ITEM 1. BUSINESS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - ‘Safe Harbor’ Statement Under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.”
Our Company
We are one of the world’s major music content companies. Our company is composed of two businesses: Recorded Music and Music Publishing. We believe we are the world’s third-largest recorded music company and also the world’s third-largest music publishing company. We are a global company, generating over half of our revenues in more than 50 countries outside of the U.S. We generated revenues of $3.491 billion during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
Our Recorded Music business produces revenue primarily through the marketing, sale and licensing of recorded music in various physical (such as CDs, cassettes, LPs and DVDs) and digital (such as downloads and ringtones) formats. We have one of the world’s largest and most diverse recorded music catalogs, including 29 of the top 100 U.S. best-selling albums of all time-more than any other recorded music company, including The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (the best-selling album of all time), Led Zeppelin IV and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Our Recorded Music business is also expanding its participation in image and brand rights associated with artists, including merchandising, sponsorships, touring and artist management. We often refer to these rights as “360º rights.” Prior to corporate and revenue eliminations, our Recorded Music business generated revenues of $2.895 billion during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
Our Music Publishing business owns and acquires rights to musical compositions, exploits and markets these compositions and receives royalties or fees for their use. We publish music across a broad range of musical styles. We hold rights in over one million copyrights from over 65,000 songwriters and composers. Prior to corporate and revenue eliminations, our Music Publishing business generated revenues of $623 million during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
Our Business Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths will enable us to continue to generate stable cash flow through our diverse base of recorded music and music publishing assets:
Industry Leading Recording Artists and Songwriters. We have been able to consistently attract, develop and retain successful recording artists and songwriters. Our talented artist and repertoire (“A&R”) teams are focused on finding and nurturing future successful recording artists and songwriters, as evidenced by our recent recorded music album and music publishing successes. This has enabled us to develop a large and varied catalog of recorded music and music publishing assets that generate stable cash flows. We believe these assets demonstrate our historical success in developing talent and will help to attract future talent in order to enable our continued success.
Stable, Highly Diversified Revenue Base. Our revenue base is derived primarily from relatively stable and recurring sources such as our music publishing library, our catalog of recorded music and new releases from our existing base of established artists. In any given year, only a small percentage of our total revenues depend on artists without an established track record, with any one of these artists typically representing no more than 1% of our revenues. We have built a large and diverse catalog of recordings and compositions that covers a wide breadth of musical styles including pop, rock, jazz, country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, reggae, Latin, alternative, folk, blues, gospel and other Christian music. We are a significant player in each of our major geographic regions. Expanding our Recorded Music business to participate in 360º rights further diversifies our revenue base. We currently have expanded rights deals in place with approximately one-third of our active global Recorded Music roster.
Flexible Cost Structure With Low Capital Expenditure Requirements. We have a highly variable cost structure, with substantial discretionary spending and minimal capital requirements. We spent $32 million in capital expenditures for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and $29 million and $30 million in capital expenditures for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively. We continue to seek sensible opportunities to convert fixed costs to variable costs, such as the sale of our CD and DVD manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution operations in 2003 and to enhance our effectiveness, flexibility, structure and performance by reducing and realigning long-term costs. As part of our realignment plan in fiscal 2007, we implemented changes to better align our workforce with the changing nature of the music industry by continuing to shift resources from our physical sales channels to efforts focused on digital distribution and emerging technologies and other new revenue streams. Part of the realignment plan also resulted in the outsourcing of some back-office functions as a cost-savings measure. Finally, we have contractual flexibility with regard to the timing and amounts of advances paid to existing recording artists and songwriters as well as discretion regarding future investment in new artists and songwriters, which further allow us to respond to changing industry conditions. The vast majority of our contracts cover multiple deliverables, most of which are only deliverable at our option.
Digital Leadership. We derive revenue from different digital business models and products, including digital downloads of single tracks and albums, online subscription services, interactive webcasting, video streaming and downloads, and mobile music, in the form of ringtones, ringback tones, full-track downloads and other products. We have established ourselves as a leader in the music industry’s transition to the digital era by focusing on expanding our distribution channel, establishing a strong partnership portfolio and developing innovative products and initiatives.
We have focused on expanding the scope and enhancing the structure of the distribution channel. We have agreements with carriers that have a combined subscriber base of approximately 2 billion wireless network subscribers. Taking advantage of an expanding wireless universe and upgrades to next-generation wireless networks and mobile handsets, we have struck content distribution agreements with mobile operators around the world, such as Vimpelcom (Russia), DoCoMo (Japan), Telefonica (Spain and other territories) and Telenor (Scandinavia and other territories), to foster growth in digital music. Our current strategy is to better align our business models with the business drivers of our partners, creating commercial models that allow us to participate in customer acquisition, retention and lifetime-value creation of the consumer. New services, such as one just implemented with Danish network operator TDC that makes music subscription available to all broadband subscribers as part of their basic service package, and another with Nokia that is launching “Comes With Music”, a phone plus unlimited music service bundle initially launched in the UK and plans launches for other international territories, are representative of this approach.
We have assembled a partnership portfolio that goes beyond simple wholesale and retail arrangements. This focus on partnership enables us to help bring new entrants into the space and transform the digital music ecology. We currently partner with a broad range of online and mobile providers, such as iTunes, Microsoft, Napster, Rhapsody, Yahoo!, YouTube, lala, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Orange, Vodafone and KDDI. We continue to initiate and sustain strategic relationships with key retailers, operators, technology companies,
device manufacturers and next generation digital providers. We decided to start offering our recorded music catalog in the MP3 format, beginning with Amazon in December 2007, to enable more retailers to partner with us to address consumers’ hardware platforms of choice. Many of our new digital retail partners, such as Wal-Mart, will be leveraging established brands and years of expertise from physical product retail sales. In these agreements we seek to not only enable new digital music retailers, but also to initiate strategic roadmap planning with our partners to further evolve digital music platforms, products and services. One of the most important new categories of digital music platform is the rapidly growing “social media communities.” Over 131 million Americans visited social networks in October 2008, according to data from ComScore MediaMetrix, while the number of consumers worldwide visiting social networks approached half a billion for the month of September. Music is a key catalyst that drives much of the sharing and networking activities of this massive audience. We believe that it is very important for WMG to capitalize on this phenomenon and unlock the social value of music through new business constructs. Our recently launched MySpace Music joint venture with News Corp. and other music companies is one such expression of this approach.
And finally, we believe that product innovation is crucial. We have focused on producing new music-based digital products for our digitally connected customers. We have integrated the development of innovative digital products and strategies throughout our business and established a culture of product innovation across the company aimed at leveraging our assets to drive creative product development. Through our digital initiatives we have established strong relationships with our customers, developed new products and become a leader in the expanding worldwide digital music business. Through the first three quarters of calendar 2008, our shares of digital recorded music track and album sales in the U.S., as measured by SoundScan, were higher than our overall recorded music album share in the U.S. We believe that this is due to the relative strength of our content, in particular our catalog content, as well as our emphasis on digital innovation. We also continue to be a leader in creating and offering consumers unique and compelling digital album bundles through the combination of existing assets (such as sound recordings and artwork) together with new assets (such as bonus tracks, music videos and “behind the scenes” footage). Our success in product innovation explains why we have been the only music major with a digital album market share that consistently exceeds our physical album market share over the past several years.
Focus on Innovative A&R. We believe our relative size, the strength of our management team, our ability to respond to industry and consumer trends and challenges, our diverse array of genres, our large catalog of hit releases and our valuable music publishing library have and will help us continue to successfully build our roster of recording artists and songwriters. We are constantly looking for new, innovative ways to develop and execute our A&R strategy. For example, in the U.S., we established our Independent Label Group (“ILG”) in fiscal 2006, which leverages our strong independent distribution network to identify major acts of the future at a lower cost. We continue to realize significant success in A&R. In the U.S. we were the only music major to increase U.S. album market share according to Soundscan over the twelve months ended September 30, 2008, gaining 2.2 percentage points to end up at 21%. It was noted in the trade publication Music & Copyright that Warner Music Group became the third-largest Recorded Music business by global market share in 2006, rising from fourth-largest, which demonstrates the ongoing success of our A&R strategy.
Leader in Independent Distribution. The combined strength of our U.S distribution companies, Warner-Elektra-Atlantic Corporation (“WEA Corp.”), Ryko Distribution (acquired in May 2006 as part of our acquisition of Ryko Corporation (“Ryko”)) and Alternative Distribution Alliance (“ADA”), has established us as the independent music distribution leader in the U.S.
Our Strategy
We intend to increase revenues and cash flow through the following business strategies:
Attract, Develop and Retain Established and Emerging Recording Artists and Songwriters. A critical element of our strategy is to find, develop and retain recording artists and songwriters who achieve long-term success and we intend to enhance the value of our assets by continuing to attract and develop new recording
artists and songwriters with staying power and market potential. Our A&R teams seek to sign talented recording artists with strong potential, whose new releases will generate a meaningful level of sales and increase the enduring value of our catalog by continuing to generate sales on an ongoing basis, with little additional marketing expenditure. We always attempt to obtain 360º rights with artists when they are available. We also work to identify promising songwriters who will write musical compositions that will augment the lasting value and stability of our music publishing library. We intend to continue to employ profitable and creative A&R strategies in this effort, such as the establishment of ILG. Additionally, we intend to continually evaluate our recording artist and songwriter roster to ensure we remain focused on developing the most promising and profitable talent and remain committed to maintaining financial discipline in evaluating agreements with artists. We will also continue to evaluate opportunities to add to our catalog or acquire or make investments in companies engaged in businesses that are similar or complementary to ours. Recent acquisitions include Get-In Productions, an artist services company in Spain, Camus, a touring company in France, Non-Stop Music, a leading production music library, and Frank Sinatra Enterprises, an entity that administers licenses for use of Frank Sinatra’s name and likeness and manages all aspects of his music, film and stage content.
Maximize the Value of our Music Assets and Capitalize on the Growth Areas of the Music Industry. Our relationships with recording artists and songwriters, our recorded music catalog and our music publishing library are our most valuable assets. We intend to continue to exploit the value of these assets through a variety of distribution channels, formats and products to generate significant cash flow from our music content. We believe that the ability to monetize our music content should improve over time as new distribution channels and the number of formats increase. We will seek to exploit the potential of previously unmonetized content in new channels, formats and product offerings, including premium-priced album bundles, ringtones and full-track video and song downloads on mobile phones. For example, we have a large catalog of music videos that we have yet to fully monetize, as well as unexploited album art, lyrics and B-side tracks that have never been released. We will also continue to work with our partners to explore creative approaches and constantly experiment with new deal structures and product offerings to take advantage of new distribution channels. In addition, we intend to expand our ability to capitalize on the growth areas of the music industry by continuing to acquire 360º rights from our artists.
Focus on Continued Management of Our Cost Structure. We will continue to maintain a disciplined approach to cost management in our business and to pursue additional cost savings. We will also continue to monitor industry conditions to ensure that our business remains aligned with industry trends. For example, subsequent to the acquisition of substantially all of our recorded music and music publishing businesses from Time Warner effective March 1, 2004 (the “Acquisition”), we implemented a broad restructuring plan in order to adapt our cost structure to the changing economics of the music industry. The restructuring plan included the consolidation of our Elektra Records and Atlantic Records labels, rationalization of our global network, dropping approximately 30% of our artist roster and an approximately 20% reduction in our global workforce. We completed substantially all of these restructuring efforts in fiscal 2005, implementing approximately $250 million of annualized cost savings. Subsequently, during the second quarter of fiscal 2007, we implemented a realignment plan to more aggressively shift resources from our physical sales channels to efforts focused on digital distribution, emerging technologies and other new revenue streams.
Capitalize on Digital Distribution and Emerging Technologies. Emerging digital formats should continue to produce new means for the distribution and exploitation of our recorded music and music publishing assets. We believe that the development of legitimate online and mobile channels for the consumption of music content continues to hold significant promise and opportunity for the industry. Digital tracks and albums are not only reasonably priced for the consumer, but also offer a superior customer experience relative to illegal alternatives. Digital music is easy to use, offer uncorrupted, high-quality song files and integrate seamlessly with popular portable music players such as Apple’s iPod line, Microsoft’s Zune player, and a wide variety of PlaysForSure compatible devices from Creative, iRiver, Samsung and Sandisk. The consumer increasingly has a wide array of devices to choose from, including music-enabled phones from Sony Ericsson, Nokia and the iPhone. Research conducted by NPD in December 2007 shows that the above-mentioned characteristics of current digital music
offerings are driving additional uptake. One-third of U.S. consumers age 13+ who started buying or bought more digital music in the past year did so because they found it to be a good value for the money; 42% did so to get content for their portable digital music players. Conversely, one-third of U.S. consumers age 13+ who stopped downloading or downloaded less music from file-sharing services did so because of concerns about getting spyware or viruses through these services-a protection afforded by legitimate digital music services.
In addition, we believe digital distribution will stimulate incremental catalog sales given the ability to offer enhanced presentation and searchability of our catalog. We intend to continue to extend our global reach by executing deals in new marketplaces and developing optimal business models that will enable us to monetize our content on emerging platforms like “social media”, where users are creating, posting and sharing their own music playlists as another expression of identity. Our research shows that 33% of young playlist users, who tend to be technologically savvy and device-enabled, have shared, posted, and embedded their playlists on social network profile pages or blogs. Given that the worldwide market for smart phones is expected to triple to 31% penetration by 2013 (ABI), we also expect to see significant migration of social networking to the mobile platform.
The physical retail platform remains an extremely attractive vehicle to deliver unique configurations of rich media assets, such as customized USB products. They are a great way to appeal to dedicated fans with a premium offer, as evidenced by our Matchbox 20 release in conjunction with Best Buy in fall 2007 and our partnership with SanDisk, which launched SlotMusic, in which tracks are embedded in microSD cards. Music gift cards sold at retail are becoming an increasingly important driver of digital commerce. According to NPD, 26% of digital songs purchased in 2007, as well as in the first three quarters of 2008, were purchased with a gift card.
Enhance Our Physical Business by Developing and Optimizing Our Physical Distribution Channel Strategies and Creating New Physical Formats. We will continue to develop innovative programs with our physical distribution partners to achieve greater sales volume. The physical distribution channels for records are evolving as new outlets develop, the mix of channels and retailers change, new formats for our content are created and pricing models multiply to meet a wide range of needs. Our Recorded Music business will continue to cooperate with its physical distribution channel partners in order to implement forward-looking strategies for our mutual benefit. We will also invest to meet the needs of our channel partners to create more efficient collaboration, such as direct-to-retail distribution strategies and vendor-managed inventory.
Contain Digital Piracy. Containing piracy is a major focus of the music industry and we, along with the rest of the industry, are taking multiple measures through the development of new business models, technological innovation, litigation, education and the promotion of legislation to combat piracy. We will continue to take a leadership role in the music industry’s war against piracy, as we did by championing the industry-wide development of new physical formats and partnering with Apple on its security model for its Macintosh and PC launches of iTunes. In addition, we continue to support the measures taken by the Recording Industry Association of America (“RIAA”), the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (“IFPI”) and the National Music Publishers’ Association (“NMPA”), including civil lawsuits, education programs, lobbying for tougher anti-piracy legislation and international efforts to preserve music copyrights. We also believe new technologies geared towards degrading the illegal file-sharing process and tracking the source of pirated music offer a means to reduce piracy. Furthermore, recent legal actions by our industry, both in and outside the U.S., have been designed to educate consumers that obtaining music through unauthorized peer-to-peer networks is against the law and to deter illegal downloads. The industry has also been working with educational institutions to implement solutions to prohibit students from illegally downloading copyrighted material. We believe that consumer awareness of the illegality of piracy has increased as a result of these initiatives. We believe these actions, in addition to the expansive growth of legitimate online and wireless music offerings, will help to limit the revenues lost to digital piracy. See “Industry Overview-Recorded Music-Piracy”.
Company History
Our history dates back to 1929, when Jack Warner, president of Warner Bros. Pictures, founded Music Publishers Holding Company (“MPHC”) to acquire music copyrights as a means of providing inexpensive music for films. Encouraged by the success of MPHC, Warner Bros. extended its presence in the music industry with the founding of Warner Bros. Records in 1958 as a means of distributing movie soundtracks and further exploiting actors’ contracts. For over 50 years, Warner Bros. Records has led the industry both creatively and financially with the discovery of many of the world’s biggest recording artists. Warner Bros. Records acquired Frank Sinatra’s Reprise Records in 1963. Our Atlantic Records label was launched in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson as a small New York-based label focused on jazz and R&B and Elektra Records was founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman as a folk music label. Atlantic Records and our Elektra Records label were merged in 2004 to form The Atlantic Records Group. Warner Music Group is today home to a collection of record labels, including Asylum, Atlantic, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word.
Since 1970, we have operated internationally through Warner Music International (“WMI”). WMI is responsible for the sale and marketing of our U.S. artists abroad as well as the discovering and development of international artists. Chappell & Intersong Music Group was acquired in 1987, expanding our Music Publishing business. We continue to diversify our presence through acquisitions and joint ventures with various labels, such as the acquisition of Word Entertainment in 2002, a joint venture with Bad Boy in 2005, our acquisition of Ryko in 2006, our acquisition of a majority interest in Roadrunner Music Group B.V. (“Roadrunner”) in 2007 and the acquisition of music publishing catalogs and businesses, such as the Non-Stop Music production music catalog.
In 2004, an investor group consisting of Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P. and its affiliates (“THL”), Bain Capital, LLC and its affiliates (“Bain Capital”), Providence Equity Partners, Inc. and its affiliates (“Providence Equity”) and Music Capital Partners L.P. (collectively, the “Investor Group”) acquired Warner Music Group from Time Warner Inc. (“Time Warner”). Warner Music Group became the only stand-alone music content company with publicly traded common stock in the U.S. in May 2005.
Recorded Music (82%, 83%, and 85% of consolidated revenues, before corporate and revenue eliminations, in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
Our Recorded Music business primarily consists of the discovery and development of artists and the related marketing, distribution and licensing of recorded music produced by such artists. In addition to the more traditional methods of discovering and developing artists, following the Acquisition we established ILG to discover artists earlier in the process and at lower cost by leveraging our independent distribution network.
We are also diversifying our revenues beyond our traditional businesses by partnering with artists in other areas of their careers. We are building capabilities and platforms for exploiting a broader set of music-related rights to participate across the artist brands it helps create. Expansion of our capabilities in this area have included strategic acquisitions and partnerships with companies involved in artist management, merchandising, strategic marketing and brand management, ticketing, touring, fan clubs, original programming and video entertainment. We believe enhancement of these capabilities will permit us to diversify revenue streams to better capitalize on the growth areas of the music industry, permit us to build stronger, long-term relationships with artists and more effectively connect artists and fans.
In the U.S., Recorded Music operations are conducted principally through our major record labels-Warner Bros. Records and The Atlantic Records Group. Our Recorded Music operations also include Rhino Entertainment (“Rhino”), a division that specializes in marketing our music catalog through compilations and reissuances of previously released music and video titles, as well as in the licensing of recordings to and from third parties for various uses, including film and television soundtracks. Rhino is also transitioning into our primary licensing division focused on acquiring broader licensing rights from certain catalog artists. For example, we have an exclusive license with The Grateful Dead to manage the band’s intellectual property and
have recently acquired a 50% interest in Frank Sinatra Enterprises, an entity, that administers licenses for use of Frank Sinatra’s name and likeness and manages all aspects of his music, film and stage content. We also conduct our Recorded Music operations through a collection of additional record labels, including, among others, Asylum, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Nonesuch, Reprise, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire and Word.
Outside the U.S., Recorded Music activities are conducted in more than 50 countries, primarily through Warner Music International (“WMI”) and its various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated licensees. WMI engages in the same activities as our U.S. labels: discovering and signing artists and distributing, marketing and selling their recorded music. In most cases, WMI also markets and distributes the records of those artists for whom our domestic record labels have international rights. In certain smaller countries, WMI licenses to unaffiliated third-party record labels the right to distribute its records.
Recorded Music distribution operations include WEA Corp., which markets and sells music and DVD products to retailers and wholesale distributors in the U.S.; ADA, which distributes the products of independent labels to retail and wholesale distributors in the U.S.; Ryko Distribution, which distributes music and DVD releases from Rykodisc, Ryko’s record label, and third-party record and video labels; various distribution centers and ventures operated internationally; an 80% interest in Word Entertainment, which specializes in the distribution of music products in the Christian retail marketplace; and ADA Global, which provides ADA’s distribution services to independent labels outside of the U.S. through a network of affiliated and non-affiliated distributors.
We play an integral role in virtually all aspects of the music value chain from discovering and developing talent, to producing albums and promoting artists and their products. After an artist has entered into a contract with one of our record labels, a master recording of the artist’s music is created. The recording is then replicated for sale to consumers primarily in the CD and digital formats. In the U.S., WEA Corp., ADA, Ryko Distribution and Word market, sell and deliver product, either directly or through sub-distributors and wholesalers, to thousands of record stores, mass merchants and other retailers. Our recorded music products are also sold in physical form to online physical retailers such as Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and bestbuy.com and in digital form to online digital retailers like Apple’s iTunes and mobile full-track download stores such as those operated by Verizon or Sprint. In the case of 360° deals where we acquired broader image and brand rights in an artist’s career, we may provide more comprehensive career support, promoting an artist for longer periods of time and actively developing new opportunities for them through touring, fan clubs, merchandising, and sponsorships. We may contribute to all facets of an artist’s career rather than only focusing on producing recorded music products.
We have integrated the sale of digital content into all aspects of our Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses including A&R, marketing, promotion and distribution. Our new media executives work closely with A&R departments to make sure that while a record is being made, digital assets are also created with all of our distribution channels in mind, including subscription services such as Rhapsody, social networking sites such as MySpace, user-generated content sites such as YouTube, Internet portals and music-centered destinations, such as imeem. We also work side by side with our mobile and online partners to test new concepts. We believe existing and new digital businesses will be a significant source of growth for the next several years and will provide new opportunities to monetize our assets and create new revenue streams. As a music-based content company, we have assets which go beyond our recorded music and music publishing catalogs, such as our music video library, that we now have the opportunity to monetize through digital channels. The proportion of digital revenues attributed to each distribution channel varies by region and since digital music is in the early stages of growth, proportions may change as the roll-out of new technologies continues. As an owner of musical content, we believe we are well positioned to take advantage of growth in digital distribution and emerging technologies to maximize the value of our assets.
Artists and Repertoire (“A&R”)
We have a decades-long history of identifying and contracting with recording artists who become commercially successful. Our ability to select artists who are likely to be successful is a key element of our Recorded Music business strategy. Our ability to select artists spans all music genres and all major geographies and includes artists who achieve national, regional and international success. We believe that this success is directly attributable to our experienced global team of A&R executives, to the longstanding reputation and relationships that we have developed in the artistic community and to our effective management of this vital business function.
In the U.S., our major record labels identify potentially successful recording artists, sign them to recording agreements, collaborate with them to develop recordings of their work and market and sell these finished recordings to retail stores and legitimate digital channels. Increasingly, we are also expanding our participation in image and brand rights associated with artists, including merchandising, sponsorships, touring and artist management. Our labels scout and sign talent across all major music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, reggae, Latin, alternative, folk, blues, gospel and other Christian music. WMI markets and sells U.S. and local repertoire from its own network of affiliates and numerous licensees in more than 50 countries. With a roster of local artists performing in 25 languages, WMI has an ongoing commitment to developing local talent aimed at achieving national, regional or international success.
A significant number of our recording artists have continued to appeal to audiences long after we cease to release their new recordings. Our recorded music catalog includes the U.S. best-selling album of all time, The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, which has sold more than 29 million units in the U.S. to date. We have an efficient process for generating continued sales across our catalog releases, as evidenced by the fact that catalog generally generates approximately 40% of our recorded music sales in a typical year. Relative to our new releases, we spend comparatively small amounts on marketing for catalog sales.
We maximize the value of our catalog of recorded music through our Rhino business unit and through activities of each of our record labels. We use our catalog as a source of material for re-releases, compilations, box sets and special package releases, which provide consumers with incremental exposure to familiar songs and artists.
Representative Worldwide Recorded Music Artists
The Academy Is...
Disturbed
Jet
New Order
Frank Sinatra
Avenged Sevenfold
Alesha Dixon
Mike Jones
Nickelback
Smashing Pumpkins
Bee Gees
The Doors
Juvenile
Notorious B.I.G.
The Smiths
Big & Rich
The Eagles
Kid Rock
Paolo Nutini
Regina Spektor
Black Sabbath
Missy Elliott
Killswitch Engage
Panic At the Disco
Staind
Bloc Party
The Enemy
Mark Knopfler
Paramore
Serj Tankian
James Blunt
Enya
k.d. lang
Sean Paul
Rod Stewart
Boyz N Da Hood
Estelle
Larry the Cable Guy
Laura Pausini
The Streets
Michelle Branch
Lupé Fiasco
Led Zeppelin
Pendulum
Rob Thomas
Toni Braxton
Flaming Lips
Linkin Park
Plies
T.I.
Michael Bublé
Fleetwood Mac
Madonna
Daniel Powter
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Buckcherry
Genesis
Christopher Maé
Primal Scream
Trey Songz
Tracy Chapman
Gnarls Barkley
Maná
The Ramones
Uncle Kracker
Ray Charles
Goo Goo Dolls
Mastodon
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Used
Cher
Josh Groban
matchbox twenty
R.E.M.
Paul Wall
Eric Clapton
Grateful Dead
MC Solaar
Rilo Kiley
Westernhagen
Biffy Clyro
Green Day
Metallica
Damien Rice
The White Stripes
Phil Collins
Gym Class Heroes
Bette Midler
Todd Rundgren
Wilco
The Corrs
H.I.M.
Luis Miguel
Alejandro Sanz
The Wombats
Danity Kane
Johnny Hallyday
Alanis Morissette
Seal
The Wreckers
Craig David
Emmylou Harris
Jason Mraz
Blake Shelton
Neil Young
Death Cab for Cutie
Hard-Fi
Muse
Shinedown
Young Dro
Deftones
Faith Hill
Musiq Soulchild
Paul Simon
Youssou N’Dour
Diddy
Jaheim
My Chemical Romance
Simple Plan
Yung Joc
Recording Artists’ Contracts
Our artists’ contracts define the commercial relationship between our recording artists and our record labels. We negotiate recording agreements with artists that define our rights to use the artists’ copyrighted recordings. In accordance with the terms of the contract, the artists receive royalties based on sales and other forms of exploitation of the artists’ recorded works. We customarily provide up-front payments to artists called advances, which are recoupable by us from future royalties otherwise payable to artists. We also typically pay costs associated with the recording and production of albums, which are treated in certain countries as advances recoupable from future royalties. Our typical contract for a new artist covers a single initial album and provides us with a series of options to acquire subsequent albums from the artist. Royalty rates and advances are often increased for optional albums. Many of our contracts contain a commitment from the record label to fund video production costs, at least a portion of which are generally an advance recoupable from future royalties.
Our established artists’ contracts generally provide for greater advances and higher royalty rates. Typically, established artists’ contracts entitle us to fewer albums, and, of those, fewer are optional albums. In contrast to new artists’ contracts, which typically give us ownership in the artist’s work for the full term of copyright, some established artists’ contracts provide us with an exclusive license for some fixed period of time. It is not unusual for us to renegotiate contract terms with a successful artist during a term of an existing agreement, sometimes in return for an increase in the number of albums that the artist is required to deliver.
We are also continuing to transition to other forms of business models with recording artists to adapt to changing industry conditions. In the vast majority of the recording agreements we currently enter into with new artists, we acquire 360º rights and thereby share in the touring, merchandising, sponsorship/endorsement, fan club or other non-recorded music revenues associated with those artists.
Marketing and Promotion
WEA Corp., ADA, Ryko Distribution and Word market and sell our recorded music product in the U.S. Our approach to marketing and promoting our artists and their recordings is comprehensive. Our goal is to maximize the likelihood of success for new releases as well as stimulate the success of previous releases. We seek to maximize the value of each artist and release, and to help our artists develop an image that maximizes appeal to consumers.
We work to raise the profile of our artists, through an integrated marketing approach that covers all aspects of their interactions with music consumers. These activities include helping the artist develop creatively in each album release, setting strategic release dates and choosing radio singles, creating concepts for videos that are complementary to the artists’ work and coordinating promotion of albums to radio and television outlets. We also continue to experiment with ways to promote our artists through digital channels with initiatives such as windowing of content and creating product bundles by combining our existing album assets with other assets, such as bonus tracks and music videos. Through digital distribution channels we have greater marketing flexibility that can be more cost effective. For example, direct marketing is possible through access to consumers via websites and pre-release activity can be customized. When possible, we seek to add an additional personal component to our promotional efforts by facilitating television and radio coverage or live appearances for our key artists. Our corporate, label and artist websites provide additional marketing venues for our artists.
In further preparation for and subsequent to the release of an album, we coordinate and execute a marketing plan that addresses specific digital and physical retail strategies to promote the album. Aspects of these promotions include in-store appearances, advertising, displays and placement in album listening stations. These activities are overseen by our label marketing staffs to ensure that maximum visibility is achieved for the artist and the release.
Our approach to the marketing and promotion of recorded music is carefully coordinated to create the greatest sales momentum, while maintaining financial discipline. We have significant experience in our marketing and promotion departments, which we believe allows us to achieve an optimal balance between our marketing expenditure and the eventual sales of our artists’ recordings. We use a budget-based approach to plan marketing and promotions, and we monitor all expenditures related to each release to ensure compliance with the agreed-upon budget. These planning processes are evaluated based on updated artist retail sales reports and radio airplay data, so that a promotion plan can be quickly adjusted if necessary.
While marketing efforts extend to our catalog albums, most of the expenditure is directed toward new releases. Rhino specializes in marketing our catalog through compilations and reissues of previously released music and video titles, licensing tracks to third parties for various uses and coordinating film and television soundtrack opportunities with third-party film and television producers and studios.
