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

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

  For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017

  For the Transition Period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number 001-36589

_______________

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(214) 661-7488

(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   [x] No

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§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).   [x] Yes   [  ] No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the 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.  (Check one):

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 Exchange Act).   [  ] Yes   [x] No

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the price at which the common stock was last sold, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $14.0 million.

As of March 22, 2018, the registrant had 5,381,668 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Annual Report on Form 10-K

For the Year Ended December 31, 2017

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain “forward-looking statements” as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relating to Wilhelmina International, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries the “Company” or “Wilhelmina”) are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management as well as information currently available to the Company’s management. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar import, as they relate to the Company or Company management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, in particular, projections about the Company’s future results, statements about its plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its business and the markets in which it operates. Additionally, statements concerning future matters such as gross billing levels, revenue levels, expense levels, and other statements regarding matters that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Management cautions that these forward-looking statements relate to future events or the Company’s future financial performance and are subject to business, economic, and other risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements of its business or its industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 PART I

DESCRIPTION OF THE WILHELMINA BUSINESS

Overview

The primary business of Wilhelmina is fashion model management. These business operations are headquartered in New York City. The Company’s predecessor was founded in 1967 by Wilhelmina Cooper, a renowned fashion model, and became one of the oldest, best known and largest fashion model management companies in the world. Since its founding, Wilhelmina has grown to include operations located in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and London, as well as a network of licensees in various local markets in the U.S. and international markets. Wilhelmina provides traditional, full-service fashion model and talent management services, specializing in the representation and management of models, entertainers, artists, athletes and other talent to various clients, including retailers, designers, advertising agencies, print and electronic media and catalog companies. The Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1996.

 Organization and Operating Divisions

The Company acquired the predecessor companies constituting its current primary business in 2008. The Company conducts its business through operating divisions and subsidiaries engaged in fashion model management and other complementary businesses. These business activities are focused on the following key areas:

Fashion Model Management

Wilhelmina is focused on providing fashion modeling talent and social media influencer services to clients such as advertising agencies, branded consumer goods companies, fashion designers, magazine publications, retailers, department stores, product catalogs and Internet sites.

The fashion model/talent/influencer management industry can be divided into many subcategories, including advertising campaigns as well as catalog/e-commerce, runway, showroom and editorial work. Advertising work involves modeling for advertisements featuring consumer products such as cosmetics, clothing and other items to be placed in magazines and newspapers, on billboards and with other types of media. Catalog and e-commerce work involves modeling of products to be sold through promotional catalogs and Internet commerce sites. Runway work involves modeling at fashion shows, which primarily take place in Paris, Milan, London and New York City. Showroom work involves on-site modeling of products at client showrooms and other events and production “fit” work whereby a model serves as the sizing model for apparel items. Editorial work involves modeling for the cover and editorial sections of magazines.  

Clients pay for talent to appear in photo shoots for magazine features, print advertising, direct mail marketing, product catalogs and Internet sites, as well as to appear in runway shows to present new designer collections, fit modeling, and on-location presentations and events.  In addition, talent may also appear in film and television commercials. Wilhelmina develops and diversifies its talent portfolio through a combination of ongoing local, regional and international scouting and talent-search efforts to source new talent, as well as cooperating with other agencies that represent talent.

Within its fashion model management business, Wilhelmina has two primary sources of service revenue:  (i) commissions paid by models as a percentage of their gross earnings; and (ii) service charges paid by clients in addition to booking fees, calculated as a percentage of the models’ booking fees.  Wilhelmina believes that its commission rates and service charges are comparable to those of its principal competitors.

Wilhelmina’s fashion model management operations are organized into divisions called “boards,” each of which specializes by the type of models it represents. Wilhelmina’s boards are generally described in the table below.

Each major board is headed by a director who manages the agents assigned to the board. The agents of each board act both as bookers (including promoting models, negotiating fees and contracting work) and as talent scouts/managers (including providing models with career and development guidance and helping them better market themselves). Although agents individually develop professional relationships with models, models are represented by a board collectively and not by a specific agent. Wilhelmina’s organization into boards enables Wilhelmina to provide clients with services tailored to their particular needs, to allow models to benefit from agents’ specialized experience in their particular markets, and to limit Wilhelmina’s dependency on any specialty market or agent.

