Meredith Corporation Reports Fiscal 2014 First Quarter Results

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com), the leading media and marketing company serving 100 million American women, today reported fiscal 2014 first quarter earnings per share of $0.53, compared to $0.55 in the prior-year period.  Total revenues rose 1 percent to $356 million.  Meredith recorded $12 million, or $0.16 per share, less of political advertising revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 than in the prior-year period, as expected in an off-election year.

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"We're off to a strong start in fiscal 2014," said Meredith Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen M. Lacy.  "Our Local Media Group achieved record revenue and profit performance for a non-political first quarter, with solid growth in non-political advertising.  The National Media Group delivered growth in advertising, circulation and licensing revenues.  Our digital businesses continued their strong growth pattern, posting record revenue performance for a fiscal first quarter.

"Importantly, we continued to successfully execute our Total Shareholder Return (TSR) strategy," Lacy continued.  "Since its launch almost exactly two years ago, we've increased our dividend 60 percent, repurchased $75 million of our shares, and meaningfully increased our scale through acquisitions and investments.  Investor response has been strong, with our share price more than doubling since we launched our TSR program."     

Lacy noted the following fiscal 2014 first quarter financial highlights compared to the prior-year period:

• Local Media Group total revenues grew 3 percent to $90 million, a record high for any fiscal first quarter.  Non-political advertising revenues increased 3 percent to $64 million, led by strong performance from Meredith television stations in Phoenix, Kansas City and Portland (OR). 
• National Media Group advertising revenues increased 1 percent to $134 million. Performance was driven by Meredith's parenthood brands – Parents, American Baby and FamilyFun – along with the EveryDay with Rachael Ray and Allrecipes brands.
• Meredith's brand licensing revenues increased more than 10 percent, due primarily to continued strong sales of Better Homes and Gardens' licensed products at more than 4,000 Walmart stores across North America.
• Total Company digital advertising revenues grew 12 percent and were a record high for a fiscal first quarter. National Media Group digital advertising revenues increased 10 percent, while Local Media Group digital advertising revenues rose 25 percent.

OPERATING GROUP DETAIL

NATIONAL MEDIA GROUP

Meredith's National Media Group includes leading national consumer media brands delivered over multiple platforms that offer clients access to 100 million unduplicated American women every month – a reach unmatched in the industry.  It also features robust brand licensing activities and innovative business-to-business marketing products and services. 

Fiscal 2014 first quarter National Media Group operating profit was $28 million, compared to $29 million in the prior-year period.  Revenues were even at $267 million.

Looking more closely at advertising performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to the prior-year period:

• Total advertising revenues grew 1 percent.
• Digital advertising revenues increased 10 percent.
• The food, non-prescription drug and prescription drug, and direct response categories were stronger.
• Meredith's share of the overall magazine industry grew to 11 percent, according to the most recent data from Publishers Information Bureau.
• The Meredith Sales Guarantee, which demonstrates quantitatively that advertising in Meredith magazines increases retail sales for clients, continued to expand – with twice the number of participating brands as in the prior-year period.

Circulation revenues were up slightly from the prior-year period at $76 million, as growth in subscription revenues – particularly from Meredith's parenthood brands – was partially offset by newsstand revenues.    

Next month, Meredith will launch Allrecipes magazine, the media industry's first major print extension of a digital brand.  Allrecipes will begin with a rate base of 500,000 and a frequency of six times a year.  Interest from advertisers has been strong, with Procter and Gamble, Hershey and General Motors among the first clients to commit.

Digital traffic averaged a record 47 million unique visitors in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, spurred by growth from the Better Homes and Gardens and Parents networks, along with Allrecipes.com.  In addition, Meredith generated 1.2 million digital orders for print magazine subscriptions during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, an increase of 7 percent over the prior year.

Other revenues were $57 million, compared to $59 million in the prior-year period, as growth in brand licensing revenues was offset by Meredith Xcelerated Marketing.

"We continue to create dynamic media content across all distribution platforms – including print, digital and video – that consumers love and advertisers want as part of their marketing strategies," said National Media Group President Tom Harty.  "Our upcoming launch of Allrecipes magazine, a print extension of the world's largest digital food brand, is a perfect example."

LOCAL MEDIA GROUP

Meredith's Local Media Group consists of leading television stations, many in fast-growing markets, and a video content creation unit that produces national broadcast and custom programming.

Fiscal 2014 first quarter Local Media Group operating profit was $26 million, compared to $28 million in the prior-year period.  EBITDA margin was 36 percent.  Meredith recorded $12 million less of political advertising revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 than in the prior-year period.  

Looking more closely at performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to the prior-year period:

• Non-political advertising revenues grew 3 percent to $64 million.  The automotive, telecommunications and food categories were stronger. 
• Other revenues and operating expenses both increased, due primarily to growth in retransmission revenues from cable and satellite television operators, and programming fees paid to affiliated networks. 

Meredith's connection with viewers also strengthened in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  Meredith's stations in Hartford, Portland and Saginaw reaffirmed their market leadership in news in the July ratings period, and Hartford and Portland were also No. 1 in sign-on to sign-off.    

