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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ziff Davis and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, including judgments about investment classifications and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company believes that its most significant estimates are those related to revenue recognition, valuation and impairment of investments, its assessment of ownership interests as variable interest entities and the related determination of consolidation, share-based compensation expense, fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with business combinations, long-lived and intangible asset impairment, contingent consideration, income taxes and contingencies, and allowance for credit losses. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates based on historical experience and on various other factors that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Consensus, Inc. Spin-Off and Discontinued Operations
On September 21, 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved its previously announced separation of the cloud fax business (the “Separation”) into an independent publicly traded company, Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (“Consensus”). On October 7, 2021 (the “Distribution Date”), the Separation was completed and the Company transferred J2 Cloud Service, LLC to Consensus who in turn transferred non-fax assets and liabilities back to Ziff Davis such that Consensus was left with the cloud fax business. The Separation was achieved through the Company’s distribution of 80.1% of the shares of Consensus common stock to holders of J2 Global common stock as of the close of business on October 1, 2021, the record date for the distribution. The Company’s stockholders of record received one share of Consensus common stock for every three shares of J2 Global’s common stock. On October 8, 2021, Consensus began trading on Nasdaq under the stock symbol “CCSI”. Ziff Davis, Inc. retained a 19.9% interest in Consensus following the Separation (the “Investment in Consensus”).
On October 7, 2021, Consensus paid Ziff Davis approximately $259.1 million of cash in a distribution that was anticipated to be tax-free provided certain requirements were met, and issued $500.0 million of senior notes due 2028 to Ziff Davis, which Ziff Davis then exchanged with the lenders under the Credit Agreement and Credit Agreement Amendments by and among the subsidiaries of Ziff Davis party thereto as guarantors, Citicorp North America Inc. and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. and MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders, for the extinguishment of indebtedness outstanding under the Bridge Loan Facility. Refer to Note 10 - Debt for additional details. Such lenders or their affiliates agreed to resell the 2028 notes to qualified institutional buyers in the United States pursuant to Rule 144A.
The accounting requirements for reporting the Company’s cloud fax business as a discontinued operation were met when the Separation was completed. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements reflect the results of the cloud fax business as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. Ziff Davis did not retain a controlling interest in Consensus.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company entered into a Fifth Amendment and Sixth Amendment to its existing Credit Agreement, providing for the issuance of senior secured term loans under the Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Facilities”), in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $112.3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company subsequently completed non-cash exchanges of 2,800,000 shares of its common stock of Consensus with the lenders under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to settle the Company’s obligations of $112.3 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan Facilities plus related interest. Refer to Note 10 - Debt for additional details.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company continues to hold approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock of Investment in Consensus. The Investment in Consensus represents the investment in equity securities for which the Company elected the fair value option and subsequent fair value changes in the Consensus shares are included in the assets of and results from continuing operations. Refer to Note 5 - Investments and Note 6 - Discontinued Operations and Dispositions for additional information.
Allowances for Credit Losses
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on accounts receivable, which is recorded as a reduction to accounts receivable. Changes in the allowance are classified as ‘General and administrative’ expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company assesses collectability by reviewing accounts receivable on a collective basis where similar characteristics exist and on an individual basis when it identifies specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers historical collectability based on past due status. It also considers customer-specific information, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions to inform adjustments to historical loss data. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates the adequacy of these reserves.
The rollforward of allowance for credit losses on Accounts receivable, net is as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
202220212020
Beginning balance$9,811 $11,552 $8,480 
(Decreases) increases to bad debt expense
(255)3,107 5,315 
Write-offs, net of recoveries(2,688)(4,848)(2,243)
Ending balance$6,868 $9,811 $11,552 
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when the Company satisfies its obligation by transferring control of the goods or services to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Refer to Note 3 - Revenues for additional details.
Principal vs. Agent
The Company determines whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis by assessing whether the Company is acting as the principal or an agent in the transaction. If the Company is acting as the principal in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a gross basis. If the Company is acting as an agent in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a net basis. In determining whether the Company acts as the principal or an agent, the Company follows the accounting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, for principal-agent considerations and assesses: (i) if another party is involved in providing goods or services to the customer, (ii) whether the Company controls the specified goods or services prior to transferring control to the customer and (iii) whether the Company has discretion on pricing.
