Touchpoint Group Holdings Inc. - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

OR

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

Commission File Number 001-36530

One Horizon Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

+44(0)20 7409 5248

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☐

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

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

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

The aggregate market value of the 6,347,858 shares of voting and non-voting common equity stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $ 4.86 million as of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based on the last sale price of the registrant’s common stock on such date of $0.765 per share, as reported on Nasdaq. 

As of March 12, 2018, 33,400,215 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.0001, were outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introductory Note

Unless otherwise noted, references to the “Company” in this Report include One Horizon Group, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements made in this Report, and in other materials that the Company has filed or may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in each case that are not historical facts, contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “projects,” “estimates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “should,” or “continue,” the negative thereof, and other variations or comparable terminology as well as any statements regarding the evaluation of strategic alternatives.  These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements.  These risks include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to our current cash position and our need to raise additional capital in order to be able to continue to fund our operations; the potential delisting of our common stock from The NASDAQ Capital Market; our ability to retain our managerial personnel and to attract additional personnel; competition; our ability to protect intellectual property rights, and any and other factors, including the risk factors identified in the documents we have filed, or will file, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In light of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, the results and events discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this report or in any document incorporated herein by reference might not occur. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the respective dates of this report or the date of the document incorporated by reference in this report. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws.

These and other matters the Company discusses in this Report, or in the documents it incorporates by reference into this Report, may cause actual results to differ from those the Company describes. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

Effective April 14, 2017, we completed a reverse stock split in which each six (6) shares of our common stock were automatically combined into and became one (1) share of our common stock. As of the effective date of the reverse stock split, the per share exercise price of, and the number of shares of common stock underlying, any stock options, warrants and other derivative securities issued by us were automatically proportionally adjusted, based on the one-for-six reverse split ratio, in accordance with the terms of such options, warrants or other derivative securities, as the case may be. All share numbers, stock option numbers, warrant numbers, other derivative security numbers and exercise prices appearing in this Report on Form 10-K have been adjusted to give effect to this reverse stock split, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context suggests otherwise.

PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

On August 11, 2017 (date of Reorganization), the Company consummated a Stock Purchase Agreement whereby its former Chief Executive Officer (“Former CEO”) acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of three of the Company’s subsidiaries, Abbey Technology GmbH, Horizon Globex GmbH and Horizon Globex Ireland Ltd., and approximately 99.7% of the outstanding shares in One Horizon Group plc (collectively the “Discontinued Entities”) from the Company in exchange for the forgiveness of $1,968,253 due by the Company to the Former CEO. In connection with the transaction, the Former CEO and the Discontinued Entities released the Company and its remaining subsidiaries (the “Excluded Entities”) from any claims outstanding as of the date of the transaction and the Company and the Excluded Entities released the Discontinued Entities from any outstanding claims.

In contemplation of the Stock Purchase Agreement, certain intellectual property was transferred among the Discontinued Entities and the Excluded Entities such that each could continue the business contemplated to be carried on after the transaction was consummated.

The Company decided to reduce its expenditure base and concentrate on opportunities in the Asia market for its secure messaging software. The Company has retained the subsidiaries (“Retained Entities”) based in China and Hong Kong together with the intellectual property related to secure messaging and intends to continue to promote this business particularly in China and Hong Kong.

On February 22, 2018, we acquired 51% of the membership interests in Once In A Lifetime LLC, a Florida limited liability company d/b/a/ 123 Wish (“123 Wish”), pursuant to an Exchange Agreement dated January 18, 2018 with 123 Wish and its members in exchange for 1,333,334 shares of our common stock plus an additional number of shares of our common stock based upon the net after tax earnings of 123 Wish during the periods ending six and twelve months after the completion of the acquisition., 123Wish is a subscription-based, experience marketplace that focuses on providing users with exclusive opportunities to enjoy personalized, dream experiences with some of the world’s most renowned social media influencers including Super Influencer Jake Paul and Team 10 as well as celebrities, professional athletes, fashion designers, and artists while supporting a diverse range of charities. The business has subsequently been transferred to a newly formed Delaware subsidiary 123Wish, Inc.

On February 27, 2018, we entered into an Exchange Agreement with C-Rod, Inc., Christopher Rodriguez and Patricia Rodriguez, pursuant to which we completed the acquisition on March 20, 2018. We acquired all the outstanding shares of C-Rod, Inc., including its record label, Velveteen Entertainment, and media division, Mues Media (collectively, the “C-Rod Companies”), in exchange for $150,000, 1,000,000 shares of our common stock plus an additional number of shares of our common stock based upon the net after tax earnings of C-Rod during the two years ending after the completion of the acquisition.

The C-Rod Companies will continue business operations as ‘Love Media House,’ a wholly owned subsidiary of our company.

C-Rod, Inc., a premier music production company founded in 2002 by Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer and composer Christopher Rodriguez, regularly works with superstar artists, which have included many celebrity acts such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias and Pet Shop Boys.

