Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

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 001-37656

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

47-4452789

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

organization)

1407 Broadway, 38th Floor

New York, New York 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(646) 564-2577

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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 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

Emerging growth company

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:

    

Trading Symbol

    

Name of each exchange on which registered:

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

SQBG

NASDAQ Capital Market

As of November 11, 2020, the registrant had 1,651,484 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

Page

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

5

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

40

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

48

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

48

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

49

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

49

Item 5.

Other Information

49

Item 6.

Exhibits

51

2


Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”), including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We use words such as “future,” “seek,” “could,” “can,” “predict,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimate,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: (i) risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports that the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (ii) general economic, market or business conditions; (iii) the Company’s ability to identify suitable targets for acquisitions and to obtain financing for such acquisitions on commercially reasonable terms; (iv) the Company’s ability to timely achieve the anticipated results of any potential future acquisitions; (v) the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into its ongoing business; (vi) the potential impact of the consummation of any potential future acquisitions on the Company’s relationships, including with employees, licensees, customers and competitors; (vii) the Company’s ability to achieve and/or manage growth and to meet target metrics associated with such growth; (viii) the Company’s ability to successfully attract new brands and to identify suitable licensees for its existing and newly acquired brands; (ix) the Company’s substantial level of indebtedness, including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect the Company’s future cash flows, results of operations and financial condition and decrease its operating flexibility; (x) the Company’s ability to achieve its guidance; (xi) continued market acceptance of the Company’s brands; (xii) changes in the Company’s competitive position or competitive actions by other companies; (xiii) licensees’ ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company; (xiv) concentrations of the Company’s licensing revenues with a limited number of licensees and retail partners; (xv) uncertainties related to the timing, proposals or decisions arising from the Company’s strategic review, including the divestiture of one or more existing brands or a sale of the Company; (xvi) adverse effects on the Company and its licensees due to natural disasters, pandemic disease and other unexpected events; (xvii) uncertainties around the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including adverse effects on the Company's business, financial position, cash flows, ability to comply with its debt covenants and related uncertainty around the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; and (xviii) other circumstances beyond the Company's control.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on current expectation and assumptions. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to such or other forward-looking statements.

Where You Can Find Other Information

Our corporate website address is www.sequentialbrandsgroup.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this Quarterly Report. We file our annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. These reports, and any amendments to these reports, are made available on our website and can be viewed and downloaded free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may also obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, which is available at www.sec.gov.

3


Table of Contents

Unless otherwise noted, references in this Quarterly Report to the “Sequential Brands Group,” “Company,” “our Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar pronouns refer to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to other companies may include their trademarks, which are the property of their respective owners.

4


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

September 30, 

December 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

  

 

(Unaudited)  

 

(Note 2)

 

Assets

Current Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

Cash

$

21,937

 

$

6,264

Restricted cash

 

294

 

 

2,043

Accounts receivable, net

 

42,921

 

 

39,452

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

12,373

 

 

4,228

Current assets from discontinued operations

152

6,839

Total current assets

 

77,677

 

 

58,826

Property and equipment, net

 

1,534

 

 

5,349

Intangible assets, net

 

489,938

 

 

599,967

Right-of-use assets - operating leases

 

52,240

 

 

50,320

Other assets

9,900

 

8,782

Total assets

$

631,289

 

$

723,244

Liabilities and Equity

 

  

 

 

  

Current Liabilities:

 

  

 

 

  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

19,225

 

$

15,721

Current portion of long-term debt

 

17,000

 

 

12,750

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

5,428

 

 

6,977

Current portion of lease liabilities - operating leases

3,267

3,035

Current liabilities from discontinued operations

382

1,959

Total current liabilities

 

45,302

 

 

40,442

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

436,388

 

 

433,250

Long-term deferred revenue, net of current portion

 

2,638

 

 

4,604

Deferred income taxes

 

15,728

 

 

14,351

Lease liabilities - operating leases, net of current portion

52,222

54,168

Other long-term liabilities

1,828

 

3,389

Total liabilities

 

554,106

 

 

550,204

Commitments and contingencies

 

  

 

 

  

Equity:

 

  

 

 

  

Preferred stock Series A, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

 

-

 

 

-

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 1,676,489 and 1,671,937 shares issued at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and 1,650,571 and 1,644,518 shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

 

17

 

 

17

Additional paid-in capital

 

515,470

 

 

515,151

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(3,227)

 

 

(4,096)

Accumulated deficit

 

(479,086)

 

 

(394,126)

Treasury stock, at cost; 25,918 and 27,419 shares at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

 

(3,234)

 

 

(3,230)

Total Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries stockholders’ equity

 

29,940

 

 

113,716

Noncontrolling interests

 

47,243

 

 

59,324

Total equity

 

77,183

 

 

173,040

Total liabilities and equity

$

631,289

 

$

723,244

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended September 30, 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

    

Net revenue

$

24,024

$

25,392

$

66,849

$

77,331

Operating expenses

 

8,726

 

12,247

 

37,576

 

41,700

Impairment charges

-

33,109

85,590

33,109

Gain on sale of assets

 

(3,723)

 

-

 

(4,624)

 

-

Income (loss) from operations

 

19,021

 

(19,964)

 

(51,693)

 

2,522

Other (income) expense

 

(72)

 

843

 

3,467

 

1,270

Interest expense, net

 

11,925

 

13,048

 

36,362

 

40,794

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

7,168

 

(33,855)

 

(91,522)

 

(39,542)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

1,290

 

(6,035)

 

1,770

 

(6,655)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

5,878

 

(27,820)

 

(93,292)

 

(32,887)

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from continuing operations

 

(1,409)

 

9,449

 

9,535

 

6,455

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

4,469

(18,371)

(83,757)

(26,432)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

(32)

(309)

(1,203)

(122,192)

Net income (loss) attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

$

4,437

$

(18,680)

$

(84,960)

$

(148,624)

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic and diluted

$

2.71

$

(11.31)

$

(50.96)

$

(16.36)

Loss per share from discontinued operations:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic and diluted

$

(0.02)

$

(0.19)

$

(0.73)

$

(75.63)

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic and diluted

$

2.69

$

(11.50)

$

(51.69)

$

(92.00)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

  

 

 

  

 

Basic and diluted

 

1,650,420

 

1,623,802

 

1,643,517

 

1,615,558

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

Total

Sequential

Brands

Group, Inc.

Accumulated

and

Additional

Other

Subsidiaries

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Comprehensive

Accumulated

Treasury Stock

Stockholders'

Noncontrolling

Total

   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Loss

   

Deficit

   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Equity

   

Interests

   

Equity

Balance at January 1, 2019

 

-

$

-

 

1,649,754

$

16

$

514,405

$

(1,554)

$

(234,723)

(41,565)

$

(4,226)

$

273,918

$

70,726

$

344,644

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

-

 

11,443

 

-

 

726

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

726

 

-

 

726

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax

-

-

-

-

-

(1,480)

-

-

-

(1,480)

-

(1,480)

Repurchase of common stock

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(3,371)

 

(170)

 

(170)

 

-

 

(170)

Noncontrolling interest distributions

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,093)

 

(1,093)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,539

 

1,539

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(125,345)

 

-

 

-

 

(125,345)

 

-

 

(125,345)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

-

$

-

 

1,661,197

$

16

$

515,131

$

(3,034)

$

(360,068)

 

(44,936)

$

(4,396)

$

147,649

$

71,172

$

218,821

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

-

 

9,586

 

-

 

567

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

567

 

-

 

567

Shares issued from treasury stock

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,124)

 

-

 

-

 

11,614

 

1,124

 

-

 

-

 

-

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax

-

-

-

-

-

(1,684)

-

-

-

(1,684)

-

(1,684)

Repurchase of common stock

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(2,341)

 

(78)

 

(78)

 

-

 

(78)

Noncontrolling interest distributions

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(2,046)

 

(2,046)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,455

 

1,455

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(4,599)

 

-

 

-

 

(4,599)

 

-

 

(4,599)

Balance at June 30, 2019

 

-

$

-

 

1,670,783

$

16

$

514,574

$

(4,718)

$

(364,667)

 

(35,663)

$

(3,350)

$

141,855

$

70,581

$

212,436

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

-

 

577

 

-

 

150

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

150

 

-

 

150

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax

-

-

-

-

-

78

-

-

-

78

-

78

Noncontrolling interest distributions

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,064)

 

(1,064)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(9,449)

 

(9,449)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(18,680)

 

-

 

-

 

(18,680)

 

-

 

(18,680)

Balance at September 30, 2019

 

-

$

-

 

1,671,360

$

16

$

514,724

$

(4,640)

$

(383,347)

 

(35,663)

$

(3,350)

$

123,403

$

60,068

$

183,471

Balance at January 1, 2020

 

-

$

-

 

1,671,937

$

17

$

515,151

$

(4,096)

$

(394,126)

 

(27,419)

$

(3,230)

$

113,716

$

59,324

$

173,040

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

-

 

5,000

 

-

 

231

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

231

 

-

 

231

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps

-

-

-

-

-

(721)

-

-

-

(721)

-

(721)

Repurchase of common stock

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(2,448)

 

(36)

 

(36)

 

-

 

(36)

Shares issued from treasury stock

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(6)

 

-

 

-

 

577

 

6

 

-

 

-

 

-

Noncontrolling interest distributions

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(2,016)

 

(2,016)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(12,006)

 

(12,006)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(86,613)

 

-

 

-

 

(86,613)

 

-

 

(86,613)

Balance at March 31, 2020

 

-

$

-

 

1,676,937

$

17

$

515,376

$

(4,817)

$

(480,739)

 

(29,290)

$

(3,260)

$

26,577

$

45,302

$

71,879

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

94

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

94

 

-

 

94

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps

-

-

-

-

-

813

-

-

-

813

-

813

Repurchase of common stock

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(604)

 

(5)

 

(5)

 

-

 

(5)

Shares issued from treasury stock

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(28)

 

-

 

-

 

3,399

 

28

 

-

 

-

 

-

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,062

 

1,062

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(2,784)

 

-

 

-

 

(2,784)

 

-

 

(2,784)

Balance at June 30, 2020

 

-

$

-

 

1,676,937

$

17

$

515,442

$

(4,004)

$

(483,523)

 

(26,495)

$

(3,237)

$

24,695

$

46,364

$

71,059

Stock-based compensation

-

 

-

-

-

31

-

-

-

-

31

-

31

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps

-

-

-

-

-

777

-

-

-

777

-

777

Reverse Stock Split

-

-

(448)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Shares issued from treasury stock

-

 

-

-

-

(3)

-

-

577

3

-

-

-

Noncontrolling interest distributions

-

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(530)

(530)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

-

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,409

1,409

Net income attributable to common stockholders

-

 

-

-

-

-

-

4,437

-

-

4,437

-

4,437

Balance at September 30, 2020

-

$

-

1,676,489

$

17

$

515,470

$

(3,227)

$

(479,086)

(25,918)

$

(3,234)

$

29,940

$

47,243

$

77,183

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

2020

2019

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss from continuing operations

$

(93,292)

$

(32,887)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

(1,203)

(122,192)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Provision for bad debts

 

132

 

2,812

Depreciation and amortization

 

16,820

 

2,586

Stock-based compensation

 

356

 

1,299

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

4,963

 

4,705

Impairment charges

 

85,590

 

33,109

(Gain) loss on equity securities

 

(485)

 

85

Loss from equity method investment

227

25

Loss on interest rate swaps

3,673

1,276

Amortization of operating leases

5,065

4,648

Gain on sale of assets

(4,624)

-

Deferred income taxes

 

1,377

 

(51,564)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

  

Accounts receivable

 

(3,601)

 

5,379

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(1,659)

 

(76)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(1,023)

 

(1,616)

Deferred revenue

 

(3,515)

 

(3,258)

Other liabilities

 

(5,275)

 

(4,410)

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations

 

4,729

 

(37,887)

Cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations

 

3,907

 

42,585

Cash provided by operating activities

 

8,636

 

4,698

Cash flows from investing activities

 

  

 

  

Investments in intangible assets, including registration and renewal costs

 

(96)

 

(100)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(73)

 

(48)

Proceeds from sale of trademarks

 

4,850

 

-

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

 

-

 

165,928

Cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations

 

4,681

 

165,780

Cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations

 

-

 

(44)

Cash provided by investing activities

 

4,681

 

165,736

Cash flows from financing activities

 

  

 

  

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

25,382

 

-

Payments of long-term debt

 

(19,900)

 

(173,161)

Proceeds from Paycheck Protection Program

 

769

 

Deferred financing costs

 

(3,057)

 

(3,250)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(41)

 

(248)

Noncontrolling interest distributions

 

(2,546)

 

(4,203)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations

 

607

 

(180,862)

Cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations

 

-

 

(574)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

607

 

(181,436)

Cash and restricted cash:

Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash

 

13,924

 

(11,002)

Balance — Beginning of period

 

8,307

 

16,138

Balance — End of period

$

22,231

$

5,136

Reconciliation to amounts on condensed consolidated balance sheets

 

  

 

  

Cash

$

21,937

$

3,097

Restricted cash

 

294

 

2,039

Total cash and restricted cash

$

22,231

$

5,136

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

 

  

 

  

Cash paid for:

 

  

 

  

Interest

$

33,745

$

41,331

Taxes

$

135

$

89

Non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

  

Accrued purchases of property and equipment at period end

$

-

$

17

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, net during the period

$

869

$

(3,086)

Receivable for sale of trademark rights

$

11,315

$

-

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

1.           Organization and Nature of Operations

Overview

Sequential Brands Group, Inc. (the “Company”) owns a portfolio of consumer brands in the active and lifestyle categories. The Company aims to maximize the strategic value of its brands by promoting, marketing and licensing its global brands through various distribution channels, including to retailers, wholesalers and distributors in the United States and in certain international territories. The Company’s core strategy is to enhance and monetize the global reach of its existing brands, and to pursue additional strategic acquisitions to grow the scope of and diversify its portfolio of brands. The Company licenses brands to both wholesale and direct-to-retail licensees. In a wholesale license, a wholesale supplier is granted rights (typically on an exclusive basis) to a single or small group of related product categories for a particular brand for sale to multiple accounts within an approved channel of distribution and territory. In a direct-to-retail license, a single retailer is granted the right (typically on an exclusive basis) to sell branded products in a broad range of product categories through its brick and mortar stores and e-commerce sites. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had over ninety licensees, with wholesale licensees comprising a significant majority.

2.           Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited 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 Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “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 of the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations or cash flows. It is the Company’s opinion, however, that the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which are 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 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, 2019, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2020, which contains the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. The financial information as of December 31, 2019 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The interim results for September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020 or for any future interim periods.

Reverse Stock Split and Reclassification of Prior Periods

On July 27, 2020, the Company’s previously announced 1 share-for-40 shares (1:40) reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share became effective.  All share and per share amounts in this Form 10-Q have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.  The stated capital attributable to common stock on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 was reduced proportionately to the Reverse Stock Split ratio, and the additional paid-in capital account was credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced.  Prior periods in this Form 10-Q have been reclassified to reflect this change.

