1 Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996 or ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Commission File Number: 23346 EQUITY MARKETING, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.) DELAWARE 13-3534145 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) identification No.) 131 SOUTH RODEO DRIVE BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (310) 887-4300 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ---- ---- Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date: Common Stock, $.001 Par Value, 5,641,512 shares as of November 11, 1996 2 EQUITY MARKETING, INC. Index To Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Three Months Ended September 30, 1996 Page ---- Part I. Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements 3 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9 Part II. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 12 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 12 2 3 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS EQUITY MARKETING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS) ASSETS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1995 ------------------ ----------------- (UNAUDITED) CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,470 $ 3,940 Marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . --- 11,935 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $443 and $200 as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,595 1,749 Production-in-process and inventory . . . . . . . . . . 11,023 3,296 Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . 2,197 2,119 ------- ------- Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,285 23,039 FIXED ASSETS, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,183 1,980 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net . . . . . . . . 5,659 391 OTHER ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 729 852 ------- ------- Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $42,856 $26,262 ======= ======= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated balance sheets. 3 4 EQUITY MARKETING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1995 ------------------ ----------------- (UNAUDITED) CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,741 $ 5,726 Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,618 3,896 Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 971 ------- ------- Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,587 10,593 LONG TERM LIABILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,006 787 ------- ------- Total Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,593 11,380 ------- ------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, $.001 par value per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding . . . . . . --- --- Common stock, par value $.001 per share, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 5,588,512 and 5,509,682 shares outstanding as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively --- --- Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,604 8,241 Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,005 7,990 ------- ------- 21,609 16,231 Less-- Treasury stock, 1,897,670 and 1,907,100 shares, at cost, as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively (1,282) (1,285) Stock subscription receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (64) (64) ------- ------- Total stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . 20,263 14,882 ------- ------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity . . . $42,856 $26,262 ======= ======= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated balance sheets. 4 5 EQUITY MARKETING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, ------------- ------------- 1996 1995 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- REVENUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,099 $19,254 $76,714 $46,750 COST OF SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,278 15,136 56,926 35,441 ------- ------- ------- ------- Gross Profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,821 4,118 19,788 11,309 ------- ------- ------- ------- OPERATING EXPENSES: Salaries, wages and benefits . . . . . . . . . 2,328 1,912 7,523 4,777 Selling, general and administrative . . . . . 1,734 1,338 4,638 3,641 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . 4,062 3,250 12,161 8,418 ------- ------- ------- ------- Income from operations . . . . . . . . . 1,759 868 7,627 2,891 INTEREST INCOME, net 66 139 224 288 ------- ------- ------- ------- Income before provision for income taxes 1,825 1,007 7,851 3,179 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . 667 404 2,836 1,266 ------- ------- ------- ------- Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,158 $ 603 $ 5,015 $ 1,913 ====== ======= ======= ======= NET INCOME PER SHARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .20 $ .11 $ .85 $ .34 ====== ======= ======= ======= WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING . . . . . . . . . . . 5,924,223 5,710,735 5,903,944 5,696,860 ========= ========= ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements. 5 6 EQUITY MARKETING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 1996 1995 ---- ---- Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,015 $ 1,913 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 374 Provision for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . 243 --- Non-cash rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 --- Loss on disposition of fixed assets . . . . . . . . . --- 14 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 --- Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents -- Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (13,980) 8,842 Production-in-process and inventory . . . . (5,800) (2,024) Prepaid expenses and other assets . . . . . 