Current Structure of the Company

The Company has the following wholly owned subsidiaries: (except for Once In A Lifetime, LLC, which is 51% owned)

In addition to the subsidiaries listed above, Suzhou Aishuo Network Information Co., Ltd (“Suzhou Aishuo”) is a limited liability company, organized in China and controlled by us via various contractual arrangements. Suzhou Aishuo is treated as one of our subsidiaries for financial reporting purpose in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

Current Business Operations

 In September 2017 the Company appointed Mark White as CEO to drive the new business acquisition strategy of the Company. As a result, the Company has looked at various possible targets and undertaken the necessary due diligence. In line with the Company’s policy we are only prepared to invest in target companies that have strong local management and that assist the Group in achieving profitability during 2018.

Recent Developments

Acquisition of controlling interest in 123Wish

On February 22, 2018, we acquired 51% of the membership interests in Once In A Lifetime LLC, a Florida limited liability company d/b/a/ 123 Wish (“123 Wish”), pursuant to an Exchange Agreement dated January 18, 2018 with 123 Wish and its members in exchange for 1,333,334 shares of our common stock plus an additional number of shares of our common stock based upon the net after tax earnings of 123 Wish during the six month periods ending six and twelve months after the completion of the acquisition.

123Wish, available in the Apple App Store, Google Play and www.123wish.com is a subscription-based, experience marketplace that focuses on providing users with exclusive opportunities to enjoy personalized, dream experiences with some of the world’s most renowned social media influencers including Super Influencer Jake Paul and Team 10 as well as celebrities, professional athletes, fashion designers, and artists while supporting a diverse range of charities.

The influencer or celebrity for each 123Wish experience selects a philanthropic cause to benefit or is randomly matched to a non-profit organization. Once the charitable contribution goal for an experience has been met and the designated timeframe for entry has expired, 123Wish randomly selects the winner who receives exclusive access to interact with the influencer or celebrity. Everyone who enters wins a specialized gift for participation, which may include limited edition merchandise, gift cards or personalized video or voice messages from experience contributors.

In order to deliver authentic and unique lifestyle experiences, 123Wish will launch experiences with social media influencers, music artists and other celebrities that have been embraced by Generation Z. TGZ Capital, L.P., the Gen Z focused venture capital fund, owned five percent of 123Wish pre-acquisition and becomes an OHGI shareholder pursuant to this transaction.

In connection with the 123 Wish Acquisition, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Natalia Diaz, who will remain the President and CEO of 123Wish. The Employment Contract is for an initial period of 2 years with an annual salary of $115,000. In addition to the salary there are performance incentives of future stock awards based on the profitability of 123Wish, Inc.

Acquisition of C-Rod, Inc

On March 20, 2018, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of C-Rod, Inc., a Florida corporation, including its record label, Velveteen Entertainment, and media division, Mues Media (collectively, the “C-Rod Companies”), pursuant to an Exchange Agreement with C-Rod, Inc., Christopher Rodriguez and Patricia Rodriguez, in exchange for $150,000 in cash, 1,000,000 shares of our common stock plus an additional number of shares of our common stock based upon the net after tax earnings of C-Rod during the two years ending after the completion of the acquisition.

The C-Rod Companies will in the future continue business operations as “Love Media House”, a wholly owned subsidiary of OHGI.

C-Rod a premier music production company founded in 2002 by Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer Christopher Rodriguez, regularly works with superstar artists, which have included many celebrity acts such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias and Pet Shop Boys.

Corporate Information. Our principal executive offices are located at 34 South Molton Street, London W1K 5RG, United Kingdom, and our telephone number at that location is +44(0)20 7409 5248. 

Our Strategy

After the reorganization previously described, the Company’s strategy is make further acquisitions in the digital media and entertainment space, whilst continuing to trade in the secure messaging business in gaming, educational and security segments.

Competition

Our secure messaging software operates in a relatively crowded marketplace and whilst other software can provide similar results the messaging application has we believe additional secure encoyptia.

123 wish provides experiences to fans of high profile celebrities but with the ability to ensure charities can benefit from a proceedings of subscriptions paid. There are other companies offering similar fan experiences.

Love Media (previously C-Rod, Inc.) operates as a music production, songwriter, mixers and arrangers and therefore is in marketplace with many competition. The team, headed by Chois Rodriguez has worked with many famous artists and achieved many Bill board number i.e and that gives the company an important edge in attacking new talent.

Employees

As of December 31, 2017, we had 6 employees, all of whom were full-time employees.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

 We incurred a net loss in 2017 and 2016 with negative cash flows and we cannot assure you as to when, or if, we will become profitable and generate positive cash flows.

We incurred a net loss of $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and a net loss of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and negative cash flows from operations in each of those years. Such losses have historically required us to seek additional funding through the issuance of debt or equity securities. Our long term success is dependent upon among other things, achieving positive cash flows from operations and if necessary, augmenting such cash flows using external resources to satisfy our cash needs. As a result of our recent acquisitions and the sale of certain subsidiaries in 2017 to our former CEO, we project to have positive cash flows to fund operations during 2018. However, we may be unable to achieve these goals and actual results could differ from our estimates and assumptions, accordingly, we may have to supplement our cash flow, by debt financing or sales of equity securities. These can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional funding, if needed, on commercially reasonable terms, or of all.

We may be unable to effectively manage our planned expansion.

