UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017

OR

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 001-32750

 

SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(310) 893-0550

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No   ☒

The registrant had 32,176,023 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of August 2, 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

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SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

Table of Contents to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

 

 

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

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SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes

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SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

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SPARK NETWORKS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The Company

Spark Networks, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) creates communities that help individuals form life-long relationships with others that share their interests and values. The Company’s core properties, JDate and Christian Mingle, are communities geared towards singles of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Through the Company’s websites and mobile applications, the Company helps members search for and communicate with other like-minded individuals.

Our online singles properties provide users with three key services: searching for compatible individuals with whom to potentially form long-term relationships; validating compatibility through profiles, viewing photographs and understanding likes and characteristics; and communicating via one of our numerous communications platforms designed to foster relationships.

Membership on our online singles websites or mobile applications is free and allows registered members to post personal profiles and take advantage of our search and validation features. With the exception of JSwipe, which employs a “freemium” model, the ability to initiate communication with other members requires payment in the form of a monthly subscription fee. These subscription fees are our primary source of revenue. We typically offer discounted subscription rates to those members who subscribe for periods longer than one month. Subscriptions renew automatically until subscribers terminate them.

The common stock of Spark Networks, Inc. is traded on the NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol LOV.

Merger Agreement with Affinitas GmbH (“Elite Singles”)

On May 2, 2017, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Affinitas GmbH, a German limited company (“Affinitas”), Blitz 17-655 SE, a European stock corporation (Societas Europaea, SE) with its corporate seat in Germany (“New Parent”), and Chardonnay Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of New Parent (“Merger Sub”) (the “Merger Agreement”). The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, and the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of New Parent (the “Merger”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the date and time when the Merger becomes effective (the “Effective Time”), stockholders of the Company will have the right to receive, in respect to each share of common stock of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, a number of American Depositary Shares of New Parent (“New Parent ADSs”) equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below).  Each New Parent ADS will equal 0.1 shares of ordinary no-par value registered shares of New Parent (“New Parent Ordinary Shares”).  Following the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock will cease to be outstanding, will be canceled, and will cease to exist.  “Exchange Ratio” means 0.1, unless any of the warrants to purchase Company Common Stock (the “Company Warrants”) issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2016, by and between the Company and PEAK6 Investments, L.P., are exercised, in which case “Exchange Ratio” means (i) 0.1 multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective Time less the number of shares of Company Common Stock issued pursuant to any Company Warrants, and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective Time.

The Merger Agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Time upon certain conditions as set forth in the Merger Agreement.  

Consummation of the Merger is subject to customary conditions, including, among others things, approval by the Company’s stockholders.

Upon consummation of the Merger, the board of directors of the New Parent (the “New Parent Board”) will be composed of (i) three directors to be selected by Affinitas prior to the filing of the preliminary Registration Statement (as defined below), (ii) one director to be selected by the Company prior to the filing of the Registration Statement and (iii) three directors as mutually agreed by the Company and Affinitas prior to the filing of the Registration Statement.

As promptly as practicable after the date of the Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company will take all action necessary in accordance with applicable laws to duly call, set a record date for, give notice of, convene, and hold a meeting of the holders of Company Common Stock (the “Stockholder Meeting”).  The Company has agreed to cause the Stockholder Meeting to be held for the purpose of voting upon a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement and Merger.

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Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, New Parent and Affinitas, in cooperation with the Company, have agreed to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”) pursuant to which the shares of New Parent Ordinary Shares issuable pursuant to the Merger will be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act, and the Company will prepare a proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to the approval and adoption by the Company’s stockholders at the Stockholder Meeting of the Merger Agreement, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) for inclusion in the Registration Statement as a prospectus, and to be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement.  The Company has agreed to use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as soon after filing as practicable, and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby. Further, the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to its shareholders as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

Upon certain events, if the Merger Agreement is terminated by the Company, then the Company is obligated to pay Affinitas a one-time fee equal to the greater of (i) $1,500,000 or (ii) the fees and expenses of Affinitas related to the Merger.

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, (i) certain stockholders of the Company entered into voting agreements with the Company pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, among other things, to vote their shares of Company Common Stock in favor of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) all stockholders of Affinitas entered into a support agreement pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, among other things, to vote their shares of Affinitas stock in favor of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring items, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods shown. The results of operations for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or for any future periods.

The consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Annual Report”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the 2016 Annual Report.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, cost of revenue, prepaid advertising, website and software development costs, goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets, legal contingencies, income taxes and stock-based compensation. In addition, management uses assumptions when employing the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate the fair value of granted stock-based awards. Management bases its estimates of the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, when these carrying values are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