Sales Taxes
The Company has made an accounting policy election to exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are (i) both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and (ii) collected by the Company from a customer.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company complies with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), in measuring fair value and in disclosing fair value measurements. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, interest receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, interest payable, customer deposits, and long-term debt are reflected in the financial statements at cost. With the exception of certain investments and long-term debt, cost approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt was determined using the quoted market prices of debt instruments with similar terms and maturities when available. As of the same dates, the carrying value of other long-term liabilities approximated fair value as the related interest rates approximate rates currently available to the Company.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers the balance of its investment in funds that substantially hold securities that mature within three months or less from the date the Company purchases these securities to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents either approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments or are at fair value.
Investments
The Company accounts for its investments in debt securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320, Investments - Debt Securities (“ASC 320”). Debt investments are typically comprised of corporate debt securities, which are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income. All debt securities are accounted for on a specific identification basis.
The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities are carried at an estimated fair value with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Available-for-sale debt securities with an amortized cost basis in excess of estimated fair value are assessed to determine what amount of that difference, if any, is caused by expected credit losses. Expected credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities are recognized in loss on investments, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, and any remaining unrealized losses, net of taxes, are included in accumulated comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company accounts for its investments in equity securities in accordance with ASC Topic 321, Investments - Equity Securities (“ASC 321”) which requires the accounting for equity investments, other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, generally be measured at fair value for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, which are not accounted for under the equity method of accounting, are measured at their cost, less impairment, if any, and adjusted for observable price changes arising from orderly transactions in the same or similar investment from the same issuer. Any unrealized gains or losses will be reported within earnings on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company assesses whether an other-than-temporary impairment loss on an investment has occurred due to declines in fair value or other market conditions. Refer to Note 5 - Investments for additional information.
The Investment in Consensus are equity securities accounted for at fair value under the fair value option, and the related fair value gains and losses are recognized in earnings. As the initial carrying value of the Investment in Consensus was negative immediately following the Separation, the Company elected the fair value option under ASC 825-10-25 to support the initial recognition of the Investment in Consensus at fair value and the negative book value was recorded as a gain at the date of Separation. The fair value of Consensus common stock is readily available as Consensus is a publicly traded company.
Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”s)
A VIE requires consolidation by the entity’s primary beneficiary. The Company evaluates its investments in entities in which it is involved to determine if the entity is a VIE and if so, whether it holds a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary. The Company has determined that it holds a variable interest in its investment as a limited partner in the OCV Fund I, LP (“OCV Fund”, “OCV” or the “Fund”), as well as, another independent corporation. In determining whether the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, both of the following characteristics must be present:
a) the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance (the power criterion); and
b) the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE, or the right to receive benefits of the VIE, that could potentially be significant to the VIE (the economic criterion).
The Company has concluded that, as a limited partner in OCV, although the obligations to absorb losses or the right to benefit from the gains is not insignificant, the Company does not have “power” over OCV because it does not have the ability to direct the significant decisions which impact the economics of OCV. The Company believes that the OCV general partner, as a single decision maker, holds the ability to make the decisions about the activities that most significantly impact the OCV Fund’s economic performance. As a result, the Company has concluded that it will not consolidate OCV, as it is not the primary beneficiary of the OCV Fund, and will account for this investment under the equity-method of accounting (see Note 5 - Investments).
OCV qualifies as an investment company under ASC Topic 946, Financial Services, Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). Under ASC Topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, an investor that holds investments that qualify for specialized industry accounting for investment companies in accordance with ASC 946 should record its share of the earnings or losses, realized or unrealized, as reported by its equity method investees in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company recognizes its equity in the net earnings or losses relating to the investment in OCV on a one-quarter lag due to the timing and availability of financial information from OCV. If the Company becomes aware of a significant decline in value that is other-than-temporary, the loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company identifies the decline.
Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discount
The Company capitalizes costs incurred with borrowing and issuance of debt securities and records debt issuance costs and discounts as a reduction to the debt amount. These costs and discounts are amortized and included in interest expense over the life of the borrowing using the effective interest method.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company primarily invests its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities with major financial institutions primarily within the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and the European Union. These investments are made in accordance with the Company’s investment policy with the principal objectives being preservation of capital, fulfillment of liquidity needs and above market returns commensurate with preservation of capital. The Company’s investment policy also requires that investments in marketable securities be in only highly rated instruments, with limitations on investing in securities of any single issuer. However, these investments are not insured against the possibility of a total or near complete loss of earnings or principal and are inherently subject to the credit risk related to the continued credit worthiness of the underlying issuer and general credit market risks. At December 31, 2022, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents that were maintained in demand deposit accounts in qualifying financial institutions are insured up to the limit determined by the applicable governmental agency. 
Foreign Currency
Most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of their respective countries as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. Dollars at average exchange rates for the period. Gains and losses resulting from translation are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). Net translation loss was $32.5 million, $21.3 million and $8.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized within ‘Other income (loss), net’ on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Foreign exchange gains (losses) amounted to $8.2 million, $2.0 million and $(3.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Equipment under a finance lease is stated at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets and is recorded in cost of revenues and general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment range from one to ten years. Fixtures, which are comprised primarily of leasehold improvements and equipment under finance leases, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or for leasehold improvements, the related lease term, if less. The Company has capitalized certain internal-use software and website development costs which are included in property and equipment and depreciated using a straight-line method over the estimated useful life which is evaluated for each specific project and is typically three years.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
The Company accounts for long-lived assets, which include property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets and identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives (subject to amortization), in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), which requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the expected undiscounted future net cash flows generated by the asset. If it is determined that the asset may not be recoverable, and if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent of the difference.
The Company assesses the impairment of identifiable definite-lived intangibles and long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors it considers important which could individually or in combination trigger an impairment include the following:
Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;
Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the Company’s overall business;
Significant negative industry or economic trends;
Significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period; and
The Company’s market capitalization relative to net book value.
If the Company determined that the carrying value of definite-lived intangibles and long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, it would record an impairment equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value.
The Company assessed whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying amount of definite-lived assets may not be recoverable. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any events or circumstances indicating impairment of long-lived assets, other than the recording of an impairment of certain operating lease right-of-use assets and associated property and equipment. The Company regularly evaluates its office space requirements in light of more of its workforce working from home as part of a permanent “remote” or “partial remote” work model. The impairment is presented in general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Note 11 - Leases for additional details.
The Company classifies its long-lived assets to be sold as held for sale in the period (i) it has approved and committed to a plan to sell the asset, (ii) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition, (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to sell the asset have been initiated, (iv) the sale of the asset is probable and the transfer is expected to qualify for recognition as a sale within one year, (v) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and (vi) it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The Company initially measures a long-lived asset that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a long-lived asset until the date of sale. Upon designation as an asset held for sale, the Company stops recording depreciation expense on the asset. The Company assesses the fair value of a long-lived asset less any costs to sell at each reporting period and until the asset is no longer classified as held for sale.
Business Combinations and Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company applies the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with GAAP and uses estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase price paid for acquisitions to the fair value of the assets, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities acquired. Such estimates may be based on significant unobservable inputs and assumptions such as, but not limited to, future revenue growth rates, gross and operating margins, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, discount rates and terminal growth rate assumptions. The Company uses established valuation techniques and may engage reputable valuation specialists to assist with the valuations. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of entities accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting are recorded at the estimated fair value of the assets acquired. Identifiable intangible assets are comprised of purchased customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, developed technologies and other intangible assets. Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized over the period of estimated economic benefit ranging from one to twenty years and are included in general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company evaluates its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), which provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but tested annually for impairment or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. In connection with the annual impairment test for goodwill, the Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it then it performs an impairment test of goodwill. The impairment test involves comparing the fair values of the applicable reporting units with their aggregate carrying values, including goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using a mix of an income approach and a market approach. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 the Company recorded a goodwill impairment of $27.4 million, $32.6 million and zero, respectively. Refer to Note 9 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets for additional details.