Our planned expansion may strain our financial resources. In addition, any significant growth into new markets may require an expansion of our employee base for managerial, operational, financial, and other purposes. During any growth, we may face problems related to our operational and financial systems and controls. We would also need to continue to expand, train and manage our employee base. Continued future growth will impose significant added responsibilities upon the members of management to identify, recruit, maintain, integrate, and motivate new employees.

If we are unable to successfully manage our expansion, we may encounter operational and financial difficulties which would in turn adversely affect our business and financial results.

We may require additional funding for our growth plans, and such funding may result in a dilution of your investment.

We attempted to estimate our funding requirements in order to implement our growth plans.

If the costs of implementing such plans should exceed these estimates significantly or if we come across opportunities to grow through expansion plans which cannot be predicted at this time, and our funds generated from our operations prove insufficient for such purposes, we may need to raise additional funds to meet these funding requirements.

These additional funds may be raised by issuing equity or debt securities or by borrowing from banks or other resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain any additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If we fail to obtain additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us, we will not be able to implement such plans fully if at all. Such financing even if obtained, may be accompanied by conditions that limit our ability to pay dividends or require us to seek lenders’ consent for payment of dividends, or restrict our freedom to operate our business by requiring lender’s consent for certain corporate actions.

Further, if we raise additional funds by way of a rights offering or through the issuance of new shares, any shareholders who are unable or unwilling to participate in such an additional round of fund raising may suffer dilution in their investment.

The activities of 123 Wish are subject to regulation in certain jurisdictions, and the failure to comply with those regulations could result in fines and other penalties.

Certain jurisdictions, including California where 123 Wish maintains it principal offices, have regulations that require 123 Wish to register as a commercial fundraiser and notify governmental authorities of events that it is sponsoring. The failure to comply with applicable regulations could subject 123 Wish to fines and other penalties, including being enjoined from conducting solicitation activities for charitable purposes within the jurisdiction and other civil remedies provided by law.

Our operations and managements are partially located outside of the United States; U.S. investors may experience difficulties in attempting to effect service of process and to enforce judgments based upon U.S. federal securities laws against the company and its non U.S. resident officers and directors.

While we are organized under the laws of State of Delaware, our management, our officers and directors are non-U.S. residents, and our headquarters are located outside of the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on such officers and directors in the United States and to enforce in the United States judgments obtained in United States courts against such persons based on the civil liability provisions of the United States securities laws. Since all our assets are located outside of the U.S. it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to collect a judgment against us. As well, any judgment obtained in the United States against us may not be enforceable.

We are dependent on our management team and the loss of any key member of that team could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

We attribute our success to the leadership and contributions of our managing team comprising executive directors and key executives, in particular to Mark White, our Chief Executive Officer, and Martin Ward, our Chief Financial Officer.

Our continued success is therefore dependent to a large extent on our ability to retain the services of these key management personnel. The loss of their services without timely and qualified replacement, would adversely affect our operations and hence, our revenue and profits.

We may not have sufficient insurance coverage and an interruption of our business or loss of a significant amount of property could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operations.

We currently do not maintain any insurance policies against loss of key personnel and business interruption as well as product liability claims. If such events were to occur, our business, financial performance and financial position may be materially and adversely affected.

We may be unable to adequately safeguard our intellectual property or we may face claims that may be costly to resolve or that limit our ability to use such intellectual property in the future.

Our business is reliant on our intellectual property. Our software is the result of our research and development efforts, which we believe to be proprietary and unique. However, we are unable to assure you that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us in respect of our intellectual property or that such claims will not be successful. It may be difficult for us to establish or protect our intellectual property against such third parties and we could incur substantial costs and diversion of management resources in defending any claims relating to proprietary rights. If any party succeeds in asserting a claim against us relating to the disputed intellectual property, we may need to obtain licenses to continue to use the same. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these licenses on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. The failure to obtain the necessary licenses or other rights could cause our business results to suffer.

Where litigation is necessary to safeguard our intellectual property, or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, this could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or future prospects.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK AND OUR STATUS AS A PUBLIC COMPANY.

Our principal stockholder, directors and officers control a substantial number of shares of our common stock, decreasing your influence on stockholder decisions.

Zhanming Wu, our principal stockholder owns 15,000,000 shares, or approximately 45% of our outstanding shares. Our directors and officers own an additional 5,369,645 shares, or approximately 16% of our outstanding shares. As a result, Mr. Wu and our directors and officers as a group could have a significant influence in delaying, deferring or preventing any potential change in control of our company; they will be able to strongly influence the actions of our board of directors even if they were to cease being directors or officers of our company and can effectively control the outcome of actions brought to our stockholders for approval. Such a high level of ownership may adversely affect the exercise of your voting and other stockholder rights.

As a result of being a public company, we are subject to additional reporting and corporate governance requirements that will require additional management time, resources and expense.

As a public company we are obligated to file with the SEC annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in the Exchange Act. We are also subject to other reporting and corporate governance requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all of which impose significant compliance and reporting obligations upon us and require us to incur additional expense in order to fulfill such obligations.

Our shares of common stock are from time to time thinly-traded, so stockholders may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if they need to sell shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate their shares.

