UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

(Mark One)

 

[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

 

or

 

[  ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
  For the transition period from ________ to________.

 

Commission file number: 001-35824

 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

80-0900177

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

801 W. Adams Street, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60607

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(312) 614-0950

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(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 [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files)

Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]   Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]   Smaller reporting company [X]
    Emerging growth company [X]

 

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 [X]

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has fled all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. [  ]Yes [  ]No

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

There were 4,856,948 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of November 16, 2018.

 

 

 

   
 

 

PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY NETWORK, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page
PART I     1
  ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1
  ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

17
  ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

30
  ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 30
PART II     31
  ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 31
  ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS 31
  ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

31
  ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 31
  ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 32
  ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION 32
  ITEM 6. EXHIBITS 32

 

   
 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2018     2017  
    (Unaudited)     (Adjusted)  
Current Assets:            
Cash and cash equivalents (Amounts related to variable interest entity of $907,590 and $1,671,378 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)   $ 1,653,149     $ 2,926,088  
Accounts receivable, net     527,565       905,723  
Incremental direct costs     21,158       145,292  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     461,931       478,379  
Current assets from discontinued operations     194,209        1,180,099  
Total current assets     2,858,012        5,635,581  
                 
Property and equipment, net      96,553        221,184  
Capitalized technology, net      187,258        153,381  
Goodwill      339,451        5,590,150  
Intangible assets, net      4,408,934        6,264,706  
Merchant reserve     760,849        760,849  
Security deposits     74,588       225,957  
Long-term assets from discontinued operations     -        137,114  
Total assets   $ 8,725,645     $  18,988,922  
                 
Current Liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $  1,465,890     $  1,120,444  
Accrued expenses      785,682        1,166,214  
Deferred revenue      2,440,998        4,004,015  
Customer deposits      14,563       -  
Current liabilities from discontinued operations      219,693        484,524  
Total current liabilities      4,926,826        6,775,197  
                 
Deferred tax liability     1,206,098       1,803,519  
Deferred rent     45,800       56,082  
Other liabilities     -       52,321  
Long-term liabilities from discontinued operations     7,762       -  
Total liabilities     6,186,486       8,687,119  
                 
Commitments and contingencies                
                 
Stockholders' Equity                

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; 4,856,213 shares and 3,963,864 shares issued as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively; and 4,855,165 shares and 3,962,816 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

     48,562        39,639  
Additional paid in capital      83,566,225        80,016,218  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss      (13,383 )      28,848  
Accumulated deficit     (81,025,128 )      (69,745,785 )
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,048 shares at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017     (37,117 )     (37,117 )
Total stockholders' equity     2,539,159        10,301,803  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 8,725,645     $ 19,179,065  

 

See Note 3 for Additional Variable Interest Entity Disclosures.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 1 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)

 

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
                         
Revenues:                        
Membership fees and related services   $ 1,112,042     $ 2,204,909     $ 4,059,989     $ 7,465,202  
Recruitment services      705,040         694,454        2,018,832         1,977,101  
Product sales and other      3,180         18,285        13,197         91,226  
Education and training      -            68,890        16,048         898,584  
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions      74,360         65,188        218,637         189,217  
Total revenues      1,894,622         3,051,726        6,326,703         10,621,330  
                                 
Costs and expenses:                                
Cost of revenues      291,685        357,481        917,429        1,213,669  
Sales and marketing      977,148        1,598,530        3,093,798        5,759,849  
General and administrative      1,786,408        2,711,640        6,202,087        9,564,428  
Litigation settlement      342,472         155,216        342,472        155,216  
Goodwill impairment charge      5,250,699       -        5,250,699        9,920,305  
Depreciation and amortization      650,103       757,144        1,989,125        2,294,012  
Total costs and expenses     9,298,515       5,580,011       17,795,610       28,907,479  
                                 
Loss from operations     (7,403,893 )     (2,528,285 )     (11,468,907 )     (18,286,149 )
                                 
Other (expense) income                                
Interest expense      29,549       -        29,549        (12,399 )
Interest and other income      (4,368 )     4,117        299         9,218  
Other finance costs     -       5,318        22,558        7,082  
Other income, net     25,181         9,435        52,406        3,901  
                                 
Loss before income tax benefit      (7,378,712 )      (2,518,850 )      (11,416,501 )      (18,282,248 )
Income tax expense (benefit)      (189,950 )      (201,123 )      (562,415 )      (1,126,220 )
Loss from continuing operations      (7,188,762 )      (2,317,727 )      (10,854,086 )      (17,156,028 )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, including gain on sale of $63,687      (40,735 )      (170,358 )      (425,258 )      (508,582 )
Net loss      (7,229,497 )       (2,488,085 )      (11,279,344 )      (17,664,610 )
                                 
Other comprehensive loss:      (7,229,497 )      (2,488,085      (11,279,344 )      (17,664,610
Foreign currency translation adjustment      (28,480 )      (3,056      (42,231 )      (1,435
Comprehensive loss   $  (7,257,977 )   $  (2,491,141 )   $  (11,321,575 )   $  (17,666,045 )
                                 
Basic and diluted loss per share:                                
Continuing operations      (1.48 )      (0.59 )      (2.42 )      (4.39 )
Discontinued operations      (0.01 )      (0.04 )      (0.09 )      (0.13 )
Net loss   $  (1.49 )   $  (0.63 )   $  (2.51 )   $  (4.52 )
                                 

Weighted average shares used in computing net

loss per common share:

                               
Basic and diluted     4,856,044       3,932,886       4,485,358       3,912,282  

 

See Note 3 for Additional Variable Interest Entity Disclosures.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 2 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
    2018     2017  
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Loss from continuing operations   $ (10,854,086 )   $ (17,156,028 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities– continuing operations:                
Depreciation and amortization      1,989,125        2,294,012  
Deferred tax expense (benefit)      (374,536 )      (1,098,765 )
Goodwill impairment charge      5,250,699       9,920,305  
Stock-based compensation expense      637,062       731,322  
Provision for bad debt      20,000       28,544  
Write-off of security deposit      149,292       -  
Write-off of property and equipment     51,804       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of discontinued operations:                
Accounts receivable      354,408        38,836  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets      11,033        474,711  
Incremental direct costs      124,134        181,788  
Accounts payable      345,575        (971,728
Accrued expenses      (332,578 )      177,684  
Deferred revenue      (1,553,245 )      (1,062,884 )
Deferred rent      (10,282 )      8,591  
Customer deposits      (32 )      -  
Other liabilities      (36,969 )      45,322  
Net cash used in operating activities– continuing operations      (4,228,596 )      (6,388,290 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities – discontinued operations     17,793      (91,173 )
Net cash used in operating activities     (4,210,803 )      (6,479,463 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Costs incurred to develop technology      (89,006 )      (122,597
Purchases of property and equipment      (7,206 )     (156,704
Security deposit     -        (18,305
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities– continuing operations     (96,213 )      (297,606
Net cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations     200,000       -  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     103,787       (297,606 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from the sales of common stock     2,921,868       3,000,000  
Payment of offering costs     -       (144,000
Merchant reserve     -       646,078  
Net cash provided by financing activities     2,921,868       3,502,078  
                 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents     (87,791 )      (831
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents      (1,272,939 )      (3,275,822 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period      2,926,088        5,855,471  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $  $1,653,149     $  $2,579,649  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of other cash flow information:                
Cash paid for income taxes   $ 67,954     $ 1,702  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 3 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

1. Description of Business

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. is both the operator of the Professional Diversity Network (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “PDN Network,” “PDN” or the “Professional Diversity Network”) and a holding company for NAPW, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the operator of the National Association of Professional Women (the “NAPW Network” or “NAPW”), Noble Voice LLC and Compliant Lead LLC (collectively, “Noble Voice”), PDN (Hong Kong) International Education Ltd, PDN (Hong Kong) International Education Information Co., Ltd, and PDN (China) International Culture Development Co. Ltd, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and together provide career consultation services. In November 2017, Jiangxi PDN Culture Media Co., Ltd became our consolidated variable interest entity (VIE). Laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) prohibit or restrict companies with foreign ownership from certain activities and benefits including eligibility for certain government grants and certain rebates related to commercial activities. To provide the Company the expected residual returns of the VIE, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary PDN (China) International Culture Development Co., Ltd., entered into a series of contractual arrangements with the VIE and its registered shareholders to enable the Company, to exercise effective control over the VIE, receive substantially all of the economic benefits and residual returns, and absorb substantially all the risks of the VIE as if it were the sole shareholder; and have an exclusive option to purchase all of the equity interests in the VIE. Please refer to Note 3 for more details about the VIE. The PDN Network operates online professional networking communities with career resources specifically tailored to the needs of different diverse cultural groups including: Women, Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Disabled, Military Professionals, Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), and Students and Graduates seeking to transition from education to career. The networks’ purposes, among others, are to assist its registered users in their efforts to connect with like-minded individuals, identify career opportunities within the network and connect with prospective employers. The Company’s technology platform is integral to the operation of its business. The NAPW Network is an exclusive women-only professional networking organization, whereby its members can develop their professional networks, further their education and skills, and promote their business and career accomplishments. NAPW provides its members with opportunities to network and develop valuable business relationships with other professionals through its website, as well as at events hosted at its local chapters across the country. The Company established business operations in China in 2017. Our business activities, similar to those in the United States, will be focused on providing tools, products and services in China, which will assist in personal and professional development.

 

On May 25, 2018, the Company sold Noble Voice to a long-time customer of the Company and exited the business segment conducted by Noble Voice. See Note 3 for additional information.

 

2. Liquidity, Financial Condition and Management’s Plans

 

At September 30, 2018, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity were its cash and cash equivalents and the net proceeds from the sales of shares of common stock in the first nine months of 2018.

