UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission file number 001-15395

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 827-8000

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes o  No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 of Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o  No x

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

 

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

 

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the number of shares outstanding and using the price at which the stock was last sold on June 30, 2007, was $408,967,135.*

 

*Excludes 2,938,623 shares of our Class A Common Stock, and 26,722,032 shares of our Class B Common Stock, held by directors, officers and our founder, as of June 30, 2007. Exclusion of shares held by any person should not be construed to indicate that such person possesses the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the Company, or that such person controls, is controlled by or under common control with the Company.

 

Number of Shares Outstanding As of March 10, 2008:

27,129,447 shares of Class A Common Stock

26,690,125 shares of Class B Common Stock

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference.

Portions of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for

Its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are Incorporated

by Reference into Part III of This Report.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “MSO” and the “Company” refer to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. and, unless the context requires otherwise, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia LLC (“MSLO LLC”), the legal entity that, prior to October 22, 1999, operated many of the businesses we now operate, and their respective subsidiaries.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

All statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, except to the extent describing historical facts, are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent our current beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. These statements often can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Our actual results may differ materially from those projected in these statements, and factors that could cause such differences include those factors discussed in “Risk Factors” as detailed in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other factors, including those discussed in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PART I

Item 1.   Business.

 

We are an integrated media and merchandising company providing consumers with inspiring lifestyle content and well-designed, high-quality products. The company is comprised of four business segments: Publishing, Merchandising, Internet and Broadcasting, a combination that enables us to cross-promote our content and products.

 

Our growth strategy is three-pronged:

 

As part of our brand acquisition strategy, we recently announced our agreement to acquire all the assets related to Chef Emeril Lagasse’s businesses, other than his restaurants and corporate office (subject to certain closing conditions), in exchange for approximately $45 million in cash and $5 million in our Class A Common Stock and an additional payment of up to $20 million based upon the achievement of certain operating metrics in 2011 and 2012.

 

The media and merchandise we create generally encompasses eight core areas:

 

As of March 10, 2008, we had approximately 760 employees. Our revenues from foreign sources were $12.3 million, $15.6 million and $9.3 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Substantially all of our assets are located within the United States.

 

Martha Stewart published her first book, Entertaining , in 1982. Over the next eight years she became a well-known authority on the domestic arts, authoring eight more books on a variety of our core content areas. In 1991, Time Publishing Ventures, Inc. (“TPV”), a subsidiary of Time Inc., launched Martha Stewart Living magazine with Ms. Stewart serving as its editor-in-chief. In 1993, TPV began producing a weekly television program, Living , hosted by Ms. Stewart. In 1995, TPV launched a mail-order catalog, Martha by Mail , which made available products featured in, or developed in connection with, the magazine and television program. In late 1996 and early 1997, a series of transactions occurred resulting in MSLO LLC acquiring substantially all Martha Stewart-related businesses. Ms. Stewart was the majority owner of MSLO LLC; TPV retained a small equity interest in the business. On October 22, 1999, MSLO LLC merged into MSO, then a wholly owned subsidiary of MSLO LLC. Immediately following the merger, we consummated an initial public offering.

 

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

Our four business segments are described below. Additional financial information relating to these segments may be found in Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In 2007, our Publishing segment accounted for 56% of our total revenues, consisting of operations related to magazine and book production. Revenues from magazine advertising and circulation represented approximately 58% and 39%, respectively, of the segment’s revenues in 2007.

 

Magazines

 

Martha Stewart Living.  Our flagship magazine, Martha Stewart Living , is the foundation of our publishing business. Launched in 1991 as a quarterly publication with a circulation of 250,000, we currently publish Martha Stewart Living on a monthly basis with a rate base of 2 million, effective January 1, 2008. The magazine appeals primarily to the college-educated woman between the ages of 25 and 54 who owns her principal residence. Martha Stewart Living offers lifestyle ideas and original how-to information in a highly visual, upscale editorial environment. The magazine has won numerous prestigious industry awards and generates a substantial majority of our magazine revenues, primarily from advertising revenue.

 

Everyday Food.  We launched Everyday Food in September of 2003 after publishing four test issues. This digest-sized magazine featuring quick, easy recipes was created for the supermarket shopper and the everyday cook. Everyday Food targets women ages 25 to 49, and is intended to broaden our consumer audience while developing a new brand and diversifying our revenue.

 

Martha Stewart Weddings.  We launched Martha Stewart Weddings in 1994, originally as an annual publication. In 1997, it went to semi-annual publication and became a quarterly in 1999. Martha Stewart Weddings targets the upscale bride and serves as an important vehicle for introducing young women to our brands. Martha Stewart Weddings is distributed primarily through newsstands.

Body + Soul.  In August 2004, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of Body + Soul magazine and Dr. Andrew Weil’s Self Healing newsletter (“Body & Soul Group”), which are publications featuring “natural living” content. The magazine generates both advertising and circulation revenue, while the newsletter generates substantially all of its revenue from subscriptions. Body & Soul Group also sells a limited line of merchandise related to “natural living,” which we record as publishing revenue attributed to Body + Soul .

 

Blueprint: Design Your Life.  In 2006, we began testing a new magazine called Blueprint: Design Your Life . Geared to women ages 25-39, Blueprint targeted a different demographic than our core consumer, while maintaining our distinctive “how-to” approach, covering home, fashion, and beauty. After two test issues in 2006 and six in 2007, we decided to discontinue publishing the title on a stand-alone basis after the January/February 2008 issue.

 

 

Special Interest Publications.  In addition to our periodic magazines, we publish certain special interest magazine editions. We began with one in 1998 and published nine in 2007. Our Special Interest Publications provide in-depth advice and ideas around a particular topic in one of our core content areas, allowing us to leverage our distribution network to generate additional revenues. Our Special Interest Publications can be sponsored by a single advertiser, multiple advertisers, or contain no advertising; and may be sold at newsstands and/or distributed to subscribers with issues of Martha Stewart Living . In 2007, we published Good Things for the Kitchen, Martha Stewart Living: Outdoor Living, Good Things for Kids, Good Things for the Home, Martha Stewart Holiday: Halloween, Everyday Food Holiday Baking and three Body + Soul specials.

 

Magazine Production, Distribution and Fulfillment.  We print most of our domestic magazines under agreements with R. R. Donnelly and currently purchase paper through an agreement with Time Inc. While paper for use in our magazines is widely available, volatility in the paper market is currently applying upward pressure on paper prices. We also expect to see a mid-year 2008 increase in postage expense. We use no other significant raw materials in our businesses. Newsstand distribution of the magazines is handled by Time Warner Retail, an affiliate of Time Inc., under a more favorable, revised agreement that expires with the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living . We expect that prices charged for distribution through national wholesalers will increase in 2008. Subscription fulfillment services for our magazines are provided by Time Customer Services, another affiliate of Time Inc., under an agreement that expires in June 2014.

Books

 

In the second quarter of 2007, we announced a multi-year agreement with Clarkson Potter/Publishers to publish 10 books beginning with Martha Stewart Living Cookbook Volume I: The Original Classics; Martha Stewart Living Cookbook Volume II: The New Classics; and Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes . In the fourth quarter of 2007, we signed an amendment to the agreement with Clarkson Potter to deliver an additional two books for a total of 12 books to be published over multiple years. In addition to these 2007 titles, we have produced over 60 books including the recent best-sellers: Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home; Everyday Food: Great Food Fast; and Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook .

 

Competition

 

Publishing is a highly competitive business. Our magazines, books and related publishing products compete with other mass media and many other types of leisure-time activities. Competition for advertising dollars in magazine operations is primarily based on advertising rates as well as editorial and aesthetic quality, the desirability of the magazine’s demographic, reader response to advertisers’ products and services and the effectiveness of the advertising sales staff. Martha Stewart Living competes for readers and advertising dollars with women’s service, decorating, cooking and lifestyle magazines and websites. Everyday Food competes for readers and advertising dollars with women’s service and cooking magazines and websites. Martha Stewart Weddings competes for readers and advertising dollars primarily in the wedding service magazine category and websites. Body + Soul competes for readers and advertising dollars primarily with women’s lifestyle and natural living magazines and websites. Our Special Interest Publications can compete with a variety of magazines depending on the focus of the particular issue.

 

Seasonality

 

Our Publishing segment can experience fluctuations in quarterly performance due principally to publication schedule variations from year to year, timing of direct mail expenses, delivery schedule of our long-term book contract, and other seasonal factors. Martha Stewart Weddings was published five times in 2007: three issues in the second quarter and two issues in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the publication schedule for our Special Interest Publications can vary and lead to quarterly fluctuations in the Publishing segment’s results.

