artists as well as creative and technical personnel and production financing, all of which are essential to the success of our business. In addition, our productions compete for audience acceptance and advertising dollars.

We believe that we compete on the basis of the following competitive strengths:

·

Market Reputations of 42West and The Door both 42West and The Door consistently rank among the most prestigious and powerful public relations firms in the United States (both ranking in the Top 15 Most Powerful PR Firms each of the last two years, as published by the New York Observer), which is a significant competitive advantage given the nature of the entertainment marketing and public relations industry, in which perception is power;



4



 


·

An Exceptional Management Teamour CEO, Mr. ODowd, has a 20-year history of producing and delivering high-quality family entertainment. In addition, 42West’s three co-CEOs, Leslee Dart, Amanda Lundberg, and Allan Mayer, along with The Door’s CEO, Charlie Dougiello and President, Lois O’Neill, are all longtime PR practitioners, with decades of experience, and are widely regarded as being among the top communications strategists in the entertainment industry, as evidenced by the market reputation of their companies; and

·

Our Ability to Offer Interrelated Serviceswe believe that the ability to create video and other promotional content for our 42West and The Door clients, primarily through the services of Viewpoint, and the ability to internally develop and execute marketing campaigns for our digital and film productions will allow us to expand and grow each of our business lines.

Employees

As of March 15, 2019, we had 144 full-time employees. We believe our relationship with our employees is good. We also utilize consultants in the ordinary course of our business and hire additional employees on a project-by-project basis in connection with the production of digital media projects or motion pictures.

Regulatory Matters

We are subject to state and federal work and safety laws and disclosure obligations, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and similar state organizations.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements under Section 13(a) and Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. To the extent we are subject to these requirements, we will have our financial statements audited by an independent public accounting firm that is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and comply with Rule 8-03 or 10-01(d), as applicable, of Regulation S-X.

Corporate Offices

Our corporate headquarters is located at 2151 Le Jeune Road, Suite 150-Mezzanine, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. We also have offices located at 600 3rd Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, New York, 10016, 37 West 17th Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York, 10011, 1840 Century Park East, Suite 700, Los Angeles, California 90067, 1460 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60642 and 55 Chapel Street, Newton, Massachusetts, 02458. Our telephone number is (305) 774-0407 and our website address is www.dolphinentertainment.com.  Information available on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Use of our Website to Distribute Material Company Information

We use our website as a channel of distribution for important Company information. We routinely post on our website important information, including press releases, investor presentations and financial information, which may be accessed by clicking on the Investor Relations section of www.dolphinentertainment.com. We also use our website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding our Company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations subpage of our website for important and time-critical information.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Risks Related to our Business and Financial Condition

Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

For each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, our independent auditors issued an explanatory paragraph in their audit report expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern based upon our recurring losses from operations from prior years, our accumulated deficit, and our working capital deficit. The financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. Management is planning to raise any necessary additional capital to fund our operating expenses through loans and additional sales of our common stock, securities convertible into our common stock, debt securities or a combination of such financing alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising any necessary additional capital. If we are not successful in raising additional capital, we may not have enough financial resources to support our business and operations and, as a result, may not be able to continue as a going concern and could be forced to liquidate. Please also see Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




5



 


We have a history of net losses and may continue to incur net losses.

We have a history of net losses and may be unable to generate sufficient revenue to achieve profitability in the future. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, our net loss was $2,913,321. Although we had net income of $6,912,524 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a substantial portion of such net income was attributable to a change in fair value of warrant liability and gain on extinguishment of debt. Our accumulated deficit was $94,529,174 and $92,899,680 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our ability to generate net profit in the future will depend on our ability to successfully produce and commercialize multiple web series and films, as no single project is likely to generate sufficient revenue to cover our operating expenses, and to realize the financial benefits from the operations of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint. If we are unable to generate net profit at some point, we will not be able to meet our debt service or working capital requirements. As a result, we may need to (i) issue additional equity, which could dilute the value of your share holdings, (ii) sell a portion or all of our assets, including any project rights which might have otherwise generated revenue, or (iii) cease operations.

We currently have substantial indebtedness which may adversely affect our cash flow and business operations and may affect our ability to continue to operate as a going concern.

We currently have a substantial amount of debt. We do not currently have sufficient assets to repay such debt in full when due, and our available cash flow may not be adequate to maintain our current operations if we are unable to repay, extend or refinance such indebtedness. The table below sets forth our total principal amount of debt and stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Approximately $6.0 million of our total debt as of December 31, 2018 represented the fair value of the put options in connection with the 42West acquisition, which may or may not be exercised by the sellers. Approximately $2.4 million of our indebtedness as of December 31, 2018 (approximately $0.7 million outstanding under a prints and advertising loan agreement and $1.7 million outstanding under a production service agreement) was incurred by our subsidiary Dolphin Max Steel Holdings LLC and Max Steel Productions, LLC.  Max Steel Productions, LLC was a variable interest entity (or VIE) created in connection with the financing and production of Max Steel (the “Max Steel VIE”). The prints and advertising loan is partially secured by a $4.5 million corporate guaranty from an unaffiliated party associated with the motion picture, of which we have agreed to backstop $620,000. As a condition precedent to closing the loans, Dolphin Max Steel Holdings LLC delivered to the lenders clear chain-of-title to the rights of the motion picture Max Steel. Repayment of these loans was intended to be made from revenues generated by Max Steel both within and outside of the United States. Max Steel did not generate sufficient funds to repay either of these loans prior to the maturity date. As a result, if the lenders foreclose on the collateral securing the loans, our subsidiary will lose the copyright for Max Steel and, consequently, will no longer receive any revenues from Max Steel. In addition, we would impair the entire capitalized production costs of Max Steel included as an asset on our balance sheet, which as of December 31, 2018 was approximately $0.6 million. We are not parties to either of the loan agreements and have not guaranteed to the lenders any of the amounts outstanding, although we have provided a $620,000 backstop to the guarantor of the prints and advertising loan, as described above. As such, we believe that the only recourse for the lenders under the loans is to foreclose on the collateral securing the loans, which consists of the copyright for Max Steel. However, if a lender were to successfully assert that we are liable to the lenders for the payment of our subsidiary’s or the Max Steel VIE’s debt despite the lack of contractual obligation, we do not have sufficient funds to repay these loans, which would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Approximately $2.5 million of our debt is related to convertible notes payable and $1.7 million is a line of credit with Bank United.



 

 

As of
December 31,
2018

 

 

As of
December 31,
2017

 

Related party debt

 

$

1,107,873

 

 

$

1,708,874

 

Max Steel debt

 

$

2,411,828

 

 

$

3,987,220

 

Total Debt (including put option liability, Max Steel debt and related party debt)

 

$

14,298,315

 

 

$

14,447,104

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

10,776,527

 

 

$

6,076,357

 


Our indebtedness could have important negative consequences, including:

·

our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, future productions or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all;

·

we may have to pay higher interest rates upon obtaining future financing, thereby reducing our cash flows; and

·

we may need a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operations and future business opportunities.



6



 


Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance and our ability to obtain additional financing, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions, the profitability of our content production and entertainment publicity and marketing businesses and other factors contained in these Risk Factors, some of which are beyond our control.

If we are not able to generate sufficient cash to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing or delaying digital or film productions, delaying or abandoning potential acquisitions, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness or seeking additional debt or equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms or at all and our indebtedness may affect our ability to continue to operate as a going concern.

Our failure to comply with the requirements of our revolving line of credit could adversely affect our operating flexibility.

We have the ability to borrow money pursuant to a loan agreement between 42West and BankUnited, N.A., containing certain operating and financial covenants, which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make loans, investments or certain acquisitions, or enter into certain types of agreements. Our failure or inability to comply with the requirements of this facility, including meeting certain financial ratios or other covenants, could limit the availability of borrowings thereunder or result in an event of default. An event of default would permit acceleration of any outstanding indebtedness under this facility and would impair our ability to obtain working capital advances and letters of credit for 42West, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities.

We are, and in the future may become, party to litigation claims and legal proceedings.  We face litigation risks regarding a variety of issues, including without limitation, copyright infringement, allegations against clients or events we provide marketing services for, alleged violations of federal and state labor and employment laws, securities laws, and other matters. These proceedings may be time consuming, expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. The defense of such lawsuits could result in significant expense and the diversion of our management’s time and attention from the operation of our business. Costs we incur to defend or to satisfy a judgment or settlement of these claims may not be covered by insurance or could exceed the amount of that coverage or increase our insurance costs and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows. 

Our management has determined that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective as we have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls.

As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, management concluded that for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017,  our internal control over financial reporting was not effective and we identified several material weaknesses. Our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

We have commenced our remediation efforts as discussed in Part II, 9A. Controls and Procedures of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to address the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and ineffective disclosure controls and procedures.  If our remedial measures are insufficient, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls occur in the future, we could be required to restate our financial results, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, restrict our ability to access the capital markets, require us to expend significant resources to correct the weakness or deficiencies, harm our reputation and otherwise cause a decline in investor confidence. In addition, we could be subject to, among other things, regulatory or enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission, (the “SEC” or the “Commission”).




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The operation of our business could be adversely affected if Max Steel VIE goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.

Max Steel VIE holds certain of our intellectual property and film distribution rights which are security for certain of the Max Steel VIE’s debt obligations. Max Steel VIE is currently in default on all or a portion of those debt obligations. If Max Steel VIE is unable to repay such debts and the debt holders foreclose on such debts and take control of the intellectual property and film distribution rights, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if Max Steel VIE undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our future revenue from such film.

We rely on information technology systems that are susceptible to cybersecurity risks.  In the event of a cybersecurity incident, we could experience operational interruptions, incur substantial additional costs, become subject to legal or regulatory proceedings or suffer damage to our reputation.

We rely on information technologies and infrastructure to manage our businesses, including digital storage of marketing strategies and client information, films and digital programming and delivery of digital marketing services for our businesses. Data maintained in digital form is subject to the risk of intrusion, tampering and theft. The incidence of malicious technology-related events, such as cyberattacks, computer hacking, computer viruses, worms or other destructive or disruptive software, denial of service attacks or other malicious activities is on the rise worldwide. Power outages, equipment failure, natural disasters (including extreme weather), terrorist activities or human error may also affect our systems and result in disruption of our services or loss or improper disclosure of personal data, business information or other confidential information.

Likewise, data privacy breaches, as well as improper use of social media, by employees and others may pose a risk that sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information, strategic plans and trade secrets, could be exposed to third parties or to the general public. We also utilize third parties, including third-party “cloud” computing services, to store, transfer or process data, and system failures or network disruptions or breaches in the systems of such third parties could adversely affect our reputation or business. Any such breaches or breakdowns could lead to business interruption, exposure of our or our clients’ proprietary or confidential information, data corruption, damage to our reputation, , exposure to legal and regulatory proceedings and other costs.  Such events could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  In addition, we could be adversely affected if any of our significant customers or suppliers experience any similar events that disrupt their business operations or damage their reputation. Efforts to develop, implement and maintain security measures are costly, may not be successful in preventing these events from occurring and require ongoing monitoring and updating as technologies change and efforts to overcome security measures become more sophisticated. Although we maintain monitoring practices and protections of our information technology to reduce these risks, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent the risk of a security breach of our databases or systems that could adversely affect our business.

Entertainment Publicity and Marketing Business

Our business could be adversely affected if we fail to retain the principal sellers, and other key employees of 42West and The Door and the clients they serve.

The success of our entertainment publicity and marketing business operated by 42West and The Door substantially depends on our ability to retain the services of Leslee Dart, Amanda Lundberg, Allan Mayer, Charles Dougiello and Lois O’Neill each a former owner of 42West or The Door, who we refer to collectively as the principal sellers. If we lose the services of one or more of these individuals, our ability to successfully implement our business plan with respect to our entertainment publicity and marketing business and the value of our common stock could be materially adversely affected. Although we entered into employment agreements with each of the principal sellers, there can be no assurance that they will serve the terms of their respective employment agreements or choose to remain with us following the expiration of such terms. In addition, the employees of 42West, and their skills and relationships with clients, are among our most valuable assets. In June of 2018, three of 42West’s most senior publicists and their related staff left the firm to form their own company.  Their departures resulted in a significant decrease in revenues.  An important aspect of the business’ competitiveness is its ability to retain such key employees. If 42West or The Door fails to hire and retain a sufficient number of these key employees, it may have a material adverse effect on our overall business and results of operations.



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42West’s talent roster currently includes some of the best known and most highly respected members of the entertainment community in addition to major studios and networks, corporations and well-known consumer brands. The Door’s client roster includes celebrity chefs and leading restaurant and hotel brands.  These clients often form highly loyal relationships with certain public relations and marketing professionals rather than with a particular firm. The employment agreements with the principal sellers currently contain non-competition provisions that prohibit the principal sellers from continuing to provide services to such clients should they leave our company, however, clients are free to engage other public relations and marketing professionals and there can be no assurance that they will choose to remain with our company. The success of 42West and The Door, therefore, depend on our ability to continue to successfully maintain such client relationships should the principal sellers or other key employees leave our company. If we are unable to retain the current 42West and The Door clients or attract new clients, then we could suffer a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

42West, The Door and Viewpoint operate in a highly competitive industry.

The entertainment publicity and marketing business is highly competitive. Through 42West and The Door, we must compete with other agencies, and with other providers of entertainment publicity services, in order to maintain existing client relationships and to win new clients. Through Viewpoint, we compete against other creative branding agencies, as well as in-house creative teams at many of our clients.  The client’s perception of the quality of an agency’s creative work and the agency’s reputation are critical factors in determining its competitive position.

The success of our entertainment publicity and marketing business depends on its ability to consistently and effectively deliver marketing and public relations services to its clients.

42West and The Door’s success depends on its ability to effectively and consistently staff and execute client engagements to achieve the clients’ unique personal or professional goals. 42West and The Door work to design customized communications or publicity campaigns tailored to the particular needs and objectives of particular projects. In some of its engagements, 42West and The Door rely on other third parties to provide some of the services to its clients, and we cannot guarantee that these third parties will effectively deliver their services or that we will have adequate recourse against these third parties in the event they fail to effectively deliver their services. Other contingencies and events outside of our control may also impact 42West and The Door’s ability to provide its services. 42West and The Door’s failure to effectively and timely staff, coordinate and execute its client engagements may adversely impact existing client relationships, the amount or timing of payments from clients, its reputation in the marketplace and ability to secure additional business and our resulting financial performance. In addition, our contractual arrangements with our clients may not provide us with sufficient protections against claims for lost profits or other claims for damages.

If we are unable to adapt to changing client demands, social and cultural trends or emerging technologies, we may not remain competitive and our business, revenues and operating results could suffer.

We operate in an industry characterized by rapidly changing client expectations, marketing technologies, and social mores and cultural trends that impact our target audiences. The entertainment industry continues to undergo significant developments as advances in technologies and new methods of message delivery and consumption emerge. These developments drive changes in our target audiences’ behavior to which we must adapt in order to reach our target audiences. In addition, our success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond to changing social mores and cultural trends that impact the entertainment industry and our target audiences. We must adapt our business to these trends, as well as shifting patterns of content consumption and changing behaviors and preferences of our target audiences, through the adoption and exploitation of new technologies. If we cannot successfully exploit emerging technologies or if the marketing strategies we choose misinterpret cultural or social trends and prove to be incorrect or ineffective, any of these could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.



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A significant labor dispute in our clients’ industries could have a material adverse effect on our business.

An industry-wide strike or other job action by or affecting the Writers Guild, Screen Actors Guild or other major entertainment industry union could reduce the supply of original entertainment content, which would in turn reduce the demand for our talent and entertainment marketing services. An extensive work stoppage would affect feature film production as well as television and commercial production and could have a material adverse effect on our clients and the motion picture production industry in general. For example, on November 5, 2007, the Writers Guild declared a strike affecting the script writing for television shows and films. The strike, which lasted until February 12, 2008, significantly affected the entertainment industry which consequently, had a material adverse impact on revenue generated by public relations and entertainment marketing agencies. Contracts between entertainment industry unions and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which we refer to as AMPTP, expire from time to time. The failure to finalize and ratify a new agreement with the AMPTP or the failure to enter into new commercial contracts upon expiration of the current contracts could lead to a strike or other job action. Any such severe or prolonged work stoppage could have an adverse effect on the television and/or motion picture production industries and could severely impair our clients’ prospects. Any resulting decrease in demand for our talent and entertainment marketing and other public relations services would have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and results of operations.

Clients may terminate or reduce their relationships with us on short notice.

As is customary in the industry, 42West’s and The Door’s agreements with their respective clients generally provide for termination by either party on relatively short notice, usually 30 days. Consequently, these clients may choose to reduce or terminate their relationships with us, on a relatively short time frame and for any reason. If a significant number of the 42West or The Door clients were to reduce the volume of business they conducted with us or terminate their relationships with us completely, this could have a material adverse effect upon our business and results of operations.  Viewpoint’s revenue is derived on a project by project basis.  Clients may decide to use other creative branding and production companies for their projects which would have an adverse effect upon our business and results of operations.

42West’s, The Door’s and Viewpoint’s ability to generate new business from new and existing clients may be limited.

To increase their revenues, 42West, The Door and Viewpoint need to obtain additional clients or generate demand for additional services from existing clients. 42West’s, The Door’s and Viewpoint’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’ needs, trends in the entertainment industry, financial conditions, strategic plans and internal resources of corporate clients, as well as the quality of 42West’s, The Door’s and Viewpoint’s employees, services and reputation. To the extent 42West, The Door and Viewpoint cannot generate new business from new or existing clients due to these limitations, their ability to grow their respective businesses, and our ability to increase our revenues, will be limited.

Revenues from our Entertainment Publicity and Marketing segment are susceptible to declines as a result of unfavorable economic conditions.

Economic downturns often severely affect the marketing services industry. Some of our corporate clients may respond to weak economic performance by reducing their marketing budgets, which are generally discretionary in nature and easier to reduce in the short-term than other expenses related to operations. In addition, economic downturns could lead to reduced public demand for varying forms of entertainment for which we are engaged to provide public relations and media strategy and promotional services. Such reduced demand for our services could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.



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Content Production Business

Our content production business requires a substantial investment of capital, and failure to access sufficient capital while awaiting delayed revenues will have a material adverse effect on our results of operation.

The production, acquisition and distribution of film or digital media content require significant capital. The budget for the projects we intend to produce will each require between $6 and $8 million to produce. In addition, if a distributor does not provide the funds for the distribution and marketing of our film, we will require additional capital to distribute and market the film. We estimate that distribution and marketing fees will be approximately $10,000 per theatrical screen. A significant amount of time may elapse between our expenditure of funds and the receipt of revenues from our productions. Our content production business does not have a traditional credit facility with a financial institution on which to depend for our liquidity needs, and a time lapse may require us to fund a significant portion of our capital requirements through loans and additional issuances of our common stock, securities convertible into our common stock, debt securities or a combination of such financing alternatives, as well as transactions with our Chief Executive Officer. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available to us as and when required, or on terms that will be acceptable to us. Our inability to raise capital necessary to sustain our operations while awaiting delayed revenues would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and results of operations.

Our success is highly dependent on audience acceptance of our films and digital media productions, which is extremely difficult to predict and, therefore, inherently risky.

We cannot predict the economic success of any of our films because the revenue derived from the distribution of a film (which does not necessarily directly correlate with the production or distribution costs incurred) depends primarily upon its acceptance by the public, which cannot be accurately predicted. The economic success of a film also depends upon the public’s acceptance of competing films, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure-time activities, general economic conditions and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which can change and cannot be predicted with certainty.

The economic success of a film is largely determined by our ability to produce content and develop stories and characters that appeal to a broad audience and by the effective marketing of the film. The theatrical performance of a film is a key factor in predicting revenue from post-theatrical markets. If we are unable to accurately judge audience acceptance of our film content or to have the film effectively marketed, the commercial success of the film will be in doubt, which could result in costs not being recouped or anticipated profits not being realized. Moreover, we cannot assure you that any particular feature film will generate enough revenue to offset its distribution, fulfillment services and marketing costs, in which case we would not receive any revenues for such film from our distributors.

In addition, changing consumer tastes affect our ability to predict which digital media productions will be popular with web audiences. As we invest in various digital projects, stars and directors, it is highly likely that at least some of the digital projects in which we invest will not appeal to our target audiences. If we are unable to produce web content that appeals to our target audiences the costs of such digital media productions could exceed revenues generated and anticipated profits may not be realized. Our failure to realize anticipated profits could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We have in the past and may, in the future, incur significant write-offs if our feature films and other projects do not perform well enough to recoup production, marketing, distribution and other costs.

We are required to amortize capitalized production costs over the expected revenue streams as we recognize revenue from our films or other projects. The amount of production costs that will be amortized each quarter depends on, among other things, how much future revenue we expect to receive from each project. Unamortized production costs are evaluated for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the capitalized production costs may be below their fair value. If estimated remaining revenue is not sufficient to recover the unamortized production costs, the unamortized production costs will be written down to fair value. In any given quarter, if we lower our previous forecast with respect to total anticipated revenue from any individual feature film or other project, we may be required to accelerate amortization or record impairment charges with respect to the unamortized costs, even if we have previously recorded impairment charges for such film or other project. For example, in 2016, we recorded a $2 million impairment of the capitalized production costs for our feature film, Max Steel.  In addition, certain GAAP guidance requires us to impair costs that have been capitalized for projects that are not set for production within three years of capitalizing the cost.  In 2018, we impaired the cost of a script in the amount of $0.2 million based on this guidance.  Such impairment charges have had, and in the future could have, a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.



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Our content production business is substantially dependent upon the success of a limited number of film releases and digital media productions, if any, in any given year and our inability to release any film or digital media productions or the unexpected delay or commercial failure of any one of them could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

Our content production business is currently substantially dependent upon the success of a limited number of film releases and digital media productions in any given year. The unexpected delay in release or commercial failure of just one of these films or digital media productions, or our inability to release any productions at all, could have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows in both the year of release and in the future. Historically, feature films that are successful in the domestic theatrical market are generally also successful in the international theatrical and ancillary markets, although each film is different and there is no way to guarantee such results. If our films fail to achieve domestic box office success, their success in the international box office and ancillary markets and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Further, we can make no assurances that the historical correlation between results in the domestic box office and results in the international box office and ancillary markets will continue in the future. If we are unable to release any film or digital media productions in a given year, or if the feature films we release do not perform well in the domestic or international theatrical markets and ancillary markets, or our digital media productions do not perform as anticipated, the failure to release any productions, or the failure of any one of the productions we release, could a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

Delays, cost overruns, cancellation or abandonment of the completion or release of our web series or films may have an adverse effect on our business.

There are substantial financial risks relating to production, completion and release of web series and feature films. Actual costs may exceed their budgets due to factors such as labor disputes, unavailability of a star performer, equipment shortages, disputes with production teams or adverse weather conditions, any of which may cause cost overruns and delay or hamper film completion. We are typically responsible for paying all production costs in accordance with a budget and receive a fixed producer’s fee for our services plus a portion of any project income. However, to the extent that delays or cost overruns result in us not completing the web series or film within budget, there may not be enough funds left to pay us our producer’s fee, to generate any project income or complete the project at all. If this were to occur, it would significantly and adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.

We rely on third party distributors to distribute our films and their failure to perform or promote our films could negatively impact our ability to generate revenues and have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Our films are primarily distributed and marketed by third party distributors. If any of these third-party distributors fails to perform under their respective arrangements, such failure could negatively impact the success of our films and have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and ability to generate revenues.

We generally do not control the timing and manner in which our distributors distribute our films; their decisions regarding the timing of release and promotional support are important in determining success. Any decision by those distributors not to distribute or promote one of our films or to promote our competitors’ films or related products to a greater extent than they promote ours could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows and operating results.  Additionally, because third parties are the principal distributors of our movies, the amount of revenue that is recognized from films in any given period is dependent on the timing, accuracy and sufficiency of the information received from our distributors. As is typical in the film industry, our distributors may make adjustments in future periods to information previously provided to us that could have a material impact on our operating results in later periods. In 2018, our domestic distributor of Max Steel, Open Road Films, LLC (“Open Road”) filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11.  The assets of Open Road were purchased by Raven Capital Management (“Raven Capital”) which now has the rights to distribute the film under the same arrangements as Open Road.  There is no guaranty that Raven Capital will be successful in distributing Max Steel.



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We rely on third party relationships with online digital platforms for our advertising revenue and we may be unable to secure such relationships.

We anticipate entering into distribution agreements containing revenue share provisions with online digital platforms to distribute our digital media productions. Pursuant to these revenue share provisions, we will earn a portion of advertising revenues once our digital media productions are distributed online. If we fail to secure such relationships with online digital platforms, we will not be able to earn advertising revenues from our digital projects, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and results of operations. In addition, some of our distributors have moved from an advertisement-based model to a subscription-based model which makes it more difficult for us to use our funding and distribution methods.

We may be unable to attract or retain advertisers, which could negatively impact our results of operation.

Typically, online digital platforms are responsible for securing advertisers and, as such, our ability to earn advertising revenues would depend on their success in doing so. However, at times we have, and may continue to, proactively secure advertising commitments against anticipated web series. Our ability to retain advertisers is contingent on our ability to successfully complete and deliver online projects which are commercially successful, which we may fail to do. Advertising revenues could also be adversely impacted by factors outside our control such as failure of our digital media productions to attract our target viewer audiences, lack of future demand for our digital media productions, the inability of third party online digital platforms to deliver ads in an effective manner, competition for advertising revenue from existing competitors or new digital media companies, declines in advertising rates, adverse legal developments relating to online advertising, including legislative and regulatory developments and developments in litigation. For example, in 2017, we impaired the costs of a digital show in the amount of $0.3 million due to the inability to secure advertising for the show. The existence of any of these factors could result in a decrease of our anticipated advertising revenues.

Our success depends on the services of our Chief Executive Officer.

Our success greatly depends on the skills, experience and efforts of our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. O’Dowd. We do not have an employment agreement with Mr. O’Dowd. If Mr. O’Dowd resigns or becomes unable to continue in his present role and is not adequately replaced, the loss of his services could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

The popularity and commercial success of our digital media productions and feature films are subject to numerous factors, over which we may have limited or no control.

The popularity and commercial success of our digital media productions and films depends on many factors including, but not limited to, the key talent involved, the timing of release, the promotion and marketing of the digital media production or film, the quality and acceptance of other competing productions released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment, general economic conditions, the genre and specific subject matter of the digital media production or film, its critical acclaim and the breadth, timing and format of its initial release. We cannot predict the impact of such factors on any digital media production or film, and many are factors that are beyond our control. As a result of these factors and many others, our digital media productions and films may not be as successful as we anticipate, and as a result, our results of operations may suffer.

The creation of content for the entertainment industry is highly competitive and we will be competing with companies with much greater resources than we have.

The business in which we engage is highly competitive. Our content production business operations are subject to competition from companies which, in many instances, have greater development, production and distribution and capital resources than us. We compete for the services of writers, producers, directors, actors and other artists to produce our digital media and motion picture content, as well as for advertisement dollars. Larger companies have a broader and more diverse selection of scripts than we do, which translates to a greater probability that they will be able to more closely fit the demands and interests of advertisers than we can.



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As a small independent producer, we compete with major U.S. and international studios. Most of the major U.S. studios are part of large diversified corporate groups with a variety of other operations that can provide both the means of distributing their products and stable sources of earnings that may allow them better to offset fluctuations in the financial performance of their film and other operations. In addition, the major studios have more resources with which to compete for ideas, storylines and scripts created by third parties, as well as for actors, directors and other personnel required for production. Such competition for the industry’s talent and resources may negatively affect our ability to acquire, develop, produce, advertise and distribute digital media and motion picture content.

We must successfully respond to rapid technological changes and alternative forms of delivery or storage to remain competitive.

The entertainment industry continues to undergo significant developments as advances in technologies and new methods of product delivery and storage, and certain changes in consumer behavior driven by these developments emerge. New technologies affect the demand for our content, the manner in which our content is distributed to consumers, the sources and nature of competing content offerings and the time and manner in which consumers acquire and view our content. We and our distributors must adapt our businesses to shifting patterns of content consumption and changing consumer behavior and preferences through the adoption and exploitation of new technologies. If we cannot successfully exploit these and other emerging technologies, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

Our business may be affected by changes in consumer discretionary spending in the U.S. or internationally.


Our success depends on our ability to distribute or otherwise generate income from our current and future motion pictures and digital productions.  Our industry is subject to discretionary consumer spending, which is influenced by general economic conditions, consumer confidence and the availability of discretionary income. Changes in economic conditions affecting potential distributors or viewers of our motion pictures could reduce our ability to generate income from our motion pictures.  Furthermore, weak economic conditions and geopolitical and economic uncertainties in international regions and countries where our movie productions are distributed could lead to lower consumer spending for our content, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 We have in the past and may, in the future, be adversely affected by union activity.

We retain the services of actors who are covered by collective bargaining agreements with Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which we refer to as SAG-AFTRA, and we may also become signatories to certain guilds such as Directors Guild of America and Writers Guild of America in order to allow us to hire directors and talent for our productions. Collective bargaining agreements are industry-wide agreements, and we lack practical control over the negotiations and terms of these agreements. In addition, our digital projects fall within SAG-AFTRA’s definition of “new media”, which is an emerging category covered by its New Media and Interactive Media Agreements for actors. As such, our ability to retain actors is subject to uncertainties that arise from SAG-AFTRA’s administration of this relatively new category of collective bargaining agreements. Such uncertainties have resulted and may continue to result in delays in production of our digital projects.

In addition, if negotiations to renew expiring collective bargaining agreements are not successful or become unproductive, the union could take actions such as strikes, work slowdowns or work stoppages. Strikes, work slowdowns or work stoppages or the possibility of such actions could result in delays in production of our digital projects. We could also incur higher costs from such actions, new collective bargaining agreements or the renewal of collective bargaining agreements on less favorable terms. Depending on their duration, union activity or labor disputes could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.



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Others may assert intellectual property infringement claims or liability claims for digital media or film content against us which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses.

There is a possibility that others may claim that our productions and production techniques misappropriate or infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties with respect to their previously developed web series, films, stories, characters, other entertainment or intellectual property. In addition, as distributors of digital media and film content, we may face potential liability for such claims as defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or other claims based on the nature and content of the materials distributed. If successfully asserted, our insurance may not be adequate to cover any of the foregoing claims. Irrespective of the validity or the successful assertion of such claims, we could incur significant costs and diversion of resources in defending against them, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

If we fail to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights adequately, our business could be adversely affected.

Our ability to compete depends, in part, upon successful protection of our intellectual property. We attempt to protect proprietary and intellectual property rights to our productions through available copyright and trademark laws and distribution arrangements with companies for limited durations. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our intellectual property or to obtain and use property that we regard as proprietary. We cannot assure you that our means of protecting our proprietary rights will be adequate. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as the laws of the United States. Intellectual property protections may also be unavailable, limited or difficult to enforce in some countries, which could make it easier for competitors to steal our intellectual property. Our failure to protect adequately our intellectual property and proprietary rights could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Risks Related to Acquisitions

We are subject to risks associated with acquisitions and we may not realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions.

We have in the past completed acquisitions, and may in the future consummate additional acquisitions and otherwise engage in discussions and activities with respect to possible acquisitions, intended to complement or expand our business, some of which may be significant transactions for us. Identifying suitable acquisition candidates can be difficult, time-consuming and costly, and we may not be able to identify suitable candidates or complete acquisitions in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis or at all.