Most senior agents are employed pursuant to employment agreements that include noncompetition provisions such as a prohibition from working with Wilhelmina’s models and clients for a certain period of time after the end of the agent’s employment with Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina typically signs its models to three-year exclusive contracts, which it actively enforces.

The Aperture division operates in New York and Los Angeles, and offers models and actors representation for commercials, film, and television. 

The Company previously owned an unconsolidated 50% interest in Wilhelmina Kids & Creative Management LLC (“Kids”), a New York City-based modeling agency that specialized in representing child models/talents, from newborns to children 14 years of age. On December 9, 2016, the owners of Kids agreed to dissolve Kids and ceased related business operations of Kids. On March 1, 2017, the Company paid $0.1 million to another owner of Kids in accordance with the December 9, 2016 agreement to liquidate the enterprise. As a result, Wilhelmina no longer maintains a child models division.

Wilhelmina London Limited (“London”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilhelmina International, Inc., was acquired in January 2015. The London subsidiary establishes a footprint for the Company in Western Europe, provides a base of operations to service the Company’s European clients, and serves as a new talent development office for European models and artists. In November 2015, the Company added a London Men’s board to increase the presence of the Wilhelmina brand in Europe.

In September 2016, Wilhelmina opened a Chicago office to expand the Company’s presence in the midwest region of the United States.

In 2017, Wilhelmina added a Curve board in both London and Los Angeles to address an increasing demand for full figured models in these markets.

Hair & Make-up Artist Representation

The Company represents artists in the hair, makeup, photography, and stylist arenas. These artists work on projects across the globe for well-known celebrities and companies in the media, advertising, retail, pharmaceutical and music industries. In addition, their work appears in top magazines and on the runways of major fashion houses. 

Celebrity Management

Wilhelmina Artist Management, LLC (“WAM”) is a wholly-owned talent management company that seeks to secure endorsement and spokesperson work for celebrities from the worlds of sports, music and entertainment. WAM has two primary sources of revenue: (i) commissions paid by talent as a percentage of their gross earnings; and (ii) royalties or a service charge paid by clients. Wilhelmina celebrity management works with emerging artists and established celebrity names to match them with leading fashion brands and companies.

Licensing & Branding Associations

Wilhelmina Licensing, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary that collects third-party licensing fees in connection with the licensing of the “Wilhelmina” name. Third-party licensees include several leading fashion model agencies in local markets in the U.S. and internationally. A consumer products license for fragrance and cosmetics is also in effect. The film and television business consists of occasional television syndication royalties and production series contracts. Also, from time to time, the Company conducts model search contests and other events in an effort to expand the Wilhelmina brand and recruit talent.

Competition

The fashion model/talent management business is highly competitive. New York City, Los Angeles and Miami, as well as London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Stockholm, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Sao Paulo, are considered the most important markets for the fashion talent management industry.  Most of the leading international firms are headquartered in New York City. Wilhelmina’s principal competitors include other large fashion model management businesses in the U.S., including IMG Models, Elite Model Management, Ford Models, Inc., DNA Model Management, NEXT Model Management, The Lions Model Management, Women 360 Management, New York Model Management, and Marilyn Model Agency. However, Wilhelmina is the only publicly-owned fashion talent management company in the world.

Competition also includes foreign agencies and smaller U.S. agencies in local markets that recruit local talent and cater to local market needs.  Several of the larger fashion talent firms operate offices in multiple cities and countries or have chosen to partner with local or foreign agencies.

The Company believes that its sources of revenue (mainly generated from commissions and service charges) are comparable to those of its principal competitors.  Therefore, for the Company to obtain a competitive advantage, it must develop and maintain a deep pool of talent and deliver high quality service to its clients.  The Company believes that through its scouting efforts, search contests, licensing network, advertising and television shows it is able to recruit a deeper pool of talent relative to its competitors. These recruitment tools, coupled with the broad range of fashion boards available to the Company’s talent, enable the Company to develop talent and generate a broader range of revenues relative to its principal competitors. While a broad range of talent and boards provides a level of stability to the business, certain talent may be more inclined to work with a boutique agency that may appear to tailor more specifically to their needs.