 

Our Merchandising segment contributed 26% of our total revenues in 2007. The segment consists of operations relating to the design of merchandise and related packaging, promotional and advertising materials, and the licensing of various proprietary trademarks, in connection with retail programs conducted through a number of retailers and manufacturers. Pursuant to agreements with our retail and manufacturing partners, we are typically responsible for the design of all merchandise and/or related packaging, signage, advertising and promotional materials. Our retail partners source the products through a manufacturer base and are mostly responsible for the promotion of the product. Our licensing partners source and/or produce the branded products together with other lines they make or sell. Our licensing agreements require us to maintain no inventory and incur no meaningful expenses other than employee compensation.

 

Licensed Retail Partnerships

 

Martha Stewart Everyday at Kmart and Sears Canada

 

Martha Stewart Everyday is our mass-market brand. Currently, the label is associated with products that generally fall into the following categories: Home (which includes sheets, towels, pillows, bath accessories, window treatments and kitchen textiles); Garden (which includes outdoor furniture and accessories); Kitchen

(which includes cookware, bakeware, utensils, dinnerware, flatware, and beverageware); Keeping (which includes organizational products relating to the pantry, closet and laundry); Decorating (which includes mirrors, picture frames, candles, and lamps); Ready-to-Assemble furniture (living, dining, bath and bedroom furniture); and Holiday (which includes artificial Christmas trees, decorating products, wrapping and ornaments).

 

In the United States and Canada, all of these products are sold under exclusive agreements. In the United States we have an exclusive license agreement with Kmart Corporation in the mass-market channel. In 2007, Kmart represented 76% of total revenues in our Merchandising segment and 21% of total Company revenues due principally to the contractual minimum guarantee (see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Executive Summary” for details regarding our contract with Kmart). In Canada, we have an exclusive license agreement with Sears Canada, which launched the Martha Stewart Everyday brand label in September 2003.

 

We own the Martha Stewart Everyday trademark and generally retain all intellectual property rights related to the designs of merchandise, packaging, signage and collateral materials developed for the various programs.

 

Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s

 

In September 2007, we launched the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy’s. The Martha Stewart Collection line encompasses a broad range of home goods, including bed and bath textiles, housewares, casual dinnerware, flatware and glassware, cookware, holiday decorating and trim-a-tree items. We own the Martha Stewart Collection trademark and generally retain all intellectual property rights related to the designs of the merchandise, packaging, signage and collateral materials developed for the various programs.

 

Martha Stewart at Costco

 

In December 2007, we introduced our first product as part of an agreement with Costco to sell prepared food co-branded with Costco’s private label brand, Kirkland Signature. Our soups began selling in January 2008, and we anticipate launching a series of fresh, refrigerated and frozen food products throughout the year.

 

Martha Stewart Colors at Lowe’s

 

In 2007, we launched a Martha Stewart-branded interior and exterior paint palette program called Martha Stewart Colors . The palette is available exclusively at Lowe’s stores in the United States and Canada.

 

Martha Stewart Flowers with 1-800-Flowers

 

In 2007, we announced our partnership with 1-800-Flowers to create an exclusive, new, co-branded floral, plant and gift-basket program beginning in 2008. This licensing agreement will provide an opportunity to participate in the same-day delivery of the flowers market.

 

Digital Photography Products

 

In 2006, we began a two-year agreement with Kodak Imaging Network to develop a line of branded Martha Stewart personalized photo products. The product line includes cards, calendars (non-branded), photo-books and stickers. In 2007, we partnered with Shutterfly to offer Martha Stewart-branded photo-books and cards, although the parties will be phasing out this relationship during 2008. The financial results from the sales of these digital products were reported in the Internet segment through December 31, 2007. In 2008, the digital photography product business will be managed and reported in the Merchandising segment as a licensed retail partnership.

Licensed Manufacturing Partnerships

 

Martha Stewart Crafts

 

In May 2007, we launched Martha Stewart Crafts products at over 900 Michael’s stores, and in August 2007, pursuant to our licensing relationship with EK Success, LTD and GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC, began distributing product to certain independent craft stores across the United States. In August 2007, we invested $10.0 million in an entity primarily funded by GTCR Golder Rauner that acquired Wilton Industries, Inc. and Dimensions Holding, LLC. The investment gives us a 3.8% ownership interest in the holding company of the new, combined entity, Wilton Products, Inc, which already owned EK Success. We also have a subordinated equity interest of 7.25% in the holding company of Wilton Products, the market value of which is contingent on reaching specific performance hurdles. In addition to our existing licensing relationship with EK Success, we also entered into a new licensing agreement with Wilton Industries. Through this arrangement, we will broaden our footprint in the crafts market by introducing licensed products in the following categories: food crafts; party favors; and weddings.

 

Martha Stewart Furniture with Bernhardt

 

We have had a Martha Stewart furniture program with the Bernhardt Furniture Company since 2003 and renewed that relationship at the end of 2007. Currently, merchandise produced under this relationship includes furniture for the living room, bedroom, and dining room, that is sold at furniture and department stores nationwide, including certain Macy’s stores.

 

KB Home / Martha Stewart Homes

 

In October 2005, we entered into an agreement with KB Home, Inc. to design and style all interior and exterior components for 655 new homes in Cary, North Carolina. In February 2006, we announced an expanded agreement with KB, pursuant to which we are collaborating with KB on new home communities throughout the United States. As part of the expanded agreement, we also offer a range of design options, featured exclusively in KB Studios nationwide. In December 2007, we amended the terms of our relationship in the initial contract, accepting a one-time payment in exchange for certain promotional obligations.

 

Martha Stewart Fine China for Waterford Wedgwood

 

In January 2007, we announced a worldwide agreement with Waterford Wedgwood USA, Inc. to develop a fine china and crystal collection. The line launched in January 2008 exclusively at Macy’s in the United States, and through macys.com, as part of the Martha Stewart Collection assortment of products.

 

Martha Stewart Lighting

 

In September 2007, we launched our Martha Stewart Lighting program through our agreement with Generation Brands, LLC, a manufacturer of leading brands of lighting. Our lighting and ceiling fans are available through independent lighting and furniture dealers.

 

Martha Stewart Area Rugs

 

In January 2007, we introduced our line of rugs through a licensing agreement with Safavieh, Inc., a leading manufacturer and importer of fine rugs. The Martha Stewart Rugs are sold at independent furniture and rug galleries and at certain Macy’s stores.

Martha Stewart Carpet Tiles for FLOR

 

In July 2007, we introduced our Martha Stewart Floor Designs with FLOR, Inc., an eco-friendly manufacturer of residential, high-style modular floor coverings. FLOR manufactures the Martha Stewart–branded carpet tiles and sells direct to consumers as well as to retailers.

 

 

Competition

 

The retail business is highly competitive and the principal competition for all of our merchandising lines consists of competitors in the mass-market and department stores in which our Merchandising segment products are sold, including Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens ’n Things, Home Depot, BJ’s and Sam’s Club as well as other products in the respective product categories. Competitive factors include numbers and locations of stores, brand awareness and price. We also compete with the Internet businesses of these stores and other websites that sell similar retail goods. Competition in our flower business includes other online sellers as well as traditional floral retailers. Competition in our digital photo products business consists of other Kodak and Shutterfly digital products, as well as products in competing online photo sites.

Seasonality

 

Revenues from the Merchandising segment can vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to new product launches and the seasonality of certain product lines. In addition, we historically recognize a substantial portion of the revenue resulting from the difference between the minimum royalty amount under the Kmart contract and royalties paid on actual sales in the fourth quarter of each year, when the amount can be determined.

 

Our Internet segment represented 6% of our total revenues in 2007, resulting from three revenue streams: online ad sales primarily at marthastewart.com ; product sales of Martha Stewart Flowers ; and sales of digital photo products. In 2008, revenue from the Internet segment will be advertising driven, as sales of flowers and digital products will be managed and reported by our Merchandising segment.

 

In August 2004, we chose to discontinue Martha By Mail and its online product offerings, which historically had been included in the Internet segment. The last catalog was mailed in the fourth quarter of 2004, with all remaining inventory disposed of in early 2005.

 

Marthastewart.com

 

The marthastewart.com website offers recipes and how-to content, integrated across the Martha Stewart brands in the following categories: food, entertaining, holidays, home and decorating, crafts, gardening, weddings, kids and health. In 2007, we relaunched the site with a new, more user-friendly platform. The site relaunch and subsequent releases included the development of advanced search, community tools, and the creation of “most popular” modules which showcase our inspirational content and beautiful imagery. Advertising is the primary source of revenue for our site.