Even if we complete an acquisition, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of such transaction. Our recent acquisitions have required, and any similar future transactions may also require, significant efforts and expenditures, including with respect to integrating the acquired business with our historical business. We may encounter unexpected difficulties, or incur unexpected costs, in connection with acquisition activities and integration efforts, including, without limitation:

·

diversion of management attention from managing our historical core business;

·

potential disruption of our historical core business or of the acquired business;

·

the strain on, and need to continue to expand, our existing operational, technical, financial and administrative infrastructure;

·

inability to achieve synergies as planned;

·

challenges in controlling additional costs and expenses in connection with and as a result of the acquisition;

·

dilution to existing shareholders from the issuance of equity securities;

·

becoming subject to adverse tax consequences or substantial depreciation;

·

difficulties in assimilating employees and corporate cultures or in integrating systems and controls;

·

difficulties in anticipating and responding to actions that may be taken by competitors;

·

difficulties in realizing the anticipated benefits of the transaction;



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·

inability to generate sufficient revenue from acquisitions to offset the associated acquisition costs;

·

potential loss of key employees, key clients or other partners of the acquired business as a result of the change of ownership; and

·

the assumption of and exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the acquired businesses.

If any of our acquisitions do not perform as anticipated for any of the reasons noted above or otherwise, there could be a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Any due diligence conducted by us in connection with potential future acquisition may not reveal all relevant considerations or liabilities of the target business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

We conduct such due diligence with respect to our acquisitions as we deem reasonably practicable and appropriate. The objective of the due diligence process is to identify material issues and liabilities that may affect the decision to proceed with any one particular acquisition target or the consideration payable for an acquisition. We also use information revealed during the due diligence process to formulate our business and operational planning for, and our valuation of, any target company or business. While conducting due diligence and assessing a potential acquisition, we may rely on publicly available information, if any, information provided by the relevant target company to the extent such company is willing or able to provide such information and, in some circumstances, third party investigations.

There can be no assurance that the due diligence undertaken with respect to an acquisition, will reveal all relevant facts that may be necessary to evaluate such acquisition including the determination of the price we may pay for an acquisition target or to formulate a business strategy. Furthermore, the information provided during due diligence may be incomplete, inadequate or inaccurate. As part of the due diligence process, we will also make subjective judgments regarding the results of operations, financial condition and prospects of a potential target. Our due diligence investigation of a particular acquisition target may not uncover all material issues and liabilities to which we may become subject. If our due diligence investigation fails to correctly identify material issues and liabilities that may be present in a target company or business, or if we consider such material risks to be commercially acceptable relative to the opportunity, and we proceed with an acquisition, we may subsequently incur substantial impairment charges or other losses.

In addition, following an acquisition, including those already completed, we may be subject to significant, previously undisclosed liabilities of the acquired business that were not identified during due diligence .Any such liabilities could contribute to poor operational performance, undermine any attempt to restructure the acquired company or business in line with our business plan and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Losses incurred by us subsequent to completion of an acquisition may not be indemnifiable by the seller or may exceed the seller’s indemnification obligations.

As discussed above, there may be liabilities assumed in any acquisition that we did not discover or that we underestimated in the course of performing our due diligence. Although a seller generally will have indemnification obligations to us under an acquisition agreement, these obligations are usually subject to financial limitations, such as general deductibles and maximum recovery amounts, as well as time limitations. We cannot assure you that our right to indemnification from any seller will be enforceable, collectible or sufficient in amount, scope or duration to fully offset the amount of any losses that we incur with respect to a particular acquisition. Any such liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We recognized a goodwill impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2018 and may be required to recognize additional goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges in the future.


We acquire other companies and intangible assets and may not realize all the economic benefit from those acquisitions, which could cause an impairment of goodwill or intangibles. We review amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment at least annually. Events or changes indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include reduced future cash flow estimates, slower growth rates in industry segments in which we participate and a decline in our stock price and market capitalization. We may be required to record a significant charge in our consolidated financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined, negatively affecting our results of operations.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded approximately $1.9 million in charges for the impairment of goodwill for, 42West based on a reduced cash flow estimate.




16



 


Risks Related to our Common Stock and Preferred Stock

We have recently issued, and may in the future issue, a significant amount of equity securities and, as a result, your ownership interest in our company has been, and may in the future be, substantially diluted and your investment in our common stock could suffer a material decline in value.

From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018, the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding has increased from 7,197,761 to 14,123,157 shares. Warrants J and K were issued in 2016 in exchange for debt, and to purchase the remaining membership interests in Dolphin Kids Club, and were exercised during 2017 for an aggregate of 1,170,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.03 per share. On April 13, 2017, the holder of Warrant E notified us that they would be partially exercising Warrant E, using the cashless exercise option pursuant to the warrant agreement, and was issued 162,885 shares of our common stock. As consideration for our 42West, The Door and Viewpoint acquisitions, we have issued approximately 2,254,135 shares of our common stock and will issue an additional 978,236 shares of our common stock to the sellers of 42West for the earn out (net of indemnifications) that was earned in 2017.  We will issue 307,692 shares as a second installment to the sellers of The Door and 26,821 for the working capital adjustment.  Furthermore, we may issue up to 1,538,462 shares of our common stock to the sellers of The Door if the applicable earn out financial target is achieved in the following three years.  During the year ended December 31, 2018, we issued 6,140 shares of common stock as payment for certain consulting fees rendered. On June 29, 2018, we issued 85,299 shares of our common stock pursuant to a convertible promissory note that was converted.  As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $625,000, which are currently convertible into 444,664 shares of our common stock (calculated based on the 90-trading day average price per share as of March 19, 2019) and a convertible note in the amount of $1.5 million that is convertible into 655,022 shares of our common stock. On December 26, 2017, we issued 1,215,000 units, each consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase a share of common stock at $4.74 per share (the “Unit”). These Units were sold for a purchase price of $4.13 per Unit. In addition, in connection with the offering, we issued to the underwriters 86,503 underwriter warrants, and an additional, 20,750 shares of common stock and 175,750 warrants to purchase shares of common stock upon exercise of their over-allotment option.  On June 24, 2018, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock in a public offering.  The underwriter exercised its over-allotment option on August 22, 2018, and we issued 265,000 shares of our common stock.  On September 25, 2018, we sold 250,000 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering.   As a result of these past issuances and potential future issuances, your ownership interest in the Company has been, and may in the future be, substantially diluted.

The market price for our common stock has been volatile, and these issuances could cause the price of our common stock to continue to fluctuate substantially. In addition, we have historically experienced significantly low trading volume. Once restricted stock issued in either private placements or to the sellers of the companies we acquired becomes freely tradable, these shareholders may decide to sell their shares of common stock and, if our stock is thinly traded, this could have a material adverse effect on its market price.

We currently have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC under which we may offer from time to time any combination of common, warrants and units. In the near term, we will need to raise additional capital and may seek to do so by selling additional securities under the shelf registration statement, conducting one or more private placements of equity securities, securities convertible into equity securities or debt securities, or through a combination of one or more of such financing alternatives. Such issuances of additional securities would further dilute the equity interests of our existing shareholders, perhaps substantially, and may further exacerbate any or all of the above risks.

The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock has anti-dilution protections and super voting rights that may adversely affect our shareholders.

For a period of five years from March 7, 2016, the date of issuance, the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, which are all held by Mr. O’Dowd, will have certain anti-dilution protections. Upon triggers specified in the Series C Certificate of Designation, the number of shares of common stock into which Series C Convertible Preferred Stock held by Mr. O’Dowd (or any entity directly or indirectly controlled by Mr. O’Dowd) can be converted will be increased, such that the total number of shares of common stock held by Mr. O’Dowd (or any entity directly or indirectly controlled by Mr. O’Dowd) (based on the number of shares of common stock held as of the date of issuance) will be preserved at the same percentage of shares of common stock outstanding held by such persons on such date. As a result, your ownership interests may be further diluted.



17



 


Except as required by law, holders of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will only have voting rights once the independent directors of the Board determine that an optional conversion threshold (as defined in the Series C Certificate of Designation) has occurred. Upon such determination by the Board, a holder of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (Mr. O’Dowd) will be entitled to super voting rights of three votes for each share of common stock into which such holder’s shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock could then be converted. Holders of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote together as a single class on all matters upon which common stock holders are entitled to vote. Your voting rights will be diluted as a result of these super voting rights. In addition, the anti-dilution protections may result in an increase in the number of shares of common stock into which Series C Convertible Preferred Stock held by Mr. O’Dowd and certain eligible persons can be converted, which could further dilute your percentage of voting rights.

If we are unable to maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements, our stock could be delisted, and the trading price, volume and marketability of our stock could be adversely affected.

Our common stock and certain of our warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We cannot assure you, that we will be able to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s current listing standards, or that Nasdaq will not implement additional listing standards with which we will be unable to comply. Failure to maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements could result in the delisting of our shares from Nasdaq, which could have a material adverse effect on the trading price, volume and marketability of our common stock.  Furthermore, a delisting could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and obtain additional financing in the future or result in a loss of confidence by investors or employees.

Certain outstanding warrants have ratchet price protection and the exercise price may be reduced if we issue equity instruments below the current exercise price, which would result in the immediate dilution of your investment.

As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding 1,250,000 warrants to purchase shares of our common stock which contain full ratchet anti-dilution price protection. This generally means that if we issue certain additional securities while the warrants are outstanding at a price or with an exercise price less than the then current exercise price of the warrants, the exercise price of those warrants would be reduced to this lower sale price or exercise price. The warrants were initially exercisable at $10.00 to $14.00 per share. The initial exercise price of the warrants has been reset to $2.29 per share in connection with the acquisition of Viewpoint. 1,000,000 of the warrants expired on January 31, 2019, and 250,000 warrants expire January 31, 2020.  To the extent that these anti-dilution provisions are triggered as a result of future offerings, we would be required to further reduce the exercise price of the warrants, which would have a dilutive effect on our shareholders.

Accounting for the put rights and contingent consideration could cause variability in the results we report.

In connection with the 42West acquisition, we granted put rights to the sellers to cause us to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,187,087 (including the shares from the earn out consideration) of their shares of common stock received as consideration for a purchase price equal to $9.22 per share during certain specified exercise periods set forth in the put agreements up until December 2020. As of the date of this report, the sellers have exercised an aggregate of 656,717 shares of common stock pursuant to the put rights. We have also purchased 120,451 shares of common stock and may purchase up to an additional 20,246 shares of common stock, at a purchase price of $9.22, from certain 42West employees with change of control provisions in their employment agreements, who received shares of our common stock at the time of the 42West acquisition and will receive additional shares in 2019 related to the earn out consideration. The sellers of The Door may also earn up to 1,538,462 shares of common stock if certain financial targets are achieved over a four-year period.  The put rights are an embedded equity derivative within our common stock requiring certain fair value measurements at each reporting period. We record the fair value of the put right liability and the contingent consideration liability in the consolidated balance sheets and we record changes to the liability against earnings or loss in the consolidated statements of operations. The put rights and contingent consideration are inherently difficult to value. We could have substantial variability in the related periodic fair value measurements, which would affect our operating results and in turn could impact our stock price.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 



18



 


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

As of the date of this report, we do not own any real property. For our content production business, we lease 3,332 square feet of office space located at 2151 Le Jeune Road, Suite 150-Mezzanine, Coral Gables, Florida 33134, at a monthly rate of $8,580.  The lease expires on May 31, 2019.  On February 19, 2019, we entered into a 62-month lease for 3,024 Square feet of office space located at 150 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1200, Coral Gables, Florida 33134.  The lease will commence once the tenant improvements are complete (subject to certain deadlines that must be met).  The monthly lease payments are $9,954, with annual increases of 3%.  The lease also provides for four months of abatement once the property becomes available for use.

 In 2012, we opened an additional office located at 10866 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90024 and currently lease 4,582 square feet of office space at a monthly rate of $13,746 with annual increases of 3% for years 1 to 3 and 3.5% for the remainder of the lease. On June 1, 2017, we entered into an agreement to sublease our office in Los Angeles and, consequently, no longer use this office space for our operations. The sublease agreement is through July 31, 2019 at an initial monthly rate of $14,892. Commencing on the thirteenth month of the sublease, the monthly lease rate will increase by 3%. Pursuant to the sublease agreement, the subtenant took ownership of the furniture in the premises.

For our entertainment publicity and marketing business, we lease the following office space: (i)12,505 square feet located at 600 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10016, at a monthly rate of $67,735 with increases every three years; (ii) 5,000 square feet located at 37West 17th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010 at a monthly rent of $16,912 with a 2.5% annual increase an expiring in August of 2020; (iii) two office suites located at 1460 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60642 at a monthly rate of $2,200 and expiring on May 31, 2020; (iv) 12,139 square feet of office space at 1840 Century Park East, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90067 at a base rate of $36,417 (commencing on February 1, 2014), with annual increases of 3% per year and (v) 12,376 square feet located at 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458 at a current monthly rate of $23,656 with annual increases of 3% and expiring on March 31, 2021.  We believe our current facilities are adequate for our operations for the foreseeable future.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

 We are involved in various legal proceedings relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not currently believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 



19



 


PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information and Holders of our Common Stock

 

Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “DLPN”.

 

 

As of March 21, 2019, there were approximately 337 shareholders of record, of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock based on information provided by our transfer agent.

 

Company Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table presents information related to our repurchases of our shares of common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2018:

 

Period

 

Total

Number

of Shares

Purchased(1)

 

 

Average

Price Paid

Per Share

 

 

Total Number of Shares

Purchased as Part of

Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs

 

 

Maximum Number

of Shares that May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs

 

10/1/2018 – 10/31/2018

 

 

28,471

 

 

$

9.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/1/2018 – 11/30/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/1/2018 – 12/31/2018

 

 

46,095

 

 

 

9.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

74,566

 

 

$

9.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

———————

(1)

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in put agreements, entered into with the sellers of 42West, certain of such sellers exercised their put rights and caused us to purchase 74,566 shares of common stock for an aggregate amount of $687,500 of which $375,000 was paid in January 2019. See Note 4 — Acquisitions to our audited consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of these put agreements.

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 ( this“2018 Form 10-K”). The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors in this 2018 Form 10-K. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Item 1A. Risk Factors, in each case contained in this 2018 Form 10-K.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are a leading independent entertainment marketing and premium content development company. We were first incorporated in the State of Nevada on March 7, 1995 and domesticated in the State of Florida on December 4, 2014.  Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “DLPN”.



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Through our subsidiaries 42West and The Door, we provide expert strategic marketing and publicity services to many of the top brands, both individual and corporate, in the entertainment and hospitality industries.  The Door and 42West are both recognized global leaders in PR services for the respective industries they serve.  Our recent acquisition of Viewpoint has added full-service creative branding and production capabilities to our marketing group.  Our content production business is a long-established leading independent producer, committed to distributing film and digital entertainment primarily aimed at family and young adult markets. The strategic acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint bring together industry-leading marketing services with our legacy content production business, creating significant opportunities to serve our respective constituents more strategically and to grow and diversify our revenue streams.


On October 31, 2018, referred to as the Viewpoint Closing Date, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Viewpoint, a Massachusetts corporation. Viewpoint is a full-service creative branding and production house that has earned a reputation as one of the top producers of promotional and brand-support videos for a wide variety of leading cable networks, media companies and consumer-product brands.

We agreed to pay an aggregate purchase price of $2 million for Viewpoint, before adjustments, comprising (i) $750,000 in cash paid to the sellers on the Viewpoint Closing Date (as adjusted for Viewpoint’s indebtedness, working capital and cash targets, and transaction expenses); (ii) $500,000 in shares of our common stock based on a price, per share of $2.29, issued to the sellers on the Viewpoint Closing Date and (iii) an additional $750,000 in cash in three equal payments of $250,000 to be paid to the sellers on the six, twelfth and eighteen-month anniversaries of the Viewpoint Closing Date (subject to a right of setoff for certain adjustments and indemnification obligations).  In connection with the acquisition of Viewpoint, we acquired intangible assets of approximately $0.5 million and goodwill of $1.1 million.  


On July 5, 2018, referred to as The Door Closing Date, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger, referred to as the Merger Agreement, together with Lois O’Neill and Charles Dougiello, collectively referred to as the Members, pursuant to which we acquired The Door. The Door is an entertainment public relations agency, offering talent publicity, strategic communications and entertainment content marketing. Following its acquisition, The Door became a part of our entertainment publicity segment.


 The total consideration payable to the Members in respect of the acquisition of The Door comprises:(i) $2.0 million in shares of our common stock based on a price of $3.25 per share, (ii) $2.0 million in cash (as adjusted for certain working capital and closing adjustments and transaction expenses) and (iii) up to an additional $7.0 million of contingent consideration in a combination of cash and shares of common stock upon the achievement of specified financial performance targets over a four-year period as set forth in the Merger Agreement. On the Door Closing Date, we issued to the Members an aggregate of $1.0 million in shares of common stock and paid the Members an aggregate of $1.0 million in cash. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we issued to the Members an additional $1.0 million in shares of common stock and paid to the Members $1.0 million in cash on January 2, 2019.


We have established an acquisition strategy based on identifying and acquiring companies that complement our existing entertainment publicity and marketing services and content production businesses. We believe that complementary businesses, such as data analytics and digital marketing, can create synergistic opportunities and bolster profits and cash flow. We have identified potential acquisition targets and are in various stages of discussion with such targets. We intend to complete at least one acquisition during 2019, but there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so, whether in 2019 or at all. We currently intend to fund any acquisitions through loans or additional issuances of our common stock, securities convertible into our common stock, debt securities or a combination of such financing alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising the capital necessary to consummate any acquisitions, whether on favorable terms or at all.


We operate in two reportable segments:  our entertainment publicity and marketing segment and our content production segment. The entertainment publicity and marketing segment comprises 42West, The Door and Viewpoint and provides clients with diversified services, including public relations, entertainment content marketing, strategic marketing consulting, creative branding and in-house production of content for marketing. The content production segment comprises Dolphin Films and Dolphin Digital Studios and specializes in the production and distribution of digital content and feature films.



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Going Concern

In the audit opinion for our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, our independent auditors included an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern based upon our accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2018 and our level of working capital. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. Management is planning to raise any necessary additional funds through loans and additional sales of our common stock, securities convertible into our common stock, debt securities or a combination of such financing alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising any necessary additional capital or securing loans. Such issuances of additional securities would further dilute the equity interests of our existing shareholders, perhaps substantially. With the acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint, we are currently exploring opportunities to expand the services currently being offered by them to the entertainment and hospitality community. In addition, we are exploring ways to reduce expenses by identifying certain costs that can be combined, for example, consolidating certain “back office” functions such as human resources.  There can be no assurance that we will be successful in selling these services to clients or reducing expenses.

REVENUES


For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we derived the majority of our revenues from our entertainment publicity and marketing segment. The entertainment publicity and marketing segment derives its revenues from providing public relations services for celebrities, entertainment and targeted content marketing for film and television series, strategic communications services for corporations and public relations, marketing services and brand strategies for hotels and restaurants.  We additionally derived revenues from the content production segment primarily from the domestic and international distribution of our feature film, Max Steel.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, we also derived revenues from the domestic distribution of Believe. The table below sets forth the percentage of total revenue derived from our two segments for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:



 

 

 

 

For the years ended
December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment publicity

 

 

 

 

97.2

%

 

 

73.4

%

Content production

 

 

 

 

2.8

%

 

 

26.6

%

Total revenue

 

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%


Entertainment Publicity and Marketing


Our revenue is directly impacted by the retention and spending levels of existing clients and by our ability to win new clients. We believe that we currently have a stable client base, and we have continued to grow organically through referrals and actively soliciting new business as well as through acquisition of new businesses within the same industry. We earn revenues primarily from the following sources: (i) celebrity talent services; (ii) content marketing services under multiyear master service agreements in exchange for fixed project-based fees; (iii) numerous individual engagements for entertainment content marketing services for durations of generally between three and six months; (iv) strategic communications services; (v) engagements for marketing of special events such as food and wine festivals and (vi) content productions of marketing materials on a project contract basis. For these revenue streams, we collect fees through either fixed fee monthly retainer agreements or project-based fees.  As previously reported, in June 2018, three of 42West’s senior publicists and their related staff left the firm to form their own company. Their departures resulted in a decrease in revenues of approximately $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. We took immediate action to address the departures and have hired, and are continuing to hire, additional senior publicists with existing books of business and talent rosters that we believe will be accretive to our revenues and profits.


We earn entertainment publicity and marketing revenues primarily through the following:


·

Talent We earn fees from creating and implementing strategic communication campaigns for performers and entertainers, including Oscar and Emmy winning film and television stars, directors, producers, celebrity chefs and Grammy nominated recording artists. Our services in this area include ongoing strategic counsel, media relations, studio and/or network liaison work, and event and tour support.




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·

Entertainment Marketing and Brand Strategy We earn fees from providing marketing direction, public relations counsel and media strategy for entertainment content (including theatrical films, television programs, DVD and VOD releases, and online series) from all the major studios, as well as content producers ranging from individual filmmakers and creative artists to production companies, film financiers, DVD distributors, and other entities. In addition, we provide entertainment marketing services in connection with film festivals, food and wine festivals, awards campaigns, event publicity and red-carpet management. As part of our services we offer marketing and publicity services tailored to reach diverse audiences. We also provide marketing direction targeted to the ideal consumer through a creative public relations and creative brand strategy for hotel and restaurant groups. Our clients for this type of service include major studios, independent producers for whom we create targeted multicultural marketing campaigns and leading hotel and restaurant groups.


We expect that increased digital streaming marketing budgets at several large key clients will drive growth of revenue and profit in 42Wests Entertainment Marketing division over the next several years.


·

Strategic Communications We earn fees by advising companies looking to create, raise or reposition their public profiles, primarily in the entertainment industry. We believe that growth in 42West’s Strategic Communications division will be driven by increasing demand for these services by traditional and non-traditional media clients who are expanding their activities in the content production, branding, and consumer products PR sectors. We expect that this growth trend will continue for the next three to five years. We also help studios and filmmakers deal with controversial movies, as well as high-profile individuals address sensitive situations.


·

  Creative Branding and Production We offer clients creative branding and production services from concept creation to final delivery.  Our services include brand strategy, concept and creative development, design and art direction, script and copyrighting, live action production and photography, digital development, video editing and composite, animation, audio mixing and engineering, project management and technical support.  We expect that our ability to offer these services to our existing clients in the entertainment and hospitality industries will be accretive to our revenue.


Content Production


Dolphin Films


For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we derived revenues from Dolphin Films primarily through the domestic and international distribution of our motion picture, Max Steel.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, we also derived revenues from the domestic distribution of Believe.  


The production of the motion picture, Max Steel, was completed during 2015 and released in the United States on October 14, 2016. The motion picture did not perform as well as expected domestically, but we secured approximately $8.2 million in international distribution agreements prior to its release. As part of our domestic distribution arrangement, we still have the ability to derive revenues from the ancillary markets described below, although the amount of revenue derived from such channels is typically commensurate with the performance of the film in the domestic box office.


We earn motion picture revenues through the following:


·

Theatrical We earn theatrical revenues from the domestic theatrical release of motion pictures licensed to a U.S. theatrical distributor that has agreements with theatrical exhibitors. The financial terms negotiated with the Max Steel and Believe U.S. theatrical distributor provided that we receive a percentage of the box office results, after related distribution fees.


·

International We earn international revenues through license agreements with international distributors to distribute our motion pictures in an agreed upon territory for an agreed upon time. Several of the international distribution agreements related to Max Steel were contingent on a domestic wide release that occurred on October 14, 2016.




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·

Other We earn additional revenues through Dolphin Films’ U.S. theatrical distributor which has existing output arrangements for the distribution of productions to home entertainment, video-on-demand, or VOD, pay-per-view, or PPV, electronic-sell-through, or EST, SVOD and free and pay television markets. The revenues expected to be derived from these channels are based on the performance of the motion picture in the domestic box office. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the majority of revenues from Max Steel were derived from these channels.  


Our ability to receive additional revenues from Max Steel depends on our ability to repay our loans under our production service agreement and prints and advertising loan agreement from the profits of Max Steel. Max Steel did not generate sufficient funds to repay either of these loans prior to the applicable maturity dates. As a result, if the lenders foreclose on the collateral securing the loans, our subsidiary and the Max Steel VIE will lose the copyright for Max Steel and, consequently, will no longer receive any revenues from Max Steel. In addition, we would impair the entire capitalized production costs of Max Steel included as an asset on our balance sheet, which as of December 31, 2018, was $0.6 million. We are not parties to either of these loan agreements and have not guaranteed to the lenders any of the amounts outstanding under these loans, but we have provided a $620,000 backstop to the guarantor of the prints and advertising loan. For a discussion of the terms of such agreements and the $620,000 backstop, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.


Project Development and Related Services


We have a team that dedicates a portion of its time to sourcing scripts for future development. The scripts can be for either digital or motion picture productions. We have acquired the rights to certain scripts that we intend to produce and release in the future, subject to obtaining financing.  We have not yet determined if these projects would be produced for digital or theatrical distribution.


Our pipeline of feature films includes:

·

Youngblood, an updated version of the 1986 hockey classic;

·

Out of Their League, a romantic comedy pitting husband versus wife in the cut-throat world of fantasy football; and

·

Ask Me, a teen comedy in which a high-school student starts a business to help her classmates create elaborate “promposals”.

We have completed development of each of these feature films, which means that we have completed the script and can begin pre-production once financing is obtained. We are planning to fund these projects through loans or additional sales of our common stock, securities convertible into our common stock, debt securities or a combination of such financing alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising any necessary capital. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain the financing necessary to produce these feature films.

EXPENSES

Our expenses consist primarily of: (1) direct costs; (2) selling, general and administrative expenses; (3) depreciation and amortization; (4) payroll expenses; and (5) legal and professional fees. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we also had goodwill impairment of approximately $1.9 million and for the year ended December 31, 2017, we had distribution and marketing expenses of $1.1 million.

Direct costs include certain cost of services, as well as certain production costs, related to our entertainment publicity and marketing business.   Direct costs also include amortization of deferred production costs, impairment of deferred production costs, residuals and other costs associated with our content production business. Residuals represent amounts payable to various unions or “guilds” such as the Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America, and Writers Guild of America, based on the performance of the motion picture and digital productions in certain ancillary markets. Included within direct costs are immaterial impairments for any of our projects. Capitalized production costs are recorded at the lower of their cost, less accumulated amortization and tax incentives, or fair value. If estimated remaining revenue is not sufficient to recover the unamortized capitalized production costs for that title, the unamortized capitalized production costs will be written down to fair value.

Selling, general and administrative expenses include all overhead costs except for payroll, depreciation and amortization and legal and professional fees that are reported as a separate expense item.



24



 


Depreciation and amortization include the depreciation of our property, equipment and leasehold improvements and amortization of intangible assets, including the favorable lease asset.

Legal and professional fees include fees paid to our attorneys, fees for investor relations consultants, audit and accounting fees and fees for general business consultants.

Payroll expenses include wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits.

Distribution and marketing expenses include the costs of distribution fees and of DVD/Blu-ray duplication. Distribution fees consist of the percentage of revenues paid to the domestic distributor to release our motion picture. DVD/Blu-ray duplication represents the cost of the DVD/Blu-ray product and the manufacturing costs associated with creating the physical products.

Other Income and Expenses

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, other income and expenses consisted primarily of: (1) gain or loss on extinguishment of debt; (2) acquisition costs; (3) changes in the fair value of put rights; (4) changes in fair value of contingent consideration and (5) interest expense.  Loss on disposal of furniture, office equipment and leasehold improvements and change in fair value of warrant liability were also included for the year ended December 31, 2017.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to year ended December 31, 2017

Revenues

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, our revenues were as follows:

 

 

For the year ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment publicity and marketing

 

$

21,916,727

 

 

$

16,458,929

 

Content production

 

 

634,612

 

 

 

5,954,115

 

Total revenue

 

$

22,551,339

 

 

$

22,413,044

 


Revenues from entertainment publicity and marketing increased by approximately $5.5 million, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was due to six months of revenues of The Door (acquired July 5, 2018), two months of revenues of Viewpoint (acquired October 31, 2018) and a full year of revenues from 42West, partially offset by a decrease in the revenues of 42West caused by the departure of several publicists in June of 2018.  Revenues from entertainment publicity and marketing for the year ended December 31, 2017 comprised revenues of 42West for nine months.  


Revenues from content production decreased by $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31 2017, primarily due to the normal revenue cycle of our motion picture Max Steel. The majority of the revenues of a motion picture are recognized in the first twelve months following the release of the film. Max Steel was released on October 14, 2016, and we have already recognized the revenues from the theatrical release, a majority of home entertainment (i.e. DVD) and from international licensing arrangements. We continue to record revenues, to a lesser extent, from home entertainment, and from pay and free TV in the domestic market. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we also recorded $0.2 million of revenues from domestic ancillary markets, related to our motion picture Believe that was released in December of 2013.


On September 4, 2018, our domestic distributor, Open Road, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The assets of Open Road were sold on December 21, 2018 to Raven Capital, with the final deal closing in February 2019.  We expect that our domestic distribution agreements for Max Steel and Believe, which were purchased in the sale of the assets of Open Road, will continue on the same terms as agreed upon with Open Road.   




25



 


Expenses

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, our operating expenses were as follows:

 

 

For the year ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct costs

 

$

2,176,968

 

 

$

4,638,710

 

Distribution and marketing

 

 

 

 

 

1,111,994

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

4,486,023

 

 

 

3,156,097

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,978,804

 

 

 

1,254,643

 

Legal and professional

 

 

2,119,107

 

 

 

1,806,448

 

Payroll

 

 

14,082,014

 

 

 

11,408,731

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

1,857,000

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

$

26,699,916

 

 

$

23,376,623

 


Overall expenses increased by approximately $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is primarily due to (i) six months of expenses for The Door, which we acquired on July 5, 2018 and (ii) two months of expenses for Viewpoint, which we acquired on October 31, 2018 and (iii) a full year of expenses for 42West.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, we included expenses for 42West from the date of acquisition, which was March 30, 2017.


Direct costs decreased by approximately $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Direct costs related to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment were approximately $1.6 million in 2018, as compared to $0.9 million in 2017.  The increase was primarily due to the direct costs associated with the operations of The Door and Viewpoint from the dates of acquisition and a full year of direct costs for 42West.  Entertainment publicity and marketing direct costs for 2017 were composed only of nine months of expenses for 42West.


Direct costs related to the content production segment were approximately $0.6 million for 2018, as compared to $3.8 million for 2017.  Direct costs for the content production segment consisted primarily of (i) amortization of capitalized production costs and (ii) impairment of capitalized production costs.  Capitalized production costs are amortized based on revenues recorded during the period over the estimated ultimate revenues of the film. Since Max Steel was released in October of 2016, revenues from the feature film were higher during 2017 as compared to 2018. As a result, we amortized $3.5 million of capitalized production costs during 2017 as compared to $0.2 million during 2018. In addition, we impaired approximately $0.3 million of capitalized production costs related to a digital series during 2017 as compared to $0.2 million of script costs during 2018.


Distribution and marketing expenses decreased by approximately $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to distributor fees and residuals related to the domestic distribution of Max Steel during 2017 that are based on a percentage of the revenues generated.


Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the entertainment publicity and marketing segment increased by approximately $1.3 million from $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The increase was directly related to including selling, general and administrative expenses of The Door for six months, Viewpoint for two months and a full year of 42West.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the entertainment publicity and marketing segment only comprised nine months of 42West for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the content production segment did not change for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  However, it should be noted that the expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 included approximately $0.4 million of bad debt expense related to the international distribution sales of Max Steel.


