Harte Hanks (HHS) 10-Q 5 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 15, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'HARTE HANKS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000045919	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	62,780,052
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$84,539	$88,747
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,169 at March 31, 2014 and $1,729 at December 31, 2013)	110,178	120,122
Inventory	1,320	1,286
Prepaid expenses	10,321	8,528
Current deferred income tax asset	6,030	7,696
Prepaid income tax	4,520	4,755
Other current assets	7,309	8,171
Total current assets	224,217	239,305
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation of $172,963 at March 31, 2014 and $169,854 at December 31, 2013)	39,429	40,711
Goodwill	398,164	398,164
Other intangible assets (less accumulated amortization of $9,755 at March 31, 2014 and $9,748 at December 31, 2013)	2,296	2,303
Other assets	4,786	5,053
Total assets	668,892	685,536
Current liabilities	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	16,844	15,313
Accounts payable	36,877	36,756
Accrued payroll and related expenses	12,749	16,255
Deferred revenue and customer advances	35,928	36,257
Income taxes payable	886	3,407
Customer postage and program deposits	21,780	23,877
Other current liabilities	6,405	8,978
Total current liabilities	131,469	140,843
Long-term debt	78,094	82,687
Other long-term liabilities (including deferred income taxes of $67,947 at March 31, 2014 and $65,788 at December 31, 2013)	113,177	112,952
Total liabilities	322,740	336,482
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, $1 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized 119,478,549 shares issued at March 31, 2014 and 119,186,705 shares issued at December 31, 2013	119,479	119,187
Additional paid-in capital	345,445	345,095
Retained earnings	1,159,669	1,163,201
Less treasury stock, 56,698,498 shares at cost at March 31, 2014 and 56,600,972 shares at cost at December 31, 2013	-1,251,062	-1,250,311
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-27,379	-28,118
Total stockholders' equity	346,152	349,054
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$668,892	$685,536

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,169	$1,729
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	172,963	169,854
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	9,755	9,748
Other long-term liabilities, deferred income taxes	$67,947	$65,788
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	119,478,549	119,186,705
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	56,698,498	56,600,972

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	'	'
Operating revenues	$132,727	$132,352
Operating expenses	'	'
Labor	71,304	67,470
Production and distribution	40,276	38,985
Advertising, selling, general and administrative	12,730	12,428
Depreciation, software and intangible asset amortization	3,838	4,066
Total operating expenses	128,148	122,949
Operating income	4,579	9,403
Other (income) expenses	'	'
Interest expense, net	679	781
Other, net	734	-1,218
Total other (income) expenses	1,413	-437
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	3,166	9,840
Income tax expense	1,321	3,521
Income from continuing operations	1,845	6,319
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	348
Net income	1,845	6,667
Basic earnings per common share	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.10
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.11
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	62,686	62,471
Diluted earnings per common share	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.10
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.11
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	62,971	62,669
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'
Adjustment to pension liability	553	1,003
Foreign currency translation adjustments	186	-1,130
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	739	-127
Comprehensive income	$2,584	$6,540

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$1,845	$6,667
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Income from discontinued operations	0	-348
Depreciation and software amortization	3,832	4,011
Intangible asset amortization	6	55
Stock-based compensation	1,288	1,288
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-425	-5
Net pension cost (payments)	1,404	591
Deferred income taxes	3,825	3,121
Other, net	-875	-1,312
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net	9,944	15,485
Decrease (increase) in inventory	-34	-340
Decrease (Increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	-696	-51
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable	121	-2,109
(Decrease) increase in other accrued expenses and liabilities	-13,810	-14,565
Other, net	267	-1,046
Net cash provided by continuing operations	6,692	11,442
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	656
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,692	12,098
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-2,550	-4,581
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	0	4,781
Net cash flows from investing activities within discontinued operations	0	-50
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-2,550	150
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Borrowings	0	0
Repayment of borrowings	-3,062	-3,062
Debt financing costs	0	0
Issuance of common stock	-347	82
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensations	425	5
Purchase of treasury stock	-175	-436
Dividends paid	-5,377	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-8,536	-3,411
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	186	1,003
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-4,208	9,840
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	88,747	49,384
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$84,539	$59,224

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$328,164	$118,737	$341,586	$1,165,952	($1,248,377)	($49,734)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options and release of unvested shares	512	450	469	0	-407	0
Net tax effect of stock options exercised and release of unvested shares	-2,606	0	-2,606	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation	5,744	0	5,744	0	0	0
Dividends paid ($0.085 and $0.255 per share for three months ended March 31, 2014 and twelve months ended December 31, 2013, respectively)	-16,121	0	0	-16,121	0	0
Treasury stock issued	37	0	-98	0	135	0
Purchase of treasury stock	-1,662	0	0	0	-1,662	0
Net income	13,370	0	0	13,370	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,616	0	0	0	0	21,616
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	349,054	119,187	345,095	1,163,201	-1,250,311	-28,118
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options and release of unvested shares	-347	292	-63	0	-576	0
Net tax effect of stock options exercised and release of unvested shares	-875	0	-875	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation	1,288	0	1,288	0	0	0
Dividends paid ($0.085 and $0.255 per share for three months ended March 31, 2014 and twelve months ended December 31, 2013, respectively)	-5,377	0	0	-5,377	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	-175	0	0	0	-175	0
Net income	1,845	0	0	1,845	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	739	0	0	0	0	739
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$346,152	$119,479	$345,445	$1,159,669	($1,251,062)	($27,379)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity	'	'
Dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$0.09	$0.26

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Note A - Basis of Presentation
	Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Harte-Hanks, Inc. (Harte Hanks) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”).  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	As used in this report, the terms “Harte Hanks,” “we,” “us” or “our” may refer to Harte Hanks, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or all of them taken as a whole.
	Interim Financial Information
	The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.  The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Discontinued Operations
	As discussed in Note L, Discontinued Operations, we sold the assets of our California Shoppers operations on September 27, 2013.  The operating results of our California Shoppers (Shoppers) are being reported as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  Unless otherwise stated, amounts related to the Shoppers operations are excluded from the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented.  Results of the remaining Harte Hanks business are reported as continuing operations.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results and outcomes could differ from those estimates and assumptions.  On an ongoing basis management reviews its estimates based on currently available information.  Changes in facts and circumstances could result in revised estimates and assumptions.
	Operating Expense Presentation in Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
	“Labor” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income includes all employee payroll and benefits, including stock-based compensation, along with temporary labor costs.  “Production and distribution” and “Advertising, selling, general and administrative” do not include labor, depreciation or amortization.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Note B - Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In the first quarter of 2013, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  ASU 2013-02 addresses the presentation of reclassification adjustments, which was deferred in the initial issuance of ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  ASU 2013-02 requires entities to disclose:
	·   For items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income in their entirety, the effect of the reclassification on each affected net income line item, and
	·   For accumulated other comprehensive income reclassification items that are not reclassified in their entirety into net income, a cross reference to other required U.S. GAAP disclosures.
	In connection with this adoption we have added the required disclosures in Note J, Comprehensive Income.  The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not affect our operating results, cash flows or financial position.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Note C - Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (ASC 820) defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in valuation methodologies into three levels:
	Level 1    Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2   Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3    Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	Because of their maturities and/or variable interest rates, certain financial instruments have fair values approximating their carrying values.  These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and trade payables.  The fair value of our outstanding debt is disclosed in Note E, Long-Term Debt.

Goodwill

Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill	'
Goodwill	'
	Note D – Goodwill
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had goodwill of $398.2 million.  Under the provisions of FASB ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that it is “more likely than not” that goodwill might be impaired.  Such events could include a significant change in business conditions, a significant negative regulatory outcome or other events that could negatively affect our business and financial performance.  We perform our annual goodwill impairment assessment as of November 30th of each year.
	The Company continues to monitor potential triggering events, including changes in the business climate in which it operates, attrition of key personnel, the current volatility in the capital markets, the Company’s market capitalization compared to its book value, the Company’s recent operating performance, and the Company’s financial projections. The occurrence of one or more triggering events could require additional impairment testing, which could result in impairment charges in the future. There was no occurrence of a triggering event for fiscal year 2014 as of March 31, 2014.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debt	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Note E – Long-Term Debt
	Our long-term debt obligations were as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	2010 Revolving Credit Facility, various interest rates based on LIBOR, due August 12, 2013 ($60.5 million capacity at December 31, 2012)	N/A		$	0
	2013 Revolving Credit Facility, various interest rates based on Eurodollar rate, due August 16, 2016 ($72.5 million capacity and effective rate of 2.40% at March 31, 2014)	$	0	N/A
	2011 Term Loan Facility, various interest rates based on LIBOR (effective rate of 2.15% at March 31, 2014), due August 16, 2016	$	94,938	$	98,000
	Total debt	$	94,938	$	98,000
	Less current maturities	$	16,844	$	15,313
	Total long-term debt	$	78,094	$	82,687
	The carrying values and estimated fair values of our outstanding debt were as follows:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	In thousands	Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Value				Value
	Total Debt	$	94,938	$	94,938	$	98,000	$	98,000
	The estimated fair values were calculated using current rates provided to us by our bankers for debt of the same remaining maturity and characteristics.  These current rates are considered Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Note F – Stock-Based Compensation
	We recognized $1.0 million and $1.1 million of stock-based compensation during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Our annual grant of stock-based awards occurred in the second quarter of 2014 (April 15, 2014).  We did not have any significant stock-based compensation activity in the first quarter of 2014.

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Pen

Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost	'
Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost	'
	Note G – Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost
	Prior to January 1, 1999, we maintained a defined benefit pension plan for which most of our employees were eligible.  We elected to freeze benefits under this defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 1998.
	In 1994, we adopted a non-qualified, unfunded, supplemental pension plan covering certain employees, which provides for incremental pension payments so that total pension payments equal those amounts that would have been payable from our principal pension plan if it were not for limitations imposed by income tax regulations.  The benefits under this supplemental pension plan accrued after December 31, 1998 as if the principal pension plan had not been frozen.
	Net pension cost for both plans included the following components:
		Three months ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Service cost	$	100	$	86
	Interest cost	1,939		1,809
	Expected return on plan assets	-2,109		-1,846
	Amortization of prior service cost	0		0
	Recognized actuarial loss	921		1,672
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	851	$	1,721
	We made contributions to our funded, frozen pension plan of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2014.  We plan to make additional contributions of $3.7 million to this pension plan during the remainder of 2014.  These contributions to our funded, frozen pension plan are being made in order to satisfy the Pension Protection Act of 2006 minimum required contribution.
	We are not required to make and do not intend to make any contributions to our unfunded, supplemental pension plan in 2014 other than to the extent needed to cover benefit payments.  We expect benefit payments under this supplemental pension plan to total $1.6 million in 2014.
	Effective April 1, 2014, we elected to freeze benefits under the unfunded, supplemental pension plan, which will be accounted for as a curtailment of the plan in the second quarter of 2014.  The plan freeze results in a reduction of plan expense of $0.4 million over the remainder of 2014 and a reduction in the projected benefit obligation of $1.1 million.  This curtailment gain will offset the unrecognized loss held by the plan.  The remaining portion of the unrecognized loss will then be amortized over the average life expectancy of all participants.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note H - Income Taxes
	Our first quarter 2014 income tax expense of $1.3 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 41.7%.  Our first quarter 2013 income tax provision of $3.5 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 35.8%.  Our effective income tax rate is derived by estimating pretax income and income tax expense for the year ending December 31, 2014.  The effective income tax rate calculated for the first quarter of 2014 is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35.0%, primarily due to the addition of state income taxes.
	Harte Hanks, or one of our subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions.  For U.S. state and foreign returns, we are no longer subject to tax examinations for tax years prior to 2009.  For U.S. federal returns, we are no longer subject to tax examinations for tax years prior to 2010.
	We have elected to classify any interest expense and penalties related to income taxes within income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.  We did not have a significant amount of interest or penalties accrued at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Note I - Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.  Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options and non-vested shares.
	Reconciliations of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands, except per share amounts	2014		2013
	Net Income
	Income from continuing operations	$	1,845	$	6,319
	Income from discontinued operations	0		348
	Net income	$	1,845	$	6,667
	Basic EPS
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding
	used in earnings per share computations	62,686		62,471
	Basic earnings per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0.1
	Discontinued operations	0		0.01
	Net income	$	0.03	$	0.11
	Diluted EPS
	Shares used in diluted earnings per share
	computations	62,971		62,669
	Basic earnings per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0.1
	Discontinued operations	0		0.01
	Net income	$	0.03	$	0.11
	Computation of Shares Used in Earnings Per
	Share Computations
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	62,686		62,471
	Weighted-average common equivalent shares-
	dilutive effect of stock options and awards	285		198
	Shares used in diluted earnings per share
	computations	62,971		62,669
	3.6 million and 4.4 million anti-dilutive market price options have been excluded from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  There were no anti-dilutive unvested shares excluded from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  0.4 million anti-dilutive non-vested shares have been excluded from the calculation of shares used in the diluted EPS calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income	'
Comprehensive Income	'
	Note J – Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income for a period encompasses net income and all other changes in equity other than from transactions with our stockholders.  Our comprehensive income was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Net income	$	1,845		$		6,667
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Adjustment to pension liability	921			1,672
	Tax expense	(368		)	(669			)
	Adjustment to pension liability, net of tax	553			1,003
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	186			(1,130			)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)	739			(127			)
	Total comprehensive income	$	2,584		$	6,540
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component are as follows:
	In thousands	Defined Benefit			Foreign				Total
		Pension			Currency
		Items			Items
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(32,279	)	$	4,161			$	(28,118	)
	Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax,
	before reclassifications	0			186				186
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income, net of tax	553			0				553
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss),
	net of tax	553			186				739
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(31,726	)	$	4,347			$	(27,379	)
	In thousands	Defined Benefit			Foreign				Total
		Pension			Currency
		Items			Items
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(54,431	)	$	4,697			$	(49,734	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax,
	before reclassifications	0			(1,130		)		(1,130		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income, net of tax	1,003			0				1,003
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss),
	net of tax	1,003			(1,130		)		(127		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	(53,428	)	$	3,567			$	(49,861	)
	Reclassification amounts related to the defined pension plans are included in the computation of net period pension benefit cost (see Note G, Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost).

Litigation_Contingencies

Litigation Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Litigation Contingencies	'
Litigation Contingencies	'
	Note K – Litigation Contingencies
	In the normal course of our business, we are obligated under some agreements to indemnify our clients as a result of claims that we infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties.  The terms and duration of these commitments vary and, in some cases, may be indefinite, and certain of these commitments do not limit the maximum amount of future payments we could become obligated to make there under; accordingly, our actual aggregate maximum exposure related to these types of commitments cannot be reasonably estimated.  Historically, we have not been obligated to make significant payments for obligations of this nature, and no liabilities have been recorded for these obligations in our financial statements.
	We are also currently subject to various other legal proceedings in the course of conducting our businesses and, from time to time, we may become involved in additional claims and lawsuits incidental to our businesses.  In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, none of these matters is currently considered to be reasonably possible of resulting in a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.  Nevertheless, we cannot predict the impact of future developments affecting our pending or future claims and lawsuits and any resolution of a claim or lawsuit within a particular fiscal quarter may adversely impact our results of operations for that quarter.  We expense legal costs as incurred, and all recorded legal liabilities are adjusted as required as better information becomes available to us. The factors we consider when recording an accrual for contingencies include, among others: (i) the opinions and views of our legal counsel; (ii) our previous experience; and (iii) the decision of our management as to how we intend to respond to the complaints.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Note L – Discontinued Operations
	We sold the assets of our California Shoppers operations to affiliates of OpenGate Capital Management, LLC (“OpenGate”) on September 27, 2013.  Because Shoppers represented a distinct business unit with operations and cash flows that can clearly be distinguished, both operationally and for financial purposes, from the rest of Harte Hanks, the results of the Shoppers operations are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	Results of the remaining Harte Hanks marketing services business are reported as continuing operations.
	Summarized operating results for the Shoppers discontinued operations are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Revenues	$	0	$	45,980
	Income from discontinued operations before impairment
	charges and income taxes	0		783
	Income tax expense	0		435
	Income from discontinued operations	$	0	$	348
	The major components of cash flows for the Shoppers discontinued operations are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$	-	$	348
	Loss on sale	-		-
	Depreciation and software amortization	-		871
	Other, net	-		-563
	Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	$	-	$	656

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debt	'
Schedule of long-term debt obligations	'
		March 31,		December 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	2010 Revolving Credit Facility, various interest rates based on LIBOR, due August 12, 2013 ($60.5 million capacity at December 31, 2012)	N/A		$	0
	2013 Revolving Credit Facility, various interest rates based on Eurodollar rate, due August 16, 2016 ($72.5 million capacity and effective rate of 2.40% at March 31, 2014)	$	0	N/A
	2011 Term Loan Facility, various interest rates based on LIBOR (effective rate of 2.15% at March 31, 2014), due August 16, 2016	$	94,938	$	98,000
	Total debt	$	94,938	$	98,000
	Less current maturities	$	16,844	$	15,313
	Total long-term debt	$	78,094	$	82,687
Schedule of carrying values and estimated fair values of outstanding debt	'
		March 31,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	In thousands	Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Value				Value
	Total Debt	$	94,938	$	94,938	$	98,000	$	98,000

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Pen1

Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost	'
Net Pension cost of plans	'
		Three months ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Service cost	$	100	$	86
	Interest cost	1,939		1,809
	Expected return on plan assets	-2,109		-1,846
	Amortization of prior service cost	0		0
	Recognized actuarial loss	921		1,672
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	851	$	1,721

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share	'
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands, except per share amounts	2014		2013
	Net Income
	Income from continuing operations	$	1,845	$	6,319
	Income from discontinued operations	0		348
	Net income	$	1,845	$	6,667
	Basic EPS
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding
	used in earnings per share computations	62,686		62,471
	Basic earnings per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0.1
	Discontinued operations	0		0.01
	Net income	$	0.03	$	0.11
	Diluted EPS
	Shares used in diluted earnings per share
	computations	62,971		62,669
	Basic earnings per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0.1
	Discontinued operations	0		0.01
	Net income	$	0.03	$	0.11
	Computation of Shares Used in Earnings Per
	Share Computations
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	62,686		62,471
	Weighted-average common equivalent shares-
	dilutive effect of stock options and awards	285		198
	Shares used in diluted earnings per share
	computations	62,971		62,669

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income	'
Schedule of comprehensive income	'
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Net income	$	1,845		$		6,667
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Adjustment to pension liability	921			1,672
	Tax expense	(368		)	(669			)
	Adjustment to pension liability, net of tax	553			1,003
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	186			(1,130			)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)	739			(127			)
	Total comprehensive income	$	2,584		$	6,540
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	In thousands	Defined Benefit			Foreign				Total
		Pension			Currency
		Items			Items
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(32,279	)	$	4,161			$	(28,118	)
	Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax,
	before reclassifications	0			186				186
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income, net of tax	553			0				553
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss),
	net of tax	553			186				739
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(31,726	)	$	4,347			$	(27,379	)
	In thousands	Defined Benefit			Foreign				Total
		Pension			Currency
		Items			Items
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(54,431	)	$	4,697			$	(49,734	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax,
	before reclassifications	0			(1,130		)		(1,130		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income, net of tax	1,003			0				1,003
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss),
	net of tax	1,003			(1,130		)		(127		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	(53,428	)	$	3,567			$	(49,861	)

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations	'
Summary of operating results for the Shoppers discontinued operations	'
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Revenues	$	0	$	45,980
	Income from discontinued operations before impairment
	charges and income taxes	0		783
	Income tax expense	0		435
	Income from discontinued operations	$	0	$	348
Summary of major components of cash flows for the Shoppers discontinued operations	'
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$	-	$	348
	Loss on sale	-		-
	Depreciation and software amortization	-		871
	Other, net	-		-563
	Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	$	-	$	656

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill	'	'
Goodwill	$398,164	$398,164

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term debt obligation	'	'	'
Total debt	$94,938,000	$98,000,000	'
Less current maturities	16,844,000	15,313,000	'
Total long-term debt	78,094,000	82,687,000	'
2010 Revolving Credit Facility, due August 12, 2013	'	'	'
Long-term debt obligation	'	'	'
Basis of interest rate	'LIBOR	'LIBOR	'
Total debt	'	0	'
Remaining borrowing capacity	'	'	60,500,000
2011 Term Loan Facility, due August 16, 2016	'	'	'
Long-term debt obligation	'	'	'
Basis of interest rate	'LIBOR	'LIBOR	'
Total debt	94,938,000	98,000,000	'
Effective rate of interest (as a percent)	2.15%	'	'
2013 Revolving Credit Facility, due August 16, 2016	'	'	'
Long-term debt obligation	'	'	'
Basis of interest rate	'Eurodollar rate	'Eurodollar rate	'
Total debt	0	'	'
Remaining borrowing capacity	$72,500,000	'	'
Effective rate of interest (as a percent)	2.40%	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_Details_2

Long-Term Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Value	'	'
Carrying values and estimated fair values of outstanding debt	'	'
Total debt	$94,938	$98,000
Fair Value | Level 2	'	'
Carrying values and estimated fair values of outstanding debt	'	'
Total debt	$94,938	$98,000

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1	$1.10

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Pen2

Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net pension cost of plans	'	'
Service cost	$100	$86
Interest cost	1,939	1,809
Expected return on plan assets	-2,109	-1,846
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0
Recognized actuarial loss	921	1,672
Net periodic benefit cost	$851	$1,721

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Pen3

Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Cost (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 02, 2014
	Funded, Frozen Pension Plan	Unfunded, Supplemental Pension Plan	Unfunded, Supplemental Pension Plan
			Subsequent event
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'
Contributions made	$1.10	'	'
Planned contributions in remainder of year	3.7	'	'
Expected benefit payments in remainder of year	'	1.6	'
Reduction of plan expense over the remainder of 2014	'	'	-0.4
Reduction in the projected benefit obligation	'	'	$1.10

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'
Income tax expense	$1,321	$3,521
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	41.70%	35.80%
Federal statutory rate (as a percent)	35.00%	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Income	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$1,845	$6,319	'
Income from discontinued operations	0	348	'
Net income	$1,845	$6,667	$13,370
Basic earnings per common share	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used in earnings per share computations	62,686	62,471	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.10	'
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01	'
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.11	'
Diluted earnings per common share	'	'	'
Shares used in diluted earnings per share computations	62,971	62,669	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.10	'
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01	'
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.11	'
Computation of Shares Used in Earnings Per Share Computations	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	62,686	62,471	'
Weighted-average common equivalent shares - dilutive effect of stock options and awards	285	198	'
Shares used in diluted earnings per share computations	62,971	62,669	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_2

Earnings Per Share (Details 2)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Stock Options	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the EPS calculations	3.6	4.4
Non Vested Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the EPS calculations	0	0.4

Comprehensive_Income_Details

Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Comprehensive Income	'	'	'
Net income	$1,845	$6,667	$13,370
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Adjustment to pension liability	921	1,672	'
Tax expense	-368	-669	'
Adjustment to pension liability, net of tax	553	1,003	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	186	-1,130	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	739	-127	'
Comprehensive income	2,584	6,540	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-28,118	-49,734	-49,734
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, before reclassifications	186	-1,130	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	553	1,003	'
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	739	-127	21,616
Balance at end of period	-27,379	-49,861	-28,118
Defined Benefit Pension Items	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-32,279	-54,431	-54,431
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, before reclassifications	0	0	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	553	1,003	'
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	553	1,003	'
Balance at end of period	-31,726	-53,428	'
Foreign Currency Items	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	4,161	4,697	4,697
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, before reclassifications	186	-1,130	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	'
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	186	-1,130	'
Balance at end of period	$4,347	$3,567	'

Litigation_Contingencies_Detai

Litigation Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Litigation Contingencies	'
Litigation liability	$0

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Summarized operating results for the Shoppers discontinued operations	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$0	$348
Major components of cash flows for the Shoppers discontinued operations	'	'
Income from discontinued operations	0	348
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	656
Shoppers	'	'
Summarized operating results for the Shoppers discontinued operations	'	'
Revenues	0	45,980
Income from discontinued operations before impairment charges and income taxes	0	783
Income tax expense	0	435
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	348
Major components of cash flows for the Shoppers discontinued operations	'	'
Income from discontinued operations	0	348
Depreciation and software amortization	0	871
Other, net	0	-563
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	$0	$656