Our common stock has from time to time been “thinly traded,” meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common stock at or near ask prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation is attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and would be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned and viable. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer that has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give stockholders any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained.

Our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market could result in a de-listing of our common stock.

Our shares of common stock are currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. If we fail to meet the requirements for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, the NASDAQ Capital Market may take steps to de-list our common stock. Such a de-listing would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair our stockholders’ ability to sell or purchase our common stock when they wish to do so. In the event of a de-listing, we would take actions to restore our compliance with the NASDAQ Capital Market’s listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any action taken by us would result in our common stock becoming listed again, or that any such action would stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock.

We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

We do not intend to declare dividends for the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will reinvest any future earnings in the development and growth of our business. Therefore, investors will not receive any funds unless they sell their common stock, and stockholders may be unable to sell their shares on favorable terms. We cannot assure you of a positive return on investment or that you will not lose the entire amount of your investment in our common stock.

Certain provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware may have anti-takeover effects, which may make an acquisition of our company by another company more difficult.

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination, including mergers and asset sales, with an interested stockholder (generally, a 15% or greater stockholder) for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The operation of Section 203 may have anti-takeover effects, which could delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt that a holder of our common stock might consider in its best interest.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

We do not currently own any real property. We lease the following offices:

ITEM 3. LEGAL proceedings

We are not party to any material legal proceedings and no material legal proceedings have been threatened by us.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

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

Market Information

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol OHGI.

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by Nasdaq on its website, www.nasdaq.com.

Record Holders

As of March 12, 2018, we had approximately 258 record holders of our common stock. The number of record holders does not include persons who held our common stock in nominee or “street name” accounts through brokers.

Dividend Policy

The payment of cash dividends by us is within the discretion of our board of directors and depends in part upon our earnings levels, capital requirements, financial condition, any restrictive loan covenants, and other factors our board considers relevant. We have not declared or paid any dividends on our common stock, during the periods included in this report, and we do not anticipate paying such dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance our operations and expansion.

Description of Equity Compensation Plans

The following table shows the aggregate amount of securities authorized for issuance under all equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2017:

The securities referenced in the table above reflect stock options granted and approved by security holders pursuant to the equity compensation plan approved in 2013.

Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

On December 6, 2017, we entered into an agreement with Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”) for investment banking and advisory services. Under the agreement we agreed to issue 225,000 shares of common stock to Maxim. The certificates evidencing the shares were issued in 2018 and were endorsed with, the customary Securities Act legend. Except as previously reported in the reports we have filed under the Exchange Act, we have not issued or sold any other unregistered equity securities during the period by this report. 

Repurchases of Equity Securities

We have not repurchased any equity securities during the period covered by this report.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

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

The following discussion provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read along with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Our actual results may differ significantly from the results, expectations and plans discussed in these forward-looking statements. We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.” You also should specifically consider the various risk factors identified in this report that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

The share and per share information presented in the discussion of our Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 gives effect to a one-for-six reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock effected on April 14, 2017.

Overview

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company continued to generate cash losses related to the discontinued operations (Horizon Globex/VoIP Business) until the date these operations were sold to the former CEO in August 2017. Of the results in the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company’s net loss totaled $7.4 million, of which $2.4 million related to the discontinued operations for the period up to August 11, 2017. The losses relating to continued operations totaled approximately $5.0 million, which were primarily made up of non-cash items totaling $4.5 million including, amortization of intangible assets, issuance of common stock warrants for services received and amortization of debt issue costs and debt discounts.

One Horizon Group, Inc. following the divestiture of the Horizon Globex/VoIP Business (four entities) in August 2017 to the former CEO Brian Collins of the VoIP business, has retained the secure messaging business, based primarily in South East Asia. In addition, during 2018, the Company has pursued investments in the digital media business and on February 22, 2018, acquired a controlling interest in Once In A Lifetime, LLC d/b/a 123Wish (www.123wish.com), an experience based platform that offers participants an opportunity to play and win unique experiences from renowned celebrities, influencers, athletes, designers, artists, luxury items and more while supporting a diverse range of charities.

In addition on March 20, 2018, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of C-Rod, Inc., a Florida corporation, including its record label, Velveteen Entertainment, and media division, Mues Media (collectively, the “C-Rod Companies”), pursuant to an Exchange Agreement with C-Rod, Inc., Christopher Rodriguez and Patricia Rodriguez, in exchange for $150,000 in cash and 1,000,000 shares of our common stock plus an additional number of shares of our common stock based upon the net after tax earnings of C-Rod during the two years ending after the completion of the acquisition.

The C-Rod Companies will continue business operations as ‘Love Media House,’ a wholly owned subsidiary of our company.

C-Rod, Inc., a premier music production company founded in 2002 by Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer and composer Christopher Rodriguez, regularly works with superstar artists, which have included many celebrity acts such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias and Pet Shop Boys.

The following financial forecasts, including the acquisitions completed in the first quarter of 2018, as projected by management, reflect the expected revenue and operating profit before Group costs, minority interests and amortization, to be generated during the year ended December 31, 2018. Our actual results may differ significantly from these expected results.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth information from our statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. 