Depreciation and amortization increased by approximately $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense w primarily related to amortization of intangible assets acquired through the acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, depreciation and amortization included a full year of amortization for the intangible assets of 42West and six and two months, respectively for the intangible assets associated with The Door and Viewpoint.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, amortization of intangible assets only comprised those of 42West for a period of nine months.



26



 


Legal and professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased by approximately $0.3 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Legal and professional fees attributable to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment increased by approximately $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to including legal and professional fees for a full year of 42West and six and two months, respectively, for The Door and Viewpoint.  Legal and professional fees related to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment for the year ended December 31, 2017 comprised only nine months of 42West due to the acquisition date of March 30, 2017.  Legal and professional fees for the content production segment decreased by approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to December 31, 2017, primarily due to the elimination of services of consultants used for our feature film that were no longer needed in 2018.


Payroll expenses increased by approximately $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in the prior year.  Payroll expenses attributable to our entertainment publicity and marketing business increased by approximately $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 due to including payroll expenses for a full year of 42West and six and two months, respectively, for The Door and Viewpoint.  Payroll expenses related to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment for the year ended December 31, 2017 comprised only nine months of 42West.  Payroll expenses related to the content production segment decreased by approximately $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 due to a reduction of headcount in 2017.


Goodwill impairment increased by approximately $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31,2017 as a result of our test of goodwill that determined that the carrying value of our goodwill was higher than the fair value of the goodwill for the reporting unit 42West within the entertainment publicity and marketing segment.  We did not have any goodwill impairment for the year ended December 31, 2017.


Other Income and Expenses


 

 

For the year ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Other Income and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extinguishment of debt

 

$

(53,271

)

 

$

4,012,277

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(438,552

)

 

 

(749,440

)

Loss on disposal of furniture, office equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

 

 

 

(28,025

)

Change in fair value of warrant liability

 

 

 

 

 

9,018,359

 

Change in fair value of put rights

 

 

616,943

 

 

 

(2,426,010

)

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

1,070,000

 

 

 

(17,251

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,050,478

)

 

 

(1,594,940

)

Total

 

$

144,642

 

 

$

8,214,970

 


During the year ended December 31, 2018, a holder of a convertible promissory note exchanged the principal and accrued interest on the promissory note into 85,299 shares of our common stock pursuant to the terms of the promissory note, at an exercise price of $3.21 per share. On the date of the conversion, the market price of our common stock was $3.83 per share resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.05 million. During the year ended December 31, 2017, a party associated with Max Steel that was a third-party guarantor to the prints and advertising loan paid $4.5 million on the loan. The gain on extinguishment of the debt was offset by the $0.6 million backstop guarantee to the third-party guarantor.


Acquisition costs consisted primarily of legal, consulting and auditing costs related to our acquisitions. Acquisition costs for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted primarily of costs associated with our acquisition of The Door and Viewpoint and acquisition costs for the year ended December 31, 2017 were related to our acquisition of 42West.


During 2016, we issued certain warrants that required derivative liability classification. We recorded these warrants at their fair value on the date of issuance and record any changes to fair value at each balance sheet date on our consolidated statements of operation. The fair value of the warrant liability decreased by approximately $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to year ended December 31, 2016.   On July 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-11 that no longer precludes instruments with down round provisions from equity classification. As a result, we used the modified retrospective approach and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. Based on the guidance of ASU 2017-11, we are no longer required to calculate the fair value of the warrants at each balance sheet date and record changes in the fair value on the statement of operations.




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The fair value of put rights related to the 42West acquisition were recorded on our balance sheet on the date of the acquisition. The fair value of the put rights is measured at every balance sheet date and any changes are recorded on our consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the put rights decreased by approximately $0.6 million and increased by $2.4 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

The fair value of contingent consideration related to our acquisitions of 42West and The Door was recorded on our balance sheets on the respective acquisition dates. The fair value of the related contingent consideration is measured at every balance sheet date and any changes recorded on our consolidated statements of operations. The sellers of 42West achieved their financial targets and earned the contingent consideration during 2017. A number of shares of our common stock to be issued became fixed and the contingent consideration was reclassified to equity as of December 31, 2017, using the closing market price of our stock as of December 29, 2017 of $3.60. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a loss of $0.02 million related to the change in fair value of the contingent consideration for 42West.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a gain on the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration related to the acquisition of The Door of approximately $1.1 million.


Interest expense decreased by approximately $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to a decrease in the amount of accrued interest for our production service agreement and the prints & advertising loan, as payments have been received from the international and domestic distribution sales of Max Steel and such payments have been applied to the outstanding balances of the production service agreement and prints & advertising loan.

 

Net (Loss) Income


Net loss was approximately $(2.9) million or $(0.22) per share based on 13,773,395 weighted average shares outstanding and approximately $(3.7) million or $(0.23) per share based on 16,159,486 weighted average shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis for the year ended December 31, 2018. Net income was approximately $6.9 million or $0.72 per share based on 9,586,986 weighted average shares outstanding and $(2.1) million or $(0.20) per share based on 10,608,828 weighted average shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net loss and net income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were related to the factors discussed above.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

Year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to year ended December 31, 2017

Cash flows used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $0.6 million compared to cash flows provided by operating activities of $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to (i) collection of receivables from the motion picture Max Steel during 2017 (ii) collection of production tax incentives related to Max Steel during 2017 that were both used to pay the debt incurred for the production and P&A expenses for the release of the motion picture; (iii) increase in other current liabilities in 2018 related to the subsequent installments of the purchase price of The Door and Viewpoint; (iv) cash used to pay outstanding payables and (v) a decrease in cash flows from operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $1.0 million.


Cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 were approximately $1.6 million as compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Cash flows used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of (i) purchases of fixed assets and (ii) consideration for the acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint. Cash flows provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 were primarily related to (i) purchase of fixed assets and (ii) payment of working capital adjustment related to the acquisition of 42West.  




28



 


Cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 were approximately $3.2 million as compared to $4.6 million of cash flows used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017.  Cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted primarily of (i) $1.7 million in proceeds from our loan agreement with Bank United; (ii) repayment of $0.8 million on a line of credit with City National Bank; (iii) repayment of our debt under the prints and advertising loan; (iv) $3.9 million used to buy back our common stock pursuant to the put agreements with the sellers of 42West; (v) repayment of $0.6 million of a related party promissory note; (vi) $1.5 million in proceeds from a note payable and (vii) $6.8 million in proceeds from the sale of common stock including shares sold through a public offering  and shares sold to an investor in a registered direct offering. By contrast cash flows used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted primarily of (i) $0.7 million in proceeds from our line of credit with City National Bank; (ii) proceeds from notes payable and sale of our common stock in a private placement in the aggregate amount of $2.7 million; (iii) net aggregate amount borrowed from a related party in the amount of $0.7 million; (iv) repayment of the prints and advertising loan and production service agreement in the aggregate amount of $10.2 million; (v) $1.2 million used to buy back our common stock pursuant to the put agreements with the sellers of 42West and (vi) $4.0 million in net proceeds from the sale of common stock and warrants through a registered public offering.


As of December 31,2018 and 2017, we had cash available for working capital of approximately $5.5 million, not including $0.6 million pledged as collateral for standby letter of credit for the New York office, and $5.3 million, respectively, and a working capital deficit of approximately $11.9 million and $10.7 million, respectively.


These factors, along with an accumulated deficit of $94.5 million as of December 31, 2018, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our audited consolidated financial statements contained in this 2018 Form 10-K do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. In this regard, management is planning to raise any necessary additional funds through loans and additional issuances of our common stock, securities convertible into our common stock, debt securities or a combination of such financing alternatives. There is no assurance that we will be successful in raising additional capital. Such issuances of additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock would further dilute the equity interests of our existing shareholders, perhaps substantially. We currently have the rights to several scripts, that we intend to produce and release subject to obtaining financing.  We will potentially earn a producer and overhead fee for this production. There can be no assurances that such production will be released or fees will be realized in future periods.


In addition, we have a substantial amount of debt. We do not currently have sufficient assets to repay such debt in full when due, and our available cash flow may not be adequate to maintain our current operations if we are unable to repay, extend or refinance such indebtedness. As of December 31, 2018, our total debt was approximately $14.3 million and our total stockholders’ equity was approximately $10.7 million. Approximately $6.0 million of the total debt as of December 31, 2018 represents the fair value of put options in connection with the 42West acquisition, which may or may not be exercised by the sellers. Approximately $2.4 million of our indebtedness as of December 31, 2018 ($0.7 million outstanding under the prints and advertising loan agreement plus $1.7 million outstanding under the production service agreement) was incurred by our Max Steel subsidiary and the variable interest entity consolidated in our financial statements, Max Steel Productions LLC (“Max Steel VIE”). Repayment of these loans was intended to be made from revenues generated by Max Steel both within and outside of the United States. Max Steel did not generate sufficient funds to repay either of these loans prior to the maturity date. As a result, if the lenders foreclose on the collateral securing the loans, our subsidiary will lose the copyright for Max Steel and, consequently, will no longer receive any revenues from Max Steel. In addition, we would impair the capitalized production costs of Max Steel included as an asset on our balance sheet, which as of December 31, 2018 was approximately $0.6 million.


If we are not able to generate sufficient cash to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing or delaying digital or film productions, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness or seeking additional debt or equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to affect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms or at all and our indebtedness may affect our ability to continue to operate as a going concern.




29



 


Financing Arrangements

Prints and Advertising Loan

On August 12, 2016, Dolphin Max Steel Holdings LLC, or Max Steel Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dolphin Films, entered into a loan and security agreement, or the P&A Loan, providing for a $14.5 million non-revolving credit facility that matured on August 25, 2017. The loan is not guaranteed by any other Dolphin entity and the only asset held by Max Steel Holdings is the copyright for the motion picture, which secures the loan. The proceeds of the credit facility were used to pay a portion of the P&A expenses of the domestic distribution of our feature film, Max Steel. To secure Max Steel Holding’s obligations under the P&A Loan, we granted to the lender a security interest in bank account funds totaling $1,250,000 pledged as collateral. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we agreed to allow the lender to apply the $1,250,000 to the loan balance. The loan is partially secured by a $4,500,000 corporate guaranty from an unaffiliated party associated with the motion picture, of which we have agreed to backstop $620,000. As a condition precedent to closing the loan, Max Steel Holdings delivered to the lender clear chain-of-title to the rights of the motion picture Max Steel. The lender has retained a reserve of $1.5 million for loan fees and interest. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility accrue interest at either (i) a fluctuating per annum rate equal to the 5.5% plus a base rate or (ii) a per annum rate equal to 6.5% plus the LIBOR determined for the applicable interest period. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we recorded a liability of $682,842 and $1,900,970, respectively, including the reserve, related to this agreement on our consolidated balance sheets. On our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 we recorded (i) interest expense of $60,001 and (ii) a reduction of $500,000 in direct costs from loan proceeds that were not used by the distributor for the marketing of the film and returned to the lender. During 2017, the third-party guarantor paid $4.5 million pursuant to the guarantee of the loan, reducing the outstanding balance by such amount and increasing our accrued expenses by the $620,000 backstop related to the guarantee. We recorded a gain on the extinguishment of debt on our consolidated statement of operations of approximately $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Repayment of the loan was intended to be made from revenues generated by Max Steel in the United States. Max Steel did not generate sufficient funds to repay the loan prior to the maturity date. As a result, if the lender forecloses on the collateral securing the loan, Max Steel Holdings will lose the copyright for Max Steel and, consequently, will no longer receive any revenues from the domestic distribution of Max Steel. In addition, we would impair the entire capitalized production costs of Max Steel included as an asset on our balance sheet, which as of December 31, 2018 was $629,585.

Production Service Agreement

During 2014, the Max Steel VIE, a variable interest entity (or VIE) created in connection with the financing and production of Max Steel, entered into a loan agreement in the amount of $10.4 million to produce Max Steel. The loan is partially secured by international distribution agreements made prior to the commencement of principal photography and tax incentives. The agreement contains repayment milestones to be made during 2015, which, if not met, accrue interest at a default rate of 8.5% per annum above the published base rate of HSBC Private Bank (UK) Limited until the maturity on January 31, 2016 or the release of the movie. As a condition precedent to closing the loan, Max Steel Holdings delivered to the lender clear chain-of-title to the rights of the motion picture Max Steel. Due to delays in the release of the film, Max Steel VIE was unable to make some of the scheduled payments and, pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Max Steel VIE has accrued $1.6 million of interest at the default rate. The film was released in theaters in the United States on October 14, 2016 and delivery to the international distributors began after the US release. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had outstanding balances of $1.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively, related to this debt on our consolidated balance sheets. Repayment of the loan was intended to be made from revenues generated by Max Steel outside of the United States. Max Steel did not generate sufficient funds to repay the loan prior to the maturity date. As a result, if the lender forecloses on the collateral securing the loan, Max Steel VIE will lose the copyright for Max Steel and, consequently, our consolidated financial statements will no longer reflect any revenues from the distribution of Max Steel in foreign territories.

42West Line of Credit

42West had a revolving line of credit with City National Bank under a revolving note, which matured on November 1, 2017. The revolving note was not renewed. Upon closing of our acquisition of 42West, the line of credit had a balance of $500,000. On April 27, 2017, we drew an additional $250,000 from the line of credit to be used for working capital. City National Bank did not call the outstanding principal of the revolving note but on January 28, 2018, we paid the outstanding balance of $750,000 and satisfied in full our obligation under the revolving note.



30



 


On March 15, 2018, 42West entered into a business loan agreement with BankUnited, N.A., (the “Loan Agreement”), for a revolving line of credit agreement under a revolving note. The revolving line of credit matures on March 15, 2020 and bears interest on the outstanding balance at the bank’s prime rate plus 0.25% per annum. The maximum amount that can be drawn on the revolving line of credit is $2,300,000. Amounts outstanding under the note are secured by 42West’s current and future inventory, chattel paper, accounts, equipment and general intangibles. On March 28, 2018, we drew $1,690,000 from the line of credit facility to purchase 183,296 shares of our common stock, per the put agreements with the sellers. On June 29, 2018, we issued a standby letter of credit, in the amount of $50,000, to secure the lease of 42West’s Los Angeles office. The borrowing capacity under the Loan Agreement was reduced by the same amount. As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance on the line of credit was $1,700,390.

The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants, including covenants regarding maintenance of a maximum debt to total net worth ratio of at least 4.0:1.0 and a minimum debt service coverage of 1.40x based on fiscal year-end audit to be calculated as provided in the Loan Agreement.  Further, the Loan Agreement contains customary negative covenants, including those that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the ability of 42West to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make loans, investments or certain acquisitions, or enter into certain types of agreements. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the bank may accelerate the maturity of the loan and declare the unpaid principal balance and accrued but unpaid interest immediately due and payable. In the event of 42West’s insolvency, such outstanding amounts will automatically become due and payable. 42West may prepay any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility without penalty.

Promissory Notes

Convertible Notes

2019 Convertible Debt

On March 25, 2019, we issued a convertible promissory note agreement to an unrelated investor and received $200,000. The convertible promissory note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and matures on March 25, 2021. The balance of the convertible promissory note and any accrued interest may be converted at the note holders’ option at any time at a purchase price based on the 30-day trailing average market price of the Common Stock.

2018 Convertible Debt

On July 5, 2018, we issued an 8% secured convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $1.5 million (the “Note”), to Pinnacle Family Office Investments, L.P. (“Pinnacle”), pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated the same date. We used the proceeds of the convertible promissory note to finance the Company’s acquisition of The Door. Our obligations under the Note are secured primarily by a lien on the assets of The Door and Viewpoint. We must pay interest on the principal amount of the Note, at the rate of 8% per annum in cash on a quarterly basis. The Note matures on January 5, 2020. We may prepay the convertible promissory note in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to maturity; however, if we voluntarily prepay the convertible promissory note, we must (i) pay Pinnacle a prepayment penalty equal to 10% of the prepaid amount and (ii) issue to Pinnacle warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $3.25 per share. The Note also contains certain customary events of default. Pinnacle may convert the outstanding principal amount of the convertible promissory note into shares of common stock at any time at a price per share of $3.25, subject to adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, dilutive issuances and subsequent rights offerings. At our election, upon a conversion of the convertible promissory note, we may issue common stock in respect of accrued and unpaid interest with respect to the principal amount of the convertible promissory note converted by Pinnacle.

On the date of the Note, our common stock had a market value of $3.65. We determined that the Note contained a beneficial conversion feature or debt discount by calculating the number of shares using the conversion rate of the Note of $3.25 per share, and then calculating the market value of the shares that would be issued at conversion using the market value of our common stock on the date of the Note. We recorded a debt discount on the Note of $184,614 that will be amortized and recorded as interest expense over the life of the Note. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid interest and recorded interest expense in our audited consolidated statement of operations in the amount of $58,333. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded interest expense of $61,538 from the amortization of the beneficial conversion of the Note.  As of December 31, 2018, we had a balance of $1,376,924, net of $123,076 of debt discount, recorded in noncurrent liabilities on our audited consolidated balance sheet, related to this Note.



31



 


2017 Convertible Promissory Notes

On July 18, July 26, July 27, July 31, August 30, September 6, September 8, and September 22, 2017, we entered into subscription agreements pursuant to which we issued convertible promissory notes, each with substantially similar terms, for an aggregate principal amount of $875,000. Each of the convertible promissory notes bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and matures one year from the date of issue, with the exception of one note in the amount of $75,000 which matures two years from the date of issue. The principal and any accrued interest of the each of the convertible promissory notes are convertible by the respective holders at a price of either (i) the 90 trading day average price per share of common stock as of the date the holder submits a notice of conversion or (ii) if an eligible offering (as defined in each of the convertible promissory notes) of common stock is made, 95% of the public offering share price (as defined in each of the convertible promissory notes).  We have agreed to extend the maturity date of each of the convertible promissory notes, (with the exception of the note described below that converted on June 25, 2018), for an additional year from their original respective maturity dates.

On June 25, 2018, one of the holders of a convertible promissory note notified us that they would convert $250,000 of principal and $23,425 of accrued interest into 85,299 shares of common stock at a price of $3.21 per share using the 90-day trading average price per share of common stock as of June 22, 2018. On the date of the conversion (June 25, 2018), the market price of the Common Stock was $3.83 per share and we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $53,271 on our consolidated statements of operation for the year ended December 31, 2018.

We have a balance of $625,000 in current liabilities, a balance of $1,376,924 in noncurrent liabilities and accrued interest of $4,861 in other current liabilities related to these convertible promissory notes payable as of December 31, 2018.

Nonconvertible Notes Payable

On July 5, 2012, we issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $300,000 bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum and payable on demand to KCF Investments LLC (“KCF”), an entity controlled by Mr. Stephen L Perrone, an affiliate of Dolphin. The proceeds from this note were used for working capital. On December 10, 2018, we agreed to exchange this promissory note, including accrued interest of $192,233, for a new unsecured promissory note in the amount of $492,233 that matures on December 10, 2023.  The promissory note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and provides for monthly repayments of principal and interest in the amount of $10,459 beginning January 15, 2019.  The promissory note may be repaid at any time prior to maturity without a penalty.  

On November 30, 2017, we issued a promissory note in the amount of $200,000 that matures on January 15, 2019. We may prepay this promissory note with no penalty at any time. The promissory note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum. We agreed to extend the maturity date until January 15, 2020.

On June 14, 2017, we issued a promissory note in the amount of $400,000 that matures two years after issuance. We may prepay this promissory note with no penalty after the initial six months. The promissory note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum.

On April 10 and April 18, 2017, we issued three promissory notes, maturing six months after issuance, to two separate lenders and received a total principal amount of $550,000. The notes bore interest at 10% per annum and could have been prepaid without any penalty. On October 10 and October 18, 2017, these three promissory notes matured. The lenders agreed to extend the maturity dates of these three promissory notes until December 15, 2017. The interest rate of one of the promissory notes in the amount of $250,000 increased for the period between October 18, 2017 and December 15, 2017, from 10% to 12%. All other provisions of the promissory notes remained unchanged. On December 28, 2017, we repaid the aggregate principal of $550,000 outstanding on these three notes plus accrued interest of $6,667.

We have a balance of $479,874 in current liabilities, a balance of $612,359 in noncurrent liabilities and accrued interest of $6,315 in other current liabilities related to these promissory notes payable as of December 31, 2018.

Payable to Former Member of 42West

During 2011, 42West entered into an agreement to purchase the membership interest of one of its members. Pursuant to the agreement, the outstanding principal was payable immediately if 42West sold, assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of all or substantially all of its assets and/or business prior to December 31, 2018. In connection with our acquisition of 42West, payment of this redemption was accelerated, with $300,000 paid in April 2017, and the remaining $225,000 paid in January 2018.



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2017 Public Offering

On December 26, 2017, in an underwritten registered public offering, we sold 1,215,000 units at a public offering price of $4.13 per unit. Each unit consisted of one share of our common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.74 per share.  The net proceeds of the Offering were approximately $4.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us.  Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, we issued 86,503 underwriter warrants and granted an over-allotment option to the underwriters in the Offering. In January 2018, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option with respect to 20,750 shares of common stock and 175,750 warrants and we received proceeds of $81,044.

2018 Public Offering

On July 24, 2018, in an underwritten registered public offering, we sold 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $3.00 per share. The net proceeds of the Offering were approximately $5.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us.  In August, 2018, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option with respect to 265,000 shares of common stock and we received proceeds, net of the underwriter discount and expenses, of $0.7 million.

2018 Registered Direct Offering

On September 19, 2018, we issued and sold to a single investor in a registered direct offering an aggregate of 250,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $3.00 per share.  The offering was made pursuant to our effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We received proceeds of approximately $0.7 million from this issuance and sale of our common stock after deducting related expenses.

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or “GAAP”. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur, could materially impact the consolidated financial statements. We believe that the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Capitalized Production Costs

Capitalized production costs represent the costs incurred to develop and produce a web series or feature films. These costs primarily consist of salaries, equipment and overhead costs, as well as the cost to acquire rights to scripts. Capitalized production costs are stated at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization and tax credits, if applicable, or fair value. These costs are capitalized in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or “FASB”, Accounting Standards Codification, or “ASC”, Topic 926-20-50-2 “Other Assets – Film Costs”. Unamortized capitalized production costs are evaluated for impairment whenever there are events or changes in circumstance that would indicate that the carrying amount of the capitalized production costs are below their fair value. If estimated remaining revenue is not sufficient to recover the unamortized capitalized production costs for that title, the unamortized capitalized production costs will be written down to fair value. Any project that is not greenlit for production within three years is written off.


We are responsible for certain contingent compensation, known as participations, paid to certain creative participants such as writers, directors and actors. Generally, these payments are dependent on the performance of the web series and are based on factors such as total revenue as defined per each of the participation agreements. We are also responsible for residuals, which are payments based on revenue generated from secondary markets that are generally paid to third parties pursuant to a collective bargaining, union or guild agreement. These costs are accrued to direct operating expenses as the revenues, as defined in the participation agreements, are achieved and as sales to the secondary markets are made triggering the residual payment.




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Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates of ultimate revenues and expenses, these estimates are likely to differ to some extent in the future from actual results. Our management regularly reviews and revises when necessary its ultimate revenue and cost estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and participations and residuals and/or write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized deferred production costs to its estimated fair value. Our management estimates the ultimate revenue based on existing contract negotiations with domestic distributors and international buyers as well as management’s experience with similar productions in the past.


An increase in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a lower amortization rate and, therefore, less amortization expense of deferred productions costs, while a decrease in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a higher amortization rate and, therefore, higher amortization expense of capitalized production costs. Our management evaluates unamortized production costs for impairment whenever there is an event that may signal that the fair value of the unamortized production costs are below their carrying value. One example that may trigger this type of analysis is the under-performance in the domestic box office of a feature film. For digital productions, this analysis may occur if we are unable to secure sufficient advertising revenue or a suitable distributor for our web series. We typically perform an impairment analysis using a discounted cash flow method. Any write-down resulting from an impairment analysis is included in direct costs within our consolidated statements of operations.  In addition, capitalized production costs for projects that are not set for production within three years of the cost being capitalized should be impaired.  Based on this guidance we impaired the cost of a script in the amount of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.


Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Using this newly adopted guidance, we recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to our clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue from public relations consists of fees from the performance of professional services and billings for direct costs reimbursed by clients. Fees are generally recognized on a straight-line or monthly basis, as the services are consumed by our clients, which approximates the proportional performance on such contracts. Direct costs reimbursed by clients are billed as pass-through revenue with no mark-up.


We have entered into agreements with foreign and a domestic distributor for our motion picture Max Steel. These international distribution agreements contain minimum guaranteed payments once the motion picture is delivered and other specifications are met per the agreements. We entered into a domestic distribution agreement with Open Road to distribute the film in the United States using their existing relationships and output agreements with the movie theaters, as well, as DVD, SVOD, pay TV, and free TV distributors. These distribution agreements are for the licensing of function intellectual property and, as such, we recognize revenue once the motion picture has been delivered and the license period has begun.


ASC 606 provides guidance on determining whether revenues should be recognized on a gross or net basis (Principal vs Agent). Based on the new guidance of ASC 606, we determined that for the domestic distribution of Max Steel we should report revenues on a gross basis because we are primarily responsible for the fulfillment of the completed motion picture and carry the “inventory risk” if the motion picture does not meet the customers specifications. At other times, we may enter into contracts with distributors, on significantly different terms, and will need to evaluate these contracts at that time.




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Fair Value Measurements


Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized based on whether the inputs are observable in the market and the degree that the inputs are observable. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of our company. Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, defined as follows:


 

Level 1

Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

 

Level 2

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated with observable market data.

 

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability as of the reporting date.


We carry certain derivative financial instruments using inputs classified as “Level 3” in the fair value hierarchy on our balance sheets.


On July 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-11 and as a result certain warrants with down round provisions that were previously classified as liabilities with changes in fair value on each balance sheet date recorded in the statement of operations are now recorded in equity.  


Put Rights

In connection with the 42West acquisition, we entered into put agreements with each of the sellers of 42West granting them the right, but not the obligation, to cause us to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,187,087 of their shares received as consideration for their membership interest of 42West, including the put rights on the shares earned from the earn out consideration. Based upon the results of operations of 42West during 2017, the sellers earned this additional consideration. In January of 2018, we also entered into put agreements with certain 42West employees granting them the right, but not the obligation, to cause us to purchase up to an aggregate of 140,697 of their shares received in April 2017 and in July 2018 and those earned from the earn out consideration. We have agreed to purchase the shares at $9.22 per share during certain specified exercise periods as set forth in the put agreements, up until December 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we purchased 408,172 shares of common stock for an aggregate amount of approximately $3.8 million from the sellers and the 42West employees with put options.


We use a Black-Scholes Option Pricing model, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the put rights reflects management’s own assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the put rights. The put rights were initially measured on the date of the put agreements and are subsequently measured at each balance sheet date with changes in the fair value between balance sheet dates, being recorded as a gain or loss in the statement of operations.


Contingent Consideration


On July 5, 2018, in connection with our acquisition of The Door, we agreed to issue to the sellers up to 1,538,462 shares of common stock based on a price of $3.25 per share and up to $2.0 million in cash if certain adjusted net income targets were met over a four-year period. If the adjusted net income targets are achieved, the contingent consideration is first paid in shares of common stock and the last $2.0 million of contingent consideration earned, if any, is paid in cash.


During 2017, the sellers of 42West earned approximately $9.3 million (1,012,292 shares of our common stock) as a result of achievement of adjusted EBITDA targets based on operations of 42West. Such additional consideration is payable in three annual installments. A number of shares to be issued became fixed and the contingent consideration was reclassified to equity as of December 31, 2017, using the closing market price of our stock as of December 29, 2017 of $3.60.




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To value the contingent consideration, we used a Monte Carlo Simulation Model, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the contingent consideration reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the contingent consideration. The contingent consideration for The Door was initially measured as of the date of the merger (July 5, 2018) and is subsequently measured at each balance sheet date with changes in the fair value between balance sheet dates, being recorded as a gain or loss in the statement of operations.


Income Taxes

We reported an effective tax rate of 26.9% and 4.6% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We have deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $36,865,500 of net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized and have recorded a net valuation allowance of $14,259,043 and $12,280,153 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively which resulted in a decrease in this deferred tax account.


 On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") was signed into law, making significant changes to the taxation of U.S. business entities. The Tax Act reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, imposed a one-time transition tax in connection with the move from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system, provided for accelerated deductions for certain U.S. film production costs, imposed limitations on certain tax deductions such as executive compensation in future periods, and included numerous other provisions. We are currently in the process of evaluating the full impact of the Tax Act on our financial statements and have not completed this evaluation. We have reported provisional amounts reflecting our reasonable estimates of the impact of the Tax Act. The estimated impact of the Tax Act is based on a preliminary review of the new law and is subject to revision based upon further analysis and interpretation of the Tax Act.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this 2018 Form 10-K.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this 2018 Form 10-K contain “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and intentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Specifically, this 2018 Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements regarding:

·

our expectations regarding the potential benefits and synergies we can derive from our acquisitions;

·

our expectations to offer clients a broad array of interrelated services, the impact of such strategy on our future profitability and growth and our belief regarding our resulting market position;

·

our beliefs regarding our competitive advantages;

·

our expectations regarding increased movie marketing budgets at several large key clients and the impact of such increased budgets on revenue and profit in our entertainment publicity and marketing segment over the next several years;

·

our intention to hire new individuals or teams whose existing books of business and talent rosters can be accretive to revenues and profits of the business and our expectations regarding the impact of such additional hires on the growth of our revenues and profits;

·

our beliefs regarding the drivers of growth in the entertainment publicity and marketing segment, the timing of such anticipated growth trend and its resulting impact on the overall revenue;



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·

our intention to expand into television production in the near future;

·

our belief regarding the transferability of 42Wests skills and experience to related business sectors and our intention to expand our involvement in those areas;

·

our intention to grow and diversify our portfolio of film and digital content and our beliefs regarding our strategies to accomplish such growth and diversification;

·

our beliefs regarding the impact of our strategic focus on content and creation of innovative content distribution strategies on our competitive position in the industry, use of capital, growth and long-term shareholder value;

·

our plan to balance our financial risks against the probability of commercial success for each project;

·

our intention to selectively pursue complementary acquisitions to enforce our competitive advantages, scale and grow, our belief that such acquisitions will create synergistic opportunities and increased profits and cash flows, and our expectation regarding the timing of such acquisitions;

·

our expectations concerning our ability to derive future cash flows and revenues from the production, release and advertising of future web series on online platforms, and the timing of receipt of such cash flows and revenues;

·

our expectations concerning the timing of production and release of future feature films and digital projects, our intention to obtain financing for such projects and our target demographics;

·

our expectation that we will continue to receive revenues from our motion picture, Max Steel from other secondary distribution revenues;

·

our intention to use our purchased scripts for future motion picture and digital productions;

·

our expectations to raise funds through loans, additional sales of our common stock, securities convertible into our common stock, debt securities or a combination of financing alternatives;

·

our belief that the only recourse to the lenders under the production service agreement and prints and advertising loan is to foreclose on the collateral securing the loans, which consists of the copyright for Max Steel;

·

our beliefs regarding the outcome of litigation to which we are a party, that arise in the ordinary course of business; and

·

our intention to implement improvements to address material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting.