 

Martha Stewart Flowers

 

Originally launched in 1999 as marthasflowers.com , the new website marthastewartflowers.com continued to operate under the business model of providing fresh floral products shipped directly from farms to consumers. This business model enables customers to ship floral gifts overnight, delivering Martha Stewart–inspired designs with superior freshness. Product categories include grower’s bunches, mixed bouquets, blooming plants, fresh wreaths and garlands. In 2007, we chose to partner with 1-800-Flowers to create an exclusive, new, co-branded floral, plant and gift-basket program beginning in 2008. This new, higher-margin licensing agreement will provide an opportunity to participate in the same-day delivery of the fresh flowers market. Martha Stewart Flowers , under this new agreement, will be managed and reported in the Merchandising segment in 2008 as a licensed retail partnership.

 

Digital Photo Products

 

In 2006, we began a two-year agreement with Kodak Imaging Network to develop a line of branded Martha Stewart personalized photo products. The product line includes cards, calendars (non-branded), photo-books and stickers. In 2007, we partnered with Shutterfly to offer Martha Stewart-branded photo-books and cards, although the parties will be phasing out this relationship during 2008. Our agreements with Kodak and Shutterfly provide for royalty payments based upon product sales. The agreement with Kodak also had a minimum guarantee which was completely recognized in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, the digital photo product business will be managed and reported in the Merchandising segment as a licensed retail partnership.

Competition

 

The online ad sales and flower businesses are highly competitive. Marthastewart.com competes with other how-to, food and lifestyle websites. Our challenge is to attract and retain users through an easy-to-use and content-relevant website. Competition for advertising revenue is based on the number of unique users we attract each month, the demographic profile of that audience and the number of pages they view on our site.

 

Seasonality

 

Revenues from our Internet segment can vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Advertising revenue on marthastewart.com is tied to traffic among other key factors and is typically highest in the fourth quarter of the year due to high advertiser demand to reach our audience demographic with their marketing messages, while revenue for Martha Stewart Flowers is tied to key holidays during the year.

 

Our Broadcasting business segment accounted for 12% of our total revenues in 2007. The segment consists of operations relating to the production of television programming, the domestic and international distribution of our library of programming in existing and repurposed formats, and the operations of our satellite radio channel. We generally own the copyrights for all content we produce for our television and satellite radio programs.

 

In September 2005, we launched The Martha Stewart Show  – a syndicated daily lifestyle series hosted by Martha Stewart – which generates the majority of the segment’s revenue. Filmed in front of a studio audience, the show consists of several segments, each featuring inspiring ideas and new projects from one or several of our core content areas. NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution distributes the program domestically. In 2007, we announced that a fourth season of The Martha Stewart Show is expected to begin in September 2008. Because seasons run twelve months beginning and ending in the middle of September, the 2007 results include a large portion of season 2 and the first 16 weeks of season 3, which is currently airing in syndication. The Broadcasting segment previously produced the Living show, which ceased airing in September 2004. Revenues for The Martha Stewart Show currently are mostly comprised of advertising and product placement.

 

In November 2005, we launched the Martha Stewart Living Radio channel on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Our channel provides programming designed for women listeners and their families, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Under the terms of the four-year agreement, we receive a fixed revenue stream earned evenly over the life of the contract, with the potential for additional amounts based on certain subscriber and advertising based targets.

 

Everyday Food , a half-hour original series inspired by the magazine of the same name, airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide. Unlike revenues for The Martha Stewart Show, revenues for the Everyday Food series are provided by underwriters. In 2008, we added a spin-off companion show, Everyday Baking from Everyday Food , which also airs weekly on PBS stations.

 

In 2007, we announced several agreements with Scripps-owned networks including the primetime rebroadcast of The Martha Stewart Show on the Fine Living channel on a one-day delay from the initial syndicated broadcast. We also have a new series, Martha Stewart Crafts , currently airing daily on the DIY channel, which is a “best of” compilation from the former Living show, featuring how-to crafting segments.

 

We began to offer, in October 2007, access to 10 hours of segments from our library of programming through an advertising-supported, free video-on-demand service. Martha Stewart On Demand is currently available to Comcast and Cox digital cable customers and is updated monthly with 50% refreshed content.

Competition

 

Broadcasting is a highly competitive business. Our television programs compete directly for viewers, distribution and/or advertising dollars with other lifestyle and how-to television programs, as well as with general programming on other television stations and all other competing forms of media. Overall competitive factors in this segment include programming content, quality and distribution as well as the demographic appeal of the programming. As in publishing, competition for television and radio advertising dollars is based primarily on advertising rates, audience size and demographic composition, viewer response to advertisers’ products and services and effectiveness of the advertising sales staff. While the revenue from our radio business is contractually guaranteed, we compete for listeners with similarly themed programming on both satellite and terrestrial radio.

 

We use multiple trademarks to distinguish our brands, including Martha Stewart Living , Martha Stewart Everyday , Martha Stewart Collection , Everyday Food , Martha Stewart Weddings , marthastewart.com, Martha Stewart Flowers, Body + Soul and wholeliving.com . These and numerous other trademarks are the subject of registrations and pending applications filed by us for use with a variety of products and other content, both domestically and internationally, and we continue to expand our worldwide usage and registration of related trademarks. We file copyrights regarding our proprietary designs and editorial content on a regular basis. We regard our rights in and to our trademarks and materials as valuable assets in the marketing of our products and vigorously seek to protect them against infringement and denigration by third parties. We own and license the rights to many of these marks pursuant to an agreement between us and Ms. Stewart, which is described under Item 13 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Our website can be found on the Internet at www.marthastewart.com . We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officer and controller and persons performing similar functions) and employees, known as the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website www.marthastewart.com and as Exhibit 14.1. Our proxy statements, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as certain of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), can be viewed and downloaded free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with the SEC by accessing marthastewart.com and clicking on Investor Relations and SEC Filings. Please note that information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

A wide range of factors could materially affect our performance. In addition to the factors affecting specific business operations identified in connection with the description of these operations and the financial results of these operations elsewhere in this report, the following factors, among others, could adversely affect our operations:

 

Our success depends in part on the popularity of our brands and the reputation and popularity of our founder, Martha Stewart, and any adverse reactions to publicity relating to Ms. Stewart, or the loss of her services, could adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and our ability to maintain or generate a consumer base.

 

While we believe there has been significant consumer acceptance for our products as stand-alone brands, the image, reputation, popularity and talent of Martha Stewart remain important factors. Ms. Stewart’s efforts,

personality and leadership have been, and continue to be, critical to our success. While we have managed our business without her daily participation, for example, during the period of her incarceration resulting from a personal legal matter, the repeated diminution or loss of her services due to disability, death or some other cause, or any repeated or sustained shifts in public or industry perceptions of her, could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, our business may be adversely affected by Ms. Stewart’s 2006 settlement with the SEC, which bars her until August 2011 from serving at the Company as a director, or as an officer with financial responsibilities.

 

Our Merchandising business currently relies heavily on revenue from a single source.

 

In 2007, we received approximately 76% of our Merchandising segment revenues and 21% of our total revenues from our licensing agreement with Kmart. For the twelve months ended January 31, 2008, we received guaranteed minimum royalty payments of $65.0 million from Kmart. For the contract years ending January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2010 (the final two years of the contract), the minimum guarantees are substantially lower than in recent years (we anticipate they will be $20.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively). As a result of the substantial decline in minimum guarantees, we expect that the revenue we receive from Kmart will decline significantly. If in future periods we are unable to earn, from sources other than Kmart, revenue in excess of the reduction of guarantees from our Kmart contract, our operating results and business may be materially adversely affected.

 

We are expanding our merchandising and licensing programs into new areas and products, the failure of any of which could diminish the perceived value of our brand, impair our ability to grow and adversely affect our prospects.

