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Quotes & Info
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| PRXI > SEC Filings for PRXI > Form 10-Q on 13-Jul-2012 | All Recent SEC Filings |
13-Jul-2012
Quarterly Report
This report contains information that may constitute "forward-looking statements." Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future - including statements relating to revenue growth, improvements to margin and earnings per share growth, and statements expressing general views about future operating results - are forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, such statements are dependent upon, and can be influenced by, a number of external variables over which management has little or no control, including but not limited to, general economic conditions, public tastes and demand, competition, the availability of venues, the results of certain legal matters described herein, governmental regulation and the efforts of co-sponsors and joint venture participants. As a result, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Our Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the performance that is ultimately achieved. As a result, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.
In this report, the terms "Premier Exhibitions, Inc.," the "Company," "Premier", "we," "us," and "our" mean Premier Exhibitions, Inc., a Florida corporation and its subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Premier, its wholly owned subsidiaries after the elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions, and its consolidated joint venture.
You are urged to read the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 29, 2012 ("fiscal 2012"), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason, even if new information becomes available. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere herein and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 29, 2012.
Premier's principal executive offices are located at 3340 Peachtree Road, NE,
Suite 900, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 and the Company's telephone number is
(404) 842-2600. The Company is a Florida corporation and maintains websites
located at www.prxi.com, www.rmstitanic.net, www.expeditiontitanic.com,
www.bodiestheexhibition.com, www.bodiestickets.com, www.titanictix.com,
www.bodiesrevealed.com, www.dialogtickets.com, www.dialognyc.com,
www.thetitanicstore.com, www.artsandexhibitions.com, www.cleopatraexhibit.com,
www.Kingtut.org, www.PiratesExhibition.com, and Kingtuthotels.com. Information
on Premier's websites is not part of this report.
Corporate Structure and Management
Effective June 29, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Samuel Weiser to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Weiser is currently a director of the Company, and will continue to serve in that capacity. Mr. Weiser, age 52, served as Interim Chief Financial of the Company from May 2011 until June 27, 2011, and as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer from November 28, 2011 through June 29, 2012.
On June 29, 2012, the Company and Mr. Weiser also entered into an Employment Agreement (the "Agreement"). The Agreement provides for Mr. Weiser's employment for an indefinite term as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time, subject to certain severance provisions provided in the Agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will pay Mr. Weiser a salary of $360,000 per year. In addition, Mr. Weiser will receive 250,000 stock appreciation rights and 99,074 restricted stock units under the Premier Exhibitions, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. 48,611 stock appreciation rights and 79,681 restricted stock units vested immediately, with the remainder vesting in thirty equal parts each month thereafter. The stock appreciation rights will be settled in cash, and expire five years from the date of grant. The restricted stock units will be settled in stock. Upon a termination without cause or by Mr. Weiser for good reason, as such terms are defined in the employment agreement. Mr. Weiser would be entitled to six months salary as severance plus vesting of his equity awards. Effective with the signing of this Agreement, the parties terminated the existing consulting agreement between the Company, Foxdale Management, LLC and Mr. Weiser pursuant to which he provided services as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Company also announced on July 2, 2012, that the Board of Directors of the
Company appointed John Norman to the position of President of Arts and
Exhibitions International, LLC (formerly PEM Newco, LLC), a subsidiary of
Premier Exhibition Management LLC, which is a subsidiary of the Company,
effective June 25, 2012. Mr. Norman, age 52, previously served as President of
the Arts and Exhibitions International division of AEG Live, until its April
2012 acquisition by the Company and Arts and Exhibitions International,
LLC. Mr. Norman previously served as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer of
Clear Channel Exhibitions, and prior thereto as Senior Vice President of SFX
entertainment.