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

·

our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions we have made, including synergies, expanded interrelated service offerings, growth and increased revenues;

·

our ability to accurately predict our clients acceptance of our differentiated business model that offers interrelated services;

·

our ability to successfully identify and complete acquisitions in line with our growth strategy and anticipated timeline, and to realize the anticipated benefits of those acquisitions;

·

our ability to accurately interpret trends and predict future demand in the digital media and film industries;

·

our ability to repay our loans under the production service agreement and prints and advertising loan in accordance with the terms of the agreements so that we will be able to continue to receive revenues from Max Steel;

·

our ability to comply with terms and covenants in our revolving credit line;

·

our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements;

·

the ability of the lenders under the production service agreement and prints and advertising loan to successfully assert that we are liable to them for the payment of our subsidiarys or Max Steel VIEs debt;

·

adverse events, trends and changes in the entertainment or entertainment marketing industries that could negatively impact our operations and ability to generate revenues;

·

loss of a significant number of entertainment publicity and marketing clients;



37



 


·

the ability of key 42West clients to increase their movie marketing budgets as anticipated;

·

our ability to continue to successfully identify and hire new individuals or teams who will provide growth opportunities;

·

uncertainty that our strategy of hiring of new individuals or teams will positively impact our revenues and profits;

·

lack of demand for strategic communications services by traditional and non-traditional media clients who are expanding their activities in the content production, branding and consumer products PR sectors;

·

unpredictability of the commercial success of our future web series and motion pictures;

·

economic factors that adversely impact the entertainment industry, as well as advertising, production and distribution revenue in the online and motion picture industries;

·

our ability to identify, produce and develop online digital entertainment and motion pictures that meet industry and customer demand;

·

competition for talent and other resources within the industry and our ability to enter into agreements with talent under favorable terms;

·

our ability to attract and/or retain the highly specialized services of the 42West and The Door executives and employees and our CEO;

·

availability of financing from investors under favorable terms;

·

our ability to adequately address material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; and

·

uncertainties regarding the outcome of pending litigation.


The foregoing list of important factors does not include all such factors, nor necessarily present them in order of importance. In addition, you should consult other disclosures made by the Company (such as in our other filings with the SEC or in Company press releases) for other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the Company. Please refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this 2018 Form 10-K for additional information regarding factors that could affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Any forward-looking statements, which we make in this 2018 Form 10-K, speak only as of the date of such statement, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements, except as otherwise required by applicable law.  We can give no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. An occurrence of, or any material adverse change in, one or more of the risk factors or risks and uncertainties referred to in this report or included in our other periodic reports filed with the SEC could materially and adversely impact our operations and our future financial results. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.


Any public statements or disclosures made by us following this report that modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this report will be deemed to modify or supersede such outlook or other forward-looking statements in or accompanying this report.


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

 



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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

The financial statements required by this Item 8 are included at the end of this Report beginning on page F-1 as follows:

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

 

 

F-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

 

F-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

 

F-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

 

F-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

 

F-7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

F-8

 


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.


ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Management’s Report on the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

We carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting described below.

 

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 



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Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(c). The framework on which such evaluation was based is contained in the report entitled “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) (the “COSO Report”). We concluded that based on our evaluation, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2018, due to the following material weaknesses that were identified:

 

·

We determined the following design deficiencies related to the entity level control environment, including risk assessment, information and communication and monitoring controls.


-

There is no documented fraud risk assessment or risk management oversight function.


-

There are no documented procedures related to financial reporting matters (both internal and external) to the appropriate parties.


-

There is no documented process to monitor and remediate deficiencies in internal controls.

 

·

We determined that review and approval of certain aspects of the accounting process including the documented review of accounting reconciliations, complex transactions and journal entries are inadequate and thus considered to be a material weakness in internal control. Specifically:


-

There are no documented period end closing procedures, specifically none that detail the individuals that are responsible for preparation, review and approval of period end close functions.


·

We observed the following inadequate segregation of duties within the accounting process that we determined were a material weakness of our internal control:


-

One individual has the ability to add vendors to the master vendor file. This individual also has access to the Company checkbook that is maintained in a secured location.


-

One individual has sole access to our information technology system to initiate, process and record financial information. We have not developed any internal controls related to information technology systems including change management, physical security, access or program development.

 

Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

In order to remediate the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, we intend to implement improvements during fiscal year 2019, under the direction of our board of directors, as follows:

 

·

Our board of directors intends to review the COSO “Internal Control over Financial Reporting - Guidance for Smaller Public Companies” that was published in 2006 including the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication and monitoring. Based on this framework, the board of directors plans to implement controls as needed assuming a cost benefit relationship. In addition, our board of directors plans to evaluate the key concepts of the updated 2013 COSO “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” as it provides a means to apply internal control to any type of entity.


·

Perform a comprehensive review of current procedures to ensure compliance with our newly documented accounting policies and procedures;


·

We are in the process of enhancing our controls over segregation of duties.

 



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Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures


 A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. We do not expect that our disclosure controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with associated policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we implemented the following procedures to remediate some of the material weaknesses in internal controls:


·

During the third quarter of 2018, we hired two persons in finance to ensure proper segregation of duties, reconciliation reviews, and quarter end reviews. In addition, we expect that with these two individuals we will be able to implement the necessary controls to remediate the remaining material weaknesses in internal controls.


·

We have engaged the services of an independent public accounting firm to assist with review of complex accounting transactions.


·

During the fourth quarter of 2018, we finalized the documentation of all significant accounting policies and ensured that the accounting policies are in accordance with GAAP and that internal controls are designed effectively to ensure that the financial information is properly reported.  The polices became effective in January 2019.


We have also implemented the following procedures to remediate some of the material weaknesses in internal controls beginning in 2019:


·

the Company has documented month-end and quarter-end closing procedures, including the individuals responsible for preparation, review and approval of the period end close.

 

We are neither an accelerated filer nor a large accelerated filer, as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, and are not otherwise including in this 2018 Form 10-K an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not required to be attested to by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to Item 308(b) of Regulation S-K.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION


None

 



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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our senior financial officers that is located on our internet website at www.dolphinentertainment.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” We intend to provide disclosure of any amendments or waivers of our Code of Ethics on our website within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

  



42



 


PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:


(1) Financial Statements


See Item 8 for Financial Statements included with this 2018 Form 10-K.


(2) Financial Statement Schedules


None.


(3) Exhibits


The exhibits identified in the Exhibit Index below are included herein or incorporated by reference.


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2017, by and among the Company and Leslee Dart, Amanda Lundberg, Allan Mayer and The Beatrice B. Trust.*

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

2.2

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 5, 2018, by and among the Company, The Door, Merger Sub and the Members.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 11, 2018.

2.3

 

Share Purchase Agreement, dated October 31, 2018, by and among the Company, Sellers and Sellers’ Representative.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 1, 2018.

3.1(a)

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. (conformed copy incorporating all amendments through September 14, 2017).

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

3.1(b)

 

Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 19, 2017.

3.2

 

Bylaws of Dolphin Digital Media, Inc., dated as of December 3, 2014.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 9, 2014.

4.1

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2017; by and among the Company and Leslee Dart, Amanda Lundberg, Allan Mayer and the Beatrice B. Trust.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

4.2

 

Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2016, between the Company and T Squared Partners LP.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 10, 2016.

4.2(a)

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant G.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 10, 2016.

4.2(b)

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant H.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 10, 2016.

4.2(c)

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant I.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 10, 2016.

4.2(d)

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant F. 

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(d) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on October 10, 2017.



43



 





4.2(e)

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(e) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on October 10, 2017.

4.3

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 5, 2017.

4.4

 

Form of Warrant (attached as Exhibit A to Form of Warrant Agency Agreement).

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 26, 2017.

4.5

 

Warrant Agency Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2017, by and between the Company and Nevada Agency and Transfer Company.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 26, 2017.

4.6

 

Form of Underwriters’ Warrant.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on December 15, 2017.

4.7

 

Form of Lock-Up Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on December 15, 2017.

4.8.

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 5, 2018, by and among the Company and the Members party thereto.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 11, 2018.

4.9

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note due January 5, 2020.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 11 2018.

10.1

 

Revolving Promissory Note, dated as of December 31, 2011, in favor of William O’Dowd.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

10.2

 

Form of Loan and Security Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

10.3

 

Form of Equity Purchase Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

10.4

 

Form of Subscription Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 15, 2015.

10.5

 

Form of Convertible Note.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 15, 2015.

10.6

 

Form of Subscription Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

10.7

 

Subscription Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2016, between the Company and Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 11, 2016.

10.8

 

Form of Subscription Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 7, 2016.

10.9

 

Form of Debt Exchange Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 3, 2016.

10.10

 

Form of Subscription Agreement.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 28, 2016.

10.11

 

Dolphin Entertainment Inc., 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.†

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed on August 08, 2017.

10.12

 

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2017, by and between the Company and Allan Mayer.†

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on October 10, 2017.



44



 





10.13

 

Put Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2017, by and among the Company and Alan Mayer and William O’Dowd, IV and 42West, LLC, as guarantors.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on December 15, 2017.

10.14

 

Promissory Note, dated September 20, 2017, in favor of the Mayer-Vogel Trust.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on December 05, 2017.

10.15

 

Promissory Note, dated October 1, 2016, in favor of Dolphin Entertainment, LLC (formerly, Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.).

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-219029), filed on December 05, 2017.

10.16

 

Business Loan Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2018, by and between 42West, LLC and BankUnited, N.A.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

10.17

 

Promissory Note, dated as of March 15, 2018, in favor of BankUnited, N.A.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

10.18

 

Commercial Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2018, by and between 42West, LLC and BankUnited, N.A.

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018

10.19

 

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated July 5, 2018, by and among the Company and Pinnacle

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 11, 2018.

10.20

 

Security Agreement, dated July 5, 2018, by and among the Company and Pinnacle

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 11, 2018.

10.21

 

Subsidiary Guarantee, dated July 5, 2018, by The Door in favor of Pinnacle

 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 11, 2018

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Filed herewith.

23.1

 

Consent of BDO USA, LLP.

 

Filed herewith.

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Filed herewith.

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Filed herewith.

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Furnished herewith.

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Furnished herewith.

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document.

 

Filed herewith.

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

Filed herewith.

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

Filed herewith.

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

Filed herewith.

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

 

Filed herewith.

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

Filed herewith.


† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

* Schedules (and similar attachments) have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

ITEM 16 FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

None.



45



 


SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: April 15, 2019

By:

/s/ William O’Dowd, IV

 

 

 

William O’Dowd, IV 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: April 15, 2019

By:

/s/ Mirta A Negrini

 

 

 

Mirta A Negrini 

 

 

 

Chief Financial and Operating Officer 

 

 

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

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ William O’Dowd, IV

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

April 15, 2019

William O’Dowd, IV

 

 

 

/s/ Mirta A Negrini

 

Chief Financial and Operating Officer and Director

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

April 15, 2019

Mirta A Negrini

 

 

 

/s/ Michael Espensen

 

Director

 

April 15, 2019

Michael Espensen

 

 

 

/s/ Nelson Famadas

 

Director

 

April 15, 2019

Nelson Famadas

 

 

 

 /s/ Allan Mayer

 

Director

 

April 15, 2019

Allan Mayer

 

 

 

 /s/ Anthony Leo

 

Director

 

April 15, 2019

Anthony Leo

 

 

 

/s/ Nicholas Stanham

 

Director

 

April 15, 2019

Nicholas Stanham

 

 


 

 

  

 



46



 


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. (formerly known as Dolphin Digital Media, Inc.)
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-8






F-1



 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries

Coral Gables, Florida

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the two years then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and subsidiaries at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years then ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Going Concern Uncertainty

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations from prior years, has an accumulated deficit, and a working capital deficit that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

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 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 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. 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 audits 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 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.


/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

Certified Public Accountants

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2014.

Miami, Florida

April 15, 2019




F-2



 


DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017


 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

ASSETS

  

                      

  

  

                      

  

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5,542,272

 

 

$

5,296,873

 

Restricted cash

 

 

732,368

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $283,022 and $366,280, respectively

 

 

3,173,107

 

 

 

3,700,618

 

Other current assets

 

 

620,970

 

 

 

422,118

 

Total current assets

 

 

10,068,717

 

 

 

9,419,609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized production costs, net

 

 

724,585

 

 

 

1,075,645

 

Intangible assets, net of amortization of $2,714,785 and 1,043,255, respectively

 

 

9,395,215

 

 

 

8,506,745

 

Goodwill

 

 

15,922,601

 

 

 

12,778,860

 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

 

1,182,520

 

 

 

1,110,776

 

Investments

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

Deposits

 

 

475,956

 

 

 

485,508

 

Total Assets

 

$

37,989,594

 

 

$

33,597,143

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

944,232

 

 

$

1,097,006

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

7,238,507

 

 

 

6,487,819

 

Line of credit

 

 

1,700,390

 

 

 

750,000

 

Put Rights

 

 

4,281,595

 

 

 

2,446,216

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

2,625,000

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

Debt

 

 

2,411,828

 

 

 

3,987,220

 

Loan from related party

 

 

1,107,873

 

 

 

1,708,874

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

522,620

 

 

 

48,449

 

Convertible notes payable

 

 

625,000

 

 

 

800,000

 

Note payable

 

 

479,874

 

 

 

300,000

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

21,936,919

 

 

 

20,125,584

 

Noncurrent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrant liability

 

 

 

 

 

1,441,831

 

Put Rights

 

 

1,702,472

 

 

 

3,779,794

 

Convertible notes payable

 

 

1,376,924

 

 

 

75,000

 

Note payable

 

 

612,359

 

 

 

600,000

 

Contingent consideration

 

 

550,000

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax

 

 

 

 

 

187,537

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

1,034,393

 

 

 

1,311,040

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

 

5,276,148

 

 

 

7,395,202

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

27,213,067

 

 

 

27,520,786

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.015 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 14,123,157 and, 10,565,789, respectively, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

 

211,849

 

 

 

158,487

 

Preferred Stock, Series C, $0.001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 50,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

105,092,852

 

 

 

98,816,550

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(94,529,174

)

 

 

(92,899,680

)

Total Stockholders' Equity

 

$

10,776,527

 

 

$

6,076,357

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

$

37,989,594

 

 

$

33,597,143

 




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


F-3



 


DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017


 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

  

                      

  

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment publicity and marketing

 

$

21,916,727

 

 

$

16,458,929

 

Content production

 

 

634,612

 

 

 

5,954,115

 

Total revenues

 

 

22,551,339

 

 

 

22,413,044

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct costs

 

 

2,176,968

 

 

 

4,638,710

 

Distribution and marketing

 

 

 

 

 

1,111,994

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

4,486,023

 

 

 

3,156,097

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,978,804

 

 

 

1,254,643

 

Legal and professional

 

 

2,119,107

 

 

 

1,806,448

 

Payroll

 

 

14,082,014

 

 

 

11,408,731

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

1,857,000

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

 

26,699,916

 

 

 

23,376,623

 

Loss before other expenses

 

 

(4,148,577

)

 

 

(963,579

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(53,271

)

 

 

4,012,277

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(438,552

)

 

 

(749,440

Loss on disposal of furniture, office equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

 

 

 

(28,025

)

Change in fair value of warrant liability

 

 

 

 

 

9,018,359

 

Change in fair value of put rights

 

 

616,943

 

 

 

(2,426,010

)

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

1,070,000

 

 

 

(17,251

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,050,478

)

 

 

(1,594,940

)

Total other income

 

 

144,642

 

 

 

8,214,970

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(4,003,935

 

$

7,251,391

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

1,090,614

 

 

 

(338,867

)

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,913,321

)

 

$

6,912,524

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) Income per Share - Basic

 

$

(0.22

)

 

$

0.72

 

(Loss) per share - Diluted

 

$

(0.23

)

 

$

(0.20

)

Weighted average number of shares used in per share calculation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

13,773,395

 

 

 

9,586,986

 

Diluted

 

 

16,159,486

 

 

 

10,608,828

 




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


F-4



 


DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017


 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

                      

  

  

                      

  

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,913,321

)

 

$

6,912,524

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,978,804

 

 

 

1,254,643

 

Amortization of capitalized production costs

 

 

203,560

 

 

 

3,356,785

 

Amortization of beneficial conversion on debt

 

 

61,538

 

 

 

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

 

1,857,000

 

 

 

 

Impairment of capitalized production costs

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

269,444

 

Bad debt

 

 

641,876

 

 

 

330,714

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

 

 

 

28,025

 

Change in fair value of warrant liability

 

 

 

 

 

(9,018,359

)

Change in fair value of put rights

 

 

(616,943

)

 

 

2,426,010

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

(1,070,000

)

 

 

17,251

 

Stock based compensation (2017 Plan)

 

 

20,422

 

 

 

330,065

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

53,271

 

 

 

2,723

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

(4,500,000

)

Deferred tax

 

 

(1,050,375

)

 

 

187,537

 

Change in deferred rent

 

 

71,266

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

858,883

 

 

 

1,343,958

 

Other current assets

 

 

(32,516

 

 

2,243,667

 

Capitalized production costs

 

 

(52,500

)

 

 

(47,861

)

Deposits

 

 

40,219

 

 

 

821,122

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

267,817

 

 

 

1,768

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

125,000

 

 

 

250,000

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(231,242

)

 

 

381,521

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

(437,648

)

 

 

1,260,641

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

(599,826

)

 

 

507,371

 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities

 

 

(624,715

)

 

 

8,359,549

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment of working capital adjustment (42West)

 

 

 

 

 

(185,031

)

Purchase of fixed assets

 

 

(89,653

)

 

 

(227,040

)

Acquisition of The Door, net of cash acquired

 

 

(910,713

)

 

 

 

Acquisition of Viewpoint, net of cash acquired

 

 

(595,632

)

 

 

 

Acquisition of 42West, net of cash acquired

 

 

(20,000

)

 

 

13,626

 

Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities

 

 

(1,615,998

)

 

 

(398,445

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the sale of common stock

 

 

6,749,204

 

 

 

500,000

 

Proceeds from the sale of common stock and warrants (unit) in Offering

 

 

81,044

 

 

 

3,945,284

 

Proceeds from line of credit

 

 

1,700,390

 

 

 

750,000

 

Repayment of the line of credit

 

 

(750,000

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from notes payable

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

2,175,000

 

Repayment of notes payable

 

 

 

 

 

(700,000

Repayment of debt

 

 

(1,514,786

)

 

 

(10,255,849

)

Employee shares withheld for taxes

 

 

(56,091

)

 

 

(481,546

)

Proceeds from the exercise of warrants

 

 

 

 

 

35,100

 

Exercise of put rights

 

 

(3,890,280

)

 

 

(1,225,000

)

Advances from related party

 

 

 

 

 

1,388,000

 

Repayment to related party

 

 

(601,001

)

 

 

(707,766

)

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

 

 

3,218,480

 

 

 

(4,576,777

)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

977,767

 

 

 

3,384,327

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

5,296,873

 

 

 

1,912,546

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

6,274,640

 

 

$

5,296,873

 

(Continued)



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


F-5



 


DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017


 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:

  

                      

  

  

                      

  

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

185,307

 

 

$

77,263

 

Income taxes

 

$

135,000

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of accrued interest and a note payable into a new note payable

 

$

192,233

 

 

$

 

Conversion of debt into shares of common stock

 

$

273,425

 

 

$

 

Liability for contingent consideration related to the acquisition of The Door

 

$

550,000

 

 

$

 

Liability for put rights to sellers of 42West

 

$

5,984,067

 

 

$

 

Payment of certain accounts payable with shares of common stock

 

$

 

 

$

58,885

 

Issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to 2017 Plan

 

$

 

 

$

330,065

 

Issuance of shares of Common Stock related to the acquisitions

 

$

2,673,664

 

 

$

14,320,351

 



Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:  The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the statement of cash flows that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows:


 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5,542,272

 

 

$

5,296,873

 

Restricted cash

 

 

732,368

 

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows

 

$

6,274,640

 

 

$

5,296,873

 









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


F-6



 


DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

 

 

Deficit

 

 

(Deficit)

 

Balance December 31, 2016

 

 

50,000

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

 

7,197,761

 

 

$

107,967

 

 

$

67,835,440

 

 

 

 

$

(99,812,204

)

 

$

(31,867,797

)

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,912,524

 

 

 

6,912,524

 

Sale of common stock during the year ended December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

499,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500,000

 

Sale of common stock and warrants (unit) through an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,215,000

 

 

 

18,225

 

 

 

3,927,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,945,284

 

Issuance of shares from partial exercise of Warrant E and exercise of Warrants J and K

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,332,885

 

 

 

19,993

 

 

 

9,960,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,980,100

 

Issuance of shares for payment of services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,140

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

61,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,579

 

Issuance of shares related to acquisition of 42West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

837,415

 

 

 

12,562

 

 

 

14,307,789

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,320,351

 

Shares issuable for contingent consideration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,644,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,644,251

 

Shares issued per equity compensation plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59,320

 

 

 

890

 

 

 

329,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

330,065

 

Shares retired from exercise of puts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(132,859

 

 

(1,993

)

 

 

(1,748,007

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,750,000

)

Effect of reverse stock split on cumulative amount of par value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2017

 

 

50,000

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

 

10,565,789

 

 

$

158,487

 

 

$

98,816,550

 

 

 

 

$

(92,899,680

)

 

$

6,076,357

 

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,913,321

)

 

 

(2,913,321)

 

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2017-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,441,831

 

 

 

1,441,831

 

Deemed dividend from change in fair value of instruments with down round feature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

158,004

 

 

 

 

 

(158,004

)

 

 

 

Deferred tax on beneficial conversion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(47,605

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(47,605

)

Sale of common stock and warrants through an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,750

 

 

 

312

 

 

 

80,732

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

81,044

 

Sale of common stock and warrants through an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,515,000

 

 

 

37,725

 

 

 

6,711,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,749,204

 

Issuance of shares related to acquisition of 42West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

898,626

 

 

 

13,479

 

 

 

(33,479

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,000

)

Issuance of shares related to acquisition of The Door

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

307,692

 

 

 

4,615

 

 

 

2,241,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,246,154

 

Issuance of shares related to acquisition of Viewpoint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

218,088

 

 

 

3,273

 

 

 

424,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

427,510

 

Shares retired for payroll taxes per equity compensation plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,585

)

 

 

(264

)

 

 

(35,410

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,674

)

Beneficial conversion of convertible promissory note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

184,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

184,614

 

Issuance of shares related to conversion of note payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

85,299

 

 

 

1,279

 

 

 

325,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

326,695

 

Shares retired from exercise of puts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(470,502)

 

 

 

(7,057)

 

 

 

(3,733,225

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,740,282

)

Balance December 31, 2018

 

 

50,000

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

 

14,123,157

 

 

$

211,849

 

 

$

105,092,852

 

 

 

 

$

(94,529,174

)

 

$

10,776,527

 





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


F-7



 


DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017


NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION

Dolphin Entertainment, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company,” “Dolphin,” “we,” “us” or “our”), is a leading independent entertainment marketing and premium content development company. Through its acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint, the Company provides expert strategic marketing and publicity services to all of the major film studios, and many of the leading independent and digital content providers, A-list celebrity talent, including actors, directors, producers, celebrity chefs and recording artists.  The Company also provides strategic marketing publicity services and creative brand strategies for prime hotel and restaurant groups.  The strategic acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint bring together premium marketing services with premium content production, creating significant opportunities to serve respective constituents more strategically and to grow and diversify the Company’s business. Dolphin’s content production business is a long established, leading independent producer, committed to distributing premium, best-in-class film and digital entertainment. Dolphin produces original feature films and digital programming primarily aimed at family and young adult markets.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolphin, and all of its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including Dolphin Films, Dolphin Kids Clubs, LLC, Cybergeddon Productions, LLC, Dolphin SB Productions LLC, Dolphin Max Steel Holdings LLC, Dolphin JB Believe Financing, LLC, Dolphin JOAT Productions, LLC, 42West, The Door and Viewpoint.

The Company enters into relationships or investments with other entities, and in certain instances, the entity in which the Company has a relationship or investment may qualify as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). A VIE is consolidated in the financial statements if the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary is the party that has the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company has included Max Steel Productions, LLC formed on July 8, 2013 in the State of Florida and JB Believe, LLC formed on December 4, 2012 in the State of Florida in its consolidated financial statements as VIEs.

On March 30, 2017, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “42West Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company and Leslee Dart, Amanda Lundberg, Allan Mayer and the Beatrice B. Trust (the “Sellers”). Pursuant to the 42West Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired from the Sellers 100% of the membership interests of 42West, and 42West became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “42West Acquisition”). The consideration paid by the Company in connection with the 42West Acquisition was approximately $18.7 million in shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.015 (the “Common Stock”), based on the Common Stock’s 30-trading-day average stock price prior to the closing date of $9.22 per share (less certain working capital and closing adjustments, transaction expenses and payments of indebtedness), plus the potential for the sellers to earn up to approximately 1.0 million additional shares of Common Stock based on achieving certain financial targets that were achieved during the year ended December 31, 2017. See Note 4 for additional information regarding the acquisition.

On June 29, 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved a change in the name of the Company to Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. Effective July 6, 2017, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to (i) change the Company’s name to Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.; (ii) cancel previous designations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock; (iii) reduce the number of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding in light of the 1-to-20 reverse stock split from 1,000,000 to 50,000 shares; and (iv) clarify the voting rights of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock that, except as required by law, holders of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will only have voting rights once the independent directors of the Board determine that an optional conversion threshold has occurred.





F-8



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


On September 13, 2017, the Company filed with the Florida Department of State Articles of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effectuate a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock, on a two (2) old for one (1) new basis (the “Reverse Stock Split”), providing that the Reverse Stock Split would become effective under Florida law on September 14, 2017. Immediately after the Reverse Stock Split the number of authorized shares of Common Stock was reduced from 400,000,000 shares to 200,000,000. As a result, each shareholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company and proportional voting power remained unchanged. Any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split were rounded up to the nearest whole share of Common Stock. Shareholder approval of the Reverse Stock Split was not required. All consolidated financial statements and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for the above amendment to authorized shares and the reverse stock split.

On December 20, 2017, the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 was declared effective by the SEC for the underwritten registered offering (the “2017 Public Offering”) of Common Stock and warrants. The Common Stock started trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 21, 2017, and the transaction formally closed on December 26, 2017. In connection with the 2017 Public Offering, the Company sold an aggregate of 1,215,000 units each consisting of one share of Common Stock and one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.74 per share. Each warrant expires three years following the date of issuance. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the 2017 Public Offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, were $4.2 million. Pursuant to the related underwriting agreement, the Company issued 86,503 underwriter warrants and granted an over-allotment option to the underwriters, which they exercised on January 24, 2018 and purchased an additional 20,750 shares of Common Stock and 175,750 warrants, providing the Company with proceeds of $81,044. Warrants were also issued to the underwriter of the Offering to purchase 1,453 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.74 per share.


On July 5, 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), together with Lois O’Neill and Charles Dougiello (collectively, the “Members”), The Door Marketing Group, LLC, a New York limited liability company, and Window Merger Sub, LLC, a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, The Door Marketing Group, LLC merged into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Subsequent to the Merger, Merger Sub changed its name to The Door Marketing Group LLC (“The Door”). The total consideration payable to the Members in respect of the Merger is composed of the following: (i) $2.0 million in shares of Common Stock based on a price of $3.25 per share, (ii) $2.0 million in cash (as adjusted for certain working capital and closing adjustments and transaction expenses) and (iii) up to an additional $7.0 million of contingent consideration in a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock upon the achievement of specified financial performance targets over a four-year period as set forth in the Merger Agreement. Each of the Members has entered into a four-year employment agreement with The Door, pursuant to which each Member has agreed not to transfer any shares of Common Stock  received as consideration for the Merger (the “Share Consideration”) in the first year following the closing date of the Merger, no more than 1/3 of such Share Consideration in the second year and no more than an additional 1/3 of such Share Consideration in the third year. See Note 4 for additional information regarding the Merger.


On July 24, 2018, in an underwritten registered public offering, the Company issued and sold 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock at a public offering price of $3.00 per share (the “2018 Offering”). The net proceeds of the 2018 Offering were approximately $5.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. Pursuant to the related underwriting agreement, the Company granted an over-allotment option to the underwriter, which it exercised on August 22, 2018 and purchased an additional 265,000 shares of Common Stock providing the Company with proceeds of approximately $707,000 after deducting the underwriter discount and related offering expenses.


On September 19, 2018, the Company issued and sold to a single investor in a registered direct offering an aggregate of 250,000 shares of the Common Stock at a price of $3.00 per share. The offering of the Shares was made pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company received proceeds of approximately $730,000 from the issuance and sale of the Common Stock after deducting related offering expenses.




F-9



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


On October 31, 2018, (the “Viewpoint Closing Date”) the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, with Carlo DiPersio, David Shilale, Michael Middeleer and Glenn Robbins (collectively, the “Viewpoint Shareholders”) to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Viewpoint from the Viewpoint Shareholders. The consideration paid to the Viewpoint Shareholders is $2 million as follows: (i) $750,000 in cash on the Closing Date (adjusted for Viewpoint’s indebtedness, working capital and cash targets, and transaction expenses); (ii) $500,000 in shares of Common Stock at a price of $2.29 per share (218,088 shares) issued to the Viewpoint Shareholders on the Closing Date and (iii) an additional $750,000 in cash in three equal payments of $250,000 each to paid to the Viewpoint Shareholders on the six, twelve and eighteen-month anniversaries of the Closing Date (subject to a right of setoff for certain adjustments and indemnification obligations).  See Note 4 for additional information regarding the acquisition.


NOTE 2 — GOING CONCERN

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity U.S generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and contemplate the continuation of the Company as a going concern. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had a net loss of $2,913,321 and net income of $6,912,524, respectively. The Company has recorded an accumulated deficit of $94,529,174 and $92,899,680, respectively and a working capital deficit of $11,868,202 and $10,705,975, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and therefore does not have adequate capital to fund its obligations as they come due or to maintain or grow its operations. The Company is dependent upon funds from private investors, proceeds from debt securities, securities convertible into shares of its Common Stock, sales of shares of Common Stock and financial support of certain shareholders. If the Company is unable to obtain funding from these sources within the next 12 months, it could be forced to liquidate.

These factors raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. In this regard, management is planning to raise any necessary additional funds through additional issuance of Common Stock, securities convertible into Common Stock, debt securities, as well as available bank and non-bank financing, or a combination of such financing alternatives. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising additional capital. Any issuance of shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock would dilute the equity interests of our existing shareholders, perhaps substantially. The Company currently has the rights to several scripts, and one that is being developed which it intends to obtain financing to produce and release and expects to earn a producer and overhead fee. There can be no assurances that such production, together with any other productions, will be commenced or released or that fees will be realized in future periods. With the acquisition of 42West, The Door, and Viewpoint, the Company is currently exploring opportunities to expand the services currently being offered by these companies while reducing expenses through synergies with the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in selling these services to clients or reducing expenses. Under the Company’s currently effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, the Company may sell up to $30,000,000 of equity securities. However, pursuant to applicable SEC rules, the Company’s ability to sell securities registered under this shelf registration statement, during any 12-month period, is limited to an amount less than or equal to one-third of the aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates; therefore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise capital through the issuance and sale of equity securities under this registration statement, irrespective of whether there is market demand for such securities.



F-10



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 3 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates made by management in the preparation of the financial statements relate to expected revenue and costs for investment in digital and feature film projects; estimates of sales returns and other allowances and provisions for doubtful accounts and impairment assessments for investment in digital and feature film projects, goodwill and intangible assets. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Statement of Comprehensive Income

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 220, Comprehensive Income, a statement of comprehensive income has not been included as the Company has no items of other comprehensive income. Comprehensive loss is the same as net loss for all periods presented.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposits at financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents amounts held by banking institutions as collateral for security deposits under leases for office space in New York City and Newton, Massachusetts.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a balance of $732,368 in restricted cash.  The Company did not have any restricted cash as of December 31, 2017.