Digital traffic was strong in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, driven by initiatives to improve content and search engine optimization, as well as continued focus on mobile apps aimed at news, sports and weather-related information.

The Better Show, the daily syndicated program produced by Meredith Video Studios, began its seventh season in syndication and is currently available in 160 markets across the United States.  In addition, in September The Better Show began airing to 90 million homes on the Hallmark Channel through an agreement with Crown Media Family Networks.               

"Our record revenue performance – achieved in a non-political quarter – speaks to the fundamental strength of our television broadcasting business," said Local Media Group President Paul Karpowicz.  "We continue to engage viewers and successfully monetize the strength of our audience."

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consistent with Meredith's TSR strategy, Meredith repurchased 1 million shares of its stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  At September 30, 2013, $26 million remained under the current repurchase authorization.  Key elements of Meredith's TSR strategy are (1) An annual dividend of $1.63 per share; (2) A $100 million share repurchase program; and (3) Ongoing investments to scale the business and increase shareholder value over time. 

Total debt was $370 million at September 30, 2013, and the weighted average interest rate was 2.8 percent.  Meredith's debt-to-EBITDA ratio for the 12 months ended September 30, 2013, was 1.4 to 1. 

All earnings per share figures in the text of this release are diluted.  Both basic and diluted earnings per share can be found in the attached Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  All fiscal 2014 first quarter comparisons are against the prior-year period.

OUTLOOK

Looking at the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to the prior-year period:

• National Media Group total advertising revenues are expected to be flat to down slightly.
• Local Media Group non-political advertising revenues are expected to be up mid- to high-single digits.  Meredith will be cycling against $26 million, or $0.35 per share, in net political advertising revenues recorded in the prior-year second quarter. 
• Meredith currently expects fiscal 2014 second quarter earnings per share to range from $0.65 to $0.70.

Looking at full year fiscal 2014, compared to the prior-year period:

• A number of uncertainties remain that may affect Meredith's outlook, most notably limited visibility into customers' calendar 2014 advertising and marketing budgets.
• Additionally, the Local Media Group will be cycling against a record $39 million, or $0.54 per share, in net political advertising revenues recorded in fiscal 2013, partially offset by increased retransmission fees.
• Meredith continues to expect full year fiscal 2014 earnings per share to range from $2.60 to $2.95.

CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST

Meredith will host a conference call on October 24, 2013 at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss fiscal 2014 first quarter results.  A live webcast will be accessible to the public on the Company's website, www.meredith.com, and a replay will be available for two weeks.  A transcript will be available within 48 hours of the call at www.meredith.com.

RATIONALE FOR USE AND ACCESS TO NON-GAAP RESULTS

Management uses and presents GAAP and non-GAAP results to evaluate and communicate its performance. Non-GAAP measures should not be construed as alternatives to GAAP measures. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are common supplemental measures of performance used by investors and financial analysts. Management believes that EBITDA provides an additional analytical tool to clarify the Company's results from core operations and delineate underlying trends. Meredith does not use EBITDA as a measure of liquidity or funds available for management's discretionary use because they include certain contractual and non-discretionary expenditures.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP to GAAP measures are attached to this press release and will be made available at www.meredith.com.

SAFE HARBOR

This release contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  These statements are based on management's current knowledge and estimates of factors affecting the Company and its operations.  Statements in this release that are forward-looking include, but are not limited to, the statements regarding advertising revenues, along with the Company's revenue and earnings per share outlook for the second quarter and full year fiscal 2014.

Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated.  Factors that could adversely affect future results include, but are not limited to, downturns in national and/or local economies; a softening of the domestic advertising market; world, national or local events that could disrupt broadcast television; increased consolidation among major advertisers or other events depressing the level of advertising spending; the unexpected loss or insolvency of one or more major clients; the integration of acquired businesses; changes in consumer reading, purchasing and/or television viewing patterns; increases in paper, postage, printing, syndicated programming or other costs; changes in television network affiliation agreements; technological developments affecting products or methods of distribution; changes in government regulations affecting the Company's industries; increases in interest rates; and the consequences of acquisitions and/or dispositions.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION

Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com) is the leading media and marketing company serving American women.  Meredith reaches 100 million American women every month through multiple well-known national brands – including Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, Family Circle, Allrecipes, EveryDay with Rachael Ray and FamilyFun – and local television brands in fast-growing markets.  Meredith is the industry leader in creating content in key consumer interest areas such as home, family, food, health and wellness and self-development. Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms – including print, television, digital, mobile, tablets, and video – to give consumers content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners.  

Additionally, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing serves the nation's top brands and companies by delivering content-powered engagement for a hyper-connected world.  Its deep expertise in digital, mobile, social, healthcare, analytics and international marketing enable it to provide cutting-edge cross-channel customer management for many of the world's most popular brands. 

A hallmark of Meredith's business model and financial profile is its ability to consistently generate substantial free cash flow by leveraging the strength of its multi-platform portfolio.  Meredith is committed to increasing Total Shareholder Return through dividend payments, share repurchases and strategic business investments.  Meredith has paid a dividend for 66 straight years and increased its dividend for 20 consecutive years.  Meredith currently pays an annual dividend of $1.63 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of approximately 3 percent.

SOURCE Meredith Corporation