Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Cash

Cash

Cash represents on-demand accounts with financial institutions that are denominated in U.S. dollars and foreign currencies. At each balance sheet date, cash on hand that is denominated in a foreign currency is adjusted to reflect the exchange rate that existed at the balance sheet date. The difference is reported as a gain or loss in our statement of operations each period. Historically, such gains or losses have been immaterial.

Concentration of Risk and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Concentration of Risk and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

We have a concentration of credit risk in our accounts receivable because our top customer, Target, accounted for 44.1% and 43.6% of accounts receivable, net as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Target is a major retailer in the United States to which we make significant sales during the year-end holiday season.

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We make estimates of the collectability of our accounts receivable by analyzing historical bad debts, specific customer creditworthiness, and current economic trends. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.4 million and $0.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate such that their ability to make payments to us was impaired, additional allowances could be required.

Product Returns

Product Returns

We record allowances for product returns to be received in future periods at the time we recognize the original sale. We base the amounts of the returns allowances upon historical experience and future expectations. Our allowance for product returns was $0.8 million and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


Inventory

Inventory

Inventory consists primarily of finished goods held for sale and is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. We identify the inventory items to be written down for obsolescence based on the item’s current sales status and condition. We write down discontinued or slow moving inventories based on an estimate of the markdown required to sell off the inventory. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we estimated obsolete or slow-moving inventory to be $1.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

Deferred advertising costs relate to the preparation, printing, advertising and distribution of catalogs. We defer such costs for financial reporting purposes until the catalogs are distributed, and then we amortize these costs over succeeding periods on the basis of estimated direct relationship sales. We amortize our seasonal catalogs within six months. Forecasted sales are the principal factor we use in estimating the amortization rate. We expense other advertising and promotional costs as incurred. Amounts recorded as advertising expense were $16.4 million, $15.3 million, and $13.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and we include these amounts in selling and operating expense. As we have announced the intention to significantly reduce production of catalogs in 2015, we expect future deferred advertising costs to be minimal.

 

We record sales discounts or other sales incentives as a reduction to revenue. We identify and record any cooperative advertising expenses we pay, which are for advertisements meeting the separable benefit and fair value tests, as part of selling and operating expense.


Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

We state property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We include in property and equipment the cost of internal-use software, including software used in connection with our websites. We expense all costs related to the development of internal-use software other than those incurred during the application development stage. We capitalize the costs we incur during the application development stage and amortize them over the estimated useful life of the software, which is typically three years. We compute depreciation of property and equipment on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives, generally three to forty-five years. We amortize leasehold and building improvements over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining term of the lease or remaining life of the building, respectively. Depreciation expense is included in Selling and operating expense, and Corporate, general and administration expense in the accompanying statements of operations.


Investments

Investments

We account for investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair values that are not trading securities as available-for-sale securities. Unrealized changes in the fair value of an available-for-sale security are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, until disposed of or determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, at which time the realized changes are reported in our statement of operations.

Purchase Accounting

Purchase Accounting

We account for the attainment of a controlling interest in a business using the acquisition method. In determining the estimated fair value of certain acquired assets and liabilities, we make assumptions based upon many different factors, such as historical and other relevant information and analyses performed by independent parties. Assumptions may be incomplete, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect the validity of such assumptions, estimates, or actual results.

Media Library

Media Library

Our media library asset represents the fair value of libraries of media acquired through business combinations, the purchase price of media rights to both video and audio titles, and the capitalized cost to produce media products, all of which we market to retailers and to e-commerce and subscription customers. Our media library is shown in the accompanying balance sheets net of accumulated amortization of $14.5 million and $13.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the titles, which range from five to fifteen years.

Capitalized media library production costs consist of costs incurred to produce the media content, net of accumulated amortization. We recognize these costs, as well as participation costs, as expenses on an individual title basis equal to the ratio that the current year’s gross revenues bear to our estimate of total ultimate gross revenues from all sources to be earned over a maximum seven-year period. We state capitalized production costs at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated fair value on an individual title basis. We continually review revenue forecasts, based primarily on historical sales statistics, and revise these forecasts when warranted by changing conditions. When estimates of total revenues and other events or changes in circumstances indicate that a title has an estimated fair value that is less than its unamortized cost, we recognize an impairment loss in the current period for the amount by which the unamortized cost exceeds the title’s estimated fair value.

During 2014, capitalized production cost for released titles was approximately $2.0 million, and for those titles not yet released was $0.5 million. Additionally, as of December 31, 2014, we estimate that approximately $2.4 million or 42.8% of the unamortized costs for released titles will be amortized during 2015, and approximately 84.5% of the unamortized costs for released titles will be amortized within the next three years. Amortization expense for capitalized produced media content is shown in the table below.

 

Our acquired media rights have $1.6 million of remaining unamortized costs as of December 31, 2014 that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 to 84 months. Amortization expense for acquired media rights is shown in the table below.