Manufacturing, Packaging and Physical Distribution
We have entered into manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution arrangements with Cinram for our CDs and DVDs in the U.S. and Europe. Cinram is currently our exclusive supplier of manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution services in North America and most of Europe. We believe that the terms of the Cinram agreements reflect market rates. We also have arrangements with other suppliers and distributors as part of our manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution network throughout the rest of the world.
Sales
Most of our sales represent purchases by a wholesale or retail distributor. Our return policies are in accordance with wholesale and retailer requirements, applicable laws and regulations, territory- and customer-specific negotiations, and industry practice. We attempt to minimize the return of unsold product by working with retailers to manage inventory and SKU counts as well as monitoring shipments and sell-through data.
We generate sales from the new releases of current artists and our catalog of recordings. In addition, we actively repackage music from our catalog to form new compilations. Most of our sales are currently generated through the CD format, although we also sell our music through both historical formats, such as cassettes and vinyl albums and newer emerging digital formats.
We sell our recorded music products through a variety of different retail and wholesale outlets including music specialty stores, general entertainment specialty stores, supermarkets, mass merchants and discounters, independent retailers and other traditional retailers. Although some of our retailers are specialized, many of our customers offer a substantial range of products other than music.
We believe that the online channel has become an increasingly important sales channel. Online sales include sales of traditional physical formats through both the online distribution arms of traditional retailers such as fye.com and walmart.com and traditional online physical retailers such as Amazon.com, bestbuy.com and barnesandnoble.com. In addition, there has been a proliferation of legitimate online sites, which sell digital music on a per-album or per-track basis or offer subscription and streaming services. Several carriers also offer their subscribers the ability to download music on mobile devices. We currently partner with a broad range of online and mobile providers, such as iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, Yahoo, Cingular, Sprint, T-mobile, Verizon Wireless, Orange, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Motorola, China Unicom, Vimpelcom, Telenor, YouTube, lala, and MySpace Music and are actively seeking to develop and grow this business. In digital formats, per-unit costs related directly to physical products such as manufacturing, distribution, inventory and return costs do not apply. While there are some digital-specific variable costs and infrastructure investments needed to produce, market and sell digital products, it is reasonable to expect that we will generally derive a higher contribution margin from digital sales than physical sales.
Our agreements with online and mobile service providers generally last one to two years. We believe that the short-term nature of our contracts enables us to maintain the flexibility that we need given the infancy of the digital business models.
We enter into agreements with digital service providers to make our masters available for sale in digital formats (e.g., mobile ringtones, digital downloads, etc.). We then provide digital assets for our masters to digital service providers in saleable form. Our agreements with digital service providers establish wholesale prices or license fees which vary based on the type of product being sold. We typically receive sales accounting reports from digital service providers on a monthly basis, detailing the sales activity, with payments rendered on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Our business has historically been seasonal. In the recorded music business, purchases have historically been heavily weighted towards the last three months of the calendar year. Since the emergence of digital sales, we have noted some shift in seasonality. As digital revenue increases as a percentage of our total revenue, this may continue to affect the overall seasonality of our business. For example, sales of MP3 players or gift cards to purchase digital music sold in the holiday season tend to result in sales of digital music in subsequent periods. However, seasonality with respect to the sale of music in new formats, such as digital, is still developing.
Music Publishing (18%, 17%, and 15% of consolidated revenues, before corporate and revenue eliminations, in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
Where recorded music is focused on exploiting a particular recording of a song, music publishing is an intellectual property business focused on the exploitation of the song itself. In return for promoting, placing, marketing and administering the creative output of a songwriter, or engaging in those activities for other rights holders, our music publishing business garners a share of the revenues generated from use of the song.
Our music publishing operations include Warner/Chappell, our global music publishing company headquartered in Los Angeles with operations in over 50 countries through various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated licensees. We own or control rights to more than one million musical compositions, including numerous pop hits, American standards, folk songs and motion picture and theatrical compositions. Assembled over decades, our award-winning catalog includes over 65,000 songwriters and composers and a diverse range of genres including pop, rock, jazz, country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, reggae, Latin, folk, blues, symphonic, soul, Broadway, techno, alternative, gospel and other Christian music. Our best-selling songwriter/song owner and song accounted for less than 2% and 1% of our music publishing revenues, respectively, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Moreover, our music publishing library includes many standard titles that span multiple music genres and has demonstrated the ability to generate consistent revenues over extended periods of time. For example, over the last ten years, our top 10 earning songs, which include such titles as “Happy Birthday to You”, “Let it Snow,” “Star Wars” and “Rhapsody in Blue” have generally generated annual revenues of between $1.0 million and $2.0 million per song. Warner/Chappell also administers the music and soundtracks of several third-party television and film producers and studios, including Lucasfilm, Ltd., Hallmark Entertainment, Disney Music Publishing, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Studios. In 2007, we entered the production music library business with the acquisition of Non-Stop Music. Production music is a complementary alternative to licensing standards and contemporary hits for television, film and advertising producers.
Music Publishing Portfolio
Representative Songwriters
India.Arie
Madonna
R.E.M.
Burt Bacharach
Maná
Damien Rice
Michelle Branch
Johnny Mercer
Alejandro Sanz
Michael Bublé
George Michael
Staind
Eric Clapton
Van Morrison
T.I.
Bryan-Michael Cox
Muse
Timbaland
Dido
New York Dolls
Van Halen
Dream
Tim Nichols
Van Morrison
George and Ira Gershwin
Nickelback
Kurt Weill
GreenDay
Harry Nilsson
Barry White
Michael Jackson
Katy Perry
John Williams
Led Zeppelin
Cole Porter
Lucinda Williams
Lil Wayne
Radiohead
Little Big Town
The Ramones
Representative Songs
1950s and Prior
1960s
1970s
Summertime
People
Behind Closed Doors
Happy Birthday To You
I Only Want To Be With You
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now
Night And Day
When A Man Loves A Woman
For The Love Of Money
The Lady Is A Tramp
I Got A Woman
A Horse With No Name
Too Marvelous For Words
People Get Ready
Moondance
Dancing In The Dark
Love Is Blue
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Winter Wonderland
For What It’s Worth
Layla
Ain’t She Sweet
This Magic Moment
Staying Alive
Frosty The Snowman
Save The Last Dance For Me
Star Wars Theme
When I Fall In Love
Viva Las Vegas
Killing Me Softly
Misty
The Party’s Over
On The Street Where You Live
Blueberry Hill
Makin’ Whoopee
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
It Had To Be You
You Go To My Head
Walk On By
Build Me Up Buttercup
Everyday People
Whole Lotta Love
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Saturday In The Park
Stairway To Heaven
Music Publishing Royalties
Warner/Chappell, as a copyright owner and/or administrator of copyrighted musical compositions, is entitled to receive royalties for the exploitation of musical compositions. We continually add new musical compositions to our catalog, and seek to acquire rights in songs that will generate substantial revenue over long periods of time.
Music publishers generally receive royalties pursuant to mechanical, public performance, synchronization and other licenses. In the U.S., music publishers collect and administer mechanical royalties, and statutory ceilings are established by the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, for the royalty rates applicable to musical compositions for sales of recordings embodying those musical compositions. In the U.S., public performance royalties are typically administered and collected by performing rights organizations and in most countries outside the U.S., collection, administration and allocation of both mechanical and performance income are undertaken and regulated by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities. Throughout the world, each synchronization license is generally subject to negotiation with a prospective licensee and, by contract, music publishers pay a contractually required percentage of synchronization income to the songwriters or their heirs and to any co-publishers.
Warner/Chappell acquires copyrights or portions of copyrights and/or administration rights from songwriters or other third-party holders of rights in compositions. Typically, in either case, the grantor of rights retains a right to receive a percentage of revenues collected by Warner/Chappell. As an owner and/or administrator of compositions, we promote the use of those compositions by others. For example, we encourage recording artists to record and include our songs on their albums, offer opportunities to include our compositions in filmed entertainment, advertisements and digital media and advocate for the use of our compositions in live stage productions. Examples of music uses that generate publishing revenues include:
Mechanical: sale of recorded music in various formats
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Physical recordings (e.g., CDs and DVDs)
Performance: performance of the song to the general public
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Broadcast of music on television, radio, cable and satellite
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Live performance at a concert or other venue (e.g., arena concerts, nightclubs)
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Broadcast of music at sporting events, restaurants or bars
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Performance of music in staged theatrical productions
Synchronization: use of the song in combination with visual images
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Films or television programs
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Television commercials
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Videogames
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Merchandising, toys or novelty items
Digital:
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Internet and mobile downloads
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Mobile ringtones
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Online and mobile streaming
Other:
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Licensing of copyrights for use in sheet music
Composers’ and Lyricists’ Contracts
Warner/Chappell derives its rights through contracts with composers and lyricists (songwriters) or their heirs, and with third-party music publishers. In some instances, those contracts grant either 100% or some lesser percentage of copyright ownership in musical compositions and/or administration rights. In other instances, those contracts only convey to Warner/Chappell rights to administer musical compositions for a period of time without conveying a copyright ownership interest. Our contracts grant us exclusive exploitation rights in the territories concerned excepting any pre-existing arrangements. Many of our contracts grant us rights on a worldwide basis. Contracts typically cover the entire work product of the writer or composer for the duration of the contract. As a result, Warner/Chappell customarily possesses administration rights for every musical composition created by the writer or composer during the duration of the contract.
While the duration of the contract may vary, many of our contracts grant us ownership and/or administration rights for the duration of copyright. See “Intellectual Property-Copyrights”. U.S. copyright law permits authors or their estates to terminate an assignment or license of copyright (for the U.S. only) after a set period of time.
Marketing and Promotion
We actively seek, develop and maintain relationships with songwriters. We actively market our copyrights to licensees such as recorded music companies (including our Recorded Music business), filmed entertainment, television and other media companies, advertising and media agencies, event planners and organizers, computer and video game companies and other multimedia producers. We also market our musical compositions for use in live stage productions and merchandising. In addition, we actively seek new and emerging outlets for the exploitation of songs such as ringtones for mobile phones, new wireless and online uses and webcasting.
Competition
In both recorded music and music publishing we compete based on price (to retailers in recorded music and to various end users in music publishing), on marketing and promotion (including both how we allocate our marketing and promotion resources as well as how much we spend on a dollar basis) and on artist signings. We believe we currently compete favorably in these areas.
Our Recorded Music business is also dependent on technological development, including access to, selection and viability of new technologies, and is subject to potential pressure from competitors as a result of their technological developments. In recent years, due to the growth in piracy, we have been forced to compete with illegal channels such as unauthorized, online, peer-to-peer file-sharing and downloading and industrial duplication. See “Industry Overview-Piracy.” Additionally, we compete, to a lesser extent, with alternative forms of entertainment such as motion pictures on home devices (e.g., VHS and DVD) or at the box office and with videogames for disposable consumer income.
The recorded music industry is highly competitive based on consumer preferences, and is rapidly changing. At its core, the recorded music business relies on the exploitation of artistic talent. As such, competitive strength is predicated upon the ability to continually develop and market new artists whose work gains commercial acceptance. According to Music and Copyright, in 2007, the four largest major record companies were Universal, Sony BMG Music Entertainment (“Sony BMG”), EMI Recorded Music (“EMI”) and WMG, which collectively accounted for approximately 74% of worldwide recorded music sales. There are many mid-sized and smaller players in the industry that accounted for the remaining 26%, including independent music companies. Universal was the market leader with a 29% global market share in 2007, followed by Sony BMG with a 20% share. WMG and EMI held a 14% and 11% share of global recorded music sales, respectively. While market shares change moderately year-to-year, none of these players have gained or lost more than 3 percentage points of share in the last 5 years (taking into account combined shares of Sony and BMG for years prior to the formation of Sony BMG in 2004). On July 13, 2006, the European Court of First Instance annulled the European Commission’s decision approving the formation of Sony BMG. Sony and Bertelsmann re-applied to the European Commission and the formation of Sony BMG was re-approved in October 2007. On October 1, 2008, Sony Corporation completed its acquisition of Bertelsmann’s interest in the Sony BMG venture, which is now called Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
The music publishing business is also highly competitive. The top four music publishers collectively account for approximately 65% of the market. Based on Music & Copyright’s most recent estimates in April 2008, Universal Music Publishing Group, having acquired BMG Music Publishing Group in 2007, was the market leader in music publishing in 2007, holding a 22% global share. EMI Music Publishing was the second largest music publisher with a 20% share, followed by WMG (Warner/Chappell) at 15% and Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (“Sony/ATV”) at 7%. Independent music publishers represent the balance of the market, as well as many individual songwriters who published their own works.
Intellectual Property
Copyrights
Our business, like that of other companies involved in music publishing and recorded music, rests on our ability to maintain rights in musical works and recordings through copyright protection. In the U.S., copyright protection for works created as “works made for hire” (e.g., works of employees or specially commissioned works) after January 1, 1978 lasts for 95 years from first publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first. The period of copyright protection for musical compositions and sound recordings that are not “works made for hire” lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years for works created on or after January 1, 1978. U.S. works created prior to January 1, 1978 generally enjoy a total copyright life of 95 years, subject to compliance with certain statutory provisions including notice and renewal. In the U.S., sound recordings created prior to February 15, 1972 are not subject to copyright protection but are protected by common law rights or state statutes, where applicable. Copyright in the E.U. has recently been harmonized such that the period of copyright protection for musical compositions in all member states lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. In the E.U., the term of copyright for sound recordings lasts for 50 years from the date of release; however, the European Commission recently adopted an initiative that would extend the copyright protection in sound recordings to 95 years. E.U. governments and the European Parliament still need to give approval.
We are largely dependent on legislation in each territory to protect our rights against unauthorized reproduction, distribution, public performance or rental. In all territories where we operate, our products receive some degree of copyright protection, although the period of protection varies widely. In a number of developing countries, the protection of copyright remains inadequate. The U.S. enacted the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, creating a powerful framework for the protection of copyrights covering musical compositions and recordings in the digital world.
The potential growth of new delivery technologies, such as digital broadcasting, the Internet and entertainment-on-demand has focused attention on the need for new legislation that will adequately protect the rights of producers. We actively lobby in favor of industry efforts to increase copyright protection and support the efforts of organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”).
In December 1996, two global copyright treaties, the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, were signed, securing the basic legal framework for the international music industry to trade and invest in online music businesses. The WIPO treaties have been ratified by the requisite number of countries, including the U.S.
The European Union has implemented these treaties through the European Copyright Directive, which was adopted by the E.U. in 2001. Legislation implementing the European Copyright Directive in each of the member states is underway. The European Copyright Directive harmonizes copyright laws across Europe and extends substantial protection for copyrighted works online. The E.U. has also put forward legislation aimed at assuring cross border coordination of the enforcement of laws related to counterfeit goods, including musical recordings.
Trademarks
An important part of our business is our trademarks. Our major trademarks are registered in every country where we believe the protection of these trademarks is important for our business. Our major trademarks include Atlantic, Elektra, Sire, Reprise and Warner/Chappell. We use certain trademarks pursuant to royalty-free license agreements. The duration of the license relating to the WARNER and WARNER MUSIC marks and “W” logo is perpetual. The duration of the license relating to the WARNER BROS. RECORDS mark and WB & Shield designs is fifteen years from February 29, 2004. Each of the licenses may be terminated under certain limited circumstances, which include material breaches of the agreement, certain events of insolvency, and certain change of control events if we were to become controlled by a major filmed entertainment company. We actively monitor and protect against activities that might infringe, dilute, or otherwise harm our trademarks.
Joint Ventures
We have entered into joint venture arrangements pursuant to which we or our various subsidiary companies manufacture, distribute and market (in most cases, domestically and internationally) recordings owned by the joint ventures. Examples of these arrangements are Bad Boy Records, a joint venture between us and Sean “Diddy” Combs, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, a joint venture established to administer licenses for use of Frank Sinatra’s name and likeness and manage all aspects of his music, film and stage content, and our MySpace Music joint venture.
Employees
As of September 30, 2008, we employed approximately 3,800 persons worldwide, including temporary and part-time employees. None of our employees in the U.S. are subject to collective bargaining agreements, although certain employees in our non-domestic companies are covered by national labor agreements. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good.
Environmental Matters
Our wholly and partially owned pick, pack and ship facilities throughout the world, which are not a significant part of our business, are subject to laws and regulations and international agreements governing the protection of the environment, natural resources, human health and safety and the use, management and disposal of hazardous substances. In particular, our operations are subject to stringent requirements for packaging content and recycling, air and water emission, and waste management. We believe that we comply substantially with all applicable environmental requirements. Although the costs of maintaining such compliance have not materially affected us to date, we cannot predict the costs of complying with requirements that may be imposed in the future. In connection with some of our existing facilities, we also have been, and may become again, responsible for the costs of investigating or cleaning up contaminated properties. Such costs or related third-party personal injury or property damage claims could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Financial Information About Segments and Foreign and Domestic Operations
Financial and other information by segment, and relating to foreign and domestic operations, for each of the last three fiscal years is set forth in Note 19 to the Consolidated Audited Financial Statements.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Recorded Music
Recorded music is one of the primary mediums of entertainment for consumers worldwide and in calendar 2007, according to IFPI, generated $29.9 billion in retail value of sales. Over time, major recorded music companies have built significant recorded music catalogs, which are long-lived assets that are exploited year after year. The sale of catalog material is typically more profitable than that of new releases, given lower development costs and more limited marketing costs. In the first three quarters of calendar 2008, according to SoundScan, 43% of all U.S. album unit sales were from recordings more than 18 months old, and 31% were from recordings more than three years old.
According to IFPI, the top five territories (the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Germany and France) accounted for 74% of the related sales in the recorded music market in 2007. The U.S., which is the most significant exporter of music, is also the largest territory for recorded music sales, constituting 35% of total 2007 recorded music sales. In addition, the U.S. and Japan are largely local music markets, with 93% and 77% of their 2007 physical music sales consisting of domestic repertoire, respectively. In contrast, the U.K., German and French territories are made up of a higher percentage of international sales, with domestic repertoire constituting only 49%, 62% and 55% of these markets, respectively.
There has been a major shift in distribution of recorded music from specialty shops towards mass-market and online retailers. According to RIAA, record stores’ share of U.S. music sales has declined from 51% in 1998 to 31% in 2007. Over the course of the last decade, U.S. mass-market and other stores’ share grew from 34% in 1998 to 54% in 2004, and with the subsequent growth of sales via online channels since that time, their share contracted to 30% in 2007. In recent years, online sales of physical product as well as digital downloads have grown to represent an increasing share of U.S. sales and combined they accounted for 23% of music sales in 2007. In terms of genre, rock remains the most popular style of music, representing 32% of 2007 U.S. unit sales, although genres such as rap/hip-hop, R&B, Country and Latin music are also very popular.
According to RIAA, from 1990 to 1999, the U.S. recorded music industry grew at a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%, twice the rate of total entertainment spending. This growth, largely paralleled around the world, was driven by demand for music, the replacement of vinyl LPs and cassettes with CDs, price increases and strong economic growth. The industry began experiencing negative growth rates in 1999, on a global basis, primarily driven by an increase in digital piracy. Other drivers of this decline were and are the overall recessionary economic environment, bankruptcies of record retailers and wholesalers, growing competition for consumer discretionary spending and retail shelf space and the maturation of the CD format, which has slowed the historical growth pattern of recorded music sales. Since that time, annual dollar sales of physical music product in the U.S. are estimated to have declined at a compound annual growth rate of 8%, although there was a 2.5% year-over-year increase recorded in 2004. In 2007, the physical business experienced a 19% year-over-year decline on a value basis. According to SoundScan, through November 9, 2008, calendar year-to-date U.S. recorded music album unit sales (excluding sales of digital tracks) are down approximately 13% year-over-year. According to SoundScan, adding digital track sales to the unit album totals based on SoundScan’s standard ten-tracks-per-album equivalent, the U.S. music industry is down 7% through November 9, 2008. Similar declines have occurred in international markets, with the extent of declines driven primarily by differing penetration levels of piracy-enabling technologies, such as broadband access and CD-R technology, and economic conditions.
Notwithstanding these factors, we believe that music industry results could improve based on the continued mobilization of the industry as a whole against piracy and the development of legitimate digital distribution channels.
Piracy
One of the industry’s biggest challenges is combating piracy. Music piracy exists in two primary forms: digital (which includes illegal downloading and CD-R piracy) and industrial:
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Digital piracy has grown dramatically, enabled by the increasing penetration of broadband Internet access and the ubiquity of powerful microprocessors, fast optical drives (particularly with writable media, such as CD-R) and large inexpensive disk storage in personal computers. The combination of these technologies has allowed consumers to easily, flawlessly and almost instantaneously make high-quality copies of music using a home computer by “ripping” or converting musical content from CDs into digital files, stored on local disks. These digital files can then be distributed for free over the Internet through anonymous peer-to-peer file sharing networks such as BitTorrent, Bearshare, and Limewire or websites such as allofmp3.com (“illegal downloading”). Alternatively, these files can be burned onto multiple CDs for physical distribution (“CD-R piracy”). IFPI estimates that 30 billion songs were illegally downloaded in 2007.
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Industrial piracy (also called counterfeiting or physical piracy) involves mass production of illegal CDs and cassettes in factories. This form of piracy is largely concentrated in developing regions, and has existed for well more than a decade. The sale of legitimate recorded music in these developing territories is limited by the dominance of pirated products, which are sold at substantially lower prices than legitimate products. The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) estimates that trade losses due to physical piracy of records and music in 51 key countries/territories around the world with copyright protection and/or enforcement deficiencies totaled $2.3 billion in 2007. The IIPA also
believes that piracy of records and music is most prevalent in territories such as Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, the People’s Republic of China, Peru, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam, where privacy levels are in excess of 70%.
In 2003, the industry launched an intensive campaign to limit piracy that focused on four key initiatives:
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Technological: The technological measures against piracy are geared towards degrading the illegal file-sharing process and tracking providers and consumers of pirated music. These measures include spoofing, watermarking, copy protection, the use of automated webcrawlers and access restrictions. In addition, the industry continues to experiment with new DVD-related technologies that contain more robust encryption protection.
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Educational: Led by RIAA and IFPI, the industry has launched an aggressive campaign of consumer education designed to spread awareness of the illegality of various forms of piracy through aggressive print and television advertisements. Data collected by RIAA in the third quarter of 2008 reflect that over one-third (36%) of the U.S. music-consuming population age 13 and older are aware of the recording industry’s efforts to educate consumers about obtaining music legally, and of those, about three-fourths (72%) believe that these efforts have been effective in helping them understand what is permissible in terms of obtaining music. The data also show that only a small minority of the U.S. music-consuming population age 13 and older currently believes that there is legal justification for engaging in file-sharing activities - one-third or less say that it is legal to make their music collections available for others to download or copy and/or to download or copy music from someone else’s collection.
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Legal: In conjunction with its educational efforts, the industry has taken aggressive legal action against file-sharers and is continuing to fight industrial pirates. These actions include civil lawsuits in the U.S. and E.U. against individual pirates, arrests of pirates in Japan and raids against file-sharing services in Australia. U.S. lawsuits have largely targeted individuals who illegally share large quantities of music content. RIAA has continued these lawsuits in the U.S. IFPI has brought similar actions in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Hong Kong, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. and it may pursue similar actions in other countries. A number of court decisions, including the decisions in the cases involving Grokster and KaZaA, have held that one who distributes a device, such as P2P software, with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright can be liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties using the device regardless of the of the lawful uses of the device.
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Development of online and mobile alternatives: We believe that the development and success of legitimate digital music channels will be an important driver of recorded music sales and monetization going forward, as they represent both an incremental revenue stream and a potential inhibitor of piracy. The music industry has been encouraged by the proliferation and early success of legitimate digital music distribution options. We believe that these legitimate online distribution channels offer several advantages to illegal peer-to-peer networks, including greater ease of use, higher quality and more consistent music product, faster downloading and streaming, better search and discovery capabilities and seamless integration with portable digital music players. For example, legitimate online download stores and subscription music services began to be established between early 2002 and April 2003 beginning with the launch of Rhapsody in late 2001 and continuing through the launch of Apple’s iTunes music store in April 2003. Since then, many others (both large and small) have launched download , subscription, and ad-supported music services, offering a variety of models, including per-track pricing, per-album pricing and monthly subscriptions. Already, according to IFPI in their “Digital Music Report 2008” publication, there are more than 500 legal online music sites providing alternatives to illegal file-sharing in markets around the world. The mobile music business has also grown rapidly, with mobile music revenues rising to over $1.3 billion in trade value in 2007, according to IFPI data. While most mobile revenue is still currently derived from ringtones, new mobile phones equipped with new capabilities are increasingly offering the capability for full-track downloads and streaming audio and video, further expanding legitimate options.
These efforts are incremental to the long-standing push by organizations such as RIAA and IFPI to curb industrial piracy around the world. In addition to these actions, the music industry is increasingly coordinating with other similarly impacted industries (such as software and filmed entertainment) to combat piracy.
We believe these actions are beginning to have a positive effect. A survey conducted by The NPD Group, a market research firm, in December 2007 shows that 27% of U.S. Internet users aged 13 or older who downloaded music from a file-sharing service at any point in the past two years stopped or decreased their usage of such file-sharing services in the past year.
Several recent governmental initiatives should also be helpful to the music industry. France recently enacted a “three strikes” system where repeat copyright infringers could have their Internet connections revoked and in the U.K., six U.K. ISPs signed a memorandum of understanding whereby they agreed to work with the entertainment industry and government to reduce illegal file-sharing. We believe these actions represent a positive trend internationally of ISPs helping in the fight against piracy on the internet.
In the U.S., the legislature recently passed the PRO-IP Act of 2008, a law that protects copyrights both domestically and internationally. Echoing similar efforts across Europe and Australia, the PRO-IP Act toughens U.S. criminal laws against piracy and counterfeiting, and adds accountability in the law’s implementation. In addition, the Higher Education Act, which sets out provisions designed to ameliorate the peer-to-peer problem on college campuses was also recently enacted. The Act requires colleges to consistently disseminate information to better educate students about the policies, disciplinary actions, risks and penalties of peer-to-peer activities. Furthermore, for educational institutions to have continuing eligibility to federally-funded assistance programs, they have to develop plans to effectively combat unauthorized content distribution on campus. We believe all of these actions further the efforts of the music industry to reduce the level of illegal file-sharing on the internet.
Music Publishing
Background
Music publishing involves the acquisition of rights to, and licensing of, musical compositions (as opposed to recordings) from songwriters, composers or other rights holders. Music publishing revenues are derived from five main royalty sources: Mechanical, Performance, Synchronization, Digital and Other.
In the U.S., mechanical royalties are collected directly by music publishers from recorded music companies or via The Harry Fox Agency, a non-exclusive licensing agent affiliated with NMPA, while outside the U.S., collection societies perform this function. Once mechanical royalties reach the publisher (either directly from record companies or from collection societies), percentages of those royalties are paid to any co-owners of the copyright in the composition and to the writer(s) and composer(s) of the composition. Mechanical royalties are paid at a penny rate of 9.1 cents per song per unit in the U.S. (although recording agreements sometimes contain “controlled composition” provisions pursuant to which artist/songwriters license their rights to their record companies at as little as 75% of this rate) and as a percentage of wholesale price in most other territories. In the U.S., these rates are set pursuant to industry negotiations and rate proceedings contemplated by the U.S. Copyright Act and have been increasing at two-year intervals. For example, through December 2005 we received 8.5 cents per song and then on January 1, 2006, the rate increased to 9.1 cents per song until December 31, 2007. On October 2, 2008, the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) announced that the mechanical royalty rate would remain at 9.1 cents per song to December 31, 2012. This rate applies to physical and digital products. Recordings in excess of five minutes attract a higher rate. In international markets, these rates are determined by multi-year collective bargaining agreements and rate tribunals.
Throughout the world, performance royalties are typically collected on behalf of publishers and songwriters by performance rights organizations and collection societies. Key performing rights organizations and collection societies include: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), SESAC and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) in the U.S.; Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society and The Performing Right Society in
the U.K.; The German Copyright Society in Germany and the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers in Japan. The societies pay a percentage (which is set in each country) of the performance royalties to the copyright owner(s) or administrators (i.e., the publisher(s)), and a percentage directly to the songwriter(s), of the composition. Thus, the publisher generally retains the performance royalties it receives other than any amounts attributable to co-publishers.
The music publishing market has proven to be more resilient than the recorded music market in recent years as revenue streams other than mechanical royalties are largely unaffected by piracy, and are benefiting from additional sources of income from digital exploitation of music in downloads and mobile ringtones. The worldwide professional music publishing market was estimated to have generated approximately $4.05 billion in revenues in 2007 according to figures contained in the April 4, 2008 issue of Music & Copyright. Trends in music publishing vary by royalty source:
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Mechanical & Digital: Although the decline in the physical business has begun to have an impact on mechanical royalties, this decline has been partly offset by the regular and predictable statutory increases in the mechanical royalty rate in the U.S. in the past, the increasing efficiency of local collection societies worldwide and the growth of new revenue sources such as mobile ringtones and legitimate online and mobile downloads.
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Performance: Continued growth in the performance royalties category is expected, largely driven by television advertising, live performance and online streaming and advertising royalties.
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Synchronization: We believe synchronization revenues have experienced strong growth in recent years and will continue to do so, benefiting from the proliferation of media channels, a recovery in advertising, robust videogames sales and growing DVD film sales/rentals.
In addition, major publishers have the opportunity to generate significant value by the acquisition of small publishers by extracting cost savings (as acquired libraries can be administered with little or no incremental cost) and by increasing revenues through more aggressive marketing efforts.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table sets forth information as to our executive officers as of November 20, 2008, together with their positions and ages.
Name
Age
Position
Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and CEO
Lyor Cohen
Vice Chairman, Warner Music Group Corp. and Chairman and CEO,
Recorded Music-Americas and the U.K.
