VisionChina Media Inc. Announces First Quarter 2013 Results

BEIJING, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- VisionChina Media Inc. ("VisionChina Media" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: VISN), one of China's largest out-of-home digital television advertising networks on mass transportation systems, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Key Quarterly Financial and Operating Data for the First Quarter of 2013

Total revenues in the first quarter of 2013 were $17.1 million.

Gross loss in the first quarter of 2013 was $5.1 million.

Operating loss in the first quarter of 2013 was $14.4 million.

Net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders in the first quarter of 2013 was $14.6 million.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Company's non-GAAP financial measure, net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and provision for contingent loss in connection with litigation, was $12.8 million.

Basic and diluted net loss per American Depositary Share ("ADS[1]") attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders in the first quarter of 2013 was $2.87 and $2.87, respectively (one ADS represents twenty ordinary shares).

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $46.7 million as of March 31, 2013. Net cash used in operating activities was $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2013.

Total broadcasting hours in the Company's network in the first quarter of 2013 were 39,060 hours.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company's network covered 19 cities secured either by exclusive agency agreements or joint venture contracts, and included 107,838 digital displays on mass transit systems.

Average advertising revenue per broadcasting hour on the Company's network in the first quarter of 2013 was $394.

The Company sold an average of 5.24 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour on its network in the first quarter of 2013.

Mr. Limin Li, VisionChina Media's chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "The first quarter of 2013 was the start of a transition year, and a series of strategic adjustments surrounding promotional marketing events, technological innovation and programming production have shown encouraging initial results. While the first quarter of each year is typically marked by seasonal weakness, we are confident that our integrated mobile TV network, now enhanced with a wider range of product offerings, will provide advertisers with a comprehensive all-in-one media solution and improve our operations throughout the remainder of 2013. "

Stanley Wang, VisionChina Media's chief financial officer, added, "Sequential decreases in various cost and expense items indicate that our cost control measures have effectively built up a very healthy cost structure on which we can implement our operating strategies for the rest of 2013. With an expected rebound in our top line in the second quarter and further revenue improvement in second half of the year, we believe we are on the right track to make significant improvements in our performance as compared to that of 2012."

First Quarter 2013 Results

VisionChina Media's total revenues were $17.1 million in the first quarter of 2013, representing a decrease of 39.7% from $28.3 million in the first quarter of 2012. The year-over-year decrease in revenue was mainly attributable to (1) advertisers' cautious overall sentiment since the second half of 2012; (2) advertising revenue in the first quarter of 2012 was tax inclusive of 5% business tax but advertising revenue in the first quarter 2013 did not include the 6% value added tax ("VAT") resulting from VAT pilot reform rolled out in major PRC cities from September 2012;. Total revenues in the first quarter of 2013 decreased by 34.7% from $26.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 due to seasonality. Advertising service revenue, which accounted for 99.7% of total revenues in the first quarter of 2013, was $17.0 million, representing a decrease of 39.8% compared to the first quarter of 2012 and a decrease of 33.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2012.

Total broadcasting hours in the first quarter of 2013 were 39,060 hours, compared to 41,012 hours in the first quarter of 2012 and 39,930 hours in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Average advertising revenue per broadcasting hour was $394 in the first quarter of 2013, compared to $679 in the first quarter of 2012 and $581 in the fourth quarter of 2012.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Company sold a total of 204,829 advertising minutes in its network, compared to 258,827 advertising minutes in the first quarter of 2012 and 235,794 advertising minutes in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Company sold an average of 5.24 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 6.31 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the first quarter of 2012 and 5.91 advertising minutes per broadcasting hour in the fourth quarter of 2012.

During the first quarter of 2013, 517 advertisers purchased advertising time on the Company's advertising network, either directly or through advertising agents, compared to 490 advertisers in the first quarter of 2012 and 533 advertisers in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Media cost, the most significant component of advertising service cost, was $17.8 million in the first quarter of 2013, a decrease of 33.3% from $26.7 million of the first quarter of 2012 and a decrease of 11.1% from $20.0 million of the fourth quarter of 2012.