 

The Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $81,025,000 at September 30, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company generated a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $10,854,000, used cash in continuing operations of approximately $4,229,000, and the Company expects that it will continue to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future. At September 30, 2018, the Company had a cash balance of approximately $1,653,000. Total revenues were approximately $1,895,000 and $3,052,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $6,327,000 and $10,621,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company had working capital deficiency of approximately $2,069,000 and $1,140,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. In order to alleviate the substantial doubt, the Company has approved and undertaken several measures.

 

 4 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

The Company is closely monitoring operating costs and capital requirements. Management of the Company also made efforts in 2017 and first three quarters of 2018 to contain and reduce cost, including implementing a new approval process over travel and other expenses, significantly reducing the cash compensation for independent board directors, terminating non-performing employees and eliminating certain positions, and replacing and negotiating with certain vendors. We also sold our Noble Voice business on May 25, 2018 to reduce operating losses and cash burns. If we are still not successful in sufficiently reducing our costs, we may then need to dispose our other assets or discontinue business lines.

 

On January 29, 2018, the Company sold 380,295 shares of common stock at a price of $3.91 per share for gross proceeds of $1,486,953. The per share purchase price reflected the closing price of the Company’s shares of common stock on January 24, 2018. The purchaser is Mr. Shengqi Cai, an individual and a resident of the People’s Republic of China.

 

On June 25, 2018, the Company sold 496,510 shares of common stock at a price of $2.89 per share for gross proceeds of $1,434,914. The purchaser is China EWI International Finance Group Co., Limited, a limited liability company based in the People’s Republic of China.

 

On November 5, 2018, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with GNet Tech Holdings Public Limited Company (the “GNet Tech”), a related party through one of the Company’s shareholders, Cosmic Forward Limited (“CFL”), pursuant to which the Company issued to GNet Tech a $500,000 convertible promissory note with an interest rate of 6% per annum (the “Note”). The Note shall mature six months after the date of issuance (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Note, at any time on or after the Maturity Date, at the election of the note holder, the Note will convert into the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) at a conversion price of the lower of (i) the closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ immediately preceding the date of issuance or the date of conversion, as applicable, or (ii) the average closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of issuance or the date of conversion, as applicable (the “Minimum Price”). However, in no event shall the conversion price be less than the Minimum Price on the date of issuance. The issuance of the Note is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a transaction not involving a public offering.

 

On November 16, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”) with GNet Tech, pursuant to which GNet Tech has agreed to provide the Company with working capital to support its business. The availability period of the Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”) is the date of the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement until May 31, 2020. GNet Tech agreed to provide the Company with a RCF with a maximum of GBP £1,500,000 at interest of LIBOR rate plus 4% per annum, payable at the end of one, three or six months (specified by the Company) after the loan is drawn. The Company shall repay the loan on May 31, 2020, or any other date which may be agreed in writing between the parties.

 

Management believes that its available funds will be sufficient to meet its working capital requirements through November 2019. However, there can be no assurances that the plans and actions proposed by management will be successful, that the Company will generate anticipated revenues, or that unforeseen circumstances will not require additional funding sources in the future or effectuate plans to conserve liquidity. Future efforts to raise additional funds may not be successful or they may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Due to China’s foreign currency control, the Company may not be able to move money between China and the U.S. freely. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulate the flow of foreign exchange in and out of the country. We need to get approval from the Chinese government to move money from China to the U.S. which might take extra time. As of September 30, 2018 we had a $1,332,000 cash balance in China.

 

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. It is management’s opinion, however, that the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented.

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2018 (the “Annual Report”), which contains the audited financial statements and notes thereto, together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The financial information as of December 31, 2017 is derived from the audited financial statements presented in the Annual Report. The interim results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018 or for any future interim periods.

 

Use of Estimates The preparation of unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

 

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future intervening events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from estimates.

 

Significant estimates underlying the financial statements include the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities associated with acquisitions; assessment of goodwill impairment, other intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment; allowances for doubtful accounts and assumptions related to the valuation allowances on deferred taxes, the valuation of stock-based compensation and the valuation of stock warrants.

 

 5 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

Principles of Consolidation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its VIE, Jiangxi PDN Culture & Media Co. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Variable Interest Entity – (VIE)

 

Financial Information of VIE

 

In November 2017, Jiangxi PDN Culture Media Co., Ltd became a consolidated VIE. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating this VIE do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets. VIE assets can be used to settle obligations of the primary beneficiary. The financial information of Jiangxi PDN Culture & Media Co., which was included in the accompanying condensed financial statements, is presented as follows:

 

  

September 30, 2018

  

December 31, 2017

 
   (in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents  $908    1,671 
Total assets  $1,234    1,672 
Total liabilities  $18    257 

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine months Ended 
   September 30,   September 30, 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
   (in thousands)         
Total net revenue  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Net loss  $(23)  $-   $(132)  $- 

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 requires that goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives should be tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of an asset has decreased below its carrying value.

 

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis (December 31 for the Company) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company considers its market capitalization and the carrying value of its assets and liabilities, including goodwill, when performing its goodwill impairment test.

 

When conducting its annual goodwill impairment assessment, the Company initially performs a qualitative evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. If it is determined by a qualitative evaluation that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the Company then compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit to its carrying or book value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will measure any goodwill impairment losses as the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

 

Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions exist: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) services are performed, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Membership Fees and Related Services

 

Membership fees are collected up-front and member benefits become available immediately; however those benefits must remain available over the 12 month membership period. At the time of enrollment, membership fees are recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue ratably over the 12 month membership period. Members who are enrolled in this plan may cancel their membership in the program at any time and receive a partial refund (amount remaining in deferred revenue) or due to consumer protection legislation, a full refund based on the policies of the member’s credit card company.

 

Starting January 2, 2018, we also offer a monthly membership for which we collect fees on a monthly basis and we recognize revenue in the same month as we collect the monthly fees.

 

Revenue from related membership services are derived from fees for development and set-up of a member’s personal on-line profile and/or press release announcements. Fees related to these services are recognized as revenue at the time the on-line profile is complete and press release is distributed.

 

Deferred Revenue – Deferred revenue includes customer deposits received prior to performing services which are recognized as revenue when revenue recognition criteria are met, and membership fees for annual memberships that are collected at the time of enrollment and are recognized as revenue ratably over the 12 month membership period.

 

 6 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

Recruitment Services

 

The Company’s recruitment services revenue is derived from the Company’s agreements through single and multiple job postings, recruitment media, talent recruitment communities, basic and premier corporate memberships, hiring campaign marketing and advertising, e-newsletter marketing and research and outreach services. Recruitment revenue includes revenue recognized from direct sales to customers for recruitment services and events, as well as revenue from the Company’s direct e-commerce sales. Direct sales to customers are most typically a twelve month contract for services and as such the revenue for each contract is recognized ratably over its twelve month term. Event revenue is recognized in the month that the event takes place and e-commerce sales are for one month job postings and the revenue from those sales are recognized in the month the sale is made. Our recruitment services mainly consist of the following products:

 

On-line job postings to our diversity sites and to our broader network of websites including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Urban League and over 20 other partner organizations
   
OFCCP job promotion and recordation services
   
Diversity job fairs, both in person and virtual fairs
   
Diversity recruitment job advertising services
   
Cost per application, a service that employers can purchase whereby PDN sources qualified candidates and charges only for those applicants who meet the employers’ minimum qualifications
   
Diversity executive staffing services

 

Product Sales and Other Revenue

 

Products offered to members relate to custom made plaques. Product sales are recognized as deferred revenue at the time the initial order is placed. Revenue is then recognized at the time these products are shipped. The Company’s shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Education and Training

 

The Company works with its business partners to provide education and training seminars to business people in China. Revenues are recognized in the month when the seminar takes place.

 

Consumer Advertising and Marketing Solutions

 

The Company provides career opportunity services to its various partner organizations through advertising and job postings on their websites. The Company works with its partners to develop customized websites and job boards where the partners can generate advertising, job postings and career services to their members, students and alumni. Consumer advertising and marketing solutions revenue is recognized as jobs are posted to their hosted sites.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

On May 25, 2018, the Company sold Noble Voice to a long-time customer of the Company and exited the business segment previously conducted by Noble Voice. The sales included all property, equipment, intangible assets, and other long-term assets. The Company retained cash, receivables, payables, and other current and non-current assets and liabilities. The purchase price was $200,000 and the gain on the transaction was approximately $64,000. 

 

All historical operating results for Noble Voice are included in a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, loss from discontinued operations was $41,000, net of tax expense of $26,000, compared to a loss of $170,000, net of tax benefit of $12,000 during same period in the prior year. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, loss from discontinued operations was $425,000, net of tax benefit of $25,000 compared to a loss of $509,000, net of tax benefit of $34,000 during same period in the prior year.

 

Assets and liabilities that the Company retained, which were previously reported in the Noble Voice operating segment, are now included in current assets from discontinued operations, current liabilities from discontinued operations, and long-term liabilities from discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2018, the current assets from discontinued operations were $194,000, compared to $1,180,000 as of December 31, 2017. As of September 30, 2018, current liabilities from discontinued operations were $220,000 compared to $485,000 as of December 31, 2017. As of September 30, 2018, long-term liabilities from discontinued operations were $8,000. There were no long-term liabilities from discontinued operations as of December 31, 2017.