On June 25, 2012, Arts and Exhibitions International, LLC, and Mr. Norman also
entered into an Employment Agreement (the "Norman Agreement"). The Norman
Agreement provides for Mr. Norman's employment for a two year term as President
of Arts and Exhibitions International, LLC (formerly PEM Newco, LLC). The
Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time, subject to certain
severance provisions provided in the Agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, the
Company will pay Mr. Norman a salary of $320,000 per year. In addition,
Mr. Norman has the opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus of up to 100% of his
base salary. The bonus is calculated as (a) 15% of the management fee earned by
Arts and Exhibitions International, LLC, above the minimum management fee earned
pursuant to its agreement with AEG Live, LLC, plus (b) 10% of the gross profit
of Arts and Exhibitions International, LLC, that is based on new content, plus
(c) 2.5% of the annual EBITDA of Premier Exhibition Management LLC. Upon a
termination without cause or by Mr. Norman for good reason, as such terms are
defined in the Norman Agreement, Mr. Norman would be entitled to six months
salary as severance.
Overview
Premier Exhibitions, Inc. and subsidiaries, (the "Company" or "Premier") is in the business of presenting to the public museum-quality touring exhibitions around the world. Since our establishment, we have developed, deployed, and operated unique exhibition products that are presented to the public in exhibition centers, museums, and non-traditional venues. Income from exhibitions is generated primarily through ticket sales, third-party licensing, sponsorships and merchandise sales.
Titanic Ventures Limited Partnership ("TVLP"), a Connecticut limited partnership, was formed in 1987 for the purposes of exploring the wreck of the R.M.S. Titanic and its surrounding oceanic areas. In May of 1993, RMS Titanic, Inc. ("RMST") entered into a reverse merger under which RMST acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of TVLP and TVLP became a shareholder of RMST. In October of 2004, we reorganized and Premier Exhibitions, Inc. became the parent company of RMST and RMST became a wholly-owned subsidiary. Additional wholly-owned subsidiaries were established in order to operate the various domestic and international exhibitions of the Company.
On September 29, 2011, the Company announced that it intended to separate its operations into two operating subdivisions. The change is intended to better position the Company to pursue strategic alternatives and manage both businesses independently.
Our business has been divided into an exhibition management subsidiary and a content subsidiary. The content division is the Company's existing subsidiary, RMST, which holds all of the Company's rights with respect to the Titanic assets and is the salvor-in-possession of the Titanic wreck site. These assets include title to all of the recovered artifacts in the Company's possession, in addition to all of the intellectual property (data, video, photos, maps, etc.) related to the recovery of the artifacts and scientific study of the ship.
We also formed a new entity, Premier Exhibition Management LLC ("PEM"), to manage all of the Company's exhibition operations. This includes the operation and management of our Bodies, Titanic (pursuant to an intercompany agreement with RMST) and Dialog in the Dark exhibitions. PEM will also pursue "fee for service" arrangements to manage exhibitions based on content owned or controlled by third parties.
On April 20, 2012, Premier Exhibition Management LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary, PEM Newco, LLC ("Newco"), both subsidiaries of the Company, entered into a purchase agreement with AEG Live LLC, AEG Exhibitions LLC, and Arts and Exhibitions International, LLC pursuant to which Newco purchased, effective April 20, 2012, substantially all of the assets of Arts and Exhibitions International, LLC ("AEI"). The assets purchased include the rights and tangible assets relating to four currently touring exhibitions known as "King Tut II," "Cleopatra," "America I Am" and "Real Pirates." The acquired assets include rights agreements with the owners of the artifacts and intellectual property comprising the exhibitions, museum/venue agreements for existing exhibition venues, sponsorship agreements, a warehouse lease and an office lease. In addition, the acquired assets include intellectual property related to proposed future exhibitions that the Company may further develop and produce. The Company will operate any such additional properties under its exhibition management subsidiary. As of May 31, 2012, our portfolio of touring exhibitions contains the following:
Stationary Touring Total
"Titanic: The Artifact Exhibiton and "Titanic:
The Experience" 3 6 9
"Bodies...The Exhibition" and "Bodies Revealed" 2 5 7
"Dialog in the Dark" 1 - 1
Exhibitions under Management
"Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs" - 1 1
"Cleopatra: The Exhibition" - 1 1
"Real Pirates" - 1 1
"America I AM" - 1 1
Total Exhibitions 6 15 21
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Our touring exhibitions usually span four to six months. The stationary exhibitions are longer-term engagements which are located in New York, New York, Las Vegas, Nevada, Orlando, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia. In fiscal 2012, we opened a new stationary "Dialog in the Dark" exhibit in New York City on August 20, 2011 and acquired a new exhibit known as "Titanic: The Experience" in Orlando, Florida on October 17, 2011.