 

Our growth depends to a significant degree upon our ability to develop new or expand existing retail merchandising programs. We have entered into several new merchandising and licensing agreements in the past few years. Some of these agreements are exclusive and may have a duration of many years. While we require that our licensees maintain the quality of our brands through specific contractual provisions, we cannot be certain that our licensees, or their manufacturers and distributors, will honor their contractual obligations or that they will not take other actions that will diminish the value of our brands. There is also a risk that the extension of our brand into new business areas will meet with disapproval from consumers. We have limited experience in merchandising in some of these business areas. We cannot guarantee that these programs will be fully implemented, or if implemented, that they will be successful. If the licensing or merchandising programs do not succeed, we may be prohibited from seeking different channels for our products due to the exclusive nature and multi-year terms of these agreements. Disputes with new or existing licensees may arise which could hinder our ability to grow or expand our product lines. Such disputes also could prevent or delay our ability to collect licensing revenue we expect in connection with such products. If such developments occur or our merchandising programs are otherwise not successful, our brand recognition, business, financial condition and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our Merchandising business and licensing programs may suffer from downturns in the health and stability of the general economy or housing market.

 

Reduction in the availability of credit, increased heating and gas expenses, slowing housing turnover or a downturn in the housing market, all of which have occurred in the past two years, and each of which could become more pronounced in the future, could limit consumers’ discretionary spending or affect their confidence. These and other adverse consumer trends may lead to reduced spending on general merchandise, homes and home improvement projects, categories in which we license our brands. A downturn in consumer spending would adversely impact consumer sales generally, resulting in weaker revenues from our licensed products. Such a trend would adversely impact, and could materially adversely impact, our business, financial condition and prospects.

Our business is largely dependent on advertising revenues in our publications, online operations and broadcasts and failure to attract or retain these advertisers would have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We depend on advertising revenue in our Publishing, Broadcasting and Internet businesses. We cannot control how much or where companies choose to advertise. If advertisers decide to spend less money, or if they advertise elsewhere in lieu of our publications, broadcasts or website, our revenues and business would be materially adversely affected.

 

If The Martha Stewart Show fails to maintain a sufficient audience, if adverse trends develop in the television production business generally, or if Martha Stewart were to cease to be able to devote substantial time to our television business, that business would be adversely affected.

 

Our television production business is subject to a number of uncertainties. Our business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by:

 

Failure of our television programming to maintain a sufficient audience

 

Television production is a speculative business because revenues derived from television depend primarily upon the continued acceptance of that programming by the public, which is difficult to predict. Public acceptance of particular programming depends upon, among other things, the quality of that programming, the strength of stations on which that programming is broadcast, promotion of that programming, the quality and acceptance of competing television programming and other sources of entertainment and information. The Martha Stewart Show television program has experienced a decline in ratings that reflects both the general decline in daytime broadcast television viewers discussed in the paragraph below, as well as the decision by some major market stations to shift the airing of the show. These developments have negatively impacted our television advertising revenues. If ratings for the show were to further decline, it would adversely affect the advertising revenues we derive from television and may result in the television program being broadcast on fewer stations. Ratings decline further than we anticipate could also make it economically inefficient to continue production of the program in the daily one-hour format or otherwise. If production of the television program were to cease, it would result in the loss of a significant marketing platform for us and our products as well as a writedown of our capitalized programming costs. The amount of any writedown would vary depending on a number of factors, including when production ceased and the extent to which we continued to generate revenues from the use of our existing program library.

 

Adverse trends in the television business generally

 

Television revenues may also be affected by a number of other factors, most of which are not within our control. These factors include a general decline in daytime broadcast television viewers, pricing pressure in the television advertising industry, strength of the stations on which our programming is broadcast, general economic conditions, increases in production costs, availability of other forms of entertainment and leisure time activities and other factors. Any or all of these factors may quickly change, and these changes cannot be predicted with certainty. While we currently benefit from our ability to sell advertising on our television programs, if adverse changes occur, we can make no assurance that we will continue to be able to sell this advertising or that our advertising rates can be maintained. Accordingly, if any of these adverse changes were to occur, the revenues we generate from television programming could decline.

 

We have placed emphasis on building an advertising revenue based website, dependent on high levels of consumer traffic and resulting page views. Failure to fulfill these undertakings would adversely affect our brand and business prospects.

 

Our growth depends to a significant degree upon the development of our Internet business. We have had failures with direct commerce in the past, and only limited experience in building an advertising revenue-

based website. In response to initial results from the relaunch of the marthastewart.com site in the second quarter of 2007, which were below expectations, we made changes to the site. We cannot make assurances that those changes will enable us to sustain growth for our site in the long term. In order for our Internet business to succeed, we must, among other things:

 

 

We cannot assure that we will be successful in achieving these and other necessary objectives or that our Internet business will be profitable. If we are not successful in achieving these objectives, our business, financial condition and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

 

If we are unable to predict, respond to and influence trends in what the public finds appealing, our business will be adversely affected.

 

Our continued success depends on our ability to provide creative, useful and attractive ideas, information, concepts, programming and products, which strongly appeal to a large number of homemakers and other consumers. In order to accomplish this, we must be able to respond quickly and effectively to changes in consumer tastes for ideas, information, concepts and products. The strength of our brands and our business units depends in part on our ability to influence these tastes through broadcasting, publishing, merchandising and the Internet. We cannot be sure that our new ideas and content will have the appeal and garner the acceptance that they have in the past, or that we will be able to respond quickly to changes in the tastes of homemakers and other consumers. In addition, we cannot be sure that our existing ideas and content will continue to appeal to the public.

 

New product launches may reduce our earnings or generate losses.

 

Our future success will depend in part on our ability to continue offering new products and services that successfully gain market acceptance by addressing the needs of our current and future customers. Our efforts to introduce new or integrate acquired products may not be successful or profitable. The process of internally researching and developing, launching, gaining acceptance and establishing profitability for a new product or service, or assimilating and marketing an acquired product, is both risky and costly. New products generally incur initial operating losses. Costs related to the development of new products and services are generally expensed as incurred and, accordingly, our profitability from year to year may be adversely affected by the number and timing of new product launches. For example, we had a cumulative loss of $15.4 million in connection with Blueprint , which we have ceased to publish as a stand-alone title. Other businesses and brands that we may develop also may prove not to be successful.

 

Acquiring or developing additional brands or businesses, and integrating acquired assets, poses inherent financial and other risks and challenges.

 

We expect to be able to launch product lines and media properties that stand alone in the marketplace. In February 2008, we agreed to acquire certain assets of Chef Emeril Lagasse, subject to certain closing conditions. We cannot assure that we will consummate this acquisition or that, if consummated, we will be able to adequately manage the acquired businesses. Failure to successfully consummate that acquisition,

integrate those assets or exploit the brand we are acquiring could adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to acquire other brands.

 

The process of consolidating and integrating acquired operations and assets takes a significant period of time, places a significant strain on resources and could prove to be more expensive and time consuming than we predicted. We may increase expenditures to accelerate the integration process with the goal of achieving longer-term cost savings and improved profitability. We also may be required to manage multiple relationships with third parties as we expand our product offerings and brand portfolio. These developments may increase expenses as we hire additional personnel to manage our growth. These investments require significant time commitments from our senior management and place a strain on their ability to manage our existing business.

 

Part of our strategic plan is to acquire other businesses. These transactions involve challenges and risks in negotiation, execution, valuation, and integration. Moreover, competition for certain types of acquisitions is significant, particularly in the field of interactive media. Even if successfully negotiated, closed, and integrated, certain acquisitions may not advance our business strategy and may fall short of expected return on investment targets.

 

We do not have audited GAAP-basis financial information related to the agreement to acquire assets from Emeril Lagasse.

 

Acquisitions could have a material impact on the financial information we provide. The business related to the assets of Emeril Lagasse that we have agreed to acquire, subject to certain closing conditions, did not have GAAP-basis audited financial statements. A subsequent audit of these assets and the business related to them may reveal significant issues related to valuation or otherwise. If we consummate the transaction to acquire the assets, then the purchase price for the assets of Emeril Lagasse would likely exceed the current fair value of the net assets. As a result, material goodwill and other intangible assets would be recorded, which could result in significant amortization charges in the future.

 

We face significant competition for advertising and circulation.

 

We face significant competition from a number of print and website publishers, some of which have greater financial and other resources than we have, which may enhance their ability to compete in the markets we serve. Competition for advertising revenue in publications is primarily based on advertising rates, the nature and scope of readership, reader response to the promotions for advertisers’ products and services and the effectiveness of sales teams. Other competitive factors in publishing include product positioning, editorial quality, circulation, price and customer service, which impact readership audience, circulation revenues and, ultimately, advertising revenues. Because our industry is relatively easy to enter, we anticipate that additional competitors, some of whom have greater resources than we do, may enter these markets and intensify competition.

 

Our principal vendors are consolidating and this may adversely affect our business and operations.

