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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)
x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
or
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission file number: 001-13178

 

MDC Partners Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Canada		98-0364441
(State or other jurisdiction of  incorporation or organization)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

45 Hazelton Avenue  Toronto, Ontario, Canada		M5R 2E3
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

(416) 960-9000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

 

950 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022

(646) 429-1809

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act (check one)

 

Large Accelerated Filer  o	Accelerated Filer  x
Non-Accelerated Filer  o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company.)	Smaller reporting company  o

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes  o No  x

 

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APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Act subsequent to the distributions of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  o No  o

 

The numbers of shares outstanding as of May 1, 2008 were: 27,313,950 Class A subordinate voting shares and 2,503 Class B multiple voting shares.

 

Website Access to Company Reports

 

MDC Partners Inc.’s internet website address is www.mdc-partners.com. The Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, will be made available free of charge through the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practical after those reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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MDC PARTNERS INC.

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

				Page
		PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.		Financial Statements		2
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007		2
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 (unaudited) and December 31, 2007		3
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007		4
		Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		5
Item 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		18
Item 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		32
Item 4.		Controls and Procedures		32
		PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.		Legal Proceedings		33
Item 1A.		Risk Factors		33
Item 2.		Unregistered Sales of Equity and Use of Proceeds		33
Item 4.		Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		33
Item 6.		Exhibits
Signatures				34

 

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Item 1. Financial Statements

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2008			2007
						Reclassified (Note 1)
Revenue:
Services		$	143,344		$	118,080
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services sold			97,591			76,963
Office and general expenses			35,849			33,244
Depreciation and amortization			10,088			5,811
			143,528			116,018
Operating profit (loss)			(184	)		2,062
Other Income (Expenses):
Other income (expense)			3,603			(708	)
Interest expense			(3,889	)		(2,650	)
Interest income			206			156
			(80	)		(3,202	)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes, equity in affiliates and minority interests			(264	)		(1,140	)
Income tax recovery			825			515
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before equity in affiliates  and minority interests			561			(625	)
Equity in earnings (loss) of non-consolidated affiliates			140			(50	)
Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries			(2,094	)		(4,291	)
Loss from continuing operations			(1,393	)		(4,966	)
Loss from discontinued operations			(2,001	)		(3,831	)
Net Loss		$	(3,394	)	$	(8,797	)
Loss Per Common Share:
Basic and Diluted:
Continuing operations		$	(0.05	)	$	(0.20	)
Discontinued operations			(0.08	)		(0.16	)
Net Loss		$	(0.13	)	$	(0.36	)
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic			26,497,163			24,274,797
Diluted			26,497,163			24,274,797

 

Non cash stock-based compensation expense is included in the following line items above:

 

Cost of services sold		$	240		$	257
Office and general expenses			1,758			1,659
Total		$	1,998		$	1,916

 

See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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MDC PARTNERS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)     

(thousands of United States dollars)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2008			2007
						Reclassified (Note 1)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(3,394	)	$	(8,797	)
Loss from discontinued operations			(2,001	)		(3,831	)
Loss from continuing operations			(1,393	)		(4,966	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Depreciation			4,042			3,613
Amortization of intangibles			6,046			2,198
Non-cash stock-based compensation			1,759			1,692
Amortization of deferred finance charges			346			578
Deferred income taxes			—			1,796
Earnings of non-consolidated affiliates			(140	)		50
Minority interest and other			725			(35	)
Foreign exchange			(4,117	)		753
Changes in non-cash working capital:
Accounts receivable			(10,681	)		(5,619	)
Expenditures billable to clients			(9,592	)		(13,875	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(851	)		(3,888	)
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities			(20,289	)		(30,352	)
Advance billings			23,420			21,332
Cash flows used in continuing operating activities			(10,725	)		(26,723	)
Discontinued operations			275			448
Net cash used in operating activities			(10,450	)		(26,275	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(4,223	)		(3,502	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(5,737	)		(416	)
Proceeds from sale of assets			136			—
Other investments			(109	)		—
Discontinued operations			—			(135	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(9,933	)		(4,053	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Decrease in bank indebtedness			—			(4,376	)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility			16,660			33,350
Repayment of long-term debt			(200	)		(311	)
Issuance of share capital			—			452
Proceeds from stock subscription receivable			—			184
Purchase of treasury shares			(874	)		(660	)
Discontinued operations			—			(38	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			15,586			28,601
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			136			(78	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(4,661	)		(1,805	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			10,410			6,591
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	5,749		$	4,786
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid to minority partners		$	4,826		$	7,093
Cash income taxes paid		$	280		$	564
Cash interest paid		$	2,737		$	3,310
Non-cash transactions:
Share capital issued on acquisitions		$	2,360		$	—
Capital leases		$	72		$	169

 

See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(thousands of United States dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

1.    Basis of Presentation

 

MDC Partners Inc. (the “Company”) has prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) of the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to these rules.

 

The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normally recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation, in all material respects, of the information contained therein. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

 

These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

In December 2007, the Company discontinued the operations of Margeotes Fertitta Powell, LLC (“MFP”) and Banjo Strategic Entertainment, LLC (“Banjo”) and accordingly has reclassified its 2007 financial results to reflect discontinued operations.

 

2.            Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are summarized as follows:

 

Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MDC Partners Inc. and its domestic and international controlled subsidiaries that are not considered variable interest entities, and variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities including goodwill, intangible assets, valuation allowances for receivables and deferred tax assets, and the reporting of variable interest entities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis and estimates are based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. In accordance with FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (FSP 157-2), we will defer the adoption of SFAS 157 for our nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities except those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on an annual or more frequent recurring basis, until January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our fair value measurements.

		Three Months Ended  March 31,
		2008			2007
Numerator
Numerator for basic loss per common share - loss from continuing operations		$	(1,393	)	$	(4,966	)
Effect of dilutive securities			—			—
Numerator for diluted loss per common share - loss from continuing operations plus assumed conversion		$	(1,393	)	$	(4,966	)
Denominator
Denominator for basic loss per common share - weighted average common shares			26,497,163			24,274,797
Effect of dilutive securities			—			—
Denominator for diluted loss per common share - adjusted weighted shares and assumed conversions			26,497,163			24,274,797
Basic loss per common share from continuing operations		$	(0.05	)	$	(0.20	)
Diluted loss per common share from continuing operations		$	(0.05	)	$	(0.20	)

 

The 8% convertible debentures, options and other rights to purchase 7,090,359 shares of common stock, which includes 487,624 shares of non-vested restricted stock, were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2008, but were not included in the computation of diluted loss per common share because their effect would be antidilutive. Similarly, during the three months ended March 31, 2007, the 8% convertible debentures, options and other rights to purchase 7,920,436 shares of common stock, which includes 253,614 shares of non-vested restricted stock, were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted loss per common share because their effect would be antidilutive.

 

4.    Acquisitions

 

First Quarter 2008 Acquisitions

On January 1, 2008, the Company completed six equity acquisitions with various shareholders of Allard Johnson Communications Inc., (“Allard”), all pursuant to contractual puts options. The Aggregate purchase price for the six transactions was cash equal to $2,416. These transactions increased the Company’s equity ownership in Allard to 70.2%, an increase of 9.9%. The allocation of the excess purchase consideration of this step acquisition to the fair value of the net assets acquired resulted in identifiable intangibles of $172 (consisting of customer lists and existing backlog) and goodwill of $2,244. The identified intangibles will be amortized over a five year period in a manner represented by the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer contracts/relationship are realized. The intangible and goodwill are not tax deductible.

In January 2008, the Company’s 62% owned subsidiary, Zyman Group, purchased certain assets of Core Strategy Group and DMG Inc. The aggregate purchase price paid at closing consisted of $1,000 paid in cash and the issuance of 126,478 newly issued shares of the Company’s Class A stock valued at $1,110. In addition, the principals of Core Strategy Group and DMG received 1,000,000 newly-issued Restricted Class C units of Zyman Group, which will entitle them to a profit interest of 15% of Zyman Group’s pre-tax income in excess of a specified threshold amount. For accounting purposes, the value of the Company’s Class A shares issued as consideration was calculated based on the price of the Company’s Class A share on the date of the acquisitions. The accounting value of the Restricted Class C units of Zyman Group was determined based on a Black-Scholes value of $1,001. The allocation of the excess purchase consideration of these acquisitions to the fair value of the net assets acquired resulted in identifiable intangibles of $497 (consisting of customer lists and covenants not to compete) and goodwill of $2,626. The identified intangibles will be amortized up to a five year period in a manner represented by the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer contracts/relationship are realized. The intangibles and goodwill are tax deductible.