 

 7 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

Advertising and Marketing Expenses Advertising and marketing expenses are expensed as incurred or the first time the advertising takes place. The production costs of advertising are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company incurred advertising and marketing expenses of approximately $565,000 and $658,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company incurred advertising and marketing expenses of approximately $1,238,000 and $2,246,000, respectively. These amounts are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were no prepaid advertising expenses recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Net Loss per Share The Company computes basic net loss per share by dividing net loss per share available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and excludes the effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted earnings per share, if presented, would include the dilution that would occur upon the exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive securities into common stock using the “treasury stock” and/or “if converted” methods as applicable. The computation of basic net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 excludes the potentially dilutive securities summarized in the table below because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

 

   As of September 30, 
   2018   2017 
Warrants to purchase common stock   170,314    170,314 
Stock options   499,439    284,897 
Unvested Restricted stock units   42,727    15,544 
Unvested restricted stock   9,886    2,778 
Total dilutive securities   722,366    473,533 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which was subsequently modified in August 2015 by ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date.” As a result, the ASU No. 2014-09 is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The core principle of ASU No. 2014-09 is that companies should recognize revenue when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects what the company expects to receive. It requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. In 2016, the FASB issued additional ASUs that clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations (ASU 2016-08), on identifying performance obligations and licensing (ASU 2016-10), and on narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (ASU 2016-12) as well as on the revenue recognition criteria and other technical corrections (ASU 2016-20). Since the Company is an Emerging Growth Company “EGC”, it will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective transition method, which may result in a cumulative-effect adjustment for deferred revenue to the opening balance sheet for 2019 and the restatement of the financial statements for all prior periods presented. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued new lease accounting guidance ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”), as amended by ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” and ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.” Under the new guidance, at the commencement date, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and 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 new guidance is not applicable for leases with a term of 12 months or less. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted upon issuance. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 8 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 introduces a new model for estimating credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including loans receivable, held-to-maturity debt securities and net investments in direct financing leases, amongst other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application of the guidance permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Clarification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), which eliminates the diversity in practice related to the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows, by adding or clarifying guidance on eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2016-15 provides for retrospective application for all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740)” (“ASU 2016-16”), which reduces the complexity in the accounting standards by allowing the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted using a modified retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). The amendments in ASU 2017-01 is to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not expect that the ASU will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (ASC 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, any carrying amount which exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value (up to the amount of goodwill recorded) will be recognized as an impairment loss. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception” (“ASU 2017-11”). ASU 2017-11 eliminates the requirement to consider “down round” features when determining whether certain equity-linked financial instruments or embedded features are indexed to an entity’s own stock. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the ASU will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”). ASU 2018-02 allows for the reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act between “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and “Retained earnings.” This ASU relates to the requirement that adjustments to deferred tax liabilities and assets related to a change in tax laws or rates to be included in “Income from continuing operations”, even in situations where the related items were originally recognized in “Other comprehensive loss” (rather than in “Loss from operations”). ASU 2018-02 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2018-02 is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the tax laws or rates were recognized. The Company is evaluating the effect of this guidance.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2018-07”), which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include all share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. ASU 2018-07 specifies that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which the grantor acquires goods and services to be used or consumed in its own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. ASU 2018-07 also clarifies that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under ASC 606. ASU 2018-07 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect that the ASU will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

9
 

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, regardless of whether they convey a license to the hosted software. The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by this ASU. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2018, the FASB released ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (ASC 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, which improves the consistency of the application of the variable interest entity (VIE) related party guidance for common control arrangements. The amendments require reporting entities to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct interest in its entirety (as currently required in GAAP) when determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest. ASU 2018-17 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company does not expect that the ASU will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

4. Capitalized Technology

 

Capitalized technology, net is as follows:

 

   September 30, 2018  

December 31, 2017

 
Capitalized cost:          
Balance, beginning of period  $2,043,122   $1,860,558 
Additional capitalized cost   88,868    182,564 
Balance, end of period  $2,131,990   $2,043,122 
           
           
Accumulated amortization:          
Balance, beginning of period  $1,889,741   $1,698,954 
Provision for amortization   54,991    190,787 
Balance, end of period  $1,944,732   $1,889,741 
Capitalized Technology, net  $187,258   $153,381 

 

Amortization expense were approximately $21,000 and $39,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $55,000 and $147,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are recorded in depreciation and amortization expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

 10 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

5. Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets, net is as follows:

 

September 30, 2018 

Useful Lives

(Years)

  

Gross

Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net Carrying

Amount

 
Long-lived intangible assets:                    
Sales Process   10   $3,970,000   $(1,593,514)  $2,376,486 
Paid Member Relationships   5    890,000    (714,472)   175,528 
Member Lists   5    8,957,000    (7,190,480)   1,766,520 
Developed Technology   3    648,000    (648,000)   - 
Trade Name/Trademarks   4    440,000    (440,000)   - 
        $14,905,000   $(10,586,466)   4,318,534 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                    
Trade Name                  90,400 
                     
Intangible assets, net                 $4,408,934 

 

December 31, 2017 

Useful Lives

(Years)

  

Gross

Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net Carrying

Amount

 
Long-lived intangible assets:                    
Sales Process   10   $3,970,000   $(1,295,764)  $2,674,236 
Paid Member Relationships   5    890,000    (580,972)   309,028 
Member Lists   5    8,957,000    (5,846,931)   3,110,069 
Developed Technology   3    648,000    (648,000)   - 
Trade Name/Trademarks   4    440,000    (359,027)   80,973 
        $14,905,000   $(8,730,694)   6,174,306 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                    
Trade Name                  90,400 
                     
Intangible assets, net                 $6,264,706 

 

Future annual estimated amortization expense is summarized as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,    
2018 (three months)  $591,600 
2019   1,846,697 
2020   397,000 
2021   397,000 
2022   397,000 
Thereafter   689,237 
   $4,318,534 

 

Amortization expenses of $618,000 and $670,000 were the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1,866,000 and $2,016,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are recorded in depreciation and amortization expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

 11 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

6. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Lease Obligations The Company leases office space and equipment under various operating lease agreements, including an office for its headquarters, as well as office spaces for its events business, sales and administrative offices under non-cancelable lease arrangements that provide for payments on a graduated basis with various expiration dates.

 

Rent expense, amounting to approximately $87,000 and $401,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $495,000 and $847,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

In a letter dated October 12, 2017, White Winston Select Asset Funds (“White Winston”) threatened assertion of claims against the Company. The letter alleges that White Winston suffered $2,241,958 in damages as a result of the Company’s alleged conduct that caused a delay in White Winston’s ability to sell shares in the Company during a period when the Company’s stock price was generally falling. The Company investigated White Winston’s claims and communicated to White Winston that the Company denies liability for any such claims. White Winston filed an action, entitled White Winston Select Asset Funds, LLC v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-10844, on April 30, 2018 in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts making similar claims and alleging that it suffered a loss of $1,708,233 as a result of the delay in selling shares. White Winston seeks to recover compensatory damages, double or treble damages under M.G.L. ch. 93A, and costs and attorneys’ fees. White Winston informed the Company on October 23, 2018 that they cannot meet the jurisdiction requirement for federal court and are therefore voluntarily dismissing this federal court case and re-filing a new case in state court.

 

NAPW is a defendant in a Nassau County (NY) Supreme Court case, whereby TL Franklin Avenue Plaza LLC has sued NAPW with respect to NAPW’s former Garden City NY Premises. NAPW had surrendered the Premises to the Landlord, and the Landlord is suing NAPW for the balance of the rent due under the Lease Term – which term is less than one year remaining. The case is currently being litigated, and we are currently in the pleadings phase of the litigation.

 

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Gerbie, et al. v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Ill.), a putative class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. A settlement has been reached and case has been dismissed by the court. The Company believes that its practices and procedures were compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and admitted no fault.

 

NAPW and PDN are two of the named Respondents in a Superior Court of New Jersey Proceeding, and they are being sued by Shore Digital LLC. The Petitioner in this matter, Shore Digital LLC is alleging that both NAPW and PDN are in breach of contract, and the matter involves the payment of the entire value of the contract plus counsel feels, interests, and costs owing to the Petitioner. The case is on-going, and discussions are taking place to assess the company’s options to settle the matter without further litigation.

 

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to a proceeding captioned Deborah Bayne, et al. vs. NAPW, Inc. and Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-3591 (E.D.N.Y.), filed in June of 2018 and alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and certain provisions of the New York Labor Law. The Company disputes that it or its subsidiary violated the applicable laws or that either entity has any liability and intends to vigorously defend against these claims. The matter is in the earliest stages of discovery. The potential financial impact on the Company is inherently uncertain at this point.

 

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Jacqueline M. Jefferson v. Noble Voice, No. 440-2018-06979 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on July 10, 2018 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, where an employee alleges she was terminated by the Company due to her age on May 25, 2018. Ms. Jefferson’s termination was as a result of the sale of the Noble Voice business on May 25, 2018. The Company and Jacqueline Jefferson are in the process of mediation.

 

General Legal Matters

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company believes that such matters are currently not material, there can be no assurance that matters arising in the ordinary course of business for which the Company is, or could be, involved in litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

7. Income Taxes

 

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 2.6% and 8.0%, respectively, resulting in a $190,000, and $201,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 4.9% and 6.2%, respectively, resulting in a $562,000 and $1,126,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, is mainly attributable to the decrease in tax rates pursuant to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, an impairment charge recognized on NAPW’s goodwill, and a change in the valuation allowance. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the consideration of these items, management has determined that enough uncertainty exists relative to the realization of the deferred income tax asset balances to warrant the application of a full valuation allowance as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act subjects a U.S. parent shareholder to current tax on its “global intangible low-taxed income” (GILTI). We are allowed under ASC 740 to elect an accounting policy choice of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred or (2) factoring such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes. Because of the complexity of these rules, and anticipated guidance from U.S. Treasury we will continue to evaluate the impact on the Company’s financial statements. Therefore, we have not recorded any deferred taxes related to GILTI and have not made a policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on GILTI.

 

 12 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

8. Stock-Based Compensation

 

Equity Incentive Plans – The Company’s 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2013 Plan”) was adopted for the purpose of providing equity incentives to employees, officers, directors and consultants including options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other equity awards, annual incentive awards and dividend equivalents. The Company amended the 2013 Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock under the Plan from 225,000 shares to 615,000 shares, which the Company’s stockholders approved on June 26, 2017. The Company further amended the 2013 Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock under the Plan by 300,000 shares, which the Company’s stockholders approved and ratified on November 8, 2018. The Company is now authorized to issue 915,000 shares under the amended 2013 Plan.