670 (466) Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 59 Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,915 (2,138) Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,041 (602) Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . (743) 1,956 -------- -------- Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (6,658) 7,928 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . (31,807) (23,719) Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities 43,742 13,326 Purchases of Fixed Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (506) (1,246) Payment for purchase of EPI Group Limited (4,840) -- -------- -------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing 6,589 (11,639) CASH PurchasesMofItreasuryAstockTIE.:. . . . . . . . . . . . --- (368) Proceeds from exercise of stock options . . . . . . . 76 --- Tax benefit from exercise of stock options . . . . . . 240 --- -------- -------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 316 (368) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 (4,079) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period . . . . . . . 3,940 5,765 CASH ACQUIRED IN PURCHASE, OF EPI GROUP LIMITED . . . . . . 283 --- -------- -------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period . . . . . . . . . $ 4,470 $ 1,686 ======== ======== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: CASH PAID FOR: Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 91 $ 20 ======== ======== Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,317 $ 2,277 ======== ======== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements. 6 7 EQUITY MARKETING, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (000'S OMITTED EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES In the opinion of management and subject to year-end audit, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. Certain reclassifications have been made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements to conform them with the current period presentation. PRODUCTION IN PROCESS AND INVENTORY Production-in-process represents direct costs related to product development, procurement and tooling which are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related products. Inventory represents products held for sale to customers and finished products in transit to customers' distribution centers. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market on a first in, first out basis. NET INCOME PER SHARE Net income per share was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during each period. Common share equivalents represent stock options and warrants and are included in the weighted average shares pursuant to the treasury stock method. NOTE 2 - ACQUISITION On September 18, 1996, the Company acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of EPI Group Limited ("EPI"), a Delaware corporation, for approximately $2,900 in cash plus additional contingent cash consideration based on the results of EPI's operations, as defined in the stock purchase agreement, during the three year period ending December 31, 1999 ("the Acquisition"). The Acquisition is being accounted for as a purchase and accordingly, the results of operations of EPI for the period from September 18, 1996 to September 30, 1996 are included in the consolidated operating results of the Company for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1996. The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to the acquired net assets based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. As of September 30, 1996, the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired was $5,445 and is being amortized on a straight line basis over 20 years. 7 8 The following unaudited pro-forma information presents a summary of the consolidated results of operations of the Company and EPI as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of 1995 and includes pro-forma adjustments to give effect to the amortization of goodwill, and decreased interest income associated with funding the Acquisition and certain other adjustments, together with the related income tax effects. The pro-forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and may not be indicative of the results of operations as they would have been if the Company and EPI had been a single entity during 1995 and during the nine months ended September 30, 1996, nor is it necessarily indicative of the results of operations which may occur in the future. NINE MONTHS ENDED ----------------- SEPTEMBER 30, ------------- 1996 1995 ---- ---- Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 80,761 $ 51,309 Income from Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,203 $ 3,792 Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,657 $ 2,371 Net Income Per Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .79 $ .42 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . 5,903,944 5,696,860 The Company is in the process of working with independent consultants to obtain valuations of the individual assets. The allocation of the excess purchase price may change based upon these valuations. This acquisition has been structured as a non-taxable transaction and deferred taxes may need to be recorded for the basis differential (if any) of the net assets acquired. 