The Company performed the annual impairment test for intangible assets with indefinite lives for fiscal 2021 and 2020 using a qualitative assessment primarily taking into consideration macroeconomic, industry and market conditions, overall financial performance and any other relevant company-specific factors. The Company concluded that there were no impairments in 2021 and 2020. The Company did not perform an assessment in 2022, as there were no intangible assets with indefinite lives during 2022.
Contingent Consideration
Certain of the Company’s acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future income thresholds or other metrics. The contingent earn-out arrangements are based upon the Company’s valuations of the acquired companies and reduce the risk of overpaying for acquisitions if the projected financial results are not achieved.
The fair values of these earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates. For each transaction, the Company estimates the fair value of contingent earn-out payments as part of the initial purchase price and records the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company considers several factors when determining that contingent earn-out liabilities are
part of the purchase price, including the following: (1) the valuation of our acquisitions is not supported solely by the initial consideration paid, and the contingent earn-out formula is a critical and material component of the valuation approach to determining the purchase price; and (2) the former shareholders of acquired companies that remain as key employees receive compensation other than contingent earn-out payments at a reasonable level compared with the compensation of the Company’s other key employees. The contingent earn-out payments are not affected by employment termination.
The Company measures its contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements). The Company may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration, including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses a probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring. Significant increases or decreases to these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability with a higher liability capped by the contractual maximum of the contingent earn-out obligation. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and amount paid will be recorded in earnings. The amount paid that is less than or equal to the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in financing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Any amount paid in excess of the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in operating activities.
The Company reviews and re-assesses the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could be materially different from the initial estimates or prior amounts. Changes in the estimated fair value of its contingent earn-out liabilities and adjustments to the estimated fair value related to changes in all other unobservable inputs are reported in general and administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Self-Insurance Program
The Company provides health and dental insurance plans to certain of its employees through a self-insurance structure. The Company has secured reinsurance in the form of a two tiered stop-loss coverage that limits the exposure arising from any claims made. Self-insurance claims filed and claims incurred but not reported are accrued based on management’s estimate of the discounted ultimate costs for self-insured claims incurred using actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and historical experience. Although management believes it has the ability to reasonably estimate losses related to claims, it is possible that actual results could differ from recorded self-insurance liabilities.
Income Taxes
The Company’s income is subject to taxation in both the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company establishes reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves for tax contingencies are established when the Company believes that certain positions might be challenged despite the Company’s belief that its tax return positions are fully supportable. The Company adjusts these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of a tax audit or lapse of a statute of limitations. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities to be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance is reviewed quarterly based upon the facts and circumstances known at the time. In assessing this valuation allowance, the Company reviews historical and future expected operating results and other factors, including its recent cumulative earnings experience, expectations of future taxable income by taxing jurisdiction and the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, to determine whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets are realizable.
ASC 740 provides guidance on the minimum threshold that an uncertain income tax benefit is required to meet before it can be recognized in the financial statements and applies to all income tax positions taken by a company. ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. If it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit will be recorded. Uncertain income tax positions that relate only to timing of when an item is included on a tax return are considered to have met the recognition threshold. The Company
recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in income tax expense on its Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On March 27, 2020, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act” was enacted into law providing for changes to various tax laws that impact business. The CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferment of employer side social security payments, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to the net interest deduction limitations, increased limitations on qualified charitable contributions, and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The Company does not believe these provisions have a significant impact to our current and deferred income tax balances. The Company will benefit from the technical correction to tax depreciation related to qualified improvement property and has elected to defer income tax payments and employer side social security payments where eligible.
On August 16, 2022, the “Inflation Reduction Act” of 2022 (“IRA”) was signed into law. The IRA included many climate and energy provisions and introduced a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) for taxpayers whose average annual adjusted financial statement income exceeds a certain threshold. The IRA also enacted a one percent excise tax on stock repurchases made by publicly traded U.S. corporations. The CAMT and excise tax on stock repurchases are effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. The Company does not believe that it will be subject to the CAMT as it is expected to be under the threshold of the average annual adjusted financial statement income.