On February 12, 2008, the Company’s Bratskeir subsidiary purchased the net assets of Clifford PR for $2,050 in cash and the issuance of 30,444 newly issued shares of the Company’s Class A stock valued at $249, plus a 10% membership interest in Clifford/Bratskeir. For accounting purposes, the value of the Company’s Class A shares issued as consideration was calculated based on the price of the Company’s Class A shares on the date of the acquisition. The accounting value of the 10% membership interest in Clifford/Bratskeir was valued at $1,064. The allocation of the excess purchase consideration of this acquisition to the fair value of the net assets acquired resulted in identifiable intangibles of $1,031 (consisting of customer lists, backlog and covenants not to compete) and goodwill of $2,201. The identified intangibles will be amortized over a period of up to five years in a manner represented by the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer contracts/relationship are realized. The intangibles and goodwill are tax deductible.

 

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2007 Acquisitions

 

On November 1, 2007, the Company acquired an additional 28% of Crispin Porter & Bogusky LLC, (“CPB”) from certain minority holders resulting in the Company’s current ownership of 77%. The purchase price consisted of a payment of approximately $22,561 in cash and the issuance of 514,025 newly-issued shares of the Company’s Class A subordinated voting stock valued at approximately $5,546. For accounting purposes, the value of the Company’s Class A shares issued as consideration was calculated based on the price of the Company’s Class A shares over a period two days before and after the November 1, 2007 announcement date. This acquisition represented an accelerated exercise of the Company’s existing call option that was otherwise exercisable in December 2007 and in April 2008. Prior to the transaction, the Company consolidated CPB as a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”). As a result of this step acquisition, the Company now consolidates CPB as a majority owned subsidiary. The allocation of the excess purchase consideration of this acquisition to the fair value of net assets acquired resulted in 100% or $4,637 of the excess consideration being allocated to identifiable intangible assets. Approximately $2,000 represents customer backlog and is being amortized over a five month period and the balance of $2,637 represents customer relationships and is being amortized over a five year period. These intangibles are tax deductible in future years as well as $23,470 of intangibles which have been previously recorded in connection with the VIE accounting.

 

On October 18, 2007, the Company acquired the remaining 40% equity interest in KBP Holdings LLC, (“KBP”) from KBP Management Partners LLC (“Minority Holder”). The purchase price consisted of an initial payment of approximately $12,255 in cash and the issuance of 269,389 newly-issued shares of the Company’s Class A subordinated voting stock valued at approximately $2,901. For accounting purposes, the value of the Company’s Class A shares issued as consideration was calculated based on the price of the Company’s Class A shares on the date of the acquisition. In addition, the Company expects to pay a contingent amount to the Minority Holder in 2009 and 2010, based on KBP’s financial performance in 2008 and 2009. These additional contingent payments will be calculated in accordance with KBP’s existing limited liability company agreement. In connection with this acquisition, certain key executives of KBP agreed to extend the terms of their existing employment agreements and received grants of restricted stock of the Company valued at $234 in the aggregate. These equity grants vest over a three year period. This acquisition represented an accelerated exercise of the Company’s existing call option that was otherwise exercisable in 2008. The allocation of the excess purchase consideration of this acquisition to the fair value of net assets acquired resulted in 100% or $14,482 of the excess consideration being allocated to identifiable intangible assets. Approximately $2,711 represents customer backlog and is being amortized over a six and one-half month period and the balance of $11,771 represents customer relationships and the amortization rate is expected to be 30%, 25%, 20%, 15% and 10% in years one through five, respectively. The value of the restricted stock grants will be amortized over a three year period. In addition, the Company incurred a non-cash stock based compensation charge of approximately $2,603 resulting from a portion of the purchase price being paid by the Minority Holder to certain employees of KBP pursuant to an existing phantom equity plan between those employees and the Minority Holder. A similar type of charge will be incurred if and when any contingent payments are made in 2009 and 2010. The intangibles are tax deductible in future years.

 

On August 17, 2007, the Company purchased an additional 16% of the equity interests of VitroRobertson LLC (“Vitro”) resulting in the Company’s current ownership of 84%. This 16% represents one of the founders’ remaining equity interest in Vitro. This founder initially had a put option right to the Company for this 16%, which was to become exercisable in 2011. However, the Company agreed to purchase this 16% for an initial payment of $650, together with the potential of two additional payments of $75 each based upon client retention targets. The allocation of the cost of the acquisition to the fair value of net assets acquired resulted in identifiable intangible assets of $200 and goodwill of $375. The identifiable intangibles will be amortized on a straight line basis over five years. The intangibles and goodwill are tax deductible in future years.

 

On June 15, 2007, the Company acquired a 60% membership interest in Redscout, LLC (“Redscout”). Redscout is a brand development and innovation consulting firm. Redscout is expected to expand the Company’s strategic consultancy services within the Strategic Marketing Services segment. The purchase price consisted of $4,021 in cash and $641 was paid in the form of 76,340 newly issued Class A shares of the Company. In addition, the Company may be required to make additional payments which are contingent on the results of Redscout’s operations through December 2008. As of December 31, 2007, the Company will be required to make additional payments of $1,500 of which approximately $214 may be paid in the form of Class A shares. At December 31, 2007, this amount has been accrued in deferred acquisition consideration. In addition, the Company incurred approximately $35 of transaction related costs for a total purchase price of $4,697. The allocation of the cost of the acquisition to the fair value of net assets acquired resulted in amortizable intangible assets of $1,275 and goodwill of $2,706 and is based on estimates of fair values and certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The intangibles and goodwill are tax deductible in future years.

 

On May 1, 2007, the Company’s 70.1% owned subsidiary, Northstar Research Holdings USA LP, acquired a 51% membership interest in Trend Core LLC (“TC”). TC is a qualitative research firm with a specialty in the understanding of the merger of cultural trends and consumer needs with product innovation. TC is expected to expand the Company’s research capabilities within the Specialized Communication Services segment. The purchase price consisted of $103 in cash and related closing costs. In addition, the Company may be required to pay up to an additional $900 in cash to the sellers if TC achieves specified financial targets at certain specified times over the period ending April 30, 2011. The allocation of the cost of the acquisition to the fair value of net assets acquired resulted in an amortizable intangible asset of approximately $96 based on estimates of fair values and certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The intangible is tax deductible in future years.

 

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On April 4, 2007, the Company acquired a 59% membership interest in HL Group Partners LLC (“HL”). The Company intends to use up to 8% of the membership interests acquired for purposes of entering into a profits interest arrangement with other key executives of HL, or “Gen II” management of which 7% has been issued. Gen II management will also have liquidity rights based on any appreciation of value over the original purchase price attributable to the profits interest. HL is a marketing strategy and corporate communications firm with a specialty in high end fashion and luxury goods. HL is expected to expand the Company’s creative talent within the Strategic Marketing Services segment. The purchase price consisted of $4,813 in cash, of which $4,493 was paid and $320 was paid in April 2008, and $1,000 was paid in the form of 128,550 newly-issued Class A shares of the Company. In addition, the Company incurred transaction costs of approximately $30 for a total purchase price of $5,843. The allocation of the cost of the acquisition to the fair value of net assets acquired resulted in amortizable intangible assets of $2,154 and goodwill of $3,442 and is based on estimates of fair values and certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The intangibles and goodwill are tax deductible in future years.

 

Pro forma Information

 

The following unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2007 assume that the acquisition of the operating assets of the significant businesses acquired during 2007 had occurred on January 1, 2007. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, there were no significant businesses acquired. These unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of either the actual results of operations that would have been achieved had the companies been combined during these periods, or are they necessarily indicative of future results of operations. These unaudited pro forma results for the three months ended March 31, 2007, include an adjustment for the non-cash stock based compensation charge of $2,603 resulting from the KBP acquisition.