Contracts in the Company’s Equity

From time to time, the Company issues contracts related to its own equity securities, such as warrants and convertible notes. The Company evaluates whether a standalone contract (such as a warrant), or an embedded feature of a contract (such as the conversion feature of a convertible note) should be classified in stockholders’ deficit or as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The determination is made in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (ASC 480), and ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815).

A warrant is classified as equity so long as it is “indexed to the Company’s equity” and several specific conditions for equity classification are met.

Prior to adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-11, and in accordance with ASC 815, certain warrants with anti-dilutive provisions were deemed to be derivatives because they were not considered indexed to the Company’s equity. The value of the warrants would fluctuate with the price of the Common Stock and was recorded as a current liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The change in the value of the liability was recorded as “change in fair value of warrant liability” on the consolidated statements of operations.

Effective July 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in Part I of this ASU changed the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features.

When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or as equity instruments, a down round feature (i.e. a financial anti-dilution provision) no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature.



F-11



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


For freestanding equity classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS.

The Company adopted ASU 2017-11 by electing the modified retrospective method to the outstanding financial instruments with a down round feature by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Accordingly, the Company reclassified the fair value of the warrants with down round protection provisions from liability to equity (accumulated deficit) and resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the aggregate amount of $1,441,831.

Revenue Recognition

Entertainment publicity and marketing

Entertainment publicity and marketing revenue consists of fees from the performance of professional services, billings for direct costs reimbursed by clients and revenue from producing video content for marketing. The revenues derived from fees and reimbursed expenses are directly dependent upon the publicity and corporate communications requirements of the Company’s existing clients and its ability to win new clients. As is customary in the industry, the agreements with the fee-based clients generally provide for termination by either party on relatively short notice, usually 30 days. Some of the contracts may include incentive compensation for our clients’ nominations of certain Academy Awards. Fees are generally recognized on a straight-line or monthly basis which approximates the proportional performance on such contracts. Direct costs reimbursed by clients are billed as pass-through revenue with no mark-up. The entertainment publicity and marketing segment also recognizes revenue from the production of video content for marketing purposes which is recognized at a point in time when the project is delivered to and available for use by the client.  Cash payments received as deposits for these videos are recorded as deferred revenue until the project is completed.

Content production

Revenue from motion pictures and web series is recorded when a distribution contract, domestic or international, exists, the movie or web series is complete in accordance with the terms of the contract, the customer can begin exhibiting or selling the movie or web series, the fee is determinable and collection of the fee is reasonable. On occasion, the Company may enter into agreements with third parties for the co-production or distribution of a movie or web series. Revenue from these agreements will be recognized when the movie is complete and ready to be exploited. Cash received and amounts billed in advance of meeting the criteria for revenue recognition is classified as deferred revenue.

Gross versus Net Revenue

The Company’s motion pictures are primarily distributed and marketed by third party distributors. The Company evaluates its arrangements with third parties to determine whether revenue should be reported under each individual arrangement on a gross or net basis by determining whether the Company acts as the principal or agent under the terms of each arrangement. To the extent that the Company acts as the principal in an arrangement, revenues are reported on a gross basis, resulting in revenues and expenses being classified in their respective financial statement line items. Conversely, to the extent that the Company acts as the agent in an arrangement, revenues are reported on a net basis, resulting in revenues being presented net of any related expenses. Determining whether the Company acts as principal or agent is based on an evaluation of which party has substantial risks and rewards of ownership under the terms of an arrangement. The most significant factors that the Company considers include identification of the primary obligor, as well as which party has general and physical inventory risk, credit risk and discretion in the supplier selection. The Company’s primary distribution arrangements, which are those for its theatrical release, are recorded on a gross basis as a result of the evaluation previously described.




F-12



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Additionally, because third parties are the principal distributors of the Company’s movies, the amount of revenue that is recognized from films in any given period is dependent on the timing, accuracy and sufficiency of the information received from its distributors. As is typical in the film industry, the Company’s distributors may make adjustments in future periods to information previously provided to the Company that could have a material impact on the Company’s operating results in later periods. Furthermore, management may, in its judgment, make material adjustments to the information reported by its distributors in future periods to ensure that revenues are accurately reflected in the Company’s financial statements. To date, the distributors have not made, nor has the Company made, subsequent material adjustments to information provided by the distributors and used in the preparation of the Company’s historical financial statements.

In general, the Company records revenue when it can identify the contract, identify the performance obligation, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price and collectability is reasonably assured.

Capitalized Production Costs

Capitalized production costs represent the costs incurred to develop and produce a motion picture or a web series. These costs primarily consist of salaries, equipment and overhead costs, capitalized interest as well as the cost to acquire rights to scripts. Production costs are stated at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization and tax credits, if applicable, or fair value. These costs are capitalized in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 926-20-50-2 “Other Assets – Film Costs”. Unamortized capitalized production costs are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the capitalized production costs is below their fair value.  If estimated remaining revenue is not sufficient to recover the unamortized capitalized production costs for that title, the unamortized capitalized production costs will be written down to fair value. The Company is responsible for certain contingent compensation, known as participations, paid to certain creative participants such as writers, directors and actors. Generally, these payments are dependent on the performance of the motion picture or web series and are based on factors such as total revenue as defined per each of the participation agreements.

The Company is also responsible for residuals, which are payments based on revenue generated from secondary markets and are generally paid to third parties pursuant to a collective bargaining, union or guild agreement. The Company has entered into a fifteen-year distribution agreement for its motion picture, Max Steel. As provided in the agreement, the distributor has entered into a distribution assumption agreement with the guilds to pay the residuals from gross revenues. Upon expiration of the term of the agreement, and nonrenewal, the Company will be responsible for making the payments directly. These costs are accrued to direct operating expenses as the revenues, as defined in the participation agreements are achieved and as sales to the secondary markets are made triggering the residual payment.

Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates of ultimate revenues and expenses, these estimates are likely to differ to some extent in the future from actual results. Management regularly reviews and revises when necessary its ultimate revenue and cost estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and participations and residuals and/or write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized deferred production costs to its estimated fair value. Management estimates the ultimate revenue based on existing contract negotiations with domestic distributors and international buyers as well as management’s experience with similar productions in the past. Amortization of film costs, participation and residuals and/or write downs of all or a portion of the unamortized deferred production costs to its estimated fair value is recorded in direct costs.

An increase in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a lower amortization rate and, therefore, less amortization expense of deferred productions costs, while a decrease in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a higher amortization rate and, therefore, higher amortization expense of deferred production costs, and also periodically results in an impairment requiring a write-down of the deferred production costs to fair value. These write-downs are included in direct costs within the consolidated statements of operations.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company amortized $3,356,785 of capitalized production costs related to Max Steel and impaired $269,444 of capitalized production costs to present the capitalized production costs at fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company amortized $203,560 of capitalized production costs related to the revenues earned for Max Steel.

The Company periodically reviews capitalized production costs to determine whether they will ultimately be used in the production of a film or web series.  Per ASC 926-20-40-1, it is presumed that an entity will dispose of a property if it has not been set for production within three years from the time it was first capitalized.  Based on this guidance, during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company impaired a script that it had purchased in the amount of $200,000.  The impairment is recorded in direct costs on the consolidated statement of operations.



F-13



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Investment

Investment represents an investment in equity securities of The Virtual Reality Company (“VRC”), a privately held company. The Company’s $220,000 investment in VRC represents less than a 1% noncontrolling ownership interest in VRC and there is no market for VRC’s common stock. Accordingly, the Company accounts for its investment under the cost method. Under the cost method, the investor’s share of earnings or losses is not included in the balance sheet or statement of operations. The net accumulated earnings of the investee subsequent to the date of investment are recognized by the investor only to the extent distributed by the investee as dividends. However, impairment charges are recognized in the statement of operations, if factors come to our attention that indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred that is other than temporary.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount to the future net undiscounted cash flows which the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds its fair value. Except for those described above in Capitalized Production Costs and those in Goodwill below, there were no impairment charges for long lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. The Company recorded depreciation expense of $307,274 and $211,138, respectively for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. When items are retired or otherwise disposed of, income is charged or credited for the difference between net book value and proceeds realized thereon. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and replacements and betterments are capitalized. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The range of estimated useful lives to be used to calculate depreciation and amortization for principal items of property and equipment are as follow:

Asset Category

 

Depreciation/ 
Amortization Period

(Years)

Furniture and fixtures

 

5 - 7

Computer and office equipment

 

3 - 5

Leasehold improvements

 

5 - 8, not to exceed the lease terms


Intangible assets

In connection with the acquisitions of 42West on March 30, 2017, The Door on July 5, 2018 and Viewpoint on October 31, 2018, the Company acquired in aggregate an estimated $12,110,000 of intangible assets with finite useful lives initially estimated to range from 3 to 14 years. Intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value and are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company amortized $1,671,530 and $1,043,255, respectively, of identifiable intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no impairments of identifiable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.  Balances for The Door and Viewpoint are provisional as the final purchase price allocation has not been completed.



F-14



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Goodwill

For the year ended December 31, 2017, in connection with the acquisition of 42West (see Note 4), the Company recorded $12,778,860 of goodwill, which management has assigned to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment.  For the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with the acquisitions of The Door and Viewpoint (see Note 4), the Company recorded goodwill in the provisional amount of $5,000,741 in the aggregate which has also been assigned to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment.  The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with FASB ASC No. 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 requires goodwill to be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment. The Company evaluates goodwill in the fourth quarter or more frequently if management believes indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators could include, but are not limited to (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, or (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator.

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its’ carrying amount, including goodwill. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its’ carrying amount, management conducts a quantitative goodwill impairment test. This impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its’ carrying value (including goodwill). The Company estimates the fair values of its reporting units using a combination of the income, or discounted cash flows approach and the market approach, which utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its’ carrying value, a goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and an impairment loss is recorded.  

In connection with the updating of estimates and assumptions with the annual impairment tests for goodwill, the Company determined that the goodwill associated with 42West was impaired.  In connection with the departures of the 42West employees in 2018, the Company adjusted operating margins and future cash flows used to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit which resulted in an impairment adjustment of $1,857,000 of goodwill.  The Company did not identify any impairment for the other reporting units within the entertainment publicity and marketing segment.

Warrants

When the Company issues warrants, it evaluates the proper balance sheet classification of the warrant to determine whether the warrant should be classified as equity or as a derivative liability on the consolidated balance sheets. In accordance with ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in the Entity’s Own Equity (ASC 815-40), the Company classifies a warrant as equity so long as it is “indexed to the Company’s equity” and several specific conditions for equity classification are met. A warrant is not considered indexed to the Company’s equity, in general, when it contains certain types of exercise contingencies. If a warrant is not indexed to the Company’s equity, it is classified as a derivative liability which is carried on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with any changes in its fair value recognized currently in the statement of operations. Following adoption of ASU 2017-11, all of the Company’s outstanding warrants have been considered indexed to the Company’s equity and classified as equity. See Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Convertible Debt and Convertible Preferred Stock

When the Company issues convertible debt or convertible preferred stock, it evaluates the balance sheet classification to determine whether the instrument should be classified either as debt or equity, and whether the conversion feature should be accounted for separately from the host instrument. A conversion feature of a convertible debt instrument or certain convertible preferred stock would be separated from the convertible instrument and classified as a derivative liability if the conversion feature, were it a standalone instrument, meets the definition of an “embedded derivative” in ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Generally, characteristics that require derivative treatment include, among others, when the conversion feature is not indexed to the Company’s equity, as defined in ASC 815-40, or when it must be settled either in cash or by issuing stock that is readily convertible to cash. When a conversion feature meets the definition of an embedded derivative, it would be separated from the host instrument and classified as a derivative liability carried on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value, with any changes in its fair value recognized currently in the consolidated statements of operations.



F-15



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


If a conversion feature does not meet the conditions to be accounted for as a derivative liability, the Company then determines whether the conversion feature is “beneficial”. A conversion feature would be considered beneficial if the conversion feature is “in the money” when the host instrument is issued or, under certain circumstances, later. If convertible debt contains a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”), the amount of proceeds allocated to the BCF reduces the balance of the convertible debt, creating a discount which is amortized over the debt’s term to interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. When a convertible preferred stock contains a BCF, after allocating the proceeds to the BCF, the resulting discount is either amortized over the period beginning when the convertible preferred stock is issued up to the earliest date the conversion feature may be exercised, or if the convertible preferred stock is immediately exercisable, the discount is fully amortized at the date of issuance. The amortization is recorded similar to a dividend.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding convertible debt which contained a conversion feature that is accounted for as a beneficial conversion feature.  As of December 31, 2018, the balance of the conversion feature was $123,076, and the Company recorded interest expense of $61,538 related to the beneficial conversion feature for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The Company did not have any outstanding convertible debt containing a conversion feature accounted for as a beneficial conversion feature as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Stock based compensation

In connection with the 42West Acquisition, the Company issued 59,320 shares of restricted Common Stock to certain employees. The shares were issued pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Plan. The shares of restricted stock were issued on August 21, 2017 and vested six months after issuance on February 21, 2018. The Company recognized compensation expense related to the restricted stock based on the number of employees who received the shares and were still employed by the Company at December 31, 2017 at the market price of the shares on grant date (August 21, 2017). For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $330,065 in its consolidated statement of operations related to stock-based compensation. Upon vesting on February 21, 2018, the Company recorded $20,422 related to stock-based compensation. The Company did not have any other stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized based on whether the inputs are observable in the market and the degree that the inputs are observable. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, defined as follows:

 

Level 1

Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

 

Level 2

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated with observable market data.

 

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability as of the reporting date.


To account for the acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint, the Company made a number of fair value measurements related to the different forms of consideration paid and of the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In addition, the Company makes fair value measurements of its Put Rights and Contingent Consideration. See Notes 4 and 11 for further discussion and disclosures.



F-16



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Income Taxes

Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effects of changes in tax laws on deferred tax balances are recognized in the period the new legislation in enacted. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the likelihood of realization, management considers estimates of future taxable income. We calculate our current and deferred tax position based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed in subsequent years. Adjustments based on filed returns are recorded when identified.

Tax benefits from an uncertain tax position are only recognized if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as incurred as a component of income tax expense.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share available to the Company’s common stock shareholders equals net income or loss available to common stock shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period.

Diluted earnings per share equals net income available common stock stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, plus any additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive shares had been issued. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if certain potentially dilutive instruments were exercised. The potential issuance of common stock is assumed to occur at the beginning of the year (or at the time of issuance of the potentially dilutive instrument, if later) and the incremental shares are included using the treasury stock method. The proceeds utilized in applying the treasury stock method consist of the amount, if any, to be paid upon exercise. These proceeds are then assumed to be used to purchase common stock at the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the period. The incremental shares (difference between the shares assumed to be issued and the shares assumed to be purchased), to the extent they would have been dilutive, are included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation. Potentially dilutive instruments are not included in the computation of loss per share because their inclusion is anti-dilutive.

Going Concern

In accordance with ASC Subtopic 205-40, Going Concern, management evaluates whether relevant conditions and events that, when considered in the aggregate, indicate that it is probable the Company will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. When relevant conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, initially indicate that it is probable that the Company will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (and therefore they raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern), management evaluates whether its plans that are intended to mitigate those conditions and events, when implemented, will alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans are considered only to the extent that 1) it is probable that the plans will be effectively implemented and 2) it is probable that the plans will mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. See Note 2 related to going concern.

Concentration of Risk

The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000. Additionally, substantially all of the production revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were derived from one production.



F-17



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.  These changes did not affect the equity or previously reported net losses.

Business Segments

The Company operates the following business segments:

1)

Entertainment Publicity and Marketing Segment– This segment primarily provides clients with diversified marketing services, including public relations, entertainment and hospitality content marketing, strategic marketing consulting and content production of marketing materials through 42West, The Door and Viewpoint.  For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company derived a majority of its revenues from this segment.  

2)

Content Production Segment– This segment produces original motion picture and digital content.  Revenues from this segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were related to the domestic and international distribution of the Company’s motion picture, Max Steel.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company also had revenues from domestic distribution of Believe, a film released in 2013. Revenues from this segment declined significantly for 2018 as compared to 2017 due to reduced revenues from Max Steel.

See Note 19 for Segment Reporting for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting guidance adopted


In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09 —Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, and most industry specific guidance, and replace it with a new Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606. The FASB has also issued several subsequent ASUs which amend ASU 2014-09. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in ASC 606.


The core principle of ASC 606 is that revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:


Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer


Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.


Step 3: Determine the transaction price.


Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.


Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.


The guidance in ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. ASC 606 will require the Company to make significant judgments and estimates. ASC 606 also requires more extensive disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.


Public business entities are required to apply the guidance of ASC 606 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (2018 for the Company), including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Accordingly, the Company adopted ASC 606 in the first quarter of 2018.



F-18



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


ASC 606 requires an entity to apply ASC 606 using one of the following two transition methods:


1.

Retrospective approach: Retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented and the entity may elect certain practical expedients.

2.

Modified retrospective approach: Retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASC 606 recognized at the date of initial application. If an entity elects this transition method it also is required to provide the additional disclosures in reporting periods that include the date of initial application of (a) the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period by the application ASC 606 as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change, and (b) an explanation of the reasons for significant changes.


The Company completed its assessment of the impact of ASC 606 and adopted ASC 606, using the modified retrospective approach, as of January 1, 2018. The Company’s assessment included examination of the following areas of the new standard:


Variable Consideration: The Company is entitled to royalties from certain international distributors based on the sales made by these distributors after recoupment of a minimum guarantee. The Company is also entitled to certain bonus payments if certain of their clients receive awards as specified in the engagement contracts. Under ASC 606, revenues will be recorded based on best estimates available in the period of sales or usage. The Company determined that royalties from the international distributors would be subject to the sales-based royalty exception, that allows the revenue to be recognized only when the later of the following events occurs; (i) the subsequent sale occurs; and (ii) the performance obligation to which the sales-based royalty has been allocated has been satisfied. For the bonus payments available to the Company if its clients are either nominated or receive awards, the Company determined that the revenue should not be recognized prior to the time the nomination or award is announced since this type of revenue is highly susceptible to factors outside of the Company’s influence.


Principal vs. Agent: ASC 606 includes new guidance as to how to determine whether the Company is acting as a principal, in which case revenue would be recognized on a gross basis, or whether the Company is acting as an agent, in which case revenues would be recognized on a net basis. The Company evaluated the principal vs. agent in both its entertainment publicity and marketing business and its content production business and determined that for the existing contracts, the Company acted as the principal. The Company had previously recorded these contracts as principal; therefore, no adjustment was necessary.


Functional vs Symbolic Intellectual Property: ASC 606 includes guidance on how to recognize revenue depending on whether the intellectual property is functional or symbolic. The Company licenses its completed motion picture to distributors. This type of intellectual property is considered functional intellectual property because it has significant standalone functionality, that is the consumer can begin using the intellectual property without additional support or changes. Revenues from the licensing of functional intellectual property are to be recognized once the intellectual property is available to the customer and license period has begun.


Performance obligation satisfied over time: The Company’s entertainment publicity and marketing business renders services to clients for a fixed monthly fee. These services provided by the Company are simultaneously consumed by its clients as they are being rendered by the Company, and the Company considers that its performance obligation is completed as the clients simultaneously receive and consume the benefits. Because the Company’s agreements with its clients provide for monthly services at a fixed fee, and each contract may be terminated with 30-day notice by either party with no termination penalty, the Company recognizes revenue over time as the monthly services are performed.


Based on the Company’s evaluation of ASC 606, the Company believes that revenues from prior periods were recognized in a manner consistent with the new standards and that a cumulative adjustment was not necessary upon implementation of ASC 606 for the year ended December 31, 2018.




F-19



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (2018 for the Company), and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this new guidance effective January 1, 2018 without a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.


In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 provides guidance on the classification of restricted cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. Although it does not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, it states that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 without a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.


In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes the second step of the goodwill impairment test, which requires that a hypothetical purchase price allocation be performed to determine the amount of impairment, if any. Under this new guidance, a goodwill impairment charge will be based on the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning April 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2017, with no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update mandates that entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of a stock-based award changes. Entities will have to make all of the disclosures about modifications that are required today, in addition to disclosing that compensation expense has not changed. Additionally, the new guidance also clarifies that a modification to an award could be significant and therefore requires disclosure, even if the modification accounting is not required. The Company adopted the guidance on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2018.


Accounting Guidance not yet adopted


In March 2019, the FASB issued new guidance on film production costs ASU 2019-02, (Entertainment Films- Other Assets – Film Costs (Subtopic 926-20)). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (for the year ended December 31, 2020 for the Company) and interim periods within those fiscal years and may be early adopted. The new guidance aligns the accounting for the production costs of an episodic series with those of a film by removing the content distinction for capitalization.  It also addresses presentation, requires new disclosures for produced and licensed content and addresses cash flow classification for license agreements to better reflect the economics of an episodic series. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.


In October 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on consolidation ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance provides that indirect interests held through related parties in common control arrangements should be considered on a proportional basis for determining whether fees paid to decisionmakers and service providers are variable interests. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.




F-20



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on fair value measurement (ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value by removing some requirements, modifying others, adding changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements, and providing the option to disclose certain other quantitative information with respect to significant unobservable inputs in lieu of a weighted average. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU affects all companies and other organizations that lease assets such as real estate, airplanes, and manufacturing equipment. ASU 2016-02 will require that lessees recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. Under ASU 2016-02, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current U.S. GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current U.S. GAAP—which requires that only capital (i.e. financing) leases be recognized on the balance sheet –ASU 2016-02 will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. Additionally, ASU 2016-02 will require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements.


The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 (2019 for the Company). The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 during the first quarter of 2019 using the modified retrospective method. The new guidance will be applied to leases that exist or are entered into on or after January 1, 2019, without adjusting comparative periods in the financial statements. The Company elected to utilize the package of practical expedients that allows entities to (1) not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; (2) retain the existing classification of lease contracts as of the date of adoption; and (3) not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.


The Company is in the final stages of evaluating its existing lease portfolio and is continuing to assess and quantify the value of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be included on its balance sheet as of January 1, 2019.  The Company is finalizing its implementation of a new lease accounting and administration software solution to manage and account for leases under the new guidance and is updating certain of its business processes and internal controls to meet the reporting and disclosure requirements of the new standard. The new guidance is not expected to materially affect the amount of expense recognized under the Company’s current leasing arrangements, however, based on its review to date of existing lease contracts, the Company expects the amount of incremental lease assets will be approximately $9.8 million and the amount of incremental lease liabilities will be approximately $10.5 million to be recognized on its consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of Topic 842 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or cash flows. For information about the Company’s future lease commitments as of December 31, 2018, see Note 21 – Leases.


NOTE 4 — MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Viewpoint Computer Animation, Incorporated

On the Viewpoint Closing Date, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Viewpoint, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Viewpoint Purchase”), pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated the Viewpoint Closing Date (the “Viewpoint Purchase Agreement”), among the Company and the Viewpoint Shareholders.  Viewpoint is a full-service creative branding and production house that has earned a reputation as one of the top producers of promotional and brand-support videos for a wide variety of leading cable networks, media companies and consumer-product brands.



F-21



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The total consideration payable to the Viewpoint Shareholders in respect of the Viewpoint Purchase comprises the following: (i) $500,000 in shares of Common Stock, based on a price per share of Common Stock of $2.29, (ii) $1.5 million in cash (as adjusted for certain working capital and closing adjustments and transaction expenses). On the Viewpoint Closing Date, the Company issued to the Viewpoint Shareholders $500,000 in shares of Common Stock (218,088 shares) and paid the Viewpoint Shareholders an aggregate of $750,000 in cash (the “Initial Consideration”), adjusted for working capital, indebtedness and certain transaction expenses. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay to the Viewpoint Shareholders an additional $250,000 cash on each of April 30, 2019, October 31, 2019 and April 30, 2020 for a total of $750,000 (the “Post Closing Consideration” and, together with the Initial Consideration, the “Viewpoint Purchase Consideration”). The Viewpoint Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the parties thereto. The Common Stock issued as part of the Initial Consideration has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).


As a condition to the Viewpoint Purchase, two of the Viewpoint Shareholders, Carlo DiPersio and David Shilale have entered into employment agreements with the Company to continue as employees after the closing of the Viewpoint Purchase. Mr. DiPersio’s employment agreement is through December 31, 2020 and the contract defines base compensation and a bonus structure based on Viewpoint achieving certain financial targets.  Mr. Shilale’s employment agreement is for a period of three years from the Viewpoint Closing Date and the contract defines the base compensation and a commission structure based on Viewpoint achieving certain financial targets.  The bonus for Mr. Shilale is determined at the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors and management. Neither agreement provides for guaranteed increases to the base salary.  The employment agreements contain provisions for termination and as a result of death or disability and entitles the employee to vacations and to participate in all employee benefit plans offered by the Company.


The provisional acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $1,980,089, which consisted of the following:

Common Stock issued at closing (218,088 shares)

 

$

427,452

 

Cash Consideration paid at closing

 

 

750,000

 

Working capital adjustment

 

 

52,637

 

Cash Installment to be paid on April 30, 2019 (included in other current liabilities)

 

 

250,000

 

Cash Installment to be paid on October 31, 2019 (included in other current liabilities)

 

 

250,000

 

Cash Installment to be paid on April 30, 2020 (included in other noncurrent liabilities)

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

$

1,980,089

 


The Company has engaged an independent third-party valuation expert to determine the fair values of the various forms of consideration transferred, which is not yet complete. The final amount of consideration may potentially change due to any working capital or other closing adjustments, which have not yet been determined.


The fair value of the 218,088 shares of Common Stock issued on the Viewpoint Closing Date was determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the Viewpoint Closing Date of $1.96 per share.




F-22



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The following table summarizes the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Viewpoint Closing Date. Amounts in the table are provisional estimates that may change, as described below.

Cash

 

$

206,950

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

503,906

 

Other current assets

 

 

102,411

 

Property, plant & equipment

 

 

183,877

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

32,067

 

Intangible assets

 

 

450,000

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

 

 

1,479,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

(165,284

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(77,394

)

Deferred tax liability

 

 

(206,636

)

Deferred revenue

 

 

(190,854

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

(640,168

)

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

 

839,043

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,141,046

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

1,980,089

 


Of the provisional fair value of the $450,000 of acquired identifiable intangible assets, $220,000 was assigned to customer relationships (5 years useful life) and $100,000 was assigned to the trade name (5 year useful life), that were recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. The customer relationships will be amortized using an accelerated method, and the trade name will be amortized using the straight-line method. In addition, the Company recognized a favorable lease intangible asset from the Company’s Massachusetts office lease in the amount of $130,000.  The favorable lease intangible asset will be amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining lease term of 26 months. The provisional fair value of accounts receivable acquired is $503,906, with the gross contractual amount being $509,406. The Company expects $5,500 to be uncollectible.

The provisional fair values of property and equipment and leasehold improvements of $183,877, and other assets of $102,411, are based on Viewpoint’s carrying values prior to the acquisition, which approximate their provisional fair values.

The provisional amount of $1,141,046 of goodwill was assigned to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment. The goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to expectations of continued successful efforts to obtain new customers, buyer specific synergies and the assembled workforce of Viewpoint.


The Company expensed $152,308 of acquisition related costs in the year ended December 31, 2018. These costs are included in the consolidated statements of operations in the line item entitled “acquisition costs.”

The revenue and net income of Viewpoint included in the consolidated amounts reported in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

Revenue

 

$

(494,860

)

Net loss

 

$

(267,909

)




F-23



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations

The following represents the unaudited pro forma consolidated operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as if Viewpoint had been acquired on January 1, 2017 and its results had been included in the consolidated results of the Company beginning on that date:

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Revenues

 

$

23,639,720

 

 

$

27,313,331

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(4,052,759)

 

 

 

6,595,564

 


The pro forma amounts have been calculated after applying the Company’s accounting policies to the financial statements of Viewpoint and adjusting the combined results of the Company and Viewpoint (a) to reflect the amortization that would have been charged assuming the intangible assets had been recorded on January 1, 2017 and (b) to exclude $152,308 of acquisition related costs that were expensed for the year ended December 31, 2018 by the Company.

The impact of the Viewpoint Acquisition on the Company’s actual results for periods following the acquisition may differ significantly from that reflected in this unaudited pro forma information for a number of reasons.  As a result, this unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the acquisition been completed on January 1, 2017, as provided in this pro forma financial information.  In addition, the pro forma financial information does not purport to project the future financial condition and results of operations of the combined company.

The Door

On July 5, 2018 (the “Door Closing Date”), the Company entered into the Merger Agreement in respect of its acquisition of The Door. On the Door Closing Date, The Door merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Upon consummation of the Merger, Merger Sub changed its name to The Door Marketing Group, LLC. The Door is an entertainment public relations agency, offering talent publicity, strategic communications and entertainment content marketing primarily in the hospitality sector.


The total consideration payable to the Members in respect of the Merger comprises the following: (i) $2.0 million in shares of Common Stock based on a price per share of Common Stock of $3.25, (ii) $2.0 million in cash (as adjusted for certain working capital and closing adjustments and transaction expenses) and (iii) up to an additional $7.0 million of contingent consideration in a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock upon the achievement of specified financial performance targets over a four-year period as set forth in the Merger Agreement (the “Contingent Consideration”). On the Door Closing Date, the Company issued to the Members $1.0 million in shares of Common Stock and paid the Members an aggregate of $1.0 million in cash (the “Initial Consideration”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to the Members an additional $1.0 million in shares of Common Stock and pay to the Member $1.0 million in cash on January 2, 2019 (the “Post Closing Consideration” and, together with the Initial Consideration and the Contingent Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). The Merger Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the parties thereto. The Share Consideration has not been registered under the Securities Act.


Each of the Members has entered into a four-year employment agreement with The Door, pursuant to which each Member has agreed not to transfer any Share Consideration in the first year following the closing date of the merger, no more than 1/3 of such Share Consideration in the second year and no more than an additional 1/3 of such Share Consideration in the third year.  


On the Door Closing Date, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the Members (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Members are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of the Share Consideration under the Securities Act. All fees, costs and expenses of underwritten registrations under the Registration Rights Agreement will be borne by the Company, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. At any time after July 5, 2019, the Company will be required, upon the request of such Members holding at least a majority of the Share Consideration received by the Members, to file up to two registration statements on Form S-3 covering up to 25% of the Share Consideration.




F-24



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The provisional acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $5,866,154, which consisted of the following:


Common Stock issued at closing (307,692 shares)

 

$

1,123,077

 

Common Stock issuable on January 2, 2019 (307,692 shares)

 

 

1,123,077

 

Cash paid to Members at closing

 

 

882,695

 

Members’ transaction costs paid at closing

 

 

117,305

 

Cash payable on January 2, 2019 (included in other current liabilities)

 

 

1,000,000

 

Contingent consideration

 

 

1,620,000

 

 

 

$

5,866,154

 


The Company has engaged an independent third-party valuation expert to determine the fair values of the various forms of consideration transferred, which is not yet complete. The fair value of the Contingent Consideration is assumed to be provisional pending receipt of the final valuations for these items. The final amount of consideration may also potentially change due to any working capital or other closing adjustments, which have not yet been determined.


The fair values of the 307,692 shares of Common Stock issued on the Door Closing Date and the 307,692 shares of Common Stock issued on January 2, 2019 were determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the Closing Date of $3.65 per share.