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In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 provides for a single, principles-based model for revenue recognition that replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance. Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (“ASU 2016-08”); ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (“ASU 2016-10”); ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (“ASU 2016-12”); and ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2016-20”). The Company must adopt ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 with ASU 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standard”). In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date by one year for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption as of the original effective date of December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods) is permitted. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years, and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. Management currently expects to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018, utilizing the full retrospective application. As predominantly all of the performance obligations in the Company’s revenue arrangements include access to services provided over a contractual period consistent with current guidance, management does not expect the adoption of the new revenue standard to have a material impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized in its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which is intended to improve financial reporting for lease transactions by increasing transparency and comparability among organizations. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize the following at the commencement date for all leases with lease terms of more than 12 months: (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently assessing the impact the guidance will have upon adoption.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends the existing guidance in Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies various aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liability, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under ASU No. 2016-09, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as a component of the income tax provision in the reporting period in which they occur. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal periods, with early adoption permitted. Management has adopted ASU No. 2016-09 prospectively effective January 1, 2017. As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s deferred tax assets included a reduction of federal and state net operating losses attributed to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation which had not been previously recognized of $5.3 million. As the Company maintains a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017 resulted in no impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses several specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal periods, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently assessing the impact the guidance will have upon adoption.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included within cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The guidance in ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal periods, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently assessing the impact the guidance will have upon adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating the second step of the existing two-step goodwill impairment test. The guidance in ASU No. 2017-04 eliminates the requirement for an entity to determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill. Instead, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit. The guidance in ASU No. 2017-04 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied using a prospective approach. Management has adopted ASU No. 2017-04 effective January 1, 2017, and does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2017-04 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which provides clarity and reduces diversity in practice when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The guidance in ASU No. 2017-09 requires an entity to apply modification accounting for share-based payment awards unless (a) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, (b) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, and (c) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The guidance in ASU No. 2017-09 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal periods, with early adoption permitted.  Management is currently assessing the impact the guidance will have upon adoption.

Basic net (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) earnings available to common stockholders by the diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding.

Dilutive net (loss) earnings per share includes any dilutive impact of stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted stock units. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, all stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted stock units outstanding during the period were excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss) earnings per share because they would have been anti-dilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2016, approximately 594,000 shares related to potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, all stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted stock units outstanding during the period were excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss) earnings per share because they would have been anti-dilutive.

The elements used in the computation of basic and diluted net (loss) earnings per share were as follows:

 

 

As of January 22, 2016, the Company and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, as co-borrowers, had a $10.0 million two-year Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Western Alliance Bank, as lender (the “Bank”).  

On June 5, 2017, the Company terminated its loan and security agreement represented by the Credit Agreement. In connection with the termination of the Credit Agreement, the Company paid $5,000 in fees.

In connection with the original Credit Agreement, the Company paid deferred financing costs, which were amortized on a straight-line basis to interest expense and other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Amortization expense for the deferred financing costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $49,000 and $64,000 respectively. Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $12,000 and $20,000 respectively. At June 30, 2017, all deferred financing costs are fully amortized.

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During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company impaired $15,000 and $24,000, respectively, of long-lived assets primarily related to the unamortized balance of domain names and computer software that failed to perform to Company standards. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company impaired $52,000 and $91,000 of long-lived assets primarily related to capitalized software development costs associated with certain products that failed to perform to Company standards.

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

On December 12, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, including pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, at prices that the Company deems appropriate and subject to market conditions, applicable law, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other factors deemed relevant in the Company’s sole discretion. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any dollar amount or any number of shares of common stock, and the program may be suspended, discontinued or modified at any time, for any reason and without notice. Since December 12, 2013, the Company has repurchased 559,401 shares of common stock for $2.4 million. All stock repurchased has been retired.

On April 6, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the expansion of the repurchase program such that total availability increased from $2.6 million to $5.0 million. During the three and sixth months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not make any stock repurchases.

Employee Stock Option Plan

The Company maintains two share-based employee compensation plans: the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) and the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan serves as the successor to the 2007 Plan and became effective as of May 11, 2017.  Outstanding awards under the 2007 Plan continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the 2007 Plan, as described below. Since May 11, 2017, no additional securities have been nor will be in the future issued under the 2007 Plan.

On July 9, 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Plan, which initially authorized and reserved 2.5 million shares of common stock to be issued under the plan. In connection with the Company’s Scheme of Arrangement, the 2004 Share Option Plan was frozen; however, all outstanding shares previously granted thereunder continue in full force and effect.

Pursuant to the 2007 Plan’s “evergreen” provision, on the first day of each calendar year beginning in 2009, the number of shares reserved and available for issuance will be increased by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 2,000,000 shares, (ii) four percent (4%) of the number of outstanding shares of Company common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, or (iii) an amount determined by the Board of Directors. As of June 30, 2017, the 2007 Plan had 7.4 million shares authorized for issuance.

Awards under the 2007 Plan may include incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted shares of common stock, restricted stock units, performance stock or unit awards, other stock-based awards and cash-based incentive awards.

The Compensation Committee may grant an award to a participant. The terms and conditions of the award, including the quantity, price, vesting periods and other conditions on exercise will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

The exercise price for stock options will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, but may not be less than 100% of the closing sale price of one share of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE MKT (or any other applicable exchange on which the stock is listed) on the date when the stock option is granted. Additionally, in the case of incentive stock options granted to a holder of more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company on the date of grant, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the closing sale price of one share of common stock on the date the stock option is granted.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company granted 168,000 non-qualified stock options to the Board of Directors, of which 25% of the non-qualified stock options vest each fiscal quarter such that all options are vested by December 31, 2017. The Company also granted approximately 1.2 million non-qualified stock options to several employees, of which 25% of the non-qualified stock options vest on the first year anniversary and 12.5% of the remaining options vest every six months thereafter.