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
Revenues		$	118,080
Net loss		$	(11,537	)
Loss per common share:
Basic – net loss		$	(0.46	)
Diluted – net loss		$	(0.46	)

 

7.    Comprehensive Loss 

 

Total comprehensive loss and its components were:  

 

		Three Months Ended  March 31,
		2008			2007
Net loss for the period		$	(3,394	)	$	(8,797	)
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment			(3,381	)		536
Comprehensive loss for the period		$	(6,775	)	$	(8,261	)

 

8.    Short-Term Debt, Long-Term Debt and Convertible Debentures

 

Debt consists of:

		March 31,  2008			December 31, 2007
Revolving credit facility		$	18,561		$	1,901
8% convertible debentures			43,838			45,395
Term loans			111,500			111,500
Notes payable and other bank loans			3,700			3,285
			177,599			162,081
Obligations under capital leases			2,582			2,673
			180,181			164,754
Less:
Current portions			1,855			1,796
Long term portion		$	178,326		$	162,958

 

MDC Financing Agreement and Debentures

 

New Financing Agreement

 

On June 18, 2007, MDC Partners Inc. (the “Company”) and its material subsidiaries entered into a new $185,000 senior secured financing agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with Fortress Credit, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group, as collateral agent and Wells Fargo Bank, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders. Proceeds from the Financing Agreement were used to repay in full the outstanding balances on the Company's prior credit facility, which was terminated.

 

The new Financing Agreement consists of a $55,000 revolving credit facility, a $60,000 term loan and a $70,000 delayed draw term loan. Borrowings under the Financing Agreement will bear interest as follows: (a) LIBOR Rate Loans bear interest at applicable interbank rates and Reference Rate Loans bear interest at the rate of interest publicly announced by the Reference Bank in New York, New York, plus (b) a percentage spread ranging from 0% to a maximum of 4.75% depending on the type of loan and the Company’s Senior Leverage Ratio. In addition, the Company is required to pay a facility fee of 50 basis points. At March 31, 2008, the weighted average interest rate was 7.39%.

 

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At March 31, 2008, $49,919 remains available under the Financing Agreement to support the Company’s future cash requirements. The new Financing Agreement is guaranteed by the material subsidiaries of the Company and matures on June 17, 2012. The Financing Agreement is subject to various covenants, including a senior leverage ratio, fixed charges ratio, limitations on debt incurrence, limitation on liens and limitation on dividends and other payments.

 

The Company is currently in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of its Financing Agreement, and management believes, based on its current financial projections, that the Company will be in compliance with covenants over the next twelve months.

 

8% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures

 

On June 28, 2005, the Company completed an offering in Canada of convertible unsecured subordinated debentures amounting to $36,723 (C$45,000) (the “Debentures”). The Debentures will mature on June 30, 2010. The Debentures bear interest at an annual rate of 8.00% payable semi-annually, in arrears, on June 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2005. Unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may elect, from time to time, subject to applicable regulatory approval, to issue and deliver Class A subordinate voting shares to the Debenture trustee in order to raise funds to satisfy all or any part of the Company’s obligations to pay interest on the Debentures in accordance with the indenture in which holders of the Debentures will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the interest payable from the proceeds of the sale of such Class A subordinate voting shares by the Debenture trustee.

 

The Debentures are convertible at the holder’s option into fully-paid, non-assessable and freely tradable Class A subordinate voting shares of the Company, at any time prior to maturity or redemption, subject to the restrictions on transfer, at a conversion price of $13.64 (C$14.00) per Class A subordinate voting share being a ratio of approximately 71.4286 Class A subordinate voting shares per $974.18 (C$1,000.00) principal amount of Debentures.

 

The Debentures may not be redeemed by the Company on or before June 30, 2008. Thereafter, but prior to June 30, 2009, the Debentures may be redeemed, in whole or in part from time to time, at a price equal to the principal amount of the Debenture plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that the volume weighted average trading price of the Class A subordinate voting shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange during a specified period is not less than 125% of the conversion price. From July 1, 2009 until the maturity of the Debentures the Debentures may be redeemed by the Company at a price equal to the principal amount of the Debenture plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The Company may elect to satisfy the redemption consideration, in whole or in part, by issuing Class A subordinate voting shares of the Company to the holders, the number of which will be determined by dividing the principal amount of the Debenture by 95% of the current market price of the Class A subordinate voting shares on the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a change of control of the Company involving the acquisition of voting control or direction over 50% or more of the outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares prior to June 30, 2008, the Company shall be required to make an offer to purchase all of the then outstanding Debentures at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus an amount equal to the interest payments not yet received on the Debentures calculated from the date of the change of control to June 30, 2008, discounted at a specified rate. Upon the occurrence of a change of control on or after June 30, 2008, the Company shall be required to make an offer to purchase all of the then outstanding Debentures at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest to the purchase date.

 

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9.            Shareholders’ Equity 

 

Summary financial information concerning the Company’s operating segments is shown in the following tables:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

(thousands of United States dollars)  

 

		Strategic  Marketing  Services			Customer  Relationship  Management			Specialized  Communication  Services			Corporate			Total
Revenue		$	77,981		$	34,663		$	30,700		$	—		$	143,344
Cost of services sold			50,618			25,690			21,283			—			97,591
Office and general expenses			19,341			5,921			6,204			4,383			35,849
Depreciation and amortization			7,292			1,825			903			68			10,088
Operating Profit/(Loss)			730			1,227			2,310			(4,451	)		(184	)
Other Income (Expense):
Other income															3,603
Interest expense, net															(3,683	)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes, equity in affiliates and minority interests															(264	)
Income tax recovery															825
Loss from continuing operations before equity in affiliates and minority interests															561
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates															140
Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries			(670	)		(57	)		(1,367	)		—			(2,094	)
Loss from continuing operations															(1,393	)
Loss from discontinued operations															(2,001	)
Net Loss														$	(3,394	)
Non cash stock based compensation		$	446		$	32		$	252		$	1,268		$	1,998
Supplemental Segment Information:
Capital expenditures		$	2,708		$	878		$	609		$	28		$	4,223
Goodwill and intangibles		$	200,314		$	29,128		$	45,808		$	—		$	275,250
Total assets		$	348,925		$	75,407		$	101,717		$	13,641		$	539,690

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

(thousands of United States dollars)  

Restated for Discontinued Operations

 

		Strategic  Marketing  Services			Customer  Relationship  Management			Specialized  Communication  Services			Corporate			Total
Revenue		$	70,563		$	23,568		$	23,949		$	—		$	118,080
Cost of services sold			42,754			16,998			17,211			—			76,963
Office and general expense			18,195			4,537			5,122			5,390			33,244
Depreciation and amortization			3,766			1,550			427			68			5,811
Operating Profit/(Loss)			5,848			483			1,189			(5,458	)		2,062
Other Income (Expense):
Other expense															(708	)
Interest expense, net															(2,494	)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes, equity in affiliates and minority interests															(1,140	)
Income tax recovery															515
Loss from continuing operations before equity in affiliates and minority interests															(625	)
Equity in loss of non-consolidated affiliates															(50	)
Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries			(3,716	)		(14	)		(561	)		—			(4,291	)
Loss from continuing operations															(4,966	)
Loss from discontinued operations															(3,831	)
Net Loss														$	(8,797	)
Non cash stock based compensation		$	489		$	26		$	124		$	1,277		$	1,916
Supplemental Segment Information:
Capital expenditures		$	1,658		$	1,435		$	362		$	47		$	3,502
Goodwill and intangibles		$	178,807		$	29,643		$	38,627		$	—		$	247,077
Total assets		$	321,706		$	66,026		$	101,956		$	14,705		$	504,393

 

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A summary of the Company’s revenue by geographic area, based on the location in which the services originated, is set forth in the following table:

		United  States			Canada			Other			Total
Revenue
Three Months Ended March 31,
2008		$	117,709		$	22,150		$	3,485		$	143,344
2007		$	96,903		$	18,683		$	2,494		$	118,080

 

12. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

 

Deferred Acquisition Consideration. In addition to the consideration paid by the Company in respect of certain of its acquisitions at closing, additional consideration may be payable, or may be potentially payable based on the achievement of certain threshold levels of earnings. Should the current level of earnings be maintained by these acquired companies, no additional consideration, in excess of the deferred acquisition consideration reflected on the Company’s balance sheet at March 31, 2008 would be expected to be owed in 2008.

