HPOL Harris Interactive, Inc. (MM)

Harris Interactive� (NASDAQ:HPOL) Kimberly Till named CEO On October 22, 2008, the board of directors appointed Ms. Kimberly Till as President and CEO of Harris Interactive. She will also serve on the Company�s board of directors. �The board and I are pleased to welcome Kimberly to Harris Interactive,� stated George Bell, Chairman. �We believe that her ability to manage costs, combined with her deep knowledge of the research industry and extensive brand-building experience with global, client-focused organizations will enable her to reinvigorate growth and profitability at Harris Interactive.� Ms. Till most recently was the CEO of TNS North America the largest custom market research firm in the US, where she was responsible for the successful turnaround of that business. She also has served in executive roles at Microsoft, AOL, Sony and Disney. �I�m excited about the opportunities ahead as Harris Interactive is known for its intellectual strength, its great brand, and its rich heritage of utilizing technology to gain competitive advantage,� said Ms. Till. �Although these are very early days, I believe that our key areas of focus will be on: streamlining our costs and our organizational structure; leveraging technology to improve efficiency, enhance quality and deepen the level of insight we can provide to our clients; diversifying our revenue streams by creating new products and solutions; and strengthening our ability to service our clients on a global scale.� Q1FY09 Results Revenue Despite strong revenue growth in France, Germany and Asia, consolidated Q1FY09 revenue dropped to $50.3 million, down 9% when compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2008. �The deepening economic turbulence in the United States combined with the anticipated decline in Healthcare revenue, created a 20% decline in domestic revenue and negated the strong growth we saw in France, Germany and Asia,� said Ronald E. Salluzzo, CFO. �As we�ve discussed before, we have been taking steps to turnaround our healthcare business; and while healthcare revenue was down 29%, it was in line with our expectations.� Operating and net profit/loss Fiscal first quarter operating loss was $(3.2) million, compared to an operating profit of $1.6 million in Q1FY08. Net loss for the quarter was $(2.3) million, or $(0.04) per share, versus net income of $1.1 million or $0.02 per share a year ago. �The rapidly deteriorating financial situation in the US created a revenue-to-cost imbalance which impacted our profitability in the quarter,� stated Salluzzo. �We have taken a number of significant actions to improve our profitability including removing 27 positions in our US operations. As a result of those actions, plus the CEO transition, we will incur related charges of $1.7 million in the second quarter.� Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA1, adding back $0.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, was $0.1 million compared to $5.0 million of adjusted EBITDA reported a year ago. Bookings Bookings for the quarter were $43.5 million, down 14% when compared with $50.8 million of bookings for the same period a year ago. 1 EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is reconciled to our GAAP financial statements in the accompanying schedules. Balance sheet As of September 30, 2008, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $25.2 million, up from $24.1 million reported a year ago, and down from $32.9 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities reported as of June 30, 2008. �This sequential decline in cash is typical in the first quarter, due to certain scheduled payments,� commented Salluzzo. �In addition, order closing activity was down, reducing payments typically received at project initiation.