Comparison of year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands) excluding discontinued items.

Revenue: Our revenue for continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was approximately $714,000 as compared to approximately $44,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of approximately $670,000 or 1,523%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in software licenses for secure messaging software in the gaming, education and security business sectors in the Asia region.

Cost of Revenue: Cost of revenue was primarily the amortization of the intellectual property relating to the secure messaging software.

Gross Profit:  Gross loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was approximately $(141,000) as compared to $(80,000) for the year ended December 31, 2016.  

Operating Expenses: Operating expenses including general and administrative expenses, consultancy, depreciation and research and development expenses were approximately $ 4.25 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to approximately $2.04 million, for the same period in 2016, an increase of approximately $2.3 million or 116%. The increase in expenses primarily arose due to an increase in non-cash consulting expenditure..

Net Loss: Net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was approximately $5.1 million as compared to a net loss of $2.8 million for the same period in 2016.  Going forward, management believes the Company will continue to grow the business and increase profitability through acquisitions.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment:     Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Our local currencies, Hong Kong Dollars, British pounds and Chinese Renminbi, are our functional currencies. Results of operations and cash flow are translated at average exchange rates during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate at the end of the period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During 2017 the Company has entered into agreements with the holder of $3,500,000 principal amount of convertible debentures then outstanding (the “Debentures”) and the holder of the 555,555 outstanding shares of its Series A-1 Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”) pursuant to which it agreed to issue (the “Debenture Exchange”) to the holder of the Debentures upon conversion of $3,000,000 principal amount of the Debentures together with all interest accrued thereon, 13,000,000 shares of common stock, and, upon cancellation of the remaining balance due on the Debentures a $500,000 promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 7% per annum payable August 31, 2019 (the “7% Note”) and agreed to issue to the holder of the Preferred Shares, in exchange for the Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Exchange”), and the accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, 4,000,000 shares of common stock, together with a $500,000 promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 7% per annum.

The Company expects to receive further equity investment in April 2018 as a result of an exercise of 850,000 warrants held by First Choice International Company, Inc at $0.85 per share. In addition, $400,000 of convertible loan notes, including the $200,000 outstanding at December 31, 2017, were converted into common stock in February 2018.

Years Ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016

The following table sets forth a summary of our approximate cash flows for the periods indicated:

Net cash used by operating activities from continuing operations was approximately $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to approximately $1.4 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in cash used in operating activities from continuing operations is largely due to the reduction in cash expenditure in 2017 as compared to 2016.

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was approximately $2,000 and $8,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities was primarily focused on investment in office equipment costs. 

Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations amounted to approximately $1.5 million for 2017 and $0.3 million for 2016. Cash provided by financing activities in 2017 was primarily from the sale of Common Stock, net of related costs. Cash provided by financing activities in 2016 was primarily due to the sale of Common Stock net of related costs.

Our working capital surplus as of December 31, 2017, was approximately $0.89 million, as compared to a working capital deficit of approximately $1.95 million for the same date in 2016.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires our management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements, and accordingly, actual results in future periods could differ from these estimates. Significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements apply critical accounting policies described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

We consider our recognition of revenues, accounting for the consolidation of operations, accounting for stock-based compensation, accounting for intangible assets and related impairment analyses, the allowance for doubtful accounts and accounting for equity transactions, to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Together with our critical accounting policies set out above, our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 of our audited financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

Revenue Recognition

The Company earns revenue under license agreements, for the use of its secure messaging software, which include a license fee and the sale of user licenses.

The Company recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned (and vendor specific objective evidence of fair value has been established for all elements in the license agreement). The Company establishes persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement for each type of revenue  transaction based on a signed contract or services have been rendered price fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assumed.

Revenue for user licenses purchased by  customers is recognized when the user license is delivered.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” and most industry-specific guidance on revenue recognition throughout the ASC. The new standard is principles-based and provides a five step model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle of the new standard is that revenue should be recognized when a company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also requires disclosure of qualitative and quantitative information surrounding the amount, nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard, as updated in 2015, will be effective for us in the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to all periods presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.

        In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” ASU 2016-10 clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations. This ASU applies to all companies that enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services. This ASU is effective for public entities for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, but not before interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Entities have the choice to apply the ASU either retrospectively to each reporting period presented or by recognizing the cumulative effect of applying these standards at the date of initial application and not adjusting comparative information. We have evaluated the impact of the new accounting standard on our revenue recognition policies and do not believe that it will have an impact on our financial statements.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Our financial statements, including the independent registered public accounting firm’s report on our financial statements, are included beginning at page F-1 immediately following the signature page of this report.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures for the period ended December 31, 2017. Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that due to the deficiency in the internal control over financial reporting discussed below, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were not effective as of December 31, 2017.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our Board of Directors (notably, the Audit Committee thereof), management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

●       Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

●       Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

●       Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Due to a lack of accounting personnel, management concluded that there was a material weakness due to our inability to segregate various accounting functions and concluded that as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective based on those criteria.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission do not require an attestation of the Management’s report by our registered public accounting firm in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Other than described above, during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