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For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compensation expense for stock options was $64,000 and $120,000, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, compensation expense for stock options was $65,000 and $114,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, there was $633,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of three years.

Trigger Price Options

Trigger price options awarded under the 2007 Plan entitle the shareholder the right to receive common stock or the value thereof in the future subject to restrictions imposed in connection with the award.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compensation expense for trigger price options was $3,000 and $10,000, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, compensation expense for trigger price options was $61,000 and $130,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, there was $1,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to trigger price options, which will be fully recognized by July 31, 2017.

Stock Option and Trigger Price Option Activity

The following table describes employee stock and trigger price option activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 (in thousands, except Weighted Average Price per Share and Aggregate Intrinsic Value):

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted shares awarded under the 2007 Plan entitle the shareholder the right to vote the restricted shares, the right to receive and retain cash dividends paid or distributed with respect to the restricted shares, and all other rights as a holder of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company did not award any restricted stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is recognized over the requisite service period of two years. The Company recognizes share-based compensation on a graded or straight-line basis depending on the terms of the award. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, there was no compensation expense for restricted stock awards. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, compensation expense for restricted stock awards was $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) awarded under the 2007 Plan entitle the shareholder the right to receive common stock or the value thereof in the future subject to restrictions imposed in connection with the award.

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During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company entered into agreements with several executive officers and employees whereby the Company may grant up to 267,000 RSUs based upon the achievement of certain performance-based goals at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. As of June 30, 2017, the Compensation Committee determined these awards would not be granted. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, no compensation expense was recognized for these RSUs. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, compensation expense for these RSUs was $54,000 and $108,000, respectively.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company also granted an executive officer and an employee approximately 52,000 RSUs, which vested immediately. The total compensation expense recognized for these RSUs during the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $159,000.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized compensation expense of $154,000 and $308,000, respectively, related to awards granted to the Board of Directors during the fourth quarter of 2015, of which 25% of the RSUs subject to the award vest each quarter such that all RSUs were vested by November 30, 2016.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company granted approximately 367,000 RSUs to the Board of Directors in addition to cash fees for the fiscal quarters of 2017. The RSUs vest 25% on each fiscal quarter such that all RSUs are vested by December 31, 2017. Following the election of directors on the Board of Directors at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company granted an additional 26,000 RSUs and approximately 60,000 RSUs were cancelled as a result of the changes in committee membership on the Company’s Board of Directors.  The additional RSUs vest 33% on each fiscal quarter such that all RSUs are vested by December 31, 2017. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compensation expense was $78,000 and $175,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, there was $156,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to these RSUs, which will be fully recognized by December 31, 2017.

Following the acquisition of Smooch Labs (“Smooch”), the Company entered into agreements with Smooch employees whereby the Company agreed, subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, to grant each employee a certain number of RSUs based upon the achievement of certain performance-based goals. For fiscal year 2017, the amount of RSUs available to each such employee is $25,000 divided by the trailing volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s shares for the 20 trading days preceding the beginning of fiscal year 2017. Any RSUs granted upon achievement of the performance conditions shall be fully vested on grant. Compensation expense for restricted stock units is recognized over the requisite service period of five quarters and will be adjusted in subsequent reporting periods if the estimated level of achievement of the performance goals changes. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compensation expense for RSUs was $40,000, which is based on management’s estimated level of achievement of the performance goals. Achievement of this estimated level of performance would result in the grant of 100,000 RSUs. Considerable judgment is required in assessing the estimated level of achievement of the performance goals. Accordingly, use of different assumptions or estimates could result in different compensation expense. As of June 30, 2017, there was $60,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs which will be fully recognized by March 31, 2018.

Stockholder Rights Plan

In July 2007, the Company adopted a stockholder rights plan. The rights accompany each share of common stock of the Company and are evidenced by ownership of common stock. The rights are not exercisable except upon the occurrence of certain takeover-related events. Once triggered, the rights would entitle the stockholders, other than a person qualifying as an “Acquiring Person” pursuant to the rights plan, to purchase additional common stock at a 50% discount to their fair market value. The rights issued under the rights plan may be redeemed by the Board of Directors at a nominal redemption price of $0.001 per right, and the Board of Directors may amend the rights in any respect until the rights are triggered.