Michael D. Fleisher
Vice Chairman, Strategy and Operations
David H. Johnson
Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music
Mark Ansorge
Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Compliance
Officer
Steven Macri
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Michael Nash
Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development
Paul M. Robinson
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Will Tanous
Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer
Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors. Each executive officer is an employee of Warner Music Group or one of its subsidiaries. There are no family relationships among any executive officers of Warner Music Group. The following information provides a brief description of the business experience of each of our executive officers.
Edgar Bronfman, Jr., 53, has served as our Chairman of the Board and CEO since March 1, 2004. Before joining Warner Music Group, Mr. Bronfman served as Chairman and CEO of Lexa Partners LLC, which he founded, from April 2002. Prior to Lexa Partners, Mr. Bronfman was appointed Executive Vice Chairman of Vivendi Universal in December 2000. He resigned from his position as an executive officer of Vivendi Universal on December 6, 2001, resigned as an employee of Vivendi Universal on March 31, 2002, and resigned as Vice Chairman of Vivendi Universal’s Board of Directors on December 2, 2003. Prior to the December 2000 formation of Vivendi Universal, Mr. Bronfman was President and CEO of The Seagram Company Ltd., a post he held since June 1994. During his tenure as the CEO of Seagram, he consummated $85 billion in transactions and transformed the company into one of the world’s leading media and communications companies. From 1989 until June 1994, Mr. Bronfman served as President and COO of Seagram. Between 1982 and 1989, he held a series of senior executive positions for The Seagram Company Ltd. in the U.S. and in Europe. Mr. Bronfman serves on the Boards of InterActiveCorp and New York University Langone Medical Center and the Board of Governors of The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Endeavor Global, Inc. and is a Member of the J.P. Morgan Chase National Advisory Board and the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Bronfman also serves as general partner at Accretive, LLC, a venture capital firm specializing in the business process outsourcing area.
Lyor Cohen, 49, has served as the Vice Chairman, Warner Music Group Corp. and Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music-Americas and the U.K. since September 2008. Previously, Mr. Cohen was Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music North America from March 2008 to September 2008 and Chairman and CEO of U.S. Recorded Music since joining the company in March 1, 2004 to March 2008. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Cohen was the Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group’s Island Def Jam Music Group. Mr. Cohen served as President of Def Jam from 1988 to 2002. Previously, Mr. Cohen served in various capacities at Rush Management, a hip-hop management company, which he founded with partner Russell Simmons. Mr. Cohen is widely credited with expanding Island Def Jam beyond its hip-hop roots to include a wider range of musical genres.
Michael D. Fleisher, 43, has served as our Vice Chairman, Strategy and Operations, since September 2008. Previously Mr. Fleisher was our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since joining the company in January 1, 2005 to September 2008. Prior to joining Warner Music Group, Mr. Fleisher was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gartner, Inc. Mr. Fleisher joined Gartner in 1993 and served in several roles including Chief Financial Officer prior to being named CEO in 1999. Previous to Gartner, he was at Bain Capital. Mr. Fleisher holds a bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
David H. Johnson, 62, has served as the CEO of Warner/Chappell Music since December 2006. He was previously Warner Music Group’s Acting CEO of Warner/Chappell Music since January 2006 and Executive Vice President and General Counsel since 1999. Prior to joining Warner Music Group, Mr. Johnson spent nine years as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Sony Music Entertainment. He also held several posts at CBS and was an associate in the law firm Mayer, Nussbaum, Katz & Baker. Mr. Johnson received a B.A. in political science from Yale University, a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and an L.L.M. from New York University School of Law.
Mark Ansorge, 45, has served as our Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Compliance Officer since August 2008. He was previously Warner Music Group’s Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel and has held various other positions within the legal department since joining the company in 1992. Since the company’s initial public offering in 2005, Mr. Ansorge has also served as Warner Music Group’s Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to joining Warner Music Group he practiced law as an associate at Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts (now known as Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP). Mr. Ansorge holds a bachelor of science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.
Steven Macri, 39, has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2008. He was previously Warner Music Group’s Senior Vice President and Controller since February 2005. Prior to joining Warner Music Group, he held the position of Vice President Finance at Thomson Learning (now Cengage Learning), which was a division of The Thomson Corporation. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Macri held various financial and business development positions at Gartner, Inc. including SVP, Business Planning and Operations and SVP, Controller. Before joining Gartner, he held various positions in the accounting and finance departments of consumer packaged goods company Reckitt Benckiser. Mr. Macri began his career at Price Waterhouse LLP where he last served as a manager. Mr. Macri holds a bachelor of science degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business.
Michael Nash, 51, has served as our Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development since June 2008. He was previously Warner Music Group’s Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development since February 1, 2000. Prior to joining Warner Music Group, Mr. Nash was Executive Director of the Madison Project, an industry-first secure digital music distribution trial (1999) CEO and founder of Inscape, an interactive entertainment and games publishing joint venture with Warner Music Group and HBO that won numerous product awards (1994 - 1997) and Director of the Criterion Collection, where he worked closely with directors and artists such as Robert Altman, David Bowie, Terry Gilliam, Louis Malle, Nicolas Roeg and John Singleton on numerous special edition laserdiscs, the forerunner of the DVD format (1991 - 1994).
Paul M. Robinson, 50, has served as our Executive Vice President and General Counsel since December 2006. Mr. Robinson joined Warner Music Group’s legal department in 1995. From 1995 to December 2006, Mr. Robinson held various positions with Warner Music Group, including Acting General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel. Before joining Warner Music Group, Mr. Robinson was a partner in the New York City law firm Mayer, Katz, Baker, Leibowitz & Roberts. Mr. Robinson has a B.A. in English from Williams College and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
Will Tanous, 39, has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer since May 2008. He was previously Warner Music Group’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and has held various positions at Warner Music Group since joining the company in 1993. Prior to joining Warner Music Group, Mr. Tanous held positions at Warner Music International and Geffen Records. He also served as president of two independent record labels. Mr. Tanous holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise stated herein, these filings are not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this report. You may read and copy any documents filed by us at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WMG”. You can inspect and copy reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the NYSE’s offices at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. We also maintain an Internet site at www.wmg.com. We use our website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding Warner Music Group is routinely posted on and accessible at http://investors.wmg.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Warner Music Group by enrolling your email by visiting the “email alerts” section at http://investors.wmg.com. We make available on our Internet website free of charge our 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 as soon as practicable after we electronically file such reports with the SEC. In addition, copies of our (i) Corporate Governance Guidelines, (ii) charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Executive, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and (iii) Code of Conduct which is applicable for all or our employees including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers, are available at our Internet site under “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance.” Copies will be provided to any stockholder upon written request to Investor Relations, 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10019, via electronic mail at Investor.Relations@wmg.com or by contacting Investor Relations at (212) 275-2000. Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this report.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this report before making an investment decision with respect to shares of our common stock. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Related to our Business
The recorded music industry has been declining and may continue to decline, which may adversely affect our prospects and our results of operations.
The industry began experiencing negative growth rates in 1999 on a global basis and the worldwide recorded music market has contracted considerably. Illegal downloading of music from the Internet, CD-R piracy, industrial piracy, economic recession, bankruptcies of record wholesalers and retailers, and growing competition for consumer discretionary spending and retail shelf space may all be contributing to a declining recorded music industry. Additionally, the period of growth in recorded music sales driven by the introduction and penetration of the CD format has ended. While CD sales still generate most of the recorded music revenues, CD sales continue to decline industry-wide and we expect that trend to continue. However, new formats for selling recorded music product have been created, including the legal downloading of digital music using the Internet, the distribution of music on mobile devices and revenue streams from these new channels are beginning to emerge. These new digital revenue streams are important to offset declines in physical sales and represent the fastest growing area of our business. Despite the increase in digital sales, they have yet to completely offset declining physical sales on a worldwide industry basis and it is too soon to determine the impact that sales of music through new channels might have on the industry or when the decline in physical sales might be offset by the increase in digital sales. Accordingly, the recorded music industry performance may continue to negatively impact our operating results. While it is believed within the recorded music industry that growth in digital sales will re-establish a growth pattern for recorded music sales, the timing of the recovery cannot be established with accuracy nor can it be determined how these changes will affect individual markets. A declining recorded music industry is likely to lead to reduced levels of revenue and operating income generated by our Recorded Music business. Additionally, a declining recorded music industry is also likely to have a negative impact on our Music Publishing business, which generates a significant portion of its revenues from mechanical royalties, primarily from the sale of music in CD and other recorded music formats.
Current uncertainty in global economic conditions could adversely affect our prospects and our results of operations.
Current uncertainty in global economic conditions poses a risk to the overall economy as consumers and businesses may defer purchases in response to tighter credit and negative financial news, which could negatively affect product demand and other related matters. The current volatility and disruption to the capital and credit markets have reached unprecedented levels and have adversely impacted global economic conditions, resulting in significant recessionary pressures and lower consumer confidence and lower retail sales in general. While the music industry has been relatively resilient in prior financial downturns as its products are low priced relative to other entertainment goods, we cannot predict the impact of these general economic conditions on us or whether this downturn will be different. In addition, although we believe our cash provided by operations and available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility will provide us with sufficient liquidity through the current credit crisis, the impact of this crisis on our major customers and suppliers cannot be predicted and may be quite severe. The inability of major manufacturers to ship our products could impair our ability to meet delivery date requirements of our customers. A disruption of the ability of our significant customers to access liquidity could cause disruptions or an overall deterioration of their businesses which could lead to reductions in their future orders of our products or the failure on their part to meet their payment obligations to us. Consequently, demand could be different from our expectations due to factors including changes in business and economic conditions, including conditions in the credit market that could affect consumer confidence, customer acceptance of our and competitors’ products, and changes in the level of inventory at retailers, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
There may be downward pressure on our pricing and our profit margins and reductions in shelf space.
There are a variety of factors that could cause us to reduce our prices and reduce our profit margins. They are, among others, price competition from the sale of motion pictures in DVD-Video format and videogames, the negotiating leverage of mass merchandisers, big-box retailers and distributors of digital music, the increased costs of doing business with mass merchandisers and big-box retailers as a result of complying with operating procedures that are unique to their needs and any changes in costs associated with new digital formats. In addition, we are currently dependent on a small number of leading online music stores, which allows them to significantly influence the prices we can charge in connection with the distribution of digital music. Over the course of the last decade, U.S. mass-market and other stores’ share of U.S physical music sales has continued to grow. While we cannot predict how future competition will impact music retailers, as the music industry continues to transform it is possible that the share of music sales by mass-market retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target and online music stores such as Apple’s iTunes will continue to grow as a result of the decline of specialty music retailers, which could further increase their negotiating leverage. Several large specialty music retailers, including Tower Records and Musicland, have filed for bankruptcy protection. The declining number of specialty music retailers may not only put pressure on profit margins, but could also impact catalog sales as mass-market retailers generally sell top chart albums only, with a limited range of back catalog. See “Risk Factors-We are substantially dependent on a limited number of online music stores, in particular Apple’s iTunes Music Store, for the online sale of our music recordings and they are able to significantly influence the pricing structure for online music stores.”
Our prospects and financial results may be adversely affected if we fail to identify, sign and retain artists and songwriters and by the existence or absence of superstar releases and by local economic conditions in the countries in which we operate.
We are dependent on identifying, signing and retaining artists with long-term potential, whose debut albums are well received on release, whose subsequent albums are anticipated by consumers and whose music will continue to generate sales as part of our catalog for years to come. The competition among record companies for such talent is intense. Competition among record companies to sell records is also intense and the marketing expenditures necessary to compete have increased as well. We are also dependent on signing and retaining songwriters who will write the hit songs of today and the classics of tomorrow. Our competitive position is dependent on our continuing ability to attract and develop talent whose work can achieve a high degree of public acceptance. Our financial results may be adversely affected if we are unable to identify, sign and retain such artists under terms that are economically attractive to us. Our financial results may also be affected by the existence or absence of superstar artist releases during a particular period. Some music industry observers believe that the number of superstar acts with long-term appeal, both in terms of catalog sales and future releases, has declined in recent years. Additionally, our financial results are generally affected by the worldwide economic and retail environment, as well as the appeal of our Recorded Music catalog and our Music Publishing library.
We may have difficulty addressing the threats to our business associated with home copying and Internet downloading.
The combined effect of the decreasing cost of electronic and computer equipment and related technology such as CD burners and the conversion of music into digital formats have made it easier for consumers to create unauthorized copies of our recordings in the form of, for example, “burned” CDs and MP3 files. Tens of billions of illegal files were swapped in 2007, with the ratio of unlicensed tracks downloaded to legal tracks sold of about 20 to 1, according to IFPI. In addition, while growth of music-enabled mobile consumers offers distinct opportunities for music companies such as ours, it also opens the market up to certain risks from behaviors such as “sideloading” of unauthorized content and illegitimate user-created ringtones. A substantial portion of our revenue comes from the sale of audio products that are potentially subject to unauthorized consumer copying and widespread dissemination on the Internet without an economic return to us. The impact of digital piracy on legitimate music sales is hard to quantify but we believe that illegal file-sharing has a substantial negative impact
on music sales. We are working to control this problem through further litigation, by lobbying governments for new, stronger copyright protection laws and more stringent enforcement of current laws, through technological measures and by establishing legitimate new media business models. We cannot give any assurances that such measures will be effective. If we fail to obtain appropriate relief through the judicial process or the complete enforcement of judicial decisions issued in our favor (or if judicial decisions are not in our favor), if we are unsuccessful in our efforts to lobby governments to enact and enforce stronger legal penalties for copyright infringement or if we fail to develop effective means of protecting our intellectual property (whether copyrights or other rights such as patents, trademarks and trade secrets) or our entertainment-related products or services, our results of operations, financial position and prospects may suffer.
Organized industrial piracy may lead to decreased sales.
The global organized commercial pirate trade is a significant threat to the music industry. The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) estimates that trade losses due to physical piracy of records and music in 51 key countries/territories around the world with copyright protection and/or enforcement deficiencies totaled $2.3 billion in 2007. Unauthorized copies and piracy have contributed to the decrease in the volume of legitimate sales and put pressure on the price of legitimate sales. They have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our business.
Our involvement in intellectual property litigation could adversely affect our business.
Our business is highly dependent upon intellectual property, a field that has encountered increasing litigation in recent years. If we are alleged to infringe the intellectual property rights of a third party, any litigation to defend the claim could be costly and would divert the time and resources of management, regardless of the merits of the claim. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in any such litigation. If we were to lose a litigation relating to intellectual property, we could be forced to pay monetary damages and to cease the sale of certain products or the use of certain technology. Any of the foregoing may adversely affect our business.
Due to the nature of our business, our results of operations and cash flows may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
Our net sales, operating income and profitability, like those of other companies in the music business, are largely affected by the number and quality of albums that we release, our release schedule and, more importantly, the consumer demand for these releases. We also make advance payments to recording artists and songwriters, which impact our operating cash flows. The timing of album releases and advance payments is largely based on business and other considerations and is made without regard to the timing of the release of our financial results. We report results of operations quarterly and our results of operations and cash flows in any reporting period may be materially affected by the timing of releases and advance payments, which may result in significant fluctuations from period to period.
Our operating results fluctuate on a seasonal and quarterly basis, and, in the event we do not generate sufficient net sales in our first fiscal quarter and subsequent quarters, we may not be able to meet our debt service and other obligations.
Our business has historically been seasonal. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, we derived approximately 82% of our revenues from our Recorded Music business. In the recorded music business, purchases have historically been heavily weighted towards the last three months of the calendar year, which represent our first quarter under our September 30 fiscal year. Historically, we have realized approximately 35% of Recorded Music net sales worldwide during the last three months of the calendar year, making those three months (i.e. , our first fiscal quarter) material to our full-year performance. Since the emergence of digital sales, we have noted some shift in this seasonality. We realized 29%, 28% and 32% of Recorded Music calendar year net sales during the last three months of calendar 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. This sales seasonality affects our operating cash flow from quarter to quarter. We cannot assure you that our Recorded Music net sales
for the last three months of any calendar year will continue to be sufficient to meet our obligations or that they will be higher than such net sales for our other quarters. In the event that we do not derive sufficient Recorded Music net sales in the last three months of any calendar year, we may not be able to meet our debt service requirements, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements and other obligations. As digital revenue increases as a percentage of our total revenue, this may continue to affect the overall seasonality of our business. For example, sales of MP3 players or gift cards to purchase digital music sold in the holiday season tend to result in sales of digital music in subsequent periods. However, seasonality with respect to the sale of music in new formats, such as digital, is still developing.
We may be unable to compete successfully in the highly competitive markets in which we operate and we may suffer reduced profits as a result.
The industry in which we operate is highly competitive, is based on consumer preferences and is rapidly changing. Additionally, the music industry requires substantial human and capital resources. We compete with other recorded music companies and music publishers to identify and sign new recording artists and songwriters who subsequently achieve long-term success and to renew agreements with established artists and songwriters. In addition, our competitors may from time to time reduce their prices in an effort to expand market share and introduce new services, or improve the quality of their products or services. We may lose business if we are unable to sign successful artists or songwriters or to match the prices or the quality of products and services, offered by our competitors. Our Recorded Music business competes not only with other recorded music companies, but also with the recorded music efforts of live events companies and artists who may chose to distribute their own works. Our Music Publishing business competes not only with other music publishing companies, but also with songwriters who publish their own works. Our Recorded Music business is to a large extent dependent on technological developments, including access to and selection and viability of new technologies, and is subject to potential pressure from competitors as a result of their technological developments. For example, our Recorded Music business may be adversely affected by technological developments that facilitate the piracy of music, such as Internet peer-to-peer file-sharing and CD-R activity, by an inability to enforce our intellectual property rights in digital environments and by a failure to develop a successful business model applicable to a digital environment. The Recorded Music business also faces competition from other forms of entertainment and leisure activities, such as cable and satellite television, pre-recorded films on videocassettes and DVD, the Internet and computer and videogames.
Our business operations in some countries subject us to trends, developments or other events in foreign countries which may affect us adversely.
We are a global company with strong local presences, which have become increasingly important as the popularity of music originating from a country’s own language and culture has increased in recent years. Our mix of national and international recording artists and songwriters provides a significant degree of diversification for our music portfolio. However, our creative content does not necessarily enjoy universal appeal. As a result, our results can be affected not only by general industry trends, but also by trends, developments or other events in individual countries, including:
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limited legal protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights;
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restrictions on the repatriation of capital;
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fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates;
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differences and unexpected changes in regulatory environment, including environmental, health and safety, local planning, zoning and labor laws, rules and regulations;
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varying tax regimes which could adversely affect our results of operations or cash flows, including regulations relating to transfer pricing and withholding taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries and joint ventures;
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exposure to different legal standards and enforcement mechanisms and the associated cost of compliance;
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difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified management and employees or rationalizing our workforce;
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tariffs, duties, export controls and other trade barriers;
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longer accounts receivable settlement cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;
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recessionary trends, inflation and instability of the financial markets;
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higher interest rates; and
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political instability.
We may not be able to insure or hedge against these risks, and we may not be able to ensure compliance with all of the applicable regulations without incurring additional costs. Furthermore, financing may not be available in countries with less than investment-grade sovereign credit ratings. As a result, it may be difficult to create or maintain profit-making operations in developing countries.
In addition, our results can be affected by trends, developments and other events in individual countries. There can be no assurance that in the future other country-specific trends, developments or other events will not have such a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Unfavorable conditions can depress sales in any given market and prompt promotional or other actions that affect our margins.
Our business may be adversely affected by competitive market conditions and we may not be able to execute our business strategy.
We intend to increase revenues and cash flow through a business strategy which requires us, among other things, to continue to maximize the value of our music assets, to significantly reduce costs to maximize flexibility and adjust to new realities of the market, to continue to act to contain digital piracy and to diversify our revenue streams and capitalize on digital distribution and emerging technologies.
Each of these initiatives requires sustained management focus, organization and coordination over significant periods of time. Each of these initiatives also requires success in building relationships with third parties and in anticipating and keeping up with technological developments and consumer preferences and may involve the implementation of new business models or distribution platforms. The results of the strategy and the success of our implementation of this strategy will not be known for some time in the future. If we are unable to implement the strategy successfully or properly react to changes in market conditions, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Our ability to operate effectively could be impaired if we fail to attract and retain our executive officers.
Our success depends, in part, upon the continuing contributions of our executive officers. Although we have employment agreements with our executive officers, there is no guarantee that they will not leave. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers or the failure to attract other executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our business or our business prospects.
Legitimate channels for digital distribution of our creative content are a recent development, and their impact on our business is unclear and may be adverse.
We have positioned ourselves to take advantage of online and mobile technology as a sales distribution channel and believe that the development of legitimate channels for digital music distribution holds promise for us in the future. Digital revenue streams of all kinds are important to offset continued declining revenues from physical CD sales industry-wide over time. However, legitimate channels for digital distribution are a recent development and we cannot predict their impact on our business. In digital formats, certain costs associated with
physical products such as manufacturing, distribution, inventory and return costs do not apply. While there are some digital-specific variable costs and infrastructure investments necessary to produce, market and sell music in digital formats, we believe it is reasonable to expect that we will generally derive a higher contribution margin from digital sales than physical sales. However, we cannot assure you that we will generally continue to achieve higher margins from digital sales. Any legitimate digital distribution channel that does develop may result in lower or less profitable sales for us than comparable physical sales. In addition, the transition to greater sales through digital channels introduces uncertainty regarding the potential impact of the “unbundling” of the album on our business. It remains unclear how consumer behavior will continue to change when customers are faced with more opportunities to purchase only favorite tracks from a given album rather than the entire album. In addition, if piracy continues unabated and legitimate digital distribution channels fail to gain consumer acceptance, our results of operations could be harmed. In addition, as new distribution channels continue to develop we have to implement systems to process royalties on these new revenue streams. If we are not able to successfully expand our processing capability or introduce technology to allow us to determine and pay royalty amounts due in a timely manner, we may experience delays or reduced accuracy as we increase the volume of our digital sales, which could have a negative effect on our relationships with artists and brand identity.
We are substantially dependent on a limited number of online music stores, in particular Apple’s iTunes Music Store, for the online sale of our music recordings and they are able to significantly influence the pricing structure for online music stores.
We derive an increasing portion of our revenue from sales of music through digital distribution channels. We are currently dependent on a small number of leading online music stores that sell consumers digital music. Currently, the largest U.S. online music store, iTunes, charges U.S. consumers $0.99 per single track download. We have limited ability to increase our wholesale prices to digital service providers for digital downloads as we believe Apple’s iTunes controls more than two-thirds of the legitimate digital music track download business. If iTunes were to adopt a lower pricing model for our music recordings or if there is a structural change to other download pricing models, we may receive substantially less per download for our music recordings, which could cause a material reduction in our revenue, unless it is offset by a corresponding increase in the number of downloads. Additionally, Apple’s iTunes and other online music stores at present accept and post for sale all the recordings that we and other distributors deliver to them. However, if online stores in the future decide to limit the types or amount of music they will accept from music content owners like us, our revenue could be significantly reduced.
A significant portion of our Music Publishing revenues is subject to rate regulation either by government entities or by local third-party collection societies throughout the world and rates on other income streams may be set by arbitration proceedings, which may limit our profitability.
Mechanical royalties and performance royalties are the two largest sources of income to our Music Publishing business and mechanical royalties are a significant expense to our Recorded Music business. In the U.S., mechanical rates are set pursuant to an arbitration process under the U.S. Copyright Act unless rates are determined through voluntary industry negotiations and performance rates are set by performing rights societies and subject to challenge by performing rights licensees. Outside the U.S., mechanical and performance rates are typically negotiated on an industry-wide basis. The mechanical and performance rates set pursuant to such processes may adversely affect us by limiting our ability to increase the profitability of our Music Publishing business. If the mechanical rates are set too high it may also adversely affect us by limiting our ability to increase the profitability of our Recorded Music business. In addition, rates our Recorded Music business receives in the U.S. for, among other sources of income and potential income, webcasting and satellite radio are set by an arbitration process under the U.S. Copyright Act unless rates are determined through voluntary industry negotiations. It is important as sales shift from physical to diversified distribution channels that we receive fair value for all of the uses of our intellectual property as our business model now depends upon multiple revenue streams from multiple sources. If the rates for these and those other income sources that are established through legally prescribed rate-setting processes are set too low, it could have a material adverse impact on our Recorded Music business or our business prospects.
Unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations.
The reporting currency for our financial statements is the U.S. dollar. We have substantial assets, liabilities, revenues and costs denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. To prepare our consolidated financial statements, we must translate those assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars at then-applicable exchange rates. Consequently, increases and decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies will affect the amount of these items in our consolidated financial statements, even if their value has not changed in their original currency. These translations could result in significant changes to our results of operations from period to period. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, approximately 54% of our revenues related to operations in foreign territories. From time to time, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge the risk of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movements. As of September 30, 2008, we have partially hedged our material foreign currency exposures related to royalty payments remitted between our foreign affiliates and our U.S. affiliates for the next fiscal year.
We may not have full control and ability to direct the operations we conduct through joint ventures and we do not control minority (equity method) investments.
We currently have interests in a number of joint ventures and may in the future enter into further joint ventures as a means of conducting our business. In addition, we structure certain of our relationships with recording artists and songwriters as joint ventures. We may not be able to fully control the operations and the assets of our joint ventures, and we may not be able to make major decisions or may not be able to take timely actions with respect to our joint ventures unless our joint venture partners agree.
We also have several cost-method equity investments. We have invested in privately-held companies, some of which are in the startup or development stages. These investments are inherently risky because the markets for the technologies or products these companies are developing are typically in the early stages and may never materialize. We do not control these investments and could lose some or all of our investment in these entities. While we have made several minority investments in the past year and may make further investments in the future, such investments are not material to the overall financial position of our operating results. Our evaluation of investments in private companies is based on the fundamentals of the business, including, among other factors, the nature of their technologies and potential for financial returns.
The enactment of legislation limiting the terms by which an individual can be bound under a “personal services” contract could impair our ability to retain the services of key artists.
California Labor Code Section 2855 (“Section 2855”) limits the duration of time any individual can be bound under a contract for “personal services” to a maximum of seven years. In 1987, Subsection (b) was added, which provides a limited exception to Section 2855 for recording contracts, creating a damages remedy for record companies. Legislation has been introduced in New York in January 2007 to create a statute similar to Section 2855 to limit contracts between artists and record companies to a term of three years, potentially affecting the duration of artist contracts. There is no assurance that California will not introduce legislation in the future seeking to repeal Subsection (b). The repeal of Subsection (b) of Section 2855 and/or the passage of legislation similar to Section 2855 by other states could materially affect our results of operations and financial position.
We face a potential loss of catalog if it is determined that recording artists have a right to recapture rights in their recordings under the U.S. Copyright Act.
The U.S. Copyright Act provides authors (or their heirs) a right to terminate licenses or assignments of rights in their copyrighted works. This right does not apply to works that are “works made for hire.” Since the effective date of U.S. copyright liability for sound recordings (February 15, 1972), virtually all of our agreements with recording artists provide that such recording artists render services under an employment-for-hire relationship. A termination right exists under the U.S. Copyright Act for musical compositions that are not
“works made for hire.” If any of our commercially available recordings were determined not to be “works made for hire,” then the recording artists (or their heirs) could have the right to terminate the rights they granted to us, generally during a five-year period starting at the end of 35 years from the date of a post-1977 license or assignment (or, in the case of a pre-1978 grant in a pre-1978 recording, generally during a five-year period starting either at the end of 56 years from the date of copyright or on January 1, 1978, whichever is later). A termination of rights could have an adverse effect on our Recorded Music business. From time to time, authors (or their heirs) can terminate our rights in musical compositions. However, we believe the effect of those terminations is already reflected in the financial results of our Music Publishing business.
If we acquire or invest in other businesses, we will face certain risks inherent in such transactions.
We may acquire, make investments in, or enter into strategic alliances or joint ventures with, companies engaged in businesses that are similar or complementary to ours. If we make such acquisitions or investments or enter into strategic alliances, we will face certain risks inherent in such transactions. For example, gaining regulatory approval for significant acquisitions or investments could be a lengthy process and there can be no assurance of a successful outcome and we could increase our leverage in connection with acquisitions or investments. We could face difficulties in managing and integrating newly acquired operations. Additionally, such transactions would divert management resources and may result in the loss of recording artists or songwriters from our rosters. If we invest in companies involved in new businesses or develop our own new business opportunities, we will need to integrate and effectively manage these new businesses before any new line of business can become successful, and as such the progress and success of any new business is uncertain. In addition, investments in new business may result in an increase in capital expenditures to build infrastructure to support our new initiatives. We cannot assure you that if we make any future acquisitions, investments, strategic alliances or joint ventures that they will be completed in a timely manner, that they will be structured or financed in a way that will enhance our credit-worthiness or that they will meet our strategic objectives or otherwise be successful. We also may not be successful in implementing appropriate operational, financial and management systems and controls to achieve the benefits expected to result from these transactions. Failure to effectively manage any of these transactions could result in material increases in costs or reductions in expected revenues, or both. In addition, if any new business in which we invest or which we attempt to develop does not progress as planned, we may not recover the funds and resources we have expended and this could have a negative impact on our businesses or our company as a whole.
We have engaged in substantial restructuring activities in the past, and may need to implement further restructurings in the future and our restructuring efforts may not be successful.
The recorded music industry continues to undergo substantial change. These changes continue to have a substantial impact on our business. See “The recorded music industry has been declining and may continue to decline, which may adversely affect our prospects and our results of operations.” Following the Acquisition, we implemented a broad restructuring plan in order to adapt our cost structure to the changing economics of the music industry. Subsequently, during the second quarter of fiscal 2007, we implemented a realignment plan to more aggressively shift resources from our physical sales channels to efforts focused on digital distribution, emerging technologies and other new revenue streams.