Put Options. Owners of interests in certain subsidiaries have the right in certain circumstances to require the Company to acquire the remaining ownership interests held by them. The owners’ ability to exercise any such “put option” right is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including conditions requiring notice in advance of exercise. In addition, these rights cannot be exercised prior to specified staggered exercise dates. The exercise of these rights at their earliest contractual date would result in obligations of the Company to fund the related amounts during the period 2008 to 2015. It is not determinable, at this time, if or when the owners of these rights will exercise all or a portion of these rights.

 

The amount payable by the Company in the event such rights are exercised is dependent on various valuation formulas and on future events, such as the average earnings of the relevant subsidiary through the date of exercise, the growth rate of the earnings of the relevant subsidiary during that period, and, in some cases, the currency exchange rate at the date of payment.

 

Management estimates, assuming that the subsidiaries owned by the Company at March 31, 2008, perform over the relevant future periods at their trailing twelve-months earnings levels, that these rights, if all exercised, could require the Company, in future periods, to pay an aggregate amount of approximately $61,399 to the owners of such rights to acquire such ownership interests in the relevant subsidiaries. Of this amount, the Company is entitled, at its option, to fund approximately $10,380 by the issuance of share capital. In addition, the Company is obligated under similar put option rights to pay an aggregate amount of approximately $9,515 only upon termination of such owner’s employment with the applicable subsidiary. The ultimate amount payable relating to these transactions will vary because it is dependent on the future results of operations of the subject businesses and the timing of when these rights are exercised.

 

Natural Disasters. Certain of the Company’s operations are located in regions of the United States and Caribbean which typically are subject to hurricanes. During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, these operations did not incur any costs related to damages resulting from hurricanes.

 

Guarantees. In connection with certain dispositions of assets and/or businesses in 2001 and 2003, the Company has provided customary representations and warranties whose terms range in duration and may not be explicitly defined. The Company has also retained certain liabilities for events occurring prior to sale, relating to tax, environmental, litigation and other matters. Generally, the Company has indemnified the purchasers in the event that a third party asserts a claim against the purchaser that relates to a liability retained by the Company. These types of indemnification guarantees typically extend for a number of years.

In connection with the sale of the Company’s investment in CDI, the amounts of indemnification guarantees were limited to the total sale price of approximately $84,000. For the remainder, the Company’s potential liability for these indemnifications are not subject to a limit as the underlying agreements do not always specify a maximum amount and the amounts are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events.

Historically, the Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees. The Company continues to monitor the conditions that are subject to guarantees and indemnifications to identify whether it is probable that a loss has occurred, and would recognize any such losses under any guarantees or indemnifications in the period when those losses are probable and estimable.

For guarantees and indemnifications entered into after January 1, 2003, in connection with the sale of the Company’s investment in CDI, the Company has estimated the fair value of its liability, which was insignificant.

 

Legal Proceedings. The Company’s operating entities are involved in legal proceedings of various types. While any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, the Company has no reason to believe that the outcome of such proceedings or claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

 

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Commitments. The Company has commitments to fund $337 in one investment fund over a period of up to two years. At March 31, 2008, the Company has issued $5,020 of undrawn outstanding letters of credit.

 

13. New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement is effective for all fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is encouraged. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on its financial statements. 

 

In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This statement expands the use of fair value measurement and applies to entities that elect the fair value option. The fair value option established by this Statement permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141R “Business Combination” (“SFAS 141R”). This revised statement retains some fundamental concepts of the current standard, including the acquisition method of accounting (known as the “purchase method” in Statement 141) for all business combinations but SFAS 141R broadens the definitions of both businesses and business combinations, resulting in the acquisition method applying to more events and transactions. This statement also requires the acquirer to recognize the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, at the full amounts of their fair values. SFAS 141R will require both acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs to be recognized separately from the acquisition and be expensed as incurred. In addition, acquirers will record contingent consideration at fair value on the acquisition date as either a liability or equity. Subsequent changes in fair value will be recognized in the income statement for any contingent consideration recorded as a liability. SFAS 141R is to be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early application is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new statement on its financial statements.

 

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160 “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160”). This statement amends ARB No. 51 Consolidated Financial Statements, to now require the classification of noncontrolling (minority) interests and dispositions of noncontrolling interests as equity within the consolidated financial statements. The income statement will now be required to show net income/loss with and without adjustments for noncontrolling interests. SFAS 160 is to be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those years. However, this statement requires companies to apply the presentation and disclosure requirements retrospectively to comparative financial statements. Early application is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new statement on its financial statements.

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

 

Unless otherwise indicated, references to the “Company” mean MDC Partners Inc. and its subsidiaries, and references to a fiscal year means the Company’s year commencing on January 1 of that year and ending December 31 of that year (e.g., fiscal 2008 means the period beginning January 1, 2008, and ending December 31, 2008).

 

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) of the United States of America (“US GAAP”). However, the Company has included certain non-US GAAP financial measures and ratios, which it believes, provide useful information to both management and readers of this report in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of the Company. One such term is “organic revenue” which means growth in revenues from sources other than acquisitions or foreign exchange impacts. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by US GAAP and, therefore, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, nor should they be construed as an alternative to other titled measures determined in accordance with US GAAP.

The following discussion focuses on the operating performance of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, and the financial condition of the Company as of March 31, 2008. This analysis should be read in conjunction with the interim condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this interim report and the annual audited consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis presented in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2007 as reported on Form 10-K. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

 

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Executive Summary 

 

The Company’s objective is to create shareholder value by building market-leading subsidiaries and affiliates that deliver innovative, value-added marketing communications and strategic consulting to their clients. Management believes that shareholder value is maximized with an operating philosophy of “Perpetual Partnership” with proven committed industry leaders in marketing communications.

 

MDC manages the business by monitoring several financial and non-financial performance indicators. The key indicators that we review focus on the areas of revenues and operating expenses and capital expenditures. Revenue growth is analyzed by reviewing the components and mix of the growth, including: growth by major geographic location; existing growth by major reportable segment (organic); growth from currency changes; and growth from acquisitions.

 

MDC conducts its businesses through the Marketing Communications Group. Within the Marketing Communications Group, there are three reportable operating segments: Strategic Marketing Services (“SMS”), Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) and Specialized Communication Services (“SCS”). In addition, MDC has a “Corporate Group” which provides certain administrative, accounting, financial and legal functions. Through its operating “partners”, MDC provides advertising, consulting, customer relationship management, and specialized communication services to clients throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Jamaica and the Philippines.

 

The operating companies earn revenue from agency arrangements in the form of retainer fees or commissions; from short-term project arrangements in the form of fixed fees or per diem fees for services; and from incentives or bonuses. Additional information about revenue recognition appears in Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

MDC measures operating expenses in two distinct cost categories: cost of services sold, and office and general expenses. Cost of services sold is primarily comprised of employee compensation related costs and direct costs related primarily to providing services. Office and general expenses are primarily comprised of rent and occupancy costs and administrative service costs including related employee compensation costs. Also included in operating expenses is depreciation and amortization.

 

Because we are a service business, we monitor these costs on a percentage of revenue basis. Cost of services sold tend to fluctuate in conjunction with changes in revenues, whereas office and general expenses and depreciation and amortization, which are not directly related to servicing clients, tend to decrease as a percentage of revenue as revenues increase because a significant portion of these expenses are relatively fixed in nature.

 

Capital expenses are measured as either maintenance or investment related.  Maintenance capital expenses are primarily composed of general upkeep of our office facilities and equipment that are required to continue to operate our businesses.  Investment capital expenses include expansion costs, the build out of new capabilities, technology or call centers, or other growth initiatives not related to the day to day upkeep of the existing operations.  Growth capital expenses are measured and approved based on the expected return of the invested capital.

 

Certain Factors Affecting Our Business

 

Acquisitions and Dispositions.  MDC’s strategy includes acquiring ownership stakes in well-managed businesses with strong reputations in the industry. MDC has entered into a number of acquisition and disposal transactions during the 2007 to 2008 period, which affected revenues, expenses, operating income and net income. Additional information regarding material acquisitions is provided in Note 4 “Acquisitions” and information on dispositions is provided in Note 6 “Discontinued Operations” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Foreign Exchange Fluctuations.  MDC’s financial results and competitive position are primarily affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and non-US dollars, primarily the Canadian dollar. See also “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Foreign Exchange.”