9


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Impact of COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the U.S. COVID-19 is having an unprecedented impact on the U.S. economy as federal, state and local governments react to this public health crisis. As COVID-19 spread, consumer fear about becoming ill with the virus and recommendations and/or mandates from federal, state and local authorities to avoid large gatherings of people or self-quarantine continued to increase, which has affected retailers, as well as our licensees who sell to these retailers. These actions caused many retailers carrying the Company’s branded products to close in the first and second quarter of 2020, which has affected retailers, as well as our licensees who sell to these retailers. As states continue to relax and then tighten restrictions, the Company is unsure when retail stores will be ordered to close, at what capacity, or how long such periods of store closures will be needed or mandated. The impacts of COVID-19 have adversely affected the Company’s near-term and long-term revenues, earnings, liquidity and cash flows as certain licensees have requested temporary relief or deferred making their scheduled payments. However, the Company is not currently able to predict the full impact of COVID-19 on its results of operations and cash flows. The Company has proactively taken steps to increase available cash on hand including utilizing revolver borrowings under the Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative and collateral agent (the “Amended BoA Credit Agreement”). During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company made net revolver borrowings of $12.7 million, excluding lender fees, under the Amended BoA Credit Agreement.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company was party to the Amended BoA Credit Agreement and the Fourth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wilmington Trust, National Association as administrative agent and collateral agent (as amended from time to time, the “Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement”), collectively referred to as its loan agreements (“Loan Agreements”). See “Note 8 – Long Term Debt” with respect to compliance under the Loan Agreements and effects of COVID-19.

Paycheck Protection Program

On May 18, 2020, the Company received loan proceeds of $769,295 from a promissory note issued by Bank of America, N.A., under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) which was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The term on the loan is two years and the annual interest rate is 1.00%.  Payments of principal and interest are deferred for the first six months of the loan.  The Company received consent from its lenders under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement to apply for the PPP loan.  Under the terms of the CARES Act, PPP loan recipients can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the loans granted under PPP.  Such forgiveness will be determined based on the use of the loan proceeds for payroll costs, rent and utility expenses and the maintenance of workforce and compensation levels with certain limitations.  There is uncertainty around the standards and operation of the PPP, and no assurance is provided that the Company will obtain forgiveness in whole or in part.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

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

10


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

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 periods.

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 condensed consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from estimates.

Discontinued Operations

The Company accounted for the sale of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (“MSLO”) in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“ASC 360”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Reporting of Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”).  The Company followed the held-for-sale criteria as defined in ASC 360.  ASC 360 requires that a component of an entity that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and has operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the entity be reported as assets held for sale and discontinued operations. In the period a component of an entity has been disposed of or classified as held for sale, the results of operations for the periods presented are reclassified into separate line items in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Assets and liabilities are also reclassified into separate line items on the related condensed consolidated balance sheets for the periods presented. The statements of cash flows for the periods presented are also reclassified to reflect the results of discontinued operations as separate line items.  ASU 2014-08 requires that only a disposal of a component of an entity, or a group of components of an entity, that represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations and financial results be reported in the financial statements as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures of discontinued operations.

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, for $166 million in cash consideration, plus additional amounts in respect of pre-closing accounts receivable that are received after the closing, subject to certain adjustments, pursuant to an equity purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Marquee Brands LLC (the “Buyer”) entered into on April 16, 2019.  In addition, the Purchase Agreement provides for an earnout of up to $40,000,000 if certain performance targets are achieved during the three calendar years ending December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022.  MSLO and its subsidiaries were engaged in the business of promoting, marketing and licensing the Martha Stewart and the Emeril Lagasse brands through various distribution channels.  

Due to the sale of MSLO during the second quarter of 2019 (see Note 3), in accordance with ASC 205, Discontinued Operations, we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.  Additionally, the related assets and liabilities directly associated with MSLO are classified as held for disposition from discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.  All amounts included in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements relate to continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which became effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018.  ASC 606 requires a five-step approach to determine the appropriate method of revenue recognition for each contractual arrangement:

Step 1: Identify the Contract(s) with a Customer

11


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Step 2: Identify the Performance Obligation(s) in the Contract

Step 3: Determine the Transaction Price

Step 4: Allocate the Transaction Price to the Performance Obligation(s) in the Contract

Step 5: Recognize Revenue when (or as) the Entity Satisfies a Performance Obligation

The Company has entered into various license agreements for its owned trademarks. Under ASC 606, the Company’s agreements are generally considered symbolic licenses, which contain the characteristics of a right-to-access license since the customer is simultaneously receiving the intellectual property (“IP”) and benefiting from it throughout the license period. The Company assesses each license agreement at inception and determines the performance obligation(s) and appropriate revenue recognition method. As part of this process, the Company applies judgments based on historical trends when estimating future revenues and the period over which to recognize revenue.

The Company generally recognizes revenue for license agreements under the following methods:

1. Licenses with guaranteed minimum royalties (“GMRs”):  Generally, guaranteed minimum royalty payments (fixed revenue) comprising the transaction price are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract, as defined in each license agreement.
2. Licenses with both GMRs (fixed revenue) and earned royalties (variable revenue):  Earned royalties in excess of fixed revenue are only recognized when the Company is reasonably certain that the guaranteed minimum payments for the period, as defined in each license agreement, will be exceeded. Additionally, the Company has categorized certain contracts as variable when there is a history and future expectation of exceeding GMRs. The Company recognizes income for these contracts during the period corresponding to the licensee’s sales.
3. Licenses that are sales-based only or earned royalties: Earned royalties (variable revenue) are recognized as income during the period corresponding to the licensee’s sales.

Payments received as consideration for the grant of a license or advanced royalty payments are recorded as deferred revenue at the time payment is received and recognized into revenue under the methods described above.

Contract assets represent unbilled receivables and are presented within accounts receivable, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities represent unearned revenues and are presented within the current portion of deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company disaggregates its revenue from continuing operations into two categories: licensing agreements and other, which is comprised of revenue from sources such as sales commissions and vendor placement commissions.  

Commission revenues and vendor placement commission revenues are recorded in the period the commission is earned.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of cash deposited with a financial institution required as collateral for the Company’s cash-collateralized letter of credit facilities.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded net of allowances for doubtful accounts, based on the Company’s ongoing discussions with its licensees and other customers and its evaluation of their creditworthiness, payment history and account aging. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Statements – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit

12


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) effective January 1, 2020.  ASU 2016-13 requires companies to adopt a methodology that measures expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  The primary impact to the Company is the timing of recording expected credit losses on its trade receivables.  Accounts receivable balances deemed to be uncollectible are written off after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $2.4 million and $5.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The Company’s accounts receivable, net amounted to $42.9 million and $39.5 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Two licensees accounted for approximately 50% (30% and 20%) of the Company’s total consolidated accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2020 and two licensees accounted for approximately 51% (33%, and 18%) of the Company’s total consolidated accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2019. The Company does not believe the accounts receivable balance from these licensees represents a significant collection risk based on past collection experience, however, the current environment as discussed previously may have a material impact on future collections.

Investments

The Company accounts for equity securities under ASC 321, Investments – Equity Securities (“ASC 321”). Such securities are reported at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and, at the time of purchase, are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as an investing activity. Gains and losses on equity securities are recognized through continuing operations.  The Company recognized a gain on its equity securities of $0.2 million and loss on its equity securities of $0.4 million recorded in other (income) expense from continuing operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  The Company recognized a gain on its equity securities of $0.5 million and loss on its equity securities of $0.1 million recorded in other (income) expense from continuing operations on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.  

Equity Method Investments

For investments in entities over which the Company exercises significant influence but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. On July 1, 2016, the Company acquired a 49.9% noncontrolling interest in Gaiam Pty. Ltd. in connection with its acquisition of Gaiam Brand Holdco, LLC, which is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s share of earnings from its equity method investee, which was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, is included in other expense (income) from continuing operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

On July 2, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell its Franklin Mint trademark for $3.5 million and retained a 5% equity interest in the Franklin Mint purchaser’s entity.  The transaction will be accounted for under the equity method since a 3-5% equity interest is considered to be “more than minor” in a limited partnership investment such as this. The Company recorded an initial investment of $0.2 million in other assets included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2020.

The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investment may not be recoverable. The difference between the carrying value of the equity method investments and its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment charge when the loss in value is deemed other-than-temporary.

13


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Intangible Assets

On an annual basis (October 1st) and as needed, the Company tests indefinite-lived trademarks for impairment through the use of discounted cash flow models. Assumptions used in the Company’s discounted cash flow models include: (i) discount rates; (ii) projected average revenue growth rates; and (iii) projected long-term growth rates. The Company’s estimates also factor in economic conditions and expectations of management, which may change in the future based on period-specific facts and circumstances.  Other intangibles with determinable lives, including certain trademarks, customer agreements and patents, are evaluated for the possibility of impairment when certain indicators are present, and are otherwise amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (currently ranging from 2 to 15 years). The Company performed its most recent test as October 1, 2020 and did not identify any impairments.

The Company determined that the Ellen Tracy trademark should no longer be classified as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and was reclassified in the second quarter of 2020 as a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the trademark of fifteen years.  The Company recorded amortization expense of $0.6 million and $1.2 million related to this trademark during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows. Additionally, the Company determined that the Avia trademark should no longer be classified as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and was reclassified in the first quarter of 2020 as a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the trademark of six years.  The Company amortized $3.4 million and $10.4 million related to this trademark during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO.  During the first quarter of 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $161.2 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse trademarks.  The impairments arose as a result of the sale process for the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands (as discussed in Note 3) due to the difference in the fair value as indicated by the sales price as compared to the carrying values of the intangible assets included in the transaction.  The sale of the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands was approved by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2019, to allow the Company to achieve one of its top priorities in significantly reducing its debt.  These charges are included in discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.  See Note 3 and Note 7.  

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $33.1 million consisting of $28.5 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark and $4.6 million related to the Joe’s trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced growth expectations and the impact of licensee transitions for these brands. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows.  These charges are included in impairment charges in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.  See Note 4 and Note 7.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is recorded at cost as a reduction of equity in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

14


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation cost for restricted stock is measured using the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock at the date the common stock is granted. For restricted stock and restricted stock units, for which restrictions lapse with the passage of time (“time-based restricted stock”), compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period between the issue date and the date that restrictions lapse. Time-based restricted stock is included in total shares of common stock outstanding upon the lapse of applicable restrictions. For restricted stock, for which restrictions are based on performance measures (“performance stock units” or “PSUs”), restrictions lapse when those performance measures have been deemed achieved. Compensation cost for PSUs is recognized on a straight-line basis during the period from the date on which the likelihood of the PSUs being earned is deemed probable and (x) the end of the fiscal year during which such PSUs are expected to vest or (y) the date on which awards of such PSUs may be approved by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) on a discretionary basis, as applicable. PSUs are included in total shares of common stock outstanding upon the lapse of applicable restrictions. PSUs are included in total diluted shares of common stock outstanding when the performance measures have been deemed achieved but the PSUs have not yet been issued.

Fair value for stock options and warrants is calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the grant. Compensation cost is reduced for forfeitures as they occur in accordance with ASU 2016-09, Simplifying the Accounting for Share-Based Payments (“ASU 2016-09”).

The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”) as of January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis.  In accordance with ASU 2018-07, the Company recognizes compensation cost for grants to non-employees on a straight-line basis over the period of the grant.  

Leases

The Company has operating leases for certain properties for its offices and showrooms and for copiers. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02” or “ASC 842”) as of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method as of the period of adoption.  In accordance with ASU 2016-02, for leases over twelve months the Company records a right-of-use asset and a lease liability representing the present value of future lease payments.  Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  Sublease income (in which we are the sublessor) is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the sublease, as a reduction to lease expense. The Company evaluates its right-of-use (“ROU”) assets for impairment in accordance with ASC 360. See Note 6 for further information.

Income Taxes

Current income taxes are based on the respective periods’ taxable income for federal, foreign and state income tax reporting purposes. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, using statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. In accordance with ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, all deferred income taxes are reported and classified as non-current. A valuation allowance is required if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company increased its valuation allowance due to the expected full year net loss and the inability to rely on future forecasted operations due to the volatility in the economic environment caused by COVID-19.  

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law.  The CARES Act contains several new or changed income tax provisions, including but not limited to the following: increased limitation threshold for determining deductible interest expense for corporate taxpayers from 30% of adjustable taxable income to 50% of adjustable taxable income for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020, class life changes to qualified improvement property (in general, from 39 years to

15


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

15 years), acceleration of the ability for corporate taxpayers to recover alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credits, suspension of 80% of taxable income limitation on the use of net operating losses (“NOLs”) for tax years beginning before January 1, 2021 and the ability to carry back NOLs incurred from tax years 2018 through 2020 up to the five preceding tax years.  As a result of the CARES Act, it is anticipated that the Company will fully utilize all interest expense that was deferred beginning in 2018 with no additional disallowed interest expense in 2020.  The Company had accrued for an AMT credit of approximately $0.1 million which was recorded as a receivable as of December 31, 2019; payment of this AMT credit was accelerated under the CARES Act. The Company received the AMT refund as of September 30, 2020.

The Company applies the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with other authoritative GAAP and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The guidance also addresses derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any reserves or interest and penalties to record through current income tax expense in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, are recorded in income tax expense. Tax years that remain open for assessment for federal and state tax purposes include the years ended December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2019.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period, excluding the effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted EPS gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period, including stock options, PSUs and warrants, using the treasury stock method, and convertible debt, using the if-converted method. Diluted EPS excludes all potentially dilutive shares of common stock if their effect is anti-dilutive. Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding is equivalent to diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

The computation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 excludes the following potentially dilutive securities because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive:

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

    

Unvested restricted stock

 

 

965

 

3,564

 

12,651

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially expose the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash, restricted cash and accounts receivable. Cash is held to meet working capital needs and future acquisitions. Restricted cash is pledged as collateral for a comparable amount of irrevocable standby letters of credit for certain of the Company’s leased properties. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and restricted cash are deposited with high quality financial institutions. At times, however, such cash and restricted cash may be in deposit accounts that exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts as of September 30, 2020.

Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable historically has been minimal, however, the current environment as discussed previously may have a material impact on future collections. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial

16


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Statements – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) effective January 1, 2020. ASU 2016-13 requires companies to adopt a methodology that measures expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon the expected collectability of all accounts receivable.

Customer Concentrations

The Company recorded net revenues from continuing operations of $24.0 million and $25.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue from continuing operations, accounting for 17%, 17% and 17% of the Company’s net revenue from continuing operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue from continuing operations, accounting for 17%, 17% and 16% of the Company’s net revenue from continuing operations.