8 9 ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include forward looking statements. Actual results could vary from those expected due to a variety of factors or risks including, for example, the potential cancellation of promotions due to delays in the timing of theatrical motion picture releases, the ability to renew licenses under favorable terms, the Company's dependence on a single customer, quarterly fluctuations in financial results, changes in international tariff rates, difficulties of integrating acquisitions and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the Company's operating results as a percentage of total revenues: THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------ ----------------- 1996 1995 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71.0% 78.6% 74.2% 75.8% ----- ----- ----- ----- Gross Profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.0% 21.4% 25.8% 24.2% Operating Expenses: Salaries, wages and benefits . . . . . . . 11.6% 9.9% 9.8% 10.2% Selling, general and administrative . . . 8.6% 7.0% 6.0% 7.8% ----- ----- ----- ----- Total operating expenses . . . . . . . 20.2% 16.9% 15.8% 18.0% ----- ----- ----- ----- Income from operations . . . . . . . . 8.8% 4.5% 10.0% 6.2% Interest Income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3% 0.7% 0.3% 0.6% ----- ----- ----- ----- Income before provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.1% 5.2% 10.3% 6.8% Provision for Income Taxes 3.3% 2.1% 3.7% 2.7% ----- ----- ----- ----- Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8% 3.1% 6.6% 4.1% ===== ===== ===== ===== Three months ended September 30, 1996 compared to three months ended September 30, 1995 (000's omitted): Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 1996 increased $845 to $20,099 from $19,254 in 1995 as a result of increases in Toys revenue partially offset by decreases in Promotions revenue. Promotions revenue decreased $2,297 to $13,939 from $16,236 in 1995 due to fewer international promotions during the three months ended September 30, 1996 compared to the same period in 1995. Toys revenue 9 10 increased $3,142 to $6,160 from $3,018 in 1995 primarily due to increases in sales under the Company's multi-year Warner Bros. International Looney Tunes license to various international distributors and sales of products based on the PBS television property, Wishbone. Cost of sales decreased $858 to $14,278 (71.0% of revenues) for the three months ended September 30, 1996 from $15,136 (78.6% of revenues) in the comparable period in 1995 primarily due to higher gross margins realized on the higher volume of Toys sales in 1996. Salaries, wages and benefits increased $416 to $2,328 (11.6% of revenues) in 1996 from $1,912 (9.9% of revenues) in 1995 primarily due to the addition of 17 employees to support the increased sales volume and higher incentive compensation recorded as a result of the increased income in 1996. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $396 to $1,734 (8.6% of revenues) in 1996 from $1,338 (7.0% of revenues) in 1995 primarily due to higher infrastructure requirements and increased selling costs associated with the higher Toys sales volume in 1996. Income from operations increased $891 to $1,759 (8.8% of revenues) for the three months ended September 30, 1996 from $868 (4.5% of revenues) in the comparable period in 1995 primarily due to higher gross margin Toys sales in 1996. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 1996 was 36.6% compared to the effective tax rate of 40.1% in 1995. The effective tax rate was lower in 1996 as a result of differences in the locations to which products were shipped in 1996. Nine months ended September 30, 1996 compared to nine months ended September 30, 1995 (000's omitted): Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased $29,964 to $76,714 from $46,750 in the comparable period in the prior year due to increases in both Promotions and Toys revenues. Promotions revenue increased $25,286 to $63,246 from $37,960 in 1995 due to a high volume promotion associated with a major motion picture release in June 1996 as well as to an increase in the overall number of promotions sold in 1996. Toys revenues increased $4,678 to $13,468 from $8,790 in 1995 primarily due to increases in sales under the Company's multi-year Warner Bros. International Looney Tunes license to various international distributors and sales of products on the PBS television property, Wishbone. Cost of sales increased $21,485 to $56,926 (74.2% of revenues) for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, from $35,441 (75.8% of revenues) in the comparable period in 1995. Gross margins for the nine months increased to 25.8% in 1996 from 24.2% in 1995 primarily as a result of higher margins on Toys sales in 1996. Salaries, wages and benefits increased $2,746 to $7,523 (9.8% of revenues) in 1996 from $4,777 (10.2% of revenues) in 1995 due to increases in the number of employees and higher incentive compensation recorded as a result of the increased income in 1996. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $997 to $4,638 (6.0% of revenues) in 1996 from $3,641 (7.8% of revenues) in 1995 primarily due to higher infrastructure requirements and increased selling costs associated with the higher retail Toys sales volume in 1996. 