Share-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based awards to employees and non-employees in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), which requires compensation cost, measured at the grant date fair value, to be recognized over the employee’s requisite service period using the straight-line method. The measurement of share-based compensation expense is based on several criteria, including but not limited to the valuation model used and associated input factors, such as expected term of the award, stock price volatility, risk free interest rate, dividend rate, and award cancellation rate. Certain of these inputs are subjective and are determined using management’s judgment. If differences arise between the assumptions used in determining share-based compensation expense and the actual factors, which become known over time, the Company may change the input factors used in determining future share-based compensation expense. Any such changes could materially impact the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the changes are made and in periods thereafter. The Company estimates the vesting term based upon the historical exercise behavior of its employees.
Earnings Per Common Share (“EPS”)
EPS is calculated pursuant to the two-class method as defined in ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share (“ASC 260”), which specifies that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and should be included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method.
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders, excluding participating securities, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The Company’s participating securities consist of its unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents.
On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”) using the modified retrospective method. Following this adoption, the Company applies the if-converted method for the diluted net income per share calculation of convertible debt instruments. Prior to the adoption, the Company used the treasury stock method when calculating the potential dilutive effect of convertible debt instruments.
Research, Development and Engineering
Research, development and engineering costs are expensed as incurred. Costs for software development incurred subsequent to establishing technological feasibility, in the form of a working model, are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives. Research, development and engineering expenditures were $74.1 million, $78.9 million and $57.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Segment Reporting
ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”), establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in their annual consolidated financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports. ASC 280 also establishes standards for related
disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The Company’s business segments are based on the organization structure used by the chief operating decision maker for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance.
The Company has two reportable segments: (i) Digital Media and (ii) Cybersecurity and Martech. Refer to Note 18 - Segment Information for additional detail.
Advertising Costs
The Company incurs external advertising costs to promote its brands. These costs primarily consist of expenses related to digital advertising on websites and apps of third parties, creative services, trade shows and similar events, marketing expenses, and marketing intelligence expenses. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 external advertising costs were $128.8 million, $143.5 million and $96.0 million, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06. The provisions of this update simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by removing certain separation models in ASC 470-20, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options, for convertible instruments. The convertible debt instruments are be accounted for as a single liability at the amortized cost if separation is no longer required unless (1) a convertible instrument contains features that require bifurcation as a derivative under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or (2) a convertible debt instrument was issued at a substantial premium. Among other potential impacts, this change is expected to reduce reported noncash interest expense, increase reported net income, and result in a reclassification of certain conversion feature balance sheet amounts from stockholders’ equity to liabilities. Similarly, the debt discount, which is equal to the carrying value of the embedded conversion feature upon issuance, will no longer be amortized into income as interest expense over the life of the instrument. Additionally, ASU 2020-06 requires the use of the if-converted method to calculate the impact of convertible instruments on diluted earnings per share, which includes the effect of share settlement for instruments that may be settled in cash or shares, except for certain liability-classified share-based payment awards.
On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2020-06 using the modified retrospective method. The cumulative effect of the changes made on the Consolidated Balance Sheet upon this adoption increased the carrying amount of the 1.75% Convertible Notes (as defined in Note 10 - Debt below) by approximately $85.9 million, increased retained earnings by approximately $23.4 million, reduced deferred tax liabilities by approximately $21.2 million and reduced additional paid-in capital by approximately $88.1 million. The effect of the change on the earnings per share of the Company was an increase of $0.25 on each Basic and Diluted Net income per common share from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This update requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606. This update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted, including in interim periods. The Company early adopted ASU 2021-08 during the second quarter of 2022. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. Therefore, the adoption of ASU 2021-08 was applied retrospectively to January 1, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-08 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Recently issued applicable accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides for optional financial reporting alternatives to reduce cost and complexities associated with accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. This update applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The accommodations were available for all entities through December 31, 2022, with early adoption permitted. This update was later amended by ASU 2022-06.
In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848. This update defers the expiration date of ASC Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. We are currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this update will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year reported amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2022 presentation.