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Amendment to Bylaws

On September 23, 2016, the Board of Directors approved the amended and restated bylaws of the Company (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), effective the same date. In order to preserve certain tax benefits of the Company, the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws add Article VII, which imposes certain restrictions on the transfer of the Company’s securities (the “Tax Benefit Preservation Provision”). The transfer restrictions apply until the earlier of (i) the repeal of Section 382 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “IRC”), or any successor statute if the Board of Directors determines that the Tax Benefit Preservation Provision is no longer necessary to preserve the tax benefits of the Company; (ii) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board of Directors determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward; or (iii) such other date as the Board of Directors shall fix in accordance with the Amended and Restated Bylaws. Until the expiration of the transfer restrictions, any attempted transfer of the Company’s common stock shall be prohibited and void to the extent that, as a result of the transfer (or any series of transfers of which such transfer is a part), either (i) any person of group of persons would own 4.9% or more of the Company’s Common Stock directly or indirectly, as deemed to constructively own or otherwise aggregated pursuant to Section 382 of the IRC; (ii) the ownership interest in the Company of any person of group of persons owning 4.9% or more of the Company’s Common Stock would be increased; or (iii) any shareholder holding 5% or more of the total market value of the Company’s securities transfers, or agrees to transfer, any securities of the Company; provided, however, that settlement of any transaction in the Company’s securities entered into through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. are not precluded by (iii) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the Tax Benefit Preservation Provision shall prevent a person from transferring the Company’s common stock to a new or existing “public group” of the Company, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(f)(13), and the transfer restrictions shall not apply to transfers that have been approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Amended and Restated Bylaws.

On May 30, 2017, the Board of Directors approved of amended and restated bylaws of the Company effective as of such date (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”). The Amended and Restated Bylaws eliminate Article VII from the Company’s prior bylaws, which had set forth restrictions on the transfer of the Company’s securities in order to address certain tax benefits of the Company. Subsequent articles in the bylaws were renumbered and no other changes were made to the Company’s bylaws.

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

There were no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

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Segment reporting requires the use of the management approach in determining operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by our chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company’s financial reporting includes detailed data on four separate reportable segments: (1) Jewish Networks, which consists of JDate, JDate.co.uk, JDate.fr, JDate.co.il, and JSwipe; (2) Christian Networks, which consists of ChristianMingle, CrossPaths, ChristianMingle.co.uk, ChristianMingle.com.au, Believe.com, and Faith.com; (3) Other Networks, which consists of general market websites as well as other properties which are primarily composed of sites targeted towards various religious, ethnic, geographic and special interest groups; and (4) Offline & Other Businesses, which consists of revenue generated from offline activities.

 

Due to the Company’s integrated business structure, cost and expenses, other than direct marketing expenses, are not allocated to the individual reporting segments. As such, the Company does not measure operating profit or loss by segment for internal reporting purposes. Assets are not allocated to the different business segments for internal reporting purposes.

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Legal Proceedings

Israeli Consumer Actions Ben-Jacob vs. Spark Networks (Israel) Ltd., Gever vs. Spark Networks (Israel) Ltd. and Korland vs. Spark Networks (Israel) Ltd.

Three class action law suits have been filed in Israel alleging inter alia violations of the Israel Consumer Protection Law of 1981.  Spark Networks (Israel) Ltd. (“Spark Israel”) was served with a Statement of Claim and a Motion to Certify it as a Class Action in the Ben-Jacob action on January 14, 2014.  The plaintiff alleges that Spark Israel refused to cancel her subscription and provide a refund for unused periods and claims that such a refusal is in violation of the Consumer Protection Law.  Spark Israel was served with a Statement of Claim and a motion to Certify it as a Class Action in the Gever action on January 21, 2014.  The plaintiff alleges that Spark Israel renewed his one month subscription without receiving his positive agreement in advance and claims that such renewal is prohibited under the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations. Spark Israel was served with a Statement of Claim and a Motion to Certify it as a Class Action in the Korland action on February 12, 2014.  The plaintiff alleges that Spark Israel refused to give her a full refund and charged her the price of a one month subscription to the JDate website in violation of the Consumer Protection Law.  In each of these three cases, the plaintiff is seeking personal damages and damages on behalf of a defined group. On May 8, 2014, the Court granted Spark Israel’s motion to consolidate all three cases. All three cases are now consolidated and will be litigated jointly. Spark Israel’s combined response to these motions to certify the class actions was filed November 1, 2014, and the plaintiffs responded to the combined response. The parties had a hearing before the judge on December 24, 2014.  Following the hearing the judge ordered that the pleadings filed by the parties be transferred to the ICC so that the ICC can provide its position as to the parties’ allegations within 90 days. The ICC issued its opinion on April 1, 2015.  Following the filing of the ICC opinion, the parties filed briefs addressing the ICC opinion. On January 7, 2016, the parties advised the Court that they have agreed on the terms of a settlement agreement, and jointly moved to approve the agreement and give it the effect of a judgment. According to the terms of the settlement agreement, clients who bought a subscription to JDate.co.il on October 12, 2008 or later will be entitled to receive certain benefits. The settlement agreement, which provides for compensation and legal fees, will only come into effect if the court approves it. On January 14, 2016 the Court ordered the parties to publish the terms of the proposed settlement agreement. The Court allowed for the Attorney General or any person who wishes to object to the settlement or exclude himself from the class to file their position with the Court through March 10, 2016. On March 10, 2016, the Consumer Council filed an objection to the settlement agreement, arguing inter alia that the benefits offered to the clients are insufficient, and that the Company's new business model does not comply with certain legal requirements. The Company and the plaintiffs filed their responses on March 24, 2016. On April 14, 2016, the Attorney General notified the Court that it has no objection to the settlement agreement. On February 8, 2017, a hearing was held during which the judge asked questions about the settlement agreement. The Company and the plaintiffs filed a revised settlement agreement on February 18, 2017, for the judge’s final approval. On February 28, 2017, the judge approved the settlement agreement, which provided for compensation and legal fees under terms from the original settlement agreement. The Company has expensed $52,000 related to the settlement of this matter during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

