MDCA MDC Partners Inc

NEW YORK, Aug. 7, 2017 /CNW/ --

SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reported revenue increased 15.9% to $390.5 million
• Organic revenue growth of 11.7%
• Net income attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders increased to $9.3 million from $0.8 million last year
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 12.2% to $47.0 million, with margins of 12.0% (See Schedule 3)
• Net New Business wins totaled $26.0 million
• Updated 2017 financial guidance to approximately 7% organic revenue growth and approximately 60 basis points increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin; on track to achieve 2017 Adjusted EBITDA target

YEAR-TO-DATE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reported revenue increased 13.8% to $735.2 million
• Organic revenue growth of 8.7%
• Net loss attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders improved to ($1.7) million vs ($22.8) million last year
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 10.8% to $82.8 million, with margins of 11.3% (See Schedule 3)
• Net New Business wins totaled $51.6 million

(NASDAQ: MDCA) – MDC Partners Inc. ("MDC Partners" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

Scott Kauffman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MDC Partners, said, "Our business performed very well in the second quarter, highlighted by an acceleration of organic revenue growth to nearly 12%, including a benefit from higher pass-through costs. Our portfolio of world-class agencies is meaningfully expanding existing client relationships and winning new business at a strong pace. This industry-leading growth is testament to MDC's modern and flexible operating model, and our unique culture and entrepreneurial mindset. As we look ahead, we are well positioned to remain a leader as our industry continues to evolve at a time of accelerated change for advertising, content and commerce."

David Doft, Chief Financial Officer of MDC Partners, said, "We are exiting the quarter in a significantly stronger financial position with a stronger balance sheet and attractive cash flow profile. In addition to closing the previously-announced sale of Convertible Preference shares in the first quarter, this quarter we made $84 million of acquisition-related payments, thereby reducing our deferred consideration and minority interest to the lowest level in over five years. At this point, we have passed the inflection point whereby our future annual obligation comes down considerably. This should result in stronger overall cash generation, which will further strengthen our balance sheet and provide investment capital for long-term value creation initiatives. We are confident that we are on the right path to deliver solid returns for our stakeholders."

Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2017 Financial Results

Revenue for the second quarter of 2017 was $390.5 million, an increase of 15.9%, compared to $337.0 million in the second quarter of 2016.  The effect of foreign exchange was negative 1.5%, the impact of non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net was positive 5.7%, and the resulting organic revenue growth was 11.7%. Organic revenue growth for the period was favorably impacted by 360 basis points from increased billable pass-through costs incurred on clients' behalf from certain of our partner firms acting as principal.

Net income attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders in the second quarter of 2017 was $9.3 million compared to $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2016.  Diluted income per share attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders for the second quarter of 2017 was $0.14 compared to $0.02 per share in the second quarter of 2016.  Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2017 was $47.0 million, an increase of 12.2% compared to $41.9 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Revenue for the first six months of 2017 was $735.2 million, an increase of 13.8%, compared to $646.1 million in the first six months of 2016.  The effect of foreign exchange was negative 1.1%, the impact of non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net was positive 6.1%, and the resulting organic revenue growth was 8.7%. Organic revenue growth for the period was favorably impacted by 210 basis points from increased billable pass-through costs incurred on clients' behalf from certain of our partner firms acting as principal.

Net loss attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders in the first six months of 2017 was ($1.7) million compared to ($22.8) million in the first six months of 2016.  Diluted loss per share attributable to MDC Partners common shareholders for the first six months of 2017 was ($0.03) compared to ($0.45) per share in the first six months of 2016.  Adjusted EBITDA for the first six months of 2017 was $82.8 million, an increase of 10.8% compared to $74.7 million in the first six months of 2016.

Financial Outlook

Doft continued, "Given the strong topline trend, we are pacing ahead of the organic growth target that we provided at the beginning of the year. At the same time, a combination of higher than expected billable pass-through expenses and incremental costs associated with our robust new business and growth activities is translating to more modest margin expansion for the current year. Accordingly, we are updating our formal guidance. We are now targeting approximately 7% organic revenue growth and an improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margins of approximately 60 basis points. Taken together, we remain on track to achieve our 2017 Adjusted EBITDA target."

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call on Monday, August 7, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. (ET) to discuss results.  The conference call will be accessible by dialing 1-412-902-4266 or toll free 1-888-346-6216.  An investor presentation has been posted on our website www.mdc-partners.com and may be referred to during the conference call.

A recording of the conference call will be available one hour after the call until 12:00 a.m. (ET), August 14, 2017, by dialing 1-412-317-0088 or toll free 1-877-344-7529 (passcode 10111029), or by visiting our website at www.mdc-partners.com.

About MDC Partners Inc.