Mark White.  Mr. White was appointed as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director on September 8, 2017. Mr. White previously served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from November 30, 2012 to July 24, 2014 and as a director from December 2012 to July 2014. From July 2014 to August 2017, he was engaged as a private investor seeking business and investment opportunities. Mr. White served as the Chief Executive Officer of One Horizon Group, PLC from 2004 to November 2012. His entrepreneurial career in the distribution of electronic equipment and telecommunications spans over 20 years. He founded Next Destination Limited in 1993, the European distributor for Magellan GPS and satellite products, and sold the business in 1997. Prior to that, Mr. White was Chief Executive Officer for Garmin Europe, where he built up the company’s European distribution network. He previously sold Garmin’s GPS products through Euro Marine Group Ltd, a company he formed in 1990, which established distribution in Europe for U.S. manufacturers of marine electronic equipment. Earlier in his career, Mr. White was the Sales Director for Cetrek Limited, a maritime autopilot manufacturer.

Martin Ward. Mr. Ward has served as Chief Financial Officer since November 30, 2012 and a director since December 10, 2012. Mr. Ward served as the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of One Horizon Group, PLC from 2004 to November 2012. Prior to joining One Horizon Group, Mr. Ward was a partner at Langdowns DFK, a United Kingdom-based chartered accountancy practice. Earlier in his career, between 1983 and 1987, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as an Audit Manager. Mr. Ward is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Nicholas Carpinello. Mr. Carpinello has served as a director since March 7, 2013. He has been the owner of Carpinello Enterprises LLC d/b/a Cottman Transmission Center, a national auto service franchise, since 2004 and also has worked as a consultant to SatCom Distribution Inc. (“SDI”), assisting in various business, tax and financial matters of US operations of UK-based distributors of satellite communication hardware and airtime, since 2005. Prior to November 2012, SDI was a subsidiary of One Horizon Group PLC. Mr. Carpinello’s years of professional experience are extensive, and include experience as CFO and Treasurer with multinational public and private manufacturers of armored vehicles and, later in his career, CFO of privately-held companies in the computer science field. He is a Certified Public Accountant, an alumnus of Arthur Andersen & Co., and holds a BA degree in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati.

Richard Vos

Mr. Vos was appointed as a director on August 28, 2013.

Mr. Vos has been a non-executive director of NSSC Operations Ltd., which operates the National Space Centre in the United Kingdom, until February 2018 and was chairman of its audit committee. From August 2014 to March 2017. Mr Vos was a non-executive director of Tawsat Limited and Tawsat Holdings Limited, both Irish registered companies which hold intelluctual property in certain satellite operations.

Mr. Vos was an Independent Director from 2007 to January 2017 of Avanti Communication Group plc, a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:AVN), where he was chairman of its remuneration committee and audit committee. From June 2005 to June 2010, Mr. Vos was a director of our United Kingdom subsidiary. One Horizon Group plc (formerly SatCom Group Holdings plc) (“One Horizon UK”), and from October 2006 to June 2010 was also Chairman. From July 2005 to March 2010, One Horizon UK was listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: SGH). From October 2008 to October 2010, Mr. Vos served as a director of TerreStar Europe Ltd., a former start-up business seeking to provide mobile satellite services in Europe. From April 2003 to 2009, Mr. Vos was chairman of the Telecommunications and Navigation Advisory Board of the British National Space Centre (subsequently reconstituted as the United Kingdom Space Agency). From September 2006 to June 2009, Mr. Vos was a director of Avanti Screenmedia Group plc, formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ASG), which provided satellite and other services. Mr. Vos obtained his Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Modern Languages from University of London in 1968, and his Diploma in Management Studies from Kingdom Polytechnic in 1973. 

Robert Law. Mr. Law has served as a director since August 28, 2013. Since 1990, Mr. Law has served as chief executive officer of Langdowns DFK Limited (“Langdowns”), a United Kingdom-based accounting, tax and business advisory firm, and since 1979 has served as a director of Langdowns.  Also, since 1990, Mr. Law has been the chief executive officer of Southern Business Advisers LLP (“Southern Business Advisers”), a United Kingdom-based business associated with Langdowns that also offers accounting, tax and business advisory services, and has been a member of Southern Business Advisers since 1979.  Mr. Law is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (“ICAEW”), and is a member of the Valuation and Information Technology Faculties of the ICAEW.  Mr. Law qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant in 1976.

There are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers. Each director is elected at our annual meeting of shareholders and holds office until the next annual meeting of shareholders, or until his successor is elected and qualified, or his earlier death, resignation or removal. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Information Concerning the Board of Directors

Board Leadership Structure and the Board’s Role in Risk Oversight.

The Board of Directors currently does not have a Chairman. Our Chief Executive Officer acts as the Chairman of the Board. The Board determined that in the best interest of the Company the most effective leadership structure at this time is not to separate the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. A combined structure provides the Company with a single leader who represents the Company to our stockholders, regulators, business partners and other stakeholders, among other reasons set forth below. Should the Board conclude otherwise, the Board will separate the roles and appoint an independent Chairman.

The Board of Directors does not have a specific role in risk oversight of the Company. The Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and employees of the Company provide the Board of Directors with information regarding the Company’s risks.