 

Stock Options

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:

 

  

Number of

Options

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life

(in Years)

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 
Outstanding – January 1, 2018   246,564   $11.17    9.1   $- 
Granted   253,000    2.82           
Exercised   -    -           
Forfeited/Canceled/Expired   (125)   27.6           
Outstanding – September 30, 2018   499,439   $6.94    9.0   $7,500 
                     
Exercisable – September 30, 2018   251,272   $8.49    8.8   $2,500 

 

On April 19, 2018, the Company granted 75,000, 75,000, 70,000 and 30,000 stock options to Executive Chairman Jingbo Song, Non-executive Chairman James Kirsch, CEO Michael Wang and CFO Gary Xiao, respectively, in connection with their employment agreements. On September 7, 2018, the Company granted 3,000 stock options to an employee, in connection with his employment agreement. These options had an aggregate fair value of $547,000, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

Risk-free interest rate     2.77% to 2.82 %
Expected dividend yield     0.00 %
Expected volatility     97.4% to 98.8 %
Expected term     5.4 to 5.5 years  

 

The April 19, 2018 options granted are exercisable at an exercise price of $2.82 per share over a ten-year term and vest over two years, with one-third vested upon grant, while the September 7, 2018 options granted are exercisable at an exercise price of $3.07 per share over a ten-year term and vest over two years, with one-third vested upon grant.

 

The Company recorded non-cash compensation expense, which is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations, of approximately $137,000 and $88,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $524,000 and $618,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to stock option grants.

 

Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options at September 30, 2018 amounted to approximately $435,000 and is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of 1.2 years.

 

Warrants

 

As of September 30, 2018, there were 170,314 warrants outstanding and exercisable, with a weighted average exercise price of $32.44 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the warrants at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was 2.6 and 3.3 years, respectively, and the aggregate intrinsic value was 0.

 

The Company did not grant any warrants to purchase shares of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

No compensation cost was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 pertaining to warrants.

 

 13 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

 

During the first nine months of 2018, the Company granted 42,727 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain Board members and 9,886 restricted stock to senior management. The RSUs vest one year after they were awarded, subject to continued service on the vesting date. The RSUs have no voting or dividend rights. The fair value of the common stock on the dates of grant were $2.82 and $3.07 per share, based upon the closing market price on the grant dates. The aggregate grant date fair value of the combined awards amounted to $154,000.

 

A summary of the restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows:

 

   Number of
Shares
 
     
Unvested Outstanding at December 31, 2017   15,544 
Granted   52,613 
Forfeited   - 
Vested   (15,544)
Unvested Outstanding at September 30, 2018   52,613 

 

On June 26, 2017, the Company granted 15,544 RSUs to certain Board members. The RSUs vested on June 28, 2018. The RSUs have no voting or dividend rights. The fair value of the common stock on the date of grant was $7.72 per share, based upon the closing market price on the grant date. The aggregate grant date fair value of the combined awards amounted to $120,000.

 

The Company recorded non-cash compensation expenses of approximately $34,000 and $58,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately $113,000 and $113,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to restricted stock grants.

 

Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units at September 30, 2018 amounts to approximately $101,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.5 year.

 

9. Segment Information

 

Beginning on May 26, 2018, the Company operates in the following segments: (A) United States: (i) PDN Network and (ii) NAPW Network, and (B) China Operations. The segments are categorized based on their business activities and organization. Prior to May 26, 2018, the Company operated in the following segments: (A) United States: (i) PDN Network, (ii) NAPW Network, and (B) China Operations. The following tables present key financial information of the Company’s reportable segments as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 
   United States             
  

PDN

Network

  

NAPW

Network

   China
 Operations
   Corporate Overhead   Consolidated 
                     
Membership fees and related  services  $-   $1,058,443   $53,599   $-   $1,112,042 
Recruitment services   705,040    -    -    -    705,040 
Products sales and other   -    3,180    -    -    3,180 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions   74,360    -    -    -    74,360 
Total revenues   779,400    1,061,623    53,599    -    1,894,622 
(Loss) income from continuing operations   67,617    (6,163,059)   (448,714)   (859,737)   (7,403,893)
Depreciation and amortization   15,757    631,485    2,861    -    650,103 
Income tax expense (benefit)   6,510    (269,371)   -    72,913    (189,950)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations   66,807    (5,893,686)   (429,233)   (932,650)   (7,188,762)
Capital expenditures   -    -    (3,639)   -    (3,639)

 

 14 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 
   United States             
   PDN Network   NAPW Network   China   Operations   Corporate Overhead   Consolidated 
                     
Membership fees and related  services  $-   $3,878,875   $181,114   $-   $4,059,989 
Recruitment  services   2,018,832    -    -    -    2,018,832 
Products sales and other   -    13,197    -    -    13,197 
Education and training   -    -    16,048    -    16,048 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions   218,637    -    -    -    218,637 
Total revenues   2,237,469    3,892,072    197,162    -    6,326,703 
Loss from continuing operations   15,858    (7,360,589)   (1,273,897)   (2,850,279)   (11,468,907)
Depreciation and amortization   49,722    1,926,366    13,037    -    1,989,125 
Income tax expense (benefit)   1,832    (408,375)   2,265    (158,137)   (562,415)
Net loss from continuing operations   31,183    (6,952,214)   (1,240,913)   (2,692,142)   (10,854,086)
Capital expenditures   -    -    (7,206)   -    (7,206)

 

   September 30, 2018 
Goodwill  $339,451   $-   $-   $-   $339,451 
Intangible assets, net   90,400    4,318,534    -    -    4,408,934 
Assets from continuing operations   1,542,973    5,423,600    1,564,863    -    8,531,436 

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 
    United States               
    

PDN

Network

    

NAPW

Network

    China
Operations
    Corporate Overhead    Consolidated 
                          
Membership fees and related services  $-   $2,204,909   $-   $-   $2,204,909 
Recruitment services   694,454    -    -    -    694,454 
Products sales and other   -    18,285    -    -    18,285 
Education and training   -    -    68,890    -    68,890 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions   65,188    -    -    -    65,188 
Total revenues   759,642    2,223,194    68,890    -    3,051,726 
(Loss) income from continuing operations   40,429    (1,219,722)   (348,630)   (1,000,362)   (2,528,285)
Depreciation and amortization   13,213    740,489    3,442    -    757,144 
Income tax expense (benefit)   3,283    (93,955)   (43,043)   (67,408)   (201,123)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations   51,263    (1,125,767)   (310,269)   (932,954)   (2,317,727)
Capital expenditures   93,676    -    12,356    -    106,032 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 
    United States                
    

PDN

Network

    

NAPW

Network

    China
Operations
    Corporate Overhead    Consolidated 
                          
Membership fees and related services  $-   $7,465,202   $-   $-   $7,465,202 
Recruitment services   1,977,101    -    -    -    1,977,101 
Products sales and other   -    91,226    -    -    91,226 
Education and training   -    -    898,584    -    898,584 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions   189,217    -    -    -    189,217 
Total revenues   2,166,318    7,556,428    898,584    -    10,621,330 
(Loss) income from continuing operations   (66,187)   (13,185,268)   (286,957)   (4,747,737)   (18,286,149)
Depreciation and amortization   67,099    2,220,806    6,107    -    2,294,012 
Income tax expense (benefit)   (3,422)   (831,178)   -    (291,620)   (1,126,220)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations   (50,859)   (12,354,090)   (294,962)   (4,456,117)   (17,156,028)
Capital expenditures   100,823    10,646    48,060    -    159,529 

 

 15 
 

 

 

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

   December 31, 2017 
Goodwill  $339,451   $5,250,699   $-   $-   $5,590,150 
Intangible assets, net   90,400    6,174,306    -    -    6,264,706 
Assets from continuing operations   1,726,061    12,889,367    3,056,281    -    17,671,709 

 

10. Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluates subsequent events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure. On November 5, 2018, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with GNet Tech Holdings Public Limited Company (the “GNet Tech”), pursuant to which the Company issued to GNet Tech a $500,000 convertible promissory note with an interest rate of 6% per annum (the “Note”). The Note shall mature six months after the date of issuance (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Note, at any time on or after the Maturity Date, at the election of the note holder, the Note will convert into the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) at a conversion price of the lower of (i) the closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ immediately preceding the date of issuance or the date of conversion, as applicable, or (ii) the average closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of issuance or the date of conversion, as applicable (the “Minimum Price”). However, in no event shall the conversion price be less than the Minimum Price on the date of issuance. The issuance of the Note is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a transaction not involving a public offering.

 

On November 16, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”) with GNet Tech, pursuant to which GNet Tech has agreed to provide the Company with working capital to support its business. The availability period of the Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”) is the date of the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement until May 31, 2020. GNet Tech agreed to provide the Company with a RCF with a maximum of GBP £1,500,000 at interest of LIBOR rate plus 4% per annum, payable at the end of one, three or six months (specified by the Company) after the loan is drawn. The Company shall repay the loan on May 31, 2020, or any other date which may be agreed in writing between the parties.

 

 16 
 
 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 

Unless we specify otherwise, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) to “PDN,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Professional Diversity Network, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto in Item 1, “Financial Statements,” in Part I of this Quarterly Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which are based on our assumptions about the future of our business. Our actual results will likely differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please read “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for additional information regarding forward-looking statements used in this Quarterly Report.

 

Overview

 

We are an operator of professional networks with a focus on diversity, employment, education and training. We use the term “diversity” (or “diverse”) to describe communities, or “affinities,” that are distinct based on a wide array of criteria, including ethnic, national, cultural, racial, religious or gender classification. We serve a variety of such communities, including Women, Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Disabled, Military Professionals, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+).