MDC Partners is one of the fastest-growing and most influential marketing and communications networks in the world.  Its 50+ advertising, public relations, branding, digital, social and event marketing agencies are responsible for some of the most memorable and engaging campaigns for the world's most respected brands.  As "The Place Where Great Talent Lives," MDC Partners is known for its unique partnership model, empowering the most entrepreneurial and innovative talent to drive competitive advantage and business growth for clients.  By leveraging technology, data analytics, insights, and strategic consulting solutions, MDC Partners drives measurable results and optimizes return on marketing investment for over 1,700 clients worldwide.  For more information about MDC Partners and its partner firms, visit our website at www.mdc-partners.com and follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mdcpartners.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to its reported results, MDC Partners has included in this earnings release certain financial results that the Securities and Exchange Commission defines as "non-GAAP financial measures."  Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with the Company's reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors analyzing period to period comparisons of the Company's results. Such non-GAAP financial measures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, include the following:

(1) Organic Revenue: "Organic revenue growth" and "organic revenue decline" refer to the positive or negative results, respectively, of subtracting both the foreign exchange and acquisition (disposition) components from total revenue growth. The acquisition (disposition) component is calculated by aggregating prior period revenue for any acquired businesses, less the prior period revenue of any businesses that were disposed of during the current period. The organic revenue growth (decline) component reflects the constant currency impact of (a) the change in revenue of the partner firms which the Company has held throughout each of the comparable periods presented, and (b) "non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net". Non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net consists of (i) for acquisitions during the current year, the revenue effect from such acquisition as if the acquisition had been owned during the equivalent period in the prior year and (ii) for acquisitions during the previous year, the revenue effect from such acquisitions as if they had been owned during that entire year (or same period as the current reportable period), taking into account their respective pre-acquisition revenues for the applicable periods, and (iii) for dispositions, the revenue effect from such disposition as if they had been disposed of during the equivalent period in the prior year.

(2) Net New Business: Estimate of annualized revenue for new wins less annualized revenue for losses incurred in the period.

(3) Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents operating profit plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred acquisition consideration adjustments, distributions from non-consolidated affiliates, and other items. Prior to 2017, Adjusted EBITDA included an additional adjustment for acquisition deal costs. Beginning with 2017, on a prospective basis we no longer include the acquisition deal cost adjustment but we continue to disclose this metric on Schedule 6 for your reference.

Included in this earnings release are tables reconciling MDC Partners' reported results to arrive at certain of these non-GAAP financial measures. We are unable to reconcile our projected 2017 organic revenue growth to the corresponding GAAP measure because we are unable to predict the 2017 impact of foreign exchange due to the unpredictability of future changes in foreign exchange rates and because we are unable to predict the occurrence or impact of any acquisitions, dispositions, or other potential changes.  We are unable to reconcile our projected 2017 increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin to the corresponding GAAP measure because the amount and timing of many future charges that impact these measures (such as amortization of future acquired intangible assets, foreign exchange transaction gains or losses, impairment charges, provision or benefit for income taxes, and certain assumptions used in the calculation of deferred acquisition consideration) are variable, uncertain, or out of our control and therefore cannot be reasonably predicted without unreasonable effort, if at all. As a result, we are unable to provide reconciliations of these measures.  In addition, we believe such reconciliations could imply a degree of precision that might be confusing or misleading to investors. 

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Company's representatives may also make forward-looking statements orally from time to time. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, earnings guidance, recent business and economic trends, potential acquisitions, and estimates of amounts for redeemable noncontrolling interests and deferred acquisition consideration, constitute forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined in this section.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events, if any.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• risks associated with severe effects of international, national and regional economic conditions;
• the Company's ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;
• the spending patterns and financial success of the Company's clients;
• the Company's ability to retain and attract key employees;
• the Company's ability to remain in compliance with its debt agreements and the Company's ability to finance its contingent payment obligations when due and payable, including but not limited to those relating to redeemable noncontrolling interests and deferred acquisition consideration;
• the successful completion and integration of acquisitions which complement and expand the Company's business capabilities;
• foreign currency fluctuations; and
• risks associated with the one Canadian securities class action litigation claim.

The Company's business strategy includes ongoing efforts to engage in acquisitions of ownership interests in entities in the marketing communications services industry.  The Company intends to finance these acquisitions by using available cash from operations, from borrowings under its credit facility and through incurrence of bridge or other debt financing, any of which may increase the Company's leverage ratios, or by issuing equity, which may have a dilutive impact on existing shareholders proportionate ownership.  At any given time, the Company may be engaged in a number of discussions that may result in one or more acquisitions.  These opportunities require confidentiality and may involve negotiations that require quick responses by the Company.  Although there is uncertainty that any of these discussions will result in definitive agreements or the completion of any transactions, the announcement of any such transaction may lead to increased volatility in the trading price of the Company's securities. 

Investors should carefully consider these risk factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors" and in the Company's other SEC filings.

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SOURCE MDC Partners Inc.