We cannot be certain that we will not be required to implement further restructuring activities, make additions or other changes to our management or workforce based on other cost reduction measures or changes in the markets and industry in which we compete. Our inability to structure our operations based on evolving market conditions could impact our business. Restructuring activities can create unanticipated consequences and negative impacts on the business, and we cannot be sure that any future restructuring efforts will be successful.
We are outsourcing our information technology infrastructure functions and may outsource other back-office functions, which will make us more dependent upon third parties.
In an effort to make our information technology, or IT, more efficient and increase our IT capabilities and reduce potential disruptions, as well as generate cost savings, we signed a contract during the first quarter of
fiscal 2009 with a third-party service provider to outsource a significant portion of our IT infrastructure functions. This outsourcing initiative is a component of our ongoing strategy to monitor our costs and to seek additional cost savings. We expect to incur both transition costs and one-time employee termination costs during fiscal 2009 associated with this outsourcing initiative. As a result, we will be relying on third parties to ensure that our IT needs are sufficiently met. This reliance subjects us to risks arising from the loss of control over IT processes, changes in pricing that may affect our operating results, and potentially, termination of provisions of these services by our supplier. A failure of our service providers to perform may have a significant adverse affect on our business. We may outsource other back-office functions in the future, which would increase our reliance on third parties.
We are controlled by entities that may have conflicts of interest with us.
The Investor Group controls a majority of our common stock on a fully diluted basis. In addition, representatives of the Investor Group occupy substantially all of the seats on our Board of Directors and pursuant to a stockholders agreement, will have the right to appoint all of the independent directors to our board. As a result, the Investor Group has the ability to control our policies and operations, including the appointment of management, the entering into of mergers, acquisitions, sales of assets, divestitures and other extraordinary transactions, future issuances of our common stock or other securities, the payments of dividends, if any, on our common stock, the incurrence of debt by us and the amendment of our certificate of incorporation and Bylaws. The Investor Group will have the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval of our Board of Directors or the stockholders regardless of whether or not other members of our Board of Directors or stockholders believe that any such transaction is in their own best interests. For example, the Investor Group could cause us to make acquisitions that increase our indebtedness or to sell revenue-generating assets. Additionally, the Investor Group is in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. The Investor Group may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. So long as the Investor Group continues to hold a majority of our outstanding common stock, the Investor Group will be entitled to nominate a majority of our Board of Directors, and will have the ability to effectively control the vote in any election of directors. In addition, so long as the Investor Group continues to own a significant amount of our equity, even if such amount is less than 50%, they will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions.
Our reliance on one company for the manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution of our products in North America and Europe could have an adverse impact on our ability to meet our manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution requirements.
Cinram is currently our exclusive supplier of manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution services in North America and most of Europe. Accordingly, our continued ability to meet our manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution requirements in those territories depends largely on Cinram’s continued successful operation in accordance with the service level requirements mandated by us in our service agreements. If, for any reason, Cinram were to fail to meet contractually required service levels, we would have difficulty satisfying our commitments to our wholesale and retail customers, which could have an adverse impact on our revenues. Even though our agreements with Cinram give us a right to terminate based upon failure to meet mandated service levels, and there are several capable substitute suppliers, it might be difficult for us to switch to substitute suppliers for any such services, particularly in the short term, and the delay and transition time associated with finding substitute suppliers could itself have an adverse impact on our revenues.
On March 13, 2007, we entered into amendments to our existing manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution arrangements with Cinram for our physical products in North America and most of Europe. Cinram will remain our exclusive supplier of manufacturing, packaging and physical distribution services in North America and most of Europe. The terms of the Cinram agreements remain substantially the same as the terms of the original agreements. We believe that the terms of these agreements, as amended, continue to reflect market rates. The agreements, as amended, now expire on June 30, 2010.
Risks Related to our Leverage
Our substantial leverage on a consolidated basis could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from meeting our obligations under our indebtedness.
We are highly leveraged. As of September 30, 2008, our total consolidated indebtedness was $2.259 billion. In addition, as of September 30, 2008, we had an additional $250 million available for borrowing under the revolving portion of our senior secured credit facility (less $4 million in letters of credit).
Our high degree of leverage could have important consequences for you, including:
•
making it more difficult for us and our subsidiaries to make payments on indebtedness;
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increasing our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions;
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requiring a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on indebtedness, therefore reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;
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exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates as certain of the borrowings of our subsidiaries, including borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, will be at variable rates of interest;
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limiting our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and
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limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who are less highly leveraged.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our senior secured credit facility and the indentures relating to our outstanding notes. If new indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments in recording artists and songwriters, capital expenditures or dividends, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. Our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing our outstanding notes restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from dispositions. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds which we could realize from them and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due.
WMG Holdings Corp. (“Holdings”), our immediate subsidiary, also will be relying on our indirect subsidiary WMG Acquisition Corp. (“Acquisition Corp.”) and its subsidiaries to make payments on its borrowings. If Acquisition Corp. does not dividend funds to Holdings in an amount sufficient to make such
payments, Holdings may default under the indenture governing its borrowings, which would result in all such notes becoming due and payable. Because Acquisition Corp.’s debt agreements have covenants that limit its ability to make payments to Holdings, Holdings may not have access to funds in an amount sufficient to service its indebtedness.
Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.
Our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing our outstanding notes contain various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. These covenants limit the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things:
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incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;
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pay dividends on or make distributions in respect of our common stock or make other restricted payments;
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make certain investments;
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sell certain assets;
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create liens on certain indebtedness without securing the notes;
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consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;
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enter into certain transactions with our affiliates; and
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designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.
In addition, under our senior secured credit facility, our subsidiaries are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests and also have a maximum annual capital expenditures limitation. Their ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and they may not be able to meet those ratios and tests. The senior secured credit facility ratio test assumes that over time EBITDA increases and/or total debt decreases. For example, the maximum total leverage ratio decreases from 4.25:1 to 4.0:1 for the two quarters ending December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009 and from 4.0:1 to 3.75:1 for the two quarters ending June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009. Our interest coverage ratio also increases from 2.75:1 in fiscal 2008 to 3.0:1 in fiscal 2009. If EBITDA does not increase and/or if net debt does not decrease over time and if we are unable to renegotiate the covenants, we would not comply with these provisions of the senior secured credit facility. A breach of any of these or any other covenants could result in a default under our senior secured credit facility. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our senior secured credit facility, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under our senior secured credit facility could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. To the extent that we ever were to fail a financial covenant test then there is the opportunity to cure such a breach by the injection of further equity which will count towards EBITDA for the purposes of financial covenants. We have pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral under our senior secured credit facility. If the lenders under our senior secured credit facility accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we may not have sufficient assets to repay our senior secured credit facility as well as any unsecured indebtedness. All of these restrictions could affect our ability to operate our business or may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise.
Our credit ratings could impact our cost of capital.
On February 12, 2008, Moody’s Investor Services lowered our debt ratings. Although reductions in our debt ratings may not have an immediate impact on the cost of debt or our liquidity, they may impact the cost of debt and liquidity over the medium term and future access at a reasonable rate to the debt markets may be adversely impacted.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
The Investor Group controls a majority of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. Under the NYSE rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group, or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, as applicable, including (1) the requirement that a majority of the Board of Directors consist of independent directors, (2) the requirement that we have a nominating/corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities, (3) the requirement that we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities and (4) the requirement that we perform an annual performance evaluation of the nominating/corporate governance committee and compensation committee. We are utilizing and intend to continue to utilize these exemptions while we are a controlled company. As a result, we will not have a majority of independent directors and neither our nominating and corporate governance committee, which also serves as our executive committee, nor our compensation committee will consist entirely of independent directors. While our executive, governance and nominating committee and compensation committee have charters that comply with NYSE requirements, we are not required to maintain those charters. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.
Future sales of our shares could depress the market price of our common stock.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of common stock in the market or the perception that such sales could occur. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate. As of September 30, 2008 we had approximately 154.0 million shares of common stock outstanding. Approximately 93.3 million shares are held by the Investor Group and are eligible for resale from time to time, subject to contractual and Securities Act restrictions. The Investor Group has the ability to cause us to register the resale of their shares and certain other holders of our common stock, including members of our management and certain other parties that have piggyback registration rights, will be able to participate in such registration. In addition, in 2005, we registered approximately 8.3 million shares of restricted common stock and approximately 8.4 million shares underlying options issued and securities that may be issued in the future pursuant to our benefit plans and arrangements on registration statements on Form S-8. Shares registered on these registration statements on Form S-8 may be sold as provided in the respective registration statements on Form S-8. In April 2008, we registered an additional 16.5 million shares underlying options issued, and securities that might be issued in the future pursuant to our benefit plans and arrangements, on an additional Form S-8.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or potential conditions, could reduce the market price of our common stock in spite of our operating performance. In addition, our operating results could be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, and in response, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. As a result, the market price of our common stock could decline below the price at which you purchase it. You may be unable to resell your shares of our common stock at or above such price. Among the other factors that could affect our stock price are:
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actual or anticipated variations in operating results;
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changes in dividend policy or our intentions to deploy our capital, including any decisions to repurchase our debt or common stock;
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changes in financial estimates or investment recommendations by research analysts;
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actual or anticipated changes in economic, political or market conditions, such as recessions or international currency fluctuations;
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actual or anticipated changes in the regulatory environment affecting the music industry;
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changes in the retailing environment;
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changes in the market valuations of other content on media companies or diversified media companies that are also engaged in some of the business in which we are engaged that may be deemed our peers; and
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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, divestitures, joint ventures or other strategic initiatives.
See “Risk Factors-Due to the nature of our business, our results of operations and cash flows may fluctuate significantly from period to period.” In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm our profitability and reputation.
Provisions in our Charter and amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law may discourage a takeover attempt.
Provisions contained in our Charter and amended and restated bylaws (“Bylaws”) and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders. Provisions of our Charter and Bylaws impose various procedural and other requirements, which could make it more difficult for shareholders to effect certain corporate actions. For example, our Charter authorizes our Board of Directors to issue up to 100,000,000 preferred shares and determine the rights including vesting rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of unissued series of preferred stock, without any vote or action by our shareholders. Thus, our Board of Directors can authorize and issue shares of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting or other rights of holders of our common stock. These rights may have the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control of our company. These provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We own studio and office facilities and also lease certain facilities in the ordinary course of business. Our executive offices are located at 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10019. We have a ten-year lease ending on July 31, 2014 for our headquarters at 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10019. We also have a long-term lease ending on December 31, 2019, for office space in a building located at 3400 West Olive Avenue, Burbank, California 91505, used primarily by our Recorded Music business, and another lease ending on June 30, 2012 for office space at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104, used primarily by our Recorded Music business. We also have a five-year lease for office space at 10585 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90025, used primarily by our Music Publishing business. We consider our properties adequate for our current needs.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Litigation
Pricing of Digital Music Downloads
On December 20, 2005 and February 3, 2006, the Attorney General of the State of New York served the Company with requests for information in connection with an industry-wide investigation as to whether the practices of industry participants concerning the pricing of digital music downloads violate Section 1 of the Sherman Act, New York State General Business Law §§ 340 et seq., New York Executive Law §63(12), and related statutes. On February 28, 2006, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice served the Company with a request for information in the form of a Civil Investigative Demand as to whether its activities relating to the pricing of digitally downloaded music violate Section 1 of the Sherman Act. We have provided documents and other information in response to these requests and intend to continue to fully cooperate with the New York Attorney General’s and Department of Justice’s industry-wide inquiries. Subsequent to the announcements of the above governmental investigations, more than thirty putative class action lawsuits concerning the pricing of digital music downloads have been filed. On August 15, 2006, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated these actions for pre-trial proceedings in the Southern District of New York. The consolidated amended complaint, filed on April 13, 2007, alleges conspiracy among record companies to delay the release of their content for digital distribution, inflate their pricing of CDs and fix prices for digital downloads. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory, statutory and treble damages. All defendants, including us, filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on July 30, 2007. On October 9, 2008, the District Court issued an order dismissing the case as to all defendants, including us. On November 20, 2008, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal from the order of the District Court to the Circuit Court for the Second Circuit. The Company intends to continue to defend against these lawsuits, including the appeal, vigorously, but is unable to predict the outcome of these suits. Any litigation the Company may become involved in as a result of the inquiries of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, regardless of the merits of the claim, could be costly and divert the time and resources of management.
Other Matters
In addition to the matter discussed above, we are involved in other litigation arising in the normal course of our business. Management does not believe that any legal proceedings pending against us will have, individually, or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business. However, we cannot predict with certainty the outcome of any litigation or the potential for future litigation. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us, including our brand value, because of defense costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders of Warner Music Group Corp. during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Warner Music Group Corp.’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WMG.” The following table presents the high and low closing prices for the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the periods indicated and the dividends declared during such periods:
As of September 30, 2008 there were 49 registered holders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders. We believe there are more than 8,000 beneficial holders of our common stock. The closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on November 20, 2008, was $2.66.
Repurchases of Equity Securities During 2008
The following table provides information about purchases by us during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Act:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(1) Reflects shares of common stock withheld from restricted stock that vested during fiscal year 2008 that were surrendered to the Company to satisfy withholding tax requirements related to the vesting of the awards. The value of these shares was determined based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of vesting.
(2) Reflects the repurchase of restricted stock from an employee that was unvested at the time of termination of employment. The purchase price represents the original price paid for the shares by the employee.
Sales of Unregistered Securities During the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2008
None.
Dividend Policy
We have discontinued our previous policy of paying a regular quarterly dividend. On February 29, 2008, we paid our final quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share under the now discontinued policy. We currently intend to retain future earnings to build cash on the balance sheet and invest in its business, particularly in A&R. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
The amounts available to us to pay any future cash dividends will be restricted by the senior secured credit facility of our subsidiary Acquisition Corp. and the indentures governing our outstanding notes, including the indenture governing the outstanding 9.5% Senior Discount Notes due 2014 of Holdings and the indenture governing Acquisition Corp.’s 7.375% Senior Subordinated Dollar Notes due 2014 and 8.125% Senior Subordinated Sterling Notes due 2014. Under Acquisition Corp.’s senior secured credit facility, generally neither Holdings nor Holdings’ subsidiaries may pay dividends or otherwise transfer their assets to us. However, Acquisition Corp.’s senior secured credit facility permits such restricted payments in an amount not to exceed $10 million, subject to increase up to $50 million if the leverage ratio is less than 3.5 to 1, and subject to additional increase in an amount equal to 50% of excess cash flow that is not otherwise applied pursuant to Acquisition Corp.’s senior secured credit facility and allows distributions not in excess of $90 million in any fiscal year to be applied to pay regular quarterly cash dividends to holders of our common stock. The indentures governing the Holdings Discount Notes and the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes also limit the ability of Holdings, Acquisition Corp. and their subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. Under such indentures, generally our subsidiaries may pay dividends or make other restricted payments depending on a formula based on 50% of consolidated net income as defined in our indentures. In addition, Acquisition Corp. may also make such restricted payments prior to April 15, 2009 if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such payment, it has a net indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA ratio of no greater than 3.75 to 1.0 and a net senior indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA ratio of no greater than 2.5 to 1.0, and Holdings may make such restricted payments if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such payment, it has a net indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA ratio of no greater than 4.25 to 1.0. Acquisition Corp. and Holdings may also make restricted payments under the indentures of up to $45 million and $75 million, respectively, without regard to any such provisions. The Holdings indenture also permits Holdings to dividend up to 6% per annum from proceeds of our initial public offering, which was subsequently invested as a capital contribution to Holdings. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Financial Condition and Liquidity-Liquidity.”
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Our summary balance sheet data as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the statement of operations and other data for each of fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 have been derived from our audited financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K. Our summary statement of operations and other data for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 have been derived from our audited financial statements that are not included in this annual report on Form 10-K. Our summary statement of operations and other data for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 have been derived from our unaudited financial statements that are not included in this annual report on Form 10-K. Our summary balance sheet data as of September 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were derived from our audited financial statements that are not included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
The comparability of our historical financial data has been affected by a number of significant events and transactions. These include the acquisition of substantially all of our recorded music and music publishing businesses from Time Warner effective March 1, 2004 for approximately $2.6 billion (the “Acquisition”) in 2004.
The following table sets forth our selected historical financial and other data as of the dates and for the periods indicated.
(1) In connection with the Acquisition, a new accounting basis was established for the Company as of the acquisition date based upon an allocation of the purchase price to the underlying net assets acquired. The operating results and cash flows for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2004 represents the mathematical addition of the pre-acquisition and the post-acquisition periods. These results are not intended to represent what our operating results would have been had the Acquisition occurred at the beginning of the period.
(2) Net loss for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2004 includes an impairment loss on goodwill and other intangible assets of $1.019 billion and a loss on the sale of physical distribution assets of $12 million.
(3) Net loss (income) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 includes $102 million of costs associated with the initial public offering, including a $73 million loss on termination of the management agreement with the Investor Group and $29 million of one-time compensation expense.
(4) Net loss (income) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition with the audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 (the “Annual Report”).
“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Annual Report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Annual Report, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, cost savings, industry trends and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Such statements include, among others, statements regarding our ability to develop talent and attract future talent, to reduce future capital expenditures, to monetize our music content, including through new distribution channels and formats to capitalize on the growth areas of the music industry, to effectively deploy our capital, the development of digital music and the effect of digital distribution channels on our business, including whether we will be able to achieve higher margins from digital sales, the success of strategic actions we are taking to accelerate our transformation as we redefine our role in the music industry, our success in limiting piracy, our ability to compete in the highly competitive markets in which we operate, the growth of the music industry and the effect of our and the music industry’s efforts to combat piracy on the industry, the intention to pay quarterly dividends, our ability to fund our future capital needs and the effect of litigation on us. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.
There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report. Additionally, important factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this Annual Report. As stated elsewhere in this Annual Report, such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others:
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the impact of our substantial leverage on our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, on our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and on our ability to meet our obligations under our indebtedness;
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the continued decline in the global recorded music industry and the rate of overall decline in the music industry;
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current uncertainty in global economic conditions could adversely affect our prospects and our results of operations;
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our ability to continue to identify, sign and retain desirable talent at manageable costs;
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the threat posed to our business by piracy of music by means of home CD-R activity, Internet peer-to-peer file-sharing and sideloading of unauthorized content;
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the significant threat posed to our business and the music industry by organized industrial piracy;
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the popular demand for particular recording artists and/or songwriters and albums and the timely completion of albums by major recording artists and/or songwriters;
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the diversity and quality of our portfolio of songwriters;
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the diversity and quality of our album releases;
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significant fluctuations in our results of operations and cash flows due to the nature of our business;
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our involvement in intellectual property litigation;
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the possible downward pressure on our pricing and profit margins;
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the seasonal and cyclical nature of recorded music sales;
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our ability to continue to enforce our intellectual property rights in digital environments;
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the ability to develop a successful business model applicable to a digital environment;
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the impact of heightened and intensive competition in the recorded music and music publishing businesses and our inability to execute our business strategy;
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risks associated with our non-U.S. operations, including limited legal protections of our intellectual property rights and restrictions on the repatriation of capital;
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the impact of legitimate music distribution on the Internet or the introduction of other new music distribution formats;
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the reliance on a limited number of online music stores and their ability to significantly influence the pricing structure for online music stores;
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the impact of rate regulations on our Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses;
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the impact of rates on other income streams that may be set by arbitration proceedings on our business;
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risks associated with the fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
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our ability and the ability of our joint venture partners to operate our existing joint ventures satisfactorily;
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the enactment of legislation limiting the terms by which an individual can be bound under a “personal services” contract;
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potential loss of catalog if it is determined that recording artists have a right to recapture recordings under the U.S. Copyright Act;
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changes in law and government regulations;
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trends that affect the end uses of our musical compositions (which include uses in broadcast radio and television, film and advertising businesses);
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the growth of other products that compete for the disposable income of consumers;
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risks inherent in relying on one supplier for manufacturing, packaging and distribution services in North America and Europe;
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risks inherent in our acquiring or investing in other businesses including our ability to successfully manage new businesses that we may acquire as we diversify revenue streams within the music industry;
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the fact that we have engaged in substantial restructuring activities in the past, and may need to implement further restructurings in the future and our restructuring efforts may not be successful;
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the fact that we are outsourcing certain back office functions, such as IT infrastructure and development, which will make us more dependent upon third parties;
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the possibility that our owners’ interests will conflict with ours or yours; and
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failure to attract and retain key personnel.
There may be other factors not presently known to us or which we currently consider to be immaterial that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf apply only as of the date of this Annual Report and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this Annual Report. We disclaim any duty to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
INTRODUCTION
Warner Music Group Corp. was formed by the Investor Group on November 21, 2003. The Company is the direct parent of Holdings, which is the direct parent of Acquisition Corp. Acquisition Corp is one of the world’s major music companies and the successor to substantially all of the interests of the recorded music and music publishing businesses of Time Warner. Effective March 1, 2004, Acquisition Corp acquired such interests from Time Warner for approximately $2.6 billion. The original Investor Group included affiliates of THL, affiliates of Bain, affiliates of Providence and Music Capital. Music Capital’s partnership agreement required that the Music Capital partnership dissolve and commence winding up by the second anniversary of the Company’s May 2005 initial public offering. As a result, on May 7, 2007, Music Capital made a pro rata distribution of all shares of common stock of the Company held by it to its partners. The shares held by Music Capital had been subject to a stockholders agreement among Music Capital, THL, Bain and Providence and certain other parties. As a result of the distribution, the shares distributed by Music Capital ceased to be subject to the voting and other provisions of the stockholders agreement and Music Capital was no longer part of the Investor Group subject to the stockholders agreement.
The Company and Holdings are holding companies that conduct substantially all of their business operations through their subsidiaries. The terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “ours,” and the “Company” refer collectively to Warner Music Group Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where otherwise indicated.
Management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition (“MD&A”) is provided as a supplement to the audited financial statements and footnotes included elsewhere herein to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations. MD&A is organized as follows:
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Overview. This section provides a general description of our business, as well as recent developments that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition and in anticipating future trends.
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Results of operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006. This analysis is presented on both a consolidated and segment basis.
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Financial condition and liquidity. This section provides an analysis of our cash flows for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, as well as a discussion of our financial condition and liquidity as of September 30, 2008. The discussion of our financial condition and liquidity includes (i) our available financial capacity under the revolving credit portion of our senior secured credit facility and (ii) a summary of our key debt compliance measures under our debt agreements.
Use of OIBDA
We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including our primary financial measure of operating income (loss) before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets, non-cash amortization of intangible assets and non-cash impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets (which we refer to as “OIBDA”). We consider OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses, including the ability to provide cash flows to service debt. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our businesses. Accordingly, OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In addition, our definition of OIBDA may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of consolidated historical OIBDA to operating income and net income (loss) is provided in our “Results of Operations.”
Use of Constant Currency
As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period to period comparisons, we believe the presentation of results on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve the ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant-currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. We use results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. We calculate constant-currency by calculating prior-year results using current year foreign currency exchange rates. We generally refer to such amounts calculated on a constant-currency basis as “excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates”. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Results on a constant-currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and is not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
OVERVIEW
We are one of the world’s major music content companies. We classify our business interests into two fundamental operations: Recorded Music and Music Publishing. A brief description of each of those operations is presented below.
Recorded Music Operations
Our Recorded Music business primarily consists of the discovery and development of artists and the related marketing, distribution and licensing of recorded music produced by such artists. In addition to the more traditional methods of discovering and developing artists, following the Acquisition we established ILG to discover artists earlier in the process and at a lower cost by leveraging our independent distribution network.
We are also diversifying our revenues beyond our traditional businesses by partnering with artists in other areas of their career. We are building capabilities and platforms for exploiting a broader set of music-related rights to participate across the artist brands we help create. Expansion of our capabilities in this area have included strategic acquisitions and partnerships with companies involved in artist management, merchandising, strategic marketing and brand management, ticketing, touring, fan clubs, original programming and video entertainment. We believe enhancement of these capabilities will permit us to diversify revenue streams to better capitalize on the growth areas of the music industry, permit us to build stronger, long-term relationships with artists and more effectively connect artists and fans.
In the U.S., our Recorded Music operations are conducted principally through our major record labels-Warner Bros. Records and The Atlantic Records Group. Our Recorded Music operations also include Rhino Entertainment (“Rhino”), a division that specializes in marketing our music catalog through compilations and reissuances of previously released music and video titles, as well as in the licensing of recordings to and from third parties for various uses, including film and television soundtracks. Rhino is also transitioning into our primary licensing division focused on acquiring broader licensing rights from certain catalog artists. For example, we have an exclusive license with The Grateful Dead to manage the band’s intellectual property and have recently acquired a 50% interest in Frank Sinatra Enterprises, an entity that administers licenses for use of Frank Sinatra’s name and likeness and manages all aspects of his music, film and stage content. The Company also conducts its Recorded Music operations through a collection of additional record labels, including, among others, Asylum, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Nonesuch, Reprise, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire and Word.
Outside the U.S., our Recorded Music activities are conducted in more than 50 countries primarily through WMI and its various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated licensees. WMI engages in the same activities as our U.S. labels: discovering and signing artists and distributing, marketing and selling their recorded music. In most cases, WMI also markets and distributes the records of those artists for whom our domestic record labels have international rights. In certain smaller countries, WMI licenses to unaffiliated third-party record labels the right to distribute its records. Recorded Music activities in Canada are conducted though Warner Music’s North American operations.
Our Recorded Music distribution operations include WEA Corp, which markets and sells music and DVD products to retailers and wholesale distributors in the U.S.; ADA, which distributes the products of independent labels to retail and wholesale distributors in the U.S.; Ryko Distribution, which distributes music and DVD releases from Rykodisc, Ryko’s record label, and third-party record and video labels; various distribution centers and ventures operated internationally; an 80% interest in Word Entertainment, which specializes in the distribution of music products in the Christian retail marketplace; and the ADA U.K., which provides ADA’s distribution services outside of the U.S. through a network of affiliated and non-affiliated distributors.
The Company plays an integral role in virtually all aspects of the music value chain from discovering and developing talent, to producing albums and promoting artists and their products. After an artist has entered into a contract with one of the Company’s record labels, a master recording of the artist’s music is created. The recording is then replicated for sale to consumers primarily in the CD and digital formats. In the U.S., WEA Corp., ADA, Ryko Distribution and Word market, sell and deliver product, either directly or through sub-distributors and wholesalers, to thousands of record stores, mass merchants and other retailers. The Company’s recorded music products are also sold in physical form to online physical retailers such as Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and bestbuy.com and in digital form to online digital retailers like Apple’s iTunes and mobile full-track download stores such as those operated by Verizon or Sprint. In the case of 360° deals where we acquired broader image and brand rights in an artist’s career, we may provide more comprehensive career support, promoting an artist for longer periods of time and actively developing new opportunities for them through touring, fan clubs, merchandising, and sponsorships. The Company may contribute to all facets of an artist’s career rather than only focusing on producing recorded music products.
The Company has integrated the sale of digital content into all aspects of its Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses including A&R, marketing, promotion and distribution. The Company’s new media executives work closely with A&R departments to make sure that while a record is being made, digital assets are also created with all of our distribution channels in mind, including subscription services such as Rhapsody, social networking sites such as MySpace, user-generated content sites such as YouTube, Internet portals and music-centered destinations, such as imeem. The Company also works side by side with its mobile and online partners to test new concepts. The Company believes existing and new digital businesses will be a significant source of growth for the next several years and will provide new opportunities to monetize its assets and create new revenue streams. As a music-based content company, the Company has assets that go beyond its recorded music and music publishing catalogs, such as its music video library, which it now has the opportunity to monetize through digital channels. The proportion of digital revenues attributed to each distribution channel varies by region and since digital music is in the early stages of growth, proportions may change as the roll-out of new technologies continues. As an owner of musical content, the Company believes it is well positioned to take advantage of growth in digital distribution and emerging technologies to maximize the value of its assets.
Our principal Recorded Music revenue sources are sales of CDs, online digital downloads, mobile phone downloads and ringtones and other recorded music products and license fees received for the ancillary uses of our Recorded Music catalog. Increasingly, we are also diversifying our revenues beyond our traditional businesses and participate in image and brand rights associated with artists, including merchandising, sponsorships, touring and artist management. The principal costs associated with our Recorded Music operations are as follows:
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royalty costs and artist and repertoire costs-the costs associated with (i) paying royalties to artists, producers, songwriters, other copyright holders and trade unions, (ii) signing and developing artists, (iii) creating master recordings in the studio and (iv) creating artwork for album covers and liner notes;
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product costs-the costs to manufacture, package and distribute product to wholesale and retail distribution outlets as well as those principal costs related to 360º rights.
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selling and marketing costs-the costs associated with the promotion and marketing of artists and recorded music products, including costs to produce music videos for promotional purposes and artist tour support; and
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general and administrative costs-the costs associated with general overhead and other administrative costs.
Music Publishing Operations
Where recorded music is focused on exploiting a particular recording of a song, music publishing is an intellectual property business focused on the exploitation of the song itself. In return for promoting, placing, marketing and administering the creative output of a songwriter, or engaging in those activities for other rights holders, our Music Publishing business garners a share of the revenues generated from use of the song.
Our Music Publishing operations include Warner/Chappell, our global Music Publishing company headquartered in Los Angeles with operations in over 50 countries through various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated licensees. We own or control rights to more than one million musical compositions, including numerous pop hits, American standards, folk songs and motion picture and theatrical compositions. Assembled over decades, our award-winning catalog includes over 65,000 songwriters and composers and a diverse range of genres including pop, rock, jazz, country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, reggae, Latin, folk, blues, symphonic, soul, Broadway, techno, alternative, gospel and other Christian music. Warner/Chappell also administers the music and soundtracks of several third-party television and film producers and studios, including Lucasfilm, Ltd., Hallmark Entertainment, Disney Music Publishing, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Studios. In 2007, we entered the production music library business with the acquisition of Non-Stop Music. Production music is a complementary alternative to licensing standards and contemporary hits for television, film and advertising producers.