Gross loss in the first quarter of 2013 was $5.1 million, compared to gross loss of $4.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 and gross loss of $40,898 in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Advertising service gross margin was negative 30.2% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to negative 14.2% in the first quarter of 2012 and negative 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Selling and marketing expenses were $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2013, representing a decrease of 45.7% from $13.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 and a decrease of 19.5% from $9.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Selling and marketing expenses accounted for 42.4% of the Company's advertising service revenue in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 47.0% in the first quarter of 2012 and 35.2% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

General and administrative expenses were $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2013, representing a decrease of 41.9% from $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2012 and a decrease of 58.5% from $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Company recorded a contingent loss of $1.5 million in connection to the pending litigation with the selling shareholders and former management of Digital Media Group Company Limited ("Digital Media Group") in the first quarter of 2013, compared to a contingent loss of $1.4 million and $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2012.

Operating loss was $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to operating loss of $22.5 million in the first quarter of 2012 and operating loss of $16.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Company recorded net interest expense of $0.19 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to net interest expense of $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 and net interest expense of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Company recorded income tax expense of $0.03 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to income tax benefits of $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 and income tax expenses of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders (GAAP) was $14.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders of $21.1million in the first quarter of 2012 and net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders of $17.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS (GAAP) was $2.87 and $2.87, respectively, in the first quarter of 2013.

The Company's non-GAAP financial measure, net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and provision for contingent loss in connection with litigation, was $12.7 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $18.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 and non-GAAP net loss of $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company had 107,838 digital television displays in its network, compared to 135,762 as of March 31, 2012, and 108,567 as of December 31, 2012.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company had 715 employees, compared to 845 employees as of March 31, 2012, and 715 employees as of December 31, 2012.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $46.7 million, compared to $29.0 million as of December 31, 2012. Net cash used in operating activities was $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Company experienced a net loss of $14.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2013, the company had net current liabilities of $14.1 million and cash and cash equivalents of $46.7 million. The Company has developed and implemented a liquidity plan including obtaining new credit facilities, utilizing available facilities to roll forward short-term borrowings, negotiating with certain suppliers of concession rights for price reductions, and adopting strict control of operating activities and investing activities of the Company. Starting in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company started to cut down capital expenditures and operating expenditures to improve operating cash flow, and will continue to implement such cost-cutting initiatives in 2013. To improve its liquidity, the Company will continue to obtain additional financing.

Depreciation and amortization was $1.1 million and capital expenditures were $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2013.

Recent Developments

• VisionChina Media regains compliance with NASDAQ

The Company received a letter from Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("NASDAQ") on June 10, 2013 regarding its regaining compliance with The Nasdaq Stock Market under Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) ("Rule 5250(c)(1)"). The letter notified the Company that, based on the Company's filing of its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December, 2012 on May 30, 2013, NASDAQ determined that the Company complies with Rule 5250(c)(1)

• Recent developments in the litigation with former Digital Media Group ("DMG") shareholders and management ("Selling Shareholders")

On June 11, 2013, the Appellate Division, First Department of the Supreme Court of the State of New York (the "Appellate Court") entered a Decision and Order determining the pending appeals and cross-appeals from rulings by Hon. Charles E. Ramos of the Supreme Court, New York County (the "Trial Court").  The Appellate Court's ruling (a) affirms the Trial Court's orders of November 3, 2011 granting the motions of the Selling Shareholders to dismiss VisionChina Media and Vision Best's claims and counter-claims for fraud, unjust enrichment and declaratory judgment, (b) reverses that part of the Trial Court's order of June 15, 2012 that denied the Selling Shareholders' motion for partial summary judgment on the defense asserted by VisionChina Media and Vision Best to the Selling Shareholders' claims for breach of contract, including the defense based on allegations of intentional destruction of certain electronic data that was to be conveyed as part of the sale of DMG's assets, and (c) affirms the Trial Court's denial of the Selling Shareholders' motion to dismiss the breach of contract and indemnity claim asserted by VisionChina Media and Vision Best, seeking an amount not less than US$2,785,633, based on alleged inaccuracies in the representations and warranties within the Merger Agreement.