City of Santa Monica, California – City Attorney General Investigation

On May 16, 2016, representatives from Spark Networks met with representatives from a cross-jurisdictional working group consisting of consumer fraud attorneys from the City of Santa Monica and offices of the District Attorney from the counties of Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Diego (“Cross Jurisdictional Group”). This meeting was held at the request of the Cross Jurisdictional Group, as a “pre-filing” meeting to explain and potentially resolve issues over auto-renewal disclosures by the Spark Network websites. The Cross Jurisdictional Group alleges that the Spark Network websites violate California law on disclosure of auto-renewal terms and ability to cancel auto-renewal. They also claim that the Spark Networks websites violate California dating contract statues, which (where applicable) require a three day right to cancel. The Cross Jurisdictional Group sent a voluntary document request (not a subpoena) to the Company on June 2, 2016. The Company cooperated with the Cross Jurisdictional Group and provided information in response to the voluntary request. The Cross Jurisdictional Group has indicated that it would like the Company to change its disclosures in certain respects, and that it intends to seek the payment of a penalty in an unspecified amount. In response to these disclosure requests, the Company has made changes. On March 8, 2017, the Company received a settlement communication from the City of Santa Monica and offices of the District Attorney, proposing settlement terms including payment of civil penalties, restitution to consumers, investigative costs and legal fees ranging from $1.5 million to $2.2 million. The Company responded to the settlement communication on April 21, 2017, by defending why the allegations are without merit, and proposed a settlement including (a) a penalty payment of $400,000, and (b) reimbursement of attorney’s fees and investigative costs of up to $75,000. During the second quarter of 2017, the City of Santa Monica proposed new settlement terms including payment of civil penalties, restitution to consumers, investigative costs and legal fees ranging from $1.5 million to $2.1 million. The Company has not responded to the settlement communication as of June 30, 2017. If the Company and the City of Santa Monica are not able to reach a resolution, it is anticipated that this matter will proceed to litigation. The Company has recorded an accrual of $475,000 for the probable cost related to resolving this matter as of June 30, 2017.

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Jedi Technologies, Inc. vs. Spark Networks, Inc., Spark Networks USA, LLC and Smooch Labs, Inc.

On November 15, 2016, Jedi Technologies, Inc. filed a complaint for patent infringement with a demand for jury trial against Spark Networks, Inc, Spark Networks USA, LLC and Smooch Labs, Inc. The Company was served with the complaint and summons as of November 21, 2016. The Company filed a motion to dismiss on January 12, 2017 in the District of Delaware, and received Jedi Technologies, Inc.’s opposition to the motion to dismiss. The Company filed its reply to the opposition on February 2, 2017. A Joint Status Report was filed on February 10, 2017. On August 3, 2017, after considering the motion to dismiss, the court granted such motion, invalidating all claims asserted by Jedi Technologies, Inc. Both parties have thirty days to file a notice of appeal if they choose to do so. As of June 30, 2017, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the possibility of an unfavorable outcome, or the amount of any liability that may result from this matter.

Please refer to the Company’s 2016 Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a description of additional litigation and claims. We have additional existing legal claims and may encounter future legal claims in the normal course of business. In our opinion, the resolutions of the existing legal claims are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

We intend to defend vigorously against each of the above lawsuits. At this time, management does not believe the above matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition and believes the recorded legal accruals as of June 30, 2017 are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. However, no assurance can be given that these matters will be resolved in our favor.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(92,000) which consists of $41,000 of deferred tax related to an increase in the deferred tax liability associated with tax deductible amortization of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangibles, $33,000 of foreign and state current tax expense, and $(166,000) related to the settlement in the second quarter of 2017 of a state tax position that was previously unrecognized.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(139,000), which consists of $14,000 of deferred tax related to an increase in the deferred tax liability associated with tax deductible amortization of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangibles, $13,000 of foreign and state current tax expense, and $(166,000) related to the settlement in the second quarter of 2017 of a state tax position that was previously unrecognized.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(516,000), which consists of $155,000 of deferred tax related to an increase in the deferred tax liability associated with tax deductible amortization of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangibles, $116,000 of foreign and state current tax expense, $23,000 related to interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits, $(91,000) related to the impact of a tax law change in Israel, and $(719,000) related to the settlement in the second quarter of 2016 of a state tax position that was previously unrecognized. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(583,000), which consists of $76,000 of deferred tax related to an increase in the deferred tax liability associated with tax deductible amortization of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangibles, $57,000 of foreign and state current tax expense, $3,000 related to interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits and $(719,000) related to the settlement in the second quarter of 2016 of a state tax audit, resulting in the release of a reserve for an uncertain tax position.

The Company’s year-to-date June 30, 2017 effective tax rate was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 34% primarily due to the valuation allowance and the decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from a state settlement. The Company’s year-to-date June 30, 2016 effective tax rate was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 34% primarily due to an increase in the Company’s valuation allowance and the decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from a state settlement.