Publishing revenues are derived from five main sources:
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Mechanical: the licensor receives royalties with respect to compositions embodied in recordings sold in any format or configuration, including physical recordings (e.g., CDs and DVDs).
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Performance: the licensor receives royalties if the composition is performed publicly through broadcast of music on television, radio, cable and satellite, live performance at a concert or other venue (e.g., arena concerts, nightclubs), online and wireless streaming and performance of music in staged theatrical productions.
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Synchronization: the licensor receives royalties or fees for the right to use the composition in combination with visual images such as in films or television programs, television commercials and videogames as well as from other uses such as in toys or novelty items and merchandise.
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Digital: the licensor receives royalties or fees with respect to internet and mobile downloads, mobile ringtones and online and mobile streaming.
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Other: the licensor receives royalties for use in sheet music.
The principal costs associated with our Music Publishing operations are as follows:
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artist and repertoire costs-the costs associated with (i) signing and developing songwriters and (ii) paying royalties to songwriters, co-publishers and other copyright holders in connection with income generated from the exploitation of their copyrighted works; and
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administration costs-the costs associated with general overhead and other administrative costs.
Factors Affecting Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Market Factors
Since 1999, the recorded music industry has been unstable and the worldwide market has contracted considerably, which has adversely affected our operating results. The industry-wide decline can be attributed primarily to digital piracy. Other drivers of this decline are the bankruptcies of record retailers and wholesalers, growing competition for consumer discretionary spending and retail shelf space, and the maturation of the CD format, which has slowed the historical growth pattern of recorded music sales. While CD sales still generate most of the recorded music revenues, CD sales continue to decline industry-wide and we expect that trend to continue. While new formats for selling recorded music product have been created, including the legal downloading of digital music using the Internet and the distribution of music on mobile devices, significant revenue streams from these new formats are just beginning to emerge and have not yet reached a level where they offset the declines in CD sales. The recorded music industry performance may continue to negatively impact our operating results. In addition, a declining recorded music industry could continue to have an adverse impact on the music publishing business. This is because our Music Publishing business generates a portion of its revenues from mechanical royalties received from the sale of music in physical recorded music formats such as the CD.
Current uncertainty in global economic conditions poses a risk to the overall economy, which could negatively affect demand for our products and other related matters. While the music industry has been relatively resilient in prior financial downturns as its products are low priced relative to other entertainment goods, we cannot predict the impact of these general economic conditions on us or whether this downturn will be different. The current uncertainty in global economic conditions makes it particularly difficult to predict product demand and other related matters and makes it more likely that our actual results could differ materially from our expectations. Even in the midst of the global economic slowdown, we remain committed to executing on our strategic initiatives and plan to continue our transformation to adapt to the changing music industry in order to maximize cash flow and profitability. We expect to adapt to the impact of the economic slowdown with a particular focus on cash and liquidity. We will monitor current events closely and take advantage of our flexible cost structure to minimize any impact.
Realignment Plan for Fiscal Year 2007
In fiscal 2007, we implemented a realignment plan intended to better align the Company’s workforce with the changing nature of the music industry. These changes were part of our continued evolution from a traditional record and songs-based business to a music-based content company and our ongoing management of our cost structure. The changes included a continued redeployment of resources to focus on new business initiatives to help us diversify our revenue streams, including digital opportunities. The realignment plan was also designed to improve the operating effectiveness of our current businesses and to realign our management structure to, among other things, effectively address the continued development of digital distribution channels along with the decline of industry-wide CD sales.
The plan consisted of the reorganization of management structures to more adequately and carefully address regional needs and new business requirements, to reduce organizational complexity and to improve leadership channels. We also continued to shift resources from our physical sales channels to efforts focused on digital distribution and emerging technologies and other new revenue streams. Part of the plan also resulted in the outsourcing of some back-office functions as a cost-savings measure.
The changes described above were all implemented in fiscal year 2007. We incurred substantially all of the costs associated with the realignment plan in fiscal year 2007. This included approximately $50 million of restructuring costs and $13 million of implementation costs, primarily all of which were paid in cash. In connection with the plan, we reduced headcount by approximately 400 employees. We expect that the majority of any cost savings will be offset by new business initiatives in areas related to digital distribution and video. There were no charges related to our realignment plan incurred in fiscal year 2008.
Settlements
In April 2007, we entered into an agreement with Bertelsmann AG (“Bertelsmann”) related to a settlement of contingent claims held by us relating to Bertelsmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000-2001. The settlement
covers the resolution of the related legal claims against Bertelsmann by our Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses. As part of the settlement, we have received $110 million, which we have shared with our recording artists and songwriters. We recorded $64 million of other income in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 related to the settlement. We allocated 90% of the settlement to our Recorded Music business and 10% of the settlement to our Music Publishing business. Of such amount, $61 million was recorded as income to Recorded Music and $3 million was recorded as income to Music Publishing. These amounts were recorded net of amounts payable to our recording artists and songwriters.
In September 2006, the major record companies reached a global out-of-court settlement of copyright litigation against the operators of the KaZaA peer-to-peer network. Under the terms of the settlement, the KaZaA defendants agreed to pay compensation to the record companies that brought the action, including us. We recorded approximately $13 million of other income related to this settlement in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. These amounts were recorded net of the estimated amounts payable to our artists in respect of royalties. The cash related to this settlement was received in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. We recorded approximately $3 million of other income in conjunction with a contingent payment related to this settlement in fiscal year 2008.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2007 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2007 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006
Consolidated Historical Results
Revenues
Our revenues were composed of the following amounts (in millions):
Total Revenue
2008 vs 2007
Total revenues increased by $108 million, or 3%, to $3.491 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, from $3.383 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Recorded Music and Music Publishing revenues comprised 82% and 18% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to 83% and 17% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, respectively. U.S and international revenues comprised 46% and 54% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to 49% and 51% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, respectively. These percentages are calculated prior to intersegment eliminations. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, total revenues declined $79 million or 2%.
Total digital revenues increased by $178 million, or 39%, to $639 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $461 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Total digital revenue represented 18% and 14% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $413 million, or 65% of total digital revenues, and international revenues of $226 million, or 35% of total digital revenues. Total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $311 million, or 67% of total digital revenues, and international revenues of $150 million, or 33% of total digital revenues. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, total digital revenues increased by $165 million or 35%.
Recorded Music revenues increased by $60 million, or 2%, to $2.895 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $2.835 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This performance was tempered by the ongoing transition in the recorded music industry, which is characterized by a shift in consumption patterns from physical sales to new forms of digital music and the continued impact of digital piracy and to a lesser extent, the Company’s efforts to manage retailer inventories. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in digital revenue of $165 million and strength in international revenues, primarily in parts of Europe and Japan. The increase in digital revenues reflects continued growth and development of new distribution channels and continued proliferation of digital as a preferred means of consumption and digital marketing efforts. This increase was partially offset by the decrease of $117 million in physical sales. The decrease in CD sales was driven by overall market declines in physical sales. In addition, the decreases reflect actions taken by U.S. retailers to actively manage their inventory levels in response to the tougher economy and credit markets as well as the changing underlying demand for physical recorded music product resulting in lower retailer physical inventory levels. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, total Recorded Music revenue decreased $84 million or 3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
Music Publishing revenues increased by $53 million, or 9%, to $623 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $570 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase was due primarily to growth in performance, synchronization and digital revenues. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, Music Publishing revenues increased by $8 million or 1%.
2007 vs 2006
Total revenues declined by $133 million, or 4%, to $3.383 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $3.516 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Recorded Music and Music Publishing revenues comprised 83% and 17% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, respectively, compared to 85% and 15% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, respectively. U.S and international revenues comprised 49% and 51% of total revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007, respectively, compared to 48% and 52% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, respectively. These percentages are calculated prior to intersegment eliminations. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, total revenues declined $249 million or 7%.
Total digital revenues increased by $106 million, or 30%, to $461 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $355 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Total digital revenue represented 14% and 10% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $311 million, or 67% of total digital revenues, and international revenues of $150 million, or 33% of total digital revenues. Total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $252 million, or 71% of total digital revenues, and international revenues of $103 million, or 29% of total digital revenues. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, total digital revenues increased by $95 million or 26%.
Recorded Music revenues decreased by $170 million, or 6%, to $2.835 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $3.005 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decline in physical sales of $327 million driven by a number of factors including market declines, primarily in Europe, fewer significant releases and declines in catalog and carryover sales, and was partly offset by increases in digital and licensing revenue of $99 million and $58 million, respectively, which was the result of continued growth and development of new digital distribution channels. The increase in digital revenues reflected continued growth and development of new distribution channels and continued proliferation of digital as a preferred means of consumption and digital marketing efforts. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, Recorded Music revenues decreased by $256 million or 8%.
Music Publishing revenues increased by $32 million, or 6%, to $570 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $538 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The increase was due primarily to growth in performance, synchronization and digital revenues. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, Music Publishing revenues increased by $4 million or 1%.
Revenue by Geographical Location
2008 vs 2007
U.S. revenues decreased by $66 million, or 4%, to $1.605 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $1.671 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 due to a decrease of $159 million and $12 million in physical sales and licensing revenues, respectively. Overall decline in the U.S. Recorded Music business was due to declines in the physical business. This was partially offset by growth in U.S. digital revenues of $102 million, which was driven by growth and development of new distribution channels, and digital marketing efforts.
International revenues increased by $179 million, or 10%, to $1.913 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $1.734 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This increase was primarily related to an increase of $42 million in physical sales, an increase of $24 million in licensing revenues, an increase of $76 million in digital revenues and an increase in performance revenue of $24 million. The increase in physical sales primarily relates to a strong local international repertoire and a larger number of top-selling albums in international territories, primarily in Europe and Japan. The increase in digital revenues reflects continued growth and development of new distribution channels and continued proliferation of digital as a preferred means of consumption. The increase in music publishing performance revenue is primarily related to the popularity of certain compositions.
2007 vs 2006
U.S. revenues decreased by $32 million, or 2%, to $1.671 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $1.703 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 due primarily to a decline of $100 million in physical sales and decreases of $5 million in mechanical and synchronization revenues. The decrease was offset by growth in U.S. digital revenue of $59 million which was driven by growth and development of new distribution channels. In addition, there was an increase of $23 million of licensing revenues.
International revenues decreased by $106 million, or 6%, to $1.734 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $1.840 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. This decrease was driven by factors similar to those in the U.S., primarily the decline in physical sales of $227 million. This decrease was offset by a $47 million increase attributable to the growth of digital sales which was driven by increased digital music downloads and an expanding business for mobile music downloads. International Music Publishing performance revenues increased by $24 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 which was primarily due to an increase in performance revenue resulting from several successful live shows in Europe, several top performing hits, local artist growth and increased television uses. In addition, international licensing revenues increased $35 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.
See “Business Segment Results” presented hereinafter for a discussion of revenue by type for each business segment.
Cost of revenues
Our cost of revenues were composed of the following amounts (in millions):
2008 vs 2007
Our cost of revenues increased by $21 million, or 1%, to $1.832 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $1.811 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Expressed as a percent of revenues, cost of revenues were 52% and 54% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Artist and repertoire costs remained flat as a percentage of revenues at 34% in the prior and current fiscal year. The absolute dollar increase in artist and repertoire costs was driven primarily by increased royalty expenses paid as a result of higher royalty rates to proven artists and songwriters as well as increased costs related to new acquisitions.
Product costs decreased to 16% of revenues in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from 18% of revenues in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in product costs was due primarily to change in mix from physical to digital and lower obsolescence expense.
Licensing costs increased $7 million, or 10%, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, and represent 30% and 29% of licensing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in licensing costs was generally consistent with increased licensing revenues in fiscal 2008.
2007 vs 2006
Our cost of revenues decreased by $11 million, or 1%, to $1.811 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $1.822 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Expressed as a percent of revenues, cost of revenues was 54% and 52% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Artist and repertoire costs increased as a percentage of revenues from 33% in fiscal 2006 to 34% in fiscal 2007, driven primarily by changes in product mix.
Product costs increased from 17% of revenues in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 to 18% of revenues in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase was due to a change in product mix, including an increase in third-party distribution sales as well as an increase in merchandising sales and the sale of higher-cost products, including CD/DVD combinations and box sets.
Licensing costs increased $6 million, or 9%, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 and represented 29% and 34% of licensing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in licensing costs was consistent with increased licensing revenues in fiscal 2007.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Our selling, general and administrative expenses are composed of the following amounts (in millions):
(1) Includes depreciation expense of $46 million, $40 million and $42 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
2008 vs 2007
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $72 million, or 6%, to $1.233 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $1.161 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Expressed as a percent of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 35% and 34% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
General and administrative expense increased by $54 million, or 10%, to $598 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $546 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase in general and administrative costs was primarily driven by the prior fiscal year reduction of approximately $30 million in annual bonus expense compared to the current fiscal year, costs related to recent acquisitions as well as higher IT infrastructure expense.
Selling and marketing expense remained flat as a percentage of revenues at 16% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007.
Distribution expense remained flat as a percentage of revenues at 2% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007. The increase in distribution expense was driven by the change in product mix.
2007 vs 2006
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $71 million, or 6%, to $1.161 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $1.232 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Expressed as a percent of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 34% and 35% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
General and administrative expenses reflected severance and consultancy costs incurred during the implementation of our cost-management efforts of $13 million and $9 million of costs related to the previously disclosed proposed acquisition of EMI, offset by a decrease in annual bonus compensation expense and a reduction in costs related to our cost-management efforts. In addition, prior fiscal year general and administrative costs reflected higher bad debt expense related to a large music retailer bankruptcy.
Selling and marketing expense declined due to fewer significant releases during the current fiscal year along with our cost-saving initiatives implemented during fiscal 2007. The decrease is in line with the decrease in physical sales.
Distribution expense remained flat as a percentage of revenues at 2% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. The increase in distribution expense was driven by the change in product mix.
Other income, net
2008 vs 2007
Other income, net decreased by $70 million, or 96%, to $3 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to $73 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Other income for the current period relates to a contingent payment related to settlement of copyright litigation against the operators of the KaZaA peer-to-peer network. The 2007 fiscal year included $64 million related to the settlement of contingent claims held by us relating to Bertelsmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000-2001 that occurred in fiscal 2007.
2007 vs 2006
Other income, net increased by $59 million, to $73 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $14 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. This increase was primarily related to the settlement of contingent claims held by us relating to Bertelsmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000-2001 that occurred in fiscal 2007. We recorded $64 million, which relates to the amounts we received in the settlement, net of the amounts payable or paid to recording artists and songwriters with respect to royalties.
Restructuring costs
We recognized $50 million in restructuring costs in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. These were mainly severance costs incurred in connection with our 2007 realignment plan. No restructuring costs were charged during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2006.
Reconciliation of Consolidated Historical OIBDA to Operating Income and Net Income (Loss)
As previously described, we use OIBDA as our primary measure of financial performance. The following table reconciles OIBDA to operating income, and further provides the components from operating income to net (loss) income for purposes of the discussion that follows (in millions):
OIBDA
2008 vs 2007
Our OIBDA increased by $1 million to $475 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to $474 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, total OIBDA margin was 14% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. Our decline in revenue from physical sales for the current fiscal year was offset by increased revenue from digital sales and tighter control over operating costs.
2007 vs 2006
Our OIBDA decreased by $44 million to $474 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $518 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, total OIBDA margin was 14% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to 15% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in OIBDA reflected the decline in physical sales and the costs associated with our realignment plan, offset in part by the settlement with Bertelsmann and the increase in digital sales, all previously discussed.
See “Business Segment Results” presented hereinafter for a discussion of OIBDA by business segment.
Depreciation expense
2008 vs 2007
Depreciation expense increased by $6 million, or 15%, to $46 million for fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The increase primarily related to additional depreciation related to capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments in IT infrastructure with short useful lives.
2007 vs 2006
Depreciation expense decreased by $2 million, or 5%, to $40 million for fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease primarily related to lower capital spending as well as a larger balance of fully depreciated assets, due to the acquisition of assets with shorter useful lives.
Amortization expense
2008 vs 2007
Amortization expense increased by $16 million, or 8%, to $222 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The increase primarily related to additional amortization associated with full year impact of recent acquisitions of certain recorded music catalog assets, including Roadrunner, and the acquisition of various music publishing copyrights.
2007 vs 2006
Amortization expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 increased by $13 million, or 7%, to $206 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $4 million, amortization expense increased by $9 million, which related to the recent acquisitions of certain recorded music catalog assets, including Ryko and Roadrunner, and the acquisition of various music publishing copyrights.
Operating income from continuing operations
2008 vs 2007
Our operating income decreased $21 million, or 9%, to $207 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to $228 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in operating income was primarily a result of the increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which are all more fully discussed above.
2007 vs 2006
Our operating income decreased $55 million, or 19%, to $228 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $283 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in operating income was primarily a result of the decrease in OIBDA and the increase in amortization expense, offset by the decrease in depreciation expense, which are all more fully discussed above.
Interest expense, net
2008 vs 2007
Our interest expense, net, decreased $2 million, or 1%, to $180 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to $182 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This was the result of interest rate fluctuations in interest income earned on our cash balances.
2007 vs 2006
Our interest expense, net, increased $2 million to $182 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $180 million for the prior fiscal year. This was primarily related to increased interest expense, which was the result of higher interest rates on our variable rate debt, offset by an increase in interest income due to higher average cash balances.
See “-Financial Condition and Liquidity” for more information.
Minority interest expense
2008 vs 2007
Minority interest expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 remained flat at $5 million as compared with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The minority interest expense related to the earnings of several majority-owned affiliates during the current fiscal year.
2007 vs 2006
Minority interest expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 increased $5 million as compared with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The minority interest expense related to the acquisition and earnings of several majority-owned affiliates during the current fiscal year.
Other (expense) income, net
2008 vs 2007
Other income (expense), net for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 primarily includes net hedging losses on foreign exchange contracts, which represent currency exchange movements associated with inter-company receivables and payables that are short term in nature. These losses were offset by equity in earnings on our share of net income on investments recorded in accordance with the equity method of accounting for an unconsolidated investee.
2007 vs 2006
Other income (expense), net for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 included offsetting amounts of gains and losses which represent currency exchange movements associated with inter-company receivables and payables that are short term in nature. Other income (expense), net for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 included favorable foreign currency exchange movements associated with inter-company receivables and payables that are short term in nature as well as equity in earnings on our share of net income on investments recorded in accordance with the equity method of accounting for an unconsolidated investee.
Income tax expense
vs 2007
We provided income tax expense of $49 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Although there was an overall decrease in pre-tax income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, the income tax expense remained the same primarily due to a greater share of income earned in foreign tax jurisdictions.
2007 vs 2006
We provided income tax expense of $49 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $47 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The tax provision for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 was higher as a percentage of pre-tax income, due to income earned in high tax rate jurisdictions.
Loss (income) from continuing operations
2008 vs
Our loss from continuing operations increased by $27 million, to a loss of $35 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to a loss of $8 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase in loss from continuing operations was primarily the result of the decrease of other income of $70 million offset by restructuring costs in the prior fiscal year as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense and the increase in other expense, all which are more fully discussed above.
2007 vs 2006
Our income from continuing operations decreased by $68 million, to a loss of $8 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to income of $60 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The decrease was primarily the result of the decrease in physical sales and the additional costs associated with our realignment plan and cost-savings initiatives, offset in part by the income from the settlement with Bertelsmann and the increase in digital sales, all which are more fully discussed above.
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
In fiscal year 2008, we discontinued our Bulldog operations. In connection with shutting down Bulldog, we incurred a loss of $18 million representing an impairment of goodwill recorded at the time of the initial disposition and incurred $3 million in severance and other costs. The amounts recorded in discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended 2007 reflect the summarized financial results of Bulldog for the prior period.
Net (loss) income
2008 vs 2007
Our net loss increased by $35 million, to a net loss of $56 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to a net loss of $21 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase in net loss was primarily the result of the factors described above with respect to continuing operations plus the loss from discontinued operations discussed above.
2007 vs 2006
Our net income decreased by $81 million, to a net loss of $21 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to net income of $60 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in net income was primarily the result of the decrease in physical sales and the additional costs associated with our realignment plan and cost-savings initiatives, offset in part by the income from the settlement with Bertelsmann and the increase in digital sales, all which are more fully discussed above.
Business Segment Results
Revenue, OIBDA and operating income (loss) from continuing operations by business segment are as follows (in millions):
(1) OIBDA and operating income (loss) from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 have been reduced by $50 million of restructuring costs. Of such amount, $46 million related to Recorded Music, $2 million related to Music Publishing and $2 million related to Corporate. OIBDA and operating income (loss) from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 also includes a benefit of $64 million of other income related to the settlement of contingent claims held by us related to Bertelsmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000-2001. Of such amount, $61 million related to Recorded Music and $3 million related to Music Publishing.
Recorded Music
Revenues
2008 vs 2007
Recorded Music revenues increased by $60 million, or 2%, to $2.895 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $2.835 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Recorded Music revenues represented 82% and 83% of consolidated revenues, prior to corporate and revenue eliminations, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $1.515 billion and $1.376 billion, or 52% and 49% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The increase in Recorded Music revenues was primarily attributable to increases in digital revenue of $165 million, the strength in international revenues, primarily in Europe and Japan, as well as an increase in licensing revenue of $12 million. The increase in licensing represented the result of the Company’s focus to identify opportunities to further expand the use of our Recorded Music catalog.
The increase in digital and licensing revenue was partially offset by a decrease of $117 million in physical sales. The decrease in CD sales was driven by overall market declines in physical sales. In addition, the decrease
reflected actions taken by U.S. retailers to actively manage their inventory levels in response to the tougher economy and credit markets as well as the changing underlying demand for physical recorded music product.
2007 vs 2006
Recorded Music revenues decreased by $170 million, or 6%, to $2.835 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $3.005 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Recorded Music revenues represented 83% and 85% of consolidated revenues, prior to corporate and revenue eliminations, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $1.376 billion and $1.522 billion, or 49% and 51% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The decrease in Recorded Music revenues was primarily attributable to the decline in physical sales which was driven by the overall industry decline in physical sales, which we believe was related to continuing piracy, and to a lesser extent, the Company’s efforts to manage retailer inventories, the shift from physical to digital, the closing of music-only retailers resulting in more limited space and competition with other media products such as video games and movies. In addition, the decline in physical sales reflected fewer major artist releases and weaker international markets, primarily in Europe, offset in part by increases in sales of domestic repertoire in the Asia Pacific region.
The physical sales decrease was partially offset by the continued increase in digital sales which was comprised of an increase in U.S. digital sales of $53 million and an increase in international digital sales of $46 million. The increase in our digital revenue reflected our continued efforts to develop our digital business including efforts to further monetize existing content through new formats and new distribution channels and the increased usage of legal, online and mobile distribution channels for the music industry. Digital sales comprised approximately 15% of Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, up from 11% of Recorded Music revenues from the prior fiscal year, which is reflective of the shifting market to digital from physical media.
Also offsetting the overall decline from physical revenues was an increase in licensing revenue of $58 million, or 31%, to $244 million. The increase represented the result of the Company’s focus to identify opportunities to further expand the use of our Recorded Music catalog.
OIBDA and Operating Income from continuing operations
Recorded Music operating income was $233 million, $249 million and $317 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Recorded Music operating income included the following amounts (in millions):
Recorded Music cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):
Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expenses was composed of the following amounts (in millions):
(1) Includes depreciation expense of $28 million, $26 million and $27 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
2008 vs 2007
Recorded Music operating income decreased by $16 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 due to the decreases in OIBDA described above as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense.
Recorded Music OIBDA decreased by $5 million, or 1%, to $416 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 compared to $421 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenues, Recorded Music OIBDA was 14% and 15% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our OIBDA decrease was primarily caused by the relative increase of cost of revenues as a percentage of sales as discussed below. In addition, the prior fiscal year included approximately $61 million of other income related to the settlement of contingent claims held by us related to Bertelsmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000 - 2001 offset by $46 million of restructuring costs.
Cost of revenues
Recorded Music cost of revenues decreased by $14 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Cost of revenues represented 50% and 52% of revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. This was composed of a decrease in product costs of $23 million, offset by an increase in licensing costs and artist and repertoire costs of $7 million and $2 million, respectively. The decrease in product costs was driven by the change in product mix with an increasing volume of digital sales as well as a decrease in physical sales. Licensing costs increased primarily as a result of increased licensing revenue. Licensing costs represented 30% and 29% of licensing revenue for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative costs
Selling, general and administrative costs increased by $69 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, which was primarily the result of an increase in general and administrative costs of $54 million and selling and marketing costs of $9 million. The increase in general and administrative costs was driven by various investments in IT infrastructure, increased depreciation expense and increased costs resulting from recent acquisitions. Distribution expense increased by $6 million.
2007 vs 2006
Recorded Music operating income decreased by $68 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 due to the decreases in OIBDA described below as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense.
Recorded Music OIBDA decreased by $59 million, or 12%, to $421 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 compared to $480 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenues, Recorded Music OIBDA was 15% and 16% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our OIBDA decrease was primarily caused by the decline in physical sales previously described, as well as the relative increase of costs as a percentage of sales as discussed below. In addition, the current fiscal year included approximately $61 million of other income related to the settlement of contingent claims held by us related to Bertelsmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000 - 2001. Recorded Music OIBDA also reflected $46 million in restructuring costs associated with our realignment plan and an increase in other income from the prior fiscal year of $48 million, which was primarily due to the settlement with Bertelsmann.
Cost of revenues
Recorded Music cost of revenues decreased by $31 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This was composed of a decrease in product costs of $6 million and a decrease in artist and repertoire costs of $31 million. The decrease in product costs was driven by the decline in physical sales, however products costs increased by 1% of sales due primarily to the expansion of third-party distribution networks and an increase in lower-margin merchandising sales. Artist and repertoire costs decreased in line with the decrease in physical sales and reflected changes in product mix, including an increased volume of digital sales and CD/DVD combinations and box sets. The increase was offset by increased licensing costs of $6 million, which were a result of increased licensing revenue.
Selling, general and administrative costs
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $79 million, which was primarily the result of a decrease in selling and marketing costs of $75 million driven by fewer significant releases and cost-management efforts. In addition, general and administrative expense decreased by $5 million, which was in line with the decline in physical sales.
Music Publishing
Revenues
2008 vs 2007
Music Publishing revenues increased to $623 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to $570 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Music Publishing revenues represented 18% and 17% of consolidated revenues, prior to corporate and revenue eliminations, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. International Music Publishing revenues were $398 million and $358 million, or 64% and 63% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The increase in Music Publishing revenues is primarily attributable to performance revenues, which increased $30 million due to the popularity of certain compositions and digital revenues, which increased $13 million as the transition in the recorded music industry continued. Synchronization revenue increased by $8 million as a result of the variability in the film and television commercial business as well as timing of payments.
The increase in Music Publishing revenues was partially offset by the decrease of $3 million in mechanical revenue. The decrease in mechanical revenue was driven by the overall Recorded Music industry decline in physical sales.
2007 vs 2006
Music Publishing revenues increased to $570 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $538 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Music Publishing revenues represented 17% and 15% of consolidated revenues, prior to corporate and revenue eliminations, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. International Music Publishing revenues were $358 million and $318 million, or 63% and 59% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 respectively.
The increase in Music Publishing revenues was primarily attributable to performance revenues, which increased $22 million due to improved results from copyright investments in recent periods, which led to expanded use in television programming, more successful live tours and performance of local hits. In addition, synchronization revenue increased $8 million as a result of variability in the film and television commercial business as well as the timing of payments. Digital revenues increased by $7 million.
OIBDA and Operating Income
Music Publishing operating income was $91 million, $98 million and $84 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Music Publishing operating income includes the following amounts (in millions):
Music Publishing cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):
Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expenses were comprised of the following amounts (in millions):
(1) Includes depreciation expense of $4 million, $3 million and $3 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
2008 vs 2007
Operating income
Music Publishing operating income decreased by $7 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 due to the increase in depreciation and amortization expense offset by a slight increase in OIBDA described below.
Music Publishing OIBDA increased $2 million to $162 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to $160 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing OIBDA was 26% and 28% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease was primarily related to severance costs incurred in the current year of $2 million as well as $3 million received as part of the Napster settlement in the prior fiscal year.
Cost of revenues
Music Publishing cost of revenues increased by $40 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The increase was driven by an increase in artist and repertoire costs resulting from the change in revenue mix as different rates apply to the different revenue streams. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing cost of revenues were 64% and 63% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $10 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The increase was primarily as a result of an increase in general and administrative costs from newly acquired businesses and severance expense. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expenses remained flat at 10% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
2007 vs 2006
Operating income
Music Publishing operating income increased by $14 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 due to the increase in OIBDA described below offset by the increase in depreciation and amortization.
Music Publishing OIBDA increased $16 million to $160 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $144 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing OIBDA was 28% and 27% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Excluding a $5 million favorable impact of foreign currency exchange, Music Publishing OIBDA increased $12 million. The increase in OIBDA was due primarily to the decrease in costs described below, offset in part by the decline in revenue described above. Music Publishing OIBDA also reflected $2 million of restructuring costs and $3 million of other income primarily related to the settlement with Bertelsmann.
Cost of revenues
Music Publishing cost of revenues increased by $16 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase was driven by an increase in artist and repertoire costs resulting from the change in revenue mix as different rates apply to the different revenue streams. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing cost of revenues were 63% and 64% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $2 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase was primarily as a result of additional marketing costs and headcount hired to drive increases in our performance and synchronization businesses, offset by a decrease in annual bonus compensation expense.
Corporate Expenses and Eliminations
2008 vs 2007
Corporate expenses before depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $4 million to $103 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, compared to $107 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease related to a decrease in corporate costs due to cost-management efforts.