Compensation of Directors

Non-employee directors are entitled to receive compensation for serving as directors and may receive option grants from our company. Employee directors do not receive any compensation for their services as directors. All of our directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in connection with attending Board of Directors’ meetings. The following table sets forth all cash compensation paid by us, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued, in 2017, to each of our non-employee directors.

Independent Directors

Our Board of Directors has determined that Nicholas Carpinello, Robert Law and Richard Vos are “independent directors” within the meaning of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2).

Board Meetings; Committees and Membership

The Board of Directors held 7 meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (“fiscal 2017”). During fiscal 2017, each of the directors then in office attended more than 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and (ii) the total number of meetings of all committees of the Board on which such director served.

We maintain the following committees of the Board of Directors: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each committee is comprised entirely of directors who are “independent” within the meaning of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). Each committee acts pursuant to a separate written charter, and each such charter has been adopted and approved by the Board of Directors. Copies of the committee charters are available on our website at airindustriesgroup.com under the heading “Investor Relations.”

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee consists of Nicholas Carpinello, Robert Law and Richard Vos, each of whom is independent. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors oversight of (i) the integrity of financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditor, and prepares the report that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires to be included in our annual proxy statement. The audit committee operates under a written charter. Mr. Carpinello is the Chairman of our audit committee.

The Board of Directors determined that Mr. Carpinello possesses accounting or related financial management experience that qualifies him as financially sophisticated within the meaning of Rule 4350(d)(2)(A) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and that he is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

A copy of current charter of Audit Committee is available on the Company’s website http://content.stockpr.com/onehorizongroup/media/6f6926ac07f2526da1eaa0d94f84c6d7.pdf

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in identifying qualified individuals to become members of our Board of Directors, in determining the composition of the Board of Directors and in monitoring the process to assess Board effectiveness. Each of Nicholas Carpinello, Robert Law and Richard Vos are members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter. Mr. Richard Vos is the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

A copy of current charter of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is available on the Company’s website http://content.stockpr.com/onehorizongroup/media/8eccadeceb1ccc10b249cc5ab2456058.pdf

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and, as appropriate, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the annual salaries and other compensation of our executive officers and general employees and other policies, and for providing assistance and recommendations with respect to our compensation policies and practices. Each of Nicholas Carpinello, Robert Law and Richard Vos are members of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter. Mr. Robert Law is the Chairman of Compensation Committee.

As required by Rule 10C-1(b)(2), (3) and (4)(i)(vi) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) , our Compensation Committee has, among the others,  the following responsibilities and authority.

A copy of current Charter of Compensation Committee is available on the Company’s website http://content.stockpr.com/onehorizongroup/media/abf14232f92dbd65d5ee4c83d7b1fa3b.pdf

Code of Ethics

Our board of directors has adopted a Policy Statement on Business Ethics and Conflicts of Interest (“Code of Ethics”) applicable to all employees, including the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer. A copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available on the Company’s website http://content.stockpr.com/onehorizongroup/media/250c1db923f658aca6cc69dfc35c7f89.pdf

 Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder require our officers and directors, and persons that own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to furnish us with copies. Based solely on our review of the copies of the Section 16(a) forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 all of our officers, directors, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our outstanding shares of common stock filed on a timely basis all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that Mark White failed to file a Form 4 reporting his conversion of 555,555 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”) into 4,000,000 shares of common stock on November 27, 2017 and the transfer of 2,000,000 of those shares to Zhanming Wu on November 27, 2017 in consideration for Mr. Wu’s previous contribution to Mr. White of $250,000 to be used in connection with Mr. White’s initial purchase of the Preferred Shares.

Stockholder Communications

OHGI stockholders who want to communicate with our Board or any individual director can write to:

One Horizon Group, Inc.  

34 South Molton Street 

London W1K 5RG, United Kingdom 

Attn: Board Administration

Your letter should indicate that you are an OHGI stockholder.  Depending on the subject matter, management will:

At each Board meeting, a member of management presents a summary of all communications received since the last meeting that were not forwarded and makes those communications available to the Directors on request.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each person who served as the principal executive officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (“Fiscal 2017”) and each other executive officer whose total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to such other executive officer for Fiscal 2017 was in excess of $100,000 for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries (together, the “Named Executive Officers”).

Summary Compensation Table: Executives

We have entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Mark White which continues for an initial term through July 31, 2022, and which automatically renews for one year terms thereafter, subject to the rights of both parties to terminate the Agreement. Mr. White’s Employment Agreement provided for a signing grant of 1,600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, an annual salary of $480,000 per annum, an annual bonus to be determined by the Board and an acquisition bonus whereby Mr. White will receive additional shares each time the Company completes an acquisition of a new business. Mr. White’s Agreement contains customary non-disclosure and non-compete provisions which are operative during the term of his agreement and for one year thereafter. Mr. White’s agreement provides for severance of one year’s salary if his agreement is terminated by the Company without cause or in the event of a change in control of the Company. In addition we have agreed that upon termination of Mr. White’s Employment Agreement upon request we would register our shares of common stock then held by him for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

We have entered into an Employment Agreement with Martin Ward which continues for an initial term through July 31, 2022, and which automatically renews for one year terms thereafter, subject to the rights of both parties to terminate the Agreement. Mr. Ward’s Employment Agreement provides for an annual salary of $240,000 per annum and an annual bonus to be determined in accordance with a program to be developed by the Board of Directors. Mr. Ward’s Agreement contains customary non-disclosure and non-compete provisions which are operative during the term of his agreement and for one year thereafter. Mr. Ward’s agreement provides for severance of one year’s salary if his agreement is terminated by the Company without cause or in the event of a change in control of the Company. In addition we have agreed that upon termination of Mr. Ward’s Employment Agreement upon request we would register our shares of common stock then held by him for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Pension Benefit

None during the periods covered in this Report.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

None during the periods covered in this Report.