 

We operated in four business segments: (i) Professional Diversity Network (“PDN Network”), which includes online professional networking communities with career resources tailored to the needs of various diverse cultural groups and employers looking to hire members of such groups, (ii) National Association of Professional Women (“NAPW Network”), a women-only professional networking organization, (iii) Noble Voice operations (“Noble Voice”) until May 25, 2018, a career consultation and lead generation service, and (iv) China operations ( “China Operations” ), which focuses on providing tools, products and services in China which will assist women, students and business professionals in personal and professional development.

 

On May 25, 2018, the Company sold Noble Voice to a long-time customer of the Company and exited the business segment. The Company retained all receivables and payables prior to the May 25, 2018 closing date and as a result of this divestiture, ceased operating losses on that division immediately upon the sale. Management believes that education lead generation business is not important to the Company’s long-term strategy and with the sale of the Noble Voice division, the Company is now able to focus on executing its long term plan for its PDN jobs recruitment division and NAPW.

 

Our value proposition is simple: (i) we provide a robust online and in-person network for our women members to make professional and personal connections for our diverse audience of women: African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Veterans, individuals with disabilities and members of the gay community (with the ability to roll out to our other affinities); (ii) we assist our registered users, or members, in their efforts to connect with like-minded individuals and identify career opportunities within the network; (iii) we help employers address their workforce diversity needs by connecting them with the right candidates; and (iv) we leverage our U.S. expertise and China connections to deliver these values to China, one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for professional networking.

 

In January of 2017, the Company established PDN Hong Kong through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries there and in March of 2017 the Company established PDN China through its subsidiary there. We are currently executing our strategic plan to build in China entirely new networking, training and education businesses. We believe that coupling the Company’s expertise in networking and careers with our Chinese executives’ expertise in the China market will provide us with an opportunity for success with our overseas expansion. During the first two quarters of 2017, we held seven events as part of our education and training business line’s “Shared Economy” summit series, attracting over 7,800 paid attendees. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2017, we held a selective marketing event to introduce IAW, the PDN China women’s networking business.

 

In the third quarter of 2017, PDN China began to transact IAW annual memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 200,000 (approximately $3,000 to $30,000). Additionally IAW China held its first IAW VIP China event at the Women’s Forum Global Meeting, in Paris, France. Also, on December 2, 2017, PDN China held its largest education and training event of the year. The event, “The International Capital Leadership Summit”, took place in Beijing, China. Among its many notable speakers was Mr. Bruce Aust, Vice Chairman of the Nasdaq Exchange, who was featured at the event. In the fourth quarter of 2017, PDN China began to transact annual business club memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 100,000 (approximately $3,000 to $15,000).

 

Through the third quarter of 2018, our PDN Network, NAPW Network, and China Operations businesses represented 41.2%, 56.0%, and 2.8% of our revenues, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, we had approximately 10.7 million registered users in our PDN Network and approximately 954,000 registered users, or members, in the NAPW Network. We believe that the combination of our solutions allows us to approach recruiting and professional networking in a unique way and thus create enhanced value for our members and customers.

 

 17 
 

 

Sources of Revenue

 

We generate revenue from (i) paid membership subscriptions and related services, (ii) recruitment services, (iii) product sales, (iv) education and training and (v) consumer advertising and consumer marketing solutions. The following table sets forth our revenues from each product as a percentage of total revenue for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
Percentage of revenue by product:                
Membership fees and related services   58.7%   72.3%   64.1%   70.3%
Recruitment services   37.2%   22.7%   31.9%   18.6%
Products sales and other   0.2%   0.6%   0.2%   0.8%
Education and training   -%   2.3%   0.3%   8.5%
Consumer advertising and consumer marketing solutions   3.9%   2.1%   3.5%   1.8%

 

Paid Membership Subscriptions and Related Services. Paid Membership Subscriptions and Related Services. We offer paid membership subscriptions through our NAPW Network, a women-only professional networking organization, operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary. Members gain access to networking opportunities through a members-only website at www.iawomen.com and “virtual” eChapter events which occur in a webcast setting as well as through in-person networking at approximately 100 local chapters nationwide, additional career and networking events such as the National Networking Summit Series, Power Networking Events and the PDN Network events. NAPW members also receive ancillary (non-networking) benefits such as educational discounts, shopping, and other membership perks. The basic package is the Initiator level, which provides online benefits only. Upgrades to an Innovator membership include the Initiator benefits as well as membership in local chapters, and access to live in-person events. The most comprehensive level, the Influencer, provides all the aforementioned benefits plus admission to exclusive “live” events and expanded opportunities for marketing and promotion, including the creation and distribution of a press release, which is prepared by professional writers and sent over major newswires. Additionally, all memberships offer educational programs with discounts or at no cost, based on the membership level. NAPW Membership is renewable and fees are payable on an annual or monthly basis, with the first fee payable at the commencement of the membership. NAPW Membership subscriptions represented approximately 99.7% and 99.2%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the NAPW Network business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 99.7% and 98.8%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

As part of the launch of IAW in the United States, the Company began to offer a monthly membership option in January 2018, in addition to an annual membership option. While this has increased the number of new members registering, membership revenue is received on a monthly rather than an annual basis. The new IAW is focused on delivering member benefits and providing value to those who join as paid members.

 

In the third quarter of 2017, PDN China began to transact IAW annual memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 200,000 (approximately $3,000 to $30,000). In the fourth quarter of 2017, PDN China began to transact annual business club memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 100,000 (approximately $3,000 to $15,000). IAW memberships comprised approximately 100% of revenue attributable to China Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and 91.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Recruitment Services. We provide recruitment services through PDN Network to medium and large employers seeking to diversify their employment ranks. Our recruitment services include recruitment advertising, job postings, semantic search technology and paid access to, and placement in, or advertising around our career and networking events. The majority of recruitment services revenue comes from job recruitment advertising. We also offer to businesses subject to the regulations and requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (“ OFCCP ”) our OFCCP compliance product, which combines diversity recruitment advertising with job postings and compliance services. Recruitment advertising revenue constituted approximately 90.5% and 91.4%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, recruitment advertising revenue constituted approximately 90.2% and 91.3%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment.

 

Product Sales. We offer to new purchasers of our NAPW memberships the opportunity to purchase a commemorative wall plaque at the time of purchase. They may purchase up to two plaques at that time. Product sales represented approximately 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the NAPW Network business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 0.3% and 1.2%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the NAPW Network business segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

Education and Training. In March of 2017 we began our China Operations by creating a Shared Economy summit series designed to provide education and training to Chinese business people. Our initial event was a paid event which generated revenue through paid event admission fees. Education and training represented approximately 0% and 100%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to China Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 8.1% and 100%, respectively, of revenue attributable to China Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

Consumer Advertising and Consumer Marketing Solutions.  We work with partner organizations to provide them with integrated job boards on their websites which offer their members or customers the opportunity to post recruitment advertising and job openings.  We generate revenue from fees charged for those postings. Consumer advertising and marketing solutions represented approximately 9.5% and 8.6%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, consumer advertising and consumer marketing solutions revenue constituted approximately 9.8% and 8.7%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment.

 

 18 
 

 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue primarily consists of costs of producing job fair and other events, revenue sharing with partner organizations, costs of web hosting and operating our websites for the PDN Network, and costs of producing education and training events and serving IAW members for our China business. Costs of producing wall plaques, hosting member conferences and local chapter meetings are also included in the cost of revenue for NAPW Network.

 

Financial Overview

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we experienced losses as we continued our efforts to develop China Operations, reduce costs and streamline our business. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, we realized a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $7,189,000, a $4,870,000 increase from the comparable prior year period.  This increase in net loss was primarily a result of a $5,251,000 goodwill impairment charge that was recorded during third quarter of 2018, and a decrease of $1,093,000 in revenues from membership fees, partially offset by a decrease of $926,000 in overall general and administrative expenses, and a decrease of $622,000 in overall sales and marketing costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we realized a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $10,854,000, a $6,302,000 decrease from the comparable prior year period. This decrease in net loss is primarily a result of a $4,669,000 decrease in goodwill impairment charge related to our NAPW segment, a decrease of $3,362,000 in overall general and administrative expenses, and a decrease of $2,666,000 in overall sales and marketing costs, partially offset by a decrease of $3,405,000 in revenues from membership fees, and a decrease of $883,000 in revenues from education and training.

 

Key Metrics

 

We believe that one of the key metrics in evaluating and measuring our performance is the number of registered users. We define the number of registered users as (i) the number of individual job seekers who affirmatively visited one of PDN Network’s properties, opted into an affinity group and provided us with demographic or contact information enabling us to match them with employers and/or jobs (PDN Network registered users); and (ii) the number of consumers who have viewed our marketing material, opted into membership in the NAPW Network, provided demographic information and engaged in an onboarding call with a membership coordinator (NAPW Network registered users). We believe that a higher number of registered users will result in increased sales of our products and services, as customers will have access to a larger pool of professional talent. However, a higher number of registered users will not immediately translate to increased revenue, as there is a lag between the time we acquire a registered user through our lead-generation process and the time we generate revenue from a registered user by selling them one of our paid products or services.

 

The following table sets forth the number of registered users on our PDN Network and total membership on our NAPW Network as of the periods presented:

 

   As of September 30,   Change 
   2018   2017   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)     
PDN Network Registered Users (1)   10,659    9,975    6.9%
NAPW Network Total Membership (2)   954    952    0.2%

 

(1) The number of registered users may be higher than the number of actual users due to various factors. For more information, see “ Risk Factors page #18 —The reported number of our registered users is higher than the number of actual individual users, and a substantial majority of our visits are generated by a minority of our users ” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Annual Report” as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2018).
   
(2) Includes both Paid Members and Unpaid Members.