12.Related Party Transactions

MLLNNL, LLC

The Company has multiple, on-going engagements with MLLNNL, LLC (“Mllnnl”), a marketing agency that employs, and was co-founded by, an employee of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Smooch Labs, Inc. (“Smooch Labs”). In June 2016, the Company engaged Mllnnl to provide marketing consultation services. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company expensed $84,000 and $171,000, respectively, for services performed by Mllnnl. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company expensed $121,000 and $172,000, respectively.

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PEAK6 Investments, L.P.

Purchase Agreement and Warrant

On August 9, 2016, the Company issued and sold to PEAK6 Investments, L.P. (“PEAK6”) an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company at a purchase price of $1.55 per share pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement dated as of August 9, 2016 (the “Purchase Agreement”), for an aggregate purchase price of $7.8 million. The Company also issued a warrant to PEAK6 to purchase up to 7,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.74 per share pursuant to the terms of a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) dated as of August 9, 2016.  One-half of the shares subject to the warrant vest when the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange equals or exceeds $2.50 per share for 15 trading days during a 30-trading day period and the remaining one-half of the shares subject to the warrant vest when the closing price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds $3.50 per share for 15 trading days during a 30-trading day period.  The exercise period of the warrant commences on February 8, 2017 and has a five-year term from the date of the agreement.  The Warrant Agreement provides that PEAK6 shall not have the right to exercise the warrant to the extent that PEAK6 would beneficially own in excess of 29.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding of the Company. If this restriction results in PEAK6 being unable to exercise the warrant at the end of the five-year term, the warrant term shall be extended one year. Subsequent to the stock purchase and as of June 30, 2017, PEAK6 holds a 15.5% ownership of the Company.

Management assessed whether the issuance of warrants represents a liability or equity instrument, and has determined that the warrants issued to PEAK6 are linked to equity instruments that are deemed to be indexed to the Company’s own stock. As such, the Company classified the warrant as equity at its fair value at the time of issuance and reassesses the equity classification at each balance sheet date. At June 30, 2017, management concluded that the equity classification remains appropriate for the warrant, as there have been no amendments or modifications to the terms of the warrant since the effective date of the Warrant Agreement.

Management has determined the fair value of the warrant as of the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability that market conditions will be achieved. The input variables include stock price volatility and risk-free interest rate to estimate the probability of satisfying the market conditions and the resulting fair value of the award. The warrant’s fair value of $3.3 million is included in additional paid-in capital, and the residual proceeds from the Purchase Agreement have been allocated to the shares of common stock of the Company issued to PEAK6.

In connection with the issuance of the shares of common stock and warrant to PEAK6, on August 9, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan Amendment”) with Computershare, Inc. in order to exempt the issuances of such shares and warrant (including the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant) from the operation of the Company’s Rights Plan.

In connection with the Purchase Agreement, Daniel Rosenthal was appointed the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and David Budworth was appointed the Company’s Chief Technology Officer, each effective as of August 11, 2016.  Daniel Rosenthal and Brad Goldberg were also appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors as PEAK6’s director designees pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, effective as of August 10, 2016.  Mr. Goldberg was also appointed as a member of the nominating committee and compensation committee of the Board of Directors, effective as of August 10, 2016. In connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 11, 2017, Mr. Goldberg was appointed as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, and will no longer serve on the Nominating or Compensation Committees. Mr. Goldberg currently serves as the President of PEAK6, and Mr. Rosenthal and Mr. Budworth are both partners at PEAK6. Mr. Rosenthal and Mr. Budworth’s compensation for their services to the Company totaling $700,000 annually is included within general and administrative and technical operations expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Management Services Agreement

In connection with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into a management services agreement (the “Management Services Agreement”) dated as of August 9, 2016, with PEAK6 pursuant to which PEAK6 will provide certain marketing, technology, strategy, development and other services to the Company over a five-year term, for a cash fee of $1.5 million per year (the “Management Fee”), which will be paid on a quarterly basis in an amount of $375,000 per quarter. The Management Fee excludes reimbursement of marketing costs as described below, which are costs in addition to the Management Fee.

At its discretion, PEAK6 may invoice each quarter for an amount different than the contractual amount, however, the amounts cannot exceed the contractual amount of $375,000 per quarter, other than for marketing costs as described below. If the quarterly invoice is for an amount less than the contractual amount, PEAK6 does not have the right to bill any additional fees in any future period, as the amounts invoiced represent the full amount due for the services provided by PEAK6 to the Company for each specific quarter.