The Contingent Consideration arrangement requires that the Company issue up to 1,538,462 shares of Common Stock and up to $2 million in cash to the Members on achievement of adjusted net income targets, (as set forth in the Merger Agreement), based on the operations of The Door over the four-year period beginning January 1, 2018. The provisional fair value of the Contingent Consideration at the Door Closing Date was $1,620,000. The fair value of the Contingent Consideration was estimated using a Monte Carlo Simulation model, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Contingent Consideration reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the Contingent Consideration as of the Door Closing Date. The key assumptions in applying the Monte Carlo Simulation model are as follows: a risk-free discount rate of between 2.11% and 2.67% based on the U.S government treasury obligation with a term similar to that of the contingent consideration, a discount rate of between 20.0% and 20.5%, and an annual asset volatility estimate of 62.5%.


The following table summarizes the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Door Closing Date. The Company’s independent third-party valuation expert is in the process of determining the fair values of the consideration transferred for the Merger and certain intangible assets acquired; thus, the provisional measurements of intangible assets, goodwill and deferred tax liabilities in the table below are subject to change.


Cash

 

$

89,287

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

469,344

 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

105,488

 

Prepaid expense

 

 

31,858

 

Other assets

 

 

30,667

 

Intangible assets

 

 

2,110,000

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

 

 

2,836,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

(203,110

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(1,064

)

Unearned income

 

 

(15,500

)

Other liabilities

 

 

(1,913

)

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(608,598

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

(830,185

)

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

 

2,006,459

 

Goodwill

 

 

3,859,695

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

5,866,154

 



F-25



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Of the provisional calculation of $2,110,000 of acquired intangible assets, $1,010,000 was assigned to customer relationships (10-year useful life), $670,000 was assigned to the trade name (10-year useful life), $260,000 was assigned to non-competition agreements (2-year useful life) and $170,000 was assigned to a favorable lease from the New York City location (26 months useful life), that were recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. The fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets is provisional pending receipt of the final valuations for these assets.


The provisional fair value of accounts receivable acquired is $469,344.


The provisional fair values of property and equipment and leasehold improvements of $105,488, and other assets of $62,525, are based on The Door’s carrying values prior to the Merger, which approximate their fair values.


The provisional amount of $3,859,695 of goodwill was assigned to the Entertainment Publicity and Marketing segment. The goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to expectations of continued successful efforts to obtain new customers, buyer specific synergies and the assembled workforce of The Door.


The Company recognized $276,735 of acquisition related costs that were expensed in the year ended December 31, 2018. These costs are included in the consolidated statements of operations in the line item entitled “acquisition costs.”


Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations


The following presents the pro forma consolidated operations for years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as if The Door had been acquired on January 1, 2017 and its results had been included in the consolidated results of the Company:


 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Revenues

 

$

25,206,947

 

 

$

27,916,653

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(2,648,900

)

 

 

6,157,888

 


These amounts have been calculated after applying the Company’s accounting policies and adjusting the results of The Door to reflect the amortization that would have been charged, assuming the intangible assets had been recorded on January 1, 2017 and excluding acquisition related costs of $276,735 expensed by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018.


The impact of the acquisition of The Door on the Company’s actual results for periods following the acquisition may differ significantly from that reflected in this unaudited pro forma information for a number of reasons.  As a result, this unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the acquisition been completed on January 1, 2017, as provided in this pro forma financial information.  In addition, the pro forma financial information does not purport to project the future financial condition and results of operations of the combined company.




F-26



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The following table summarizes the original and revised estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date of July 5, 2018 and the related measurement period adjustments to the fair values recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018:

 

 

July 5, 2018
(As initially reported)

 

 

Measurement Period Adjustments

 

 

December 31, 2018
(As adjusted)

 

Cash

 

$

89,287

 

 

$

 

 

$

89,287

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

469,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

469,344

 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

105,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

105,488

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

31,858

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,858

 

Other assets

 

 

30,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,667

 

Intangible assets

 

 

2,110,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,110,000

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

 

 

2,836,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,836,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

(203,110

)

 

 

 

 

 

(203,110

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(1,064

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,064

)

Unearned income

 

 

(15,500

)

 

 

 

 

 

(15,500

)

Other liabilities

 

 

(1,913

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,913

)

Deferred tax liability

 

 

(584,378

)

 

 

(24,220

)

 

 

(608,598

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

(805,965

)

 

 

(24,220

)

 

 

(830,185

)

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

 

2,030,679

 

 

 

(24,220

)

 

 

2,006,459

 

Goodwill

 

 

3,835,475

 

 

 

24,220

 

 

 

3,859,695

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

5,866,154

 

 

$

 

 

$

5,866,154

 


The above fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. As of July 5, 2018, the Company recorded the identifiable net assets acquired of $2,030,679 as shown in the table above in its consolidated balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company’s measurement period adjustments of $(24,220) were made and, accordingly, the Company recognized these adjustments in its December 31, 2018 consolidated balance sheet to reflect the adjusted identifiable net assets acquired of $2,006,459 as shown in the table above.

The following is a reconciliation of the initially reported fair value to the adjusted fair value of goodwill:

Goodwill originally reported at July 5, 2018

 

$

3,835,475

 

Changes to estimated fair values:

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

24,220

 

Adjusted goodwill at December 31, 2018

 

$

3,859,695

 


The estimated fair value of the deferred tax liability increased by $24,220 primarily due to the estimated expected future tax rate applied.


42West

On March 30, 2017, the Company entered into the 42West Purchase Agreement in respect of the 42West Acquisition pursuant to which the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests of 42West and 42West became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. 42West is an entertainment public relations agency offering talent entertainment and targeted marketing, strategic communication services.




F-27



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Pursuant to the 42West Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a purchase price at closing equal to $18,666,666 (less, the amount of 42West’s transaction expenses paid by the Company and payments by the Company of certain of 42West’s indebtedness) in shares of Common Stock determined based on the Common Stock’s 30-trading-day average stock price immediately prior to the closing date, which was $9.22 per share, plus a contingent earn out of up to an additional 1,012,292 shares of Common Stock (the “Earn Out Consideration”). The Purchase Agreement included a customary working capital adjustment, which resulted in a post-closing adjustment of $646,031 in favor of the Sellers. The Company has calculated the total number of shares to be issued for the transaction, not including the Earn Out Consideration, to be approximately 1,818,000 shares of Common Stock.


The following shares have been issued through December 31, 2017; (i) on March 30, 2017, the Company issued 615,140 shares of Common Stock to the Sellers on the closing date; (ii) on April 13,  2017, the Company issued 172,275 shares of Common Stock to certain 42West employees and a former 42West employee with change in control provisions in their pre-existing employment and termination agreements (the “Change of Control Provisions”); (iii) on April 13, 2017, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock as a provisional working capital adjustment to the Sellers and certain 42West employees and a previous employee with Change of Control Provisions; and (iv) on August 21, 2017, upon the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act the Company issued 59,320 shares of Common Stock as 42West employee bonuses (the “Employee Stock Bonuses”). On August 30, 2017, the Company agreed to make a cash payment of $185,031 to the Principal Sellers to satisfy the remaining amount of the working capital adjustment. The only shares of Common Stock issued that have been registered under the Securities Act are those pertaining to the Employee Stock Bonuses.


During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company agreed to settle certain of the Change of Control Provisions with certain 42West employees by offering a cash payment in lieu of the shares of Common Stock that were issued on April 13, 2017. As a result, the Company made payments in the aggregate amount of $292,112 on March 30, 2018 and will make payments in the aggregate of $361,760 on March 29, 2019 to these 42West employees. These amounts have been accrued as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The difference between the value of the shares issued on April 13, 2017 at a price of $9.22 per share and the cash payments made to the 42West employees will be paid to the Sellers in shares of Commons Stock at a price of $9.22 per share.


On January 2, 2018, in accordance with the 42West Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 762,654 shares of Common Stock to the Sellers and on July 30, 2018, it issued 137,932 shares of Common Stock to certain 42West employees that chose to receive shares of Common Stock to satisfy the Change of Control Provisions and to the Sellers.


The issuance of 59,320 shares of Common Stock in respect of the Employee Stock Bonuses and the potential issuance of 40,492 shares a part of the Earn Out Consideration to 42West employees with Change of Control Provisions, (the “Employee Earn Out Shares”), are conditioned on the employee remaining employed by the Company up to the date shares become issuable. If an employee does not remain employed for the requisite service period, the shares they forfeit will be allocated among and issued to the Sellers of 42West. The Employee Stock Bonuses and the Employee Earn Out Shares are not considered part of the accounting consideration transferred to acquire 42West. The Employee Stock Bonus Shares and the Employee Earn Out Shares will be accounted for under ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation, which will result in compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations (see Stock-Based Compensation in Note 3).


The 42West Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnifications.

Also in connection with the 42West Acquisition, on March 30, 2017, the Company entered into put agreements (the “Put Agreements”) with each of the Sellers. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Put Agreements, the Company has granted the Sellers the right, but not obligation, to cause the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,187,087 of their shares of Common Stock received as Stock Consideration for a purchase price equal to $9.22 per share during certain specified exercise periods set forth in the Put Agreements up until December 2020 (the “Put Rights”). This amount includes the put rights allowable after earning the Earn Out Consideration achieved during the year ended December 31, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the sellers exercised their Put Rights, in accordance with the Put Agreements, and caused the Company to purchase 189,799 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate amount of $1,750,000, including $525,000 that was paid on January 5, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the sellers exercised their Put Rights, in accordance with the Put Agreements, and caused the Company to purchase 339,206 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate amount of $3,127,500, including $375,000 paid in January of 2019.



F-28



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Each of Leslee Dart, Amanda Lundberg and Allan Mayer (the “Principal Sellers”) has entered into employment agreements with the Company to continue as employees of the Company for a three-year term after the closing of the 42West Acquisition. Each of the employment agreements of the Principal Sellers contains lock-up provisions pursuant to which each Principal Seller has agreed not to transfer any shares of Common Stock in the first year, except pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act (an “Effective Registration Statement”) or upon exercise of the Put Rights pursuant to the Put Agreement, and, except pursuant to an Effective Registration Statement, no more than 1/3 of the Initial Consideration and Post-Closing Consideration received by such Principal Seller in the second year and no more than an additional 1/3 of the Initial Consideration and Post-Closing Consideration received by such Principal Seller in the third year, following the closing date. The non-executive employees of 42West were retained as well.

In addition, in connection with the 42West Acquisition, on March 30, 2017, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the Sellers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Sellers are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act. All fees, costs and expenses of underwritten registrations under the Registration Rights Agreement will be borne by the Company. At any time after the one-year anniversary of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will be required, upon the request of such Sellers holding at least a majority of the Stock Consideration received by the Sellers, to file a registration statement on Form S-1 and use its reasonable efforts to affect a registration covering up to 25% of the Stock Consideration received by the Sellers. In addition, if the Company is eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, upon the request of Sellers holding at least a majority of the Stock Consideration received by the Sellers, the Company will be required to use its reasonable efforts to affect a registration of such shares on Form S-3 covering up to an additional 25% of the Stock Consideration received by the Sellers. The Company is required to effect only one registration on Form S-1 and one registration statement on Form S-3, if eligible. The right to have the Stock Consideration received by the Sellers registered on Form S-1 or Form S-3 is subject to other specified conditions and limitations.

The acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $23,327,799, which consisted of the following:

Common Stock issued at closing and in April 2017 (787,415 shares)

 

$

6,693,028

 

Common Stock issuable in 2018 (980,911 shares)

 

 

8,337,740

 

Contingent Consideration

 

 

3,627,000

 

Put Rights

 

 

3,800,000

 

Sellers’ transaction costs paid at closing

 

 

260,000

 

Working capital adjustment (50,000 shares issued in April 2017 plus paid $185,031 cash in August 2017)

 

 

610,031

 

 

 

$

23,327,799

 


The fair values of the 787,415 shares of Common Stock issued at closing and in April 2017 and the 980,911 shares of Common Stock to be issued in 2018 were determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the acquisition date of $8.50 per share.

The Earn-Out Consideration arrangement required the Company to pay up to 863,776 shares of Common Stock to the Sellers and one former employee of 42West to settle a Change in Control Provision (the “Contingent Consideration”), on achievement of adjusted EBITDA targets (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) based on the operations of 42West over the three-year period beginning January 1, 2017. The fair value of the Contingent Consideration was estimated using a Monte Carlo Simulation model, which incorporated significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Contingent Consideration reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the Contingent Consideration as of the acquisition date. The key assumptions as of the acquisition date used in applying the Monte Carlo Simulation model are as follows: estimated risk-adjusted EBITDA figures ranging between $3,750,000 and $3,900,000; discount rates ranging between 11.75% and 12.25% applied to the risk-adjusted EBITDA estimates to derive risk-neutral EBITDA estimates; risk-free discount rates ranging from 1.03% to 1.55%, based on U.S. government treasury obligations with terms similar to those of the Contingent Consideration arrangement, applied to the risk-neutral EBITDA estimates; and an annual asset volatility estimate of 72.5%.



F-29



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Sellers achieved the financial target to earn an additional 1,012,292 shares of Common Stock of additional consideration, as stated in the Purchase Agreement. Per the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the additional consideration will be paid in equal installments of 337,431 shares of Common Stock over a period of three years. Per the Purchase Agreement, based on the purchase price of $9.22 per share, the Earn Out Consideration is $9.3 million.  The market value of these shares was $3,644,251 at December 31, 2017, the date the target was achieved. The fair value of the Put Rights at the acquisition date was estimated using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Put Rights reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the Put Rights as of the acquisition date. The key assumptions in applying the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model are as follows: a discount rate range of 0.12% to 1.70% based on U.S Treasury obligations with a term similar to the exercise period for each of the rights to put shares to the Company as set forth in the Put Option agreements, and an equity volatility estimate of 75% based on the stock price volatility of the Company and certain publicly traded companies operating in the advertising services industry.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, March 30, 2017. Amounts in the table are provisional estimates that may change, as described below.

Cash

 

$

273,625

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

1,706,644

 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

1,087,962

 

Other assets

 

 

265,563

 

Indemnification asset

 

 

300,000

 

Favorable lease intangible asset

 

 

440,000

 

Intangible assets

 

 

9,110,000

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

 

 

13,183,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(731,475

)

Line of credit and note payable

 

 

(1,025,000

)

Settlement liability

 

 

(300,000

)

Other liabilities

 

 

(556,380

)

Tax liabilities

 

 

(22,000

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

(2,634,855

)

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

 

10,548,939

 

Goodwill

 

 

12,778,860

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

23,327,799

 


Of the fair value of the $9,110,000 of acquired identifiable intangible assets, $5,980,000 was assigned to customer relationships (10-14 years useful life), $2,760,000 was assigned to the trade name (10-year useful life), and $370,000 was assigned to non-competition agreements (3-year useful life), that were recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. The intangible assets will be amortized using the straight-line method with the exception of the customer relationship intangible that uses a modified straight-line method. The Company determined that historically the attrition rate for 75% of its customers was relatively low and amortized 75% of the customer relationship intangible using the straight-line method.  The other 25% is amortized using an accelerated method based on the expected future revenues of the customers.  In addition, the Company recognized a favorable lease intangible asset from the Company’s Los Angeles office lease in the amount of $440,000.  The favorable lease intangible asset will be amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining lease term of 57 months. The fair value of accounts receivable acquired is $1,706,644, with the gross contractual amount being $1,941,644. The Company expects $235,000 to be uncollectible.

The fair values of property and equipment and leasehold improvements of $1,087,962, and other assets of $265,563, are based on 42West’s carrying values prior to the acquisition, which approximate their fair values.



F-30



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The fair value of the settlement liability of $300,000 relates to 42West’s contingent liability to the Motion Picture Industry Pension Individual Account and Health Plans (collectively the “Plans”), two multiemployer pension funds and one multiemployer welfare fund, respectively, that are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (the “Guild Dispute”). The Plans intend to conduct an audit of 42West’s books and records for the period June 7, 2011 through August 20, 2016 in connection with the alleged contribution obligations of 42West to the Plans. Based on a recent audit for periods prior to June 7, 2011, the Company estimates that the probable amount the Plan may seek to collect from 42West is approximately $300,000, as of the acquisition date, in pension plan contributions, health and welfare plan contributions and union dues once the audit is completed. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a $300,000 settlement accrual liability for the probable amount of the liability it may incur due to the Motion Picture Industry Pension audit of the period from March 25, 2012 through August 20, 2016 (see Note 22). In accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Sellers indemnified the Company with respect to the Guild Dispute for losses incurred related the Company’s alleged contribution obligations to the Plans for the period between March 25, 2012 through March 26, 2016. The Company has recorded an indemnification asset related to the recorded settlement liability, measured at fair value on the same basis as the settlement liability. The indemnification asset represents the estimated fair value of the indemnification payment expected to be received from Sellers, related to the indemnification by the Sellers of the estimated settlement liability.

Based on the fair values related to certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed discussed above the goodwill amount of $12,778,860 was assigned to the entertainment publicity and marketing segment (see Note [19]). The goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to expectations of continued successful efforts to obtain new customers, buyer specific synergies and the assembled workforce of 42West. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The Company expensed $749,440 of acquisition related costs in the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively. These costs are included in the consolidated statements of operations in the line item entitled “acquisition costs.”

The revenue and net income of 42West included in the consolidated amounts reported in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 are as follows:

Revenue

 

$

16,458,929

 

Net income

 

$

2,155,665

 


The amounts of 42West’s revenue and earnings for the one day between the acquisition date (March 30, 2017) and March 31, 2017 were de minimis.

The following represents the pro forma consolidated operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 as if 42West had been acquired on January 1, 2017 and its results had been included in the consolidated results of the Company beginning on that date:

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations

The following represents the pro forma consolidated operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 as if 42West had been acquired on January 1, 2017 and its results had been included in the consolidated results of the Company beginning on that date:

 

 

2017

 

Revenues

 

$

27,102,600

 

Net income

 

 

8,622,281

 


The pro forma amounts have been calculated after applying the Company’s accounting policies to the financial statements of 42West and adjusting the combined results of the Company and 42West (a) to reflect the amortization that would have been charged assuming the intangible assets had been recorded on January 1, 2017, (b) to reflect the reversal of 42West’s income taxes as if 42West had filed a consolidated income tax return with the Company beginning January 1, 2017, and (c) to exclude $749,440 of acquisition related costs that were expensed by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017 by the Company and 42West on a combined basis.




F-31



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 5 — CAPITALIZED PRODUCTION COSTS, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Capitalized Production Costs


Capitalized production costs include the unamortized costs of completed motion pictures and digital projects that have been produced by the Company, costs of scripts for projects that have not been developed or produced and costs for projects that are in production. These costs include direct production costs and production overhead and are amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, whereby these costs are amortized and participations and residuals costs are accrued in the proportion that current year’s revenue bears to management’s estimate of ultimate revenue at the beginning of the current year expected to be recognized from the exploitation, exhibition or sale of the motion picture or web series.


Motion Pictures


Revenues earned from motion pictures were $634,612 and $5,954,115 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These revenues were mainly attributable to Max Steel, the motion picture released on October 14, 2016. The Company amortized capitalized production costs (included as direct costs) in the consolidated statements of operations using the individual film forecast computation method in the amounts of $203,560 and $3,356,785 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to Max Steel. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had balances of $629,585 and $833,145, respectively, recorded as capitalized production costs related to Max Steel.


The Company has purchased scripts for other motion picture productions and has capitalized $95,000 and $242,500 in production costs associated with these scripts as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company currently intends to produce the projects, but they were not yet in production as of December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company impaired the cost of a script that it had previously purchased in the amount of $200,000.  


As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had total capitalized production costs of $724,585 and $1,075,645, respectively, net of accumulated amortization, tax incentives and impairment charges, recorded on its consolidated balance sheets related to motion pictures.


Digital Productions


During 2016, the Company produced a new digital project showcasing favorite restaurants of NFL players throughout the country. The Company entered into a co-production agreement and was responsible for financing 50% of the project’s budget. Per the terms of the agreement, the Company is entitled to 50% of the profits of the project, net of any distribution fees. The show was produced throughout several cities in the United States and was released on Destination America, a digital cable and satellite television channel, on September 9, 2017. The Company does not expect to derive any revenues from this initial release.


During 2017, the Company determined that the fair value of the capitalized production costs of the digital productions was below the carrying value and impaired $269,444 of capitalized production costs related to the NFL digital production described above. As of both December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no capitalized production costs related to digital productions.


The Company has assessed events and changes in circumstances that would indicate that the Company should assess whether the fair value of the productions is less than the unamortized costs capitalized and did not identify indicators of impairment, other than those noted above related to a script.




F-32



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Accounts Receivables


The Company entered into various agreements with foreign distributors for the licensing rights of our motion picture, Max Steel, in certain international territories. The Company delivered the motion picture to the distributors and satisfied the other requirements of these agreements. In addition, the domestic distributor of Max Steel reports to the Company on a monthly basis the sales of the motion picture in the United States. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had accounts receivables of $1,821,970, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $227,280, related to the revenues of Max Steel, of which $727,674, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of  $227,280, were from foreign distributors. As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any accounts receivable related to Max Steel.  On September 4, 2018, the Company’s domestic distributor Open Road Films (“Open Road”) filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11. The assets of Open Road were sold to Raven Capital Management, which now has the rights to distribute Max Steel under the same arrangements as Open Road.


The Company’s trade accounts receivables related to its entertainment publicity and marketing business are recorded at amounts billed to customers, and presented on the balance sheet, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is determined by various factors, including the age of the receivables, current economic conditions, historical losses and other information management obtains regarding the financial condition of customers. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had accounts receivable balances of $3,173,107 and $1,878,648, respectively, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $283,022 and $139,000, respectively, related to its entertainment publicity and marketing segment.


Other Current Assets


The Company had balances of $620,970 and $422,118 in other current assets on its consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, these amounts were primarily composed of an indemnification asset related to the 42West acquisition and prepaid expenses.  As of December 31, 2018, the balance also included capitalized costs for brand-support video production, a tax incentive from Massachusetts related to the production of marketing video content and a tax receivable of $62,776.  


Indemnification asset – The Company recorded in other current assets on its consolidated balance sheet $300,000 related to certain indemnification obligations associated with the 42West Acquisition.


Prepaid expenses – The Company records in other assets on its consolidated balance sheets amounts prepaid for insurance premiums. The amounts are amortized on a monthly basis over the life of the policies.


Tax Incentives – The Company has access to government programs that are designed to promote video production in the jurisdiction. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a balance of $60,000 from these tax incentives.

Capitalized costs – The Company capitalizes certain third-party costs used in the production of its marketing video content. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a balance of $76,313 related to these third-party costs.

NOTE 6 — PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

Property, equipment and leasehold improvement consists of:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

December 31,
2017

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

$

713,075

 

 

$

483,306

 

Computers and equipment

 

 

1,636,391

 

 

 

432,586

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

732,870

 

 

 

448,661

 

 

 

 

3,082,336

 

 

 

1,364,553

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(1,899,816

)

 

 

(253,777

)

 

 

$

1,182,520

 

 

$

1,110,776

 




F-33



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The Company depreciates furniture and fixtures over a useful life of between five and seven years, computer and equipment over a useful life of between three and five years and amortizes leasehold improvements over the remaining term of the related leases. The Company recorded depreciation expense of $307,274 and $211,138, respectively for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

NOTE 7 — INVESTMENT

As of December 31, 2018, investments, at cost, consisted of 344,980 shares of common stock of VRC. In exchange for services rendered by 42West to VRC during 2015, 42West received both cash consideration and a promissory note that was convertible into shares of common stock of VRC. On April 7, 2016, VRC closed an equity financing round resulting in common stock being issued to a third-party investor. This transaction triggered the conversion of all outstanding promissory notes held by 42West into shares of common stock of VRC. The Company’s investment in VRC represents less than 1% noncontrolling ownership interest in VRC. The Company had a balance of $220,000 on its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, and 2017 related to this investment.

NOTE 8 — DEBT

Loan and Security Agreements

Prints and Advertising Loan

During 2016, Dolphin Max Steel Holding, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Max Steel Holding”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Dolphin Films, entered into a loan and security agreement (the “P&A Loan”) providing for a non-revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $14,500,000 that matured on August 25, 2017. Proceeds of the credit facility in the aggregate amount of $12,500,000 were used to pay a portion of the print and advertising expenses (“P&A”) of the domestic distribution of Max Steel. To secure Max Steel Holding’s obligations under the Loan and Security Agreement, the Company granted to the lender a security interest in bank account funds totaling $1,250,000 pledged as collateral and rights to the assets of Max Steel Holdings. Repayment of the loan was intended to be made from revenues generated by Max Steel in the United States. Max Steel did not generate sufficient funds to repay the loan prior to the maturity date. As a result, if the lender forecloses on the collateral securing the loan, Max Steel Holding will lose the copyright for Max Steel and, consequently, will no longer receive any revenues from the domestic distribution of Max Steel. In addition, the Company would impair the entire capitalized production costs of Max Steel included as an asset on its balance sheet, which as of December 31, 2018 was $629,585. The loan is also partially secured by a $4,500,000 corporate guaranty from an unaffiliated third-party associated with the film, of which Dolphin provided a backstop guaranty of $620,000. The lender had retained a reserve of $1,531,871 for loan fees and interest. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility accrue interest at either (i) a fluctuating per annum rate equal to the 5.5% plus a base rate or (ii) a per annum rate equal to 6.5% plus the LIBOR determined for the applicable interest period, as determined by the borrower.

During 2017, the Company agreed to allow the lender to apply the $1,250,000 balance held in the bank account as collateral to the loan balance and the party associated with the film paid the lender the guaranty of $4,500,000. During 2017, the Company recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $3,880,000, related to the payment of the guaranty. The Company recorded its $620,000 backstop guaranty in other current liabilities. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had outstanding balances of $682,842 and $1,900,970, respectively, related to this agreement recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in the caption debt. On its consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded interest expense of $120,608 and $716,796, respectively related to the P&A Loan. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $500,000 in direct costs from loan proceeds that were not used by the distributor for the marketing of the film and returned to the lender.



F-34



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Production Service Agreement

During 2014, Dolphin Films entered into a financing agreement to produce Max Steel (the “Production Service Agreement”). The Production Service Agreement was for a total amount of $10,419,009 with the lender taking a $892,619 producer fee. The Production Service Agreement contained repayment milestones to be made during 2015, which, if not met, accrued interest at a default rate of 8.5% per annum above the published base rate of HSBC Private Bank (UK) Limited until maturity on January 31, 2016 or the release of the movie. Due to a delay in the release of Max Steel, the Company did not make the repayments as prescribed in the Production Service Agreement. As a result, the Company recorded accrued interest of $1,624,754 and $1,455,745, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 in other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The loan was partially secured by international distribution agreements entered into by the Company prior to the commencement of principal photography and the receipt of tax incentives. As a condition to the Production Service Agreement, the Company acquired a completion guarantee from a bond company for the production of the motion picture. The funds for the loan were held by the bond company and disbursed as needed to complete the production in accordance with the approved production budget. The Company recorded debt as funds were transferred from the bond company for the production.

As of December 31, 2018, and 2017 the Company had outstanding balances of $1,728,986 and $2,086,249, respectively, related to this debt on its consolidated balance sheets, not including the $1,624,754 and $1,455,745 of accrued interest included in other current liabilities.

Line of Credit

The Company’s subsidiary, 42West had a $1,750,000 revolving credit line agreement with City National Bank, which matured on November 1, 2017. Borrowings bore interest at the bank’s prime lending rate plus 0.875%. The debt, including letters of credit outstanding, was collateralized by substantially all of the assets of 42West and guaranteed by the Principal Sellers. The outstanding loan balance as of December 31, 2017 was $750,000. The line of credit was not renewed and, on January 29, 2018, the Company paid the outstanding balance of $750,000.

On March 15, 2018, 42West entered into a business loan agreement with BankUnited, N.A. for a revolving line of credit (the “Loan Agreement”). The Loan Agreement matures on March 15, 2020 and bears interest on the outstanding balance at the bank’s prime rate plus 0.25% per annum. The maximum amount that can be drawn on the revolving line of credit is $2,300,000 with a sublimit of $750,000 for standby letters of credit. Amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement are secured by 42West’s current and future inventory, chattel paper, accounts, equipment and general intangibles. On March 28, 2018, the Company drew $1,690,000 under the Loan Agreement to purchase 183,296 shares of Common Stock, pursuant to the Put Agreements. On June 29, 2018, the Company issued a standby letter of credit, in the amount of $50,000, to secure the lease of 42West’s Los Angeles office. The borrowing capacity under the Loan Agreement was reduced by the same amount. As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance on the line of credit was $1,700,390.

The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants, including covenants regarding maintenance of a maximum debt to total net worth ratio of at least 4.0:1.0 and a minimum debt service coverage of 1.40x based on fiscal year-end audit to be calculated as provided in the Loan Agreement. Further, the Loan Agreement contains customary negative covenants, including those that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the ability of 42West to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make loans, investments or certain acquisitions, or enter into certain types of agreements. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the bank may accelerate the maturity of the loan and declare the unpaid principal balance and accrued but unpaid interest immediately due and payable. In the event of 42West’s insolvency, such outstanding amounts will automatically become due and payable. 42West may prepay any amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement without penalty. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Loan Agreement.

Payable to Former Member of 42West

During 2011, 42West entered into an agreement to purchase one of its members’ equity interests in 42West. Pursuant to the agreement, the outstanding purchase price for such interests became payable in connection with the Company’s acquisition of 42West (See Note 4). The Company paid $300,000 in April 2017 and $225,000 on January 5, 2018 in respect of this purchase obligation. The outstanding balance at December 31, 2017 of $225,000 was included in other current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.



F-35



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 9 — NOTES PAYABLE

Convertible Notes

2018 Convertible Debt

On July 5, 2018, the Company issued an 8% secured convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $1.5 million (the “Note”) to Pinnacle Family Office Investments, L.P. (“Pinnacle”) pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated the same date, between the Company and Pinnacle. The Company used the proceeds of the convertible promissory note to finance the Company’s acquisition of The Door. The Company’s obligations under the Note are secured primarily by a lien on the assets of The Door and Viewpoint.

The Company must pay interest on the principal amount of the convertible promissory note at the rate of 8% per annum in cash on a quarterly basis. The Note matures on January 5, 2020. The Company may prepay the convertible promissory note in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to maturity; however, if the Company voluntarily prepays the convertible promissory note, it must (i) pay Pinnacle a prepayment penalty equal to 10% of the prepaid amount and (ii) issue to Pinnacle warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price equal to $3.25 per share. The convertible promissory note also contains certain customary events of default. The holder may convert the outstanding principal amount of the convertible promissory note into shares of Common Stock at any time at a price per share equal to $3.25, subject to adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, dilutive issuances and subsequent rights offerings. At the Company’s election, upon a conversion of the convertible promissory note, the Company may issue Common Stock in respect of accrued and unpaid interest with respect to the principal amount of the convertible promissory note converted by Pinnacle.

On the date of the Note, the Company’s Common Stock had a market value of $3.65. The Company determined that the Note contained a beneficial conversion feature or debt discount by calculating the number of shares using the conversion rate of the Note of $3.25 per share, and then calculating the market value of the shares that would be issued at conversion using the market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of the Note. The Company recorded a debt discount on the Note of $184,614 that will be amortized and recorded as interest expense over the life of the Note.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company paid interest and recorded interest expense in its consolidated statement of operations in the amount of $58,333 in respect of the Note. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded interest expense of $61,538 from the amortization of the beneficial conversion of the Note.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a balance of $1,376,924, net of $123,076 of debt discount, recorded in noncurrent liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet, related to this Note.