 

Seasonality.  Historically, with some exceptions, the fourth quarter generates the highest quarterly revenues in a year. The fourth quarter has historically been the period in the year in which the highest volumes of media placements and retail related consumer marketing occur.

 

 Reclassifications. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company reclassified certain costs from the corporate segment to each of the SMS, CRM and SCS segments. As a result, the 2007 segments have been restated for this reclassification.

 

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2008, Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

Revenue was $143.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, representing an increase of $25.3 million, or 21.4%, compared to revenue of $118.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. This revenue increase relates primarily to organic growth of $17.3 million and $4.7 million relating to acquisitions. In addition, a weakening of the US Dollar, primarily versus the Canadian dollar during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, resulted in increased revenues of $3.3 million.

 

Operating profit for 2008 was a loss of $0.2 million, compared to income of $2.1 million for 2007. The decrease in operating profit was primarily the result of a decrease in operating profit of $5.1 million in the Strategic Marketing Services (“SMS”) segment, partially offset by increases in operating profits of $0.7 million and $1.1 million within the Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) and Specialized Communication Services (“SCS”) segments, respectively. In addition, Corporate operating expenses decreased by $1.0 million.

 

The loss from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2008 was $1.4 million, compared to $5.0 million in 2007. This decrease in net loss of $3.6 million was primarily the result of an increase in other income of $4.3 million, which includes a $4.2 million increase in unrealized gains on foreign currency transactions and decreased minority interest of $2.2 million, partially offset by decreased operating profits of $2.2 million.

 

Marketing Communications Group

 

Revenues in 2008 attributable to the Marketing Communications Group, which consists of three reportable segments — Strategic Marketing Services (“SMS”), Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”), and Specialized Communication Services (“SCS”), were $143.3 million compared to $118.1 million in 2007, representing a year-over-year increase of 21.4%.

 

The components of revenue growth for 2008 are shown in the following table:

		Revenue
		$000’s			%
Quarter ended March 31, 2007		$	118,080			—
Organic			17,264			14.6	%
Acquisitions			4,712			4.0	%
Foreign exchange impact			3,288			2.8	%
Quarter ended March 31, 2008		$	143,344			21.4	%

 

The geographic mix in revenues was consistent between 2008 and 2007 and is demonstrated in the following table:

		2008			2007
US			82	%		82	%
Canada			16	%		16	%
UK and other			2	%		2	%

 

The operating profit of the Marketing Communications Group decreased by approximately 43.3% to $4.3 million from $7.5 million. Operating margins decreased by 3.4% and were 3.0% for 2008 compared to 6.4% for 2007. The decrease in operating profit and operating margin is primarily attributable to an increase in depreciation and amortization of $4.3 million primarily related to the step acquisitions of Crispin Porter + Bogusky LLC, (“CPB”) and kirshenbaum bond & partners, LLC (“KBP”) in the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, direct costs (excluding staff costs) increased as a percentage of revenues from 23.1% of revenue in 2007 to 27.3% of revenue in 2008 due to an increase in reimbursed client related direct costs. However, total staff costs as a percentage of revenues decreased from 50.7% in 2007 to 49.0% in 2008. General and administrative costs decreased as a percentage of revenue from 23.6% in 2007 to 22.0% in 2008.

 

Strategic Marketing Services (“SMS”)

 

Revenues attributable to SMS in the first quarter of 2008 were $78.0 million, compared to $70.6 million in 2007. The year-over-year increase of $7.4 million or 10.5% was attributable primarily to organic growth of $1.9 million as a result of net new business wins, and $4.2 million of the revenue increase related to new acquisitions during 2007. A weakening of the US dollar versus the Canadian dollar in 2008 compared to 2007 resulted in a $1.3 million increase in revenues from the division’s Canadian-based operations.

 

The operating profit of SMS decreased by approximately 87.5% to $0.7 million in 2008 from $5.8 million in 2007, while operating margins decreased to 0.9% in 2008 from 8.3% in 2007. Operating profit decreased due primarily to increased depreciation and amortization of $3.5 million, which relates to the amortization of certain intangibles resulting from the CPB and KBP step-up acquisitions during the fourth quarter of 2007. The decrease in operating margin is primarily related to an increase in direct costs (excluding staff costs) as a percentage of revenues from 9.7% of revenue in 2007 to 12.0% of revenue in 2008. Reimbursed client related direct costs and total staff costs as a percentage of revenue increased from 59.9% in 2007 to 61.6% in 2008 due in part to the timing of recognizing revenues for work begun during March 2008. However, office and administrative costs decreased as a percentage of revenue from 25.8% in 2007 to 24.8% in 2008 as a result of relatively fixed costs while revenue increased.

 

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Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”)

 

Revenues reported by the CRM segment in 2008 were $34.7 million, an increase of $11.1 million or 47.1% compared to the $23.6 million reported for 2007. This growth was entirely organic and was a result of higher revenues from existing clients in part as a result of the opening of a new customer care center in September 2007.

 

Operating profit earned by CRM increased by approximately $0.7 million to $1.2 million for 2008, from $0.5 million for the previous year. Operating margins were 3.5% for 2008 as compared to 2.0% in 2007. The increase in margins is primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative costs as a percentage of revenue from 19.3% in 2007 to 17.1% in 2008.

 

Specialized Communication Services (“SCS”)

 

SCS generated revenues of $30.7 million for 2008, an increase of $6.8 million, or 28.2% higher than revenues of $23.9 million in 2007. The year-over-year increase was attributable primarily to organic growth of $4.2 million as a result of net new business wins, and $0.5 million from acquisitions. A weakening of the US dollar versus the Canadian dollar and British pound in 2008 compared to 2007 resulted in a $2.0 million increase in revenues from the division’s Canadian and UK-based operations.

 

The operating profit of SCS increased by $1.1 million to $2.3 million in 2008, from an operating profit of $1.2 million in 2007, with operating margins of 7.5% in 2008 compared to 5.0% in 2007. The increase in operating margin in 2008 was due primarily to a decrease in total staff costs as a percentage of revenue from 51.7% in 2007, to 49.3% in 2008, and a decrease in general and administrative costs as a percentage of revenue from 21.4% in 2007 to 20.2% in 2008.

 

Corporate

 

Operating costs related to the Company’s Corporate operations totaled $4.5 million in 2008 compared to $5.5 million in 2007. This decrease of $1.0 million is primarily due to a reduction in legal and other professional fees, a reduction in business insurance costs, and receipt of a partial repayment of the CEO’s outstanding loan equal to $0.1 million.

 

Other Income, Net

 

Other income increased to $3.6 million in 2008 compared to expenses of $0.7 million in 2007. The 2008 income is primarily comprised of a foreign exchange gain of $3.6 million for 2008 compared to a loss of $0.6 million recorded in 2007, and was due primarily to an unrealized gain due to the strengthening in the US dollar during 2008 compared to the Canadian dollar primarily on its US dollar denominated intercompany balances with its Canadian subsidiaries compared to December 31, 2007. At March 31, 2008, the exchange rate was 1.03 Canadian dollars to one US dollar, compared to 0.99 at the end of 2007.

 

Net Interest Expense

 

Net interest expense for 2008 was $3.7 million, an increase of $1.2 million over the $2.5 million net interest expense incurred during 2007. Interest expense increased $1.2 million in 2008 due to higher average outstanding debt in 2008, offset by lower interest rates. Interest income was $0.2 million for 2008 and 2007.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax recovery in 2008 was $0.8 million compared to $0.5 million for 2007. The Company’s effective tax rate was substantially higher than the statutory rate in 2008 and 2007 due to minority interest charges, offset by non-deductible stock based compensation.

 

The Company’s US operating units are generally structured as limited liability companies, which are treated as partnerships for tax purposes. The Company is only taxed on its share of profits, while minority holders are responsible for taxes on their share of the profits.

 

Equity in Affiliates

 

Equity in affiliates represents the income attributable to equity-accounted affiliate operations. For 2008, income of $0.1 million was recorded compared to a loss of $0.1 million in 2007.