Also, for more than 50 years, Wilhelmina and its predecessors have created long-standing client relationships and a number of business activities related to the fashion model management business that provide exposure to diverse markets and demographics. The Company has also developed a professional workforce with years of talent management experience.

Clients and Customers

        As of December 31, 2017, Wilhelmina represented a roster of approximately 2,500 active models and talent. Wilhelmina’s active models include Karolína Kurková, Francisco Lachowski, I-Hua Wu, Veronika Vilim, Sora Choi, Marlon Teixeira, Anne de Paula, Georgia Gibbs, Parker Gregory, Victoria Schons, Nicole Atieno, Ninouk Akkerman, Anna de Rijk, Avie Acosta, Miss Fame, Jegor Venned, Hao Yun Xiang, Race Imboden, Wallette Watson, Marianna Dantec, Eli Cruz, Hunter McGrady, Lulu Bonfils, Luke Hemmings, Janis Ancens, Alex Lundqvist, Clark Bockelman, Armando Cabral, Vanessa Cruz, Rayla Guimaraes Jacunda, RJ King, Ida Lundgren, Gracie Phillips, Mia Kang, Claudio Montiero, Ally Ertel and Nathan Owens. Wilhelmina’s celebrity talent includes Nicki Minaj, Shawn Mendes, Machine Gun Kelly, Niall Horan, RJ Mitte, Ellar Coltrane, Hopper Penn, Clara McGregor, and Leona Lewis.

Wilhelmina serves approximately 3,800 external clients. Wilhelmina’s customer base is highly diversified, with no one customer accounting for more than 3% of overall gross revenues. The top 100 clients of Wilhelmina together accounted for approximately 46% of overall gross revenues during 2017.

Governmental Regulations

Certain jurisdictions in which Wilhelmina operates, such as California and Florida, require that companies maintain a Talent Agency License in order to engage in the “talent agency” business. The talent agency business is generally considered the business of procuring engagements or any employment or placement of a talent, where the talent performs in his or her artistic capacity.  Where required, the Wilhelmina subsidiaries operating in these jurisdictions maintain Talent Agency Licenses issued by those jurisdictions.  

Trends and Opportunities

The Company expects that the combination of Wilhelmina’s main operating base in New York City, the industry’s capital, with the depth and breadth of its talent pool, client roster and its diversification across various talent management segments, together with its geographical reach should make Wilhelmina’s operations more resilient to industry changes and economic swings than those of many of the smaller firms operating in the industry. Similarly, in the segments where Wilhelmina competes with other leading full service agencies, Wilhelmina believes it competed successfully in 2017.  

With total advertising expenditures on major media (television, Internet, outdoor, cinema, magazines, and newspapers) exceeding approximately $190 billion in recent years, North America is the world’s largest advertising market.  For the fashion talent management industry, including Wilhelmina, advertising expenditures on television, Internet, magazines, and outdoor are of particular relevance.

Strategy

Management’s strategy is to increase value to shareholders through the following initiatives:

Due to the ubiquity of the Internet as a standard business tool, the Company has increasingly sought to harness the opportunities of the Internet and other digital media to improve its communications with clients and to facilitate the effective exchange of fashion model and talent information. The Company continues to make significant investments in technology (including developing in-house art and social media departments) in pursuit of gains in efficiency and better communications with clients.  At the same time, the Internet presents challenges for the Company, including (i) the cannibalization of traditional print media businesses, and (ii) pricing pressures with respect to digital media photo shoots and client engagements.

In September 2016, Wilhelmina opened a Chicago office to better provide models and talent with direct access to clients in the midwest region of the United States.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 121 employees, 80 of whom were located in New York City, eight of whom were located at Wilhelmina’s Miami office, one of whom was located at Wilhelmina’s Chicago office, 17 of whom were located at Wilhelmina’s Los Angeles office, 13 of whom were located at Wilhelmina’s London office and two of whom were located at the corporate headquarters in Dallas.