Corporate general and administrative costs decreased from $119 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 to $118 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
2007 vs 2006
Corporate expenses before depreciation and amortization expense increased by $1 million to $107 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, compared to $106 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.
Corporate general and administrative costs increased from $119 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 to $125 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase related to $3 million of implementation costs associated with the realignment plan, and $9 million of costs related to the previously disclosed proposed acquisition of EMI. This was offset by a decrease in compliance costs, a decrease in corporate costs due to cost-management efforts and a decrease in annual bonus compensation expense. Our corporate expenses before depreciation and amortization also included $2 million of restructuring costs.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Financial Condition at September 30, 2008
At September 30, 2008, we had $2.259 billion of debt, $411 million of cash and equivalents, (net debt of $1.848 billion, defined as total debt less cash and equivalents and short-term investments) and $86 million of shareholders’ deficit. At September 30, 2007, we had $2.273 billion of debt, $333 million of cash and equivalents, (net debt of $1.940 billion, defined as total debt less cash and equivalents and short-term investments) and $36 million of shareholders’ deficit. Net debt decreased $92 million as a result of (i) a $78 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, (ii) an $18 million impact of foreign exchange rates on our Sterling-denominated notes, (iii) $17 million of quarterly repayments of our term loans under the senior secured credit facility offset by (iv) a $21 million increase due to accretion on our 9.5% Senior Discount Notes due 2014 issued by Holdings (the “Holdings Discount Notes”).
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our historical cash flows. The financial data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 have been derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere herein.
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operations was $304 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 compared to $302 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The $2 million increase reflected the variable timing of our working capital requirements in association with our business cycle. Cash provided by operations in fiscal 2007 reflected cash paid for restructuring costs and consultancy and severance costs associated with the cost-savings initiatives, offset by cash received from the settlement with Bertelsmann.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $167 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 compared to $255 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The $167 million of cash used in investing activities in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 consisted primarily of our $50 million investment in Frank Sinatra Enterprises, LLC (“FSE”), additional smaller acquisitions totaling $50 million, net of cash acquired, and $35 million invested in cost-method investments. In addition, cash used in investing activities reflected $25 million to acquire music publishing copyrights. We also paid $32 million for capital expenditures. This was offset by the receipt of approximately $25 million related to the sale of certain investments.
The $255 million of cash used in investing activities in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 consisted primarily of $110 million to acquire an additional equity interest in Frontline Management, $51 million to acquire Roadrunner, net of cash acquired, and $14 million loaned to the seller of Roadrunner in connection with the acquisition. We also paid a total of approximately $51 million to invest in or acquire several smaller companies, including an entertainment services company, a video production company in the U.K. and a digital distribution company in Germany, and we paid $29 million for capital expenditures. In addition, cash used in investing activities reflected $25 million to acquire music publishing copyrights. This was offset by the receipt of approximately $7 million related to the sale of certain buildings and $18 million related to the liquidation of short-term investments, including auction-rate securities.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 primarily consisted of our quarterly repayment of debt and the payment of dividends. We discontinued our previous policy of paying regular quarterly dividends during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008.
Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are the cash flow generated from our subsidiaries’ operations, availability under the $250 million (less $4 million of outstanding letters of credit as of September 30, 2008) revolving credit portion of our senior secured credit facility and available cash and equivalents. These sources of liquidity are needed to fund our debt service requirements, working capital requirements, and capital expenditure requirements. We believe that our existing sources of cash will be sufficient to support our existing operations over the next fiscal year.
As of September 30, 2008, our long-term debt consisted of $1.379 billion of borrowings (including $17 million of debt that is classified as a current obligation) under the term loan portion of our senior secured credit facility, $649 million of Acquisition Corp. Subordinated Notes and $231 million of Holdings Discount Notes. There were no borrowings under the revolving credit portion of our senior secured credit facility as of September 30, 2008.
Senior Secured Credit Facility
The senior secured credit facility consists of a $1.379 billion outstanding term loan portion and a $250 million revolving credit portion. The term loan portion of the facility matures in February 2011. We are required to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, with excess cash flow or in the
event of certain asset sales and casualty and condemnation events and incurrence of debt. We are required to make minimum repayments under the term loan portion of our facility in quarterly principal amounts of approximately $4 million through November 2010, with a remaining balloon payment in February 2011. The revolving credit portion of the senior secured credit facility matures in February 2010. There are no mandatory reductions in borrowing availability for the revolving credit portion of the facility through its term.
Borrowings under both the term loan and revolving credit portion of the senior secured credit facility currently bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) the prime rate of Bank of America, N.A. and (2) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for deposits in the currency of such borrowing for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs. As of September 30, 2008, the applicable margins with respect to base rate borrowings and LIBOR borrowings were 1.25% and 2.25%, respectively, for borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The applicable margins are variable subject to changes in certain leverage ratios. For borrowings under the term loan facility, the margins with respect to the base rate borrowings and LIBOR borrowings are 1.00% and 2.00%, respectively, but will be 0.75% and 1.75%, respectively, if the senior secured debt of Acquisition Corp. is rated at least BB by S&P and Ba2 by Moody’s. As of November 20, 2008 our term loan facility was rated BB by S&P and Ba3 by Moody’s.
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the senior secured credit facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the revolving credit facility in respect of the unutilized commitments. The initial commitment fee was 0.5%. As of September 30, 2008, the commitment fee rate was 0.375%. The commitment fee rate is variable subject to changes in our leverage ratio. We also are required to pay customary letter of credit fees, as necessary.
The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to sell assets, incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, repay other indebtedness, pay dividends and distributions or repurchase capital stock, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, make certain acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, amend certain material agreements, change the business conducted by us and enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries. In addition, the senior secured credit facility requires us to maintain the following financial covenants: a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio, which are both tested quarterly for compliance, and a maximum annual capital expenditures covenant. The maximum total leverage ratio, which decreases over time, was 4:25:1 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and decreases from 4.25:1 to 4.0:1 for the two quarters ending December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009 and from 4.0:1 to 3.75:1 for the two quarters ending June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009. Our minimum interest coverage ratio, which increases over time, is 2.75:1 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and increases to 3.0:1 for fiscal 2009.
Senior Subordinated Notes of Acquisition Corp.
Acquisition Corp. has outstanding two tranches of senior subordinated notes due 2014: $465 million principal amount of U.S. dollar-denominated notes and £100 million principal amount of Sterling-denominated notes (collectively, the “Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes”). The Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes mature on April 15, 2014 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.375% per annum on the $465 million dollar notes and 8.125% per annum on the £100 million Sterling-denominated notes. The indenture governing the notes limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; to pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of our capital stock or make other restricted payments; to make certain investments; to sell certain assets; to create liens on certain debt without securing the notes; to consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; to enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and to designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the notes permits us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, and to make certain restricted payments and investments.
Holdings Discount Notes
As of September 30, 2008, Holdings had $231 million of debt on its balance sheet relating to the Holdings Discount Notes, net of issuance discounts. The Holdings Discount Notes were issued at a discount and had an initial accreted value of $630.02 per $1,000 principal amount at maturity. Prior to December 15, 2009, no cash interest payments are required. However, interest accrues on the Holdings Discount Notes in the form of an increase in the accreted value of such notes such that the accreted value of the Holdings Discount Notes will equal the principal amount at maturity of $257 million on December 15, 2009. Thereafter, cash interest on the Holdings Discount Notes is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 9.5% per annum with the initial cash interest payment payable on June 15, 2010. The Holdings Discount Notes mature on December 15, 2014.
The indenture governing the notes limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; to pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of our capital stock or make other restricted payments; to make certain investments; to sell certain assets; to create liens on certain debt without securing the notes; to consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; to enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and to designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the notes permits us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, and to make certain restricted payments and investments.
Dividends
We discontinued our previous policy of paying a regular quarterly dividend during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008. We currently intend to retain future earnings to build cash on the balance sheet and invest in our business, particularly in A&R. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
On February 6, 2008, we declared our final quarterly dividend under the now discontinued policy on our outstanding common stock at a rate of $0.13 per share. The final dividend was paid on February 29, 2008. On December 29, 2006, March 8, 2007, June 5, 2007 and September 4, 2007 we declared dividends on our outstanding common stock at a rate of $0.13 per share. The dividends were paid on February 16, 2007, April 27, 2007, July 25, 2007 and October 24, 2007, respectively, except for the portion of the dividends with respect to unvested restricted stock, which will be paid at such time as such shares become vested.
During the year ended September 30, 2008, 2,032,633 shares of restricted stock purchased by or awarded to certain employees of the Company vested, and employees of the Company exercised 141,064 stock options.
Covenant Compliance
Our senior secured credit facility requires us to maintain certain covenants including a maximum Leverage Ratio and a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, as such terms are defined in the credit facility, and also contains a maximum annual capital expenditures limitation. The maximum total leverage ratio, which decreases over time, was 4.25:1 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and decreases from 4.25:1 to 4.0:1 for the two quarters ending December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009 and from 4.0:1 to 3.75:1 for the two quarters ending June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009. The minimum interest coverage ratio, which increases over time, is 2.75:1 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and increases to 3.0:1 for fiscal 2009.
The credit facility also contains covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt. The occurrence of an event of default under the credit facility could result in all amounts outstanding under the facility to be immediately due and payable, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flow. To the extent that we ever were to fail a financial covenant test then
there is the opportunity to cure such a breach by the injection of further equity which will count towards EBITDA for the purposes of financial covenants. As of September 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility.
Our borrowing arrangements, including the Holdings Discount Notes and the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes contain certain financial covenants, which limit the ability of our restricted subsidiaries as defined in the indentures governing the notes to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, issue certain preferred shares, pay dividends, make certain investments, sell certain assets, and consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all, or some of, our assets. In order for Acquisition Corp. and Holdings Corp. to incur additional debt or make certain restricted payments using certain exceptions provided for in the indentures governing the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes and the Holdings Discount Notes, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in such indentures, must exceed a 2.0 to 1.0 ratio. Fixed Charges are defined in such indentures as consolidated interest expense excluding certain non-cash interest expense.
The terms of the indentures governing the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes and Holdings Discount Notes significantly restrict Acquisition Corp., Holdings and other subsidiaries from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets to us. For example, the ability of Acquisition Corp. and Holdings to make such payments is governed by a formula based on 50% of each of their consolidated net income (which, as defined in the indentures governing such notes, excludes goodwill impairment charges and any after-tax extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains and losses) accruing from June 1, 2004 and July 1, 2004, respectively. In addition, as a condition to making such payments to us based on such formula, Acquisition Corp. and Holdings must each have an adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the indenture, to interest expense ratio of at least 2.0 to 1 after giving effect to any such payments. Acquisition Corp. may also make a restricted payment prior to April 15, 2009 if, immediately after giving pro forma effect to such restricted payment and certain indebtedness incurred to finance such restricted payment, its net indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA ratio, as defined in the indenture, would not exceed 3.75 to 1 and its net senior indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA ratio, as defined in the indenture, would not exceed 2.50 to 1. In addition, Holdings may make a restricted payment if, immediately after giving pro forma effect to such restricted payment and certain indebtedness incurred to finance such restricted payment, its net indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA ratio would not exceed 4.25 to 1. Notwithstanding such restrictions, the indentures permit an aggregate of $45.0 million and $75.0 million of such payments to be made by Acquisition Corp. and Holdings, respectively, whether or not there is availability under the formula or the conditions to its use are met. Acquisition Corp.’s senior secured credit facility permits Acquisition Corp. to make additional restricted payments to Holdings, the proceeds of which may be utilized by Holdings to make additional restricted payments, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million (such amount is subject to increase to $35.0 million if the leverage ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters was less than 4.0 to 1 and to $50.0 million if the leverage ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters was less than 3.5 to 1), and subject to further increase in an amount equal to 50% of cumulative excess cash flow that is not otherwise applied pursuant to Acquisition Corp.’s senior secured credit facility, and, in addition, permits Acquisition Corp. to make restricted payments to Holdings, the proceeds of which may be utilized by Holdings to make additional restricted payments not to exceed $90 million in any fiscal year, provided that the proceeds of such restricted payments shall be applied solely to pay cash dividends on the Company’s common stock. Furthermore, Holdings’ subsidiaries will be permitted under the terms of Acquisition Corp.’s existing senior secured credit facility, as it may be amended, and under other indebtedness, to incur additional indebtedness that may restrict or prohibit the making of distributions, the payment of dividends or the making of loans by such subsidiaries to Holdings.
Acquisition Corp. and Holdings may make additional restricted payments using certain other exceptions provided for in the indentures governing the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes and Holdings Notes, respectively.
Summary
Management believes that future funds generated from our operations and available borrowing capacity will be sufficient to fund our debt service requirements, working capital requirements and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. However, our ability to continue to fund these items and to reduce debt may be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors, as well as other industry-specific factors such as the ability to control music piracy and the continued decline of industry-wide CD sales. We or any of our affiliates may also, from time to time depending on market conditions and prices, contractual restrictions, our financial liquidity and other factors, seek to repurchase our Holdings Discount Notes, Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes, our term loans under our senior secured credit facility and/or our common stock in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material and may be funded from available cash or from additional borrowings.
Contractual and Other Obligations
Firm Commitments
The following table summarizes the Company’s aggregate contractual obligations at September 30, 2008, and the estimated timing and effect that such obligations are expected to have on the Company’s liquidity and cash flow in future periods. We expect to fund the firm commitments with operating cash flow generated in the normal course of business and availability under the $250 million revolving credit portion of the senior secured credit facility.
The following is a description of our firmly committed contractual obligations at September 30, 2008:
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Outstanding debt obligations consist of the term loan facility, the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes and the Holdings Discount Notes. These obligations have been presented based on the principal amounts due, current and long term as of September 30, 2008. Amounts do not include any fair value adjustments, bond premiums, discounts or interest payments. The interest obligations do not include interest related to our variable rate debt. See Note 12 to the audited financial statements for a description of our financing arrangements.
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Holdings Discount Notes payments include cash interest payments of $11 million for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, $21 million for each fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and $11 million for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 as well as principal payments of $224 million in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015.
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Operating lease obligations primarily relate to the minimum lease rental obligations for our real estate and operating equipment in various locations around the world. These obligations have been presented with the benefit of $6 million of sublease income expected to be received under non-cancelable
agreements. The future minimum payments reflect the amounts owed under our lease arrangements and do not include any fair market value adjustments that may have been recorded as a result of the Acquisition.
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We enter into long-term commitments with artists, songwriters and co-publishers for the future delivery of music product. Aggregate firm commitments to such talent approximated $439 million across hundreds of artists, songwriters, publishers, songs and albums at September 30, 2008. Such commitments, which are unpaid advances across multiple albums and songs, are payable principally over a ten-year period, generally upon delivery of albums from the artists or future musical compositions by songwriters and co-publishers. Because the timing of payment, and even whether payment occurs, is dependent upon the timing of delivery of albums and musical compositions from talent, the timing and amount of payment of these commitments as presented in the above summary can vary significantly.
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We have minimum funding commitments and other related obligations to support the operations of various investments.
MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
We are exposed to market risk arising from changes in market rates and prices, including movements in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have significant transactional exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar due to the global scope of our operations. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, approximately $1.886 billion, or 54%, of our revenues were generated outside of the U.S. The top five revenue-producing international countries are the U.K., Japan, France, Germany and Italy, which use the British pound sterling, Japanese yen and euro as currencies, respectively. See Note 18 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere herein for information on our operations in different geographical areas.
Historically, we have used (and continue to use) foreign exchange contracts, primarily to hedge the risk that unremitted or future royalties and license fees owed to our domestic companies for the sale, or anticipated sale, of U.S.-copyrighted products abroad may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, we hedge foreign currency risk associated with financing transactions such as third-party and inter-company debt.
We focus on managing the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on our major currencies, which include the euro, British pound sterling, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Swedish krona, and Australian dollar. See Note 18 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere herein for additional information.
The Company also is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to its £100 million principal amount of Sterling-denominated notes that were issued in April 2004. These sterling notes mature on April 15, 2014. As of September 30, 2008, these sterling notes had a carrying value of $184 million. Based on the principal amount of Sterling-denominated notes outstanding as of September 30, 2008 and assuming that all other market variables are held constant (including the level of interest rates), a 10% weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to the British pound sterling would not have an impact on the fair value of these sterling notes, since these notes are completely hedged as of September 30, 2008.
Interest Rate Risk
We had $2.259 billion of total debt outstanding as of September 30, 2008, of which $1.379 billion was variable rate debt. As such, we are exposed to changes in interest rates. In order to manage this exposure, and consistent with the requirement under our senior secured credit facility to maintain a fixed-to-floating debt ratio of at least 50% of our actual funded debt though at least April 2007, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to hedge notional debt amounts of $300 million in 2004 and $597 million in 2005. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, we did not enter into any additional interest rate swap or swap extension agreements. The total notional amount of debt hedged at September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $897 million. Under our interest rate swap agreements, we agreed to receive floating-rate payments (based on three-month LIBOR rates) in exchange for fixed-rate payments.
Based on the amount of our floating-rate debt and our interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of September 30, 2008, each 25 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease our annual interest expense and cash outlay by approximately $1 million. This potential increase or decrease is based on the simplified assumption that the level of floating-rate debt remains constant with an immediate across the board increase or decrease as of September 30, 2008 with no subsequent change in rates for the remainder of the period. This increase or decrease in rates would partially be mitigated by an increase or decrease in interest income earned on the Company’s cash balances, almost all of which are invested in short-term variable interest rate earning assets.
In addition to our $1.379 billion of variable-rate debt, we had approximately $880 million of fixed-rate debt outstanding at September 30, 2008. Based on the level of interest rates prevailing at September 30, 2008, the fair value of this fixed-rate debt was approximately $549 million. Further, based on the amount of our fixed-rate debt and our related $897 million of interest rate swap agreements noted above that were outstanding at September 30, 2008, a 25 basis point increase or decrease in the level of interest rates would increase or decrease the fair value of the fixed-rate debt by approximately $1 million. This potential increase or decrease is based on the simplified assumption that the level of fixed-rate debt remains constant with an immediate across the board increase or decrease in the level of interest rates with no subsequent changes in rates for the remainder of the period.
We monitor our positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are party to any of our financial transactions. Credit risk relating to the interest rate swaps is considered low because the swaps are entered into with strong, credit-worthy counterparties, and the credit risk is confined to the net settlement of the interest over the remaining life of the swaps.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The SEC’s Financial Reporting Release No. 60, “Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies” (“FRR 60”), suggests companies provide additional disclosure and commentary on those accounting policies considered most critical. FRR 60 considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to our financial condition and results, and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in our application. We believe the following list represents the critical accounting policies of us as contemplated by FRR 60. For a summary of all of our significant accounting policies, see Note 3 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere herein.
Purchase Accounting
We account for our business acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with FASB Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141”). The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying identifiable net assets based on their respective estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows,
discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. In addition, reserves have been established on our balance sheet related to acquired liabilities and qualifying restructuring costs based on assumptions made at the time of acquisition. We evaluate these reserves on a regular basis to determine the adequacy or accuracy of the amounts estimated.
Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We account for our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets under Statement of Accountings Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FAS 142”). Under FAS 142 the Company no longer amortizes goodwill, including the goodwill included in the carrying value of investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting, and certain other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life. FAS 142 requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets be assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques on an annual basis and when events occur that may suggest that the fair value of such assets cannot support the carrying value. Goodwill impairment is tested using a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its net book value (or carrying amount), including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The impairment test for other intangible assets consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit under the first step of the goodwill impairment test and determining the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit (including unrecognized intangible assets) under the second step of the goodwill impairment test is judgmental in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Similarly, estimates and assumptions are used in determining the fair value of other intangible assets. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and also the magnitude of any such charge. We perform internal valuation analyses and consider other market information that is publicly available and, if deemed necessary, we obtain appraisals from independent valuation firms to assist in the process of determining goodwill impairment, if any. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows, market comparisons and analysis of recent transactions. These approaches use significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rate, determination of appropriate market comparables and the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to comparables.
We test our goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter each fiscal year. We tested our goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008 and noted that no impairment occurred.
As of September 30, 2008, Warner Music Group has recorded goodwill in the amount of $1.078 billion, primarily related to the Acquisition. See Note 9 to our audited financial statements included herein for a further discussion of Warner Music Group’s goodwill.
Equity Method and Cost Method Investments
For non-publicly traded investments, management’s assessment of fair value is based on valuation methodologies including discounted cash flows, estimates of sales proceeds and external appraisals, as appropriate. The ability to accurately predict future cash flows, especially in developing and unstable markets, may impact the determination of fair value.
In the event a decline in fair value of an investment occurs, management may be required to determine if the decline in market value is other than temporary. Management’s assessments as to the nature of a decline in fair value are based on the valuation methodologies discussed above and our ability and intent to hold the investment. We consider our equity method investees to be strategic long-term investments; therefore, we generally complete our assessments with a long-term viewpoint. If the fair value of any of our equity method or cost method investments is less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying value of the investment to its fair value. Management’s assessments of fair value in accordance with these valuation methodologies represent our best estimates as of the time of the impairment review and are consistent with our internal planning. If different fair values were estimated, this could have a material impact on the financial statements.
Revenue and Cost Recognition
Sales Returns and Uncollectible Accounts
In accordance with practice in the recorded music industry and as customary in many territories, certain products (such as CDs and DVDs) are sold to customers with the right to return unsold items. Under Statement of Accounting Standards No. 48, “Revenue When Right of Return Exists”, revenues from such sales are recognized when the products are shipped based on gross sales less a provision for future estimated returns.
In determining the estimate of product sales that will be returned, management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends, changes in customer demand and commercial acceptance of our products. Based on this information, management reserves a percentage of each dollar of product sales to provide for the estimated customer returns.
Similarly, management evaluates accounts receivables to determine if they will ultimately be collected. In performing this evaluation, significant judgments and estimates are involved, including an analysis of specific risks on a customer-by-customer basis for larger accounts and customers, and a receivables aging analysis that determines the percent that has historically been uncollected by aged category. Based on this information, management provides a reserve for the estimated amounts believed to be uncollectible.
Based on management’s analysis of sales returns and uncollectible accounts, reserves totaling $159 million and $192 million have been established at September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively.
Comparability of gross dollar value of reserves is affected by the inherent seasonality in the music business. That is, the recorded music business historically has generated approximately 35% of its sales in the last three months of the calendar year due to increased consumer demand associated with the holiday season. As such, both gross receivables and related allowances would be at a naturally lower level at September 30, the end of our fiscal year, and at a naturally higher level at December 31, the end of our first fiscal quarter. The ratio of our receivable allowances to gross accounts receivables were approximately 23% and 26% at September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively.
Gross Versus Net Revenue Classification
In the normal course of business, we act as an intermediary or agent with respect to certain payments received from third parties. For example, we distribute music product on behalf of third-party record labels.
The accounting issue encountered in these arrangements is whether we should report revenue based on the “gross” amount billed to the ultimate customer or on the “net” amount received from the customer after participation and other royalties paid to third parties. To the extent revenues are recorded gross (in the full amount billed), any participations and royalties paid to third parties are recorded as expenses so that the net amount (gross revenues, less expenses) flows through operating income. Accordingly, the impact on operating income is the same, whether we record the revenue on a gross basis or net basis (less related participations and royalties).
Determining whether revenue should be reported gross or net is based on an assessment of whether we are acting as the “principal” in a transaction or acting as an “agent” in the transaction. To the extent we are acting as a principal in a transaction, we report as revenue the payments received on a gross basis. To the extent we are acting as an agent in a transaction, we report as revenue the payments received less participations and royalties paid to third parties, i.e., on a net basis. The determination of whether we are serving as principal or agent in a transaction is judgmental in nature and based on an evaluation of the terms of an arrangement.
In determining whether we serve as principal or agent in these arrangements, we follow the guidance in EITF 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent” (“EITF 99-19”). Pursuant to such guidance, we serve as the principal in transactions where we have the substantial risks and rewards of ownership. The indicators that we have substantial risks and rewards of ownership are as follows:
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we are the supplier of the products or services to the customer;
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we have latitude in establishing prices;
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we have the contractual relationship with the ultimate customer;
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we modify and service the product purchased to meet the ultimate customer specifications;
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we have discretion in supplier selection; and
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we have credit risk.
Conversely, pursuant to EITF 99-19, we serve as agent in arrangements where we do not have substantial risks and rewards of ownership. The indicators that we do not have substantial risks and rewards of ownership are as follows:
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the supplier (not Warner Music Group) is responsible for providing the product or service to the customer;
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the supplier (not Warner Music Group) has latitude in establishing prices;
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the amount we earn is fixed;
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the supplier (not Warner Music Group) has credit risk; and
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the supplier (not Warner Music Group) has general inventory risk for a product before it is sold.
Based on the above criteria and for the more significant transactions that we have evaluated, we record the distribution of product on behalf of third-party record labels on a gross basis, subject to the terms of the contract. However, recorded music compilations distributed by other record companies where we have a right to participate in the profits are recorded on a net basis.
Accounting for Royalty Advances
We regularly commit to and pay advance royalties to our artists and songwriters in respect of future sales. We account for these advance royalty payments under the related guidance in Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 50, “Financial Reporting in the Record and Music Industry” (“FAS 50”). Under FAS 50, we capitalize as assets certain advance royalty payments that management believes are recoverable from future royalties to be earned by the artist or songwriter.
Management’s decision to capitalize an advance to an artist or songwriter as an asset requires significant judgment as to the recoverability of these advances. The recoverability of these assets is assessed upon initial commitment of the advance based upon management’s forecast of anticipated revenues from the sale of future and existing music and publishing-related products. In determining whether these amounts are recoverable, management evaluates the current and past popularity of the artist or songwriter, the initial or expected commercial acceptability of the product, the current and past popularity of the genre of music that the product is designed to appeal to, and other relevant factors. Based upon this information, management expenses the portion of such advances that it believes is not recoverable. In many cases, royalty advance payments to artists or publishers without history of successful commercial acceptability of the product and evidence of current or past popularity will be expensed immediately. All advances are assessed for recoverability continuously and at minimum on a quarterly basis.
We had $386 million and $392 million of advances on our balance sheet as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. We believe such advances are recoverable through future royalties to be earned by the related artists and songwriters.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with FAS Statement No. 123 (R),”Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”). FAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized as compensation expense based on their fair value. Under this fair value recognition provision of FAS 123(R), stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. The Company has applied the modified prospective method and expenses deferred stock-based compensation on an accelerated basis over the vesting period of the stock award.
We estimate the fair value of our grants made using the binomial method, which includes assumptions related to volatility, expected life, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate. We also award or sell restricted shares to our employees. For restricted shares awarded or sold below market value, the accounting charge is measured at the grant date and amortized ratably as non-cash compensation over the vesting term.
Accounting for Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate income taxes payable in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating the actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets. Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, (“FAS 109”), requires a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In circumstances where there is sufficient negative evidence, establishment of a valuation allowance must be considered. We believe that cumulative losses in the most recent three-year period generally represent sufficient negative evidence to consider a valuation allowance under the provisions of FAS 109. As a result, we determined that certain of our deferred tax assets required the establishment of a valuation allowance.
The realization of the remaining deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on forecasted future taxable income. Any reduction in estimated forecasted future taxable income may require that we record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets on which a valuation allowance has not previously been established. The valuation allowance that has been established will be maintained until there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized. An ongoing pattern of profitability will generally be considered as sufficient positive evidence. Our income tax expense recorded in the future may be reduced to the extent of offsetting decreases in our valuation allowance if such valuation
allowances were not established through goodwill at the time of the Acquisition. The establishment and reversal of valuation allowances could have a significant negative or positive impact on our future earnings.
Tax assessments may arise several years after tax returns have been filed. Predicting the outcome of such tax assessments involves uncertainty; however, we believe that recorded tax liabilities adequately account for our analysis of probable outcomes.
New Accounting Principles
In addition to the critical accounting policies discussed above, we adopted several new accounting policies during the past two years. None of these new accounting principles had a material affect on our audited financial statements. See Note 3 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere herein for a complete summary.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As discussed in Note 18 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, the Company is exposed to market risk arising from changes in market rates and prices, including movements in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. As of September 30, 2008, other than as described below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s exposure to market risk since September 30, 2007.
We have transactional exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar due to the global scope of our operations. We use foreign exchange contracts, primarily to hedge the risk that unremitted or future royalties and license fees owed to our domestic companies for the sale, or anticipated sale, of U.S.-copyrighted products abroad may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We focus on managing the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on our major currencies, which include the British pound sterling, euro, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Swedish krona and Australian dollar. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, the Company entered into foreign exchange hedge contracts and, as of September 30, 2008, the Company has outstanding hedge contracts for the sale of $542 million and the purchase of $158 million of foreign currencies at fixed rates. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, certain of our foreign exchange contracts expired and were renewed with new foreign exchange contracts with similar features.
The fair value of foreign exchange contracts is subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For the purpose of assessing the specific risks, we use a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures may have on the fair value of our financial instruments. For foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2008, assuming a hypothetical 10% depreciation of the U.S dollar against foreign currencies from prevailing foreign currency exchange rates and assuming no change in interest rates, the fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts would have decreased by $37 million. Because our foreign exchange contracts are entered into for hedging purposes, these losses would be largely offset by gains on the underlying transactions.
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to our £100 million principal amount of Sterling-denominated notes that were issued in April 2004. These sterling notes mature on April 15, 2014. As of September 30, 2008, these sterling notes had a fair value and carrying value of approximately $184 million. Based on the principal amount of Sterling-denominated notes outstanding as of September 30, 2008 and assuming that all other market variables are held constant (including the level of interest rates), a 10% weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to the British pound sterling would not have an impact on the fair value of these sterling notes, since these notes are completely hedged as of September 30, 2008.