 

Minority Interests

 

Minority interest expense was $2.1 million for 2008, down $2.2 million from the $4.3 million of minority interest expense incurred during 2007. Such decrease was primarily due to the Company’s step-up in ownership of CPB and KBP offset in part by the increase in profitability in the subsidiaries within the SCS operating segments who are not 100% owned.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

The loss, net of an income tax benefit of $1.0 million from discontinued operations in 2008 of $2.0 millions results primarily from the accrual of lease abandonment costs and severance relating to Margeotes Fertitta Powell, LLC (“MFP”).

 

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The loss, net of an income tax benefit of $2.0 million from discontinued operations for 2007 was $3.8 million and is comprised of the operating results of MFP and Banjo Strategic Entertainment, LLC (“Banjo”).

 

In March 2007, due to continued operating and client losses, the Company ceased MFP’s current operations and spun off a new operating division, and as a result incurred a goodwill impairment charge of $4.5 million. After reviewing the 2008 projections and operating losses of the new MFP operating division, the Company decided to cease the operations of the new MFP operating business as well.

 

In December 2007, due to continued operating losses and the lack of new business wins, the Company ceased Banjo’s operations.

 

As a result, the Company has classified these operations as discontinued.

 

Net Income

 

As a result of the foregoing, the net loss recorded for 2008 was $3.4 million or a loss of $0.13 per diluted share, compared to the net loss of $8.8 million or $0.36 per diluted share reported for 2007.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources:

 

Liquidity

 

The following table provides summary information about the Company’s liquidity position:

 

		As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2008			As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007			As of and for the year ended December 31, 2007
		(000’s)			(000’s)			(000’s)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,749		$	4,786		$	10,410
Working capital (deficit)		$	(12,175	)	$	(104,510	)	$	(22,364	)
Cash from operations		$	(10,450	)	$	(26,275	)	$	4,132
Cash from investing		$	(9,933	)	$	(4,053	)	$	(60,914	)
Cash from financing		$	15,586		$	28,601		$	(60,929	)
Long-term debt to shareholders’ equity ratio			1.30			0.39			1.27
Fixed charge coverage ratio			N/A			N/A			1.36
Fixed charge deficiency		$	264		$	1,140			N/A

 

As of March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, $2.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of the consolidated cash position was held by subsidiaries, which, although available for the subsidiaries’ use, does not represent cash that is distributable as earnings to MDC Partners for use to reduce its indebtedness. It is the Company’s intent through its cash management system to reduce outstanding borrowings under the Financing Agreement using available cash.

 

Working Capital

 

At March 31, 2008, the Company had a working capital deficit of $12.2 million compared to a deficit of $22.4 million at December 31, 2007. The increase in working capital is primarily due to seasonal shifts in the amounts collected from clients, and paid to suppliers, primarily media outlets. The Company includes amounts due to minority interest holders, for their share of profits, in accrued and other liabilities. At March 31, 2008, $5.5 million remains outstanding to be distributed to minority interest holders over the next twelve months.

 

The Company intends to maintain sufficient availability of funds under its Financing Agreement at any particular time to adequately fund such working capital deficits should there be a need to do so from time to time.

 

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 Cash Flows

 

Operating Activities

 

Cash flow used in continuing operations, including changes in non-cash working capital, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $10.7 million. This was attributable primarily to a net operating loss from continuing operations of $1.4 million, payments of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which resulted in a cash use from operations of $20.3 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $10.7 million and an increase in expenditures billable to clients of $9.6 million. This use of cash was partially offset by depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock compensation of $12.2 million and an increase of advance billings to clients of $23.4 million. Discontinued operations provided cash of $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Cash flow used in continuing operations, including changes in non-cash working capital, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $26.7 million. This was attributable primarily to a net operating loss from continuing operations of $5.0 million, payments of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which resulted in a cash use from operations of $30.4 million, an increase in prepaid and other current assets of $3.9 million and an increase in expenditures billable to clients of $13.9 million. This use of cash was partially offset by depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock compensation of $8.1 million and an increase of advance billings to clients of $21.3 million. Discontinued operations provided cash of $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash flows used in investing activities were $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with $4.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2008, capital expenditures totaled $4.2 million, of which $2.7 million was incurred by the SMS segment, $0.9 million was incurred by the CRM segment and $0.6 million was incurred by the SCS segment, which expenditures consisted primarily of leasehold improvements, computer equipment and furniture and fixtures. Expenditures for capital assets in the three months ended March 31, 2007 were $3.5 million. Of this amount, $1.7 million was incurred by the SMS segment, $1.4 million was incurred by the CRM segment and $0.4 million was incurred by the SCS segment. These expenditures consisted primarily of computer equipment and leasehold improvements.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2008, cash flow used for acquisitions was $5.7 million and related to the settlement of put options, earn-out payments and acquisitions net of cash acquired. Cash flow used in acquisitions was $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and primarily related to the Company’s acquisition of the assets of Iradesso Communications Corp.

 

Discontinued operations used cash of $0.1 million in 2007 relating to capital asset purchases.

 

Financing Activities

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, cash flows used in financing activities amounted to $15.6 million, and consisted primarily of borrowings under the Financing Agreement of $16.7 million and repayments of long-term debt of $0.2 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, cash flows provided by financing activities amounted to $28.6 million, and primarily consisted of $33.4 million of proceeds from the prior Credit Facility, which was partially offset by $4.7 million of net repayments of long-term debt and bank borrowings. 

 

Total Debt

On June 18, 2007, the Company and its material subsidiaries entered into a new $185 million senior secured financing agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with Fortress Credit, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group, as collateral agent and Wells Fargo Bank, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders. This facility replaced the Company’s existing $96.5 million credit facility that was originally expected to mature on September 21, 2007. Proceeds from the Financing Agreement were used to repay in full the outstanding balances on the Company's existing credit facility. The obligations repaid totaled approximately $73.7 million. All of these repaid credit facilities have been terminated.

This new Financing Agreement consists of a $55 million revolving credit facility, a $60 million term loan and a $70 million delayed draw term loan. Borrowings under the Financing Agreement will bear interest as follows: (a) LIBOR Rate Loans bear interest at applicable interbank rates and Reference Rate Loans bear interest at the rate of interest publicly announced by the Reference Bank in New York, New York, plus (b) a percentage spread ranging from 0% to a maximum of 4.75% depending on the type of loan and the Company’s Senior Leverage Ratio. In addition, the Company is required to pay a facility fee of 50 basis points. The weighted average interest rate at March 31, 2008 was 7.39%.

The new Financing Agreement is guaranteed by the material subsidiaries of the Company and matures on June 17, 2012. The Financing Agreement is subject to various covenants, including a senior leverage ratio, fixed charges ratio, limitations on debt incurrence, limitation on liens and limitation on dividends and other payments.

 

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Debt as of March 31, 2008 was $180.2 million, an increase of $15.4 million compared with the $164.8 million outstanding at December 31, 2007, primarily as a result of borrowings under the revolving credit facility to fund seasonal working capital requirements. At March 31, 2008, $49.9 million is available under the Financing Agreement.

The Company is currently in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of its Financing Agreement, and management believes, based on its current financial projections, that the Company will be in compliance with covenants over the next twelve months.

If the Company loses all or a substantial portion of its lines of credit under the Financing Agreement, it will be required to seek other sources of liquidity. If the Company were unable to find these sources of liquidity, for example through an equity offering or access to the capital markets, the Company’s ability to fund its working capital needs and any contingent obligations with respect to put options would be adversely affected.