 

We rely on our principal vendors and their ability or willingness to sell goods and services to us at favorable prices and other terms. Many factors outside our control may harm these relationships and the ability and willingness of these vendors to sell these goods and services to us on such terms. Our principal vendors include paper suppliers, printers, subscription fulfillment houses and national newsstand wholesalers, distributors and retailers. Each of these industries in recent years has experienced consolidation among its principal participants. Further consolidation may result in all or any of the following, which could adversely affect our results of operations:

 

 

We may be adversely affected by fluctuations in paper and postage costs.

 

Our principal raw material is paper. Paper prices have fluctuated over the past several years. We generally purchase paper from major paper suppliers who adjust the price periodically. We have not entered, and do not currently plan to enter into long-term forward price or option contracts for paper. Accordingly, significant increases in paper prices could adversely affect our future results of operations.

 

Postage for magazine distribution is also one of our significant expenses. We primarily use the U.S. Postal Service to distribute magazine subscriptions. We may not be able to recover, in whole or in part, paper or postage cost increases. In recent years, postal rates have increased including a rise in 2007 and an additional increase that is expected to occur in 2008. Accordingly, significant increases in postage prices could adversely affect our future results of operations.

 

We may face increased costs for distribution of our magazines to newsstands and bookstores.

 

Distribution of magazines to newsstands and bookstores is conducted primarily through four companies, known as wholesalers. Recently, one of our wholesalers has advised us that they intend to increase the price of their services by approximately 8%. We expect to commence discussions with this wholesaler shortly regarding this matter and cannot provide assurance as to the outcome. It is possible that other wholesalers likewise may seek to increase the price of their services. An increase in the price of our wholesalers’ services could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

We may be adversely affected by a continued weakening of newsstand sales.

 

The magazine industry has seen a weakening of newsstand sales during the past few years. A continuation of this decline could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations by reducing our circulation revenue and causing us to either incur higher circulation expense to maintain our rate bases, or to reduce our rate bases which could negatively impact our revenue.

 

Our websites and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized persons accessing our systems, which could disrupt our operations and result in the theft of our and our users’ proprietary or personal information.

 

Our Internet activities involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and personal information of our users. We endeavor to protect our proprietary information and personal information of our users from third party access. However, it is possible that unauthorized persons may be able to circumvent our protections and misappropriate proprietary or personal information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our Internet operations. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against or remedy any such security breaches. Accordingly, security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss, or litigation and possible liability. Our security measures and contractual provisions attempting to limit our liability in these areas may not be successful or enforceable.

 

Martha Stewart controls our company through her stock ownership, enabling her to elect who sits on our board of directors, and potentially to block matters requiring stockholder approval, including any potential changes of control.

 

Ms. Stewart controls all of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock, representing approximately 91% of our voting power. The Class B common stock has ten votes per share, while Class A common stock, which is the stock available to the public, has one vote per share. Because of this dual-class structure, Ms. Stewart has a disproportionately influential vote. As a result, Ms. Stewart has the ability to control unilaterally the outcome of all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election and removal of our entire board of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and the ability to control our management and affairs. While her 2006 settlement with the SEC bars Ms. Stewart for the five-year period ending in August 2011 from serving at the Company as a director, or as an officer with financial responsibilities, her concentrated control could, among other things, discourage others from

initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction that may otherwise be beneficial to our businesses and stockholders.

 

Our intellectual property may be infringed upon or others may accuse us of infringing on their intellectual property, either of which could adversely affect our business and result in costly litigation.

 

Our business is highly dependent upon our creativity and resulting intellectual property. We are also susceptible to others imitating our products and infringing our intellectual property rights. We may not be able to successfully protect our intellectual property rights, upon which we are materially dependent. In addition, the laws of many foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Imitation of our products or infringement of our intellectual property rights could diminish the value of our brands or otherwise adversely affect our revenues. If we are alleged to have infringed the intellectual property rights of another party, any resulting litigation could be costly, affecting our finances and our reputation. Litigation also diverts the time and resources of management, regardless of the merits of the claim. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in any litigation relating to our intellectual property. If we were to lose such a case, and be required to cease the sale of certain products or the use of certain technology or were forced to pay monetary damages, the results could adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations.

 

A loss of the services of other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Our continued success depends upon our ability to attract and retain key management executives, as well as upon a number of key members of our creative staff. The loss of some of our senior executives or key members of our creative staff, or an inability to attract or retain other key individuals, could materially adversely affect us. Continued growth and success in our business depends, to a large degree, on our ability to retain and attract such employees.

 

We operate in four highly competitive businesses: Publishing, Merchandising, Internet and Broadcasting each of which subjects us to competitive pressures.

 

We face intense competitive pressures and uncertainties in each of our four businesses: Publishing, Merchandising, Internet and Broadcasting. Please see “Business — Publishing—Competition,” “Business — Merchandising—Competition,” “Business — Internet—Competition” and “Business — Broadcasting—Competition,” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of our competitive risks in the applicable business line.

Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

None.

Item 2.   Properties.

 

Information concerning the location, use and approximate square footage of our principal facilities, all of which are leased, is set forth below:

 

 

The leases for these offices and facilities expire between April 2008 and January 2018, and some of these leases are subject to our renewal. We anticipate that we will be able to extend these leases on terms satisfactory to us or, if necessary, locate substitute facilities on acceptable terms.

 

We also have a location rental agreement for various properties owned by Martha Stewart for our editorial, creative and product development processes. These living laboratories allow us to experiment with new designs and new products, such as garden layouts, help generate ideas for new content available to all of our media outlets and serve as locations for photo spreads and television segments for our various media. The terms of this location rental agreement are described in Item 13 and the related party transaction disclosure in Note 11 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

We believe that our existing facilities are well maintained and in good operating condition.

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings.

 

Beginning in August 2002, a number of complaints asserting claims under the federal securities laws against the Company were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On February 3, 2003, those actions were consolidated under the caption In re Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Securities Litigation, 02-CV-6273 (JES) (the “Class Action”). The Class Action also named Martha Stewart and seven of the Company’s other present or former officers as defendants. In February 2007 the parties entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (the “Settlement Agreement”). The Court approved the Settlement Agreement on May 29, 2007. The Settlement Agreement settled the Class Action for $30 million (inclusive of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs), plus interest (the “Settlement Amount”), with the Company paying $25 million plus interest charges, and Ms. Stewart paying $5 million. In connection with the settlement, the Company received approximately $12 million from its insurance carriers. In January 2008, the Court issued an order approving the distribution of the class settlement fund.

 

The Company is party to other proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including product liability claims for which we are indemnified by our licensees. None of these proceedings is deemed material.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

PART II

Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

 

As of March 10, 2008, there were 8,602 record holders of our Class A Common Stock and one record holder of our Class B Common Stock. We believe that there is a significantly greater number of beneficial owners of our Class A Common Stock than the number of record holders since many shares are held by nominees.

 

Dividends

 

In late July 2006, our Board of Directors declared a one-time special dividend of $0.50 per share on all the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding on August 31, 2006, in the aggregate value of $26.9 million. We do not intend to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate Securities and Exchange Commission filings, in whole or in part, the following performance graph shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

 

Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares the performance of our Class A Common Stock with that of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (“S&P Composite Index”) and the stocks included in the Media General Financial Services database under the Standard Industry Code 2721 (Publishing-Periodicals) (the “Publishing Index”*) during the period commencing on December 31, 2002 and ending on December 31, 2007. The graph assumes that $100 was invested in each of our Class A Common Stock, the S&P Composite Index and the Publishing Index at the beginning of the relevant period, is calculated as of the end of each calendar month and assumes reinvestment of dividends. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.

 

COMPARE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

AMONG MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA, INC.,

S&P COMPOSITE INDEX AND SIC CODE INDEX

 

 

ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DEC. 31, 2002

ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED

FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2007

 

 

*  The Publishing Index consists of companies that are primarily publishers of periodicals, although many also conduct other businesses, including owning and operating television stations and cable networks, and is weighted according to market capitalization of the companies in the index. The hypothetical investment assumes investment in a portfolio of equity securities that mirror the composition of the Publishing Index.

 

NOTES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

General

 

Certain prior year financial information has been reclassified to conform to fiscal 2007 financial statement presentation.

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

Fiscal 2007 results include non-cash equity compensation expense of $6.0 million due to the vesting of the final warrant granted to Mark Burnett in connection with the production of The Martha Stewart Show .