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During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, PEAK6 invoiced the Company a Management Fee of $250,000 and $500,000, respectively, representing the full amount due for services expected to be provided for the period ended August 31, 2017, excluding marketing costs as described below. The Management Fee may increase up to the contractual amount in future periods. The Management Fee expense is included within technical operations, development, and general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, Management Fee expense to PEAK6 was $250,000 and $500,000, respectively. The accrued expense balance related to the Management Fee was $83,000 at June 30, 2017. There was no Management Fee expense paid to PEAK6 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

In addition, in the event that PEAK6 partners or employees are engaged to provide marketing or marketing related services to the Company either as replacement of Company employees or other external marketing resources engaged by the Company or as if they were Company employees, then the Company will reimburse PEAK6 for the actual costs incurred by such PEAK6 partners or employees. The amount to be reimbursed in any year by the Company for such marketing or marketing related services shall not exceed the lesser of “Saved Company Marketing Costs” or $1.8 million. “Saved Company Marketing Costs” is defined as the aggregate amount of fully burdened costs to the Company of the sales and marketing employees and external marketing resources (consulting or otherwise) that provided marketing or similar services to the Company that are replaced or reduced by the Company or PEAK6 partners or employees. The amounts reimbursed to PEAK6 for marketing and marketing related services are included as sales and marketing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company has expensed $182,000 and $390,000, respectively, for sales and marketing services performed by PEAK6. There was no marketing expense paid to PEAK6 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

The Management Services Agreement may be terminated for convenience by the Company at any time after August 9, 2019, and may be terminated for cause at any time by PEAK6 or the Company upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Management Services Agreement. Upon termination for convenience, the Company shall pay PEAK6 any unpaid quarterly payments that are due on or before the termination date. Upon termination for “cause” by PEAK6, the Company shall pay PEAK6 any unpaid quarterly payments that are due on or before the termination date, all Management Fees that would have been paid by the Company to PEAK6 in the first three years of the agreement less amounts actually paid, and the Warrant shall vest immediately without regard to any vesting conditions. Upon termination for cause by the Company, PEAK6 shall pay the Company an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all Management Fees paid by the Company during the term of the agreement.

Lloyd I. Miller III

On August 22, 2016, the Company issued and sold to certain affiliates of Lloyd I. Miller, III (“Lloyd Miller”) an aggregate of 840,031 shares of common stock of the Company at a purchase price of $1.55 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.3 million. Lloyd Miller is a holder of more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares of capital stock.

There were no related party transactions during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

 

13.Business Combinations

On October 14, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Smooch Labs, an unrelated third party and owner of dating app, JSwipe.

The purchase agreement with Smooch Labs included contingent earnout consideration up to an additional $10.0 million to be paid with a combination of one-third cash and two-thirds stock based upon Smooch Lab’s performance against certain agreed-upon operating objectives for the years ending December 31, 2016 and 2017. Management has completed an evaluation of the probability of the performance milestones being achieved within the related earnout periods, and determined that the performance milestones would not likely be achieved. As such, management has not recorded any contingent consideration as of the acquisition date or June 30, 2017. Management would classify a contingent consideration liability within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, as factors used to develop the estimated fair value are unobservable inputs that are not supported by market activity.

 

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The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes that are included in this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our 2016 Annual Report.

Some of the statements contained in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-forward looking statements also include statements relating to the timing of the closing of the merger transaction with Affinitas and related matters. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “continue,” “should,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential” and other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to (i) the possibility that the merger does not close when expected or at all because required shareholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (ii) changes in the Company’s share price before closing, including as a result of the financial performance of Affinitas prior to closing, or more generally due to broader stock market movements, and the performance of peer group companies; (iii) the risk that the benefits from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Company and Affinitas operate; (iv) the ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of the Company and Affinitas; (v) the reaction to the transaction of the companies’ customers, employees and counterparties; (vi) diversion of management time on merger-related issues; and (vii) our ability to attract members, convert members into paying subscribers and retain our paying subscribers, develop or acquire new product offerings and successfully implement and expand those offerings, keep pace with rapid technological changes, maintain the strength of our existing brands and maintain and enhance those brands, continue to depend upon the telecommunications infrastructure and our networking hardware and software infrastructure, identify and consummate strategic acquisitions and integrate acquired companies or assets, obtain financing on acceptable terms, and successfully implement both cost cutting initiatives and our current long-term growth strategy, and other factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of this Form 10-Q and our 2016 Annual Report.

General

The common stock of Spark Networks, Inc. is traded on the NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol LOV. We are a leader in creating communities that help individuals form life-long relationships with others that share their interests and values. The Company’s core properties, JDate and ChristianMingle, are communities geared towards singles of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Through the Company’s websites and mobile applications, the Company helps members search for and communicate with other like-minded individuals. Membership on our online singles websites or mobile applications is free and allows registered members to post personal profiles and take advantage of our search and validation features. With the exception of JSwipe, which utilizes a “freemium” model, the ability to initiate communication with other members requires payment, typically a monthly subscription fee which, along with advertising sales, represents our primary source of revenue. We typically offer discounted subscription rates to those members who subscribe for periods longer than one month. Subscriptions renew automatically until subscribers terminate them.