2017 Convertible Debt

In July, August and September 2017, the Company entered into subscription agreements pursuant to which it issued unsecured convertible promissory notes, each with substantially similar terms, for an aggregate principal amount of $875,000. Each of the convertible promissory notes matures one year from the date of issuance, with the exception of one note in the amount of $75,000, which matures two years from the date of issuance, and bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum. During 2018, the respective maturity dates of the promissory notes were extended for a period of one year from the original maturity dates. The principal and any accrued and unpaid interest of the convertible promissory notes are convertible by the respective holders into shares of Common Stock at a price equal to either (i) the 90-trading day average price per share of Common Stock as of the date the holder submits a notice of conversion or (ii) if an Eligible Offering (as defined in the convertible promissory notes) of Common Stock is made, 95% of the public offering price per share of Common Stock.

On June 25, 2018, one of the holders of a convertible promissory note notified the Company that they would convert $250,000 of principal and $23,425 of accrued interest into 85,299 shares of Common Stock at a price of $3.21 per share using the 90-day trading average price per share of Common Stock as of June 22, 2018. On the date of the conversion (June 25, 2018), the market price of the Common Stock was $3.83 per share and the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $53,271 on its consolidated statements of operation for the year ended December 31, 2018.



F-36



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company paid interest on these notes in the aggregate amount of $66,140, and recorded interest expense in the amount of $74,189 relating to these notes. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company recorded accrued interest of $4,861 and $20,237, respectively, relating to the convertible notes payable. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had balances of $625,000 in current liabilities and $1,376,924 in noncurrent liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets relating to the 2018 and 2017 Convertible Debt.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had balances of 800,000 in current liabilities and $75,000 in noncurrent liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets relating to the 2017 Convertible Debt.

Nonconvertible Notes Payable

On July 5, 2012 the Company entered into an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $300,000 bearing 10% interest per annum and payable on demand with KCF Investments LLC (“KCF”), an entity controlled by Mr. Stephen L Perrone, an affiliate of the Company. On December 10, 2018, the Company agreed to exchange this note, including accrued interest of $192,233 for a new unsecured promissory note in the amount of $492,233 that matures on December 10, 2023. This promissory note bears interest of 10% per annum and can be prepaid without a penalty at any time prior to its maturity. The note requires monthly repayments of principal and interest in the amount of $10,459 throughout the life of the note.

On November 30, 2017, the Company entered into an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $200,000 that matures on January 15, 2020. The promissory note bears interest of 10% per annum and can be prepaid without a penalty at any time prior to its maturity.

On September 20, 2017, the Company signed a promissory note in the amount of $150,000 with a maturity date of September 20, 2018. The promissory note bears interest at 10% per annum and may be repaid at any time without a penalty. The promissory note is held by an entity of which Allan Mayer, a director and employee of the Company, is the trustee. On December 18, 2017, the Company repaid the principal balance and accrued interest on the promissory note in the aggregate amount of $151,875.

On June 14, 2017, the Company entered into an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $400,000, maturing on June 14, 2019. The promissory note bears interest of 10% per annum and can be prepaid without a penalty after the initial six months.

On April 10, 2017, the Company entered into two unsecured promissory notes with an aggregate principal amount of $300,000 on substantially identical terms. Both promissory notes are held by one noteholder, expire on October 10, 2017, can be prepaid without a penalty at any time and bear interest at 10% per annum. The maturity date of this promissory notes was extended to December 15, 2017 and the promissory notes were paid upon maturity.

On April 18, 2017, the Company entered into a promissory note in the amount of $250,000 that expires on October 18, 2017, can be prepaid without a penalty at any time and bears interest at 10% per annum. The maturity date of this promissory note was extended to December 15, 2017 and the promissory note was paid upon maturity.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made interest payments on its nonconvertible promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $60,834. The Company had a balance of $6,315 and $189,309 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of accrued interest recorded in other current liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets, related to these promissory notes. The Company recorded interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of $90,310 and $131,778, respectively, related to these promissory notes As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a balance of $479,874 in current liabilities and $612,359 in noncurrent liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets relating to these nonconvertible notes payable. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had balances of $300,000 in current liabilities and $600,000 in noncurrent liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets relating to these nonconvertible promissory notes.



F-37



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 10 — LOANS FROM RELATED PARTY

Dolphin Entertainment, LLC (“DE LLC”), an entity wholly owned by the Company’s CEO, William O’Dowd, previously advanced funds for working capital to Dolphin Films. During 2016, Dolphin Films entered into a promissory note with DE LLC (the “DE LLC Note”) in the principal amount of $1,009,624. Under the terms of the DE LLC Note, the CEO may make additional advancements to the Company, as needed, and may be repaid a portion of the loan, which is payable on demand and bears interest at 10% per annum. Included in the balance of the DE LLC Note are certain script costs and other payables totaling $594,315 that were owed to DE LLC.

During the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company repaid $601,001 and $707,766, respectively, of the principal balance and recorded interest expense of $129,384, and $155,852, respectively, relating to the DE LLC Note. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017 the Company had a principal balance of $1,107,873 and $1,708,874, respectively and accrued interest of $304,888 and $175,504, respectively relating to the DE LLC Note on its consolidated balance sheet.

As discussed in Note 9, the Company signed a promissory note and received $150,000 from an entity, of which Allan Mayer, director and employee of the Company, is the trustee. The promissory note and accrued interest were repaid on December 18, 2017.

NOTE 11 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Warrants


During the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company issued series G, H and I warrants. The Company recorded the fair value of the liability in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Warrant liability” and recorded changes to the liability against earnings or loss under the caption “Changes in fair value of warrant liability” in the consolidated statements of operations. The carrying amount at fair value of the aggregate liability for the Warrants recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 was $1,441,831.  Due to the change in the fair value of the Warrant Liability for the period in which the Warrants were outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded gains on the change in fair value of the warrant liability on its statements of operations of $9,018,359.


Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2017 had the following terms:


 

 

Issuance 
Date

 

 

Number of 
Common 
Shares

 

 

Per 
Share Exercise 
Price

 

 

Initial Term 
(years)

 

 

Expiration 
Date

 

Series G Warrants

 

November 4, 2016

 

 

 

750,000

 

 

$

4.12

 

 

 

1.08

 

 

January 31, 2019

 

Series H Warrants

 

November 4, 2016

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

$

4.12

 

 

 

1.08

 

 

January 31, 2019

 

Series I Warrants

 

November 4, 2016

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

$

4.12

 

 

 

2.08

 

 

January 31, 2020

 


On February 27, 2018, the Company signed an amended and restated Series G Warrant that (i) eliminated the provision that permitted the warrant to be extended beyond its original expiration date of January 31, 2018 if the warrant holder was not able to fully exercise the warrant and remain below a 9.9% ownership threshold and (ii) provided for a definitive expiration date of the warrant of January 31, 2019.


The Warrants have a down round feature, which provides for a downward adjustment to the exercise price in the event the Company issues Common Stock for a price per share less than the applicable exercise price of the Warrants in effect immediately prior to such issuance. Because of the Warrants’ down round feature, which creates a path-dependent nature of the exercise prices of the Warrants, the Company concluded it was necessary to measure the fair value of the Warrants using a Monte Carlo Simulation model, which incorporates inputs classified as “level 3” according to the fair value hierarchy in ASC 820, Fair Value. In general, level 3 assumptions utilize unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity in the subject instrument and that are significant to the fair value of the liabilities. The unobservable inputs the Company utilizes for measuring the fair value of the Warrant liability reflects management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability as of the reporting date.




F-38



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The Company determined the fair values of the Warrants by using the following key inputs to the Monte Carlo Simulation model at December 31, 2017:


Inputs

 

Series G

 

 

Series H

 

 

Series I

 

Volatility (1)

 

 

68.3

%

 

 

68.3

%

 

 

67.1

%

Expected term (years)

 

 

1.08

 

 

 

1.08

 

 

 

2.08

 

Risk free interest rate

 

 

1.771

%

 

 

1.771

%

 

 

1.898

%

Common stock price

 

$

3.60

 

 

$

3.60

 

 

$

3.60

 

Exercise price

 

$

4.12

 

 

$

4.12

 

 

$

4.12

 

———————

(1)

“Level 3” input.


The stock volatility assumption represents the range of the volatility curves used in the valuation analysis that the Company has determined market participants would use based on comparison with similar entities. The risk-free interest rate is interpolated where appropriate, and is based on treasury yields. The valuation model also included a level 3 assumption as to dates of potential future financings by the Company that may cause a reset of the exercise price.


Because derivative financial instruments are initially and subsequently carried at fair values, the Company’s income or loss will reflect the volatility in changes to these estimates and assumptions. The fair value is most sensitive to changes at each valuation date in the Company’s Common Stock price, the volatility rate assumption, and the exercise price, which could change if the Company were to do a dilutive future financing.


On July 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-11 that states that a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature.  Instead, for freestanding equity classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS.


ASU 2017-11 was adopted by the Company by electing the modified retrospective method by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the year ended December 31, 2018. Accordingly, the Company reclassified the fair value of warrants from liability to equity (accumulated deficit) in aggregate of $1,441,831.


On December 26, 2017, the Company issued 1,300,050 warrants as part of the 2017 Offering. On January 24, 2018, an additional 177,203 warrants were issued pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters of the 2017 Offering. The warrants, which measured at fair value categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, were valued using the closing market price for the warrants of $0.40 per warrant on December 26, 2017 and $0.41 per warrant on January 24, 2018. The warrants are classified as equity and subsequent fair value measurements are not required.


Put Rights


In connection with the 42West Acquisition (see Note 4) on March 30, 2017, the Company entered into the Put Agreements, pursuant to which it granted the Put Rights to the sellers. The Put Rights include the shares issuable as Earn Out Consideration all of which was earned during the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the sellers exercised their Put Rights, in accordance with the Put Agreements, for an aggregate amount of 339,206 shares of Common Stock for $3,127,500.




F-39



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


On March 20, 2018, the Company entered into put agreements with three 42West employees with change of control provisions in their employment agreements. The Company agreed to purchase up to 50% of the shares of Common Stock to be received by the employees in satisfaction of the change of control provision in their employment agreements. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company purchased a total of 120,451 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $1,110,551. The employees have the right, but not the obligation, to cause the Company to purchase an additional 20,246 shares of Common Stock, including shares issuable in respect of the Earn Out Consideration.


The Company records the fair value of the liability in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Put Rights” and records changes to the liability against earnings or loss under the caption “Changes in fair value of put rights” in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Put Rights on the date of acquisition was $3,800,000. The carrying amount at fair value of the aggregate liability for the Put Rights recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is $5,984,067 and $6,226,010, respectively, including $375,000 that was exercised but not paid until January 2019. Due to the change in the fair value of the Put Rights for the period in which the Put Rights were outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a gain of $616,943, on the change in fair value of the put rights in the consolidated statement of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a loss of $2,426,010 on the change in fair value of the put rights in the consolidated statement of operations.


The Company utilized the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Put Rights reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the Put Rights as of the December 31, 2018 and 2017.


The Company determined the fair value by using the following key inputs to the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model:


Inputs

 

As of
December 31, 2018

 

 

As of
December 31,
2017

 

Equity volatility estimate

 

 

35 – 59.4

%

 

 

105.0

%

Discount rate based on US Treasury obligations

 

 

2.45% - 2.63

%

 

 

1.50% - 1.99

%


For the Put Rights, which measured at fair value categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the following is a reconciliation of the fair values from acquisition date (March 30, 2017) to December 31, 2018:



Beginning fair value on acquisition date (March 30, 2017)

 

$

3,800,000

 

Change in fair value (loss) in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017

 

 

2,426,010

 

Ending fair value balance reported in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017

 

$

6,226,010

 

Change in fair value (gain) reported in the statements of operations

 

 

(616,943

)

Ending fair value at December 31, 2018

 

$

5,609,067

 

Put rights exercised December 2018 and payable January 2019

 

 

375,000

 

Ending fair value of put rights reported in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2018

 

$

5,984,067

 


Contingent Consideration


In connection with the Company’s acquisition of The Door (See Note 4), the Members have the potential to earn the Contingent Consideration, comprising up to 1,538,462 shares of Common Stock, based on a price per share of $3.25, and up $2,000,000 in cash on achievement of adjusted net income targets based on the operations of The Door over the four-year period beginning January 1, 2018.




F-40



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The Company records the fair value of the liability in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Contingent Consideration” and records changes to the liability against earnings or loss under the caption “Changes in fair value of contingent consideration” in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Contingent Consideration on the date of the acquisition of The Door was $1,620,000. The carrying amount at fair value of the aggregate liability for the Contingent Consideration recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2018 is $550,000. Due to the change in the fair value of the Contingent Consideration for the period in which the Contingent Consideration was outstanding during year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a gain on the Contingent Consideration of $1,070,000 in the consolidated statement of operations.


The Company utilized a Monte Carlo Simulation model, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Contingent Consideration reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the Contingent Consideration as of the acquisition date.


The Company determined the fair value by using the following key inputs to the Monte Carlo Simulation Model:


Inputs

 

On the date
of merger

(July 5,
2018)

 

 

As of
December 31, 2018

 

Risk Free Discount Rate (based on US government treasury obligation with a term similar to that of the Contingent Consideration)

 

 

2.11% -2.67

%

 

 

2.47% - 2.59

%

Annual Asset Volatility Estimate

 

 

62.5

%

 

 

65

%


For the Contingent Consideration, which measured at fair value categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the following is a reconciliation of the fair values from the date of 42West Acquisition (March 30, 2017) to December 31, 2018:


Beginning fair value on date of 42West acquisition (March 30, 2017)

 

$

3,627,000

 

Change in fair value (loss) reported in the statements of operations

 

 

17,251

 

Reclassified to additional paid in capital

 

 

(3,644,251

)

Ending fair value balance reported in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning fair value balance on the date of The Door merger (July 5, 2018)

 

 

1,620,000

 

Change in fair value (gain) reported in the statements of operations

 

 

(1,070,000

)

Ending fair value balance reported in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2018

 

$

550,000

 


In connection with the 42West acquisition (see Note 4), the sellers had the potential to earn up to $9,333,333 (1,012,292 shares of Common Stock) upon the achievement of certain adjusted EBITDA targets (as defined in the 42West Purchase Agreement) based on the operations of 42West over the three-year period beginning January 1, 2017 (the “42West Contingent Consideration”).


The fair value of the 42West Contingent Consideration on the date of the 42West acquisition was $3,627,000. The sellers of 42West achieved the adjusted EBITDA target during 2017 and earned the 42West Contingent Consideration. The number of shares to be issued for the 42West Contingent Consideration is determined by dividing the $9,333,333 by $9.22, which was the per share price of the Common Stock used for determining the consideration payable in connection with the 42West acquisition. The Company will issue a total of 1,012,292 shares of Common Stock over a period of three years. Based on the closing market price of the Common Stock on December 29, 2017 (the date the 42West Contingent Consideration was deemed earned) of $3.60, the Company recorded $3,644,251 in equity and eliminated its liability for the same amount to account for the contingent consideration being earned. For its initial measurement of fair value, the Company utilized a Monte Carlo Simulation model, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the 42West Contingent Consideration reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the 42West Contingent Consideration as of the acquisition date.




F-41



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The Company determined the fair value on the date of acquisition by using the following key inputs to the Monte Carlo Simulation Model:


Inputs

 

On the date
of Acquisition

(March 30,
2017)

 

Risk Free Discount Rate (based on US government treasury obligation with a term similar to that of the Contingent Consideration)

 

 

1.03% -1.55

%

Annual Asset Volatility Estimate

 

 

72.5

%

Estimated EBITDA

 

$3,600,000 - $3,900,000

 


During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded a gain in the change in fair value of contingent consideration in the amount of $1,070,000 and a loss in the change in fair value of contingent consideration of $17,251, respectively, on its consolidated statements of operations.


NOTE 12 — LICENSING AGREEMENT - RELATED PARTY

In 2008, the Company entered into a ten-year licensing agreement with DE LLC, a related party. Under the license, the Company is authorized to use DE LLC’s brand properties in connection with the creation, promotion and operation of subscription-based internet social networking websites for children and young adults. The license requires that the Company pays to DE LLC royalties at the rate of fifteen percent of net sales from performance of the licensed activities. The Company did not use any of the brand properties related to this agreement and as such, there was no royalty expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. As of December 31, 2018, the agreement expired.

NOTE 13 — CONTRACT LIABILITIES

The Company receives advance payments from customers for public relations projects or as deposits for promotional or brand-support video projects, that it records as contract liabilities. Once the work is performed or the projects are delivered to the customer, the deferred revenue is deemed earned and recorded as revenue. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had balances of $522,620 and $48,449, respectively, in contract liabilities.

NOTE 14 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES  

VIEs are entities that, by design, either (1) lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or (2) have equity investors that do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights, or do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The most common type of VIE is a special-purpose entity (“SPE”). SPEs are commonly used in securitization transactions in order to isolate certain assets, and distribute the cash flows from those assets to investors. The legal documents that govern the transaction specify how the cash earned on the assets must be allocated to the SPE’s investors and other parties that have rights to those cash flows. SPEs are generally structured to insulate investors from claims on the SPE’s, assets by creditors of other entities, including the creditors of the seller of the assets.

The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of the VIE. The primary beneficiary is the party that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (2) through its interests in the VIE, the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, the Company considers all the facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities.

To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all of its economic interests, including debt and equity investments, servicing fees, and derivative or other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires that the Company apply judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE.



F-42



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The Company performs ongoing reassessments of (1) whether entities previously evaluated under the majority voting-interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain triggering events, and therefore would be subject to the VIE consolidation framework, and (2) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company’s involvement with a VIE cause the Company’s consolidation conclusion to change. The consolidation status of the VIEs with which the Company is involved may change as a result of such reassessments. Changes in consolidation status are applied prospectively with assets and liabilities of a newly consolidated VIE initially recorded at fair value unless the VIE is an entity which was previously under common control, which in that case is consolidated based historical cost. A gain or loss may be recognized upon deconsolidation of a VIE depending on the carrying amounts of deconsolidated assets and liabilities compared to the fair value of retained interests and ongoing contractual arrangements.

The Company evaluated certain entities in which it did not have a majority voting interest and determined that it had (1) the power to direct the activities of the entities that most significantly impact their economic performance and (2) had the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from these entities. As such the financial statements of Max Steel Productions, LLC and JB Believe, LLC are consolidated in the balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and in the statements of operations and statements of cash flows presented herein for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. These entities were previously under common control and have been accounted for at historical costs for all periods presented.

 

 

 

Max Steel Productions LLC

As of and for the years ended December 31,

 

 

JB Believe LLC

As of and for the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Assets

 

  

$

7,978,887

  

  

$

8,716,184

  

  

$

205,725

  

  

$

  

Liabilities

 

 

$

(11,887,911

)

 

$

(12,011,149

)

 

$

(6,741,834

)

 

$

(6,743,278

)

Revenues

 

 

$

427,153

 

 

$

5,889,003

 

 

$

207,459

 

 

$

65,112

 

Expenses

 

 

$

(1,041,013

)

 

$

(5,589,303

)

 

$

(290

)

 

$

(34,561

)


Max Steel Productions LLC was initially formed for the purpose of recording the production costs of the motion picture Max Steel. Prior to the commencement of the production, the Company entered into a Production Service Agreement to finance the production of the film. As described in Note 8, the Production Service Agreement was for a total amount of $10,419,009 with the lender taking an $892,619 producer fee. Pursuant to the financing agreements, the lender acquired 100% of the membership interest of Max Steel Productions LLC with the Company controlling the production of the motion picture and having the rights to sell the motion picture.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had a balance in capitalized production costs of $629,585 and $833,145, respectively.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a balance of $1,821,970, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $227,280 in accounts receivable related to Max Steel. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company wrote off accounts receivable of $618,165 and allowance for doubtful accounts of $227,280, related to the international licensing rights of Max Steel and as a result did not have a balance in accounts receivable as of December 31, 2018. All proceeds from the sale of international licensing rights to the motion picture Max Steel and certain tax credits are used to repay the amounts due under the Production Service Agreement. As such, the Company will not receive any cash proceeds from the sale of the international licensing rights until the proceeds received from the Production Service Agreement are repaid. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the proceeds from the international sales agreements and certain tax credits that were used to repay amounts due under the Production Service Agreement amounted to $357,264 and $4,157,360, respectively.  If the amounts due under the Production Service Agreement are not repaid from the proceeds of the international sales, the Company may lose the international distribution rights, in which case it would no longer report the revenues from these territories and would impair the capitalized production costs and accounts receivable. The Company believes that the only recourse to the lender under the Production Service Agreement is to foreclose on the collateral securing the loans, which consists of the foreign distribution rights for Max Steel. However, if the lender were to successfully assert that the Company is liable to the lender for the payment of this debt despite the lack of contractual obligation, we do not have sufficient funds to repay this loan, which would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were outstanding balances of $1,728,986 and $2,086,249, respectively, related to this debt.



F-43



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


JB Believe LLC, an entity owned by Believe Film Partners LLC, of which the Company owns a 25% membership interest, was formed for the purpose of recording the production costs of the motion picture “Believe”. The Company was given unanimous consent by the members to enter into domestic and international distribution agreements for the licensing rights of the motion picture, Believe, until such time as the Company had been repaid $3,200,000 for the investment in the production of the film and $5,000,000 for the P&A to market and release the film in the US. The Company has not been repaid these amounts and as such is still in control of the distribution of the film. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded revenues of $207,459 related to domestic distribution of Believe.  The capitalized production costs related to Believe were either amortized or impaired in previous years.   JB Believe LLC’s primary liability is to the Company which it owes $6,491,834.

NOTE 15 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

A.

Preferred Stock

The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors has the power to designate the rights and preferences of the preferred stock and issue the preferred stock in one or more series.

On February 23, 2016, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to designate 1,000,000 preferred shares as “Series C Convertible Preferred Stock” with a $0.001 par value which may be issued only to an “Eligible Series C Preferred Stock Holder”. On May 9, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the amendment of the Company’s articles of incorporation to reduce the designation of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock to 50,000 shares with a $0.001 par value. The amendment was approved by the Company’s shareholders on June 29, 2017 and the Company filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the State of Florida (‘the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation”) on July 6, 2017. Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, each share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will be convertible into one share of common stock (one half of a share post-split), subject to adjustment for each issuance of common stock (but not upon issuance of common stock equivalents) that occurred, or occurs, from the date of issuance of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “issue date”) until the fifth (5th) anniversary of the issue date (i) upon the conversion or exercise of any instrument issued on the issued date or thereafter issued (but not upon the conversion of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock), (ii) upon the exchange of debt for shares of common stock, or (iii) in a private placement, such that the total number of shares of common stock held by an “Eligible Class C Preferred Stock Holder” (based on the number of shares of common stock held as of the date of issuance) will be preserved at the same percentage of shares of common stock outstanding held by such Eligible Class C Preferred Stock Holder on such date. An Eligible Class C Preferred Stock Holder means any of (i) DE LLC for so long as Mr. O’Dowd continues to beneficially own at least 90% and serves on the board of directors or other governing entity, (ii) any other entity in which Mr. O’Dowd beneficially owns more than 90%, or a trust for the benefit of others, for which Mr. O’Dowd serves as trustee and (iii) Mr. O’Dowd individually. Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will only be convertible by the Eligible Class C Preferred Stock Holder upon the Company satisfying one of the “optional conversion thresholds”. Specifically, a majority of the independent directors of the Board, in its sole discretion, must have determined that the Company accomplished any of the following (i) EBITDA of more than $3.0 million in any calendar year, (ii) production of two feature films, (iii) production and distribution of at least three web series, (iv) theatrical distribution in the United States of one feature film, or (v) any combination thereof that is subsequently approved by a majority of the independent directors of the Board based on the strategic plan approved by the Board. While certain events may have occurred that could be deemed to have satisfied this criteria, the independent directors of the Board have not yet determined that an optional conversion threshold has occurred. Except as required by law, holders of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will only have voting rights once the independent directors of the Board determine that an optional conversion threshold has occurred. Only upon such determination, will the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock be entitled or permitted to vote on all matters required or permitted to be voted on by the holders of common stock and will be entitled to that number of votes equal to three votes for the number of Conversion Shares (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) into which such Holder’s shares of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock could then be converted.

The Certificate of Designation also provides for a liquidation value of $0.001 per share and dividend rights of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock on parity with the Company’s Common Stock.

Effective July 6, 2017, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to among other things cancel previous designations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock



F-44



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


B.

Common Stock

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation previously authorized the issuance of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock. On June 29, 2017, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2017 Plan that replaced the 2012 Plan. On August 7, 2017, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 to register 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, a total of 59,320 shares of restricted stock were issued under the 2017 Plan. The shares of restricted stock were issued on August 21, 2017 and have a vesting period of six months (February 21, 2018) in which the employees were to remain employed by the Company or risk forfeiture of the restricted stock. On February 21, 2018, the vesting period ended and no other stock was issued under the 2017 Plan.

Effective February 23, 2016, the Company amended its Amended Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of its Common Stock from 200,000,000 to 400,000,000. Effective September 14, 2017, the Company amended its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effectuate a 1:2 reverse stock split. As a result, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock was reduced from 400,000,000 to 200,000,000 shares.

On February 16, 2017, the Company entered into a subscription agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to an investor 50,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share. This transaction provided $500,000 in proceeds for the Company.

On March 30, 2017, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement to acquire a 100% membership interest in 42West. The Company issued 615,140 shares of Common Stock at a price of $9.22 per share related to this transaction. See note 4 for further details on the acquisition.

On March 30, 2017, KCF Investments LLC and BBCF 2011 LLC exercised Warrants J and K to purchase 1,085,000 and 85,000, respectively, of shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $0.03 per share. This transaction provided $35,100 in proceeds for the Company. See note 17 for further discussion.

On April 13, 2017, the Company issued the following shares of Common Stock as per the 42West Acquisition agreement; (i) 172,275 to certain designated employees and (ii) 50,000 shares as an estimate for the Purchase Consideration withheld on the date of closing related to the working capital.

On April 13, 2017, the Company issued 3,254 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for services rendered during the month ended March 31, 2017. The shares were issued at a purchase price of $9.22 per share.

On April 13, 2017, T Squared partially exercised Class E Warrants and acquired 162,885 shares of our common stock pursuant to the cashless exercise provision in the related warrant agreement. T Squared had previously paid down $1,675,000 for these shares.

On April 14, 2017, the Principal Sellers of 42West exercised put options in the aggregate amount of 43,382 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate total of $400,000.

On May 13, 2017, the Principal Sellers of 42West exercised put options in the aggregate amount of 32,538 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate total of $300,000 on June 2, 2017.

On June 22, 2017, one of the Principal Sellers of 42West exercised a put option for 8,134 shares of Common Stock and was paid $75,000 on July 10, 2017.

On August 2, 2017, the Company issued 2,886 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for services rendered during the second quarter of 2017. The shares were issued at a purchase price of $10.00 per share.

On August 12 and August 15, 2017 each of the Principal Sellers of 42West exercised put options in the aggregate amount of 32,538 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate total of $300,000 on September 1, 2017.

On August 21, 2017, the Company issued 59,320 shares of restricted stock to certain employees pursuant to the 2017 Plan.

On September 19 and September 20, 2017, two of the Principal Sellers of 42West exercised put options in the aggregate amount of 16,268 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate of $150,000 on October 10, 2017.



F-45



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


On December 26, 2017, the Company sold 1,215,000 shares of common stock as part of unit with 1,215,000 warrants to purchase shares of common stock. The unit was sold for a purchase price of $4.13 per unit and the Company received net proceeds (net after transaction costs and underwriter discount) of $4,511,044.

On December 10, December 13 and December 19, 2017 each of the Principal Sellers of 42West exercised put option in the aggregate amount of 18,980 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate of $525,000 on January 5, 2018.

On January 22, 2018, the underwriters in the 2017 Offering exercised their over-allotment option with respect to 20,750 shares of Common Stock and 175,750 warrants to purchase Common Stock. Warrants were also issued to the underwriters of the 2017 Offering to purchase 1,453 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.74 per share. The closing date of the over-allotment option was January 24, 2018, and the Company received $81,044 of proceeds from the sale.


On February 21, 2018, employees of 42West who had been issued shares of Common Stock under the 2017 Plan returned 17,585 shares of Common Stock in respect of payroll and withholding taxes. The value of the shares returned to the Company was calculated using the market price of the Common Stock on February 21, 2018 of $3.19 per share.


On March 11, 14 and 21, 2018, the sellers of 42West exercised Put Rights for 183,296 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate amount of $1,390,000 on April 2, 2018 and $300,000 on April 10, 2018.


On March 20, 2018, three 42West employees exercised Put Rights for 51,485 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate amount of $474,680.


On May 8, 12 and 14, 2018, three of the sellers of 42West exercised Put Rights for 32,538 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate amount of $300,000 on June 1, 2018.


On June 22, 2018, two of the sellers of 42West exercised Put Rights for 16,268 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate amount of $150,000 on July 10, 2018.


On June 25, 2018, one of the holders of a convertible promissory note notified the Company that it would convert $273,425 of principal and accrued interest into 85,299 shares of Common Stock, pursuant to the terms of the convertible promissory note.


On July 5, 2018, the Company issued 300,012 shares of Common Stock to the Members of The Door and on August 29, 2018, issued 7,680 shares of Common Stock to one of the advisors to the Merger. The aggregate amount of 307,692 shares of Common Stock is the stock consideration issuable on the Closing Date. See Note 4 for further details on the Merger.


On July 25, 2018, the Company sold 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the 2018 Offering. The shares of Common Stock were sold at an offering price of $3.00 per share.  The Company received net proceeds (net after transaction costs and underwriter discount) of approximately $5.3 million.


On August 1, 2018, the Company issued to employees of 42West with change of control provisions in their employment agreements, an aggregate of 68,966 shares of Common Stock, the net amount, after the allowable puts to pay the federal, state and city employment taxes for their respective share of the second installment to the 42West Acquisition.   


On August 10 and 20, 2018, three of the sellers of 42West exercised Put Rights for 32,538 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate amount of $300,000 on September 4, 2018.


On August 22, 2018, the underwriters in the 2018 Offering exercised their over-allotment option with respect to 265,000 shares of Common Stock and the Company received proceeds, net of the underwriter discount and expenses, of $0.7 million.


On September 25, 2018, the Company sold 250,000 shares of Common Stock through a direct registration offering and received $0.7 million, net of expenses.



F-46



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 



On September 21, 24 and 25, 2018, some of the sellers of 42West exercised Put Rights for 21,692 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate amount of $200,000 on October 10, 2018.


On October 2, 2018, one of the sellers of 42West exercised Put Rights for 6,779 shares of Common Stock and was paid $62,500 on October 5, 2018.


On October 31, 2018, the Company issued 218,088 shares of Common Stock to the Viewpoint Shareholders as partial consideration to acquire 100% of the shares of Viewpoint.  See Note 4 for further details on the acquisition.


On December 5,11,13,15 and 21, 2018, some of the sellers of 42West exercised Put Rights for 46,095 shares of Common Stock and were paid an aggregate amount of $50,000 on December 13, 2018, $300,000 on January 4, 2019 and $75,000 on January 11, 2019.


As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had 14,123,157 and 10,565,789 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, respectively.