TRADEMARKS AND LICENSING

The “Wilhelmina” brand is essential to the success and competitive position of the Company. Wilhelmina’s trademark is vital to the licensing business because licensees pay for the right to use the trademark. The Company has invested significant resources in the “Wilhelmina” brands in order to obtain the public recognition that these brands currently enjoy. Wilhelmina relies upon domestic and international trademark laws, license agreements and nondisclosure agreements to protect the “Wilhelmina” brand name used in its business. Trademarks registered in the U.S. have a duration of ten years and are generally subject to an indefinite number of renewals for a like period on appropriate application.

Not applicable to smaller reporting company.

None.

The Company’s corporate headquarters are currently located at 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1400, Dallas, Texas 75201, which are also the offices of Newcastle Capital Management, L.P. (“NCM”).  NCM is the general partner of Newcastle Partners L.P. (“Newcastle”), the Company’s largest shareholder. The Company occupies a portion of NCM’s space on a month-to-month basis at $2,500 per month, pursuant to a services agreement entered into between the parties on October 1, 2006.

The following table summarizes information with respect to the material facilities of the Company for leased office space and model apartments:

The Company believes there is sufficient office space available at favorable leasing terms both to replace existing office space and to satisfy any additional needs the Company may have as a result of future expansion.

On October 24, 2013, a putative class action lawsuit was brought against the Company by former Wilhelmina model Alex Shanklin and others (the “Shanklin Litigation”), in New York State Supreme Court (New York County) by the same lead counsel who represented plaintiffs in a prior, now-dismissed action brought by Louisa Raske (the “Raske Litigation”). The claims in the Shanklin Litigation initially included breach of contract and unjust enrichment allegations arising out of matters similar to the Raske Litigation, such as the handling and reporting of funds on behalf of models and the use of model images. Other parties named as defendants in the Shanklin Litigation include other model management companies, advertising firms, and certain advertisers. On January 6, 2014, the Company moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint in the Shanklin Litigation for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and other grounds, and other defendants also filed motions to dismiss. On August 11, 2014, the court denied the motion to dismiss as to Wilhelmina and other of the model management defendants. Further, on March 3, 2014, the judge assigned to the Shanklin Litigation wrote the Office of the New York Attorney General bringing the case to its attention, generally describing the claims asserted therein against the model management defendants, and stating that the case “may involve matters in the public interest.” The judge’s letter also enclosed a copy of his decision in the Raske Litigation, which dismissed that case. Plaintiffs retained substitute counsel, who filed a Second and then Third Amended Complaint. Plaintiffs’ Third Amended Complaint asserts causes of action for alleged breaches of the plaintiffs' management contracts with the defendants, conversion, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment. The Third Amended Complaint also alleges that the plaintiff models were at all relevant times employees, and not independent contractors, of the model management defendants, and that defendants violated the New York Labor Law in several respects, including, among other things, by allegedly failing to pay the models the minimum wages and overtime pay required thereunder, not maintaining accurate payroll records, and not providing plaintiffs with full explanations of how their wages and deductions therefrom were computed. The Third Amended Complaint seeks certification of the action as a class action, damages in an amount to be determined at trial, plus interest, costs, attorneys’ fees, and such other relief as the court deems proper. On October 6, 2015, Wilhelmina filed a motion to dismiss as to most of the plaintiffs’ claims, and oral argument on the motion was heard by the Court in June 2016. The Court entered a decision granting in part and denying in part Wilhelmina’s motion to dismiss on May 26, 2017. The Court (i) dismissed three of the five New York Labor Law causes of action, along with the conversion, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment causes of action, in their entirety, and (ii) permitted only the breach of contract causes of action, and some plaintiffs’ remaining two New York Labor Law causes of action to continue, within a limited time frame. The plaintiffs and Wilhelmina have appealed the decision and the appeal has been fully briefed.  Oral argument will be scheduled in or after April 2018. The parties appeared before the Court for a status conference on July 18, 2017, and the Court directed the defendants to answer the Third Amended Complaint by August 16, 2017. Wilhelmina filed its Answer to the Third Amended Complaint on that date, and discovery in this action is continuing.  The Company believes the claims asserted in the Third Amended Complaint are without merit, and intends to continue to vigorously defend the action.