The Company recorded net revenues from continuing operations of $66.8 million and $77.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue from continuing operations, accounting for 18%, 18% and 17% of the Company’s net revenue from continuing operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, three licensees represented at least 10% of net revenue from continuing operations, accounting for 19%, 16% and 14% of the Company’s net revenue from continuing operations.

Loss Contingencies

The Company recognizes contingent losses that are both probable and estimable. In this context, probable means circumstances under which events are likely to occur. The Company records legal costs pertaining to contingencies as incurred.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2020 in continuing operations represents income allocations to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS Footwear International, LLC and With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between the Company and Jessica Simpson).  Noncontrolling interest recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 in continuing operations represents an income allocation to Elan Polo International, Inc. and a loss allocation to With You, Inc.

Reportable Segment

An operating segment, in part, is a component of an enterprise whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance. Operating segments may be aggregated only to a limited extent. The Company’s CODM, the Executive Chairman, reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it has a single operating and reportable segment. In addition, the Company has no foreign

17


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

offices or any assets in foreign locations. The majority of the Company’s operations consist of a single revenue stream, which is the licensing of its trademark portfolio, with additional revenues derived from certain commissions.

New Accounting Pronouncements

ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU No. 2020-04”), which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to accounting guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease entities’ financial reporting burdens as the market transitions from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates.

ASU 2020-04 is effective upon issuance and can be applied through December 31, 2022.  The Company is currently evaluating its contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR and the potential impact of adopting the new guidance.

ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740 related to intraperiod tax allocations, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities related to outside basis differences. The standard also simplifies GAAP for other areas of ASC 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance related to accounting for franchise taxes and accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill.

ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-12 to have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3.         Discontinued Operations

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, for $166 million in cash consideration, plus additional amounts in respect of pre-closing accounts receivable that are received after the closing, subject to certain adjustments, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement with the Buyer entered into on April 16, 2019.  In addition, the Purchase Agreement provides for an earnout of up to $40,000,000 if certain performance targets are achieved during the three calendar years ending December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022.  MSLO and its subsidiaries were engaged in the business of promoting, marketing and licensing the Martha Stewart and the Emeril Lagasse brands through various distribution channels.  The Company recorded a pre-tax loss of $1.6 million and $2.0 million on the sale of MSLO during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively which is recorded in discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $161.2 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse trademarks.  The impairments arose during the sale process for the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands due to the difference in the fair value as indicated by the sales price as compared to the carrying values of the intangible assets included in the

18


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

transaction.  The sale of the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands was approved by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2019, to allow the Company to achieve one of its top priorities in significantly reducing its debt.  These charges are included in discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company recorded a net loss from discontinued operations of less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company recorded a net loss from discontinued operations of $1.2 million and $122.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The financial results of MSLO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are presented as income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The following table presents the discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended September 30, 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

(in thousands)

Net revenue

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

18,771

Operating expenses

 

-

 

114

 

-

 

16,503

Impairment charges

-

-

-

161,224

Loss on sale of MSLO

 

-

 

-

 

1,592

 

2,008

Loss from discontinued operations

 

-

 

(114)

 

(1,592)

 

(160,964)

Other expense (income)

 

42

 

136

 

(20)

 

236

Interest expense

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

3,570

Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

 

(42)

 

(250)

 

(1,572)

 

(164,770)

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

(10)

 

59

 

(369)

 

(42,578)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

$

(32)

$

(309)

$

(1,203)

$

(122,192)

The Company used cash proceeds from the MSLO sale to make mandatory prepayments of $109.6 million on the Revolving Credit Facility and voluntary prepayments of $44.4 million on its Tranche A-1 Term Loans (see Note 8).  In accordance with ASC 205-20-45-6, Presentation of Financial Statements – Discontinued Operations, no interest was allocated for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The Company has allocated interest expense of $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 related to the portion of debt that was required to be paid as part of the transaction and accretion on certain MSLO legacy and guaranteed payments.  No interest expense was allocated for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.  

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded less than $0.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively, in transaction costs directly related to the sale of MSLO which are recorded in discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.  

19


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents the assets and liabilities from discontinued operations as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 

December 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

  

 

(in thousands)  

 

Carrying amount of assets included as part of discontinued operations:

Current Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

152

 

$

6,839

Total current assets from discontinued operations

$

152

 

$

6,839

Carrying amount of liabilities included as part of discontinued operations:

 

  

 

 

  

Current Liabilities:

 

  

 

 

  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

382

 

$

1,959

Total current liabilities from discontinued operations

$

382

 

$

1,959

The prepaid expenses and other current assets at September 30, 2020 consists of a $0.2 million receivable due to the Company from the Buyer in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

The following table presents the cash flow from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

(in thousands)

Cash provided by discontinued operating activities

$

3,907

$

42,585

Cash used in discontinued investing activities

$

-

$

(44)

Cash used in discontinued financing activities

$

-

$

(574)

Cash provided by discontinued operating activities was approximately $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $42.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The cash provided by discontinued operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is primarily due to receipt of a portion of the receivable due the Company from the Buyer in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement.  The cash provided by discontinued operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is primarily driven by the benefit from income taxes. The cash used in discontinued investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is related to purchases of property and equipment and investments in intangible assets.  The cash used in discontinued financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is related to MSLO guaranteed payments.

4.           Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments

ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”), defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and provides for expanded disclosure about fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.

The Company determines or calculates the fair value of financial instruments using quoted market prices in active markets when such information is available or using appropriate present value or other valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating available market discount rate information for similar types of instruments

20


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

while estimating for non-performance and liquidity risk. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate, credit spreads and estimates of future cash flows.

Assets and liabilities typically recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis to which ASC 820-10 applies include:

non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in an acquisition or business combination, and
long-lived assets measured at fair value due to an impairment assessment under ASC 360-10-15, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

This topic defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820-10 requires that assets and liabilities recorded at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 - inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2 - inputs utilize other-than-quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 - inputs are unobservable and are typically based on the Company’s own assumptions, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity. Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions that are classified within the Level 3 classification.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the Company classifies such financial assets or liabilities based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO.  As a result, indefinite-lived intangible assets decreased by $330.1 million which was recorded within assets classified as held for disposition from discontinued operations as of December 31, 2018.  During the first quarter of 2019, the Company had recorded non-cash impairment charges of $161.2 million for these indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse trademarks.  The impairments arose during the sale process for the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands (as discussed in Notes 3 and 7) due to the difference in the fair value as indicated by the sales price as compared to the carrying values of the intangible assets included in the transaction.  The sale of the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands was approved by the Board of Directors during the second quarter of 2019, to allow the Company to achieve one of its top priorities in significantly reducing its debt.  Going forward the Company’s strategy is to focus on higher margin brands that are well suited for growing health, wellness and beauty categories.  

During the first quarter of, 2020, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows, a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy.

21


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $33.1 million consisting of $28.5 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark and $4.6 million related to the Joe’s trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced growth expectations and the impact of licensee transitions for these brands. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows, a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. These charges are included in impairment charges in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. See Note 4 and Note 7.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no assets or liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, except for interest rate swaps and equity securities. The following table sets forth the carrying value and the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities required to be disclosed at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Financial Instrument

    

Level

    

9/30/2020

    

12/31/2019

    

9/30/2020

    

12/31/2019

(in thousands)

Equity securities

1

$

532

$

47

$

532

$

47

Interest rate swaps - liability

2

$

7,961

$

6,514

$

7,961

$

6,514

Term loans

 

2

$

445,331

$

453,831

$

444,331

$

451,483

Revolving loan

 

2

$

28,340

$

14,358

$

28,385

$

14,323

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.

In December 2018, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements related to its term loans (the “2018 Swap Agreements”) with certain financial institutions.  The Company recorded its interest rates swaps in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value using Level 2 inputs.  The 2018 Swap Agreements have a $300 million notional value and $150 million matures on December 31, 2021 and $150 million matures on January 4, 2022.

The Company’s risk management objective and strategy with respect to the 2018 Swap Agreements is to reduce its exposure to variability in cash flows on a portion of the Company’s floating-rate debt.  The 2018 Swap Agreements protect the Company from increases in changes in its cash flows attributable to changes in a contractually specified interest rate on an amount of borrowing equal to the then outstanding swap notional.  The Company periodically assesses the effectiveness of the hedges (both prospective and retrospective) by performing a single regression analysis that was prepared at the inception of the hedging relationship.  To the extent a hedging relationship is highly effective, the gain or loss on the swap will be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company determined that a portion of one of the hedges was no longer effective due to the repayment of certain debt with the proceeds from the sale of MSLO (see Note 8).  As a result, in accordance with ASC 815-30-40-6A, the Company de-designated it as a cash flow hedge and reclassified a loss of $0.4 million from other comprehensive loss to other expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  Changes in the fair value of the de-designated interest rate swap after the de-designation date are being recognized through continuing operations.  The Company recorded a loss of less than $0.1 million and $4.3 million in other expense from continuing operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The Company recorded a loss of $0.4 million and $0.9 million in other expense from continuing operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

22


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

The components of the 2018 Swap Agreements as of September 30, 2020 are as follows:

    

Notional Value

    

Derivative Asset

    

Derivative Liability

(in thousands)

LIBOR based loans

$

300,000

$

$

7,961

For purposes of this fair value disclosure, the Company based its fair value estimate for the Term Loans and Revolving Loan (each, as defined in Note 8 – both under and prior to the amendment) on its internal valuation whereby the Company applied the discounted cash flow method to its expected cash flow payments due under the Loan Agreements based on interest rates as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 for debt with similar risk characteristics and maturities.

5.           Revenues

The Company has entered into various license agreements that provide revenues in exchange for use of the Company’s IP. Licensing agreements are the Company’s primary source of revenue. The Company also derives revenue from other sources such as sales commissions and vendor placement commissions.

Disaggregated Revenue

The following table presents revenue from continuing operations disaggregated by source:

Three Months Ended September 30, 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Licensing agreements

$

23,884

$

25,084

$

66,522

$

76,859

Other

 

140

 

308

 

327

 

472

Total

$

24,024

$

25,392

$

66,849

$

77,331

Contract Balances

Contract assets represent unbilled receivables and are presented within accounts receivable, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities represent unearned revenues and are presented within the current portion of deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  

The below table summarizes the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities:

September 30, 

December 31,

    

2020

    

2019

(in thousands)

Contract assets

$

1,821

$

1,803

Contract liabilities

 

1,449

 

3,040

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. The Company has reviewed its various revenue streams for its existing contracts under the five-step approach. The Company

23


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

has entered into various license agreements that provide revenues based on guaranteed minimum royalty payments with additional royalty revenues based on a percentage of defined sales. Guaranteed minimum royalty payments (fixed revenue) are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract, as defined in each license agreement. Earned royalties and earned royalties in excess of the fixed revenue (variable revenue) are recognized as income during the period corresponding to the licensee’s sales. Earned royalties in excess of fixed revenue are only recognized when the Company is reasonably certain that the guaranteed minimums payments for the period, as defined in each license agreement, will be exceeded.

Licensing for trademarks is the Company’s largest revenue source. Under ASC 606, the Company’s agreements are generally considered symbolic licenses which contain the characteristics of a right-to-access license since the customer is simultaneously receiving the IP and benefiting from it throughout the license period. As such, the Company primarily records revenue from licenses on a straight-line basis over the license period as the performance obligation is satisfied over time. The Company applies its judgment based on historical trends when estimating future revenues and the period over which to recognize revenue when evaluating its licensing contracts.

Deferred revenue is recognized as the Company fulfills its performance obligations over periods of approximately one to five years.

The below table summarizes amounts related to future performance obligations from continuing operations under fixed contractual arrangements as of September 30, 2020 and the periods in which they are expected to be earned and recognized as revenue:

    

    

    

    

    

    

Remainder of 2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Thereafter

(in thousands)

Future Performance Obligations

$

12,578

$

36,484

$

14,590

$

12,401

$

2,466

$

586

The Company does not disclose the amount attributable to unsatisfied or partially satisfied performance obligations for variable revenue contracts in accordance with the optional exemption allowed for under ASC 606. The Company has categorized certain contracts as variable when there is a history and future expectation of exceeding guaranteed minimum royalties.

6.           Leases

The Company has operating leases for certain properties for its offices and showrooms. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019.

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease and the lease term at contract inception based on the terms of each arrangement.  The Company’s operating leases contain options to extend and early termination options.  The Company will evaluate the terms on a lease-by-lease basis and include options to extend or early termination options when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option.  For arrangements that are identified as leases and are over twelve months, the Company records a ROU asset and a lease liability representing the present value of future lease payments.  Under ASC 842, the present value of future lease payments must be discounted by using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or if not readily determinable, its incremental borrowing rate.  The Company used an average cost of debt of 6.76% as the discount rate for the leases as it is representative of the interest rate that would be charged to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a fully collateralized basis.

24


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

The Company evaluates its ROU assets for impairment in accordance with ASC 360.  No impairment of ROU assets existed as of September 30, 2020.  The operating lease assets and liabilities recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 are summarized as follows:

September 30, 

Classification on Balance Sheet

    

2020

Assets

(in thousands)

Non-current

Right-of-use assets - operating leases

$

52,240

 

Liabilities

Current

Current portion of lease liabilities - operating leases

$

3,267

Non-current

Lease liabilities - operating leases, net of current portion

52,222

Total operating lease liabilities

$

55,489

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)

12.6

Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  Rent expense for operating leases was $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.  Rent expense for operating leases was $5.0 million and $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Sublease income (in which we are the sublessor) is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the sublease, as a reduction to lease expense. Sublease income was $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Sublease income was $1.9 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  All of the aforementioned amounts are included in continuing operations.