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2014      2013      2012  

Capitalized produced media content

   $ 767       $ 788       $ 900   

Acquired media rights

     254         553         772   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total media amortization expense

$ 1,021    $ 1,341    $ 1,672   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on total media library costs at December 31, 2014 and assuming no subsequent impairment of the underlying assets or a material increase in the video productions or media acquired, we expect the amortization expense for the next five years to be approximately $1.0 million per annum. Additionally, during 2015 we anticipate incurring approximately $2.5 million in royalties related to acquired and produced media content.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the estimated fair value of assets acquired less liabilities assumed in a business acquisition. Our other intangibles consist of customer related assets. We review goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise on a goodwill reporting unit level. We have the option of first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a goodwill reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that the fair value for a goodwill reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount for that goodwill reporting unit, then the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. If it is determined that the two-step impairment test is necessary, then for step one, we compare the estimated fair value of a goodwill reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a goodwill reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, we consider the goodwill of the reporting unit not impaired. If the carrying amount of a goodwill reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss. We use either a comparable market approach or a traditional present value method to test for potential impairment. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is highly subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. Application of alternative assumptions and definitions could yield significantly different results.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets held and used, other than goodwill, when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We consider the carrying value of a long-lived asset impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. We recognize a loss based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the long-lived asset. We determine the estimated fair value primarily using the projected cash flows from the asset discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved.

Participations Payable

Participations Payable

Participations payable represents amounts owed to talent involved with our media productions based on royalty or distribution agreements. Certain agreements include minimum royalty payments. All amounts due under such agreements are accrued at the time the related revenue is recognized.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes pursuant to the liability method. The liability method requires recognition of deferred income taxes based on temporary differences between financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, using current enacted income tax rates and regulations. These differences will result in taxable income or deductions in future years when the reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively. Considerable judgment is required in determining when these events may occur and whether recovery of an asset, including the utilization of a net operating loss or other carryforward prior to its expiration, is more likely than not. Due to historical losses, we established a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets at the end of 2013.

Revenue

Revenue

We recognize revenue in our Gaiam Brand segment when the goods are shipped to the customer and collection is either probable or has occurred. The amount of revenue recognized is net of estimated returns and other chargebacks (or channel credits), which are estimated using historical return and credit rates. If the actual amount of returns and chargebacks were to vary significantly from our estimates, it could materially impact our results of operations in subsequent periods. We recognize amounts billed to customers for postage and handling as revenue at the same time we recognize the revenue arising from the product sale. Travel revenues are recognized in the period which the trip begins. We recognize revenue in our Gaiam TV segment ratably over the subscription period after collection has occurred. We present revenue net of taxes collected from customers.


Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

We recognize compensation cost for share-based awards based on the estimated fair value of the award on date of grant. We measure compensation cost at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognize compensation cost upon the probable attainment of a specified performance condition over the estimated performance period or for time based awards over the service period. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of the award. In estimating this fair value, we use certain assumptions, as disclosed in Note 11. Share-Based Compensation, consisting of the expected life of the option, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, and volatility. The use of a different estimate for any one of these components could have a material impact on the amount of calculated compensation expense.


Defined Contribution Plan

Defined Contribution Plan

We have adopted a defined contribution retirement plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”), which covers substantially all employees. Eligible employees may contribute amounts to the plan, via payroll withholding, subject to certain limitations. The 401(k) plan permits, but does not require, us to make additional matching contributions to the 401(k) plan on behalf of all participants in the 401(k) plan. We match 50% of an employee’s contribution, up to an annual maximum matching contribution of $1,500. We made matching contributions to the 401(k) plan of $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.2 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Our foreign subsidiaries use their local currency as their functional currency. We translate assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. We translate income and expense accounts at the average monthly exchange rates during the year. We record resulting translation adjustments, net of income taxes, as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Our comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of our net income (loss), noncontrolling interest net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax, and unrealized changes in the fair value of an equity security, net of tax.

The tax effects allocated to our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components were as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(in thousands)

   2014      2013      2012  

Before-tax amount

   $ (268    $ (262    $ 14   

Tax expense (benefit)

     (89      (86      4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net-of-tax amount

$ (179 $ (176 $ 10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable To Gaiam, Inc. Common Shareholders

Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable To Gaiam, Inc. Common Shareholders

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders excludes any dilutive effects of options. We compute basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. We compute diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders using the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. We excluded weighted average common stock equivalents of 725,000, 1,440,000 and 1,387,000 from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because their effect was antidilutive.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(in thousands, except per share data)

   2014      2013      2012  

Net (loss) income attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders:

        

(Loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (6,589    $ (20,757    $ (19,530

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

     (3,327      (1,995      6,648   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Gaiam, Inc.

$ (9,916 $ (22,752 $ (12,882
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares for basic and diluted net (loss) income per share

  24,228      22,972      22,703   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders—basic and diluted:

Loss from continuing operations

$ (0.27 $ (0.90 $ (0.86

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

  (0.14   (0.09   0.29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc.

$ (0.41 $ (0.99 $ (0.57
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their fair values.


Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In April of 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. The amendments in the ASU change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and expand the related disclosures. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations are presented as discontinued operations. The new guidance also requires disclosure of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The ASU requires prospective adoption and is effective for us in the first quarter of 2015. The new ASU is not expected to have a material impact on our reported financial position or results of operations.

In May of 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”)The new standard supersedes most previously existing revenue recognition rules, and will become effective for us in the first quarter of 2017. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Our revenue transactions typically consist of one, distinct, fixed-price performance obligation which is delivered to the customer at a single point in time, or over a subscription period. While we are still assessing the full impact of the new standard, we do not expect that it will have a material impact on our reported financial position or results of operations.


Use of Estimates and Reclassifications

Use of Estimates and Reclassifications

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements and disclosures. Although we base these estimates on our best knowledge of current events and actions that we may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. We have made certain reclassifications to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentations.