| The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Synacor, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Synacor”), is the trusted technology development, multiplatform services and revenue partner for video, internet and communications providers, device manufacturers, governments and enterprises. Synacor enables its customers to provide their consumers engaging, multiscreen experiences and advertising to their consumers that require scale, actionable data and sophisticated implementation. Basis of Presentation —The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Accounts Receivable —The Company records accounts receivable at the invoiced amount and does not charge interest on past due invoices. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained to reserve for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable. The Company reviews its accounts receivable from customers that are past due to identify specific accounts with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the reserve, the Company makes judgments about the creditworthiness of customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. Property and Equipment —Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Leasehold improvements
3–10 years
Computer hardware
5 years
Computer software
3 years
Furniture and fixtures
7 years
Other
3–5 years Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets. Long-Lived Assets —The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, exclusive of goodwill, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating and measuring impairment, the Company groups a long-lived asset or assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. There have been no material impairments to long-lived assets in any of the years presented. The components and estimated economic lives of our amortizable intangible assets were as follows as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Estimated Economic Life
2016
2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Gross amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships
10 years
$
14,780
$
13,400
Trademark
5 years
300
300
Developed technology
5 years
2,330
1,600
Total gross amortizable intangible assets
17,410
15,300
Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships
(1,961
)
(391
)
Trademark
(78
)
(18
)
Developed technology
(534
)
(93
)
Total accumulated amortization
(2,573
)
(502
)
Amortizable intangible assets, net
$
14,837
$
14,798
Future amortization expense of amortizable intangible assets will be as follows (in thousands): $2,142 in each of years ending December 31, 2017 through 2019, $2,031 in the year ending December 31, 2020, $1,411 in the year ending December 31, 2021, and $4,969 thereafter. Goodwill —Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment on an annual basis and more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company has determined it is a single reporting unit, and estimates its fair value using a market approach. If the carrying value of the reporting unit were to exceed its estimated fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the carrying value of the goodwill in the reporting unit to its implied fair value. An impairment charge would then be recognized for the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over its implied estimated fair value. The Company conducts its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1st. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company determined goodwill was not impaired. The change in goodwill is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2016
2015
Balance, beginning of year
$
15,187
$
1,565
Technorati acquisition related goodwill (Note 2)
$
751
—
Zimbra acquisition related goodwill (Note 2)
—
13,622
Foreign currency revaluation
5
—
Balance, end of year
$
15,943
$
15,187
Revenue Recognition —The Company derives revenue from two categories: revenue generated from its Managed Portals and Advertising activities and Recurring and Fee-Based revenue, each of which is described below. Advertising and Recurring and Fee-Based revenue are recognized when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred; the selling price is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. The following table shows the revenue in each category for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2015
2014
Search and digital advertising
$
74,889
$
78,316
$
83,906
Recurring and fee-based
52,484
31,929
22,673
Total revenue
$
127,373
$
110,245
$
106,579
The Company uses internet advertising to generate revenue from the traffic on its Managed Portals categorized as search advertising and digital advertising.
•
In the case of search advertising, the Company has a revenue-sharing relationship with Google, pursuant to which it includes a Google-branded search tool on its Managed Portals. When a consumer makes a search query using this tool, the Company delivers the query to Google and they return search results to consumers that include advertiser-sponsored links. If the consumer clicks on a sponsored link, Google receives payment from the sponsor of that link and shares a portion of that payment with the Company, which is recognized as revenue.
•
Digital advertising includes video, image and text advertisements delivered on one of the Company’s Managed Portals. Advertising inventory is filled with advertisements sourced by the Company’s direct sales force, independent advertising sales representatives, and also advertising network partners. Revenue is generated for the Company when an advertisement displays, otherwise known as an impression, or when consumers view or click an advertisement, otherwise known as an action. Digital advertising revenue is calculated on a per-impression or per-action basis. Revenue is recognized as the impressions are delivered or the actions occur, according to contractual rates. Recurring and Fee-Based revenue represents subscription fees and other fees that the Company receives from customers for the use of its proprietary technology, including the use of, or access to, email, video solutions, Cloud ID, security services, games and other premium services and paid content. Monthly subscriber levels typically form the basis for calculating and generating Recurring and Fee-Based revenue. They are generally determined by multiplying a per-subscriber per-month fee by the number of subscribers using the particular services being offered or consumed. In other cases, the fee is fixed. Revenue is recognized from customers as the services are delivered. The Company evaluates its relationship between search and digital advertising revenue and its Managed Portal customers in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations Certain Recurring and Fee-Based revenue is derived from the sale of software licenses on a perpetual or subscription basis, for which revenue is recognized upon receipt of an external agreement and delivery of the software, provided the fees are fixed and determinable, and collection is probable. For agreements that include one or more elements to be delivered at a future date, revenue is recognized using the residual method, under which the vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred, and the remaining portion of the agreement fee is recognized as license revenue. If VSOE of fair value has not been established for certain undelivered elements, revenue is deferred until those elements have been delivered or their fair values have been determined. Cost of Revenue —Cost of revenue consists primarily of revenue sharing, content acquisition costs, co-location facility costs, royalty costs and product support costs. Revenue sharing consists of amounts accrued and paid to customers for the internet traffic on Managed Portals where the Company is the primary obligor, resulting in the generation of search and digital advertising revenue. The revenue-sharing agreements with customers are primarily variable payments based on a percentage of the search and digital advertising revenue. Content-acquisition agreements may be based on a fixed payment schedule, on the number of subscribers per month, or a combination of both. Fixed-payment agreements are expensed on a straight-line basis over the term defined in the agreement. Agreements based on the number of subscribers are expensed on a monthly basis. Co-location facility costs consist of rent and operating costs for the Company’s data center facilities. Royalty costs consist of amounts due to other parties for sale of mailboxes with third party technology enabled. Product support costs consist of employee and operating costs directly related to the Company’s maintenance and professional services support. Concentrations of Risk —As of December 31, 2016, the Company had no customers whose outstanding balance due the Company equaled or exceeded 10% of the Company’s total accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had one customer, Google, whose balance represented approximately 14% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the Company had concentrations equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s revenue as follows:
Revenue
2016
2015
2014
Google
12
%
28
%
42
% For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the following customers received revenue-share payments equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s cost of revenue.