 

Fiscal 2006 results include a one-time newsstand expense reduction adjustment of $3.2 million related to the settlement of certain newsstand-related fees recorded in our Publishing segment, a favorable dispute resolution with a former merchandising licensee of $2.5 million in income, royalty income of $2.8 million related to the successful termination of a home video distribution agreement recorded in our Broadcasting segment, non-cash equity compensation expense of $2.3 million resulting from the vesting of shares covered by a warrant granted to Mark Burnett in connection with his participation in The Martha Stewart Show and a one-time litigation reserve of $17.1 million in connection with the In re Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Securities Litigation matter, which included incurred and anticipated professional fees, net of insurance reimbursement.

 

Fiscal 2005 results include non-cash equity compensation charges of $31.8 million resulting from the vesting of shares covered by a warrant granted to Mark Burnett in connection with his participation in The Martha Stewart Show .

 

Fiscal 2004 results include royalty revenue of $1.6 million related to the dissolution of a merchandising licensing agreement. The results also include a non-cash equity compensation charge of $3.9 million resulting from the modification of the terms of certain previously granted employee stock options related to the retirement of our previous Chief Executive Officer.

 

Fiscal 2003 results include a $1.7 million reduction in the net carrying value of certain assets located in our television studio.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is a leading lifestyle company, providing consumers with original “how-to” information, unique multi-platform content and high-quality products. With our media and merchandising focus, we are organized into four business segments: Publishing, Merchandising, Internet and Broadcasting, each of which is described below.

 

In 2007, we grew advertising revenues across our Publishing and Internet platforms as a result of higher rates, increased advertising pages in our publications and greater traffic to our redesigned website. We also grew licensing revenues beyond the increase in our Kmart minimum guarantee by launching several new product lines including our Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s and our Martha Stewart Crafts line. Circulation revenues from our Publishing segment remained strong, contributing 22% of our total consolidated revenues. In 2008, we expect to focus on growing advertising revenues with particular attention to leveraging our unique cross-platform offerings, and to continue our diversification effort in order to partially offset the negative impact of a decline in the Kmart minimum guarantee. We expect our online advertising revenues to grow as we drive more traffic to our updated website and leverage our “omnimedia”, cross-platform sales strategy. We will continue to optimize our existing programs while also exploring new opportunities for growth. To that end, in the first quarter of 2008, we announced two strategic relationships: an agreement to acquire all of the assets related to Chef Emeril Lagasse’s businesses other than his restaurants and corporate office (subject to certain closing conditions) in exchange for approximately $45 million in cash and $5 million in our Class A Common Stock (and an additional payment of up to $20 million based upon the achievement of certain operating metrics in 2011 and 2012), which we expect to close in the second quarter of 2008; and a $5 million cash investment in WeddingWire, a localized wedding platform that combines an online marketplace with planning tools and a social community.

 

Publishing

 

Publishing is our largest business segment, accounting for 56% of our total revenues in 2007. The segment consists of operations related to magazines and books. Publishing is driven primarily by magazines including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Everyday Food, and Body + Soul; these are supplemented by Special Interest Publications. After testing a new magazine called Blueprint , we decided to discontinue publishing the title on a stand-alone basis after the January/February 2008 issue.

 

Publishing derives its revenues primarily from advertising, which accounted for 58% of 2007 segment revenues; magazine subscription and newsstand sales, along with royalties from our book business, account for most of the balance of segment revenue. In 2007, revenue growth was driven largely by increases in both advertising pages and rates. In the fourth quarter of 2007, we signed an amendment to our agreement with Clarkson Potter/Publishers to deliver an additional two books for a total of 12 books to be published over multiple years. 2007 revenue growth was accompanied by a corresponding increase in expenses largely due to higher production costs for the increased advertising pages and higher compensation expense. In 2008, we expect to have higher paper, postage and distribution costs on a comparable basis.

 

Merchandising

 

Through our Merchandising segment, we license our trademarks and designs for a variety of products sold at multiple price points through a variety of distribution channels. In 2007, Merchandising represented 26% of our total revenues. It is a high-margin business grounded in licensing agreements that require us to maintain no inventory and to incur no meaningful expenses other than employee compensation.

While Kmart currently represents the majority of revenues in this segment, over the long term we expect to generate revenues from a more diverse mix of business partners. This diversification effort will be led by agreements with new partners such as Macy’s for our line of Martha Stewart Collection products; Costco for our co-branded assortment of frozen, fresh and prepared foods; EK Success for a line of broadly-distributed crafts products; 1-800-Flowers for a co-branded floral, plant and gift basket program beginning in 2008; and KB Home for Martha Stewart–inspired homes and neighborhoods in communities throughout the country. Additional licensing agreements currently in place relate to paint (Lowe’s), furniture (Bernhardt), rugs (Safavieh), lighting (Generation Brands) and carpet tiles (FLOR), among others.

 

Our multi-year agreement with Kmart includes royalty payments based on sales, as well as minimum guarantees. The minimum guarantees have exceeded actual royalties earned from retail sales from 2003 through 2007 primarily due to store closings and historic lower same-store sales trends. For the contract years ending January 31, 2009 and 2010, the minimum guarantees will be substantially lower than prior years. The following are the minimum guaranteed royalty payments (in millions) over the term of the agreement for the respective years ending on the indicated dates:

 

* For the year ending January 31, 2009, the minimum royalty amount is the greater of $20 million or 50% of the earned royalty for the year ending January 31, 2008. For the year ending January 31, 2010 the minimum royalty amount is the greater of $15 million or 50% of the earned royalty for the year ending January 31, 2009.

 

For the year ended January 31, 2008, our earned royalty based on retail sales was $24.7 million. Furthermore, $10.0 million of royalties previously paid have been deferred and are subject to recoupment in the periods ending January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2010.

 

Internet

 

Our Internet segment was historically comprised of three businesses: online advertising sales at marthastewart.com , product sales of Martha Stewart Flowers , and digital photo product sales. In 2007, revenues from the Internet segment accounted for 6% of our total revenues. In 2008, revenues from this segment will be driven primarily by online advertising sales; the sale of flowers and digital products (which accounted for 35% and 4%, respectively, of segment revenues in 2007) will transition to our Merchandising segment for management and reporting purposes.

 

Online advertising has become the biggest driver of revenues for the segment, accounting for 61% of Internet revenues in 2007. We expect to see continued growth in online advertising revenues tied to traffic growth as we attract and convert users, maintain focus on key strategic initiatives and deploy new tools and functionality. Expenses related to marthastewart.com are driven primarily by staffing and technology costs.

 

Broadcasting

 

The Broadcasting segment contributed 12% of our total revenues in 2007. The segment consists of operations related to the production of television and satellite radio programming. Television programming is comprised of a daily syndicated broadcast show, The Martha Stewart Show , and Everyday Food , which airs on PBS. In 2008, we have added Everyday Baking from Everyday Food , also airing on PBS. Satellite radio programming encompasses the Martha Stewart Living Radio channel on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

 

Broadcasting is driven primarily by The Martha Stewart Show . Revenues from the show comprised 74% of segment revenues in 2007 and were generated primarily from advertising. In past seasons (seasons 1 and 2),

revenues included licensing fees. Additional revenues are derived from product placement along with revenues from cable replay (seasons 1 and 3 only) and international distribution.

 

For the current season of The Martha Stewart Show (season 3), nearly all advertising is sold-out. Ongoing efforts to distribute The Martha Stewart Show (season 4) have resulted in a national clearance of approximately 85% to date. Revenues from Everyday Food and Everyday Baking is provided by underwriters. Programming developed from the library generates revenues primarily from licensing agreements with cable networks. In 2007 such programming included Martha Stewart Crafts , three holiday specials, and a wedding special.

 

While the daily show operates at a loss, it currently serves as a key promotional platform for us to launch new merchandising initiatives and market our magazines, providing powerful brand exposure that increases demand for our content and products while minimizing our advertising expenditures.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison for the Year Ended December 31, 2007 to the Year Ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

Publishing revenues increased 17% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from the prior year. This increase was due to a $23.4 million increase in advertising revenues, primarily as the result of an increase in both advertising pages and rate in Martha Stewart Living magazine, which accounted for $15.0 million of the increase. Advertising revenues increased across all other publications including Everyday Food , Body + Soul and Martha Stewart Weddings which contributed $6.1 million in the aggregate from increases in pages and rates. Blueprint contributed an additional $2.4 million of advertising revenues due to the increase in frequency of the publication in 2007 as compared to 2006. Circulation revenues increased $2.0 million primarily due to the increased frequency of Blueprint magazine of $2.2 million and the Martha Stewart Weddings special; this was partially offset by slightly lower circulation revenues from Everyday Food , Special Interest Publications and Martha Stewart Living . Other revenues increased $1.8 million primarily due to the delivery and acceptance of certain manuscripts related to the 12-book agreement with Clarkson Potter/Publishers.