In addition to developing new content for future exhibitions, the Company continually evaluates its touring capacity and may expand or contract to suit the addressable market for its content.
We first became known for our Titanic exhibitions which present the story of the ill-fated ocean liner, the R.M.S. Titanic (the "Titanic"). The Titanic has captivated the imaginations of millions of people throughout the world since 1912 when she struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic approximately 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland on her maiden voyage. More than 1,500 of the 2,228 lives on board the Titanic were lost.
We own approximately 5,500 Titanic artifacts recovered from the wreck site 2 1/2 miles below the ocean's surface which we have the right to present at our exhibitions. In 1994, a federal district court declared us salvor-in-possession of the Titanic wreck and wreck site, and, as such, we have the exclusive right to recover additional objects from the Titanic wreck site. Through our explorations, we have obtained and are in possession of the largest collection of data, information, images and cultural materials associated with the Titanic shipwreck. We believe that our salvor-in-possession status puts us in the best position to provide for the archaeological, scientific and educational interpretation, public awareness, historical conservation and stewardship of the Titanic shipwreck. As of May 31, 2012, we had the ability to present 9 concurrent Titanic exhibitions.
In 2004, we diversified our exhibitions beyond the Titanic and into human anatomy by acquiring licenses that give us rights to present exhibitions of human anatomy sets, each of which contains a collection of whole human body specimens plus single human organs and body parts. As of May 31, 2012, we had the ability to present 7 concurrent human anatomy exhibitions.
In 2008, we further expanded our exhibition portfolio when we entered into a long-term license agreement to present an exhibition series entitled "Dialog in the Dark." Our "Dialog in the Dark" exhibitions are intended to provide visitors with an opportunity to experience the paradox of learning to "see" without the use of sight. Visitors are escorted through a series of galleries immersed in total darkness and challenged to perform tasks without the use of their vision. In February 2012, the Company decided to close its Atlanta, Georgia "Dialog in the Dark" exhibition effective March 6, 2012. As of May 31, 2012, we had the ability to present one "Dialog in the Dark" exhibition. At this time the Company has not determined the future plans for its "Dialog in the Dark" exhibition.
Management has created a process to evaluate and develop new content that can be used to create new touring exhibitions. Other more generic processes were implemented to support traditional business decisions ranging from human resources management to financial planning and analysis. Additionally, management began to strategize on ways to expand the Titanic model beyond the exhibition business to broaden the Company's reach and to capitalize in 2012 on the 100 year anniversary of the maiden voyage and sinking of the Titanic.
Exhibitions
"Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition"
By featuring the artifacts recovered from the wreck site, our exhibitions tell the Titanic's story from construction through her sinking and discovery as well as the Company's efforts to preserve the wreck site and conserve recovered artifacts. The artifacts are placed in historically correct re-creations of the significant rooms onboard the ship and are illuminated by moving stories of her passengers and crew. Approximately 24 million visitors have attended our Titanic exhibitions at venues throughout the world, including in the United States ("U.S."), Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, France, Greece, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, Argentina, China, Mexico, Hungary, South Korea, Spain, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Australia. During the three months ended May 31, 2012, we presented 9 separate Titanic exhibitions at 9 venues, including "Titanic: The Experience".