As of September 30, 2020, the maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities were as follows:

    

Operating Leases

(in thousands)

Remainder of 2020

$

1,715

2021

 

6,942

2022

 

6,952

2023

 

6,844

2024

 

6,857

Thereafter

 

53,808

Total minimum lease payments

83,118

Less: imputed interest

27,629

Lease liabilities

$

55,489

25


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

7.           Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are summarized as follows:

Gross

    

Useful Lives

    

 Carrying

    

Accumulated

    

Net Carrying

September 30, 2020

(Years)

Amount

Amortization

Amount

(in thousands)

Finite-lived intangible assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trademarks

 

5 - 15

$

130,627

$

(17,150)

$

113,477

Customer agreements

 

4

 

2,080

 

(2,080)

 

-

Patents

 

10

 

95

 

(71)

 

24

 

  

$

132,802

$

(19,301)

 

113,501

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Trademarks

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

376,437

Intangible assets, net

 

  

 

  

 

  

$

489,938

Gross

    

Useful Lives

    

 Carrying

    

Accumulated

    

Net Carrying

December 31, 2019

(Years)

Amount

Amortization

Amount

(in thousands)

Finite-lived intangible assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trademarks

 

5 - 15

$

12,491

$

(4,515)

$

7,976

Customer agreements

 

4

 

2,200

 

(2,198)

 

2

Patents

 

10

 

95

 

(64)

 

31

 

  

$

14,786

$

(6,777)

 

8,009

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Trademarks

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

591,958

Intangible assets, net

 

  

 

  

 

  

$

599,967

Estimated future annual amortization expense for intangible assets in service as of September 30, 2020 is summarized as follows:

Years Ended December 31, 

    

(in thousands)

Remainder of 2020

$

4,488

2021

 

17,963

2022

 

17,963

2023

 

17,611

2024

 

16,546

Thereafter

 

38,930

$

113,501

Amortization expense from continuing operations was approximately $4.5 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Amortization expense from continuing operations was approximately $12.9 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Finite-lived intangible assets represent trademarks, customer agreements and patents related to the Company’s brands. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

26


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

The carrying value of finite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are subject to impairment evaluation. As of September 30, 2020, the trademarks of Jessica Simpson, AND1, Joe’s, GAIAM and Caribbean Joe have been determined to have indefinite useful lives, and accordingly, consistent with ASC Topic 350, no amortization has been recorded in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Instead, each of these intangible assets are tested for impairment annually and as needed on an individual basis as separate single units of accounting, with any related impairment charge recorded to the statement of operations at the time of determining such impairment. The annual evaluation of the Company’s indefinite-lived trademarks is performed as of October 1, the beginning of the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter. The Company performed its most recent test as October 1, 2020 and did not identify any impairments.

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company determined that the Ellen Tracy trademark should no longer be classified as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and was reclassified in the second quarter of 2020 as a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the trademark of fifteen years.  The Company amortized $0.6 million and $1.2 million related to this trademark during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company determined that the Avia trademark should no longer be classified as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and was reclassified in the first quarter of 2020 as a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the trademark of six years. The Company amortized $3.4 million and $10.4 million related to this trademark during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell its Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things trademarks for $3.9 million. The Company retained a 5% equity interest in the Franklin Mint purchaser’s entity. The Company recorded a gain on sale of assets of $3.7 million related to the sale of the Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things trademarks on July 2, 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded a gain on sale of assets of $4.6 million consisting of $0.9 million related to the sale of the Nevados trademark on June 19, 2020 and $3.7 million related to the sale of the Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things trademarks on July 2, 2020.  

On October 24, 2019, a licensee for Avia exercised a purchase option in their existing license agreement to acquire ownership of the Avia trademark registered in China for $12.3 million, effective as of January 15, 2020.  The $12.3 million was originally payable in installments over a period of three years as follows: $3.3 million on June 30, 2020, $5.0 million on June 30, 2021 and $4.0 million on June 30, 2022. The present value of the proceeds from the sale of $11.3 million are applied against the cost basis of the intangible asset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020.  On July 22, 2020, the Company amended the agreement giving the licensee an option to modify the total purchase price to $8.8 million if payment was made in full by August 15, 2020, or to continue with the $12.3 million purchase price under a modified payment plan.   The licensee did not pay the $8.8 million settlement amount by August 15, 2020 and now the $12.3 million is payable in installments over a period of three years as follows: $1.65 million on September 30, 2020, $1.65 million on December 30, 2020, $5.0 million on June 30, 2021 and $4.0 million on June 30, 2022. In the event the licensee fails to pay the purchase price as per the amended schedule, the Company has the right to take back the trademark.

When conducting its impairment assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company initially performs a qualitative evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. If it is determined by a qualitative evaluation that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, the Company then tests the asset for recoverability. The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for recovery in accordance with ASC-820-10-55-3D. When the income

27


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

approach is used, fair value measurement reflects current market expectations about those future amounts. The income approach is based on the present value of future earnings expected to be generated by a business or asset. Income projections for a future period are discounted at a rate commensurate with the degree of risk associated with future proceeds. A residual or terminal value is also added to the present value of the income to quantify the value of the business beyond the projection period. As such, recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to its expected future discounted net cash flows. If the carrying amount of such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the recoverability of the assets. Assumptions used in our estimates are as follows: (i) discount rates; (ii) projected annual revenue growth rates; and (iii) projected long-term growth rates. Our estimates also factor in economic conditions and expectations of management which may change in the future based on period-specific facts and circumstances. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows.

In June 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO.  During the first quarter of 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $161.2 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse trademarks reflected in discontinued operations on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The impairments arose during the sale process for the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands (as discussed in Note 3) due to the difference in the fair value as indicated by the sales price as compared to the carrying values of the intangible assets included in the transaction.  The sale of the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands was approved by the Board of Directors during the second quarter of 2019, to allow the Company to achieve one of its top priorities in significantly reducing its debt.

8.           Long-Term Debt

The components of long-term debt are as follows:

September 30, 

December 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in thousands)

Secured Term Loans

$

445,331

$

453,831

Revolving Credit Facility

 

28,340

 

14,358

Unamortized deferred financing costs

 

(20,283)

 

(22,189)

Total long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs

 

453,388

 

446,000

Less: current portion of long-term debt

 

17,000

 

12,750

Long-term debt

$

436,388

$

433,250

Debt Facilities

On November 16, 2020, the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment to its Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement”) with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Wilmington Agent”) and the lenders party thereto (the “Wilmington Facility Loan Parties”).  The amendments modified the covenants in, and obtained a waiver through

28


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

December 31, 2020 of defaults under, the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement.  However, as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is not currently forecasted to be able to comply, in the next twelve months, with certain of the financial covenants under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement. If the Company fails to comply with such financial covenants, an event of default under the Loan Agreements would be triggered and its obligations under the Loan Agreements may be accelerated.

Management continues to evaluate strategic alternatives, including the divestiture of one or more existing brands or a sale of the Company. The risk of non-compliance creates a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt with respect to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect the adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities that would be necessary if the Company was unable to realize its assets and settle its liabilities as a going concern in the normal course of operations.

On March 30, 2020, the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment (“Fourth Amendment”) to the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement.  Pursuant to the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement, no mandatory amortization payments are required until September 30, 2020. The Fourth Amendment allows for the netting of up to $5 million in cash of the Company and its subsidiaries for purposes of calculating the leverage ratio covenants, except for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 which allowed for netting of up to $10 million in cash.  On August 11, 2020, pursuant to the terms of the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement, the Company added a new director to sit on its Board of Directors.  The Company incurred $3.1 million in lender fees associated with the amendment which was recorded in deferred financing costs in accordance with ASC 470, Debt, and included in long-term debt, net of current portion in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  These fees are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the remainder of the term of the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement.  

On December 30, 2019, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement (the “Amended BoA Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto (the “BoA Facility Loan Parties”).  The loans under the Amended BoA Credit Agreement will be subject to quarterly amortization payments of $2.5 million through September 30, 2020, $3.25 million through September 30, 2021 and $4.0 million for each fiscal quarter thereafter.  The Amended BoA Credit Agreement modifies the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) by permitting additional addbacks and specifying the EBITDA amounts for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.  The Amended BoA Credit Agreement allows for the netting of up to $5 million in cash of the Company and its subsidiaries for purposes of calculating the leverage ratio covenant.  The Company reduced the available commitments under the revolving facility to $80 million.  During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company incurred $1.3 million in lender fees associated with the amendment which was recorded in deferred financing costs in accordance with ASC 470, Debt, and included in long-term debt, net of current portion in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  These fees are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the remainder of the term of the Amended BoA Credit Agreement.

On August 12, 2019, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement (the “Wilmington Credit Agreement”) with the Wilmington Agent and the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties.  Pursuant to the Wilmington Credit Agreement, no mandatory amortization payments are required until September 30, 2020.  Thereafter, the loans under the Wilmington Credit Agreement will be subject to quarterly amortization payments of $1.0 million.  Pursuant to the Wilmington Credit Agreement, no payment with proceeds of any consolidated excess cash flow will be required to be made prior to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.  The Wilmington Credit Agreement modified the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) by permitting additional addbacks and specifying the EBITDA amounts for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019.  The Wilmington Credit Agreement allows for the netting of up to $5 million in cash of the Company and its subsidiaries for purposes of calculating the leverage ratio covenant.  The Company also agreed under the Wilmington

29


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Credit Agreement not to borrow more than $30 million under the Bank of America Revolving Credit Facility.  During the third quarter of 2019, the Company incurred $3.3 million in lender fees associated with the amendment which was recorded in deferred financing costs in accordance with ASC 470, Debt, and included in long-term debt, net of current portion in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  These fees are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the remainder of the term of the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement.

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO.  The Company used cash proceeds from the MSLO sale to make mandatory prepayments of $109.6 million of the Revolving Credit Facility and voluntary prepayments of $44.4 million on its Tranche A-1 Term Loans.  

On August 7, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries amended its (i) Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement (the “BoA Credit Agreement”) with the BoA Facility Loan Parties and (ii) Wilmington Credit Agreement with the Wilmington Agent and the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties. The Company used a portion of the proceeds of the $335.0 million loans made to the Company under the Amended BoA Credit Agreement to prepay loans under the Wilmington Credit Agreement.

The BoA Credit Agreement provides for several five-year senior secured credit facilities, consisting of (i) Tranche A Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million (the “Amended Tranche A Loans”), (ii) Tranche A-1 Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $70.0 million (the “Amended Tranche A-1 Loans” and, together with the Tranche A Loans, the “BoA Term Loans”) and (iii) revolving credit commitments in the aggregate principal amount of $130.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Commitments” and, the loans under the Revolving Credit Commitments, the “Revolving Loans”). On the Closing Date, the total amount outstanding under the BoA Credit Agreement was $335.0 million, including (i) $150.0 million of Amended Tranche A Loans, (ii) $70.0 million of Amended Tranche A-1 Loans and (iii) $115.0 million of Revolving Loans.

The loans under the BoA Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a rate equal to (i) with respect to the Revolving Loans and the Tranche A Loans (a) the LIBOR rate plus 3.50% per annum or (b) the base rate plus 2.50% per annum and (ii) with respect to the Tranche A-1 Loans (a) the LIBOR rate plus 7.00% per annum or (b) the base rate plus 6.00% per annum. The loans under the BoA Credit Agreement provide for interest rate reductions if certain leverage ratios are achieved, with minimum interest rates equal to (i) with respect to the Revolving Loans and the Tranche A Loans (a) the LIBOR rate plus 3.00% per annum or (b) the base rate plus 2.00% per annum and (ii) with respect to the Tranche A-1 Loans (a) the LIBOR rate plus 6.00% per annum or (b) the base rate plus 5.00% per annum.  The undrawn portions of the Revolving Credit Commitments are subject to a commitment fee of 0.375% per annum.  As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $1.4 million available under the current revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”).

The Company may make voluntary prepayments of the loans outstanding under the BoA Credit Agreement, subject to the payment of customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR-based borrowings and, in certain cases, to the prepayment premium set forth in the BoA Credit Agreement. Additionally, the Company is mandated to make prepayments (without payment of a premium or penalty) under the BoA Credit Agreement amounting to: (i) the loans outstanding under the BoA Credit Agreement plus, (a) where intellectual property is disposed, 50.0% of the disposed intellectual property’s orderly liquidation value, and (b) where any other assets constituting collateral are disposed or upon the receipt of certain insurance proceeds, 100% of the net proceeds thereof, subject to certain reinvestment rights; and (ii) the Amended Tranche A-1 Loans to the extent that the outstanding principal amount thereof exceeds 15.0% of the orderly liquidation value of the registered trademarks owned by the BoA Facility Loan Parties. Per the Amended BoA Credit Agreement, the loans will be subject to quarterly amortization payments of $2.5 million through September 30, 2020, $3.25 million through September 30, 2021 and $4.0 million for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

30


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

The BoA Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants applicable to the BoA Facility Loan Parties and their subsidiaries. Moreover, the BoA Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that require the BoA Facility Loan Parties and their subsidiaries to (i) maintain a positive net income, (ii) satisfy a maximum loan to value ratio initially set at 50.0% (applicable to the Revolving Loans and Tranche A Loans) decreasing over the term of the BoA Credit Agreement until reaching a final maximum loan to value ratio of 42.5% and (iii) satisfy a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio, initially set at 3.875:1:00, decreasing over the term of the BoA Credit Agreement until reaching a final maximum ratio of 2.875:1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2022 and thereafter. At September 30, 2020, the Company is in compliance with the covenants included in the Amended BoA Credit Agreement.

The BoA Credit Agreement contains certain customary events of default, including a change of control. If an event of default occurs and is not cured within any applicable grace period or not waived, the Bank of America Agent, at the request of the lenders under the BoA Credit Agreement, must take various actions, including, without limitation, the acceleration of all amounts due under the BoA Credit Agreement.

The Company may request an increase in (i) the Revolving Credit Facility and Tranche A Loans as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed 2.80:1.00 and (ii) the Tranche A-1 Loans, as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed (a) with respect to any increase, the proceeds of which will be used solely to finance an acquisition, 3.00:1.00 and (b) with respect to any other increase, 2.90:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the BoA Credit Agreement.

The Wilmington Credit Agreement provides for a five and a half-year $314.0 million senior secured term loan facility. The Company may request one or more additional term loan facilities or the increase of term loan commitments under the Wilmington Credit Agreement as would not have caused the consolidated total leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such addition and increase, to exceed 6.00:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Wilmington Credit Agreement.

The loans under the Wilmington Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a rate equal to either (i) the LIBOR rate plus 8.75% per annum or (ii) the base rate plus 7.75% per annum.

The Company may make voluntary prepayments of the loans outstanding under the Wilmington Credit Agreement, subject to the payment of customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR-based borrowings and, in certain cases, to the prepayment premium set forth in the Wilmington Credit Agreement. The Company is mandated to make prepayments (without payment of a premium or penalty) of loans outstanding under the Wilmington Credit Agreement amounting to: (i) where intellectual property was disposed, 50.0% of the disposed intellectual property’s orderly liquidation value, (ii) where any other asset constituting collateral is disposed or upon the receipt of certain insurance proceeds, 100% of the net proceeds thereof, subject to certain reinvestment rights, and (iii) any consolidated excess cash flow, in an amount equal to (a) in the event the consolidated total leverage ratio was at least 4.00:1.00, 75% thereof, (b) in the event the consolidated total leverage ratio was less than 4.00:1.00 but at least 3.00:1.00, 50% thereof and (c) in the event the consolidated total leverage ratio was less than 3.00:1.00, 0% thereof.  No mandatory amortization payments are required until September 30, 2020.  Thereafter, the loans under the Wilmington Credit Agreement will be subject to quarterly amortization payments of $1.0 million. Under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement, as described above, the quarterly amortization payments of $1.0 million remain unchanged.  

The Wilmington Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants applicable to the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties and their subsidiaries. Moreover, the Wilmington Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that require the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties and their subsidiaries to satisfy (i) a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio, initially set at 7.25:1.00, decreasing over the term

31


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

of the Wilmington Credit Agreement until reaching a final maximum ratio of 6.25:1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2022 and thereafter and (ii) a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio, initially set at 3.875:1.00, decreasing over the term of the Wilmington Credit Agreement until reaching a final maximum ratio of 2.875:1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2022 and thereafter.