Pursuant to the Financing Agreement, the Company must comply with certain financial covenants including, among other things, covenants for (i) total debt ratio, (ii) fixed charges ratio, (iii) minimum earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, and (iv) limitations on capital expenditures, in each case as such term is specifically defined in the Financing Agreement. For the period ended March 31, 2008, the Company’s calculation of each of these covenants, and the specific requirements under the Financing Agreement, respectively, were as follows:

		March 31,  2008
Total Senior Leverage Ratio			2.40
Maximum per covenant			3.25
Fixed Charges Ratio			2.44
Minimum per covenant			1.20
Minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization		$	58.6 million
Minimum per covenant		$	37.9 million

These ratios are not based on generally accepted accounting principles and are not presented as alternative measures of operating performance or liquidity. They are presented here to demonstrate compliance with the covenants in the Company’s Financing Agreement, as non-compliance with such covenants could have a material adverse effect on the Company

 

Deferred Acquisition Consideration (Earnouts)

 

Acquisitions of businesses by the Company may include commitments to contingent deferred purchase consideration payable to the seller. These contingent purchase obligations are generally payable within a one to three-year period following the acquisition date, and are based on achievement of certain thresholds of future earnings and, in certain cases, also based on the rate of growth of those earnings. The contingent consideration is recorded as an obligation of the Company when the contingency is resolved and the amount is reasonably determinable. At March 31, 2008, there was $2.2 million of deferred consideration included in the Company’s balance sheet. Based on the various assumptions as to future operating results of the relevant entities, management estimates that approximately $29.2 million of additional deferred purchase obligations could be triggered during 2008 or thereafter, including approximately $8.0 million which may be paid in the form of issuance by the Company of its Class A shares. The actual amount that the Company pays in connection with the obligations may differ materially from this estimate.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

 

Put Rights of Subsidiaries’ Minority Shareholders

 

Owners of interests in certain of the Marketing Communications Group subsidiaries have the right in certain circumstances to require the Company to acquire the remaining ownership interests held by them. The owners’ ability to exercise any such “put option” right is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including conditions requiring notice in advance of exercise. In addition, these rights cannot be exercised prior to specified staggered exercise dates. The exercise of these rights at their earliest contractual date would result in obligations of the Company to fund the related amounts during the period of 2008 to 2015. It is not determinable, at this time, if or when the owners of these put option rights will exercise all or a portion of these rights.

 

The amount payable by the Company in the event such put option rights are exercised is dependent on various valuation formulas and on future events, such as the average earnings of the relevant subsidiary through that date of exercise, the growth rate of the earnings of the relevant subsidiary during that period, and, in some cases, the currency exchange rate at the date of payment.

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Management estimates, assuming that the subsidiaries owned by the Company at March 31, 2008, perform over the relevant future periods at their trailing twelve-month earnings level, that these rights, if all exercised, could require the Company, in future periods, to pay an aggregate amount of approximately $61.4 million to the owners of such rights to acquire such ownership interests in the relevant subsidiaries. Of this amount, the Company is entitled, at its option, to fund approximately $10.4 million by the issuance of the Company’s Class A subordinate voting shares. In addition, the Company is obligated under similar put option rights to pay an aggregate amount of approximately $9.5 million only upon termination of such owner’s employment with such applicable subsidiary. The Company intends to finance the cash portion of these contingent payment obligations using available cash from operations, borrowings under its Financing Agreement (and refinancings thereof) and, if necessary, through incurrence of additional debt. The ultimate amount payable and the incremental operating income in the future relating to these transactions will vary because it is dependent on the future results of operations of the subject businesses and the timing of when these rights are exercised. Approximately $8.3 million of the estimated $61.4 million that the Company would be required to pay subsidiaries minority shareholders’ upon the exercise of outstanding put option rights, relates to rights exercisable within the next twelve months. Upon the settlement of the total amount of such put options, the Company estimates that it would receive incremental operating income before depreciation and amortization of $12.7 million.

 

 The following table summarizes the potential timing of the consideration and incremental operating income before depreciation and amortization based on assumptions as described above.  

Consideration (4)		2008			2009			2010			2011			2012 & Thereafter			Total
		($ Millions)
Cash		$	8.0		$	2.0		$	24.6		$	2.0		$	14.4		$	51.0
Shares			0.3			0.9			5.6			1.2			2.4			10.4
		$	8.3		$	2.9		$	30.2		$	3.2		$	16.8			61.4	(1)
Operating income before depreciation and amortization to be received(2)		$	2.6		$	0.8		$	3.3		$	1.5		$	4.5		$	12.7
Cumulative operating income before depreciation and amortization(3)		$	2.6		$	3.4		$	6.7		$	8.2			12.7				(5)

 

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(1)	Of this, approximately $19.6 million has been recognized in Minority Interest on the Company’s balance sheet in conjunction with the consolidation of CPB as a variable interest entity in 2004. As a result, the net off balance sheet commitment is $41.8 million.

 

(2)

This financial measure is presented because it is the basis of the calculation used in the underlying agreements relating to the put rights and is based on actual 2007 and first quarter 2008 operating results. This amount represents amounts to be received commencing in the year the put is exercised.

 

(3)	Cumulative operating income before depreciation and amortization represents the cumulative amounts to be received by the company.

 

(4)	The timing of consideration to be paid varies by contract and does not necessarily correspond to the date of the exercise of the put.

 

(5)	Amounts are not presented as they would not be meaningful due to multiple periods included.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The following summary of accounting policies has been prepared to assist in better understanding the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the related management discussion and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider this information together with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements as included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for a more complete understanding of accounting policies discussed below.

 

Estimates.   The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or “US GAAP”, requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities including goodwill, intangible assets, valuation allowances for receivables and deferred income tax assets, stock-based compensation, and the reporting of variable interest entities at the date of the financial statements. The statements are evaluated on an ongoing basis and estimates are based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results can differ from those estimates, and it is possible that the differences could be material.

 

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Revenue Recognition. The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 104, “Revenue Recognition” (“SAB 104”), and accordingly, revenue is generally recognized when services are earned or upon delivery of the products when ownership and risk of loss has transferred to the customer, the selling price is fixed or determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

The Company earns revenue from agency arrangements in the form of retainer fees or commissions; from short-term project arrangements in the form of fixed fees or per diem fees for services; and from incentives or bonuses.

Non-refundable retainer fees are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the specific customer contract. Commission revenue is earned and recognized upon the placement of advertisements in various media when the Company has no further performance obligations. Fixed fees for services are recognized upon completion of the earnings process and acceptance by the client. Per diem fees are recognized upon the performance of the Company’s services. In addition, for certain service transactions, which require delivery of a number of service acts, the Company uses the Proportional Performance model, which generally results in revenue being recognized based on the straight-line method due to the acts being non-similar and there being insufficient evidence of fair value for each service provided.

Fees billed to clients in excess of fees recognized as revenue are classified as advance billings.

A small portion of the Company’s contractual arrangements with clients includes performance incentive provisions, which allow the Company to earn additional revenues as a result of its performance relative to both quantitative and qualitative goals. The Company recognizes the incentive portion of revenue under these arrangements when specific quantitative goals are achieved, or when the Company’s clients determine performance against qualitative goals has been achieved. In all circumstances, revenue is only recognized when collection is reasonably assured.

The Company follows EITF No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent” (“EITF 99-19). This Issue summarized the EITF’s views on when revenue should be recorded at the gross amount billed because revenue has been earned from the sale of goods or services, or the net amount retained because a fee or commission has been earned. The Company’s business at times acts as an agent and records revenue equal to the net amount retained, when the fee or commission is earned. The Company also follows EITF No. 01-14 for reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses. This issue summarized the EITF’s views that reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses incurred should be characterized in the income statement as revenue. Accordingly, the Company has included in revenue such reimbursed expenses

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangibles.  A fair value approach is used in testing goodwill for impairment under SFAS 142 to determine if an other than temporary impairment has occurred. One approach utilized to determine fair values is a discounted cash flow methodology. When available and as appropriate, comparative market multiples are used. Numerous estimates and assumptions necessarily have to be made when completing a discounted cash flow valuation, including estimates and assumptions regarding interest rates, appropriate discount rates and capital structure. Additionally, estimates must be made regarding revenue growth, operating margins, tax rates, working capital requirements and capital expenditures. Estimates and assumptions also need to be made when determining the appropriate comparative market multiples to be used. Actual results of operations, cash flows and other factors used in a discounted cash flow valuation will likely differ from the estimates used and it is possible that differences and changes could be material.

The Company has historically made and expects to continue to make selective acquisitions of marketing communications businesses. In making acquisitions, the price paid is determined by various factors, including service offerings, competitive position, reputation and geographic coverage, as well as prior experience and judgment. Due to the nature of advertising, marketing and corporate communications services companies; the companies acquired frequently have significant identifiable intangible assets, which primarily consist of customer relationships. The Company has determined that certain intangibles (trademarks) have an indefinite life, as there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, or economic factors that limit the useful life.