On June 6, 2016, another putative class action lawsuit was brought against the Company by former Wilhelmina model Shawn Pressley and others (the “Pressley Litigation”), in New York State Supreme Court (New York County) by the same counsel representing the plaintiffs in the Shanklin Litigation, and asserting identical, although more recent, claims as those in the Shanklin Litigation. The Amended Complaint, asserting essentially the same types of claims as in the Shanklin action was filed on August 16, 2017 and Wilhelmina filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint on September 29, 2017 which is scheduled to be argued on April 3, 2018. Discovery is proceeding in this case. The Company believes the claims asserted in the Pressley Litigation are without merit, and intends to vigorously defend the action.

In addition to the legal proceedings disclosed herein, the Company is also engaged in various legal proceedings that are routine in nature and incidental to its business. None of these routine proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, are believed likely, in the Company's opinion, to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or its results of operations.

Not applicable.

PART II

Market Information

The Company’s $0.01 par value common stock has traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “WHLM” since September, 2014. Previously, the common stock was quoted in the over-the-counter market on the OTC Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”).

The Company had 9,000,000 shares of common stock authorized at December 31, 2017.

The following table shows the high and low sales prices of the common stock for each calendar quarter of 2016 and 2017.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2017:

Additional information regarding equity compensation can be found in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Issuer Repurchases

During 2012, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program whereby the Company could repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock. During 2013, the Board of Directors renewed and extended the Company’s share repurchase authority to enable it to repurchase up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock. On August 12, 2016, the Board of Directors increased by an additional 500,000 shares the number of shares of the Company’s common stock which may be repurchased under its stock repurchase program to an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions at prices the Company deems appropriate. The program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be modified or suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. No shares were repurchased under the stock repurchase program during 2017.

Shareholders

As of March 22, 2018 there were 5,381,668 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding held by 439 holders of record.   

Dividend Policy

The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock during the past two completed fiscal years.  The Board of Directors of the Company expects to continue this policy for the foreseeable future in order to retain cash for the continued expansion of the Company’s business. The Company’s credit agreement with Amegy Bank contains a covenant which could limit its ability to pay dividends on the common stock.

Not applicable to smaller reporting company.

The following is a discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations comparing the calendar years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. This section should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto that are incorporated herein by reference and the other financial information included herein and the notes thereto.

OVERVIEW

The Company’s primary business is fashion model management and complementary business activities. The business of talent management firms, such as Wilhelmina, depends heavily on the state of the advertising industry, as demand for talent is driven by Internet, print and television advertising campaigns for consumer goods and retail clients. Wilhelmina believes it has strong brand recognition which enables it to attract and retain top agents and talent to service a broad universe of clients. In order to take advantage of these opportunities and support its continued growth, the Company will need to continue to successfully allocate resources and staffing in a way that enhances its ability to respond to new opportunities. The Company continues to focus on tightly managing costs, recruiting top agents, and scouting and developing talent.

Although Wilhelmina has a large and diverse client base, it is not immune to global economic conditions. The Company closely monitors economic conditions, client spending, and other industry factors and continually evaluates opportunities to increase the market share of its existing boards and further expand its geographic reach. There can be no assurance as to the effects on Wilhelmina of future economic circumstances, technological developments, client spending patterns, client credit worthiness and other developments and whether, or to what extent, Wilhelmina’s efforts to respond to them will be effective.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

In addition to net income, the key financial indicators that the Company reviews to monitor its business are revenues, model costs, operating expenses and cash flows.

The Company analyzes revenue by reviewing the mix of revenues generated by the different “boards”, each a specific division of the fashion model management operations which specializes by the type of model it represents, by geographic locations and from significant clients. Wilhelmina’s primary sources of revenue include: (i) revenues from principal relationships where the gross amount billed to the client is recorded as revenue when earned and collectability is reasonably assured; and (ii) separate service charges, paid by clients in addition to the booking fees, which are calculated as a percentage of the models’ booking fees and are recorded as revenues when earned and collectability is reasonably assured. See “Critical Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition.”.

Wilhelmina provides professional services. Therefore, salary and service costs represent the largest part of the Company’s operating expenses. Salary and service costs are comprised of payroll and related costs and travel, meals and entertainment (“T&E”) to deliver the Company’s services and to enable new business development activities.