The Wilmington Credit Agreement contains certain customary events of default, including a change of control. If an event of default occurs and is not cured within any applicable grace period or is not waived, the Wilmington Agent, at the request of the lenders under the Wilmington Credit Agreement, is required to take various actions, including, without limitation, the acceleration of amounts due thereunder.

The Company may request one or more additional term loan facilities or the increase of term loan commitments under the Wilmington Credit Agreement as would not have caused the consolidated total leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such addition and increase, to exceed 6.00:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Wilmington Credit Agreement.

Interest Rate Swaps

On December 10, 2018, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements related to its term loans (the “2018 Swap Agreements”) with certain financial institutions.  The Company recorded its interest rate swaps in accrued expense and other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value using Level 2 inputs.  The 2018 Swap Agreements have a $300 million notional value, and $150 million matures on December 31, 2021 and $150 million matures on January 4, 2022.

The Company’s risk management objective and strategy with respect to the 2018 Swap Agreements is to reduce its exposure to variability in cash flows on a portion of the Company’s floating-rate debt.  The 2018 Swap Agreements protect the Company from changes in its cash flows attributable to changes in a contractually specified interest rate on an amount of borrowing equal to the then outstanding swap notional.  The Company periodically assesses the effectiveness of the hedges (both prospective and retrospective) by performing a single regression analysis that was prepared at the inception of the hedging relationship.  To the extent a hedging relationship is highly effective, the gain or loss on the swap will be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company determined that a portion of one of the hedges was no longer effective due to the repayment of certain debt with the proceeds from the sale of MSLO. As a result, in accordance with ASC 815-30-40-6A, the Company de-designated it as a cash flow hedge and reclassified a loss of $0.4 million from other comprehensive loss to other expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  Changes in the fair value of the de-designated interest rate swap after the de-designation date are being recognized through continuing operations.  The Company recorded a loss of less than $0.1 million and $4.3 million in other expense from continuing operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The Company recorded a loss of $0.4 million and $0.9 million in other expense from continuing operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

32


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

9.          Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

The Company is in a dispute with a former licensee concerning certain payments allegedly owed to the licensee which the Company disputes.  The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims and pursue a counterclaim.  Litigation costs in this matter may be significant.

The Company was served with a lawsuit in March 2020 alleging among other things, trademark infringement on the Company’s Swisstech brand.  The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims and potentially pursue a counterclaim.  Litigation costs in this matter may be significant.

The Company has been cooperating with an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) into the Company’s controls and practices surrounding impairment analyses of goodwill and intangible assets in 2016 and 2017.  On July 17, 2020, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the SEC related to this investigation.  A Wells Notice is neither a formal charge of wrongdoing nor a final determination that the recipient has violated any law. The Wells Notice informed the Company that the SEC staff has made a preliminary determination to recommend that the SEC file an enforcement action against the Company that would allege certain civil violations of the federal securities laws under Section 17 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 related to its goodwill impairment actions in 2016 and 2017. The Company believes that it has complied with GAAP and SEC rules during such periods in all financial matters including goodwill and intangible assets but can provide no assurance that the SEC will agree ultimately.  The Company intends to pursue the Wells Notice process and has responded to the SEC staff’s position with a Wells submission.  The Company cannot predict the duration or outcome of this matter. Costs related to this matter may be significant.

In addition, 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, results of operations or cash flows. Contingent liabilities arising from potential litigation are assessed by management based on the individual analysis of these proceedings and on the opinion of the Company’s lawyers and legal consultants.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had recorded $2.0 million in accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balances sheets related to litigation contingencies and claims.

Assignment Right

The Company had entered into a license agreement for its Avia trademark which includes a clause that if the licensee pays to the Company cumulative total royalties of $100.0 million, the licensee has the right to require the Company to assign full title and ownership of the trademark to the licensee.  The first term of the agreement ends on December 31, 2022, but automatically renews in three-year increments unless terminated by the licensee. Based on current projections, the option to exercise this right would come into effect in approximately five years.  Until such time, the Company continues to pursue and sign license agreements outside the U.S. and within certain channels of distribution within the U.S. and collect royalties therefrom.

33


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

10.           Stock-based Compensation

Stock Options

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

    

    

    

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Number of

Weighted-Average

Contractual Life

Options

Exercise Price

(in Years)

 

Outstanding - January 1, 2020

 

737

$

334.00

 

2.4

Granted

 

 

 

  

Exercised

 

 

 

  

Forfeited or canceled

 

(250)

 

(517.20)

 

  

Outstanding at September 30, 2020

 

487

$

240.00

 

2.6

Exercisable - September 30, 2020

 

487

$

240.00

 

2.6

There was no compensation expense related to stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. At September 30, 2020, there is no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options and no unvested stock options.

Warrants

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding warrants for the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

    

    

    

Weighted-Average

    

Remaining

Number of

Weighted-Average

Contractual Life

Warrants

Exercise Price

(in Years)

Outstanding - January 1, 2020

 

5,000

$

532.80

 

5.4

Granted

 

 

 

  

Exercised

 

 

 

  

Forfeited or canceled

 

 

  

Outstanding at September 30, 2020

 

5,000

$

532.80

 

4.7

Exercisable - September 30, 2020

 

5,000

$

532.80

 

4.7

There was no compensation expense related to warrants for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. At September 30, 2020, there is no unrecognized compensation expense related to warrants and no unvested warrants.

34


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Restricted Stock

A summary of the Company’s time-based restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is as follows:

    

    

    

Weighted-Average

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Grant Date Fair

Contractual Life

Number of Shares

Value

(in Years)

Unvested - January 1, 2020

 

13,056

$

34.00

 

0.5

Granted

 

5,000

 

14.80

 

  

Vested

 

(16,614)

 

(28.53)

 

  

Forfeited or cancelled

(1,442)

(32.00)

Unvested - September 30, 2020

 

$

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted 5,000 shares of time-based restricted stock to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer as an inducement grant.  These shares had a grant date fair value of $0.1 million and vested on the grant date. The Company recorded $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compensation expense from continuing operations pertaining to this grant.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company granted 11,614 shares of time-based restricted stock to members of the Company’s Board of Directors. These shares had a grant date fair value of $0.4 million and vest over a period of one year. The Company recorded $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, as compensation expense from continuing operations pertaining to these grants.

No compensation expense from continuing operations was recorded related to time-based restricted stock grants for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Total compensation expense from continuing operations related to time-based restricted stock grants for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.1 million. Total compensation expense from continuing operations related to time-based restricted stock grants for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. At September 30, 2020, there is no unrecognized compensation expense related to time-based restricted stock grants.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the Company’s time-based restricted stock units activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is as follows:

    

    

    

Weighted-Average

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Grant Date Fair

Contractual Life

Number of Shares

Value

(in Years)

Unvested - January 1, 2020

 

10,708

$

56.80

 

1.3

Granted

 

10,000

 

14.80

 

  

Vested

 

(4,553)

 

(97.98)

 

  

Forfeited or canceled

 

(1,250)

 

(95.60)

 

  

Unvested - September 30, 2020

 

14,905

$

24.93

 

1.8

35


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted 10,000 shares of time-based restricted stock to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer as an inducement grant.  These shares had a grant date fair value of $0.1 million and vest over a period of three years.  The Company recorded less than $0.1 million during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compensation expense from continuing operations pertaining to this grant.

The Company did not grant time-based restricted stock units during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Total compensation expense from continuing operations related to time-based restricted stock unit grants for each of the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was less than $0.1 million. Total compensation expense from continuing operations related to time-based restricted stock unit grants for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense from continuing operations related to time-based restricted stock unit grants at September 30, 2020 amounted to $0.2 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Performance Stock Units

A summary of the Company’s PSUs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is as follows:

    

    

    

Weighted-Average

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Grant Date Fair

Contractual Life

Number of Shares

Value

(in Years)

Unvested - January 1, 2020

 

3,249

$

180.40

 

Granted

 

22,500

 

14.80

 

  

Vested

 

 

 

  

Forfeited or canceled

 

(3,249)

 

(180.45)

 

  

Unvested - September 30, 2020

 

22,500

$

14.80

 

2.3

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted 22,500 PSUs to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer as an inducement grant.  These shares had a grant date fair value of $0.3 million and vest over a period of three years and require achievement of certain of the Company’s performance metrics within each fiscal year for such PSUs to be earned. The Company did not record any compensation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as the likelihood of these PSUs being earned was not considered probable.

On March 27, 2019, the Compensation Committee voted to approve, on a discretionary basis, vesting of 5,785 PSUs to employees and consultants previously granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, subject to achievement of certain of the Company’s performance metrics within each fiscal year. The fair value and expense recorded for such PSUs was based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date the modification of the performance metric was communicated to employees and consultants. Total compensation expense related to these PSUs of $0.2 million was recorded as operating expenses from continuing operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

No compensation expense was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to the achievement of performance metrics not being deemed probable.  No compensation expense was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2019 due to the achievement of performance metrics not being deemed probable.  Total compensation expense from continuing operations related to the PSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.2 million.

36


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

11.          Related Party Transactions

Consulting Services Agreement with Tengram Capital Partners, L.P. (f/k/a Tengram Capital Management L.P.)

Pursuant to an agreement with Tengram Capital Partners, L.P., formerly known as Tengram Capital Management, L.P. (“TCP”), an affiliate of Tengram Capital Partners Gen2 Fund, L.P., which is one of the Company’s largest stockholders, the Company had engaged TCP, effective January 1, 2013, to provide services to the Company pertaining to (i) mergers and acquisitions, (ii) debt and equity financing and (iii) such other related areas as the Company may reasonably request from time to time (the “TCP Agreement”). The TCP Agreement remained in effect for a period continuing through the earlier of five years or the date on which TCP and its affiliates cease to own in excess of 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock in the Company. On August 15, 2014, the Company consummated transactions pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger, dated as of June 24, 2014 (the “Galaxy Merger Agreement”) with SBG Universe Brands LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the Company’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary (“LLC Sub”), Universe Galaxy Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LLC Sub, Galaxy Brand Holdings, Inc. and Carlyle Galaxy Holdings, L.P. (such transactions, collectively, the “Galaxy Acquisition”). In connection with the Galaxy Merger Agreement, the Company and TCP entered into an amendment to the TCP Agreement (the “Amended TCP Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, TCP was entitled to receive annual fees of $0.9 million beginning with fiscal 2014. The Amended TCP Agreement terminated as of December 31, 2019.

The controlling partner at TCP, William Sweedler, assumed the role of Executive Chairman and Principal Executive Officer of the Company as of October 27, 2020. Mr. Sweedler will not be receiving any cash compensation in connection with serving as Executive Chairman.

The Company reimbursed TCP less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with their services. The Company reimbursed TCP less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with their services. These amounts are included in operating expenses from continuing operations in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company paid TCP $0.1 million for services under the Amended TCP Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.  The Company paid TCP $0.2 million and $0.7 million for services under the Amended TCP Agreement during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.  At September 30, 2019, there were $0.2 million due to TCP for services. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there was $0.2 million due to TCP for services and less than $0.1 million due for reimbursement of expenses. The Company paid $1.8 million in transaction fees to TCP related to the sale of MSLO during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Transactions with Tommie Copper, Inc.

The Company entered into an agreement with Tommie Copper, Inc. (“TCI”), an affiliate of TCP, under which the Company received a fee for facilitating certain distribution arrangements.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded a direct charge-off of $1.5 million upon receipt of final payment from TCI of $1.5 million. At September 30, 2020, the Company had no net current receivable due from TCI. At December 31, 2019, the Company had a net current receivable of $0.1 million due from TCI.

37


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

Transactions with E.S. Originals, Inc.

A division president of the Company maintains a passive ownership interest in one of the Company’s licensees, E.S. Originals, Inc. (“ESO”). The Company receives royalties from ESO under license agreements for certain of the Company’s brands in the footwear category. The Company recorded $1.4 million and $1.2 million of revenue from continuing operations for each of the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, for royalties, commission, and advertising revenue earned from ESO license agreements. The Company recorded $3.9 million and $3.7 million of revenue from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively for royalties, commission, and advertising revenue earned from ESO license agreements. At September 30, 2020, the Company had recorded $1.4 million as accounts receivable from ESO in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2019, the Company had recorded $0.2 million as long-term receivable in other assets from ESO in the condensed balance sheet.

In addition, the Company had entered into a license-back agreement with ESO under which the Company reacquired the rights to certain international territories in order to re-license these rights to an unrelated party. No license-back expense was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company recorded less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million in license-back expense from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.  

Transactions with Centric Brands Inc.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, Centric Brands, Inc. (“Centric”), an affiliate of TCP, acquired a significant portion of Global Brands Group Holding Limited’s (“GBG”) North American licensing business. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company and Centric entered into a license agreement under the Jessica Simpson brand in addition to its existing license for the Joe’s brands. The Company recorded approximately $1.5 million and $4.8 million for royalty revenue earned from the Centric license agreements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company recorded approximately $1.6 million and $4.8 million for royalty revenue earned from the Centric license agreements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had $3.9 million and $1.0 million recorded as accounts receivable from Centric in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had accrued $0.9 million payable as accounts payable and accrued expenses to Centric in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of October 9, 2020, Centric emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and as of that date is no longer an affiliate of TCP.

Transactions with Daytona Apparel Group

During the third quarter of 2020, the Company and Daytona Apparel Group (“Daytona”), an affiliate of TCP, entered into a license agreement under the Ellen Tracy brand. The Company recorded less than $0.1 million for royalty revenue earned from the Daytona license agreements for the three months ended September 30, 2020. At September 30, 2020, the Company had $0.1 million recorded as accounts receivable from Daytona in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Transactions with REL Consulting

On June 15, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with REL Consulting, Inc. (the “REL Consultant”), who is employed by an affiliated party to the Company through the Company’s Chairman of the Board.  The REL Consultant is engaged for a one year term and will receive a fee of $0.1 million for the entire annual period to be paid in equal installments on a monthly basis over the term of the agreement.

38


Table of Contents

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

IP License Agreement and Intangible Asset Agreement

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO.  

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the previous acquisition of MSLO (the “Mergers”), MSLO entered into an Amended and Restated Asset License Agreement (“Intangible Asset Agreement”) and Amended and Restated Intellectual Property License and Preservation Agreement (“IP License Agreement” and, together with the Intangible Asset Agreement, the “IP Agreements”) pursuant to which Ms. Martha Stewart licensed certain intellectual property to MSLO. The IP Agreements granted the Company the right to use of certain properties owned by Ms. Stewart.  

The Company paid Lifestyle Research Center LLC $0.8 million in connection with other related services under the Intangible Asset Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively which is recorded in discontinued operations on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Intangible Asset Agreement with the Company ended as of June 10, 2019.

