1 FORM 10-QSB SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 (Mark One) [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999 -------------------- OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ____________ to _____________ Commission file number 2-74785-B ---------- Next Generation Media Corp. ----------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 88-0169543 - ------------------------------- ------------------ (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 8380 Alban Road Springfield, VA 22150 ---------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (703) 913-0416 -------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) -------------------- (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) Check whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No X ----- ----- The total number of issued and outstanding shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.01, as of December 15, 1999 was 4,416,818. 2 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS September 30, December 31, 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS CURRENT Cash $ 72,130 $ 326 Notes receivable from UNICO - 175,500 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $93,745 and $65,534 718,222 122,443 Inventories 74,337 2,253 Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $120,000 and $53,577 - 66,423 Deferred offering costs - 185,520 Deferred consulting fees (Note 3) 200,000 - Deferred compensation (Note 3) 111,797 - Prepaid and other current assets 16,315 2,253 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,192,801 552,465 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION OF $301,945 AND 57,813 1,733,944 170,572 OTHER Deferred acquisition costs - 1,094,167 Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $130,465 and $24,561 1,145,953 155,862 Investment in UNICO - 25,537 Deposits 8,105 - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL ASSETS $4,080,803 $1,998,603 ==================================================================================================================== 3 NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS September 30, December 31, 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT CURRENT LIABILITIES Checks issued against future deposits $ - $ 28,919 Current portion of long term debt 782,972 237,153 Current obligations under capital leases 34,655 41,425 Accounts payable 692,431 236,523 Accrued expenses 246,411 - Wages payable 228,480 244,616 Due to related parties 152,581 129,570 Deferred revenue 36,771 15,787 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,174,301 933,993 LONG TERM DEBT Long term debt 39,613 - Obligations under capital leases 1,819 18,339 Deferred rent 383,067 - Accrued dividends 215,944 96,569 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,814,744 1,048,901 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK SERIES A, par value $.01, redemption value $6 per share, 500,000 shares authorized, 250,000 shares issued and outstanding 904,167 782,292 REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK SERIES B, par value $.01, redemption value $5 per share, 500,000 shares authorized, 65,000 and 70,000 shares issued and outstanding 325,000 233,333 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMITMENTS STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized 4,218,818 and 3,629,318 issued and outstanding (Note 3) 42,186 36,291 Additional paid in capital 4,951,792 3,625,363 Accumulated deficit (4,957,086) (3,727,577) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) 36,892 (65,923) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) $4,080,803 $1,998,603 ==================================================================================================================== 4 NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three months Nine months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, 1999 1998 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Restated) (Restated) REVENUES: Coupon sales $1,532,603 $ - $3,572,009 $ - Franchise fees 26,500 - 75,000 - Other revenue 163,105 - 402,291 - Advertising revenues 438,802 332,778 1,312,509 1,094,275 Classified revenues 75,714 63,123 186,643 173,034 Commission income 13,702 14,605 60,012 109,778 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL REVENUES 2,250,426 410,506 5,608,464 1,377,083 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING EXPENSES: Printing costs 636,376 89,567 1,740,007 269,663 Postage and delivery 933,740 132,121 1,892,825 369,408 Other production costs 51,210 63,026 287,766 168,144 Selling expenses 54,657 46,448 177,311 133,962 General and administrative expenses 728,383 232,695 1,533,291 876,572 Depreciation and amortization 150,342 15,962 325,284 42,956 Franchise development 58,135 - 122,984 - Compensation expense relating to the issuance of stock options 26,953 - 210,703 1,399,220 Forgiveness of stock subscription receivable - - - 329,996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 2,639,796 579,819 6,290,171 3,589,921 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOSS FROM OPERATIONS (389,370) (169,313) (681,707) (2,212,838) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Other income (expense) 94 2,212 694 10,340 Interest income - - - 6,014 Interest expense (71,041) (89,908) (190,579) (93,822) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) (70,947) (87,696) (189,885) (77,468) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET LOSS (460,317) (257,007) (871,592) (2,290,306) Preferred stock dividends (39,375) (29,589) (119,375) (56,569) Preferred stock deemed dividends (40,625) (128,125) (238,542) (213,541) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss applicable to common shareholders $ (540,317) $ (414,721) $(1,229,509) $(2,560,416) ==================================================================================================================== BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ (.13) $ (.12) $ (.31) $ (.79) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 4,169,622 3,408,307 3,990,997 3,251,741 ==================================================================================================================== 5 NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Restated) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net loss $(871,592) $(2,290,306) ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET LOSS TO NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Compensation expense relating to the issuance of stock and stock options 210,703 1,399,220 Stock issued for services 100,000 - Forgiveness of subscription receivable - 329,996 Depreciation and amortization 325,282 45,600 Amortization of deferred consulting fees 100,000 83,333 Amortization of deferred loan costs 66,423 46,154 Amortization of discount on notes payable 20,946 38,462 Provision for doubtful accounts 19,994 - (INCREASE) DECREASE IN ASSETS Accounts receivable (326,230) 31,386 Inventories 109,386 - Prepaids and other current assets (1,752) (6,014) INCREASE (DECREASE) IN LIABILITIES Accounts payable (67,444) 47,959 Accrued expenses (24,488) - Wages payable (16,136) 278,480 Deferred revenue 20,984 - Deferred rent 3,477 - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (330,447) 8,902 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of United, net of cash acquired (178,159) - Acquisition of property and equipment (44,148) (59,877) Deferred acquisition costs - (39,233) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (222,307) (99,110) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Checks issued against future deposits (28,919) (9,230) Net borrowings under line of credit 100,000 - Issuance of notes receivable - (455,500) Issuance of preferred stock and warrants - 339,955 Repayment of callable preferred stock (25,000) - Proceeds from notes payable - 255,000 Proceeds from issuance of common stock 695,344 - Capital contribution 100,000 - Net advances from related parties 23,011 61,299 Payments of capital lease obligation (23,290) - Repayment of long term debt (216,588) (25,449) Repayment of employee note payable - (75,851) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 624,558 90,224 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCREASE IN CASH 71,804 16 CASH, beginning of period 326 - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH, end of period $ 72,130 16 ==================================================================================================================== 6 NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES BUSINESS The Company operates a newspaper publishing business DESCRIPTION distributing free newspapers, supported by local advertising throughout New Jersey. The Company also is engaged in the cooperative direct mail marketing business. BASIS OF The consolidated financial statements include the statements PRESENTATION of Next Generation Media Corporation (the "Company") and its wholly owned subsidiaries Independent News, Inc. ("INI") and United Marketing Solutions, Inc. (United). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. INTERIM FINANCIAL In the opinion of management, the interim financial INFORMATION information as of September 30, 1999 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for an entire year. LOSS PER COMMON Loss per share has been computed using the weighted average SHARE number of shares outstanding. The outstanding stock options were not considered in the computation because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IN THE PREPARATION enerally accepted accounting principles requires management OF FINANCIAL to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported STATEMENTS amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. RISKS AND The local newspaper publishing industry and direct mailing UNCERTAINTIES industry are highly competitive. Revenue generally fluctuates based on local economic conditions. In recent years the local publishing industry has experienced consolidation of smaller newspaper businesses into larger, better capitalized companies. These larger newspaper publishing companies attempt to increase market share by reducing advertising rates which, if successful, would have an adverse impact on the Company. RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. 7 NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. ACQUISITION OF On April 1, 1999, the Company acquired all of the UNITED MARKETING outstanding common stock of United for $336,665 in cash and SOLUTIONS, INC. the assumption of debt totaling $912,702. United is engaged in the cooperative direct mail marketing business. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. Net assets were recorded at fair value and the Company recorded goodwill of $1,071,241 related to the acquisition. The financial statements include the operations of United subsequent to the acquisition date. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents the consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 1998. These results do not necessarily reflect what would have occurred had the acquisition actually been made as of such dates and is not necessarily indicative of results which may be obtained in the future. Nine months ended September 30, 1999 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues 7,565,105 7,843,012 Net loss (963,354) (1,977,236) Net loss applicable to common shareholders (1,240,928) (2,167,003) Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders (.31) (.67) =============================================================================== 2. RESTATEMENT As a result of the audit of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company made several adjustments to amounts initially recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 1998. Firstly, during the second quarter of 1998, the Company did not record compensation expense relating to the issuance of stock and stock options as it believed that the exercise price was equivalent to the fair value at the issuance date. During December 1998, the Company issued common stock to various individual investors at $2 per share. Based on this issuance, the company retroactively determined that the market value of the stock options was $2 and recorded compensation expense of $1,399,220. Secondly, during the second quarter of 1998, the Company initially recorded an extraordinary loss of $1,034,000 in relation to the write-off of a receivable from Unico, the parent company of United. Subsequent to that date, it was determined that the amount should be considered a deferred acquisition cost. Finally, accrued dividends and deemed dividends relating to preferred stock were not originally reported. 8 NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following table summarizes the effect of the restatement on net loss and loss per share: Three months Nine months September 30, September 30, 1998 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss as originally reported $ (257,007) $(1,925,086) Compensation expense relating to the the issuance of stock and stock options - (1,399,220) Reclassification of extraordinary loss to deferred acquisition cost - 1,034,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Restated net loss (257,007) (2,290,306) Preferred stock dividends (29,589) (56,569) Preferred stock deemed dividends (128,125) (213,541) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss applicable to common shareholders $(414,721) $(2,560,416) Loss per share As originally reported $ (.07) $ (.59) Restated $ (.12) $ (.79) =============================================================================== 3. COMMON STOCK During March 1999, the Company issued 64,000 shares of common stock through a private placement to various individual investors at $2 per share. Net proceeds from the private placement after deductions for both cash and non-cash issuance expenses, amounted to $52,933. During April and May 1999, the Company issued 267,500 shares of common stock through a private placement to various individual investors at $2 per share. Net proceeds from the private placement after deductions for both cash and non-cash issuance expenses, amounted to $330,010. In April 1999, the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock in exchange for consulting services to be rendered over a one year period. The common stock was valued at $2 based on private sales to unrelated investors. An amount of $300,000 of deferred consulting fees was recorded at June 30, 1999 relating to this issuance. During April 1999, a majority shareholder contributed $100,000 to additional paid in capital. 9 NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 3. COMMON STOCK, During June 1999, the Company issued 122,500 options to CONTINUED employees and directors to purchase common stock at a price of $.50 per share. These options were immediately vested. In addition, 92,500 options were issued to purchase common stock at a price of $.50 per share which vest over a two year period. The market value of the stock was determined to be $2 based on private sales to unrelated investors. The Company recorded compensation expense of $183,500 in relation to the vested options and recorded deferred compensation of $138,750 for unvested options, which will be recorded as compensation expense over the vesting period. From July through September 1999, the Company issued 58,000 shares of common stock through a private placement to various individuals investors at $2.50 per share. Net proceeds from the private placement after deductions for issuance expenses amounted to $123,881. 4. SEGMENT The Company has two reportable segments for the nine months INFORMATION ended September 30, 1999: INI and United. United was acquired on April 1, 1999. Each entity is a wholly-owned subsidiary, with different management teams and different products and services. INI operates a newspaper publishing business and United operates a direct mail marketing business. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those set forth in the Summary of Accounting Policies. Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reporting segments for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 is presented below. The Company has no sales outside of the United States. The Company operated in one segment for the nine months ended September 30, 1998. Nine months ended September 30, 1999 United INI Parent Eliminations Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues 4,049,300 1,559,164 - - $5,608,464 Segment profit (loss) 1,046 (14,430) (858,208) - (871,592) Total assets 2,262,412 464,663 2,521,927 (1,168,199) $4,080,803 10 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION. Total revenues increased 448%, to $2,250,426 in the quarter ended September 30, 1999 from $410,506 during the third quarter of 1998. These increases were due to the addition of revenues from and the acquisition of United Marketing Solutions, Inc. ("United") by the issuer, and a general increase in business activity at Independent News, Inc. ("INI"). Total operating expenses increased 355%, to $2,639,796 in the quarter ended September 30, 1999 from $579,819 during the third quarter of 1998. Printing costs, postage and delivery, other production costs, selling expenses, and depreciation and amortization, which aggregate to $1,884,460, increased 442%, from $347,124 in the comparable 1998 period. General and administrative expenses increased 213%, to $728,383 from $232,695 in the quarter ended September 30 of 1998. These increases are comparable to the increase in revenue and were primarily caused by the acquisition of United. Interest expense decreased to $71,041 in the quarter ended September 30, 1999 from $89,908 in the quarter ended September 30, 1998. Total revenues increased 307%, to $5,608,464 in the nine month period ended September 30, 1999 from $1,377,083 in the same period of 1998. These increases were primarily due to the acquisition of United by the issuer. Total revenue decreased 3.5%, to $7,565,105 for the period ended September 30, 1999 from $7,843,012 on a pro forma basis for the same period in 1998. Total operating expenses increased 75% to $6,290,171 in the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 from $3,589,921 in the same period of 1998. Printing costs, postage and delivery, other production costs, selling expenses, and depreciation and amortization, which aggregate to $4,546,177, increased 361%, from $984,133 in the comparable 1998 period. General and administrative expenses increased 75%, to $1,533,291 from $876,572 in the period ended September 30 of 1998. These increases are comparable to the increase in revenue and are a result of the acquisition of United, offset by a reduction in compensation expense relating to the issuance of stock options. Total expenses decreased 13%, to $8,528,459 for the period ended 11 September 30,1999 from $9,820,248 on a pro forma basis for the same period in 1998. This decrease is primarily attributed to a decrease in compensation expense related to the issuance of stock options and forgiveness of stock subscription receivables. Interest expense increased to $190,579 in the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 from $93,822 in the comparable 1998 period. This increase is due to borrowings incurred during calendar year 1998. The Company's principal sources of liquidity are proceeds from the issuance of common stock. In the third quarter of 1999, the Company realized proceeds of $123,881, after deductions of cash and non-cash issuance expenses, on the sale of 58,000 shares of common stock at a per share price of $2.50. Cash used by operating activities was $330,447 for the period ended September 30, 1999 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $8,902 for the period ended September 30, 1998. This change was primarily due to the net loss of $871,592, the expense related to stock issued for services, and an increase in accounts receivable, offset by a reduction in compensation expense relating to the issuance of stock and stock options, depreciation and amortization, and non-cash charges relating to amortization of deferred loan costs and discounts on notes payable. Cash used in investing activities was $222,307 for the period ended September 30, 1999, compared to $99,110 for the period ended September 30, 1998, as the Company used $178,159 in cash to acquire United, and acquired property and equipment of $44,148. Cash provided by financing activities was $624,558 for the period ended September 30, 1999, compared to $90,224 for the period ended September 30, 1998. This increase was primarily due to the proceeds received from the issuance of common stock offset by payment of long-term debt. The Company had a net loss per share, on a basic and diluted basis, through the third fiscal quarter of 1998 of $0.79. During the period covered by this report, the Company had a net loss per share of $0.31 on both a basic and diluted basis. The Company has no unused capital resources. 12 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS During the quarter ended September 30, 1999, the Company issued 58,000 shares of common stock through a private placement to various accredited investors at a price of $2.50 per share. The securities were sold pursuant to an exemption from registration pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Net proceeds from the private placement after deductions for both cash and non-cash issuance expenses, amounted to $123,881. Proceeds were used for operating activities of the Company. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. (a) Exhibits: EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION LOCATION - ------ ----------- -------- 3.1 Articles of Incorporation Incorporated by reference in the filing (under the name Micro Tech of the Company's annual report on Form Industries Inc.) 10-KSB filed on April 15, 1998. 3.2 Amendment to the Articles Incorporated by reference in the filing of Incorporation of the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 1997. 3.3 Amended and Restated Bylaws Incorporated by reference in the filing of the Company of the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB filed on November 12, 1999. 24.1 Power of Attorney Included on the signature page hereto. 27.1 Financial Data Schedule Included herein. (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None filed during the reporting period. 13 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. NEXT GENERATION MEDIA CORP. Date: December 30, 1999 By: /s/ Gerard R. Bernier ------------------------- Gerard R. Bernier, President and Director (principal executive officer) Date: December 30, 1999 By: * ------------------------- Kenneth Brochin, Director Date: December 30, 1999 By: * ------------------------- Leon Zajdel, Director Date: December 30, 1999 By: * ------------------------- Peter Collins, Director Date: December 30, 1999 By: * ------------------------- Steve Kronzek, Director Date: December 30, 1999 By: * ------------------------- Frank A. Miller, Chief Financial Officer Date: December 30, 1999 By: * /s/ Gerard S. Bernier ------------------------- Gerard R. Bernier, Attorney- in-fact 14 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gerard R. Bernier his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this periodic report on Form 10-QSB, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date - --------- ----- ---- /s/ Kenneth Brochin Secretary, Treasurer 12/30/99 - -------------------- and Director Kenneth Brochin /s/ Leon Zajdel Director 12/30/99 - -------------------- Leon Zajdel /s/ Peter Collins Director 12/30/99 - -------------------- Peter Collins /s/ Steve Kronzek Director 12/30/99 - -------------------- Steve Kronzek /s/ Frank A. Miller Chief Financial Officer 12/30/99 - -------------------- Frank A. Miller 15 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NO. ------ ----------- -------- 24.1 Power of Attorney 27.1 Financial Data Schedule