� As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $27.7 million of outstanding debt. FY2009 outlook �Because of continued economic stress in the US, and mounting evidence that the global financial markets will weaken further, we continue to defer issuing full-year guidance. Based on current conditions and our forecasts, we expect that FY09 consolidated revenue will be below last year�s level,� said Salluzzo. �However, we do believe that the actions we�ve recently taken, combined with our ongoing expense controls, will help us achieve higher profit margins, excluding non-recurring charges, in each year,� Salluzzo concluded. Q1 results conference call and webcast access The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss these results for Friday, October 31, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Kimberly Till, President and CEO, will host the teleconference. Formal remarks will be followed by a question and answer session. To access the conference call, please dial toll-free 888.680.0890 in the United States and Canada, or 617.213.4857 internationally. The passcode is 38258180. You may pre-register for this call by clicking here (or cut and paste the following URL into your browser window) https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key= PLDFCVGYH. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.) Pre-registrants will be issued a pin number that will permit rapid access to the teleconference. A live webcast of the conference call will also be accessible via the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.harrisinteractive.com/ir, where an archived replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the call. No telephone replay of the conference call will be provided. This media release, including financial schedules, will be available at our website www.harrisinteractive.com/ir prior to the call. About Harris Interactive Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/. Safe Harbor Statement This media release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking information. We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Additional detailed information concerning a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ is readily available in the "Risk Factors" section of the most recent Annual Report on form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Revenue and Internet revenue Q1FY09 vs. Q1FY08 In $ US millions except for % � As Reported Revenue � As Reported Internet Revenue � � Q1FY09 � Q1FY08 � % Chg � Q1FY09 � Q1FY08 � % Chg US � 30.5 � 37.9 � -20 � 22.9 � 27.1 � -16 Canada � 5.6 � 4.1 � 36 � 1.4 � 0.7 � 124 N. America � 36.1 � 42.0 � -14 � 24.3 � 27.7 � -12 UK � 9.4 � 9.5 � -1 � 5.6 � 2.5 � 120 France � 2.0 � 1.7 � 16 � 1.8 � 1.5 � 17 Germany � 1.7 � 1.6 � 7 � 1.6 � 1.5 � 6 Europe � 13.1 � 12.8 � 2 � 8.9 � 5.5 � 61 Asia � 1.1 � 0.3 � 204 � - � 0.03 � -100 Total � 50.3 � 55.2 � -9 � 33.2 � 33.3 � -0 Harris Interactive Key Operating Metrics � Quarterly Updated 10/31/08 Dollar amounts in millions US$ � Q1 FY2008 � Q2 FY2008 � Q3 FY2008 � Q4 FY2008 � Q1 FY2009 Consolidated Revenue � $55.2 � $62.7 � $57.3 � $63.5 � $50.3 Internet Revenue (% of total revenue) � 62% � 62% � 63% � 66% � 66% NA Internet Revenue (% of NA revenue) � 66% � 67% � 62% � 67% � 67% European Internet Revenue (% of European revenue) � 50% � 51% � 67% � 63% � 68% Cash, Cash Equivalents & Marketable Securities � $24.1 � $33.3 � $31.2 � $32.9 � $25.2 Bookings � $50.8 � $68.2 � $61.3 � $53.3 � $43.5 Ending Sales Backlog � $67.4 � $72.8 � $76.9 � $66.8 � $60.1 Average Billable Full Time Equivalents (FTE�s) � 766 � 821 � 818 � 817 � 742 Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) � 49 days � 43 days � 40 days � 43 days � 49 days Utilization � 62% � 62% � 62% � 66% � 59% Bookings to Revenue Ratio (B/R) � 0.92 � 1.09 � 1.07 � 0.84 � 0.87 Harris Interactive Key Operating Metrics � Trailing Twelve Months Updated 10/31/08 Dollar amounts in millions US$ � Sep 07 � Dec 07 � Mar 08 � Jun 08 � Sep 08 Consolidated Revenue � $219.8 � $226.8 � $232.3 � $238.7 � $233.8 Internet Revenue (% of total revenue) � 61% � 62% � 62% � 63% � 64% NA Internet Revenue (% of NA revenue) � 69% � 69% � 67% � 66% � 66% EUR Internet Revenue (% of European revenue) � 36% � 42% � 50% � 58% � 62% Total Bookings � $225.0 � $227.4 � $231.2 � $233.6 � $226.4 Average Billable Full Time Equivalents (FTE�s) � 731 � 757 � 779 � 806 � 800 Utilization � 64% � 64% � 63% � 63% � 62% Bookings to Revenue Ratio (B/R) � 1.02 � 1.00 � 1.00 � 0.98 � 0.97 Key Operating Metrics Definitions Bookings � The contract value of revenue-generating projects expected to take place during the next four fiscal quarters for which a firm client commitment has been received during the current period, less any adjustments to prior period bookings due to contract value adjustments or project cancellations during the current period. Ending Sales Backlog � Prior period ending sales backlog plus current period bookings less revenue recognized on outstanding projects as of the end of the period. Average Billable Full-time Equivalents (FTE�s) � The hours of available billable capacity in a given period divided by total standard hours for a full-time employee. This represents an average for the periods reported. Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) � Accounts receivable as of the end of the applicable period (including unbilled receivables less deferred revenue) divided by our daily revenue (total revenue for the period divided by the number of calendar days in the period). Utilization � Hours billed by project personnel in connection with specific revenue-generating projects divided by total hours of available capacity. Hours billed do not include marketing, selling, or proposal generation time. Bookings to Revenue Ratio (B/R) � This ratio is determined by dividing total bookings for the period by total revenue. Ratios above 1.0 are indicative of a growing sales backlog. NOTE: The metrics presented herein should be evaluated in conjunction with all other reports and documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission during each of the fiscal periods noted above. HARRIS INTERACTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) � � September 30, June 30, 2008 2008 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,817 $ 32,874 Marketable securities 1,390 - Accounts receivable, net 31,691 34,940 Unbilled receivables 10,979 11,504 Prepaids and other current assets 7,779 8,753 Deferred tax assets � 2,151 � 3,959 Total current assets 77,807 92,030 � Property, plant and equipment, net 11,018 11,953 Goodwill 41,416 42,805 Other intangibles, net 21,661 23,302 Deferred tax assets 17,188 14,606 Other assets � 2,445 � 2,353 Total assets $ 171,535 $ 187,049 � � Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accounts payable 8,231 10,779 Accrued expenses 21,186 25,611 Current portion of long-term debt 6,925 6,925 Deferred revenue � 15,468 � 16,226 Total current liabilities 51,810 59,541 � Long-term debt 20,775 22,506 Deferred tax liabilities 3,647 4,035 Other long-term liabilities 2,243 2,331 � Total stockholders' equity � 93,060 � 98,636 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 171,535 $ 187,049 HARRIS INTERACTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) � � Three months ended September 30, 2008 2007 � Revenue from services $ 50,280 $ 55,186 � Operating expenses: Cost of services 25,986 27,611 Sales and marketing 5,110 5,687 General and administrative 20,291 18,349 Depreciation and amortization � 2,083 � � 1,907 � Total operating expenses � 53,470 � � 53,554 � Operating income (loss) (3,190 ) 1,632 Operating margin -6.3 % 3.0 % � Interest and other income 190 372 Interest expense � (455 ) � (440 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes � (3,455 ) � 1,564 � Provision (benefit) for income taxes � (1,194 ) � 546 � Income (loss) from continuing operations (2,261 ) 1,018 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax � - � � 124 � Net income (loss) $ (2,261 ) $ 1,142 � � Basic net income (loss) per share: Continuing operations $ (0.04 ) $ 0.02 Discontinued operations � - � � 0.00 � $ (0.04 ) $ 0.02 � � Diluted net income (loss) per share: Continuing operations $ (0.04 ) $ 0.02 Discontinued operations � - � � 0.00 � $ (0.04 ) $ 0.02 � � Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic � 53,339,387 � � 52,642,117 � Diluted � 53,339,387 � � 52,687,728 � Reconciliation of GAAP Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA � � � � � � � Three months ended � � September 30, � � 2008 � 2007 GAAP net income (loss) � $ (2,261 ) � $ 1,142 � Income from discontinued operations, net of tax � � - � � � (124 ) Interest income � � (190 ) � � (372 ) Interest expense � � 455 � � � 440 � Provision (benefit) for income taxes � � (1,194 ) � � 546 � Depreciation and amortization � � 2,462 � � � 2,290 � EBITDA � $ (728 ) � $ 3,922 � Stock-based compensation* � � 793 � � � 1,074 � Adjusted EBITDA � $ 65 � � $ 4,996 � � � � � � Revenue from services � $ 50,280 � � $ 55,186 � � � � � � Adjusted EBITDA margin � � 0.1 % � � 9.1 % *Stock compensation expense represents the cost of stock-based compensation awarded by the Company to its employees under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), �Share-Based Payments� (�SFAS No. 123(R)�).