We are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to our floating rate debt. Based on the amount of our floating-rate debt and our interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of September 30, 2008, each 25 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease our annual interest expense and cash outlay
by approximately $1 million. This potential increase or decrease is based on the simplified assumption that the level of floating-rate debt remains constant with an immediate across the board increase or decrease as of September 30, 2008 with no subsequent change in rates for the remainder of the period. This increase or decrease in rates would partially be mitigated by an increase or decrease in interest income earned on our cash balances, almost all of which are invested in short-term variable interest rate earning assets. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, the Company did not enter into any additional interest rate swaps or swap extensions. The total notional amount of debt hedged as of September 30, 2008 was $897 million. As of November 20, 2008, the Company had not entered into any additional interest rate swap agreements subsequent to September 30, 2008.
We monitor our positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are party to any of our financial transactions. Credit risk relating to the interest rate swaps is considered low because the swaps are entered into with strong, credit-worthy counterparties, and the credit risk is confined to the net settlement of the interest over the remaining life of the swaps.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
WARNER MUSIC GROUP CORP.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Contents
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER
FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Management designed our internal control systems in order to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Our internal control systems include the controls themselves, monitoring and internal auditing practices and actions taken to correct deficiencies as identified and are augmented by written policies, an organizational structure providing for division of responsibilities, careful selection and training of qualified financial personnel and a program of internal audits.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2008. The Company’s independent auditors have issued their report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Warner Music Group Corp.
We have audited Warner Music Group Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Warner Music Group Corp.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Warner Music Group Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Warner Music Group Corp. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Warner Music Group Corp. as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008 and our report dated November 24, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
New York, NY
November 24, 2008
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Warner Music Group Corp.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Warner Music Group Corp. as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of Warner Music Group Corp.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Warner Music Group Corp. at September 30, 2008, and 2007, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, Warner Music Group Corp. changed its method of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, effective October 1, 2007.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Warner Music Group Corp’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 24, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The consolidating financial statements are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements. Such information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
New York, NY
November 24, 2008
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Warner Music Group Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See accompanying notes.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
See accompanying notes.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See accompanying notes.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
See accompanying notes.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements
1. Description of Business
Warner Music Group Corp. (the “Company” or “Parent”) was formed by a private equity consortium of investors (the “Investor Group”) on November 21, 2003. The Company is the direct parent of WMG Holdings Corp. (“Holdings”), which is the direct parent of WMG Acquisition Corp. (“Acquisition Corp.”). Acquisition Corp. is one of the world’s major music-based content companies and the successor to substantially all of the interests of the recorded music and music publishing businesses of Time Warner Inc (“Time Warner”). Effective March 1, 2004, Acquisition Corp. acquired such interests from Time Warner for approximately $2.6 billion (the “Acquisition”). The original Investor Group included Thomas H. Lee Partners (“THL”), affiliates of Bain Capitol Investors, LLC (“Bain”), Providence Equity Partners, Inc. and its affiliates (“Providence”) and Music Capital Partners, L.P. (“Music Capital”). Music Capital’s partnership agreement required that the Music Capital partnership dissolve and commence winding up by the second anniversary of the Company’s May 2005 initial public offering. As a result, on May 7, 2007, Music Capital made a pro rata distribution of all shares of common stock of the Company held by it to its partners. The shares held by Music Capital had been subject to a stockholders agreement among Music Capital, THL, Bain and Providence and certain other parties. As a result of the distribution, the shares distributed by Music Capital ceased to be subject to the voting and other provisions of the stockholders agreement and Music Capital was no longer part of the Investor Group subject to the stockholders agreement.
The Company classifies its business interests into two fundamental operations: Recorded Music and Music Publishing. A brief description of these operations is presented below.
Recorded Music Operations
The Company’s Recorded Music business primarily consists of the discovery and development of artists and the related marketing, distribution and licensing of recorded music produced by such artists. In addition to the more traditional methods of discovering and developing artists, following the Acquisition the Company established ILG to discover artists earlier in the process and at lower cost by leveraging the Company’s independent distribution network.
The Company is also diversifying its revenues beyond its traditional businesses by partnering with artists in other areas of their careers. The Company is building capabilities and platforms for exploiting a broader set of music-related rights to participate across the artist brands it helps create. Expansion of the Company’s capabilities in this area have included strategic acquisitions and partnerships with companies involved in artist management, merchandising, strategic marketing and brand management, ticketing, touring, fan clubs, original programming and video entertainment. The Company believes enhancement of these capabilities will permit it to diversify revenue streams to better capitalize on the growth areas of the music industry, permit it to build stronger, long-term relationships with artists and more effectively connect artists and fans.
In the U.S., Recorded Music operations are conducted principally through the Company’s major record labels-Warner Bros. Records and The Atlantic Records Group. The Company’s Recorded Music operations also include Rhino Entertainment (“Rhino”), a division that specializes in marketing the Company’s music catalog through compilations and reissuances of previously released music and video titles, as well as in the licensing of recordings to and from third parties for various uses, including film and television soundtracks. Rhino is also transitioning into our primary licensing division focused on acquiring broader licensing rights from certain catalog artists. For example, we have an exclusive license with The Grateful Dead to manage the band’s intellectual property and have recently acquired a 50% interest in Frank Sinatra Enterprises, an entity that administers licenses for use of Frank Sinatra’s name and likeness and manage all aspects of his music, film and stage content. The Company also conducts its Recorded Music operations through a collection of additional record labels, including, among others, Asylum, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Nonesuch, Reprise, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire and Word.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Outside the U.S., Recorded Music activities are conducted in more than 50 countries, primarily through Warner Music International (“WMI”) and its various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated licensees. WMI engages in the same activities as the Company’s U.S. labels: discovering and signing artists and distributing, marketing and selling their recorded music. In most cases, WMI also markets and distributes the records of those artists for whom the Company’s domestic record labels have international rights. In certain smaller countries, WMI licenses to unaffiliated third-party record labels the right to distribute its records.
Recorded Music distribution operations include WEA Corp., which markets and sells music and DVD products to retailers and wholesale distributors in the U.S.; ADA, which distributes the products of independent labels to retail and wholesale distributors in the U.S.; Ryko Distribution, which distributes music and DVD releases from Rykodisc, Ryko’s record label, and third-party record and video labels; various distribution centers and ventures operated internationally; an 80% interest in Word Entertainment, which specializes in the distribution of music products in the Christian retail marketplace; and ADA Global, which provides ADA’s distribution services to independent labels outside of the U.S. through a network of affiliated and non-affiliated distributors.
The Company plays an integral role in virtually all aspects of the music value chain from discovering and developing talent, to producing albums and promoting artists and their products. After an artist has entered into a contract with one of the Company’s record labels, a master recording of the artist’s music is created. The recording is then replicated for sale to consumers primarily in the CD and digital formats. In the U.S., WEA Corp., ADA, Ryko Distribution and Word market, sell and deliver product, either directly or through sub-distributors and wholesalers, to thousands of record stores, mass merchants and other retailers. The Company’s recorded music products are also sold in physical form to online physical retailers such as Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and bestbuy.com and in digital form to online digital retailers like Apple’s iTunes and mobile full-track download stores such as those operated by Verizon or Sprint. In the case of 360° deals where we acquired broader image and brand rights in an artist’s career, we may provide more comprehensive career support, promoting an artist for longer periods of time and actively developing new opportunities for them through touring, fan clubs, merchandising, and sponsorships. The Company may contribute to all facets of an artist’s career rather than only focusing on producing recorded music products.
The Company has integrated the sale of digital content into all aspects of its Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses including A&R, marketing, promotion and distribution. The Company’s new media executives work closely with A&R departments to make sure that while a record is being made, digital assets are also created with all of our distribution channels in mind, including subscription services such as Rhapsody, social networking sites such as MySpace, user-generated content sites such as YouTube, Internet portals and music-centered destinations, such as imeem. The Company also works side by side with its mobile and online partners to test new concepts. The Company believes existing and new digital businesses will be a significant source of growth for the next several years and will provide new opportunities to monetize its assets and create new revenue streams. As a music-based content company, the Company has assets that go beyond its recorded music and music publishing catalogs, such as its music video library, which it now has the opportunity to monetize through digital channels. The proportion of digital revenues attributed to each distribution channel varies by region and since digital music is in the early stages of growth, proportions may change as the roll-out of new technologies continues. As an owner of musical content, the Company believes it is well positioned to take advantage of growth in digital distribution and emerging technologies to maximize the value of its assets.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Music Publishing Operations
Where recorded music is focused on exploiting a particular recording of a song, music publishing is an intellectual property business focused on the exploitation of the song itself. In return for promoting, placing, marketing and administering the creative output of a songwriter, or engaging in those activities for other rights holders, our Music Publishing business garners a share of the revenues generated from use of the song.
Our Music Publishing operations include Warner/Chappell, our global Music Publishing company headquartered in Los Angeles with operations in over 50 countries through various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated licensees. We own or control rights to more than one million musical compositions, including numerous pop hits, American standards, folk songs and motion picture and theatrical compositions. Assembled over decades, our award-winning catalog includes over 65,000 songwriters and composers and a diverse range of genres including pop, rock, jazz, country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, reggae, Latin, folk, blues, symphonic, soul, Broadway, techno, alternative, gospel and other Christian music. Warner/Chappell also administers the music and soundtracks of several third-party television and film producers and studios, including Lucasfilm, Ltd., Hallmark Entertainment, Disney Music Publishing, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Studios. In 2007, we entered the production music library business with the acquisition of Non-Stop Music. Production music is a complementary alternative to licensing standards and contemporary hits for television, film and advertising producers.
Publishing revenues are derived from five main sources:
•
Mechanical: the licensor receives royalties with respect to compositions embodied in recordings sold in any format or configuration, including physical recordings (e.g., CDs and DVDs).
•
Performance: the licensor receives royalties if the composition is performed publicly through broadcast of music on television, radio, cable and satellite, live performance at a concert or other venue (e.g., arena concerts, nightclubs), online and wireless streaming and performance of music in staged theatrical productions.
•
Synchronization: the licensor receives royalties or fees for the right to use the composition in combination with visual images such as in films or television programs, television commercials and videogames as well as from other uses such as in toys or novelty items and merchandise.
•
Digital: the licensor receives royalties or fees with respect to internet and mobile downloads, mobile ringtones and online and mobile streaming.
•
Other: the licensor receives royalties for use in sheet music.
The principal costs associated with our Music Publishing operations are as follows:
•
artist and repertoire costs-the costs associated with (i) signing and developing songwriters and (ii) paying royalties to songwriters, co-publishers and other copyright holders in connection with income generated from the exploitation of their copyrighted works; and
•
administration costs-the costs associated with general overhead and other administrative costs.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
2. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements present the consolidated accounts of all entities in which the Company has a controlling voting interest and/or variable interest entities required to be consolidated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior fiscal years’ consolidated financial statements to conform with the current fiscal year presentation.
The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in September. Fiscal 2008 ended on September 26, 2008, fiscal 2007 ended on September 28, 2007 and fiscal 2006 ended on September 29, 2006. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its financial statements as of September 30.
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Short-term Investments
The Company considers all investments with maturities greater than three months, but less than one year, at the date of purchase to be short-term investments. Short-term investments include high-quality, investment grade securities such as taxable auction rate securities as well as commercial paper and corporate bonds. Auction rate securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on such securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Commercial paper and corporate bonds that the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at cost, which due to the short-term nature of the investments, approximates fair value. The Company does not have any investments in auction rate securities at September 30, 2008.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial position and operating results of substantially all foreign operations are consolidated using the local currency as the functional currency. Local currency assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date, and local currency revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the period. Resulting translation gains or losses are included in the accompanying consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity (deficit) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Derivative and Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for these investments in accordance Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 133, as amended by FASB Statement No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”), which requires that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. FAS 133 also provides that, for derivative instruments that
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value are either (a) offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or (b) recognized in equity until the hedged item is recognized in earnings, depending on whether the derivative is being used to hedge changes in fair value or cash flows. In addition, the ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings.
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates fair value, except for certain differences relating to long-term, fixed-rate debt (see Note 12) and other financial instruments that are not significant. The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or an over-the-counter market. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques.
Revenues
Recorded Music
In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (“SAB 104”), “Revenue Recognition”, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection is probable.
Revenues from the sale of physical Recorded Music products are recognized upon delivery, which occurs once the product has been shipped and title and risk of loss have been transferred. In accordance with industry practice and as is customary in many territories, certain products, such as CDs and DVDs, are sold to customers with the right to return unsold items. Revenues from such sales are recognized upon shipment based on gross sales less a provision for future estimated returns. Revenues from the sale of recorded music products through digital distribution channels are recognized when the products are sold and related sales accounting reports are delivered by the providers.
Music Publishing
Music Publishing revenues are earned from the receipt of royalties relating to the licensing of rights in musical compositions, and the sale of published sheet music and songbooks. The receipt of royalties principally relates to amounts earned from the public performance of copyrighted material, the mechanical reproduction of copyrighted material on recorded media including digital formats, and the use of copyrighted material in synchronization with visual images. Consistent with industry practice, music- publishing royalties generally are recognized as revenue when cash is received.
Gross Versus Net Revenue Classification
In the normal course of business, the Company acts as an intermediary or agent with respect to certain payments received from third parties. For example, the Company distributes music product on behalf of third-party record labels. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent,” such transactions are recorded on a “gross” or “net” basis depending on whether the Company is acting as the “principal” in the transaction or acting as an “agent” in the transaction. The Company serves as the principal in transactions in which it has substantial risks and rewards of ownership and, accordingly, revenues are recorded on a gross basis. For those transactions in which the Company does not have substantial risks and rewards of ownership, the Company is considered an agent and, accordingly, revenues are recorded on a net basis.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
To the extent revenues are recorded on a gross basis, any participations and royalties paid to third parties are recorded as expenses so that the net amount (gross revenues less expenses) flows through operating income. To the extent revenues are recorded on a net basis, revenues are reported based on the amounts received, less participations and royalties paid to third parties. In both cases, the impact on operating income is the same whether the Company records the revenues on a gross or net basis.
Based on an evaluation of the individual terms of each contract and whether the Company is acting as principal or agent, the Company generally records revenues from the distribution of recorded music product on behalf of third-party record labels on a gross basis. However, revenues are recorded on a net basis for recorded music compilations distributed by other record companies where the Company has a right to participate in the profits.
Royalty Advances and Royalty Costs
The Company regularly commits to and pays advance royalties to its artists and songwriters in respect of future sales. The Company accounts for these advance royalty payments under the related guidance in FASB No. 50, “Financial Reporting in the Record and Music Industry” (“FAS 50”). Under FAS 50, certain advance royalty payments that are believed to be recoverable from future royalties to be earned by the artist or songwriter are capitalized as assets. The decision to capitalize an advance to an artist or songwriter as an asset requires significant judgment as to the recoverability of these advances. The recoverability of these assets is assessed upon initial commitment of the advance, based upon the Company’s forecast of anticipated revenues from the sale of future and existing music and publishing-related products. In determining whether these amounts are recoverable, the Company evaluates the current and past popularity of the artist or songwriter, the initial or expected commercial acceptability of the product, the current and past popularity of the genre of music that the product is designed to appeal to, and other relevant factors. Based upon this information, the portion of such advances that are believed not to be recoverable is expensed. All advances are assessed for recoverability continuously and at minimum on a quarterly basis.
Royalties earned by artists, songwriters, co-publishers, other copyright holders and trade unions are recognized as an expense in the period in which the sale of the product takes place, less an adjustment for future estimated returns, and are included in cost of revenue.
Inventories
Inventories consist of DVDs, CDs and related music products, as well as published sheet music and songbooks. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. Cost is determined using first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) and average cost methods, which approximate cost under the FIFO method. Returned goods included in inventory are valued at estimated realizable value, but not in excess of cost.
Advertising
In accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 93-7, “Reporting on Advertising Costs,” advertising costs, including costs to produce music videos used for promotional purposes, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense amounted to approximately $144 million for the fiscal years ended 2008 and 2007. Advertising expense amounted to approximately $202 million for the fiscal year ended 2006. Deferred advertising costs, which principally relate to advertisements that have not been exhibited or services that have not been received, were not material as of current or prior fiscal years.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company has fifteen significant recorded music customers that individually represent less than 10% of the Company’s consolidated gross accounts receivable, and approximately 35% in the aggregate. Based on a history of cash collection, the Company does not believe there is any significant collection risk from such customers.
In the music publishing business, the Company collects a significant portion of its royalties from copyright collection societies around the world. Collection societies and associations generally are not-for-profit organizations that represent composers, songwriters and music publishers. These organizations seek to protect the rights of their members by licensing, collecting license fees and distributing royalties for the use of their works. Accordingly, the Company does not believe there is any significant collection risk from such societies.
Shipping and Handling
The costs associated with shipping goods to customers are recorded as cost of revenues. Shipping and handling charges billed to customers are included in revenues.
Investments
FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities-an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46”) requires that the Company first evaluate its investments to determine if any investments qualify as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) using certain criteria. If the investment qualifies as a VIE, then consolidation may be appropriate if the Company is the determined to be the primary beneficiary of the investment.
The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in which the Company has significant influence, but less than a controlling voting interest and do not qualify as a VIE under the provisions of FIN 46. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the Company owns between 20% and 50% of the investee. The Company would also use the equity method of accounting if it had greater than 50% ownership interest in an investee but the minority shareholders held certain substantive participating rights that allowed them to participate in the ordinary course of the business.
Under the equity method, only the Company’s investment in and amounts due to and from the equity investee are included in the consolidated balance sheets; only the Company’s share of the investee’s earnings (losses) is included in the consolidated operating results; and only the dividends, cash distributions, loans or other cash received from the investee, additional cash investments, loan repayments or other cash paid to the investee are included in the consolidated cash flows.
Investments in companies in which the Company does not have a controlling interest and is unable to exert significant influence are accounted for at market value if the investments are publicly traded and there are no resale restrictions greater than one year (“available-for-sale investments”). If there are resale restrictions greater than one year, or if the investment is not publicly traded, then the investment is accounted for at cost.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets as follows: five to seven years for furniture and fixtures, periods of up to five years for computer equipment and periods of up to seven years for machinery and equipment. Buildings are depreciated over periods of up to forty years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over periods up to the life of the lease.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Internal-Use Software Development Costs
In accordance with SOP No. 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”, the Company capitalizes certain external and internal computer software costs incurred during the application development stage. The application development stage generally includes software design and configuration, coding, testing and installation activities. Training and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, while upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that such expenditures will result in additional functionality. Capitalized software costs are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the underlying project on a straight-line basis, generally not exceeding five years.
Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
In accordance with FASB Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141”) and FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FAS 142”), the Company accounts for business combinations using the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Pursuant to this guidance, the Company does not amortize the goodwill balance and instead, performs an annual impairment review to assess the fair value of goodwill over its carrying value. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and indefinite lived intangibles, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. To the extent the estimated future cash inflows attributable to the asset, less estimated future cash outflows, are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value. Assets to be disposed of and for which there is a committed plan to dispose of the assets, whether through sale or abandonment, are reported at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for share based payments in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123 (R), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123(R)”). FAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized as compensation expense based on their fair value. Under this fair value recognition provision of FAS 123(R), stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. The Company has applied the modified prospective method and expenses deferred stock-based compensation on an accelerated basis over the vesting period of the stock award.
We estimate the fair value of our grants made using the binomial method, which includes assumptions related to volatility, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate. We also award or sell restricted shares to our employees. For restricted shares awarded or sold below market value, the accounting charge is measured at the grant date and amortized ratably as non-cash compensation over the vesting term.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided using the asset and liability method presented by FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“FAS 109”). Under this method, income taxes (i.e., deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, taxes currently payable/refunds receivable and tax expense) are recorded based on amounts refundable or payable in the current fiscal year and include the results of any differences between U.S. GAAP and tax reporting. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and general business credit carryforwards and the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial statements and income tax purposes, as determined under enacted tax laws and rates. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The financial effect of changes in tax laws or rates is accounted for in the period of enactment.
In October 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Statement No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing application of a more likely than not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions. FIN 48 also prescribes guidance on measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, and disclosures. See Note 13 for a detailed discussion of FIN 48.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss), which is reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity, consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income (loss). For the Company, the components of other comprehensive income (loss) primarily consist of foreign currency translation gains and losses and deferred gains and losses on financial instruments designated as hedges under FAS 133, which include interest-rate swap and foreign exchange contracts. The following summary set forth the components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of related taxes, that have been accumulated in shareholders’ equity since September 30, 2005:
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
New Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of this standard is not expected to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company will adopt the provisions of FAS 157 as of October 1, 2008.
In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, (“FAS 159”)”-including an Amendment of SFAS 115, which permits but does not require the Company to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The impact of this standard is not expected to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company will adopt the provisions of FAS 159 as of October 1, 2008.
4. Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share
The Company computes net (loss) income per common share in accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“FAS 128”). Under the provisions of FAS 128, basic net (loss) income per common share is computed by dividing the net (loss) income applicable to common shares after preferred dividend requirements, if any, by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net (loss) income per common share adjusts basic net (loss) income per common share for the effects of stock options, warrants and other potentially dilutive financial instruments, only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share (in millions, except per share amounts):
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
The calculation of diluted net loss per share excludes an adjustment to the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the potential dilution that would occur if the Company’s stock options or warrants were exercised or the Company’s restricted stock had vested. In the periods reported, the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants and the assumed vesting of restricted shares would have been anti-dilutive and accordingly, the following share amounts were excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss) income per share (in millions):
See Note 15 for a summary of restricted stock and stock options outstanding during the period.
5. Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisition of Interest in Frank Sinatra Estate
The Company acquired a 50% interest in Frank Sinatra Enterprises, LLC (“FSE”) on November 19, 2007 for $50 million. FSE is a limited liability company established to administer licenses for use of Frank Sinatra’s name and likeness and manage all aspects of his music, film and stage content. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, based on the provisions of FIN 46 and the results of operations of FSE have been included in the Company’s results of operations from the date of the acquisition. The purchase price has been allocated to the underlying net assets acquired in proportion to the estimated fair value, principally as follows: recorded music catalog, $33 million; trademarks, $10 million; and goodwill $7 million.
Acquisition of Roadrunner Music Group
On January 29, 2007, the Company acquired 73.5% of Roadrunner, which includes Roadrunner Records, a leading hard rock and heavy metal label. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and the results of operations of Roadrunner have been included in the Company’s results of operations from the date of acquisition. The purchase price has been allocated to the underlying net assets acquired in proportion to the estimated fair value, principally recorded music catalog, artist contracts and goodwill. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the following allocation of the approximately $83 million purchase price, consisting of a cash payment of $59 million and estimated future payment obligations of $24 million: recorded music catalog, $15 million; artists’ contracts, $26 million; goodwill, $39 million; tangible assets, $36 million; and tangible liabilities, $33 million.
In connection with the signing of the initial agreement in December 2006, the Company had loaned Roadrunner approximately $52 million in the form of a promissory note. The note was repaid in connection with the close of the acquisition on January 29, 2007. In addition, in connection with the closing, the Company loaned the minority owner approximately $14.3 million in the form of a promissory note, which bears an annual simple rate of interest of 4.73% and matures in six years and can be utilized to satisfy any of the Company’s future payment obligations.
Acquisition of Ryko Corporation
On May 31, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of Ryko, a leading independent, integrated music and entertainment company, for approximately $67.5 million in cash. Ryko consists of a recorded music label, Rykodisc, which focuses on a range of contemporary music and comedy releases and numerous film and television soundtracks and Ryko Distribution, which distributes music and DVD releases from Rykodisc as well
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
as from independent third-party record and video labels. Additionally, Ryko owns a catalog of more than 1,000 titles of rock, folk, jazz, world, blues and alternative albums including Restless Records’ catalog of punk, new wave and soundtrack recordings. The catalog and roster includes artists such as Frank Zappa, Joe Jackson, Soul Asylum, The Flaming Lips and They Might Be Giants. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and the results of operations of Ryko are included in the Company’s results of operations from the acquisition date of Ryko. The purchase price was allocated to the underlying net assets acquired in proportion to the estimated fair value, principally recorded music catalog and goodwill. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the following allocation of the approximately $67.5 million purchase price: recorded music catalog, $28 million; artists’ contracts, $1 million; tangible liabilities, $13 million; and goodwill, $52 million.
Discontinued Operations
During the fiscal year 2008, the Company decided to shut down the operations of Bulldog Entertainment (“Bulldog”), an entertainment services company, which was recorded in our Recorded Music operations. As a result of this triggering event, the Company performed an impairment test and determined that an $18 million impairment charge was necessary to adjust the assets to fair market value, based on the discounted value of future cash flows. The Company shut down this operation in January 2008 and reported Bulldog’s results as a discontinued operation in the consolidated statement of operations.
Discontinued operations consist of the following:
6. Investments
The Company’s investments consist of:
The Company’s significant equity-method investment at September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 relates to its minority interest in Frontline Management (see Note 21). The Company’s significant cost-method investments at September 30, 2008 relate to its investment in lala of $20 million and imeem of $15 million.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Net Investment-Related Gains
There were no significant investment-related gains or losses recognized for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
7. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
8. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
9. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The following analysis details the changes in goodwill for each reportable segment during the year ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007:
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
The acquisitions of goodwill in 2008 primarily include the following: (a) $7 million related to the acquisition of Frank Sinatra Enterprises as described more fully in Note 5, (b) $9 million related to the acquisition of a tour, production, promotion and booking company during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 and (c) $7 million related to the acquisition of an artist management and production company during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The remaining $5 million addition to goodwill relates to various acquisitions that are not individually material. Other adjustments to goodwill represent foreign currency translation adjustments.
The disposition of goodwill in 2008 related to the impairment and discontinued operation of Bulldog as described more fully in Note 5.
The acquisitions of goodwill in 2007 primarily related to the acquisition of Roadrunner for approximately $83 million consisting of $59 million in cash and an estimated future payment obligation of $24 million. As described in Note 5, the allocation of the Roadrunner purchase price included $39 million of goodwill. The remaining $44 million of goodwill additions in 2007 related to various acquisitions that were not individually material. Other adjustments to goodwill in 2007 primarily reflect the finalization of deferred tax balances associated with various tax and book basis differences.
The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in accordance with FAS 142 during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. The Company may conduct an earlier review if events or circumstances occur that would suggest the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill may not be recoverable. The results of the test were that no impairment occurred in 2008.
Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets consist of the following:
(a) The acquisitions primarily relate to $33 million of music catalog and $10 million of trademarks acquired in connection with the acquisition of Frank Sinatra Enterprises, as described in Note 5, as well as $10 million of artist contracts acquired in connection with various acquisitions that are not individually material.
(b) Other represents foreign currency translation adjustments.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Amortization
Based on the amount of intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2008, the expected amortization for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:
The life of all acquired intangible assets is evaluated based on the expected future cash flows associated with the asset. The expected amortization expense above reflects estimated useful lives assigned to the Company’s identifiable, finite-lived intangible assets established in the accounting for the Acquisition effective as of March 1, 2004 as follows: ten years for recorded music catalog, fifteen years for music publishing copyrights and fifteen years for trademarks. Newly acquired recorded music catalog balances have estimated useful lives ranging from five to ten years. Newly acquired music publishing copyright balances have useful lives ranging from ten to fifteen years. Artist contracts acquired by the Company have variable estimated useful lives which do not exceed ten years.
10. Restructuring Costs
Realignment Plan for Fiscal Year 2007
In fiscal 2007, the Company implemented a realignment plan intended to better align the Company’s workforce with the changing nature of the music industry. These changes were part of the Company’s continued evolution from a traditional record and songs-based business to a music-based content company and its ongoing management of its cost structure. The changes included a continued redeployment of resources to focus on new business initiatives to help the Company diversify its revenue streams, including digital opportunities. The realignment plan was also designed to improve the operating effectiveness of our current businesses and to realign our management structure to, among other things, effectively address the continued development of digital distribution channels along with the decline of industry-wide CD sales.
The plan consisted of the reorganization of management structures to more adequately and carefully address regional needs and new business requirements, to reduce organizational complexity and to improve leadership channels. The Company also continued to shift resources from the physical sales channels to efforts focused on digital distribution and emerging technologies and other new revenue streams. Part of the plan also resulted in the outsourcing of some back-office functions as a cost-savings measure.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
The changes described above were implemented in fiscal year 2007. The Company incurred substantially all of the costs associated with the realignment plan in fiscal year 2007. This included approximately $50 million of restructuring costs and $13 million of implementation costs. In connection with the plan, the Company reduced headcount by approximately 400 employees. The Company expects that the majority of any cost savings will be offset by new business initiatives in areas related to digital distribution and video. The liability for restructuring costs consist of the following (in millions):
Acquisition-Related Restructuring Costs
In connection with the Acquisition that was effective as of March 1, 2004, the Company reviewed its operations and implemented several plans to restructure its operations. As part of these restructuring plans, the Company recorded a restructuring liability of approximately $307 million during 2004. This restructuring liability included costs to exit and consolidate certain activities of the Company, as well as costs to terminate employees and certain artist, songwriters and co-publisher contracts. Such liabilities were recognized as part of the cost of the Acquisition.
Of the total $307 million in restructuring costs recorded by the Company, approximately $164 million related to work-force reductions, including employee termination benefits and relocation costs; approximately $75 million related to costs to terminate certain artist, songwriters and co-publisher contracts; and the balance of approximately $68 million related to other anticipated costs to exit certain leased facilities and operations, such as international distribution operations. The number of employees identified to be involuntarily terminated approximated 1,600.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
As of September 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $15 million of liabilities for Acquisition-related restructuring costs recorded in its balance sheet. These liabilities represent estimates of future cash obligations for all restructuring activities that had been implemented. The outstanding balance of these liabilities primarily relate to extended payment terms for long-term lease obligations for vacated facilities or long-term artist commitments. These remaining lease obligations are expected to be settled by 2019. The Company expects to pay a majority of the remaining costs in fiscal 2009. The liability for Acquisition-related restructuring costs consist of the following (in millions):
(a) Principally relates to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and reduction of the liability related to extended payment terms for long-term lease obligations for vacated facilities.