NOTE 16 — EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

 

 

Year ended

 

 

 

12/31/2018

 

 

12/31/2017

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Dolphin Entertainment stockholders

 

$

(2,913,321

 

$

6,912,524

 

Deemed dividend

 

 

(158,004

)

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Dolphin Entertainment common share stockholders and numerator for basic earnings per share

 

$

(3,071,325

)

 

$

      6,912,524

 

Change in fair value of put rights

 

 

(616,943

 

 

 

Change in fair value of G, H and I warrants

 

 

 

 

 

(9,018,359

)

Numerator for diluted loss per share

 

$

(3,688,268

)

 

$

(2,105,835

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic EPS - weighted-average shares

 

 

13,773,395

 

 

 

9,586,986

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put rights

 

 

2,386,091

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

1,021,842

 

Denominator for diluted EPS - adjusted weighted-average shares assuming exercise of warrants

 

 

16,159,486

 

 

 

10,608,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share

 

$

(0.22

 

$

0.72

 

Diluted (loss) per share

 

$

(0.23

)

 

$

(0.20

)


Basic (loss) income per share is computed by dividing income or loss attributable to the shareholders of Common Stock (the numerator) by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the denominator) for the period. Diluted earnings per share assume that any dilutive warrants were exercised and any dilutive convertible securities outstanding were converted, with related preferred stock dilution requirements and outstanding Common Stock adjusted accordingly. For warrants that are carried as liabilities at fair value, when exercise is assumed in the denominator for diluted earnings per share, the related change in the fair value of the warrants recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the period, is added back or subtracted from net income during the period.




F-47



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company included the Common Stock that is issuable in January 2019 in connection with The Door merger as if the shares had been issued on July 5, 2018 since the only contingency to receiving the shares is the passage of time.  The Company excluded certain common stock equivalents such as warrants and shares to be issued for convertible debt in the aggregate of 888,251 as inclusion would be anti-dilutive.  


For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Common Stock that is issuable in January 2018 in connection with the 42West Acquisition was assumed to have been issued on March 30, 2017 at arriving at the denominator for basic earnings per share, since the only contingency for receiving the shares was the passage of time. The Company excluded certain common stock equivalents such as shares issuable for contingent consideration, put rights, convertible promissory notes and employee non-vested share awards in the aggregate amount of 1,169,602, as inclusion would be anti-dilutive. If the convertible promissory notes had been included in the denominator, the numerator would have increased by $34,625 to add back income tax expense related to these convertible promissory notes.


During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-11 that states that when determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as equity or liabilities, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. For freestanding equity classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued shares of Common Stock as part of the consideration for (i) the acquisition of The Door for a price of $3.25 per share, (ii) 2018 Offering for a price of $3.00 per share and (iii) the acquisition of Viewpoint for a price of $2.29 per share.  As a result, the exercise price of the warrants and the conversion price of the convertible note payable were reset to these purchase prices per share resulting in a deemed dividend of $158,004.

  

NOTE 17 — WARRANTS

A summary of warrants outstanding at December 31, 2016 and issued exercised and expired during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

Warrants:

 

Shares

 

 

 

Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

 

2,945,000

 

 

 

$

5.98

 

Issued

 

 

1,300,050

 

 

 

 

4.74

 

Exercised

 

 

(1,332,885

)

 

 

 

1.28

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

 

2,912,165

 

 

 

$

4.80

 

Issued

 

 

177,203

 

 

 

 

4.74

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

(362,115

)

 

 

 

9.87

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

2,727,253

 

 

 

$

3.62

 


As of December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding warrants “E” & “F” that were issued to T Squared Investments LLC (“T Squared”) in 2010 and 2012.  Each of warrants “E” and “F” are exercisable into 175,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. Pursuant to the terms of warrants “E” and “F”, T Squared could continually pay the Company to reduce the exercise price of each of the warrants until such time as the exercise price was $.004 per share.  During 2010 and 2011, T Squared made payments to the Company in the aggregate amount of $1,625,000 to reduce the exercise price of warrant “E”.  On April 13, 2017, T Squared exercised 162,885 warrants using the cashless exercise provision in the warrant agreement and received 162,885 shares of the Common Stock.  Since T Squared applied the $1,625,000 that it had previously paid the Company to pay down the exercise price of the warrants to acquire the 162,885 shares of Common Stock, the exercise price for the remaining 12,115 warrants was recalculated to $6.20 per share of Common Stock.  During the year ended December 31, 2018, T Squared did not exercise warrants “E” and “F” and they expired on December 31, 2018.



F-48



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


On November 4, 2016, the Company issued a Warrant “G”, a Warrant “H” and a Warrant “I” to T Squared (“Warrants “G”, “H” and “I”). A summary of Warrants “G”, “H” and “I” issued to T Squared is as follows:

Warrants:

 

Number of
Shares

 

 

Exercise
price at
December 31,
2018

 

 

Exercise
price at
December 31,
2017

 

 

 

Original
Exercise
Price

 

 

Fair Value
as of
December 31,
2017

 

 

 

Expiration
Date

Warrant “G”

 

 

750,000

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

4.12

 

 

 

$

10.00

 

 

$

800,750

 

 

 

January 31, 2019

Warrant “H”

 

 

250,000

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

4.12

 

 

 

$

12.00

 

 

 

267,133

 

 

 

January 31, 2019

Warrant “I”

 

 

250,000

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

4.12

 

 

 

$

14.00

 

 

 

373,948

 

 

 

January 31, 2020

 

 

 

1,250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,441,831

 

 

 

 


The Warrants “G”, “H” and “I” contain a down round provision providing that, in the event the Company sells grants or issues any Common Stock or options, warrants, or any instrument convertible into shares of Common Stock or equity in any other form at a deemed per share price below the then current exercise price per share of the Warrants “G”, “H” and “I”, then the then current exercise price per share for the warrants that are outstanding will be reduced to such lower price per share. Under the terms of the Warrants “G”, “H” and “I”, T Squared has the option to continually pay the Company an amount of money to reduce the exercise price of any of Warrants “G”, “H” and “I” until such time as the exercise price of Warrant “G”, “H” and/or “I” is effectively $0.02 per share. At such time when T Squared has paid down the warrants to an exercise price of $0.02 per share or less, T Squared will have the right to exercise the Warrants “G”, “H” and “I” via a cashless provision. Due to the existence of the round down provision, the Warrants “G”, “H” and “I” were carried in the consolidated financial statements as derivative liabilities at fair value. However, on July 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-11 that states down round provisions no longer preclude equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. As a result, the Company used the modified retrospective approach and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $1,441,831 to retained earnings to classify the instruments as equity. See Note 11 for further details.


The exercise price of Warrants “G”, “H” and “I” has been reduced by the following transactions: (i) on March 30, 2017, the Company issued shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $9.22 per share related to the acquisition of 42West (Note 4); (ii) on December 21, 2017, the Company sold shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.12 per share as part of the 2017 Offering; (iii) on July 5, 2018, the Company issued shares as partial consideration for the merger with The Door at a purchase price of $3.25 per share of Common Stock (Note 4); (iv) on July 24, 2018, the Company sold shares of Common Stock at $3.00 per share as part of the 2018 Offering and (v) on October 31, 2018, the Company issued shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $2.29 per share as partial consideration for the acquisition of the Viewpoint shares.  

In the 2017 Offering, the Company issued units, each comprising one share of Common Stock, and one warrant exercisable for one share of common stock for $4.74 per share, for a purchase price of $4.13 per unit. In addition to the units issued and sold in the 2017 Offering, the Company also issued warrants to the underwriters to purchase up to an aggregate of 85,050 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.74 per share. On January 22, 2018, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option with respect to 175,750 warrants to purchase Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.74 per share. In connection with the exercise of the over-allotment option, the Company issued to the underwriters warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,453 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.74 per share. The Company determined that each of these warrants should be classified as equity and valued the warrants on the date of issuance using the closing market price for the warrants on December 21, 2017 of $0.40 per warrant and $0.41 per warrant on January 22, 2018. The fair value of the warrants was recorded in additional paid in capital.


Due to the existence of the antidilution provision prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-11, the Warrants “G”, “H” and “I” are carried in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 as derivative liabilities at fair value (see note 11).



F-49



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 18 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On December 31, 2014, the Company and its CEO renewed his employment agreement for a period of two years commencing January 1, 2015. The agreement stated that the CEO was to receive annual compensation of $250,000. In addition, the CEO was entitled to an annual discretionary bonus as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. As part of his agreement, he received a $1,000,000 signing bonus in 2012 that is recorded in accrued compensation on the consolidated balance sheets. Any unpaid and accrued compensation due to the CEO under this agreement will accrue interest on the principal amount at a rate of 10% per annum from the date of this agreement until it is paid. Even though the employment agreement expired and has not been renewed, the Company has an obligation under the agreement to continue to accrue interest on the unpaid balance.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has balances of $2,625,000 and $2,500,000, respectively, of accrued compensation and $1,230,719 and $971,809, respectively, of accrued interest in other current liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets related to Mr. O’Dowd’s employment. The Company recorded interest expense related to the accrued compensation of $258,910 and $236,598, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 on the consolidated statements of operations.

On March 30, 2017, in connection with the 42West Acquisition, the Company and Mr. O’Dowd, as personal guarantor, entered into four separate Put Agreements with each of the Sellers of 42West, pursuant to which the Company has granted each of the Sellers the right to cause the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,187,094 of their shares of Common Stock received as Consideration for a purchase price equal to $9.22 per share during certain specified exercise periods up until December 2020, including the put rights allowable for the Earn Out Consideration achieved during the year ended December 31, 2017. Pursuant to the terms of one such Put Agreement between Mr. Allan Mayer, a member of the board of directors of the Company, and the Company, Mr. Mayer exercised Put Rights and caused the Company to purchase 51,518 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $9.22 for an aggregate amount of $475,000, during the period between March 30, 2017 (42West Acquisition date) and December 31, 2017, of which $175,000 was paid on January 5, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, Mr. Mayer exercised Put Rights and caused the Company to purchase 101,680 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $9.22 for an aggregate amount of $937,500, of which $150,000 was paid on January 4, 2019. 

On March 30, 2017, KCF Investments LLC (“KCF”) and BBCF 2011 LLC, entities under the common control of Mr. Stephen L Perrone, an affiliate of the Company, exercised Warrants “J” and “K” and were issued an aggregate of 1,170,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.03 per share.

On December 10, 2018, the Company and KCF agreed to exchange a promissory note dated July 5, 2012 in the amount of $300,000 (the “2012 Note”), and accrued interest on the 2012 Note of $192,233, for a new promissory note in the amount of $492,233 (the “2018 Note”). The 2018 Note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and principal and interest are payable in sixty equal monthly installments of $10,458.50 commencing on January 15, 2019.  See Note 9 for further discussion.

As discussed in Note 9, on September 20, 2017, the Company signed a promissory note with a term of one year, and received $150,000 in proceeds from Mr. Mayer. On December 18, 2017, the Company repaid the principal balance and accrued interest in the aggregate amount of $151,875.

On December 26, 2017, the following related parties purchased Units in the Company offering (a) Mr. O’Dowd purchased 88,500 Units; (b) Mr. Mayer purchased 60,000 Units and (c) Mr. Nicholas Stanham, Director of the Company purchased 12,100 Units.

NOTE 19 — SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company operates in two reportable segments, Entertainment Publicity and Marketing Segment and Content Production Segment. The Entertainment Publicity and Marketing segment is composed of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint and provides clients with diversified services, including public relations, entertainment and hospitality content marketing and strategic marketing consulting. Content Production segment is composed of Dolphin Entertainment and Dolphin Films and engages in the production and distribution of digital content and feature films.




F-50



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


The profitability measure employed by our chief operating decision maker for allocating resources to operating segments and assessing operating segment performance is operating (loss) income. Salaries and related expenses include salaries, bonuses, commissions and other incentive related expenses. Legal and professional expenses primarily include professional fees related to financial statement audits, legal, investor relations and other consulting services, which are engaged and managed by each of the segments. In addition, general and administrative expenses include rental expense and depreciation of property, equipment and leasehold improvements for properties occupied by corporate office employees.


In connection with the acquisitions of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint, the Company assigned $9,395,215 of intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,714,785 as of December 31, 2018 and $8,136,219, net of accumulated amortization of $973,781 as of December 31, 2017 and goodwill of $15,922,601 (after goodwill impairment of $1.,857,000) as of December 31, 2018 and $12,778,860 as of December 31, 2017, to the Entertainment Publicity and Marketing segment. The balances reflected as of December 31, 2017 for Entertainment Publicity and Marketing segment comprise only 42West.  


 

 

Year ended December 31, 2018

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2017

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment publicity and marketing segment

 

$

21,916,727

 

 

$

16,458,929

 

Content production segment

 

 

634,612

 

 

 

5,954,115

 

Total

 

$

22,551,339

 

 

$

22,413,044

 

Segment operating loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment publicity and marketing segment

 

$

(1,185,384

)

 

$

2,213,060

 

Content production segment

 

 

(2,927,685

)

 

 

(3,176,639

)

Total

 

 

(4,113,069

)

 

 

(963,579

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,050,478

)

 

 

(1,594,940

)

Other income, net

 

 

1,195,120

 

 

 

8,809,910

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(3,968,427

)

 

$

7,251,391

 


 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment publicity and marketing segment

 

$

34,372,195

 

 

$

26,743,013

 

Content production segment

 

 

3,617,399

 

 

 

6,854,130

 

Total assets

 

$

37,989,594

 

 

$

33,597,143

 









F-51



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 20 — INCOME TAXES


Income Tax Expense (Benefit) is as follows:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Current Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

20,986

 

 

$

 

State

 

 

(100,092

)

 

 

151,330

 

 

 

$

(79,106

)

 

$

151,330

 

Deferred Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

1,405,925

 

 

$

1,799,157

 

Federal – Tax Reform

 

 

 

 

 

6,049,711

 

State

 

 

760,503

 

 

 

(38,910

)

 

 

$

2,166,428

 

 

$

7,809,958

 

Change in Valuation (Benefit) Allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(2,177,189

)

 

$

(7,661,331

)

State

 

 

(1,000,747

)

 

 

38,910

 

 

 

 

(3,177,936

)

 

 

(7,622,421

)

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

 

$

(1,090,614

)

 

$

338,867

 


At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax values at December 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows:


 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Deferred Tax Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued Expenses

 

$

786,750

 

 

$

299,855

 

Interest Expense

 

 

422,407

 

 

 

730,022

 

Deferred Rent

 

 

430,494

 

 

 

114,128

 

Accrued Compensation

 

 

696,235

 

 

 

653,375

 

Intangibles

 

 

1,280,126

 

 

 

132,219

 

Other Assets

 

 

78,217

 

 

 

183,524

 

Put Options

 

 

434,495

 

 

 

638,547

 

Capitalized Web Costs

 

 

555,370

 

 

 

563,596

 

Capitalized Production Costs

 

 

192,492

 

 

 

53,299

 

Charitable Contributions

 

 

218,352

 

 

 

273,982

 

Net Operating Losses and Credits

 

 

9,402,185

 

 

 

8,560,117

 

Total Deferred Tax Assets

 

 

14,497,123

 

 

 

12.202,664

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Liability:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Assets

 

 

(105,767

)

 

 

(110,049

)

Other Liabilities

 

 

(132,313

)

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Liability

 

$

(238,080

)

 

$

(110,049

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

14,259,043

 

 

 

12,092,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation Allowance

 

 

(14,259,043

)

 

 

(12,280,152

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Deferred Taxes

 

$

 

 

$

(187,537

)





F-52



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 



As of December 31, 2018, the Company has approximately $36,865,500 of net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes that begin to expire in 2028. Federal net operating losses generated after December 31, 2017 have an indefinite life and do not expire. Additionally, the Company has approximately $25,118,000 of net operating loss carryforwards for Florida state income tax purposes that begin to expire in 2029, approximately $561,800 of California net operating loss carryforwards that begin to expire in 2032, approximately $446,700 of New York and New York City net operating loss carryforwards that begin to expire in 2038, and approximately $307,000 of North Carolina net operating loss carryforwards that begin to expire in 2035.  Utilization of net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and similar state provisions. Further, a portion of the carryforwards may expire before being applied to reduce future income tax liabilities. In assessing the ability to realize the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which these temporary differences become deductible. Management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized and has recorded a net valuation allowance of $14,259,043 and $12,280,152 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate with the effective tax rate from continuing operations is as follows:

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Federal Statutory Tax Rate

 

 

21

%

 

 

34.0

%

Permanent Items Affecting Tax Rate

 

 

2.3

%

 

 

(45.6

)%

State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit

 

 

6.6

%

 

 

(0.6

)%

Change in State Tax Rate

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

%

Return to Provision Adjustment

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

1.3

%

Business Combination

 

 

19.2

%

 

 

 

Other

 

 

(0.4

)%

 

 

0.3

%

Change in Valuation Allowance

 

 

(24.3

)%

 

 

(80.4

)%

Tax Reform Tax Rate Change

 

 

 

 

 

92.3

%

Effective Tax Rate

 

 

26.9

%

 

 

4.6

%


As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company does not have any material unrecognized tax benefits and accordingly has not recorded any interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company does not believe that unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next twelve months.  The Company and its subsidiaries file Federal, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York State, New York City and Pennsylvania income tax returns. These returns remain subject to examination by taxing authorities for all years after December 31, 2014.


Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes related primarily to differences between the basis of certain assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting. The deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences of those differences, which will either be deductible or taxable when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled.  


On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 tax reform legislation (“the Act”). The Act makes significant changes to tax law including a reduction in the corporate tax rates, increased ability to use bonus depreciation, reduced deductibility for meals and entertainment related expenses, changes to net operating loss carryforwards and carrybacks, limitations on the deductibility of interest expense, restrictions on employee parking, and a repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax. The legislation reduced the corporate tax rate from the current gradual rate of 34% to a flat rate of 21%. As a result of the enacted law, the Company was required to revalue its deferred inventory of tax assets and liabilities at the enacted rate, reducing the pre-valuation allowance net deferred tax asset by approximately $6,800,000 for the tax year ended December 31, 2017. The tax expense of this re-measurement of deferred tax assets is offset by an equal and offsetting decrease to the valuation allowance.




F-53



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 21 — LEASES

Viewpoint is obligated under an operating lease agreement for office space in Newton, Massachusetts, expiring in March 2021. The lease is secured by a certificate of deposit held by the Company in the amount of $55,014 and included in restricted cash as of December 31, 2018. The lease provides for increases in rent for real estate taxes and operating expenses, and contains a renewal option for an additional five years.

The Door occupies space in New York.  An entity wholly owned by the former Members of The Door is obligated under an operating lease agreement for the office space expiring in August 2020. The Company made payments of $196,789 to the affiliate during the year ended December 31, 2018, related to this lease. The lease is secured by a cash security deposit of approximately $29,000.

The Door is obligated under an operating lease agreement for office space in Chicago, Illinois, at a fixed rate of $2,200 per month, expiring in May 2020. The lease is secured by a cash deposit of approximately $1,500.

42West is obligated under an operating lease agreement for office space in New York, expiring in December 2026. The lease is secured by a standby letter of credit amounting to $677,354, and provides for increases in rent for real estate taxes and building operating costs. The lease also contains a renewal option for an additional five years.

42West is obligated under an operating lease agreement for office space in California, expiring in December 2021. The lease is secured by a cash security deposit of $44,788 and a standby letter of credit in the amount of $50,000 at December 31, 2018 and $100,000 at December 31, 2017. The lease also provides for increases in rent for real estate taxes and operating expenses, and contains a renewal option for an additional five years, as well as an early termination option effective as of February 1, 2019. Should the early termination option be executed, the Company will be subject to a termination fee in the amount of approximately $637,000. The Company does not expect to execute such option.

The Company is obligated under an operating lease agreement for office space in Miami, Florida. The lease is secured by a cash security deposit of $8,433.  The original term of the lease expired October 31, 2016 and the Company extended the lease until May 31, 2019 with substantially the same terms as the original lease.  

The Company is obligated under an operating lease for office space in Los Angeles, California until July 31, 2019. The monthly rent is $13,746 with annual increases of 3% for years 1 – 3 and 3.5% for the remainder of the lease.  The Company is also entitled to four half months of free rent over the life of the agreement.  The lease is secured by a cash security deposit in the amount of $32,337. On June 1, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease the office space in Los Angeles, California. The sublease is effective June 1, 2017 through July 31, 2019 with lease payment as follows: (i) $14,892 per month for the first twelve months, with the first two months of rent abated and (ii) $15,338 per month for the remainder of the sublease.

Lease Payments

Future minimum payments for operating leases in effect at December 31, 2018 were as follows:

2019

 

$

1,887,959

 

2020

 

 

1,881,502

 

2021

 

 

1,524,627

 

2022

 

 

912,864

 

2023

 

 

918,075

 

Thereafter

 

 

2,844,905

 

Total

 

$

9,969,932

 


Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1,566,910 and $1,314,502, respectively.



F-54



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


NOTE 22 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

On or about January 25, 2010, an action was filed by Tom David against Winterman Group Limited, Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) Ltd., Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale in the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario (Canada) alleging breach of a commercial lease and breach of a personal guaranty. On or about March 18, 2010, Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale filed a Statement of Defense and Crossclaim. In the Statement of Defense, Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale denied any liability under the lease and guaranty. In the Crossclaim filed against Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) Ltd., Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale seek contribution or indemnity against Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) Ltd. alleging that Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) agreed to relieve Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale from any and all liability with respect to the lease or the guaranty. On or about March 19, 2010, Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale filed a Third-Party Claim against the Company seeking contribution or indemnity against the Company, formerly known as Logica Holdings, Inc., alleging that the Company agreed to relieve Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale from any and all liability with respect to the lease or the guaranty. The Third-Party Claim was served on the Company on April 6, 2010. On or about April 1, 2010, Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) filed a Statement of Defense and Crossclaim. In the Statement of Defense, Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) denied any liability under the lease and in the Crossclaim against Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale, Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) seeks contribution or indemnity against Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale alleging that the leased premises were used by Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale for their own use. On or about April 1, 2010, Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) also filed a Statement of Defense to the Crossclaim denying any liability to indemnify Winterman Group Limited, Malcolm Stockdale and Sara Stockdale. The ultimate results of these proceedings against the Company cannot be predicted with certainty. On or about March 12, 2012, the Court served a Status Notice on all the parties indicating that since more than (2) years had passed since a defense in the action had been filed, the case had not been set for trial and the case had not been terminated, the case would be dismissed for delay unless action was taken within ninety (90) days of the date of service of the notice. The Company has not filed for a motion to dismiss and no further action has been taken in the case. The ultimate results of these proceedings against the Company could result in a loss ranging from $0 to $325,000. On March 23, 2012, Dolphin Digital Media (Canada) Ltd filed for bankruptcy in Canada. The bankruptcy will not protect the Company from the Third-Party Claim filed against it. However, the Company has not accrued for this loss because it believes that the claims against it are without substance and it is not probable that they will result in loss. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has not received any other notifications related to this action.

The Company may be subject to other legal proceedings, claims, and liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management and based upon the advice of its outside counsels, the liability, if any, from all pending litigations is not expected to have a material effect in the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Tax Filings

The Company accrued $120,000 for estimated penalties associated with not filing certain information returns. The penalties per return are $10,000 per entity per year. The Company received notification from the Internal Revenue Service concerning information returns for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company responded with a letter stating reasonable cause for the noncompliance and requested that penalties be abated. During 2012, the Company received a notice stating that the reasonable cause had been denied. The Company decided to pay the penalties and not appeal the decision for the 2009 Internal Revenue Service notification. There is no associated interest expense as the tax filings are for information purposes only and would not result in further income taxes to be paid by the Company. The Company made payments in the amount of $40,000 during the year ended December 31, 2012 related to these penalties. At December 31, 2017, the Company had a remainder of $40,000 in accruals related to these late filing penalties which is presented as a component of other current liabilities. The Company did not receive any further notifications from the Internal Revenue Service and since the statute of limitations expired in 2018, the Company reversed the $40,000 accrual.



F-55



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


Incentive Compensation Plan

On June 29, 2017, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan was adopted as a flexible incentive compensation plan that would allow us to use different forms of compensation awards to attract new employees, executives and directors, to further the goal of retaining and motivating existing personnel and directors and to further align such individuals’ interests with those of the Company’s shareholders. Under the 2017 Plan, the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for delivery under the 2017 Plan (the “Awards”), at any time during the term of the 2017 Plan, will be 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The 2017 Plan imposes individual limitations on the amount of certain Awards, in part with the intention to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code. Under these limitations, in any fiscal year of the Company during any part of which the 2017 Plan is in effect, no participant may be granted (i) stock options or stock appreciation rights with respect to more than 300,000 Shares, or (ii) performance shares (including shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock based-awards that are subject to satisfaction of performance goals) that the Committee intends to be exempt from the deduction limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to more than 300,000 Shares, in each case, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The maximum amount that may be paid out to any one participant as performance units that the Committee intends to be exempt from the deduction limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to any 12-month performance period is $1,000,000 (pro-rated for any performance period that is less than 12 months), and with respect to any performance period that is more than 12 months, $2,000,000. On August 21, 2017, the Company issued 59,320 Shares as Awards to certain employees that vested on February 21, 2018. On December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had recorded compensation expense of $20,422 and $329,175, respectively, on its consolidated statement of operations.

Employee Benefit Plan

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, 42West, The Door and Viewpoint have 401(K) profit sharing plan that covers substantially all employees of 42West, The Door and Viewpoint. Contributions to the 42West 401(K) plan are at discretion of management and The Door and Viewpoint plans match up to 4% of the employee’s contribution.  The plans match dollar for dollar the first 3% of the employee’s contribution and then 50% of contributions up to 5%.   There are certain limitations for highly compensated employees.   The Company’s contributions to these plans for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, were approximately $370,343 and $246,138, respectively.  The 2017 amount comprises only 42West.  

Employment Contracts

As a condition to the Viewpoint Purchase, two of the Viewpoint Shareholders, Carlo DiPersio and David Shilale have entered into employment agreements with the Company to continue as employees after the closing of the Viewpoint Purchase. Mr. DiPersio’s employment agreement is through December 31, 2020 and the contract defines base compensation and a bonus structure based on Viewpoint achieving certain financial targets.  Mr. Shilale’s employment agreement is for a period of three years from the Viewpoint Closing Date and the contract defines the base compensation and a commission structure based on Viewpoint achieving certain financial targets.  The bonus for Mr. Shilale is determined at the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors and management. Neither agreement provides for guaranteed increases to the base salary.  The employment agreements contain provisions for termination and as a result of death or disability and entitles the employee to vacations and to participate in all employee benefit plans offered by the Company.


Each of the Members has entered into a four-year employment agreement with The Door, pursuant to which each Member has agreed not to transfer any shares of Common Stock received as consideration for the Merger (the “Share Consideration”) in the first year following the closing date of the merger, no more than 1/3 of such Share Consideration in the second year and no more than an additional 1/3 of such Share Consideration in the third year.  


During the year ended December 31, 2017, 42West renewed two senior level management employment agreements and entered into a new senior level management employment agreement, each with a three-year term.   The contracts define each individual’s base compensation along with salary increases.  The employment agreements contain provisions for termination and as a result of death or disability and entitles each of the employees to bonuses, commissions, vacations and to participate in all employee benefit plans offered by the Company.



F-56



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


As a condition to the closing of the 42West Acquisition described in Note 4, each of the three Principal Sellers has entered into employment agreements (the “Employment Agreements”) with the Company and will continue as employees of the Company for a three-year term. Each of the Employment Agreements provides for a base salary with annual increases and contain provisions for termination and as a result of death or disability. During the term of the Employment Agreement, the Principal Sellers shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices and programs maintained by the Company as well as are entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s policy. Each of the Employment Agreements contains lock-up provisions pursuant to which each Principal Seller has agreed not to transfer any shares of Common Stock in the first year, no more than 1/3 of the Initial Consideration and Post-Closing Consideration received by such Seller in the second year and no more than an additional 1/3 of the Initial Consideration and Post-Closing Consideration received by such Seller in the third year, following the closing date of the 42West Acquisition.

On April 5, 2018, the Principal Sellers signed amendments to their respective employment agreements that modified the annual bonus provisions. These amendments eliminated the rights of each of them (i) to be eligible to receive in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s incentive compensation plan, a cash bonus for the calendar year 2017 if certain performance goals were achieved and (ii) to receive an annual bonus, for each year during the term of each such employment agreement, of $200,000 in shares of common stock based on the 30-day trading average market price of such common stock. The amendment provides for each of the Principal Sellers to be eligible under the Company’s incentive compensation plan to receive annual cash bonuses beginning with the calendar year 2018 based on the achievement of certain performance goals.

Talent, Director and Producer Participations

Per agreements with talent, directors and producers on certain projects, the Company will be responsible for bonus and back end payments upon release of a motion picture and achieving certain box office performance as determined by the individual agreements. The Company cannot estimate the amounts that will be due as these are based on future box office performance. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had not recorded any liability related to these participations.

Motion Picture Industry Pension Accrual

42West is a contributing employer to the Motion Picture Industry Pension Individual Account and Health Plans (collectively the “Plans”), two multiemployer pension funds and one multiemployer welfare fund, respectively, that are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The Plans conducted an audit of 42West’s books and records for the period June 7, 2011 through August 20, 2016 in connection with the alleged contribution obligations to the Plans. Based on the findings of the audit, 42West is liable for $314,256 in pension contributions, health and welfare plan contributions and union dues, which the Company has agreed to pay over a period of twelve months beginning in July 30, 2018.  During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made payments in the amount of $139,606 related to the settlement of the Plan audit.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had accrued $300,000 in anticipation of the Plan audit findings based on a similar audit conducted for the periods prior to June 7, 2011.   

NOTE 23 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on January 2, 2019, the Members of The Door were issued 307,692 shares of Common Stock and $725,500 as a cash payment as consideration for our acquisition of The Door. The Common Stock was issued based on a price of $3.25 per share.

On January 4 and 11, 2019, the Company paid an aggregate amount of $375,000 to the sellers of 42West to repurchase 40,672 shares of Common Stock pursuant to put rights under the Put Agreements that were exercised in December 2018.

On February 7, 2019, one of the sellers of 42West notified the Company that they would be exercising puts pursuant to the Put Agreements in the aggregate amount of 7,049 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $9.22 per share.

On February 18, 2019, the Company entered into a 62-month lease for 3,024 square feet of office space located at 150 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1200, Coral Gables, Florida 33134.  The lease will commence once the tenant improvements are complete (subject to certain deadlines that must be met).  The monthly lease payments are $9,954, with annual increases of 3%.  The lease also provides for four months of abatement once the property becomes available for use.



F-57



DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 


On March 11 and 12, 2019, the sellers of 42West notified the Company that they would be exercising puts pursuant to the Put Agreements in the aggregate amount of 25,488 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $9.22 per share.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on March 12, 2019, the Company made payments in the aggregate amount of $46,000 to the Members as a working capital adjustment.  The Company will also issue 26,821 shares of Common Stock related to the working capital adjustment.

On March 18 and 20, 2019, one of the sellers of 42West notified the Company that they would be exercising puts pursuant to the Put Agreements in the aggregate amount of 87,040 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $9.22 per share.

On March 21, 2019, one of the sellers of 42West notified the Company that they would be exercising a put pursuant to the Put Agreement for 8,134 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $9.22 per share.

On March 21, 2019, one of the convertible promissory note holders presented a Notice of Conversion of Note to the Company and converted the $75,000 convertible promissory note into 53,191 shares of common stock at a 90-day trailing trading average stock price of $1.41 per share of common stock.  On March 21, 2019, the closing market price of the Company’s common stock was $1.81.  As a result, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $21,276 for the difference between the closing market price and the conversion price of the Company’s common stock.  

On March 25, 2019, the Company issued a convertible promissory note agreement to an unrelated investor and received $200,000.  The convertible promissory note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and matures on March 25, 2021.  The balance of the convertible promissory note and any accrued interest may be converted at the note holders’ option at any time at a purchase price based on the 30-day trailing average market price of the Common Stock.






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