The Company paid $1.0 million in transaction fees to Ms. Stewart related to the sale of MSLO in 2019.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company made payments of $0.6 million to Ms. Stewart in connection with the terms of the IP License Agreement. The IP License Agreement with the Company ended as of June 10, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company expensed non-cash interest of $0.1 million related to the accretion of the present value of these guaranteed contractual payments, which is recorded in discontinued operations on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

12.          Subsequent Events

On November 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries amended its Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties party thereto.  The amendments, among other matters, waive existing defaults under the Credit Agreement through December 31, 2020; limit the Company’s ability to conduct certain dispositions and make certain restricted payments and investments without the consent of the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties; prohibit the repayment of existing indebtedness, the incurrence of new indebtedness or the creation of liens in each case without the consent of the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties; provide certain information rights and other assurances to the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties, including with respect to the Company’s ongoing strategic review process.  The amendments also provide that, if the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement continue to be lenders as of April 1, 2021, the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement shall have the right to appoint an independent majority of the Company’s Board of Directors.

On November 13, 2020, the Company entered into a lease termination agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) for its former corporate headquarters in New York, NY.  The Company, in accordance with the terms of the Termination Agreement paid an agreed upon termination fee and final rent payments of approximately $6.7 million.  As part of the Termination Agreement, the Company replenished its letter of credit of $1.4 million by drawing down on its Revolving Credit Facility.  As of November 16, 2020, the Company was fully drawn under its Revolving Credit Facility.

39


Table of Contents

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, or MD&A, should be read in conjunction with our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes and with the MD&A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The various sections of this MD&A contain a number of forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. See the cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements on page 3 of this Quarterly Report for a description of important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected results.

Licensing and Brand Management Business

We own a portfolio of consumer brands in the active and lifestyle categories, including Jessica Simpson, AND1, Avia, Joe’s and GAIAM. We aim to maximize the value of our brands by promoting, marketing and licensing the brands through various distribution channels, including to retailers, wholesalers and distributors in the United States and in certain international territories. Our core strategy is to enhance and monetize the global reach of our existing brands, and to pursue additional strategic acquisitions to grow the scope of and diversify our portfolio of brands.

We aim to acquire well-known consumer brands with high potential for growth and strong brand awareness. We additionally seek to diversify our portfolio by evaluating the strength of targeted brands and the expected viability and sustainability of future royalty streams. Upon the acquisition of a brand, we partner with leading wholesalers and retailers to drive incremental value and maximize brand equity. We focus on certain key initiatives in our licensing and brand management business. These initiatives include:

Maximizing the value of our existing brands by creating efficiencies, adding additional product categories, expanding distribution and retail presence and optimizing sales through innovative marketing that increases consumer brand awareness and loyalty;
Expanding through e-commerce channels;
Developing international expansion through additional licenses, partnerships and other arrangements with leading retailers and wholesalers outside the United States; and
Acquiring consumer brands (or the rights to such brands) with high consumer awareness, broad appeal and applicability to a wide range of product categories.

Our business is designed to maximize the value of our brands through license agreements with partners that are responsible for manufacturing and distributing our licensed products. Our brands are licensed for a broad range of product categories, including apparel, footwear and accessories. We seek to select licensees who have demonstrated the ability to produce and sell quality products in their respective licensed categories and have the capability to meet or exceed the minimum sales thresholds and guaranteed minimum royalty payments that we generally require.

We license our brands to both wholesale and direct-to-retail licensees. In a wholesale license, a wholesale supplier is granted rights (typically on an exclusive basis) to a single or small group of related product categories for a particular brand for sale to multiple accounts within an approved channel of distribution and territory. In a direct-to-retail license, a single retailer is granted the right (typically on an exclusive basis) to sell branded products in a broad range of product categories through its brick and mortar stores and e-commerce sites. As of September 30, 2020, we had over ninety licensees, with wholesale licensees comprising a significant majority.

Our license agreements typically require a licensee to pay us royalties based upon net sales and, in most cases, contain guaranteed minimum royalties. Our license agreements often require licensees to support the brands by either paying or spending contractually guaranteed minimum amounts for the marketing and advertising of the respective licensed brands. As of September 30, 2020, we had contractual rights to receive an aggregate of  $219.0 million in minimum royalty and marketing and advertising revenue from our licensees through the balance of the current terms of such licenses, excluding any renewal option periods.  

40


Table of Contents

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on December 31. Each quarter of each fiscal year ends on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to exercise its judgment. We 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 our disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the financial statements. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments. We base our estimates and judgments on a variety of factors, including our historical experience, knowledge of our business and industry and current and expected economic conditions, that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We periodically re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions with respect to these judgments and modify our approach when circumstances indicate that modifications are necessary. 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.

Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2020, for a discussion of our critical accounting policies. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no material changes to these policies.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in state-government mandated store closures and social distancing measures throughout most of the U.S.  As states continue to relax and then tighten restrictions, we are unsure when retail stores will be ordered to close, at what capacity, or how long such periods of store closures will be needed or mandated.  Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected our second quarter and our projected long-term revenues, earnings, liquidity and cash flows. However, the situation is dynamic, and we are not currently able to predict the full impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations and cash flows.  In response to COVID-19, we have taken the following actions:

Increasing available cash on hand including utilizing revolver borrowings under the Amended BoA Credit Agreement. We made net revolver borrowings of $12.7 million, excluding lender fees, under the Amended BoA Credit Agreement;
Implementing temporary salary reductions across the Company;
Obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan of $769,295 on May 18, 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”);
Decreasing operating expenses through marketing spend reductions and deferral of non-essential spending;
Continuing to evaluate strategic alternatives; and
Proactively partnering with our lender base to provide more flexibility.

On November 16, 2020, the Company modified the covenants in, and obtained a waiver through December 31, 2020 of defaults under, the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreements.  However, as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is not currently forecasted to be able to comply, in the next twelve months, with certain of the financial covenants under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement. If the Company fails to comply with its financial covenants, as modified, a default under the Loan Agreements would be triggered and the Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreements may be accelerated. The risk of non-compliance creates a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt with respect to our ability to continue as a going concern.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect

41


Table of Contents

the adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities that would be necessary if we were unable to realize our assets and settle our liabilities as a going concern in the normal course of operations.  

During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows.

Discontinued Operations

Due to the sale of MSLO during the second quarter of 2019 (see Note 3 in this Form 10-Q), we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.  The related assets and liabilities directly associated with MSLO are classified as discontinued operations in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.

On June 10, 2019, the Company completed the sale of MSLO.  During the first quarter of 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $161.2 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse trademarks.  The impairments arose during the sale process for the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands due to the difference in the fair value as indicated by the sales price as compared to the carrying values of the intangible assets included in the transaction.  The sale of the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands was approved by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2019, to allow the Company to achieve one of its top priorities in significantly reducing its debt.  These charges are included in the loss from discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.  See Note 3, Note 4 and Note 7 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.  

42


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

All amounts discussed herein relate to continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, results of operations information from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements:

Three Months Ended September 30, 

Better/(Worse)

    

2020

    

2019

    

(Dollars)

(in thousands)

Net revenue

$

24,024

$

25,392

$

(1,368)

Operating expenses

 

8,726

 

12,247

 

3,521

Impairment charges

-

33,109

33,109

Gain on sale of assets

(3,723)

-

3,723

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

19,021

 

(19,964)

 

38,985

Other (income) expense

 

(72)

 

843

 

915

Interest expense, net

 

11,925

 

13,048

 

1,123

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

7,168

 

(33,855)

 

41,023

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

1,290

 

(6,035)

 

(7,325)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

5,878

 

(27,820)

 

33,698

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from continuing operations

 

(1,409)

 

9,449

 

(10,858)

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

4,469

(18,371)

22,840

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

(32)

(309)

277

Net income (loss) attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

$

4,437

$

(18,680)

$

23,117

Net revenue.  Net revenue decreased $1.4 million to $24.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $25.4 million for September 30, 2019.  The period-over-period decreases in net revenue are driven primarily by the economic impact of COVID-19 which caused supply chain disruptions for our licensees and retail store closures, licensee transitions for the Jessica Simpson brand, as well as licensee agreements that have expired.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $8.7 million compared to $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.  The period-over-period change was primarily driven by decreases in marketing expense of $1.6 million, legal, consulting and management fees of $0.8 million, travel expense of $0.1 million, reversal of bad debt expense of $4.7 million, depreciation of $0.1 million and an increase in sublease income of $0.4 million.  The decreases were offset by increases in compensation expenses of $0.1 million, rent expense of $0.1 million and amortization expense of $4.0 million due to reclassification of the Avia and Ellen Tracy trademarks from indefinite-lived to finite-lived intangible assets.

Impairment charges. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not record non-cash impairment charges. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $33.1 million consisting of $28.5 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark and $4.6 million related to the Joe’s trademark. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows.

Gain on sale of assets. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded a gain on sale of assets of $3.7 million related to the sale of the Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things trademark on July 2, 2020.

43


Table of Contents

Other ( income) expense.  The increase of $0.9 million in other expense is driven by a gain on our equity securities.

Interest expense, net.  Interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2020 includes interest incurred under our Loan Agreements of $10.5 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.7 million offset by non-cash interest income of $0.3 million related to the accretion of the present value of certain other payment arrangements.  Interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2019 includes interest incurred under our Loan Agreements of $11.8 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.4 million offset by non-cash interest income of $0.2 million related to the accretion of the present value of certain other payment arrangements and $0.1 million of deferred financing costs as a result of the partial paydown of the Tranche A-1 Term Loan.  

Income taxes.  The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2020 differs from the statutory rate primarily for state, local and foreign jurisdiction taxes offset by taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests and an adjustment to the valuation allowance. The benefit from income taxes in continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 differs from the statutory rate primarily for state, local and foreign jurisdiction taxes offset by benefits from taxes attributable to noncontrolling interest and further decreased by a provision, discrete to the second quarter, related to vested restricted stock and cancelled stock options. 

Noncontrolling interests.  Noncontrolling interests for the three months ended September 30, 2020 represent net income allocations of $1.3 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between us and Jessica Simpson) and a net income allocation of $0.1 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC.  Noncontrolling interests for the three months ended September 30, 2019 represents net loss allocation of $9.6 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC and net income allocation of $0.2 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC.

Discontinued Operations. The Company completed the sale of MSLO on June 10, 2019.  As a result, we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.  See Note 3 in this Form 10-Q for further discussion.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, results of operations information from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

Better/(Worse)

    

2020

    

2019

    

(Dollars)

(in thousands)

Net revenue

$

66,849

$

77,331

$

(10,482)

Operating expenses

 

37,576

 

41,700

 

4,124

Impairment charges

85,590

33,109

(52,481)

Gain on sale of assets

 

(4,624)

 

-

 

4,624

(Loss) income from continuing operations

 

(51,693)

 

2,522

 

(54,215)

Other expense

 

3,467

 

1,270

 

(2,197)

Interest expense, net

 

36,362

 

40,794

 

4,432

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(91,522)

 

(39,542)

 

(51,980)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

1,770

 

(6,655)

 

(8,425)

Loss from continuing operations

 

(93,292)

 

(32,887)

 

(60,405)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from continuing operations

 

9,535

 

6,455

 

3,080

Loss from continuing operations attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(83,757)

(26,432)

(57,325)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

(1,203)

(122,192)

120,989

Net loss attributable to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

$

(84,960)

$

(148,624)

$

63,664

44


Table of Contents

Net revenue.  Net revenue decreased $10.5 million to $66.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $77.3 million for September 30, 2019.  The period-over-period decreases in net revenue are driven primarily by certain licensee transitions, lower contractual GMRs for the Gaiam and some other brands, reduced sales period-over-period for AND1, Ellen Tracy and Joe’s brands, licensee agreements that have expired, as well as the economic impact of COVID-19 which caused supply chain disruptions for our licensees and retail store closures.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to $37.6 million compared to $41.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  The period-over-period change was primarily driven by decreases in compensation expense of $5.0 million, marketing expense of $5.7 million, legal, consulting and management fees of $2.0 million, deal advisory costs of $0.8 million, severance of $0.6 million, travel expense of $0.3 million, contributions of $0.1 million, reversal of bad debt expense of $2.7 million driven by the economic impact of COVID-19 and an increase in sublease income of $1.1 million. These decreases were offset by increases in amortization expense of $11.5 million due to reclassification of the Avia and Ellen Tracy trademarks from indefinite-lived to finite-lived intangible assets, depreciation expense of $2.7 million due to changes in December 2019 in the estimated useful lives of our leasehold improvements to better reflect the estimated periods during which the assets will remain in service.  

Impairment charges. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $85.6 million consisting of $33.2 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark, $29.8 million related to the Gaiam trademark, $12.0 million related to the Joe’s trademark and $10.6 million related to the Ellen Tracy trademark. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $33.1 million consisting of $28.5 million related to the Jessica Simpson trademark and $4.6 million related to the Joe’s trademark. The impairments arose due to reduced sales forecasts and higher discount rates for these brands driven by the financial impacts of COVID-19 and the current economic environment. Fair value for each trademark was determined based on the income approach using estimates of future discounted cash flows.

Gain on sale of assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded a gain on sale of assets of $4.6 million, consists of $0.9 million related to the sale of the Nevados trademark on June 19, 2020 and $3.7 million related to the sale of Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things trademark on July 2, 2020.

Other expense.  The increase of $2.2 million in other expense is driven by the loss on our interest rate swaps partially offset by the gain on our equity securities.

Interest expense, net.  Interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 includes interest incurred under our Loan Agreements of $32.2 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $4.9 million offset by non-cash interest income of $0.8 million related to the accretion of the present value of certain other payment arrangements.  Interest expense, net during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 includes interest incurred under our Loan Agreements of $36.7 million, non-cash interest related to the amortization of deferred financing costs of $4.1 million and the expensing of $0.6 million of deferred financing costs as a result of the partial paydown of the Tranche A-1 Term Loan offset by non-cash interest income of $0.6 million related to the accretion of the present value of certain other payment arrangements.    

Income taxes.  The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 differs from the statutory rate primarily for state, local and foreign jurisdiction taxes offset by taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests and a net increase to the valuation allowance. The valuation allowance increase was recorded discrete to the first quarter of 2020 with a partial decrease to the valuation allowance in the second quarter of 2020. The discrete adjustment to the valuation allowance in the second quarter of 2020 was attributable to the reclassification of the Ellen Tracy intangible as a definite-lived asset. We increased our valuation allowance due to the expected full year net loss and the inability to rely on future forecasted operations due to the volatility caused by COVID-19.  The benefit from income taxes in continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 differs from the statutory rate primarily for state, local and foreign jurisdiction taxes offset by benefits from taxes attributable to noncontrolling interest and further decreased by a provision, discrete to the second quarter, related to vested restricted stock and cancelled stock options. 