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Merger Agreement with Affinitas GmbH (“Elite Singles”)

On May 2, 2017, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Affinitas GmbH, a German limited company (“Affinitas”), Blitz 17-655 SE, a European stock corporation (Societas Europaea, SE) with its corporate seat in Germany (“New Parent”), and Chardonnay Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of New Parent (“Merger Sub”) (the “Merger Agreement”). The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, and the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of New Parent (the “Merger”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the date and time when the Merger becomes effective (the “Effective Time”), stockholders of the Company will have the right to receive, in respect to each share of common stock of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, a number of American Depositary Shares of New Parent (“New Parent ADSs”) equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below).  Each New Parent ADS will equal 0.1 shares of ordinary no-par value registered shares of New Parent (“New Parent Ordinary Shares”).  Following the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock will cease to be outstanding, will be canceled, and will cease to exist.  “Exchange Ratio” means 0.1, unless any of the warrants to purchase Company Common Stock (the “Company Warrants”) issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2016, by and between the Company and PEAK6 Investments, L.P., are exercised, in which case “Exchange Ratio” means (i) 0.1 multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective Time less the number of shares of Company Common Stock issued pursuant to any Company Warrants, and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective Time.

The Merger Agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Time upon certain conditions as set forth in the Merger Agreement.  

Consummation of the Merger is subject to customary conditions, including, among others things, approval by the Company’s stockholders.

Upon consummation of the Merger, the board of directors of the New Parent (the “New Parent Board”) will be composed of (i) three directors to be selected by Affinitas prior to the filing of the preliminary Registration Statement (as defined below), (ii) one director to be selected by the Company prior to the filing of the Registration Statement and (iii) three directors as mutually agreed by the Company and Affinitas prior to the filing of the Registration Statement.

As promptly as practicable after the date of the Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company will take all action necessary in accordance with applicable laws to duly call, set a record date for, give notice of, convene, and hold a meeting of the holders of Company Common Stock (the “Stockholder Meeting”).  The Company has agreed to cause the Stockholder Meeting to be held for the purpose of voting upon a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement and Merger.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, New Parent and Affinitas, in cooperation with the Company, have agreed to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”) pursuant to which the shares of New Parent Ordinary Shares issuable pursuant to the Merger will be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act, and the Company will prepare a proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to the approval and adoption by the Company’s stockholders at the Stockholder Meeting of the Merger Agreement, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) for inclusion in the Registration Statement as a prospectus, and to be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement.  The Company has agreed to use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as soon after filing as practicable, and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby. Further, the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to its shareholders as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

Upon certain events, if the Merger Agreement is terminated by the Company, then the Company is obligated to pay Affinitas a one-time fee equal to the greater of (i) $1,500,000 or (ii) the fees and expenses of Affinitas related to the Merger.

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, (i) certain stockholders of the Company entered into voting agreements with the Company pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, among other things, to vote their shares of Company Common Stock in favor of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) all stockholders of Affinitas entered into a support agreement pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, among other things, to vote their shares of Affinitas stock in favor of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

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Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, cost of revenue, prepaid advertising, website and software development costs, goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets, accounting for business combinations, legal contingencies, income taxes and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

There were no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the six months ended June 30, 2017, as compared to those policies disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report.

Key Metric — Average Paying Subscribers

We regularly review average paying subscribers as a key metric to evaluate the effectiveness of our operating strategies and the financial performance of our business. Paying subscribers are defined as individuals for whom we collect a monthly fee for access to communication and website features beyond those provided to our non-paying members. Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and end of the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months in such period.

Unaudited selected statistical information regarding average paying subscribers for our operating segments is shown in the table below.

Average paying subscribers for the Jewish Networks segment decreased 23.4% to 47,278 in the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 61,732 in the same period last year. Average paying subscribers for the Christian Networks segment decreased 47.9% to 60,972 in the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 117,024 in the same period last year. Average paying subscribers for the Other Networks segment decreased 40.3% to 6,675 in the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 11,182 in the same period last year. The decreases reflect reduced marketing and promotional activity within these segments.

Average paying subscribers for the Jewish Networks segment decreased 23.5% to 48,051 in the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 62,831 in the same period last year. Average paying subscribers for the Christian Networks segment decreased 44.2% to 67,299 in the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 120,602 in the same period last year. Average paying subscribers for the Other Networks segment decreased 34.9% to 7,333 in the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 11,261 in the same period last year. The decreases reflect reduced marketing and promotional activity within these segments.

We expect continued year over year declines in direct marketing expenses in 2017 as management develops, implements and refines our direct marketing strategy.

Key Metric — Period Ending Subscribers

We regularly review period ending subscribers as a key metric to evaluate the effectiveness of our operating strategies and the financial performance of our business. Period ending subscribers for each period represent the paying subscriber count as of the last day of the period.

Unaudited selected statistical information regarding period ending subscribers for our operating segments is shown in the table below.

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Period ending subscribers for the Jewish Networks segment decreased 20.7% to 47,487 as of June 30, 2017 compared to 59,868 in the same period last year. Period ending subscribers for the Christian Networks segment decreased 48.7% to 57,947 as of June 30, 2017 compared to 112,895 in the same period last year. Period ending subscribers for the Other Networks segment decreased 45.6% to 5,937 as of June 30, 2017 compared to 10,915 in the same period last year. The decreases reflect reduced marketing and promotional activity within these segments.

We expect continued year over year declines in direct marketing expenses in 2017 as management develops, implements and refines our direct marketing strategy.

Results of Operations

The following table presents our operating results as a percentage of revenue: