Exhibit 99 contains press release as issued on May 24, 2001
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BRILL MEDIA COMPANY, LLC
BRILL MEDIA MANAGEMENT, INC.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Don TenBarge
812-423-6200
William W. Galvin
The Galvin Partnership
203-618-9800
Brill Media Company, LLC Reports Fiscal 2001 Results:
Revenues Up 2%, Media Cashflow Down 9%,
Fourth Quarter Revenues Stable, Media Cash flow Down 25%
Evansville, IN, May 24, 2001 - Brill Media Company, LLC and Brill Media
Management, Inc., (together referred to as the "Company"), operator of radio
stations, newspapers and related businesses in middle markets, today reported
mixed results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 28, 2001.
For the year ended February 28, 2001, revenues increased 2% to $45.8 million
from $44.9 million for the prior year while media cashflow decreased 9% to $11.0
million from $12.1 million in fiscal 2000. For the fourth quarter, revenue was
unchanged with the same quarter last year at $10.2 million and media cashflow
declined 25% to $1.7 million from $2.2 million in fiscal 2000.
For the fourth quarter ended February 28, 2001, the newspaper operations were up
3% with media cashflow declining by 43% from the same quarter last year. For the
full year, the newspapers experienced a 4% revenue increase and a 14% media
cashflow decline. The continuing radio operations, excluding last year's TBA
fees from the Missouri radio stations which have been sold, experienced flat
revenues and a 4% decrease in media cashflow for the comparative quarter and had
a revenue increase of 2% and growth in media cashflow of 4% for the full year.
The Company had a net loss of $11.5 million for the year compared with a $4.3
million loss last year and $3.3 million loss for the quarter just ended as
compared with a $2.5
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million net income for the prior comparative period. This difference is
primarily due to the gain on sale of the Missouri stations in the prior fiscal
year.
Alan R. Brill, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We have been
working over the past fiscal year to effect positive changes in the operating
structure and culture of both our newspapers and radio stations. We now
generally have in place the people and facilities that we have wanted. Over the
past twelve months, we have finalized consolidation of many of our operating
locations and the organizations in those locations are now much more effective.
While we have experienced some additional unplanned costs during the
consolidation process, we anticipate a steady increase in our operational
efficiencies. In all of our markets, the economic situation has held the
increase in revenues to less than planned and insufficient to offset our
expenditures, which remained in line with plan.
"As with many media companies, we have been faced with a slower economy and a
very weak demand for advertising, particularly in our fourth quarter. We believe
this decline to be a short-term situation but question if we will see resumption
of the very robust growth rates of a year ago. Our soft revenue situation is
compounded by an upward pressure on our operating costs, resulting in a
temporary contraction of our margins. Our fiscal fourth quarter, which is
historically one of our weakest periods, was especially vulnerable to this
contraction.
"We have long held that our investment in our people will reap the greatest
rewards. This investment has continued to be made and I still believe in the
long term will produce the results we desire. In the near term, we are closely
monitoring operating expenditures. While we continue to seek efficiencies in our
operations, we have elected not to strip our operations of the effectiveness
that we believe we have built over the past year by now slashing costs to
maintain cash-flow and margins. We continue to be among the top positions in
most of our markets. The combination of these items will lend themselves to
improved results over the long-term," Mr. Brill concluded.
Brill Media is a diversified media enterprise that currently owns, operates or
managers thirteen radio stations in four markets and 27 publications in a large
Michigan marketplace. All of the capital stock of the Company is owned by the
President, Alan R. Brill.
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BRILL MEDIA COMPANY, LLC
HISTORICAL FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended February 28 Twelve Months Ended February 28
Fiscal 2001 Fiscal 2000 % Change Fiscal 2001 Fiscal 2000 % Change
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Revenues $10,192 $10,182 .1 $45,814 $44,918 2.0
Media Cashflow 1,686 2,247 (25.0) 10,961 12,079 (9.3)
EBITDA 1,627 1,085 49.9 7,940 7,983 (0.5)
Operating Income 721 211 242.4 4,369 4,662 (6.3)
Net Income (Loss) (3,286) 2,459 (11,518) (4,345)
The term Media Cashflow represents EBITDA plus incentive plan expense,
management fees, time brokerage fees paid, acquisition related consulting
expense and interest income from loans made by the Company to managed
affiliates. EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation and
amortization expense. As used above Media Cashflow and EBITDA include the
results of unrestricted subsidiaries and therefore differ from the same terms as
defined in the Indenture for the Company's Senior Notes. Media Cashflow is not a
measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP and in addition, the
term Media Cashflow may not be comparable to related or similar measures as
reported by other companies.
The matters discussed in this press release include forward-looking statements.
In addition, when used in this press release, the words "intends to,"
"believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ materially
and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result
of various important factors, including the impact of changes in national and
regional economies, successful integration of acquired radio stations and
newspapers (including achievement of synergies and cost reductions), pricing
fluctuations in local and national advertising, volatility in programming costs,
the availability of suitable acquisitions on acceptable terms and the risk
factors set forth in the Company's Registration Statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements
that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances.
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