(b) Excess liabilities during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were either reversed through the statement of operations or were recorded as reductions of the initial purchase price of the Acquisition.
11. Other Current and Noncurrent Liabilities
Other current liabilities consist of the following (in millions):
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Other noncurrent liabilities consist of the following (in millions):
12. Debt
In connection with the Acquisition, the Company incurred $1.650 billion of indebtedness consisting of (i) $1.150 billion of borrowings under the term loan portion of a senior secured credit facility and (ii) $500 million of borrowings under a senior subordinated bridge loan facility (the “Bridge Loan”). A portion of these borrowings was refinanced by WMG Acquisition Corp., a subsidiary of the Company, in April 2004 (the “Acquisition Corp. Refinancing”). In addition, in December 2004, Holdings incurred approximately $700 million of debt to redeem its outstanding shares of cumulative preferred stock and pay a return of capital to the Investor Group (the “Holdings Refinancing”). A portion of this debt was redeemed in June 2005 (the “Holdings Redemption”). The following summarizes the Acquisition Corp. Refinancing, the Company’s debt capitalization as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, the principal terms of the Company’s financing arrangements and the Holdings Refinancing.
The Acquisition Corp. Refinancing
In April 2004, the Company incurred $697 million of indebtedness, consisting of the issuance by Acquisition Corp. of (i) $465 million principal amount of 7.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014, (ii) 100 million Sterling principal amount of 8.125% Senior Subordinated notes due 2014 (U.S. dollar equivalent of $182 million as of April 2004) and (iii) $50 million of additional borrowings under the term loan portion of the Company’s senior secured credit facility.
Together with available cash on hand, such proceeds were used (i) to repay all $500 million of borrowings under the Bridge Loan, (ii) to redeem a portion of the cumulative preferred stock of Holdings in the amount of $202 million and (iii) to pay certain financing-related transaction costs.
Debt Capitalization
As of September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of (in millions):
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
(a) Decrease in term loan balance relates to quarterly repayments under our senior secured credit facility.
(b) Decrease represents the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the carrying value of the Sterling-denominated notes.
(c) Increase represents the accrual of interest on the discount notes in the form of an increase in the accreted value of the discount notes.
Senior Secured Credit Facility
The senior secured credit facility consists of a $1.379 billion outstanding term loan portion and a $250 million revolving credit portion. The term loan portion of the facility matures in February 2011. We are required to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, with excess cash flow or in the event of certain asset sales and casualty and condemnation events and incurrence of debt. We are required to make minimum repayments under the term loan portion of our facility in quarterly principal amounts of approximately $4 million through November 2010, with a remaining balloon payment in February 2011. The revolving credit portion of the senior secured credit facility matures in February 2010. There are no mandatory reductions in borrowing availability for the revolving credit portion of the facility through its term.
Borrowings under both the term loan and revolving credit portion of the senior secured credit facility currently bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) the prime rate of Bank of America, N.A. and (2) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for deposits in the currency of such borrowing for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs. As of September 30, 2008, the applicable margins with respect to base rate borrowings and LIBOR borrowings were 1.25% and 2.25%, respectively, for borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The applicable margins are variable subject to changes in certain leverage ratios. For borrowings under the term loan facility, the margins with respect to the base rate borrowings and LIBOR borrowings are 1.00% and 2.00%, respectively, but will be 0.75% and 1.75%, respectively, if the senior secured debt of Acquisition Corp. is rated at least BB by S&P and Ba2 by Moody’s. As of November 20, 2008 our term loan facility was rated BB by S&P and Ba3 by Moody’s.
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the senior secured credit facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the revolving credit facility in respect of the unutilized commitments. The initial commitment fee rate was 0.5%. As of September 30, 2008, the commitment fee rate was 0.375%. The commitment fee rate is variable subject to changes in our leverage ratio. We also are required to pay customary letter of credit fees, as necessary.
The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to sell assets, incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, repay other indebtedness, pay dividends and distributions or repurchase capital stock, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, make certain acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, amend certain material agreements, change the business conducted by us and enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries. In addition, the senior secured credit facility requires us to maintain the following financial covenants: a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio, which are both tested quarterly for compliance, and a maximum annual expenditures covenant. The maximum total leverage ratio, which decreases over time, was 4.25:1 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and decreases from 4.25:1 to 4.0:1 for the two quarters ending December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009 and from 4.0:1 to 3.75:1 for the two quarters ending June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009. The minimum interest coverage ratio, which increases over time, is 2.75:1 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and increases to 3.0:1 for fiscal 2009.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
Acquisition Corp. has outstanding two tranches of senior subordinated notes due 2014: $465 million principal amount of U.S. dollar-denominated notes and £100 million principal amount of Sterling-denominated notes (collectively, the “Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes”). The Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes mature on April 15, 2014 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.375% per annum on the $465 million dollar notes and 8.125% per annum on the £100 million Sterling-denominated notes. The indenture governing the notes limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; to pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of its capital stock or make other restricted payments; to make certain investments; to sell certain assets; to create liens on certain debt without securing the notes; to consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; to enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and to designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the notes permits us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, and to make certain restricted payments and investments.
Holdings Discount Notes
As of September 30, 2008, Holdings had $231 million of debt on its balance sheet relating to the Holdings Discount Notes, net of issuance discounts. The Holdings Discount Notes were issued at a discount and had an initial accreted value of $630.02 per $1,000 principal amount at maturity. Prior to December 15, 2009, no cash interest payments are required. However, interest accrues on the Holdings Discount Notes in the form of an increase in the accreted value of such notes such that the accreted value of the Holdings Discount Notes will equal the principal amount at maturity of $257 million on December 15, 2009. Thereafter, cash interest on the Holdings Discount Notes is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 9.5% per annum with the initial cash interest payment payable on June 15, 2010. The Holdings Discount Notes mature on December 15, 2014.
The indenture governing the notes limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; to pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of its capital stock or make other restricted payments; to make certain investments; to sell certain assets; to create liens on certain debt without securing the notes; to consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; to enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and to designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the notes permits us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, and to make certain restricted payments and investments.
Restricted Net Assets
The Company is a holding company with no independent operations or assets other than through its interests in its subsidiaries, such as Holdings and Acquisition Corp. Accordingly, the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its subsidiaries is restricted by the senior secured credit facility of Acquisition Corp., the indenture for the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes, and the indenture for the Holdings Discount Notes.
Interest Expense and Maturities
Total interest expense was $192 million, $199 million, and $194 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate of the Company’s total debt at September 30, 2008 and 2007 was 7.12% and 7.43%, respectively.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Based on the amount of debt outstanding as of September 30, 2008, annual repayments of long-term debt of $17 million are required for 2009 - 2010, with an additional repayment of $4 million in 2010 and a balloon payment of $1.341 billion in 2011.
Fair Value of Debt
Based on the level of interest rates prevailing at September 30, 2008, the carrying value of the Company’s fixed-rate debt exceeded the fair value by approximately $331 million. Unrealized gains or losses on debt do not result in the realization or expenditure of cash and generally are not recognized for financial reporting purposes unless the debt is retired prior to its maturity.
13. Income Taxes
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the domestic and foreign pretax income (loss) from continuing operations is as follows (in millions):
Current and deferred income taxes (tax benefits) provided are as follows (in millions):
(a) Includes cash withholding taxes of $15 million, $14 million and $15 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and income taxes provided are as follows (in millions):
(a) Includes residual U.S. tax on certain foreign income not permanently reinvested for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.
During the year ended September 30, 2008, the Company incurred losses in certain foreign territories and have offset the tax benefit associated with these losses with a valuation allowance as the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that these losses will not be utilized. During the year ended September 30, 2006, the Company utilized a portion of its U.S. deferred tax assets for which no benefit has been previously recorded. The balance of the U.S. tax attributes remaining at the end of September 30, 2008 continues to be offset by a full valuation allowance as the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that these attributes will not be utilized. Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets/(liabilities) are summarized below (in millions):
At September 30, 2008, $159 million of the total valuation allowance of $390 million is related to deferred tax assets that were recorded in purchase accounting, which when released will be reversed through goodwill.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
At September 30, 2008, the Company has U.S. federal tax net operating loss carryforwards of $203 million, which will begin to expire in fiscal year 2024 and tax net operating losses in certain U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions expiring in various periods. In addition, the Company has foreign tax credit carryforwards for U.S. tax purposes of $70 million, which will begin to expire in 2014.
U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have not been recorded on permanently reinvested earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries of approximately $731 million at September 30, 2008. As such, no federal income taxes have been provided for these undistributed earnings. Should these earnings be distributed, foreign tax credits, subject to various limitations, would be available to reduce the additional federal income tax that would be payable. Availability of these credits is subject to limitations which make it impracticable to estimate the amount of the ultimate deferred tax liability, if any, on these accumulated foreign earnings.
On October 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing application of a more likely than not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions. FIN 48 also prescribes guidance on measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, and disclosures. Upon adoption of FIN 48, the Company recorded a cumulative adjustment of $3 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. As of the date of adoption, the Company had $1 million of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company classifies interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. As of the date of adoption and September 30, 2008, the Company had accrued no material interest or penalties.
At September 30, 2008, the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions was $1 million of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. There were no material changes to the reserve for uncertain tax positions during the current fiscal year. The Company does not expect the total reserve for uncertain tax positions to change significantly during the next fiscal year; however, events may occur that could cause the Company’s current expectations to change in the future.
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service has commenced a routine examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2004 through September 30, 2006.
14. Pensions
Certain international employees, such as those in Germany and Japan, participate in locally sponsored defined benefit plans, which are not considered to be material in the aggregate and have a combined projected benefit obligation of approximately $43 million as of September 30, 2008 and 2007. Pension benefits under the plans are based on formulas that reflect the employees’ years of service and compensation levels during their employment period. The Company had an aggregate pension liability relating to these plans of approximately $28 million recorded in its balance sheets as of September 30, 2008 and 2007.
The FASB recently issued FASB Statement No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)”, (“FAS 158”), which the Company adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. FAS 158 requires all companies to recognize the funded status of plans on the balance sheet. Under FAS 158, all underfunded plans are aggregated and recorded as a liability and all overfunded plans are aggregated and recorded as an asset. The company recorded an adjustment to reflect the implementation of FAS 158, which resulted in an other pension asset of $1 million and additional pension liability of $3 million, and an other comprehensive income of $2 million. The Company also recorded related tax adjustments of approximately $2 million.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
FAS 158 also eliminated the early measurement date option previously permitted under the related guidance. The Company implemented this change in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
For each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, pension expense amounted to $3 million.
Certain employees also participate in pre-tax defined contribution plans. The Company’s contributions to the defined contribution plans are based upon a percentage of the employees’ elected contributions. The Company’s defined contribution plan expense amounted to approximately $5 million, $2 million and $3 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
15. Stock-Based Compensation Plans
LTIP and Individual Stock Option and Restricted Stock Agreements
In 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a form of LTIP stock option agreement for grants of options to eligible individuals. Eligible individuals include any employee, director or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliates, or any other entity designated by Warner Music Group’s Board of Directors in which the Company has an interest, who is selected by the Company’s compensation committee to receive an award. The board authorized the granting of options to purchase up to 1,355,066 shares of common stock pursuant to the LTIP program. The Company has granted options and may grant additional stock options under the LTIP stock option agreements to certain members of current or future management. The board also approved the sale of 5,676,300 restricted shares of the Company’s stock, the awarding of 2,629,091 restricted shares of the Company’s stock, and the granting of options to purchase 3,701,850 shares of the Company’s common stock under stock option agreements with certain members of management. Individual option agreements and options granted under the LTIP program generally will have a 10-year term and the exercise price will equal at least 100% of the fair market value on the date of the grant. With respect to each option granted pursuant to individual option agreements or a LTIP stock option agreement, one-third of the shares covered by the option generally vest and become exercisable in four equal installments on the day prior to each of first through fourth anniversaries of the effective date of the LTIP stock option agreement, subject to the employee’s continued employment. Two-thirds of the shares covered by the options vested in fiscal 2006 and 2005 and became exercisable based on the occurrence of both a service condition and a performance condition. All of the performance-based requirements have been achieved for all of these grants, therefore, only the service condition remains as a vesting requirement.
2005 Omnibus Stock Plan
In May 2005, the board adopted the 2005 Omnibus Stock Plan, or 2005 Plan, which authorized the granting of stock based awards to purchase up to 3,416,133 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2005 Plan was amended and restated as of February 23, 2007 and again as of February 26, 2008. The 2008 amendment increased the maximum number of shares available for awards under the plan to 19,916,133 shares. Under the 2005 Plan, the Board of Directors or the compensation committee will administer the plan and has the power to make awards, to determine when and to whom awards will be granted, the form of each award, the amount of each award, and any other terms or conditions of each award consistent with the terms of the 2005 Plan. Awards may be made to employees, directors and others as set forth in the 2005 Plan. The types of awards that may be granted include restricted and unrestricted stock, incentive and non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units and other stock based awards. Eligible employees include any employee who does not already have any other equity participation in the Company. Options granted generally have a 10-year term, the exercise price will equal at least 100% of the fair market value on the date of the grant and generally vest in four equal installments on the day prior to each of first through fourth anniversaries of the effective date of the stock option agreement, subject to the employee’s continued employment.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Stock Options
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option awards for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008:
The share options that were vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2008 have an aggregate intrinsic value of $7.0 million and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 6.23 years.
The Company granted its employees stock option awards as follows:
Assumptions
In calculating the compensation expense for options granted, we utilize a binomial lattice-based model for the valuation of stock option grants. For options granted prior to January 2005, the fair value of option grants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Assumptions utilized in the model, which are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience, were as follows:
Because lattice-based option valuation models incorporate ranges of assumptions for inputs, the weighted average of those assumptions are disclosed in the preceding table. Expected volatilities are based on comparative company historical stock price volatility. In periods when sufficient historical data is available, the Company will calculate its expected volatility based on its own stock price. We use historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination patterns within the valuation model. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Option Exercises
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, employees exercised 141,064 and 458,956 stock options with a total intrinsic value of $0.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Total cash received from stock option exercises in 2008 and 2007 was $0.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock
The following is a summary of the Company’s restricted stock awards for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008:
The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted shares awarded in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $4.28, $18.08, and $24.71, respectively.
The total fair value of the restricted shares that vested in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $6.9 million, $5.9 million and $7.4 million, respectively.
Compensation Expense
The Company recognized non-cash compensation expense related to its stock-based compensation plans of $11 million, $10 million and $16 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. In addition, as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $20.6 million and $12.1 million, respectively, of unrecognized compensation costs related to its unvested stock option and restricted stock awards. The weighted average period over which total compensation related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized in 2.0 years.
16. Related Party Transactions
Arrangements with the Investor Group and its Affiliates
The Company entered into publicity, advertising and promotional arrangements with a certain television corporation that is owned by a member of the Investor Group. This arrangement resulted in $15 million of expenses during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 and resulted from a negotiation that, in management’s view, reflects market rates. The Company also entered into a consulting agreement with an affiliate of the Investor Group, which resulted in $1 million of expense during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.
Distribution Arrangements with Related Parties
In the normal course of business the Company enters into arrangements to distribute the products of third parties. In addition, the Company enters into joint ventures, and the Company distributes the products of certain companies that are its joint venture partners. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the Company recorded revenues of $3 million, $5 million and $6 million, respectively, in the statement of operations related to these arrangements. Such distribution arrangements are negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and reflect market rates.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
17. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company occupies various facilities and uses certain equipment under many operating leases. Net rent expense was approximately $35 million, $35 million, and $33 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
At September 30, 2008, future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases (net of sublease income) are as follows (in millions):
The future minimum payments reflect the amounts owed under lease arrangements and do not include any fair market value adjustments that may have been recorded as a result of the Acquisition.
Guaranteed Minimum Talent Advances
The Company routinely enters into long-term commitments with artists, songwriters and co-publishers for the future delivery of music product. Aggregate firm commitments to such talent approximated $439 million and $424 million as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Such commitments are payable principally over a ten-year period, generally upon delivery of albums from the artists or future musical compositions by songwriters and co-publishers.
Other
Other off-balance sheet, firm commitments, which include letters of credit and minimum funding commitments to investees, amounted to approximately $29 million and $12 million at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Litigation
Pricing of Digital Music Downloads
On December 20, 2005 and February 3, 2006, the Attorney General of the State of New York served the Company with requests for information in connection with an industry-wide investigation as to whether the practices of industry participants concerning the pricing of digital music downloads violate Section 1 of the Sherman Act, New York State General Business Law §§ 340 et seq., New York Executive Law §63(12), and related statutes. On February 28, 2006, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice served the Company with a request for information in the form of a Civil Investigative Demand as to whether its activities relating to the pricing of digitally downloaded music violate Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The Company has
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
provided documents and other information in response to these requests and intends to continue to fully cooperate with the New York Attorney General’s and Department of Justice’s industry-wide inquiries. Subsequent to the announcements of the above governmental investigations, more than thirty putative class action lawsuits concerning the pricing of digital music downloads have been filed. On August 15, 2006, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated these actions for pre-trial proceedings in the Southern District of New York. The consolidated amended complaint, filed on April 13, 2007, alleges conspiracy among record companies to delay the release of their content for digital distribution, inflate their pricing of CDs and fix prices for digital downloads. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory, statutory and treble damages. All defendants, including the Company, filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on July 30, 2007. On October 9, 2008, the District Court issued an order dismissing the case as to all defendants, including the Company. On November 20, 2008, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal from the order of the District Court to the Circuit Court for the Second Circuit. The Company intends to continue to defend against these lawsuits, including the appeal, vigorously, but is unable to predict the outcome of these suits. Any litigation the Company may become involved in as a result of the inquiries of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, regardless of the merits of the claim, could be costly and divert the time and resources of management.
Other Matters
In addition to the matter discussed above, the Company is involved in other litigation arising in the normal course of business. Management does not believe that any legal proceedings pending against the Company will have, individually, or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its business. However, the Company cannot predict with certainty the outcome of any litigation or the potential for future litigation. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on the Company, including its brand value, because of defense costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
18. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company has exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates relating to the cash flows generated by its international operations and exposure to changes in interest rates relating to floating-rate borrowings under its senior secured credit facility. Consequently, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage such risks. The following is a summary of the Company’s risk management strategies and the effect of those strategies on the Company’s financial statements.
Interest Rate Risk Management
The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage the floating to fixed-rate proportion of its debt portfolio. In particular, under its senior secured credit facility, the Company was required to maintain a fixed-to-floating debt ratio of at least 50% of its actual funded debt through April 2007. The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements in order to hedge the variability of expected future cash interest payments. Under interest rate swap agreements, the Company agrees to receive floating-rate payments (based on three-month LIBOR rates) in exchange for fixed-rate payments for a fixed term through May 2009. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had total notional amounts hedged under these agreements of $897 million.
The interest rate swap agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges of the associated variability in future interest payments. As such, the agreements have been recorded at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related gains or losses on the agreements are deferred in shareholder’s deficit (as a component of comprehensive income (loss)). These deferred gains and losses are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense in the period in which the related interest payments being hedged are made and recognized in income. However, to the extent that any of these contracts are not considered to be perfectly effective in offsetting the change in the amount of the interest payments being hedged, any changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion of these contracts would be immediately recognized in income. The Company has not had any ineffective amounts related to interest rate swaps.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company recognized approximately $8 million of interest expense and $10 million of income on its interest rate swap agreements, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which have been classified as a component of interest expense in the accompanying statement of operations. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized approximately $6 million of income on its interest rate swap agreements, which have been classified as a component of interest expense in the accompanying statement of operations. The Company has not recognized any material gains or losses relating to the ineffective portion of the agreements. At September 30, 2008 and 2007 the Company had deferred $11 million and $4 million of net losses, respectively, on its interest rate swap agreements in shareholders’ deficit. The $11 million of net losses for 2008 is expected to be recognized in fiscal year 2009.
The Company monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are party to any of its financial transactions. Credit risk related to interest rate swaps is considered low because swaps are entered into with strong creditworthy counterparties and are limited to the net interest payments due/payable for the remaining life of the swap.
Foreign Currency Risk Management
Historically, the Company has used, and continues to use, foreign exchange contracts and foreign exchange options primarily to hedge the risk that unremitted or future royalties and license fees owed to its domestic companies for the sale, or anticipated sale, of U.S.-copyrighted products abroad may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company focuses on managing the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on its major currencies, which include the euro, British pound sterling, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Swedish krona and Australian dollar. In addition, the Company currently hedges foreign currency risk associated with financing transactions such as third party and inter-company debt and other balance sheet items.
For royalty related hedges, the Company records foreign exchange contracts at fair value on its balance sheet and the related gains or losses on these contracts are deferred in shareholder’s deficit (as a component of comprehensive income (loss)). These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related royalties and license fees being hedged are received and recognized in income. However, to the extent that any of these contracts are not considered to be perfectly effective in offsetting the change in the value of the royalties and license fees being hedged, any changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion of these contracts are immediately recognized in income, and have been immaterial. For hedges of financing transactions and other balance sheet items, hedge gains and losses are taken directly to the statement of operations since there is an equal and offsetting statement of operations entry related to the underlying exposure. Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts generally are included as a component of other income (expense), net, in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
As of September 30, 2008, the Company had outstanding hedge contracts for the sale of $542 million and the purchase of $158 million of foreign currencies at fixed rates. Further, as of September 30, 2008, the Company did not have any deferred net gains or losses in comprehensive income (loss) related to foreign exchange hedging. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had outstanding hedge contracts for the sale of $472 million and the purchase of $173 million of foreign currencies at fixed rates. Further, as of September 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $3 million of deferred net losses in comprehensive income (loss) related to foreign exchange hedging.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
19. Segment Information
As discussed more fully in Note 1, based on the nature of its products and services, the Company classifies its business interests into two fundamental operations: recorded music and music publishing. Information as to each of these operations is set forth below. The Company evaluates performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating income (loss) before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets, non-cash amortization of intangible assets and non-cash impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets (“OIBDA”). The Company has supplemented its analysis of OIBDA results by segment with an analysis of operating income (loss) by segment.
The accounting policies of the Company’s business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included elsewhere herein. The Company accounts for intersegment sales at fair value as if the sales were to third parties. While intercompany transactions are treated like third-party transactions to determine segment performance, the revenues (and corresponding expenses recognized by the segment that is counterparty to the transaction) are eliminated in consolidation, therefore, do not themselves impact consolidated results.
(a) The comparability of OIBDA and of operating income (loss) by business segment for fiscal 2007 has been affected by restructuring costs of $50 million. Of such amounts, $46 million related to Recorded Music, $2 million related to Music Publishing and $2 million related to Corporate expenses and eliminations. OIBDA and operating income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 also included a benefit of $64 million of other income related to the settlement of contingent claims held by us to Bertlesmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000-2001. Of such amount, $61 million related to Recorded Music and $3 million related to Music Publishing.
Warner Music Group Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Audited Financial Statements-(Continued)
Revenues and total assets relating to operations in different geographical areas are set forth below. (Note that Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer)
20. Additional Financial Information
Cash Interest and Taxes
The Company made interest payments of approximately $149 million, $136 million, and $141 million during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. The Company paid approximately $69 million, $59 million, and $66 million of foreign income and withholding taxes in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. The Company received $17 million, $15 million, and $11 million of foreign income tax refunds in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Non-cash Transactions
There were no significant non-cash activities for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
21. Subsequent Event
On October 22, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its remaining equity stake in Front Line to Ticketmaster for $123 million in cash. The transaction closed on October 29, 2008 and the Company will realize a gain during the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
WARNER MUSIC GROUP
2008 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
The following table sets forth the quarterly information for Warner Music Group (in millions, except per share data).
(a) The Company’s business is seasonal. Therefore quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.
(b) The fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 includes $3 million related to the settlement of a copyright infringement lawsuit with KaZaa.
WARNER MUSIC GROUP
2007 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
The following table sets forth the quarterly information for Warner Music Group (in millions, except per share data).
(a) The Company’s business is seasonal. Therefore quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.
(b) The three months ended September 30, 2007, June 30, 2007, and March 31, 2007 include certain restructuring costs mainly related to severance costs incurred with our realignment plan.
(c) The fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 include $64 million related to the settlement of contingent claims held by us relating to Bertelsmann’s relationship with Napster in 2000 through 2001.
WARNER MUSIC GROUP CORP.
Supplementary Information
Consolidating Financial Statements
The Company is the direct parent of Holdings, which is the direct parent of Acquisition Corp. Holdings has issued and outstanding the Holdings Discount Notes. The Holdings Discount Notes are guaranteed by the Company. These guarantees are full, unconditional, joint and several. The following condensed consolidating financial statements are presented for the information of the holders of the Holdings Discount Notes and present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of (i) the Company, which is the guarantor of the Holdings Discount Notes, (ii) Holdings, which is the issuer of the Holdings Discount Notes, (ii) the subsidiaries of Holdings (Acquisition Corp. is the only direct subsidiary of Holdings) and (iii) the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. Investments in consolidated or combined subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting.
The Company and Holdings are holding companies that conduct substantially all of their business operations through Acquisition Corp. Accordingly, the ability of the Company and Holdings to obtain funds from their subsidiaries is restricted by the senior secured credit facility of Acquisition Corp., the indenture for the Acquisition Corp. Senior Subordinated Notes, and, with respect to the Company, the indenture for the Holdings Discount Notes.
Consolidating Balance Sheet
September 30, 2008
Consolidating Balance Sheet
September 30, 2007
Consolidating Statement of Operations
For The Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008
Consolidating Statement of Operations
For The Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2007
Consolidating Statement of Operations
For The Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For The Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For The Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2007
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For The Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006
WARNER MUSIC GROUP CORP.
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Certification
The certifications of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer (or persons performing similar functions) required by Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Certifications”) are filed as exhibits to this report. This section of the report contains the information concerning the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) (“Disclosure Controls”) and changes to internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) (“Internal Controls”) referred to in the Certifications and this information should be read in conjunction with the Certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.
Introduction
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules define “disclosure controls and procedures” as controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by public companies in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by public companies in the reports that they file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to a company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules define “internal control over financial reporting” as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, a public company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, including those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls or Internal Controls will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the limitations in any and all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. Further, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of these inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected even when effective Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls are in place.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our Disclosure Controls provided reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act will be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, including that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our Internal Controls over financial reporting or other factors during the year and quarter ended September 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Internal Controls.
In an effort to make our information technology, or IT, more efficient and increase our IT capabilities and reduce potential disruptions, as well as generate cost savings, we signed a contract during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 with a third-party service provider to outsource a significant portion of our IT functions. We will begin transitioning work to the service provider in December 2008, and the transition will continue through the following 18 months. The outsourcing arrangements are expected to enhance the cost efficiency of these administrative functions. The outsourcing of these functions will have an immediate effect with regard to the responsibilities for the performance of certain processes and internal controls over financial reporting. We anticipate that internal controls over financial reporting could be further impacted in the future as these outsourced functions benefit from expected innovations and improvements from our service provider.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is located on page 81 of this report and Ernst & Young LLP’s Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is located on page 82 of this report.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B is not applicable and has been omitted.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
In addition to the information set forth under the caption “Executive Officers” in Part I of this Form 10-K, the information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the fiscal 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the fiscal 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the fiscal 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the fiscal 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the fiscal 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The Financial Statements listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedule
The Financial Statements Schedule listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a)(3) Exhibits
See Item 15(b) below.
(b) Exhibits
* Exhibit omits certain information that has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a confidential treatment request pursuant to Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
** Filed herewith.
*** Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-8212, this certification will be treated as “accompanying” this Annual Report on Form 10-K and not “filed” as part of such report for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, and this certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
(1) Incorporated by reference to WMG Acquisition Corp.’s Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-121322).
(2) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 001-32502).
(3) Incorporated by reference to WMG Acquisition Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-121322)
(4) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-123249).
(5) Incorporated by reference to WMG Acquisition Corp.’s Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-121322).
(6) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-123249).
(7) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2005 (File No. 001-32502).
(8) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-123249).
(9) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-126786-01).
(10) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 3, 2005 (File No. 001-32502).
(11) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 27, 2005 (File No. 001-32502).
(12) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 (File No. 001-32502).
(13) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 23, 2005 (File No. 001-32502).
(14) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2006 (File No. 001-32502).
(15) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2006 (File No. 001-32502).
(16) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 (File No. 001-32502)
(17) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007 (File No. 001-32502).
(18) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 (File No. 001-32502).
(19) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2007 (File No. 001-32502).
(20) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 (File No. 001-32502).
(21) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 001-32502).
(22) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2008 (File No. 001-32502).
(23) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2008 (File No. 001-32502).
(24) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2008 (File No. 001-32502).
(25) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 16, 2008 (File No. 001-32502).
(26) Incorporated by reference to Warner Music Group Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2008 (File No. 001-32502).
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on November 25, 2008.
WARNER MUSIC GROUP CORP.
By:
/s/ EDGAR BRONFMAN, JR.
Name:
Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
Title:
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)
By:
/s/ STEVEN MACRI
Name:
Steven Macri
Title:
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints jointly and severally, Paul M. Robinson and Trent N. Tappe, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to the this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on November 25, 2008.
Signature
Title
/S/ EDGAR BRONFMAN, JR.
Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ STEVEN MACRI
Steven Macri
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ SHELBY W. BONNIE
Shelby W. Bonnie
Director
/s/ RICHARD BRESSLER
Richard Bressler
Director
/s/ JOHN P. CONNAUGHTON
John P. Connaughton
Director
/s/ PHYLLIS E. GRANN
Phyllis E. Grann
Director
/s/ MICHELE J. HOOPER
Michele J. Hooper
Director