10 11 Income from operations increased $4,736 to $7,627 (10.0% of revenues) for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, from $2,891 (6.2% of revenues) in the comparable period in 1995, primarily due to the higher sales volume and higher gross profit margins in 1996. The effective tax rate for the nine month period ended September 30, 1996 was 36.1% compared to the effective tax rate of 39.8% for the nine month period ended September 30, 1995. The effective tax rate was lower in 1996 as a result of differences in the locations to which products were shipped in 1996. FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY (000'S OMITTED): At September 30, 1996 working capital was $12,698 as compared to $12,446 at December 31, 1995. The increase in working capital is primarily a result of profits for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 partially offset by current liabilities in excess of current assets acquired in the Acquisition discussed in Note 2 above. As of September 30, 1996, the Company's investment in accounts receivable increased $14,846 compared to December 31, 1995 due to a large promotion associated with a motion picture home video release in September 1996 and due to the acquisition of accounts receivable in connection with the Acquisition. As of October 31, 1996, the majority of these accounts receivables had been collected. The cost of manufacturing for this promotion was funded through the use of the company's cash. Production-in-process and inventory increased $7,727 due to purchases of inventory in transit to customer's distribution centers in connection with a promotion associated with a major motion picture home video release in October 1996. As of October 31, 1996, the majority of this inventory had been sold. The increase in production-in-process and inventory was also attributable to inventory acquired in the Acquisition. At September 30, 1996 accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased $11,737 compared to December 31, 1995. This increase was primarily attributable to manufacturing costs associated with shipments related to the promotions run in September and October 1996 discussed in the paragraph above and due to liabilities acquired in connection with the Acquisition. In addition to the Acquisition, the Company is exploring the possibility of acquiring other companies to further diversify its business, although no assurance can be given that the Company will find suitable acquisition candidates or that it will be successful in consummating such transactions. If the Company is successful in finding suitable acquisition candidates, such transactions would be financed, depending on availability and market conditions, through the use of the Company's existing funds, issuing additional equity or debt, bank financing or a combination of these sources. CREDIT FACILITIES On January 26, 1996, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Sanwa Bank California and Imperial Bank which makes available to the Company a line of credit of up to $25 million. The line of credit is secured by substantially all of the Company's assets and expires on April 30, 1998. Subject to the financing requirements of any potential acquisitions, the Company believes that the line of credit and internally generated funds will provide adequate financing for its current and expected levels of operations. 11 12 PART II. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS The Company's 1996 Annual Meeting Shareholders was held on July 16, 1996. Each of the following persons was re- elected for an additional one-year term as a director of the Company: NAME VOTES FOR VOTES WITHHELD ---- --------- -------------- Lawrence Elins 5,323,866 1,000 Merrill M. Kraines 5,323,366 1,500 Donald A. Kurz 5,323,866 1,000 Bruce Raben 5,323,866 1,000 Stephen P. Robeck 5,323,866 1,000 The selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent auditor was ratified by a vote of 5,320,586 shares for, 900 shares against and 3,380 shares abstaining. A proposal to amend the Equity Marketing, Inc. Stock Option Plan to permit additional grants and issuances thereunder was approved by a vote of 4,536,521 shares for, 41,150 shares against, 8,830 shares abstaining and 738,365 shares not voted. In addition, a proposal to amend the Equity Marketing, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan to permit additional grants and issuances thereunder was approved by a vote of 4,156,453 shares for, 51,980 shares against, 9,100 shares abstaining and 1,107,333 shares not voted. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: 10.1 Employment Agreement dated August 5, 1996 between Equity Marketing, Inc. and Albert R. Ovadia 10.2 Employment Agreement dated September 18, 1996 between Equity Marketing, Inc. and Christopher Reynolds 10.3 Employment Agreement dated September 18, 1996 between Equity Marketing, Inc. and Merryl L. Reynolds 10.4 Employment Agreement dated September 18, 1996 between Equity Marketing, Inc. and Ronda L. Drummond 12 13 10.5 First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated September 18, 1996 between Equity Marketing, Inc., Sanwa Bank California and Imperial Bank 10.6 Equity Marketing, Inc. Stock Option Plan (1) 10.7 Equity Marketing, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (2) 10.8 Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 18, 1996 between Equity Marketing, Inc. and the Stockholders of EPI Group Limited (3) 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K: Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 1996. ______________________________ (1) Previously filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration Statement No. 33-315499) which is an incorporated herein by reference. (2) Previously filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration Statement No. 33-315493) which is incorporated herein by reference. (3) Previously filed as an exhibit to Registrant's Form 8-K filed on October 2, 1996 which is incorporated herein by reference. 13 14 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements 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 on the 14th day of November, 1996. EQUITY MARKETING, INC. By: /s/ DONALD A. KURZ -------------------------------- Donald A. Kurz President, Co-Chief Executive Officer By: /s/ KENNETH M. FISHER -------------------------------- Kenneth M. Fisher Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 14