Cost of Revenue
2016
2015
2014
Customer A
22
%
26
%
22
%
Customer B
*
10
%
12
%
Customer C
*
*
10
%
Customer D
*
*
12
% * less than 10% Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash primarily in checking and money market accounts with high credit quality financial institutions, which, at times, have exceeded federally insured limits of $0.25 million. Although the Company maintains balances that exceed the federally insured limit, it has not experienced any losses related to these balances and believes credit risk to be minimal. Software Development Costs —Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage for internal software programs are expensed as incurred. External and internal costs incurred during the application development stage of new software development as well as for upgrades and enhancements for software programs that result in additional functionality are capitalized. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred $4.5 million, $2.8 million and $3.4 million of combined internal and external costs related to the application development stage. Internal and external training and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Technology and Development —Technology and development expenses consist primarily of compensation-related expenses incurred for the research and development of, enhancements to, and maintenance and operation of the Company’s products, equipment and related infrastructure. Sales and Marketing —Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation-related expenses to the Company’s direct sales and marketing personnel, as well as costs related to advertising, industry conferences, promotional materials, and other sales and marketing programs. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs totaled $0.4 million, $0.1 million and $0.0 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. General and Administrative —General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation related expenses for executive management, finance, accounting, human resources, professional fees and other administrative functions. Sale of Domain —In June 2014, the Company executed a transaction to sell a domain name of its legacy business. The sale amounted to $1.0 million and the entire amount was recorded as a gain on the sale in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. The sale was unique to 2014 and no such transactions occurred in the comparative periods. Earnings (Loss) Per Share —Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 260, Earnings per Share , using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS assumes the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential common stock equivalents unless the effect is to reduce a loss or increase the income per share. For purposes of this calculation, stock options, warrants and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are considered to be potential common shares and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share when their effect is dilutive. Stock-Based Compensation —The Company records compensation costs related to stock-based awards in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation . Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, the Company measures stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award. Compensation cost is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of the award. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted. The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company estimates pre-vesting forfeitures at the time of grant by analyzing historical data and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The total expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that ultimately vest. Rights Plan —On July 14, 2014 the board of directors declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock and adopted a stockholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”). The Rights were issued on July 14, 2014 to the stockholders of record at the close of business on that date. Each Right allows its holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (a “ Series A Junior Preferred Share”) for $10.00 per share (the “Exercise Price”), if the Rights become exercisable. This portion of a Series A Junior Preferred Share will give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting, and liquidation rights as would one share of common stock. Prior to exercise, the Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights. On July 14, 2014, in conjunction with the adoption of the Rights Plan, the Company designated 2,000,000 shares of its Preferred Stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. The Rights will not be exercisable until 10 days after the public announcement that a person or group has become an “Acquiring Person” by obtaining beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock (the “Distribution Date”). If a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, each Right will entitle its holder (other than such Acquiring Person) to purchase for $10.00 per share, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock having a market value of twice such price based on the market price of the common stock prior to such acquisition. Additionally, if the Company is acquired in a merger or similar transaction after the Distribution Date, each Right will entitle its holder (other than such Acquiring Person) to purchase for $10.00 per share, a number of shares of the acquiring corporation with a market value of $20.00 per share based on the market price of the acquiring corporation’s stock, prior to such merger. In addition, at any time after a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before such Acquiring Person or group owns 50% or more of the Company’s common stock, the board of directors may exchange one share of the Company’s common stock for each outstanding Right (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person, which would have become void). An Acquiring Person will not be entitled to exercise the Rights. On April 20, 2015, the Company’s stockholders ratified the Rights Plan. The Company expects that the Rights Plan will expire on July 14, 2017 in accordance with its terms. On August 18, 2015, the Company amended the definition of “Acquiring Person” to provide that (i) issuances of securities under plans, contracts or arrangements approved by the board of directors or its compensation committee as compensation for service as a director, employee or consultant of Synacor or any of its subsidiaries will not trigger the exercisability of the Rights and (ii) issuances of securities in consideration for the acquisition of assets or a business in a transaction approved by the board of directors will not trigger the exercisability of the Rights. Business Combinations —The Company records its business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the Company allocates the purchase price of each acquisition to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based upon detailed valuations that use various assumptions made by management. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. All direct acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The following methodology and assumptions are considered relevant to the fair value judgments related to acquired intangible assets and assumed liabilities:
•
Technology and Trademark intangible assets—valued based on discounted cash flows using the relief from royalty method (a form of an income approach)
•
Customer Relationship—valued based on a multi-period excess earnings method (a form of an income approach)
•
Deferred Revenue—valued based on a cost approach using estimated costs to be incurred in connection with the continuing legal obligation associated with acquired contracts plus a reasonable profit margin. Business assumptions, such as projections of revenue, costs to fulfill acquired contracts, applicable royalty rates, and future profitability are key assumptions included in the methods described above. In circumstances where an acquisition involves a contingent consideration arrangement, the Company recognizes a liability equal to the fair value of the contingent payments it expects to make as of the acquisition date. The Company remeasures this liability each reporting period and records changes in the fair value through other expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Increases or decreases in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability can result from changes in discount periods and rates, as well as changes in the timing, amount of, or the likelihood of achieving the applicable contingent consideration. Income Taxes —Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating loss (“NOL”) and credit carryforwards using enacted income tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established to the extent necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to amounts that more likely than not will be realized. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold based on the technical merits of the tax position taken. Tax benefits that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be measured as the largest amount of tax benefits, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions was insignificant. Reduction In Workforce —On September 28, 2014, the Company’s board of directors approved a cost reduction plan. The plan involved a reduction in the Company’s workforce by approximately 70 employees. The pre-tax severance charge and outplacement services resulting from the reduction in workforce, combined with the Company’s separation from its former Chief Operating Officer, amounted to $1.3 million. Of the $1.3 million in costs, $0.5 million was recorded to technology and development, $0.2 million was recorded to sales and marketing and $0.6 million was recorded to general and administrative in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. Accounting Estimates —The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the financial statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from estimated amounts. Investment — In July 2013, the Company made a $1.0 million investment (in the form of a convertible promissory note) in a privately held Delaware corporation called Blazer and Flip Flops, Inc. (“B&FF” doing business as The Experience Engine). In March 2015, the note was converted into preferred stock of B&FF and is accounted for as a cost method investment. B&FF is a professional services company whose principals have experience integrating its customers’ systems with their customers’ devices, including smartphones and tablets. Fair Value Measurements —Fair value measurement standards apply to certain financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximates their carrying value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amounts of the Company’s capital leases approximate fair value of these obligations based upon management’s best estimates of interest rates that would be available for similar debt obligations at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The carrying value of our long-term debt approximates its fair value due to its variable interest rate. The fair value of accrued contingent consideration recorded by the Company represents the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration the Company expects to pay. The provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Level 1 —Level 1 inputs are defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets. Level 2 —Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs). Level 3 —Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s determination of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are developed based on the best information available, including the Company’s own data. Applicable Recent Accounting Pronouncements —In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09) Revenue from Contracts with Customers . ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)” and requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date , which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with earlier application permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) , to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, providing additional guidance relating to identifying performance obligations under ASU 2014-09 as well as licensing. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the financial impact of adopting these ASUs and the methods of adoption. The Company currently recognizes subscription revenue from its Email/Collaboration contracts, which is included within recurring and fee-based revenue, over the life of the contracts (which are typically six months or longer). The Company has tentatively concluded that it is likely that this new guidance will require it to recognize a portion of the revenue from those contracts upon delivery, at the inception of the contracts, which would have the effect of accelerating recognition of revenue on such contracts, and may have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018, and adoption as of the original effective date of January 1, 2017 is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting the standard as of its effective date of January 1, 2018. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the cumulative catch-up transition method). The Company has not yet determined which transition method it will use. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) currently expects that most of its operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02, which will increase the total assets and total liabilities that it reports as compared to reported prior to adoption. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 changes how companies account for certain aspects of stock-based awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017. The guidance will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively, or using a modified retrospective transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact to our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB ASU 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15), which provides guidance related to cash flows presentation and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, subject to early adoption, which is permitted using a retrospective transition approach. ASU 2016-15 is intended to standardize the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the Statement of Cash Flows, and is effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company expects that it will adopt ASU 2016-15 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption on its consolidated financial statements. |