With respect to the orders entered by the Trial Court regarding the attachment of VisionChina's assets, the Appellate Court's ruling (d) reverses the Trial Court's order entered on November 4, 2011, granting the motion by the Selling Shareholders for pre-judgment attachment of assets of VisionChina Media and Vision Best, (e) reverses the Trial Court's order entered on June 15, 2012, granting the motion by the Selling Shareholders to confirm the two ex parte orders of attachment they previously obtained in the aggregate amount of US$60 million, and (f) reverses the Trial Court's order entered on August 13, 2012, granting the motion of the Selling Shareholders' to compel VisionChina Media and Vision Best to transfer US$60 million into New York pursuant to the two ex parte orders of attachment.

As a result of the Appellate Court's Decision and Order, we will promptly seek return of the approximately US$4.5 million currently held by the Sheriff of the City of New York pursuant to the orders of attachment and the order compelling transfer of assets. Among other alternatives, we are determining whether to seek leave to appeal the portions of the Appellate Court's Order that affirmed the dismissal of VisionChina's claims and counter-claims and reversed the denial of the Selling Shareholders' motion for partial summary judgment dismissing VisionChina's defenses, including those based on the allegations of data destruction. 

Business Outlook

The Company estimates its advertising service revenue in the second quarter of 2013 to be between $26.0 million and $27.0 million, excluding 6% VAT. Second quarter 2013 net loss attributable to VisionChina Media shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses, contingent loss in connection with litigation, with the impairment loss (non-GAAP) is estimated to be between $6.0 million and $7.0 million.

These estimates are based on an exchange rate of RMB 6.2666 per $1.00.

The Company noted that its guidance is based on its current network that, as of the date of this press release, has already been secured by exclusive agency agreements or joint venture contract, and based on management's current assessment of the possible outcome of pending litigation with the selling shareholders and former management of Digital Media Group. If the number of cities in the Company's network expands or contracts, or if there is any progress in the pending litigation that affects management's assessment of the possible outcome, management's forecast could be affected.

Conference Call

VisionChina Media's management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on June 13, 2013 (8:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on June 14, 2013).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

U.S. Toll Free: +1-866-519-4004
U.S. Toll: +1-718-354-1231
Hong Kong Toll: +852-2475-0994
International Toll: +65-6723-9381
Passcode for all regions: VisionChina Earnings Call

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until June 21, 2013.

U.S. Toll Free: +1-855-452-5696
U.S. Toll: +1-646-254-3697
International Toll: +61-2-8199-0299
Conference ID: 90955357

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of VisionChina Media's website at http://www.visionchina.cn.

About VisionChina Media Inc.

VisionChina Media Inc. (Nasdaq: VISN) operates an out-of-home advertising network on mass transportation systems, including buses and subways. As of March 31, 2013, VisionChina Media's advertising network included 107,838 digital television displays on mass transportation systems in 19 of China's economically prosperous cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as secured by exclusive agency agreements or joint venture contract. VisionChina Media has the ability to deliver real-time, location-specific broadcasting, including news, stock quotes, weather and traffic reports, and other entertainment programming. For more information, please visit http://www.visionchina.cn.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to VisionChina Media's consolidated financial results under GAAP, the Company also provides non-GAAP financial measures, including net income/(loss) excluding non-cash share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, contingent loss in connection with a litigation, impairment loss and income tax credit in connection with the impairment loss. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with another method for assessing VisionChina Media's operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of its ongoing operations. Readers are cautioned not to view non-GAAP results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under GAAP, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the performance of VisionChina Media's liquidity and when planning and forecasting future periods. The Company computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form F-1 and its annual report on Form 20-F. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Ms. Shuning Yi
Investor Relations Department
VisionChina Media Inc.
Tel: +86-134-2090-9426
E-mail: [email protected]  

Mr. Colin Wang
Investor Relations Director
VisionChina Media Inc.
Tel: +86 135-1001-0107
Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

Ms. Jessica Barist Cohen
Ogilvy Financial, New York
Tel: +1-646-460-9989
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE VisionChina Media