 

 19 
 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides a meaningful representation of our operating performance that provides useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used by financial analysts and others to measure operating performance. Furthermore, management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure may provide investors with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods as they are expected to be reflective of our core ongoing business. However, while we consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an important measure of operating performance, Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Further, Adjusted EBITDA, as we define it, may not be comparable to EBITDA, or similarly titled measures, as defined by other companies.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Loss from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA, the most directly comparable GAAP measure reported in our consolidated financial statements:

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30,   September 30, 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
   (in thousands)         
Loss from Continuing Operations  $(7,189)  $(2,318)  $(10,854)  $(17,156)
Stock-based compensation expense   171    146    637    731 
Goodwill impairment charge   5,251    -    5,251    9,920 
Depreciation and amortization   650    757    1,989    2,294 
Litigation settlement   342    155    342    155 
Interest Expense   (30)   -    (30)   12 
Interest and other income   4    (4)   -    (9)
Income tax expense (benefit)   (190)   (201)   (562)   (1,126)
Adjusted EBITDA  $(991)  $(1,465)  $(3,227)  $(5,179)

 

Results of Operations

 

Revenues

 

Total Revenues

 

The following tables set forth our revenues for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

   Three Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
Revenues                    
Membership fees and related services  $1,112   $2,205   $(1,093)   (49.6)%
Recruitment services   705    694    11    1.6%
Products sales and other   3    18    (15)   (83.3)%
Education and training   -    69    (69)   (100.0)%
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions   74    65    9    13.8%
Total revenues  $1,894   $3,051   $(1,157)   (37.9)%

 

 20 
 

 

   Nine Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
Revenues                    
Membership fees and related services  $4,060   $7,465   $(3,405)   (45.6)%
Recruitment services   2,019    1,976    42    2.1%
Products sales and other   13    91    (78)   (85.7)%
Education and training   16    899    (883)   (98.2)%
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions   219    189    30    15.9%
Total revenues  $6,327   $10,620   $(4,294)   (40.4)%

 

Total revenues decreased $1,157,000, or 37.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same prior year period, and $4,294,000, or 40.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same prior year period, due primarily to management’s focus on reduction in sales and operations workforce as a means to cost savings and rebranding the business.

 

Revenues by Segment

 

The following table sets forth each operating segment’s revenues for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

   Three Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
NAPW Network  $1,062   $2,223   $(1,161)   (52.2)%
PDN Network   779    759    20    2.6%
China   54    69    (15)   (21.7)%
Total revenues  $1,895   $3,051   $(1,157)   (37.9)%

 

   Nine Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
NAPW Network  $3,892   $7,556   $(3,664)   (48.5)%
PDN Network   2,237    2,165    72    3.2%
China   197    899    (702)   (78.1)%
Total revenues  $6,326   $10,620   $(4,294)   (40.4)%

 

 21 
 

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our NAPW Network generated $1,062,000 in revenue from membership fees and related services and product sales, compared to $2,223,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $1,161,000, or 52.2%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our NAPW Network generated $3,892,000 in revenue from membership fees and related services and product sales and other, compared to $7,556,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $3,664,000, or 48.5%. The decrease was mainly attributable to reductions in NAPW sales staff from 37 sales representatives on average during the first nine months of 2017 to 17 sales representatives on average during the first nine months of 2018. As a part of rebranding the NAPW business, the Company also re-tooled its lead-generation and other marketing activities.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our PDN Network generated $779,000 in revenue, compared to $759,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $20,000, or 2.6%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our PDN Network generated $2,237,000 in revenue, compared to $2,165,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $72,000, or 3.3%. The increase was a result of improved operational efficiencies and improvement in concerted efforts in sales growth, client retention, and customer satisfaction

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our China Operations generated $54,000 in revenue, compared to $69,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $15,000 or 21.7%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our China Operations generated $197,000 in revenue, compared to $899,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $702,000 or 78.1%. We did not hold any major paid events in the first nine months of 2018 as most our efforts were devoted to future business development.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

The following tables set forth our costs and expenses for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

   Three Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
Costs and expenses:                    
Cost of revenue  $292   $357   $(65)   (18.2)%
Sales and marketing   977    1,599    (622)   (38.9)%
General and administrative   1,786    2,712    (926)   (34.1)%
Litigation settlement   342    155    187    120.6%
Goodwill impairment charge   5,251    -    5,251    100.0%
Depreciation and amortization   650    757    (107)   (14.1)%
Total costs and expenses  $9,298   $5,580   $(3,718)   (66.6)%

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses were $9,298,000, compared to $5,580,000 for same period in the prior year, an increase of $3,718,000 or 66.6%. We recorded a $5,251,000 goodwill impairment charge in our NAPW segment in September 2018. Excluding goodwill impairment charge, the total costs and expenses were $4,047,000, a decrease of $1,533,000 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to $926,000 or 34.1% decrease in general and administrative expenses and a $622,000 or 38.9% decrease in sales and marketing expenses.

 

 22 
 

 

   Nine Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
Costs and expenses:                    
Cost of revenue  $917   $1,214   $(297)   (24.5)%
Sales and marketing   3,094    5,760    (2,666)   (46.3)%
General and administrative   6,202    9,564    (3,362)   (35.2)%
Litigation settlement   342    155    187    120.6%
Goodwill impairment charge   5,251    9,920    (4,669)   (47.1)%
Depreciation and amortization   1,989    2,294    (305)   (13.3)%
Total costs and expenses  $17,795   $28,907   $(11,112)   (38.4)%

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses were $17,795,000, compared to $28,907,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $11,112,000, or 38.4%. The decrease is primarily a result of a $4,669,000 or 47.1% decrease in goodwill impairment charge related to our NAPW segment, a $3,362,000 or 35.2% decrease in general and administrative expenses, and a $2,666,000 or 46.3% decrease in sales and marketing expenses.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Cost of revenue: Cost of revenues decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2018 to $292,000, compared to $357,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $65,000, or 18.2%. During nine months ended September 30, 2018, cost of revenues was $917,000, compared to $1,214,000 for the same period in the prior year, a reduction of $297,000 or 24.5%. The decrease is in tandem with lower revenues.

 

Sales and marketing expenses: Sales and marketing expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $977,000, compared to $1,599,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $622,000, or 38.9%. The decrease was mostly attributable to a $239,000 decrease in personnel cost due to sales force reduction in our NAPW segment, a $154,000 reduction in sales commission expenses, and a $153,000 reduction in lead spending in our NAPW segment. Sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $3,094,000, compared to $5,760,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $2,666,000, or 46.3%. The decrease was primarily due to a $962,000 reduction in lead spending in our NAPW segment, an $869,000 decrease in personnel costs due to sales force reduction in our NAPW segment, and a $461,000 reduction in sales commission expenses.

 

General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $1,786,000, compared to $2,712,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $926,000 or 34.1%. The decrease was mainly attributable to a $480,000 reduction in personnel costs primarily due to a large reduction in force in our NAPW segment in September 2017, a $314,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and executed a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment in 2018, and a $115,000 decrease in compensation to our independent board directors. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $6,602,000, compared to $9,564,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $3,362,000 or 35.2%. The decrease was mainly attributable to an $890,000 reduction in legal expenses, an $888,000 reduction in personnel costs, a $366,000 decrease in compensation to our independent board directors, a $352,000 reduction in rent expenses, and a $263,000 decrease in consulting fees.

 

Litigation settlement: Litigation settlement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 represents primarily potential settlement accrued for various cases. Litigation settlement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 represents primarily $146,000 in expenses that were accrued for the potential back-pay related to the “NLRB” legal proceeding (please refer to “Legal Proceedings” for details in the previous 10-Q). Since then, the Company settled its “NLRB” litigation and paid full settlement amount of $139,000 as of September 30, 2018.

 

Goodwill impairment charge: As a result of the recurring operating losses incurred in NAPW since its acquisition in September 2014, the Company undertook a review of the carrying amount of its goodwill as of June 30, 2017, and as of September 30, 2018. Accordingly, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and $5,251,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses: Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $650,000, compared to $757,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $107,000 or 14.1%. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $1,989,000, compared to $2,294,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $305,000 or 13.3%. The decrease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was mainly attributable to a reduction in amortization expenses resulting from the amortization of the intangible assets as listed in Note 5 on page 10 of this quarterly report.

 

 23 
 

 

Costs and Expenses by Segment

 

The following table sets forth each operating segment’s costs and expenses for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

   Three Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
NAPW Network  $7,225   $3,443   $3,782    109.8%
PDN Network   712    719    (7)   (1.0)%
China   502    418    85    20.4%
Corporate Overhead   860    1,000    (141)   (14.1)%
Total costs and expenses  $9,299   $5,580   $3,719    66.6%

 

   Nine Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
NAPW Network  $11,253   $20,742   $(9,489)   (45.7)%
PDN Network   2,222    2,233    (11)   (0.5)%
China   1,471    1,186    286    24.1%
Corporate Overhead   2,850    4,748    (1,897)   (40.0)%
Total costs and expenses  $17,796   $28,907   $(11,111)   (38.4)%

 

NAPW Network: During the three months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses in our NAPW segment were $7,225,000, compared to $3,443,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $3,782,000 or 109.8%. The increase was primarily due to a $5,251,000 goodwill impairment charge recorded on September 30, 2018. Excluding this non-recurring and non-cash expense, the total costs and expenses were $1,974,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $1,469,000 compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was a result of continued cost cutting efforts that began in the third quarter of 2017, mainly reduction in the work force that resulted in a $423,000 decrease in personnel costs, a $327,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and executed a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment in 2018, a $276,000 reduction in lead generation spending, a $140,000 decrease in sales commission expense, and a $61,000 decrease in consulting and outside services costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses were $11,253,000, compared to $20,742,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $9,489,000 or 45.7%. The decrease was a result of a $4,669,000 decrease in goodwill impairment charge, a $1,835,000 reduction in personnel costs, a $962,000 savings in lead generation spending, a $462,000 reduction in sales commissions expenses, a $388,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and executed a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment in 2018, a $258,000 decrease in consulting and outside services costs, and a $156,000 decrease in credit card fees.