"Titanic: The Experience"
Consistent with the Company's desire to increase its number of permanent exhibitions, on October 17, 2011 the Company purchased the assets of a Titanic-themed exhibition (Titanic: The Experience or "TTE") in Orlando, Florida. The Company believes that it has not historically fully realized the Orlando market, as a heavily tourist market, and seeks to do so through this acquisition. The Company plans to supplement the current exhibition with authentic Titanic artifacts from our existing collections and also by including assets generated during the 2010 Titanic expedition, discussed more fully below, such as 3D exhibitry. In addition, this exhibition will increase the Company's penetration into the Orlando market for merchandise sales.
Titanic Expeditions
In August 1987, TVLP contracted with the Institute of France for the Research and Exploration of the Sea ("IFREMER") to conduct an expedition and dive to the wreck of the Titanic. Approximately 2,000 objects were recovered and 140 hours of video tape footage and an estimated seven thousand still hotographs were taken during the course of the 32 dives in that original expedition. A French maritime tribunal subsequently conveyed to us title to these artifacts. In 1993, RMST acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of TVLP. In July 2004, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (the "District Court") concluded that such conveyance by the French tribunal was not valid and sought to deprive us of title to these artifacts. We appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (the "Appellate Court"). On January 31, 2006, the Court of Appeals reversed and vacated the ruling of the lower court. This decision reaffirmed the validity of our title to the approximately 2,000 artifacts recovered during the 1987 expedition.
We completed additional expeditions to the wreck of the Titanic in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2004 recovering approximately 3,500 additional artifacts and additional video tape footage and still photographs. With the depth of the Titanic wreck approximately two and one-half miles below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, our ability to conduct expeditions to the Titanic has been subject to the availability of necessary research and recovery vessels and equipment for chartering by us from June to September, which is the "open weather window" for such activities.
2010 Expedition to Titanic Wreck Site
During August and September 2010, our wholly owned subsidiary RMST, as salvor-in-possession of the RMS Titanic (the "Titanic") and its wreck site, conducted an expedition to the Titanic wreck site. RMST brought together an alliance of the world's leading archaeologists, oceanographers and scientists together with U.S. governmental agencies to join RMST in the 2010 expedition to the wreck site and the post-expedition scientific study. This alliance included the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution ("WHOI"), the Institute of Nautical Archaeology ("INA"), the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's Office of the National Marine Sanctuaries ("NOAA/ONMS"), The National Park Service's Submerged Resources Center ("NPS") and the Waitt Institute. Never before had all of these entities partnered to work together on one project. While all of these parties worked together to participate in the expedition, RMST has sole legal ownership of the film footage, data, and other assets generated from the expedition.
While the general purpose of the expedition was to collect and interpret archeological and scientific data utilizing state-of-the-art high definition 2D and 3D cameras and sonar scanning equipment, the Company also planned and executed the expedition in order to create digital assets for commercial purposes, including a 2D documentary being produced and to be aired by a major cable network, a separate HD3D film featuring a tour of the bow and stern sections of the ship, and assets to be utilized in enhancing the Titanic exhibitions, as well as other applications. The collected data will also provide the basis for an archaeological site plan, and ultimately a long-term management plan for the Titanic wreck site.
We have capitalized $4.5 million of costs related to the expedition, discussed in more detail below, which have been allocated to specific assets as reflected in the following table (in thousands).
May 31, 2012 Februrary 29, 2012
3D film $ 1,817 $ 1,817
3D exhibitry 857 857
2D documentary 631 631
Gaming application 886 886
Expedition web point of presence 317 317
Total expedition costs capitalized 4,508 4,508
Less: Accumulated amortization 206 175
Accumulated depreciation 212 158
Expedition costs capitalized, net $ 4,090 $ 4,175
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In order to increase interest in the expedition, the Company established a central web point of presence for the expedition (ExpeditionTitanic.com), which will also continue to serve as the central site to convey the ongoing efforts to preserve the legacy of the Titanic. During the 2010 expedition, the website featured updates from the crew and other expedition participants, images of the wreck site, and photo/live feed updates that allowed visitors to the site to follow the expedition as it was in process. These features account for most of the capitalized website costs of $317 thousand, which were capitalized in accordance with ASC 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other" ("ASC 350"), as they served as a significant draw to the website and also have future value as assets to be used in our exhibits and/or movies. The remaining capitalized website costs were for additional graphics, which were also capitalized in accordance with ASC 350. Website costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis, using a three year useful life. Depreciation expense related to the web point of presence totaled $26 thousand for the three months ended May 31, 2012 and 2011.