A summary of the Company’s deferred acquisition consideration obligations, sometimes referred to as earnouts, and obligations under put rights of subsidiaries’ minority shareholders to purchase additional interests in certain subsidiary and affiliate companies is set forth in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of this report. The deferred acquisition consideration obligations and obligations to purchase additional interests in certain subsidiary and affiliate companies are primarily based on future performance. Contingent purchase price obligations are accrued, in accordance with GAAP, when the contingency is resolved and payment is determinable.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  Trade receivables are stated less allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance represents estimated uncollectible receivables usually due to customers’ potential insolvency. The allowance includes amounts for certain customers where risk of default has been specifically identified.

Income Tax Valuation Allowance.  The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Management considers factors such as the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, the character of the income tax asset, tax planning strategies, changes in tax laws and other factors. A change to these factors could impact the estimated valuation allowance and income tax expense.

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Stock-based Compensation. The fair value method is applied to all awards granted, modified or settled on or after January 1, 2003. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at fair value at the date of grant and is expensed over the service period, which is the award’s vesting period. When awards are exercised, share capital is credited by the sum of the consideration paid together with the related portion previously credited to additional paid-in capital when compensation costs were charged against income or acquisition consideration. Stock-based awards that are settled in cash or may be settled in cash at the option of employees are recorded as liabilities. The measurement of the liability and compensation cost for these awards is based on the fair value of the award, and is recorded into operating income over the service period, that is the vesting period of the award. Changes in the Company’s payment obligation are revalued each period and recorded as compensation cost over the service period in operating income.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) and has opted to use the modified prospective application transition method. Under this method the Company will not restate its prior financial statements. Instead, the Company will apply SFAS 123(R) for new awards granted or modified after the adoption of SFAS 123(R), any portion of awards that were granted after December 15, 1994 and have not vested as of January 1, 2006, and any outstanding liability awards.

Variable Interest Entities.   The Company evaluates its various investments in entities to determine whether the investee is a variable interest entity and if so whether MDC is the primary beneficiary. Such evaluation requires management to make estimates and judgments regarding the sufficiency of the equity at risk in the investee and the expected losses of the investee and may impact whether the investee is accounted for on a consolidated basis.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This statement expands the use of fair value measurement and applies to entities that elect the fair value option. The fair value option established by this Statement permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Effective in Future Periods

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement is effective for all fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is encouraged. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on our financial statements.

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141R “Business Combination” (“SFAS 141R”). This revised statement retains some fundamental concepts of the current standard, including the acquisition method of accounting (known as the “purchase method” in Statement 141) for all business combinations but SFAS 141R broadens the definitions of both businesses and business combinations, resulting in the acquisition method applying to more events and transactions. This statement also requires the acquirer to recognize the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, at the full amounts of their fair values. SFAS 141R will require both acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs to be recognized separately from the acquisition and be expensed as incurred. In addition, acquirers will record contingent consideration at fair value on the acquisition date as either a liability or equity. Subsequent changes in fair value will be recognized in the income statement for any contingent consideration recorded as a liability. SFAS 141R is to be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early application is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new statement on its financial statements.

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160 “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160”). This statement amends ARB No. 51 Consolidated Financial Statements, to now require the classification of noncontrolling (minority) interests and dispositions of noncontrolling interests as equity within the consolidated financial statements. The income statement will now be required to show net income/loss with and without adjustments for noncontrolling interests. SFAS 160 is to be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those years. However, this statement requires companies to apply the presentation and disclosure requirements retrospectively to comparative financial statements. Early application is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new statement on its financial statements.

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  Risks and Uncertainties

 

This document contains forward-looking statements. The Company’s representatives may also make forward-looking statements orally from time to time. Statements in this document that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, recent business and economic trends, potential acquisitions, estimates of amounts for deferred acquisition consideration and “put” option rights, 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 effects of national and regional economic conditions;

•

the Company’s ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;

•

the 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 “put” options rights 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 arising from the Company’s historical stock option grant practices.

The Company’s business strategy includes ongoing efforts to engage in material 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 current Financing Agreement and through incurrence of bridge or other debt financing, either 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 material 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, the risk factors specified in Item 1A of this Form 10-Q, and in the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Factors” and in the Company’s other SEC filings.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

 

The Company is exposed to market risk related to interest rates and foreign currencies.

 

Debt Instruments:   At March 31, 2008, the Company’s debt obligations consisted of amounts outstanding under its Financing Agreement. This facility bears interest at variable rates based upon the Eurodollar rate; US bank prime rate and, US base rate, at the Company’s option. The Company’s ability to obtain the required bank syndication commitments depends in part on conditions in the bank market at the time of syndication. Given the existing level of debt of $130.1 million, as of March 31, 2008, a 1.0% increase or decrease in the weighted average interest rate, which was 7.39% at March 31, 2008, would have an interest impact of approximately $1.3 million annually.

Foreign Exchange:   The Company conducts business in five currencies, the US dollar, the Canadian dollar, Jamaican dollar, the Mexican Peso and the British Pound. Our results of operations are subject to risk from the translation to the US dollar of the revenue and expenses of our non-US operations. The effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of our results of operations are discussed in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations” and in Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements. For the most part, our revenues and expenses incurred related to our non-US operations are denominated in their functional currency. This minimizes the impact that fluctuations in exchange rates will have on profit margins. The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be included in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the applicable time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who is our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. However, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurances of achieving the Company’s control objectives.

 

We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO, our CFO and our management Disclosure Committee, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company has concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2008.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the foregoing evaluation that occurred during the first quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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The Company’s operating entities are involved in legal proceedings of various types. While any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, the Company has no reason to believe that the outcome of such proceedings or claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

 

  

There are no material changes in the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

(a)	The information provided below describes various transactions occurring during the first quarter of 2008 in which the Company issued shares of its Class A subordinate voting shares (“Class A Shares”) that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

(1)

On January 15, 2008, the Company, through a subsidiary, purchased substantially all of the assets of Tybrett Co. (d/b/a Core Strategy).   As part of this acquisition, the Company paid $625,000 in cash and issued 67,861 of the Company’s Class A Shares (valued at approximately $625,000 on the date of issuance). The Class A Shares were issued by the Company to the seller of Core Strategy without registration in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act and Regulation D thereunder, based on the sophistication of the seller and its status as an “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.   The seller of Core Strategy had access to all the documents filed by the Company with the SEC.

 

(2)

On January 24, 2008, the Company, through a subsidiary, purchased substantially all of the assets of DMG Inc.  As part of this acquisition, the Company paid $375,000 in cash and issued 58,617 of the Company’s Class A Shares (valued at approximately $500,000 on the date of issuance). The Class A Shares were issued by the Company to the seller of DMG Inc. without registration in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act and Regulation D thereunder, based on the sophistication of the seller and its status as an “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.   The seller of DMG Inc. had access to all the documents filed by the Company with the SEC.

(3)

On February 12, 2008, the Company, through a subsidiary, purchased substantially all of the assets of Clifford Public Relations LLC.  As part of this acquisition, the Company paid $2.05 million in cash and issued 30,444 of the Company’s Class A Shares (valued at approximately $250,000 on the date of issuance). The Class A Shares were issued by the Company to the seller of Clifford Public Relations without registration in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act and Regulation D thereunder, based on the sophistication of the seller and its status as an “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.   The seller of Clifford Public Relations had access to all the documents filed by the Company with the SEC.

(c)	The Company purchased 107,384 Class A shares during the first three months of 2008 in connection with the satisfaction of tax withholding obligations for certain employees upon the vesting of restricted stock units and restricted stock grants made in 2006 and 2007.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

MDC PARTNERS INC.

/s/ Michael Sabatino

Michael Sabatino Chief Accounting Officer

May 2, 2008

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description
10.1		Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Zyman Group, LLC dated as of January 11, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15.2 of the Company’s Form 10-K, filed on March 10, 2008);
12		Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges*
31.1		Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2		Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1		Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 USC. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2		Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 USC. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
99.1		Schedule of ownership by operating subsidiary.*

 

* Filed electronically herewith.

 

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