 

 

 

Production, distribution and editorial expenses increased $9.5 million in 2007 from the prior year, primarily reflecting the additional costs associated with the increase in advertising pages in Martha Stewart Living , which results in higher physical costs, as well as the costs associated with the increased frequency of Blueprint in 2007 and higher compensation costs associated with the creation of books. Selling and promotion expenses increased $9.3 million in 2007 from the prior year, primarily due to a favorable 2006 one-time

newsstand expense reduction adjustment of $3.2 million related to the settlement of certain newsstand-related fees. Additionally, selling and promotion expenses increased due to a 2007 non-recurring, employee-related separation charge, higher compensation costs, an increase in newsstand distribution of Martha Stewart Living and higher marketing costs associated with Everyday Food . General and administrative expenses increased $2.3 million in 2007 from the prior year due to higher compensation costs and allocated overhead. Included within the Publishing segment is a $7.7 million loss in Blueprint compared to a $6.2 million loss in the prior year. Non-cash compensation included in the expenses above increased $1.6 million to $4.3 million in 2007 from $2.7 million in 2006 due to a 2007 non-recurring employee-related separation charge as well as new executive hires.

 

 

Merchandising revenues increased 22% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from the prior year. Actual retail sales of our product at Kmart declined 17% on a comparable store basis and 18% on a total store basis due to store closings, lower same-store sales trends and decreased assortment of product categories. The impact of the decrease in sales on the calculation of our earned royalty was partially offset by a February 1, 2007 increase in the royalty rate under our agreement with Kmart of approximately 3%. The pro-rata portion of revenues related to the contractual minimum amounts covering the specified periods, net of amounts subject to recoupment, is listed separately above. For the contract years ending January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2010, the minimum royalty amount is expected to be $20 million and $15 million respectively. Furthermore, $10.0 million of royalties previously paid have been deferred and are subject to recoupment in the periods ending January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2010. Other revenues increased 51% largely due to the 2007 launch of the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s and macys.com as well as sales from other new initiatives including Martha Stewart Crafts and the endorsement and promotional agreement with U.S. affiliates of SVP Worldwide, makers of Singer , Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff sewing machines. Additionally, other revenues increased due to services we provided to our partners for creative services projects including KB Home model merchandising and other related projects. These increases in other revenues were partially offset by the inclusion in 2006 revenues of a $3.0 million favorable dispute resolution with a former merchandising licensee.

 

Production, distribution and editorial expenses increased $1.4 million in 2007 from the prior year primarily due to higher compensation and allocated payroll costs. Selling and promotion expenses increased $3.3 million in 2007 from the prior year primarily due to expenses associated with services we provided to our partners for creative services projects including KB Home model merchandising and other related projects. Included in the expenses above are non-cash compensation charges which increased $0.6 million to $1.6 million in 2007 from $1.0 million in 2006.

 

Internet segment revenues increased 22% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from the prior year. Advertising revenues increased due to higher rates and an increase in inventory sold following the relaunch of the website, with a majority of the increase realized in the fourth quarter. Product revenues decreased slightly due to recognizing most of the minimum guarantee from Kodak in 2006 partially offset by higher units sold in 2007 from both Kodak and Shutterfly.

 

Production, distribution and editorial costs increased $3.6 million in 2007 from the prior year due primarily to higher staffing and technology expenses associated with our updated advertising-based website which launched towards the end of the first quarter of 2007. Selling and promotion expense increased $2.7 million in 2007 from the prior year due to higher compensation expenses associated with developing an internet advertising sales force and higher marketing costs associated with attracting new users to the website. General and administrative expenses increased $1.6 million in 2007 from the prior year due to increases in facilities allocations and personnel. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $1.1 million in 2007 from the prior year due to the 2007 launch of the redesigned website and the related depreciation costs. Included in the expenses above are non-cash compensation charges which increased $0.3 million to $0.5 million in 2007 from $0.2 million in 2006.

 

Broadcasting revenues decreased 13% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from the prior year. For season 3 of The Martha Stewart Show which began in the middle of September 2007, we entered into a revised distribution agreement to replace the season 3 license fees with additional advertising inventory. Therefore, season 2 revenues are reported net of agency commission, estimated reserves for television audience underdelivery and NBC distribution fees, while season 3 revenues are reported net of only the agency commission and estimated reserves for television audience underdelivery. Due to the partial impact of this change as well as higher product integration revenues and higher advertising rates, advertising revenues increased in 2007 by 24% as compared to 2006. The increase was partially offset by a decline in ratings. Licensing and other revenues decreased 47% primarily due to the partial impact of the new season 3 distribution agreement as well as lack of distribution in the secondary cable market for season 2 of The Martha Stewart Show and lower license fees from stations for season 2 compared to season 1. Licensing and other revenues in 2006 also benefited from the successful termination of a home video distribution agreement. These decreases were partially offset by the season 3 agreement to distribute The Martha Stewart Show in the secondary cable market.

 

Production, distribution and editorial expenses increased $2.1 million in 2007 from the prior year due principally to a non-cash charge of $6.0 million associated with the vesting of the final warrant granted in connection with the production of The Martha Stewart Show . These costs were partially offset by lower production costs for The Martha Stewart Show which were approximately $1.7 million less for season 2 as compared to season 1. Production costs are expected to continue to decrease for season 3 of The Martha Stewart Show . General and administrative expenses decreased $1.3 million in 2007 from the prior year due to a 2006 asset write-down, the reduction of 2007 facility expenses due to the shutdown of the Connecticut television studios in the prior year and lower compensation costs.

 

Corporate operating costs and expenses decreased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from the prior year. General and administrative expenses decreased $4.6 million principally due to lower non-cash compensation costs, lower rent expense and higher allocations of personnel, technology and facilities expenses to each of the segments. These decreases were partially offset by non-recurring, employee-related separation costs. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $1.3 million as certain computer software assets are now fully depreciated. Included in the expenses above are non-cash compensation charges which decreased $1.0 million from $6.9 million in 2006 to $5.9 million in 2007.

 

INTEREST INCOME, NET.  Interest income, net, was $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared with $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease was attributable to lower average cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and lower interest rates.

 

LEGAL SETTLEMENT.  During 2006, we recorded a litigation reserve of $17.1 million associated with the estimated settlement of the class action lawsuit known as In re Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Securities Litigation . In the second quarter of 2007, the settlement received Court approval and the related reserve was adjusted by $(0.4) million to reflect our final costs related to the litigation.

 

INCOME TAX PROVISION.  Income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $0.6 million, compared to income tax provision of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The current period results exclude any potential tax benefits generated from current period losses due to the establishment of a valuation reserve taken against any such benefits.

 

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS.  We had no loss from discontinued operations in 2007 compared to a loss of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Discontinued operations represent the operations of The Wedding List, which we decided to discontinue in 2002. The prior year expenses are related primarily to facilities. In the third quarter of 2006, we signed a sublease. As a result, we do not expect to report further loss from discontinued operations of The Wedding List. We believe that the additional reserve taken in the second quarter of 2006 is sufficient to cover any future charges.

 

NET INCOME.  Net income was $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to a net loss of $(17.0) million for the year ended December 31, 2006, as a result of the factors mentioned above.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison for the Year Ended December 31, 2006 to the Year Ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

Publishing revenues increased 24% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from the prior year. This increase was due to a $31.3 million increase in advertising revenues, primarily as the result of an increase in both advertising pages and rate in Martha Stewart Living magazine. Increases were found as well in both pages and rates at Everyday Food and Martha Stewart Weddings . Circulation revenues increased $1.1 million primarily due to increased subscriptions and newsstand sales of Body + Soul and the launch of Blueprint magazine; this was partially offset by lower revenues from our Special Interest Publications, as the 2005 period contained two additional issues as compared to 2006 (see chart below). Other revenues decreased $1.6 million primarily due to the 2005 release of The Martha Rules book versus no comparable publication in 2006.

 

 

 

Production, distribution and editorial expenses increased $8.4 million in 2006 from the prior year primarily reflecting the additional costs associated with the increase in advertising pages in Martha Stewart Living , which results in higher physical costs, as well as the costs associated with Blueprint . Selling and promotion expenses increased $1.3 million in 2006 from the prior year primarily due to expenses associated with our 15th anniversary event along with higher commission costs associated with the increase in advertising pages as well as higher compensation costs. The increase in selling and promotion expenses was partially

offset by a one-time newsstand expense reduction adjustment of $3.2 million related to the settlement of certain newsstand-related fees. Included within the Publishing segment is a $6.2 million loss in Blueprint for 2006 compared to a $1.6 million loss in the prior year.