In addition, during fiscal 2011 the Company capitalized an additional $3.9 million in costs related to the expedition, comprised of $562 thousand in general management costs and $3.3 million in ship charter costs, underwater gear, and filming costs. Costs directly related to the 2D documentary, 3D film, 3D exhibitry or gaming applications were separately ascribed to the respective assets; additional costs related to all four types of assets were allocated ratably based on the anticipated future revenue associated with the asset, based on the reasonable expectations of management. During fiscal 2012, as additional assets were developed by our vendors, an additional $262 thousand in underwater gear and filming cost was capitalized.
Costs associated with the production of the 2D documentary and 3D films and the development of 3D exhibitry were capitalized in accordance with ASC 926 "Entertainment - Films" ("ASC-926"), as they meet the definition of film costs. ASC 926-20 defines films costs as all direct negative costs incurred in the physical production of a film, as well as allocations of production overhead and capitalized interest in accordance with ASC 926.
Costs incurred to charter the ship, ready it for the excursion, lease the requisite equipment, and hire the necessary expertise in the form of consultants and temporary labor were all required in order to prepare for and carry out the expedition and to create the film assets. Included in these costs is $2.0 million related to agreements with WHOI for optical services and the use of two autonomous underwater vehicles.
In addition, a significant project such as this requires management by a team of professionals, from the Expedition Leader to other individuals specializing in project management, legal and other specialties which were necessary to ensure that the expedition was conducted efficiently and effectively. A portion of the general management expenses that we capitalized is an allocation of production overhead, which, in accordance with ASC 926-20-25-2, includes an allocation of costs of the individuals with either exclusive or significant responsibility for the production of a film. For those individuals with a significant, but not an exclusive responsibility, we allocated their costs based on hours worked related to the expedition and tasks related to the development of the film versus hours worked on other matters. In addition, included in capitalized general management expenses are legal and public relations costs incurred associated with the creation of the digital assets.
The amortization period for the 3D film will be determined in accordance with the "Individual-Film-Forecast-Computation Method" as described in ASC 926. We will amortize film costs in the same ratio that current period actual revenue (numerator) bears to estimated remaining unrecognized ultimate revenue as of the beginning of the current fiscal year (denominator). The Company has estimated ultimate revenue for the 3D film, as defined by ASC 926, and the amortization period will be less than 10 years following the date of the film's initial release or delivery of the first episode, if applicable. We will begin amortizing the film cost in fiscal year 2013.
The Company entered into an agreement with Lone Wolf Documentary Group to license its 2D video imagery for production as a documentary film. In exchange for these license rights, the Company received a payment of $250 thousand in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, and also has the right to certain back-end revenue sharing rights related to ultimate DVD sales, any merchandising and publishing sales, and international television licensing. The Company recorded approximately $158 thousand in amortization related to this usage. The Company recorded an amortization charge of $31 thousand in the three months ended May 31, 2012, as calculated over a five-year life, based on the methodology outlined in ASC 926 described above, as the Company recognized $50 thousand in 2D licensing revenue during the period. No amortization was recorded in the three months ended May 31, 2011 as the Company did not receive any 2D licensing revenue during this period.
The 3D exhibitry was placed in service in April 2012 and depreciation of $28 thousand was recorded in the three months ended May 31, 2012.
The 3D film and gaming application assets have not been placed in service, and therefore, no associated amortization or depreciation has been recorded for these assets. . . .
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