 

PDN Network: During the three months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses in our PDN segment were flat compared to the same period in the prior year, totaling $712,000, and $719,000, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses were also flat compared to the same period in the prior year, totaling $2,222,000, and $2,233,000, respectively.

 

China Operations: During the three months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses in our China operations were $502,000, compared to $418,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $85,000 or 20.4%. The primary reason for the increase was a $61,000 increase in marketing and advertising expenses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses were $1,471,000, compared to $1,186,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $286,000 or 24.1%. The increase was primarily driven by a $290,000 increase in personnel costs and a $102,000 increase in marketing and advertising costs, partially offset by lower cost of sales due to a reduction in revenue.

 

Corporate Overhead: During the three months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses incurred by our Corporate Overhead segment were $860,000, compared to $1,000,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $141,000 or 14.1%. As we continue our efforts to reduce corporate level expenses, during the third quarter of 2018, we reduced compensation to our independent board directors by $115,000, and corporate personnel cost by $104,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, total costs and expenses were $2,850,000, compared to $4,748,000 during the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $1,897,000 or 40.0%. Such a large decrease is a result of a decrease in legal costs by $974,000, reduction in compensation to our independent board directors by $366,000, reduction of $200,000 in corporate personnel costs, a $94,000 reduction of stock-based compensation, an $89,000 decrease of audit and accounting fees, and an $85,000 reduction in corporate travel costs.

 

 24 
 

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

 

   Three Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
Total  $(190)  $(201)  $11    (5.5)%

 

   Nine Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
Total  $(562)  $(1,126)  $564    (50.1)%

 

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 2.6% and 8.0%, respectively, resulting in a $190,000, and $201,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 4.9% and 6.2%, respectively, resulting in a $562,000 and $1,126,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, is mainly attributable to the decrease in tax rates pursuant to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, an impairment charge recognized on NAPW’s goodwill, change in the valuation allowance and the foreign tax rate differential due to the Company’s China Operations. Management has determined that enough uncertainty exists relative to the realization of the deferred income tax asset balances to warrant the application of a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

Net Loss from Continuing Operations by Segment

 

The following table sets forth each operating segment’s net loss from continuing operations for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

   Three Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
NAPW Network  $(5,894)  $(1,126)  $(4,768)   423.5%
PDN Network   67    51    16    31.2%
China   (429)   (310)   (119)   38.4%
Corporate Overhead   (933)   (933)   -    0.0%
Consolidated Net Loss from continuing operations  $(7,189)  $(2,318)  $(4,871)   210.2%

 

   Nine Months Ended         
   September 30,   Change   Change 
   2018   2017   (Dollars)   (Percent) 
   (in thousands)         
NAPW Network  $(6,952)  $(12,354)  $5,402    (43.7)%
PDN Network   31    (51)   82    (161.2)%
China   (1,241)   (295)   (946)   320.7%
Corporate Overhead   (2,692)   (4,456)   1,764    (39.6)%
Consolidated Net Loss from continuing operations  $(10,854)  $(17,156)  $6,302    (36.7)%

 

As the result of the factors discussed above, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 we incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $7,189,000 and $10,854,000 respectively, an increase of 210.2% and a decrease of 36.7% from net loss from continuing operations of $2,318,000 and $17,156,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The $4,871,000 increase in net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily driven by a $5,251,000 goodwill impairment charge for our NAPW segment that we recorded on September 30, 2018, and a $1,161,000 decrease in revenues from membership fees, related services at our NAPW segment, partially offset by our continuous cost cutting efforts, primarily a decrease of $926,000 in general and administrative expenses and a decrease of $622,000 in sales and marketing expenses. The $6,302,000 decrease in net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily a result of a $4,669,000 decrease in goodwill impairment charge related to our NAPW segment, a $3,362,000 decrease in general and administrative expenses, and a $2,666,000 decrease in sales and marketing expenses, partially offset by a $4,294,000 decrease in overall revenue period-over-period, mainly a $3,664,000 reduction in NAPW segment revenues from membership fees, related services and product sales, and a $702,000 reduction in China Operations revenues from events and IAW memberships.

 

 25 
 

 

NAPW Network. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, our NAPW segment incurred a net loss of $5,894,000 and $6,952,000, respectively, compared to a net loss of $1,126,000 and $12,354,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The $4,768,000 increase in net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily driven by a $5,251,000 goodwill impairment charge recorded on September 30, 2018, and a $1,161,000 decrease in revenues from membership fees, related services and product sales period-over-period, partially offset by continuing decrease in overall spending, mainly a $423,000 decrease in personnel costs due to sales force reduction, a $327,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and executed a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment in 2018, and a $276,000 reduction in lead generation spending. The $5,402,000 decrease in net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily driven by a $4,669,000 decrease in goodwill impairment charge related to our NAPW segment, and overall cost cutting efforts, mainly a $1,835,000 reduction in personnel costs, a $962,000 savings in lead generation spending, a $462,000 reduction in sales commissions expenses, a $388,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and executed a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment in 2018, partially offset by a $3,664,000 decrease in revenues from membership fees, related services and product sales period-over-period.

 

PDN Network. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our PDN segment generated a net income of $67,000, compared to a net income of $51,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in net income of $16,000 was mainly a result of a $20,000 increase in revenue, while the overall costs and expenses decreased period-to-period by $7,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we generated a net income of $31,000, compared to a net loss of $51,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in net income of $82,000 was primarily attributable to a $71,000 increase in revenue, a $40,000 decrease in sales and marketing expenses, and a $17,000 decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses.

 

China Operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our China Operations incurred a net loss of $429,000, compared to a net loss of $310,000 for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in net loss of $119,000 was mainly a result of a $15,000 decrease in revenue, while overall expenses were higher by $85,000, mainly due to a $61,000 increase in marketing and advertising expenses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred a net loss of $1,241,000, compared to a net loss of $295,000 for the prior year period. The increase in net loss of $946,000 was primarily driven by a $701,000 decrease in revenue, while overall expenses grew by $286,000, mainly due to a $290,000 increase in personnel costs and a $102,000 increase in marketing and advertising costs, partially offset by lower cost of sales due to a reduction in revenue.

 

Corporate Overhead. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our Corporate Overhead segment incurred same amount of net loss of $933,000, compared to the same period ended September 30, 2017. While the overall costs of expenses actually decreased by $141,000 period over period as we continued our efforts to reduce corporate level expenses, primarily compensation to our independent board directors (reduction in $115,000), and corporate personnel costs (reduction in $104,000), in the third quarter of 2018 we recorded an adjustment to income tax expenses of $73,000, due to a change in the projected full-year tax rate. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred a net loss of $2,692,000, compared to a net loss of $4,456,000 for the prior year’s corresponding period. The decrease in net loss of $1,764,000 was primarily driven by a reduction in legal costs by $974,000, reduction of compensation to our independent board directors by $366,000, reduction in $200,000 in corporate personnel costs, $94,000 reduction in stock-based compensation, an $89,000 decrease of audit and accounting fees, and an $85,000 reduction in corporate travel costs.

 

 26 
 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table summarizes our liquidity and capital resources as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and is intended to supplement the more detailed discussion that follows:

 

   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017  
   (in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,653   $2,926 
Working (deficiency) capital  $(2,069)  $(1,140)

 

Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from the issuances of common stock to CFL and other investors. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had working capital deficiency of approximately $2,069,000 and $1,140,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we generated a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $10,854,000 (including $5,251,000 goodwill impairment charge recorded during third quarter of 2018), used cash in continuing operations of approximately $4,229,000, and we expect that we will continue to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future.

 

We are closely monitoring operating costs and capital requirements. We also had cost reductions in the areas of staffing levels and operating budgets.

 

On January 29, 2018, the Company sold 380,295 shares of common stock at a price of $3.91 per share for gross proceeds of $1,486,953. The per share purchase price reflected the closing price of the Company’s common stock on January 24, 2018. The purchaser is Mr. Shengqi Cai, an individual and a resident of the People’s Republic of China.

 

On June 25, 2018, the Company sold 496,510 shares of common stock at a price of $2.89 per share for gross proceeds of $1,434,914. The purchaser is China EWI International Finance Group Co., Limited, a limited liability company based in the People’s Republic of China.

 

We currently anticipate that our available funds will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements through November of 2019. Since the Company expects that it will continue to generate operating losses for the mid-term, the Company may require additional funding sources or need to further decrease expenses in order to conserve liquidity. Future efforts to raise additional funds may not be successful or they may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, due to China’s foreign currency control, the Company may not be able to move money between China and the U.S. freely. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulate the flow of foreign exchange in and out of the country. We need to get approval from Chinese government to move money from China to the U.S. which might take extra time.

 

We collect membership fees generally at the commencement of the membership term or at renewal periods thereafter. The memberships we sell are for one year and we defer recognition of the revenue from membership sales and renewals and recognize it ratably over the twelve month period. Starting January 2, 2018, we also offer a monthly membership for IAW in the USA for which we collect a fee on a monthly basis. Our PDN Network also sells recruitment services to employers, generally on a one year contract basis. This revenue is also deferred and recognized over the life of the contract. Our payment terms for PDN Network and Noble Voice customers range from 30 to 60 days. We consider the difference between the payment terms and payment receipts a result of transit time for invoice and payment processing and to date have not experienced any liquidity issues as a result of the payments extending past the specified terms. Cash and cash equivalents and short term investments consist primarily of cash on deposit with banks and investments in money market funds, corporate and municipal debt and U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities.

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2018   2017 
   (in thousands) 
Cash provided by (used in) continuing operations          
Operating activities  $(4,229)  $(6,388)
Investing activities   (96)   (298)
Financing activities   2,922    3,502 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents   (88)   (1)
Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations:          
Operating activities   

18

    (91)
Investing activities   200    - 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  $(1,273)  $(3,276)

 

 27 
 

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net cash used in operating activities in continuing operations was $4,229,000. We had a net loss of $10,854,000, deferred tax benefit of $375,000 which was offset by non-cash NAPW goodwill impairment charge of $5,251,000, depreciation and amortization of $1,989,000, stock-based compensation expense of $637,000, and a write off of security deposit of $149,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $1,098,000 of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, consisting primarily of decreases in deferred revenue and accrued expenses, partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and accounts payable.