 

 

Merchandising revenues increased 18% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from the prior year. Revenues related to our earned royalty at Kmart declined due to lower same-store sales and store closings, partially offset by a higher royalty rate. Actual retail sales of our product at Kmart declined 5% on a same-store basis and 8% on a total store basis. The royalty rate under our agreement with Kmart increased by approximately 3% on February 1, 2006. Other revenues in 2006 included revenues related to a favorable dispute resolution with a former merchandising licensee of $3.0 million. Other revenues in 2006 also increased due to revenues related to our October 2005 agreement with KB Home. Revenues for this agreement were recorded based on minimum guarantees.

 

Production, distribution and editorial expenses increased $1.5 million in 2006 from the prior year, and general and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million in 2006 from the prior year, both due largely to support the growing number of merchandising initiatives.

 

Internet segment revenues increased 40% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from the prior year. Advertising revenues increased due to an increase in web traffic and sell-through at marthastewart.com . Traffic on our site increased in 2006 from 2005 to a monthly average of 38.5 million page views and 2.5 million unique users. Product revenues decreased due to the discontinuance of our catalog, Martha By Mail in early 2005, partially offset by sales of digital photo projects which was a new business venture in 2006 with Kodak Imaging Network as well as an increase in the sale of flowers, plants and accessories through marthastewartflowers.com .

 

Production, distribution and editorial costs decreased $0.3 million in 2006 from the prior year due to the discontinuance of Martha Stewart: The Catalog for Living in early 2005 which resulted in lower cost of goods sold as well as lower fulfillment expenses partially offset by investment in personnel for marthastewart.com . Selling and promotion expense increased $1.7 million in 2006 from the prior year related to higher compensation expenses associated with developing an Internet advertising sales and marketing force for marthastewart.com . General and administrative costs increased $0.9 million in 2006 from the prior year due to investment in personnel related to our focus on developing our Internet segment. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.8 million in 2006 from the prior year due to fully depreciated assets in 2006 as compared to 2005 depreciation of the original website.

 

Broadcasting revenues increased 180% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from the prior year. Both advertising and licensing revenues increased primarily due to the inclusion of a full-year of 2006 revenues related to The Martha Stewart Show which launched on September 12, 2005. Revenues from Martha Stewart Living Radio was $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005; the radio channel launched in the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

Production, distribution and editorial expenses increased $2.7 million in 2006 from the prior year due principally to the timing of a full-year of 2006 production-related expenses for The Martha Stewart Show versus approximately a quarter in 2005, largely offset by 2005 non-cash equity compensation that included a $16.8 million charge related to the vesting of certain shares covered by a warrant granted in connection with The Martha Stewart Show . As of December 31, 2006, our deferred production cost balance was $4.6 million. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased in 2006 from the prior year due to leasehold improvements and fixed asset additions related to our new television studio begun in 2005.

 

Corporate operating costs and expenses decreased 25% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from the prior year. General and administrative expenses decreased $17.8 million principally resulting from lower non-cash compensation costs due to the 2005 vesting of certain shares related to a warrant granted in connection with the airing of The Apprentice: Martha Stewart of $14.9 million versus no comparable award in 2006. In addition, 2006 consultant and professional fees decreased from the prior year offset by increased employee cash compensation costs.

 

INTEREST INCOME, NET.  Interest income, net, was $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared with $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase was attributable to higher interest rates.

 

LITIGATION RESERVE.  During 2006, we recorded a litigation reserve of $17.1 million associated with the estimated settlement of the class action lawsuit known as In re Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Securities Litigation . In the second quarter of 2007, the settlement received Court approval and the related reserve was adjusted by $(0.4) million to reflect our final costs related to the litigation.

 

INCOME TAX PROVISION.  Income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $0.8 million, compared to income tax provision of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. 2006 results exclude any potential tax benefits generated from current period losses due to the establishment of a valuation reserve taken against any such benefits.

 

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS.  Loss from discontinued operations was $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $0.5 million from the same operations for the year ended December 31, 2005. Discontinued operations represent the operations of The Wedding List, which we decided to discontinue in 2002. The 2006 and 2005 expenses were facility-related.

 

NET LOSS.  Net loss was $(17.0) million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to a net loss of $(75.8) million for the year ended December 31, 2005, as a result of the factors mentioned above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview

 

Our primary source of liquidity is currently from cash generated by operating activities. Specifically, our Publishing and Merchandising segments provide the majority of cash generation and we believe these businesses will continue to resonate with our consumers and advertisers alike. If our Internet strategy is successful, we expect that business will generate cash flow from operations over time. As with other industries, operating results and cash flows may change due to a variety of factors, including changes in demand for the product and changes in our cost structure. Any such changes in our business can have a significant effect on cash flows.

 

If we consummate our transaction to acquire certain assets of Chef Emeril Lagasse, we will be obligated to pay the sellers, in 2008, cash of approximately $45 million (and $5 million of value of our Class A Common Stock) and, in April 2013, a potential additional payment of up to $20 million based upon the achievement of certain operating metrics in 2011 and 2012, a portion of which may be payable, at our election, in shares of our Class A Common Stock.

 

Given our future operational expectations and acquisition strategy, including the recent announcements of our investment in WeddingWire and agreement to acquire certain assets of Chef Emeril Lagasse, we expect cash on hand, internally generated cash flow and potential debt financing to provide adequate funds for operating and recurring cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures into the foreseeable future.

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

While cash flow from operations improved year-over-year by $17.4 million, our overall liquidity decreased. Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments decreased $6.6 million in 2007 due largely our investment in Wilton Products and capital expenditures.

 

Operating Activities

 

The largest source of operating cash inflows is cash received from advertising customers (43% of revenues in 2007), licensing partners (27% of revenues in 2007) and magazine circulation sales (22% of revenues in 2007). Other sources of operating cash inflows include cash received from the creation of books and sales of products. Operating cash outflows are primarily driven by employee and related costs, the physical costs associated with producing magazines, including related direct mail expenses, and the cash costs of facilities.

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities were $11.7 million, $(5.7) million and $(30.3) million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The improvement in cash from operations across the three-year period was primarily due to an increase in operational performance led by advertising revenues as described in the segment results above, partially offset by an increase in compensation expenses and physical costs to produce magazines and in 2006, the cash settlement of a class action lawsuit.

 

Investing Activities

 

Our cash inflows from investing activities generally include proceeds from the sale of short-term investments. Investing cash outflows generally include payments for the acquisition of new businesses; short- and long-term investments; and additions to property, plant, and equipment.

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities were $(6.6) million, $40.1 million and $(58.3) million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash flows used in

investing activities in 2007 resulted from the investment in Wilton Products, Inc., and capital expenditures, partially offset by the net proceeds of the sales of short-term investments. Cash used for capital expenditures was due to technology upgrades and leasehold improvements to our offices, the investment in the website marthastewart.com and the purchase of an additional fractional ownership interest in corporate aircraft. Cash used for the acquisition of WeddingWire of $5.0 million and the expected acquisition of certain assets of Chef Emeril Lagasse will be shown as investing activities in 2008.

 

Cash flows provided by investing activities in 2006 resulted from the net sale of short-term investments, partially offset by capital expenditures. Cash used for capital expenditures was due to the investment in the website marthastewart.com , leasehold improvements to our offices and the purchase of two fractional ownership interests in corporate aircraft.

 

Cash flows used in investing activities in 2005 resulted from the net purchase of short-term investments and capital expenditures primarily related to the set preparation and build-out of the television studios for The Martha Stewart Show .

 

Financing Activities

 

Our cash inflows from financing activities generally include proceeds from the exercise of common stock options issued under share-based compensation plans. Financing cash outflows generally include the satisfaction of certain tax liabilities related to share-based compensation and the payment of dividends.

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities were $(3.1) million, $(26.1) million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash flows used in financing activities in 2007 was primarily due to the cash costs associated with remitting payroll-related tax obligations associated with share-based compensation.

 

Cash flows used in financing activities in 2006 primarily resulted from the special one-time dividend of $0.50 per share paid on September 14, 2006, to stockholders of record on August 31, 2006.

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities in 2005 resulted from proceeds received from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by the cash costs associated with remitting payroll-related tax obligations associated with share-based compensation.