45


Table of Contents

Noncontrolling interests.  Noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 represents a net loss allocation of $10.0 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC (the partnership between us and Jessica Simpson) and a net income allocation of $0.4 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC.  Noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 represents net loss allocation of $6.9 million to With You, Inc., a member of With You LLC and a net income allocation of $0.5 million to Elan Polo International, Inc., a member of DVS LLC.

Discontinued Operations. The Company completed the sale of MSLO on June 10, 2019.  As a result, we have classified the results of MSLO as discontinued operations in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.  During the first quarter of 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $161.2 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse trademarks which is included in the loss from discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and offset by a benefit from income taxes of $38.4 million.  See Note 3 in this Form 10-Q for further discussion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Refer to Note 8 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our borrowings under the Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto and the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto.

As of September 30, 2020, we had cash on hand, including restricted cash, of $22.2 million and a net working capital balance (defined below) of $32.3 million. Additionally, we had outstanding debt obligations under our Loan Agreements of $473.7 million, which is presented net of $20.3 million of deferred financing fees in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2019, we had cash on hand, including restricted cash, of $8.3 million and a net working capital balance (defined below) of $11.5 million.  Additionally, we had outstanding debt obligations under our Loan Agreements of $468.2 million, which is presented net of $22.2 million of deferred financing fees in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Net working capital is defined as current assets minus current liabilities, excluding restricted cash and discontinued operations.  As of September 30, 2020, we had $1.4 million available under the current revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). See Note 8 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of certain financing transactions consummated by us. See Note 12 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements regarding certain subsequent events related to our indebtedness.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there is significant uncertainty surrounding the potential impact on our results of operations and cash flows. We are proactively taking steps to increase available cash on hand including, but not limited to, targeted reductions in discretionary operating expenses, obtaining a PPP loan and utilizing funds available under our Revolving Credit Facility. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in state-government mandated store closures and social distancing measures throughout most of the U.S.  These actions have caused many retailers carrying our branded products to close in the first and second quarter of 2020, which has affected retailers, as well as our licensees who sell to these retailers. As states continue to relax and then tighten restrictions, we are unsure when retail stores will be ordered to close, at what capacity, or how long such periods of store closures will be needed or mandated. The impacts of COVID-19 have adversely affected our near-term and long-term revenues, earnings, liquidity and cash flows as certain licensees have requested temporary relief or deferred making their scheduled payments. Although there is significant uncertainty in the current economic environment, we currently believe that cash from operations and our currently available cash (as a result of borrowings under our existing financing arrangements, including under the PPP) will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated working capital requirements for at least twelve months from the date of filing this Form 10-Q.  However, due to COVID-19 and our current forecasts, we currently believe we will not be able to satisfy our covenants in our existing financing arrangements for at least twelve months from the date of filing this Form 10-Q. The beliefs are based on facts and circumstances existing as of the date of this filing. If the Company fails to comply with its financial covenants, as modified, a default under the Loan Agreements would be triggered and the Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreements may be accelerated. There are no material capital expenditure commitments as of September 30, 2020. As a result of the CARES Act, it is anticipated that the Company will fully utilize all interest expense that was deferred beginning in 2018 with no additional disallowed interest expense in 2020.  The Company had accrued for an AMT credit

46


Table of Contents

of approximately $0.1 million which was recorded as a receivable as of December 31, 2019; payment of this AMT credit was accelerated under the CARES Act. The Company received the AMT refund as of September 30, 2020.

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations

Cash flows from continuing operations from operating, financing and investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the following table:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

(in thousands)

Operating activities

$

4,729

$

(37,887)

Investing activities

 

4,681

 

165,780

Financing activities

 

607

 

(180,862)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash

$

10,017

$

(52,969)

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to net cash used in continuing activities from continuing operations of $37.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  The $42.6 million change in net cash used period-over-period was primarily attributable to increases in non-cash adjustments to reconcile to net loss of $114.1 million driven by a change in non-cash impairment charges of $52.5 million and deferred income taxes of $52.9 million and increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $0.6 million offset by a decrease in net income of $60.4 million and decreases in accounts receivable of $8.9 million, deferred revenue of $0.3 million, prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.6 million, and other liabilities of $0.9 million.

Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations decreased $161.1 million to $4.7 million for the nine months ended months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $165.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  This change is driven primarily by the cash proceeds from the sale of MSLO of $165.9 million in 2019 and sale of Franklin Mint and Linen ‘n Things of $4.8 million in July 2020.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $181.5 million to $0.6 million as compared to net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations of $180.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we made principal payments of $8.5 million on term loans and $11.4 million on the revolver under our Loan Agreements in accordance with contractual terms, paid $3.1 million in lender fees for the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement and made $2.5 million of distributions to certain noncontrolling interest partners. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 we made borrowings of $12.7 million, excluding lender fees, on our Revolving Credit Facility and obtained a PPP loan of approximately $0.8 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we made principal payments of $19.2 million under our Loan Agreements in accordance with contractual terms as well as repaid $154 million of principal in connection with the sale of MSLO and made $4.2 million of distributions to certain noncontrolling interest partners.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we repurchased common stock from employees for tax withholding purposes related to the vesting of restricted stock of less than $0.1 million as compared to $0.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Debt

As of September 30, 2020, we were party to the Amended BoA Credit Agreement and the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement, referred to as our Loan Agreements.  Refer to Note 8 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial

47


Table of Contents

statements for a discussion of our borrowings and the terms of these debt facilities.  As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our long-term debt, including current portion, was $473.7 million and $468.2 million, respectively, which is presented net of $20.3 million and $22.2 million of deferred financing fees, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  As of September 30, 2020, we had $1.4 million available under the current revolving credit facility.  As of December 31, 2019, we had $15.4 million available under the current revolving credit facility.  We may request an increase in (i) the Revolving Credit Facility and Tranche A Loans as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed 2.80:1.00 and (ii) the Tranche A-1 Loans, as would not cause the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increase, to exceed (a) with respect to any increase, the proceeds of which will be used solely to finance an acquisition, 3.00:1.00 and (b) with respect to any other increase, 2.90:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Amended BoA Credit Agreement.  We may request one or more additional term loan facilities or the increase of term loan commitments under the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement as would not cause the consolidated total leverage ratio, determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such addition and increase, to exceed 6.00:1.00, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement.  We made $19.9 million of principal repayments under our Loan Agreements during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As a result, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Item 3.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We limit exposure to foreign currency fluctuations by requiring payment under the majority of our licenses to be denominated in U.S. dollars. One of our license agreements is denominated in Canadian dollars. If there were an adverse change in the exchange rate from Canadian to U.S. dollars of 10%, the expected effect on net income would be immaterial.

Our earnings may also be affected by changes in LIBOR interest rates as a result of our Loan Agreements. As further discussed in Notes 4 and 8 to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we have entered into interest rate swaps to mitigate the effects of a change in LIBOR interest rates. An increase in LIBOR interest rates of one percent affecting the Loan Agreements would not have had a material effect on our results of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Item 4.        Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Executive Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President of Finance evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2020, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on, and as of the date of such evaluation, the Executive Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President of Finance have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2020 such that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and co-principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

48


Table of Contents

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.         Legal Proceedings

General Legal Matters

From time to time, we are involved in legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. We record a liability for litigation when we believe that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If we determine that a loss is reasonably possible and the loss or range of loss can be estimated, we disclose the possible loss. Significant judgment is required to determine both likelihood of there being and the estimated amount of a loss related to such matters.

With respect to our outstanding legal matters, based on our current knowledge, we believe that the amount or range of reasonably possible loss will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, the outcome of such legal matters is inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. Further, regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

Note 9 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) in this Form 10-Q is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

Item 2.          Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There have been no unregistered sales of equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2020. We do not currently have in place a repurchase program with respect to our common stock.

Item 5. Other Information

Chief Financial Officer

As previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed September 17, 2020, Mr. Daniel Hanbridge is stepping down from his position as Senior Vice President & Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective November 16, 2020.  Also as previously disclosed, Ms. Lorraine DiSanto will serve as sole principal financial and accounting officer after the effectiveness of Mr. Hanbridge’s resignation.

Appointment of Director

On November 13, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed John Dionne to serve as a new member, effective immediately, pursuant to the terms of the Amended Wilmington Credit Agreement.

Mr. Dionne has served as a Senior Advisor to the Blackstone Group L.P., an investment firm, since July 2013 and a Senior Lecturer in the Finance Unit at the Harvard Business School since January 2014. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Caesars Entertainment, Cengage Learning Holdings II, Inc., Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. and Pelmorex Media, Inc. Until he retired from his position as a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone in 2013, Mr. Dionne was most recently Global Head of its Private Equity Business Development and Investor Relations Groups and served as a member of Blackstone’s Private Equity and Valuation Committees. Mr. Dionne originally joined Blackstone in 2004 as

49


Table of Contents

the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Blackstone Distressed Securities Fund. Mr. Dionne began his career with Price Waterhouse. He graduated with an MBA from the Harvard Business School and holds a BS from the University of Scranton.

There are no familial relationships between Mr. Dionne and any director, executive officer, or other employee of the Company. Mr. Dionne has no material interests in any transactions or proposed transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Bylaws Amendment

On November 16, 2020, the Company amended its Bylaws, effective April 1, 2021, to provide that (i) the Board of Directors may not increase the Board of Directors to more than five members and (ii) if, on April 1, 2021 and prior to giving effect to any appointment of directors effectuated on or following such date, the number of directors is greater than four, then the Board of Directors may increase the number of directors to such number as is equal to two times the number of directors then serving minus three.

Credit Agreement Amendment

On November 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries amended its Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties party thereto.  The amendments, among other matters, waive existing defaults under the Credit Agreement through December 31, 2020; limit the Company’s ability to conduct certain dispositions and make certain restricted payments and investments without the consent of the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties; prohibit the repayment of existing indebtedness, the incurrence of new indebtedness or the creation of liens in each case without the consent of the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties; and provide certain information rights and other assurances to the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties, including with respect to the Company’s ongoing strategic review process.  The amendments also provide that, if the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement continue to be lenders as of April 1, 2021, the Wilmington Facility Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement shall have the right to appoint an independent majority of the Company’s Board of Directors (inclusive of Ms. Mazzucchelli and Mr. Dionne, who currently serve as directors of the Company). The Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

50


Table of Contents

Item 6.      Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

Exhibit
Number

    

Exhibit Title

3.1

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated July 23, 2020. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Sequential Brands Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2020.

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sequential Brands Group, Inc., as of November 13, 2020.

10.1

Employment Letter dated as of October 27, 2020 by and between Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and Lorraine DiSanto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Sequential Brands Group, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2020.

10.2

Separation Agreement and General Release Agreement dated as of October 27, 2020 be and between Sequential Brands Group, Inc. and David Conn. Incorporated be reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Sequential Brands Group Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2020.

10.3

Fifth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2020, between Sequential Brands Group, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Sequential Brands Group, Inc. named therein, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto.

31.1*

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.3*

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Co-Principal Financial Officers 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 Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


*Filed herewith.

**Furnished herewith.

† Each a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

51


Table of Contents

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.

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

Date: November 16, 2020

/s/ Daniel Hanbridge

By:

Daniel Hanbridge

Title:

Senior Vice President of Finance (Co-Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: November 16, 2020

/s/ Lorraine DiSanto

By:

Lorraine DiSanto

Title:

Chief Financial Officer (Co-Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

52


FIRST AMENDMENT TO

THE AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

This First Amendment (this “Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of Sequential Brands Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby amends the Bylaws as follows:

1. Article III (Board of Directors), Section 1 (General Powers) of the Bylaws is hereby amended by inserting the following immediately following the first sentence of such section:

“The Board of Directors shall not increase the number of directors, unless the number of directors is less than five, in which case the Board of Directors may increase the number of directors to a number no greater than five; provided that, if, on April 1, 2021 and prior to giving effect to any appointment of directors effectuated on or following such date, the number of directors (the “April 1 Number”) is greater than four, the Board of Directors may increase the number of directors to such number as is equal to (i) two times the April 1 Number minus (ii) three.  By way of example, if on April 1, 2021 and prior to giving effect to any appointment of directors effectuated on or following such date, the number of directors is eight, then the Board of Directors may increase the number of directors to thirteen.

2. This Amendment shall become effective on April 1, 2021.
3. Except as specifically amended above, the Bylaws shall remain the same and in full force and effect.

Adopted as of November 13, 2020.


FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT AND LIMITED WAIVER

THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT AND LIMITED WAIVER (this “Amendment”) dated as of November 16, 2020 between SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Guarantors party hereto, the Lenders party hereto, and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Agent”), in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and benefits to be derived herefrom.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Lenders and the Agent are party to that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified and in effect as of the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”; the Existing Credit Agreement as amended hereby, the “Amended Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders temporarily waive (collectively, the “Requested Waiver”) the Acknowledged Events of Default set forth on Schedule 1 hereof and waive compliance with the Maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio required by Section 7.15(a) of the Amended Credit Agreement for the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2020 (collectively, the “Specified Events of Default”), in each case on the terms and for the period set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Required Lenders and the Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders) have agreed to amend the Existing Credit Agreement and waive the Acknowledged Events of Default, in each case, as set forth herein.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Incorporation of Terms.   All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Amended Credit Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties.  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) no Default or Event of Default exists under the Existing Credit Agreement or under any other Loan Document on and as of the date hereof, and (ii) after giving effect to this Amendment, all representations and warranties contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct, in all material respects, on and as of the date hereof, except (i) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and (ii) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, they shall be true and correct in all respects.
3. Amendments to Existing Credit Agreement.  

a. Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new definitions in appropriate alphabetical order:

13-Week Cash Flow Forecast” means each 13-week rolling cash flow forecast delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(o) on a bi-weekly basis, which shall (i) show cash receipts and cash disbursements of the Loan Parties and track accounts receivable, accounts payable and sales performance, in each case, projected through the period of 13 consecutive weeks including the week in which such forecast is delivered by the Borrower to the Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) and (ii) otherwise be in form and substance, and with such detail, as is reasonably acceptable to the KKR Representative.

Fifth Amendment” means that certain Fifth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 16, 2020.