 

Net cash used in operating activities in continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $6,388,000. We had a net loss of $17,156,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a deferred tax benefit of $1,099,000 which was offset by non-cash NAPW goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000, depreciation and amortization of $2,294,000, and stock-based compensation expense of $731,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $1,108,000 of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, consisting primarily of decreases in accounts payable and deferred revenue, partially offset by increases in prepayments, and accrued expenses.

 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities in continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $96,000, mainly consisting of $89,000 invested to develop technology.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $298,000, consisting of $157,000 invested in property and equipment, and $123,000 invested to develop new technology.

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities in continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $2,922,000, consisting of $1,487,000 in gross proceeds from the January 29, 2018 issuance and sale of 380,295 shares of common stock at a price of $3.91 per share to Mr. Shengqi Cai, an individual and a resident of the People’s Republic of China, and $1,435,000 in gross proceeds from the June 25, 2018 sale of 496,510 shares of common stock at a price of $2.89 per share to China EWI International Finance Group Co., Limited, a limited liability company based in the People’s Republic of China.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities in continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $3,502,000, consisting of $3,000,000 in gross proceeds from the January 18, 2017 issuance, $646,000 refund of merchant reserve, partially offset by a $144,000 payment of offering costs to third-party professionals.

 

Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operations

 

On May 25, 2018 we sold our Noble Voice operations.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities in discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $18,000. Net cash provided by investing activities for the same period was $200,000, consisting of $200,000 in gross proceeds from the sale of Noble Voice operations.

 

Net cash used in operating activities in discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $91,000.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Since inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet activities as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303(a)(4).

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “ JOBS Act ”), as an “emerging growth company,” we may delay adoption of new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until the earlier of the date that (i) we are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period for complying with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our consolidated financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. Upon issuance of new or revised accounting standards that apply to our consolidated financial statements, we will disclose the date on which adoption is required for non-emerging growth companies and the date on which we will adopt the recently issued accounting guidelines.

 

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to exercise considerable judgment with respect to establishing sound accounting policies and in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, our recognition of revenues and expenses, and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the consolidated financial statements.

 

We base our estimates on our historical experience, knowledge of our business and industry, current and expected economic conditions, the attributes of our products, the regulatory environment, and in certain cases, the results of outside appraisals. We periodically re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions with respect to these judgments and modify our approach when circumstances indicate that modifications are necessary. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

 

While we believe that the factors we evaluate provide us with a meaningful basis for establishing and applying sound accounting policies, we cannot guarantee that the results will always be accurate. Since the determination of these estimates requires the exercise of judgment, actual results could differ from such estimates.

 

There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates described in the 2017 Annual Report, which we believe are the most critical to our business and the understanding of our results of operations and affect the more significant judgments and estimates that we use in the preparation of our financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 3 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements concern expectations, beliefs, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Specifically, this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements regarding:

 

  our beliefs regarding our ability to create enhanced value for our members and customers;
  our beliefs regarding the relation between the number of members or registered users and our revenues;
  our expectations regarding future changes in our salesforce;
  our expectations regarding the changes in revenues in 2018, 2019 and 2020;
  our expectations regarding future increases in sales and marketing costs and general and administrative expenses; and
  our beliefs regarding our liquidity requirements, the availability of cash and capital resources to fund our business in the future and intended use of liquidity.

 

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These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  our ability to raise funds in the future to support operations failure to realize synergies and other financial benefits from mergers and acquisitions within expected time frames, including increases in expected costs or difficulties related to integration of merger and acquisition partners;
  inability to identify and successfully negotiate and complete additional combinations with potential merger or acquisition partners or to successfully integrate such businesses;
  our history of operating losses;
  we may not be able to reverse the significant decline in our revenues;
  our limited operating history in a new and unproven market;
  increasing competition in the market for online professional networks;
  our ability to comply with increasing governmental regulation and other legal obligations related to privacy;
  our ability to adapt to changing technologies and social trends and preferences;
  our ability to attract and retain a sales and marketing team, management and other key personnel and the ability of that team to execute on the Company’s business strategies and plans;
  our ability to obtain and maintain protection for our intellectual property;
  any future litigation regarding our business, including intellectual property claims;
  general and economic business conditions; and
  legal and regulatory developments.

 

The foregoing list of important factors may not include all such factors. You should consult other disclosures made by the Company (such as in our other filings with the SEC or in company press releases) for additional factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the Company. Please refer to Part II, Item 1A, “ Risk Factors ” of this Quarterly Report and to Part I, Item 1A, “ Risk Factors ” of our 2017 Annual Report for additional information regarding factors that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. You should consider these factors, risks and uncertainties when evaluating any forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements represent our views as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date of this Quarterly Report.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of September 30, 2018, our management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures; as is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act”). We recognize that there are material weaknesses related to our internal controls. Therefore, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. This includes ensuring that information required to be disclosed was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Furthermore, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the third quarter of 2018, we continued to undertake certain initiatives to improve and remediate material weaknesses related to our internal control over financial reporting that were identified for the year ended December 31, 2017. Specifically, we continued implementing policies to more fully segregate incompatible duties within our accounting and financial reporting functions and enhance the overall internal control structure, including a more rigorous and transparent expense approval process, and segregating check signing ability for finance personnel; we continued to implement more effective financial reporting process that included monthly and quarterly closing check-lists and monthly review of the financial reports by the Company’s Finance Department. We also continued to implement certain measures to help remediate material weaknesses in our China operations that we identified near the end of the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily improving standard processes and controls over revenue recognition of service income. There have been no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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Our management had concluded that, as of September 30, 2018, we did not maintain effective controls over the preparation, review, presentation and disclosure of our financial statements. Specifically, we noted the following:

 

  The Company lacks sufficient qualified personnel with the relative U.S. GAAP knowledge to review conclusions reached regarding the accounting for complex transactions and related analyses to record amounts resulting from such transactions in our financial records.
     
  We did not maintain an effective financial reporting process to prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Specifically, our process lacked timely and complete financial statement reviews and procedures to ensure all required disclosures were made in our financial statements.

 

We anticipate that the actions described above and resulting improvements in controls will strengthen the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and will, over time, address the related material weaknesses. However, because many of the controls in the Company’s system of internal controls rely extensively on manual review and approval, the successful operation of these controls may be required for several quarters prior to management being able to conclude that the material weaknesses have been remediated.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In a letter dated October 12, 2017, White Winston Select Asset Funds (“White Winston”) threatened assertion of claims against the Company. The letter alleges that White Winston suffered $2,241,958 in damages as a result of the Company’s alleged conduct that caused a delay in White Winston’s ability to sell shares in the Company during a period when the Company’s stock price was generally falling. The Company investigated White Winston’s claims and communicated to White Winston that the Company denies liability for any such claims. White Winston filed an action, entitled White Winston Select Asset Funds, LLC v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-10844, on April 30, 2018 in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts making similar claims and alleging that it suffered a loss of $1,708,233 as a result of the delay in selling shares. White Winston seeks to recover compensatory damages, double or treble damages under M.G.L. ch. 93A, and costs and attorneys’ fees. White Winston informed the Company on October 23, 2018 that they cannot meet the jurisdiction requirement for federal court and are therefore voluntarily dismissing this federal court case and re-filing a new case in state court.

 

NAPW is a defendant in a Nassau County (NY) Supreme Court case, whereby TL Franklin Avenue Plaza LLC has sued NAPW with respect to NAPW’s former Garden City NY Premises. NAPW had surrendered the Premises to the Landlord, and the Landlord is suing NAPW for the balance of the rent due under the Lease Term – which term is less than one year remaining. The case is currently being litigated, and we are currently in the pleadings phase of the litigation.

 

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Gerbie, et al. v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Ill.), a putative class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. A settlement has been reached and case has been dismissed by the court. The Company believes that its practices and procedures were compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and admitted no fault.

 

NAPW and PDN are two of the named Respondents in a Superior Court of New Jersey Proceeding, and they are being sued by Shore Digital LLC. The Petitioner in this matter, Shore Digital LLC is alleging that both NAPW and PDN are in breach of contract, and the matter involves the payment of the entire value of the contract plus counsel feels, interests, and costs owing to the Petitioner. The case is on-going, and discussions are taking place to assess the company’s options to settle the matter without further litigation.

 

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to a proceeding captioned Deborah Bayne, et al. vs. NAPW, Inc. and Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-3591 (E.D.N.Y.), filed in June of 2018 and alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and certain provisions of the New York Labor Law. The Company disputes that it or its subsidiary violated the applicable laws or that either entity has any liability and intends to vigorously defend against these claims. The matter is in the earliest stages of discovery. The potential financial impact on the Company is inherently uncertain at this point.

 

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Jacqueline M. Jefferson v. Noble Voice, No. 440-2018-06979 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on July 10, 2018 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, where an employee alleges she was terminated by the Company due to her age on May 25, 2018. Ms. Jefferson’s termination was as a result of the sale of the Noble Voice business on May 25, 2018. The Company and Jacqueline Jefferson are in the process of mediation.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d- 14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d- 14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101. INS XBRL Instance Document
101. SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101. CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101. DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101. LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101. PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY NETWORK, INC.
     
Date: November 19, 2018 By: /s/ Jiangping (Gary) Xiao
  Name:  Jiangping (Gary) Xiao
  Title:

Chief Financial Officer

(On behalf of the Registrant and as principal financial

officer and principal accounting officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d- 14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d- 14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101. INS XBRL Instance Document
101. SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101. CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101. DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101. LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101. PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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