Analysis of Consolidated Statements of Operations

 For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016                

* Not Meaningful

Service Revenues

The Company’s service revenues fluctuate in response to its clients’ willingness to spend on advertising and the Company’s ability to have the desired talent available. The decrease of 10.8% in total service revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to a decrease in core model bookings. The decrease in core model bookings in the United States was partially offset by an increase in core model bookings in the London office, from the Aperture division, and from the Celebrity division.

License Fees and Other Income

License fees and other income include management and administrative services from an unconsolidated affiliate and franchise revenues from independently owned model agencies that use the Wilhelmina trademark and various services provided by the Company. License fees decreased 81.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a reduction in the number of licensed affiliates. 

Gross Profit Margin

Gross profit margins as a percentage of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 was relatively unchanged.

Salaries and Service Costs

Salaries and service costs consist of payroll and related costs and T&E costs required to deliver the Company’s services to its clients and talent. The 5.3% decrease in salaries and service costs during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to severance paid to the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and another employee in 2016, changes in personnel to better align the number of employees at each Wilhelmina office with the needs of each geographic region, and improved management of T&E costs in connection with delivering services to clients and models.

Office and General Expenses

Office and general expenses consist of office and equipment rents, advertising and promotion, insurance expenses, administration and technology cost.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, office and general expenses decreased 9.1% when compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to recruiting fees related to the hiring of the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer and new Chief Financial Officer and an accrual for non-income tax expenses during 2016, as well as decreases in marketing and model apartment costs in 2017.

Amortization and Depreciation

Amortization and depreciation expense is incurred with respect to certain assets, including computer hardware, software, office equipment, furniture, and intangibles. During 2017, amortization and depreciation expense totaled $0.9 million compared to $0.6 million in 2016, primarily due to the Company’s new accounting software put into service in the second half of 2016.

Corporate Overhead

Corporate overhead expenses include director and executive officer compensation, legal, audit and professional fees, corporate office rent and travel. Corporate overhead decreased $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to lower legal fees in 2017.  

Operating Margin

Operating margin declined to -0.4% for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to 1.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of decreased revenues outpacing savings in operating expenses.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company translates the assets and liabilities of its non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenue and expenses for these subsidiaries are translated using rates that approximate those in effect during the period.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company realized a loss on foreign currency of $54 thousand as compared to a gain of $14 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2016. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2017, was primarily due to exchange rate fluctuations in the British Pound and the Euro.

Revaluation of Contingent Consideration

In connection with the London acquisition, the Company recorded contingent consideration in 2015. The payment of this consideration was based upon London achieving certain benchmarks for the years ending 2015 and 2016. In 2016, the Company increased the contingent consideration by $30 thousand based on London’s expectation of meeting its benchmark for 2016. The contingent consideration of $0.1 million was paid in January 2017.

Interest Expense

The Company incurs interest expense as a result a term loan with Amegy bank. Interest expense increased 58% for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 due to the loan being drawn during 2016 and including a partial year of interest in 2016 compared to a full year of interest expense in 2017.

Unconsolidated affiliate

Wilhelmina previously owned a non-consolidated 50% interest in Wilhelmina Kids & Creative Management LLC, a New York City-based modeling agency that specialized in representing child models. The Company incurred losses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, attributable to its pro rata ownership interest in Kids. On December 9, 2016, the owners of Kids agreed to dissolve Wilhelmina Kids & Creative Management LLC and ceased related business operations of Kids, and the final expenses to wind down the operations of Kids were incurred in early 2017.

Income before Income Taxes

Income before income taxes declined $1.4 million to a loss of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to income of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of decreased revenues outpacing reduction in expenses.

Income Taxes

Generally, the Company’s combined effective tax rate is high relative to reported net income as a result of certain amounts of amortization and depreciation expense, stock based compensation, and corporate overhead not being deductible and income being attributable to certain states in which it operates. The Company operates in four states which have relatively high tax rates: California, New York, Illinois, and Florida. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had federal income tax loss carryforwards of $1.9 million.

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“The Act”) reduces the U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% for years after 2017 and imposes a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company remeasured all deferred taxes as of December 31, 2017 to reflect the reduced rate that will apply in future periods when these deferred taxes are settled or realized. We recognized a deferred tax benefit of $0.7 million attributable to the effects of the Tax Act. The Company’s deemed repatriation liability is not deemed material due to a foreign deficit.