Fifth Amendment Effective Date” means the date that all conditions precedent as set forth in Section 5 of the Fifth Amendment have been satisfied.

b. Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new paragraph at the end of the definition of “Permitted Disposition”:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, (i) no such Permitted Dispositions specified in clauses (a), (b), (d), (e), (f) or (h) above shall be permitted without the prior express written consent of the KKR Representative and (ii) no single or series of related Permitted Dispositions specified in clause (c) above in an aggregate amount of $100,000 or greater shall be permitted without the prior express written consent of the KKR Representative; provided, that the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries shall be permitted to enter into licenses and sublicenses in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, so long as each such each such license or sublicense (i) generates royalty revenue, (ii) includes minimum guaranteed payments, (iii) is for a term not longer than five years, and (iv) does not include any option for the licensee to (a) extend the term of the license or (b) purchase the licensed property.  

c. Section 2.04(c) of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:  

(c)In connection with (i) any Disposition of any Collateral (other than Permitted Dispositions of the type referred to in clauses (d), (e) and (f) of the definition thereof, other than with respect to Dispositions of Intellectual Property as set forth in clause (b) above and other than with respect to the MSLO Disposition as set forth in subclause (ii) below) in any Fiscal Year in excess of the Threshold Amount, the Borrower shall apply the aggregate Net Proceeds received in excess of the Threshold Amount to prepay the Loans (including L/C Borrowings) up to an amount which is equal to 100% of the Net Proceeds from the Disposition of such Collateral and (ii) the receipt of the Net Proceeds of the MSLO Disposition, the Borrower shall apply such Net Proceeds (x) received on the Second Amendment Effective Date (in each case in an amount as was separately agreed in writing by the Borrower and the Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders)) as follows:


(1) first, to the BoA Agent, with such Net Proceeds being used to repay Revolving Loans (as defined in the BoA Credit Agreement), (2) second, to BoA Agent, with such Net Proceeds being used to repay Tranche A-1 Term Loans (as defined in the BoA Credit Agreement) and (3) third, to the Borrower and (y) received after the Second Amendment Effective Date, within one Business Day of receipt thereof, to BoA Agent, with such Net Proceeds being used to repay Tranche A-1 Term Loans (as defined in the BoA Credit Agreement).

d. Article V of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 5.26:

Section 5.26.     Excluded Subsidiaries.

As of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date and at all times thereafter, no Subsidiary constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary and no Loan Party shall form or otherwise acquire any Excluded Subsidiary.

e. Section 6.02 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new subsections (o) and (p):

(o)     commencing on the first week following the Fifth Amendment Effective Date and on a bi-weekly basis thereafter (by 5:00 p.m. New York City time no later than the third (3rd) Business Day of each second week), furnish to the Agent (for distribution to the Lenders), (i) a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast, (ii) a report setting forth the accounts receivables and aging accounts payable of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries for the previous two week period, (iii) if any payments are received from licensees more frequently than quarterly, a sales pacing report of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries prepared by the Borrower for the previous two week period; and

(p) commencing on the first week following the Fifth Amendment Effective Date and on a weekly basis thereafter (by 5:00 p.m. New York City time no later than the Friday of each week), furnish to the Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) a copy of each license agreement entered into in the prior week.

f. Article VI of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 6.18:

Section 6.18Lender Meetings. The Loan Parties shall cause their senior management and their advisors (including any investment banker and/or financial advisor) to make themselves available (a) each Tuesday from and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date at 11:00 a.m. prevailing Eastern Time, and (b) at such other dates and times requested by the Required Lenders (which dates and times shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders and the Loan Parties), in each case, for a conference call with the KKR Representative and the Lenders for purposes of discussing (x) any updates concerning the Loan Parties’ ongoing strategic initiatives, (y) any information contained in any 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast and any other report delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(o), and (z) any


other information regarding the Loan Parties’ business results and operations reasonably requested by the KKR Representative or the Lenders.

g. Section 7.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or sign or file or suffer to exist under the UCC or any similar Law or statute of any jurisdiction a financing statement that names any Loan Party as debtor; sign or suffer to exist any security agreement authorizing any Person thereunder to file such financing statement; sell any of its property or assets subject to an understanding or agreement (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase such property or assets with recourse to it; or assign or otherwise transfer any accounts or other rights to receive income, other than, as to all of the above, Permitted Encumbrances; provided, that from and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, no Loan Party shall nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Permitted Encumbrance pursuant to clauses (i), (o) or (s) thereof without the prior express written consent of the KKR Representative.

h. Section 7.02 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Make any Investments, except Permitted Investments; provided, that from and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, no Loan  Party nor any Subsidiary shall be permitted to make any Permitted Investment pursuant to clauses (g)(iii), (g)(iv), (i), (j), (l), (m) or (v) of the definition thereof without the prior express written consent of the KKR Representative.

i. Section 7.03 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new paragraph at the end of such section:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, no Loan Party shall nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to incur any new Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness outstanding under the BoA Facility (as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date) or any other Indebtedness outstanding on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date) without the prior express written consent of the KKR Representative.

j. Section 7.04 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new paragraph at the end of such section:

Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, from and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, no Loan Party shall nor shall any Subsidiary form or otherwise acquire any Excluded Subsidiary.

k. Section 7.06 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new paragraph at the end of such section:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, no such Restricted Payments specified in clauses (c), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (j) above shall be permitted without the prior express written consent of the KKR Representative.

l. Section 7.07 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner any Indebtedness for borrowed money, except with the prior express written consent of the KKR Representative (other than with respect to clause (a)(ii) below, which for the avoidance of doubt shall not require prior express written consent of the KKR Representative): (a) (i) as long as no Default or Event of Default then exists, regularly scheduled or mandatory repayments, repurchases, redemptions or defeasances of Permitted Indebtedness (other than the BoA Facility), (ii) regularly scheduled payments and mandatory prepayments under the BoA Facility, and so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists, prepayment and other repurchases, redemptions or defeasances under the BoA Facility and any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in each case not in violation of the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or of any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of a contribution to the common equity of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or a substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (c) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

m. Section 8.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the clause (b) thereof in its entirety as follows:

(b) Specific Covenants.  Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of (i) Sections 6.03(a), 6.05(a) (solely with respect to the Borrower), 6.06(b)(i)(A), 6.07, 6.17, 6.18 or Article VII, (ii) Section 6.02(o) and such failure continues for 2 Business Days, (iii) Section 6.02(p) and such failure continues for 5 days, (iv) Sections 6.01, 6.02 (other than 6.02(o) and 6.02(p)), or 6.03 (other than 6.03(a)) and such failure continues for 10 days, (v) Section 6.06(b)(i)(B) and (ii) – (iv) and such failure continues for 10 days or (vi) Section 6.11 or 6.13 and such failure continues for 15 days; or

4. Limited Waiver.  Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5 of this Amendment, Agent and the Lenders party hereto hereby grant the Requested Waiver through December 31, 2020 unless the Requested Waiver is extended as set forth below; provided, that the foregoing waiver shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth herein and shall not (a) be construed as a consent to or waiver of (i) any breach, Default or Event of Default other than as specifically waived herein, or (ii) any breach, Default or Event of Default of which Agent or any of the Lenders have not been informed by any Loan Party, (b) affect the right of Agent or any of

the Lenders to demand strict compliance by each Loan Party with all terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents, except as specifically consented to, modified or waived by the terms hereof, (c) be deemed a consent to or waiver of any future transaction or action on the part of any Loan Party requiring the Lenders’ or the Required Lenders’ consent or approval under the Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents, or (d) diminish, prejudice or waive any of Agent’s or any Lender’s rights and remedies under the Credit Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or applicable law, whether arising as a consequence of any Default or Event of Default which may now exist or otherwise, and Agent and each of the Lenders hereby reserve all of such rights and remedies. It is understood and agreed that the Requested Waiver is temporary and shall expire on December 31, 2020 unless extended by the Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders in their sole discretion).  Upon the expiration of the Requested Waiver, the Specified Events of Defaults shall constitute an immediate Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, during the period in which the Requested Waiver is in effect, to the extent any provision of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document is qualified by, or requires the absence of, any Default or Event of Default, a Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of such provisions as a result of the Specified Events of Default notwithstanding the Requested Waiver.
5. Conditions to Effectiveness.  This Amendment shall not be effective until each of the following conditions precedent has been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders):
a. This Amendment shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, and the Required Lenders, and the Agent shall have received evidence thereof.
b. The Agent shall have received a duly executed Amendment to Fourth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Side Letter, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders party thereto (the “Side Letter Amendment”).
c. All action on the part of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties necessary for the valid execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents shall have been duly and effectively taken.  
d. After giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
e. The Borrower shall have paid in full all fees and expenses of the Agent (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent) and the KKR Representative (including those of King & Spalding LLP and Province Inc.) due and payable on or prior to the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, and in the case of expenses, to the extent invoiced at least one (1) Business Day prior to the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.
f. The Borrower shall have delivered an updated Information Certificate and other customary corporate documents as the KKR Representative shall reasonably request.
g. The Borrower shall have filed (or caused to have been filed) a UCC-3 continuation statement with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware for each of (1) the original UCC-1 financing statement filed on December 4, 2015 naming the Borrower as debtor and

the Agent as secured party (Filing no. 20155810014) and (2) the original UCC-1 financing statement filed on January 6, 2016 naming Heeling Sports Limited as debtor and the Agent as secured party (Filing no. 20160102093).
6. Binding Effect.  The terms and provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, representatives, successors and assigns.
7. Reaffirmation of Obligations.  The Borrower hereby ratifies the Loan Documents and acknowledges and reaffirms (a) that it is bound by all terms of the Loan Documents applicable to it and (b) that it is responsible for the observance and full performance of its respective Obligations.
8. Loan Document.  This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document under the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement.
9. Multiple Counterparts.   This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy, pdf or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.
10. Governing Law.  THIS AMENDMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
11. Consent to Jurisdiction; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.  The jurisdiction, service of process and waiver of jury trial provisions set forth in Sections 10.14 and 10.15 of the Amended Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis.
12. Agent Authorization.  Each of the undersigned Lenders hereby authorizes Agent to execute and deliver this Amendment and the Side Letter Amendment on its behalf and, by its execution below, each of the undersigned Lenders agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Amendment.  


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each of the parties hereto as of the date first above written.

BORROWER:

SEQUENTIAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

GUARANTORS:

SQBG, INC.

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

SEQUENTIAL LICENSING, INC.

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

WILLIAM RAST LICENSING, LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

HEELING SPORTS LIMITED

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​


B®AND MATTER, LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

SBG FM, LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

SBG UNIVERSE BRANDS, LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

GALAXY BRANDS LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

The Basketball Marketing Company, Inc.

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

AMERICAN SPORTING GOODS CORPORATION

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

LNT BRANDS LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​


JOE’S HOLDINGS LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

GAIAM BRAND HOLDCO, LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

GAIAM AMERICAS, INC.

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​

SBG-GAIAM HOLDINGS, LLC

By:  ​ ​/s/ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​ William Sweedler​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Executive Chairman​ ​​ ​​ ​


wilmington trust, national association, as Agent

By:  ​ ​/s/ David Bergstrom​ ​​ ​​ ​
Name:  ​ ​David Bergstrom​ ​​ ​​ ​
Title:  ​ ​Vice President​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​


LENDERS:

FS KKR CAPITAL CORP.

By: __/s/ Jessica Woolf____________________

Name: Jessica Woolf

Title: Authorized Signatory

                         

FS KKR MM CLO 1 LLC

By: __/s/ Jessica Woolf____________________

Name: Jessica Woolf

Title: Authorized Signatory

DARBY CREEK LLC

By: __/s/ Jessica Woolf_____________________

Name: Jessica Woolf

Title: Authorized Signatory

FS KKR CAPITAL CORP. II

By: __/s/ Jessica Woolf____________________

Name: Jessica Woolf

Title: Authorized Signatory


DUNLAP FUNDING LLC

By: __/s/ Jessica Woolf__________________

Name: Jessica Woolf

Title: Authorized Signatory


Schedule 1

Existing Events of Default

(i) The Event of Default that has arisen under Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of the Borrower to deliver the audited financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2020 (“Q1 Financials”) in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement and which such failure to deliver the Q1 Financials has continued for more than 10 days after the delivery date required under the Credit Agreement (“Q1 Financials EOD”).

(ii) The Event of Default that has arisen under Section 6.02(b) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of the Borrower to deliver the Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2020 (“Q1 Compliance Certificate”) in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 6.02(b) of the Credit Agreement, which such failure to deliver the Q1 Compliance Certificate has continued for more than 10 days after the delivery date required under the Credit Agreement (the “Q1 Compliance Certificate EOD”).

(iii) The Event of Default that has arisen under Section 6.01(f) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of the Borrower to deliver the updated report of the royalty revenue summary by brand and related licensing detail with respect to the Material Licenses of the Loan Parties and any subsidiary for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2020 (“Q1 Royalty Report”) in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 6.01(f) of the Credit Agreement and which such failure to deliver the Q1 Royalty Report has continued for more than 15 days after the delivery date required under the Credit Agreement (“Q1 Royalty Report EOD”).

(iv) The Event of Default that has arisen under Section 2 of the Fourth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Side Letter (the “Side Letter”) due to the failure of the Borrower to deliver the amendment fee to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, by May 31, 2020 (“Fourth Amendment Fee”) required pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 2 of the Side Letter (“Fourth Amendment EOD”).

(v) The Event of Default that has arisen under Section 8.01(e) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of the Borrower to (x) deliver the audited financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2020 in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 8.01(e) of the BoA Credit Agreement (the “BoA Financials EOD”), (y) deliver the Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2020 (“BoA Compliance Certificate”) in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 6.02(b) of the Credit Agreement, which such failure to deliver the BoA Compliance Certificate has continued for more than 10 days after the delivery date required under the BoA Credit Agreement (the “BoA Compliance Certificate EOD”), and (z) deliver the updated report of the royalty revenue summary by brand and related licensing detail with respect to the Material Licenses of the Loan Parties and any subsidiary for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2020 (“BoA Royalty Report”) in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 6.01(f) of the BoA Credit Agreement and which such failure to deliver the BoA Royalty Report has continued for more than 15 days after the delivery date required under the BoA Credit Agreement (“BoA Royalty Report EOD”, and together with the Q1 Financials EOD, the Q1 Compliance Certificate EOD,

the Q1 Royalty Report EOD, the Fourth Amendment EOD, the BoA Financials EOD, and the BoA Compliance Certificate EOD, collectively, the “Acknowledged Events of Default”).

EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to

Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, William Sweedler, certify that:

1.           I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sequential Brands Group, Inc.;

2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)            Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)           Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)            Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)           Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)            All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)           Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

1

Date:  November 16, 2020

 

 

 

 

/s/ William Sweedler

 

William Sweedler

 

Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)


EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to

Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Daniel Hanbridge, certify that:

1.           I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sequential Brands Group, Inc.;

2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)            Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)           Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)            Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)           Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)            All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)           Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 16, 2020

 

 

 

 

/s/ Daniel Hanbridge

 

Daniel Hanbridge

Senior Vice President of Finance


EXHIBIT 31.3

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to

Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Lorraine DiSanto, certify that:

1.           I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sequential Brands Group, Inc.;

2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)            Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)           Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)            Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)           Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)            All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)           Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 16, 2020

 

 

/s/ Lorraine DiSanto

 

Lorraine DiSanto

Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 (the “Report”) by Sequential Brands Group, Inc. (“Registrant”), the undersigned hereby certifies that, to the best of their knowledge:

1.   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Registrant.

Date: November 16, 2020

/s/ William Sweedler

William Sweedler

Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 16, 2020

/s/ Daniel Hanbridge

Daniel Hanbridge

Senior Vice President of Finance (Co-Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: November 16, 2020

/s/ Lorraine DiSanto

Lorraine DiSanto

Chief Financial Officer (Co-Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)