Retirement/Resignation Plans

None during the periods covered in this Report.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 Year-End

None.

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

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of March 12, 2018 by (i) each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by us to own more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, (ii) each director, executive officer and director nominee, and (iii) all of our directors, executive officers and director nominees as a group. As of March 12, 2018, we had 33,400,215 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of common stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 12, 2018. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by each person or group of persons named below, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 12, 2018  is deemed to be outstanding for such person, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership.

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

Our Policy Concerning Transactions with Related Persons

Under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K, a related person transaction is any actual or proposed transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, including those involving indebtedness not in the ordinary course of business, to which we or our subsidiaries were or are a party, or in which we or our subsidiaries were or are a participant, in which the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and in which any of our directors, nominees for director, executive officers, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities (a “significant shareholder”), or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

We recognize that transactions between us and any of our Directors or Executives or with a third party in which one of our officers, directors or significant shareholders has an interest can present potential or actual conflicts of interest and create the appearance that our decisions are based on considerations other than the best interests of our Company and stockholders.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is charged with responsibility for reviewing, approving and overseeing any transaction between the Company and any related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K), including the propriety and ethical implications of any such transactions, as reported or disclosed to the Committee by the independent auditors, employees, officers, members of the Board of Directors or otherwise, and to determine whether the terms of the transaction are not less favorable to us than could be obtained from an unaffiliated party.

Transactions

The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2017, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

On August 11, 2017 we sold all of the outstanding capital stock of three of our subsidiaries, Abbey Technology GmbH, Horizon Globex GmbH and Horizon Globex Ireland Ltd., and approximately 99.7% of the outstanding shares in One Horizon Group plc (collectively the “Discontinued Entities”) to Brian Collins, our then Chief Executive Officer, in exchange for the forgiveness of $1,968,253 payable to Mr. Collins. In connection with the transaction, Mr. Collins and the Discontinued Entities released us and our remaining subsidiaries (the “Excluded Entities”) from any claims outstanding as of the date of the transaction and we and the Excluded Entities released the Discontinued Entities from any outstanding claims. In contemplation of sale, certain intellectual property was transferred among the Discontinued Entities and the Excluded Entities such that each could continue the business contemplated to be carried on after the sale was consummated.

On August 18, 2017, Martin Ward, our Chief Financial Officer, accepted the offer to convert $662,048 due to him from us into 859,802 shares of common stock (a conversion price of $0.77 per share, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 14, 2017).

In September 2017, we entered into an agreement with Mark White, our President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of our company, whereby Mr. White agreed to exchange 555,555 shares of our Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, and the right to accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, for 4,000,000 shares of common stock. The exchange was approved by holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders dated October 24, 2017 in accordance with NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules.

Amounts due to related parties include the following: (in thousands)

The foregoing transactions were reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee or our Board of Directors. We believe that the terms of each transaction were not less favorable to us than those terms that could be obtained from an unaffiliated third party.

Director Independence 

Our Board of Directors has determined that Nicholas Carpinello, Robert Law and Richard Vos are “independent directors” within the meaning of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2).

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

As required by our Audit Committee charter, our Audit Committee pre-approved the engagement of Cherry Bekaert LLP for all audit and permissible non-audit services. The Audit Committee annually reviews the audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our principal accounting firm and reviews and approves the fees charged by our principal accounting firm. The Audit Committee has considered the role of Cherry Bekaert LLP in providing tax and audit services and other permissible non-audit services to us and has concluded that the provision of such services, if any, was compatible with the maintenance of such firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.  

Aggregate fees for professional services rendered to the Company by Cherry Bekaert LLP (“Cherry”) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

Audit Fees

Audit fees billed by Cherry, the Company’s current independent registered public accounting firm, were for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, including any fees related to other filings with the SEC.

Audit-Related Fees

Tax Fees

There were no tax fees billed or accrued during the Reported Periods. 

All Other Fees

There were no other fees billed or accrued during the Reported Periods.

PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  April 2, 2018

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
One Horizon Group, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of One Horizon Group, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Emphasis of Matter

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements the Company has historical recurring net losses and negative cash flows from operations. Management’s plans with regard to this matter are more fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States of America (“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 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 financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Company’s auditors since 2016.

/s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP

Tampa, Florida
April 2, 2018

ONE HORIZON GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2017 and 2016

(in thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ONE HORIZON GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

(in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ONE HORIZON GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ONE HORIZON GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

(in thousands)