Net Income

Net income increased 71.6%, to $0.2 million, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $1.5 million decrease in income tax expense due to the recognition of deferred income tax benefits, partially offset by the $1.4 million decline in income before income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s cash balance decreased to $4.3 million at December 31, 2017 from $5.7 million at December 31, 2016. The cash balances decreased primarily as a result of $0.3 million net cash used by operating activities, $0.7 million cash used in investing activities, and $0.5 million cash used in financing activities.

The $0.7 million cash used in investing activities was attributable to purchases of property and equipment, including software, office furniture, and computer equipment. The $0.5 million of cash used in financing activities was attributable to interest payments on the company’s term loan.

The Company’s primary liquidity needs are for working capital associated with performing services under its client contracts and servicing its term loan. Generally, the Company incurs significant operating expenses with payment terms shorter than its average collections on billings. Based on 2018 budgeted and year-to-date cash flow information, management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity to meet its projected operational expenses and capital expenditure requirements for the next twelve months.

Amegy Bank Credit Agreement

The Company has a credit agreement with Amegy Bank which provides a $4.0 million revolving line of credit and previously provided up to a $3.0 million term loan which could be drawn through October 24, 2016. The revolving line of credit is subject to a borrowing base derived from 80% of eligible accounts receivable (as defined) and the Company’s minimum net worth covenant of $20.0 million. The revolving line of credit bears interest at prime plus 0.50% payable monthly. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a $0.2 million irrevocable standby letter of credit outstanding under the revolving line of credit. The revolving line of credit presently expires on October 24, 2018.

On August 16, 2016, the Company drew $2.7 million of the term loan and used the proceeds to fund the purchase of shares of its common stock from Lorex Investments AG. The term loan bears interest at 4.5% per annum and is payable in monthly payments of interest only until November, 2016, followed by 47 equal monthly payments of principal and interest computed on a 60-month amortization schedule and a final payment of principal and interest due on October 24, 2020.

On May 4, 2017, the Company entered into a Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement with Amegy Bank reducing the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio through December 31, 2017. The Company obtained a waiver from Amegy Bank of its failure to satisfy the fixed coverage ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. On August 1, 2017, the Company entered into an Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement with Amegy Bank eliminating the requirement to test the fixed charge coverage ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Effective October 24, 2017, the Company entered into a Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Second Amendment to Line of Credit with Amegy Bank extending the maturity of the revolving line of credit for one year and increasing the fee payable upon issuance of any letter of credit from 1.0% to 1.25% of the face amount of the letter of credit (but not less than $1,000).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding a $0.2 million irrevocable standby letter of credit under the Company’s revolving credit facility with Amegy Bank. The letter of credit serves as security under the lease relating to the Company’s office space in New York City that expires February 2021.

Effect of Inflation

Inflation has not been a material factor affecting the Company’s business.  General operating expenses, such as salaries, employee benefits, insurance and occupancy costs, are subject to normal inflationary pressures.

Critical Accounting Policies

See Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the audited financial statements included herewith.

Not applicable to smaller reporting company.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm thereon are included in this report at the pages indicated.

None.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the participation of the Company’s management, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).  Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

        During the year ended December 31, 2017, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

None.

PART III

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

PART IV

(a) Documents Filed as Part of Report

The consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related report of the Company’s independent public accountants thereon have been filed under Item 8 hereof.

2.       Financial Statement Schedules:

The information required by this item is not applicable.

The exhibits listed below are filed as part of or incorporated by reference in this report.  

Not applicable.

SIGNATURES

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

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 22nd day of March 2018.

WILHELMINA INTERNATOINAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INSERTS TO FORM 10-K

For the Year Ended December 31, 2017

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MONTGOMERY COSCIA GREILICH LLP

972.748.0300 p

972.748.0700 f

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Wilhelmina International, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Wilhelmina International, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated 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 the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

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. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

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. 

/s/ Montgomery Coscia Greilich, LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012 

Plano, TX

March 22, 2018

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands, except share data) 

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

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands, except per share data)

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

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands)

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

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 (In thousands)

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

WILHELMINA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016